Eagles @ Cowboys Preview

Win and a home playoff game with a bye. Lose and a road game with no rest. Pretty big swing in outcomes from this game. I disagree with Ed that this is a win the SB vs. 1 and done if they lose type game. With the parity in the NFC playoff field, there's no reason to put too much weight on this one game. No matter what happens, the Eagles still have to win AT LEAST 2 more games just to get to the SB. Let's not make this game out to be more than it is: a potential short cut.

Key to the game: Win the turnover battle. It's really that simple. I think the Eagles talent matches up well with DAL. So if they're evenly matched, then the edge they need is extra possessions.

Best way to get the turnovers is to win the battle of the lines. Defense needs to get pressure on Romo and our line needs to give 5 time. This is what worries me most since our line is in flux with Jackson going down.

Potential negative surprise: Miles Austin. This guy is a game changer. He's Texas DeSean. He beat Philly the last time and he's the guy who is likely to beat them this time. Not their running game, not Witten, nor their D.

Potential positive surprise: Brian Westbrook. We haven't seen the real 36 yet this year. If he decides to show up, then this would give Philly a second big play threat. That would be deadly.

Eagles @ Cowboys Pre-preview

As has already been commented, this is a huge game. But not because it's against Dallas. It's all about getting a bye week. I keep expecting PHI to toss up a clunker and I'd almost rather see it this week than the following game which has a LOT more meaning.

Broncos @ Eagles Post Mortem

Tasty sausage here tonight. Lots of reasons to look into the ingredients (penalties, 5's play in 2H, turnovers), but they got the win. That may not seem like much at home against a team 2-6 in their last 8 games, but look at what NO and NYG did today. Winning is not easy in the NFL.

And we still have not seen a complete game from this team. This would be bothering me a lot more if they weren't finding ways to win games. McNabb does just enough to engineer a game winning drive at the end of the game. The defense does just enough to get some crucial holds at the end. And David Akers is money. Remember several years back when everyone one (myself included) thought he was about done?

Dawkins @ Eagles Preview

Er, I mean Broncos at Eagles Preview. That is if they're planning on bringing the rest of the team. They'll need them all to beat the Eagles. Though as we've seen this year it's definitely doable if the bad or average Eagles team shows up.

I hate to keep carping on this, but if the Eagles win the turnover battle, they win this game. This is Keys to the Game 1 through 4. If not, then they'll also need big days from DeSean, McNabb, and McCoy to pull out the win. Doable, but I'd really like to see a complete game from this team before they head into the playoffs where they'll need 4 complete games in order to win a SB.

Speaking of playoffs, the road to the SuperBowl is starting to look a bit easier these days. Not so much because Philly's playing that much better, but that everyone else is playing that much worse. Favre is starting to play like Favre. The Saints are beatable at home. The Cowboys and Giants are even more unpredictable than the Eagles. Virtually the only scary team going into the playoffs are the Packers who just lost a game to a team mired in a 5 game losing streak.

No body has won anything yet though and the players are all saying the right thing. THA is typically optimistic in most things, but I don't think I'm being too homerish thinking maybe this team has a shot.

And last, but not least:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

A Little Perspective on Reid

Reid has now made the playoffs in 8 of his 11 seasons. Think about that for a second. He has made the playoffs in 8 of 11 seasons after taking over a team that had the 2nd overall pick in the draft. In 8 out of his 11 seasons, he's had a chance to win a SB in January.

Eight of Eleven?!?! 8 of 11!!!! Who could possibly want another coach?

49ers @ Eagles Post Mortem

What is this team capable of if they actually play a complete game? Last week they were missing a defense, however they came to play today. This week McNabb decided to make several really, really, really bad decisions and Reid takes a page out of Belichek's playbook (and not the good one).

I have watched a lot of other football teams, but I don't think anyone else looks this bad winning this well? I mean, I'm The Happy Apologist and all, but even I look at this win and say "Huh. I think they left 7 or 10 points on the field there." But they just beat a team competing for a playoff spot by 14 points!?!?! How high is that bar? It's ridiculous. I don't know if anything's good enough for us.

