Monday Matchup: Bears at Eagles

Bears (4-3) at Eagles (3-4), Monday, 8:30 p.m. Eastern, ESPN
Line: Eagles by 7

Mention the lockout as a possible explanation for a slow start by a team or a player and you get a reflexive, collective eye roll from the football world.

It’s true that invoking the 18-week work stoppage explains everything (and therefore nothing), but how could more than four months of inactivity and missed practices, followed by a don’t-blink free-agency whirlwind and severely restricted training camp rules, not have had some tangible effect on many teams?

Take the Eagles, who signed or traded for eight high-profile veterans between July 29 and Aug. 10, and whose master plan for 2011 included incorporating rookies into the lineup at middle linebacker, right guard, punter and kicker, not to mention defensive coordinator.

At a time when most teams in most seasons are perfecting the finer details of the playbook, the Eagles were still figuring out where to park. Andy Reid probably should have recognized that all the turnover would cause problems and scaled back his plans a bit, but in retrospect, the 1-4 pratfall to start the season is easy to comprehend: these guys were not ready.

The Eagles are a dangerous team to prematurely bury at 3-4. Think of them as the souped-up smartphone you purchased, then threw into the junk drawer in disgust after spending two hours trying to send a text message. A little time, a little patience, and suddenly you realize the awesome power it possesses. Of course, these cool gadgets still crash at the worst times, but it is not something you can anticipate.

Pick: Eagles
(pick does not reflect the betting line)

Week 5 Quick Hits: Bills Up, Eagles Down

Andy Benoit takes a quick tour of every N.F.L. game on Mondays. Did he miss something? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Bills 24, Eagles 21

Much will be made of Michael Vick’s career-worst four interceptions. But if Jason Avant had held onto a very catchable third down pass near the red zone late in the fourth quarter, we’d probably be talking about how Vick led a jaw-dropping comeback similar to the one he spearheaded at  New Meadowlands Stadium last season. By the fourth quarter, the Eagles had the Bills figured out on both sides of the ball.

Of course, Dream Teams are supposed to have the opponent figured out by the first quarter. Instead, it was Chan Gailey’s club that played with the upper hand. The Bills’ D had a beat on the Eagles’ offense, as George Wilson and Jairus Byrd were all over the field, forcing two turnovers and a litany of other mistakes. Offensively, Gailey tailored the gameplan for exploiting Philly’s dreadful linebacking corps. Aiding this cause is that Juan Castillo’s new defensive scheme places an extra heavy burden on linebacking. The Bills successfully isolated Fred Jackson outside, mainly through off-tackle runs and screen passes. Jackson, the most underrated running back in the A.F.C., finished with 111 yards on 26 carries and 85 yards on six receptions.

Shrewd offensive planning, as well as timely forced turnovers (the Bills lead the league with 12 interceptions, one more than they had all last season), are why a team can go 4-1 despite  defense giving up over 450 yards four straight weeks.

Chiefs 28, Colts 24

The water has stopped gushing into Kansas City’s boat. Taking advantage of favorable scheduling (Minnesota and Indy in back-to-back weeks), the Chiefs have temporarily dropped out of contention in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. That’s fine if their quarterback can continue to post 100-plus ratings (he’s done so the last three weeks). Perhaps all this team needed was to see Matt Cassel berate Todd Haley.

As for the Colts, they’d be wise to go with Curtis Painter at Cincinnati next week, even if Kerry Collins is healthy. Not because Painter has posted spectacular numbers – he threw for a hearty 277 yards Sunday, but his 281 yards Monday against the Bucs were misleading given that 146 of them came off Pierre Garcon catch-and-runs – but because he at least has a feel for Indy’s system.

Vikings 34, Cardinals 10

Adrian Peterson scored three first-quarter touchdowns, each of them ending with a fierce blow to the Cardinals rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson at the goal line (more “Welcome to the N.F.L.” moments for a gifted but slightly overwhelmed first-round pick). The Vikings finished with 172 yards on the ground, a somewhat surprising figure given how stellar the Cardinals’ run defense was against the Giants last week.

The cliff notes of this game paint a perfect portrait of the 2011 Vikings: 172 yards rushing, Donovan McNabb completing just 10 passes to his limited (read: awful) receiving corps, and the defense beating up an inconsistent Cardinals offense thanks in large part to drastic pro-purple mismatches on the edges: end Jared Allen against tackle Levi Brown on the left, and end Brian Robison against tackle Brandon Keith on the right. Allen and Robison, who have been playing with great quickness and tempo the past few weeks, each had two sacks.

