Why Don't the Eagles run more double TE formations?

Last night the Birds played the Patriots in a preseason matchup where backup tight end Clay Harbor looked impressive.  Harbor was thrown to six times and was able to haul in all six passes for a total of 30 yards and 2 TDs.  Obviously Brent Celek is a proven tight end and should be starting, but in this case I feel as though the eagles have another starting tight end on their roster in Clay Harbor.  If the eagles ran more of their offensive plays out of double TE formations they could stretch the field with Maclin and Jackson allowing Celek and Harbor to get open against opposing LBs.  Why doesn't Andy Reid see this...

Before Drafting, Please Read!

My last little tip to help all you fantasy owners out there is a pretty simple concept.  When it comes to drafting WRs and RBs for my team I tend to pick players who are on above .500 teams.  I will explain.
WRs and RBs are typically score higher than other positions on your fantasy team(besides QB).  So for example, I like to stay away from certain teams who have a sub par QB when i'm looking for a WR, and the Arizona Cardinals are a perfect example, why draft Larry Fitzgerald when he's got Kevin Kolb and John Skelton throwing him the ball?  They both look absolutely terrible this preseason.  Yes, Larry Fitzgerald will still put up numbers, but they are not maximizing his potential down there in Arizona with two awful QBs who can't get him the ball as often as say a Tom Brady could.  Calvin Johnson and any Green Bay Packer receiver would be way better to have on your team.  My example for RBs is Chris Johnson.  The Titans haven't named a starter, and neither starter looks good this preseason.  This leads me to believe that this team is going to struggle to put the ball in the air this year and rely heavily on Chris Johnson's ability and I don't like that all.  Once a team becomes one dimensional it makes it easier on the defense to key on a guy like Chris Johnson and stop the run.  This is why a guy like RB McCoy for the Philadelphia Eagles is a more valuable pick in fantasy football.  The Eagles are able to keep defenses honest by stretching the field with their WRs giving more running room for a keen RB like McCoy.

Chad Johnson cut on camera...

This past tuesday HBO's second episode of Hardknocks with the Miami Dolphins aired at 10pm.  Prior to the episode the nation already knew of Chad Johnson's release from the team after being arrest for allegedly headbutting his newly wed wife of about five weeks.  After watching the episode I have completely lost all respect for the Miami Dolphin organization and most importantly Joe Philbin.  If some of you did not see the episode, Joe Philbin sat down with Chad Johnson and cut him from the team while camera's were rolling...giving HBO the opportunity to put that clip onto national television.  Now I understand why you would cut the guy from your team, but to do it on national television?  When a team goes to cut a player after an arrest or something of that caliber there should be a statement from the team to tell the media, it should never be on a television show for the world to see.  As a coach you make an example out of Chad for the team's sake, but that's it.  Looking at that episode, the Dolphins and Joe Philbin have made him look like a horrible person to the entire world.  You don't do that to a guy and it make's your organization look bad.  I feel as though Joe Philbin is trying to make a name for himself as a new head coach in the NFL, but who is this guy? He was the "offensive coordinator" for Green Bay... and I say it like that because we all know that Mike McCarthy calls the plays there.  Joe Philbin and the Dolphins were way out of line for allowing that to air.

Fantasy Football Drafting Tips

Your fantasy football draft is right around the corner.  Time to run to the store and buy your favorite magazine and start doing your homework ladies and gentlemen.  Here are some tips to winning a fantasy football league, before your draft even happens.

1. The first thing I would like all of you to do is find out what your league's scoring rules are.  These are important when it comes to having a draft strategy.  Either print these rules out or have them up on your computer screen.
2. Using your fantasy football magazine, start by player position and start to rate your players based on the scoring rules in your league.  (In some leagues touchdowns are more important, some give you points for yardage/receptions, it all varies)
3. Please resist the urge to just draft a player because you like him, if you want to lose, do it, but if you want to win, just follow steps 1 and 2.
4. I personally like to stay away from players who are on teams with losing records.  (Players aren't happy when they're losing and may under perform.  If a team has a horrible quarterback, he's not going to get their playmaker the ball on a regular basis.)
5. My last word of advice is to stay away from big name players who are coming off serious injuries.  Serious injuries to superstars can change a guy's career.  Spending an early draft pick on a guy like that is giant risk that someone like me who wants to win should not take.  I advise you fill your roster first, before you go picking a guy who was productive in the past but is coming off an injury.  It's a risk that could result in reward or failure, but if you do it in the later rounds, the risk of it hurting your fantasy team is far less.
6. Have fun and good luck to all! Stay tuned for possibly a few more sleepers/busts from me!

*Repost* Burress still an option for the Birds?

