Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

This game would never even cause a blip on the radar screen if it were not for the return of Michael Vick. The Eagles are the clear cut favorites but with no McNabb (cracked rib) and a banged up duo of Westbrook and Jackson, the Chiefs have a fighting chance. The added distraction with the Michael Vick story just puts more pressure on the birds. The team is going into the game carrying 3 active QB’s but all media attention will be focused on Vick. Every mistake amplified, every play dissected.

The Eagles will stay with Kevin Kolb at QB, but I’m sure we’ll see lots of Vick in the Wildcat Formation. Yes, more WILDCAT! They ran it a dozen times last game and with Vick available for this one, it’s sure to be the go to play for Andy Reid. This is where most of the yards on the ground will come but with the Chiefs known for a weak secondary, the Eagles can keep throwing down field and possibly see Kolb match his last weeks output minus the interceptions (wishful thinking?).

The Chiefs don’t have much going for them even though they managed to stay in both their games this season. Matt Cassell was sacked more times than any other QB last season. He struggles to make quick decisions in the pocket which should give the Eagles defense enough time to get to him a few times over the course of the game. With only a single WR to focus on, the Eagles can use double coverage on Bowe and put the rest of the pressure on the QB. Should be good enough to get the job done.

Kansas City may be outmatched on paper but fortunately, the game is played on the field not on paper. If the latter was the determining factor this would be over before it began. I’m expecting this one to be close and the Eagles will make enough mistakes to keep the Chiefs in the game. The problem on the other end is the Chiefs just don’t have the play makers to take advantage of said mistakes. So all factors considered… it may not be pretty but this should get the Eagles back in the WIN column.

Last Weekend was a reality check for the Patriots as Brady struggled to get anything going. He may be healthy but 2 weeks into the season we can see he has a ways to go before returning to pre-injury form. The Jets found ways to take advantage and pulled off what most considered an upset. This week the Falcons will come in with a similar mindset but Brady should be able to get back on track. I expect New England to get their running game back in order and take care of business against the Falcons – But it won’t be easy!

The Cowboys came into the season with arguably one of the best group of running backs. Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice could all start for an NFL team. There are just not enough possessions to get the most out of every guy over the course of a game. This week should be a coming out party of sorts for the 2nd and 3rd guys on the depth chart if Marion is ruled out for Monday night. There are still decisions to made before now and game time, but I expect Barber to sit out letting his very capable counterparts carry the load in what should be a win for the Cowboys.

Picking the rest…
Baltimore Ravens over Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins over Detroit Lions
Houston Texans over Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings over San Francisco 49′ers
Tennessee Titans over New York Jets
Green Bay Packers over St. Louis Rams
New York Giants over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints over Buffalo Bills
Chicago Bears over Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals
Oakland Raiders over Denver Broncos
San Diego Chargers over Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts over Arizona Cardinals

Join me as I live blog this game on The Score – Link

*This live blog is accessible through the web, your iPhone/iPod Touch (Details) or Blackberry (Details)*

PREVIEW

The last thing the New Orleans Saints have had to worry about since Drew Brees came aboard is their QB spot. The Philadelphia Eagles could only wish that was the case for them. Heading into their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field, the availability of Donovan McNabb is still up in the air. After McNabb suffered a cracked rib in week 1, it is looking more and more that Kevin Kolb will get the start for this game. And if Kolb chokes in his first ever start, the Eagles can put in Jeff Garcia who was brought in as added insurance.

Turning the attention over to the game, the Saints’ put up over 500 yards in its 45-27 victory over the Lions last week . The key there is they were playing the Lions. This week should be a more of a challenge as they go up against one of the better defenses in the league. The same defensive unit that forced 7 turnovers and 5 sacks versus the Panthers. The late Jim Johnson’s successor did his thing but against a better offense, the pressure will be on. Detroit Lions or any other team, Drew Brees and his 6 TD passes matched a record for most scoring passes in a game for a Saints QB. And the damage wasn’t only done by air as Mike Bell ran for a career-high 143 yards. For this game, the Saints should also have Pierre Thomas back in the lineup giving them another weapon on offense.

