UPDATE: A bittersweet lead in week 2

If youve read even one other post on this blog thus-far, you would realize at this point that I am a solid Eagles fan. If you watched even one highlight reel today, you would realize that the Eagles blew a 17 point lead and lost to the division rival Giants.

First and foremost, I apologize to my family, friends, enemies, neighbors, woodland creatures, rodents, bugs, and germs for my very fowl language during the last hour of the game. I dropped the F-Bomb so many times, it lost its effect... I think i was making words up to find something more vulgar.

Seriously though, its been a bittersweet day considering I wanted to have a 2-0 record for my precious Eagles, and it was so close, but instead Ive spent the past 5 hours pouring over what-if's. What if Burress' fumble didnt happen, or if it did happen but Michael Lewis was able to fall on it. What is Brian Westbrook didnt fumble. What if Sheldon Brown didnt bite on the short hitch fake and had good coverage on the last play of the game. What if the Eagles posted more points in the first half, considering how effective they were moving the ball... but not getting any points for it all.

Then again, it could be worse. For one, I could watch boxing, and cheer for the guy who delivers a knockout blow. Moreover, the sight of blood only makes me scream louder. But seeing a grown man humbled, and in sheer pain, and in tears, only hurts... and Im sure Im not the only guy like this. Why am I talking about this? Javon Kearse, in the middle of a career game, twisted his knee and was carted off in tears. Last I heard, it seems to be a torn ligament, will require surgery, and granted that its not career threatening, he'll start rehab in a few weeks. The game was a tough loss for Eagles fans, but atleast we havent been practicing for the past 8 weeks or so, studying film and gameplans, working out until our bones bent and muscles burned. Atleast we go on with our lives as planned tomorrow and look forward to week 3.

A few years ago, McNabb had a career day against the Cardinals, throwing for 4 TD's... I was at the game and it was a sight to behold. Little did I know, as I entered the game a few minutes late, it was a performance on a broken ankle (I missed the hit). I'll never forget it, we were listening to sports radio on the way home from philly, when the announcer stated 'rough news for Eagles fans, apparently Donovan McNabb suffered a broken ankle and will be out 6 weeks'. It still gives me chills for how devastated I was about it. That one hurt really bad.

Same season, 8 weeks later, the Eagles were in the NFC Championship game against the St Louis Rams, and just as the Eagles were forging a comeback, McNabb throws an interception sealing the win for the Rams. We knocked on the door, but didnt get in. I went in my car and cried on the way home.

(Before I continue, let me state that Im not a 'freak'. I dont live life for the Eagles, I've just been a fan my entire life. Theyre exciting to watch, for all their ups and downs, and I just think that football is a great sport to watch, regardless of the game thats on. I'm just like you, working 40+ hours a week, getting as little sleep as possible at night so you can do all the other things that you want to do. Watching the Eagles is my getaway, just like going to the movies, reading a book, even watching reality TV... its what I look forward to for 3 hours a week. Ultimately, I 'root' for the Eagles with all my heart because it may make every loss bitter, but it also makes every win sweeter.)

So, why am I stating all of these other low periods of Eagles life? Well, it could be much worse... it really can. The silver lining on the cloud here is three fold. One, its only week 2. The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and the Eagles have 14 more weeks to make up for this loss. Two, its a learning experience for the team early in the season. Im sure if theyre up by 17 in the fourth quarter anymore this season, they wont get as conservative. Three, theres another week of football! It wasnt a shocking loss in the playoffs, nor was it an injury for a team leading skill position player. I give Eli Manning alot of credit (and none to Plaxico Burress who threw the game winning TD ball into the crowd and taunted them at the end of the game... this guys a jerk, im convinced) for staying composed, even after an awful first 3 quarters. He's the real deal and a game winner.

Whats the score here, eh?

Current Situation (10:40 PM) - Mid 3rd quarter of the Washington/Dallas game, Brunell just chucked a lame duck to Roy Williams... who plays on the wrong team... on the 1 yard line - Fantasy Impact, none for me...

Ben & Laura: 133
Lil Brudder - Heart of a Champion: 145.3

Analysis
Hoo boy, its a real shootout! Peyton Manning netted them a whopping 42 points, 20 points from Gore, McAllister, and Eagles D, 14 (ugh!) from their kicker, and 10 from Chambers. The rest is lackluster, a few points here and there from the other players.

