http://www.philly.com/r?19=960&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F Sports columnists from philly.com en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z en-us http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71318147&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Paul_Domowitch__Between_the_tackles.html CHICAGO - The Eagles entered last night's sort-of-a-must-win game against the Bears with well-documented red-zone problems. They were a respectable 12th in the league in total offense, but a grim 22nd when it came to converting trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line into touchdowns (11-for-23). Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 966a947f1edf251fe7f139278b00f433 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71316922&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Phil_Sheridan__Eagles_avoid_losing_to_themselves.html CHICAGO - The Eagles faced a difficult opponent last night, and it certainly wasn't Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 56acf9abc8aff9ef59831bab7eb2a4bc 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71316947&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_You_Talkin__to_Me___No_clear_power_in_East.html From: Fox, Ashley To: Battista, Judy; Maske, Mark Re: Least in the East As national NFL reporters, Judy for the New York Times and Mark for the Washington Post, you guys have seen a lot of football this season. Some good. Some bad. Some, including yesterday, ugly. The NFC East is a drama every week. The Cowboys squeaked by Washington, 7-6, yesterday and the Giants beat Atlanta in overtime. And then there are the Eagles. What do you make of the division, and how do you see it shaking out? Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 5e11cc91f55be9c5731466051dfb5ec5 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71318162&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Sam_Donnellon__Falcons__Ryan_bouncing_back_from_second-year_pitfalls.html EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The kid is all right. It might not have looked that way over the last month, or over the first half yesterday against the Giants, but Matt Ryan will survive this second-season blip of his, will survive the rushed throws and the happy feet and the sellout blitzes that he saw again from the well-rested and well-schemed Giants. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT d4e57278b4426146153105527c04b5ba 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71316662&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Ashley_Fox___For_Cutler__a_missed_win_vs__Eagles.html Ashley Fox tweeted during last night's Eagles victory over the Chicago Bears. The following are excerpts. You can follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/AshleyMFox. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 77578b7d195400f776266797984440bf 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71318237&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Rich_Hofmann__Eagles__Brown_plays_through_injury.html CHICAGO - It was like most nine-car pileups when viewed in slow motion. A dozen things had to happen along the way for the result to end up being what it was, in this case a 24-20 Eagles victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT e5fa3148078bca80fd0e641d1992c4cc 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71316687&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Bob_Ford__In_night_air__whiff_of_desperation.html CHICAGO - When Donovan McNabb said last night's game against the Bears was a "must-win" situation, and Quintin Mikell called it "our Super Bowl," it was no surprise that Andy Reid didn't join in the chorus. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT ff29dace29fd2fd03176cf5794606f6c 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71316997&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Phil_Anastasia__Seniors_have_big_impact_on_Eastern_field_hockey.html TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Any senior class can win four state titles. Eastern's remarkable 12th graders might win a few more. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT a236a7023a7019efce13a17d92fa95ef 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71317037&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Rick_O_Brien__Zuzek_s_switch-up_powered_West_Catholic_win.html Some of West Catholic's supporters might not have been breaking out in a sweat over Bok's 7-0 halftime lead in Saturday's PIAA District 1-12 Class AA Subregional championship game, but Jake Zuzek clearly saw the possible end to West Catholic's season and his high school playing career. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 853301c00fe7b3339fe0ee0e7fbd9d02 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71318377&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Frank_Seravalli__Frequent_Flyers.html DENVER - There is a reason Blair Betts went unsigned until the last day of training camp in September. When Betts is healthy, everyone knows the impact he can have as a defensively responsible faceoff and penalty killing expert. TSN analyst Pierre McGuire once called Betts the most underrated player in the NHL. The New York Post said Betts - who played for the Rangers for four seasons before joining the Flyers this year - was the best penalty killer to ever play for New York. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 29d7455990fe38b871a7059659c6cfb7 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=71318257&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091123_Mike_Kern__College_football_wrap.html Players of the Weekend National Andre Dixon, who scored on a 4-yard run in the second overtime to give Connecticut a 33-30 win at Notre Dame. UConn had lost three straight close games since cornerback Jasper Howard was stabbed to death. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 15f6325b8e20fe2af01041b614f3e485 2009-11-23T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734597&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Phil_Sheridan__Eagles__endless_loop_of_must-win_games.html When Donovan McNabb applied "must-win game" to tonight's game at Soldier Field in Chicago, the quarterback created a bit of a stir. Of course, that happens when McNabb says anything. If he says he's giving 110 percent, he gets ripped for not giving enough and for being lousy at math. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 8e927478968e77248d929f0acd8673f1 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734442&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Ashley_Fox___Health_is_wealth_in_tight_NFC_East.html Wade Phillips got it right last week. The NFL is not, as Phillips so astutely put it, "a woe-is-me league." Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 7278dd0e6fb69d5849ddcdf41e0e1c29 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734512&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Gonzo___Eagles_have_gone_missing.html Local and national authorities are asking for your help with a new Andy Alert. The following information has already been passed to law enforcement officials across the country and will also begin appearing on milk cartons today. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT b97b10fcb7a9fc5f8d99980e77fd7b25 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734617&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_You_Talkin__to_Me___Birds_should_be_loaded_for_Bear.html From: Fox, Ashley To: Ford, Bob; Fitzpatrick, Frank Re: Pick six I think Jay Cutler just threw another interception. Really. He's been spectacular this season. Spectacularly bad. He's thrown 17 picks and 14 touchdowns, not exactly Pro Bowl numbers. But his statistics in the fourth quarter, while not good, are better than you-know-who's in green. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 3745d21b43ee92c92e00630948db2c52 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734667&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Phil_Anastasia__Can_t_keep_this_Wildcat_down.html Jarred Bianchini always figured he would be on the field in the state championship football game as a senior. He just planned on scoring touchdowns, making catches, playing a starring role for St. Joseph. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT c6e655a14288c3c394ff6d626a5511fe 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734657&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Marc_Narducci__Rigby_gives_Lenape_the_title_in_overtime.html EWING, N.J. - The physical talent of Lenape's girls' soccer team is impressive, but the mental toughness of this unit should never be overlooked. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT b68fb44081825f28b4a770b35a95c26f 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70734707&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091122_Rick_O_Brien__Rating_the_area_s_top_cornerbacks.html We're nearing the end of our position-by-position tour of the local football scene. This week, we rank the top cornerbacks in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT fed09e06f5049d00d34ba02eac80dd77 2009-11-22T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600452&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Bob_Ford__Why_do_the_Eagles_pass__Because_they_can_t_run.html Even though Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg rarely stand together on the sideline, they are closely linked by both the headphones over their ears and the spaces between their ears. When Reid cleared his throat at his Monday news conference this week and said the offense's failings in the red zone were partly due to the scheme and partly due to the execution of plays, some took it as an oblique criticism of Mornhinweg's play-calling. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 8328d3dbbeb3ee3983ee6707d3fe491e 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70687447&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091121_Phil_Anastasia__Cherokee_turns_away_a_worthy_Williamstown.html Williamstown wanted to make a point and win a football game. The Braves were 1 for 2. Cherokee wanted to win a football game. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 460a673b9bad3d01c4955280c6e9783d 2009-11-21T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70687437&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091121_Marc_Narducci__Rivard_boots_Haddonfield_to_victory.html It was a true show of confidence for somebody who was admittedly struggling, but the faith that Haddonfield football coach Frank DeLano showed in senior Michael Rivard clearly paid off. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 2b012c5e9fc1dd364d2b47163ef049aa 2009-11-21T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70601037&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Bob_Cooney__Sixerville__Sixers_rookie_Holiday_still_adjusting_to_NBA_life.html HE IS ALL of 19 years old, the youngest player in the NBA. He is making an ungodly amount of money for someone his age - $1,514,280 - yet he is still required to stop and pick up doughnuts for his teammates. He is lonely at times, bored, too, and missing many things he loved on the other side of the country. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT ccf48fc8fe7d1ca7ba42a07b0f1fbea7 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600967&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Paul_Domowitch__Avant_cares_most_about_the_final_scoree.html Jason Avant doesn't know what Sunday night in his hometown of Chicago will bring. It might bring another 100-yard game, like the one he had last week against the Chargers. Or it might bring a goose egg like the ones he had in Weeks 6 and 7 against the Raiders and the Redskins. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 0b6783c14f9837319097130899319d62 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600977&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Sam_Donnellon__Eagles__red-zone_woes_have_become_running_joke.html HIS ANGST came and went Sunday, but for a quarterback known for saying nothing, Donovan MacNabb's actions spoke a thousand words. The Eagles had just flubbed a third-and-1 from the San Diego 7-yard line, this time on a well-covered rollout incompletion into the end zone, and their quarterback, who has seen this sort of thing so often over 11 years on the job, had enough. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 4999319dd59ca3e6d942f17baf85832f 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70601032&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Bill_Conlin__A_massacre_of_baseball_s_records.html THERE IS A SCENE in "The Godfather" where Vito Corleone has just called in the favor owed him by Amerigo Bonasero, the undertaker. He is to use all his powers to make the ambushed Sonny presentable for a traditional "family" viewing. He draws back the sheet covering his son and sobs for the only time in the film. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 6a718b5b79ee72abfc73eac6c4a6cb9d 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600602&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Phil_Anastasia__Crusaders__front_wall_creates_the_openings.html Delsea has one running back who has set a school record with 30 touchdowns and another who is averaging 12.50 yards per carry with 12 touchdowns. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 54215abfae92c0ebfd2133861db90451 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600952&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Ed_Barkowitz__Bears_still_searching_for_their_offensive_Forte.html JUST BECAUSE BEARS coach Lovie Smith seems intent on beating his head against the wall, it doesn't mean fantasy leaguers have to do the same. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT f80f7d1938abe320ced7a038da21cfee 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600957&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Les_Bowen__Mays_might_be_man_in_middle_as_Eagles_shift_defense_again.html THE SAN DIEGO game was the first time all season the Eagles' defense was unable to force a turnover, a situation that had something to do with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and maybe even more to do with all the guys playing unfamiliar roles, filling injury gaps. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT f9fccc165897b00e0c6eb024ebe164d1 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z http://www.philly.com/r?19=961&43=168376&44=70600632&32=3796&7=195502&40=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philly.com%2Fphilly%2Fsports%2Fcolumnists%2F20091120_Rick_O_Brien__Showdown_s_outcome_may_hinge_on_injury.html The outcome of tonight's PIAA District 1-12 Class A subregional championship football game between St. Pius X and Calvary Christian will hinge heavily on the status of Pius quarterback and free safety Cole Parkinson. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:01:00 GMT 3628ad6c170405855306fef877540692 2009-11-20T08:01:00Z