Yardbarker: Ronde Barber

Week 3 and what it taught me ...

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:12:55 -0500

As for the "B.W.B." league, we have a tie between michaeldeluca and bzr034! Mikey wins if the Chargers do, and bzr's got the Jets. First official week, and everybody got at least 10 right so far. If any of you think your picks stand can withstand the scrutiny, hit me up and we'll add you on! Arizona vs. Washington: Arizona will find a way to beat itself, nothing has changed in that regard. Two turnovers in their own territory, and managing to get only a field goal out of the first drive of the second half, and that's 14 points right there. Washington any good? We'll find out next week in Dallas. They did sustain four drives of 11 plays or longer, which bodes well for Campbell's control of the game. Houston vs. Tennessee: Houston is bad but always plays Tennessee tough, so I don't know about this one. Slaton impressed me with his running, but there were too many close games to pay too much attention to this one. Cincinnati vs. New York Giants: The Giants are a lazy team this year. All but one of their scores came directly after a Cincy score, indicating that they were reactionary efforts by the players. I hate light-switch teams. The Bengals are horrible, don't let yesterday fool you. Miami vs. New England: The play selection for Miami was excellent, and by that I mean the one play they ran over and over. New England's defense didn't know where to charge, so they didn't build any momentum towards the ball-carrier. When you're a slow, old team, momentum is the only weapon you have against younger, faster players. Turns out that without a guy like Tom Brady buying in, Belichick's not going to be able to get the rest of the team to. Frankly, he doesn't even look interested in playing the rest of the season. Can't blame him. And I love how every old-timer brought out a Gale Sayers comparison for Ronnie Brown. Classic. Carolina vs. Minnesota: The Panthers laid an egg in this one. They couldn't convert turnovers, foiled their own field goal block attempt with a timeout, and fumbled the ball three times. Carolina never wins games where they lose the turnover battle, and their defense looked winded towards the end of the game. Minnesota was riding high after this one, but we'll see how they fair against a much better (I hope) Titans team. Tampa Bay vs. Chicago: This game was ugly. Brandon Lloyd can't be that good, so it must just be a reflection on the depleted talent level of the Bucs DB's. Ronde looked horrible, wasn't he an All-Pro last year? Was that a career award? Don't expect anything from either of these teams, as injuries will decimate the defenses and the offenses will continue to sputter. Oakland vs. Buffalo: The Bills found another way to win, but I'm not as sold on them as I was last week. Edwards is a pro, they should make the playoffs, but in a year where I'm searching for a dominant team, I just can't commit to a team that was losing to Oakland for most of the game. Kansas City vs. Atlanta: Herm Edwards wants to keep his job, right? So why is he running a rookie QB at the shotgun for long periods of time? I don't think he'll survive the season. Wait, Herm or Thigpen? Either. Matt Ryan has to be a ROY candidate, he doesn't have any receivers that the Falcons didn't have last year, and he's still killing teams with the long ball. Can't wait to see this kid after a year under his belt. St. Louis vs. Seattle: Did you watch this game? Shame on you. I tried to avoid thinking about either of these teams on a Sunday where real NFL franchises took the field elsewhere. Detroit vs. San Francisco: Still too early to get excited, but the 49ers haven't beaten someone this badly since the days of Garcia and Barlow. Detroit is horrible, but J.T. O'Sullivan can use powderpuff defenses to hone his skills on. And Brian Billick is ten times better as a commentator than as a coach. I like how he pointed out that playing safe and running with a lead aren't necessarily the same. When you can break a team's defense with the run, you accomplish several things. Give your defense a rest, destroy any confidence in theirs, and make their offense recalibrate towards quicker scores and more desperate measures. Big game vs. New Orleans, the best 1-2 team in the NFC, next week. New Orleans vs. Denver: Speak of the devil. Reggie Bush is starting to remind me of Brian Westbrook. Bush had 1,500 yards all-purpose his rookie year, a feat it took Westbrook until his third season to accomplish. Can he make it to 2,000 like Westbrook did last year? Probably, maybe even this year. Same knock against each for not being an every-down back, not that you put any back you want surviving the season in on every down. Denver isn't the dominant team I'm looking for, or this wouldn't have been close. Looks like neither of these teams has a quality defense, and that'll hurt come December and January. Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia: Yes, Eagles fans, your defense is intense. But don't pretend that Jim Johnson wasn't just trying to make sure his DB's didn't get torched again. Big Ben had no time to do it. Can the Eagles stay healthy? They seem to be able to. Pittsburgh doesn't have the offensive line to impose their brand of football, and it showed. Jacksonville vs. Indianapolis: just as I thought, the Colts defense was the cure for what ails the Jags. I was actually surprised how well Indy defended once the Jags got inside their 40 yard line. But while you could get away with not being able to stop the run when your team was up 21-0 in the first half every week, you can't catch up to teams that can keep you off the field for 3/4's of the second half. Indy's O-line looked a lot better, but the offense isn't going to return to previous form. It just isn't. Cleveland vs. Baltimore: So do we have to start taking Baltimore seriously? I don't think so. The Ravens won't be putting up 28 again anytime soon, with Pittsburgh and Tennessee in the next two weeks. Cleveland is just horrible, and their WR corps is a bad combo of injury-prone and soft, especially Winslow. Dallas vs. Green Bay: i'm already getting tired of saying Dallas is a September team, but it's the most apt description of the situation. The Cowboys can't cover anyone, they just got lucky with the pressure they put on Rodgers. Tony Romo is still mistake-prone. Green Bay abandoned the run early and it made it easier for the Cowboys to pin their ears back and go after the QB. On a side note, how pissed did T.O. look at the end of the game, after he had been a decoy for Austin the whole night? Looked like he was trying not to cry. There isn't a person on this Earth that I enjoy holding back tears more than T.O. Still looking for one team this season that would've been in the top 5 last year. Haven't found one. Can anyone remember the last time the league's power players took such a precipitous decline and were replaced by no one? Face it, this might be an asterisk year.

