GIANTS-EAGLES LIVE GAME BLOG

I’ll be live blogging during the Sunday night NFL game on NBC. We’ve got the Eagles taking on the Super Bowl champion Giants. It should be a good game as most matchups within the NFC East are competitive.

Bear with me tonight as my internet isn’t working that well. So when it's not working I'll write this in a word document and then paste it in when I can.

7:03---I’m watching the pregame show. Overall I like it. I really like Bob Costas. Dan Patrick and Cris Colinsworth is okay. But, is anybody with me in saying Keith Olbermann is just flat out annoying? To me, it just seems like he tries way too hard. I never seem to understand what he’s talking about. Just give me the highlights.

7:05---That commercial with Troy Palomalu and Bob Sanders for Nike is just flat out awesome. If you’ve seen it you know what I’m talking about. One of the best commercials I’ve seen in a while.

7:10--Since NBC and the NFL don't like to start games at the top of the hour and I'm sitting here bored, I'll say a few words about the Hawkeyes win over 3rd ranked Penn State yesterday. One of the greatest feelings I've ever had after a game at Kinnick Stadium. Simply unbelivable. After all of the close losses this season, it was great to get this one at home. The only other game that rivals this for me personally is the 2004 game vs Wisconsin when Iowa won a share of the Big 10 title. Of course, beating Michigan in 1985 may always be at the top of that list, but I'm not old enough for that!

7:12--Collinsworth picks the Giants

7:14--All I can think about is how much I need to be studying for an Anatomy test I have tomorrow. Oh well, this is more fun than that anyways!

7:15--Let me say I'm a huge fan of the intro to NBC Sunday Night Football. I know it's kind of corny, so it just must be Faith Hill. Tim McGraw's a lucky man...

7:17--48 degrees tonight in Philly. They don't know what cold is. Yesterday at Kinnick was cold. If you look at the forecast for next Saturday's game it looks to be more of the same!


7:20—Al Michaels is the man. Might be my favorite football broadcaster. I know I’m probably in the minority, but I’m also a fan of John Madden. He usually gives good insight, and I just can’t imagine football without him.

7:23---New York is 7-1…Philly is 5-3…So this is a pretty big one. We’re set for kickoff. Philly kicking left to right to New York. Rocky Theme music in the background…

7:25---Giants go 5-wide on 2nd and 6…Manning complete to Amani Toomer for a first down

7:26---Defensive Tackle Mike Patterson with the Interception…Big number 98 intercept the Manning pass! He bats it down and grabs it and runs it down to the 9 yard line. 1st career interception

7:27—Direct snap to DeSean Jackson in Wildcat formation….TOUCHDOWN PHILLY…I didn’t think Jackson got in the endzone initially, but the replays show he did…Akers with the extra point…7-0 EAGLES. We’re off to a crazy start.

7:32--Talk about a 3-headed beast of a backfield with the Giants. Jacobs, Ward, and Bradshaw...Not too shabby. How hard would it be to tackle Brandon Jacobs? Wow...

7:34--Manning to tight end Kevin Boss on 3rd and 1...Gain of 21. Boss has stepped up since the Giants lost Shockey to injury last year. That made it rather easy to say Bye-Bye to Shockey this past offseason.

7:38--Manning converts on another 3rd down...TOUCHDOWN GIANTS...It goes to Plaxico Burress...His 4th TD reception of the year. Not a big fan of Burress, but man is he good...WE'RE TIED AT 7 A PIECE

7:41--A lot of stuff happening early on...The Eagles fumble to kickoff return and Giants recover...Madden says defenders are doing more of stripping the ball now than just flat out tackling the ballcarrier...See, I told you he gives good insight. 1st down at the Eagle 14 for New York

7:44---The Giants luck on 3rd down conversions run out as the Manning pass attempt is incomplete. Carney in for Tynes for the kick...KICK IS GOOD...GIANTS 10-7

7:45---I think this will be the first NFL game I've watched start to finish since last year's Super Bowl. Mostly because I'm always busy with work for the Hawkeye football team on Sundays. But also because my KC Chiefs flat out suck this year. 1-8? Come on! Today's loss was rough, but I don't fault Herm for going for 2 and trying for the win. I mean, you're on the road and have nothing really lose with such a terrible team.

