QuadSquad

Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

2012-02-14T00:30:00.001-05:00

From Mark DiGiovanni

Vice President Litigation Management at Global Indemnity Group

Greater Philadelphia Area

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Mark

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Invitation to connect on LinkedIn

2012-02-14T00:20:00.001-05:00

From Mark DiGiovanni

Vice President Litigation Management at Global Indemnity Group

Greater Philadelphia Area

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Mark

Confirm that you know Mark

You are receiving Invitation to Connect emails. Unsubscribe

The Cry of Freedom Goes Unheard in Washington

2009-06-27T11:21:00.005-04:00

Why can't the President hear the cries of freedom from Iranian citizens who are murdered in the streets by a totalitarian government? Why did he squander this unique opportunity to foster the growth of liberty in one of the most dangerous countries in the world? The answers to these questions remain a mystery. The explanation that a stronger response would only lead to more killing a fallacy. The US did nothing and the slaughter continues as far as we know, since there is essentially a media blackout save for occasional Internet communication.

No one is suggesting that a stronger response could have affected the outcome now, but that is not the point. The issue is assisting the beginnings of freedom in a country that has none, and to show support for a brighter future for the Iranian people. That is not a lot to expect from the world's leading democracy.

Compare Obama's timid and muddled response to that of Ronald Reagan to the Solidarity labor movement in Poland in 1981. His clear words that the oppressors could no longer expect business as usual when dealing with the United States struck a chord in every Polish household, and his emotional support was an important ingredient in the eventual liberation of Poland and Eastern Europe.

The Reagan response was a clear example of statesmanship, and a blueprint on how to deal with dictatorships. The Obama response an example of timidity and appeasement. It was the worst possible response at the worst possible time, and unfortunately we will all suffer for it.

Palin Blog up and running

2008-09-01T09:04:00.002-04:00

I began posting about Sarah Palin here at Quad Squad, but I decided to set up a Palin-focused blog for the task: Palin Drone. She's the queen bee and I am but a drone, or something like that. I couldn't resist the pun, actually. Amabo was I ere I saw Obama?

My favorite line about Palin

2008-08-30T14:25:00.002-04:00

I am getting this from a comment left at Contentions, referencing another comment I could not find. One of the memes that the left is trying to get planted is that Palin is the latter day equivalent of Dan Quayle. Whatever you might think about Quayle, his performance on the stump was not his finest moment. And when Lloyd Bentsen delivered the "You are no Jack Kennedy" zinger, Quayle was left with that "deer in the headlights" look.

Referencing this, and incorporating Palin's hunting prowess, the commenter says of Palin's Dayton performance: She had that deer in the cross-hairs look.

Barracuda!

2008-08-30T10:20:00.002-04:00

This is great psyche-up music to pump up the crowd as Palin enters a room to deliver a speech:

Palin Drone

2008-08-30T08:57:00.003-04:00

I haven't heard that term used yet, but I am sure the nutroots will be trying to belittle Sarah Palin and her supporters, so I thought we should take ownership of the word. YAY is the palindrome I uttered upon learning of her selection. As long as I am suggesting names for supporters of Sarah "Barracuda", I am offering this for the erstwhile Hillary supporters who want to help elect Palin: PUMAs for the 'Cuda. Anyway...

A site that is doing yeoman's work in providing background on Sarah Palin and the fake "scandal" involving her former brother-in-law is Beldar Blog. The trooper in question is a nut job who Tasered his 10-year-old step-son, illegally shot a moose, drank beer while driving his patrol car, has been divorced four times, and threatened to kill Palin's father (leading me to question the judgment of her little sister, but that's not germane to Sarah Palin herself). Of course, the trooper's union had his 10-day suspension reduced to 5 days; that's what unions are for, I suppose. The Anchorage Daily News has a series of articles on this matter. The crux of this issue as it relates to Palin is that a subordinate named Frank Bailey called a trooper lieutenant asking how it is that this guy could still have a job. In the course of the call, he dropped a line that suggested that Palin and her husband were curious as to why the guy hadn't been fired. This was interpreted as pressure from the governor herself to fire the guy, a task which would have fallen to the head of the Alaska Public Safety Department, Walt Monegan. Bailey has said that no one asked him to make the call, and Palin not only denies having authorized the call, but has initiated the investigation herself.

Monegan was offered a different job in the Alaska state government (his spot is a political appointment, and he was appointed to this spot by the previous governor, whose dubious ethics led to Palin's ascension to the governorship), but declined. He sounds like a disgruntled friend of the former governor who is out for a little retribution on behalf of his now-disgraced former political patron.

Suffice it to say, this ain't Watergate. Palin started the investigation so that she could clear the air and remove any taint from her. Good for her. Having served myself in a corrupt political institution, I understand how the good ol' boy back-scratching works, and how trying to change things can bring reprisals and ultimately little but grief. My admiration for Palin stems in part from the fact that she has done what I tried to do, but succeeded politically.

Of course, the left will make this out to be some sort of horrible injustice visited upon some poor hard-working trooper by an authoritarian governor out to punish her sister's ex or something. Beldar has a great line in one of his responses to a comment left at the end of his post: it's clear that the line to support this admitted child-abuser and committer of crimes with a deadly weapon forms at the FAR LEFT. If this is the best they can do...

Transcript from Palin's Dayton appearance

2008-08-29T16:40:00.001-04:00

The whole thing is here; the intro of Palin by McCain and her speech are below:

MCCAIN: I am very pleased and very privileged to introduce to you the next vice president of the United States...

(APPLAUSE)

... Governor Sarah Palin of the great state of Alaska.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: Thank you so much.

And I thank you, Senator McCain and Mrs. McCain, for the confidence that you have placed in me. Senator, I am honored to be chosen as your running mate.

(APPLAUSE)

I will be honored to serve next to the next president of the United States.

(APPLAUSE)

I know that when Senator McCain gave me this opportunity, he had a short list of highly qualified men and women. And to have made that list at all, it was a privilege. And to have been chosen brings a great challenge.

I know that it will demand the best that I have to give, and I promise nothing less.

(APPLAUSE)

First -- first, there are a few people whom I would like you to meet. I want to start with my husband, Todd.

(APPLAUSE)

And Todd and I are actually celebrating our 20th anniversary today. And I promised him...

(APPLAUSE)

I had promised Todd a little surprise for the anniversary present, and hopefully he knows that I did deliver.

And then we have as -- after my husband, who is a lifelong commercial fisherman, lifetime Alaskan. He's a production operator.

(APPLAUSE)

Todd is a production operator in the oil fields up on Alaska's North Slope. And he's a proud member of the United Steelworkers union. And he's a world-champion snow machine racer. (APPLAUSE)

Todd and I met way back in high school. And I can tell you that he is still the man that I admire most in this world.

(APPLAUSE)

Along the way, Todd and I have shared many blessings. And four out of five of them are here with us today.

Our oldest son, Track, though, he'll be following the presidential campaign from afar. On September 11th of last year, our son enlisted in the United States Army.

