The Circle of a Philly Athlete's Career

He entered the Philadelphia sports scene with boo's when he was drafted, and left Sunday's game against the Ravens with the same sentiment from the fans. But Donovan McNabb's career in Philly is not over yet (he will be playing this Thursday).

But is that the right choice? McNabb has gotten progressively worse since the first week, which led to him being benched in favor of Kevin Kolb in the second half on Sunday.

Let's face it, before the season, nobody (except the boo birds) where calling for Donovan's head. He still is a good QB. But the Eagles have to think of next year, since the Eagles are all but out of the playoffs. Will he be a solid quarterback in the upcoming year?

Starting Kolb (if McNabb's career in Philly is over), is the best choice. Not all young QB's start off good. Kolb had an especially rough day against the Ravens. But if you're concerned, look at Matt Cassel. Everyone figured the Patriots were done without Brady, and Cassel didn't look too great the first couple of weeks. But, unlike McNabb, he has gotten progressivly better, leading up to his monster game on Sunday.

The bottom line is Andy Reid needs to make a decision for the rest of the year. Quarterback controversys are never a good thing. So if McNabb or Kolb is the starter after Thursday's game, they should continue to start the rest of the season.

1980-2008

In 1980:
HP released its first personal computer

The US hockey team defeated the Soviet Union

Jimmy Carter was President

CNN began

The Sixers lost to the Lakers in the Finals

The Flyers lost to the Islanders in the Finals

John Lennon died

And the Phillies were the best team in baseball

Switching Bandwagons

Allow me at this time to jump off of the Trail Blazers wagon, and promptly jump on the Toronto Raptors. Sure the Blazers will still be a decent team (look what they did in the first half last year without Oden), and after Oden comes back they will be better.
But I have seen the light in Toronto. After Chris Bosh's time in Beijing, and acquiring Jermaine O'Neal, the Raptors are ready to roll this year. Bosh started the year off right with 27 points and 11 rebounds while the healthy O'Neal chipped in 17 and 8.
People keep forgetting that O'Neal is only 30, and Bosh is still morphing into one of the leagues best. The only direction for this team is up, and it looks like that's where they're heading.

Congrats Philadelphia

Celebrate Phillies fans, for you are no longer the team that lost to Joe Carter in '93. You are no longer the team that can produce MVP after MVP, but do nothing in the playoffs. You are simply the best team in baseball.

Talib > Jenkins=The Right Decision (So Far)

As a Bucs fan, I was hoping South Florida's CB Mike Jenkins would be the one chosen with the 20th pick in last years draft. After building the core of the '02 Championship team through alumnus from Florida, FSU, and Miami, I was hoping they would select the player that played at Raymond James through his collegiate career.

Thankfully, Tampa ignored my thoughts, and chose Aqib Talib, from Kansas, with the 20th selection. The hated Cowboys snatched up Jenkins five spots later at the 25 slot.
And now, almost halfway through the season, Talib seems to be doing well compared to Jenkins. While Mike has a couple more tackles, Aqib has piled up 3 interceptions to Jenkins doughnut.

I am so excited for Talib's early NFL sucess, especially after last years top pick, Gaines Adams, started off extremly slow. Hopefully this early sucess will continue through the rest off his young career.

Finally...

For the first time I can remember, not one, but two of teams I root for (Twins, Rays, Phillies, in that order) is in the World Series. Everyone and their mother seems to be picking the Rays in 6 or 7, which is odd, because just a few days ago, they were claiming the Rays were dead with a 3-2 lead in the ALCS.
Now, Crawford, Price, Longoria, the Flying Hawaiian, and Cole will meet the nation. As for my prediction, Rays in 7. Any team with 3 possible MVP's in their lineup will not go down without a brawl.

The Face Of OKC

Is there a better player to be on a team searching for a identity, than this man? Oklahoma City Thunder meet Joe Smith. Match made in heaven.

My, Times are Changing

As of 4:50 on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins have the same number of wins as the New England Patriots. Yes, let that sink in...

Ronnie Brown is Back!

A Season A Decade in the Making

I held off all season to say anything, afraid to jinx them, but I think it's safe now, because the Tampa Rays are in the playoffs.
They could win the World Series.
This is a good team. And still, luck has everything to do with it. How else would you explain a team that was perennial basement dwellers, gets off to a unbelievable start, loses two of their best players, keeps on truckin, clinches their first ever playoff appearance, and is now in the drivers seat of a division with two of baseballs most dominant teams.
Let's just call it karma.

Second, about all this talk about the Tampa not deserving this team due to the attendance. For the first decade of their existence the {devil} rays have not mattered. To put this into perspective, the team that came into the majors with them, the Diamondbacks, have already won the World Series. Also, while the writers are complaining about the Rays attendance, the two-time Champion Marlins are playing to 56 fans a night.
Wait till next year.

Above all else, I just can't believe how things have changed since the days of Boggs, and McGriff. Times are changing, and maybe the AL East is a three headed monster now...

NFL's LeBron and Melo

First off, I know this is a ludicrous statement. Personal rivalry's are much more rare in the NFL than in the NBA. There are less players in the NBA and it is more personal (smaller playing surface, no pads or helmets).

What I am saying is Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden could be the next Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. The best at their positions, and their respective teams battling for the number one spot.

For this to happen two things need to take place:
#1 Both Peterson and McFadden would have to become the full-time starter, and thrive on it.
#2 Both teams would have to greatly improve. Because, lets face it, Oakland will not be in the Super Bowl this year or next. Minnesota is alot closer to that goal than the Raiders

As for the LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony thing: they do have several similarities. Both were stars before they made it pro: A.P at Oklahoma, and Run DMc at Arkansas, where the two came in 2nd for Heisman voting. Both were drafted as the face of the franchise. Although not as much as LeBron for Cleveland.

This will take time. Oh yes it will take time. But on a talent level it is there. 2012 Super Bowl: Raiders vs. Vikings!