A Super Bowl Victory That Was Baltimore To The Bone

English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With a parade on Tuesday, the city will celebrate a world championship that was Baltimore to the bone — perfectly imperfect, an overachievement by an underdog and a surprise to sneering outsiders.

“I tell you what, we don’t make it easy,” said an uncharacteristically eloquent Joe Flacco as the Ravans quarterback held the Lombardi trophy, savored his selection as the Super Bowl’s most valuable player and, in this town, elevation to Johnny Unitas status.  ”But that’s the way the city of Baltimore is, that’s the way we are.  We did this for them back home.

Though it started out that way, there was nothing easy about the Ravens’ win in the Big Easy.  Even the lights went out in the Superdome.

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-rodricks-0205-20130204,0,1206003.column

Tuned In: Super Bowl Ads Largely Disappoint

With no team to cheer for in the Super Bowl, sometimes it really can be the commercials that are the draw. But the spots during this year’s big game didn’t leave viewers with much to discuss.  Fortunately, the third-quarter blackout — and the game itself — should fill the void around workplace water coolers this morning.

This year’s ads cost about $3.8 million per 30-second spot, and even with all that money it’s unlikely a commercial from last night’s Super Bowl XLVII will emerge to stand the test of time.

The usual trends — animals, children, ads for big-budget movies — continued and were joined by spots that encouraged viewers to: Vote for a sequel ad online (Coke), sign up online to get a free soft drink (Pepsi Next) and visit online promo sites (many, many ads).  Viewers who don’t watch TV while on the computer simultaneously surely felt left out.

Although viewers may disagree on the best ad during the Super Bowl, it seems likely Americans will come together to declare the Bud Black Crown ads the worst.  The ads, set in a club with supposedly hip people — “the loud, the savvy, the famous” — made it look like anyone who consumes this beer will instantly be transformed into one of these pompous, poser jerks.  Who wants that?

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http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/tv-radio/tuned-in-super-bowl-ads-largely-disappoint-673351/#ixzz2Jy5AFqpm

Kelly Experiences Overflow Introductory Press Conference As Eagles’ Coach

PHILADELPHIA— Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie opened Thursday’s introductory press conference for new head coach Chip Kelly by saying “This is a very, very exciting day for the Philadelphia Eagles, an exciting day for the city and I think an exciting day for Eagles fans across the country.”

Kelly then explained how he was struck right away by the passion of the franchise and knew almost immediately that “this was the place for me.  I was just trying to figure out how to do it the right way.”

The priority, Kelly said, was making sure his players at the University of Oregon wouldn’t find out he was leaving from any source except him.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/mc-eagles-coach-kelly-press-conference-cn-0117-20130117,0,6898808.story

Andy Reid Takes Over In Kansas City

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Andy Reid pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium in a black SUV on Friday, stepped out of it wearing a dark suit and red tie, and walked briskly toward the doors of the Kansas City Chiefs‘ home.

His new home, as it turned out.

Just a few hours later, Reid officially became the coach of the Chiefs.

Reid was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs just four days after being fired by the Eagles.

The longtime Philadelphia Eagles coach signed a five-year deal, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the terms of the contract.

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http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/mc-andy-reid-chiefs-contract-20130104,0,6936586.story

Reports: Reid To Be Named Cardinals Coach

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Andy Reid is reportedly on his way to becoming the Arizona Cardinals next coach.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday that “it is a done deal” and KTVK-TV in Arizona reported that Reid is “very close” to being named the Cardinals’ coach.  ESPN also reported that there is a “95 percent” chance that Reid will be hired by Arizona.

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http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/mc-andy-reid-cardinals-20130101,0,681906.story

Philadelphia Eagles Fire Andy Reid

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PHILADELPHIA — Andy Reid‘s worst coaching season with the Philadelphia Eagles ended today after 14 years when he was fired by owner Jeffrey Lurie, who said it was time “to move in a new direction.”

