Posts Tagged ‘The War Room’

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Super Bowl XLVII Preview

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

by Brandon Pemberton

 

 

 

 

While it’s the day we’ve been looking forward to since training camps opened up in July, it’s also bittersweet, knowing that the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens are playing the final game of the 2012 NFL season on Sunday.  There are plenty of good stories related to the big game: Jim and John Harbaugh are the coaches and brothers, born only 15 months apart and coming from a father Jack, who was a good coach himself.  Ray Lewis is playing in his final game, win or lose and the SI.com story that he used a banned substance to speed up his recovery from his torn triceps has trumped the fact that his 17-year illustrious career is coming to a close.   Finally we have 49ers’ QB Colin Kaepernick who will being starting only his 10th game of his career –  In New Orleans at Super Bowl XLVII, which by far is the most important and intriguing story of them all.  The fate of the 49ers for the most part lays on his shoulders.  I will preview and breakdown the game: Offensively, Defensively, and on Special teams and give you my winner.

Joe Flacco (l); Colin Kaepernick (r)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Offense

49ers: When head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to stick with Colin Kaepernick and make him the 49ers starting QB after Alex Smith went down with a concussion, he was taking a big risk.  A move like that could split the locker room and possibly cost a team that already was good enough to make the Super Bowl, their season.  But Kaepernick has been 7-2 as a starter (including 2-0 playoffs), adding a big play dimension to the 49ers that they lacked with Alex Smith at the helm.  The 49ers utilize the zone read and read option very well with Kaepernick’s ability to use his legs, opening up more passing lanes off of play action and it also gives more running room for running backs Frank Gore and LaMichael James.  They will have a tough task running up against the stout front of the Ravens, but they will and have shown the tendency to keep running the ball, to keep teams honest.

The 49ers passing game is much more explosive with Kaepernick’s strong arm and the 49ers receivers are benefiting from it.  Vernon Davis had 5 catches for 106 yards and a TDs two weeks ago versus the Falcons.  Randy Moss had 3 catches for 46 yards, his best performance in a while.  While most think he his just a running QB, Kaepernick has shown the ability to throw accurate strikes from the pocket.  Look for the 49ers to attack the Ravens linebackers and safeties in the passing game with tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker and with a fast running backs like LaMicheal James.  I think that’s going to be the key for the 49ers offensively to beat the Ravens.

 

Ravens: The Baltimore offense is led by Joe Flacco who has thrown for eight TD’s and no interceptions in three playoff games thus far.  Flacco has proved the doubters wrong about his ability to perform and win big games and is one game away from being in the “Elite” class of QB’s.  This Ravens offense has been on fire, scoring 30 points per game in the playoffs.  The one-two punch of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce have been very effective, averaging 148.2 yards during the playoffs and allowing Flacco to hit targets down the field via playaction.  Expect offensive coordinator Jim Cadwell to continue to feature the running game and take advantage of Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, and Dennis Pitta down field in the passing game.  Also, the Ravens offensive line must do a good job protecting Joe Flacco.  49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been on a sack drought lately and could have a breakout game.

Ray Lewis (l); Patrick Willis (r)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defense

49ers: The 49ers defense is led by the two best inside linebackers in all of football, Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman.  Watching them on film is a joy, they can do it all.  They are great against the run and even better defending the pass.  What the 49ers do scheme-wise is solely on Willis and Bowman’s ability to cover tight ends, running backs, and some slot receivers effectively.  The 49ers are usually stout against the run and they must be ready for the Ravens stubborn, but effective rushing attack.  Their defensive backs must play better as well.  There were times vs the Falcons in which the safeties were caught out of position and allowed receivers to get behind them.  The Ravens passing game is predicated on getting the ball down the field.  Aldon and Justin Smith must put pressure on Ravens QB Joe Flacco and force him to make errant throws and possibly turn the ball over.

