Skins vs Eagles week 1

I wouldn't bring up the name change issue for minor reasons. But this story describes the Oneida Nation as being pretty doggone proactive on the issue. They are buying radio time to argue against the use of "Redskins."

Y! SPORTS (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ny-tribe-launching-radio-ad-100236264--nfl.html)

Sure CB59, anything can happen on any given Sunday, it's why they play the game. Just b/c something may happen doesn't mean it's realistic to think it will happen. The sun may not come up tomorrow, I am not, however, going to lose a moment's sleep over it. None, and I mean NONE, of your nervous nelly, sky-is-falling, end-of-the-world whimperings are anything that cause me one "realistic" pang of worry for Monday Night. Let's review:

1. The Eagles "Big Three"? Well, let's start with the obvious, shall we?
Vick sucks. Oh, he has physical talents - no denying that, and sometimes his play makes you think he doesn't suck, but then, the real Vick shows up and you realize his good plays were the equivalent of lipstick on a pig. He is saying the same things now he said the last two years under Reid ... "I am learning to be a better QB", "I am committed to developing as a disciplined passer", "Coach's system is really good for me." blah blah blah. Leadership? When has he ever elevated the play of others? Not "win by creating points through athleticism" but truly made other players better by building them up.

An example of what I am talking about is comment RGIII made in one of those mic'd up moments during last year's final game - On the final drive, in the huddle for all the team to hear, he makes a comment - "y'all know what were going to do, let's do it", then turns to Morris and - in front of the whole team - says something like "Take us home, win this for us". ... The crowd's chanting Griffin's name, the game is on the line, it's time for the star player to take over and march triumphant, but, instead, Griffin turns to Morris and very publicly says "You are the man, not me. You take the glory." I bet Morris would have run over lava in barefeet and through a brickwall for Griffin at that point. That's real leadership.

Vick simply does not have this. Never has. Never will. When has he ever inspired his teammates to excel. They are in awe of his talents and believe in him because of them, but that ain't leadership. Vick. Sucks.

- DeSean "one trick pony" Jackson? Catch some contested balls over the middle, then maybe you may be a threat without Maclin on the other side. For now, Chris Nield can cover their WR2 and everybody else will watch MeSean.

- McCoy is shifty and a threat. He, however, is not going to win this on his own. He gets two TD's - one off a long run - and that is the extent of the Eagles scoring.

2. RGIII rusty? freaked out b/c he hasn't taken a hit? I call so much bullsh** on that. The man is, generally, driven to excel and has, specifically, been driving himself to excel at this moment to prove himself to the doubters. To even consider RGIII's offseason prep as a reason to doubt his in-game performance in this nationally televised Monday Night Football home opener is to ignore the reality of his historic ability to play his best in big games. Given his drive and history as a player, it is "realistic" to believe that Griffin may be dominant Monday night. On the other hand, for those same reasons, worries about RGIII's ability to over come "eight months without a hit" isn't a realistic concern - it's a namby pamby exercise in hand wringing over a non-issue. If this causes you worry, how the hell do you even get out of bed in the morning?!

3. The Zorn Effect? Let's be clear, the Skins went 6-0 in spite of Zorn not b/c of him. He was handed a cohesive, talented team coming off an inspirational run that had been built by a masterful coach. The momentum from the previous year is what carried them through not anything Zorn did. I could have coached them to 6-0. Had Gibbs stayed, that team was going places. Zorn, however, had no clue how to keep the machine purring when tough times hit and the wheels came off.

Finally, IF this team gets behind, it is not going to panic. It's the same guys who came back from 3-6, who won close nail biters and came from behind along the way. This team is built to bear down not give up. The Eagles, on the other hand, ...

Sure, everything could go wrong and we could lose, maybe. Worrying about that is not "keeping it real", it is unrealistic whining based on regurgitated sound bite analysis and ignores the reality of where these two team were and where they are now. One is realistically on the brink of dominance, the other is realistically on the brink of implosion.

And that's how you keep it real.

So, just to be clear, I would say you are buying into the narrative that this team is trying sell?

Who, exactly, is trying to "sell" this narrative.

What is exactly is "the narrative"? Specifics please.

Based on the observations of folks like Keim, Tandler and HTTR coupled with my own observations from preseason and 2011-2012, I have every confidence that this team is going to kick f'ing ass.

Who, exactly, is trying to "sell" this narrative.

What is exactly is "the narrative"? Specifics please.

Based on the observations of folks like Keim, Tandler and HTTR coupled with my own observations from preseason and 2011-2012, I have every confidence that this team is going to kick f'ing ass.

Well who from sentence structure is clearly "the team".

Tripp will have to define "the narrative" I didn't understand it when he said it, but I thought you must have read it based on your post.

I see you have your...back to the wall. May want to get in touch with Sav Rocca.....

I got the reference. I was just replying to it indirectly.

And as to "who" - I would really like specific examples of this amorphous narrative made by team representatives.

I hate to say it, dont wish it on anyone but .... i think we might literally kill the eagles. like the whole team from vick to the waterboy, national tragedy of epic proportions.

jus sayin, hope i am wrong

Interesting article summarizing the last 5 qb's to suffer ACL type injuries and their subsequent return the next season.

RG3 vs. Eagles: How do QBs fare in first game back from torn ACL? | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2013/08/what_to_expect_from_rg3_in_season_opener_vs_eagles .html)

I hate to say it, dont wish it on anyone but .... i think we might literally kill the eagles. like the whole team from vick to the waterboy, national tragedy of epic proportions.

jus sayin, hope i am wrong

Hilarious.
This Bronco team has me worried about our schedule after the eagles- packers lions bears broncos 49ers falcons. I think we need to stop fooling around with PWhite and Rex and get an extra OL and Safety or CB. I wish it could be as simple as move DHall to safety if he fit but w/o Crawford i dont think that is even possible.

Interesting article summarizing the last 5 qb's to suffer ACL type injuries and their subsequent return the next season.

RG3 vs. Eagles: How do QBs fare in first game back from torn ACL? | NJ.com (http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2013/08/what_to_expect_from_rg3_in_season_opener_vs_eagles .html)

So really only one quarterback came back full strength right away, which was Phillip Rivers. I am sure it will take some time for RG3 to feel completely comfortable with is knee.

Also Carson Palmer came back quicker than RG3, which I thought was very interesting.