(APPLAUSE)

Track now serves in an infantry brigade. And on September 11th, Track will deploy to Iraq in the service of his country. And Todd and I are so proud of him and of all the fine men and women serving this country (inaudible)

(APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Next to Todd is our daughter, Bristol, another daughter, Willow, our youngest daughter, Piper, and over in their arms is our son, Trig, a beautiful baby boy. He was born just in April.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: His name is Trig Paxson Van Palin.

Some of life's greatest opportunities come unexpectedly. And this is certainly the case today.

I never really set out to be involved in public affairs, much less to run for this office. My mom and dad both worked at the local elementary school. And my husband and I, we both grew up working with our hands. I was just your average hockey mom in Alaska, raising...

(APPLAUSE)

We're busy raising our kids. I was serving as the team mom and coaching some basketball on the side. I got involved in the PTA and then was elected to the city council, and then elected mayor of my hometown, where my agenda was to stop wasteful spending, and cut property taxes, and put the people first.

(APPLAUSE)

I was then appointed ethics commissioner and chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. And when I found corruption there, I fought it hard, and I held the offenders to account.

(APPLAUSE)

Along with fellow reformers in the great state of Alaska, as governor, I've stood up to the old politics as usual, to the special interests, to the lobbyists, the big oil companies, and the good-old- boy network.

(APPLAUSE)

When oil and gas prices went up so dramatically and the state revenues followed with that increase, I sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska. And we are now -- we're now embarking on a $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence.

(APPLAUSE)

I signed major ethics reform. And I appointed both Democrats and independents to serve in my administration. And I championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. In fact, I told Congress -- I told Congress, "Thanks, but no thanks," on that bridge to nowhere.

(APPLAUSE)

If our state wanted a bridge, I said we'd build it ourselves. Well, it's always, though, safer in politics to avoid risk, to just kind of go along with the status quo. But I didn't get into government to do the safe and easy things. A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not why the ship is built.

Politics isn't just a game of competing interests and clashing parties. The people of America expect us to seek public office and to serve for the right reasons.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: And the right reason is to challenge the status quo and to serve the common good.

Now, no one expects us to agree on everything, whether in Juneau or in Washington. But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions, and a servant's heart.

(APPLAUSE)

Now, no leader in America has shown these qualities so clearly or present so clear a threat to business as usual in Washington as Senator John S. McCain.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: This -- this is a moment when principles and political independence matter a lot more than just the party line. And this is a man who has always been there to serve his country, not just his party.

(APPLAUSE)

And this is a moment that requires resolve and toughness, and strength of heart in the American president. And my running mate is a man who has shown those qualities in the darkest of places, and in the service of his country.

(APPLAUSE)

A colleague once said about Senator McCain, "That man did things for this country that few people could go through. Never forget that." And that speaker was former Senator John Glenn of Ohio.

(APPLAUSE)

And John Glenn knows something about heroism. And I'm going to make sure nobody does forget that in this campaign. There is only one candidate who has truly fought for America, and that man is John McCain.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: This is a moment -- this is a moment when great causes can be won and great threats overcome, depending on the judgment of our next president.

In a dangerous world, it is John McCain who will lead America's friends and allies in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

(APPLAUSE)

It was John McCain who cautioned long ago about the harm that Russian aggression could do to Georgia and to other small democratic neighbors and to the world oil markets.

It was Senator McCain who refused to hedge his support for our troops in Iraq, regardless of the political costs.

(APPLAUSE)

And you know what? As the mother of one of those troops, and as the commander of Alaska's National Guard, that's the kind of man I want as our commander in chief.

(APPLAUSE)

AUDIENCE: USA! USA! USA!

PALIN: Profiles in courage: They can be hard to come by these days. You know, so often we just find them in books. But next week when we nominate John McCain for president, we're putting one on the ballot.

(APPLAUSE)

PALIN: To serve as vice president beside such a man would be the privilege of a lifetime. And it's fitting that this trust has been given to me 88 years almost to the day after the women of America first gained the right to vote.

(APPLAUSE)

I think -- I think as well today of two other women who came before me in national elections.

I can't begin this great effort without honoring the achievements of Geraldine Ferraro in 1984...

(APPLAUSE)

... and of course Senator Hillary Clinton, who showed such determination and grace in her presidential campaign.

(APPLAUSE)

It was rightly noted in Denver this week that Hillary left 18 million cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling in America...

(APPLAUSE)

... but it turns out the women of America aren't finished yet and we can shatter that glass ceiling once and for all.

(APPLAUSE)

So for my part, the mission is clear: The next 67 days I'm going to take our campaign to every part of our country and our message of reform to every voter of every background in every political party, or no party at all.

PALIN: If you want change in Washington, if you hope for a better America, then we're asking for your vote on the 4th of November.

My fellow Americans, come join our cause.

(APPLAUSE)

Join our cause and help our country to elect a great man the next president of the United States.

And I thank you, and I -- God bless you, I say, and God bless America. Thank you.

Sarah on video

2008-08-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am stoked. And here is the reason why, on video.

Craig Ferguson digs Sarah Palin

2008-08-29T13:52:00.001-04:00

Evil Rove must be fibbing

2008-08-28T13:27:00.003-04:00

As every leftist knows, Karl Rove is evil and never tells the truth. So read these lies with a grain of salt. Here's the mendacious concluding paragraph:

Mr. Obama should be way ahead in the race for the presidency but this week has seen five polls showing the essentially race dead even. Deep doubts remain about whether Mr. Obama is up to the job. His running mate and his handlers know this. So they are puffing his résumé, padding his accomplishments and claiming the work of others to reassure voters he is up to the duties of the Oval Office. It may work. But the American people are particular about who they elect as president. And voters do not tolerate candidates whose opinion of ordinary citizens is so low they think they can get away with misleading them.

Best McCain ad yet

2008-08-28T11:54:00.001-04:00

Wonderful ad, but I am still waiting to be disappointed by his Veep pick.

BTW, I learned that "Veep" was a neologism coined by Alben Barkley's son listening to NPR yesterday. So NPR's not totally useless!

Line of the day

2008-08-28T11:36:00.002-04:00

Y'know, listening to Biden's speech last night, I thought: I probably would've liked the guy and his family if they had lived on my block growing up. I think that's because his family stories rang true (why he has embellished his own biography by stealing Neil Kinnock's is another matter, but I digress). But the best reaction comes from a reader of NRO whose words in regard to Joe Biden's mom Jonah Goldberg posts at The Corner:

Any way that we can put her on the ticket? At least she knows that when you meet a bully, you bloody his nose, instead of entering into multilateral negotiations with fellow neighborhood kids.

When did the aphorism...

2008-08-28T09:50:00.003-04:00

"People judge you by the company you keep" go from a bit of folksy wisdom that parents invoke to warn their children to stay away from "bad kids" to an indictment of the speaker's deficient character for practicing "guilt by association"?

