Tag: Giants

What Goes Through My Head?-An Exclusive Look Into My Viewings of Sunday Night Football

backinphillyLeave a comment

As many of you guys know, I have an addiction to sports, particularly the NFL. I love just about everything about it. It’s fascinating and I like to break down just about everything that I see during the game.

So I thought I would show you guys what I was doing while watching the Eagles-Giants Sunday Night game back on September 30th.

For those that are not football fans, some of this might be cryptic. However, everything that is on this blog following this explanation was written on the spot during the game.

Enjoy my mind!

Crazy night
• Winner takes lead of NFC East
o Barring Cowboys on Monday night
• Dawkins retirement
• LeSean McCoy starts slow, then explodes
• Michael Vick struggles still
• Nnamdi bum eye (somehow hurt his eye-Hospital?)
• Brandon Boykin slot corner rookie pains
• Brent Celek continuing his big season
• Dominik Hixon’s massive extension catch over DRC
• Vick finally getting his legs back
• DeSean actually taking the hits now
• Offensive line holding their own
• No turnovers FINALLY
• Lots of pass rushing on both teams
• Same commercials all the time
• Clay Matthews in back-to-back ads
• New punter-who cares
• Why did Cris(Collinsworth) and Al(Michaels)dissect the holding technique of McBriar?
• WHY CAN’T THE EAGLES PLAY SPECIAL TEAMS?
• Nnamdi didn’t go to the hospital
o Playing with a visor now
• Eagles’ stadium still has a prison apparently?
• Is this a different game with a healthy Hakeem Nicks?
• Can Boykin stop Cruz? (I guess not)
• Who can stop Cruz?
o DRC can do that
• Picks off Manning in the red zone
• No sacks through 3 quarters
• Battered and bruised
• Who the hell is Stanley Havili?
• Why doesn’t McCoy start off games that well?
o Mainly a closer?
o Is he good or Eagles’ o-line clutch?
• Is Celek getting better at blocking?
• Why do the Eagles want to use Bryce Brown?
o What is his talent?
o Dion? Polk?
• Vick throwing like a blind man? You’re supposed to be a professional, dude.
o Throwing it away or bad route running?
• First sack of the night with 10 minutes remaining
o Chase Blackburn gets to Michael Vick
• Turnover leads to score
o Not touchdown

Read More »

NFL Free Agency-Eagles Flyin’ High

backinphillyLeave a comment

Free agency is a time where the mediocre teams of the NFL decide to add some new talent. It is a time to overpay for talent that usually wouldn’t command this kind of money. Free agency is confusing, but at the same time, makes all the sense in the world.

Well, it makes sense to me. But, a lot of people don’t get this. It’s alright though. It’s just what I do.

Anyway, the Eagles decided to crush the opening day, signing 5 players to contracts. The biggest signing, Issac Sopoaga, will play nose tackle in the Eagles’ new 3-4 defense. We needed a nose tackle and we got one. That was just day 1.

On my big board, I wanted the Eagles to pursue three big name guys. Those players are DaShon Goldson, Eric Winston, and Sean Smith. Goldson and Smith have signed with the Buccaneers and Chiefs respectively. Eric Winston is still out there, but there has been very little news surrounding his signing.

Day 2 was very slow. I don’t recall any signings by the Birds. I just heard a bunch of rumors surrounding Darrelle Revis trade possibilities. It is beginning to look like the Birds won’t be getting the prized corner.

After Day 3 finished, I was totally content with missing out on him.

Three more signings occurred on Thursday.

First off was the signing of former Ravens cornerback Cary Williams. You may remember him as the Raven that pushed a ref during the Super Bowl.

His background goes farther than that. He’s young and he’s got solid stats. He will likely be an instant starter in Philly.

Next up was our retaliation against the Giants.

Read More »

Worst Person #25-Colts Rush Defense

backinphillyLeave a comment

Ok, I can understand a defense having a bad day here and there against some top notch players. We saw the Eagles today with a few bumps here and there and the 49ers had some trouble containing the high-powered New York Giants. However, both of those offenses have elite, premier players.

