By Sunday we will be tired of hearing about T.O.’s return to Philadelphia, but what really matters is what kind of team is Philadelphia going to put on the field to face the vastly-improved Dallas Cowboys?
Believe me, the Eagles will be hard-pressed to beat the Cowboys if cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Rod Hood are sidelined once again. It's one thing stopping the Green Bay Packers with NFL Europe star Joselio Hanson and Dexter Wynn playing in the secondary and quite another asking those guys to shutdown Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn.
Yes, the Eagles have scored 24 or more points in four consecutive games, but do you think they can hit that magic number once again without Brian Westbrook, Donte Stallworth and Reggie Brown? I mean, there is nobody in the Green Bay secondary that could start for the Cowboys. Well, maybe safety Nick Collins.
Westbrook’s inflamed right knee kept him on the sidelines Monday night and Stallworth left the game with a sore hamstring. Brown has a bruised shoulder.
The good news is that Greg Lewis, a former buddy of T.O.’s in Philadelphia, snapped out a slump with touchdown catches of 45 and 30 yards to break open a tight game with Green Bay in the third quarter. Eagles coach Andy Reid has had high hopes for Lewis and he finally delivered. Who knows if Lewis will play under control on Sunday?
Considering this game is as much about Donovan McNabb as it is Owens, fans should recognize that McNabb has played pretty well (138 attempts without an interception and second-lowest --2.17 -- interception ratio in league history) this season. Can McNabb, who definitely was questioned by some teammates over the feud with Owens, win this grudge game without a full complement of receivers, primarily Westbrook?
The word in Philly is that Westbrook rested Monday in order to give himself a chance to play the Cowboys.
Colts' special teams woes
Colts coach Tony Dungy needs to fix his special teams, but regardless of those concerns his team has showed a remarkable grittiness considering how many starters are ####ed up on defense.
Internally, though, the club is scratching its head on why defensive tackle Corey Simon, who was paid a ton of money to leave the Eagles, hasn’t dressed since arthroscopic left knee surgery almost two months ago. Simon continues to have more tests while Colts GM Bill Polian continues to say, “We just don’t know when he’ll be back.”
The Colts aren’t even sure he’ll play in three or four weeks in conference showdown games with Denver and New England. Believe me, there is some impatience in the front office with Simon.
Speaking of the Colts, New England running back Laurence Maroney was the player Polian wanted to draft in the first round and then the Colts tried to make a deal with Chicago (the Bears eventually traded with Buffalo) for its first-round pick, eyeing Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams. Maroney is off to a tremendous start in New England; just think how good he’d be in Indianapolis.
Kudos to the new commish
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell deserves high marks for suspending Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth for five games without pay. His loss will further hurt the winless Titans while leaving the player short $190,000, an unprecedented amount and time for an on-field incident.
I said Sunday night that the financial punishment should start at $150,000, so Goodell went beyond that. The union and Haynesworth may appeal the punishment, but the league will vigorously defend its case against the player. Goodell and the league won’t back down.
There are enough physical traumas on the football field with injuries and concussions – just look at Chris Simms and Trent Green and Dan Morgan -- without condoning one player assaulting a defenseless player, which was exactly the case in Tennessee on Sunday.
Moss just doesn't care
Who knows what’s really going in Oakland, but Randy Moss sounded like he couldn't care less about the Raiders’ sad state of affairs on his weekly Fox Sports radio show. Moss was criticized by reporters for failing to make an effort on a deep pass and again for not contesting two other throws during Sunday’s loss to Cleveland. Moss basically said that he isn’t the only unhappy soul in the Raiders’ locker room, which makes you start wondering if the team shouldn’t make some trades and clean house a little.
Everyone’s heard that the Raiders might be interested in Chris Simms if the Bucs don’t sign him to a free-agent contract, but who says Simms would want to be in Oakland?
Mario gets his sack
It was great seeing No. 1 pick Mario Williams finally get a sack in the NFL and get excited. In fact, Williams finished with 1 ½ sacks of Daunte Culpepper last Sunday. But both plays were simply hustle plays by Williams. It wasn’t like he whacked an offensive tackle off his stride or put a Julius Peppers-like move on a Miami blocker. After neither play did I hear anyone say, "Wow, look at that!"
