Gridiron Gals

My Fantasy Superbowl – Harbaugh Bowl Two

2012-01-23T14:43:00.000-05:00

Now that the final two teams have battled their way to the top of the NFC and AFC Divisions for the honor of meeting in Indianapolis for the Superbowl, my fantasy of an inner family sibling rivalry remains just that. For the record, I’m neither a San Francisco 49ers fan nor a Baltimore Ravens fan. When it comes to the NFL, I’m a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan. So it wasn’t about my team reaching the biggest game on the planet, it was about me being a fan of family.

How cool would it be if you and your sib were on opposite sides of the field leading the two most successful teams in America’s favorite sport in front of its largest audience? I could only imagine how fun it would be to go on a ride like that with my sister. Are you kidding? There aren’t many things that could be better than that! I love the imaginary and implied dynamic of these two obviously close brothers having to pull from pillow fights on bunk beds or a race for the front seat of the car to reinvent their competitive ire. And it would have been a totally different scenario from Harbaugh Bowl One when they played against each other on Thanksgiving. This is the Superbowl!

Yes, I’m sure I’d be nauseous from how much the media spun this story into a sickening channel switcher. But minus the sports talk hype, I would have enjoyed watching this battle for bragging rights around Jack and Jackie Harbaugh’s dinner table like no other Superbowl before. Can you imagine the parental pride? Can you picture the wives and children of the two opposing coaches preparing for the game? What about their poor sister who may have to wear one of those hybrid team jerseys, you know…the kind that is split and sewn right down the middle with one half black and purple and the other red and gold? How I wish my fantasy could have become a reality just for the family fun of it.

Don’t get me wrong. I think it would have also been a great football game between these two defensive minded teams. One thing about Jim and John Harbaugh, they coach a fierce game. Of course then I’d be challenged with the decision of who I would cheer for, most likely John. I just like him better. Although there is something about Jim’s rough around the edges persona that makes me want to root for him. He’s done amazing things in San Francisco this year that I totally and completely respect. But I still think I’d lean toward Baltimore since they’ve got this group of veteran players that have poured their hearts out this year for what could have been a grand finale.
Nonetheless, on Sunday February 5th it will be the New England Patriots and the New York Giants in the Superbowl. Been there, done that football. And in my musing it is not my intent to take anything from what these two teams have accomplished because this will be a great game. Oh, don’t get it twisted; this will be one mean, sick fight between these two teams and these two towns who live in a constant state of sports rivalry. But for just one moment, I would have cherished seeing two brothers who love each other, love their jobs, love their players, and love this game dueling for the Lombardi trophy. Somehow, I think despite the competition it would have truly been all love when the clock ran down and in the most endearing fashion; somehow they both would have been winners.

Helen Little

Playoffs! We're talking about playoffs

2012-01-03T18:22:00.005-05:00

Last week’s OT win in Kansas made the idea of going to the Raiders game Sunday a great way to start the New Year. We were a shoe in or so I thought. I get to the Coliseum and as usual the fans were out and ready. They even had a punching bag with Rivers face on it in the parking lot. I hit it, I couldn’t resist.

What a game! The road to the playoffs is on the line and we lose. To be honest, I can’t really be mad at Sundays game, the Raiders should have locked the division WEEKS ago. Instead we are hoping that KC wins and Denver loses or Cin loses and Jets and Titans win… All of which should have been unnecessary. The Raiders came out playing as if they knew what was at stake. As the Chargers moved down the field Giordano intercepts it. Moving the ball well with short passes and runs, Oakland was first on the board. While Bush is a good back I miss DMC and his speed and ability to cut and move outside.

The Chargers came to be little playoff spoilers but the Raiders were determined to not let that happen. SD run game wasn’t given much of a chance by the Oakland defense and that’s when Rivers took it to the air abusing our secondary and Oakland gets burned for a touchdown. After a Raiders 3 and out SD scores again, this time from one but you want to know what set that up. A series of terrible coverage by the secondary and a PI call on yours truly Stanford Routt. The next possession Oakland should have put 7 on the board an instead settled for 3. Janikowski kicks to Brinkley and what does he do? He goes 105 yards for a touchdown. The stadium was quiet. There was no flag on the play and no tackling either. He went straight up the middle and was gone. Oak and SD would exchange field goals and as Oakland is in the last possession before the half Palmer throws it to Murphy and he STAYS IN BOUNDS... I can’t believe it him staying inbounds leaves no time for the FG unit or for Palmer to spike the ball. Oak enters the half down 24-13

While Oakland is kicking FG the Chargers are putting up touchdowns. These are the things that shouldn’t be taking place when you’re fighting for a playoff spot. Just as I’m screaming about some defense Special teams makes a huge play. Seeing it live you thought that the Raiders pinned Brinkley for a safety but after the replay he was down right at the one. Rivers moved his team down the field and while Oakland had been terrible on 3rd down San Diego was unable to convert and the FG takes the field. Special Teams comes up HUGE with a blocked FG. It’s the 4th quarter and Oakland is scratching to comeback. Palmer to Heyward Bey for a big gain that ultimately sets ups a TD by the TE Kevin Boss who has been as quiet as a church mouse this season. By this time people in the section where I was sitting finally saw that KC beat DEN and all we needed was a stop and score. The scoring wasn’t the issue it was the stops that Oakland was having a problem with. Blitzing and not getting one sack and the secondary being exposed.

The score is 26-31 in favor of the Chargers. The defense needs to hold on. Special teams had bailed out both the offense and the defense and it’s time to not let them down. TUH! Child Please. Litto & branch lost their minds. Both players giving up plays for more than 50 yards combined. Not the type of defense you want to display when you’re come from 3 scores down to just one. Not when you need one touchdown to advance to playoffs. Too see the post season... What happens? Rivers to Floyd for a touchdown is what happened. Game over but most importantly SEASON over. KC handled business and it was up to the Raiders to seal the deal and they couldn’t. It wasn’t for a lack of trying it was really just terrible defense. The Chargers found the weakness and took advantage of it.

In all honesty the Raiders shouldn’t have been in this position. The division should have been won weeks ago. Costly mistakes and penalties attributed to the failure of reaching the post season. Yeah a healthy Mc Fadden and a Palmer that had a full season, who knows what could have happened but the fact that we had tools and opportunities several times makes that statement meaningless. 8-8 without a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th round pick and a suspect secondary is what the Raiders have to look forward to in the off season. Seeing the way Hue Jackson worked with what he had given the players lost in Free Agency and the injuries to the team he did a good job. I’m sure the Raiders will be fine for the 2012-2013 season.

Do You Still Believe? Eagles Ground the Jets

2011-12-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

There is freedom in a lack of expectations. When you are expecting something and don't get it, the result is disappointment. Yet, when you have no expectation and you get something, it's a welcome gift or a surprise. The collective fandom of the Philadelphia Eagles had great expectations at the start of this season and as the franchise faltered we pulled our lenses back for a more realistic view of our team. The disappointment turned many fans sour while the diehards continued to root for the home team because that's just what you do.

Perhaps below the epidermis there was still hope brewing beneath the pigskin's surface and certainly welled up in our hearts. But disappoint can hurt so we detached ourselves from any lofty expectations and began projecting next year thoughts sooner than we had done in years past and quite some time ago. Then they started to win again.

There is no argument, winning always feels great. On this Upset Sunday, many fans felt the warm fuzzy feeling of winning that they had not felt, not like this. The winless Colts won again against a division rival. The Chiefs took down the undefeated Superbowl Champion Green Bay Packers. The Redskins stopped the Giants for the second time this year. The Panthers beat the Texans in a shocker and the Eagles showed the Jets how it's done. It could be called the day of the underdog if nothing else!

Neither of former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan's boys have been able to best the Birds this year and Rex got to taste what Rob had for lunch a couple of weeks ago. It seems now that the season is near done, the Eagles are playing like a team on fire. The defense got things started in the first quarter forcing a turnover that became a touchdown when LB Casey Mathews forced a fumble after Jets WR Santonio Holmes made the catch. DE Juqua Parker was there to scoop up the ball and run it into the end zone for the first score of the game. Throughout the game the defense made us proud with four forced turnovers that resulted in 21 points in the first half and three sacks on Jets QB Mark Sanchez from DE Jason Babin alone.

On offense they got the job done too. TE Brent Celek and RB LeSean McCoy both had record breaking days. McCoy with three touchdowns set a new Eagles rushing touchdown record for a season and Celek registered his most receiving yards after snagging five catches for 156 yards in a single game. QB Michael Vick also had a great afternoon with his first rushing touchdown this year and 274 passing yards. There were still some sloppy plays on offense with a couple of fumbles that gave the ball back to the Jets but the Eagles' overall performance more than made up for it. The Jets are 0-9 against Philadelphia and were sent back up the New Jersey turnpike with a brutal loss.

Final score, Eagles 45 - Jets 19.

After this win, coupled with a Giants loss the questions remains do you believe? Do you believe the stars will align and the Eagles win the division and make the playoffs after one horrific season? With no shot at a wild card berth, that means the Eagles have to win out and especially must beat Dallas next week. It means that the battle for Gotham between the Jets and the Giants has to result in big apple bragging rights for the Jets. And it means that the Giants have to beat the Cowboys in their last home game of the season. That's a whole lot of conditions having to be just right. But if you believe, who knows what will happen. Remember, on any given Sunday, and team can beat another. I've seen it happen with this team before. And yes, I still believe.

Birds Thaw In Miami

2011-12-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

It's been a winter of discontent this fall in Philadelphia for Eagles fans. A cloud of disgust has hung over Lincoln Financial Field as chants and t-shirts calling for the coach's head is more the norm than team jerseys and the fight song. Quite frankly, it's been real ugly. We're an extremely passionate bunch and when things aren't going well the passion can take a sour turn down Broad Street. But our wants are simple. We want to win and win big! Maybe Santa will bring us our wish.

At this point in the season, after a string of defeats and injuries created a nice batch of Loser Stew, most of us are watching because we like the game of football. And yes, we still love our team, just not how they have played this year. Going into Miami this week our expectations were non-existent after we had expected wins against Seattle and Arizona. The Dolphins have been playing with heart and winning. So this week it was just about watching football on a Sunday afternoon.

This game started with a disaster induced feel to it. It seemed like it was going to be another one of "those" games. You know, the embarrassingly awful performance type of game that we saw last week and the week before. Since I was numb from the previous losses and the 4-8 record, it didn't sting nearly as much as it has over the past several weeks after an interception on our first drive put Miami in great field position and they made it work. The Dolphins put up the first points as our high priced CB Nnmadi Asomugha got burnt, no torched by Miami's WR Brandon Marshall on a touchdown catch in the back of the end zone. I went and got something to drink and decided to play Words With Friends since I had seen this movie before.

As I juggled multiple opponents via my favorite time burn app, the TV played in the background and suddenly things got interesting. It turns out this wasn't the same movie. Oh, that's Michael Vick starring as The Quarterback, not Vince Young. Ok, maybe this is worth the price of admission. Look, there's Desean Jackson. He's actually playing! And who is that? Brent Celek? He's been included in the offense this week along with some running plays from Andy Reid? Ok...I think I'm interested in this football game more than the Words game so I put my iPad down and focused on the field.

After a shaky start things began to cook as our defense forced turnovers and our offense put up points. RB Lesean McCoy struck first and yielded two rushing touchdowns before the half and the Vick-Jackson connection returned as Michael threw a 34 yard bomb to WR Desean Jackson for another score. Add in a field goal and we had a halftime lead of 24-7. The defense was there to play hard, holding the Dolphins to only one touchdown, a field goal and garnering our only score of the second half. They forced three turnovers in the first half, added a safety after the halftime break, and those takeaways resulted in 17 points. Although there were no offensive points scored in second half, it was clear this team met the challenge to change what needed to change and work together for a win.

Final score 26-10.

No one is looking at this win like we just defeated the Packers since Miami had the same pitifully poor record that the Eagles had, but a win is a win. I could go into the crazy mathematics that still keep the playoff hopes for this team alive but I view that as a mild form of torture. Instead I'll just mention next weeks opponents, the NY Jets who will be in a must win situation in order for them to stay in playoff contention. This will be one nasty, messy match up between two teams battle to be Green supreme. Spoiler or not. A win still fares well for Philadelphia.

America's Team: Top of the Division

2011-12-02T08:41:00.005-05:00

It's what happens when everyone is telling old "Romo" jokes...laughing at Rob Ryan's defense, and "Red Headed Jesus'" play calling...

It's what happens when nobody expects your team to be much more than what they were this time last year at 3-8

Dallas Cowboys...America's Team...quietly...cautiously...at the top of the NFC East Division.

Chels

SD Got Bolted UP!

2011-11-14T19:01:00.006-05:00

What did I tell yall?! The Raiders came out with a 1-2 punch for that a**. Talk about a rebound! No NBA pun intended LOL. The Raiders claim the number one spot in the AFC West after smashing the Chargers on Thursday in their own home. This was a game the Raiders needed after having two ghastly back to back losses.

McFadden sat out once again but Bush, in his absence did a great job. He ran for 242yards and took a 2 yard leap for a touchdown. His performance was a lot better than previous weeks. He was unable to score from just 2 yards out a couple of weeks ago. A back his size should be unstoppable 80% of the time. Palmer had 299 yards with only one interception & he threw two TDs. His target wasn’t Jacoby Ford (who subsequently left the game with a foot injury) or DHB it was Denarius Moore and he had a stellar performance! 123 yards & two TDs. He was Palmers go to guy & he made big plays when needed.

A few people have been asking about Bey. He hasn’t shown up on an injury report but hasn’t seen much action. Like I said before, I think it is because he gave up on a play when Oakland played KC. Palmer did not overthrow him, he slowed down.... moving along.

Rivers had been playing nasty and so had the Raiders defense. Not to excuse Oakland’s offense but they did have a few new pieces added to the mix that requires longer than 2 weeks to get used to. In any case it was time for somebody to put up or shut up. The injuries to SD didn’t make it easy for Rivers and the help from his rookie WR just wasn’t enough to stop the offensive charge and defensive force of the Oakland Raiders. The team was in a zone, the defense wouldn’t let Rivers breath as he was sacked 6 times and the Chargers couldn’t do too much with their run game with Matthews, Tolbert or Brinkley at less than 100%. So what did Rivers do? He put that pigskin in the air. Our CB are so much shorter than their WR, I knew before the game started that the advantage would go to San Diego. It was a good thing the defense was suffocating Rivers preventing him from getting his WR involved.

I was all over the place crazy. I went from watching it in the house to listening in the car as I drove my daughter to her grandparents so they see her off to homecoming. While she was eating I was watching and back to listening as I dropped her off at the dance. I was minutes away from home and I heard them say "Matt Giordano intercepts the ball" I was screaming like it was the Super Bowl.

The Chargers were threatening to tie the game with just under 4 minutes left and I did not want a repeat of the Denver game. This win puts us in the number one spot in the AFC West and gives us a good boost heading into next week. Palmer and the offense should feel good and our defense should feel even better. This one a great show they put on. The offensive line gave Palmer enough time to throw and the receivers were making room in order to be open. A very good sign heading into next week game in Minnesota.

I called the Raiders regualr season record ending at 10-6 and right now we are 5-4. I have the nerve to say we can win out but anything can happen. Next week we hand another L to the Vikings.

11/27 I will be watching the Raiders vs Bears in Paris. So excited!

LETS GO RAIDERS

The Broncos Tho?

2011-11-14T17:17:00.006-05:00

When KC thrashed us I didn’t jump all over Palmer because all of this was new to him. The playbook, players and the staff are unfamiliar so I couldnt be too hard on him. But today?! Today he threw THREE picks. One of them happened to be converted into a TD and in my mind that changed the way of the game. What can I say about this Bronco game? What CANT I say about this Bronco game? Little Timmy came into the Coliseum with these Pop Warner run plays and murdered our defense towards the end of the game. These are plays my 10 year Defensive End can defend. What in the HELL was going on?

I know it still hasn’t been that long but I figured week would have helped Palmer out not to mention the Raiders went out and signed TJ ‘drop the ball” Houshmandzadeh. The time did help, I just expected him to come out and play like he has had a relationship with the players since day 1. How Stan-ish of me. In his defense, he threw 3 lovely touchdowns. He hit the players’ right in their numbers, including TJ. He worked the pocket and made decent pass/run choices for the majority of the game.

Bush did a great job moving the ball for the Raiders on the ground along with Reece. A healthy McFadden would have helped but the job that Reece and Bush were doing wasn’t bad at all. They gave us our first two touchdowns both in the 2nd quarter. Jacoby Ford would also add a touchdown to the score giving the Raiders a 10 point lead in the third. There was one WR that I hadn’t seen much of and that was DHB. He wasn’t injured and was only targeted one time with no receptions. The only thing I could think of was that play last week in OAK when Palmer aired the ball out and DHB stopped running causing the ball to appear to be over thrown and giving up a TD. After that Carson didn’t look for him and it looked as if it carried over into the following week and I don’t blame Carson. You’re never bigger than the movement. Give it the Wide outs that want to contribute. That’s what he did.

The Raiders looked to be on the road to victory before Carson Palmers pass was intercepted at the end of the third ultimately setting up the score to tie the game. To start the 4yth quarter off The Broncos Eddie Royal ran a punt back for a touchdown. It’s like you heard the whole stadium sigh. I know I did. That was two TD back to back. It was two TD that both could have been prevented. What do I know? I just watch the game. So now the Broncos are up and here is where the BS starts. We aren’t able to buy a first down!! In the 4th quarter when the opposition is up a tub and WE CAN’T BUY A FIRST DOWN! We kick it back to young Timmy and as he takes the snap and the play unfolds, I scream WTF is this? The defense looked shocked. Four 1st downs in a row off this Mickey Mouse shotgun formation. That same Mickey Mouse formation set McGahee up for the score that put the nails in the Raiders coffin.

Broncos win 38-24. 3 unanswered scores topped off with a 3rd Palmer interception. This was heart breaking. The last Den possession the Oak defense lined up to defend the run perfectly and still got ran over. This was a game we needed to win. No ifs, ands or buts about it. It was very disappointing that we gave this game away.
Next week we play the Chargers. Rivers has been TERRIBLE, they are banged up and our defense needs redemption. This is a game we will win. Palmer will have his head on straight and correct the errors from the Bronco game. The division lead depends on it. Denver will beat KC and that will leave SD, KC and Den in a 3way tie for 2nd. The Raiders will be all alone in the top spot.

Winners & Losers: Which One Is Philadelphia?

2011-11-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

I love singing the Eagles fight song. It’s one of the small things I appreciate about being an Eagles fan. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of singing in the City of Brotherly Love. Groans would be a better description of what it sounds like there. Pretty soon the sound will be silence if the stands reflect the way fans feel about this season. Why? Because Tim Tebow’s Broncos have a better record than our Eagles. Because there is something incredibly wrong with our team. When it comes to winners and losers, I have to admit that today my team, the Philadelphia Eagles, look like losers.

Winner: Eagles vs. Cowboys

It was just a short while ago that the Birds were coming off of a bye week and we saw them on fire with a refreshed and renewed focus and determination to win. They were the awesome and amazing team we believed they were and every Eagle-manic was talking Superbowl again. There was great play on all sides of the ball as we stomped a division rival on our home field. The Eagles had just shy of 500 yards of total offense and the defense held the Cowboys to one touchdown for a final score of 34-7. We were definitely winners!

Loser: Helen’s iPad vs. The Upgrade

I was beyond excited about the Eagles win over Dallas and had penned a prideful piece on my iPad. I took the necessary precaution of backing up my work prior to the big changeover to the iCloud. This was something I had been waiting for because I had anticipated cloud storage for a while. I’m always more excited about musing over a victory than a defeat. However, I was robbed of that pleasure when the upgrade was corrupted and I lost EVERYTHING! Luckily a lot of what was on my iPad was also on my iPhone, just not the article I’d composed. As much as I tried to recreate what I’d written, I couldn’t. And that may have been the last win I get to write about for a while to come.

Winner: Chicago vs. Eagles

OK, I’ll admit that the Bears look better than I expected and they are playing serious football right now. They came into Philadelphia hungry for a win. They pounced on the Eagles like they were picnicking in Yellowstone Park. And our team definitely looked like they were out to lunch. Bears QB Jay Cutler looked more like Michael Vick than Michael Vick did! But they are a really good team and taking a loss from Chicago hurt, but not like it does when you lose to a bad team!

Loser: Pennsylvania

The only thing that kept people from talking about the Eagles to Chicago loss in Philadelphia was the tremendous loss in the Penn State scandal at State College, PA. The game losses for both Pennsylvania NFL franchises were invisible compared to the enormous losses the families and victims of the sex abuse allegations are dealing with. There was a dark shadow cast across the Commonwealth as the world descended on the small college town in the middle of the Keystone state to cover what looks to be the most horrific sports related scandal ever.

Winner: Kevin Kolb’s Cardinal Karma?

Former Eagle QB Kevin Kolb may have been hurt but not as bad as Eagles fans after his new team beat his old team. Kolb didn't play in this game and was on the sideline with an injury. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was having a déjà vu. Here he is again, an injured starter and his back up comes in and lights things up with an impressive and much needed win. Is this scenario his destiny? Will he be benched for a backup again? I’m sure it was great to taste a win against his old team but in the back of his mind, has he seen this episode before? Regardless, a win is a win. The Cardinals won this one and they have a better record than the Eagles too. So it looks like Kolb fared better in his new feathers.

Loser: The Eagles

As I sat there and watched, I couldn’t help but wonder what happened to this team. It didn’t look anything like the team we’d seen against Dallas. I don’t even recognize our quarterback. He was a total stranger yesterday. I realize he didn’t have all of his weapons on the field but this seemed to be beyond missing a key player in WR DeSean Jackson. Vick just looked like a stranger to me. Perhaps Atlanta Vick was there, I’m not sure. I just know it wasn’t the guy who led the team to the playoffs last year. I did see more fire coming from the defense this week. Just not enough to secure a fourth quarter lead, against Arizona mind you. Blowing fourth quarter leads seems to be our thing this year since we’ve been out scored 74-27 in the fourth quarter and had a fourth quarter lead in four of the games we lost. Shameful.

