Return to Glory

"I wish I could give you this feeling, I'm planking on a million..."

Jay-Z - Gotta Have It

The NFL playoffs have begun and the NFC Divisional game yesterday proved something that I witnessed on Sunday, October 2, 2011.

Business as usual

When I was child all of my friends either cheered for the hometown team, or the San Francisco 49ers, and the reason is simple...as kids growing up on the east coast it was easy to see the greatness of the franchise that had players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Steve Young, Ronnie Lott, John Taylor, and Deion Sanders.

The 49ers played the Philadelphia Eagles this season, and once the dust settled, it was evident that this team had plenty of fight, and a never quit attitude. On Saturday afternoon they proved to the world their legitimacy in an intense 36-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

San Francisco was able to keep their composure on offense, defense, and special teams, in a game that had several lead changes, and 5 costly turnovers by the Saints. Nevertheless, Drew Brees completed a touchdown pass with 1:37 to go in the 4th quarter, setting the stage for Alex Smith to throw the winning 14-yard touchdown to Vernon Davis with 9 seconds left.

The 49ers are back in the NFC Championship game, and from here, anything they accomplish shouldn't take anyone by surprise. 

In the meantime, we'll wait and see.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo: Associated Press

America's Team

"Walk inside the lion's den...take everybody's chips, about to cash them in..."

Nas - Success

Mother's Day, 2011 - Los Angeles is swept out of the playoffs, and it was Dallas that provided a glimpse into their imminent achievement.

Teamwork

The Mavericks are the NBA champions, and while a lot of people thought the series would go in a different direction...it was the total team effort that delivered the Mavs their first title in franchise history. Perhaps it was the star power and top billing of the Heat that over shadowed their stellar play...nonetheless, the 3-point shooting, rebounding, and zone defense allowed Dallas to split the first pair of games, and then travel home to capture 2 of 3...setting the stage for the105-95 win in Game 6.

Jason Terry was the catalyst for everything the Mavs were able to do in the final game, while Dirk Nowitziki, was the constant throughout the series...playing through a sinus infection, fractured finger, and ridicule. In the end, his team laughed last, leaving south Florida with the agony of defeat.

I doubt that I will ever fully comprehend Miami's lack of aggressiveness in the deciding game, however I will give full credit to the Mavericks' defense, and to the victor go the spoils.

My only concern at this moment is an NFL and NBA lockout...which of course is a horse of a different color.

Words: @axgilbert

Photo:  Mark Ralston/AFP PHOTO

Checkmate

Precision

"Hate or love it, the underdog's on top..."

50 Cent - Hate It or Love It Remix

Monday Night Football is celebrating 40 years on television, and nothing says success like Brett Favre's first match against his former mates...the Green Bay Packers.

Purple People Eaters

Much has been made about the retirements, and return of number 4, as this day has been circled on the sports world's calendar for the past few months, and this game didn't disappoint...with the Pack making it interesting down the stretch...in the end it was too little, too late, opening the door for and interesting rematch.

First and foremost, the Vikings defense is legit, as they sacked Aaron Rodgers 8 times, intercepted him once, and made life downright miserable for the Packers in a 30 - 23 win, making Favre the only player to defeat all 32-NFL teams.

Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor did their best to set up the passing attack with the run, as Brett Favre worked his magic around the field making his favorite targets Bernard Berrian, and Sidney Rice look like a 10-year all-pro veterans. Point blank the Minnesota Vikings are a different team this year than they were last season. No offense to 2008...but a healthy Hall of Fame quarterback usually makes for a better field general, than the upstart Tarvaris Jackson.

Next month...we have the opportunity to do it all over again...within the frozen tundra elements of Lambeau Field.

Anything can happen on any given Sunday, or Monday for that matter in football...and as I always say, sports are a mirror for life...and in Brett Favre's case, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Fourth Quarter

Return

Teamwork

"I've been doing this for years man...my rep is legit..."

J Live - Practice

Jet Favre...I meant to say Brett Favre is back playing quarterback, and this isn't about a legacy, or stats for that matter...this time I believe its personal.

