Apologies for the lack in updates lately, but I figured I had to at least get in an obligatory year end review entry.
We began the year with the end of the McNabb era in Eagles green. After the Eagles were destroyed in Dallas twice in a row, the latter knockin them out of the playoffs, the writing was on the wall that Donovan would not be back. Donovan would be traded Easter night to the Redskins, in a huge "Really?" moment. However, we've seen that move has turned out great for the Birds and terrible for both McNabb and the Redskins.
We were then treated with a solid Super Bowl between the Saints and Colts. It was great seeing the underdog Saints win the game, and one could make the argument that New Orleans' Super Bowl victory is the biggest story of 2010. It was enough for Drew BREEEEEEES to win the Sportsman of the Year from SI.
Skip ahead a couple of months to March Madness. As always, one of the best sporting events of the year, and this year was particularly great, at least from a JCKevo point of view. The final between Duke and Butler was one of the best championship games I've ever seen in any sport, and it came down to Gordon Hayward's last desperate heave which looked good all the way, and was thisclose to giving me a heart attack. However, Duke prevailed, Coack K was deemed ruler of the world, and order was restored in the universe.
A few unexciting months, with a typical NFL draft, start of the MLB season, Tiger returning to the Masters, the NBA and NHL playoffs (I had to think long and hard about who won the NBA title and Stanley Cup last year).
The Phillies did not look good for much of the summer. The lineup went through a slump which seemed to last for eternity, the starting pitching was below average behind Roy Halladay, and the playoffs almost seemed out of reach when the Phils were trailing the Braves by 8 games. But things turned around, the offense was hot into the Fall, Roy Oswalt was acquired and he was dominant, Cole Hamels turned it on, and the Phils were deemed as the odds on favorites going into the playoffs.
Then the slump reared its ugly head again. The Phils managed to sweep the Reds mostly due to amazing pitching and a bit of luck, but there would be no such luck against the Giants in the NLCS. The Giants went on to win the World Series, and the Phillies were left wondering what the heck went wrong. This team was more talented than the 2008 champions, but things just didn't go right. We were left to wonder what would happen in the off-season.
We also had the World Cup over the Summer, the only month every 4 years in which more than 5% of the country cares about soccer. We got a decent showing out of the US, although losing to Ghana is still a disappointment, and a good final between Spain and the Netherlands. Once again, the question was asked if the World Cup would help soccer take off in America, and once again, the answer was no.
Time for football season, and the start of the Kevin Kolb era in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the Kevin Kolb era lasted as long as it look me to type this sentence. Kolb was knocked out in the Eagles first game against the Packers, and Michael Vick entered the game. I've said a few things about this topic before, so I want to take this opportunity to clear up a few things:
1. I will admit I was wrong about Vick not being able to become a different QB. He is different than his Atlanta days, and he is better.
2. I will NOT admit I was wrong to not hop on the bandwagon after one half of football. People gave up on Kolb way too quickly, and that was my main problem with the whole thing.
3. I'm still not crazy about Vick as a person, nor do I think I have to be to root for him as the QB of my favorite football team. I will leave it at that for now.
4. I do realize I said if Vick led the Eagles to a Super Bowl, I would run down Broad Street wearing nothing but a Vick jersey. Oh boy.
So the Eagles are 10-4 and seem to be in the driver's seat for the NFC East title.
However, the Eagles season has almost been overshadowed by the Phillies off-season. We got the inevitable news first, that Jayson Werth would not be back. However, I don't think anyone expected Werth to go to the Nationals, and not for the obscene amount of money he received. Have fun in Washington Jayson.
Then we got the news that came out of no where. There were some rumblings after the season that the Phillies wanted to get Cliff Lee, but it looked like it would be impossible money wise. Then we heard about a "mystery team" that was in the Lee race along with the Yankees and Rangers. And then in a whirlwind couple of hours, we learned the mystery team was the Phillies, that they were a possibility, that they were now the favorite, and that they had officially signed Cliff Lee. The Phillies now have what many people are calling the best rotation ever: Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels. And while other people are trying any way possible to nitpick the deal, how the Phillies will have no money and their window of opportunity is small, I'm looking forward to what might be the most dominant pitching staff ever assembled.