Winner: LeSean McCoy

It seems as if RB LeSean McCoy is the go to person on this team now. He scored our one offensive touchdown in this game and set a franchise record of rushing for a touchdown in every game this season. He’s the player that the rest of the football world is following in Philadelphia in terms of producing great numbers and results. And the word is that the front office is ready to reward him for that effort with a juicy contract. He’s elevated himself into the company of backs like Adrian Peterson and Arian Foster with more rushing yards than both at second in the league for yardage behind Buffalo’s Fred Davis. For a team that hasn’t been known to run the ball a lot, he’s brought a respect to the run game in Philadelphia.

Loser: DeSean Jackson

WR DeSean Jackson was missed in the game against Arizona. I have no doubt about that. I do doubt that his method as a disgruntled player is effective. He was benched for the game against the Cards for being late to a game meeting two weeks in a row. All of football knows Jackson wants a new contract and rightfully so. I am a bit surprised and also disappointed that the Eagles didn’t reward him with one this year. Now it seems like that will most certainly not be the case as the ugliness of the situation has reared its little head. It doesn’t do Jackson any good to be benched especially for something of this nature and it certainly doesn’t help the cause of the team either. In my opinion, his benching brings to light so much about what is going on with this team inside the locker room.

Winner: NFC West

Last year the NFC West Division was won by Seattle with a 7-9 record. This year the West is much more of a power player in our conference with the 49’ers sporting an 8-1 record after defeating the Giants in week ten. The Cowboys and the Giants are out front in our division and now we have to consider the question of who is the worse team in the NFC East, the Redskins or the Eagles? As much as I’d like to, I can’t with full confidence say that the Eagles are the better team. Our next opponent is the New England Patriots who got a bit of their swag back after dumping on their division rival, the New York Jets. A win against the Pats for the Eagles would only mean that perhaps we are better than the Redskins because the playoffs are about as much of a possibility as snow is in Miami. It’s possible, but not likely.

Loser: Eagles fans

I bought the hype. I bought tickets. I bought new blingy NFL girl gear. I bought the idea of getting our first championship. I bought it all. I almost bought airfare to Indianapolis. But I decided to wait. And wait is what Eagles fan seem to do all the time. Of course I will still cheer them on for the rest of the season! It may even be fun to watch a spoiler game every now and then since we will propose a different kind of threat. I’m much too numb right now to think about what needs to happen for next year or even next week. For me, I’m just going to enjoy the sport of football for the rest of the season, win or lose with no expectations.

Helen “Love My Losing Eagles” Little

Steeltown In The Spirit

2011-11-04T11:11:00.007-04:00

Steeltown Tricks & Treats

This week’s game against the New England Patriots was full of tricks... (Troy punching that ball …SMART MOVE) and tons of treats (getting to Tom Brady)!!!

Finally all of the elements of success were put together by Dick LeBeau and the Steelers’ defense, as they finally shutdown a team with an awesome pass attack. They locked up in man to man coverage and showed their speed and covered receivers who had been giving strong defenses fits. The blitz showed an urgency getting to the QB, and did I mention great man coverage. I was so excited to not see our catch and release coverage giving up completion after completion, for a change. There may have been more flags, sum questionable, but overall I must say, “Kudos to the DBs I feel so good saying that.

The offense played with a sense that they would have to outgun New England’s gun slinger. They were right, Ben and the Offensive line, the speedy receiver core “young money” (I’m not sure about their “self-named” nickname yet, but if they live up to it, I’m sure it'll grow on me),and ... HEEEATH, did just that! Mendy, “Madman” (my personal nickname for Redman, a credit to his running style), and Mewelde all filled in with spot duty, getting the job done in the trenches when it counted. This win was special, as this team had traditionally beaten the Steelers. These two weeks are very important. One down, good start to the holiday season, now let’s take care of business with the Ratbirds (my nickname for the Ravens).

Thought I’d get in the holiday spirit, enjoy 

Steeltown Halloween
All of Steeler Nation is the aglow as young ghost and goblins will soon go.
Go down the road to get candy and treats.
Like the ghost of New England came to Steel-town and got beat.
What was oh so wonderful, what is that I see?
The Steelers playing man to man quite capably.
And with the feverish pressure and darkness of steel covered night;
Every manner of demon on the defense had Brady in site.
Quite beautiful it was to see, an offense and play calling,
Complementing such a vicious D
And with all the accolades of this week they're sure to heap from above;
We no who’s coming now, to town,
For those we have no love.
Yes cometh the Ratbirds into town, to cries of nevermore.
We remember week one an awful performance and that horrible score.
We remember terrible ghouls of every sort on offense and on D.
Like a recurring nightmare we can’t wake up from,
In which we cannot flee.
Then we awake in quite a state, and breathe a sigh of relief,
It’s just a dream that’s not my team, not anymore, they'll see!
Be angry as the devil himself, as you go to work this week,
Put in all manners of hellish work, for on Sunday its hell they'll wreak.
The division, our pride, our heart and soul all rest in this next game.
Bring hell to bear on our foes and restore fear to our name.
But if we falter and for us this victory we do not hold.
I'll deal with every obnoxious fan in Nevermore,
If you just go win that 7th Superbowl!!!
Happy Halloween

Speedy recovery to all our injured players……

Your Steeler Gal

Tanea

Say pick(s) 6 backwards

2011-10-24T14:36:00.006-04:00

I woke up at 5a so excited to hit the road and see the Raiders smash the Chiefs. I was taking my sisters with me, one a Raiders fan and the other a Cowboy fan but neither of them had been to a NFL game. This would be great. We got to Oakland in enough time to go see the final resting place of Raiders owner Al Davis at the Chapel of Chimes before the game so the day was going great for me. I’ve got my burger, my drink and my fam sitting 8 rows up behind Kansas City ready to do some heckling. The Raiders take the field and I’m screaming. Even though Campbell or Janikowski wasn’t playing I felt good about taking on a KC team that we swept year. I mean they only had wins against the Colts and Minnesota.
I can tell you I was a bit disappointed that Palmer didn’t start even though in my heart I felt he shouldn’t.I was more than ready for this game.

Boller and Terrelle Pryor take the field and I knew that Hue had something up his sleeve. We never got a chance to see what it was because TP was called for a false start because he wasn’t set. Now I didn’t get mad because this was his first shot at action. He should be mad because he blew it! The very next play Boller throws and interception. Not only did was it a pick it was a PICK SIX! O-M-G the fans immediately started chanting for Palmer to take the field; I had a bit more patience. My patience wore then however when Boller threw his SECOND interception (after he recovered his own fumble the play before) that led to ANOTHER KC touchdown! I then started calling for the benching of Boller and it was only the first quarter. This was HORRIBLE.

We had no Quarterback, Sebastian wasn’t playing and the Darren McFadden goes out with an ankle injury. We couldn’t do anything with our passing game but they weren’t running ball. I just let out a loud scream run the ball dammnit! Hue finally decides to stop passing and starting running. That seemed to be going well. In DMC absence, Bush was able to get us to the goal line however we were unable to convert at the goal line. On 4th and 1 the KC defense stopped Bush at the goal line, turnover on downs. The Raiders force a 3 and out for KC but were unable to come up with any points and end up going 3 and out as well. The Raiders ended up intercepting Cassel’s pass at the end of the half but that did us no good!

Our first half was played terribly. The KC Special Teams wasn’t kicking to any of our Punt Returners leaving the Raiders no choice but to get something going on the offensive side of the ball. I knew that the 2nd half Hue would come with Carson Palmer even with his limited knowledge of the playbook. We needed to try to get something done we were down at home 14-0. Any spark of life could have turned this game around but instead Hue started Kyle Boller again and once again the Raiders went 3 and out and start went the penalties.

KC takes the field and if Matt Cassel didn’t eat his Wheaties…he drove his team down the field for a THIRD touchdown for the Chiefs. Oakland had 4 series of three and outs in the 3rd quarter and I still sat there like it was a chance we could come back from this hole we were in. I looked to the side and my poor sisters were burning up in this heat and watching the Raiders get thrashed.

Finally we get to see what Carson Palmer has to offer, providing he’s not as rusty as people think. Because he is rusty so I wasn’t expecting him to put up Tom Brady numbers but I thought he would do better than Boller. Instead he throws a PICK 6 to add to the KC score making it 28-0. To add insult to injury Palmer threw two more interceptions after that back to back!! The Coliseum was shook. What a day for the Raiders. This was a total collapse. The defense was being drug through the trenches and despite the two Cassel interceptions and the offensive efforts of Moore, Heyward-Bey and Bush they just couldn’t provide their defense any time to rest. Fourteen penalties, 6 turnovers (3 INT for ea QB)for Oakland and 2 D/St Touchdowns and wise clock management for KC was the reason the Raiders taking an L. The KC Chiefs are nasty and Oakland played nastier. There is nothing else to say.

Needless to say, it was a long ride home.

I expect the Raiders to take full advantage of this bye week working out Carson Palmer and Terrelle Pryor. I’m sure that Carson will have memorized the play book so when we play Denver he has a better performance than he did yesterday. I know he wants to be helpful to his team. While this was an UGLY, HORRIBLE, UNBELIEVABLE loss, I’m not going to get too upset because we’ve been broke down at the QB, RB and Kicker position and Oakland just has to find chemistry amongst the guys that are able to go.

27-20 Raiders will be the score when we play the Broncos. I’ve never predicted a score before so let’s see how this goes. See yall next week.

JUST WIN BABY
Rest in Peace Al

Palmer to Oakland

2011-10-24T13:26:00.006-04:00

I had actually started writing my recap on the Browns vs. Raiders game when I heard that the Raiders beat trade deadline completing a deal with the Bengals to acquire benched, about to retire, exiled Quarterback Carson Palmer. A lot of people don’t think that’s a good idea. To me, we don’t have anything to lose so why not?

Days after Jason Campbell left the Browns game with a broken collar bone the rumors started flying about whom the Raiders were going to get as a Quarterback. Jason Campbell sustained a season ending injury and Oakland was in need of QB. The rumor consisted of David Garrad and Carson Palmer. The Garrad rumor was put to rest after he informed the public of him needing back surgery. That left the Carson trade rumor to be examined with a fine tooth comb. Sources said that the talks between the Raiders and the Bengals were serious and a trade was close to being completed. I kind of felt bad for Boller because no one was giving him a chance but some people can’t handle the pressure of a starting position.

Now some couldn’t believe this after the owner of the Bengals said there was no way he would trade Palmer because made a commitment. If you ask me anything can be done in this business if the price is right and what do you know, Oakland’s price was right. The Oakland Raiders have given up a 1st round pick in 2012 and a conditional 1st round draft pick in 2013 for Carson Palmer.

Some Raiders fans have expressed their frustration with this trade because now Oakland has no 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 7th round draft picks in 2012. Remember some of those were given up to get Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft. I have no problem with the trade for several reasons,

1) Oakland isn’t going to be that high in the draft.

2) I am unaware of what the 2012 draft class will look like.

3) The draft selections in the first round have a 50% chance of being a bust for Cleveland.

4) We have a young team and the veteran can teach them something they don’t have at that position.

5) The Bengals aren’t so great at drafting and lastly

6) I think Carson Palmer still has the will and the ability to play at the NFL level.

I don’t feel comfortable putting the future in a backup quarterback or a rookie who hasn’t been able to suit up and play. I rather take a chance on a veteran QB you know has the ability to win. True, Palmer had a losing record last year but the year prior he led his team to a 10-6 record. I understand that Palmer isn’t a mobile QB but last year JC had scrambling problems himself, we still managed an 8-8 record and at this point we’ve got nothing to lose. Do you take a chance and lose or lose without taking a chance at all? Take the chance. Hue and Carson have history together and if Jackson thinks this is whats best for team then Im going to ride it out with him. Hes done pretty good so far.

Our team is young and they are tired of the stigma that others have casted upon their team. They are ready to win.

I predict Palmer with a 6-3 record.

Browns Go Down..Campbell too

2011-10-24T11:13:00.006-04:00

The Raiders pulled out a 24-17 win against the Cleveland Browns improving their record to 4-2. The Raiders defense came out in attack mode. Blitzing and causing the Browns to go three and out on their first drive. Jason Campbell comes out and leads the Raiders down the field and sets up DMC for a TD on Oakland opening drive. To see Jason Campbell look and play as though he was in his element made me very happy about his improvement and the future of the Oakland Raiders (I just wish he would learn how to hold on to the ball when he is running in open field). After a Colt McCoy touchdown to tie the game at 7, Jacoby for would run a punt back for 101 yards at one point tiptoeing down the sideline for about 15 yards, Game on.

The Raiders would score 10 points in the 3rd quarter including a touchdown off a Special Teams trick play. Lechler with a fake field goal and pass to Kevin BOSS!!!! OMG I couldn’t believe it. Hue was pulling everything out of his hat and it was working. Clevelands defense couldn’t contain the Raiders. Oakland spread the ball between DMC, Bush, Jacoby Ford and what looks like and improved Daruis Heyward-Bey. The Browns tried to make a 4th quarter comeback with a FG and a Massaquoi touchdown and even recovering an onside kick but the Raiders held them off. I cant say enough about the defense, they played a good game. They Blitzed well, caused a turnover on downs, recovered a fumble and had some decent pass coverage and were able to defend the run. I think the addition of Curry was a good pick up for Oakland. Surprisingly, the Raiders only had 5 penalties for 35 yards, and for the Raiders that was a good thing.

Despite the great Special Team efforts and an overall well played game on both sides of the ball, the Raiders still suffered a blow that could possibly hurt the teams’ future and it wasn’t the lost fumble by JC. Jason Campbell sustained a broken collar that will sideline him for what some say is to be the remainder of the season. GREAT!!! (Sarcasm)

Kyle Boller entered the game and all I could think about was what type of shape he was in and if Terrelle Pryor was going to be able to play in the event Boller was injured. Boller got off to a shaky start but finished the game strong 8/14 with no turnovers and a win. This was a good day for the Raiders fans.

The questions that went through my mind were, what will happen next week when we play a division games against the Chiefs? What type of QB will show up? Who will be our starting QB and will this have an effect on our teams’ chemistry?

The KC Chiefs...boy I can’t stand them. Depending on what we look like as far as the QB situation will determine what the outcome of the game is. We play well at QB we win and if we don’t well, then, we lose and it’s as simple as that.

Eagles Expose Redskins With A Win In Washington

2011-10-18T12:52:00.000-04:00

The Eagles Played Like Angry Birds!

Monday is always better when your team wins on Sunday. This Monday was a lot better than the past few in Philadelphia. The four game slide to the bottom of the NFC East made for a deflated town along the Delaware River. There was a near mutiny brewing as fans were not biting their tongues regarding the losing record and the last place standing. But after four losses in a row, finally the Eagles fly home with a win.

The match up against the Washington Redskins was the second conference game of the year for the Birds and it came at a crucial juncture in this dismal season. We desperately needed a bright spot and there was no better place to get it from than beneath the shining sun in our Nation's capital. The Redskins were at the top of the conference rankings and like many naysayers noted, we all saw the proof that they aren't a first place caliber team.

It may not be sunny in Philadelphia after the win this week but at least it's partly cloudy. The Eagles didn't play their best football but they definitely played with more heart. There was still plenty of sloppy play, especially on offense but we recovered from it much better this time. The defense stepped up in a major way, but is still not regarded as a unit to be feared. They improved dramatically against the run allowing only 42 rushing yards. Yet, I still found myself throughout this game holding my breath with my fingers crossed hoping for them to hold onto the lead. The Redskins did a lot to help as well, particularly QB Rex Grossman whose favorite receiver was Eagles SS Kurt Coleman. They connected three times before Sexy Rexy was benched.

Things started out very shaky on the offensive side of the ball. They immediately put me on edge with their unfocused play on the first
possession. Fortunately the defense came into the game with their new found intensity. Coleman got the first of the Eagles' four interceptions from Grossman on the very first Redskin drive. Thank you!

Then the first half started to cook for Philly's offense. It started with QB Michael Vick getting TE Brent Celek into the mix by targeting him on several successful plays in this game. Celek scored the first touchdown of the game with a 7 yard pass from Vick to jump out to a 7-0 lead. Next up RB LeSean McCoy ran it in from the 1 yard line to make it 14-0. The Eagles scored again in the first half on a Alex Henery field goal from 28 yards out. Thanks to an interception by FS Nate Allen the offense got the ball right back. They left points on the field again, coming off with only a field goal. Washington got the ball back with just over two minutes remaining in the half threatening to score. Grossman got sacked on third down pushing the field goal attempt to 50 yards out. Washington's kicker Graham Gano nailed it for a halftime score of 20 to 3.

Once again, the second half play was shoddy. There still needs to be a four quarter intensity and focus displayed. The offense didn't score any points in the second half and we got another Vick injury scare. He left the game briefly after a big hit but it turned out he wasn't hurt. There was dirt in his helmet that was blocking his view. For the first time Eagles backup QB Vince Young came in and immediatley failed to impress when his first pass was intercepted. The offense most certainly benefited from the defense working harder to keep us in the lead. After the Skins starting quarterback was benched and they brought in the backup, they were hot on the comeback trail. QB John Beck got his offense recharged and the crowd back into it by leading two touchdown drives including one he rushed for on a quarterback sneak. This game could have easily gone the way of the last few come from behind wins by Philly's opponents but it didn't.

The Eagles stayed in it to the end to win 20-13.

Whatever way we can get a win we'll take it! Shady McCoy continues to shine, rushing for 126 yards in this game and a touchdown in every game this season. This week we also had a hero on defense, Kurt Coleman. Whether it was changes made on the field by the coaches, heat from the fans, embarrassment across the league, or the players holding their own meeting; something resonated with the Eagles this week that we hadn't seen in the last four games. There is a splinter of hope now as they head into the bye week.

This is the time in the season where change can be most pivotal. We saw how Washington completely crumbled after a good start. Grossman's prediction that they'd win the NFC East fizzled into the nonsense we all believed it was. In seasons past we've seen teams start out with a 5-0 record only to see things take a terrible turn for the worse and personnel ousted as a result of the downfall. Now that teams like San Francisco and Detroit, who were non-factors last year look like solid winners this year, we're seeing a shifting conference. Every year the teams that make playoff changes significantly and this year will prove to be no different. While the Eagles are off this week I hope they keep this fact in mind and the team that comes back from vacation is the playoff driven team.

Next on the ticket for the Birds is Dallas. This bitter rivalry will be even nastier as these are two teams who have to win. Again, the Cowboys lost in the final minutes of the game, this time to New England. They face the winless Rams in their next game. I'll be cheering my little heart out for St. Louis to get their first victory, especially since they are a team we've already defeated!

Even though there is still a lot of improvement needed by this team, I still see the possibilities after this key win against Washington. As long as they return and make the same effort with a bigger impact against Dallas, we will be fine.

Helen "Love My Eagles" Little

Buffalo Bills E-VICK-TION of the Philadelphia Eagles

2011-10-12T11:20:00.001-04:00

The energy at ‘The Ralph’ on Sunday was electric. The autumn breeze gave way to a sky filled with sunshine and a comfortable game-time temp of 74 degrees.
The Buffalo Bills proved once again that last year’s team (4-12) is in the past. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 31-24 and are tied for the AFC East at 4-1. The 2011 Buffalo Bills are pesky and I love it.

Accentuating the positives:
DEFENSE!! DEFENSE!! The Eagles’ first drive didn’t fare well. Vick was intercepted when Alex Carrington batted down a pass and Reggie Corner intercepted it. If you ever wanted to make a statement, that’s how you do it!! It set the tone for the game.

Safety George Wilson had a team-leading 11 tackles, knock down three passes and intercepted Michael Vick.

A welcome edition – LB Nick Barnett returned an INT for a TD and sealed the deal with another interception with 1:49 left remaining in the game.

The offense was sparked by the usual suspects, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and RB Fred Jackson. Jackson showcased his skills as an all-purpose back with 111 rushing yards, 85 receiving and 1 touchdown. Fitzy passed for 193 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT but the pivotal moment of the game wasn’t from his arm but his mouth. The offense was facing fourth-and-inches around the 50-yard line with 1:23 left. Fitzpatrick’s hard count drew defensive end Juqua Parker offside to give Buffalo another set of downs and run out the clock.

“You remember what you did to win," Wilson said. "It's all right to make mistakes as long as you learn from them, and we learned from our mistakes last year. We have talent, too. We don’t back down from any challenge. If we do our job, we’re going to be a tough football club to beat regardless of who we’re playing."

The Bills are happening now!!!

Watch The [Green and Gold] Throne

2011-10-12T11:00:00.003-04:00

Packer fans, doesn’t It feel so good to be on top? Standing 5-0 at the top of the league over everyone else….WAIT! Who in the hell is that at the top of Mt. Victory next us? The freakin Lions? The Chicago Bears couldn’t handle our light weight this past Monday? Ugh. Being undefeated isn’t as sweet when your NFC North contender shares the same record. NEVER SEND A BEAR TO DO A PACKERS JOB.

Eh well, let’s forget about that and talk a little about how the Packers turned up the heat and overcame a 14-0 deficit to beat the Falcons on Sunday (25-14).

I told you all in my last blog that the Packers defense has been worrying me every week. Last Sunday was no exception. The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and ended the half at 14-0. Despite defensive frustration, Charles Woodson told Packers.com that no one spoke to the defense during halftime. There was no pep talk from the coach or to each other. Everyone knew what they needed to do and they had 2 more quarters to do so. That silence proved to be golden.
The Packers defense shut the Falcons out in the 2nd half. They killed the Falcons running game forcing a few 3 and outs and the Falcons were stuck relying on the early points which weren’t enough. On Offense, the Pack’s O-line created great opportunities for James Starks to get big runs but he was unable to score in the red zone. I think we need to be utilizing John Kuhn in red zone. Starks has great field vision and can find holes to blast through, but Kuhn has the power and can plow through defenders, pulling them with him into the end zone.

After struggling early in the 3rd quarter, the Packers buckle down and go right into old faithful; sending 4 receivers down field and whoever gets open gets the ball. Jennings caught some risky passes and an incredible touchdown pass (as usual), but the one who was most successful at getting open was James Jones who was ressponsible for several crucial 1st downs and the game sealing touchdown.

The bench continues to have an impact in the Packers victories. Desmond Bishop has a big sack while Charlie Peprah sealed the win with his first interception of the season.
AJ Hawk was a little TOO turnt up and caused the Packers a risky 15 yard Unsportsmanlike conduct penalty but that gift wasn’t enough to save the dirty birds.