7:47---I just thought of another reason. The damn NFL breaks to commerical way too often! We had one kickoff and it's back to commercial. That pissed me off yesterday too in the Iowa game because it was ABC. Network TV games really deteriorate the flow of the game. Especially when you're standing in 20 degree wind chills like yesterday!

7:52--Philly punts...Another commercial, but I'd like to see more of that Eagle cheerleader before the night's over!

7:57--Manning looks really sharp tonight. They're moving down the field with ease...1st and 10 from the 14

7:59--Manning already with 100 yards passing...Still in 1st Quarter

8:00--Manning to Toomer...Ball at the 1 as the Quarter end...Al Michaels just said Philly had the ball for a whole 90 seconds in the quarter...A touchdown is likely here so this game could get ugly!

8:02--Did you know childhood obesity affects 1 in 3 kids?

8:03---TOUCHDOWN GIANTS...Manning to Boss...Great catch by Boss...17-7 GIANTS

8:04---2 man broadcast teams are so much better than 3-man teams. Michaels and Madden work well together. Not sure why ABC goes with a 3-man team of Nessler, Griese, and Macguire...I watched the TV broadcast of the Iowa game yesterday, and those 3 just stumbled over each other!

8:05--After watching the player intros where they name their college, I'm so glad I didn't hear any high schools mentioned. I hate when guys do that! I don't give a crap where you went to high school because I have no idea where they are! Tell me where you went to college

8:06--Aaron Ross takes a poke at Ohio State by saying he went to THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS...I like it. I hate Texas, but I love it when anyone can find a way to make fun of the Buckeyes...Too bad Aaron Ross got burned by Andy Brodell in the 2006 Alamo Bowl!

8:09---Am I the only one who thinks of Tom Coughlin's beat red face from last year's NFC Championship game in Green Bay when I see him on TV?

8:22---Not much has happened lately. The Eagles defense has stepped up. Giants stop the Eagles on 3rd down. Punt time for Philly

8:27---Jacobs tries to get the first down by jumping over a defender. He gets leveled by another Eagle and fumbles the ball. Eagles recover. Ouch! He took a hit!

8:28—Great play by McNabb as he remains calm in the pocket. Completes a pass to his receiver downfield.

8:30—Reverse to Jackson. It looks like he’ll get nothing, but he turns on the jets and gains a few yards. Personal foul…Late hit out of bounds on the Giants defense..1st down Eagles

8:31---1st and Goal Eagles…McNabb gets pressured but avoids the sack

8:32—TOUCHDOWN EAGLES…McNabb completes it to Avant…17-14 GIANTS STILL LEAD...The fumble by Jacobs comes back to hurt the G-Men

8:36---Joe Biden’s in the house!

8:40—My buddy just asked how many years Brian Westbrook has been in the league. I’m not sure of the answer off the top of my head, but it proves a point. Westbrook is definitely the most underrated back in the league.

8:41---McNabb picked off by Sam Madison. Giants have the ball deep in Eagle territory right before the 2 minute warning.

8:46---Carney hits a 26 yard field goal…GIANTS 20 EAGLES 14

8:49—McNabb finds LJ Smith in the middle of the field. 57 seconds to go. Timeout by Philly. They’ve got 1 left. They really need to put some points on the board before the half.

8:53---McNabb finds Westbrook. They’re down inside the 15 with 10 seconds left. Incomplete pass. 5 seconds left…They bring on Akers for the 29 yard kick. IT’S GOOD…GIANTS 20 EAGLES 17 HALFTIME...Perfect timing for me because I got to watch Entourage. I’ll pick it back up in the 2nd half!