I listened to the last hour plus of Stanley Kurtz's interview with long-time and well-respected Chicago talk show host Milt Rosenberg. It was surreal. There were all sorts of angry callers who obviously were reading straight from their Obama campaign-provided talking points. They were threatening Rosenberg and WGN with reprisals merely for having Kurtz on the air. They offered not one scintilla of reasoned critique of Kurtz's work; of course, they betrayed their complete lack of awareness of anything he had written.

Calling him a "smear merchant" (and that's directly from the Obama campaign) is risible. If anything, my own take on Kurtz is that he is so very earnest, so scholarly, and so dispassionate that reading his often long posts on The Corner makes me wonder if he "gets" the concept of blog posting (that is, it's not the best place for a seven paragraph exposition of an issue). That's not a slam at the content of what he writes, and it is offered merely to highlight just how ridiculous calling him a "slimy character assassin" truly is. As an aside, when The Corner adopted a technique of hiding lengthy posts by showing the opening few lines and adding a link that said something like "Keep reading this post", I wrote to Jonah Goldberg that this ought to be referred to as the "Short Kurtz".

If Obama wasn't frightened by what Kurtz might reveal, this would be a non-issue. That he is so afraid should open the eyes of those who are willing to see.

Barack's Buddy

2008-08-26T21:31:00.000-04:00

Sarah Palin for VP

2008-08-23T23:36:00.003-04:00

OK, I offered these cogent and important insights to various writers at NRO, but this hasn't yet made it onto their site, nor have I received an e-mail reply (except for Jay Nordlinger's automatic "out of office" reply. So for the rest of the world, here is why I think in light of Snobama's pick of Biden that Palin becomes the logical choice for McCain:

I have been thinking about the strategic implications of Obama's having selected Biden on McCain's VP pick. And I keep thinking that instead of Mitt Romney, whom I had thought was the most logical choice (based on his executive experience in and out of government, his ability to help keep Colorado in our column, and perhaps his ability to tip Michigan), Sarah Palin emerges as the choice. Here are my reasons:

She makes it difficult for Biden to play the role of attack dog. He is already hamstrung in attacking McCain by his on-the-record encomiums to his pal John. But with his outsized ego and no-"off"-setting mouth, he will have to go somewhere, and if he attacks a woman, he risks looking like an ill-mannered bully.
She puts the women's vote into play. I understand that she is (in the popular imagination of the MSM, at least) to the women's vote as conservative black candidates are to blacks more generally (i.e., not "authentic"). However, for all the disaffected Hillary Harridans out there, as well as just relatively normal women who would like to see a woman at the head of the ticket (thinking ahead to 2012/2016) and a heartbeat away from the presidency, I think she will garner a lot of "in the privacy of the voting booth" support.
She represents conservatism as a reformist with a record of achievement. Bush's "compassionate conservatism" was marketing of his big government instincts with his respect for conservative governance (as embodied by such as Ronald Reagan), in an attempt to make it palatable to more centrist voters. Palin's reform conservatism is not a gimmick and it's not marketing; she took on the worst of her own party in her home state without abandoning her principles (in fact, she stood by them when many, I suspect, would not have), and succeeded substantively on the issues and politically with the voters.
She is fresh, new, and has a compelling story, both personally and professionally. I think she will suck a lot of the media oxygen out of the Obama hype (McCain's recent ads have already put the MSM and the Obamaniacs on the defensive when it comes to the worshipful excesses they have oft displayed), as they will have to tell her story. Okay, they won't have to, but people will demand that they do.

I think she represents an opportunity to change the playing field from one in which careful considerations of geography and the electoral map yield to a larger opportunity to tap into the electorate across the nation. Given that the polls are close, I hope that McCain does not feel that he has to agonize over which electoral votes are more likely to come his way by his choice of running mate. I really think that it's game, set, and match if he picks her.

And this is coming from someone who was high on Kasich and Cantor for their conservative cred, and Romney for his business acumen and electoral considerations. I was sour on Ridge, Lieberman, and a lot of the other names that have been floated (I keep the mailing from the McCain campaign with the bumper sticker in the trunk of my car, waiting for the day I can happily affix it to the bumper; that day won't come until I see his VP pick).

Ode to Oliver...

2007-07-24T23:19:00.001-04:00

(Reprinted from July 12)...

Sadly, our wonderful little cocker spaniel, Oliver, peacefully passed away in his sleep while at my side early this morning.

Oliver has had a difficult past 6 months, but maintained his distinctive spirit until the end. Even so, he went rather quickly, as is often the case with aging dogs. Yet his demeanor was still sweet as ever when I took him to the groomer and vet earlier this week. I sensed Oliver's days were short, but wanted to at least have him dignified and clean for his last hurrah, and his final haircut was indeed one of his best.

Oliver also stayed true to one of his trademarks until the finish. He loved sitting on my lap whenever driving with me, and I never had the heart to move him away. Although a bit slower, he did the same with me in his last ride to the vet earlier this week. Much as he did the very first night I met him, way back on leap year day, February 29, 1996, when Mark Cuneo brought him into the TGS office. Mark had found him at a gas station in the Fairfax district when he brought him into the office, hoping someone might want to claim this adorable cocker puppy. I gladly did, thinking at first that we would have no trouble adopting out Oliver to one of the many children in our neighborhood. By the time I was halfway home, however, Oliver had abandoned the little bed I had made for him in my backseat, instead preferring to sit on my lap as I drove. At that moment I knew I was going to keep him, and he indeed continued to sit on my lap in the car whenever we drove for the next 11 1/2 years.

Those of you who knew Oliver were undoubtedly touched by his kindness, sweetness, gentleness, and happy-go-lucky spirit. I don't think Oliver ever had a bad day. Not a mean bone in his little body. Everyone enjoyed him. I loved him very much, and he reciprocated many times over. Oliver was also the one dog of ours who would run to me first; the bassets and Gigi the chihuahua would almost always first run to my wife or one of the girls. They loved Oliver, too, but he was truly my forever dog.

If a little bit of Oliver rubbed off on me, I am certainly better for it.

In closing, I can think of no better epitaph for Oliver than a conversation I had with my dad a while back. We would often bring Oliver and the other dogs to my mom and dad's house to play. My dad knew how we came across Oliver, and suggested we give him a nickname. "I think you should call him Lucky," said Pop, "because he was so lucky to find a nice dad and home."

I had to smile. "Maybe so, Pop," I said. "But I think the real lucky one was me."

A happy day for Dad

2007-05-21T13:22:00.000-04:00

My day yesterday went like this: up early to finish a garage project to add some overhead storage - I was two tightened screws short of my goal before I had to go to the next matter, which was viewing some homes for sale with Angela. We got in all the real estate tourism we could until it was time to race home and pick up Luca and Gabe.