Please a blowout I highly doubt it. This will be a very good game and I would not be highly surprised if Dallas won. However, a blowout not likely. I believe the winner which ever team wins wins by no more then a touchdown.
Anyone else disagree with the 5 game suspenion of Haynesworth. My opinion, it should have been for the rest of the year. I am very disappointed in the leagues decision, think about it... He ripped the guys helmet off, kicked him once and then stomped and scraped his cleat accross the guys face. That my friends should not be allowed in any sport and to be honest 5 games is not enough. What's even more absurd is that apparently the union and/or Haynesworth is going to file a grievance to try and fight the suspension, well why isn't the union doing anything for the guy that got "assaulted". Just needed to vent and I tell you what, it doesn't help.
Last edited by dcfootball on October 3rd at 7:05 PM.
Completely agree with you about the Eagles' defense having difficulties with the Cowboys offense, but I don't doubt that the game will be won primarily because of Dallas' defense. I mean the Eagles have the best offense right now but against who? They've beat the Texas(1-3), the Niners(1-3), and the Packers(1-3), the also lost to the Giants(1-2). And once again going to their defense, it did give up 28 points to the Niners, who were shut out last week by the almighty Kansas City "D". Just a thought.
I want to know who paided the refs off in the Eagles and Packers game? The DB for the Eagles mugged the recievers of the paskers and no flags. Someone had a big pay off.
Completely agree that the 5 game suspension is way too lenient. The NFL is incredibly far behind most other sports in regards to foul play (on the field and drug use as well). The fact that prior to this event, the biggest punishment handed down was 2 games astounds me considering some of the stuff that happens on the field
NFL suspension of Haynesworth? Light- think "NBA" and "Ron Artest." He should be done for the season. As an Eagles fan I don't care for the Cowboys, but come on, it's still just a game. No need to risk killing somebody over a GAME. And you Cowboys fans seem to be forgetting that your team put up big numbers on the Titans (creampuffs) and narrowly escaped the Redskins (when unhealthy = creampuffs) and got beat by Jacksonville (who lost to the Redskins.) So the teams look evenly matched, except the Eagles have an excellent pass rush (#2 in the league with 16 sacks) and Drew Bledsoe can't run. But Donovan McNabb can, and in this game that could be the difference.
Last edited by Celica2003 on October 4th at 5:02 AM.
I THINK SOMEONE FORGOT ABOUT THE EAGLES DEFENSIVE LINE. WHO'S GOING TO MUG WHO? HOW WILL BLEDSOE COMPLETE ANY PASSES WHEN HE'S ON HIS BACK!LET ALONE BE ABLE TO THINK STRAIGHT WITH ALL THE NOISE.
EAGLES 24 COWBOYS 17
You want to know what is funny? 1st overall draft pick Mario Lewis just got his first sack and he plays full time. My Bear's 5th round pick Mark Anderson, who barely plays, got his 4th sack this season. 2 against the seahawks. I just thought that was pretty funny.
ra co do... you are a ####. they gave up 17 points to the niners, dope. The birds will win this one in a laugher. Easily a double digit margin all because of one man....TO. The hatred for this man in this city will have the stadium electrified. The players will feed off the energy. It will be a playoff like atmosphere in the Linc this week.. McNabb wants this more than he lets on, so does Andy. Watch and see to quote that #### TO get your popcorn ready. And to madmouth do you know what I think is funny?? That you are too dumb to know that the first pick in the drafts last name is williams. If you are going to say something at least know what the hell you are talking about you big dummy
The keys to THE game are: 1 Cowboys O-line keeping pressure off Bled-slow. 2 can Drew throw to the right team? If these 2 things happen for the Cowboys-they win. If not, they lose.
