D Jack

So Philadelphia's 27-13 win over San Francisco wasn't pretty but Eagles fans will take it. The game started off great. The birds were moving the ball at will and once again DeSean Jackson showed why I think he is the most exciting player in football. Jackson finished the game with 140 yards and a touchdown.

I am asking Eagles fans to really think about this question. REALLY think about it. Is D Jack the most exciting player in Eagles history? I'm not asking is he the best ever, I'm asking is he the most exciting player in the history of the franchise? Think about that before you respond.

To me he is, no question nor is there any doubt. I cannot think of any player in my 28 years of being a fan that was more exciting. It seems like every time he touches the football he can score. No matter if he gets the ball on a reverse, catches a pass over the middle, or if he fields a punt and is forced to step back and wait for the hole to open up and then explodea through it. I mean wow this guy is amazing. I have followed this team all my life. The only other guy that I can think of is possibly my favorite football player of all-time (Randall Cunningham), and I do not think he is even close to D Jack.

I loved Randall as a player, I even stopped wearing a pair of sneakers my mom brought me just because he got hurt when I wore them. I'm sorry let me explain. Those sneakers were BRAND NEW. Not a few days old, I'm talking about fresh out the box! I wore them during a game when the Eagles played the Jets, and well true fans know the rest of the story. Well I NEVER EVER put those sneakers on my feet again.

With all that being said, D Jack is more exciting to me. I know football is a team sport, but I want him to get the ball every play. Shoot I would like to see him play DB and see if he could pick a few passes of and watch him take it to the house (just kidding) but that's how exciting he is to me. No disrespect to Cunningham, or Brian Westbrook, I just think D Jack is that amazing.

What do you think?

New Doc in town

So Cliff Lee is out and Roy "Doc" Halladay is in. I'm not going to lie to you guys, at first I didn't like the deal (Doc comes here and the Philies send prospects Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, and Travis d'Arnaud to Toronto. Next the Phillies send Lee to Seattle in return for three prospects). I was one of the guys that didn't want to let Lee leave the team. I was almost foaming at the mouth when I thought about having Doc, Lee, and Cole Hamels pitching in the first three games of the World Series (if they were lucky enough to make it back for a third straight season). However when I thought about it a little more, it's not that bad of a deal.

Lee is a great pitcher and 99.9% of all Phillies fans appreciate him and what he did for the team last season. However I also think that most will agree Doc is better. Maybe not by much, but he is better. And if there is any truth to the rumors that Lee was not planning to return to the team after this upcoming season, the trade makes even more sense. Now don't get me wrong, if Lee would have stayed this season along with Doc, and Cole, the Phillies would have most likely offered Lee arbitration. Which would have forced any team that wanted him to give the team a few draft picks in return. But would those draft picks turned out to be on the same level as the prospects they received from Seattle? That will remain an unknown.

Another reason I was a little hesitant on the deal was because I didn't want to let Drabek leave the farm system. However who knows if this guy will be great. At first I was hearing that he had the stuff to become one of the top pitchers in the majors. Now I am hearing he will be a third in the rotation type of pitcher. And supposedly this kid they received from Seattle (Phillippe Aumont) is also "supposed to be" the real deal. So if that is true, the deal isn't too bad.

The Phillies added the best pitcher in baseball, who appears to be very good when facing the New York Yankees (a team that the Phillies will most likely face if they make it back to the World Series) and reloaded their farm system. Would I have liked for them to keep Lee, yes, but do I understand the deal, of course. Yes it would have been great to see the team go all in and spend spend spend. But they aren't the Yankees, nor are they the Boston Red Sox. Maybe times will change when Doc leads this team to its second World Series championship in the last 3 years. But until that day comes, Phillies fans should embrace the deal and enjoy this era of good baseball.

Just a thought.

No Way!

My eyes must be playing tricks on me. There is noway that the Sixers just defeated the Warriors. Wait let me check the box score one more time. I mean I did watch the entire game, but like I said, my eyes must be playing tricks on me. WOW they aren't.

For those that missed the game, it was pretty pretty pretty good. Allen Iverson and Jrue Holiday looked impressive in the backcourt together. Holiday seemed to get the ball to Iverson when he needed it, and put A.I. in the right spots to score. That may be why he finished with 20 points on 7-10 shooting (Iverson also had four assist and only one turnover). Holiday also finished with double digit points (15) and also 6 assist. Those two looked fast and impressive all night long and appeared to give the Warriors problems.