Luca had to be at a birthday party downtown for his best buddy, being held at LaserQuest (no, not a LASIK surgery center, a laser tag place). Unfortunately, it was also the day of a heavily publicized waterfront concert featuring Luis Palau, so streets were closed making it difficult to get to the place, find a place to park, and bring Luca in while still keeping Gabe with me. Ultimately, I managed to do that, although we arrived at about 4:07, which, as Luca reminded me, made us late for the 4 pm party. Oh well. I had two hours to kill with Gabe while Luca lasered his way to fun (no fortune was involved, but he did get a cool disc-shooting toy in his goody bag).

I took Gabe to the west side of town across from the Vanderbilt campus to Centennial Park. We had been there a couple times before, and Gabe really enjoyed the slides and swings there. When we arrived, he realized that there were no open swings, and so headed straight for slides. After about 20 minutes of playground fun, he came over to tell me that he was hungry. I asked him what he wanted, and he gave me The Standard Gabe Reply: "I doe knooooow". I suggested that there were hot dogs, hamburgers, icees, snow cones... He decided he wanted an icee, but I couldn't find a vendor. So I asked him if a Sno-Cone would be alright, and after I pointed out what one was, he agreed.

We took our Sno-Cones over to a patio table in front of the Centennial Cafe. We sat underneath an umbrella that shaded us from the bright sun on an absolutely beautiful day, weather-wise. The sound of Jazz music emanated from the speakers. Gabey and I were digging into our Sno-Cones, enjoying the respite. Then Gabe says, in his sweet 5-year-old voice, "Dad... this is the LIFE!" I looked over at him approvingly and he repeated "This is the LIFE!"

Yes it is, Gabey, yes it is.

Wilson-Plame Chronology

2007-03-18T16:31:00.000-04:00

This is redundant, as I know you have read this repeatedly in all the papers. But in case you missed it, or if the sources you count in didn't quite lay it out as clearly as you might have hoped, take a look at this article.

A World Without America

2007-02-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

Midnight Reflections

2007-01-14T01:17:00.000-05:00

I'm with Jimmy Johhnson - what the heck is the sense in not going for it on 4th and 15? If you get the hold you are hoping for, it is, at worst, a 30-24 game and you have to score a TD. If you get the hold, it might be 27-24. But when you kick it away, with a tired defense that can't stop the run, you are taking a huge risk of not seeing the ball again.

Andy Reid's clock management has been atrocious for his entire tenure. It has never improved, and when McNabb assumes control again next year, the QB will be as bad as the coach in this area. He did it in the Super Bowl, when he huddled as the 4th quarter disappeared. He seems to have no sense of what to do when the clock is not your ally. So once again, his obtuseness when it comes to the clock was a season killer.

Jeff Garcia has left his imprint on this team; I have zero expectation that he will be back. He is too valuable to a team that is close to be a winner (Chicago?) not to turn up as a starter next year. We will be back with Donovan, who seems to impart a fragile ego to the team. Andy will get back to overdependence on McNabb's skills. I hope I am wrong, but that's how I see it going next year. No joy in Philly until, at a minimum, next October, but don't get too excited about that either. Go Predators! (Unfortunately, there is a lot of talk about attendance issues here, so I don't want them to go as in out-of-town, but as in win.)

Game over

2007-01-13T23:15:00.000-05:00

Terrible ending. Andy Reid is an idiot.

Generous spot

2007-01-13T23:14:00.000-05:00

Deuce thinks otherwise, but I hope they do review it and mark it at the 30, as they should.

Will someone please explain this?

2007-01-13T23:11:00.002-05:00

Two timeouts. End of season staring you in the face. Defense tired. And you punt. Unbelievable.

PUNT??????

2007-01-13T23:11:00.001-05:00

WTF!!!!

Agita!

2007-01-13T23:07:00.000-05:00

What a disgraceful waste of three downs after the gift turnover.

4th and 10 - I can't bear to watch. Okay, I will.

And there it is!

2007-01-13T23:05:00.000-05:00

FUMBLE!!!!

3:41 to go in regulation

2007-01-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

I think the score right now is the inverse of the call by TGS. Not dissing Bruce, but the spread really doesn't matter to me right now.

I don't know how the Eagles change anything at this point. Can only hope for a strip of the ball. Payton won't all a pass, even on third and long, should it come to that, I don't think. I hope it comes to that. Back to the game....

No stop coming

2007-01-13T23:02:00.000-05:00

Can only hope for a mistake (ie, fumble).

First time out burned. Looking very, very bleak.

Lucky

2007-01-13T23:00:00.000-05:00

Saints receiver was open downfield. Clock stops.

Piss poor D on 3rd and 8. Clock ticks away.

Bush for 8. Tick tock.

1st down. Clock runs. Game over.

Run it down our throat

2007-01-13T22:57:00.000-05:00

Seems like the Saints figured it out - run until we stop it. Will we stop it? I doubt it.

3rd and short - huge play.

First down and the clock ticks away...

Biggest possession thus far

2007-01-13T22:55:00.000-05:00

Allow a TD and the Eagles go down by two scores - that would be fatal. Give up a long drive and lose a lot of clock, and that too could be deadly. We need a turnover in a bad way.

Down 27-24

2007-01-13T22:50:00.000-05:00

Don't know if the receiver was as open as he looked on first, but incomplete.

The return of the second and long run for no gain - way to waste a critical down!

Third and long, just like that. They really needed to do something, and they have put themselves in a hole.

That was way too quick - defense will get back on the field and will absolutely need a stop.

Next Saints possession

2007-01-13T22:43:00.000-05:00

Sack on first. Why don't the Saints just run the ball down the Eagles' throat?

Gaither knows how to tackle - he needs to teach the rest of the team.

Third and long - better not give up a first here.

Finally, a defensive stand. Need to score six on the next possession.

Big series

2007-01-13T22:32:00.000-05:00

Momentum could avalance against them with a 3-and-out.

Simoneau uses his head.

LJ nice catch to get a first.

JG nice scramble, called back.

Another nice downfield pass.

Westie rocks! Nice run for another first.

Gain of 9, but nothing on 2nd. Very big play.

Are you kidding me? You go to Tapeh in that situation? Oh Lord!

27-24 Saints. Agita.

Game over

2007-01-13T22:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry to say it, but the Eagles offense can't keep up with this. The defense is awful. They aren't tackling. The pressure is inconsistent. The Saints are going through the Eagles like a knife through butter, and I don't see any way to stop it.

First and (almost) goal

2007-01-13T22:29:00.000-05:00

Deuce with the TD. Jim Johnson's defensive calls this half have sucked. This could be ugly.

Screen to Deuce

2007-01-13T22:21:00.000-05:00

Rayburn ran upfield and forgot to tackle him as he ran by him. I am very worried.

Nice stop on the next play, but they have to watch playing beyond the whistle.

Am I the only one who thinks the Eagles' right end is being held on every rush?

Nice tackle by Gaither - I was afraid he might overrun the tackle.

No luck Eagles - force fumble, and only end up giving up more yards.

I love the comment "heads up play" - he was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

Dhani Jones - mark this down - with a good play. Enjoy it, doesn't happen often enough.

Another big pass given up. Flag aginst Eagles. Looking very bad for the second half.

