Sport-Blog.com
|
Sports News: ESPN | SI Leagues & Associations: NFL | NHL | MLB NBA | PGA | USTA Archives: Other: Resources |
<< Home
Cowboys Take a Trip to the Eagles Nest
Friday, October 06, 2006
By Tovash Hatcher
Biggest game of the year? While the baseball playoff games are in full swing, many sports fans are gearing up for one of football's grittiest rivalries. The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles square off this Sunday in Philly. Man's favorite sports channel is already hyping this game up as the "Biggest game of the season". Is ESPN going too far with that declaration?
I don't see why they would be overrating this game. Is it because the Cowboys have man-handled the Eagles in the last two contests? Or is it because of the old Cowboys-Eagles battles? Oh I got it now; it's because of Bill Parcells vs. Andy Reid right? Ok enough with the sarcasm, the Eagles fans are downright nasty when it comes to the hated Dallas Cowboys. It's just something about the Dallas Cowboys and their history that doesn't sit well with Philly fans. One game that sticks out in my mind is the 1999 season when the then 3-0 Cowboys visited Veterans Stadium. In that game Michael Irvin made an important 3rd down catch. After making the catch Irvin attempted to get to the turf before the Eagles safety came over to lay a vicious hit on him. Consequently, Irvin's head hit the hard turf of Veterans Stadium forcing his neck to be severely injured. The medical cart came out and wheeled Irvin away to a malicious round of applause from the Eagle faithful. He never played in another NFL game. The sportsmanship, or lack thereof from Eagles fans outraged me. To this day, it angers me that a stadium full of knuckleheads can cheer when a player gets injured. Karma can be a b**ch too! Since then, when was the last time the city of Philadelphia has seen a championship? A couple of their teams have gotten to championship games/rounds, but just couldn't bring the title home (see the 2004 Eagles and 2000-01 76ers). Now who's cheering? And I don't see them winning any titles in any sport, anytime soon. My message to Philly fans, the passion is a beautiful thing but don't take it too far.
Sorry that I went off on another tangent in that last paragraph, just had to get that off my chest.
When these two teams clash this Sunday, expect every television in the US to be fixated on FOX. Even the casual fan who doesn't know the X's and O's of the NFL will have some interest in this game. Terrell Owens is the primary reason why. After the soap opera episode of "Accidental Overdose" last week, the talented WR will be greeted nastily by about 70,000 Eagles fans. Anti T.O. signs, evil chants, and a handful of object throwing idiots will all be a part of this game. My football blood is boiling and I cannot wait for kickoff!! Expect to see Philly fans litter up the Cowboys' sideline with all kinds of things. And let's count how many empty pill bottles FOX will show on the turf of Lincoln Financial. Cowboy players may want to keep their helmets on even while on the sideline.
Yesterday T.O. and Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb both sounded off to the media about the upcoming showdown. McNabb took the first verbal shot at T.O. telling the media that one person cannot make a team, but one person can wreck a team. Earlier this week McNabb also was noted as saying that he sent Owens a text message letting him know that if need be, McNabb would be there to help. Owens told the Dallas media yesterday that he missed that text message. "I didn't get it. I didn't get it", Owens said with a half smile on his face. Taking shots thru the media is nothing new for NFL players. They trash talk to each other thru the media because they know that ESPN will definitely run it all day and night. They normally use it as a form of motivation. Some coaches use the newspaper/TV quotes as 'bulletin board material" in the locker rooms to try to get the other psyched up. McNabb and Owens didn't make much of a noise on Wednesday however, and that may have surprised a few people. Jennifer Floyd Engel, a columnist for the Star Telegram in Ft. Worth said on her show on ESPN Radio that she expects Owens to downplay the pregame hype. On October 8, Owens and McNabb will be drowned out by a ton of noise coming from the fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
So what is there to expect? Both teams are coming off blowout victories, both have good offenses, and both teams have coaching masterminds. The Eagles however, are riddled with injuries on the defensive side. With their pro-bowl defensive end Javon Kearse being injured for the season, the Eagles will have to find a way to shut down the much improved Cowboys offense. The Eagles secondary is suspect as well. Corners Roderick Hood and Lito Shepard were both banged up in the Eagles win over the Packers on Monday and are still uncertain about Sunday's game. The Cowboys are at full strength and are simply trying to steal a win from the Eagles which are favored to win this game. "All we're worried about is trying to beat a football team that is in first place in our division", says Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. The Eagles have a 7-3 edge over Dallas in the last 10 meetings. Expect the Cowboys to pound the ball early on and open up the passing game late in the first half. Owens should be able to run all over the weakened Eagles secondary on his way to a very big day. I see Dallas winning in a rout over the Eagles. 31-13.
I'm Tovash Hatcher.
12:31 PM
Comments:
Even though I know it's dirty, if anyone throws an empty pill bottle, I might have to laugh.
# posted by
Kevin A. Morales : 3:11 PM
The Cowboys' trip was nothing but disgusting. How? Why? What the heck? Another penalty? I think these were the questions on everyone's mind today. All I have left to say is WOW!
# posted by
Bobbie : 8:25 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home