However the real star of the game appeared to be Thaddeus Young. Young finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds...WOW. I would love to see the Sixers design more plays for Young and less for Iggy. No I am not taking a shot at Andre, but I just think Young has a lot of talent and if given a chance, he may be a special player.

Believe it or not, I actually still think that the Sixers will continue to get better every game (I know that makes every John Wall fan upset). Think about it, they have had a lead in every game since Iverson's return. But when they're forced to put the bench players in, they lose it. So plug in a healthy Lou Williams and Marreese Speights, and take out guys like Royal Ivey and Willie Green...hmm this team may be fun to watch. AGAIN I am not saying they will win anything major, but I do think they will make a run at the 6-8 seeds in the East.

I know this is just one win, but I have been watching this team all season long and I see something in them. This team may be cool to watch when they get healthy.

Fly Eagles Fly

Man what a game! What a GREAT game! First I must tip my hat to DeSean Jackson. This guy is one of the most exciting players I have ever watched. It seems like every time he touches the ball he has a chance to score. I am looking at his stats from the Eagles Week 14 win over the Giants, he had 6 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown. Oh yeah I forgot his AMAZING punt return for a touchdown. This guy is special. He really is.

Is it me or is Donovan McNabb having a good season. Shoot in the last 4 games he has been great and clutch. He has thrown for 6 td's and led his team to a few fourth quarter td's. 5 looks like he is having fun out there and looks loose. He actually looks happy out there on the field.

I know I may be getting ahead of myself, but this team is good. They are SCARY good. I am not sure what this season will bring us, but man ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. ANYTHING. I know the road to Miami is going to be hard, and I know this team has the talent to get there. However I know there are a few teams that will be in the way (Saints, Vikings, Cardinals). But man with a guy like Jackson and a QB like McNabb...ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!

Man lets go! I am hype. I tried to hide it, but it's hard to control myself as I watch the highlights from the game. This team may take this city on a wild and crazy ride. Next up 49ers!

Heisman

And the 2009 Heisman Trophy goes to Mark Ingram. Are you shocked? I'm not. However if I did have a vote I would have given it to Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska. He finished the regular season with 83 tackles (23 for a loss) and 12 sacks. How cool would it have been for him to become the first defensive tackle to win the award? It would have been awesome. But he didn't. So I guess I need to give credit to Ingram for winning the award.

Congrats Mark. You would have received my vote if Suh was not having such an amazing year. However Ingram you won the award and I loved how you showed so much emotion during your speech. Those tears showed how important and prestigious this award is. I am happy for you and hope that you continue to excel in college football and also that you have a great National Championship game.

Ingram was the best player in the best conference in the country, so I guess there should not be too many people that disagree with you winning the award. Along with Sue, you had the best conference championship performance and stepped up in the biggest game of the season (so far) for your team.

Congrats Mark and good luck.

Ehh

Ok let me get this out of my system, Iverson, Iverson, Iverson. Ok now that I got that over with, this team is not that good. I know what you are thinking, duh, everyone knew that. Well I am sorry! I knew they stunk but for some reason I felt like Iverson's first game was going to be a win.

Don't get me wrong, I had a ball at the game. The crowd was electric. Every time Iverson took the floor the crowd jumped to their feet and cheered for him. It was great to see the Wachovia Center packed again. Plenty of #3 jerseys and welcome back signs. But despite all of that, this team still found a way to blow a nice size lead.

First I have to say, Sam Dalembert stinks. I am sorry. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade. What does he do well? Nothing. I mean maybe I am missing something. Maybe I do not see what he brings to the team. OR maybe I am right. Maybe the Sixers have one of the worst centers in the NBA.

Next Willie Green. Please stop! Stop playing! If you must play can you PLEASE do it for another team. Man You guys really know how to ruin a great night for the city.

It will be interesting to see how this team plays for the rest of the season. I did like how Iverson and some of the other guys (Young, Brand, and Iggy) played together. However I will be honest with you, I HAVE NO IDEA what this team will do. I mean I can see anything happening. They could go on a crazy run and win 10 straight or they could lose 10 straight. Who knows! I guess all I can hope for is an exciting season now that Iverson is back.