As far as our defensive problems go, I’ll leave you with a quote from longtime football analyst Vic Ketchman:

“You know, a lot of people would’ve saved themselves a lot of angst if they hadn’t spent so much time worrying about the pass-defense and just trusted the fact that the defense is being coached by Dom Capers and that means success was soon to follow. It’s real simple: Capers doesn’t coach bad defenses. That’s all any of us needed to know. What are we going to worry about this week?"

Well Vic, next week the Pack faces the St. Louis Rams in Lambeau, so…not many worries there. The man of my house is a Rams fan and we are also facing each other in fantasy football, so this week we will truly be a house divided. The Rams have 0 (yes zero) wins, and the Packers have no loses. I’d bet a rocket scientist would put all his money on the Packers, but a true football fan knows that on any given Sunday the impossible can happen. However a Packers fan knows that this is “Year of the Takeover” Part II. Sorry Honey, but the Rams will have to get their first W another time.

Steelers Football Has Returned!!

2011-10-12T10:30:00.000-04:00

You've gotta love the return to Steelers football. This week's game had too many injuries to list, but with Ben's broken/sprained foot, Harrison out for fractured eye socket, and Starks in we were in for a a ground and pound game. Not to mention Mendenhall's injured hamstring. But I must admit I was so excited to hear of Redman's start. I have been a fan since the Steeler's drafted him. and boy'ol boy did he show-off. With Mendenhall on the sidelines, Redman and Dwyer had their time to shine. Both RBs had successful days, Redman had 15 carries for 49yds and Dwyer had 11 carries for 107 yds.

There were several early indicators that the team would be playing well today. Notice their ability to protect Ben better, Ben releasing the ball in rhythms, D-line giving up less yards, Ben throwing to Hines BEFORE halftime, and the running game was stronger. Come on, when was the last time you saw out RB's push a pile like "the bus" could. Redman did today.

Overall, we had lower number of sacs, higher number of points, and less points scored on. Apparently this way of playing Steeler's football is better. Does this mean we have to have injured players in order to win? Midway through the game, Poncey gave me a scare coming out of the game for an knee issue. Thankfully he returned in the 4th qtr. what a soilder that kid is (he was already plaing with an injuried shoulder and made made big plays in today's game, taking Titan's linebacker out of the play!

The Titans did find some success with their hurry-up-offense. I wished that Tomlin would have called for a time-out so that our defense could rest. Then the Defense bailed us out, like they used to...with the first interception of the season, going to #56 Woodley. Oh and how could I forget the trick-punt play that resulted in a a Spulveda pass to Mundy for 33yards. In the past I've been known to call Bruce Arian's play calling unimaginative, so whose been helping him out? Antiono Brown had a big day with 52yard kick-off return.

All in all it was a great game, ending in a score of 38-17. I wish my Pittsburgh Steelers would play this hard and smart consistently. I guess this is just one of the many reasons, I and many others love Steelers football. Congrats on another Steeler Victory.

Until next week....Tanea (1st Lady of Steeler Nation)

The Philadelphia Eagles: On the Wrong Side of a Streak

2011-10-11T15:20:00.000-04:00

By now I just knew the Eagles would be on a fierce streak. I didn't imagine it would be a loosing streak. It's beyond tough to see my team sitting with a loosing record. After five weeks of play we've only won one game, against St. Louis and that was the first week of the season. It's been a dizzying spin out of control and now we are in danger of being evicted from Desperate Street because we're past that point.

It's the oddest thing to watch this team. You see the possibility and the opportunity but then you see it get snatched right out of your heart like a True Blood victim. In Philadelphia football there is no truer statement than "Expectation breeds disappointment." The gut wrenching feeling from watching this streak ensue was born of enormous hopes. We bought the hype that you can buy a Superbowl team. We forgot that you can't buy a Superbowl ring at Kay Jewelers. You have to craft the ring stone by stone, week by week. And right now the Eagles are about as close to a Superbowl ring as Madonna is to dating a 50 year old.

Those of us that bleed green have our bandages on tight and though we've been punched dead in the face by this season, there is still a rose tint on the glasses and our cup is one eighth full. If you recall, last year the NFC West champion got into the playoffs with a loosing record of 7-9 and the NFC East isn't looking like the sharpest conference on the field. Green Bay got to the Superbowl with a 10-6 record as the sixth seed after getting hot at the right time. The Patriots got off to a slow start in 2001 loosing three of their first four games and then went on to win the Superbowl, so it is still very possible. Maybe not probable, but definitely possible.

How did we get to a record of 1-4? We got there by doing very few things right and with so much promise, it makes it seem worse. We saw sloppy mistakes. We definitely saw questionable coaching moves. And we saw a lack of heart that used to run through every player that suited up in Eagles green. It's the same heart that continues to pump throughout the fan base and the city of Philadelphia with a pulse that has weakened a bit from the stress of loyalty each time an artery is cut that leads to what we want most, a world championship.

In the last two games like the two losses before, a win was within reach. This team has shown they have a generous spirit and likes to give games away. Our defense was a travesty. Our offense was raggedy. There seemed to be more of an intent to win in the Bills game but just not enough from all sides of the ball. Stupid mistakes and stupid play calls have made us a simple target for our opponents. How do you game plan against the Eagles? Just show up on the field and let them do the rest.

We saw that in the first possession in the Buffalo game. The Eagles got ball first and turned it over on a blocked screen pass from QB Michael Vick for a Bills interception. The Bills capitalize and turn it into points with a Fred Jackson 5-yard TD run. On the second possession Vick gets hit in the pocket on the release and looses his helmet while throwing another interception once again getting not so great protection from the offensive line. However, he got back out there to hit WR Jeremy Maclin for a two yard TD pass for his 100th career TD Pass.

But with our shaky defense on the field, Buffalo answers right back with a touchdown for a 14-7 lead. Vick throws the second of four picks and the Bills run it in for another touchdown. Then just before the half we catch a break. Eagles LB Jamar Chaney intercepted the ball with less than a minute on the clock but we couldn't even get 3 points on the board due to poor clock management, never mind six. Time ran out as we wasted an opportunity to score and the Eagles left for the locker room behind 21-7.

Individual stats are great but football is a team sport. And on our team, the defense can't stop the run. Our offense can't hold onto the ball. Our defense doesn't tackle worth a hoot. Our offense can't score more than the defense can stop. There have been over 50 consecutive scores against our defense in the red zone, the most in NFL history. And our coaches? Well, they are just as big a part of the team's problems if not more at times.

In the final quarter the Eagles did mount a comeback. The fourth quarter started with a 31-yard touchdown to DeSean Jackson to give the Eagles hope. That cut the lead to 31-21. A Cullen Jenkins sack on 3rd-and-13 gave us the ball back with plenty of time in the game. Kicker Alex Henery redeemed himself with a 35-yard field goal that made it a one possession game at 31-24 with just over nine minutes to go. Then WR Jason Avant gets stripped of the ball, not once in the last quarter, but twice. He had a career high nine catches but lost the ball when we needed it most. The week before we saw Jeremy Maclin have a career game, then crumble in the end when we needed it. Now it was Avant's turn. But believe it or not we still had a chance. With the clock ticked down to under a minute we were about to get the ball back. That is until DE Juqua Parker fell for the fourth down dummy count and jumped offsides.

Game over with a final score of 31-24.

What do you say after that? And after the loss to San Franscisco the week before? And the loss to the Giants and the Falcons before that? The only thing I can come up with is that perhaps they have been humbled to the point that the real work can begin. I’d find it had to believe that anyone on this team thinks losing four games is a fluke. It’s got to be a lot harder for them than it is for me and the rest of the fan base so I’m still with them, believing they can turn the Titanic back upright and get it floating again as we head into our second conference game of the season.

The Eagles hit 95 South to face the Washington Redskins. And as Rex Grossman called it, they are leading the NFC East, this year’s NFC West with no clear cut dominant team. This game will be a tremendous test for the Birds, like they all have been except this one is a much more dire situation than the rest. And I’ll still be there bleeding and believing in green.

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Just Win Baby

2011-10-09T22:10:00.004-04:00

Coach Jackson drops to a knee and Mark Davis, son of late Al Davis in visitors box shedding tears, what an emotional ending. The Raiders leave Houston with a win and dedicate it to Mr. Al Davis.

The first half of of play was ugly and the Raiders didn't look like they were ready to play football. I do understand that the passing of Al Davis could have played a part in their performance, they are human but I picture Al upset they weren't playing like a team committed to excellence. Oakland didn't see a first down until late in the 2nd quarter. Texans Brian Cushing reminded me of Vladimere from the movie The Program. He was on top of us every play. Campbell couldn't hit any open targets and threw a pass that was intercepted and resulted in a Texans touchdown. Oaklands Houston was able to return the favor by intercepting Scahubs pass but the offense wan unable to turn that into 7. We settled for 3.

The run game was struggling and penalties negated an 11 yard run and 41 yard run from Darren McFadden. Yards that we needed to swing momentum were taken away by unnecessary penalties, yet again. It wasn't until the last 2 minutes that Oakland decided to get some offense about themselves with a TD from(shocker lol)Heyward-Bey. Raiders were lucky to be down only two at halftime.

I was hoping that the players used halftime to regroup and reflect. In death, life goes on and this is not the condition Al Davis would have wanted his team and they knew it. There was no Andre Johnson and the defense was applying pressure to the offensive line so it was very possible for Oakland to take control of this game.

About the second series of the 3rd quarter is where Oakland started picking up groove. Thanks to another Janikowski FG the Raiders were up by one but the following Houston possession, they would kick a FG to regain the lead. This was not the back and forth type of game I wanted. No sooner than I said that Jason Campbell puts it in the air for a score to Chaz Schillens. I don't know why Campbell wont believe in his arm. He has a good one and the only thing I would say needs to improve is where he throws it when he hits the side. When he throws to the sideline it never is inside. Once he masters that he has Moore and a developing DHB with the speed and ability to go get it!

22-17 Oakland and with another Janikowski FG (lol I sound like a broken record but he kicked 4 in all)the lead would get 3 points larger for Oakland. All I'm asking for is a stop. Oakland forces a 3rd and 9 and guess what?! Pass Interference. I could have jumped through the TV and strangled Van Dyke myself. Automatic first down. Although the Texans would need the TD and 2pt conversion I wasn't happy with that and Van Dyke couldn't dispute it. After a Seymour sack on 3rd down the Texans would kick a FG that now puts them 5pts away. We used our last time and went three and out. Then.. what is this too many men on the field with a sack and face mask!?! Then a roughing the passer. GET IT TOGETHER. My little heart couldn't take it. Matt Schaub fumbles, then throws and then throws an incomplete pass. Its 3rd and 23. I'm not excited Im PACING! Oakland stays giving up the yards needed on 3rd down and what did we do? WE GIVE IT UP!

The Raiders had just allowed a first down and were only up by five. The ball was snapped with barely any time left on the clock. I see Matt Schaub with a fairly clear lane to the end zone and instead of running it in, he passes it. Now Im more nervous BUT the recipient of the pass was Oakland Raiders Michael Huff. When Michael Huff intercepted that ball and dropped in the end zone, I wanted to cry. The Raiders did it! They did it for Al.

I look at our 3-2 record and are still kind of salty about that Bills loss but am please with what it looks like. Wonders about the direction the team is headed in fills my mind as Mark Davis now takes control of the team. Good Luck.

Next up is a 2-2 Browns team coming off a loss and a bye but I fully expect the winning spirit of Al Davis to be present at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

"JUST WIN BABY"

A Legend Lost

2011-10-09T19:27:00.005-04:00

I woke up Saturday morning to some news that made me sad. The owner of my favorite football team, the Oakland Raiders, Al Davis has passed away at 82. When I got the text, I thought it was a cruel joke. I’m set to get Breaking News regarding the Raiders from ESPN and I had yet to receive one. I took to Twitter and saw all the RIP Al Davis and even some embarrassing “Now let the winning begin” and as I was saying ‘where is my ESPN alert’ I got it. Al Davis dies at 82.

There is a lot to be said about Al Davis and hard to summarize his contributions to Professional Football. So much more than the decade of insults that are heard every Sunday Oakland’s lost or every time the draft comes around. Al Davis has touched every aspect of this game since he was 24 years old. Assistant Coach with the Baltimore Colts, Offensive Coordinator with the Chargers and in 1963 he would land a Head Coaching job with the Oakland Raiders. He would become AFL Commissioner and I would say pushed the merger of the AFL and NFL by breaking the unwritten rule of signing NFL players. Al Davis was also Raiders GM, and Owner. The Raiders won 3 Super Bowl Championships and in 1992 Al Davis was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

Al Davis for was very passionate about the game of football and loved all of his players. It was said about Al, that he always called to check on his players and staff wanting to make sure they were comfortable. He was committed to winning and would do anything he felt necessary, trying to get the appropriate pieces there to do so. He wanted to be the best. You can’t fault a man for that. Al Davis is responsible for hiring the 1st women CEO, the 2nd African American coach in the NFL
(1st was Fredrick Douglas “Fritz Pollard) and also the 1st Latino Head Coach. AL Davis was giving minorities a chance before the NFL mandated it. He coined the slogan “Just Win Baby” and was serious about the “Commitment to Excellence”. Al Davis wasn’t scared to take chances and go against the majority especially if it went against what he believed in. The Oakland Raiders came first and from beginning to end he showed a tremendous amount of loyalty to the organization. Now that Al Davis has passed his entire legacy will be discussed and everyone will be able to see what a brilliant mind he once was.

Al Davis knew the ends and outs of football like the back of his hand, a Football Connoisseur. He was a Trailblazer, a Rebel with a cause, one in a million and will be remembered throughout the NFL forever.

“To be a Raiders is to be a Raiders for Life” Rest in Peace Mr. Al Davis.

Al Davis is survived by his wife Carol and son Mark.

T.G.I.F. (Thank God its Four…. In Title Town)

2011-10-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

At the beginning of last season, in my 1st ever Gridiron Girls blog, I declared that the Packers would win the Superbowl. Things immediately went south. Game one, Grant’s out for the season. Then Finley’s out for the season. Then Rodger’s is out for a few games. Then things turn around. We start beating up on teams while on the road in the post season and…. the Packers are the Superbowl champions. Just as I predicted. They did this with 2nd and 3rd string running backs, receivers, tight ends, and defensive players so one would assume with healthy starters returning the road back to Superbowl would be a cake walk right? So far, at 4-0, it appears that way.

Game 1 vs. the New Orleans (42-31)- the Packs very vertical spread offense with 5 talented receivers helped them edge ahead in what was the only close game of the four. It appears that James Starks has completely stolen the spotlight from Ryan Grant, as Grant barely touches the ball. Aaron Rodgers was no longer sporting the Fu Man Chu beard he had in the preseason (thank God), but he was sporting his normal comfort and mobility in the pocket.

Not many changes had been made on Defense. It was the tried and true Dom Capers defense with the Woodson & Matthews double trouble blitz. That worries me a little bit. I think opponents have figured that out by now and the Saints wrapped up Matthews several times.

Game 2 vs. the Carolina Panthers (30-23)- I must admit that I thought the Packers defense was going to “Nino Brown” rookie Cam Newton and well….they sort of did (3 interception). Still I was extremely impressed and surprised with the poised performance of Newton. The Packers offense showed Carolina no mercy and the number of options in the Packers offensive arsenal seems completely unfair. The running game has Starks to blast through holes for maximum yardage, with Grant and Kuhn to push through walls for short but necessary 1st downs and red zone scores. Sadly the Pack loses Nick Collins for the season but the victories continue. The defense worries me yet again by allowing over Carolina over 400 passing yards.

Game 3 vs. the Chicago Bears (27-17)- Two words: Finley’s Back. With all three of the day’s touchdowns belonging to him, Jermichael Finley shows that he’s healthy and maybe even better than before. Also the Packers continue to have great luck with bench players who get start positions due to injuries. Safety Nick Collins replacement Morgan Burnett gets two interceptions, and DL Mike Neal’s replacement Jarius Wynn get 2 sacks. Ryan Grant got in on the resurrection showcase and had his first great game over Starks with 92 yards (compared to Starks 5. These two create a fantasy football nightmare with the ‘you one game, me the next’ effect). Defense allows yet another big passing game for their opponent and I want to call Dom up to see if he’s concerned.

Game 4 vs. the Denver Broncos (49-17)- Not much to talk about here. Other than the brief moment when the score was 21-17, the Packers annihilated the Broncos and ended the trend of giving up too many yards on defense. Orton was only able to get off 273 yards and other than Willis McGahee, the Pack allowed no one to get more than 8 rushing yards. Dom Capers says he is trying to address the defensive issues but the Pack is still allowing too many big plays. I trust he’ll have this fixed by next week because the Falcons may have a Dorito on their shoulder due to that little issue of us ruining their Superbowl dreams last year.

In short, the Pack is on a roll and the franchise has always had the most humble and dedicated players. Even with this terrific start Aaron Rodgers says “Numbers are misleading.” There are still many things he’s unhappy with. As for me, I’m pretty impressed by what I’ve seen. Every victory has been over 10 points and I look forward to an improving defensive strategy. With this perfect combination of running and passing and a bench full of spectacular players this just maybe a repeat in the making.

Sunset Brown

Brady Curse?..

2011-10-07T11:06:00.000-04:00

I still can’t get over the loss Oakland suffered at the hands of the New England Patriots. The Raiders were coming off of a big win vs. the New York Jets, it was the first time Richard Seymour would face the team that blindsided him by traded him 3 years ago and it was our chance to remove the cloud Patriots had hanging over our head regarding that stupid “Tuck Rule” game. I just knew this would be a battle that the Raiders would be victorious in. Boy was I wrong.

9 penalties for 85 yards and Richard Seymour was guilty of 3 of them very early in the game. 2 penalties that as a veteran he shouldn’t have committed: a face mask and offside’s. The initial call of roughing the passer shouldn’t have been called cause even I didn’t hear the whistle (no I wasn’t there and so what). Oakland was able to overcome that and still play some decent football. At one point, it would be score for score. The Raiders were riding that Jets win from last week and if they kept it up it would come down to a two minute football drill and with pressure being applied to Brady and the Patriot Offensive line that would be the difference. We we’re driving... down to the NE 6 yard line…

Then Campbell throws an interception. I saw in his face, at that point, he had low self.

That was a score Oakland needed to boost the intensity and raise the bar of the game. This was a blow to every Raiders fan across America and I’m not exaggerating. Instead of our FG team, our defense was back on the field. In Campbell’s defense it looked like he was trying to throw the ball away but as I kept rewinding he threw it way too low and right to the safety. Then I started thinking about Seymour 3 turnovers and how he wasn’t in the game, a game where we needed his presence and the fact that I hadn’t see D. Moore much of this game. The Rookie WR had a big difference on the fields with DMC but instead we were graced with the appearance of Heyward-Bey. I mean he’s alright but Moore has proven over the last 3 weeks that he deserves first look. Point Shaving? I had to get that idea out of my head. Not even Al Davis would have such an idea but that’s how mad and disappointed I was. I was just thinking anything. Costly fouls and turnover along with failed stops on 3rd down and the lack of aggression by the Raiders was the reason the outcome was what it was.

The curse of Brady has once again intimated Oakland and that’s why they weren’t playing Raider football. We beat ourselves. I don’t believe for one minute that the Raiders were unable to defeat the Patriots on talent alone. I believe that mixed emotions, turnovers and penalties shot us in the foot. I also believe that Seymour let his team down because he couldn’t play through his emotions and Hue Jackson picked the wrong time to utilize DHB as well.
It’s the same thing with this Raiders team, penalties and unable to stop a 3rd down drives. While Oakland has gotten better there is still much improvement needed.

Oakland is on its way to see a Johnson less Houston team. Our secondary should be able to cover Jones and as long as we can contain Arian Foster who I still don’t think is 100% we should not have problem leaving Texas with a Win.

Go Raiders

Steelers: Back For Another Season

2011-09-30T10:30:00.000-04:00

Well, fellow Steelers’ fans here we go again; another season of more of the same.

Mike Tomlin spoke of needing consistency, before Sunday’s night's game...and that is indeed a concern to me. At the end of last season's train wreck in the superbowl, there were plenty of “coaching areas of opportunity” and things that needed fixing. Our 2011 season start can be described as a lack luster preseason, and so far a lack luster start to the beginning of the regular season. The question I ask is, “what are we in store for, really”? I’d like to be optimistic and think of the Steelers’ of the 1970's (the decade of dominance); when we had championship form all the time. The modern day Steelers that "we love" have a Dr. Jackal / Mr. Hyde personality that makes them unpredictable and sometimes flat out scary. Especially the years they've come off of a championship or superbowl run. What fan in Steelers Nation can forget our glorious return to championship form in 2005-06 only to turn around the next year and have the wheel fall off at 8-8 and not even make the playoffs. The last time we got a shellacking from the Baltimore ravens. I remember being confident and saying that’s okay we'll see you again, and then got beat worse in November of that year. Only to turn around in 2009-2010 season and lay a goose egg –at the big dance. Although its recent history, it’s still fresh in my mind.

Taking a closer look at this season's start at 2-1, the wins are over marginal opponents, a Seattle club searching for an identity and the Peyton Manning-less Colts. Maybe I’d feel better if the team had bothered to show up at all, in the first game...against the ravens. As for now I will remain cautiously optimistic about the season thus far.

On the brighter side:

It does appear Ben is trying (just a little) to get rid of the ball quicker and not stay in the pocket as much, although he still has a ways to go on his attempts to release the ball in time. The secondary and the offensive line are struggling, they do look to have improved somewhat in the past two games; but they still have some work to do. With no imaginative running plays and a predictable offense, this is not the formula for a championship or superbowl. You’re not fooling anyone Bruce Arians!!

Don’t get me started on Mendenhall. The good news is, Tomlin is aware the running game must improve.

“I’ll acknowledge that we didn’t do well the other night and that we better improve in that area and improve in a hurry because we desire to be balanced offensively,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Tomlin-knows-running-game-must-improve/b312790f-6388-4d75-9dcb-812b6e5e1fb1

I love my Steelers’s, that’s why I’m so hard on them. To whom greatness is given, much is required…. So its time to step our game up, and play like the champs we are!

One Giant Step Backwards – Eagles Lose Home Opener to New York

2011-09-28T13:33:00.001-04:00

This past Sunday we were in good company. Not exactly the company we wanted to be in, however we shared the "L" column with a few other notable teams. Sadly, that is the most reassuring assessment I can come up with after a Sunday afternoon of football at Lincoln Financial Field and the dreadful defeat by the New York Football Giants.