On the offensive end, the Eagles are going to have a tough time duplicating their output from last game. Even though they have lots of weapons on offense and Westbrook is still good for the big plays, the Saints will be bringing the pressure all game long on the inexperienced Kolb. The Eagles need to focus on managing the clock to give themselves a chance to run with the Saints. If the Eagles defense can step up for this game, they could rattle Brees. He is no Delhomme though so the key will be to limit how much time he has in the pocket to get rid of the ball. In turn giving the team a chance to grab a win while playing shorthanded.

One team wants to start a streak and the other is trying to break one. Philadelphia, is trying to start 2-0 for the first time since 2004. The Saints, meanwhile, have both their last two road openers and haven’t started 2-0 since 2006.

I’m ready for kickoff to see who comes out on the winning side of this coin flip…

Minnesota Vikings Prediction (11-5): *Sigh* I can’t believe I am talking about Brett Favre again! Minnesota took a gamble with this move but it will pay off over the course of the season. They have arguably the most explosive RB in the league in Peterson, add in the arm of Favre and its sure to notch a few extra wins. This division will be hard fought but the Vikings should be the team strutting into the post-season.
Chicago Bears Prediction (9-7): Jay Cutler may have an attitude but he is also one of the best young QB’s in the league – good thing for the Bears is, he plays for them now. If Matt Forte has another productive year, an upgraded O line and the thoughts of Cutler looking down field to Devin Hester have me excited to watch this team (yes Cutler is on my FF team as well so there is added incentive for him to succeed).
Green Bay Packers Prediction (8-8): Tough break for the Packers, they are good but their division got a lot better. They have a new defensive scheme in place this season which calls for adjustments, but it had to be done since it was the weak spot for them last year. Rogers is a sound QB and if he can elevate his game, it should keep the Packers in the division race though the season.
Detroit Lions Prediction (3-13): The Lions probably aren’t winning anything more than the #1 draft pick in the 2010. Rookie coach Jim Schwartz has a daunting task ahead of him and if he can direct the team to notch a few wins, that in itself should be considered a success.

Philadelphia Eagles Prediction (12-4): Its the toughest division in football and the Eagles made some major waves by signing Michael Vick. People may think I am bias here, but this team did make it to the conference championship game last year and the core offense has improved. They lost some major contributors on the defensive end, but with new defensive coordinator running similar stuff to what Jim Johnson used to, they should be fine. As for Vick, I was not a proponent of the move but don’t see him factoring in as much as people think once the season gets under way.
Dallas Cowboys Prediction (11-5): Last year was supposed to be “THE” year… well with the Cowboys that seems to be the story every year. They lost several marquee players and this is now Tony Romo’s team. With T.O gone and Jessica Simpson discarded off, all eyes are on Romo to see if he can finally deliver. The way this division is looking, its going to be a last man standing battle to the end.
New York Giants Prediction (9-7): This team was smooth sailing until Plax gone shot himself in the leg last season. Plaxico may be gone but they still have one Eli Manning who can do wonders with the ball. Insert Osi Umenyiora (missed 2008 with a knee injury), a workhorse in Brandon Jacobs and a lock down defensive unit the Giants look like they can topple any of the teams ahead of them.
Washington Redskins Prediction (8-8): Even the last place team in this division should finish around .500. Jim Zorn’s success goes hand in hand with how Jason Campbell performs. After a blazing start last season the team came back to reality and will probably remain there. In any other division this is a team good enough to make the playoffs.

New Orleans Saints Prediction (11-5): This team goes as their offense does and though Reggie Bush has yet to deliver the goods, they still have one of the best QB’s who can rack up the yards along with a good receiving core. The last few seasons, the defense and play on the road has let the team down, but in this division I don’t see them letting go of the top spot.
Carolina Panthers Prediction (9-7): They come in looking the same as last year but probably wont get to repeat their performance and win the division. A favorable schedule and no major injuries helped them, but if they see more performances from QB Delhomme like they did in the playoffs (6 turnovers against the Cardinals), they will be not be on the field in January.
Atlanta Falcons Prediction (8-8): They were the surprise team to many with their run to the playoffs last season. I struggled to put them 3rd in this division but the possibility of Matt Ryan falling into a sophomore slump, the defense failing to improve and a much tougher schedule has me doubting that this team is legit. It does help that Ryan has Tony Gonzalez as an option on the field but that may not be enough.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction (5-11): Another team in full rebuilding mode. They will have the chance to bring along rookie QB Josh Freeman, restructure a once great defensive unit and hope that Cadillac Williams can bounce back from lingering injury issues.

