SB Nation User Blog: Andrew B

Eli Manning poetry from Isabella B., 8 3/4 years old

Andrew B — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:31:06 -0000

Cry little baby Eli Manning/

on your way to losing today/

and cry, cry, cry, and cry/

for you have no hope anyway.

It seems like you want to lose/

and this way you always can/

just throw the ball to the other team/

and then you can cry again.

Or get a sack to end the game/

thats the perfect way/

to make sure your Giants lose/

once again today.

Sniff ... that brings a tear to my eye just reading it. I'm so proud.

Antonio Romo - Crybabyus Maximus

Andrew B — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:14:25 -0000

From my lovely, talented, and observant daughter. All spelling and grammar as in the original.

Description of Antonio Romo Crybabyus Maximus

The world's most hated player. Throws a lot of inerseptions, does a lot of penalties and fumbles. Crys a loooootttttt. Is a sore loser. Never wins. Nicknamed "Crybaby". No respect from anybody. Is seen often on TV wiping tears away from eyes. Number 9. Plays on Cowboys (also known as the Cowgirls, Crygirls, or Crybabys.) Garanteed to allways lose! Worst player in the world.

By,

Isabella B----

Eight years old, 88 years wise.

The 2009 Roster, Post Draft

Andrew B — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:21:14 -0000

Ignoring the likely camp fodder ... 62 players the Eagles have drafted, traded for, or spent significant amounts on in Free Agency ...

QB (3) - McNabb, Kolb, Feeley

RB (3) - Westbrook, Booker, McCoy

FB (2) - Eckel, Weaver

TE (3) - Celek, Schobel, Ingram

WR (7) - Jackson, Curtis, Brown, Avant, Baskett, Maclin, Gibson

T (5) - Andrews, Peters, Dunlap, Justice, Tupou

G (6) - Herremanns, Andrews, Jean-Gilles, McGlynn, Gibson, Fanaika

C (2) - Jackson, Cole

ST (3) - Akers, Rocca, Dorenbos

DT (4) - Patterson, Bunkley, Laws, Klecko

DE (6) - Cole, Thomas, Howard, Smith, Clemmons, Abiamiri

LB (8) - Gocong, Bradley, Jordan, Gaithers, Mays, Daniels, White, Fouko

S (4) - Mikell, Demps, Jones, Baker

CB (6) - Brown, Samuel, Hanson, Hobbs, Ikegwuono, Harris

Nine decent players aren't making this team. Competition for roster is obviously at WR (-1 or 2), CB (-1 or 2), G/T (-3 or 4), LB (-1 or 2), and maybe DE and FB (0 or -1). Everybody else is pretty much set unless they slip up and let a camp body past them on the depth chart.

Happy or Pissed?

Andrew B — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:18:52 -0000

For those of you old enough to remember the day ...

Were you "happy for Reggie White" or "pissed off at Reggie White" when he left for Green Bay at the "calling of God"?

75 words, 75 words, 75 words, 75 words, 75 words

Poll

Were you happy for Reggie White or Pissed off at Reggie White when he spurned the Eagles?

Happy for

14 votes

Pissed off at

34 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

More Dawkins Rumor Mongering

Andrew B — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:42:59 -0000

DAWKINS FINALLY A DONE DEAL IN DENVER

Posted by Mike Florio: Friday, February 27, 2009 9:29 PM After some conflicting reports on whether veteran safety Brian Dawkins had done a deal with the Denver Broncos, we're told that Dawkins finally has signed a contract to join the Broncos.

Dawkins was drafted by the Eagles way back in 1996, and he spent 13 seasons in Philly.

Seeing him in anything other than an Eagles uniform will be as bizarre as seeing Brett Favre as a Jet or Mike Vick as a member of the Mean Machine. http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/

O-Line

Andrew B — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:36:01 -0000

How does this look?

Richt Tackle - Stacy Andrews; backup - draft pick?

Right Guard - Shawn Andrews; back-up Mike McGlynn

Center - Jamaal Jackson; backup - Nick Cole

Left Guard - Todd Herremanns or Max Jean-Gilles

Left Tackle - Todd Herremanns or King Dunlap

Can't complain with a solid group like that to go for next year.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,

If Dawkins Goes

Andrew B — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:24:07 -0000

Just remember that we root for the Philadelphia EAGLES, not the Philadelphia DAWKINS'.

If he feels that a few more dollars in his pocket are worth more than ending his career in the city it began, on the team that drafted him, and with the fans who paid him all that money to date, shame on him.

The Eagles made him an offer. If he really values everything this city has meant for him and done for him since 1996, let him sign it. If he thinks that the $32 million the Eagles have paid him to date is not enough that another $3 million won't do it ... well, to paraphrase Supertramp ... good bye greedball, its been nice, hope you find your paradise, you stinking greedy hypocrite.