It was the Eagles' home opener and when Philadelphia throws a football party, they do it right! There were official banners hanging from the city light posts. There were green, black, and silver balloons that decorated the subway entrances. There were tents and tables of tailgaters that littered every inch of blacktop, concrete, grass, or gravel. There were thousands of happy people that anticipated the kickoff of the first home game of our Philadelphia Eagles. There was an optimism that resulted from shedding the skin of a loss last week to Atlanta.

It had been a year since the Linc was lit up in home opener liveliness. We had our Sunday best on the field after a saucy off season spending splurge. And we had our dreams of a Super season. Fans were relieved to know our QB Michael Vick had been cleared from a concussion that occurred last week, whether they agreed with him playing in this game or not. Yet this was the day we had all waited for. It was another opportunity to show those New Yawkers how we do football in Philly, since we'd had a run on victories against them for the last several games.

Somehow, it just didn't turn out that way. Instead it turned into a surreal moment like in a horror movie in the woods by a lake. Yes, something went very wrong. Wrong to the point that it felt like Freddie had stabbed you clean through and cut out all your hope. Guess you can tell we took this loss kind of hard. We love hard in Philadelphia and we loose hard. That's why it's so much better when we win. But when it's a loss to the Giants, or Dallas or Washington for that matter the loss feels much worse.

The Eagles got the ball first and did nothing with it. It didn't really hit me when NY scored their first touchdown about five minutes into the first quarter. I'll admit I was a little shocked to see Giants QB Eli Manning hook up with his RB Brandon Jacobs in the open field for a 40 yard touchdown right in LB Casey Matthews face. Ok, no big deal. That is until they kept scoring points and we again had to play catch up on the scoreboard. Giants scored another quick six when Manning and back up WR Victor Cruz (who?) showed up out of nowhere and became a major factor with two touchdowns in the game.

Watching the Eagles during this game was like watching a stand in actor play a well known character in a soap opera. Playing the part of the Philadelphia Eagles is Some Other Team. I want the REAL Philadelphia Eagles team to show up. I refuse to believe that's who I've seen thus far this season.

Our offense clearly wasn't perfect but they did give us something. Vick's numbers weren't terrible with 16 completions out of 23 passes for 176 yards but he's becoming a three quarter quarterback. We need four solid, productive quarters out of him. I get the notion of him being hit more than most other quarterbacks in the league, (only Jay Cutler has been hit more) but let’s check the offensive line and work to get the ball out a little quicker. And I’m not saying all those hits were clean hits. But if Vick is only going to play for 45 minutes maybe we need to borrow Mariano Rivera from the Yankees to add to his record number of saves because poor Mike Kafka is not getting it done. It was good to hear that the number two QB, Vince Young will be back this week. RB LeSean McCoy has become the star of the show. He rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown and is averaging over 100 yards a game rushing and receiving and has four touchdowns to his credit this season.

The defense on the other hand, I don't even want to talk about it. Eagles defense is 30^th in the league against the run and 24^th in the league with points allowed giving up 64 points in the first three games. In both games against Atlanta and New York we had the lead and our defense couldn’t do their part to ensure we kept it until the end of the game. First time Defensive Coordinator Juan Castillo is on the hot seat. Pro-bowl CB Nnamdi Asomugha was ineffective against their back up receiver Cruz. And Matthews, he just isn’t the answer.

And every fan in the stands questioned some of the decisions from the sidelines. None that were more pivotal than the play that turned the game in the fourth quarter. We came from behind to lead 16-14 after an ugly goal line stand where Big Blue's defense only allowed us to score a field goal. We had less than a yard to go inside the one yard line. What, no LeSean McCoy? A failed quarterback sneak and two handoffs to FB Owen Schmidt? Seriously? Whose bright idea was that? Then you want to go for it on 4^th and 1 on the Giants 43 after they just held you to inches on the goal line leaving the opponent with great field advantage against a defense that has been STINKING up the joint? SERIOUSLY? Oh, ok.

Giants win. 29-16.

Fans started to leave the stands early after the 4^th and 1 debacle. I’ve never seen that happen. They stay to the end win or loose. No miracle this time though, just a lot of disgust at a poorly played and poorly coached game. However, Eagles fans are used to dusting themselves off and getting back in the stands with hope in their hearts once again and that will be the case for the next game against San Francisco.

Injuries may affect the upcoming game against the 49’ers. We are relieved to know Michael Vick’s hand isn’t broken. He is practicing this week and is expected to start. Jeremy Maclin has a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday’s contest against the 9’ers. But the biggest injury, bruised expectations can be healed and hopefully will be this week. This I know, that is something that we need for sure.

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Buffalo Bills Kicker Rian Lindell Named AFC Special Teams POW

2011-09-28T11:50:00.000-04:00

Lindell's 42-yard field goal and 4 extra points in Buffalo's win over New England helped the kicker win his 3rd AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.

Rian Lindell's FG attempt was good with time expiring came with no pressure. Right...who the heck am I kidding. This was the Patriots....there was pressure.

Anyhoo...he did and he's been recognized for his accomplishments. Last year, kickers weren't sh t... not any more..and definitely not in B-U-F-F-A-L-O!!

Last week Fred Jackson was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week, who's next, Fitzy? YEAH Baby! GO BILLS!!!

Vikings overtime loss to the Lions

2011-09-28T00:21:00.001-04:00

I’m going to be all over this place with this week’s Vikings post. Mentally I’m drained from the history the Vikings made this past Sunday. The Vikings are the first team in NFL history to lose three games after leading at the half by double digits. It was not the record I was hoping the Vikings would break this year. Smh
McNabb is sort of taking care of the football, he misfires on every big play and in each of these 3 games one big play we would be 3-0. I think now is the time to switch to Ponder and try to salvage some respectability. The time to put Ponder in Sunday against The Chiefs! We need to find out what we have in him. Give him 13 games to get experience and then decide whether to use Webb who is also riding the pine. I think McNabb played lazy most of the 2^nd half. I think Ponder or Webb would do better than McNabb.

Didn't Frazier learn anything from Childress' last season? Same situation last year against Miami! YOU TAKE THE POINTS! Had Childress taken those 3 points we'd have won that game as well. What game was Frazier watching? You are given a gift of a great return for a team struggling in the 2nd half. Then you go nowhere with 3 downs. Your O-line is being manhandled and you decide to go for it?!?! What did he see that made him think he had a chance in hell to make it?

Stop blitzing! Instead of playing zone D like in the first half the Vikings switch to man to man & blitz excessively in the second half. Instead of the LB or CB there to make the play they are blitzing & leave the field wide open for an easy first down. On offense they start pulling out trick plays in the 2nd half & it always backfires. Two men in motion to confuse the D? All it confuses is the Vikings. Staggering the line to give the D new looks. It's a false start or an illegal formation every time. Having Toby take the handoff instead of AP. What happened to the vaunted TE plays? Why is Kleinsasser the threat up the middle? Why not a OT?

The Vikings ran for 132 yards total, picking up 5.7 yards per carry. But only eight of those yards came in the second half. The Vikings sacked Stafford five times, three by Allen and two by fellow defensive end Brian Robison, and held the Lions to 20 yards rushing on 19 attempts. Henderson is a solid run defender but is horrible as a pass defender.

Adrian Peterson finished with 17 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. Percy Harvin added a 39-yard rush in the first half. Ryan Longwell was perfect on his three field goals and two extra-point attempts, but possibly could have turned the momentum of the game if given the chance to kick a field goal early in the fourth quarter when the Vikings went for it on fourth-and-1.

In ending an over-the-shoulder catch by Calvin Johnson in tight coverage by Cedric Griffin went 40 yards, and put the nail in the coffin. It set up the Lions' up with a 32-yard field goal and gave the Vikings their third straight loss 26-23 in OT to fall to 0-3.

- "O" The Touring Empress

THE BUFFALO BILLS ARE THE ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE AFC!!

2011-09-27T14:26:00.001-04:00

Take that in and let it marinate... I've already pinched myself a few times...the dream is real and the nightmare has ended!

Coming into Sunday, the team veiled by obscurity was being asked, “Can they beat the Pats” and rightfully so. The Patriots have owned the Bills since 2003 and while the 1st half played out, it appeared to be much of the same. Tom Brady led his team to 21 unanswered points and I before I stepped off my stool, I said, “if we go into halftime with 7 points, this is a new game.” Well, that’s exactly what my team did. Would I prefer if they didn’t continue to dig these huge deficits? Yes, but its building character, confidence, devotion, and unity.

The 2nd half was all about the Bills. Tom Brady had his worst game this season with 4 INTs. That was huge because if you recall, the Bills’ secondary was torched last week. They heard the call and answered the challenge. Brady wanted to throw and they were ready to defend. Drayton Florence ran an INT back 27-yards for a touchdown. That sparked a rally that did not end! I'd be remissed if I didn't mention the injuries in the secondary.Watching CB Aaron Williams get carted off the field was scary. Terrence McGee is still out which leaves Justin Rogers, a 7th round pick from Richmond to heed the call against Cincinnati. Pray for him, I’m sure they’ll target his side.

What more can I say about Fred Jackson. He carried the ball 12 times for 74 yards and 1 TD but the timing of his runs were crucial…insurmountable! He’s leading the charge along with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and I can’t say it enough, PAY THE MAN.

With time expiring Rian Lindell hit the game winning field goal…my heart stopped. WE FINALLY BEAT THESE BASTARDS!! Some people would love to make excuses as to why the Pats lost, meh
Give credit, where’s credit is due. Chan Gailey coached. The players played. And the fans BILLieved!!

The Bills are 3-0 and the best is yet to come!

Check out this video…to understand where we're going, you must first, know how we feel.

Buffalo snow is WHITE, at game time we see RED and our collar IS still BLUE!! We been here all these years, through the touch downs and the tears.. with you, yes you can say, we’ll always stay RED, WHITE AND BLUE!! I love my team and my city!! GO BILLS!!!

Where's Ya Hot Dog Sanchez?

2011-09-26T13:07:00.003-04:00

After the loss to the Bills week 2, I knew the Raiders would come out looking much different than they had in the 2nd half of the ball game Sunday. In my eyes the ‘Commitment to Excellence’ and ‘Just Win Baby’ are slogans for a team who has a “No Days Off” mindset and we didn’t start off that way. The Special Teams Unit didn’t have a solid 1st half. The defense was giving Sanchez easy shots at his targets and unable to stop Green or LT at one point. Campbell had too many missed opportunities with Moore that seemed to be the result of lack of communication. Deep passes, short passes and bad timing of certain routes are things that were limiting the Raiders from having an awesome 1st half of play. The Jets went up on Oakland 17-7 with a LT touchdown and Nick Folk FG. The Raiders didn’t let that 10 point deficit discourage them, especially at home. DMC, who was very explosive for Oakland, broke for a 70 yard touchdown. With the Jets unable to convert their drive into any points & a costly interception by Branch, Janikowski kicks a FG to tie the game with time expiring for the half.

I’m thinking to myself, there is no way that the score should be tied let alone Oakland having to come from behind to make it even. However that was the case. Watching at home is a completely different feeling and viewing than when you are physically there. I saw holds that did not go in our favor, there were PI and personal foul calls that were warranted and with all that we didn’t give up. The Coliseum taunted the Jets fans there wasn’t much they could say. Cromartie was being used and Rex Ryan had no answer for Mc Fadden

The start of the second half I saw Denarius Moore (the talented Rookie WR) take the field for the Raiders Special Team. I’m assuming Hue decided to make the change because Jones couldn’t make anything happen and it worked. The Raiders came out playing like they had a fire lit under a**es and with a lot more intensity this time around. The Raiders would sack Sanchez in each of their 3 possessions in the third quarter and topped it off with a Campbell fake to McFadden for 27 yards and then a reverse to Denarius Moore for a dive and stretch for the TD. I can’t do the play any justice…you had to see it for yourself. The Coliseum was rocking. The play went under review but the call on the field was upheld. The Raiders were up by 7 and when I thought the cheers couldn’t get any louder. Ole Cromartie tricks off the punt, it was touched at the Jets 13 and recovered by the RAIDERS. Hue calls in the Beast machine Michael Bush for a quick score to make it 31-17. That was 14 unanswered points for the Jets. The Raiders didn’t take their foot off the throats of NY as the defense sacked Sanchez another 3 times in the 4th quarter. Plaxico would score a TD and Raiders respond with a FG. Sanchez trying to convert of 4th and two tried to go in for a TD but Raiders held it down causing a turnover on downs. OAKLAND WINS!! The run was unstoppable and Campbell escapes excessive criticisms; I think because his not so great passing game was disguised by the win nevertheless we’ll take it.

Next week, Oakland hosts what should be a very upset Patriots team. They lost to the very same team we lost to Week 2, the Buffalo Bills. I expect the Raiders to make QB and Special Team adjustments and tighten up the CB positions and get the W. A win I think is needed as a confidence booster and to help get over that game in the snow. I hope Seymour and the Raiders DESTROY the PATS. Apply pressure and Brady can be cracked.

I wanna give a HUGE Shout out to my (O)utta (T)heir (L)eague homie for hooking me up with the tickets. It was great game!

Sucked Into the Black Hole

2011-09-26T09:19:00.003-04:00

How do you go out to Oakland to face a 1-1 team and slink out as ten point losers? Man...

I'm mad today. Partially because I don't think the Jets are one tenth as mad as I am and they are the ones playing the games. They got some bad breaks. I get it. Clearly the officiating crew was more interested in people knowing they were out there than calling a good game. I've seen rougher hugs than the roughing the passer call that went in Oakland's favor. Three drive extending pass interference calls against Cromartie where there was little to no contact? Does not compute. Those 14 extra points did though.

Sanchez and his early interception had me thinking this was going to be a disaster. I was right about that part, but outside of that pick, and being sacked four times (the o-line should be ashamed of themselves) he didn't play poorly. He ended the day with 389 yards on 27 of 43 completions, with two passing and two rushing touchdowns. He very nearly got the game in hand at the end, but it just wasn't enough. I am mad about that botched fourth down play though.

So where did it all go wrong? I'll start here: Darren McFadden. The defense allowed this guy to run all over them, all day long. Starting with a 74 yard touchdown run punctuated by non existent tackling and an inability to catch up. Then there was the whole, "we can't get to the quarterback" thing. Never a good look. Especially when you're playing from behind. Out of all of their points yesterday, all but six came on rushing touchdowns.

Cromartie's fumble on special teams didn't help either. Nor did the continued slow to missing running game. Improved from last week, but not by very much.

I already mentioned the twelfth man on the field in zebra stripes.

There were very few things that went right yesterday, but I was happy to see Ladainian Tomlinson and Plaxico Burress come out and play well. Also looks like Dustin Keller is finding his stride, even though he wasn't able to put any points on the board yesterday. Kerly remains impressive on pr/kr duty.

Really though, this was a bad game. No way to sugar coat it. I would like to hope that it will hang over the Jets all week and make them angry as hell, but who knows.

Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson Named FedEx Ground Player of the Week

2011-09-23T15:55:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Fred Jackson for being named the FedEx Ground player of the week. The Bills RB scored two touchdowns and carried the ball 15 times for 117 yards in the win over the Oakland Raiders.
FedEx is making a $2,000 donation in Jackson's name to the local Junior Achievement area offices in Western New York. The funding is used to help U.S. small business development, by educating the next generation of entrepreneurs on how to start and grow their own businesses.
Let’s hope this is a sign of good things to come for my squad and Freddie. Without Jackson’s productivity, the Bills wouldn’t be sitting at 2-0. He’s being very verbal out his contract and I’m hoping the end is near. I need him concentrating on football and pleased about remaining a Buffalo Bill. The playoffs are on my mind and without Freddie, that ain’t happening!
Let’s Go Buffalo!!

Eagles Drop the Ball in Atlanta - Literally!

2011-09-22T15:05:00.000-04:00

There was so much electricity in the air before the Philadelphia-Atlanta game. It was on the big stage with everyone watching on Sunday night. Quarterbacks Michael Vick and Matt Ryan both had former allegiances with their opponent. Vick was facing his old team and Ryan was a long time Eagle fan having grown up in Philadelphia and played high school football there. This was a much anticipated game and it didn't disappoint, at least not in the beginning. It was clear that these two teams felt the pressure to get that “W”. Atlanta suffered an embarrassing loss the previous week to the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia is out to prove to everyone that they are the real deal on a quest to the top.

But the Eagles dropped the ball. Defense dropped the ball. Offense dropped the ball. Andy Reid dropped the ball on a missed challenge that resulted in a touchdown. It was clear that an unchallenged interception by a Falcons defender hit the ground before he scooped it up and turned the ball back over to Atlanta. Ryan turned that into six plus one. DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek dropped touchdowns. Michael Vick dropped the ball with fumbles that were recovered by the Falcons. When it really counted the defense couldn’t drop Michael Turner or for the life of them, get Tony Gonzalez to drop anything!

There were some bright moments during this dark defeat. The collective Philly TweerLeaders on Twitter were tweeting “we got this” and then Michael Vick goes down in a friendly fire freakish accident where he was spun crashing into one of his own teammates while in the grasp of an Atlanta defender. As quickly as you could re-tweet “we got this” it turned into “we don’t got this”! But before the wind was taken from beneath our wings we did see some great plays from our standouts like interceptions from Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel. Trent Cole was on fire with five tackles and a sack. Jeremy Maclin and Lesean McCoy had solid games with two TD’s a piece. Maclin was the go-to receiver due to extra tight coverage on DeSean Jackson. But when Maclin really needed to come up big after the Eagles defense gave away a ten point lead, you guessed it…he dropped the ball.

Game over. Falcons win 35-31.

Whereas the Falcons looked better this week than they did against the Bears, Philadelphia as a complete team with Vick in the lineup, looks like a better overall team than the Falcons. However, this loss should serve as an alarming wake up call for them to be a focused team on the field and the sidelines because that’s what it’s going to take to be a contender in February. As Michael Vick left the stadium from his injury the Georgia Dome crowd jeered. He pointed to the scoreboard and the ten point lead he helped secure. Someone could have let the Eagles defense in on this because they blew the lead in the fourth quarter while Reid instructed Vick’s backup, the third string quarterback Mike Kafka to play it safe. After outscoring Atlanta 21-0 in the third quarter, the Eagles allowed the Falcons to score fourteen unanswered points leaving us with a loss. This didn’t make us look like the better team at all, but I truly believe we are and not just because I’m an Eagles fan.

Last Sunday’s showdown was one of the most physical encounters I can recall between two teams. Aside from the scare involving Mike Vick’s injury, Macklin took a scary hit during the game too. Ironically the same player that knocked DeSean Jackson out for a chunk of the season last year hit Jeremy the same way and once again was fined by the league for the hit. Fortunately, Maclin was able to get up and get back into the game. This much I know, if these two teams cross each other’s path before the season’s end, it will not be pretty.

Speaking of not pretty, the Giants are next on the schedule. We’re getting ready for the Eagles' home opener and they have their first division rivalry with New York coming into the Linc. The Giants are rife with injuries and being forced to continuously watch the highlights from our last meeting where they blew a tremendous lead and the Birds battled back to beat them in the Meadowlands with no time left on the clock.

New York struggled in their first two games loosing one to Washington and winning the other against St. Louis. But this is a fierce competition between two teams that aren't so fond of each other and it will be a good game. There will probably be a question mark on Michael Vick's return all the way up until game day. Concussions are no joke and I'd be shocked if the Giants' defense isn't looking to try and knock him out of this game too. After faking injuries to slow down the Rams last week, there's no telling what they'd try and pull against our much speedier offense. This game will be a spectacle for sure!

And for sure, I will be there in my new Eagles gear hitting the tailgating action, making a day out of it with my gridiron girlfriend Dawn. Now that the sting of a loss is starting to numb, I look forward to getting back on the winning track. And the Giants are just the team to help with that!

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

The New Orleans Saints Ran the Chicago Bears Out of the Dome

2011-09-21T08:58:00.000-04:00

Already a busy season (for me), but I haven’t forgotten about my boys in black and gold! The Saints opened the football season with a heartbreaking 34-42 loss to the Green Bay Packers—a game that had defensive coordinator Gregg Williams probably scratching his head and wondering when the defense would show up.
Week 2 told a different tale. Saints defense scrapped the Bears as if Chicago owed them rent money. Keeping pressure on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was essential in the 30-13 Saints victory, as Cutler was sacked six times and fumbled the ball once. Still, Cutler managed to complete 19 passes and one touchdown.
The Saints offense shined as well with Brees taking charge and completing 26 of 37 passes for 270 yards. Three touchdown passes were completed to wideouts Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, and another to running back Darren Sproles.

As several Saints fans have observed, Sproles has been making a whole lotta noise since before the season began. He may be a little man (standing 5’6…he only has me by three inches!), but he has big presence, the speed and enthusiasm the Saints needed.
Although I still have love for Reggie Bush, I can say Sproles’s huge impact in such a short time makes fans forget #25 existed. Is it right? Eh, I’ll leave everyone to their own opinions. I’m just glad the front office always has something up their sleeves—their master plans almost always steer us in the right direction every season.

Overall, the Saints came in fired up and gained extra confidence being at home in the Superdome. Bears fans, commentators and coaches continue to blame the “crowd noise” as a factor that contributed to the loss. If that’s the case, every team that enters the Dome can expect to have the same problem. You never know what the Dome will be like on any given Sunday!
With a 1-1 record, the Saints are hoping to use Who Dat Nation for more encouragement and gain another W when they face off against the Houston Texans on Sept. 25 at home.

Bucs Beat The Vikes

2011-09-20T21:37:00.000-04:00

For the second week in a row the Vikings let a halftime lead get away from them. This time, they wasted a dominating performance in the first two quarters in falling 24-20 to the Buccaneers on Sunday, dropping them to 0-2. The Vikings are too conservative in 2nd half , they get too comfortable with the leads and we pay for it later.

The problem with the Vikings and a lot of NFL teams is that they play not to lose, instead of playing to win. They get conservative when they get a lead, and all that does is give the opponent the chance to catch up. In order for us to get back on track & win we have to be some combination of good or aggressive.

McNabb has skills and experience, but he doesn't win. At least not in recent years. He doesn't even look motivated on the field. Get it together McNabb! The Vikings had 17 first downs in the first 30 minutes to 3 for Tampa Bay.

Peterson rushed for 120 yards and 2 TD's, Harvin had 7 catches for 76 yards.