Arizona Cardinals Prediction (10-6): The Cardinals lost (both coordinators) more than they gained this off-season. Good thing they still have Fitzgerald, because with a similar offensive scheme as last year, even an older Kurt Warner can keep this team winning. Add on a good looking rookie RB and this is still the team to beat in this division.
Seattle Seahawks Prediction (8-8): A healthy Hasselbeck and the addition of T.J Houshmandzadeh could make it hard for the Card’s to control this division. The thing that could help the Seahawks push past, is if their health holds up and the defense steps up to the challenge.
San Francisco 49′ers Prediction (6-10): Drama once again surrounds this team as rookie daft pick, Michael Crabtree is threatening to hold out for the season. Not to mention the starting QB job is still not set. Coach Singletary had a rough task last season but they managed to finish strong. Even if the defense improves, the key to their season will be in how they come out of the gates.
St. Louis Rams Prediction (4-12): I don’t really have much to say about this team except that their fans will have to endure another losing season. They did manage to pick up some solid contributors in the draft but its going to take time for the whole vision to come together.

• 7:54 PM Nat77 - Hey, thanks for joining me for my first ever live blog. With the new NFL media policy I am not sure how this is going to work out long term but we going to give it a try
• 7:56 PM Nat77 - Most of the starters will be sitting out this game for precautionary reasons but that just means we are that much closer to the regular season
• 7:59 PM Nat77 - In Eagles news, commissioner Goodell revealed to the media today that Michael Vick will be re-instated for week 3 and will be free to play when the Eagles meet the Kansas City Chiefs on September 27
• 8:04 PM Nat77 - We are a few minutes away from kick off, and have a QB match up of Kevin Kolb for the Eagles going up against Kellen Clemens of the Jets
• 8:07 PM Nat77 - New coach of the NY Jets, Rex Ryan seems eager to get the regular season started as the Jets are set to kick off
• 8:08 PM Nat77 - 14:54 Kevin Kolb will start the drive from their own 21 yd line (PHI)
• 8:09 PM Nat77 - 14:42 A 3 yd pickup for McCoy as the Eagles have a 3rd & 1
• 8:09 PM Nat77 - 13:37 Vick is in for the snap
• 8:10 PM Nat77 - 13:32 Vick goes in and gets 3 yds on his own which is good for the 1st down
• 8:11 PM Nat77 - 12:50 Pass interference call on Lito Sheppard so the Eagles have a 1st down at the Jets 25 yd line
• 8:12 PM Nat77 - 12:43 Vick came in but managed to lose a yard on the play 2nd & 11
• 8:12 PM Nat77 - 12:14 Kevin Kolb went long on that 2nd down pass which sailed high but there is a flag on the play
• 8:13 PM Nat77 - 12:11 Pass interference again and the Eagles have a 1st down at the 3 yd line
• 8:14 PM Nat77 - 11:57 stoppage in play as the players got into a bit of a scuffle. The Jets are penalized with a personal foul
• 8:14 PM Nat77 - 11:42 Eagles have a 1st down at the 1 yd line
• 8:15 PM Nat77 - 11:14 LaShawn McCoy powers in – TOUCHDOWN EAGLES
• 8:18 PM Nat77 - That drive was made possible by the 65+ penalty yards the Jets gave
• 8:18 PM Nat77 - The Jets receive the kick off but get no yards on the return
• 8:21 PM Nat77 - 11:08 Mark Sanchez will take the snap 1st & 10 from their own 17 yd line
• 8:21 PM Nat77 - 10:39 Gain of 2 yds, 2nd & 8
• 8:22 PM Nat77 - 10:23 Sanchez goes long looking down the field he completes a 15 yard pass
• 8:22 PM Nat77 - 9: 46 Thomas Jones gets 14 yards on the ground for another first down
• 8:23 PM Nat77 - 9:00 A short pass from Sanchez gets the Jets 3 yds – 2nd & 7 at the 50
• 8:24 PM Nat77 - 8:25 Another shot down the field, Sanchez had enough time to find the receiver with a 27 yd pass for a 1st down
• 8:24 PM Nat77 - 7:48 – Thomas Jones rushes for 2 yards – 2nd and 8 at the Eagles 20 yd line
• 8:25 PM Nat77 - 7:11 TOUCHDOWN JETS! Sanchez to Cotchery (21 YD PASS)
• 8:25 PM Nat77 - 7:09 Jay Feely converts for the extra point
• 8:27 PM Nat77 - Majority of that drive was made up of the 60+ yards in the air, with 3 passes of over 20 yds for Sanchez
