26
Apr
2013
Watch Giants’ first round draft pick Justin Pugh’s awesome draft day moment (VIDEO)
This is pretty fun to watch.
Instead of making the trip to Radio City Music Hall, Syracuse OL Justin Pugh hosted a party with friends and family last night at his home in Pennsylvania to take in the proceedings at the 2013 NFL Draft. And as you can see from the video below, being surrounded by the ones you love can make the greatest moment of your life all that much more special.
Watch as Pugh – a lifelong Eagles fan – takes the call from the New York front office informing him that he’s the newest member of the Giants. As family members scramble to find the remote control, Pugh makes pleasantries with new head coach and fellow Orangeman Tom Coughlin, all while barely being able to contain his excitement over the phone. It’s certainly a stark contrast to the intensity and formality of the green room, where your every move is under a microscope for all the world to see. Heck, just ask Geno Smith.
But be sure to stick around to the end of the clip, because the moment he hangs up the phone (1:50) is pure magic, as his friends explode on Pugh in celebration … despite their conflicted feelings as Eagles fans. In fact, check out his buddy to the left at around :20 when Pugh says “That’s done with, I’m excited to become a Giant”. Poor guy goes from elation to confusion in .3 seconds once he realizes the implications of having to root for the Giants now. Classic.
This type of emotion is what the draft is all about, and if you don’t get goosebumps watching this, I don’t know what to tell you.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
20
Aug
2012
Andy Reid and Cullen Jenkins go nose-to-nose during sideline argument (VIDEO)
(Image via sportsgrid.com)
In a strange scene from tonight’s Eagles-Patriots game, Cullen Jenkins got right up into the face of head coach Andy Reid on the sideline, with the two going at it for a few moments before being separated by coaches and teammates. And it was all caught on camera.
The moment came in the second quarter, after the Philadelphia defense allowed an 80-yard scoring drive. Reid barked something at Jenkins – likely in an attempt to inspire a better effort from his troops – but the 6’5″ defensive tackle took exception to being chastised, standing up to go nose-to-nose with his coach. Needless to say, this didn’t go over too well with Reid, who repeatedly told Jenkins to “sit down” while defensive line coach Jim Washburn stepped between the two. Jenkins – in his second season with the team – seemed unwilling to comply, shouting back at Reid before DT Derek Landri dragged him away, potentially saving Jenkins from himself.
The immediate reaction has to be “what Cullen was thinking?!?”, especially considering that Reid is currently grieving the recent loss of his son. And you also have to wonder why tempers are already running so high for the Eagles, so early into this year’s campaign. Seems a bit soon for the in-fighting to have already begun.
Apparently, Reid and Jenkins were seen conversing on the sideline later in the game, so let’s hope they were able to talk everything out.
UPDATE: Both men downplayed the incident after the game, playing the old “it’s an emotional game” card, and letting us know everything is fine between the two.
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
20
Aug
2012
Michael Vick gets leveled by Jermaine Cunningham and exits game with injury; X-rays negative (GIF)
(Photo: Mark Baer/US Presswire via rantsports.com)
No matter your personal feelings about Michael Vick, there’s one thing we can all agree on: the guy is about as injury prone an NFL QB as we’ve ever seen.
At just 6’0″ and 215 lbs, Vick is certainly one of the more electrifying athletes in the game, but his relatively small stature (and penchant for leaving the pocket) has made him a frequent target for big hits, and a regular fixture on the injury report. In fact, Vick has only completed a full 16-game season once in his entire nine-year career. Most recently, he missed 3 games last season with broken ribs, and injured his thumb in the pre-season opener last week. And after exiting his second pre-season game in as many weeks with an injury tonight, 2012 is not off to a good start for the Eagles’ starting quarterback.