bennhater etc...what's up with all the name calling? Are you the type that just enjoys flare-ups? If so, call those guys names to their face where you don't sit behind a keyboard and monitor. Sure you ARE correct, I don't know of a nfl fan who doesnt know Mario Williams' name but no need to start slinging ####? Anyway, more interestingly, the Cowboys I will win this matchup even though the game will be held at the Linc because in my opinion, those pricks are just friggin lucky! I don't think that the birds secondary will be able to slow down one of the best tandum receivers in the NFL so if Bledsoe can get the ball off, those two are going to go get it regardless of if Dawkins is back there, Bledsoe will just stay away from him. On another note the Linc will give Dallas' D some problems with the noise and Donavan in my opinion is one of the most underrated QB's in the game over the last 6 years. He is multi talented and in my opinion second only to Brady and P. Manning and that's because they both have/had better receivers over the last 4 years. Dallas by 10. they are still pricks though!
It's funny to me how the Philly fans all loved TO when he came there to play, even with all of his issues. The Dallas fans hated his guts, now they love him. It just goes to show that all fans are hippocrites about these things. Ninety percent of you would embrace ANYONE who performs on the field, no matter what their issues may be. Don't even bother denying it--you'll embarrass yourself.
If the EAGLES can keep pressure on OLD Bledsoe then they are in for a long day in PHILLY. I think PHILLY will pull this one out. They are out for revenge after last season going 0-6 in the division. Go EAGLES!!!!!
Hey DownTownRob - too much LoanStar beer in your fruitloops this morning? The Texas "81" ring circus is back in town! The president is from Texas - and look at the mess of this country. Your Cowgirls have absolutely no shot this week. Watching the Cowgirls offense this week will be like watching the Rocketts on Broadway (1-2-3 kick!) Your stiff of a QB can't throw while on his back. If only Buddy Ryan was coaching the Birds this week!
Eagles 38 - Cowgirls 6. And I'm generous about the 6.
Just Like the man said, no pressure on Bledsoe and Dallas wins. The Cowboys will show the best defense that the Eagles has seen this year. McNabb better bring his "A" game come Sunday. By the way, McNabb has played his worst games when they have counted the most.
I just wanted to say that I believe the Eagles will come away with the win on Sunday. I believe that they want it more than the Cowboys. Plus when they win they'll be able to end all this stupid T.O. drama! Go Eagles!!!
For everyone saying that the Philly D-line is the key to the game, lets remember this is the same D-line that did not record a sack against the Packers who start 2 rookies at guard, a second year guy at center and two old tackles. Not to mention an aging QB. I think Philly will be in for a long game.
Mcnabb will choke just like he did in the Super Bowl. Anytime anyone relys on this #### he screws up! He probably stayed up drinking & partying all night trying to get more Chunky Soup endorsements. How else can you explain him in the last minutes of the super bowl? He was walking to the line, kneeling in the huddle, and threw a terrible pass!! His WR with a broken leg had more stamina! You Eagles fans crack me up with your comments...yea the stadium will be electrified for about 2 minutes until T.O. gets in the end zone and then the life will be sucked outta that place. I hate both of these teams but all the Cowboys have to do is establish the run game and then use play action to pick apart a ####ed up Eagles secondary. Cowboys by 14.
Haynesworth's actions were de####able, but then that upstanding representative of moral virtue, "Pacman" Jones, had to open his trap.
"It happened. Albert got frustrated. He let his actions take over,'' cornerback Pacman Jones said. "But that's football, man, I don't fault Albert for not one reason. That's football.''
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20061003/SPORTS01 /610030353/1027
Since when did football become tearing off your opponent's helmet and then stomping on his head?
Last edited by BooYah504 on October 4th at 12:04 PM.