Ravens: The Ravens defense is playing its best football of the year at the right time.  During the season, Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, and obviously Terrell Suggs were all hurt and not at 100%.  But during the playoffs, they have looked like the Ravens defense of old, allowing just over 14 points per game, not counting the 14 points their special teams unit allowed to Denver on two returns.  When watching the coach’s tape, three players that aren’t household names: cornerbacks Carey Williams and Corey Graham, and Inside Linebacker Dannell Ellerbee, jumped off the screen.  Williams and Graham have been excellent in the playoffs, challenging receivers with press, man-to-man coverage and disrupting the routes and timing.  Dannell Ellerbee has been great, especially in pass coverage, covering the open areas of the field that Ray Lewis can’t at this point of his career.

Ray Lewis is obviously their emotional leader, clearly not the same player he once was, but he still gets his team in the right places pre-play and uses knowledge and smarts to make plays.  Ed Reed will definitely pose a problem for the young QB Colin Kaepernick.  He has baited the best of quarterbacks into throwing a pass they think he can’t get to, but he does.  An interception in a big spot could decide the football game.  Also, the defensive unit must play assignment, team defense when the 49ers go with their read option attack.  If everyone sticks to their assignment and guys defeat blocks and tackle, they will be fine.

 

Special Teams

49ers: Kicker David Akers broke an NFL record with 14 missed field goals, a year after having the best season of his career.  He’s been shaky all season and a bad performance by him could cost his team the game.  KR/PR Ted Ginn Jr. is a big play threat, and could help the offense with field position.

Ravens: Kicker Justin Hunter has been very good this season, making 21-23 field goals.  We know he’s great inside of 50 yards, but he hasn’t attempted or made a field goal outside of 50 yards all season.  This game is played indoors, which is better conditions for kickers, so he might get a shot to show us where his leg really is.

Jacoby Jones is a Pro Bowl Kick/Punt Returner and one of the league’s best.  He is not only a home run threat, but he is sure-handed as well.

 

Prediction: Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers are playing great football.  The move to him as QB has paid huge dividends as they are in the big game, but I think the Ravens are going to force him to win the game from the pocket.  This is the game in which Kaepernick makes a mistake or two that will give the Ravens a short field, allowing Joe Flacco to strike.  I simply trust Flacco more in big game situation and I think he leads the Ravens to the victory.  Ravens 24 49ers 23

 

Brandon Pemberton of Sports Trap Radio, for War Room Sports

 

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Philadelphia Eagles Raise Ticket Prices After Abysmal Season

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

Have a miserable 4-12 season and looking for a way to get back into the good graces of your fans?  Why, why not raise ticket prices!  That is, at least, what you do if you’re the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

The team will raise ticket prices for the first time since 2009 for the 2013 season.  The increase amounts to an $8 increase on average, or 9.45% increase.

 

Per the Eagles’ website:

 

Lower Level Sideline seats and Upper Level Loge seats have increased from $95 to $105.
Lower Level Endzone seats have increased from $85 to $95.
General Upper Level seats have increased from $70 to $75.

 

The average price for tickets for an Eagles game will now be $93, placing the team 11th in the league in terms of cost but still making the cost of a ticket to a game in Philadelphia the lowest in the NFC East.

 

Team President Don Smolenski explained the increase as follows in a letter to season ticket holders:

 

“We have made some dramatic changes this offseason, including the hiring of Coach Chip Kelly.  But one thing that hasn’t changed – and Coach Kelly appreciates this – is that the passion [the fans] display and the support [the fans] provide with [their] loyalty to [the] Eagles makes this a special place to play football.”

“We are also embarking on a two-year stadium improvement plan at Lincoln Financial Field focused on enhancing the game day experience.”

 

Translation: We’re doing it because we can and we know you’ll still come.

 

A little tip to Mr. Smolenski and the Eagles organization: improvements to the Linc won’t improve the game day experience if the team isn’t winning.

 

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

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Mike Vick, Nick Foles or…Dennis Dixon?

