Hi Friends!
Well after I got on some of the Eagles players for what certainly looked like a pathetic effort against the Bengals the week before, I have no complaints about how the Eagles came out against the Redskins. There was 100 percent effort this past Sunday vs. Washington. That wasn't the problem; the problem was too many injuries to our Eagles and an obvious lack of talent on both sides of the ball. The team lost three players to season-ending injuries. My friend and long-snapper Jon Dorenbos (wrist), running back Wendell Smallwood (knee), and offensive lineman Matt Tobin all are done for this season.
In one of the cheapest and dirtiest hits I've ever witnessed, Mighty Mouse Darren Sproles was almost decapitated when he took a cheap shot from Deshazer Everett while fielding a punt. The obvious intentional foul drew a 15-yard penalty, but in my opinion, it should have resulted with Everett being ejected. I hope they impose a very large fine on him as there's no excuse for that type of play. Is it just me or does it seem that the Eagles get called for way too many ticky-tack fouls while the opposing teams always seems to get all the breaks? C'mon Man! Please NFL, hire full-time officials where that will be their lone job, where they are held to a higher standard, because from what I've seen this year, the officiating stinks! There it had to be said and I said it. The NFL can't fine me, can they?
Before I get to this upcoming week’s game, I must give a big shout out to all those that were here with us in the Locker Room this past Sunday. What a surprise to Dawn and I when we saw how packed the Locker Room became with the greatest Eagles fans anywhere - our friends! Those of you that know me know that there's no one that takes an Eagles loss harder, but I must say having all our wonderful friends here in the Locker Room with us helps to ease the pain. The electricity was awesome and the love that is always so prevalent in the Locker Room had everyone in a "most wonderful time of the year" party mood. The Locker Room was built to be a family friendly place and it was never more evident than that this past week with all the little children having a fun time. Dawn and I really enjoyed watching all the kids going around the Locker Room looking for "Elvis" the Eagles Elf On The Shelf. It's very rewarding knowing that we have created something special here as we see how all the youngsters grow from year to year. And what's really cool is they're passionate Philadelphia Eagles fans! As the sign outside of the Locker Room reads:
*Great Football!
*Great Food!
*Great Times!
*But Most Of All......Great Friends! We love you!
Three Things To Know About This Week’s Game
- Wentz & Ertz. It sure is good to see rookie Carson Wentz and Berks County native Zach Ertz starting to create a special connection as that is only going to grow stronger as their careers go forward. I see nothing but great things for these two great talents in the future. If there was a negative in the game for Ertz, it was a penalty(?) on him that negated the Darren Sproles touchdown. To me it looked like the Redskins player fell down and Zach tripped over him, and I don't think the flag should have been thrown! This week’s game is a real tough test against the toughest defense in all of the NFL: the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are going to be very eager to put their loss against the Patriots behind them and they need this game big time to stay in the hunt for the AFC North title. The character of this young Eagles team will be tested Sunday and it will be interesting to see what kind of effort they put forth knowing the game is a meaningless one. I look for a lot of Ryan Matthews pounding the ball and Kenjon Barner getting some work since Smallwood is out for the season. It looks like Sproles will not go this week and that will be a big void for the Eagles as Mighty Mouse is their most dangerous weapon. In the passing game, I expect a lot of throws to Ertz, Trey Burton & Jordan Matthews this week, and Dorial Green Beckham if he's healthy enough to go. Hopefully the offensive line can get back Allen Barbre and maybe Big "V" from injury as well as Brendan Brooks who was a late scratch again last week with an illness. There's nothing to do but play the game and if the Eagles O line doesn't protect the franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, it could get very ugly, very quickly. With the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumerville, Zachary Orr and friends playing in their home stadium, this will be a very tough test and that's an understatement!
- Keep it up Defense. The Eagles defense played a very inspired game last week against the Redskins, but gave up two long touchdown runs to Robert Kelly & Chris Thompson, which were killers. Leodis McKelvin got burned by former Eagle receiver (Thanks Chip Kelly) Desean Jackson for an 80-yard TD that really sealed the deal!
