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I thought I would make a cameo appearance and see if Snipe cared to place a small wager on this weeks Eagles/Raiders matchup...Bragging rights work for me, though at this point I do not feel that Oakland belongs on the same field as Philly, much less Kansas City as the Chiefs proved last Sunday. Booms, if Gunther can keep that defense of yours playing well you may have one hell of a team this year.

After seeing what McNabb and TO did last week, I am not to excited at the prospect of those two riddleing the already suspect Oakland secondary, I am looking foward to the TO Charles Woodson matchup, should be a good one...

So how bad would it be to put a 3rd-string LB in on Oakland's defense, with the sole purpose of spearing T.O. in the back once he's caught a long ball? <img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

"The first thing you learn in life is you're a fool. The last thing you learn is you're the same fool."
- Ray Bradbury

Defence looks like it has actually showed up for a change but the KC offence isnt clicking yet, IF/WHEN it does LOOK OUT! KC very nearly made defence obsolete the last couple of years by outscoring everybody like the Dan Fouts Chargers did in years gone by. It's looking like it will be a more balanced team this time around, hopefully Roaf will be good to go soon.
Hopefully I will get to watch the Raiders-Eagles game, I think it will be a good one. And yes will somebody please spear TO right in the mouth <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle> , before a catch would be just fine with me. Will this turn into a Moss vs TO blabbfest? Will they be able to be even MORE annoying to listen to than Shannon Sharpe?

A 9mm MAY expand, but a 45 will NEVER shrink!

_________________
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Chadrewsky long time no see. Snipe is going to be off the board for a while because he is moving. He said he may be able to sneak in intermitently.

Fender
"A woman drove me to drink
and I hadn't even the courtesy to thank her".
W.C. Fields

I thought it was awfully quiet around here, lol...
Rest assured, after the Eagles trounce my Raiders this Sunday, I am sure Snipe will make an appearence.

Boomer, Gunther Cunningham is a good defensive coordinator, I honestly believe he is of the same caliber as Monte Kiffen of Tampa bay, and Jim Johnson of Philly, he just needed some time to acquire the type of players he needed to fit his scheme. KC should be in for a good year if the defense keeps it up, I have the Chiefs as my backup Defense/Special teams in one of my fantasy football leagues.

I view the Eagles as a clear prohibitive favorite in this game.

Score could range from 34-10 to 27-17 Eagles.

If the Raiders win i will be absolutely stunned.

What seperates the Eagles from KC is defense.

Since 2000 the Eagles are #2 in points allowed, #2 in redzone defense, #3 in sacks #3 in takeaways, and since trotter was reinserted as the starter last year, are #3 against the run.

The Eagles have five pro-bowl players on defense
(Kearse, Trotter, Dawkins, Sheppard, Lewis).

On offense the player that really makes the eagles go, and the player the raiders really need to watch, is all pro RB Brian Westbrook.

He has gained over 100yds total offense in 23 straight games.

TE LJ smith is also an emerging star, and should get plenty of man coverage looks this week.

The eagles also have five pro bowlers on offense(McNabb, Westbrook, TO, Runyan, Thomas).

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

The formula for beating Oakland is simple...Roll your safety over to cover Moss deep, pressure Collins enough to prevent him from checking off to his secondary options...Shouldn't be a problem for Jim Johnson. Oakland will be 0-3 for the first time since the Art Shell era, and Al Davis will still not understad that his vertical passing scheme is obsolete regardless of the talent he has employing it.

KC has a young defense, which means that they will be inconsistent; but either whay they have made huge strides, and look every bit to be the condender they where a few years back.

Add TO and Donovan McNabb to the raiders scheme with their existing personnel and i think you'd find the vertical attack would work just fine.

As always, it's a matter of personnel, and Oakland just doesn't have the horses.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Well as we saw in Philly's opener against Atlanta, a good pass rush and solid pass coverage can negate ANY offense, regardless of the talent. McNabb and TO are first rate, like them both. But it takes more than talent. I think Andy Reids offensive philosphy suits both of them fine. Put TO and McNabb in Oaklands current system and you will have plenty of highlight real material, but the end result would be the same in terms of consistent wins.

Look at dallas in the 90s.

They played a power run deep vertical attack offense(remember the mindnumbing stats A.Harper put up in dallas?), and Turner did almost nothing to disguise what was coming.

It worked, and won them 3 superbowls in 4 years.

Because they had the horses.

8 of the 11 starters on offense for that cowboys team were either perennial all pros or future hall of famers.