FYI

So tonight is the night that most people in the Philadelphia area have been talking about all week. The return of one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise. Allen Iverson returns to the place where it all started. I am listening to the radio and people are getting all worked up over the game. They are talking about how great tonight will be and how they cannot wait for the game to start. I cannot lie I feel the sameway.

Tonight should be special. It should be a night to remember. And if you even had ask yourself, yes I will be there. I am attending the game partly as a fan but mostly as a journalist interested to see how he will be received. Should be pretty awesome. He should get a nice long ovation when he is announced. Hmm I wonder who will be announced last, him or Iggy?

I am torn though. I do not know what to expect out of him tonight. Part of me feels like he will have an average NBA night. But the other part of me feels he may put on a show. How cool would it be to have Iverson hit the game winner and watch him do the Hulk Hogan ear thing. Man I may explode if that happens.

Well no matter what happens, I am just hoping to see a good game and enjoy the team's performance. For those that will not be at the game or watching it, feel free to follow me on twitter.com/jerv215. I will be taking plenty of pics and also updating you on all that is going on in the building.

Wow

Um can someone explain to me what is going on? Is this the week for being reunited with former teams? First it was the Sixers and Allen Iverson, and now this! For those that are lost, ESPN is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies and Placido Polanco have reached a deal (with a physical pending). Do you guys like that move? I do.

Polanco is a career .300 hitter and shows much more plate discipline than former Phillies third basemen Pedro Feliz. I also like the move because he should be able to spell Chase Utley throughout the season. And anyone that watched the Phillies all last season knows that Utley plays much better when he receives rest.

To be honest with you, the move just makes sense. It will give the team a chance to move Shane Victorino down in the order, giving a much better hitter later in the lineup and will most likely move Polanco to the No.2 spot (between Jimmy Rollins and Utley). Shoot to be real with you guys, I am getting more and more excited as I read about Polanco. This guy has never struck out 50 times in a season, something this Phillies lineup can use...PLATE DISCIPLINE!

Man just when you think this team will can not surprise you, they do. This team is continuing to show its fans that they are trying to win every year and not just settling for regular season success. I hope they do not stop with Polanco. I honestly would look at adding John Lackey to the starting rotation and adding to the bullpen.

Wow I am hype for next season...I can smell a World Series rematch already. LETS GO!

Oh lets GO!

Oh happy day!!!!!!!! Oh happy day!!!!! Man words can not express how I feel right now. To quote Ice Cube "today was a good day." ESPN is reporting that the Sixers and Iverson have agreed on terms. That means my favorite athlete of all time is back.

I am excited for the press conference, and also excited that I will be at the game on Monday. I really do hope the city comes out and shows him the love that he should get for returning home. Again I am not crazy, this does not mean that the team will win a championship or anything like that. I just means that they will be a team that I want to watch. Do not get me wrong I never stopped liking the team. In fact I still loved them. But they were the family member that I loved in my heart but did not brag to all my friends about when they talked about their teams.

I cannot wait to go back home and turn on 2k10 and download the latest rosters with "The Answer" on my team. I am shocked that this day happened. I remember when he was traded and how I thought that it was over for good. Glad I was wrong.

Welcome Back A.I.! Welcome Back!

Almost done!

So reportedly the 76ers have offered the soon to be Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson, a one year deal. The deal is a lot less than what "The Answer" was making last season. But who cares about the money? Not me! Like I stated before I am just excited that he will most likely be coming back home.

Over the last few days I have heard many people state that they are happy that he will be back. But not everyone is happy. My one friend called me and said "let it go...just move on!" I replied "Nope, I am not ready to move on." You see the Allen Iverson situation is a lot like a bad relationship with a female. You know she is not the one that will make you happy forever (i.e. marriage/NBA Championship) but for right now she is perfect.

Look the Sixers stink. No matter who plays on the team they will. I mean you could bring back Dr. J and they would stink. For the past 3 seasons I have watched the team I grew up with display some off the worst basketball I have ever witnessed. And instead of tanking a season, they choose to win just enough games to make the playoffs and get smashed in the first round. I am not crazy. I am almost positive Iverson will not put this team over the top, he may actually make the team lose a few more games. However I will now have a reason to watch the team. There will now be a player on the team I can get excited to watch.

I honestly just want him to take us back. If he does I will sing "Oh happy day."