For me, McNabb got me 33, Addai posted 15, Dunn netted 14, Westbrook posted 19, Reginald Wayne got 14, LJ Smith 11, and the Ravens smothering D with 28. (By the way, if you add those up, I know they dont add up to the scored posted above... Im just posting the big numbers, a guy who posts 2 points doesnt deserve recognition on the most awesome fantasy football blog youll ever read ;)

Ben and Laura still have Heath Miller to go tomorrow nite, I have a narrow 12.3 lead, and all my guys have played. in my last post, I predicted that Jacksonville's D would require Heath Miller to stay behind the line and block, limiting his catches... we can only hope for that now...

Any mistakes?

Almost!
- "Touchdown" Reggie Brown comes through again! Catching another TD pass is all I needed from him as he makes for a decent #2 WR, especially until T.J. Housh decides to stop being a baby and plays with his bum heel.
- I was considering starting Eric Moulds instead of either Addai or Reggie Brown, with only 5.9 points, good move on my part.
- Cadillac Williams did NOTHING again this week, if Ben and Laura started DeAngelo Williams (16 points) in his place, this is a tie game right now with Heath Miller left to play... big difference
- Gostkowski posted 6 points, Josh Brown (my starter) posted 3... I hope those 3 points dont bite me in the rearend. Atleast I know that besides that, I made my best picks.
- OK, OK... looks like one mistake. I dropped Laverneaus Coles after drafting him as my original 16th pick. Now he's been posting solid 15 point games. Ouch...

Around The League (Fantasy and NFL)

- We award 5 bucks for the top score of the week... and so far it looks like that could be me AGAIN!
- I post 145 points, and Im looking over my shoulder tomorrow nite... unbelievable. Atleast I have solace knowing that Im not in Ben and Laura's shoes thinking 'I post 133 points and Im playing the one person in the league who has more than that'
- My big brudder (hence the reason that my league name is lil brudder) guaranteed victory this week (lol), and currently has a 7 point lead with 1 quarter left in the Dallas/'skins game. Hes not playing anyone now, but Julius Jones is going against him. About 20 minutes ago he fumbled the ball... those 2 lost points could very well be the difference between a win and a loss...
- My dad, who I somewhat advised during the draft, started Eli Manning this week (who I told him to draft). In the beginning of the day, I felt bad about that... since then he posted 30 points and sealed a victory for my pop... here's to you dad! (::cheers::)
- Kevin Jones watch - 44 Rushing Yards, 38 Receiving Yards, 2 fumbles, total points 5.2. Kevin Jones SUCKS!
- Tomlinson - 26.2 points... one man recking crew right there...
- Shaun Alexander finally shows up for an NFL game with 99 total yards and a TD
- Larry Johnson - 167 total yards, 1 fumble, no TD's, all for 15.3 points. Not posting the numbers he had last year, but even when KC loses, hes a solid start.
- Is the Dallas D really this good, or are the Skins really this bad? Without Portis, the Skins look awful... I guess this is the price you pay when you choose Brunell as your starging QB...
- Hey Roy Williams... I hope you enjoy all the criticism for that guarantee of a win against one of the best defenses in the league. One, the Lions still suck... I dont care who your coach is... youre still the same crappy team that hasnt had a winning team in 8 years. Secondly, way to pump up the opposing team, as if you needed to give them any reason to try and beat you. By the way, great job with those 71 yards, after thinking you should have scored 42 points last week in your 6-9 loss to the Seahawks, I suppose by your math you think you should have had about 450 yards, huh?
- Way 2 go to my old roomie Marc! 120 total points this week... and he also sat 70... teams lookin good! See you on the virtual gridiron in a few weeks
- My brother is now up by 5 points (yes... Ive been typing for this long now...), and Dallas just got the ball with 4 minutes left. With a heavy dosage now going to Julius Jones to run out the clock, we may be looking at upset city here...

Bring on Monday Night Football!

Id like to see the Jags take a game from the Steelers, and Id like to see them corral Heath Miller in the process. Either way, atleast we have another great game to look forward to tomorrow nite... I love football =]

And Im a week 2 survivor

I sure wont be filling in for Hammerin' Hank on ESPN, but I picked the Ravens over the Raiders for Week 2 in the survivor pool, and Im still standing. Tomorrow I'll find out who picked wrong, and how many people are left... still thinking about who to pick in week 3... it very well may be whoevers playing the Packers.

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Thats about it for the nite everyone. Thanks for reading, check back tomorrow to see if I can actually pull out a high scoring week 2 win! Same blog time... same blog URL (HA!)