In the first quarter of tonight’s Eagles-Patriots game, Vick was drilled by Patriots LB Jermaine Cunningham, forcing him out of the game and to the locker room for X-rays on his ribs. The hit took place on Philadelphia’s second possession when Vick dropped back on a play-action, felt pressure and spun around in the pocket before launching a deep pass downfield. After absorbing the hit, Vick immediately held his left side and knelt on the field while being tended to by medical personnel before walking off under his own power. [VIDEO HERE]
The Eagles have reported via their Twitter account that the X-rays on Vick’s ribs have come back negative … much to the relief of Eagles fans and fantasy football owners everywhere. Regardless, he’s just too fragile to feel like you can really count on him for a full season. I’m setting the over-under on games finished this year at ten.
GIF AFTER THE JUMP
6
Mar
2012
Remember the 1989 “Bounty Bowl”? It seems things haven’t changed all that much in the NFL (VIDEO)
Mike Golic might have a unique perspective on all this bounty talk
Here’s a fun little trip down memory lane! Back in 1989, the Buddy Ryan-led Philadelphia Eagles played their rival Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, in a nationally televised game that would forever come to be known as the “Bounty Bowl“.
In it, Ryan was accused by Dallas head coach Jimmy Johnson of placing a $200 bounty on kicker Luis Zendejas, and a $500 bounty on quarterback Troy Aikman. On the Cowboys’ only kickoff of the game, which Philadelphia won 27-0, Eagles linebacker Jesse Small sprinted straight at Zendejas (who had previously played for Ryan and the Eagles) in an obvious attempt to take him out. Zendejas dove to avoid the hit, but took a knee to the head resulting in a concussion, and setting off a firestorm of controversy.
Despite Johnson’s attempts to challenge Ryan to a fight in an alley, it was all fun and games in the media as Johnson made fun of Ryan’s “big, fat rear end”, who in turn deflected the controversy by making light of his own weight. Ryan also claimed that Zendejas was the one trying to injure Smalls, and wondered aloud “Why would we want to knock out that kicker? He wasn’t making any kicks at the time. We wanted him out there.”
On Monday, Mike Golic – who played for the Eagles in both games - said on ESPN that “there were bounties in that game”. But at the time, commissioner Paul Tagliabue turned the other cheek and exonerated Ryan of any wrongdoing - a claim that Ryan still clings to this day - and pretty much everyone got a big kick out the idea of bounties in football. Two weeks later, the league even promoted the re-match for ratings as “Bounty Bowl II”, which was marketed by CBS with wanted signs and became memorable for the snow/ice balls lobbed onto the field (and at announcers) by the Philadelphia fans.
BOUNTY BOWL VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
23
Dec
2011
Carl from ATHF on Sam Hurd, Rob Ryan and the Cowboys-Eagles (VIDEO)
Our old friend Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force is back with his thoughts on the upcoming Christmas Eve showdown between NFC East Rivals, the Cowboys versus the Eagles. And while he’s at it, Carl weighs in on Sam Hurd‘s arrest and Rob Ryan‘s similarity to one of the three wise men, who also might have once played bass for Slayer.
As always, unrivaled analysis here from Carl, but we don’t recommend laying any money down on his picks … ever:
19
Dec
2011
These Eagles Fans dressed as feet to mock Rex Ryan (PIC)
(Photo: the700level.com)
Lest you were worried that the world had forgotten, the good people of Philadelphia are to here to remind everyone about Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan’s foot fetish.
Timely or not (the story originally broke around this time last year), it’s just nice to see fans so committed to their mockery of the opposition. Instant classic.
17
Oct
2011
Watch LeSean McCoy punch Andy Reid in the gut (VIDEO)
(Image via Deadspin.com)
This one doesn’t really need a lot of set-up, but during the Eagle’s 20-13 win over the Redskins on Sunday, RB LeSean McCoy put the game away with a 4th quarter run, helping to lift the beleaguered Eagles to 2-4 on the season.
After the play, the explosive back decided to celebrate and have a little fun with his coach, delivering a jab to Andy Reid’s ample belly. And even though it appeared to be a playful shot, Reid reacted as though he had just been shivved with a prison shank.