My Fantasy Football Draft Results

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:23:05 -0500

A full written analysis on my draft picks and what made me choose which players in each round. Very good article for fantasy football junkies. My top 3 -- (7) Randy Moss, (14) Clinton Portis, (27) T.J. Houshmanzadeh.

2008 NFC South Preview

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:25:50 -0500

New Orleans Saints

Predicted Record: 14-2
Playoff Seed: #1

Key Player: Reggie Bush/Deuce McAllister, Deuce went down last year and so did the Saints. For as good as Brees has been the past two seasons they need a rush attack to balance the offense and to control the ball and wear down the defense.

Fantasy Player to Eye: Jeremy Shockey, Consider me on the bandwagon for Shockey. He's never quite lived up to his hype and/or skillset. With the Saints he will be targeted a ton and given the rest of their fire power and some added motivation he should put up lots and lots of points.

Why the Record: Well 14-2 is a bit much obviously, but their offense should be able to score with anybody in the league and with the addition of Sedrick Ellis and the free Jets give away in Vilma their defense should be much improved.

Tampa Bay Bucs

Predicted Record: 7-9

Key Player: Old Man Jeff, Or Dead man walkin as he referred to himself is now at the helm again for good (just with 47 backups). He won football games last year despite putting up limited numbers. Can he play magician again?

Fantasy Player to Eye: Ronde Barber, What he scores like a touchdown or two a year right? That's about 1 or 2 more than you may expect from certain skill positions.

Why the Record: Old man Jeff is bound to hit the floor some day and that day is today.

Carolina Panthers

Predicted Record: 6-10

Key Player: Jake Delhomme, Obviously when your Quarterback comes back from Tommy John surgery he's the major question mark on your team. Last year he went down and they pulled a QB out of the old folks home and then stunk. Jake needs to stay healthy for Ws.

Fantasy Player to Eye: Jonathan Stewart, He's a rookie running back which means he's always intriguing to watch. He could gobble the majority of the carries and rush for over 1000 yards or he could stink and pull a DeAngelo Williams and do nothing.

Why the Record: You ever heard of a QB being awesome the year after Tommy John surgery? Na I didn't think so.

Atlanta Falcons

Predicted Record: 3-13

Key Player: Michael Turner, He's finally getting the opportunity to start in the NFL and considering the dearth of offensive weapons on the Falcons its essential that he has a big season if they want to win some football games.

Fantasy Player to Eye: Opposing Defenses, In a deep league and missed out on one of the top defenses. Well then just hit the waiver wire and grab whatever defense is playing the Falcons and enjoy the plethora of sacks, ints and defensive tds.

Why the Record: A Rookie QB with inexperience everywhere and no solid karma around equals another very high draft pick.

Thoughts On Bucs Final Roster

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:16:58 -0500

Sorry for the delay in posts, especially on final cut weekend. I had my two biggest fantasy drafts this weekend it turned into a 2 day fantasy draft party-a-thon. To the cuts…. Ryan Nece and Dre Moore were the only two real surprises. If you had been watching any of the games, or paying attention

Can the Buccaneers repeat in the South?

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:45:56 -0500

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to do something this season that no other team in the NFC South has ever done - repeat as division champions. If they are to win the division, according to Buccaneers beat reporter Scott Reynolds from www.pewterreport.com they could learn as early as week one. "They play New Orleans on opening weekend, if they can steal a win there...

Tiger Woods Visits Bucs Camp

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:44:27 -0500

Tiger Woods visited the Bucs Monday at the team hotel in Celebration, Orlando. I'll let the players do the talking. DEFENSIVE BACKS COACH RAHEEM MORRIS "As NFL guys, we don't get star-struck much, but when you get a Tiger Woods come in who is the best at what he does, it's unbelievable. If you can pick his brain a little bit, which I know Ronde did and some of the linebackers did, it was awesome. He was giving some messages last night. The one thing that caught everybody's attention was about never having a mental breakdown. You can have a physical breakdown, but he'll never have a mental breakdown. That caught everybody's attention. He says he has a certain amount of hours to prepare and that if he has a mental breakdown, it's his fault because he wasn't prepared. Physical breakdowns happen. Everybody's human. But mental breakdowns should never happen if you study. That's why Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks and those guys are great players." SAFETY SABBY PISCITELLI "I was walking around talking about it this morning - 'You don't understand, Tiger Woods was in our meeting room last night!' It was amazing. There are only a couple of athletes in my generation that I would like to meet, but he's one of them. He is one of the most dominant athletes of my era and probably ever. It was surreal. It was crazy. You look at him and you are just wowed. It was a tremendous honor to meet Tiger Woods." RUNNING BACKS COACH AND SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR RICH BISACCIA "For me, the two global names in my lifetime certainly are Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods. For him to walk in the running back room and see all of running backs scramble to get their camera phones and take pictures with him. For guys Warrick Dunn, Earnest Graham, Michael Bennett and B.J. Askew - those type of people - to want to get their picture taken with him was really something. I don't watch golf much. I don't know a lot about it. But I do watch the Golf Channel late at night after he does his rounds and the questions they ask him - I told him that his articulation about every hole and the practice work he put in on every round, it almost brings it to life to hear him talk about it when I didn't see him play. He came back at me and said that it was just like coaching and remembering plays. He was just exciting to be around. He really fit right in with us. It was certainly a pleasure and an honor to meet a guy like that. Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods - you know what I mean?" RUNNING BACK MICHEAL BENNETT "I don't know how it feels to meet God, but to be able to meet Tiger Woods … I just gave him a hug. Man, this is Tiger Woods! I just met the greatest athlete of all-time. For him to come out and go around to our meeting rooms and give us a message - and he's got a bum knee - it just shows you what type of person he is. To come out and give us some words of encouragement … most guys don't get to meet. The only time you see this guy is on TV because you can't get within 80 feet of him out in public because of all the people screaming his name. To get a picture with him and to have a conversation with him, stuff like that makes this the training camp of all training camps. It's still on my mind. I woke up this morning thinking, 'I met Tiger Woods!' It was a great feeling and one of the things I will always cherish. He's in a world of his own. It took me by surprise. Coach Gruden said, 'I've got a guy I want to bring in to speak to you' and I was thinking, 'Okay, who the hell is this guy?' Then Tiger Woods walked in and I was like, 'Holy [crap]!'"

Buccaneers Camp Tidbits - Tuesday

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:44:27 -0500

I'm trying to let the Brett Favre drama go, but QB Jeff Garcia yesterday had quite the condascending remark during an interview. "I'm just a journeyman according to some people; why should I have any hard feelings? I'm thankful to have this job. I might pay Bruce and Jon for bringing me out here", Garcia said…What am I going to say? It's the unfortunate part of the business," Garcia said. "That's what this sport is. It has two sides. Obviously, a game for all of those who play on the field and love to play the game, but there is a business side, too. Part of teams trying to reach that championship position is trying to strengthen their team. Whether they thought that was strengthening or not, as much as I believe that I can be a strong point for this team that is what they had to look into. So be it. It's all said and done. We're moving forward." While listening to Jeff Garcia being interviewed by Steve "DUI" Duemig yesterday, Garcia hinted that he most likely will not play in this weekends preseason tilt. Seems like the Bucs are having a hard time keeping 2nd year SS Sabby Piscatelli off the field, even though the starting SS spot is already locked up by Jermaine Phillips. "I always tell people you want to play three safeties at all times," said Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris. "If you can do that and limit some of the reps off of Tanard Jackson and Jermaine Phillips then you get better reps off of those guys when they are out on the field. If that's fifteen from each and you can give Sabby thirty then, well, you never know what you will get…"It's not over yet," said Morris of the fight for playing time. "They're still battling it out and we keep it hot in our room. We keep the controversy going so you guys will be buzzing." Matt Bryant said he missed his two field goals on Saturday because he was not following through on his kicks. "It was a matter of leg angle, which is no big deal," Bryant said. "It's just that the first time it happened, it happened in a game. That's what makes it tough." The Bucs were impressed with DE Jimmy Wilkerson on Saturday. "You never really know about a guy until the pads go on, so that was good to see," Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. "Anytime you can get to the quarterback, we like that." It looks like Joey Galloway's injury might be a little more severe than the Bucs are letting on. "Yes, I'm concerned," Gruden said. "If you're the head coach and you're (top) receiver hasn't practiced yet, yes, you're concerned. But we're also looking at it optimistically because we proved the other night that we have some young guys who are capable of playing and we're thrilled with that." Jeff Garcia was back in action at practice on Tuesday, but according to Bucstats.com, he did not participate in any team activities. Training Camp Summary from Tuesday courtesy of Bucsstats.com. Jeff Garcia was out on the field for a while, but didn't participate in any of the team drills. Ben Troupe and Sammy Davis also practiced on a limited basis. Gruden must have busted some heads after the Dolphins game because this was a very physical practice. Gruden has been taking it easy on the guys so far this camp, but he may be thinking that he needs to ratchet it up a little. During both sessions, music was playing over the loudspeakers while the players were stretching. Some of it was country music. I don't know… do you think a lot of those guys listen to country music? Besides Chris Hovan, I mean. It seemed like the offense was getting balls batted and intecepted and quarterbacks were getting sacked all day long. This was not a good day for the offense.Except one nice play where Luke McCown read a blitz and threw to Micheal Spurlock running a hot route who took it in for a touchdown. Greg White spent more time in the backfield than the running backs did. This was a huge day for White. Paris Warren somehow caught a ball with Ronde Barber draped all over him. McCown started off good, but really started to decline as the morning wore on. Brian Griese started off kind of bad and didn't get much better. Jimmy Wilkerson actually intercepted a pass off a deflection. This guy is athletic. Byron Storer absolutely leveled Dexter Jackson after he caught a punt. Jackson isn't supposed to be tackled on drills like that, but he bounced right up and was fine. Speaking of Jackson, his improvement since the rookie minicamp has been excellent. He runs lean routes and has much better hands than he showed in May. There was a real fight when Ryan Nece blocked Brian Clark on his blindside and knocked him to the ground. They grabbed each other's facemasks, but some other players came in and broke it up before it could get good. The afternoon practice was mostly in the tent and not open to the media. The outside portion was pretty much warm-ups and the receivers looked a lot better than they did in the morning. Kevin Carter was back in at tight end in the afternoon.

tcbailey24's Top 20 Cornerbacks

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:28:30 -0500

Today, I will bring you my top 20 corners in the NFL. Corner is a very tough position to play as you are constantly by yourself with the receiver and any play to your side can be a hit or miss. These 20 guys though, are the ones who excel at being in tough positions and show how great they really are as players. 1.Champ Bailey, Broncos: Champ is the premier corner in all of football. He truly defines the saying "shutdown corner" in every way. He has everything a corner needs to be great: athleticism, speed, jumping ability, toughness, ball skills, and is a great tackling CB. What makes him the best in football though, is his ability to take the other teams best receiver out of the game completely. No matter if he is playing man to man or in a cover 2 scheme, you know what you are going to get with Bailey. 2.Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders: Aso is a very underrated corner in the game. He is the closest in comparison to Champ Bailey. He has very good range, speed, and overall athletic ability. Every year that he has been in the league, he's become more reliable each year, and could soon be the best in the game in a few years if he keeps up his production. 3.Charles Woodson, Packers: Some may disagree with Woodson at this spot, but he is more solid than most CB's in the league. He doesn't get burned very often, and shows flashes of being that shutdown guy. He may not be as physical as his counterpart in Al Harris, but his coverage ability and speed show why he should matchup against the other teams best receiver. 4.Chris McAlister, Ravens: CMac might not be the most flashy corner out there, but he gets the job done. Many others have overshadowed him, but that fuels him to be the best he can be. He has 22 picks since 1999, which is second most to Champ Bailey. Though Chris was injured last year, his numbers are very consistent and he is one corner anyone would like to have on their team. 5.Asante Samuel, Eagles: Here's your man, Eagles fans. Asante has been the NFL's interception leader for the last two years combined and is a flat out playmaker. He might not be the best in one on one coverage, but his covering skills are solid. Obviously, he has great ball skills and is athletic, and those help him be the playmaker he is. He has elevated the Eagles secondary to the best in the league, and opposing quarterbacks will hate challenging this athletic bunch. That's what kind of difference Asante can make to a team. 6.Marcus Trufant, Seahawks 7.Al Harris, Packers 8.Lito Sheppard, Eagles 9.Antoine Winfield, Vikings 10. Pacman Jones, Cowboys 11.Ronde Barber, Buccaneers 12.Antonio Cromartie, Chargers 13.Terrence McGee, Bills 14.Nate Clements, 49ers 15.Terence Newman, Cowboys 16.Dre Bly, Broncos 17.Sheldon Brown, Eagles 18.Rashean Mathis, Jaguars 19.Quentin Jammer, Chargers 20.DeAngelo Hall, Raiders

THE AFTERNOON THOUGHTS...

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:10:53 -0500

...You have to worry when your 38-year-old quarterback gets injured. If the Bucs can keep Garcia healthy all year, I will be surprised. A smallish quarterback who relies on his lower body to drive the ball needs to be injury-free. Any lower body injury can affect their arm....

...If the Packers do make a deal with Favre and give him money to retire, I wonder how the Players Union will view all other players that retire? Right now, players that retire before the contract is over have to pay the club back the proration of the signing bonus. This idea will have huge implications if it goes forward....

...So much for wide receiver Mike Williams looking lean and fast at the Titans camp this year. That is why I hate those reports of players during OTA days. It only counts in pads.....

...Eugene Parker is a great agent, but he has two major hold-outs, one in St. Louis with Steven Jackson and the other (a strange one) in Buffalo where the team cannot get in touch with Jason Peters. Buffalo must be worried about the hold-out, they are moving around pieces in the line....

...When Bill Belichick praises a player, he must be good. And Jerod Mayo seems to have caught the eye of his head coach. His speed and athletic ability was the perfect match for the Patriots....

...Former Bengal Chris Henry is able to come back, but who can really count on him to be a player? Being back and being dependable are two different things....

...Former Bronco John Lynch might have a hard time finding a new job. He is a great player, but as we wrote about yesterday, teams need safeties that can cover. I wish John the best....