• 8:30 PM Nat77 - 6:57 Pass incomplete as the Eagles start their drive from their own 27 yd line
• 8:31 PM Nat77 - 6:49 6 yd run by Buckley – 3rd & 4 (PHI)
• 8:32 PM Nat77 - 6:32 Kolb under pressure throws the ball away and its a 4th down for the Eagles
• 8:34 PM Nat77 - 5:58 A 42 yd punt from Sav Rocca and the Jets will take over from their own 33
• 8:35 PM Nat77 - 5:53 Kellen Clemons is in for the Jets and his 1st pass is incomplete – 2nd & 10
• 8:36 PM Nat77 - 5:50 A loss of 4 yards as the Eagles brought some of the JJ pressure – 3rd & 10
• 8:36 PM Nat77 - 5:01 7 yd run for Clemons but its a 4th down and the Jets will punt
• 8:37 PM Nat77 - 4:31 A 36 yd punt and the Eagles will start their drive from their own 29
• 8:38 PM Nat77 - 4:27 Kolb hands it off for a 3 yd run – 2nd & 7
• 8:38 PM Nat77 - 3:46 Kolb with the pass and that should give them enough for a 1st down
• 8:39 PM Nat77 - 3:05 1st down, the Eagles run the ball for a gain of 8 – 2nd & 2 at their own 47
• 8:40 PM Nat77 - 2:01 The Eagles get the 2 yds for another 1st down
• 8:41 PM Nat77 - 1:53 5 yd pass completed – 2nd & 5 and Vick is back on the field
• 8:41 PM Nat77 - 1:22 Vick couldn’t get the ball out of his hand but runs it for 6 yards and another 1st down
• 8:42 PM Nat77 - 0:52 Kolb’s back in and his pass is incomplete – 2nd & 10 for the Eagles at the Jets 35
• 8:43 PM Nat77 - 0:46 The Jets bring the pressure and Kolb is sacked for the 1st time in the game
• 8:43 PM Nat77 - 3rd & 17 as the time is ticking down
• 8:43 PM Nat77 - 0:05 Another sack as Kolb’s protection broke down and that will end the Quarter
• 8:45 PM Nat77 - End of the 1st Quarter – 7-7
  We should see more of Michael Vick in the 2nd quarter
• 8:46 PM Nat77 - 14:52 Rocca’s punt (51yds) goes into the end zone and the Jets will take over from their own 20 – 1st & 10
• 8:47 PM Nat77 - 14:43 INTERCEPTION – Eagles pick off Clemons and run it back to the Jets 2 yd line
• 8:47 PM Nat77 - Vick is brought in for some red-zone offense
• 8:48 PM Nat77 - 14:40 Michael Vick goes with the QB sneak – TOUCHDOWN EAGLES!
• 8:49 PM Nat77 - The Eagles are using all kinds of formations with QB’s lining up as WR’s – not sure how this will play out in the regular season
• 8:53 PM Nat77 - 14:26 A huge return for Harrison, 42 yards and the Jets will try this again this time from their own 41
• 8:53 PM Nat77 - 14:20 A 4 yard gain – 2nd & 6 at the 45 (NY)
• 8:54 PM JuniorGeneral - Vick is the #eagles new short yardage and goal line guy? Ok by me.
• 8:54 PM Nat77 - 13:39 – Danny Woodhead breaks through – 55 yd run. TOUCHDOWN JETS!
• 8:55 PM Nat77 - As pre-season games go this game has been fast moving and lots of offense
• 8:55 PM msitkoff - Watch that run again by green and #Eagles fans will see why Sean Jones will not be starting safety
• 8:57 PM Nat77 - That drive was 2 plays and took just 1:01 off the clock
• 8:58 PM Nat77 - 13:28 A 16 yd return and the Eagles will start at their own 18 yard line – 1st down
• 8:59 PM Nat77 - 13:23 Kolb finds a seam in the middle and passes it off for 8 yrds – 2nd & 2 (Vick is back in)
• 8:59 PM Nat77 - 12:44 Vick dumps the ball off and they get enough yards for a 1st down
• 9:00 PM Nat77 - 12:14 A 3 yd gain for Buckley on the ground – 2nd & 7 at their own 33 (PHI)
• 9:00 PM Nat77 - 11:32 A 12 yd pass from olb and the Eagles have another 1st down
• 9:01 PM ITIScott - My man Gibson!
• 9:01 PM Nat77 - 10:56 18 yard pass and the chains keep moving down field – 1st down at the Jets 36
• 9:02 PM Nat77 - 10:20 3 yd run – 2nd down
• 9:02 PM Nat77 - 9:42 4 more yards on the ground and its 3rd & 3 (PHI)
• 9:03 PM Nat77 - 9:00 Incomplete pass thrown by Kolb as he was looking down field. 4th down should bring in Akers for a 48 yard field goal attempt
• 9:04 PM Nat77 - 9:00 – FIELD GOAL IS GOOD!
• 9:04 PM ACPressWeinberg - #Eagles T Shawn Andrews is practicing his pass blocking on the sideline. I’m a mile up in the press box and I can see his orange “Fro-hawk.”
• 9:06 PM Nat77 - That drive was 9 plays and 50 yards
• 9:06 PM Nat77 - Eagles kick and its a touchback so the Jets will start at their own 20