9:30---It’s 24-20 EAGLES…Giants are driving in the redzone…6:18 to go in the 3rd quarter

9:32---Manning called for an illegal forward pass. He threw after he crossed the line of scrimmage for the first time in his career. Coughlin is challenging the call…Not sure why. It looked pretty clear in the replay…We’ll see

9:34---Great challenge by Coughlin. The call is overturned. I didn't know the complete rule. Apparently the QB's entire body must be across the line of scrimmage. Michaels does a really good job of explaining this. 1st and goal from the 3

9:38---TOUCHDOWN GIANTS...Jacobs runs it in…Another lead change. It’s now GIANTS 27-24…Can’t say enough about the challenge by Coughlin. Smart move! Michaels says its the right call...Madden disagrees

9:41---Eagles have to punt. They don’t gain a yard in 3 plays. A bonehead play by the Eagles return man. Fair catch interference moves the ball up 15 yards so it’s Giants ball 1st and 10 at their own 33.

9:45--Eagles killing themselves with penalties...Another 15-yarder with a face mask. Giants in Eagle territory now

9:46--Tonight's Entourage wasn't the best. Not much happened. Vince is still upset about with the director of the movie he's doing. E saw Sloan for the first time in a while, and Seth Green gets on E's nerves again. Not sure if anyone knows what I'm even talking about.

9:47--Bradshaw gets his first carry of the night for the Giants. They're down inside the red zone as the clock ticks down in the 3rd quarter.

9:52--Burress is complaining there wasn't a flag on that last play. I can't stand him. On 3rd and Goal the Giants are stopped. Huge play. They've got to settle for the field goal.

9:53--Carney's kick is GOOD...30-24 GIANTS LEADING

9:57--They keep talking about that challenge call 20 minutes ago. It's pretty clear to me they got it right, but Madden won't admit it. He finally does, but I think he does just so he doesn't feel like an idiot.

10:00---Oh Peyton Manning...Gotta love his commercials dont ya?

10:03--If the G-Men put it in the endzone, the game's over

10:05---Madden states the obvious: "You take the penalty to make it 3rd down because then you would have 2 downs left, 3rd down...then 4th down!" Really, are there 4 downs in football?

10:11--Wow that's close. The ball popped out as Jacobs was crossing the goal-line...Philly is challenging the call.

10:16--Play is confirmed. It's a TOUCHDOWN for the Giants...They go for 2 but fail. It's 36-24 GIANTS with 9:30 to go. Let's get this game over with so hopefully I can study a little before I pass out.

10:27--Eagles aren't done yet. They march down the field for a TOUCHDOWN...36-31 GIANTS...Cue the Rocky theme music.

10:29--Wow, NFL games take forever when you totally don't care who wins! At least Ward stayed in bounds to keep the clock running

10:32---Madden said this game is just like a Heavyweight fight. Well, of course. We have been listening to the Rocky theme song all night!

10:33---Here’s the situation..Eagles at their own 14. They need a touchdown. Just over 3 minutes to go…1 timeout…and the 2 minute warning

10:34---Interception, but there is a flag

10:35—Defensive holding…Forget the interception…Ball at Eagle 36

10:39--Here's the ballgame...It's 4th and 1

10:40--They don't get it. Giants stop them. 1 Timeout Left. Giants should be able to run the clock out

10:45---Ballgame Over...GIANTS WIN...Later!

WHY CUBAN WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THE CUBS...

Well it looks like Maverick's owner Mark Cuban will not be allowed to purchase the Cubs. The Chicago Tribune has reported that Cuban will have a tough time getting approved by Commissioner Bud Selig. It's quite a shame. I think Cuban could have been good for the Cubs in a few ways.

1.) Cuban would have turned the Cubs into a more national product that they currently are. Just like we have Red Sox nation, the Cubs would have gained more fans across the country.