I wonder if McNabb ignoring Berrian like Favre did? If Berrian were Moss would he be double covered? Yes, so act like it!

The D-Line needs to Throw their hands up & at least pretend to try and block, intercept a pass. O-Line needs help. Loadholt is a bust, Johnson is inadequate. McNabb needs to work on his motivation as I said before.

Again we let Tampa back into the game and it’s due to a combination of big play and utilizing our secondary. The offense didn’t come back in the second half with the correct amount of intensity as in the first half. Vikes have no deep threat receiver and a a piss poor secondary. Berrian “deep threat” receiver catching only one pass?! I wonder if McNabb is ignoring Berrian like Favre did? If Berrian were Moss would he be double covered?

I want to ask Fraizer why did the Vikings had three time-outs left at the end of the game. Why did we not use 1?Frazier manages great offensive and defensive schemes in the first half but never changes them when the other team figures them out. Will the Vikings resign Pat Williams cut Tyrell Johnson, move Winfield to safety & sign Benny Sapp?

Even with the pressure on Freeman he got the Bucs to 14 points in the fourth to steal the win.
Ronde Barber was held to a 9-yard scoring run less than a minute before halftime to give the Vikings a 17-0 lead.

Blount had a 27-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter and McNabb one-hopped a throw to an open Shiancoe in the end zone, forcing the Vikes to go for a field goal.
Freeman threw a 25-yard TD pass to Benn with under 7 minutes to play. Blount finished the Vikings off with a 4-yard run with 31 seconds to play.

Next Sunday the Vikings take on the Detroit Lions, I pray to the football God that we win.

"O" The Touring Empress

Jets Take Flight Over Jags

2011-09-20T16:28:00.005-04:00

With the exception of the turnovers by Sanchez, the loss of Nick Mangold for the next three weeks, and the almost nonexistent run game, Sunday's contest between the Jets and Jaguars was an old fashioned, good time beatdown. Nothing like the close contest I was expecting if the Jets looked past Jacksonville the way I was afraid they would.

That Hall dude probably should have kept his mouth shut.

The Jets gave up three points on Sunday, and left Luke McCown with the worst rating of any QB that has ever faced them. Ever. Like in life. It was 1.8.

Antonio Cromartie had two picks by himself. Then one from from Eric Smith (who probably should have had three) and one from Josh Mauga just made their entire time on offense laughable.

In spite of the lopsided score, there were a few things about how the Jets played that stood out to me, and not in a good way. Ladainian Tomlinson had 6 rushes for...wait for it...wait...8 yards. The quarterback had more than that man! Shonn Greene went for 49 and a touchdown. Not the type of numbers a feature back should be putting up. Plaxico Burress was a non factor who spent most of the day blocking and batting his eyelashes. Let's not even get into Sanchez' performance. He did manage to put up two passing touchdown, but at 182 yards and two picks-this can't be how he plays week in and out if the Jets expect to win.

I wonder how much of play of the defense had to do with that Hill guy who called out Revis but didn't play due to an injury. It was more likely that they just aren't that good of a team. Maybe it was the old school Titans uniforms they seem to win in just about every time they're worn.

Either way, it's a win, and I'll take it.

Much Improved Buffalo Bills Win Shoot Out Against the Oakland Raiders

2011-09-20T16:06:00.000-04:00

Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills and that’s just what it took to beat the Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Mental toughness. Preparation…and the 12th Man. I was at ‘The Ralph’ and it was a beautiful day for football in Western New York for the home opener. After dismantling the back sliding Chiefs a week ago, the fans were excited to see if our team was the real deal. We left BILLieving they are!
The picture wasn’t as pretty after the 1st half with the score 21-3 in favor of the Raiders. I stared at the stat board and honestly, felt relieved. Yes, the Bills were losing but the stats told a different story…one of which gave me hope. First downs, time of possession and first downs were almost equal…the Bills with a few minor adjustments could win the game. I didn’t give up hope and neither did the other 70K in attendance.

In the 3^rd quarter, RB Fred Jackson answered the call and prayers with a 42-yard run for a TD, igniting the faithful to “shout and shout loudly.” The fight being displayed by the offense was fierce!! Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 264 yards and 4 TDs and his level-headed leadership was on display throughout the back-and-forth battle. I tried to tell anybody that would listen last season…this guy is good and I’m happy to he’s on our team.

With 14 seconds left in regulation, Fitz hit WR David Nelson in the back of the end zone for the game winning touchdown. I can’t lie…I didn’t see it. I was sitting in my seat…head down, waiting for the crowd’s reaction. This game almost killed me!! When the crowd roared in approval I almost cried. These are the games the Buffalo Bills loss last year (Baltimore and Pittsburgh come to mind), close but no cigar. Well…we were smoking because they did it!

I can’t overlook the obvious. The secondary almost blew this game for us. Oakland Raiders’ WR Denarius Moore torched them, at one point, catching a TD between two Bills defenders. Newcomer Nick Barnett was my hero, after McFadden had his way in the 1^st half, Barnett plugged the holes and kept him check. Thank goodness, Shawn Merriman was being manhandled by the left guard. He’ll definitely need to figure out a way to get free.

According to a report from ESPN, wide receiver Roscoe Parrish will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ankle injury. CJ Spiller will have to step his game up and I have no doubt he will.

The Bills are 2-0 and not everybody believes they’re the real deal and guess what? So…there’s enough of us that wear our red/white/blue proudly. We believe and so does the organization. Y’all just sit back and watch. I’ll accept your congratulations as the season progresses.

Next up, the New England Patriots and Fitzpatrick said it best:

It’s a great challenge. It’s nice to go head-to-head and see where we are at. You always want to beat the best.”

My baby boy is predicting a win. Count his fingers...1, 2, THREE!! Sunday. 1 o’clock. I can’t wait!! Let’s Go Buffalo!!!

We Aint Playing The 3rd

2011-09-20T13:11:00.005-04:00

The Raiders had a great 1st half. Oakland held the Bills to only 3 points in the first two quarters. The Bills were coming off a 41-7 win over the Chiefs so that said a lot for the Raiders defense. Jason Campbell looks like he is easing into being a well rounded QB. He looked a lot more comfortable than he did in game one with the passes and decisions that he made. This was a big improvement from last year and working with Hue Jackson he’ll only get better. DMC and Bush once again gave Oakland a great presence in the run game contributing two of the 3 TD scored in the 2nd… Now let us fast forward to the missing quarter.

All I could think about was that Martin episode where he let everything in his apartment fall apart because his manager was raising the rent. He kept saying “I aint paying the 5”. I felt that’s the attitude Oakland had towards the 3rd quarter. I mean, where was the defense? A 43 yard scoring run and 14 unanswered points, I couldn’t believe it. Half time was over but no one had told the Raiders Defense. Oakland went from not having ONE penalty called against them in the first half to receiving 8 by the time the game was over. Bills were on fire, there was nothing the Raiders could do to stop the momentum. The crowd was in the game. Jackson and Johnson had scored the only TDs in the 3rd and the players were in a zone. The last quarter would be much different. Oakland and Buffalo would exchange TD in the 4th quarter, making this a high intense and borderline stressful ending for Raiders and Bills fans alike.

“I cannot tell a lie” I had NO clue that Jason Campbell had an arm like that. I never watched a Redskins game lol. When he threw that 50 yard pass and Denarius Moore went up and grabbed it, I almost lost my mind. Bills get the ball back and defense stops their 3rd down. It’s 4th down in the last minute of the game. You would think Oakland, after that previous play would have the momentum to hold the line.*throws hands in the air* CHRIS JOHNSON!!! The Raiders DB allowed Bills player a 9 yard reception. 1st down Bills and that’s all I saw. All I saw. CBS did a Heidi Game move on me. I was at a home with NO Direct TV so they changed the last seconds of the game to the stupid Bolts/Pats game. I had to get my iPad and go to my NFL 2011 app and listen…

Right before the Donald Nelson TD, Chris Johnson (again) DROPPED a pass that would have sealed the deal for the Bills, giving Oakland the possession and the win. Dare I say Nnamdi would have caught that? If I could, I won’t because I can’t place the blame consecutive plays in a 4th quarter battle when the defense took off a whole quarter prior too. That was the worst 14 seconds of my life. Well, maybe not my life but my day for sure.

I told my fellow GG sister that this was going to be a great game and it was. It’s unfortunate that Oakland didn’t come out with a win. When it’s all said and done, you can’t take a minute off in this game and the Raiders learned the hard way. This was their game to give away and they did. Next up is the Jets. I’d like to see what our young WR have for this island. JC has the arm to let it fly and he has WR that can go up and get it! I have little faith in former Trojan QB and I think the Oakland defense is going to have one helluva redemption game.

Raiders to Beast

Deja Vu Of 2010 Haunts Ravens In Loss

2011-09-20T10:19:00.007-04:00

Ever watch your favorite team play and say to yourself, "I've seen this before!"? That's what happened to me this past Sunday afternoon. After watching the Ravens lose to a Tennessee Titans team they would typically have beaten, it all started to come back to me. This is 2010 all over again.

Let me elaborate a bit more. Week 1 of the 2010 season, the Ravens traveled to the Meadowlands to play the NY Jets, against their old defensive coordinator in Rex Ryan, along with other former Ravens such as Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard. The Ravens loved Rex, but they also wanted to show him they can still win games without them. The emotional showdown led to a 10-9 victory over the Jets. Well fought, well spent... the Ravens were 1-0.

Week 2 of the 2010 season was on the road to Cincinnati against the Bengals. The Bengals won the division the year before in 2009, but fizzled out really bad during the last month of that season, including a pitiful effort in their playoff loss to the Jets. While the Bengals had a good 2010 draft, the Ravens were still favored to win the AFC North in 2010 and wanted to go 2-0 against their division opponent. Well, the Bengals had other things in mind. Joe Flacco turned the ball over 4 times and the Ravens ultimately lost the game to an opponent many expected them to beat, 15-10, after such an emotional win the week before.

A year later, and here we go again. After totally dominating the Steelers in Week 1 with a 35-7 victory, the Ravens looked flat and lethargic against the Titans. Though the Titans were underdogs and lost to the Jags the week prior, there were concerns about this game from the start. Matt Hasselbeck is a very reliable veteran QB who gets the ball out of his hands quick (major key to the Titans win), Chris Johnson just received a huge pay day for his services in years past, and Kenny Britt proved in 2010 that he can really be a problem in this league. While CJ2k was no where to be found on Sunday, Hasselbeck and Brit did enough damage. With the Ravens lack of pass rush and injuries to the secondary, Baltimore gave up 358 passing yards. The offense wasn't much better, as Flacco threw for 2 INTS and the offensive line forgot to wake up, having Flacco hurried and hit often. The final score: 26-13.

Are there concerns after this loss? Absolutely. The Ravens need to find a way to consistently block for their QB as well as get pressure on opposing QB's. The silver lining in this is that, it's only Week 2, with 14 more games ahead to get it right, which I anticipate they will. Last year, the Ravens lost the Bengals game but finished the season with a 12-4 record. We'll see how 2011 pans out as the weeks go on.

But until then, it was deja vu all over again.

America's Team: It's our title..and it stays with US!

2011-09-17T09:34:00.008-04:00

There has been a lot of off season talk about whether or not the Dallas Cowboys are still America's Team. Why this is just now coming up is beyond me. If you have a problem with the title, talk to Bob Ryan; he coined it and the rest is history. Regardless of what you think about the new age Dallas Cowboys the title of America's Team was earned and with the Dallas Cowboys it will stay. God himself (the real God not Jerry Jones) is smiling as I type this post.

Five Super Bowls: You can say what you want about the last SB being in 1995 (96); but there is only one other team that has 5 Super Bowl Rings. Usually fans that say past Super Bowls don't count have teams with empty trophy cases.

Media Coverage: Put a Cowboys game on Prime Time television and your ratings will soar. This also speaks to why there are so many Cowboys (and Steelers) fans nationwide. Those were the two most visually prominent teams. But only the former is America's Team...sorry towel wavers.

Fans: We are everywhere. Even in a land where Cowboys fans are the most hated breed of football fans, we can show up at THEIR home game in droves, a sea of blue and gray running through burgundy and gold. Cowboys fans don't need to travel. We are already in your city. HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS!

Now that I have beaten my chest...I can reflect on last season and the last game. It was hard out here for a pimp last season, but I rode it out. With all of the laughter and hatred. And even though we definitely tarnished that America's team name (worst season since 2001) We still managed to stay out of the NFC east basement. Murphy's Law was in effect and everything that could go wrong did go wrong, from the front office to the field. It happens...and it happens with every team. But when you are favored as Super Bowl contenders it kinda puts that big blinding spotlight on your entire season. Turn that light off please.

Clearly anyone who follows me on twitter (@LLCoolChels) knows that I was in the worst mood of all moods after the senseless loss to the NY Jets. We had that game in the bag. The defense that I saw in pre-season thankfully got their lives in order for this game. I was impressed at how fast these young men picked up on Hip Hop Santa's defense in such a short time. This was a case of "if---then". Sure Tony messed up. Yes and he messed up bad. But had we kicked that FG instead of going for it on 4th; Had Jason Witten pushed a little harder into the end zone, and if not for that blocked punt that I saw coming a mile away, things would be a lot diff rent going into Week 2. The Jets won because they capitalized on our fluke end game errors. Romo is again the whipping boy, but we don't need him out there with his Charlie Brown routine every again. EVER.

I hate when I have so much to say that I become incoherent. I hope this post has some direction or insight into how a very emotional yet logical fan feels.

My expectation for this season is very simple: I expect us to win more games than we did last season.

I bleed Navy Blue and I got Stars in my eyes....

P.S. Does your team have a more popular fan than this guy? If so point em out.

JayZ is a Boys FAN
Chels

Tame the Jags

2011-09-16T15:35:00.004-04:00

This Sunday, as the Jets host the Jacksonville Jaguars, I'll be praying that they are able to stop the run. Dallas doesn't rely on the run as much as Jacksonville does, and we really haven't seen what the run defense can do this season.

Jacksonville as a team isn't as hyped as the Cowboys were, but they did win last week, and they have a much better running game with Jones-Drew. They're not media darlings, and I'd be lying if I said I knew many on the roster outside of him, Rashean Mathis, and and Kassim Osgood.

What I do know, is that the Jets are prone to fall behind and give up points early, and have been relying on late game comebacks to win with mixed results.

I'm most reminded of last season's games against Detroit, Cleveland and Houston, where many fans thought there was going to be a wash for the Jets, only for things to go down to the wire.

Am I nervous? Of course. What Jet fan isn't? Hopefully the Jets can improve on their defense, which seemed really discombobulated last week. It would also be great if the offense didn't wait until the second half to start scoring. Otherwise, it's going to be a long afternoon.

Buffalo Bills Stampede: Holds the Kansas City Chiefs to 7 points

2011-09-15T18:40:00.000-04:00

What can I say about the Buffalo Bills that you haven’t heard already? They beat the Kansas City Chiefs! They scored more points than any other NFL team on Sunday (41)! QB Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for 208 yards and 4 TDs! The defense held the Chiefs’ offense to a measly 7 points! Are my boys back? Yessir, please believe it and I for one couldn’t be happier!

Now that I got my emotions in check…I know it’s only week 1, but after a grueling 2010 season can you blame me? The Bills are coming of thee toughest schedule in the AFC where they finished with a 4-12 record. The Kansas City Chiefs on the other hand, won the AFC West, so of course my squad started the game as 3.5 underdogs. (Insert evil laughter)

During the preseason I only had two concerns. 1. How will the defense fair and how would Steve Johnson hold up as the #1 WR. As the game progressed my fears were laid to rest. While Fitzpatrick, Jackson and Johnson aren’t Kelly, Thomas and Reed they exceeded my expectations. RB Fred Jackson has been carrying the load for the past 2 seasons and feeling disrespected in the process. He recorded his 8th 100-yard rushing game on Sunday and the Bills better give him some money. They need him. The “Amish Rifle” aka Fitzpatrick was flawless, throwing 4 TDs and Steve Johnson had 66 yards and 1 TD. TE Scott Chandler definitely deserves an honorable mention. The Chiefs couldn’t stop him from scoring 2 touchdowns.

As for the defense they shut ish down!! The first three drives ended with punts and less than 20 yards. They intercepted Matt Cassel, stripped Jamaal Charles and keep the fans at Arrow Head in their seats and quiet! The newly signed veteran LBers: Merriman, Morris and Barnett all contributed with solo tackles. Who could have predicted this shellacking?

This win was a huge confidence booster for the only team from New York that plays in New York. I’m being realistic when I tell y’all, I’m expecting them to finish 8 – 8. Go head, write it down, and memorize it. You heard it here first!

Next up, the Oakland Raiders at “The Ralph”… they ready…and so are the fans!! Let’s Go Buffalo!!

Vikings opener... Winless in San Diego

2011-09-15T17:01:00.000-04:00

The opening kick with Percy Harvin running 103 yards for his fourth career kickoff-return touchdown and gave the Vikings a 7-0 lead. Another chance of him returning another kick off like the first never happened again.

The Vikings defense kept the Chargers scoreless in the red zone. San Diego controlled the ball for almost 21 minutes compared to the Vikings' nine, tying the score 17-17 with a pair of long third-quarter drives. Mike Tolbert's had a 19-yard touchdown reception.

Vikings leaned on superstar running back Adrian Peterson aka the $100 million man responded with 98 yards on 16 carries, averaging 6.1 yards on 16 carries. A 2-yard loss on his final carry cost AP a shot at his 25th career 100-yard game. New QB McNabb only completed seven passes for 39 yards, None of his completions were longer than 12 yards. McNabb also allowed an interception by Shaun Phillips inside the Vikings' 10-yard line, which set up San Diego's initial touchdown, and it ended with McNabb receiving a 10-yard sack...OUCH! McNabb misfired on several plays and received another sack... do I need to say OUCH again?

Vikings defense sucked at tackling and professional play in the secondary also cost the Vikings as Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 193 of his 335 yards in the second half.
Jared Allen made sure to show up and stayed on top of the ball all game. Allen had six combined tackles, a half sack and one QB hit, pass coverage was on point, defending Rivers pass and intercepting what was intended for TE Antonio Gates. Great job Allen!

Guess who returned after tearing two anterior cruciate ligaments in 10-month span in 2010? Cedric Griffin and he received another beat down by Vincent Jackson on a should be touchdown that Rivers overthrew. Then Griffin was flagged 15 yards for unnecessary roughness to extend San Diego's game-ending run and win.

Missed opportunities against a good opponent on their home turf. For me the game changed when, after gaining a power running first down midway through the 3rd quarter, Musgrave decided to go Wildcat. The 2 plays were unimaginative and poorly executed. Why not let McNabb go play action instead. If the Vikings offense does not control down and distance then it will be a long season. We have to learn from today and then next Sunday play another winless team, The Buccaneers in Minneapolis. The Buccaneers lost their home opener 27-20 to Detroit.

- O'neika "The Touring Empress"

Football Is Back: Eagles Celebrate With A Win Over The Rams!

2011-09-15T08:45:00.003-04:00

The first week of regular season football has come to an end and half of the league has a winning record. Fortunately the Eagles are on the winning side. They visited the St. Louis Rams and left with a victory.

Leading up to the first regular season game, the front office had become some busy little bees (or birds I should say) once the lockout ended. They did some major free agent shopping, rivaling a couple of gold diggers in a high end mall with Sugar Daddy's Black card. However, they scored bigger than Gucci, Louis, and YSL. They picked up Nnamdi, Vince, and DRC, just to name a few free agent surprises that had everyone talking about the Eagles. Once the news broke about Asomugha, which sounds like it could be French for kiss my a$$, that's pretty much how Philly fans were feeling. There's no joking around this season. We want a ring!

Much like a gold digger focuses on the consumption of retail trinkets, they're not the type to look to purchase a serious financial investment or two. You know, like a strong offensive line and a key linebacker on defensive, the non-sexy stuff that can make or break you and force you to look beyond the glamour. Don't get me wrong, I think we made great off season moves with the newest Birds in the nest, but we saw evidence of how we are still missing a few key items in the game against St. Louis. Although Michael Vick has strong confidence in his offensive line, I'm not so convinced. And Casey Matthews may look just like his older brother Clay who plays for Green Bay, but after one play you know he's the Eli to your Peyton.

But it sure was good to be parked in front of the TV watching football again. Ahhh, I was back to yelling at the screen, pacing on third downs, doing touchdown celebrations and crossing all ten fingers and toes in those tense moments. You know the kind I'm talking about. Ones like in the first drive of the game when Stephen Jackson scored a touchdown by running all over our shiny new defense. He left the game hurt after that one score and didn't return to the game. But by then we'd been exposed. Note to self for every team on our schedule. Eagles' defense has a hard time stopping the run.

It took the offense a minute to get it going as well. Vick hit the ground a few too many times for my taste, forcing him to scurry out of the pocket or run for his life. He's a playmaker though. But, I think the idea is to have everyone make the plays they're supposed to be making and protect the newly minted $100 million dollar QB. I'm just saying…you’ve got to protect your investment. Otherwise we may as well have Wall Street as our o-line. Then again, we've seen how well they protected our investments so maybe not.

We got it together though and Mike Vick put our first points on the board with a rushing touchdown. He ended up with 187 yards passing and just at 100 yards rushing for two passing TD’s and one on the run. Juqua Parker added a rushing touchdown of his own when he received a sack fumble that was set in motion by Darryl Tapp and ran it into the end zone. Yet it was Shady McCoy who showed off this past Sunday. He rushed for over 120 yards with one touchdown pass from Vick. Many Eagles fans were rubbing their eyes to see if it was really our team that was running the ball consistently? That’s a new concept in these parts. There was a touchdown pass as well to Desean Jackson who also added points to the board. Despite speculation that he may play a soft game because he's hoping for a contract increase, he played with ALL heart!

On the defensive side of the ball aside from Parker's points, Asante Samuel was putting forth a solid effort despite being penalized on a couple of plays. With the addition of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, there were rumblings that Samuel may be on the block. And I can tell you that I'm sure glad he wasn't.

It wasn’t exactly pretty but the Eagles handled the Rams by taking a win 31-13.

We have another road game before the home opener on the 25th of September. Atlanta is up next. Oh and this game is going to be a must watch Sunday night game. Michael Vick makes his first return to his former home in the Georgia Dome as the Eagles’ starting quarterback and leader of this team. The dirty blackbirds were in the NFC championship hunt last year but lost to Green Bay. Their trip through Philly last year also left them with a loss. This past Sunday they got mauled by the Bears so expect this one to be intense and personal. And I’ll be there with Al and Chris watching every second of it.