Enter the New York Jets.

The only player on their starting roster right now worthy of any recognition is wide out Santonio Holmes, and he’s out for the season with injury. Despite this fact, the Jets were able to EXPLODE with a vicious rushing game today against the Indianapolis Colts, who just last week, were able to keep the Green Bay Packers in check.

The Packers are loaded with star power. The Jets? Not so much.

Enter Shonn Greene.

The running back burst out today with a 32 carry, 160 yard, 3 touchdown performance.

WOW!!!

I gotta point out that Greene, while not a terrible running back, is not a top 10 or even 20 back in this league. On a good day, he has potential to explode with talent. But most days, like when Rex Ryan and the Jets decide “Hey we drafted Mark Sanchez really high! Maybe he should throw the ball more,” Greene doesn’t get a chance to do much.

Sanchez ended the day with 89 yards passing on 18 attempts. Yes, that’s bad but not as bad as how easily the Colts defense was taken advantage of while the Jets ran the ball. It wasn’t even close.

Greene isn’t really a finesse player, but I guess the dude can play ball.

I also want to reiterate how relatively unknown Shonn Greene really is. I went on to google images to find this picture, and i had to go down a little bit before I found a picture that wasn’t either him in Jets training camp or in college. His pro career is very quiet. Maybe this will kick start him a little bit.

Eagles-Giants/Don’t get much better!

backinphilly1 Comment

Well that was really disgusting.

Honestly, I was very concerned about this game going in. The Eagles and Giants squared off tonight in an epic battle for the division. Man, it really wasn’t pretty.

The entire first half was scoreless until the 2 minute warning where Michael Vick connected with DeSean Jackson for a touchdown pass. Then the Giants quickly made their way down the field to notch a field goal of their own.

7-3 at the half. Advantage Eagles.

Fast forward to the last 15 seconds, the Eagles could have completely screwed themselves out of a victory.

But they didn’t.

Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes lined up for a game-winning field goal. The score is 19-17 and Tynes has a 54 yard kick to give the Giants the W.

He misses wide! Game over! Eagles win!….NO!!!!!!

There is a popular occurrence in the NFL known as “Icing the Kicker”. This act is when a head coach calls a timeout right before a kicker is about to make his kick. However, the timeout is used exactly as the long snapper snaps the ball to the holder. The kicker will then take the kick, yet it will not count.

Unfortunetly, Mr. Fatass…i mean Reid gave Tynes a second shot.

Thank God Tynes screwed it up again. This time, he didn’t put enough into the kick, and it fell about 3 yards short.

This time, the Eagles really did win.

I’m not going to go into a lot of detail about this one. There weren’t a lot of stats that really stood out to me.

I’ll explain more next week. I’m just freaking out that Tynes sucks. That’s all!

Next post, I’m going to discuss something completely amazing. Brian Dawkins is finally gone, and he deserves his own post. Till next time, I’m going to do Spanish.

Adios!

Let’s talk Super Bowl!

backinphillyLeave a comment

I’m usually very excited for the Super Bowl. I love sitting down to watch the NFL’s best go head-to-head and duke it out for one last game for the Lombardi Trophy. Snacks on the table, soda and other drinks in plastic cups and tons of guacamole and other dips set the menu for the game of the year.

In my family, you never go hungry. Whether it be a giant Super Bowl Sunday feast, or a light mid-morning snack, you get filled up. It’s an Olivo tradition to just eat, and love to eat. Of course, it’s done in a sense of moderation. But, it’s the weekend of the Super Bowl. Screw moderation. Let’s talk football and food.

Let’s start with the game.

The Giants and Patriots are about to square off in a rematch of Super Bowl 42. As I’m sure many people remember, the Patriots were riding an 18-0 record into the game, where a win would secure a perfect 19-0 record. The Giants however were able to stop the Patriots and won the game due to the miracle David Tyree catch.

I gotta be honest. I don’t care about this Super Bowl. My family is coming up and a lot has happened in the past week. I had a personal issue that changed a lot of my Super Bowl plans, and the game simply has no appeal to me. I will root for the Patriots because I can’t stand the New york giants. When are the Eagles going to win a Super Bowl? it’s starting to get ridiculous.

Now to the food.

Nachos, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, Lay’s, onion dip, the list goes on. At the end of the day I better be stuffed.

Not much else to really say though. I’m pissed off at the game. I don’t wanna watch it. But, as an NFL crazyperson, I just simply can’t stay away. Enjoy the game. I know I won’t.

Worst Person #14-The Pro Bowl

backinphillyLeave a comment

As I’m sure everyone saw last weekend, the Conference Championships went exactly as I had planned, but not as I had hoped. I’m still fuming about the Patriots and Giants once again being in the big dance. I don’t wanna watch that crap again. It’s no fun watching the same teams compete every year when they aren’t the team you support. So, I will extend my congratulations to the Giants and Patriots and begin my post without so much as a rant about how poorly the Giants executed this past weekend, or about the 49ers’ horrible punt returner Kyle Williams. Heck, I’ll even overlook the Billy Cundiff botched kick that could have tied the game or the Lee Evans potential game-winning touchdown catch that didn’t happen. Let’s talk about the Pro Bowl.

Probably one of the most pointless contests in all of sports, the Pro Bowl has evolved into a sick joke in recent seasons. Since the game was moved to one week BEFORE the Super Bowl after being the week after for so many years, the teams in the Super Bowl must restrict the players from “competing” in the Pro Bowl. The Patriots had 8 players while the Giants had 2.

Why is this the worst thing/person of the week then?

Because the Pro Bowl shouldn’t exist. It isn’t a competition. It isn’t a serious honor bestowed upon a player by the league. It is simply a popularity contest. The rosters show dozens of players that don’t belong there, but the public and the fans don’t know any better than to elect their team’s players.

What do you think guys? Do you think the league is using the game to squeeze a little bit of extra cash out of the public?

Doesn’t look too competitive, huh?

Let’s Pause and Reflect

backinphilly1 Comment

After the Divisional Playoff games this past weekend, I am left speechless. I know I constantly preach that anything can happen in the NFL. After this weekend, once again, I was right.

Well, not about all the games. I was 2/4 this weekend, and considering the miracles that took place, I cannot be blamed. The unpredictable has once again unfolded. Let’s discuss the craziness of the Divisional Playoffs. Ya, it’s about to get crazy.

Let’s start with the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.

Easily the best game of the weekend, the Saints and ‘9ers engaged in a battle of sheer firepower. With the exception of the first quarter, the game quickly evolved into a “Game of the Year” candidate.

I was jumping out of my seat during every single play. I would have never predicted the 49ers to be in this position at the beginning of the season.

If Jim Harbaugh doesn’t win Coach of the Year, I don’t know who else could win. Harbaugh has taken full control of San Francisco, and has evolved them into a solid football team.

The rushing touchdown by Alex Smith and pass from Smith to Vernon Davis in the last 9 seconds provided excitement until the clock hit zero.

I loved everything about this game. Even though I predicted the Saints to emerge victorious, I commend the 49ers for their success.

Read More »

Maybe I’m crazy BUUUT…

backinphillyLeave a comment

After this past weekend of NFL action, and after the Eagles lost on Thursday night, it shocks me to this that the Eagles are STILL not mathematically out of the playoff race. But now things need to get serious.

The Eagles must win every game remaining for any chance. Also, the Cowboys may not win more than one more game and the Giants may not win more than two. The Cowboys’ must also win one more game for the Eagles to make it. That win must come against the Giants.