Running Game? Balance?

Andrew B — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:33:38 -0000

Who cares?

Neither Arizona or Pittsburgh needed it last night.

Pittsburgh - 22 rushes, 58 yards vs. 35 called passes

Arizona - 12 rushes, 33 yards vs. 45 called passes.

Did anyone miss 3 yards and a cloud of dust last night? I didn't.

Where were all those power running teams last night? The Giants, Panthers, Falcons, Ravens, Titans, Vikings? Oh yeah, except for the Ravens and Titans who played each other, they all went one and done vs. wide-open passing offenses in the playoffs.

Points come from the passing game, and if your passing game is good enough, you can come back from almost any deficit to take the lead. Pittsburgh, Arizona showed that last night. We showed it playing Arizona two weeks ago.

How many more Super Bowls need to be won in this manner to finally put the offense of the 1970's out to pasture as the only model for winning?

Grading the Eagles Players vs. Expecations

Andrew B — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:26:14 -0000

Pro Football Prospectus 2008, like its previous issues, has a projection of player statistical accomplishment each year. Now that our season is over, its worth reviewing to see how different players faired.

Team

Wins: 11.7 - incomplete, Eagles got 9.5 actual wins but their scoring differential of 127 implies an expectation of 11.3 wins

Playoffs: 97.5% chance of making 9+ wins and getting in - passed

QB - McNabb: B

Projection: 328 of 507 (64.8%) 3851 yd, 29 TD, 12 INT, 35 rush 134 yd, 0 TD

Actual: 345 for 571 (60.4%) 3916 yd, 23 TD, 11 INT, 39 rush 147 yd, 2 TD

McNabb met expectations, coming in high on completions, attempts, and yards, low on TD (although Jackson's stupidity did rob him of one TD) and INT, on the mark rushing, but high on rushing TD. As we all saw all year long, he should have and could have done more, but what he did do was pretty spectacular.

RB - Westbrook: C-

Projection: 280 rush 1376 yd, 12 TD, 66 rec on 89 att, 518 yd, 4 TD

Actual: 233 rush 936 yd, 9 TD, 54 rec on 73 att, 402 yd, 5 TD

Westbrook's injuries kept him out of too many games and limited him in others, preventing him from reaching these lofty expectations, especially lowering his per carry average by almost one yard per carry.

RB - Buckhalter: A-

Projection: 75 rush 346 yd, 3 TD, 17 rec on 27 att, 124 yd, 0 TD

Actual: 76 rush 369 yd, 2 TD, 26 rec on 32 att, 324 yd, 2 TD

Buckhalter met expectations rushing the football, but was a pleasantly good surprise receiving. He made up for a lot of deficiencies in the game of the injured Westbrook this year.

RB - Booker: F

Projection: 43 rush 205 yd, 1 TD, 19 rec on 29 att, 148 yd, 1 TD

Actual: 20 rush 53 yd, 0 TD, 6 rec on 10 att, 11 yd, 0 TD

Don't need to say much here. Total waste of a roster spot.

RB - Hunt: F

Projection: 56 rush 274 yd, 1 TD, 16 rec on 23 att, 159 yd, 1 TD

Actual: 4 rush 9 yd, 1 TD, 6 rec on ??? att, 42 yd, 0 TD

If you get cut from the team midseason and noboyd picks you up, clearly you get a FAIL.

WR - Jackson: A

Projection: 28 rec on 49 att, 398 yd, 2 TD

Actual: 62 rec on 120 att, 912 yd, 2 TD, 17 rush 96 yd, 1 TD

Its pretty Amazing just how far above expectations Jackson played. His rushing play was a nice surprise as well, and but for his stupidity in Dallas, he would have had 3 TD's in the regular season. If he had scored a few more TD's, he would get an A+.

WR - Curtis: C-

Projection: 65 rec on 107 att, 892 yd, 7 TD

Actual: 33 rec on 62 att, 390 yd, 2 TD

This was a disappointing season marred by injury. His recovery by the playoffs, where he did half his regular season work in just 3 games is cause for hope for next year. He's got to hold onto the ball better though.

WR - Brown: D-

Projection: 54 rec on 150 att, 785 yd, 5 TD

Actual: 18 rec on 35 att, 252 yd, 1 TD

Brown was actually more productive than Curtis and also suffered and injury marred season, but you can't meet projections sitting on the bench. The emergence of Jackson meant Brown could no longer start, and since he wasn't part of the special teams units, he mostly became a healthy scratch.

