Grading the 2008 Eagles draft the right way

To understand where we're headed, we must examine our past. So let's take a look back one year...

2^nd round – Trevor Laws
Actual performance: Poor. 11 tackles on the year, though he did record a safety
Anagram performance: Fair. “Wort slaver” and “Straw lover” are fun, but don’t really say much.

2^nd round – DeSean Jackson
Actual performance: Great. Top WR on the squad, and a special teams threat.
Anagram performance: Great. “One jackass end” perfectly captures that pre-TD fumble.

3^rd Round – Bryan Smith
Actual performance: Poor. Did not appear in a game
Anagram performance: Fair. “Brains myth” and “Many births” cover two potential future scandals.

4^th Round – Mike McGlynn
Actual performance: Fair. Only appeared in three games, but could have a role in 09.
Anagram performance: Poor. “Men Gym Clink” gets you nowhere, but there aren’t other good options.

4^th Round -- Quintin Demps
Actual performance: Good. Solid return man, needs to improve at DB quickly.
Anagram performance: Good. “End mint quips” doesn’t make much sense, but it’s catchy.

4^th Round -- Jack Ikegwuonu
Actual performance: Incomplete. Spent the year injured, could be a solid DB.
Anagram performance: Poor: Neither “A Juice Gunk Wok” nor “I Nuke Wacko Jug” show true insight.

6^th Round – Mike Gibson
Actual performance: Poor. Did not appear in a single game.
Anagram performance: Great. “Mike is bong” is awesome, as is “Big smoke-in.”

6^th Round – Joe Mays
Actual performance: Poor. Six games, no tackles from this LB.
Anagram performance: Good. “Some joy” is boring, but “Jam ye so” is great for an LB.

6^th Round – Andy Studebaker
Actual performance: Poor. Cut from the team.
Anagram performance: High. “Astray Debunked” and “Add Turkey Beans” are both hilarious in their own way.

7^th Round – King Dunlap
Actual performance: Fair. He hasn’t done anything, but he’s still on the team.
Anagram performance: High. They guy’s name is already ridiculous. You have to reverse anagram it to “Dan Glunnik” just to make sense of it.

Pre-Draftsgiving quiz

Are you ready for this weekend? Find out by testing your NFL knowledge with the quiz below:
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Draft prospect or Star Wars character?

Pannel Egboh

Draft prospect Star Wars character

Nom Anor
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Natasi Daala
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Kaluka Maiava
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Fenuki Tupou
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Irek Ismaren
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Captain Munnerlyn
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Bren Derlin
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Wopamo Osaisai
Draft prospect Star Wars character

Keyan Farlander
Draft prospect Star Wars character

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Scoring Key
9-10 pts -- 3rd Round pick Brian Westbrook
7-8 pts -- 2nd Round pick DeSean Jackson
5-6 pts -- 3rd Round pick Stewart Bradley
3-4 pts -- 2nd Round pick Winston Justice
1-2 pts -- 1st Round pick Freddie Mitchell
0 pts -- 2nd Round pick Kevin Kolb

If you don't believe me, you can check for yourself here and here.

Getting ready for Draftsgiving 2009

We're just a few days from Draftsgiving, so it's time to start making your preparations. If that doesn't include a trip to Fort Awesome, here are a few changes from the past you need to be aware of:

** The draft starts at 4pm this year. This means the Eagles likely won't pick until after 7 pm. But drinking is still scheduled to commence at 11:45 am.

** Speaking of the Eagles, we're rooting for the Broncos this year. I think the reasons are pretty obvious. Appropriate attire will be your favorite Denver jersey. In lieu of that, pick the jersey of your favorite former Eagle.

** You still need at least three TVs to properly celebrate the holiday. Five is preferable. Seven is just ridiculous.

** There is only one obvious choice for the #1 pick this year. His name is Chase Utley. He already plays for your World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. His preferred sport is irrelevant.

** When in doubt, have another beer. Or another steak. Either will help you get in the holiday mood.

More instructions to come.

There is no joy in Mudville

Today I got to see my first Phillies' win of the season -- unfortunately, it was also the first Phillies' win of my life that I know Harry Kalas wasn't announcing.