Here's my big takeaway from this game: they're playoff bound! And this team knows how to win. And they've solved the stupid penalties (only 4 offensive holding penalties all year?).

49ers @ Eagles Preview

Both teams coming off huge wins against division foes last weekend. Unfortunately for SF, they have to travel across the country on a short week for a 1pm EST game.

Eagles have the better talent virtually across the board so it's hard to see them losing this game. Which means this is probably going to be a close, hard fought game.

Keys to the game

1) Win the turnover battle
2) Stop Gore from beating them

Really, it should be that simple. Why isn't it ever though?

On Amaro and Halladay

this deserves its own post. ed's captured this in a much more articulate way than i have the time or (more importantly) the talent to produce. one of these days, maybe i'll be smart enough to learn that i need to give bumble the opportunity to vent rather than trying to counter his points. -- meanguy

from "ed wade"
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My first reaction to this trade tandem was "egad, this could have been a team for the ages, wish the Phils would go for broke in 2010 with this once-in-a-lifetime core." My rationale was simple. If the Phils win the WS, particularly in a rematch with the Yankees (my 2nd favorite team), I'd be set for life. It wouldn't matter to me if they ever won another title. I love the game so much that I enjoy even the down years. I told Bumble privately that I'd let my son worry about the next championship while I enjoyed shorter lines at Tony Luke's.

A part of me still feels this way. With Halladay and Lee at the top of the rotation, this would have been the best squad since the late 1970's, and perhaps ever (it still might be).

I started to calm down when I learned that the Phils were receiving prospects and $6 million in the deal. Remember, when the first reports came out, the Phils were identified as the team giving prospect to both Toronto and Seattle. Under that scenario, the trade made little sense to me. I saw it as the Phils upgrading their ace while adding payroll and subtracting youth. Their current ace (Lee) wasn't as good as the new one (Halladay), but this didn't seem important as we already knew Lee could beat the Yankees (with a dynamite team behind him). Regardless of how good Halladay could be, he wasn't going to improve on a 4-0 post season.

The problem the Phils had last year was that no pitcher other than Lee was good enough to beat the Yankees. As such, keeping Lee in addition to adding Halladay was necessary to affect a genuine, practical improvement.

This may still be true. I don't have a lot of faith in Cole. This isn't based on the fact that I think he is a cupcake, a quitter, etc. Rather, it is based on the belief that guys who top out at 92 and have only two pitches can't be effective starters in the Bigs over the long haul, no matter how good the second pitch is.

The Phils have a different opinion about Cole. After listening to Amaro, it is obvious that the baseball people in the organization honestly believe he can rebound and reestablish himself as a premiere starter. Assuming this is correct, and with the knowledge that Cole is under the team's control for two more years, the decision to trade Lee makes a lot more sense.

With respect to the Phils being cheap, that's just plain silly. Their payroll will expand to the north side of $140 million. That puts them right there with the Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Mets and Dodgers. I'm okay with that. Without a regional cable company like YES, they can't spend the way the #1 market Yankees do. They also can't compete against a team that charges $1500 for dugout seats instead of $60. God bless the Phillies for keeping ticket prices WAY under value. Check out what the other big markets charge for comparable tickets.

Amaro said with complete sincerity that trading Lee was a baseball decision based on the premise that his job is to make sure the team can compete for the championship EVERY year. I'd argue that the willingness to spend $140 million speaks to that commitment. Amaro: "If I can't field a team that can compete for the Championship with $140 million, I'm not doing a good job."

I love Amaro. I love his intelligence, candor, and creativity. If Amaro likes the prospects he received for Lee, I like them. I haven't seen them play, but I have watched Amaro operate. The organization is getting things done right. They’re drafting well and developing prospects that other teams covet. Big-time players want to play in Philadelphia.

Something that has gone unnoticed by many in the "all in" camp: Amaro explained that he needed prospects for two reasons. First, to eventually restock the big team with new, price-favorable young players in the upcoming years (call this cheap if you want, smart if you get it), and second, to have trade bait available in the event THIS team (2010) develops holes it needs to fill to win right now.