• 9:07 PM Nat77 - 8:49 35 yard pass from Clemons and the chains are moving again
• 9:09 PM Nat77 - sorry for the slow updates suddenly – the tv ppl want to focus on players on the sideline rather than the game
• 9:09 PM Nat77 - 6:48 Jets have a 1st & 10 at the Eagles’s 23
• 9:09 PM Nat77 - 6:08 Woodhead gets 3 yards on the ground – 2nd down
• 9:10 PM Nat77 - 5: 26 A fumble by the QB and the Eagles have recovered
• 9:11 PM Nat77 - 2nd turnover of the game for the Jets
• 9:11 PM Nat77 - 4:50 Eagles get 2 yards as they have a 2nd & 8
• 9:12 PM Nat77 - 4:43 Incomplete pass – 3rd & 8 at their own 34
• 9:13 PM Nat77 - 4:31 Eagles finally go with a passing play and get enough for a 1st down
• 9:13 PM Nat77 - Ball is still on the Eagles side of the field
• 9:13 PM ITIScott - Uh oh. Gibson turned an ankle. Could stash him on IR.
• 9:14 PM Nat77 - 3:51 A nice run on the outside gains 8 yards 0 2nd & 2
• 9:14 PM Nat77 - Vick is back and he makes a pitch again for 8 yards
• 9:14 PM Nat77 - 1st down Eagles at the Jets 37
• 9:15 PM Nat77 - 2:48 Vick goes deep and is INTERCEPTED in the end zone. There is a flag on the play – Pass interference on the Eagles resulting in a touch back by the Jets
• 9:16 PM Nat77 - 2:44 Jets start at their own 20 and take a loss of 2 on the 1st play – 2nd & 12
• 9:16 PM Nat77 - 2:07 Incomplete pass that was almost intercepted – 3rd down
• 9:17 PM Nat77 - 2:00 A 17 yard pass with a flag on the play
• 9:18 PM Nat77 - 2 fouls on the play – Holding for the offense and player misconduct on the Eagles -
• 9:18 PM Nat77 - The down will be re-played and the clock reset.
• 9:19 PM lindsaylou13 - RT @geoffmosher: Welcome back, Mike Vick. Sincerely, the end zone. #eagles. (<–LOL!)
• 9:20 PM Nat77 - replay 3rd and 12 – 2 minute warning
• 9:21 PM ITIScott - Babin is a beast.
• 9:21 PM Nat77 - 1:55 The Jets dont get anything on that play and they will punt the ball
• 9:22 PM Nat77 - 1:41 A short punt but with the return yards the Eagles will start the drive from the Jets 43
• 9:23 PM Nat77 - 1:37 Kolb tries to go across the field but the ball is tipped – incomplete. 2nd & 10
• 9:24 PM Nat77 - 1:32 another incomplete pass and the Eagles haven’t moved this drive
• 9:24 PM ACPressWeinberg - Vick has to remember to aim for the #Eagles receivers. His first deep pass was picked off by Jets CB Dwight Lowery.
• 9:24 PM Nat77 - 1:20 A 31 yd run and the Eagles are back in the red-zone
• 9:25 PM Nat77 - Vick will probably be brought in again to convert in this situation
• 9:25 PM Nat77 - Ball is at the Jets’s 12 yd line
• 9:26 PM Nat77 - 1:11 Vick tried to pass moving out of the pocket but the pass had too much heat – Incomplete
• 9:26 PM Nat77 - 1:11 Andy Reid continues to juggle as Kolb came in for that snap and his pass is incomplete
• 9:26 PM ITIScott - That’s why Amendola won’t make the team.
• 9:27 PM Nat77 - TOUCHDOWN! Kevin Kolb to Kevin Curtis
• 9:27 PM ITIScott - Effing Curtis again! Nice.
• 9:28 PM Nat77 - 1:03 left in this half and the Jets will have a chance to put together a 1 minute drive
• 9:29 PM Nat77 - Akers kicks and its a wobbler – Andre Allison has a 30 yd return. Jets will start on their own 40
• 9:30 PM Nat77 - There is an injured player on the field
• 9:32 PM Nat77 - 0:44 The jets keep it on the ground and get 8 yrds
• 9:32 PM Nat77 - 0:28 2 yard pass and the Jets have a 1st down
• 9:33 PM Nat77 - 0:23 pass from Ainge is incomplete
• 9:34 PM Nat77 - 0:18 Short pass and the the Jets have a 3rd & 7
• 9:35 PM Nat77 - Penalty – False Start by the Jets
• 9:35 PM Nat77 - 0:13 A nice pass by Ainge is enough for the 1st down and the Jets are at the 33 yd line
• 9:36 PM Nat77 - 0:03 Jets keep the ball on the ground and go no where – Timeout
• 9:36 PM Nat77 - They are going to bring in their kicker and let him rip it
• 9:37 PM Nat77 - Feely attempting a 47 yd FG – IT’S GOOD!
• 9:38 PM Nat77 - For the Jets, this has been a game of bad penalties and 2 turnovers. The Eagles on the other hand are still trying tricks bringing Vick in and out of the game but they lead at the half
• 9:49 PM Nat77 - Since this was a test run – I am ending this live blog now
• 8:17 PM Nat77 - Halftime Eagles 24 – Jets 17