I can't name a more beloved Philadelphia sports figure than Harry. Until I compose myself and think of something better to post, here's one of the highlights of my journalism career.


Click on the picture to read it. Make sure you check out the last few paragraphs.

T-shirt suggestions

It's just a few minutes before the opening game of the Phils' title defense -- if you haven't decided what T-shirt to wear yet, why not make your own? Here's some logos you're free to use:

Meet the new Phillies

We're just a few days away from the World Champions of Baseball resuming play. I know you remember all the regulars from last year (even little Carlos "game winning run" Ruiz) but here's a look at some of the new faces on the team to get you ready for 2009:

Raul Ibanez -- This long-time Seattle outfielder will try and fill Pat Burrell's slow-but-powerful shoes. He's driven in more than 100 runs the last three years, so he should be up to the task.

Chan Ho Park -- The Korean journeyman is the Phillies new fifth starter; He wanted the job so badly he skipped the World Baseball Classic to spend more time in camp.

Marcus Giles -- This former Brave is looking to revive his career
Cut from team, nevermind.

John Mayberry Jr. -- One of the Phils' top minor league prospects
Sent back down, nevermind

Ronnie Paulino -- The front office brought him in to push Coste
Traded from team, nevermind

Mike Koplove -- The Phils' AAA pitcher has a chance to make the
Sent back down, nevermind

Sean Jones -- This safety has the daunting task of
Plays for the Eagles, nevermind

Carlos Carrasco -- He' a long-shot to make the team, but
Sent back down, nevermind

Ummm, yeah. Just really Ibanez and Park, I guess. Although, all Ibanez has to do is hit twice in the World Series, and that should be enough for a second trophy.

Question of the day

Jimmy Rollins: Cool, or too cool?

Discuss.

Field of 64 ... Philly style

Just like last year, here's a look back at 2008 in Philly sports in NCAA basketball style. Click on the picture to enlarge it.


Now with more Koy than ever!

10 best in Philly sports

After last week's downer, it's time to move on and look at the positive. So here are the 10 greatest moments in Philly sports history over the last 20 years.

Moments that just missed the cut:
Aug 2004: T.O.'s 81-yard TD on first pre-season play at home
Jan 1995: Eagles beat Lomas, Lions 58-37
Sep 2000: The Pickle Juice game; Dallas loses 41-14
May 1996: Pat Croce high-fives suits after winning draft lottery
July 1995: Schmidt, Ashburn admitted to HOF

10 -- Jul 2007: Phils lose 10,000th game
As great as seeing two Phils greats inducted in the Hall of Fame on the same day, this moment beats it. A sell-out crowd gives a standing ovation as the losingest franchise in all American sports drops the big 1-0-0-0-0 to the Cardinals. They might be losers, but they’re our losers.

9 -- Dec 1995: The Groundhog Day game
Also known as “They stopped him again!” Barry Switzer sends Emmitt Smith into the Eagles D-line on fourth-and-one, but the refs claim the two-minute warning occurred before the men in green stoned him. After the break, Switzer calls the same play, and Smith picks up even fewer yards. The Eagles kick a FG on the next possession and win 20-17.

8 -- Sep 2007: Phils win NL East on final day
The Mets and Phils entered the day tied atop the NL East. By the time the Phils first inning against the Nads started, the Mets were already down 4-0 to the Marlins. By the time the day was over, Jimmy Rollins had his 20th triple of the year and the Phils were headed to the post-season.

7 -- Jan 2003: Eagles beat Packers in OT 4th and 26
With the Eagles losing by a FG late in the fourth, all the Packers had to do to get to the NFC Championship game was stop Freddie Mitchell from catching a ridiculous last-chance heave down the middle of the field. They couldn’t.

6 -- Dec 2008: Eagles thump Cowboys in finale
For the Eagles to make the playoffs, all they needed were two conference upsets and a home win against the Cowboys on the last day of the season. After the first two improbable games went the right way, the Eagles hung up 27 points in the first half, and embarrassed Tony Romo with two defensive TDs in the second half to win 44-6.

5 -- Oct 1993: Phils beat Braves in NLCS
All-World pitcher Greg Maddux wasn’t a match for Tommy Greene this day. A Darren Daulton double, a Mickey Morandini triple and a Dave Hollins HR gave the Phils a 6-1 lead that even Mitch Williams couldn’t blow, and the team made their first trip to the World Series in a decade.

