SB Nation User Blog: Whodie126

Successful Surgery for Hobbs

Whodie126 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:10:31 -0000

Hobbs is expected to make a full recovery and return to the field next season. Hobbs was placed on the Injured Reserve list by the Eagles on Nov. 11 after suffering a neck injury three days earlier in a Sunday night game vs. Dallas.

This is awesome news neck injuries are serious business so to hear that they believe he can eventually play again is fantastic news. Not everyone is a fan of Hobbs as a corner, but he did well (save for NO game) as a returner. Regardless of play I'd never want someones career to end from an injury.

He will be a RFA after this season (assuming no new CBA) I'm not sure how likely it is that we retain him but I wish him a speedy recovery either way.

OT: Sports Science with Drew Brees

Whodie126 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:49:14 -0000

OT: Sports Science with Drew Brees

If you have about 8 minutes I suggest you watch this, it's pretty cool and proves that Drew Brees is in fact a robot sent back in time to throw footballs.

5 Teams That Could Use Elton Brand

Whodie126 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:41:58 -0000

5 Teams That Could Use Elton Brand

He just talks about teams that could use Brand now ... not actual trade options or the fact that Brands contract is ridiculous. Anyway, thought I'd share.

Brent Celek has a little Captain in him

Whodie126 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:35:08 -0000

League shipwrecks Captain Morgan campaign

Captain Morgan may have pulled off the quietest and shortest-lived advertising ambush in sports history last Sunday. One that was almost universally unknown, barely noticed, and yet, promptly squashed by the NFL this week.

Captain Morgan intended to offer lucrative charity contributions in exchange for each instance a player was caught on camera doing its pose during a game. The contributions were earmarked for the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund – a non-profit which helps retired NFL players with various hardships after leaving the game.

It seems that Celek jumped the gun and the campaign was set to be unveild next week, so they didn't even get a good opportunity to take advantage of what I think is a brilliant marketing campaign.

What I find interesting is this little diddy ...

“The issue is that players are specifically prohibited under our policies from wearing, displaying, promoting or otherwise conveying their support of a commercially identified product during a game while they’re on the field,”

Is this true? Don't players wear Addidas, Reebok, or Nike gear during games?

It's not as if the players were holding up signs that say DRINK ALCOHOL. I understand when they stop players from wearing gear with names and emblems on them during press conferences because that is pretty direct advertising. I don't see these two acts to be the same and In my opinion this was harmless and the NFL yet again over reacted.

Eagles Tackling Breast Cancer

Whodie126 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:19:04 -0000

We here at BGN are all fans of the Eagles as the football team, I also happen to be a fan of the Eagles as an organization. They participate in many events throughout the year to raise money for various charities and I don't think enough people find out about them.

Anyway this weekend, Sunday to be exact the parking lot at Lincoln Financial will play host to an "Autocross Event presented by CJ's Tires & Automotive Services"

more information available here www.phillyscca.com

Basically there will be a car show and an auto cross track that people will be racing on. This isn't a legit auto cross race just local SCCA members and amateurs running the course but should be entertaining.

Eagles Cheerleaders, Swoop, and former Eagles players will be in attendance. It's for a good cause so if you are around Southwest Philly I suggest stopping by. I've never been to this even but will be attending this weekend. The best part ....

Philadelphia SCCA will donate all proceeds from this event in support of the Eagles and their fight against breast cancer

via www.phillyscca.com

Possible BGN Meetup???

Football Outsiders OL stats

Whodie126 — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:43:03 -0000

Football Outsiders OL stats

I didn't have enough time to do a write up on this but thought it was interesting none the less. Please share.

Source: Braylon Edwards Traded to Jets

Whodie126 — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:28:04 -0000

Source: Braylon Edwards Traded to Jets

Good news for fantasy players his stats should go up now that he isn't getting a new QB every week.

Can't say I'm surprised he would have walked at the end of this year for nothing.

Kolb - Hypocrisy in Arguments

Whodie126 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:16:12 -0000

So for the longest time we’ve heard the argument that Kolb cannot replace McNabb and will never be a starter in the NFL. While I believe this still remains to be seen I find it humorous looking at the arguments.

Many fans were ready to sell this kid to the highest bidder or just flat out cut him after 1 half of play in the Baltimore game. The team was deflated and it was a lose, lose situation for Kolb. Granted he didn’t help himself out by making poor decisions but can we judge him on this performance? Many have said yes.

Tons of fans have come around after his recent starts and are now spreading the word of Kolb. The overall comfort in Kolb as our backup has increased. He has had some big plays and managed the games well but can we judge him on these performances? Some have said yes.

My question is why can’t the Kolb supporters judge Kolb on his past two starts, whilst the Kolb critics can judge him based on short relief appearances? I think it’s fair to say we have seen Kolbs bad side and his good side. We’ve seen what he can do when thrust into a game and what he can do when given time to prepare. Am I ready to anoint him the next McNabb, no not at all … Am I willing to support him absolutely. He has the skills and has showed he can play, he has also shown poor decision making but he is still young.

All I’m asking is let’s agree to disagree, if we can’t judge Kolb based on 2 starts against questionable Defenses, than how can you judge him based on a bad half against a freak of a defense, and a few other garbage time series? The middle ground, Kolb has proven he can play in this league, he has also proven that he can make horrible decisions, it remains to be seen what kind of player he will be but you can’t argue against his potential.

Kolb by the numbers

2008

Blowout of STL - 5-6 53 yards 0TD 0INT

McNabb injury PIT - 1 series 2-3 18 0TD 1INT (tipped ball)

Bal debacle - 10-23 73 yards 0 TD 2 INT

Cle blowout - 0-2 0 yards 0TD 1INT

2009

CAR - 7-11 23 yards 0TD 0INT

NO - 31-51 391 yards 2TDs 3INTs

KC - 24-34 327 yards 2 TDs 0INTs

Eagles Phillies Team Up

Whodie126 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:56:55 -0000

"Phillies, Eagles Team Up To Fight Breast Cancer"

This should probably have been a fanshot but whatever I'll take my lashings. Check it out after the jump ...

The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off its 2009 Tackling Breast Cancer (TBC) initiative by announcing a special partnership with the Philadelphia Phillies. Together, the two sports organizations are teaming up to support the Jefferson Breast Care Center.

Check out the full story here --> Click Me

Here is the shirt ...

via assets.philadelphiaeagles.com

You can get the shirts at both Phillies.com and PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Player by Player analysis

Whodie126 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:27:32 -0000

Here are two links from Philly.com going through player by player on both sides of the ball from the Saints game. I suggest that you read both of these as they are pretty good but for those on limited time I will highlight them after the jump.

Offense

Defense

First the Offense.

Kevin Kolb - Have to start with him, right? Overall, he had good spots and bad spots, but exceeded expectations. Let's start with the good. When the game was still in hand, Kolb did a good job of taking care of the ball. Two INTs came in the final 1:16. He displayed good toughness in the pocket. On a third down in the second quarter, Kolb absorbed a blow from blitzing DB Randall Gay but still delivered a strike to Jason Avant for a first down. He did the same thing when DE Will Smith was in his face, finding LeSean McCoy. Kolb's 71-yard pass to DeSean Jackson on the Eagles' first drive was pretty. On the final drive of the first half, he made quick decisions and good throws to set up a field goal. Now on to the bad. Late in the second quarter, bad decision on the 14th play of the Eagles' drive. He was looking in Celek's direction and should have been picked off by Anthony Hargrove. That would have been a devastating turnover, but Hargrove couldn't hang on. Kolb struggled throwing the slant, once missing Brian Westbrook and once missing Jackson. For his first start in the NFL, Kolb played well. Andy Reid is right to give him the start next week if Donovan McNabb can't go.

I'm in the Kolb did well camp, where I know many are still skeptical and rightfully so. Things could have been a lot worse and he didn't get much help, long fields and a deficet from the very start is tough for any QB.

Winston Justice - He was a major bright spot on an otherwise dim day. By my count, Justice got significantly less help than a week ago. In the second half, particularly, he was on his own, mostly lined up with Grant. In the run game, Justice looked powerful on the Eagles' second drive, moving Saints defensive lineman Bobby McCray out of the way on a 6-yard Westbrook run. He created space for a 4-yard Westbrook run in the third quarter and a 6-yard gain by McCoy in the fourth. Good recognition and execution in picking up a blitzing Scott Fujita on a second-quarter completion to Jeremy Maclin. Even more encouraged by Justice than I was last week.