In other words, Amaro makes a credible argument that trading Lee may offer greater flexibility to go "all in" this year. What if Lidge gets hurt at the all-star break? What if Rollins breaks his leg? After trading 7 of the organization’s best 10 prospects over six months, Amaro makes a fair point. The lack of additional prospects may hand cuff THIS year's team. I admit, I had not thought enough about this point.

For me, the bottom line is this: We don't have Lee, but we have a better pitcher in Halladay. We have a better third baseman, a better bench, and ironically, a better future.

Does everyone understand how big a coup it was to get Halladay signed for ONLY three years at $60 million? His market value was closer to $150 million for 7 years. Make no mistake, he gave the Phils a big-time gift, and this signing was brilliant, probably Amaro's best moment as a GM. I love Cliff Lee, but if anyone thinks a guy who has made "only" $15 million in his pro career would sign the same deal, he is smoking seriously good weed. Lee clearly wanted to stay in Philly, but I doubt he would have signed such a favorable deal.

The more I think about these moves in tandem, the more see that the Phils hit a home run.

I'm not unhappy at all anymore, even though I wish we had Lee for another year, just like everybody else.

I can't wait for the season to begin. After the last 3-4 phenomenal years, the team is poised for its best year ever. Will they win the World Series? You never know. If the Phils are right and Hamels can be a good #2 starter, I like their chances. If Hamels pitches like last year, they aren't as likely to win the WS as they would have been with Cliff Lee. You never really know what's going to happen, but I'm pretty sure this is a damn good team, and a damn good organization, even without Cliff Lee.

Right now, I'm confident the Phils know what they are doing. I’m a fan, but the guys calling the shots are professionals.

The “Total Package” (Amaro) has made one major mistake as a GM. He followed his heart and gave Jamie Moyer a two-year deal that pays him $8 million this year. Ultimately, this hurts the team’s ability to land late inning relief help. Pray that Chan Ho comes to his senses and returns to the fold. I think Amaro learned something from this mistake. This time, he didn’t follow his heart or popular opinion. He made a bold move based on what his head told him was the smartest decision for the long-term success of the team. After listening to Amaro describe his rationale, I’m “all in” with the General Manager.

Enjoy what you have Philly, and stop worrying about what you don't.

Ed Wade

Prospects Coming for Lee

for anyone who is interested, here are the baseball america scouting reports for the prospects coming for lee. i'm disappointed the phils couldn't find a way to keep both halladay and lee, but it seems to me that the prospects they're getting back for lee are way better than the prospects they gave up to get lee in the first place.

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Phillippe Aumont, rhp
Age: 20. Ht.: 6-7. Wt.: 220. Bats: L. Throws: R.
Selected by Mariners in first round (11th overall) of 2007 draft; signed Aug. 15, 2007.

The Mariners surprised Aumont in spring training with the announcement that he would continue his career as a reliever. He proceeded to save 12 games in 14 chances for high Class A High Desert before running into resistance in Double-A. After elbow soreness limited the towering righthander to 56 innings in 2008, the organization reasoned that not only would the move accelerate his readiness for the big leagues, but it also would help keep him on the field. Aumont throws across his body slightly, which gives his pitches above-average life but places additional strain on his shoulder. His heavy sinker ranges from 92-95 mph with plus-plus life down in the zone. He dials his four-seamer up to 98. His mid-70s curveball features occasional plus 12-to-6 break, especially when he repeats his high three-quarters arm slot and gets extension on the front side of his delivery. The biggest thing holding Aumont him back is an overall lack of command in the zone, but if he discovers it he has true closer potential.

Background: Aumont's Quebec high school didn't offer baseball, but he impressed scouts so much while pitching for travel teams that the Mariners selected him 11th overall in 2007 and signed him for $1.9 million. He signed late and made his pro debut in 2008, pitching just 56 innings as Seattle took a cautious approach when he developed a sore elbow.