So now we look forward to next year. Duke is undefeated and #1 in the country, the Eagles are headed to the playoffs, and the Phillies will be the prohibitive favorite heading into the baseball season. Could we possibly have a trifecta of Kevo championships next season? 2010 was good, 2011 has the potential to be incredible.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Random Weekend Thoughts
Winner and losers from a pretty good weekend of football and other action:
Winners:
- The BCS. Unfortunately. We ended up with a clear cut 1 and 2 in Auburn and Oregon. Yes, TCU is undefeated and deserving of a chance to prove they can play with the big boys, but if the BCS has only two undefeated teams from major conferences, they get exactly what they want. Now, if TCU goes undefeated again next season in the Big East and gets left out, then we'll have an issue, but for now, the BCS has won. We might not like it, but Auburn vs Oregon should get a great game.
- Cam Newton. It'll be interesting to see how ESPN fills an hour long Heisman Trophy show with any kind of intrigue of who might actually win the thing.
- Duke and Drexel. Still on track to meet in the Final Four.
- Firing your head coach in the middle of the season. It has worked wonders for the Cowboys and Vikings.
- The Falcons. They've been dominant at home, but haven't had a good win on the road this year. Taking care of the Bucs in Tampa was huge for them.
- The Steelers. It looked like they were going to limp into the finish, but by beating the Ravens in Baltimore, however ugly it was, they're still the team to beat in the AFC North.
- The Patriots. Yeah they're still pretty good.
- Dexter. For the second to last episode of the season, it started off slow. But the last 20 minutes, I don't think it was possible to take a breathe. The show is not always in your face and intense, but when it is, it does it better than any show on TV.
Losers:
- People who want a playoff in college football. No controversy. No TCU. No reason for the BCS bigwigs to admit their system doesn't work.
- Rutgers. 7 out of 8 Big East teams are going to bowls. Guess who the 8th is? Greg Schiano can't get enough credit for turning around what was probably the worst college football program in the country, but his offense this season was far too complicated and he outcoached himself. Greg: THE WILDCAT DOES NOT HELP YOU.
- The Bengals. They actually did show up and play the Saints hard. For 59 minutes. How you jump offsides on a 4th and 2 play where everyone in the world knows that's exactly what the Saints are trying to do is beyond me. That's why they're the Bengals.
- The Jets. I still wouldn't count them out coming down the stretch, but wow. That was embarassing.
- The Nationals. Jayson Werth is a good player. He's not a franchise player. The Nationals gave him franchise player money. For 7 years. When he's 32. This is why some franchises will always be terrible.
- The Walking Dead. A good episode, if it wasn't the end of the first season. Seriously, we get one minor cliffhanger going into next season (what the scientist whispered to Rick) and that's about it. We got no clue what they were going to be doing next, and no huge event besides the death of one inconsequential character. It's going to be a long 10 month wait.
Winners:
- The BCS. Unfortunately. We ended up with a clear cut 1 and 2 in Auburn and Oregon. Yes, TCU is undefeated and deserving of a chance to prove they can play with the big boys, but if the BCS has only two undefeated teams from major conferences, they get exactly what they want. Now, if TCU goes undefeated again next season in the Big East and gets left out, then we'll have an issue, but for now, the BCS has won. We might not like it, but Auburn vs Oregon should get a great game.
- Cam Newton. It'll be interesting to see how ESPN fills an hour long Heisman Trophy show with any kind of intrigue of who might actually win the thing.
- Duke and Drexel. Still on track to meet in the Final Four.
- Firing your head coach in the middle of the season. It has worked wonders for the Cowboys and Vikings.
- The Falcons. They've been dominant at home, but haven't had a good win on the road this year. Taking care of the Bucs in Tampa was huge for them.
- The Steelers. It looked like they were going to limp into the finish, but by beating the Ravens in Baltimore, however ugly it was, they're still the team to beat in the AFC North.
- The Patriots. Yeah they're still pretty good.
- Dexter. For the second to last episode of the season, it started off slow. But the last 20 minutes, I don't think it was possible to take a breathe. The show is not always in your face and intense, but when it is, it does it better than any show on TV.
Losers:
- People who want a playoff in college football. No controversy. No TCU. No reason for the BCS bigwigs to admit their system doesn't work.
- Rutgers. 7 out of 8 Big East teams are going to bowls. Guess who the 8th is? Greg Schiano can't get enough credit for turning around what was probably the worst college football program in the country, but his offense this season was far too complicated and he outcoached himself. Greg: THE WILDCAT DOES NOT HELP YOU.