Like I said before if it where not for the refs in the packers game,that score would not have been like it was. I have cheered for 50+ years for the birds-until the mouth came
ispep321.... are you retarded?? Did your mom let you play on the computer today instead of taking the short bus to school?? Did you walk around the house without your helmet on and have a little spill?? Well whatever happened, bravo for you. It is so cool to see a #### try and interact with the general public, be proud of yourself. As far as your football knowledge though, well.... Let's just say that is how I knew you were special. Refs paid off??? C'mon are you kidding with that? You sound like the loser whiney Seattle fans who say the super bowl was rigged. It's a game the calls can go either way. Do they win or lose a game... NO!!! Players win or lose games, the coaches win or lose games, not the refs. The Eagles beat that teamm 99 out of 100 if they played that often. As far as the Cowgirls go they will get owned this weekend. This game does not mean as much to them as it does to the fans of Philadelphia. The crowd will be so juiced it will have the team feeding off them. This game will be over long before the clock runs out.
kiana36 said it correctly that the Eagles want this one more and that will be the difference maker. birdofprey was right with his assessment of monday night too. very tough to stop a three step drop. darthaudible though is a ####. McNabb (the ####) according according to him is a guy we cannot rely on. Does any football fan in the world think the Eagles would have ever gotten to where they have been without him. He went to four straight championship games with what? He carried those teams on his back. They had no skill people at all. Yes he didnt win but the Eagles were easy to defend. Shut down McNabb and you win. He couldnt shoulder the load the whole time. Darth... have you ever been to a game at the Linc? Ever feel the vibration under your feet from the roar of the crowd? It is the most intense place to watch a game in the entire NFL.. The crowd will be there the whole game and because of that crowd they will win. I hope TO goes across the middle and B-Dawk sets his sights on him. I would love to see him go out on a stretcher like the day Michael Irvin did. I want to see TO's career end on Sunday. Knee, shoulder, head, whatever it is I want to see him hurt. There is no place in the league for this ####. He was beloved in this city. He could have been a god here. Nowhere else will you find fans that embrace their team like we do. He took that and destroyed it. Now I only can hope that someone destroys him. i was so sad to hear that he tried to committ suicide or overdosed or whatever. And it was very hard because I was sad twice. The first time bec
the first time because i worried that he wouldnt be available for sunday's game and the second because he really didn't die. I wish he did.. GO BIRDS!!!KILL THE ####, SPEAR CHUCKER,BUBBLE LIPPED, NAPPY HAIRED ########!!!! E-A-G-L-E-S.... EAGLES!!!!!
Ben hater calm your racist #### down. You know I'm right! Mcnabb chokes!! Oh you got there with him or he led you there..big friggin deal! He plays like #### and chokes under any pressure!! Mcnabb is the Peyton Manning of the NFC! Have I been to a game at the Linc? No. why would I want to be within 500 miles of a babbling racist #### such as yourself who is such a homer that your too blind to see the truth?? The Eagles could win this game and all the rest of their regular season games and then promptly choke in the playoffs. Would any "football fan in the world" be surprised? No. I'm glad you support your team with so much passion but wishing death on someone because of a stupid game? Get a life. Both Dallas & Philly would get crushed by the Bears anyway.
Last edited by darthaudible on October 4th at 3:17 PM.
The Bears??? Are you kidding me. Is that the same Bears team that got humiliated in the playoffs at home last year. Where were the monsters of the midway that night. Talk about a choke. You wish you had a QB of McNabb's caliber for that game you might have beat the Steelers in the super bowl. Instead you watched it. I laugh that you think you have a shot at winning anything with Rex at the helm. Good luck this year, you certainly need it more than me. Chicago is a fraud!!!! Can you say Over-rated???? It's been so long sincve they fielded a decent team I forgot they even had one. They are posers. I hope you are around come playoff time because I would enjoy the chance to make fun of you when they fold up once again in the playoffs. Didn't McNabb kick your #### in one of those playoff games that he supposedly can't win. Chris Miller was the QB and we beat your #### at home. Right??? Correct me if I'm wrong dooshbag!!!
bennhaterfromphilly, like I said the Niners scored 24 on the Eagles, where did you get 17 from. Get your facts straight before you start insulting people. Cowboys win 38-13
Bennhater, all that ranting and raving you seem as if your getting a little winded...kinda like Mcnabb in the Super Bowl! While your rehashing on memories from old games see if you can rack your brain to figure out how many Super Bowls the Eagles have won?? ha ha! Bears overrated? We didnt loose to the friggin Giants! I admit Im not sold on Rex but Im not predicting outrageous things for a team like you are. I only stated that the Bears would crush the Eagles, which is true. Bears aint the Packers or any cupcake team like you have played so far. Why would I need good luck? Bears are undefeated and the Eagles...well they pulled an Eagles and choked against a Giants team that is ready to implode. If the Eagles can make the playoffs I would love to see Choke Mcnabb & Brittle Brian Westbrook play the Bears!