Strengths: Aumont cuts an imposing figure on the mound, and his stuff is just as intimidating. He already throws 90-95 mph with plus-plus sink and boring action, and he may be able to throw even harder as he matures physically. If batters sit on his sinker, he can blow a high-90s four-seam fastball by them. Aumont's crossfire delivery and low three-quarters arm slot can make it tough for batters to pick up his pitches. His low-80s breaking ball has plus potential.

Weaknesses: For such a high pick, Aumont is quite unpolished, and now he has to prove he can stay healthy. His arm angle makes it hard to stay on top of his breaking ball, and he has a long way to go with a true changeup after using a splitter as an amateur. If he came up with a more balanced delivery, his secondary pitches and his command would benefit.

The Future: Aumont's physical presence and the natural movement on his pitches suggest that he can fill a role at the front of a rotation. He'll pitch at high Class A High Desert in 2009.

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Tyson Gillies, cf
Age: 21. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Bats: L. Throws: R.
Selected by Mariners in 25th round of 2006 draft; signed May 30, 2007.

A Mariners' draft-and-follow find from Langley, British Columbia, Gillies skipped over low Class A on his way to the high Class A California League in '09. Despite his inexperience, he produced on a grand scale, ranking third in the minors in average (.341) and triples (14), fourth in runs scored (104) and fifth in on-base percentage (.430). Formerly the top athlete in Mariners system, he grades as an 80 runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale by some evaluators, and he paced the Cal League with 44 stolen bases. Gillies' speed translates into well above-average range in center field, where he boasts of plus arm strength. His hand-eye coordination and feel for the strike zone give him a chance to hit .280 or better. Gillies hit only one home run away from the hitter's paradise that is High Desert, as his slap-and-run approach rules out power almost completely. Hearing deficiencies require Gillies to wear hearing aids in both ears, but he's adapted by learning to read lips proficiently.

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J.C. Ramirez, rhp
Age: 21.Born: Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 225. Bats: R. Throws: R
Signed as nondrafted free agent by Mariners, July 2, 2005.

High Desert is such a hostile pitching environment that you can largely disregard Ramirez's final '09 pitching line. He pitched much better in 11 road starts, compiling a 3.09 ERA in with just two home runs allowed over 64 innings. Ramirez has mid-rotation potential if he can improve his concentration on the mound and learn to repeat his delivery and arm slot. He's a physical, durable righthander who has proven capable of handling increased workloads each season. Though Ramirez's command wavers, his stuff is top-shelf, beginning with a lively 92-94 mph fastball that he also four-seams at 96-97 when necessary. He can spin a quality, high-70s slider, but the pitch lacks consistent tilt because he often drops his hands during delivery, which lowers his arm slot. His changeup has not made much progress three years of pitching in the U.S.

Background: The Mariners have as strong a presence in Nicaragua as any club. They have the nation's top minor league prospect in Ramirez, and signed its top 2008 prospect, righthander Francisco Valdivia, for $726,000 in July. Ramirez handled low Class A well for a teenager last season, showing dominating stuff and improved command.

Strengths: Tall, loose-armed and still projectable, Ramirez fires off easy 92-93 mph heat and can push his four-seam fastball to 97 on occasion. One scout lauded Ramirez for having a heavy ball, and all his pitches feature plus movement as the ball jumps out of his hand from a high three-quarters arm slot. Though he limited Midwest League batters to a .239 average largely on the strength of his fastball, he also throws a hard slider that has plus potential.

Weaknesses: Like most young flamethrowers, Ramirez lacks feel for his changeup because he's accustomed to blowing the ball past batters. He struggles to stay on top of his secondary pitches on a consistent basis. He needs to do a better job of pacing himself and holding his stuff deep into starts. He also needs to work on controlling the running game.

The Future: His build and delivery are reminiscent of former Mariner Rafael Soriano. Ramirez has the raw stuff to project as a front-end starter, but he also could follow Soriano into a role as relief ace.