That said, the Vikings are 1-4 because a run-only offense and shaky pass defense masked by two good edge-rushers is not a formula for success against non-N.F.C. West opponents.

Seahawks 36, Giants 25

When it comes to turnovers, the Giants are reverting these days. They’re not just dishing them out – they’re dishing them out in ideal locations (two fumbles inside their 20-yard line last week, two this week). Five turnovers and 11 failed third down conversions on 12 attempts? Giant players would be wise to arrive to Tom Coughlin’s next meeting twenty minutes early.

Seattle’s cross-country victory may have been a Pyrrhic one if quarterback Tarvaris Jackson’s pectoral injury is serious. Too bad; with Sidney Rice finally healthy, Jackson was starting to show glimmers of comfort. Jackson was also developing a rapport with Doug Baldwin, an intriguing undrafted rookie wideout who, with 136 yards receiving, would have been the story of this game if not for the spectacular reel of highlights turned in by the undrafted second-year receiver Victor Cruz (eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown dance that is sure to catch on once fans forget that it was Cruz’s slip that caused Eli Manning’s late pick-six to Brandon Browner).

Steelers 38, Titans 17

Forget vitamins, exercise routines, crossword puzzles and drinking from the Fountain of Youth. The Steelers have cracked the anti-aging code: five touchdown passes from your quarterback, 107 yards on 11 carries from your second-year power back, a dominant performance from your backup defensive line and a handful of impressive solo plays from your superstar safety. Mix these ingredients together and you won’t be accused of being old for at least seven days (and probably 20 days if your next two games are against Jacksonville and Arizona).

Saints 30, Panthers 27

It’s almost as if Cam Newton came into the game agreeing with all the analysts who worried about Gregg Williams baiting him into turnovers. Instead of living in constant fear of that, Newton, like a swimmer accepting the initial misery of icy cold water, just dove right in. He threw his first pass directly to Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson. After he got the senseless turnover out of the way, there was nothing to worry about, and he went on to have a borderline spectacular game.

But, once again, the Panthers lost. In terms of points, Newton’s opening interception was the difference (it led to an easy Saints touchdown). Not that the Carolina faithful are worried. No team has ever managed to excite its fan base with losses quite like these 2011 Panthers. They’ve dropped four of their first five, yet somehow the momentum only continues to build.

Understandably so; Newton is as impressive as any first-year quarterback we’ve seen. But if you really want to be impressed, take a gander at how Drew Brees is conducting a Saints offense that now runs through Darren Sproles and sensational second-year tight end Jimmy Graham. Sproles had 91 total yards on 16 touches; and Graham 129 yards on eight receptions.

Bengals 30, Jaguars 20

The other two starting rookie quarterbacks squared off before a television audience composed of family and close friends. Andy Dalton of the Bengals had the edge over Blaine Gabbert of the Jaguars. Dalton was 21 for 33 for 179 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception; Gabbert was 15 for 28 for 221 yards and a touchdown.

In viewing the film of both quarterbacks in the weeks leading to the game, two things are apparent: Dalton has slightly more talent around him (including receivers who can create their own separation), and his team has kept him in the simpler chapters of its playbook, especially on first and second down. If Dalton had Gabbert’s arm strength and athleticism, it’s possible the Bengals would be shoveling more on his plate.

Raiders 25, Texans 20

The two most run-oriented offenses in football (statistically speaking) aired it out. Jason Campbell attempted 35 passes, and Matt Schaub 51. Both completed less than 50 percent. Darren McFadden and Arian Foster, maybe the two best runners in the A.F.C. right now, had fewer than 23 carries and 70 yards each.

The Raiders wanted to attack cornerback Jason Allen and the still-mysterious Texans secondary; the Texans wanted to….apparently, not attack a Raiders run defense that had given up a league-worst 5.9 yards per attempt coming in, and apparently not account for the absence of leading receiver Andre Johnson.

To be fair, Houston’s passing game did generate 116 yards from throws to Arian Foster, and it managed to capitalize on the heavy-footedness of gimpy middle linebacker Rolando McClain in coverage. Tight ends Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen combined for 12 catches and 201 yards. But none of those came on the final play, which was highlighted by Michael Huff’s game-saving interception in the end zone.

Don’t be surprised if the Raiders’ “Winning one for Al” story line grows  over the next month. Oakland’s coming schedule: home vs. Cleveland, home vs. Kansas City, bye, home vs. Denver.

49ers 38, Bucs 3

Chalk this one up to a young Bucs team traveling 2,800 miles on a short week after playing their first nationally televised game in the Raheem Morris era. It happens.