- The Bengals. They actually did show up and play the Saints hard. For 59 minutes. How you jump offsides on a 4th and 2 play where everyone in the world knows that's exactly what the Saints are trying to do is beyond me. That's why they're the Bengals.
- The Jets. I still wouldn't count them out coming down the stretch, but wow. That was embarassing.
- The Nationals. Jayson Werth is a good player. He's not a franchise player. The Nationals gave him franchise player money. For 7 years. When he's 32. This is why some franchises will always be terrible.
- The Walking Dead. A good episode, if it wasn't the end of the first season. Seriously, we get one minor cliffhanger going into next season (what the scientist whispered to Rick) and that's about it. We got no clue what they were going to be doing next, and no huge event besides the death of one inconsequential character. It's going to be a long 10 month wait.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Week 13 Picks
Picks on time before a Thursday game? I am an overachiever this week.
@Philadelphia over Houston
The Eagles lost their game last week moreso than the Bears won it. Horrible tackling and terrible redzone execution doomed the Birds. The redzone problems in particular are starting to become worrysome. In addition to last week's game, the Eagles had redzone issues against both the Colts and Giants. They won both of those games, but they should have won by a lot more. What's the issue? Well, some questionable play calling to be sure, as I'm never a fan of using the shotgun inside the 5 yard line. However, Vick hasn't exactly made his best throws inside the red zone either. Yes, I made a critcism of Michael Vick, I'll probably be shot.
Anyway, the Texans' defense is not nearly good enough to stop the Eagles tonight.
New Orleans over @ Cincinnati
If the Bengals had any fight left in them, this is the game they might get up for. But they won't.
@ Detroit over Chicago
Am I bitter after last week? Yes, but this has upset special written all over it. A road game after a huge victory in which every analyst is overrating the team now? I don't care who the Lions QB is this week (Drew Stanton), I like the Lions here OUTRIGHT.
@ Green Bay over San Francisco
I appreciated what he did here in Philadelphia, but Brian Westbrook's performance agains the Cardinals on Monday night was a mirage. But like everyone in sports does, it has been blown way out of proportion and Westbrook is officially back. He won't break 50 yards against the Packers.
Jacksonville over @ Tennessee
Randy Moss went from Tom Brady as his QB to Rusty Smith. Good job getting out of New England, Randy.
@ Kansas City over Denver
Most exciting division race heading down the stretch? How about the AFC West, where we have the young, upstart Chiefs against the incumbent Chargers, back in their usual right before the playoffs form.
@ Miami over Cleveland
Watching the Browns-Panthers game on NFL RedZone last week was painful. The Browns came out on fire led by Peyton Hillis, who was unstoppable in the first half. Then for some reason, Eric Mangini decided to let Jake Delhomme throw the ball, and he quickly let the Panthers back into the game. Why Delhomme still has a job is beyond me. I don't care if your other QBs are hurt, pick up Jeff Garcia before you let Jake Delhomme take another snap in the NFL.
@ Minnesota over Buffalo
Poor Buffalo. Unlike some other bad teams (Cardinals, Bengals), they're actually trying hard. They should have beaten the Steelers last week before Steve Johnson somehow dropped a wide open catch. Now they're playing a Vikings team which will probably finish the season strong for their new head coach, which probably means Brett Favre will come back for another season.
@ NY Giants over Washington
Last week's game against the Jags summed up the season for the Giants. Lousy one minute, unstoppable the next. I hope the lousy team stays around a little while longer.
@ San Diego over Oakland
That's the last time I pick the Raiders or pick against the Chargers after Week 9.
@ Indianapolis over Dallas
How pissed off is Peyton Manning right now? If the Colts lose a third straight against the Cowboys, I don't think anyone inside Lucas Oil Stadium makes it out alive.
St. Louis over @ Arizona
Maybe the Rams are decent, but it doesn't matter, there's no way I'm picking the Cardinals again this year after their last game. That was pathetic.
@ Seattle over Carolina
It's a shame that Jimmy Clausen is essentially playing for his job already. If the Panthers get the no.1 pick in the draft, it'll be hard for them to pass up on a QB, whether it be Andrew Luck or Cam Newton if he gets a ton of momentum. Clausen fell into a terrible situation in Carolina, and it looks like he won't get much of a chance to improve.
@ Tampa Bay over Atlanta
See Bears vs. Lions for why I picked the Bucs in this game.
