Eagles v. Pats. You can sell a million ways but I'm selling it a matchup of the dynasties. What is a dynasty well one definition goes something like this:
a group that maintains power for several generations
That would be the Eagles and Pats, almost mirror images of one another. Sure the Eagles are the weaker brother of the dynasty but does anyone doubt that they have been the 400 lb gorrilla of the NFC. While the Pats are on route for their third superbowl in four years, the Eagles have made it four straight years to the title game. Both have masterminds of defense reducing MVP candidates and the young to their knees. Michael Vick looked flawed and mortal. By the end, Rothlisberger was crying like Koosed without a Chicken Ceasar Salad. Both team's quarterbacks are maestros, managing the weather and their teams with ease. Baseball has what I term top heavy parity (theres only 8 good teams but they easily balance on another year to year) Football has bottom heavy parity- a bunch of mediocore teams clawing for a playoff spot while high on Mount Olympus Belichek and Reid laugh at their efforts. They bestride the NFL world like Colosseuses in recent years (I'm certain if Shakespeare was alive today he'd cover the NFL) and for all the claims of parity this should be the year that that illusion evaporates.
Player of the Week: Jeremiah Trotter. He led the team in tackles. He has a cool finishing move (the wood cutter) He is the reason why the Eagles stopped the Atlanta rushing game while Cleveland cut through it (He didnt start till week 9).
Player I feel the Worst For: Jerome Bettis. For all the weeping over Brett Favre, I think Bettis symbolizes what it is good about football. The hardnosed approach, the indominable spirit, the shimmy. Here is a man that doesn't just talk the talk about money but he took the pay cut so he could stay in Pittsburgh. It would almost be fitting for him to retire with Eddie George, his fellow running back warrior.
Pundit Watch
Line of the week: Norman Chad:
At the NFC championship game, a half-frozen 10-year-old sang the national anthem before the Falcons-Eagles game. I hate to nitpick, but some adult was whispering the words into his ear! It felt like the presidential debates all over again.
Why It's Good to Be a Pundit: Peter King's $105 philly cheese steak...that Sports Illustrated paid for. 1) That better be the best philly cheese steak ever and 2) I never ever want to hear him to do social commentary and/or belief that he's just a common person (and that includes Starbucks references)
NBA tidbits: 1) Baby Bulls - .500 ball and the 7th seed
2) Nash gets hurt. Suns plummet. Any questions on who's the MVP?
3) I can no longer defend the Eastern Division. They should donate their playoff spot to charity or something
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1 comment:
You're right about the Eagles-Pats being a "matchup of the dynasties". Funny thing is, when the Pats won that 1st Super Bowl, most people thought it was a fluke. By most, I mean me.
Good analysis about when Trotter started playing- I hadn't even heard that, and it takes away my claim that "even the Browns run on the Eagles."
I still can't believe Peter King's editors don't make him take out the social commentary stuff. He's a great football writer, but he's just terrible when he brings up these other issues.
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