The "Hatchet" was 2 for 2 on calls last week and one of them was while the Skins were on offense and on the move I announced to the crowd: someone is gonna step up on defense and make a play right now! BAM! The next play, Leodis McKelvin intercepted Kirk Cousins and ran it back for a touchdown. Of course it was just a feeling I had, but all our friends got a kick out of it and a lot of laughs. The Ravens offense is led by Philadelphia-area native Joe Flacco, who is as good a QB you will find. His release is real quick and he has really good weapons at the receiver position to go to. The ageless wonder Steve Smith Sr. continues to amaze even at his age. Breshad Perriman, Mike Wallace and Devin Hester are good so it's easy to see why the Baltimore Ravens are having a great year. At tight end, the Ravens have the steady and reliable Dennis Pitta who is working very well with Joe Flacco. Running the ball for the Ravens are Terrence West and Kenneth Dixon and they will certainly test the Eagles run stoppers. Combine all these weapons together and it's plain to see why the Ravens have to be included when you talk about potential Super Bowl participants!
- What Special Teams? Special teams are thinner than Taylor Swift's waist line. The Eagles special teams really are beat up after suffering the loss of Darren Sproles, Jon Dorenbos, & Wendell Smallwood last week against the Redskins. At one point the Eagles had to go to a third option at long-snapping after Brent Celek went out with a stinger, using tight end Trey Burton to snap on a successful field goal attempt. I don't see this game coming down to a special teams play, but if it does, the Ravens have a much better chance with the great Justin Tucker kicking and Devin Hester as the return man. OUCH! Oh yeah, on my second call last week the Redskins were preparing to kick a field goal to tie the game and I stated, “someone is gonna block this kick” - and BAM! - the kick was blocked. If I could only pick the winning lottery numbers! “The Hatchet" wishes to thank his very good friend "Wild Bill" Bill Nigrini for his scouting report on the Baltimore Ravens. Bill's been a Ravens fan for many years and also a former customer of ours at WIN Outlet when he owned Bill's Beverage over in Mohnton. Bill also happens to be the father of my "First Down Clicker Girl" and Locker Room dancer "school teacher" Nicole Hartman, who is the lovely bride of Mr. Integrity Jeff Hartman.
Well there you have it friends, another blog in the books. Please join me next week as I take a look at my cardiologist Dr. Louie Borgata's favorite team and the Eagles next opponent: the New York Giants.
Hi Friends!
Well after I got on some of the Eagles players for what certainly looked like a pathetic effort against the Bengals the week before, I have no complaints about how the Eagles came out against the Redskins. There was 100 percent effort this past Sunday vs. Washington. That wasn't the problem; the problem was too many injuries to our Eagles and an obvious lack of talent on both sides of the ball. The team lost three players to season-ending injuries. My friend and long-snapper Jon Dorenbos (wrist), running back Wendell Smallwood (knee), and offensive lineman Matt Tobin all are done for this season.
In one of the cheapest and dirtiest hits I've ever witnessed, Mighty Mouse Darren Sproles was almost decapitated when he took a cheap shot from Deshazer Everett while fielding a punt. The obvious intentional foul drew a 15-yard penalty, but in my opinion, it should have resulted with Everett being ejected. I hope they impose a very large fine on him as there's no excuse for that type of play. Is it just me or does it seem that the Eagles get called for way too many ticky-tack fouls while the opposing teams always seems to get all the breaks? C'mon Man! Please NFL, hire full-time officials where that will be their lone job, where they are held to a higher standard, because from what I've seen this year, the officiating stinks! There it had to be said and I said it. The NFL can't fine me, can they?
Before I get to this upcoming week’s game, I must give a big shout out to all those that were here with us in the Locker Room this past Sunday. What a surprise to Dawn and I when we saw how packed the Locker Room became with the greatest Eagles fans anywhere - our friends! Those of you that know me know that there's no one that takes an Eagles loss harder, but I must say having all our wonderful friends here in the Locker Room with us helps to ease the pain. The electricity was awesome and the love that is always so prevalent in the Locker Room had everyone in a "most wonderful time of the year" party mood. The Locker Room was built to be a family friendly place and it was never more evident than that this past week with all the little children having a fun time. Dawn and I really enjoyed watching all the kids going around the Locker Room looking for "Elvis" the Eagles Elf On The Shelf. It's very rewarding knowing that we have created something special here as we see how all the youngsters grow from year to year. And what's really cool is they're passionate Philadelphia Eagles fans! As the sign outside of the Locker Room reads:
*Great Football!
*Great Food!
