AlexdeParis said:

Like Carl Banks just said on WFAN, no matter what you dial up on defense, sometimes the other guy is just better than you(referring to Fitzgerald). That cat is sick! If he stays healthy and continues to get better, he'll be up there with Jerry Rice. It'll be interesting to see how the Steeler D handles him.

uPtoWnNY said:

All credit to Fitzgerald (who everyone already knew was going to be a huge star), but there were still too many mistakes on the defensive side of the ball. I saw more missed tackles in this game by the Eagles than the entire year. It was as piss-poor a defensive effort as Jim Johnson's squad has ever had. The Cardinals called a great game, but there were plenty of plays to be made and the Eagles D made very, very few. You know it's bad when the only turnover you have was forced by a wide receiver.

STEELERS

AlexdeParis said:

Boldin is a #1 wide receiver. Houshmanzadeh is more of a possession guy. G-Men need a #1, because Plaxico's future is uncertain. And Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree will be gone by the time the Giants draft. That kid is a S-T-U-D.

AlexdeParis said:

Yes, the Eagles receivers dropped the ball on this one, literally, Especially Baskett on that last possession.

Both my teams showed they asses yesterday. Oh well, I guess that's why they play the games on Sunday.

Congrats to both teams and now, I'm officially rooting for the Steelers.

Oh, and whycome this ain't a sticky no mo?

SCNDLS said:

because football is a neanderthal undertaking and the more enlightened among us don't think much of the pursuit of the Super Bowl Trophy.....

reneGade20 said:

I'm inclined to agree, except in my case, of course.

uPtoWnNY said:

I'd say they're all #1 WRs. Ocho Cinco was almost invisible this year and TJ still put up great numbers and made clutch plays. The Eagles need a proven veteran #1. I love DeSean Jackson stretching the field as a #2, I really like Kevin Curtis as a #3 (he had that last drop and the one against the Giants, but he's been great other than that), and Jason Avant makes a lot of plays in the slot. Greg Lewis and Reggie Brown appear to be out, but Baskett isn't bad as a 4th receiver. The emergence of Brent Celek at the TE spot during the playoffs means a lot for McNabb (who did most of his damage with Chad Lewis when the receiving corps was much, much worse). With 2 1st-round picks, the Eagles need to get a #1 playmaker at receiver. We saw what happens when you have one...

AlexdeParis said:

Is that a reference to the Bronco's? Niner's?, Vikings? . . .

Reggie Wayne isn't a #1 by your criteria but he's effective . . .

I think Jackson is the new #1 in Philly. Why wouldn't you want to get the ball to him?
I would work on that D . . . .

SCNDLS said:

SUPRMAN said:

No, you need that big, tall 6'5" Burress/T.O./Moss homerun hitter, that commands double-teams, and opens things up for everyone else. Having a big deep threat like Boldin would make Jackson, Curtis and Celek more dangerous. What happened to Eli without his safety vavle?

SUPRMAN said:

How do you figure? Reggie Wayne is most definitely a #1 receiver. He has been for the last 2-3 years (at least).


I like Jackson, but he still has a lot to learn. Besides, with him handling punt return duties, I don't think he's the answer at #1. I could name 32 better WRs at this point, so that's not good enough. Besides, Curtis needs to be moved to #3, so they'd need someone else. Why not go with a proven veteran?


I'm sure there will be some tweaks, but they've been outstanding for the most part. A few additional players here and there, but no major overhaul is needed.

Cowboys interested in Ravens' Lewis?
Word around the NFL is that the Dallas Cowboys are very interested in obtaining Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis if he becomes a free agent. The speculation is that the Cowboys are willing to give Lewis a three-year deal worth between $27 and $30 million, with $25 million guaranteed.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones believes his team is in the serious hunt for a Super Bowl title next season, and that Lewis could help solve some of the team's problems inside the locker room.

The Ravens are expected to begin negotiations with Lewis, who is in the last year of his contract, as soon as the season is over. Fellow linebackers Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are also in the final years of their contracts.

Suggs' decision to play against the Steelers was a courageous one. Oh, and by the way, he happened to come up with two big sacks.

reneGade20 said:

Is it more enlightening to start a MJ, madonna, or janet thread and
have a discussion everytime they fart?

When it's football season this is what football fans talk about the super
bowl.
Go steelers! Ray lewis and company enjoy your offseason.

SCNDLS said:

The Ravens, I'm betting keep Suggs and let Lewis go. Lewis is probably going to be another Warren Sapp. More mouth than production. And get overpaid for it.

uPtoWnNY said:

Santana Moss isn't a game changer?

I don't think it's about height. Height helps you outjump a CB but downfield speed is what's needed. And someone to get it there.

