He Who Holds the Reigns

For the Animal Supporters of America, the inconvenient truth has become that Michael Vick is playing so well that even your dogs are tuning in on Sundays. Once a convicted felon, a villain in the public eye on the account of the dogs that he tortured and sent to death for his "cultural entertainment," Michael Vick has rebuilt himself and now sits in his chair atop the football world, the chair that gives him the best view of the NFL's newest game show entitled, Slow Mike Down. Following a 6 touchdown Monday Night performance against Washington two weeks ago, Vick's game worn jersey was brought to the Hall of Fame to be hung amongst the best quarterbacks of all time. Marino, Elway, Montana, and Vick. Not only has Vick shocked the football world, shattered some records, and placed his jersey in Canton, Ohio this season; he has also inserted the Eagles into Super Bowl talks, and put the NFL in a hell of a spot, as the emerging face of their precious product.

Much to Roger Goodell's chagrin Michael Vick is not back to square one, but ten times bigger and better than he was before he did hard time. With every week that passes, each eye popping play turns a hater into a fan, and makes Vick a heavy candidate for the NFL's most marketable player. Were over it, what Vick did was wrong. Professional athletes are human, and human errors have on so many occasions been forgiven, and it is time to forgive one more. The NFL has no choice but to let the "new Michael Vick" take hold of the league as a lobbyist against wrong, and the modern day symbol of hope and determination.

JD

"Don't It Always Seem To Go"

Donovan McNabb was the best quarterback in Philadelphia Eagles' history, and the respect he never received from the fans and organization could be vented upon for days. I was and always will be a defender of McNabb's legacy in Philadelphia, where he led us to five NFC Title games, one Super Bowl, and the best record of any NFC team in a ten year span. This off season, with McNabb's run in Philly coming to an end, I was in the minority in wanting number 5 to remain in white and green, but knew that moving to Washington could be the best thing for a career that was not dead yet. Sunday, it became evident that "utter" disrespect is something that McNabb can just not escape. Down six with two minutes ago, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan pulled Donovan and put back up QB Rex Grossman up against the defense of the Detroit Lions. When Grossman fumbled into the hands of Ndamukong Suh who ran it back for a game icing touchdown; the cameras panned to McNabb, who's facial expression was simply asking why? Since going to Washington Donovan has spoken rashly of Philadelphia, from fan base to organization on many occasions. Of all the respect that wasn't handed to McNabb during his days in Philadelphia one thing can be said for sure; with two minutes left and the game on the line, Andy Reid would have never put him on the sideline.

JD

Weakened At The Knees

Following season ending losses, that are at all times devastating, I find it cliche and monotonous to harp on what should of and what could of happened. To create a very shortlist I will say that there was no reason for Ryan Madson to pitch two innings when Jose Contreras was pitching as well as he was, Mike Sweeney would have been a better fit for a sac fly when pinch hitter Ben Fransisco stranded Raul Ibanez at third with one out in the sixth, and Greg Gross needs to be replaced by a Little League coach that will tell Ryan Howard to swing at anything close with two strikes; waste it or drive it. See but no matter what I say the World Series will not start in Philadelphia next week. We will need to wait until April to see red pinstripes play in a game that counts, and will proceed to drool over a long off season that will hopefully provide some exciting relief to an alarming end to another pennant run. Like many others I have made the Phillies my go to source of entertainment, and handed them the power to dictate my mood from night to night. With that I am left with nothing to say at all. The Giants beat us, they pitched better, hit better, and were managed better. Saturday night was far from just another day at the ball park for our beloved Phillies, and when they left, our dynasty case was weakened at the knees.

JD

Now This...This is Awkward

Over the last few weeks Eagles fans have managed to put the 30 minute Kevin Kolb era in the rearview mirror and fall in love with the infamous Michael Vick. Spurred by his flashy play making ability, and immediate gridiron success, Michael Vick is no longer an evil dog torturer in the likes of Broad and Cottman but the messiah, a god send to a football Franchise appearing more desperate than it needs to be.

While Vick may be Philly's "messiah" he is far from Superman, and last week against Washington that showed when Vick injured his ribs on a 30 yard scramble that was getting called back by holding from the start. Funny how that works. This week the Birds are marching into San Fran for a Sunday Night bout and Kevin Kolb is leading the pack; now what do the fans want? If Kolb dazzles the Niners the case will be made that he should have the ball even when Vick recovers from his rib injury. If Kolb stumbles and falls like in his debut; it will be just another reminder of the rocky road that lies ahead, and that the excitement of the Kolb-era was ill fated and ill advised.