SLOW MOTION VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
14
Oct
2011
Taiwanese animators take on the Philadelphia Eagles (VIDEO)
(Image via NMA.tv)
The good folks over at Taiwanese “news service” NMA.tv have lent their journalistic eye toward the Philadelphia Eagles, breaking down the club’s metamorphosis from “Dream Team” into nightmare.
As usual, the piece is fairly simplistic and somewhat ridiculous, but this one earns extra points for their Kafka-eque references, based on the Eagles backup QB (Mike) who shares his last name with the author of “The Metamorphosis” (Franz). Let’s see the boys over at ESPN draw those type of high-brow literature allusions!
VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
7
Oct
2011
NFL 2011 Quarter-Point Jump To Conclusions Mat
Michael Bolton: That's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life, Tom (Image via blogspot.com)
Every year, we try to refrain from pulling a Tom Smykowski from Office Space, and jumping to any conclusions about the upcoming NFL season prematurely. In a sixteen-game season, it usually takes several games for teams to figure out their identity, and a lot longer than that to determine a realistic playoff picture.
So, while it’s tempting to draw knee-jerk reactions from a couple of games, we at least try to wait until the quarter-point mark to start making our hyperbolic and definitive statements about the season ahead. Even with the lockout-shortened off-season, four games is enough to get a sense of which teams are back in the driver’s seat (Packers, Patriots), and which teams are going to have trouble living up to expectations (Jets, Rams).
So without further adieu, here are our top 5 observations on the ol’ Jump To Conclusions mat:
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(Photo: Philly.com)
The “Dream Team” is actually a Nightmare: This pre-season, the Philadelphia Eagles were crowned as NFC East Champions based almost solely on the big name signings made by GM Howie Roseman, who apparently attended the Dan Snyder school of Free Agency. Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins were among the stars to join the Philadelphia roster, and Eagles fans were planning trips to the Super Bowl before a down had been played.
Well, after a 1-3 start, the Eagles are proving that it takes more than just raw talent to win in the NFL, and chemistry can be the most important thing for a team to succeed. Plus, in the age of the salary cap, spending huge money at certain positions inevitably results in deficiencies elsewhere (see the Eagles LB corps), and so far the Philly defense has been a big disappointment. It will be interesting to see how Andy Reid – and the egos in his locker room – handles their early adversity.
- The Detroit Lions will compete for the NFC crown: Yes, the Lions bandwagon is already starting to get crowded after starting the season 4-0 for the first time since 1980, and completing consecutive comebacks of 20 points or more against the Vikings and Cowboys.Ndamukong Suh and Calvin Johnson are unquestionably young superstars in this league, and if Matt Stafford can remain healthy, they give Jim Schwartz’ team a chance to compete in any game. And first round draft pick Nick Fairley could return from injury this week, making Detroit’s defense even more imposing. Bottom line: the Lions will make playoffs this year.
- The Buffalo Bills are for real: The Bills are off to an impressive 3-1 start, and after defeating their hated rival Patriots in Week 3, they’re a fashionable pick to surprise in the AFC this year. Chan Gailey’s offense is clicking with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson off to a hot start, and the Bills defense has been opportunistic with 8 INTs. But those takeaways could be covering up for bigger problems on defense, and Buffalo faces a brutal schedule late in the season which will really test their road toughness. So while the Bills are definitely improved, and there’s reason for optimism in Buffalo, the division still goes through New England until someone proves otherwise.
(Photo: WashingtonPost.com)
4
Oct
2011
Furious Eagles Fan Loses It … Almost As Badly as the Eagles (VIDEO)
(Image via Eaglescouch.com)
From the schadenfreude department, we bring you this fantastic rant from a diehard fan after his Eagles blew a 20-point lead to the 49ers on Sunday, losing 24-23 and falling to 1-3 on the season.
And while we’re on the subject of 1-3 NFC East teams, while not nearly as long or in depth, the passion displayed here brings to mind this Cowboys fan’s meltdown following their week 1 loss to the Jets. That guy, by the way is back on the anti-Romo warpath after yesterday’s collapse against the Lions.
NSFW VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP
