Flyers should deal Forsberg

Too bad the Flyers traded away Peter Forsberg in 1991.

But now that they finally have the man they sent packing to the Quebec Nordiques before he even laced up for an NHL game, it's time to let him go again.

When healthy, Forsberg is surely one of the best in the world. But he is often injured, makes a lot of money, and who can really be sure he will even play that much longer?

Forsberg has said himself that his lingering foot injury is the focus, that he does not want to play if he cannot play to his abilities.

Now is the time to get out and move on for the Flyers.

Of coarse, if they never would have traded him for Eric Lindros, the history of Philadelphia sports could have looked completely different over the last decade. While Lindros and his concussions turned out to be a bust in Philadelphia, Forsberg led the Colorado Avalanch (who moved from Quebec) to two Stanley Cups.

But history is history.

Bringing in Forsberg two years ago as a free agent was a fantastic move. But the Flyers did not get out of the first round of the playoffs last year.

This year, the Flyers are the worste team in the league and need a complete overhaul.

Despite injuries throughout the season, Forsberg is still attracting interest with the February 27th trade deadline. He could be what a team needs to put them over the top. And the Flyers can still ask for a lot in return.

So why not change the face of this team now when they can get something in return. If they do not, who knows what will happen with Forsber becoming a free agent after the season.

Now is the time to move on.

Eagles are a lot closer than many fans think

Hop on the Eagles message board and you would think that the Eagles had a horrible season and that things were about to implode.

But the fact is that the Eagles won 10 games, won the NFC East, and were one game away from the Conference championship game.

You could have fooled me.

But I guess that is what comes along with being an Eagles fan. However, fans on the message board have taken it too far.

Many are calling for the Eagles to trade Donovan McNabb. Cut me a break, he is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. I don't want to hear otherwise. Sure, his touch and accuracy could improve. Sure, Garcia played great. But McNabb is the one who is going to take them places.

Fire Andy Reid is another calling by fans on the board. Cut me a break. While I myself crticize Reid for some of the calls and things he has done over the years, how can fans want to ride him out of town. Look at what the Eagles have done this decade. That is pretty darn impressive, especially in this day and age with the size of contracts and free agency.

The Eagles offense is very, very good and there really is not anything to "fix" there. Yes, I do think getting a big RB would help. And yes, I really, really want them to resign Stallworth. But even if they do not do neither, their offense is still petty darn good. The issue is more with keeping a balanced attack and we saw what that can do - good things.

The defense is what needs fixing, but not really a ton of it. The d-line was very good early until Javon Kearse got hurt. He will be back. Darren Howard needs to play like he is capable of playing. With having the rotation they had earlier in the year, they can be very successful.

Obviously, LB is one area that really needs to be fixed. As much as I want Stallworth back, if they had to pick one place to put money towards, I would pick this position. They need to get tougher on defense and improve at stopping the run.

So for all of those whining about this and that, quit it. The Eagles are in pretty good shape. Sure, they have some work cut out for them. But they went 5-1 in the East this year and will be right back in the thick of things next season.

Would you rather be a Giants fan with Tiki Barber retiring and a coach who can't keep his players under rap?

Would you rather be a Cowboys fan and have to deal with all of the T.O. crap?

Would you rather be a Redskins fan who has to deal with owners spending a ton of money but never being able to put together a good "team."

Believe me, we as Eagles fans have it good.

The unfortunate thing is that our expectations are so high that only them winning a Super Bowl counts as a successful season. And that's ok, it shows we really care.

Now dig in, look at things positively, and know that we are a move or two away from a parade down Broad Street.

It's going to be a long offseason

Is it time for football yet?

Oh wait, this season hasn't ended. Boy have these last four days since the Eagles season ended seemed like a long time.

Just to think we still have eight more months until the regular season begins. Not to mention the championship games and Super Bowl this year.

How in the world am I going to make it that long? Scavaging the message boards, reading the latest rumors, hearing different opinions on what the Eagles should and should not do.

But until something actually happens, this is brutal. Free agency is a little over a month away. That can't come soon enough. But with not a lot of cap room, this could be a disappointing time, especially if they do not sign one of their own free agents in Donte Stallworth.

Usually when the Eagles season ends the focus can shift towards the Flyers. But the only focus on them this year is wondering if they will finish as the worst team in the league. Maybe I should wonder how many points they will finish behind everyone else.

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in about a month. The Phillies are looking pretty good this year. I am excited about them, but it is a long season.

Ah, who am I kidding. It's all about the Eagles winning a Super Bowl. Maybe I will go simulate a season of Madden and then put it on extra easy so I can win the Super Bowl with the Eagles. But knowing the luck of Philadelphia, I would find some way to lose.

I just need something to pass the time. Football season is a long way away. Oh wait, it still is football season.

Emotions sway during disappointing loss

It never gets any easier to digest an Eagles loss - especially when it ends a season.

Once again, the Eagles came up short in what looked to be a team that could make a run at the Super Bowl.

In a game of up and down emotions, it ended on a very depressing feeling with a 27-24 Saints win.

The last few minutes of the game provided some of the most back-and-forth feelings I have ever experienced during an Eagles game.

The first feeling was low when it looked like the Saints were going to run out the clock.

Then there was pure jubulation when Reggie Bush fumbled a pitch and the Eagles covered the fumble.

Frustration followed when the Eagles failed to move the ball on three consecutive plays. Complete nervousness set in as the Eagles lined up for a 4th and 10 play.

Once again, there was excitment when the Eagles converted that play, only to be extremely let down when I realized they were called for a false start.