The birds offense has had continuous struggles in the redzone.  Primarily because they've been lacking that big, physical, go-up and get it type of receiver since Terrell Owens got sent packing.  Look for the Eagles to go after Plaxico Burress, whom has already said that he would be interested in coming to Philly.  In his first year back in the league Burress had a decent season with the Jets last year totaling 45 grabs and 8 touchdowns on a team that failed to make it to the playoffs.  Burress showed he can still play with the best of the best in the NFL, and could be the difference for the birds in the redzone.  He's still available in free-agency, and yesterday Riley Cooper broke his collarbone.  This move could become a reality in the near future.

Fantasy Football Bust #2

My second bust pick of the 2012 fantasy football season is.....RB Jamaal Charles.  He's coming off a torn ACL which is never a good injury for a RB to have.  The Chiefs also signed Peyton Hillis who could turn into  a TD machine, assuming he takes the role of short yardage/goaline.  If that is the case, and your fantasy football league rely's on TDs more than yardage, Hillis may be a good pick in the later rounds.  Although Charles has the capability to take it to the house on any given play, you don't know how this guy is going to look coming off the injury.  If people in your draft are smart they'll stay away from Charles early on.  But if your league gives you points off of yardage and Charles is sitting there in the 3rd or 4th round, i'd snatch him up.  In my opinion, just don't go wasting a 1st or 2nd rounder.

Fantasy Football Sleeper #2

He's not really a sleeper because he's already a great player, but I believe this season could be huge for Ravens RB Ray Rice.  The Ravens offense rely's on this little guy to carry the load for them, and that's what he does.  Since the 2009 season Rice is averaging a total of 356 touches, between rushing and receiving. The Ravens know this guy is their play maker, and will continue to get the ball in their superstar's hands.  Along with that, Rice got the contract he wanted this off-season, signing to a 4 year deal to stay in his beloved city of Baltimore.  Rice is already a productive player, everyone knows that, but now that he got paid, look for this kid to be motivated this season, and do big things.  Keep him at the top of your board come draft day.

Fantasy Football...Sleeper #1

My first sleeper pick of 2012 is.... Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler.  Cutler only played in 10 games last year, but his numbers were solid.  He's due for a big year.  The Bears signed WR Brandon Marshall this off-season which makes Jay Cutler even more valuable to your fantasy football team.  Marshall has had 1,000 yard+ receiving in each of the past 5 seasons.  Also Marshall was with the Broncos in 07 and 08 when Cutler had 2 of his better years statistically speaking.  Recently the Bears have just resigned Matt Forte to a contract which will keep him a Bear for the next four years which makes this offense even more explosive.  I'm not saying Cutler is a first or second round draft choice, he's probably more of a fifth or sixth round guy.  If you want to go the Cutler route for your fantasy team, I recommend taking RBs and WRs with your first 4 or 5 picks, then snatching up Cutler in the later rounds.

Fantasy Football Bust #1

My first bust pick for the 2012 season is..... RB Adrian Peterson.

Peterson is coming off a knee injury which is never a good sign for a RB.  Along with that he is involved in legal problems that have yet to be resolved, pending a court date August 6th.  In my opinion, fantasy owners should stay away from Peterson at least through the first couple rounds of their drafts.  Picking a guy coming off a knee injury is always risky in the fantasy football world and now with the added legal problems, Peterson just doesn't look like a good pick.  Coach Leslie Frazier already told the media that Peterson's contribution to the team on the field will be taken slowly.  Try to stay away from this guy... maybe take him with a 3rd or 4th rounder if you are willing to take the risk.

2013 Superbowl Picks

NFC:  Last year NFC teams were not as exciting to watch than some of the AFC teams.  The NFC looked as if it had itself a down year.  One team in particular that does not fall into this category and is my pick to go to the superbowl and represent the NFC is the San Fransisco 49ers.  The most surprising part about this team was how great the defense was.  Last year's rookie Aldon Smith was able to contribute and lead the team with 14 sacks in the regular season. (Aldon Smith was recently involved in some kind of stabbing, let's hope for the best, because this kid is fun to watch). QB Alex Smith finally looks comfortable at the quarterback position, completing 61.3% of his passes and only throwing 5 interceptions during the regular season.  In the postseason we saw that Alex Smith's only reliable weapon in the air was Vernon Davis, who had almost 300 yards total receiving, while no other receiver even broke 100 yards.  The team added free agent wide receivers Mario Manningham and Randy Moss this offseason, which is why I made this team my pick to represent the NFC in the superbowl.  Look for this team to shock the world this coming season.

AFC: For my AFC pick, I'm going with the Denver Broncos.  This team acquired Peyton Manning in the offseason, which in my mind, automatically makes them superbowl contenders.  Along with that, last year's rookie Von Miller who had 11.5 sacks might be an up and coming superstar in the league. (Gamechanging player).  The only thing i'm worried about with this team is the offense, yes, they have Peyton Manning, but they really do not have any other *superstar* type players on offense.  Regardless the Broncos will be a force to reckon with this season.

Superbowl Winners: San Fran 49ers








Aldon Smith sacking Eli Manning ======>