Really guys? I can’t be put out of my misery yet because the season is still salvageable. I can’t quit on this team yet because NONE OF THE NFC EAST TEAMS WON THIS PAST WEEKEND. Each team failed to one extent or another. The Cowboys crashed because of coach Jason Garrett calling an unnecessary timeout. The Giants lost by 3 points to the undefeated Packers (Both teams played poorly, but it’s the Packers for God’s sake). The Redskins are a mess and now hold the same record as the Eagles (4-8)

This division has always been very competitive. But usually, the teams were at least closer to elite status.

If the Eagles lose one more game, the season can end and I can stop going crazy.

The Eagles face the Miami Dolphins this Sunday in a must win game. A loss ends the season. The Dream Team needs to keep dreamin’.

You’ve just gotta believe

backinphillyLeave a comment

As I’m sure many NFL fans and my readers are aware of, the Eagles have fallen far short of their expectations. They have dropped to the very unimpressive record of 4-7. The Eagles lost a lot of games they should not have.

Now I agree. The Eagles don’t deserve a spot in the playoffs this season. They have not played nearly well enough. But, the league is full of surprises.

I looked through the standings and at first look, with the division leading Cowboys at 7-4 and the second place Giants at 6-5, the lowly 4-7 Eagles appeared, to me, out of the running.

Then I started digging and realized…We aren’t finished yet.

While the Eagles have lost 7 games, only one was a division game. They have won 3 division games. And so the scenarios begin.

If the Eagles win all of their remaining games, the Cowboys (who the Eagles play one more time) lose 3 games and the Giants lose 2 games, the Eagles win the NFC East. It’s that simple.

“But wait, Backinphilly! If the Cowboys only lose 3 games, that means they win the other 2 that they have and would only tie the Eagles at 9-7.”

You are right, obnoxious quotation. Enter the tiebreaker.

The Eagles’ division record would stand at 5-1 while the Cowboys would stand at 4-2 or 3-3 depending on if they lose to the Giants twice. Either way, the Eagles win the tiebreaker and the Cowboys get to hit the rodeo early this year.

The easiest way the Eagles make it to the playoffs is by winning out. But that alone does not assure them a spot in the postseason. Yes, it is still possible for the Eagles to lose one more game and still make the postseason. However, that involves the Cowboys losing 4 out of 5 and Giants losing 3 out of 5, which are odds that are highly unlikely.

This lies on the success of the Eagles and the failure of the Cowboys and Giants.

IT CAN BE DONE!!!! THE PLAYOFFS ARE IN SIGHT!!!!

Worst Person #5-Andy Reid

backinphillyLeave a comment

Yup, gunna take a quick shot at my own team in this blog. So, get ready for a barrage of negativity.

I love the Philadelphia Eagles. I will never stop loving this team. But right now, there is nothing in the world that I hate more than their head coach, Andy Reid. Ya, he’s not the only one to blame for the team’s continued woes of poor play. But seriously, you are given players like Jason Babin, Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie…AND YOU GO 3-6?!?!?!?! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FLIPPIN’ KIDDING ME!!!! HOW CAN SOMEONE WITH SUCH A GREAT TRACK RECORD OF LEADING TEAMS TO THE PLAYOFFS COACH A TEAM WITH THE BEST PLAYERS MONEY CAN BUY AND LOSE CONSTANTLY?!?!?!

I’m not alone on this. Even Philly wants Reid gone after this atrocious start. I have developed a supreme HATRED of this entire coaching staff this season with the exception of offensive line coach Howard Mudd and defensive line coach Jim Washburn. Mudd simply because he is a living NFL legend and Washburn because his unit is actually WORKING rather than completely failing like the rest of the roster.

The Eagles travel to New York next weekend to face the Giants on the big stage of Sunday Night Football. I will watch it with my parents, brother, sister and Giants fan girlfriend (Should be interesting) who is flying out for the weekend. Without a victory against the Giants, the already minuscule chance of the Eagles making the playoffs will completely evaporate and the season will be over after 10 games. There’s supposed to be 16 games, not 10.

There’s always next year right? Of course there is, but not with Andy Reid. Leave Philadelphia because none of the brothers here have any more love for you.