Then anger set in when Andy Reid elected to punt the ball and disappointment as the Saints got a first down and ran out the clock.

That's a lot of emotions in a short period of time.

But as has happened ever since I was born, the final feeling to an Eagles season is not one of joy.

I had a restless sleep and a thoughtful day of what iff's.

What if the Eagles had played better against the run.

What if they scored a touchdown instead of having to settle for a field goal in the fourth quarter after having a first and goal.

What if they were able to move the ball after recovering the fumble late in the game.

What if Shawn Andrews was not injured and his replacement Scott Young, who was called for the false start, had not been playing.

What if Andy Reid had not elected to punt. Could the Eagles have converted on a 4th and 15?

So many what iff's. And as usual, that's all I am left with.

And of coarse, I am left with the normal January feeling of maybe next year.

Penalty and poor decision cost Eagles the season

Despite being unable to stop the New Orleans Saints offense, the Philadelphia Eagles still had a chance to win and advance to the NFC Championship game.

But an unforgivable penalty and a horrible coaching call ended up costing the team its fifth trip to the NFC Championship in six years.

Down by three late in the game, the Saints fumbled a pitch and the Eagles recovered the ball. However, they could not convert on three straight plays and faced a 4th and 10. Jeff Garcia found Hank Baskett on a big play downfield to give the Eagles a first down and a great opportunity to at least tie the game.

But not so fast. A false start penalty negated the play and the Eagles faced a 4th and 15. Instead of taking a shot, the Eagles punted the ball and gave the game away. With only two timeouts remaining the Eagles could not stop the Saints running game and they were able to get a first down and run out the clock.

As the Eagles did so often during their horrible mid-season stretch, they were unable to stop the run, giving up over 200-yards on the ground. Saints quarterback Drew Brees was able to pick apart the Eagles secondary as well.

And as in their wold card game against the Giants, the Eagles offense got off to a slow start. In fact, their run game was completely innefective for the entire first half.

Somehow, the Eagles still carried a 14-13 lead into the half, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown pass to Donte Stallworth.

Not only that, but the scroed quickly in the third quarter on a 62-yard touchdown run by Brian Westbrook to take a 21-13 lead.

However, the Saints scored the next two touchdowns and were leading 27-21 heading into the final quarter.

The Eagles were unable to score on a first and goal and settled for a field goal to make it 27-24.

It seemed as though the Saints were going to continue to run the ball and run out the clock, until Reggie Bush fumbled a pitch to the left and the Eagles recovered the fumble. They could not muster any offense and the season came to a disappointing end.

Nerves and excitment for Eagles playoff game setting in

The nervousness in my stomach is in full force. So is the excitment, which I can hardly contain.

We are less than 24 hours away from another Eagles playoff game and potentially one game closer to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles are heavy underdogs against the New Orleans Saints. Good, I like it like that. Everyone expects the Saints to win and it will be that much sweeter when the Eagles pull out a victory.

Everyone in the world, except Eagles fans, will root for the Saints because of all New Orleans has been through. That's fine too. This means more to Eagles fans anyway.

The Eagles website reports there are between 10,000-20,000 rans roaming the streets of New Orleans chanting E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! Gotta love it.

Tomorrow can't come soon enough. The intensity will be great. The nerves will be almost out of control.

It's us against the world, just the way I like it.

Eagles flying high into second round of playoffs

My heart was racing as David Akers lined up for a game winning 38-yard field goal in the pouring rain.

You would think I would be used to this. The Eagles have been in a must win situation for six weeks now.

But this is the playoffs. This is what I have been waiting for since they lost in the Super Bowl.

The kick is up, and "it's GOOOOOOOOOOOD!" What a call by Merrill Reese and what a game. Now it's on to New Orleans.

I knew the Giants would give the Eagles a tough game. And it started right on the first posession as they drove down for a touchdown. But then the Eagles defense stepped up and made some big stops when it could have gotten out of hand.

The Eagles offense came around, led by the stellar running of Brian Westbrook, who had 141 yards on the ground and a spectacular 49-yard scamper for a touchdown.

The Giants scored late in the game to tie the score, but the Eagles marched down the field, setting up Akers for a game winning field goal with three seconds left.

After Tono Romo's botch Saturday night on spotting the ball on a field goal attempt and a similar situation late in the season for the Cincinnati Bengals, these things can't be taken for granted. That's one reason the Eagles signed long time holder and quarterback Koy Detmer earlier in the week, as he is someone Akers is familiar with.

The Eagles are one win away from their fifth trip to the NFC Championship game in six years. But the task will be daunting. The Saints have a very good football team. They beat the Eagles by three earlier in the year.

However, the Eagles have something going for themselves as well, being the hottest team in the league.

Three more wins. Three more wins. Three more wins.

That's all we need.

Playoff football is here

It's finally here. For the first time since the Eagles lost in the Super Bowl in 2004, they will play in a game that really means something.

Four more wins. That's all it will take to win the whole thing. But we have the Giants first.

As much as New York has been struggling, they scare me a little. Tiki Barber is an outstanding all around back. Plaxico Burress seeems to catch a lot of touchdowns and draw a lot of pass interference penalties.

The Eagles are one of the hottest teams in the league, winning their last five. The Giants stumbled into the playoffs with an 8-8 record.

How they got here is very different.

The Eagles flew out to a 4-1 start before falling to 5-6 and losing Donovan McNabb. The Giants were 6-2 and controled their own destiny before going into a tailspin.

Another storyline of this game is that it it likely this could be Barber's last game, as he retires at the end of the season.

The teams split during the regular season. This should be an NFC East dogfight.

Ahh, playoff football is in the air.

Could this be the year?