SB Nation User Blog: midnitegreen

I love this picture, it's like he's leading a parade.

midnitegreen — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:33:29 -0000

I love this picture, it's like he's leading a parade.

"Wow, I almost feel like I'm there"

midnitegreen — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:30:30 -0000

"Wow, I almost feel like I'm there"

As we get closer to the end of the season, I'll try to keep a close eye on the different NFC East...

midnitegreen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:57:02 -0000

As we get closer to the end of the season, I'll try to keep a close eye on the different NFC East playoff scenarios. My friends at ESPN Stats & Information just forwarded some information from the league that suggests the Eagles can clinch a playoff spot this weekend:

1. An Eagles win or tie plus a Giants loss or tie would guarantee Philly a playoff spot.

2. An Eagles win plus a Cowboys win or tie would also do the trick.

Those are the first scenarios that the league has sent over. I'll pass any additional playoff information to you as soon as it's in my hands. Thanks for your continued interest in the Beast.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/8276/eagles-can-clinch-playoff-spot

Samuel cheered Thomas for criticizing Belichick, who sent the linebacker and three other players...

midnitegreen — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:33:31 -0000

Samuel cheered Thomas for criticizing Belichick, who sent the linebacker and three other players home last Wednesday after they arrived late for work during a snowstorm.

Thomas, who complained about the dismissal and said he was "dumbfounded" byt it, was benched during Sunday's win at Carolina. Samuel, who left the Patriots after the 2007 season to join the Eagles as a free agent, told AOL FanHouse that more players should stand up to Belichick:

"I think it's good he [Thomas] spoke up. More up there should. It certainly got to be a place where I didn't want to be. I am happy to be gone. I am happy here.

"They know how to make you feel wanted and appreciated here, but it's not the way I found it over there."

Asante Samuel: Patriots' Adalius Thomas was right to criticize Bill Belichick

8. Leonard Weaver is the first-team All-Pro fullback

midnitegreen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:57:15 -0000

8. Leonard Weaver is the first-team All-Pro fullback

I understand that this is not exactly a topic that dominates my radio show, my FOXSports.com inbox, or water cooler talk. But I wanted to give Weaver some love and respect. He has my vote. It's a boom.

Weaver's had a great season in Philly as a lead blocker, a surprising threat as a runner and receiver in the absence of Brian Westbrook, and team leader. He's made some huge plays in big wins against the Giants and Falcons. In talking to Weaver on Tuesday on Sirius NFL Radio, he gives Andy Reid the credit for taking care of his veterans.

And as FOXSports.com senior video producer Christian Andersen said to me this week when I told him how much I liked Weaver's play, "Look at where the Seattle run game is without Weaver." Great point, Christian.

Thought this was pretty funny.

midnitegreen — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:32:11 -0000

Video: The King and Us: Week 13

Thought this was pretty funny.

What are you smoking?

midnitegreen — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:11:04 -0000

I thought it would be fun to look back at some of the things that have gone on throughout the season, including the preseason and training camp as well. If I was to tell you back in March of 2009 that any one of these things would happen, and we would still have a 7-4 record and a chance to make the playoffs, you would have looked at me crazy and ask "What the hell are you smoking?" So imagine we are all writing on a post back in april and I mentioned these next few points.

-Eagles lose Brian Dawkins in Free agency, who then goes on to help lead the Denver Broncos to a 6-0 start. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-Eagles sign Stacy Andrews to make the Great Wall of Andrews and assist in helping Shawn through his bout with depression, but we would later lose Shawn to another back injury and Stacy wouldn’t perform to the high standard we set for him. We then replace Shawn with Winston "Osi's turnstile" Justice who will actually perform rather well and get signed to an extension. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-We will lose Stewart Bradley to a stupid promotional event that was pretty much a glorified practice that you had to pay for. We try and replace him with Joe Mays who underperforms so we trade for a player from the Rams, that’s right the 2-14 St. Louis Rams. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-Brian Westbrook, easily the best player on the team, sustains not one but two concussions, and along with other injuries, sideline him from most of the 2009 season and our coach finally decides he wants to use a running game. And we still only lose 4 games so far. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

T-he Eagles draft a TE in the 5th round of the draft who later sustains a season ending ACL tear in training camp leaving us with Brent Celek, the same Brent Celek most thought would only be good enough to be our 2nd TE coming into the 2009 season. Brent Celek has the 5th most yds of all TE right now, beating a guy some of you might have heard of, Jason Witten. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-Donovan McNabb and the Eagles demolish the 2nd seeded Panthers but McNabb sustains a rib injury sidelining him 2 straight games. Kevin Kolb will become the first QB in the history of the NFL to throw for over 300 yds in his first 2 starts. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-The Eagles would sign Michael Vick to a 2-year deal. At first his arrival would be protested by few and talked about by many, but his play will not reflective of his MVP play that made him the highest paid player in the league at one time. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

-And finally, much to the surprise of many on this site, Jack is not better than Asante as he is cut halfway through the season, even after season ending injuries to Ellis Hobbs and a 4 game suspension of Joselio Hanson. "What the hell are you smoking?!"

Obviously that last one was sarcastic, but I think everyone gets my point. If I mentioned any of these scenarios back in March, no one would believe we would have a 7-4 record and currently have a Wild Card spot. If I missed any important ones, let me know.

London Fletcher - Eagle Killer

midnitegreen — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:21:03 -0000

London Fletcher - Eagle Killer

Jackson was injured when he was popped by Redskins linebacker London Fletcher – whose knee helped cause Westbrook’s concussion in Week 7 – on a six-yard catch over the middle.

At least we weren't the only ones who thought it was wrong.

midnitegreen — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:56:11 -0000

At least we weren't the only ones who thought it was wrong.

Where the Bad Call Bar is Set

In the Cowboys' hard-hitting 20-16 win over the Eagles in Week 9 there was one fairly astounding tackle that stood out above the rest.

Philly's (generously-listed) 185-pound All-Pro corner Asante Samuel found himself one-on-one in space with the Cowboys' (conservatively listed) 222-pound Marion Barber. Incredibly, Samuel dropped Barber in his tracks.

Now when a guy is bracing to get run over by a freight train and winds up knocking the train off the tracks instead, you might expect him to be a little hopped up. Sure enough, Samuel did some woofing as he helped Barber up, and Barber acknowledged the little fella's efforts with a slap on his helmet.

The one guy who completely misread the interaction? Why, the nearest official, of course, who flagged Samuel for taunting, thereby negating the open-field tackle. The league and its officials will not rest until all of the players are joyless, emotionless electronic football drones, banging into each other with no reaction whatsoever.

Boo.

Runyan confirms he's exploring congressional campaign

midnitegreen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:04:26 -0000

Runyan confirms he's exploring congressional campaign

Former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jon Runyan confirmed this afternoon that he is considering running for the 3rd Congressional District seat held by Democrat John Adler.

Runyan, who resides in Mount Laurel, issued the following statement this afternoon:

"I am seriously considering becoming a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional District. Our great country is headed in the wrong direction, and it's clearer every day that career politicians are incapable of solving the problems we face.

I am grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement I have received while talking to people throughout South Jersey about running for Congress and I look forward to having more to say on this subject in the weeks ahead."