There were a lot of people worried about Justice but I for one think he has done a pretty darn good job. The Saints brought pressure and Justice was up to the challenge. I still think he needs help with his run blocking but we'll see.

Brent Celek - Maybe someone on the Saints' defense made fun of him as a kid or stole his girlfriend in high school because Celek was playing like a man possessed. As a receiver, Celek caught eight balls for 104 yards. On 2nd-and-6 in the second quarter, he caught a pass from Kolb at the line of scrimmage, met Saints CB Jabari Greer 2 yards short of the first down and just battled his way to the marker. On 3rd-and-7 in the second quarter, he did the same thing, but this time to linebacker Scott Shanle (6-2, 245). Reid patted him on the backside after the play, and a pumped up Celek seemed unsure of what to do. He ended up delivering a rather tame first-down signal. Celek also did a better job as a blocker, specifically on a couple Wildcat runs by Westbrook and Jackson.

Haha I had to put this up everyone knows about my man crush on Celek.

Now on to the Defense:

Asante Samuel - A day to forget for Samuel. On TV, it was tough to tell what kind of defense the Eagles were in when Drew Brees hit Marques Colston on the opening touchdown, but he was the closest man to the Saints' WR. It looked like he thought he had safety help from Quintin Mikell. Samuel had a chance to bring down Reggie Bush for a loss on 2nd-and-1 in the first quarter but was the recipient of a stiff-arm. He was matched up one-on-one with Devery Henderson on a 3rd-and-12 in the second quarter and was nowhere near the receiver, who picked up 17 yards. Samuel also gave a big cushion to Colston on a 13-yard gain in the third quarter. If you re-watch the game, you'll notice that Samuel stayed in for the next play but then was replaced by Ellis Hobbs for the remainder of the series. He didn't appear to be injured. This was before he suffered the stinger. Was this Sean McDermott's way of sending a message to Samuel to not give up so much ground? Or was there another reason for his removal? Samuel did bring down TE David Thomas 1 yard short of the marker on third down later in the game. It wasn't exactly a textbook tackle, but it got the job done.

This was a horrible game for Zont, it looked like he was trying to set up Brees but then never made his move. I don't know what was up with him but I don't expect to see a game like this from him again .... ever.

Sheldon Brown - Solid tackle on Colston down near the goal line to save a touchdown and force a Saints field goal. Brown was right on Henderson on a 3rd-and-11 play that went for 38 yards in the second half. I’m still trying to figure out how Brees fit the ball in that space. It looked like the Eagles played Brown at safety at times and had Mikell cover a Saints receiver or tight end. Also, did you notice who was one of the guys most excited for Kevin Kolb after his first touchdown pass? That's right. It was Brown pumping up the young QB on the sidelines.

I thought Brown had a very good game, when he got beat it was almost like magic. I couldn't believe that play, overall I wasn't that upset with Brown.

Trent Cole - As usual, the energy was there from Cole, but the Saints did a good job of keeping him away from Brees. That included reserve left tackle Jermon Bushrod really competing. I thought Cole would eat him up, but it didn't happen. The Saints gave Bushrod help at times, and Brees was a master of getting rid of the ball quickly and feeling the pressure. Cole did sack Brees once during the Saints’ second offensive drive. And he was credited with a tackle for loss.

I can remember several times seeing two ... that's right ... two running backs chip Cole. The Saints did a great job on him he was pretty much a non factor.

Omar Gaither - He got pushed around on most of the Saints' effective run plays. Gaither was nowhere to be found on Bell’s 23-yard run in the first quarter. He just looked to be a step or two behind on several plays and performed poorly against the run.

It was a tough day for Gaither he seemed to over pursue many times and fell victim to play fakes. I am a Gaither fan and think he has the skills but he does tend to have these games where he just looks lost, not something you want from your defensive QB.

** The Eagles had only 10 players on the field during a 3rd-and-goal play in the first quarter. Hanson tried to call timeout but didn’t get the referees’ attention in time. The defense stopped New Orleans short of the end zone anyway.

I didn't realize this ...

Anyway check back for this guys assessment each week, I'll post the links in the fanshots if I get around to it.