Eagles at Giants Post Mortem

Let's go to the tape:

Keys to the Game

1) Got to win the turnover battle. - YES
2) Avoid stupid penalties. - KINDA
3) Big plays by the offense. - YES
4) Red zone efficiency. - YES
5) Give Eli happy feet early. - NO
6) Shut down Jacobs. - NO

Thoughts on the Game
Did anyone else think the officiating was one sided early on? I thought they cost PHI at least 4 points (non-call on Celek in end zone) and probably another 3-7. I was very upset about this at half time and was pleasantly surprised it didn't carry over to 2H.

DeSean Jackson - holy effing a is that kid amazing to watch. I think he's already better than Westbrook ever was in his prime. What's the upside here?

Huge drive in 4th quarter. 91 yards. 7+ minutes. 8 points. That put the game away right there. Simply huge with lots of guys coming up big. This is the type of drive this team hasn't accomplished recently and the type of drive that championship teams pull off.

Unfortunately, they don't have a defense that can win a championship. At least as they played last night. How bad was that tackling? Atrocious. As good as DeSean was, this defense looked just off.

Lucky, lucky, lucky. Eagles recovered all 4 of the game's fumbles which should be 50/50. This won't last.

This was a game they didn't have to have, but won anyway. All wins are big, especially against a division rival in December. Sweet.

(and with another win we'll see another week of no comments. sigh)

Eagles at Giants Preview

Well, this isn't a game the Eagles have to win to make the playoffs, but it's a game that could really, really help them. A win basically takes the NYG out of the Wildcard race as they'll be 3 games behind the Eagles considering the tie-breakers (head-to-head). Philly never does anything easily, so I'm expecting them to keep the playoff suspense high by losing.

Keys to the Game

1) Got to win the turnover battle.
2) Avoid stupid penalties.
3) Big plays by the offense.
4) Red zone efficiency.
5) Give Eli happy feet early.
6) Shut down Jacobs.

I think the Eagles are the better team so I think they only need to accomplish half of the above to win the game. The big question is will they?

Three More Years of Reid

Excellent. I wonder how many more years he'll end up coaching. Given his track record, age, and Lurie's faith in him, there's no reason to think he can't coach this team for another 10-15 years. Wouldn't that really cheese off half of Eagles nation?

Getting Healthy For The Stretch Run

It looks like the Eagles could have Jordan, Hanson, Jackson, and Westbrook all back for this week's game against NYG. They'll all be needed for the tough road game against a division rival. Maybe the injury luck is starting to swing back in our favor.

Eagles at Falcons Post Mortem

This game was all about the W. W as in Weaver. Oh my freakin goodness. Are you allowed to have a player this good at the FB position? That one handed catch over the middle for big yardage was one of the better catches I've seen this year. Maybe he's been watching our WRs recently. He also had a couple decent runs.

For the haters out there, this was not a perfect game. Let's just say that a 27 point win on the road to a team in the playoff hunt is about as tasty as your sausage is ever going to get. To nitpick anything about this game is frankly, just beyond my comprehension.

Vick is looking better and better. Not that I'd take him over Kolb by any stretch of the imagination. It's a shame that he couldn't get a full quarter of work in there at the end. I liked Reid getting McNabb out of there as early as he did. Most coaches won't do that. Is he playing more hurt than we think?

Biggest dissapointment is D not getting the shutout. They really deserved it. Just goes to show you how hard it is to do in this day and age.

Eagles at Falcons Preview

This game will be decided by who's not on the field.

• Falcons are missing their starting QB and RB.
  
• Eagles are missing their primary playmaker DeSean Jackson

Can McNabb make it 3 straight in 4th quarter comebacks? Will he have to?

The key for this game will be who wins the turnover battle. Our defense needs to collect a bunch of them (Chris Redmond is primarily involved here) and our offense needs to grind out a decent game.

How About Them WRs?

I was noticing our WR during the Redskins game. Is it just me or are they collectively making 2-4 tough catches each game now? Maclin and Avant each had at least one good catch either in traffic or over the shoulder dancing down the sideline. Such a nice change of pace from a couple years back.

I would argue this is the Eagles key area of strength right now.