JD

Say Your Not Scared: I Dare You

The "Big Three's" taken, so let's give that up. ESPN.com called them "The Firm," catchy and clever, bravo to the Worldwide Leader in Sports. The way I see it? It doesn't matter what you call them, they don't need a cliche nickname. All I know is that this post season, the Phillies are top dogs again, and this time it's not Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, or Jayson Werth. It's three pitchers who have had success, but together, rock the baseball world.

Us Phillies fans can replay it in our heads like it was yesterday. 2008. Cole Hamels staring cold into the glove of Carlos Ruiz, cool and confident that he would mow down the opponent, sizing up hitters with the eyes of a future champion. In that post season Hamels pitched in 5 games, threw 35 innings and gave up a mere 7 earned runs. When the Phillies celebrated the club's first crown in 28 years that October, it was Hamels' 4-0 record and 1.80 ERA that ultimately set them apart. Evidence? The MVP Awards of both the World Series and NLCS that Hamels took home when the team finally ran out of champagne.

In 2009. Hamels didn't give the follow up performance the crowd was looking for. His 10-11 record and 4.32 ERA fell way short of club and fan expectations, and by the 2009 trade deadline Cliff Lee was a Phillie and Hamels was no longer the team's number one. It took until 2010 for Cole to take that to heart. Reuben Amaro acquired Roy Halladay in the off season, and Cole wasn't on the hill come opening day at Nationals Park. Regardless, he saw 2010 as an opportunity to make Philly forget that he ever missed a beat. This year Cole has dazzled opponents start after start, and while his 12-11 record is a product of an inconsistent offense, his 3.09 ERA speaks volumes for itself. '08 form? Cole would say its just 2010 form, and the difference a year can make.

Reuben Amaro Jr. has always been a General Manager who doesn't shy away from assessing immediate team needs. This off season he sent Cliff Lee to Seattle in a three team trade that made Roy Halladay a Phillie, building one of the league's best one-two rotation punches. Halladay has displayed nothing short of greatness with a Cy Young worth 21-10 record, and four complete game shutouts, the last of which clinched the NL East. At this year's deadline Reuben was at it again, but this time surprised us all. Although a struggling and ailing offense was a major concern come late July, Amaro seized the opportunity to put another lights out starter in red pinstripes. Enter Roy Oswalt. Since joining the club, Oswalt's ERA has dropped almost a full point to 2.73, and his 7-1 record has dictated much of a 19-6 team run.

The Phillies clinched the top spot in the National League earlier this week, and that allowed them to set up their three man rotation for the NLDS. While the other teams may need to focus on getting in themselves, you can't help but wonder how well they are sleeping. With Hamels, Oswalt, and Halladay on the play bill, teams know what to expect; a struggle. While hitters may have to face them, pitchers need to oppose them. Going into a game knowing that giving up three runs puts your team in a bad position, raises the stress level of opposing rotations immensely. Have a thing for sheer dominance? Take a look at the combined 13-1 record these guys have posted in September. That doesn't get you going? Just stay tuned, the fun is yet to come.

JD

A Second Chance: A Better Chance

Sunday in Jacksonville, Michael Vick proved that he was far from a Kevin Kolb fill in. Not only is the once pro-bowler, and once inmate getting the second chance he dreamed of, he is playing with a supporting cast sent from the football gods; so let's get one thing straight. Michael Vick is starting solely because he is one of the NFL's prominent offensive weapons, and while PETA may not be convinced, the rest are getting there.

Just when it seemed like all was crashing down on Philadelphia, the water has calmed, and the light has shined through. Much to the chagrin of many, that light is Michael Vick. Vick has carried an ailing offense to two straight wins, putting up eye popping numbers, and making eye pleasing plays. Vick has joined an offense full of weapons, filled with the uncertainty of what's to come, and powered by the element of surprise. What he adds with his legs, arm, and experience, raises the hazard level significantly. What Vick does is create. His play making abilities will enable Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to get in the open field and use their legs to make it happen as well. The possibilities for an offense that features the swift #7 are endless. So open up your mind and your eyes, and just enjoy the show.

JD