2.) Cuban cares more about winning than making money. He turned one of the worst teams in the NBA into a perennial playoff team every year in the Dallas Mavericks. He would have spent as much money as it took to turn the Cubs into World Series champions.

3.) The Cubs need someone to spice things up. The NFL has Jerry Jones. The NBA has Cuban. The Yankees have the Steinbrenners. One thing those guys have in common: They win.

ZAMBRANO, DEMPSTER, AND JAKE PEAVY??

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs could be a front-runner in the running for San Diego Padre-ace Jake Peavy. The Braves, Dodgers, and Yankees seem to be the others in the race. Peavy has a no-trade clause but said he would come to the north side. The Padres reportedly want young pitching in exchange for Peavy.

Rosenthal also says the Cubs may be willing to offer Ryan Dempster and 4-year deal.

Just think of the possibilities Cubs fans!

Read the whole article right here: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8761340/Sources:-Cubs-consider-deals-for-Peavy,-Dempster

CHECK THIS OUT...

Found an interesting story on Cubs.com. Students at DePaul University have the opportunity to take a class on the history of the Chicago Cubs. Must be rough!

Check out the link: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081105&content_id=3664683&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Cubs Free Agents...

The Cubs have eight players who have filed for free agency:

Henry Blanco--Had an option for 2009, but it was declined by the Cubs. I look for the Cubs to eventually resign Blanco. Most likely, they will do so at a lower price. Blanco is a very good defensive catcher and a good 2nd option behind the plate. He won't wow anybody, but he doesn't have to with starter Geovany Soto locked in behind the plate.

Ryan Dempster--In the days after the Cubs were eliminated from the playoffs, Dempster said that he would love to come back in a Cubs uniform. The Cubs need to get Dempster signed. I think a deal gets done because this is near the top of GM Jim Hendry's "to do" list this offseason.

Jim Edmonds—I look for the Cubs to say thanks for this year, but we don’t want you back next year. Jim was a great pickup for the Cubs, but I just don’t think he puts up as good of numbers next year. Lou said he wants to platoon Reed Johnson and Fukudome in center so I really think that was a sign that Edmonds will not be in a Cubs uniform next season.

Chad Fox—Injuries have hampered his Cubs career, and it’s now time to say Good-bye.

Bob Howry—Howry’s role in the bullpen diminished with the emergence of Jeff Samardzjia. Howry gave up too many late inning home runs, and it’s time for him to go somewhere else.

Jon Lieber—Looked like it could be a good signing at the time, but Lieber was never really healthy. He can be a good long-inning relief game or a spot starter, but his big league career is winding down so there is no use signing him for next year.

Daryle Ward—This could go either way, but I would guess the Cubs get rid of Ward. Micah Hoffpauir has shown he can hit in the big leagues so he can take Ward’s spot off the bench, if he doesn’t find a way into the starting lineup.

Kerry Wood—Another thing on the top of Hendry’s “to do” list. The Cubs need Wood on the backend of the bullpen, and I’m not the only person who knows that. Hendry knows this, and I’m nearly 100% confident a deal will get done. Kerry’s a life long Cub. He and his wife are always doing charity work in the community. He has no reason to leave the team now, especially when the Cubs will certainly want him back.

IOWA CUBS NEWS...

Chicago Cub Micah Hoffpauir has been awarded by Minor League Baseball for his 4 Home Run game back on August 9 in a game between the Iowa Cubs and the Round Rock (Texas). Micah was 4-5, hitting 4 homers in his first 4 at-bats.

Hoffpauir was given the "Game of the Year" in Minor League Baseball overall and in Triple-A baseball. This season he hit .362 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs for Iowa.
With Chicago he played in 33 games and hit .342 with 2 homers and 8 RBIs.

Hoffpauir did not make the Cubs postseason roster for the series versus the Dodgers, but he looks to garner a spot on next year's opening day roster.

TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM 2008 CUBS SEASON...