Defense can't stop anything. Nine yards on that? Piss poor tackling. Holding penalty is nice.

1st-20 - a stop might prevent a FG. Sack by Cole! Another flag - not good. Sh!t. That is the difference between preventing points and almost certainly giving up points. That's our Dhani!

Momentum time

2007-01-13T22:19:00.000-05:00

The Eagles gave away what momentum BW gave them with his long TD run by not playing defense, and then not doing anything with great field position. Ad for "300" - I would like Dan Gray to accompany Victor Davis Hanson to a screening (very inside joke).

Defense needs to figure it out and in a hurry.

Going downfield

2007-01-13T22:14:00.000-05:00

They tried on first - not a bad call.

Reverse to BW - remember the hand-off in the first half to Correll when BW ran this as a decoy? They ran it for real this time and it worked well.

Why, after two plays like the preceding, do you do a slow developing inside handoff to Correll?

BW picked a bad day to get the drops. That was a huge gain lost.

Squandered opportunity. Bad play call on first. Bad drop on second. Bad execution on third.

Punt - or fake?

Kickoff: Birds 21-20

2007-01-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

A little razzle-dazzle! I don't remember the Eagles ever running a reverse on a KO return, and it worked nicely. Good field position - let's do something with it.

On further review

2007-01-13T22:10:00.000-05:00

How is that not holding on the Saints? There was an O-lineman who just had his hands on the pile, including an Eagle, and was pulling everything along. Regardless, the Eagles simply must play better on defense.

I was wondering if this was going to end 39-38 earlier this week - it just might.

Side note: Preds win again, record is 31-11-3. How many made the All-Star team? Just one - Captain Kimmo. I guess those goals all just sort of scored themselves. Paul Kariya anyone?

Who made the adjustments?

2007-01-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

Doesn't look as if the Saints are having trouble moving the ball. Coach Johnson?

Still running right through the D.

Thanks for throwing on first, Saints! Let's pick it up, defense.

That's not what I had in mind - 28 yards down to the 5.

I guess the most interesting question is, do they go for 2?

Hey, it's $155 million!

2007-01-13T22:05:00.000-05:00

I mean, Beckham wouldn't have missed the game to buy a lottery ticket, but I'm not Beckham!

Runs from Deuce and Bush for good yardage. Fortunately, a penalty on the Saints slows their momentum. Defense has to get better.

BW!

2007-01-13T22:02:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have to admit: I had decided to buy lottery tickets at halftime, and the stupid reader wouldn't take the slip I had filled in, or the first one I filled in at the place, and finally on the third try, it took.

Unfortunately, I missed the TD run! I heard it on the radio, from some out of town broadcast I pulled in on a static-y AM station. I couldn't find a local station that had the game, believe it or not. From the tone of the announcers, I would guess that if not a NOLA station, it must have been close!

Don't give up points!

2007-01-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

Smart move by the Saints to try to get some yardage; thankfully, it didn't work.

No penalties on the Hail Mary pass. And KNOCK IT DOWN!

That was too damned close!

I need to pee.

I don't freaking believe it

2007-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

A near block, and then they give up a huge run. I don't believe it.

Clock Management, as usual

2007-01-13T21:34:00.000-05:00

Sack on second down, but no TO called by the Birds. I can't believe the Saints called TO. I hope the defense realizes that if they make a stop, they MUST call TO!

Third down... SACK! And they called a TO!

I hope BW is back for the return.

Waiting on the review that didn't happen

2007-01-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

Why that isn't reviewed is beyond me, but it turns out to be the right call, albeit for a reason other than what Stockton and Moose had offered.

BW over the top for the TD! Akers with the XP.

I was getting the queasy feeling that with the score 13-7 Saints, that we were all set up for the 20-7 lead, as it was under Richie Uptite. I remember the way the momentum shifted to the Eagles in the 4th Q of that game, and it just snowballed. Of course, Randall spent the next week in Dallas throwing balls at his receivers' feet.

Short kick - good return. Here's hoping that they don't give up any points before the half.

First half review at the 2:00 mark

2007-01-13T21:24:00.000-05:00

Birds need to punch it in here and go into the half with a lead. At a minimum, they need a FG. Obviously, they need to make some adjustments on defense. Throwing downfield should be their approach until the Saints can stop it.

Back to the game.

JG with a nice scramble to get the first.

With the NO TO: how about that Colts-Ravens' game? No TD's? Rams 9 Bucs 0. Vinnie Ferragamo.

BW drops a TD! Oy vay! Six points lost because he looked upfield too soon.

I don't see how Stockton and Moose can say LJ is down - he is stretching with his legs off the ground, but his right shoulder *might* be down before the stretch. Obvious need to review.

Best Coors Lite commercial ever: Jim Mora - Playoffs!

Great 3rd down play

2007-01-13T21:13:00.000-05:00

Nothing on first and second, but nice play on third. I think they have to keep throwing downfield, and save the run for later.

Donte drop on 1st.

Direct snap to BW for a small gain - still not sure Mornhinweg knows what he wants to do.

Baskett Case! Another downfield big gain - I think I detect a trend, here Marty - skip the runs for now!

Nice play by Correll - why do I always think he's about to fumble?

Taking it down to the 2:00 warning...

First and goal, again

2007-01-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

Deuce is tough to bring down - I hope they don't give it to him again.

I would like to see a throw to the sideline and a pick.

Saints weren't dumb enough to throw - #44 held, which helped. It looks like it's going to go over the total.

Kickoff

2007-01-13T21:02:00.000-05:00

Nice coverage, albeit with a missed tackle. This is a big series - shut them down and score, make it a 2-score game, and it's a big deal.

Give the Saints credit - they have made two nice gains, first to Colston, then Deuce. First down signal on this run is curious - TV showed it barely at the yellow line, but the ref just called it without a measurement.

Run D still not good. Okay, on that play it was pretty good (!) - loss of 6.

Good call by the Saints against that blitz - lucky not to have been burned for worse.

D needs to make a turnover.

Omar Gaither makes a nice tackle on Colston (how does a guy like that go that far down in the draft? Where was Mel Kiper on that one?). Cole nice stop on Bush, setting up another 3rd down. Come on, defense!

Bad job tackling. Disappointing that they gave up the first on a run.

Saints' drive is what they needed. They don't seem the least bit deflated by the Eagles TD.

Here we go with another 3rd down. A stop now, with a loss, could take away the FG.

Brees is tough if you don't get to him quickly. Bad job tackling, Brownie.

7-6

2007-01-13T21:00:00.000-05:00

The really nice thing about that play is that it has to change the Saints' thinking about what to do on defense. If that guy can be burned deep, they are going to have to defend that, and that could leave open more of the short, West Coast-type stuff to BW and LJ Smith. I wouldn't want to be the Saints' defensive coordinator, trying to figure out how to cover Donte, who can extend the defense, with that CB. Reason to hope, Birds' fans!

Kickoff to the Birds

2007-01-13T20:56:00.000-05:00

A decent return to get the offense started outside the 35 would be nice. Instead, it's only to the 24.