WR - Baskett: B+

Projection: 16 rec on 25 att, 142 yd, 1 TD

Actual: 33 rec on 51 att, 440 yd, 3 TD

Baskett far exceeded his rather low expectations thanks to injuries to Brown and Curtis. But he faded down the stretch as he became more entangled in the web of Kendra, becoming invisible after Thanksgiving as another wideout emerged. If he can keep his focus on football, he could be a really good 3rd or 4th wideout.

WR - Avant: C+

Projection: 38 rec on 57 att, 468 yd, 3 TD

Actual: 32 rec on 57 att, 377 yd, 2 TD

He had fairly lofty expectations which he didn't quite meet, and at first was being outshone by Baskett, but came on strong at the end and kept pouring it on through the playoffs. The competition between Avant, Baskett, and Brown next year should be very interesting.

WR - Lewis: B+

Projection: 11 rec on 17 att, 96 yd, 1 TD

Actual: 19 rec on 35 att, 247 yd, 2 TD

When expectations are low, and you manage to double them, you have to account that a successful season. With just a little more consistency catching his handful of deep opportunities, Lewis could really shine. But does anyone think that will ever actually happen?

TE - Smith: C-

Projection: 35 rec on 56 att, 329 yd, 4 TD

Actual: 37 rec on 65 att, 298 yd, 3 TD

We know you can do more, but once again you didn't. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

TE - Celek: B+

Projection: 23 rec on 33 att, 209 yd, 3 TD

Actual: 27 rec on 38 att, 318 yd, 1 TD

Celek exceeded most expecations by a bit, then came on really strong in the playoffs. If he can keep it up, no one will miss LJ Smith.

TE - Schobel: F

Projection: 11 rec on 15 att, 101 yd, 2 TD

Actual: 2 rec on ??? att, 10 yd, 0 TD

The reverse of Greg Lewis. When expecations are really low, and you don't even meet that, what does it say about you? A great big FAIL.

Just Lying to Myself

Andrew B — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:19:24 -0000

Having now driven the Eagles Bandwagon off a cliff, let me know look back and criticize myself for not being more realistic about the trends against the Eagles in this game.

Trend 1) Eagles in NFC Championship are now 1-4.

Trend 2) Eagles never won more than three games in a row this season. Cowboys, Vikings, Giants wins = Loss to Cardinals.

Trend 3) The Cardinals scored 31, 41, 30, 29, 29, 34, 14, 34, and 30 points at home this season before hanging 32 on the Eagles. Should we really have been surprised that the 8 of 9 side held?

Trend 4) The Cardinals allowed 10, 17. 24, 24, 37, 10, 35, 21 and 24 points at home this season before allowing 25 by the Eagles. Should we really have been surprised that the 7 of 9 side held?

Trend 5) The Cardinals were 8-2 at home this season. The Eagles were 5-5-1 on the road.

Trend 6) The Eagles scored 37, 20, 40, 26, 13, 7, 20, 3, 26, 23 points on the road before scoring 25 at Arizona. Should we really have been surprised that the 2-8 side held?

Trend 7) Teams that knock off the Super Bowl Champs in the playoffs are 3-14 the next week (all 3 wins were in the Super Bowl itself - so no team has ever beaten then Champs before the Conference Championship and then won to go on to the Super Bowl). 1971, Dolphins beat the Colts then lose to the Cowboys the next week. 1972, Redskins beat the Cowboys then lose to the Dolphins the next week. 1974, Raiders beat the Dolphins then lose to the Steelers the next week. 1976, Raiders beat the Steelers then win the Super Bowl the next week. 1977, Broncos beat the Raiders then lose to the Cowboys the next week. 1984, Seahawks beat the Raiders then lose to the Dolphins the next week. 1985, Giants beat the 49ers then lose to the Bears the next week. 1986, Redskins beat the Bears then lose to the Giants the next week. 1990, Giants beat the 49ers then win the Super Bowl the next week. 1992, 49ers beat the Redskins then lose to the Cowboys the next week. 1994, 49ers beat the Cowboys then win the Super Bowl the next week. 1996, Panthers beat the Cowboys then lose to the Packers the next week. 2000, Saints beat Rams, then lose to Vikings next week. 2001, Steelers beat the Ravens then lose to the Patriots next week. 2005, Broncos beat the Patriots then lose to the Steelers next week. 2007, Chargers beat the Colts then lose to the Patriots the next week. 2008, Eagles beat the Giants then lose to the Cardinals the next week.

Mark Lawrence brough up a lot of this on Howard Eskin's show on Friday evening and an even more dreadful stat about the Eagles being the favorite going against an 0-10 trend, and left me with a sense of foreboding all weekend. Vegas and the Books laughed all the way to the bank on this game.

There was only one shocking trend broken in this game. The Eagles had allowed 41, 24, 26, 7, 13, 36, 14, 10, 14, 11 points on the road. The 2-8 side won and the 8-2 side couldn't hold.