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Dennis Dixon

In the unending speculation about who will be under center for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2013 season, several names have been tossed around.  Is Mike Vick more likely to stay with the team in Chip Kelly’s spread offense?  Will Coach Kelly like what he sees in Nick Foles’ progress?

Who knows, but it sounds like one thing Kelly will want to do is reunite with a familiar QB  from Oregon in Philadelphia.  CSNPhilly’s Geoff Mosher reports there are “strong indications” that Kelly will sign current Baltimore Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon to the Eagles after Sunday’s Super Bowl.  Says Mosher,

“If Kelly plans to build an offense that not only fits his vision but also can compete from the get-go, he needs a quarterback that understands his scheme and has the skill set to flourish in it.

Nobody on the current roster fits that description, but all signs point to Kelly having his man by next week.  There are strong indications that Kelly won’t waste too much time after the Super Bowl before reaching out to Ravens practice squad quarterback Dennis Dixon and bringing him to Philadelphia.

Dixon, who engineered Kelly’s offense to near perfection at Oregon and had his Heisman candidacy in 2007 derailed by a knee injury, is the only NFL quarterback that knows the coach’s system inside-out and wouldn’t be starting from Square 1.”

NFL rules prevent Kelly and the Eagles from reaching out to Dixon until after the Ravens’ playoff run is completed.

Dixon was drafted in 2007 by the Pittsburgh Steelers and made just four starts with the team over as many seasons standing in for Ben Roethlisberger.  So, even with his familiarity with Kelly’s offense, why does the team seem so convinced that the 6’3, 209 lb, 28-year-old quarterback is a good fit with his lack of playing time in the NFL?  Per Mosher, an AFC scout, “believes Dixon has tremendous NFL potential that can be maximized in Kelly’s offense.”  Prior to experiencing a knee injury his senior year, Dixon led the Ducks to an 8-1 record and a number 2 spot in the BCS rankings, so clearly Kelly has seen just what the quarterback is capable of doing (Dixon also completed almost 68 percent of his passes, rushed for 583 yards and totaled 2,719 yards in 10 games).

One thing is clear: the Eagles have to do something about their quarterback situation following the Super Bowl.  The team has a 72-hour window in which they must decide if they will release Vick at no cost to them, though they will take a $4.2 million cap hit.  If a decision isn’t made during that time, then Vick will be owed $3 million (though the exact amount depends on if he signs with another team).

So who will the Eagles’ quarterback in 2013?  It will be a while until we know for sure.  But every move and comment made by Kelly will be examined closely as a decoder into his intentions regarding Vick, Foles and very possibly Dixon.  Or whatever additional names come into the mix between now and then.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Free Yourself from Emotional Eating

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

by Maggie Mangiel

 

 

 

 

Your relationship with food, no matter how conflicted, is the doorway to your freedom.  Freedom from the morning battle with the person looking back at you from the mirror and judging every roll on your back and dimple on your thigh.  From the scale that reads, “holy cow, that’s a high number” to sucking in your tummy every time you meet someone you have not seen in a while.  Harriet Tubman once said, “I freed a thousand slaves; I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves”.  Your unbreakable cycle of weight gain and loss might be more than just bad food choices and sedentary lifestyle.  It might be something that you are not even aware of; it could be accredited to the self sabotage effects of emotional eating.  Emotional eating is when you eat not because of hunger but due to loneliness, happiness, boredom, sadness, anger, emptiness; or just filling a void or numbing a pain.  Some people would reach for a pint of ice cream when they are confronted with a conflict at a workplace.  Or binge on a box of cookies after an argument with a loved one.  Sometimes, you eat because you are disappointed that your favorite jeans no longer fit, and you end up fueling the fire or creating a secondary problem instead of doing the logical thing which is facing and resolving the original issue.   Emotional eating is a compulsion you develop to protect yourself from confronting the undesired and the intolerable.