SCNDLS said:

This is what is mind boggling with jerry jones. No question ray lewis is a tremendous football player but why is he continuously going out trying to buy high priced football players. You can't always buy a damn super bowl. It has been proven time and time again. You can't just put a bunch of prima donnas on a team and think that's gonna bring you a title. Team chemistry counts too.
The cowboys were successful in the early 90's because jimmy johnson built that team through the draft and with serviceble but good free agents like thomas everett and jay novacek. Jerry jones got lucky one year with mortgaging the
farm on deion sanders but that approach hasn't been successful since.

AlexdeParis said:

Reggie Wayne is only 6'0 tall, so he isn't that Owens/Moss/Burress prima donna jerk WR type.

Get someone else to do punt return duties. I guess you'll sleep on Jackson until he leaves and begins his Pro-Bowl days elsewhere.

I don't see a #1 WR as a pressing need for the Eagles. Doesn't hurt to upgrade the defense.

phunkdaddy said:

Agreed, but I think in THIS case he's looking for a definitive leader off the field. Romo and Owens ain't it.

SUPRMAN said:

Suggs stated in an article several weeks ago that the ravens are gonna take
care of lewis first and he felt it should be that way. Suggs stated he will see
after that how negotiations go with himself and the ravens.

phunkdaddy said:

That's just deference to Lewis. Suggs knows Lewis is gone and so does Lewis.
Why pay him instead of a younger Suggs?

SUPRMAN said:

Leadership and locker room influence. Lewis is gonna bring it every play.
Not saying suggs doesn't although he will disappear in games from time to time.
You know what you're getting with lewis. Why you think the steelers resigned
james farrior to a new deal before the season started although he's 33.
You know james like lewis is gonna bring it every game and they are both in great playing shape. James farrior is second team all pro. The ravens may find
a way to sign both guys and let bart scott walk.

SUPRMAN said:

You're getting confused between me and uPtoWnNY. Height is important, but it's not the end-all be-all IMO. Look at Steve Smith! Still, I think the Eagles desperately need a veteran #1 receiver -- someone who will make the tough catches and threaten the defense enough to game plan around him. I believe Jackson can be a #1, but I don't think he is right now. He's also a damned good punt returner, so I don't think they should take those duties away from him (for an example of how that can backfire, look what Chicago did with Devin Hester). If I were to name the best receivers right now, my list would include these guys (in no particular order):

R. Moss
T. Owens
S. Smith
L. Fitzgerald
A. Boldin
A. Johnson
B. Marshall
R. Wayne
P. Burress
W. Welker
T. Houshmanzadah
Calvin Johnson
G. Jennings
R. White
M. Colston

Not quite (IMO)
L. Evans
Santana Moss
L. Coles
D. Bowe

Fading
M. Harrison
T. Holt
H. Ward
D. Mason
Chad Johnson
D. Driver

The defense has been carrying the team and was the top D in the conference. Yes, there should be some tweaks, but I doubt they're going to blow the whole thing up. The linebackers were better this year, but there's still room for improvement. Another defensive end would also help.

babynoz said:

That's a lovely thang! And when he speaks. . .

phunkdaddy said:

You would think that all JJ would have to do is take a look at the Yankees' pitiful attempts to buy leadership and championships since their last title and how its done nothing but raise their payroll and caused their slow but sure downfall....instead of developing the young talent on his team, like D-Ware and Bradie James, et al, he keeps bringing in guys that will not bring what that lockerroom needs....granted, RayLew is the man, but he's only ONE MAN....and you know that at some point, him and T.O. are going to bump heads....

...and we all know what happens to people who bump heads with RayLew...

...they end up sleepin' with the fishes, see?? (I know that was in bad taste, but I couldn't resist!! )

reneGade20 said:

Actually that's not entirely true cuz Jerry has drafted some awesome rookies lately including Marion Barber, Martellus Bennett the tight end, Felix Jones who was the TRUTH til he got hurt, Tashard Choice who showed some skillz as a back. Not to mention others like Greg Ellis, Flozell Adams, and Roy Williams who were all drafted by Jerry and haven't played anywhere else. And what do you mean he needs to develop D-Ware? Isn't he the NFL sack leader? What more does Jerry need to do for him? I'm just saying that Jerry has done pretty darn good in the draft.
[Edited 1/19/09 19:26pm]

SCNDLS said:

Not develop in terms of on field talent, because the guys you mentioned are all beasts, without a doubt...I'm talking in terms of these young cats learning and developing their leadership traits and taking charge of the team, instead of relying on outside folks...its like a company that keeps bringing in managers from the outside instead of promoting from within....

The Eagles BETTER go after Derrick Ward, because they NEED a bruiser to complement Westbreezy.

reneGade20 said:

I get it but isn't that the coach's job to develop? MOST of these guys were there under Parcells and IMO his coaching style did not encourage or nurture locker room leadership cuz he's the president and the king and functions largely by intimidation.