15 plays, 28 yards - not a nice start. Moose notes the similarities to last week.

Correll deep in the I? Weird. Why is BW on the sideline?

He's back, but that didn't help. Neither did LJ being held.

Another 3rd and long. OH MY!!! Maybe they were right about testing that CB
(Fred Thomas). Go DONTE!!!

3rd and goal

2007-01-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

Defense good so far at the goal line, but need a stop here desperately...

Here we go: looked like a drop - thank goodness!

Yes, that was a drop, and I don't think (contrary to the Moose) that that was all that difficult a catch.

Saints 6-0. So far, it's a repeat of last week's game with the Giants. I hope that we get a 10-point lead in this one, but don't blow it, if we are going to follow that script.

First Q thoughts

2007-01-13T20:51:00.000-05:00

Not a good start. The defense made some plays, but gave up some big ones, which is the NO MO on offense. The Eagles offense again looks to be searching for a formula. I think they need to run more. Now back to the game - 2nd and goal at the 5.

Getting bad

2007-01-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

Deep pass complete inside the 5 - things are getting dark for the Eagles. I really don't want a replay of the last playoff game down there, with the Birds falling behind 20-7. Of course, they won, so maybe I do want a replay. Sort of.

Need a momentum changer

2007-01-13T20:48:00.000-05:00

Saints will develop greater and greater comfort level the longer they play with a lead. Eagles need to make a play to change that.

Instead, they let Reggie Bush make a run on them. Oy.

I guess I am live-blogging

2007-01-13T20:46:00.000-05:00

It keeps me sane - although JG's pass on 1st undoes that a bit.

His 3rd down pass isn't too good for my sanity either.

Playing. With. Fire.

Saints ball

2007-01-13T20:43:00.000-05:00

First down - big play - second big gainer of the game.

Injured TE? Could be good for the Birds.

3rd and long... good defense - good pressure, forcing a short pass.

Probably not good field position for the Birds after the punt. Reno made a nice return, but was one step short of a possible big return.

Back on O....

Thoughts at 4:35 of the first

2007-01-13T20:39:00.000-05:00

This isn't the kind of start the Eagles would have liked - not much offense, not much time of possession. The defense is going to have to make another stop and hope that the offense can at least hold onto the ball for a few minutes. I like Jim Johnson's scheme so far. However, they can't play with fire for too much longer.

Birds' second possession

2007-01-13T20:31:00.000-05:00

At least they have a little more field with which to work.

I liked the call on first down, with BW serving as a decoy, except, well, it didn't work very well, now didn't it?

The throw into double coverage doesn't make much sense, except, as Moose claims, as a probe.

Bullet on third down and nice job of wresting the ball away from the defender by Reggie Brown.

First first down - they are trying to run, which I think is a good thing.

Wasted second down - Garcia drops the snap and recovers it.

Saved by a facemask penalty!

BW didn't use his blockers very well on the screen - looked as if he had room to the outside.

Seocnd down run - sets up 3rd and short.

Bad decision by JG not to run - 4th down.

Another thought

2007-01-13T20:27:00.000-05:00

Why is it that the crappy local and state government, that the people of New Orleans are responsible for, is overlooked in all this tear-jerker coverage of the place post-Katrina? It's not that I don't feel sorry for them, and want them to come back, etc., but it's a bit much. If Philadelphia suffered a similar natural disaster, the outcome would probably be similar, save possibly for a better response from the Commonwealth government.

But what fun is wallowing in misery if you can't score anti-GOP points?

Bad tackling on the Deuce run

2007-01-13T20:24:00.000-05:00

Considine got leveled by the Deuce. Two runs later and it's 3rd down, but with the Saints in FG position, it looks like we will be starting in a hole.

The pass on 3rd down was weak, but that was because of good pressure. The defense, except for one run, has looked good.

Saints 3-0.

3rd and long

2007-01-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

A better throw would have gotten the first down.

The punt and the coverage were good.

Catching up a bit: Sheldon Brown's hit on Reggie Bush on the first Saints' possession was a thing of beauty. W was heard to say: "Nice job, Brownie". The Saints' fans were not amused.

Also, at Muzz's urging, I purchased "Fly Like an Eagle" from iTunes today and played it for her on her answering machine. It was a staple of game day in the Vermeil Era in our home.

Second observation

2007-01-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

Holding call on Eagles deep in own end is ominous sign - how much does the NFL want the Saints to win?

Sort of live blogging the Eagles-Saints

2007-01-13T20:19:00.000-05:00

Not sure if I am up to live-blogging the whole game. I will throw out some observations and impressions. First impression of the TV coverage: Moose Johnston is irritating.

Alphabet Soup

2007-01-08T12:27:00.000-05:00

From a funny ESPN column about the weekend games (a sample):

NFC
Knock the NFC if you want to, but the conference posted two playoff wins this weekend. I didn't think it would get that many.

Oxygen
Jeremy Shockey was shown taking oxygen several times during the Giants-Eagles game. So apparently he does, in fact, take in oxygen and -- presumably -- some must make its way to his brain. Who knew?

Playbook
Winning in the postseason forces teams to go deep into their playbooks so they can give opponents different looks. The Eagles did the best job of this in the wild-card round, somehow finding some plays never-before-seen in Philadelphia in which the quarterback takes the snap and, instead of passing the ball, turns and hands it to a running back. Weird.

23-20

2007-01-07T19:59:00.000-05:00

Well, that was torture! On to New Orleans.

End of game strategy

2007-01-07T19:55:00.000-05:00

I guess I don't know whether it's right or wrong to take this down to 4th down rather than try on 3rd, but I wouldn't like leaving time on the clock, as would happen if they made the kick on 3rd. Here we go.........

IT'S GOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD!!!!!!

Luca and Gabe are just happy that I am no longer so tense!

FG coming

2007-01-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

It looks as if they are going to settle for a 38 yard attempt. I don't like this - would prefer trying to make a play. But here we are - time out on third down, and two chances to make the kick if the snap is bad. Glad I don't have money on this one - I thought the Eagles would win by 10 or more.

2:00 Warning

2007-01-07T19:49:00.000-05:00

Not the kind of game I expected. I thought that the Eagles had moved to another level with the Dallas game, but they look ordinary today. Not bad, not especially good, either. I know it's the playoffs and all, but they never seemed to develop a clear attack plan, and even now, they don't seem to know what will work and what won't, except that giving it to BW is rarely a bad idea.

I hope that they give JG the opportunity to make a play.

Okay, giving it to BW is a smart thing! NYG burn their last TO, and the Eagles have the ball at the 19. Please don't screw it up, guys!

Okay, Reno didn't fumble

2007-01-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

How about a 4:52 drive culminating in a FG? I would like that very much.

BW almost made a weirdly great play, diving down without being tackled. I think the refs were quick on the whistle, but he was down with incidental contact.

Short pass to Schobel. Nice run to get the first by BW.