@ Baltimore over Pittsburgh
The Steelers should have lost to the Bills last week. Like 99 times out of 100 they lose to the Bills last week. So I'm not going to exactly have a ton of confidence with them playing at Baltimore on a Sunday night.
@ New England over NY Jets
The Patriots defense is questionable, to say the least, but against a struggling Jets offense, they should get the job done. I won't say anything more about this game because apparently it's the game of the century and all anyone can talk about.
Last week: 12-4
Overall 112-64
@Philadelphia over Houston
The Eagles lost their game last week moreso than the Bears won it. Horrible tackling and terrible redzone execution doomed the Birds. The redzone problems in particular are starting to become worrysome. In addition to last week's game, the Eagles had redzone issues against both the Colts and Giants. They won both of those games, but they should have won by a lot more. What's the issue? Well, some questionable play calling to be sure, as I'm never a fan of using the shotgun inside the 5 yard line. However, Vick hasn't exactly made his best throws inside the red zone either. Yes, I made a critcism of Michael Vick, I'll probably be shot.
Anyway, the Texans' defense is not nearly good enough to stop the Eagles tonight.
New Orleans over @ Cincinnati
If the Bengals had any fight left in them, this is the game they might get up for. But they won't.
@ Detroit over Chicago
Am I bitter after last week? Yes, but this has upset special written all over it. A road game after a huge victory in which every analyst is overrating the team now? I don't care who the Lions QB is this week (Drew Stanton), I like the Lions here OUTRIGHT.
@ Green Bay over San Francisco
I appreciated what he did here in Philadelphia, but Brian Westbrook's performance agains the Cardinals on Monday night was a mirage. But like everyone in sports does, it has been blown way out of proportion and Westbrook is officially back. He won't break 50 yards against the Packers.
Jacksonville over @ Tennessee
Randy Moss went from Tom Brady as his QB to Rusty Smith. Good job getting out of New England, Randy.
@ Kansas City over Denver
Most exciting division race heading down the stretch? How about the AFC West, where we have the young, upstart Chiefs against the incumbent Chargers, back in their usual right before the playoffs form.
@ Miami over Cleveland
Watching the Browns-Panthers game on NFL RedZone last week was painful. The Browns came out on fire led by Peyton Hillis, who was unstoppable in the first half. Then for some reason, Eric Mangini decided to let Jake Delhomme throw the ball, and he quickly let the Panthers back into the game. Why Delhomme still has a job is beyond me. I don't care if your other QBs are hurt, pick up Jeff Garcia before you let Jake Delhomme take another snap in the NFL.
@ Minnesota over Buffalo
Poor Buffalo. Unlike some other bad teams (Cardinals, Bengals), they're actually trying hard. They should have beaten the Steelers last week before Steve Johnson somehow dropped a wide open catch. Now they're playing a Vikings team which will probably finish the season strong for their new head coach, which probably means Brett Favre will come back for another season.
@ NY Giants over Washington
Last week's game against the Jags summed up the season for the Giants. Lousy one minute, unstoppable the next. I hope the lousy team stays around a little while longer.
@ San Diego over Oakland
That's the last time I pick the Raiders or pick against the Chargers after Week 9.
@ Indianapolis over Dallas
How pissed off is Peyton Manning right now? If the Colts lose a third straight against the Cowboys, I don't think anyone inside Lucas Oil Stadium makes it out alive.
St. Louis over @ Arizona
Maybe the Rams are decent, but it doesn't matter, there's no way I'm picking the Cardinals again this year after their last game. That was pathetic.
@ Seattle over Carolina
It's a shame that Jimmy Clausen is essentially playing for his job already. If the Panthers get the no.1 pick in the draft, it'll be hard for them to pass up on a QB, whether it be Andrew Luck or Cam Newton if he gets a ton of momentum. Clausen fell into a terrible situation in Carolina, and it looks like he won't get much of a chance to improve.
@ Tampa Bay over Atlanta
See Bears vs. Lions for why I picked the Bucs in this game.
@ Baltimore over Pittsburgh
The Steelers should have lost to the Bills last week. Like 99 times out of 100 they lose to the Bills last week. So I'm not going to exactly have a ton of confidence with them playing at Baltimore on a Sunday night.
@ New England over NY Jets
The Patriots defense is questionable, to say the least, but against a struggling Jets offense, they should get the job done. I won't say anything more about this game because apparently it's the game of the century and all anyone can talk about.
Last week: 12-4
Overall 112-64
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