...If I needed a wide receiver I would sign Larry Brackins of the Philadelphia Soul and formerly of the Bucs. He has grown up and has the toughness to develop....

…Jacksonville DE Derrick Harvey needs to be in camp, but his absence is allowing Quinton Groves to get extra reps that can help make him better....

...I cannot tell Tiki Barber from Ronde Barber. I loved his report on the potential of Favre coming to Tampa.

Fantasy Sports Girl: Training Camp Preview - Cowboys

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:21:43 -0500

Fantasy Sports Girl Kaila takes a look at the Dallas Cowboys as they head into training camp this year.

TOP 10 SPORTS USES FOR A TIME MACHINE

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:52:32 -0500

by DMtShooter, Five Tool Tool

You are given the ability to go back in time and prevent specific events in sports history. This is my list of things that I'd change. Feel free to add yours in the comments.

10. Jeter Isn't There. The 2001 Oakland A's team was absolutely loaded, with a patient meat grinder of an offense and young starting pitcher that was among the best in baseball. After taking the first games of the ALDS in Yankee Stadium, the series shifted to Oakland, with Barry Zito in his prime on the mound and dealing, but the A's unable to push a run across... and when they're finally on the verge of scoring, with Jeremy Freaking Giambi Not Slidng and entering the Fredo Corleone Era forever and ever, Jeter appears out of nowhere to make the flip play that, despite the 2-0 whole, more or less ended the series.

Without that play, I'm convinced that the A's win the game, the series, and go on to win a World Series. They also keep the entire team together, becoming the dominant franchise in the Bay Area, and I don't spend the rest of my life seeing that damned play in my nightmares. Liquor helps.

9. Joe Carter GIDPs. I'm not going to go into the details of this too much, because this list is already going to be the worst thing ever, but Mitch Williams doesn't groove the fastball, and the Phils escape Game Six with a win. Though, to be honest, when Carter hit that thing, every Phillie Fan I knew at the time was (a) in no way surprised, and (b) in some terrible sense, relieved, because it meant that they never had to watch Mitch Williams pitch ever again.

8. Randall Cunningham's leg stays whole. In 1991, the Eagles started the year in Green Bay with a 20-3 win that defined the term "Pyrrhic victory" for the fan base... because early in the game, Randall Cunningham leaves with an injury and doesn't play again that year. Instead, the team used Jim McMahon, Jeff Kemp, Brad Goebel (oh dear Lord), and perhaps the single and best indicator that we had to that date that Rich Kotite was criminally useless... Pat Ryan. A 7-1 record down the stretch wasn't enough to make the playoffs, and it could be argued, Cunningham was never the same again.

7. Eagle Fan Doesn't Boo McNabb. Not that the draft day brouhaha really seems like it made that much of a difference on the actual field... but from the eternal media sideshow and rehash of the event. It'll be in McNabb's obituary, and it's pointless.

6. The Sixers Draft Brad Daugherty, instead of trading for Roy Hinson. Let's see... Daugherty becomes the passing big man with the outside shot that would have worked perfectly with Charles Barkley's inside game. He also doesn't go to Cleveland, which means that the Cavs of that era aren't very good. You still have the rather good backcourt of Johnny Dawkins and Hersey Hawkins, and you conceivably have Barkley spend his entire career in Philadelphia... because he isn't spending his time trying to make chuckleheads like Roy Hinson, who might have been the dumbest player to ever play in the Assocation, fit.

5. Jordan called for pushing off on Craig Ehlo. The Cavs' team that Jordan vanquished was a perfect collection of interlocking talent. Your point guard was Mark Price, a deadeye three-point shooter. The shootiung guard was Ron Harper, who had real explosion before knee surgeries made him into a Phil Jackson point guard. Up front, you had Daughery, the extremely good Larry Nance, and John "Hot Rod" Williams, who was good as a young player with a work ethic. Ehlo was also pretty useful... but when Jordan scored over him, the die was cast, and that team was more or less forgoten. A shame, really. They were great to watch.

4. Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudamire don't leave the bench. Another tragically good visual team, the Suns never got closer to breaking through against the Spurs than the 2006-07 season. Mayhbe they never would have gotten past Duncan, Parker and Ginobili in an elimination game, but you can't tell me that the world was better served by the eventual Spurs-Cavs Finals.

3. The Eagles draft Reggie Wayne, Chad Johnson, Robert Ferguson, Chris Chambers, or Steve Smith, instead of Freddie Mitchell. Hell, I'd have settled for Quincy Morgan. Or Todd Heap. Or Algae Crumper. Or... OK, I need to stop before I get the shakes again.

2. McNabb looks off Rodney Harrison. Maybe there's something to Spygate, in that the Eagles really were a better team than the Patriots in the first half of their SUper Bowl loss, and then suddenly were caught for a million screens in the second half. But evern if there was something untoward going on, there was still McNabb -- a man who has managed to be a great player for a very long time by avoiding picks -- failing to keep the ball. (And yes, Ronde Barber returning him for a clinching touchdown in that Tampa Bay NFC championship game is also hanging around the periphery of my brain...)

1. Rampant gambling and/or team purchases. Hey, I love my teams and all, but I love me some more... and I've got an extrordinary number of wagers to place before I raise enough money to buy the Eagles from Leonard Tose and prevent the worst excesses of the Norman Braman Experience.

A Future Hall Of Famer’s Take On Camp

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:08:16 -0500

You have to get yourself in a training-camp frame of mind. You go from being a full-fledged adult, paying taxes and everything else, to having to be in bed at 11 o'clock at night and in your room 15 minutes before that. It does somewhat belittle you to be put into that state. It builds camaraderie among the team to have everybody on the same page, so in that respect, it's definitely worth it. Would I like to go home and sleep in my bed every night? Of course, but I understand the need for the camp regimen. Ronde Barber, as told to Vic Carruci of NFL.com, writes a solid piece on Training Camp and the camraderie and struggles that go along with it.

A Future Hall Of Famer’s Take On Camp

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:08:16 -0500

Camp Breakdown - CB

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:21:45 -0500

Going into this off-season I believed that addressing our CB corps was of the utmost concern to the Bucs and hopes of their continued success. Ronde and Brian Kelly were getting up there in years, and it was time for an influx of some more youth, albeit through the draft or via free agency. Bruce Allen and the Bucs decided they would look to both avenues to address this need, and now, in my opinion, have a very deep and super talented pool of corners to use. Currently on the Roster - Ronde Barber, Phillip Buchanon, Torrie Cox, Sammie Davis, Marcus Hamilton, Darrel Hunter, Elbert Mack, Aqib Talib, Eugene Wilson Gauranteed Spots - Ronde, PBuc, Talib, WIlson Ronde should continue to hold his customary spot as the floater in the defensive backfield, providing a variety of services ranging from blitzing to roving to playing man coverage. The most compelling story and battle of camp to me is the position of the number 2 corner, or truly, what I consider the number 1 corner spot on our roster. Ronde has never been a man corner in the true sense of the word. First round pick Aqib Talib has been called the "future face of this franchise" this offseason by HC Jon Gruden, so I would have to imagine that he has been impressive thus far. Buchanon has done a great job since coming over from the Texans. Everyone said he couldn't tackle a schoolgirl when he got here, but I think the return of Raheem Morris last year has really helped him blossom. Wilson is a guy who played CB in college, and played a little CB and FS in New England. He was always a guy I enjoyed watching on the field. All three of these guys have the chance to start opposite of Ronde. When we move to nickel, which is often, 2 of these 3 guys will see the field as the primary corners, with Ronde covering the slot receiver. No Chance - Darrel Hunter, Elbert Mack Battling for Spots - Torrie Cox, Sammie Davis, Marcus Hamilton I would expect Marcus Hamilton to be placed on the Practice Squad. We most likely will carry 5 corners, so TCox and Sammie Davis have a camp battle on their hands. Cox is a great special teams player immediately giving him an edge in that regard. I liked that promise shown last year though out of former first round pick Sammie Davis. He appears to have the higher ceiling and better coverage skills, so my guess would be Davis is the last CB on the roster.

Camp Breakdown - CB

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:21:45 -0500