It’s good to be back to football and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you again this year. I’ll see you on the sidelines!

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

(Mile) High Coming Down

2011-09-14T15:13:00.002-04:00

Hey Nation! I was all smiles Tuesday morning calling my friend Wink. He and I bet $20.00 on the Raiders game & $10.00 on the status of Arian Foster. I made some gas money off those two bets. Not only am I happy when Oakland wins and I’m even happier when the wins makes me money.

Oakland is victorious with a 23-20 win against the Denver Broncos. I was doing a semi-happy dance because people expected us to come out weak and that wasn’t the case (but this is only week 1). It seems as if Oakland is carrying around a new attitude. JC looks comfortable. I know he had me nervous and excited at the same time. He ran for a first down and I’m screaming SLIDE and a later in the game he even brought in a touchdown and I’m screaming GET IT. These are things I don’t think he would have done last year, that, including a long bomb to DHB. If that ball had of been in the inside or better yet, if DHB had some sideline awareness & ballerina game...yeah dat! LOL

DMC looked great, rushing for 150 yards. Reece added a touchdown and his power and size will be great for the Oakland offense. The Raiders defense as a whole is coming together and will have to be dealt with in upcoming games. Looking at our CBs, I can tell that Rod Woodson is over there teaching!!

I can’t lie; I had some concerns about the lack of OTA and departure of a few players and staff. I wasn’t really sure how big of a role that would have on the mindset of the players but it didn’t look like they were affected by it at all. The one thing I can talk about until I’m blue in the face is penalties. Every other play it seemed like it was a flag. This has been a long standing problem for the Raiders and I really wish they pull it together. 130+ yards were given up on those penalties. Just a mess. Denver really couldn’t do anything with us but we kept letting them back in the game. This could have easily been a blowout.

Janikowskis leg though?! I swear if he tried he could kick an 80 yard field goal. LOL

We are suiting up and ready to show out. Next stop Buffalo, do we beast or are we feast? I say we beast. This game will be a war, both of these teams look better than before.

Ravens Have EXORCIIIIIISED The Demons!

2011-09-14T11:00:00.001-04:00

Where do I start?? I know.... January 15th, 2011. The very moment when that dreaded 3rd and 19 took place during the 2010 Divisional Playoffs. As I sat in Heinz Field and watched it go down, I knew then the Ravens had lost all momentum in that game. Up 21-7 by halftime, the Ravens gave the game away to the Steelers with inexcusable plays and unexpected turnovers. The Steelers won, 31-24 and the psychological advantage over Baltimore continued.

Can Baltimore beat Pittsburgh? Sure they can. With Joe Flacco they had beat them before... but never when Ben Roethlisberger was behind center. And that talk became the topic of the offseason. How Joe Flacco wasn't good enough to get over the Steelers hump. Everyone chimed in about Joe Cool. Lamar Woodley said he wouldn't win a Super Bowl in his lifetime.. Ryan Clark said the Ravens-Steelers rivalry wasn't really a rivalry, since they weren't able to beat them. Even Dhani Jones came in to talk about how Flacco couldn't read defenses under pressure. And Joe heard it. He heard and read every single thing that every critic said about him.

If you think for one minute that the Ravens didn't plan to make a statement with this game, then you're wrong. In early August, about a month before the season ever started, RB Ray Rice told SI's Don Banks,

"Maybe when we beat them, we won't just beat them. A win is a win. But if we make a statement, and beat them in a way that they know they were really beaten, I think that leaves a taste.''

The Ravens went into this contest knowing that if they didn't punch them in the mouth, doubt would always linger. They had to dominate the game the full 60 mins, something they haven't been able to do in years past.

Do you want to win on opening day at home? Yes. But this was against a bitter rival.. one that talked a lot of smack during the lockout. While the Steelers re-signed majority of their players, the Ravens got younger, dumping veteran players like Todd Heap, Derrick Mason and Kelly Gregg and replaced them with Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson at TE, Lee Evans at WR and allowing NT Terrence Cody to get more involved from a year ago. The Ravens knew they had to get younger, faster and stronger to get over the hump. They did and it paid off in a way that no one saw coming..... no one except for the Ravens.

As I walked into M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, I knew little about what was going to happen. What I did know is that, it was the 10th anniversary of September 11th and the fans would be patriotic. I knew that the opening day festivities would send chills up and down my spine, because after a LONG lockout, football had finally returned unscathed. I knew that my son and I would have a great time, win or lose, because we love this game so much. But the skull dragging (s/o to Rob Long for the selective word) that took place on Sunday was an unexpected surprise that was welcomed with open arms by everyone that donned purple and black that day.

The Steelers talked the talk, but the Ravens walked the walk. Final score, 35-7. Thank you, football gods. The rivalry lives on.

2011 - Week One in Review – Redskins vs. Giants

2011-09-13T15:45:00.003-04:00

The Washington Redskins had their first game of the 2011 - 2012 Season on Sunday September 11^th. In front of a packed house, it was a good 28 – 14 victory for the Redskins. Although this game ended like I wanted it to, this game had an emotional start because both these cities were majorly affected by the events of September 11, 2001.

The weather - beautiful. The opponent -NFC East rival. The atmosphere - Not Normal.

I did my usual tailgating, making my signature spicy meatballs. Of course; – Normal
I towed a car full of Giants fans to the game. – Not Normal (PigsknLnvgLady & SportsDiva627)
I went to my lower level seats first to get some on field warm up photos. – Normal
I couldn’t Tweet anything because the reception at FedEx Field was very poor. – Not Normal
When the introductions started, I stood with the crowd for the National Anthem. - Normal
When I sat down, I was embarrassingly wiping my face. – Not Normal

When the people assigned to carry a 100 yard flag slowly entered the Giants sideline, Colin Powell was walking up the 50 yard line for the coin toss. - I felt my emotions changing.

Next, there was a moment of silence for those that lost their lives ten years ago. - Now, I was getting mushy.

The flag slowly, methodically overcame the green of the football field. - I felt my throat getting tight.

Players from both teams walked to the flag’s rim to grab hold of this sight of beauty. My nose was burning!

Recording Artist Neo began to sing the National Anthem and the flag holders rapidly made wave like motions with the flag, as if it is was blowing in the breeze. Tears fell from my eyes...

I was overcome with the meaning of this day, the meaning of our freedoms. I was ‘proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me….’

This Diva is Done!

Buccaneers Will Be Playoff Bound For 2011-12 Season

2011-09-08T12:05:00.004-04:00

First of all, shout out to former Buccaneer Lee Roy Selmon who passed recently, may he rest in peace. I never saw him play but I know he was a significant player for the Buccaneers as well as a major figure in the Tampa area.

Once again, we start another season where control of the NFC South is up for grabs. Who knows who reign supreme at the end of the season between Atlanta, New Orleans, and Tampa. Carolina is rebuilding so unless Cam Newton just becomes a breakout player and leads his team to many victories, it is going to be the odd man out.

My prediction for the Bucs' 2011-12 season record is 11-5.
Wins: Vikings, Falcons (home), Colts, Niners, Bears, Texans, Titans,
Panthers (both games), Jaguars, Cowboys
Losses: Lions, Saints (both games), Packers, Falcons (away)

While the offense is relatively the same, the Bucs defense has a new look. Although we did not actively participate in free agency this year, with the exception of signing former Falcon punter Michael Koenen to six years for $19.5 million, our draft did focus on beefing up the front defensive line.

The team has gone younger, replacing many players that were on the team last year with drafted rookies, missing from the team are Barrett Ruud (Tennesse Titans) and Stylez G. White (free agent). New defensive ends Da'Quan Bowers from Clemson and Adrian Clayborn from Iowa (starting at right defensive end), and fellow rookie LB Mason Foster from Washington (starting at middle linebacker). Yeah, the Mason Foster that laid out Chad Johnson who subsequently offered to pay Foster's $20,000 fine.

I am optimistic about this season because my quarterback (#TOtears) is Josh Freeman and has made it clear that this is his team and that he will do whatever it takes to reserve one of the two locker rooms at the Lucas Oil Stadium come February 5, 2012.

P.S. I hope Ronde Barber does not try to persuade the Bucs to pick up his brother. We do not need any distractions.

And We Have A Season

2011-09-07T10:59:00.001-04:00

Hello Raiders fans. I didn’t think I was going to be able to spend the 2011-12 season with you guys, I’m happy that the owners and the NFLPA were able to reach an agreement so that didn’t happen. It was so much going on in the off season because of the lock out, I didn’t know where to focus my attention. Was it the firing of Cable, the question of Nnamdis return or the contract offered to Stanford Routt? For me it was all three, not to mention Higgens, Miller & Bruce Gradkowski also departing. I could barely concentrate on the drafted players because the organization was all over the place. But when aren’t they? HA!

JC is the Raiders starting QB & while picking up Trent Edwards wasn’t viewed as the best thing, I thought his experience would be able to help Jason Campbell. Edwards is released and Oakland now has Terrelle Pryor! The QB form OSU that...I’m going to keep my comments to myself until he gets on the field for some action. However, at first glance, it doesn’t look like the best thing for Oakland. For the past few months, I was fit to be tied and screamed almost every day for this lock out to end. It was terrible. Not knowing who was going where, how Hue was going to do, if contracts would be voided and if we were going to be ready with no real OTAs or Training Camps. I never want to experience a lock out again and the season wasnt even shortened because of it.

While Oakland doesn’t have all the pieces it did last year, the most important piece (most feel) at CB they went 8-8 without. The loss of Miller will not hinder the Raiders too much either. Boss should fit well in that position. Although Miller had more yardage and was Raiders leading rusher, they both contributed 5 TD to their teams last year. I’m looking forward to seeing Richard Seymour back on the field with his leadership skills, as well as my favorite Rolando McClain. He has proven to be something special. Jacoby Ford was a fan favorite last year and I expect him to do greater things for the Silver and Black in the 2011-12 season. If Louis Murphy can stay healthy, look at him to make plays as well. I’m going to need more improvement from WR Heyward-Bey and CB Van Dyke, these guys stay getting punished on the field. Van Dyke has been thrown into a pool with no NFL experience but he better learn to swim and FAST. I’m ready for Oakland to get back out here and show that they are capable of holding down a winning record with the system in place. Even if everyone is counting them out.. then again who counts them in?

I’ve got my eye on: RB Taiwan Jones and WR Denarius Moore as well as T Joseph Barksdale.

Oaklands season opener is Monday night against the stanking Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium. You’re either the Beast or Feast out here. I say we walk out as BEAST!

Go Raider Nation

2nd Annual Gridiron Gals Kickoff Party!

2011-09-06T10:51:00.004-04:00

Remember the lockout? *shivers* Well wait no more…the 2011 NFL season is here!!

Come join us as we kickoff the season as only we know how…checkout the 2010 party here.

Where: Martin’s Lounge, 1919 9^th St, NW Washington, DC (Off of U St.)
When: Sept. 8 – 7:00 – 12:00

Free admission, drink and food specials...raffles and prizes! Dress ready to rep your squad!

Is the most wonderful time of the year! Hope to see you there!

A Song for Ryan…Fitzpatrick – QB of the Buffalo Bills – “The Amish Rifle”

2011-09-06T10:30:00.003-04:00

The Jambrones have provided Bills’ fans with songs to rock out to since 2007, the latest, an ode to the power of Ryan Fitzpatrick's beard with “The Amish Rifle.”

We know he's got guts
We know he's got brains
We know he can circle the wagons
And win a few games
And this might sound kind of weird
But we're believing in his beard

I’m trusting in Fitzpatrick to surprise us all and lead the Bills to an 8-8 record (heart speaking)…or maybe 6-10 (mind typing) but yeah… In Fitz we trust, it’s not like there’s a whole lot of other options… hmph, allow Tyler Thigpen to continue holding that damn clipboard.

Let's Go Buffalo!!

SSSHHH! Buffalo Bills New Uniforms Leak

2011-06-15T14:03:00.005-04:00

You know us kids...much like Christmas Eve, if we see, we want it!! Look at that purty helmet. *drools* I approve!

The Buffalo Bills organization has scheduled an official unveiling on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at Ralph Wilson Stadium and if you’re in town you should attend. It'll be fun and the organization has went out their way to make entertaining.

· Unique and special uniform unveiling ceremony in conjunction with the U.S. military.

· Live music performed.

· Dance routines by the new 2011 Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders.

· Buffalo Bills Alumni and Billy Buffalo.

· Complimentary souvenir photos.

· On-field access and interactive football themed games.

· A special screening of a box office hit movie, as voted on by fans, will be shown on the scoreboard 45 minutes following the uniform unveiling. (Fans may vote for the movie of their choice by voting on the Bills Facebook page at Facebook.com/BuffaloBills.)

Fans will also have an opportunity to purchase the new Reebok designed Bills jerseys and other merchandise. Y'all know I'm trying to convince my momma to go, right?

I’m sooooo happy they returned to the look of the glory years, maybe this will entice the team to play better. Hush, any motivating factor is a plus. Besides, I wasn’t a big fan of the navy blue, at all.

I feel like dancing…dancing….talking football gets me jiggy!!! Come on foolios (both sides), #ENDTHELOCKOUT

First Peek: Buffalo Bills New Uniforms?

2011-02-10T11:53:00.002-05:00

The Buffalo Bills announced a new uniform would be in place for the upcoming season without releasing details of what it would look like. Isn’t that special…however, to appease the fans they sent the following letter.

"As a valued Bills Season Ticket Holder, we want you to be among the first to know that the Buffalo Bills will introduce new uniforms for the 2011 National Football League season. The new uniforms will be officially unveiled at a fan appreciation event later this year.

The new uniforms will incorporate the team's storied history while keeping the team's signature charging Buffalo logo. The Bills last made a change to their primary uniform prior to the 2002 season.

The Bills will announce specific details regarding the new uniforms and the fan appreciation event later this year.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Sincerely,

The Buffalo Bills

MMkay…so the above picture was created by jockpost.com and is the unofficial rendering of what the new uniforms will look like.

RB Fred Jackson was privy to a peek and tweeted:
"Already peeped new unis. Pretty sure everybody will like them. I'll just say this: I can't wait to wear them."Nike was awarded the NFL contract to create new uniforms and equipment for the 2012 season, so you know they’ll be hot. Did you like Oregon’s uniforms in the championship game? They were hot...NIKE did it!
The good folks over at jockpost.com took a swipe at creating their own renditions of the NFL teams new look...check them out here.

Although this isn’t official, I can dig the new look for the Bills. As a fan, I wasn't particular fond of the new uniforms in 2002. I preferred the original red/white/blue…not that navy blue, so I’m amped for the change…my bank account, not so much.

Maybe a new uniform will help my boys fight a little harder and win some more games. You know if you look good, you do good. Let’s Go Buffalo!!

Joe Flacco, Pauly D At MD Polar Bear Plunge

2011-01-31T11:53:00.001-05:00

This past Saturday, over 16,000 people came out to Sandy Point State Park to take place in the 15th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, which raises money for the Special Olympics Maryland. Folks jumped in the 32 degree Chesapeake Bay for a great cause, while raising more than $3 million dollars. Folks came out in as much as a wet suit and costume, while others braved the cold waters with bikinis and swim shorts (and they are crazy as hell, but I digress).

Ravens QB Joe Flacco was the headliner of the event, plunging in the cold waters himself.

Also at the event was MTV Jersey Shore's Pauly D, who was the guest DJ at the event (I wonder if Pauly D gave Flacco pointers for his costume last Halloween?). Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and other special guest attended the event as well.

Police Recover Former QB Jim Kelly's Hall of Fame Ring

2011-01-25T13:43:00.002-05:00

After nearly two years police recovered two priceless possessions of the former Buffalo Bills quarterback - his Pro-Football Hall of Fame ring and Ring of Honor, from his years at the University of Miami. Both were stolen from a briefcase in Kelly's car at his home in East Aurora back in August 2009.

Detective Granville said Jim Kelly's college Hall of Fame ring was used to buy crack cocaine, and the two rings were later recovered in a drug bust. Evidence was then turned over to East Aurora Police, who have charged 34-year-old Eric Schmidt of West Seneca and 36-year-old Kevin Sapp, formerly of South Buffalo, with grand larceny and possession of stolen property.

hmmm, this does my heart well. If he had those rings in a briefcase, one (or just me) can only assume he was wearing one of his 4, Super Bowl rings....right? swoon Yeah I know they're silver...so what HATERS!!!!

Source

Video: My Ravens-Steelers Playoff Experience

2011-01-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I went to Pittsburgh to see my Ravens play the Steelers for the Divisional Playoffs. Going into this game, I was confident that my Ravens would pull out a victory and advance to the AFC Championship game. They had the tools it took to go far, they just needed to be clicking on all cylinders.

During the first half of Saturday's game, the Ravens looked like they were going to prove me right, going into halftime with a 21-7 lead. But as the 3rd quarter went on, I had a bad feeling overcome me. A feeling that the Ravens would lose this game. They did more than lose, they crashed and burned big time, losing 31-24 to their arch nemesis.

I put together a video to show you my journey, my analysis of the game and my thoughts and feelings afterward. To say I was hurting would be an understatement. So I'm sharing with you my trip to the 'Burgh.. Hope you enjoyed the piece I put together. I'll get over it........ one day.

Ravens-Steelers 2010 Divisional Playoffs from The NFL Chick on Vimeo.

Voice Your Concern! Block the NFL Lockout!!

2011-01-19T11:04:00.000-05:00

I usually don’t get depressed about the NFL until the day after the Super Bowl and even then it’s only temporary because I know that training camp will be here before I know it. Welp…if the NFL owners and Players Association can’t reach an agreement, the 2011 -12 season is in jeopardy, and quite frankly I’m nervous.

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is due to expire on March 4 and team owners have made a series of moves designed to lock out the players and fans. If you aren’t familiar with the collective bargaining agreement…

Q: What brought this potential lockout about?

A: Two years ago, NFL owners decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2010 season.

Q: Why did they do that just two years after agreeing to a CBA extension?

A: They felt players got the better end of the deal with a 60 percent cut of total revenue.

Q: What do owners want?

A: Primarily, they want to keep more of their total revenue for operating and investment expenses, giving players roughly the same percentage of a smaller pool of money - reportedly an 18 percent decrease in real money.

Q: What do the players want?

A: The same deal they already had.

Q: What other issues are being negotiated?

A: An 18-game regular season and an NBA-like rookie wage scale are the big-ticket items.

Q: What happens to players during a lockout?

A: They lose their pay and health benefits.

Q: What happens to teams during a lockout?

A: Their TV money is guaranteed, but they can do nothing that involves players. No offseason workouts, no team meetings, no player trades, no signings of NFL free agents or draft picks, no training camp and - if the lockout lasts into September - no games.

Q: Will there still be an NFL draft?

A: Yes, April 28-30. Teams will draft players but they cannot sign them until there is a CBA. And they can't sign undrafted players.

So what is it all about? Money, Money, MONEY! The NFL is a lucrative business, where all parties involved get richer, EVERY year. The players don’t control their salaries, nor do they benefit from commercial sales, jersey sales, or off the naming rights to a stadiums… the owners and NFL does.

The player’s contracts are paid by the owners…so stop OVERPAYING!

Seeing millionaires argue about money when tickets to the games have gone up is ludicrous, especially in this economy. The average fan has been sidelined to his/her coach to enjoy the games. I’m sure they’ll reach an agreement before July, but the wait is going to be painful… single tear

If you want to see NFL games next season, do your part as a fan and help us Block the Lockout by signing this Petition. Please and thanks!!!

Source

The Break Up - Eagles Season Ended in Heartache

2011-01-14T16:46:00.002-05:00

It was like we got that letter. You know the one. It starts like this, “Dear John…” except this one said “Dear Eagles fans, we're through, signed The 2010 Season.” Oh the sadness, the heartache, the tears, when we see The Season leave us for someone else. And had the nerve to do it right in our face! It started with subtle flirting. Next thing you know we got dumped in the most public of breakups one could have. It was supposed to be us that won, not the Packers! Well from our perspective at least. But we didn’t win and here we are again, the team with no ring looking like the proverbial bridesmaid. That makes 45 of those ugly dresses hanging in our closet now which begs the question of how many broken hearted seasons can one fan base endure?

We could smell it this year! Dallas was on the tip of everyone's tongue as we thought of that glorious Bowl, there for our taking. Instead we got took by Green Bay. This was not like being dumped for a supermodel. It was more like the not-so-cute-but-really-nice-girl who shared a common interest and maybe did a few things better than we did, but just barely. It doesn't matter now because we won't be at the big dance again this year, let alone be crowned Prom King and Queen.

So what happened? Let's just say not enough. Not enough of the same things that plagued us much of this past year. Not enough defensive stops. Not enough protection from the offensive line. Not enough of a running game. Not enough pass completions. Not enough field goals through the uprights. Not enough execution in the red zone. Not enough healthy players. Not enough coaching savvy. Not enough to win, plain and simple. Green Bay just played better.

Five points, one touchdown was the difference in the final score of 21-16. The Birds gave it a final shot at the end but the result was an interception, not a touchdown. Sometimes it’s better when it’s a blowout because there are fewer of those woulda-coulda-shoulda thoughts. What hurts even more is to know that the SEAHAWKS advanced and the Eagles didn’t? Well at least we're not the team that lost to them! Nothing against Seattle or New Orleans; it's just that I'm currently pigging out on the Sour Grapes Diet.

It’s time now to wait another year and hope and believe in next season. Honestly, we’re kind of used to that. However, that's if there isn't a lockout due to the CBA negotiations between the league and the players association. We’re already wondering what the future of Michael Vick with the Eagles is or Kevin Kolb for that matter. I don't automatically assume that things will be worked out anytime soon. There are quite a few determining factors involved including the CBA agreement.

But bright side pictures look like this. Most Eagles followers, me included, had no idea that we'd have a 10-7 season or that we’d make it to the playoffs. 2010 was to be a rebuilding year and when you really think about it, it was. We have a great foundation to build on for next year with a busy off season ahead. Priority number one is to lock in Michael Vick and Desean Jackson, then improve the offensive line and also look to regain that reputation of having one of the best defensive units in the league. That’s enough of a start for me. One can only focus on the future and look to the possibility of things being even better next year.