Save the Date

Originally drafted out of the University of Southern Mississippi by the Atlanta Falcons in '91...the legend of Brett Favre became as solid as the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, once he began to lead the Packers back to their glory days as Titletown USA. In 2008 he retired, and once he decided he wanted to play again...the Packers blocked him from going to any team in the NFC North division, so they wouldn't have to play against him. He was consequently traded to the NY Jets, in which he retired again on February 11, 2009.

Yesterday he came out of hibernation only to sign with the Minnesota Vikings...an NFC North Division team. Interestingly enough...the Vikings play the Packers on October 5th in Minnesota, and then again at Green Bay on November 1st.

I believe the only reason Favre is back playing football is because he has something to prove not only to himself, but most importantly to the Packers...a club that he rebuilt, and won Super Bowl XXXI with.

This signing doesn't make a lot of sense for the Purple People Eaters, but it is what it is, and we can only watch, wait, and hope that Favre can make for some entertaining football. He will more than likely start, and with a running back like Adrian Peterson, the gunslinging quarterback won't have to throw as much, which could preserve his nagging shoulder injury deeper into the season.

Favre is back and as the old saying goes...there is nothing new under the sun.

Running Routes

Bold

"Listen you can call me what you want..."

50 Cent - God Gave Me Style

The NFL Hall of Fame game kicked off yesterday with the Tennessee Titans winning 21-18 against the Buffalo Bills.

Star

Preseason usually doesn't mean much of anything, expect for the fact that it eventually leads to the start of the regular season. However it seems that anything WR Terrell Owens does, becomes BIG news. He has been both the catalyst for achievement and disaster...and while that lays on his shoulders...I think that too much emphasis is placed on him. For the record...he is a football player, and yes he does have a reality show...but at the end of the day he's just an athlete...and more importantly a human being.

People like T.O. and Michael Vick have been placed on an unfortunate level that many other athletes or the average Joe doesn't have to endure. I'm writing this because as I and other members of the media cover the NFL this year...I secretly wish that everyone sticks to the script...does their job, and leaves the judgement and harsh opinions out of their story lines.

I do not expect T.O. to do anything out of the ordinary...yes he wants the football, and yes he wants to win...show me a person that doesn't want to win, and I'll show you a person that doesn't care much about anything else. We should celebrate his hubris, instead of throwing stones at it.

True to the Game

Strength

"Rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6..."

Ice Cube - Steady Mobbin'

Earlier today I was stunned by the news that Steve "Air" McNair was found dead. I saw that I had a new message from Madeleine, but when I read that he had passed, I didn't know what to think? The first thing I thought of was a conversation we had a few days ago, as she reminded me that tomorrow is never promised to us.

Pride

Instead of listing all of his accomplishments, I'd like to remember McNair in my own way. I never met him, or interviewed him for that matter, but a few years ago I was invited to speak at Alcorn State University, in Mississippi. It was my first time in the "deep" south and the only thing I could think of is how things used to be...I'll admit it...as I had a twinge of trepidation, but once I arrived on campus the student body embraced me, and treated me like family.

I can recall walking around the university and embracing the fact that a top NFL quarterback played and excelled at this HBCU. Instead of being in awe, I was in fact inspired by his accomplishments both academically, and athletically.

McNair...gone now, but not forgotten.

The Buffalo Syndrome

'Mo Betta Blues

“The Buffalo Soldiers, dredlock Rasta’s...”

Lauren Hill – Ready Or Not

The Philadelphia Eagles will enter their 5th NFC Championship game (6th in team history) within the last 8 years, and what’s more surprising than the Eagles opportunity at a Super Bowl berth...is the fact that they will face the Arizona Cardinals.

Bridesmaid, never the bride

The Eagles tied the Bengals (week 11), and lost to the Ravens (week 12), while the Cardinals lost 4 of their last 5 games of the regular season, as no one saw this day approaching, and that’s why the NFL is so great...especially this year. The two teams did meet in Philly, during a week 13, battle of the Birds, on Thanksgiving, with the Eagles prevailing 48-20. The Eagles are the favorite to advance this Sunday, but if they lose either the NFC Championship game or the Super Bowl, then they will qualify for an infamous title, that only the Buffalo Bills fans could understand. Misery loves company, so I wouldn’t be surprised if their fans welcomed Eagles revelers with open arms.