Reggie Brown again. BW again. I hope they aren't playing for a real long FG on a bad field in bad weather. They need to keep moving the ball - don't settle for a 50-yard FG attempt.

BTW, Angela just called - oh, the game's still going on? YES!

Now the rain is a detriment

2007-01-07T19:43:00.000-05:00

I am worried about a turnover on the kick return. Here's hoping that's not prophetic.

Burned by Plaxico

2007-01-07T19:39:00.000-05:00

They got pressure, but Eli got lucky in that Plaxico made a fine play on the ball. They burned their 2nd TO - here's hoping that's a footnote, and not an issue that is discussed as they drive for a winning or tying score.

Piss poor defense. Blitz call was okay, but tackling was lousy. Now they pay for it with a TD surrendered. 2nd and 30 and they give up a score - not looking good for the home team.

Big play time

2007-01-07T19:31:00.000-05:00

How did Tiki get through? They had him stood up. Bad spot - good challenge by teh NYG, which they should have done.

The challenge yesterday was perhaps the most game changing call that didn't involve a score that I can remember. The difference between the spot before and after the challenge was the difference in the game. Aikman is talking about it now, but I disagree with him: there was conclusive evidence of an overly generous spot. Not that I hate the Cowboys or anything, but that was an easy reversal ;-)

First down NYG - that was the right call, sadly.

Yet another false start on the NYG - third on the same guy, I think.

And yet another!

Holding! (Side note: bad Feng Shui on the hall bathroom - I had to pee but couldn't see the TV, even with the door open).

Overthrown on 1st - big deal with the penalties, in addition to the lost field position, is the need to let Eli throw. Could be a big play brewing for the Birds.

Bad defense

2007-01-07T19:27:00.000-05:00

Ineffective blitz - Giants still have life.

Ouch - dislocated elbow for Lito.

Third and short - another big down. The fat guy is in at QB. I didn't understand the Giants thinking there - he is only good for one thing, and once you stack the line, what is he good for but calling a timeout?

BTW, the Coors fake post-game interview commercials are so-so, except for the Jim Mora one, which I think is hilarious. Playoffs? Playoffs?

Good medicine

2007-01-07T19:21:00.000-05:00

Live blogging helps keep my nervousness in check, but it's a lot of work.

Fans are making noise. But Tiki is running the ball for a first down. Given the choice, I would take quiet fans and better defense.

Defensive holding on running plays? Not only is that a weird call, there was no holding on that particular play either. Ridiculous call.

Rain might be good for Eagles, as turnover potential increases. However, that applies to the team with a lead, and the way they are playing on this series, it may be tied shortly.

Nice hard tackle by Trotter. Lito is down - not good. The secondary used to be a strength, but now it's not so much a liability as a question mark. Dawk certainly picked it up as the year went on, but Micheal Lewis went backward. Lito is one of the better players back there - I guess Mikell will get some PT.

Here we go...

2007-01-07T19:15:00.000-05:00

"Speaking of comb-overs, it's Tape" - not bad for an on-the-fly pun by Joe Buck.

BW running right for 3 - 3rd and 2, interesting play call coming up. I vote run.

I got the run, BW got a nice spot, and the Birds have a 1st down. I think he had it without the generous spot, but we'll take the extra foot.

First down was weird - was he going for the near receiver or the one further downfield? Guess it doesn't matter as a practical thing.

Nice blitz pickup by Correll (or a dumb move by McQ), but incomplete.

NO CALL! Was there no contact??? Aikman is right - there should have been a call. Even just illegal contact if not interference.

Gut rumble time again...

20-13

2007-01-07T19:11:00.000-05:00

It could have been worse - Eli could have run (as he should have), or could have made a better throw. Yet it is a one score game again. This would be a real nice time for a clock-eating drive ending with a TD.

Gut check time

2007-01-07T19:07:00.000-05:00

Well, Sheldon should have known to turn the other way and look for the ball. Now it's nervous time.

Cut down Tiki on 2nd after 7 on first down. A play action pass would be deadly, I think. Here's hoping the Giants don't have the guts to give Eli the ball and a chance to make a play. Here's also hoping that they bring some pressure, which has been inconsistent at best.

2nd and long - again

2007-01-07T19:00:00.000-05:00

They might as well have run up the middle - short dump to Buckhalter with a LB draped on his back. At least the massage feels nice.

3rd and 7 - run? Weird call. Akers need to make this one to make sense of that last call.

Akers is good - I remember reading this week that his FG % is "well below his career average". He was 18 of 23, or 78%, compared to a career mark of 82%. I wanted to ask the moron who wrote that whether he understood math - one miss is the difference between "well below" and 83%, and they got a new holder because the last miss was blamed on the holder. Innumeracy is rampant.

Back to the game - two Tiki runs and it's 3rd down - it's Eli Error Time!

Oh well - the yellow TV line never lies. This game is on the brink right now - another Eagles score and it's over. A Giants score and it's nervous time.

Sheldon Brown needs to turn around - stupid penalty.

Predictable

2007-01-07T18:54:00.000-05:00

Why do the Eagles always run on 2nd and long? I mean, every flippin' time - and without success. Reggie Brown with a nice 3rd down grab - and he went down to the sticks before looking for the ball!

Nice reverse on first down - I was hoping for the run. Donte works on his downfield blocks - good to see.

I don't understand the kind of runs they are trying - too much inside the tackles, which by itself isn't so bad, if it's quick hitter-type stuff.

Nice play by Reggie Brown, coming back to the QB. JG bought time and made the throw.

Is the field made of sand? Injury TO - I am turning the massager back on and will be back with more on the other side.

Defense needs to make something happen

2007-01-07T18:48:00.000-05:00

Pinned down at their own 1 - D needs to make points out of this.

Two Tiki runs - Giants are afraid to let Eli turn the ball over.

Nice stop on 3rd - decent pass rush, but not enough pressure for my taste. Omar Gaither has been a find.

As usual, with a big return come the flags - I want to see the replay.

Having seen the replay, I think it was ticky tacky - the kind of thing where there wasn't a block made, just contact of the kind that can't be avoided. I hate flags on returns - they seem to occur about 50% of the time.

Back on O

2007-01-07T18:43:00.000-05:00

I liked the first call - too bad it wasn't there. I didn't like the 2nd down call - deep pitch between the tackles. Baskett has been a revelation, but you don't get first downs when you need 11 and you run 5 yards downfield. This game has a reverse of the first quarter feel.

TURNOVER! Leon Lett lives! The ball is live until it is downed, right? What is this "illegal touch" stuff? I don't see how, if the kicking team is trying to down the ball, and the receiving team comes in and touches the ball, that it's not simply a turnover. Bruce - I need your help.

Great defensive series

2007-01-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

Very hopeful signs: pass rush on 1st that caused Eli to take a 2-yard run. Shut down Tiki on 2nd. Sack by Juqua Thomas on third (why does he pronounce it Joo-KWAY?). He wasn't Frenchy Foo-KWAY after all!

Punt return was nice - they clearly set up a return, and although it wasn't anything fantastic, it was 9 yards, and it gives us great field position. Need to turn this into points.