The dismissal came one day after Reid and the Eagles were humiliated 42-7 by the New York Giants and ended their season at 4-12.

“Andy leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon.  And we are very excited about the future,” Lurie said in a statement released by the team.

The team pushed back a scheduled noon EST news conference to 1 p.m.

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http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=439812

Report: Eagles Coach Andy Reid Will Be Fired

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Andy Reid is out after 14 years coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, three people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press following today’s 42-7 season-ending loss to the New York Giants.

Reid is scheduled to meet with owner Jeffrey Lurie on Monday to discuss his future and an official announcement will come afterward, according to one person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a final agreement hasn’t been reached.  That person says there’s a chance Reid might remain with the team in some capacity.

Reid is due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract.  He said he wants to coach next year, but it’s possible Lurie could persuade him to take a season off and perhaps help out in the front office in an “advisory” role.

Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko denied several reports that Lurie has already fired Reid, saying it’s “absolutely, 100 percent” untrue.

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http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=439706

Clairton Bears Win Fourth Straight Class A State Football Championship

HERSHEY – Clairton is fast.  Clairton is physical.  Clairton is tenacious.

And those are the reasons the Bears are state champions – again.

Playing with the determined focus of a champion, Clairton derailed Dunmore, 20-0, on a sun-soaked Friday afternoon at Hersheypark Stadium to claim its fourth straight PIAA Class A title.

The Bears (16-0) built on their state-record winning streak, which currently sits at 63 games and is also the longest in the nation.

Read more:  
http://thetimes-tribune.com/sports/piaa-football-dunmore-falls-to-four-time-champ-clairton-1.1416856

Wyomissing Wins State AA Football Championship

Wyomissing defeated Aliquippa 17-14 to win the PIAA Class AA football championship today at Hershey.

Read more:  
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=436335

Related story –   Spartan pride swells for state title game:  
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=436220

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Turnovers Plague Eagles In Loss To Cincinnati

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PHILADELPHIA – Following a one-game flirtation with competence, the Philadelphia Eagles got back to doing what they do best Thursday night.

That is, they couldn’t get out of their own way in another embarrassing defeat, this one a 34-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field.

Making this one even more disgraceful was that the Eagles (4-10) were ahead late in the third quarter before the wheels came off in a dumbfounding series of turnovers that led to 24 Cincinnati points in 31/2 minutes.

Leading by three and in position to extend the advantage and win their second in a row after losing eight straight games, the bumbling Birds instead turned the ball over four times in the next six minutes to match their season high with five giveaways.

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http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=435189

Eagles Stun Bucs In Thrilling Finish

Editor’s note:  It’s about time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TAMPA, Fla.— The most puzzling Philadelphia Eagles game of the season was a tale of two comebacks, with some old-fashioned, fourth-quarter desperation providing the fuel for a 23-21 victory over the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Rookie quarterback Nick Foles hit Jeremy Maclin with a 1-yard scoring pass on the game’s final play from scrimmage as the Eagles (4-9) broke an eight-game losing streak and came away with perhaps their most improbable win in decades, considering what happened immediately after Damaris Johnson fumbled away a punt return early in the third quarter.

Leading 10-0 and dominating on defense, the Eagles temporarily lost their fighting spirit after that play, and the Bucs (6-7) responded with three touchdowns for a 21-10 lead.

But Foles and an offense that was stifled on the ground all day pulled it back together and pulled one out with two late touchdowns sandwiched around a crucial defensive stop.

Read more:  
http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/mc-eagles-bucs-1209-20121209,0,1262341.story

Chaos Now Defines Reid’s Final Days – Eagles Lose To Cowboys

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Eagles are gripped now by chaos.  There is no other way to look at it.  With four games remaining in a down-spiraling season, just hours after a late-night loss in Cowboys Stadium, they abruptly fired defensive line coach Jim Washburn, apparently telling him not to let the door hit him in the wide-9 on the way out.