4 -- May 2000: Flyers down the Pens in fifth OT
In the eighth period of the game, at 2:35 am, Keith Primeau fired a slapshot past Pens goalie Ron Tugnutt to end the third-longest game in NHL history and tie up the Flyers playoff series at 2-2. The loss was a backbreaker for the rival Pens, who went on to lose the series in six games.

3 -- Jun 2001: Iverson steps over Tyrone Lue
You knew the Sixers weren’t going to beat the heavily-favored Lakers. But in overtime of the first game of the Finals, Allen Iverson drained a three, then disgustedly stepped over the Lakers pesky PG as he marched backed down the court. The Sixers stole game one and for a moment you thought it could actually happen.

2 -- Jan 2005: Eagles win the NFC championship
We were beginning to think this would never happen – after three consecutive championship game losses, the Eagles faced the Falcons in Philly for their fourth try at the Super Bowl. TE Chad Lewis broke his foot in the fourth quarter catching the clinching TD. Best moment within the moment: Seeing Dawkins in tears holding up the NFC trophy.

1 -- Oct 2008: Phils win World Series, have a parade
Billy Penn provided a little rain delay to remind us he’s in charge, but the curse was finally lifted when Brad Lidge blew a fastball by Eric Hinske to win the championship at home. The parade on Broad Street took three times longer than it should have because the crowd kept spilling over in front of the floats. WFC. Unbelievable.

In fact, let's relive that last one again.

10 worst in Philly sports

We've already been through the first three stages of grief (shock, pain, anger) over Dawkins' departure, but before we can move on to stage five (calm rationalization) we need to bulldoze our way through stage four: reflection. So that means ranking where losing the greatest Iggle of the last two decades fits in the worst Philadelphia sports moments of the last 20 years.

I submit it ranks pretty high. Discounting untimely deaths of sports figures (because that's an actual tragedy, not a sports one) and the destruction of the Vet (it sucked, but it didn't make me want to stop watching sports altogether, here's my top ten:

Moments that just missed the cut:
Oct 2007: Phillies swept by Rockies in first round of playoffs
Aug 2005: Terrell Owens threatens holdout
Mar 1993: Reggie White signs with Packers
Jan 2004: Eagles lose NFC Champs to Panthers, 14-3
Dec 2006: Allen Iverson traded to Nuggets

10 -- Dec 1994: Eagles lose last seven games to finish 7-9
Included in that streak was a 31-19 loss to the Cowboys where Randall Cunningham had a fourth-quarter interception returned 100 yards for a touchdown. That was my 18th birthday.

9 -- Jun 1997: Flyers swept by Red Wings in finals
Sweeps are always painful. It had been 10 years since the city had seen great hockey, and that unstoppable “Crazy Eights” line got run over in Ron Hextall’s last chance at a Stanley Cup trophy.

8 -- Jul 2000: Curt Schilling traded to Diamondbacks
We all knew it was coming, we just didn’t know that all the Phils would get back in return were Omar Daal, Travis Lee and Vincente Padilla. Nothing like trading a Hall of Famer for a 20-game loser.

7 -- Jun 2001: Lakers and Kobe beat Sixers in the finals
Why did it have to be Kobe? And did the Lakers really need another one?

6 -- Sep 1997: Hutton fumbles, Eagles lose 21-20 in Dallas
The only regular season game on this list, but undoubtedly the most painful. Tommy Hutton handled the ball more than 800 times in five NFL seasons. Losing a FG snap in the last seconds of a Dallas game is the only one anyone remembers anymore.

5 -- May 2000: Flyers lose conf finals after leading 3-1
The Flyers became the first team ever to lose the conference championship when up three games to one. And they did it to Marty Brodeur and the Devils. And Eric Lindros was killed on the ice in the start of decisive game seven. Good stuff.

4 -- Jan 2005: Eagles lose Super Bowl to Patriots, 24-21
The Patriots were clearly the better team, so there’s some solace in that. But they had the ball with a minute left down by three, and instead of throwing up some points on the board all Donovan McNabb could throw up was air.

