When the eagle becomes the prey

Steve Smith had a ball bounce out of his hands. Ahmad Bradshaw jumped over the Eagles’ prized free-agent  Nnamdi Asomugha. A punter not named Matt Dodge punted the ball to DeSean Jackson for zero touchdowns. And Michael Vick broke his hand. Ah, redemption is sweet. The Giants beat the Eagles 29-16 today to improve to 2-1, drop the Beagles to 1-2, and put aside their blown lead in a loss from the last time the two played. It’s a new season. It’s still early, but after dropping their first game, the Giants have won two straight. And they actually looked pretty good in this game. There’s nothing better than beating the Eagles. This was a great win, and although there’s still so much season ahead, I don’t mind basking in the glory of it.

Giant loss

Thanks Steve Smith! Now the Giants are left reaching for air.

What football team do I despise the most? The Philadelphia Eagles. To start, they’ve always been the enemy. As a Giants fan, even though we’ve won a Super Bowl recently and they haven’t, they’re the natural opposition. Sure, you could make an argument for the Cowboys. But it’s the Eagles who’ve really been bad to the Giants in recent years. There’s been a playoff loss, a meltdown last season. I won’t delve into anything further. Point made. So when the Eagles became the Miami Heat this offseason and grabbed a zillion players in the flurry of quick offseason moves, I watched. No big deal. Big players don’t always win games. But then they stuck the knife in the stomach of Giants fans. The team from Philadelphia stole Steve Smith. You know, the wide receiver on the Giants that although no miracle worker, was still one of the G-Men’s most reliable pass-catchers. The wideout that had become so good that he is now better than the other Steve Smith. Yeah, well the Eagles signed him. Now the Giants have lost Smith and super-man tight end Kevin Boss. Feels like half the passing game is kaput. And it’s even more frustrating that it was the Eagles who swooped in and grabbed Smith. As much as I hate to say it, the Eagles look like the NFC East’s team to beat. But I think the Giants are up for that task.

SKINNED

Sorry McNabb.

Yesterday the Giants played the Redskins and that can only mean one thing—a win. It seems as though whenever the Giants play the Skins the G-Men dominate. The Redskins are our punching bag. The Cowboys will challenge us, as will the Eagles. But not the Redskins. Doesn’t matter who the coach is or who the quarterback is. The Giants always pull through with the win. I do feel a little bad for the disfunction of the Redskins. But I am also grateful for their ineptitude and expense they take for the Giants to get a dominating win, including yesterday’s 31-7 rout. Of course they’ll also lose to the Eagles and Cowboys which won’t help the Giants, but I guess you can only ask for so much. Or in the Redskins case, a lot more.

This Eagle needs to land…now

I’ve written about Michael Vick’s situation on here before. About his dog fighting, and how it was wrong, about how people have done equally or far worse things and still play in the NFL. But that was all before Vick’s break-out return season with the Eagles. And quite frankly, my opinion has changed in some ways. Yes, Vick deserves a second chance. Yes, I would probably be less harsh on him if he played for the Giants. But enough of this forgiveness stuff towards him. Yeah, it’s nice to forgive. But we can’t forget. You see, it’s okay to forgive someone for the little things in life. But for killing and torturing dogs? Not everyone has to forgive him. What he did was so bad, that he doesn’t deserve 100 percent forgiveness. I don’t care that he’s in the NFL. I care that he’s getting all of this positive attention. He’s a murderer, and he doesn’t deserve the attention. I’m a forgiving person, and admit that letting Vick in the NFL was fine. He payed his dues. But give him MVP? Absolutely not. No way should he be rewarded. His good play should be accepted, and that is all. Let him get attention. It’s inevitable. But to praise him in any way? No, no, no. Don’t care about the story. This is no feel good story. It’s just a player masking his flaws with his play, which happens all too often in sports. Unfortunately, the Vick talk will continue. But the lives of many of his dogs did not.

[Green] hawk down

Move aside, Vick.

Despite the Giants’ loss to the Colts this past weekend, we still have a solid quarterback in Eli Manning (knock on wood). And in the NFL, that is the key. I read multiple articles today about how so many teams are already looking at other options besides their starters at QB. One of these cases is the Eagles. In Week 1 their new starter, Kevin Kolb, who replaces Donovan McNabb, was injured. So last weekend their “backup”, Michael Vick started. Now, we all know Vick’s deal. But in terms of football, he played great. Up to his capabilities. And even though the Eagles stayed with Kolb being their starting for the rest of the season on Sunday, they reneged on that decision today. Vick, not Kolb, will be their starter for the rest of the season. What a turnaround.

Now, how do I feel about Vick starting at QB in the NFL? Well, I’ve discussed this on here before. What he did was horrible beyond words. But Donte Stallworth killed a man and Ray Lewis got lucky in his murderous deeds. And they haven’t gotten near as much hate as Vick. Heck, Lewis is worshipped. But can Vick play in the NFL? Yes. He is back after a couple years of turmoil. Miraculously, he is back. Let him start. Fine. But what he still did was wrong. Beyond wrong. I don’t want a dog-killer to be hoisting the trophy at season’s end. Or the Eagles for that matter.

You know what, I was going to put up a picture of Vick. And when I searched him a poor dog’s face came up. Horrible. So I’m going to put up a pic of Kolb, who should be starting. Let the good guys win. Kolb ain’t too shabby, either.