In the midst of an eight-game losing streak, they now have fired a defensive coordinator (Juan Castillo), a defensive end (Jason Babin), a defensive line coach (Washburn) and, just for fun, a couple of front office executives.

As it turns out, even Nixon’s final days were more orderly than Andy Reid’s.

Read more:  
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/hofmann/Chaos-now-defines-Reids-final-days.html

Andy Reid names Nick Foles the starting quarterback for remainder of season

Read the article here:  
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-eagles/Andy-Reid-names-Nick-Foles-the-starting-quarterback.html

Report: Andy Reid could become next Dallas Cowboys head coach

Read article here:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/Report_Andy_Reid_could_become_next_Dallas_Cowboys_head_coach.html

Eagles Deny Report Of Conflict With Vick

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

PHILADELPHIA – Michael Vick still hasn’t passed his concussion recovery test and remains out, but the Philadelphia Eagles strongly refuted reports of a rift between the quarterback and the team over the issue.

An ESPN report Friday said Vick believes “politics are entering the equation” in his bid to get back on the field as the team plays rookie quarterback Nick Foles, who will start a third straight game Sunday night against Dallas.

“There’s nothing to that,” said head coach Andy Reid, who said he has talked to Vick about the matter.

Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder confirmed that Vick on Friday failed the ImPACT test that measures cognitive brain function for a third time this week, but said the team believes it has figured out why Vick reached a “plateau” in phase four of the five-phase recovery protocol.

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http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=432499

Craptastic Eagles Host Carolina Pathers On Monday Night Football

Eagles Brace For Hostile Home Crowd (be afraid, be very afraid)…

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

‘MONDAY NIGHT Football.” A six-game losing streak. The Andy Reid era sputtering to a ragged close, with Jon Gruden right there in the broadcast booth, analyzing the proceedings.  In the 2-8 Carolina Panthers, an opponent that provides the potential for what would have to be the worst Eagles loss in a season defined by them.

People around the team are worried about an ugly scene at Lincoln Financial Field.

“It might be a little hostile,” said tight end Brent Celek, who is as much a part of the community as anyone on the team.  “The fans, they could be rowdy, which we’re all fine with.  We’ve got to be ready for it . . . Most important, we’ve just got to worry about our own job, what we’re doing, and everything else should take care of itself.”

Read more:  
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/playbook/20121126_Eagles_brace_for_hostile_home_crowd.html

Cheap Seats For Eagles Games As Birds Swoop Low

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

WILL WORK FOR TWINKIES———>

Get your hot dogs, get your cold beer, get your bargain-basement Black Friday ticket prices for Philadelphia Eagles games.

That’s what former Bethlehem resident and Navy diver Nolan Tombler found when he returned to the Lehigh Valley recently for his first Thanksgiving visit in years: The low-flying Birds are delivering low ticket prices for their remaining home games.

Stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Tombler admitted he’s taking a vacation in reverse of the usual kind for Lehigh Valley residents, who might fly to Hawaii in the winter (or wish they could). But when you live in the tropics and haven’t been home for Thanksgiving in a long time, the trip makes sense, the Freedom High grad said.

Tombler discovered Eagles tickets are available for $30 a pop or less, and he couldn’t resist rounding up relatives and old friends for a trip south to Lincoln Financial Field.

Read more:

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-eagles-cheap-seats-20121123,0,2257017.story

The Pride Of Clairton: A Town Looks To Football Team For Hope Amid Its Struggles

Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The doors to the Clairton Bears’ locker room are closed.  A space usually pumped full of booming bass from hip-hop music is silent, except for the young man in the corner wearing a black No. 9 jersey.  Sitting on a bench, he bows his head and cries.

His name is Robert Boatright.  He’s a senior running back and defensive end.  Senior Night festivities are complete, and Boatright still doesn’t know if he’ll play college football.  Now he’s gulping back tears.