With the NFL season around the corner, my focus has been on building my fantasy teams for the upcoming season.

See, when I got into the game, a friend told me the best way to learn all the players and get a feel for the intricate parts of the game, I should join a Fantasy Football League. I was familiar with Fantasy Basketball and Hockey but this was a whole different level. I dove in, purchased a stack of magazines, fired up the excel sheet and was on my way to build my dream team.

Fast forward 6 years and I have got it down to a science. No magazines needed (but if someone offers me a few I will not decline), Excel sheet is simplified (there are enough sites that do all the work for you now) and emotions are kept out of draft day.

Fantasy Football brings out the competitor in me. Hours are spent coming up with a team name – akin to naming your first born in some ways. You don’t wanna end up with a lame name (especially for keeper leagues), it sets the tone for the rest of the season. Draft day is treated like Christmas, and come kickoff the gloves are off. The smack talk starts flowing, injuries to complete strangers can cause broken TV remotes and you find yourself cheering for the unlikeliest teams due to fantasy implications.

This past summer, I debated taking a season off to see if I could enjoy the game with a pure heart but alas I caved. I love the multitude of emotions it brings out. The thrills, the agony, the anger, the gloating. I am not prepared to turn on the Eagles, but come Fantasy Football Playoff time – I give no guarantees.