TO and McNabb to go along with Moss and Porter would win a hell of a lot of football games, but with the current Raiders D, championships would still not be likely...you're right about that.

The thing that was most telling to me Eagles/Falcons was that even 'home at the dome', on opening night, on MNF, with all-pro MLB ejected 10 minutes before game time, and with the ultimate revenge motivator, it took the Falcons best A game to eek out a 4pt win against the Eagles, a game that if Akers doesn't miss two kicks he normally makes, ends up in an Eagles victory anyway.

When the Eagles D WITHOUT trotter held the Falcons to 14 total points under those circumstances, i knew just how good the Eagles actually are.

Sometimes a loss is more telling than a win, and the Falcons loss was very telling to me.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

I almost brought Dallas up...The difference between Dallas and the Al Davis way is two-fold...First unlike Aikman in Norv Turners system, A Raiders QB albeit Kerry Collins must wait untill he can see the numbers on his WR's chest, before making the throw. This makes an already immobile QB a sitting duck if his pass protection fails. This is exacly the reason why the Raiders always seem to lead the league in holding penaltys, specifically offenseive holding penaltys.

Aikman was allowed to make his reads and throw the ball to a point, rather than to the reciever. This gives the QB (Aikman) and the WR (lets say Irvin) the ability to add-lib based on the coverage and check off to a possiable miss/match (Dayrl Johnston on a Defensive Lineman) if their is a LB/DB blitz...Al Davis allows no such freedom or flexiability in his offense. Also Norv Turner in Dallas pounded the ball with Emmitt Smith relentlesly, I have never seen Al Davis have that kind of committment to establishing a physical running game, not even when they had Marcus Allen or Bo Jackson in the backfield...There never seems to be that kind of continuity with an Oakland raiders running game, you rarely see 8 minute defense killing scoring drives, they rely to much on the big play.

I am excluding the Jon Gruden/Callahan years because that a different offense completley.

As I see Norv Turner coaching the Raiders, I see Al Davis's influence everywhere. Kerry Collins telegraphs every throw to Moss, and if the opposing DB's are in a three deep zone, then its most likely an incompletion...

So, I guess what I am getting at is Al Davis's system is archiac and worthless. Norv Turner's record in Dallas speaks for itself, though they where the last team to have any success with that offense, and though it makes me feel old to say it, that was 10 years ago. Alot has changed since then.

McNabb, TO, Moss, and Porter would be scary...

Atlanta can beat Philly if its Defense shows up, but you also never can fully account for what Micheal Vick can do. I was at the Seattle game last week, and they did a great job of keeping Vick "contained"

I think the Eagles will most likely repeat in the SB, but Atlanta can cause problems, they to me are now where the Eagles where 3 years ago.

Slow day in the office...I forgot to mention McNabbs mobility for such a big guy, a huge factor to consider. I won't even insult him, or Aikman by drawing a comparison with Kerry Collins...You going to the game Snipe?

Nah, im watching at home then im gonna be packing all night for my now delayed monday move.

I expect a fairly easy eagles win, with a potential for a blow out.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Whoops...i stated above the eagles are #3 in sacks in the NFL since 2000.

"The long end will be represented by the Eagles, <b>who have a league-high 243 sacks since 2000</b>, and seven (tied for third) so far this year."

Guess they're 1st since 2000.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

If both teams play as they did last week, Philly should cover your 10 point spread. But the Autum wind is a pirate I just got NFL Sunday ticket, so I should be able to watch that one.

The thing is since the Eagles got TO more often than not what you saw happen to the 9ers is just par for the course.

The amazing part about that 9ers game is that by the 1st play of the 4th quarter the entire Eagles starting offense was relaxing on the bench.

LOL.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

It wasn't an easy win, nor was it a blowout for Philly. The Raiders couldn't capitalize on early opportunities, neither did they matchup with Westbrook well. Sloppy game all around, the Raiders gift in field position because of Akers bum wheel, was negated by the typical bonehead Raider penaltys in critical situations...Typical Oakland game in the post Gruden/Gannon era...Say what you want about Chucky, but they played better with him on the sidelines.

All time Philly/Raider head to head record is now 5-4 in Phillys favor, not counting the post season...

It was 1 yd away from an Eagles 27-10 lead and a blowout...then LJ smith fumbled, and the ray-dahs recovered.

That's the way it is in the NFL. When he fumbled the Eagles had all the momentum and were walking away.

One fumble...BANG!!!

Whole new game baby.

The eagles also took just as many stupid penalties as the raiders.

In the end, it's GOOD teams that find a way to win those games...and that's exactly what happened today.