Last edited by darthaudible on October 4th at 8:47 PM.
I still think it's funny reading bennhater's conflicting racial slurs about T.O., then hyping McNabb, Westbrook, and Dawkins, who are all black. This ain't the fifties, get with the program. And by the way, are you Native American? I recall some time ago you posting about "the #### go home" or something, but if you're not a Native American, your race is not from here either, so why don't you go home? But back to football (ignorant racist idiots, cheering for my team, almost as depressing as if the Cowboys win this week...*sigh*) Eagles/Bears would be a good game. If they both stay healthy, they'd be pretty evenly matched. And if any of you think Drew Bledsoe is a better QB than McNabb, you just don't know football. No one has done more with less- aside of T.O., when has Donovan had more than Todd "I can hear the footsteps coming, I better drop the ball" Pinkston, James "I'm fast but can't catch" Thrash, and Freddie "The FredEx Express" Mitchell? Give me Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison any day, and see what McNabb can do. Let's just hope Dawkins catches T.O. going across the middle.
Last edited by Celica2003 on October 5th at 7:30 AM.
All the Raiders, hate being Raiders now!! And they should. Unless they cross time lines they won't be relevant for another 10 years!! Al Davis won't be alive at 90??? Will he???
Cecilia2003 you are a #### dike ####-####!!!! I hope you have a ####... It will be easier for you to go f--- yourself!!! There is a difference between an African American and a ####. TO is a #### simple truth. If anyone out there disagrees so be it. It is, however, my right as an American to express how I feel about anyone or anything. The three Eagles you mentioned are what I consider good #### people. Almost like an uncle tom. They keep their mouths shut and act like normal human beings. You are such a fan right?? Will you be at the game Sunday?? I doubt it last I heard you can't use your food stamps to buy tickets!!! I hope for your sake they win, that way your loser husband wont have one too many buds and take another swing at you. So go back to cleaning your bosses house and get off his computer. I sit in section 229 row 1 if you can sneak into the game come up and see me I'll throw you a couple bucks so you can get your teeth fixed!!!
Correct me if I'm wrong but the Bears were playing in the playoffs while the Eagles missed the playoffs. Also I dont think Chris Miller ever played for the Bears maybe what you are looking for is Jim Miller. Chris Miller played for Atlanta and Denver
Thank you for the correction. It doesn't matter he still stinks!! The only reason the Eagles were not in the playoffs is because 19 starters missed games last year. Including their starting QB who missed the last seven but played the entire year hurt. We lost our two starting wide outs, our pro bowl running back, pro bowl offensive tackle, starting center, pro bowl corner back, punter, and pro bowl kicker. No team could have withstood that amount of injuries on top of the whole TO mess. Watch and see who once again is the cream of the crop in the NFC . The bears are okay but pretty much a fraud. A fraud QB, and RB, and who is there to catch it? You know you guys are posers just admit it!!!
Yeah I agree Jim Miller did stink and so did Ken Orton. I think Grossman is a good QB but the main question is can he play a full season without getting hurt?
I think he is a servicable QB at best. I still think they have a suspect running game. The thing that benefits the bears is that they play in a poor division. They get four easy wins with the packers and the lions. A win is still tough to come by in this league but 4 easy ones is a gift. Look at the Bengals on the other hand they have four games this year that are monster hard. 2 against the steelers and two against the revived ravens. That makes a huge difference. I'm not much of a fan of the AFC just because I don't have any interest. However, I cannot stand the steelers.. I'm tired of cowher's chin and hines ward crying, and hearing about the bus but most of all I am tired of hearing about Ben Worthlessburger.