Now I have to come up with another plan for my birthday since I was going to see the Eagles in the Superbowl. Maybe I’ll have a Superbowl birthday party. Since I’m not springing for the trip to Dallas, guess I’ll treat myself to a new iPhone with my favorite Eagles app and NFL Live instead to get ready for all the off-season fun. If this year’s down time is anything like last year for Philadelphia, then we’re in for another wild ride! So I’ll see you on the Eagles’ sideline next year, but in the meantime I’ll be on the couch, the computer, and the chase for what’s happening in football until then.

Thanks so much for reading my commentary this season. I enjoyed sharing!

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Did Victoria's Secret FINALLY Get It Right??

2011-01-12T14:28:00.002-05:00

That's what word on the street is. If you can remember, not long ago I wrote a blog post being a little upset about why VS Pink NFL collection didn't offer undergarments for the Packers, Colts or even my beloved Ravens. Apparently I wasn't the only person who felt slighted that her team wasn't available for sale. Folks contacted VS and complained. Well, it looks like VS has possibly answered our outcry. In an email response that was lurking in my inbox, here's a reply to the request:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding our Victoria's Secret PINK NFL Collection. We are pleased to assist you with your inquiry.

The Victoria's Secret PINK NFL Collection was introduced earlier this year with a variety of products featuring 13 teams as a result of our exclusive assortment of officially licensed merchandise with the National Football League.

We are enthusiastic about the program which continues to be a work in progress. We are excited to announce that in the Fall of 2011 we will begin to offer all 32 teams in the National Football League.

Victoria's Secret values you as a customer, and it is our hope that you will grant us the opportunity to serve you again. Thank you for contacting Victoria's Secret.

Sincerely,

Steffanie J.

Victoria’s Secret Customer Relations

It's about damn time! We are not to be ignored! Hopefully, they aren't pulling our chains when it comes to the addition of the other teams. I can't wait to get me a pair of Ravens skivvies to wear on Sundays. Hell, I may even offer my services to do a photo shoot...... okay, I'm lying on that one. But I, for one, am happy that maybe Victoria's Secret got it right this time around!

Minnesota Vikings Pillage and Plunder Philadelphia While Cowboys Make a Comeback to End the Eagles’ Season 10-6

2011-01-10T14:42:00.002-05:00

All I wanted for Christmas was a first round bye. Ok, maybe not ALL but it was certainly right up there with diamonds and real estate. Santa put on his best purple suit, slid down the chimney and filled my stocking with Advil because he knew I was going to need it. Oh well at least I escaped the big blizzard in the Northeast. To all those that were dreaming of a white Christmas it was more like a nightmare than a dream! There was so much snow that fell there on Christmas weekend that the Sunday night game in Philadelphia against Minnesota was postponed. That's when the week’s oddities began.

Since this NFL season has had more drama than Broadway, why not end 2010 in grand theatrical fashion? The snowstorm dumped enough snow to bury a tall elf! I don't think Saint Nick's union workers were down for overtime in those conditions so the game became Sunday Night Football, on Tuesday. That’s when I started to ponder the idea of the Viking jinx. There's some serious juju working around that team. This is the second game postponement on top of all the other peculiarities coming from this Minneapolis based franchise. It started with the Brett Farve “will he won't he” dance which resulted in some of his teammates pulling off a QB kidnapping to get him to play this season. Next was old coach fighting with the really old QB; the really old QB allegedly harassing the really young girl from an old team (one that's got its own juju). Then the Randy Moss return and the Randy Moss departure five minutes later; the team dirt spilling out of the locker room; the coach firing; the Farve ironman streak ending; the Vikings roof collapse due to an earlier Midwest snowstorm; the 2nd string QB injuring the star running back by colliding knee to knee, which warranted putting in a rookie that was drafted as a wide receiver that became their QB; the move to the much smaller outdoor stadium for their last home game; and that's just the stuff that made national sports news. They brought all that drama to Philly along with four measly wins and left with one great big Viking victory. How did that happen? Some of that juju juice must have gotten on my Birds because like the Wright Brother’s first attempt, they never got off the ground.

Mind you, we were coming off an enormous high following the Giants game. Still drunk off of New York Punch, maybe we had a few too many extra days to gloat while the Barbarians put together an ambush. With the game being postponed by two days for I what believe were good reasons, I do now think it hurt more than helped in the long run. The bulk of the blizzard was expected to hit in the midst of the primetime Sunday night game. The Mayor of Philadelphia declared a state of emergency and ordered people off the streets by 2pm. Eagles fans would have completely ignored that so to save us from ourselves they moved the game to Tuesday. The governor of Pennsylvania who happens to be a longtime Eagles season ticket holders called the NFL and NBC decision makers wusses and compared us to China? Yes, you read right. He basically said that this would never happen in China and that we've become a nation of wusses in this country. Now what football had to do with the price of rice...well, let's just say the whole thing was nuts!

And believe it or not somewhere dramatically offstage were two teams waiting for their cue to enter stage right for a football game. The Eagles entered stage wrong though. Who were these guys? I recognized Shady McCoy but that was about it. Our defense looked like they were from the island of misfit toys and our offense must have been hanging out with the Grinch because like he tried to stop Christmas from coming, while they stopped points from coming. However we did mass a passing and a rushing touchdown from Michael Vick

But SuperVick couldn't do it alone this week. He limped through most of the second half while the offensive line seemed to be counting on him to get it done without them. It was disheartening to watch especially after the Saints did us a solid by taking the Falcons down a notch.

The game against the Dallas was meaningless in the grand scheme of things as it pertained to the playoffs. Coach Andy Reid rested most of our starters which reminded us why we are glad Mike Vick is our QB. Nothing against Kevin Kolb, he was just a little rusty. But there were a few turnovers that we could have done without on offense and with our defense allowing a Cowboys’ comeback; no matter how meaningless it still didn’t sit right because, well…it’s the Cowboys!

So here we are. It’s playoff time. Win or go home against the Green Bay Packers, the new darlings of the playoffs. I dig their QB Aaron Rodgers but I think all the naysayers who are picking the Packers are in for a rude awakening. It’s our time! Yes, we had a couple of rough games here at the end of the season but we are a team of resiliency and that’s what we will see when Green Bay enters Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wildcard Weekend. Trust this, we will not go gently into that good night!

And I can’t wait! So I’ll see you on the sideline in some new Eagle’s gear planning my trip to the Superbowl! After all that’s my birthday weekend and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate turning 30…again.

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Raiders winning season not good enough for playoffs

2011-01-06T13:03:00.002-05:00

The Raiders have finished the season 8-8 (first winning season since 2002) with a 31-10 win over the KC Chiefs, it’s unfortunate it is not enough to take us to the playoffs. Despite going 6-0 in the division (something that hasn’t been done since 1976) the Oakland Raiders will not be participating in post season play. Am I happy as a Raiders fan? Yes I am. I said before the season started, 8-8 is how we’ll end up and that’s what we did. The losses to Jacksonville and Indy hurt because Oakland could have easily gone 10-6

The Raiders and Chiefs normally split the series 1-1, with KC winning in Oakland and the Raiders winning in Arrowhead. It didn’t go that way this year. The Raiders took care of business at home & did what they have done for the past 3 years by taking care of business at Arrowhead as well. Lots of people say that the win in Oakland really didn’t mean anything because the Raiders won in overtime and we were lucky. As far as I’m concerned, a win is a win but just to shut the naysayers up, we whooped that ass this past Sunday. Poor little Chiefs, knowing they were going to the playoffs still played their starters and their starters couldn’t get a rhythm going. Cassel was sacked 7 times too! It must have been hard for them to be leading the division and unable to beat what people call “the Clippers of football”. The Raiders proved that are a good team with young and fresh talent that wants to and is capable of winning.

Since we weren’t playing for a wild card spot, we were going to let people know this 5-0 division record is no joke and we are not lying down. The team came yo play and it’s always magic on the football field, when that happens. Oakland recorded 7 sacks and 3 of them came from Wimbley, the defense was all over the field with QB hurries & WR lock downs. The Chiefs had no passing game as the Raiders defense held them to only 86 yards. The Chiefs wanted NO PARTS of Oakland. Darren McFadden was sidelined because of a toe injury but Michael Bush stepped having a great game with 267 yards and a touchdown. Schilens and Ford also added TDs as well as a pick 6 from Routt late in the 4^th quarter. Jason Campbell played a great game completing 15/25 passes with no interceptions. . The Raiders were better than that’s Kansas City team Sunday and it showed.

This season was bitter sweet because we don’t advance to the playoffs. We do have hopes of returning next year with a stronger Offensive line and an improved Jason Campbell or a brand new Quarterback. The future looks bright for Oakland!

BREAKING NEWS

I was sending this in I read that the Oakland Raiders did not exercise the option to extend Coach Cables contract. It’s to my understanding that Hue Jackson will take over as head coach but the 49ers have asked for permission to interview him and will be doing so today. I don’t know what the EFF Al Davis was thinking. Then again I shouldn’t be surprised. This will cause some uneasiness to the player and possibly some staff, I believe. This is a coach that the players played for and respected. This is a coach that led us to an 8-8 season for the first time since 2002 and 6-0 in the division for the first time since 1976. I think he should have taken care of the Offensive line and the Quarterback first...

It's Ravenstown!!!

2011-01-04T09:14:00.004-05:00

The 2010 NFL Playoffs are ready to take flight and my Ravens are playoff bound for the 3rd consecutive season. Some of B-More's Finest decided to get together and celebrate the black and purple by making a song for our beloved team. Paula Campbell along with Bossman, Baltimore Ray and SMASH put together this collabo to send our boys to the playoffs in style.

The Ravens head to Kansas City during Wild Card Weekend to face the Chiefs. While the Ravens have the better record at 12-4, they lost the division to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has the same record but better division record. While they beat the Bengals this past Sunday to finish the season on a 4-game winning streak, a lot of fans were concerned by the offense's lackluster performance (199 total yards on offense). I'd be lying if I say I'm not concerned. But I also know that Cincinnati has had our number for quite awhile.

The slate is clean and everyone's at 0-0, time for a new outlook and new beginning! I'm ready for the playoffs, baby!

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

2010-12-29T13:48:00.002-05:00

I knew this was going to be a thriller! I was thinking it would be a very close game, but in the end my Gmen would win and we would be in! Totally forgetting that we never take the “easier” road! No, if there’s a more difficult, stomach wrenching road to take, that’s the way we’ll go!

Let’s get straight to the point. BALL SECURITY, where in the world was it yesterday? Recap the debacle with me:

* Manning intercepted FOUR times! This was the sloppiest I have seen Eli, and he was consistently sloppy. Green Bay’s defense actually dropped a few passes that would have been more interceptions! C’mon Eli! He’s having the “best”, worst season of his career!
* Bradshaw and Jacobs for a fumble a piece. I believe in the running game I do, but it means nothing if we can’t SECURE THE BALL!
* Side note: Let’s not forget Boss, who was dropping passes, but could have been the hero in the Jacobs fumble, if he only fell on the ball. Instead he tries to scoop it up and advance it! I’m sorry I respect all my Gmen, I do, but during recess, even the nine year olds I teach realize YOU FALL ON A LOOSE BALL!!!
* Ball security even affected our challenges! Coughlin won the Nicks punt return challenge, but lost the Jacobs challenge, you know where Boss could have FALLEN ON THE BALL! So when Eli threw for the 4th game turnover, his 3rd pick, that was challenge worthy, TC couldn’t throw the red flag!
* I have a solution for our ball security issues, I vote to use the “Sticky Stuff” from the Bud Light commercial!

The best play on defense was Tuck and Rolle on Nelson. Rolle stripped and Tuck recovered setting us up for our second touchdown as Manning connected with Manningham. Even special teams did their part and actually step their game up from last week. That was about as exciting as it got before it went downhill. Justin Tuck summed it up nicely in the press conference, “…We played like we didn’t have nothing to play for.”

Green Bay capitalized on our mistakes and played solid ball totaling over 500 yards against our defense and shutting down our offense. They played for survival and got it! Now we have to regroup and depend on the kindness of strangers!

On that note, I’m sending a “Mayday” out to all coaches and staff to make sure this debacle is not repeated, again. A “Mayday” goes out to the players, you’ve got heart, PLAY WITH IT! Last but not least, I’m sending a “Mayday” out to da Bears to take down the Packers or Falcons and Bucs to top the Saints. May the NFL planets align just right to give my Gmen another chance at life! Mayday, Mayday, Mayday!

Von Sanders

Video: Gridiron Gals Week 16 NFL Picks

2010-12-25T14:41:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas And Happy Holidays To Everyone!

Buffalo Bills Performing “12 Days of Christmas”

2010-12-23T11:28:00.003-05:00

Keeping with the Christmas tradition, twelve Buffalo Bills swallowed their pride and attempted to perform “12 Days of Christmas.” I love my team so I’ll hold back on saying anything too terrible. But seriously…George Wilson anchored it nicely with his enthusiasm. Bryan Scott’s “five golden rings” sung opera-style was pretty hilarious….and once again, Stevie Johnson is at the bottom of the list. Dude READ his part…GONG Where’s your holiday spirit? Check it out....

Anyhoo…if the Bills can upset the New England Patriots on Sunday that would be an awesome belated gift!! You never know….it’s definitely possible!!

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

Merry Christmas…Happy Holidays and all that jazz!!!

Six Minutes Michael Vick You’re On!

2010-12-21T12:40:00.003-05:00

You had to be there. Whether on the couch or in the stands you just had to be there. Quite honestly, I've never seen anything like it. It was a typical chilly December day in the swampy Meadowlands of New Jersey. I piled in with a group of friends to go see the Eagles take on the Giants in their first trip to the new Meadowlands Stadium. The air was festive not because it was the Sunday before Christmas but because it was two of the biggest sports town in their biggest sports rivalry about face off. Tailgating smells filled the air and a friendly competitive camaraderie was abundant while New York’s big blue and Philadelphia’s green gang mixed merrily before the main event.

Like a kid on Christmas, I was thrilled to get my first peak inside the new stadium that I'd heard so much about and even more delighted to be in my friend’s corporate box complete with food, drinks, and HEAT! We made our way up to the suite level with the option to sit in or out. I wanted to feel the game so I chose to chill under the heat lamps on the balcony of the box. My Birds were warming up on the field as the G-fans slowly sauntered in. Just to my right, two suites over stood Troy Aikmen and Joe Buck from Fox TV getting ready for the broadcast.

I was digging the entire experience although I was a stranger in a stranger land. I have to admit though; the Giants fans were most gracious! (At least the ones I encountered were.) In addition to my logoed t-shirt and ski cap, I was all decked out in Eagles green, including my leather gloves, rabbit fur wrap, and matching turtle neck shirt, so there was no mistaking my allegiance. I looked like a baby chick that fell from the Eagles’ nest! Yet as I walked in past the ticket gate a friendly NY fan gave me a big blue hug. I was a bit taken aback by the kindness of strangers and can testify; that would NOT occur in the City of Brotherly Love. Ever.

My feelings of comfort turned to an anticipation that something special was about to take place. My instincts were on fire, though I just attributed it to my love for the game, the great company I was with, the sweet suite set up and feeling like the Eagles were going to win. But I feel like the Eagles are going to win every week so that wasn’t unusual. Then the game started and those winning feelings started to fade.

The Giants got the ball first. They displayed this steely determination that sent a bit of a shiver down my shearling covered spine. It warmed once we got the ball on our first possession because I had all the confidence in the world, that is until QB Mike Vick was flushed out the pocket and threw a pick. "Ruh-roh Raggy" as Scooby Doo might say, that's not how we needed to start things. This unbalanced approach went on for the entire first half. Giants’ offense looked great, Eagles’ offense…not so much. Big Blue led by a whopping 24-3 after the first thirty minutes of play.

By halftime I needed a cookie and coffee break so I went back inside from the breezy balcony to warm up and politely take the Giant gloating that the New Yawkers were again graciously sharing. One even joked with me saying "you can go home now if you want because it's over for your team." I smiled and thought about all the weapons we have on offense and that he must not be aware how we could still turn this thing around even though deep down inside I didn’t think it was likely as I recalled the Chicago Bears game.

The third quarter started and the shellacking continued. The Eagles mustered up a touchdown to pull within two possessions to tie the game when Vick hit Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown. That is until another Eagles turnover turned into Giants points in the fourth to up the score to 31-10. Although it was a questionable fumble, Coach Andy Reid chose not to challenge the refs call. New York took full advantage of it. Eli Manning hit TE Kevin Boss in the end zone for another score and the 21 point lead. I turned to my friend and conceded, "It’s over."

I had no expectation for a comeback, no thoughts of victory dancing in my head.

I was thinking about the next opponent, the wild card chase, the teasing I'd endure at work on Monday and wondering how the fans would treat me on the way out as they started to chant “Eagles suck, Eagles suck!” Then everything changed. With a little over eight minutes left in the game Vick lead a comeback that resulted in three touchdowns in less than six minutes. I was jumping and screaming out of my mind as my hosts stood there dumb founded. The game turned after TE Brent Celek scored a touchdown, David Akers’ engineered an onside kick recovered by Riley Cooper allowing Vick to rush for a touchdown before tying the game with Maclin back under the uprights for an even game.

Thanks to our defense, the Giants didn’t make anything happen on offense and all 80,000 of us thought this game was going into overtime with only 14 seconds left on the clock. But a punt to Desean Jackson (that he actually fumbled and recovered) got tucked under his arm as he ran it back past all of the Giants’ defenders for a touchdown with no time on the clock. The new Meadowlands looked like an old madhouse as displaced Philly fans started doing back flips over the dumbfounded home crowd. The Eagles sidelines rushed the field in disbelief and had to be order off the field so Akers could put the last nail in the coffin with a winning score of 38-31. Un-beee-leeev-able!

Talk about a heart pounding finish! I’ve never seen a game like that. I can’t recall witnessing a comeback from three touchdowns behind to win it all. Now we own the NFC East and slide into the playoffs for win or go home post game play. We still have Minnesota who got dusted by Chicago this week, then one more scrap with Dallas before the end of the regular season. But for now I’m just soaking in the sweetness of a great game with an amazing finish!

So I’ll see you on the sidelines…still smiling after this one!

Helen “LOVE MY EAGLES” Little

Playoff hopes fade for Oakland?

2010-12-18T15:24:00.002-05:00

This loss hurts. Hurts so much it pains me to write this, but even in defeat, this was a good game. You could tell the Raiders were playing with focus and for a purpose. The playoffs, a wild card and even a winning season. None of this was even in the same sentence when you spoke of the Raiders...not since 2002 anyway. We’re ON. These are the games I live for as a Raiders fan. The Jags just made 150 passing yards and Oakland just made 150 yards on the ground. Although it was a battle, it looked as if Oakland was going to take it. Campbell had a decent game completing 21/30 passes, 2 TDs and McFadden was balling. He finished the game with 1 passing TD & 2 rushing TD and 123 yards. He put up 38 fantasy points for me so that was a bonus. The defense was solid, as solid as you can be with MJD on your team. Jones-Drew had 100+ yards and even Jennings had 100+ game. The fact that the Jags wouldn’t lay down didn’t stop Oakland from going out and playing hard.

Four penalties and two turnovers for Oakland and the time of possession was only different by 55 seconds and both teams were making it count when they were on the field.

All I wanted for Christmas... well maybe not for Christmas but on Sunday, all I wanted was for the Chiefs to lose and for Oakland to win. I’m 1-1 and I would have loved for Oakland to have me the gift of a win but Jacksonville was my Grinch that stole Christmas. I can’t complain, it was a good game and Oakland would make 3 huge mistakes that would cost us the win. Jacoby ford fumbled and lost the ball that set up a Jacksonville touchdown. That score gave the Jaguars hope; it raised the pressure of our feet on their throats. Janikowski kicks the ball and Oakland allowed for the returner to run the ball back 65 yards. This was unacceptable. We are in the 4^th quarter of a tied game with only 1:34 left. It was just 5 minutes ago that the Raiders were down by 7. It was just 5 minutes that DMAC ran up the middle punishing the Jags defense for a 35 yard touchdown and in just 5 minutes all hopes for a win weren’t looking to good. The play after the kickoff return would be MJD running the ball in for touchdown...unmolested. The defense gave up the game no contest. Oakland tried one more time, it was enough ticks on the clock to get something going but Campbell was sacked for a loss. GAME OVER… DAMNIT

Some say that the loss Sunday puts the nails in coffin and Oakland will not see the playoffs. Even if they don’t, the season was a good one. I believe that Oakland can win out and take the division (wishful thinking). Yes, San Diego does have an easy remaining schedule, so do the Chiefs. The fact Oakland has the hardest three games left doesn’t make me feel any different. The Colts are struggling, the Broncos are just nasty as hell and the Chiefs might not even have their QB. I love the NBA but NFL is where amazing happens. Let’s go RAIDERS!!

All I Want For Christmas…

2010-12-17T11:19:00.003-05:00

Week 14 was crazy! Starting with the Gmen being stuck in KC because of weather in Minnesota. Then Sunday morning waking up to footage of the Metrodome’s roof collapsing, thank God no one was in the building, which led to a search for a new venue. Finally when the dust settled, or in this case, the snow cleared…kind of, the game was set for Monday night in Detroit.

I was more than ready to see my Gmen take on the Vikings. I was elated to see that Favre was among the inactives, mainly because I feared my defense would have him taken out on a stretcher! I also had to lay aside my affections for Adrian Peterson, my NFL crush, for four quarters. I knew Big Blue would have to contain AD throughout this game. He was our major threat, and contain him my defense did to only 26 yards! Now that was a major blow to my fantasy team, but my motto is, “reality trumps fantasy”!

Defense looked good throughout this game pulling in four sacks and one interception. They also contained AD and left their signature on Tarvaris Jackson late in the third quarter. *counts on fingers* That makes it six quarterbacks wrecked and counting…that’s a beautiful thing! On the other side of the ball, Eli started the day looking like, well, Eli. With two early interceptions, along with a look of disgust, like he couldn’t get into the groove of things. How long had they been stuck in the airport again? I guess I could sort of understand it…I guess. I’m an old school Giants fan, passing is good, but running is GREAT! That’s a major part of playing New York Giants Football, fighting for every yard and wearing the opposing defense down! Well greatness did take over, starting with Jacobs taking off for 73 yards setting up a touchdown! From that point on the Vikes got a taste of the Jacobs/Bradshaw combo #1 served up hot and ready to ball out! At the end of the night they rushed for over 200 yards! The running game showing up strong, now that’s a beautiful thing! *insert Jacobs/Bradshaw TD dance*

Once the running game launched Eli started hitting his groove and threw for much needed yardage. One throw in particular, that I was impressed with, that the media didn’t make enough noise about to me, was the touchdown pass to Boss at the end of the half! I was impressed with my qb, Go Eli! Through all the confusion that led to the game, and all the attention soaked up by Favre breaking his 297 game starting streak, offense and defense showed up strong and was able to shut the Vikes down and flex a little before the match up with Philly!