Signs that Fantasy has taken over your reality:

• You spend weeks thinking of the perfect team name.
• You have nightmares that your sleeper pick was taken one pick ahead of you in your draft
• On game day, you pay more attention to your fantasy team rather than your favorite football team.
• You smack talk the TV screen when a player your fantasy team is up against has a bad game
• When the news reports an injured player you scream- “Shit! He’s on my team!”
• When your team scores you get mad because they are up against your fantasy team’s defense
• You cheer for a rival team because the QB is starting for your Fantasy team and you need those passing yards
• You keep one eye on the TV and the other glued to your computer waiting to see your players stats update.
• You have to sacrifice the beer in order to manage the remote with one hand and the computer with the other
• You have another browser tab open right now and are reading this to kill time before your next draft starts

On The Nightstand:
Why Fantasy Football Matters: (And Our Lives Do Not)
Committed: Confessions of a Fantasy Football Junkie

Brotherly Link Love will be a feature on this blog every Friday – a collection of the best Eagle’s posts for the week. Miss KJ did her thing writing about the man behind the mask, but there were others who had something to say

Video of Vick’s first practice – (H/T NESW Sports)

Through it all, he’s kept a low profile, gained a mentor in one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time and is now a Philadelphia Eagle. Of course I’m speaking about Michael Vick.

Man Behind the Mask highlights the good players do off the field. Michael Vick is no exception. Hear me out. I’m a huge fan of dogs. As a former dog owner I know what it’s like to take care of the four-legged creature. They’re loyal, playful, intelligent beasts who are good for a laugh and a smile when you’ve had a rough day at work.

What Michael Vick did with his canine friends was wrong. Dog fighting is illegal – this we know. Vick was punished and he did his time – also another fact.

However, many are acting as if Vick committed a crime far worse against humanity. They act as if he was the cause for the Holocaust, slavery and Hiroshima all rolled into one. There are child molesters who have been released on ‘good behaviour’ (thanks to the revolving door mechanism that occurs in judiciary circles in both Canada and the U.S.) in less than two years. Yet Vick is seen as the Big Scary Black Man…coming to take your children! Lock ‘em away!

Michael Vick is still a man. A beleaguered man, no doubt – but one who continues to hold his head up in times of adversity. Flanked by Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy at a news conference on August 14, 2009, Vick was soft-spoken and appeared remorseful. He acknowledged his wrongdoings and appeared grateful to Mr. Goodell and the league for reinstating him. Both Mr. Reid and Mr. Dungy were confident in Vick’s ability to perform on the field – and remain a good citizen off the gridiron.

We know he’s a beast on the field. Come on…a quarterback who rushes? You can’t beat that. But Mr. Vick is a regular man who has made some unwise decisions (just like the rest of us). Mr. Vick has a family. He has mouths to feed and children to put through college. Did you think of that? He and his mother and brother established “The Vick Foundation” in 2006 for inner city youth in Atlanta. He’s also donated money to families of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre in April 2007. Bet you didn’t know that, huh? I didn’t. But maybe you refuse to see the good this man has done and continue to focus on the bad – without all the facts. He’s just a monster to some of y’all.

We see PETA continue to bemoan his return to the National Football League. We see rabid animal lovers frothing at the mouth over a man who committed a crime – did the time – and just wants to live his life in peace. Will the ever let up? Furthermore – don’t they have jobs to go to? How many times will we see them camping outside stadiums and practice locations just to goad a former shining star?

I have full confidence that Michael Vick will come back as a dominant force this season – whatever Mr. Reid decides he will do for the Eagles. Let’s hope he’ll be Vick-torious (sorry, couldn’t help it) this season. Prove the naysayers and PETA wrong. Let him rip on the field…just not against the Colts, please and thanks.

KJ

From September through January – Sunday is my HOLY DAY
I am glued to the couch, screening my phone calls and am forever apologetic to people who choose to host weddings/baby showers/birthdays on that day since I never attend.

When it comes to football, my allegiance lies with the Philadelphia Eagles. I lived 15 minutes from Gillette Stadium 10 years ago but never took a liking to the Patriots. The man in my life at the time turned my attention to the Eagles and it was pretty much love at first sight. Even though said man is no longer in the picture I remain loyal to the team that made me fall in love with the game.

Here at Heels in the Huddle, I will be ….

- Ranting and raving about my Eagles
- Doing fantasy football posts (which will reveal my love hate relationship with Jay Cutler)
- Telling you about my adventures in sports betting
- Recapping Games

You can follow me on Twitter @Nat77