I'm back

2007-01-07T18:32:00.001-05:00

Third and long - JG should have delivered sooner.

Near turnover on the punt. Now it's on the defense to establish itself this half.

Prediction: turnover return for TD. I can dream, can't I?

Second half

2007-01-07T18:28:00.001-05:00

First possession is key - score and make it a 2 TD game, and the complexion changes. Turnover and the Giants are in the game for the duration. Would like to see, at a minimum, movement down the field.

Nice run by BW - facemask was a good penalty for the Giants, as it caused BW to knock the ball out of his own hand, short-circuiting what might have been a bigger run. Injury timeout - I am eating a salad now, so I will be posting less frequently.

Second half

2007-01-07T18:28:00.000-05:00

Half time thoughts

2007-01-07T18:16:00.000-05:00

Giants blew a huge opportunity to put points on the board in the first quarter. Eagles were better in the second, obviously, but I am still disappointed with the weak pass rush. Not that Eli has shown much ability to make reads and deliver the ball, even with the benefit of time to do so, but I wouldn't want to continue doing this in the second half. Tiki is good, but we have to do better at stopping him, period. If we take him away, then relying on Eli gives us a huge advantage.

Offense seems not so much to have jelled as to have found a few things that might work. BW on the edge - wide pitchouts, please - would be nice. Garcia hasn't impressed, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt in terms of getting past the playoff jitters and warming to the task as the 2nd quarter rolled on. But I don't sense a clear idea of what they are trying to do offensively. I get the feeling that they are making it up as they go, and will hope to open up a 2-score lead before going to a clock-eating approach.

I would take 2 more replays of the 2nd quarter - I had predicted a 34-14 Eagles win in an e-mail this morning, and would love to see that come to fruition.

Giants live in fear

2007-01-07T18:13:00.000-05:00

You knew they wouldn't let Eli throw. But now they have :22 instead of :42 - a wasted opportunity for points. It is so frustrating watching them mismanage the clock, over and over and over.

Good to see BW on punt return, but again, too little too late.

With :11 to go, I don't think Reid would have the guts to try a 15 yard out followed by a Hail Mary. I would.

My gosh! Inside handoff to BW - yeah, let's risk injury to our best offensive player on a meaningless down. If you are going to do that, give it to Correll.

Anyway, half time thoughts coming up...

Call time out!

2007-01-07T18:12:00.000-05:00

Whatthehell!!!

The crappy time management of Andy Reid is exposed yet again. 3rd and long, Eli could make a mistake - use the flippin' time out! Yes, yes, pray for me, kids!

1:57 to go in the half

2007-01-07T18:04:00.000-05:00

2nd and 7 - now 2nd and 12. That's more false starts in a half than you usually get in two games.

Short pass to Brown - why did the ref stop the clock? We'll take it, I guess. 3rd and 5 - big play. Wow! Reggie Brown in heavy traffic! Could have called interference on NYG, but it doesn't matter.

Wasted first down. Why isn't that roughing? I have seen cheaper calls than that made.

TD Donte! Inferno! Divinely comical! Six! XP and it's 17-10. Fly Eagles Fly in the background. Donte almost didn't make the catch - rolled around on his shoulder pads a bit. Great protection - Shawn Andrews made a great block off the snap, burying the left end and giving JG all the time in the world.

Teeth-rattling hit on the kickoff return. Looks like a game break and then back to the action. Angela and the twins went to church - hope they pray for my forgiveness!

Kickoff

2007-01-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

The Eagles only ever make me nervous returning kicks - never much of a chance for a big return, but always the possibility of a TO.

Reggie Brown - nice catch and run on 1st. 14 yards. I gotta pee but I don't want to!

Saw Correll's run and then had to go - missed the LJ catch. Why does Runyan do sh!t like that? So unnecessary. He got lucky that the Giants guy responded by knocking him into a ref. Eagles got lucky on that exchange.

First down call is mystifying - even joe Buck is noting that running inside has been futile. Dante makes a nice catch and run for the first.

What in the HALE is JG calling a time out for? He is channeling McNabb on clock management at the end of the half. What a dumb, dumb move.

In other news: I plugged in the chair massager that I got for Christmas - at least I am getting a massage while watching!

A delay to BW - I can't fathom the thought process there. Why aren't they trying to get the ball to him on the edge, where he can beat the LB & secondary instead of first having to get through the line? I guess that's why Marty Mornhinweg (I am nearly certain I misspelled that) gets the big bucks and I sit here blogging.

Side note

2007-01-07T17:51:00.000-05:00

Tradition has it that we keep the tree up until my birthday (1/6). That's why it came down today. I am 43 years and 1 day old!

First down - could have used a better bounce. Incomplete, but could have been a game-changing INT with some luck.

Second down and little for Tiki. Big third down.

Sheldon is back and making the play! Nice defense. 10-10.

Quick recap

2007-01-07T17:42:00.000-05:00

Bruce is a football savant - remembers scores of multiple games, factoids such as the game in which the Chiefs first wore red pants. Unbelievable! One of the smartest guys I know. A smart sports station would have him on board already.

KO: Akers through the end zone? Doesn't happen often.

Eli and Gilbride are arguing - nice. I liked that the Giants ran Tiki - shows lack of confidence in Eli. However, don't like the defensive response.

Again, on second and one, that's a down that an offense could use to try for the big play, but the Giants ran. First down.

White Trash loses his helmet but keeps on moving forward - I don't like him, but he's a good player. Pass out to the flat. Nice play by Sheldon Brown on second down to stop Tiki - a stop would be nice on third.

Nice hold by Tiki. That's an effective way to pick up the blitz. Defense needs to stop this now.

Not a pretty play, allowing Tiki to run down the sideline.

Time out for the Giants - defense doesn't look good, and losing Sheldon Brown could be a big loss. More after the commercials.

Back to the game

2007-01-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

I am looking for #18 - instead, it's a reverse to BW, who takes it 20 yards. Go Westie!

Nine more from Correll - one of the great stories of this season. Good guy from all I have read, and before his injuries one of the best at delivering a hit to the defense even as he was being tackled.

Sorry, Angela picks now to have the tree pulled out to the front of the house. Wives are great! So I saw the plays in the green zone, but can't give you a run down. At least Koy can hold the ball - unlike Romo (hah!).

10-7 - I really wanted the TD, but a lead is nice.

7-7 - it's a new game

2007-01-07T17:32:00.000-05:00

Good KO and coverage.

Gabey's last message was all his own.

Tiki's short run is what we need. The gang tackle on 2nd down was a thing of beauty.

And Eli comes through! All the time in the world (I was cursing the pass rush under my breath) and he makes that throw. Thanks, Eli!

BTW, I received a missive from Bruce that starts out with a Bengals-Broncos score - I will have to check it out during the stoppage in play.

I say go for the jugular: play action to BW, throw downfield to Dante.

Gabey wants to type

2007-01-07T17:31:00.000-05:00

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