He is the biggest fraud in the NFL.. I'm sure all the knucklehead steeler fans will come out of the woodwork now but it is true. They will say at least he has a ring and all the #### that the genius fans from the burgh say. Fact of the matter is that he did everything he could to lose the super bowl. Look up the fact that he had a 22 QB rating in the game ( the lowest in super bowl history). Look at things now. They have to count on him more this year and how is that working out for them. He cannot handle it. That is why no major college recruited him. He is not that good. He was the product of being on a teram with a great defense and running game. Now that they have to use him more see what is happening. They should never even been in the bowl anyone. The hit on Carson Palmer was a cheap shot no matter what you steeler fans say. The guy dove into his legs... what did he think would happen? Had he not got hurt they dont get past the first round of the playoffs. And the officials gave them the game in Detroit. I guess the NFL wanted the story book ending. Without the happy ending you had one of the most boring horribly super bowls in history.
The Bengals could be trouble if they could keep their players out of jail!!! I'm not a big Chad Johnson fan though. He is a TO wannabe with the TD celebrations. And what could possibly be worse than wanting to imitate that ####. Be like Barry Sanders when you score a TD... Act like you've been there before. GO BIRDS!!!! E-A-G-L-E-S.... EAGLES!!!!!
I totally agree the hit on Palmer was cheap shot and there is no way Pittsburg would have come out of that game with the win if Palmer was playing. Yes the Bengals could be in trouble if they cant keep their players out of jail, it is pretty embarassing. The Eagles could be hurting as well, with Stallworth and Westbrook constantly being unhealthy....we'll see it how it comes out, they most certainely have a shot.
Why was that guy not fined for that hit. Or even a penalty on that play. I've seen that hit a hundred times and every time I cringe. That lineman says he was hit like that and would never do that to another player yet he did. What can you do it's football. Stallworth is definitely out and I just heard that Westbrook will not be playing at all either. With that being the case they are in big trouble
with 3 pro bowl recievers and a underrated offensive line.....against 3rd string secondary...i hope its dollar cheese steak day at linc or the philly fans might cry
Joe Buck read an email from a Philadelphia Eagles fan that stated that T.O. was an "overhyped fool." Joe Buck agreed with the fan;s email during his broadcast today of the Dallas/Eagles game. I guess Joe Buck cannot announce a game objectively without trying to take "rips" at T.O. Did Joe Buck forget that T.O. played last week and had a big game just after returning from injury with a broken hand. Does Joe Buck remember T.O. returning for the Superbowl after just breaking his ankle six weeks prior to the game..How many games has that little wimp Joe Buck played?
I only have one thing to say. Benhater would be too afraid to say a single word to T.O. or any other African American football player directly to their face. Of course, he would if his attorney was present and guaranteed him a settlement from the beat-dwon he would receive
I give credit to Joe Buck because he does not try to be politically correct he tells it like it is. TO is a fool and on the downside of his career. If he kept his mouth shut and played while he was here in Philly he would have been a star. He would have been loved and adored and gone into the history books with McNabb as his QB. Instead, because he is a fool, he will just be labeled as another player who never lived up to his full potential. I'm sure all you cockroach Cowgirl fans are going to be quiet today. I guess I would be too if I got my #### handed to me like your team did yesterday. How bout them Cowgirls??? I wonder who is in 1st place in the NFC East????? GO BIRDS!!!!
to my eagle friend... we will not hear from these stinking cockroaches this morning because they all got hurt falling off the bandwagon. Cowgirl fans are the worst because we all know they arte just front runners. How many of them actually live any where near Dallas. If we do hear from them I guarantee the only thing they will say is how many rings do you have or some #### like that. They wont talk about the fact that they have not won a playoff game since 1996 and the way they played yesterday that streak looks like it will hold up. They have no shot at winning the division. The cream always rises to the top. TO already started his #### this morning about the QB. His comment was "Hey I get open, you can't blame me I wasn't the one throwing it to me" I love it. Two ruined teams and about to wreck his third and it couldn't happen to a better organization. HOW BOUT THEM COWGIRLS?? Oh and did Roy Williams play yesterday. I dont remember hearing his name called at all?
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
