Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!


Troy J., Miami, FL: The Cowboys have cut Pacman Jones. This punk was a waste of draft picks and money.

Utopia1dc: Troy, I will have to agree that Pacman is a punk, but he really wasn’t a waste of money or draft picks. He did not receive a signing bonus, nor did he get paid for the games he was suspended. As far as the draft picks go, the Cowboys are getting a pick back from the Titans (because of the suspension). They have actually already used the pick in the Roy Williams deal, so it might be a wasted pick anyway…but that’s a whole different alligator?


Rosario J., Dallas, Texas: Owens had a horrible year. The Cowboys should clean house and get rid of TO and Tank Johnson and any other trouble makers!!!!

Utopia1dc: Rosario, Owens did have a sub-par season…for T.O. He did have 69 receptions for 1052 yards and 10 TDs. He also averaged 15.2 yards per reception…not too shabby for an old man! His numbers were very similar to Randy Moss (69 REC, 1008 YDS, 11 TDs, and 14.6 YPR), but nobody is giving him a hard time? Tank Johnson was somewhat of a disappointment, but that’s on the field. He has done nothing as far as any off the field issues. And what other troublemakers?


Kurt B., Warminster, PA: Do you think the Eagles have a legitimate shot at beating the Giants on the road?

Utopia1dc: Kurt, the Eagles have a decent chance at defeating the Super Bowl Champs. I don’t think that the Birds being on the road is that much of a factor. The weather is similar, as the teams are only a two-hour drive in distance. Traveling shouldn’t be an issue either. The Eagles have already defeated the G-Men this year in the Meadowlands. With Plaxico Burress out, the Giants run game has struggled, as teams are stacking the line to stop the three-headed RB Monster! Stay tuned for my predictions tomorrow.


Jane B., Obelisk, PA: Who is your superbowl favorite? It looks like an open race to me. Go Eagles!!!

Utopia1dc: The NFC is wide open. If the Eagles can get past the G-Men, I think they have a real chance at advancing to the big dance. Carolina is also a team to be reckoned with. The G-Men won’t get to the Super Bowl! In the AFC, the Ravens are the team to beat, but don’t count out the Bolts. The Chargers have been playing well in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. They have done this with little help from LT! I will be rooting for Norv and his Bolts…I just think it’s his turn. Wouldn’t it be something if an 8-8 team won the Super Bowl?


Eagleman, South Philly: Yo cowgirl your cowboys suck. When are you gonna eat all that crow you were serving up?

Utopia1dc: Eagleman, any relation to Birdman? I used to have season tickets at the Vet in Birdman’s section several eons ago. Anyway, I’m not sure what crow I was serving? I call it like it is. If you have been reading my Blog, you would know that I have picked the Eagles on many occasions. I also defended Reid and McNabb when everybody had their bags packed for them. The Eagles beat the Cowboys to get in the playoffs, now it’s time for them to do something with this opportunity. As an Eagles fan, you may want to worry about the team they face this week, not who they beat several weeks ago!


Short Shots:

Eric Mangini has been named the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. I’m not sure why the Jets fired him in the first place? The Jets are a decent team, but Favre just faded down the stretch…he’s just too old. I’m not sure Mangini was entirely onboard with Farve’s acquisition in the first place. I bet the Jets are kicking themselves for cutting Pennington.

The Cowboys have cut Adam Jones. I’m not sure that was a good move. He played decently at times, and he was rusty some of the time. But that should have been expected, as he missed nearly a year and a half due to suspension the past two seasons. He may have been an asset next year with a little more time in adjusting back to football. I guess Jerry has had enough of the drama, and is appeasing his fan base with this move?



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Where Are All The Nay Sayers Now?

Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year. All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners). That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense. Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners. In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

As I was watching the games, I found myself rooting for the underdogs in several games, but none more than in the Indianapolis-San Diego game. Norv Turner has been maligned at all his head coaching stops. He wasn’t the favored choice after Marty was fired. After all, who fires a legendary coach after a 14-2 season? The Bolts did…so enter Norv. The Chargers didn’t live up to expectations last year, as they failed to reach the Super Bowl. All eyes were on Turner. This season, Norv ran into a roadblock that is very difficult to negotiate…the referees. But, the Chargers persevered, and they were able to capture the division crown at a mere 8-8.

The Philadelphia Eagles were left for dead after the infamous tie with Cincinnati and the subsequent loss to the Ravens. Donovan McNabb was scrutinized for not knowing the rules to OT, as well as his benching for half of a game. Andy Reid was much maligned as well. WIP (local sports radio in Philly) wanted Reid and McNabb gone. They pretty much had packed their bags for them. I asked myself why? McNabb and Reid are the best that this franchise has ever had at their respective positions. They have given the Eagles fans a decade of optimism. They have taken them to four NFC Championship games. And that’s not to mention the Super Bowl in which they lost to the Cheaters! But that wasn’t enough, was it? For the fans, it was get out of town…you bums!

It was very easy to root for the Bolts. How can you not feel bad for Norv and the dark cloud that hovers over his head? He has ties to my favorite team (Cowboys). The current Cowboys coach (Wade Phillips) has ties to the Chargers…it was simple to root for them, even though I had picked the Colts to win the game (and the Super Bowl). As for the Eagles, it was a little harder. They are the archenemy of the Cowboys, but that wasn’t my stumbling block! What made it difficult was the way I get treated day after day, week after week, and year after year by Eagles fans.

During and after the game in which I had not only picked the Eagles to win, but was actually rooting for them as well, I still received several emails and voicemails telling me how much the Cowboys suck! These were the same people who had left the Eagles for dead and had packed the bags of their coach and franchise QB. I wish the Eagles luck, as they move forward in the playoffs and their quest for a championship, not that their fans deserve it! What I’d like to know is…where are all the Nay Sayers now?


Short Shots:

After battling all season just to get to .500 (8-8), the Chargers were able to upend the heavily favored Colts in the 1st round of the playoffs. Turner had a big sigh of relief on his face, as he has been on the hot seat all year! Rivers showed why he should be going to the Pro Bowl (and not Favre). I bet Peyton manning would give that MVP award up for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy!

Andy Reid got his team into the playoffs, even though he was under the microscope all season long. Everything the man did was dissected. The man could do nothing right, according to the experts. With his bags packed and airline ticket in hand, Andy is having the last laugh. Just one thing Big Red…shave!


From The Mail Room:

Allen, Sunneyvale, California: Hey buddy, sorry to tell you this but as long as you got T.O on your team you will NEVER have TEAM chemistry. I am a big Eagles fan and nothing made my day more than seeing the Eagles beat the crap from your boys. That was some Ass kicking don't you agree? I hope your owner gives T.O another 5 year extension. Merry Christmas.

Utopia1dc: Allen, first of all they are not my team, as I do not have any ownership in them. Just as you don’t have any ownership in the Eagles either! I root for my team, feel free to do the same. I am not a big proponent of team chemistry! These are professional athletes; pride, determination, and money are their chemistry! And yes, it was an ass kicking, but thanks for reminding me, as I had forgotten. Happy New Year to you too!

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