It is hard to fix a problem when you do not know its nature or the fact that you are indeed suffering from a problem.  So first figure out if you are an emotional eater.  You might be an emotional eater if you are always on a diet yet cannot keep off the weight.  You go through a bag of chips without even tasting or enjoying it.  You are always being consumed by thoughts of food, eating when not hungry, then feeling terribly guilty for doing so.  Turning to food during stress or when faced with a conflict.  Those are undeniable signs, and they should not be ignored.

To get rid of emotional eating, you have to implement two solutions, one psychological and the other physical.  Address the problem, psychologically, by digging deeper into yourself.  Open up and look inside you, and without judgement, ask yourself serious questions about how you feel.  Do not fear your answers, meet your feelings with openness.  Deal with them no matter how painful.  If you find them too overwhelming to handle on your own, talk to a family member or a friend.  Call a help line.  Or even write them down then read them out loud to yourself, and you will be surprised to find out that they no longer hold power over you.  Remind yourself how strong you are, and how you deserve to be in a better place and deserve to be happy.  Once the psychological solution has been cemented then you can start on the physical.

To some, the physical aspect can be much easier to manage.  Use these steps to help you practice awareness eating:

1.  Do not eat until you are emotionally comfortable.

2.  Set time for your meals.

3.  Dish out a serving size portion in a small dish or bowl, never eat from a bag or box.

4.  Sit down and eat on a table, in a calm environment, in full view of others.

5.  Pay intention to your chewing, contemplate about what is in front of you, taste it, and take pleasure in it.

6.  Eat without distractions such as surfing the net, listening to music, or reading.

7.  Sip water between bites.

8.  Do not skip meals.

9.  Learn to recognize hunger and fullness cues.

 

Free yourself from the the shackles of emotional eating, and tell yourself that having a bad moment during a 24 hour day is not a good enough reason to punish your body by eating whatever you can get your hands on.  Establish a positive relationship between your emotions and food in order to take charge of your body and put an end to weight fluctuations.  Use food for fuel not comfort or escape.

 

Maggie Mangiel for War Room Sports

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LeSean McCoy Apologizes for Weekend Twitter Tirade

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

File under: Too little, too late.

SMH

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy issued an apology on Monday for his profane and classless public spat via Twitter with his Baby Mama Steph late on Saturday night.  In it, he expresses remorse at how his actions impacted his family, fans and the Eagles organization.  He also comments at length about his desire to be a “great” father and a positive role model for his son.  McCoy also apologizes for predictably claiming that his account was hacked shortly before deactivating his Twitter profile:

“In light of the recent events that played out over Twitter this past weekend, I would like to express how deeply sorry and remorseful I am to my family, the Philadelphia Eagles, my fans, and every young person who views me as a role model. This is not who I am as a person, nor the image I ever wanted to portray of myself.  It’s definitely not the example I want to set for my son.

My Twitter account was not hacked.  I take full responsibility and I apologize for trying to make it seem like it was not me.  Due to my bad judgment and frustration, I allowed a very personal matter to be played out on a social network, of all things.  It was immature and unprofessional for me to do so and to encourage others to join in.

As a parent , emotions are often magnified when there are stressful and emotional situations concerning them.  I take great pride in being a good father and strive to one day be a great one.  I’ve always done everything in my means to provide for my son financially, emotionally, and most importantly with my time and heart.  I am sick over the fact that my actions have caused pain to him and all involved.  I have decided to handle this matter privately from here on out and I thank everyone for their continued support.”

One can only hope that, more than anything, McCoy will truly take his words about fatherhood to heart and think about his son before acting in the future.

In light of McCoy’s actions, many have wondered if teams should shut down the social media usage of their athletes.  That is absolutely not the right way to handle such matters, as it is, in effect, not managing the situation at all.  Social media can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool for players and teams, providing unprecedented ways for fans to connect with them.  For those who act out as Shady did, the issue is not Twitter.  It’s not Facebook or Instagram.  It’s a lack of common sense.  If it doesn’t come out in one form it will in another.  Perhaps social media teaches in a very public forum a critical lesson for those who missed it many times previous: a lesson in common sense.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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LeSean McCoy’s Baby Mama Drama Unfolds in Explicit Detail on Twitter

Monday, January 28th, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

Well.  LeSean McCoy certainly had an eventful night.  And lucky for us, we got to all see the drama unfold real time on Twitter.

Ah, the beauty of social media.

It all started innocently enough.  Shady is currently on vacation in Puerto Rico and sent a tweet out about boasting of his enjoyment.  Nothing unusual there.  But then, his  “baby mama” chose to make a correction to the spelling featured in McCoy’s tweet (screenshots courtesy of Black Sports Online):

 

Okay, alright.  We all hate when people do that passive aggressive nonsense on Twitter.  But wow – who among us could have predicted what was to come next?  A torrent of pent-up aggression, frustration and disrespect unfolded by Shady’s reaction to a single tweet that ultimately featured one word: “vacation.”

“@cutonime25: @angelface0330 man don’t ever n ya life write me about nothing…. U worthless can’t do nothing right WITHOUT ME. Sad u can’t spell or read”

Don’t think that Steph, the baby mama, was going to be talked about like that publicly and not have some incredibly nasty things to say as well:

And it continued.  On an on and on.

You can see all of Steph’s tweets via Black Sports Online.

Even Shady’s teammates Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis couldn’t turn away from the trainwreck that was unfolding on their Twitter feeds:

If you go to check McCoy’s @CutonDime25 Twitter account now, you will see that it is no longer there.  Too bad he couldn’t have shown some restraint or stepped away from the keyboard prior to that.

What this is, is a damned shame.  I don’t know about you, but I didn’t need this kind of insight into LeSean’s life.  But he’s the one who put all of his business out there on the streets.  In a few single exchanges over social media, McCoy’s baby-faced, squeaky clean reputation was ruined.  And why, exactly?  Couldn’t he have relayed the same sentiments to Steph via, I don’t know, text message?  I know – I can be so old-fashioned sometimes.

Perhaps McCoy was never out to be a role model.  Or my personal favorite when athlete’s are caught in the wrong on Twitter –  that his account was hacked.  But it will all come too late.  The tweets were captured.  The articles written.  This information is out there for LeSean’s little son to see as soon as he can read.  Or when a cruel person wishes to tell him about the apparent mess that lead to his creation before that time.

Who knows what the hell actually transpired between LeSean and Steph?  Neither looks particularly great from their tweets.  As for Shady, stop playing the victim.  A woman looking to trap a rich athlete into having a baby with her?  Well, you can criticize her for that or look in the mirror for being the fool who subjected himself to the outcome, and God knows what else, by not using protection and believing a woman who’s name he didn’t even know.  Wasn’t that fact a gem, by the way?

The baby is the only one who matters here and it seems like he is unequivocally the loser with two immature parents who can’t control their feelings enough to avoid putting family business on the street.

There is just no reason this needed to happen and if LeSean McCoy is angry at anyone this day, it should be himself.  He could have walked away and carried on with his vocation vacation.  But no.  Instead he felt it appropriate to call out the mother of his child on, well, absolutely everything for us all to see.  And invited his followers to join in!

None of this changes that LeSean MccCoy is one of the brightest young talents in the NFL and one of the greatest assets on the Philadelphia Eagles.  But it sure would have been nice not to know about all of the drama lurking behind that winning smile.

Deadspin has even more of the drama in case you haven’t witnessed enough – including text messages released to them.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Is Mark Cuban Really A MFFL?

Friday, January 25th, 2013

by LeRoy McConnell III

 

 

 

 

 

For those who don’t know what “MFFL” means: Mavs Fan For Life.  It was Mark Cuban’s, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, way of saying jump on board and I will take you to the promised land.  Well, I did.  In fact he made me a big believer, as soon as he took over a dismal team that was far from relevancy back in 2000.  He orchestrated a squad, led by future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki to two NBA Finals, winning one of them back in 2011.  2011 seems like a distant memory now, especially when Mark Cuban did the inevitable.
He dismantled an NBA championship team.  Not since Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls teams in the late ’90s have we seen a such thing.  Instead of challenging for a repeat, he decides to render the services of Tyson Chandler useless.  Chandler, who played one season with the Mavs, is the best center in Dallas Mavericks history.  Cuban had an opportunity to use the amnesty clause on Brendan Haywood in order to keep Chandler, instead he elected to watch Tyson leave for free agency without compensation.  Funny thing about it, he held onto Haywood the year after the championship, only to use the amnesty clause on him during this past offseason.  Other intriguing pieces to the championship were Caron Butler (who was injured but still valuable), J.J. Berea (who was the smallest Maverick but added valuable points off the bench), Deshawn Stevenson (who provided toughness and gritty defense), and Jason Terry (who was the heart and soul, a true Maverick, who walked and talked an NBA championship for the Dallas Mavericks).

Amnesty Clause: The NBA’s next collective bargaining agreement may include some form of “amnesty clause,” allowing teams to eliminate bad player contracts under certain conditions.

Is the sky falling?  MFFL, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON AROUND HERE?”  Has Cuban lost his mind?  YES!  Okay, deep breath taken.  What are you going to do MARK CUBAN?
Mark Cuban has been preaching that the most important thing today is financial flexibility; his plan was to be a central figure in the 2012 trade market.  Since he has owned the team, he has never had flexibility to land free agents because money is always tied up.  The team is getting old and it’s the first time the Mavericks can possibly add a superstar to play alongside Dirk.  “Okay, you have my attention”, intrigued Mavs fan.  On paper, it sounds like a slam dunk.  Grabbing Deron Williams who is from the Dallas area and  somehow luring Dwight Howard.  Now I understand why we would get rid of Tyson, to get Dwight, makes sense to me.  Jason Kidd already said he would sign back because of his relationship with Deron Williams.  The 2012 free agency period was to be an upbeat time for #MAVSNATION, as we were to start the season better than ever.  Only one thing; Cuban didn’t land that big fish, didn’t close the deal on a superstar free agent.

Excuse me, doesn’t Mark Cuban star on the ABC hit show, Shark Tank?  On his show he is an investor looking to capitalize on small business owners’ inventions.  He is pretty savvy and the show demonstrates why he is a shrewd business man.  Is Shark Tank  the reason why Mark Cuban couldn’t land a top free agent this summer?  Marcel Mutoni from Slamonline wrote an article about the top free agent Deron Williams being pursued by the Dallas Mavericks this offseason.

According to Deron Williams, one of the biggest reasons he’s not a Dallas Maverick today, is that Mark Cuban didn’t show up for a meeting.
Cuban was busy taping his TV show “Shark Tank” in California, and sent Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle and GM Donnie Nelson to meet with the free agent superstar point guard.
This did not sit well with D-Will, who felt that his questions about the direction Dallas was taking were left largely unanswered.

Deron Williams fell through and stayed with the Brooklyn Nets.  The Orlando Magic gave Dwight Howard up for a cup of coffee to the LA Lakers.  The Mavericks couldn’t even keep old man Kidd, who bolted to the Knicks to play with former teammate Tyson Chandler.  Flexibility; now that’s funny.  The Dallas Mavericks have all this flexibility in the world and can’t sign a single superstar to play with Dirk.  The only option for the 2012-13 season was to sign journeymen (Elton Brand, Chris Kaman, O.J Mayo, Dahntay Jones, and Darren Collison) to one year contracts.  As a MFFL, I am so ecstatic!  Watching a team with a record of 18-24 each night.  This is what the MFFL had envisioned for our big free agent season.  Just two years removed since the Dallas Mavericks’ fans witnessed their first NBA championship and now their beloved team can’t even compete for the 8th seed in the Western Conference.  So Mr. Cuban, why are you being so brass, and telling the basketball world you are ready to deal for players now?  According to Brad Townsend, a reporter for the Dallasnews.com, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban declared that there was a 100-percent chance that the Mavericks will try to make a trade before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.  Monday, Cuban practically stated his intentions in a Jimmy Johnson-esque three-inch headline, saying,

“We’re letting everybody know the Bank of Cuban’s open.  And if it’s the right deal, we don’t mind taking back money.  But we’re not going to do a trade just to do a trade.  It’s got to be worthwhile.”

Only one problem Mark Cuban… no one wants to come to Dallas.

 

LeRoy McConnell III of “A Fan’s Point of View”, for War Room Sports

 

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Are the Days of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 4-3 Defense Numbered?

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

A new head coach means that change is afoot everywhere with the Philadelphia Eagles organization.  There are huge questions surrounding the supporting cast that will surround Chip Kelly.  It appears that the offensive coordinator piece is in place, with former Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur reportedly joining on with the Eagles.

The move marks Shurmur’s return to Philadelphia, who worked as an assistant under Andy Reid for 10 seasons, as first the tight ends coach from 1999 to 2001 and as quarterbacks coach through 2008.  The NFL experience and familiarity with the Eagles organization makes the appeal of the move somewhat understandable, but Shurmur’s reported role is just one small step in a series that Kelly needs to install.  And quickly.

Among other questions, all eyes are focused on Kelly’s plan for the defense and who will be named as the defensive coordinator.  One change that may be afoot with that move is a change from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense.  Reid quickly changed defensive schemes in his new position in Kansas City, and it sounds like the move is something that the team is seriously considering.

According to GM Howie Roseman,

“What we do when we have have our meetings is make sure we are talking about guys in different schemes. As you can see, Andy [Reid] went to a 3-4 in Kansas City and he’s always talking about versatility.  In the last year or two we’ve been talking about getting versatile players.  When we have our first meetings in December we’re making sure that we’re talking about them in both schemes on defense and what they can do in different schemes so that if we were to make a transition, we could do that more readily.”

Roseman’s words, of course, by no means indicate that a move is imminent.  But as the Eagles are examining everything from draft strategy to coaching staff, it’s another option that’s on the table.  Particularly as the team’s once legendary defense has faltered considerably in recent seasons, the Birds are considering every possibility that may help it’s new leader succeed.

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

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Details of Chip Kelly’s’ contract emerge

Monday, January 21st, 2013

by Brandyn Campbell

 

 

 

 

 

The Philadelphia Eagles got their man when they landed head coach Chip Kelly last week, but at what cost?

 

Details have emerged about the details of the contract that secured Kelly’s landing in Philly.  They reveal that the former Oregon coach is now one of the highest paid in the NFL.  Kelly inked a five-year deal totaling $32 million according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.  The contract averages $6.5 annually and, according to a source cited by Schefter, was a key component of Kelly’s decision to take the plunge to the ranks of professional football.

 

Kelly’s contract with the Eagles is strikingly similar to the deal done with Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks when he signed with the team after leaving USC in 2009, signing a five-year deal for $33 million.

 

The terms of Kelly’s contract place him behind Saints head coach Sean Payton and the Patriots’ Bill Belichick, the highest paid coaches in the league, each earning about $8 million annually.  Washington’s Mike Shanahan reportedly earns $7 million a year, and New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin reportedly makes just over Kelly’s $6.5 million a year.

 

Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.

 

Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports

 

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Lance Armstrong and Manti Te’o: Lies and Deception

Friday, January 18th, 2013

by Ron Glover

 

 

 

 

Lance Armstrong (left); Manti Te’o (right)

How will the lies of Lance Armstrong and the possible deception by Manti Te’o affect the relationships between athletes and jounralists who place their credibility on the line when they back their every word?

Ron Glover of The Starting Five, for War Room Sports

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