*Great Times!
*But Most Of All......Great Friends! We love you!
Three Things To Know About This Week’s Game
- Wentz & Ertz. It sure is good to see rookie Carson Wentz and Berks County native Zach Ertz starting to create a special connection as that is only going to grow stronger as their careers go forward. I see nothing but great things for these two great talents in the future. If there was a negative in the game for Ertz, it was a penalty(?) on him that negated the Darren Sproles touchdown. To me it looked like the Redskins player fell down and Zach tripped over him, and I don't think the flag should have been thrown! This week’s game is a real tough test against the toughest defense in all of the NFL: the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are going to be very eager to put their loss against the Patriots behind them and they need this game big time to stay in the hunt for the AFC North title. The character of this young Eagles team will be tested Sunday and it will be interesting to see what kind of effort they put forth knowing the game is a meaningless one. I look for a lot of Ryan Matthews pounding the ball and Kenjon Barner getting some work since Smallwood is out for the season. It looks like Sproles will not go this week and that will be a big void for the Eagles as Mighty Mouse is their most dangerous weapon. In the passing game, I expect a lot of throws to Ertz, Trey Burton & Jordan Matthews this week, and Dorial Green Beckham if he's healthy enough to go. Hopefully the offensive line can get back Allen Barbre and maybe Big "V" from injury as well as Brendan Brooks who was a late scratch again last week with an illness. There's nothing to do but play the game and if the Eagles O line doesn't protect the franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, it could get very ugly, very quickly. With the likes of Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumerville, Zachary Orr and friends playing in their home stadium, this will be a very tough test and that's an understatement!
- Keep it up Defense. The Eagles defense played a very inspired game last week against the Redskins, but gave up two long touchdown runs to Robert Kelly & Chris Thompson, which were killers. Leodis McKelvin got burned by former Eagle receiver (Thanks Chip Kelly) Desean Jackson for an 80-yard TD that really sealed the deal!
The "Hatchet" was 2 for 2 on calls last week and one of them was while the Skins were on offense and on the move I announced to the crowd: someone is gonna step up on defense and make a play right now! BAM! The next play, Leodis McKelvin intercepted Kirk Cousins and ran it back for a touchdown. Of course it was just a feeling I had, but all our friends got a kick out of it and a lot of laughs. The Ravens offense is led by Philadelphia-area native Joe Flacco, who is as good a QB you will find. His release is real quick and he has really good weapons at the receiver position to go to. The ageless wonder Steve Smith Sr. continues to amaze even at his age. Breshad Perriman, Mike Wallace and Devin Hester are good so it's easy to see why the Baltimore Ravens are having a great year. At tight end, the Ravens have the steady and reliable Dennis Pitta who is working very well with Joe Flacco. Running the ball for the Ravens are Terrence West and Kenneth Dixon and they will certainly test the Eagles run stoppers. Combine all these weapons together and it's plain to see why the Ravens have to be included when you talk about potential Super Bowl participants!
- What Special Teams? Special teams are thinner than Taylor Swift's waist line. The Eagles special teams really are beat up after suffering the loss of Darren Sproles, Jon Dorenbos, & Wendell Smallwood last week against the Redskins. At one point the Eagles had to go to a third option at long-snapping after Brent Celek went out with a stinger, using tight end Trey Burton to snap on a successful field goal attempt. I don't see this game coming down to a special teams play, but if it does, the Ravens have a much better chance with the great Justin Tucker kicking and Devin Hester as the return man. OUCH! Oh yeah, on my second call last week the Redskins were preparing to kick a field goal to tie the game and I stated, “someone is gonna block this kick” - and BAM! - the kick was blocked. If I could only pick the winning lottery numbers! “The Hatchet" wishes to thank his very good friend "Wild Bill" Bill Nigrini for his scouting report on the Baltimore Ravens. Bill's been a Ravens fan for many years and also a former customer of ours at WIN Outlet when he owned Bill's Beverage over in Mohnton. Bill also happens to be the father of my "First Down Clicker Girl" and Locker Room dancer "school teacher" Nicole Hartman, who is the lovely bride of Mr. Integrity Jeff Hartman.
Well there you have it friends, another blog in the books. Please join me next week as I take a look at my cardiologist Dr. Louie Borgata's favorite team and the Eagles next opponent: the New York Giants.