So how tortured are the fans that cheer in the frozen artic of Ralph Wilson Stadium...to put it simply, it’s like being a Red Sox fan circa October 1986. The Bills were a superb team in their days of AFL supremacy, winning back to back titles in ’64, and ’65...prior to the AFL/NFL merger. Since those glory days of yesteryear they returned to a quasi state of prominence beginning in 1990.

Buffalo won the AFC Championship in 1990, 1991, 1992, and again in 1993, however in these four straight trips to the big show, they came up empty each and every time...making their dominance over the AFC, more of a late night talk show hosts’ joke, than any point of strength.

The Atlanta Braves had their fair share of World Series let downs; however they earned their respect from the sports world, by winning it all in 1995 over the Cleveland Indians. The Eagles can equally erase the losses of their past, by winning a Super Bowl within this Andy Reid/Donovan McNabb era. Like the Bills, the Eagles have never won the BIG game, as they boast 2 NFC Championship Trophies, and 3 NFL Championships, ’48, ’49, and ’60. The first Super Bowl was played 7 years later on January 15, 1967, thus diminishing the luster of the Eagles’ 3 NFL Championships.

In life and in sport, things don’t always work out the way they should, but all the ‘Birds (Eagles) have to do, is win...it sounds easy, but it’s not.

Any loss within the next two games would prove to be quite the conundrum. The expectations in the City of Brotherly Love are high, after the Eagles did the impossible by not only making the playoffs, but they have beaten the defending champions, as well as the Minnesota Vikings. The Phillies sparked the retro feelings of 1980, and with victories in the next two games, the Eagles can bring to fruition, what was once a childhood dream.
These are interesting times, as a new President will take office next week, and Philadelphia could possibly emerge as TITLETOWN USA.

Action Jackson

Success

"She like listen Jigga man, I don't care if you rap...you better R-E-S-P-E-C-T me..."

Jay-Z - Girls, Girls, Girls

The Philadelphia Eagles are getting the acclaim that was missing during most of the season...so I find it interesting that rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson is on the cover of Sports Illustrated...however I'd rather see the Birds get national recognition, better late than never.

Growing Pains

Pop quiz...who was the 49th pick of the 2008 NFL Draft...if you said DeSean Jackson, then you are not only correct...you are more than likely an Eagles fan. Born December 1, 1986, and standing at a mere 5'10"...the speedy wide out has made a name for himself this season. As a top selection in the draft, the eyes were on him, especially in Philadelphia, and playing within the Andy Reid west coast offense along with Brian Westbrook, and Donovan McNabb, he has had more than his fair share of opportunities to contribute to the team. 

He is most known for his superb play against the rival Dallas Cowboys early in the season, in which he purposely dropped a touchdown pass in error, celebrating prematurely. It's a long season, and Jackson has not only matured, he has grown as an athlete, as he and his teammates will travel north on I-95 this weekend, to square off against the New York Football Giants. 

Is this cover a sign of good things to come for DeSean Jackson and company...only time will tell.

Photo: Sports Illustrated/www.si.com

Birds of a Feather

Defense first

Accuracy

Prowess

"Like a running back...get it man? I'm straight off the block...I can run it back..."

Jay-Z - Dirt Off Your Shoulder

I've been in a Maryland state of mind...which is only natural because I'm always there, however yesterday I was thinking about the two places in which I live, Philadelphia and Prince George's County, MD...the main reason was because both the Eagles and Ravens won their respective playoff games, as they relied on their defense and balanced offensive attacks.

Prey

The NFL Playoffs have begun, and while I wasn't in attendance for any of the games...I'd like to take a moment to at least list the scores of the games, as we anticipate the Divisional rounds this weekend.

Before I list the results, I just wanted to note that I'm extremely proud of the Philadelphia Eagles as the so called experts had written them off, because of the play from Donovan McNabb. However McNabb had a stellar year (3,916 yards 23 touchdowns, 86.4 passer rating), and even though the team finished with a 9-6-1 record...they still make it to the playoffs, winning yesterday 26-14 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. 

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Arizona Cardinals 30

Atlanta Falcons 24

San Diego Chargers 23

Indianapolis Colts 17

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Baltimore Ravens 27

Miami Dolphins  9

Philadelphia Eagles 26

Minnesota Vikings 14

Photos: Wester Riddick

Joel Auerbach/US Presswire