3 -- Oct 1993: Phillies lose WS on Joe Carter’s walk-off homer
I’ve finally forgiven Mitch Williams for this blown save. I still haven’t forgiven him for the three other blown saves he had this postseason.

2 -- Feb 2009: Brian Dawkins signs with Broncos
I think this is that bad. Dawkins is (was) the only Hall of Famer on the Eagles, and through all the ups and downs Dawk was always there fighting. He’s the only player in NFL history to have a sack, a fumble recovery and a TD catch in the same game. He’s had at least one interception each of the last 13 years. He has been to seven Pro Bowls. When he held up the NFC championship trophy four years ago, it was one of the greatest sports moments in the city’s history. When he left last week it was one of the worst.

1 -- Jan 2003: Eagles lose NFC Champs to Bucs, 27-10
As bad as Dawk leaving is, it doesn’t top this disaster. This was the Eagles final game at the Vet. They had beaten Tampa in the playoffs the two prior seasons. They took the opening kickoff 80 yards. They were up 7-0 in the first 30 seconds of the game. The Eagles were going to win and go to the Super Bowl. We all knew the Eagles were going to win and go to the Super Bowl. It was obvious the Eagles were going to win and go to the Super Bowl. And three hours later, when they lost a one-sided disaster, none of us understood how or why they weren't going to the Super Bowl. This was the year the Eagles should have won it all, and I’m still waiting for Andy Reid to explain it and apologize adequately.

OK, we're past the mourning now. Next week I'll do the top 10 happy moments and we'll roll with that right into the Phils season.

Sports week so far

Rumors are this should be resolved one way or another today. This can't be happening, right?

Clear, concise research

The Eagles will likely make a decision this week whether to re-sign their longest-tenured and most popular player, S Brian Dawkins. To help with that decision, I humbly submit the following data.

12 years before Dawk: 107-99-2 regular season record (.514)
12 years with Dawk: 116-90-2 regular season record (.556)

12 years before Dawk: 2-6 in the playoffs
12 years with Dawk: 10-8 in the playoffs

12 years before Dawk: 0 NFC champs, 0 Super Bowl visits
12 years with Dawk: 5 NFC champs, 1 Super Bowl visit

12 years before Dawk: 989-1050 Phils record, 0 champs
12 years with Dawk: 1053-1061 Phils record, 1 championship

12 years before Dawk: Zero Arena Bowl Championships
12 years with Dawk: One Arena Bowl Championship

12 years before Dawk: Median Philly income of $24,041 (1990)
12 years with Dawk: Median Philly income of $37,565 (2007)

12 years before Dawk: Average Philly temp of 53.7 F (1984)
12 years with Dawk: Average Philly temp of 54.6 F (2000)

So Philadelphia is warmer, richer and has more championships since Dawkins arrived from Georgia. I think next move for Philadelphia is pretty obvious.

UPDATE: Got the years right on this, finally.

Let's get it out of our system

The baseball season is 162 games, and that doesn't count the pre-season and post-season. And at just one joke a day, we're looking at more than 200 A-Rod steroid jokes over the next few months.

So start collecting the nicknames now. This should be enough to get you to the end of March.

** A-Fraud (already used by Joe Torre)
** Nay-Rod
** A-Roid (already used by the NY Daily News)
** Roid-Rod
** Way-Fraud
** A-Hole (already used by the NY Post)
** Sob-Rod
** Fake-Rod
** A-Flawed
** Pay-Rod
** A-Scrod
** Gay-Rod
** A-Rot
** Odd-Rod
** A-Cod
** A-Rob
** Barry-Rod

For comparison's sake

Feel like you can't get a handle on just how much Ryan Howard's new three-year, $54 million deal can get him? Click on the chart below. The baseballs seem like a particularly good deal, since he'll likely keep losing them in the outfield stands.

Give me a %$&* break!!!

With just three minutes left in the fourth quarter of today's Pro Bowl, with the NFC up by a field goal but the AFC moving down the field with all three of their timeouts, DE Julius Peppers intercepted the ball and returned it 12 yards. All that was left was for Andy Reid to call three running plays and get ready to go home ...


HOLY CRAP, ANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAN'T YOU EVER JUST RUN THE DAMN BALL????

It's an exhibition and he still won't use basic football sense. For the love of gawd...