This game ended with a lot of injuries, but I love where my Gmen’s heads and hearts are, it’s all about the TEAM stepping up and handling business! That’s all I want for Christmas, a team that bELIeves! Thanks Santa and Go Big Blue!

An Eagles’ Win Over Dallas – One Of Life’s Simple Pleasures!

2010-12-17T10:35:00.002-05:00

There are only a few things I love more than an Eagles win over the Dallas Cowboys. It’s right up there with chocolate. Sunday on the couch with my favorite Eagles “blankie” and some calorie free chocolate is about as good as it gets. I’d been waiting for this rematch since last year when the Lone Star Duds got the best of my Birds three times. It was time to right the wrongs done last year when we looked awful against them. And I have to admit my guys showed us Green Greatness although it did get shaky at times.

The Eagles got things going from the front door of the Jerrydome. Our first touch of the ball and we moved it 73 yards on six plays for a touchdown on the opening drive. The number one offense in the NFC lead by Michael Vick didn’t disappoint, well maybe for Dallas fans it did but we found out that even some of their players were Vick fans when he was asked to sign an autograph for on of the Cowboys at the end of the game.

Dallas didn’t waste time answering with a touchdown of their own. Penalties from our defense helped set up a score on their first possession to tie the game. I was concerned that our offense would have to work overtime to stay out in front if the defense wasn’t going to pull their weight. With Asante Samuel still out due to injuries, we’ve missed the leadership he adds to the plays but our young secondary is to be commended for the overall results despite some key mental errors that resulted in lost yardage on behalf of our entire defensive unit.

On offense, DeSean Jackson was the real star of the show! His efforts totally diminished the Cowboys’ logo in the middle of the field. Jackson completely showed off and was even penalized for excessive celebration after dramatically falling backwards into the end zone on one play. But I have to admit I loved it! He set up the second touchdown of the first half with a 36 yard catch that lead to offensive lineman Todd Herremans’ second career touchdown. A Quentin Mikal interception shut down a Dallas drive but Michael Vick who absorbed quite a few serious hits gave the ball right back to them with a pick from my fellow UNC Tarheel, Dallas Safety Gerald Sensabaugh. Then our guys Hanson and Tapp sacked Cowboys’ QB Kitna for a stop, but didn’t stop Dallas from putting three points on the board before the half. Eagles lead 14-10 at the break.

After a little locker room bonding at the half, things got too close for comfort. Dallas started the second part of the game with a field goal to bring the score within one point. But it wasn’t until Vick’s tipped pass to Jeremy Maclin was intercepted and converted to points by Dallas for a 20-14 lead that things got uncomfortable. (The only comfort was the warmth of my blank-ie and few remaining chocolates!) Seriously, that did not just happen, did it? Well it did.

That meant it was step up time. DeSean Jackson proudly volunteered with a 91 yard touchdown that was added to an earlier Akers’ field goal. The Eagles were back in the lead. Exhale. D-Jack had over 200 receiving yards and managed that with a twisted ankle he garnered during the game. Even with a limp, Dallas’ defenders couldn’t catch Mr. Speed, number 10. For his outstanding performance Jackson was named the NFC offensive player of the week, a much deserved honor. Before if was all over, Dallas made a final push to come back but Dimitri Patterson squashed that hope with a Kitna pick and Eagles hold out to win the game.

Final score, Philadelphia 30 - Dallas 20.

Now it’s the critical time of the season as the playoff picture further develops. Last week was a topsy-turvy one in the NFL. Detroit (yes, Detroit!) beat Green Bay after Aaron Rodgers got his second concussion of the season and had to leave the game. I wanted to send flowers to Tom Brady for the loss he handed the Chicago Bears in Blizzard Bowl 2010 at Soldier field. At least they got to play in the snow. Minnesota’s stadium was decapitated by the fierce snow storm as their game with the NY Giants was moved to Detroit (yes, Detroit!) and played on Monday instead of Sunday. Giants won it easily. They pretty much treated the Vikings like the storm treated the stadium.

The Minnesota win in Detroit kept the Giants a half game behind the Eagles in the NFC East race. So it all comes to a head on Sunday when the Eagles visit the New Meadowlands stadium for their first game against the Giants at home in the new digs. Both teams are 9-4 but we’re one of their four losses. I’ll be right there, in a warm cushy box of course. (I’m a southern girl and I don’t do cold very well.) We may have Samuel back in the line-up on defense but we lost Brandon Graham and Stewart Bradley to injuries in the Dallas game so that presents its challenges. The Giants may also be without some of their key people on offense, so what was already going to be an interesting game promises to be filled with even more drama and suspense. Count it all Green though, it’s our time! The Eagles will take this game, the NFC East championship trophy, and bragging rights.

So I’ll see you on the sidelines...well actually from comfy box seats with lots of food and drink but most importantly, HEAT!

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Gridiron Gals Tour Hits Nike Football Summit

2010-12-16T16:15:00.001-05:00

Myself along with Pigskin Loving Lady have been busy bees this football season. From the Meadowlands in New Jersey, to FedEx Field near the Nation's Capital, we've been on our GGals Tour in heavy rotation. But none of that could compare to what we experienced in D-Town (AKA Dallas, TX... for those who don't know).

We were extremely fortunate to be a part of this year's Nike Football Summit, which took place at Cowboys Stadium. To say the experience was surreal is an understatement. First off, let me just say that Nike is awesome. In everything they do, they do it BIG! They don't believe in cutting corners and they want every part of their program to be epic. And this event was just that.... Epic!!!

We arrived at the stadium and was welcomed by a trainer who is with the Nike SPARQ group (SPARQ stands for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, and Quickness). Once he was done with his greeting, we were escorted to the field, where our welcome was extended by a local high school marching band, as well as young athletes from a local high school that ran speed and agility drills on the field. I could feel the intensity building up from the minute we walked onto the field, and I knew the best had yet to come.

We were then escorted to our seats by the band's drum major as the presentation was set to take place. Once we were all seated (on the 50-yard line, of course), we were in awe of the stage and 50 yard screen ready to whoooo us with the new line of Nike products they were ready to show the world.

As the presentation begins, former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard blessed the stage with his presence. I can't even lie, I was giddy like a school girl. I'm a big fan of Howard's and couldn't hold my excitement. Once Howard started to host the event, he introduced us to the new products Nike has to offer.

First up, the footwear. The Zoom Alpha Talon cleat. Nike Football’s most advanced cleat ever, the Zoom Alpha Talon Cleat leverages the most innovative technologies to meet the performance needs of every position. Working with elite athletes, Nike designers delivered improved footing at full speed with an innovative on-demand, adaptive traction system. The interior cleats in the forefoot extend when full pressure is applied for more traction when needed and retract when not. The Air Zoom Alpha Talon cleat also features a Flywire upper for lightweight lockdown, a low-profile cushioning system for comfort, and Nike Pro Deflex padding around the ankle for breathable protection. I'm a girl, but just watching the presentation and looking at the shoe made me wanna suit up and play just to see how those bad boys work! To talk about the new cleats, Nike brought out Cowboys RB Felix Jones, Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe, Packers LB Clay Matthews, Lions DT Ndamukong Suh and Rams RB Steven Jackson to showcase the cleat and tell us about them.

Next up was the Nike Pro Combat System of Dress, which was pretty awesome. The uniform design emphasizes thermoregulation by featuring Nike Pro Deflex padding with two-way airflow to cool the body and wick away sweat. The jerseys are made of four-way stretch woven twill that sheds moisture. A Flywire collar eliminates two layers of fabric for improved breathability, providing a more stable anchor to keep the jersey in place.

The uniform also provides enhanced protection throughout the crucial “hit zone”--between the knees and shoulders--delivering robust padding without the bulk.

Nike has selected 4 college football teams to premiere the new line. Boise State, Oregon, University of Florida (Go Gators!) and TCU were the schools donned to wear the new unis for their upcoming bowl games. While they were all great looks, the best uniform goes to Oregon (what's new) and TCU! They looked great! The college football fan in me is excited all over again for bowl season to get started!

Once that presentation was over, the media were allowed to speak with the players for a bit. I took the time to talk to Howard as well as Dwayne Bowe and Felix Jones. Check it out.

Once the interviews were done, we were able to take a tour of The Place That Jerry Built! If I could describe the Cowboys Stadium in one word, it would be this: Breathtaking. The stadium is beautiful, and even though I'm not a Cowboys fan, I could feel the charisma and electricity of the stadium (Useless-But-Great Fact: The 160 feet by 70 HDTV screen in the middle of the stadium has a star on the top of it. When the retractable roof opens, you can see the lit-up star as far as 5 miles). We were able to tour the lockers rooms ( the cheerleaders have their own locker room as well), the suites, media pressbox and the Cotton Bowl room, dedicated to the famous bowl game.

Alas, the event was over and it was time to go. But it was a great experience. Nike has once again outdone themselves with their new line of uniforms, cleats and the overall presentation. I loved every minute of it and was excited to be able to say I was a part of this event. While I was there, I created a video of the summary of the events to share with you all. Hope you enjoy it. Thanks again to Nike for allowing me to have the opportunity to be a part of such a great event.

It’s Not a Game!!!

2010-12-10T14:10:00.003-05:00

Word on the street is the Giants are coming back FULL STRENGTH! It’s about to go all the way ugly, think of the ugliest broad you know, hit her with spiked bat, roll her down a hill, and throw her in pancake batter – UGLY.

I am friggin impressed at the survivors that the Giant’s are. Coming up with 2 wins while missing Andrews, Diehl, O’Hara, Smith and Nicks is HUGE! The defense has put in huge back to back weeks, (aside from the first half of the Jag’s game). They had Garrard and McNabb out there lookin like some smacked asses! I love it! JPP the rook has been doing his thing!

It was like old times huh, McNabb?

This team’s heart is beyond what I thought at the beginning of the season, especially after that Colts game. I’m loving it right now. Survival of the fittest and I dig it, it’s something I learned in the Marine Corps – you keep the party moving whether you are held together with duct tape and moleskin! And that’s what the GMEN have managed to do. It’s awesome to watch. They seem to also be recovering from their mistakes *cough cough* turnovers, *cough*. Build quietly, win quietly, and let your body of work/wins speak for itself, unlike that other team that is tenants in the same building. LOL Just keep on doing what you’re doing and make your way to the playoffs!!

OWWWW!!!

Okay Okay and this week the GMEN head to Minnesota to play Brett Favre and the Vikings, and by all accounts Brett Favre is held together with duct tape as well, but this is by no means a GIMME of a game. We’ve got history to redeem ourselves from, specifically LAST YEAR!! KICK HIS ASS SEABASS!

Listen- if the Giants pass rush keeps on doing what it has been doing Brett Favre better just take that first snap and then pass the torch to Tavaris or he is gonna get carted off the field in 22 different sandwich baggies, one hit and he might turn into a huge pile of fuckin’ cornflakes. So if he wants to make it to that 300th consecutive start (who gives a shit about this other than Brett Favre, it doesn’t matter when you’ve been playing since Moses used a binky) he better just take that first snap and sit his old ass on the oak!

Oh and by the way shout out to Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw for making Jersey proud with the fistpump, ya’ll need some work though LOL

But I approve

Asta La Pasta,

Ryan

Eagles Did A Texas Two-Stomp on Houston!

2010-12-08T13:12:00.002-05:00

December is always a hectic month. Between the holiday parties, Christmas shopping and the NFL schedule adding in the Thursday games around Thanksgiving I was met with my first game day dilemma for the Philadelphia-Houston matchup. This contest coming on a weekday forced me to find a new way to watch the game without watching the game. And all I can say is thank God for technology. My DVR had my back, taping the game at home while I attended a benefit to collect toys for needy children in New Jersey. As much as I was present for the presents, my mind was on Lincoln Financial field with the boys in green. So I turned to my iPhone and followed the game on ESPN’s mobile web app. And I have to admit it was a pretty cool option when you can’t plop yourself in front of the TV or sit in the stands.

My level of excitement was the same as I watched the little dots on my screen move back and forth. And after a hard fought game that required a fourth quarter comeback, the Eagles got back on top of the win column after the loss to Chicago last week. The NFC is proving to be tougher and closer than expected this year and each win is crucial at this point. The Eagles had a short week to get ready for the Houston Texans. Their more rested opponent came to town with a local guy at quarterback, and two of the most explosive offensive players in the game at half back and wide receiver. On the line for the Eagles was protecting their first place rank in the NFC East while the Texans were nipping at the heels of Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South.

The Eagles got things started with a touchdown on the opening kickoff that was abruptly negated due to a holding penalty. Bummer. But we’d still get our first possession score the old fashioned way by working it down the field. Michael Vick connected with a myriad of members to get inside the redzone after passing the ball around to Jackson, Maclin, Celek, McCoy, Hall, Avant. It paid off via a touchdown on a screen pass to LeSean McCoy. Next Houston’s QB Matt Schaub who grew up in the Philly suburbs and was Michael Vicks’ former teammate took over, but his Texans were held to a field goal. Then McCoy came back on our second possession and at the top of the second quarter he scored his second touchdown of the night. Our defense did a good job of containing H-town’s RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson in the first half, but Jacoby Jones snatched six plus a point from the kicker Neil Rackers. Trevor Laws stopped a last minute drive before the half by intercepting a pass that Schaub threw right at him. Back on offense the Birds settled for a field goal and we headed into the half with a 20-10 lead.

Then things got scary after the half. The Texans must have eaten their Wheaties during the break because they came back in the game with a new vigor. Arian Foster bulldozed over Nate Allen to bring the Texans within three on their first drive of the half going 79 yards to score. Their dominance in the third quarter continued with a Vick pick intended for Maclin. Then with less than a minute in the third quarter Foster runs it in for another touchdown and the lead. Oh boy.

That’s why it’s good that there are four quarters. The Eagles’ offense jumped right into it. A bomb down the field connecting Vick to Jackson set up a trip inside the red zone and we got back on top with a rushing touchdown from Mike Vick. Now it was the Eagles defense’s turn. They held off Schaub and company allowing our offense back on the field. The opportunity wasn’t wasted. Vick connected with Celek on third and nineteen. Celek’s smart play may have been the game saving move. Although the big tight end seem to be missing in action for a good portion of the first part of the season, his stretch for the first down that resulted in an Andy Reid challenge overturned the spot of the ball. Fullback Owen Schmidt ran the short pass in from Vick for a touchdown and a two possession lead by the Eagles to pretty much locked things up for us on this game. Then for an added delight, rookie Nate Allen forced a fumble, Eagles recovered, ran the clock out and won the game.

Although we got a win, my Birds are still a little too loose for this late in the season and with so much on the line we really can’t afford sloppy play. Dropped passes, penalties, the turnovers; they continue to haunt us and were a part of the problem in this game. The offensive line made it too easy to access Michael Vick and he was hit far too many times by the Texan’s defense. He still managed to put up great numbers as MVP talk swirled around our QB who passed for over 300 yards again and had 2 touchdowns in the air and one on the ground.

So now that the dust has settled from week 13 the playoff picture is starting to emerge. By all means, staying at the top of the NFC East is the way to go. However, the Giants smashed Washington this week to remain a half game behind us. (I guess McNabb wasn’t breaking his neck to help the Eagles but I completely understand.) Now we are our way to the Lone Star state to beat Dallas on Sunday. They are completely smelling themselves after winning against Peyton Manning and the Colts and would LOVE to spoil our fun. Haters. Needless to say, loosing is not an option especially with the Giants breathing down our neck. They play the Vikings on the road this week and then it is part two of the fight for the top spot between New York and Philadelphia the following week.

One game at a time though. Dallas has turned thing around a bit and will be coming with all they’ve got. They beat us three times last year so we definitely need to avenge those losses. (And I just love the idea of leaving Bird droppings all over Jerry’s shiny new hopes!) All eyes will be watching the nationally televised game of these two fierce rivals and I’ll be no different! I’m sure they will also take time to remember former Cowboy and one of my favorite sportscasters, “Dandy” Don Meredith. He was part of the great era of Monday Night Football and is part of why I love this game so much, even though he played for Dallas. And with that said, I will see you on the sidelines, lasso in hand.

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little

Gridiron Gals

My Fantasy Superbowl – Harbaugh Bowl Two

Playoffs! We're talking about playoffs

Do You Still Believe? Eagles Ground the Jets

Birds Thaw In Miami

America's Team: Top of the Division

SD Got Bolted UP!

The Broncos Tho?

Winners & Losers: Which One Is Philadelphia?

Steeltown In The Spirit

Say pick(s) 6 backwards

Palmer to Oakland

Browns Go Down..Campbell too

Eagles Expose Redskins With A Win In Washington

Buffalo Bills E-VICK-TION of the Philadelphia Eagles

Watch The [Green and Gold] Throne

Steelers Football Has Returned!!

The Philadelphia Eagles: On the Wrong Side of a Streak

Just Win Baby

A Legend Lost

T.G.I.F. (Thank God its Four…. In Title Town)

Brady Curse?..

Steelers: Back For Another Season

One Giant Step Backwards – Eagles Lose Home Opener to New York

Buffalo Bills Kicker Rian Lindell Named AFC Special Teams POW

Vikings overtime loss to the Lions

THE BUFFALO BILLS ARE THE ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE AFC!!

Where's Ya Hot Dog Sanchez?

Sucked Into the Black Hole

Buffalo Bills RB Fred Jackson Named FedEx Ground Player of the Week

Eagles Drop the Ball in Atlanta - Literally!

The New Orleans Saints Ran the Chicago Bears Out of the Dome

Bucs Beat The Vikes

Jets Take Flight Over Jags

Much Improved Buffalo Bills Win Shoot Out Against the Oakland Raiders

We Aint Playing The 3rd

Deja Vu Of 2010 Haunts Ravens In Loss

America's Team: It's our title..and it stays with US!

Tame the Jags

Buffalo Bills Stampede: Holds the Kansas City Chiefs to 7 points

Vikings opener... Winless in San Diego

Football Is Back: Eagles Celebrate With A Win Over The Rams!

(Mile) High Coming Down

Ravens Have EXORCIIIIIISED The Demons!

2011 - Week One in Review – Redskins vs. Giants

Buccaneers Will Be Playoff Bound For 2011-12 Season

And We Have A Season

2nd Annual Gridiron Gals Kickoff Party!

A Song for Ryan…Fitzpatrick – QB of the Buffalo Bills – “The Amish Rifle”

SSSHHH! Buffalo Bills New Uniforms Leak

First Peek: Buffalo Bills New Uniforms?

MMkay…so the above picture was created by jockpost.com and is the unofficial rendering of what the new uniforms will look like.

Although this isn’t official, I can dig the new look for the Bills. As a fan, I wasn't particular fond of the new uniforms in 2002. I preferred the original red/white/blue…not that navy blue, so I’m amped for the change…my bank account, not so much.

Maybe a new uniform will help my boys fight a little harder and win some more games. You know if you look good, you do good. Let’s Go Buffalo!!

Joe Flacco, Pauly D At MD Polar Bear Plunge

Police Recover Former QB Jim Kelly's Hall of Fame Ring

hmmm, this does my heart well. If he had those rings in a briefcase, one (or just me) can only assume he was wearing one of his 4, Super Bowl rings....right? *swoon* Yeah I know they're silver...so what HATERS!!!!

Video: My Ravens-Steelers Playoff Experience

Voice Your Concern! Block the NFL Lockout!!

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement is due to expire on March 4 and team owners have made a series of moves designed to lock out the players and fans. If you aren’t familiar with the collective bargaining agreement…

Q: What brought this potential lockout about?

A: Two years ago, NFL owners decided to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement at the end of the 2010 season.

Q: Why did they do that just two years after agreeing to a CBA extension?

A: They felt players got the better end of the deal with a 60 percent cut of total revenue.

Q: What do owners want? A: Primarily, they want to keep more of their total revenue for operating and investment expenses, giving players roughly the same percentage of a smaller pool of money - reportedly an 18 percent decrease in real money.

Q: What do owners want?

Q: What do the players want?

A: The same deal they already had.

Q: What other issues are being negotiated?

A: An 18-game regular season and an NBA-like rookie wage scale are the big-ticket items.

Q: What happens to players during a lockout?

A: They lose their pay and health benefits.

Q: What happens to teams during a lockout?

A: Their TV money is guaranteed, but they can do nothing that involves players. No offseason workouts, no team meetings, no player trades, no signings of NFL free agents or draft picks, no training camp and - if the lockout lasts into September - no games.

Q: Will there still be an NFL draft?

A: Yes, April 28-30. Teams will draft players but they cannot sign them until there is a CBA. And they can't sign undrafted players.

So what is it all about? Money, Money, MONEY! The NFL is a lucrative business, where all parties involved get richer, EVERY year. The players don’t control their salaries, nor do they benefit from commercial sales, jersey sales, or off the naming rights to a stadiums… the owners and NFL does.

The player’s contracts are paid by the owners…so stop OVERPAYING!

Seeing millionaires argue about money when tickets to the games have gone up is ludicrous, especially in this economy. The average fan has been sidelined to his/her coach to enjoy the games. I’m sure they’ll reach an agreement before July, but the wait is going to be painful… *single tear*

If you want to see NFL games next season, do your part as a fan and help us Block the Lockout by signing this Petition. Please and thanks!!!

hmmm, this does my heart well. If he had those rings in a briefcase, one (or just me) can only assume he was wearing one of his 4, Super Bowl rings....right? swoon Yeah I know they're silver...so what HATERS!!!!

Q: What do owners want?

A: Primarily, they want to keep more of their total revenue for operating and investment expenses, giving players roughly the same percentage of a smaller pool of money - reportedly an 18 percent decrease in real money.

Seeing millionaires argue about money when tickets to the games have gone up is ludicrous, especially in this economy. The average fan has been sidelined to his/her coach to enjoy the games. I’m sure they’ll reach an agreement before July, but the wait is going to be painful… single tear