Terrish Webb is Boatright’s best friend.  He moves to Boatright and consoles him.  Webb knows where he’ll play next year, at Kent State.  Even with his clarity on a night full of questions, Webb begins to cry, too.  His father was murdered when Terrish was 11, and it hurt hearing his dad’s name announced on Senior Night.

The rest of the seniors join Webb in forming a circle around Boatright, wrapping their arms around each other.  Nobody else can enter.  They’re the protectors of a historic winning streak that weighs on them daily. It’s at 55 now, will be 56 in a few hours, one more box checked until Heinz Field on Nov. 23, when they’ll likely set a state record of 60.  If they lose before then — or any other time, really — they believe they’ll be seen as failures.

Read more: 
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-south/clairton-looks-to-team-for-hope-amid-struggles-663011/#ixzz2D4FiVth5

FOOTBALL: Mohler’s Memorable Moments Spark Pottstown

BUCKTOWN — Some folks look at Pottstown’s Dayon Mohler and see a ballhawking safety.

Others fancy the Trojans’ junior as an effective running back.

Pottstown coach Brett Myers, however, has an even more succinct way of describing the 5-foot-11, 157-pound Mohler.

“I’d classify him as a good football player,” Myers said.

So would the majority of the folks who witnessed Thursday’s annual Thanksgiving Day Pioneer Athletic Conference showdown between the Trojans and Owen J. Roberts at Wildcat Stadium.

Mohler saw more action than a retail store parking lot on Black Friday in helping the Trojans overall close out their first non-losing season in 10 years with a 26-21 victory over the Wildcats.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20121122/SPORTS01/121129765/football-mohler-s-memorable-moments-spark-pottstown#full_story

Eagles Reach A New Low Under Andy Reid

Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles’ coach, after the Eagles’ training camp in Lehigh, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To be an Eagles fan is to be an expert in disappointment, a connoisseur of dashed hopes.

The team has suffered almost every flavor of defeat in Andy Reid‘s final season.  There was the shocking blowout in Arizona, the near-miss in Pittsburgh, the collapse against Detroit, the whipping administered by Atlanta, the failed gut-check in New Orleans.

But this one? This cruel beatdown at the hands of the hated Dallas Cowboys was a rare blend, indeed.  In an absolute must-win situation, the Eagles reached out for the faint sweet glimmer of hope, only to have it cruelly snatched away and replaced by the most bitter of defeats.

There was hope in the form of rookie quarterback Nick Foles, who led the team on two third-quarter scoring drives to take a 17-10 lead.  There was hope in the sudden competence of a defense that had been AWOL for the previous three-and-a-half games.

Read more: 
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20121111_Eagles_reach_a_new_low_under_Andy_Reid.html?mr=1&submit=Vote&oid=1&178713011=Y&pid=178713011&cid=8500281

An Ode To Andy Reid :)

Les Bowen: Eagles’ Lurie Can Blame Himself For This Wasted Season

Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles owner, after the Eagles’ training camp, Aug. 3. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW ORLEANS - If this Eagles season continues to go south, straight past the point of no return – which could happen tonight – I say it’s Jeffrey Lurie‘s fault.

The team chairman has been trying to have it both ways with head coach Andy Reid, and in the process he has all but ensured this will be Reid’s last season.

We all wondered last January what the effect would be of Lurie publicly putting Reid on the clock.  We wondered again in August, when Lurie underlined it in red: “substantial improvement,” or new coach.

We don’t have to wonder about that effect anymore.  We’re seeing it on the field.  Lurie has diminished Reid as a leader and forced the coach to fly by the seat of his pants, instead of being able to address the long-term best interests of the franchise.  A coach who felt he had job security might have pulled the Nick Foles lever by now. A coach who felt he had job security might have bitten the bullet and jettisoned Juan Castillo at the end of the 2011 season, instead of trying to jerry rig a Castillo-Todd Bowles marriage, then annulling it the moment he caught a whiff of last season’s problems, leading to defensive chaos against Atlanta last week.

Read more: 
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20121105_Les_Bowen_.html