Appreciate the last days of the season

A lot of folks will try to convince you this week that next Sunday isn't important.

They'll tell you the Sunday after the Super Bowl never matters. They'll tell you you just watched a great football championship game, and it's time to leave the past behind. They'll tell you none of the players are thinking about Sunday. They'll tell you the Sixers and Flyers are having good years, and you should start focusing solely on them. They'll tell you it's time to let the season go.

These people are wrong.

Next Sunday is about the fans. It's about appreciating the success and failures of the season. It's about looking back objectively and appreciating what the hometown team accomplished. It's about admitting that everything wasn't perfect, but in the end the ride was more than you hoped for. It's about seeing your team making a run and making the whole city proud.

So next Sunday is important. Celebrate it. Enjoy it. Make sure your friends stop and enjoy it too.

Because not every Sunday is the 100-day anniversary of the Philadelphia Phillies' triumphant World Series parade down Broad Street. It's the first 100 days of a new, curse-free city. It's 100 days of being on top. It's 100 days of freedom.

Wait, you thought I was talking about the Pro-Bowl?

Hell, no. Nobody watches that crap anymore.

Fun facts about Super Bowl XLIII

Think a match-up between Phoenix and Pittsburgh can't make for an exciting championship game? Think again! Here are some fun facts about Sunday's big game so you can quiz your friends and keep you riveted to the screen:

** The Cardinals haven't always been in Arizona, you know. Before 1988 they played in Missouri as the St. Louis Cardinals, and before that in Illinois as the Chicago Arizonas. Weird, huh?

** This will be the Steelers seventh Super Bowl, and if they win they'll become the first franchise to get six Super Bowl trophies. So start the "one for the other thumb" chants now.

** Looking for former Eagles to root for on Sunday? How about Philly greats WR Sean Morey and CB Matt Ware of the Cardinals? Or P Mitch Berger of the Steelers? Who could forget his five games with the Birds in 1994?

** This will be the first football championship handed out since the Philly Soul won the Arena Bowl last summer. And it's be the first major sports championship handed out since the Phillies won the World Series. No, as a matter of fact the BCS doesn't count.

** Did you know Larry Fitzgerald's father is a well-respected Minnesota sportswriter? And his mother is Neil Diamond!

** Mike Tomlin? Yeah, he's killed men with his stare. Through the TV even.

** This is only the second time in NFL history that two Super Bowl-winning QBs have squared off against each other in the big game. The last time we had such great QBs squaring off? Kerry Collins vs Trent Dilfer in 2001. Those guys were amazing.

** You know what would have been more exciting than a Steelers-Cardinals game? Anything! Seriously, is the Puppy Bowl still on?

Upon reflection

Now that I've had a day to cool down after yesterday's debacle, I can calmly and clearly see the only rational reaction to yet another NFC championship loss.

Please go here.

A rough day for some

Tips for dealing with Giants fans

Many of the Philly faithful will be heading up I-95 this weekend to experience the third (and decisive) match-up between the Giants and Iggles this weekend. In the interest of being the good neighbors that we are, here are some tips to keep in mind when encountering the opposition's fanbase.

Bring a map with you -- Giants' fans have a very sketchy sense of direction and geography; For example, they seem unaware that their team does not play in the state or city of New York. To make sure you don't get lost, take a map of the entire eastern seaboard with you.

Be kind to young children -- Even the ones wearing Giants' gear who make funny faces at you. You don't want the experience of an Eagles win to be ruined for them. Besides, one of them might be little Eli Manning. He makes some of the weirdest faces.

Don't make any sudden movements -- You could shoot yourself in the leg. It's a problem up there.

Be careful about the food -- Just because they put "New York" in front of its name doesn't mean it's a new or better food. "New York Pizza" and "New York Bagels" and "New York Hot Dogs" taste just like regular ones. Stay away from "New York Cheesteaks."

Feel free to bring up the Patriots and Cowboys -- Just because we hate each other as fans doesn't mean we can't enjoy other people's misery. Feel free to thank them for the playoffs last year, when they dispatched both teams.

Don't sneeze -- Punter Jeff Feagles is 137 years old and the slightest wind could knock him over. On second though, sneeze alot.

After the game, don't bring Greg Lewis home -- Win or lose, he stays up there.