Ranking numba 5

I was just sitting down and thinking about how I had nothing to write about. But how could that be possible? I have not written for nearly one week. And this was not a quiet week in sports. Let’s start with today’s revelation. Mark McGwire took steroids. Can’t say I’m surprised. That was anything but a shocker. Next, the NFL Playoffs are going on. I really do not having an interest in watching teams other than the Giants play, but I do have a rooting interest: the Ravens, who beat the Patriots on Sunday. They are my home state team, and have always been my second favorite team behind the Giants. Come this weekend, I will not be rooting for a Manning, in this case Peyton. I will be rooting for the team that hails from the great state of Maryland.

In college basketball, the unbeatens are falling down. Purdue and Kansas lost a week after Syracuse and West Virginia fell. Kentucky and Texas better be next!

Also, I think I completely forgot to mention the Mets signing of Jason Bay. We needed more stability in the outfield with Carlos Beltran. The Mets have a talented team. They did last year too, but it was an injured talented team. If everyone is healthy, the Mets can be good. Maybe even good enough to keep place with the Phillies.

Speaking of Philadelphia, the Eagles lost. Woo hoo! I strongly dislike them.

Meanwhile, Syracuse basketball has regained their spot at number 5 in the rankings after a brief and unnecessary stay at number 7. A message to Texas, Kentucky, Kansas and Villanova: feel free to lose. Texas, you came out of nowhere. Kentucky, star freshies can only take you so far. Kansas, you are weak just like I knew all along. And lastly, Villanova. Scottie Reynolds: I have no more allegiance to you. Syracuse has more wins and a better loss than you. You guys lost to Temple. I guess you didn’t pray before the game.

Those are all my ramblings for today! Thanks for reading!

L.O.V.E.

I love the Philadelphia Phillies. Just how I love the Oakland Raiders. I also love the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. And the Spurs. Sure, why not the Yankees and the Braves too. And any other teams that are rivals to or have eliminated my favorite teams. I just love

to hate them!

No news is good news…that’s not happening here

After a summer drought, sports news finally seems to be heating up. And it’s not all good. You be the judge: Michael Vick joins the Eagles, Plaxico Burress is going to jail for two years, Brett Favre joins the Vikings. Stephen Strasburg signs with the Nats. Memphis loses its final four appearance. And that’s all within the last three days. Only one of those seems good to me, and that’s the Strasburg signing. It looks good for now at least. Favre is starting to annoying me, I don’t really have an interest in  Vick, and I will miss Plax’s services to the Giants. But he has to pay for what he did. Memphis is an interesting case. Can you imagine if Mario Chalmers hadn’t hit that three to win the title game for Kansas? Memphis would have won. Then who would be given the championship? Glad that was avoided. I’m just glad I am not going to Memphis or Louisville (with Rick Pittino’s issues). Who knows what’s going on in their offices.

For my Mets update, not much has changed. Billy Wagner is healthy, but the Mets may be looking to trade him. David Wright’s outlook doesn’t seem to bright. Livan Hernandez was released.

In Syracuse news, which there has been a lot of, Greg Paulus is starting at QB. Honestly, even if he can’t get the team to respectability, he brought back some buzz to the program, which isn’t a bad thing. And it’s not like he is bad. Also, in 2012, USC is coming to the Meadowlands (the new one) to play Syracuse. Anyone want to get tickets to that game?

Tick-tock back and forth. Clocks are made of Steel, not feathers!

Some thoughts on last night’s game: Both teams had valid chances to win the game. The Steelers just happened to take advantage of their last one. The commercials were down. I was expecting more. Bruce Springsteen was pretty good, especially with his oldies. Read the first few paragraphs of the game article on the front page of the Post. That sums up the game quite well. Now, on to next season. Can never start too early! The Giants better rebound, but I’m not sure. The Cardinals could be really good, or mediocre. The Steelers will probably always be good with Big Ben and their D. Some other teams to watch: The Pats (but with Tom Brady this time). We will see if he returns healthy and gets back to his true form. If he does, then the Patriots will be good. Dangerously good. (But not 19-0). Peyton Manning’s teams are always consistently good. Also, the NFC East could very well be a four team race. The Skins will want to erase this year’s memories, and the Eagles and Cowboys will be very hungry. Grrr. Okay, I’ve had enough football for one week. Tonight in men’s college hoops, Louisville plays host to UCONN. UCONN is pretty beast, but Louisville is undefeated in Big East play and playing at home. Tough pick. I’ll go against the home team. In this week’s Sports Illustrated, will we see the ten millionth Steelers cover in the last month. Gosh, I am getting drowned in gold and black. The Giants had a run of three consecutive covers last year, but blue and red is alright. Or maybe it was the Giants that were alright. I actually enjoyed the dull brown cover of last week’s issue. But it would have been better if Jason Kidd was on the front instead of LeBron. Speaking of the all-star game (wait, I don’t think I was, but who really cares). Amare Stoudemire, Tim Duncan, AI? Come on. It’s wayyyy past their time. Let the youngins’ start the game.

Worser than Horrible

 

Absolute Disgust

I don’t even think that title is grammatically correct. I don’t even think worser is a word. But it should be, because that pretty much sums up the dreadful end to what seemed like a promising season. Coming off a Super Bowl win, the Giants went in to this season as underdogs. Despite this, they managed to start 11-1. And that’s when it all went down hill. Minus an unimpressive win over the Panthers to gain the number one seed, the Giants lost three of their last four. The drive and energy that there was last year just wasn’t there this year. Their great season, over, in one horrible game, a loss to an ugly team.