Here is my TOP 10 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS from the Cubs 2008 Season…

10.) Ted Lilly Takes No-Hitter Into 7th---September 15---Miller Park
Cubs fans were experiencing “Déjà Vu” as Ted Lilly took a no-hitter into the 7th after Carlos Zambrano threw a no-hitter the night before. (See # 2) The left-hander gave up one hit through seven while striking out nine against the Astros in a game that was moved to Milwaukee because of Hurricane Ike. Three Cubs relievers finished the final two innings in the Cubs 6-1 win.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809153481468&c_id=chc

9.) Geo Soto’s Inside the Park Homer---May 19---Minute Maid Park
Geovany Soto became the first Cubs catcher to hit an inside the park home run in 49 years with his 3-run shot off the wall in the 4th inning. The Cubs beat the Astros 7-2.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200805192731882&c_id=chc

8.) Reed Johnson’s Spectacular Catch---April 25---Nationals Park
The Cubs lost this game 5-3 to the lowly Nationals, but Reed Johnson made one of the greatest grabs you will ever see by a centerfielder. The distance he ran to catch the ball in simply unbelievable.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200804252587970&c_id=chc

7.) Blanco’s Walk Off---August 8---Wrigley Field
Henry Blanco sent the Wrigley faithful home happy with his RBI single in the 11th inning to beat the rival Cardinals 3-2.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200808083274953&c_id=chc

6.) Fukudome Awes the Crowd on Opening Day---March 31---Wrigley Field
The Cubs lost the Opening Day game against the Brewers 4-3, and this was certainly Kosuke Fukudome’s best moment of the year. However, there was something special about this that made you think this could be a special season. Fukudome’s first MLB game was memorable as he went 3 for 3, including a 3-run homer that tied the game in the 9th.


http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w=2008/open/tp/archive03/033108_milchn_fukudome_hr_tp_400.wmv&pid=mlb_tp&gid=2008/03/31/milmlb-chnmlb-1&vid=7758&mid=200803312476798&cid=mlb&fid=mlb_tp400&v=2&id=637653

5.) DeRosa Brings Them All the Way Back---May 30---Wrigley Field
Mark DeRosa’s two run homer in the 7th inning gave the Cubs the lead in a game they trailed 9-1 after five innings. The home run capped off a 6-run 7th inning, and the Cubs won 10-9 over the Rockies.


http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200805302800246&c_id=chc

4.) Ramirez’s 2nd Homer Beats Sox---June 20---Wrigley Field
Aramis Ramirez’s 2nd Home Run of the afternoon in the last of the 9th inning downed the Sox 4-3. Ramirez and Derrek Lee went back to back in the 7th inning to tie the game. This was game one of a 3 game series that the Cubs would sweep.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200806202968467&c_id=chc

3.) Series versus the Brewers---July 28-31---Miller Park
I’m including this whole series because it was probably the most critical moment of our season. By sweeping the Brewers the Cubs put a stranglehold on the division that they would never relinquish. Going into the series the Cubs held a 1-game lead and left Wisconsin with a 5-game lead. Beating Sabathia and Sheets were great moments, but the video is of Jim Edmonds’ grand slam in the fourth game.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200807313231155&c_id=chc

2.) Big Z’s No-Hitter---September 14---Miller Park
With the Cubs playing the Astros in Milwaukee, Big Z made the Cubs fans who made the drive up north very happy and feeling it was worth the gas money. Carlos Zambrano was dominant. He struck out 10 and walked one in the first Cubs no-hitter in 36 seasons.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809153478790&c_id=chc

1.) Cubs Clinch---September 20---Wrigley Field
The Cubs wrapped up the division championship with a 5-4 win over the Cardinals. It was the 1st time in 100 years that the franchise had been to the postseason in back to back years. Unfortunately, this would be the lasting memory for the team as they swept out of the playoffs by the Dodgers.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200809203515598&c_id=chc

Let's here what everyone thinks!