McNabb is a stud....but BW is a SUPER stud, and maybe the best eagles offensive player ever.

The fact that he's only 25 and has only been a starter for 18 games is amazing to me. WHAT A STUD.

LOL

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Close Snipe, McNabb is 28 not 25, and 1 hell of a QB!

"If you don't get caught everything Is Legal! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>"

_________________
\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Naw Racegal I think he was refering to Westbrook, who is a great all around tailback, but he has to negotiate a pretty elite list to hold the best offensive player title in Philly. Randall Cunningham in his prime would make plays I still haven't seen copied.

Oakland is 0-3 with the season in the drink, as they should be. Philly is 2-1 and looking foward to a good season. You get what you deserve in the NFL...

" Close Snipe, McNabb is 28 not 25, and 1 hell of a QB!"

I was talking about the Wizard of Westbrook Heather.

Silly gurl. <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

Chad my brother the difference between Randall and The Wizard is that the Wizard is a bigtime player in bigtime games.

Randall ALWAYS choked in the Playoffs. Westbrook...as good as his numbers are reg season, has even better numbers in the playoffs.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

<b>Raiders: Westbrook 'an absolute killer'</b>

The Bay area reporter - perhaps having watched too much AFC football - actually mentioned the words "secret weapon'' and Brian Westbrook in the same sentence.

"Did you say secret weapon?'' gasped <b>Raiders safety Stuart Schweigert.</b>

"Sorry, man, but he's about the worst secret going. He's their MVP, not a secret. He's an absolute killer. Ask anyone in here who we spent most of our time preparing for this week, it was 36. I think we had answers for a lot of what they threw at us today. Except him. We just couldn't contain him.''

He was dead on about Westbrook.

The Birds' versatile franchise back started hurting Oakland with a 6-yard reception from McNabb on Play 1 by the Eagles at about 1:17 p.m. Westbrook didn't stop doing damage until gimpy-legged David Akers chipped a 23-yard field goal with 9 seconds left to give the Birds a hard-earned, 23-20 triumph more than 3 hours later.

Westbrook was like the boxer who has to be pulled off his opponent at the end of each round. Every possession, it seemed, Westbrook was back on the Raiders, inflicting more and more punishment.

When he finally walked to the locker room, Westbrook had dealt a roundhouse to the gut in the form of 208 yards (140 receiving, 68 rushing) and two touchdowns.

"He's like the size of some of you writers, but he's a beast,'' praised <b>Warren Sapp.</b> "A flat beast. And if you key on him, look what happens. You saw it on that last drive. He got 'em going and they go to some other stuff like T.O. and... it broke our backs.''

Reid's play-calling on the final possession, which the Eagles began at their 20, was superb.

McNabb to Westbrook for 13 to the 33. McNabb to Westbrook for 17 at midfield. Oakland immediately mixed zone and McNabb sliced it apart while the Raiders overplayed Westbrook's every move. McNabb found Greg Lewis for 13 on third-and-9 to the Oakland 36 with 1:03 left. Then Terrell Owens got the big calls, grabbing tosses for 15 and 14 yards before the Eagles, for some strange reason, burned their final timeout with 31 seconds left at the 17.

A McNabb-to-Owens hookup for 7 yards over the middle on first down got the ball into injured Akers' range and all the Raiders could do was watch.

Earlier, Westbrook burned the Raiders with a careerlong 62-yard hookup from McNabb, on which Charles Woodson gambled and lost. Schweigert somehow had an angle from the middle of the field and ran down Westbrook at the 19. No matter. Westbrook reached the end zone, anyway, four plays later, on a 5-yard toss that boosted the Birds' lead to 20-10 before the Raiders mounted a remarkable road comeback.

"I was going for the 'INT' and he ran an out-and-up on me,'' <b>Woodson said.</b>

"I was lucky he didn't take it all the way. He does so many things for them, you just don't know what's coming next. They split him out, run him out of the backfield, line him up outside, and sometimes he's even hard to see back there behind all those big guys.

"But he definitely hurt us today. Hurt us bad. Up front and in the secondary. I'm just glad we don't see him no more.''

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/12743301.htm

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

Hey chad, you must have a crystal ball!!!

Lifted this comment from the NFL 2004 thread...

"...Raiders will be a higher priced version of this years undisciplined, stupid mistake prone squad, only they will make it interesting next year by making a few more big plays before they are called back because of a penalty...Adding Moss by no means makes them a contender, or even a .500 ballclub, I have seen this shit too many times."
~Chadrewski

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>