Niner fans, don’t take this as a slight to your team. Elementary as the Niners are offensively, they’re one overtime away from being undefeated.

Chargers 29, Broncos 24

As quarterback controversies go, it doesn’t get worse than the one John Fox has on his hands. First, the controversy has climaxed with the team fresh off its fourth loss and entering a bye. So it has two weeks to fester.

Second, deep down, Fox knows that there will be at least a few players in his locker room who feel that he sacrificed the good of the team by capitulating to the Mile High fans. Those who know football, including Broncos players, know that – this game aside – Tim Tebow can’t match Kyle Orton as an all-around quarterback.

But Orton has been hounded by critics all season, and his performance has suffered. After a reportedly tough week of practice, he went 6 for 13 with an interception in the first half Sunday. Fox apparently felt as if he had no choice and nothing to lose in benching the usually steady Orton.

With Tebow leading two scoring drives and giving the Broncos a shot at the end zone for a chance to defeat the Chargers on the final play, fans will criticize Fox for not making the switch sooner. And they’ll assume that he and his staff are giddy to see what Tebow has. In truth, Fox and his staff know that a gameplan full of quarterback draws and screen passes can work in improvisational fashion, but not against a defense that will have seen it on film and prepared accordingly.

This logic won’t register with a lot of Bronco fans. All they know is that Tebow came in and showed grit, had that “It” factor and gave the offense a spark.

Patriots 30, Jets 21

The Jets concluded their brutal three-game road trip with a third straight loss. Time for panic? No. But it’s certainly a time for concern. With 7:14 remaining in the fourth and the score 27-21, the Patriots ran the ball 11 times for 62 yards to set up a game-icing field goal with just over one minute remaining. New England, featuring a solid but thoroughly unspectacular BenJarvus Green-Ellis, finished with 152 yards on 35 carries (Green-Ellis accounted for a career-high 136 of those yards).

What has happened to the Jet run defense? Supposedly the foundation of Rex Ryan’s club, it ranked 27th the conclusion of this game.

Packers 25, Falcons 14

The Packers finally got a defensive win, but their offense once again deserves a  tip of the cap. Aaron Rodgers was able to get comfortable behind a makeshift offensive line and throw for nearly 400 yards. An astounding 12 Packers caught a pass. As for that makeshift line, it appears to have a bright future given that its most impressive performer was Derek Sherrod, the first-round rookie who could barely make the game-day roster last month.

Andy Benoit is an NFL analyst for CBSSports.com and founder of NFLTouchdown.com. He can be reached at andy.benoit-at-NFLTouchdown.com or @Andy_Benoit.

Six N.F.L. Contenders, and the Way They Have Disappointed

Six of the presumptive favorites to win the Super Bowl had flaws on full display on Sunday.

For now, Green Bay looks to be the class of the league, and fans of unbeaten Buffalo and Detroit are surely proud of their teams. But four others teams — the two franchises with the best records in 2010, the only team to make the conference championship game in each of the past two seasons, and the so-called dream team — experienced varying degrees of distress. The defenses of  Rex Ryan and Bill Belichick were punctured like never before.

No Hiding the Patriots’ Defensive Woes

The Bills have now staged improbable comebacks in consecutive weeks, following up a rout of Kansas City on opening day. But the big story out of Buffalo wasn’t necessarily about the Bills.  It might have been about New England, whose defense may torpedo its chances.

Buffalo defeated New England despite falling into a 21-0 hole, a sentence that Bostonians probably never thought they would read. Under Belichick, the Pats had been 53-0 when leading by 21 or more points. In the Belichick era, the Patriots were 91-4 when jumping out to a 14-point lead at any point in the game. Belichick made his reputation on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s never coached a team as one-sided as the 2011 Patriots appear to be.

Chad Henne threw for over 400 yards in the opener against the Patriots. In New England’s game against San Diego, six of the Chargers’ nine drives went for at least 50 yards, and two of the other three might have done the same if they hadn’t ended in fumbles. Patriots victories allowed the team to minimize the reality of those defensive struggles, but the defense can’t avoid the scrutiny now.

New England has allowed 1,406 yards in the team’s first three games, the fifth-worst mark since 1970. But yardage totals aside, there’s a reason this loss feels different: Tom Brady and the Patriots  don’t lose shootouts to anyone but the Colts. During the Brady/Belichick era, the Pats had been 61-2 when scoring at least 30 points, with both losses coming to Peyton Manning and Indianapolis. Make that 61-3. The Patriots’ video-game offensive numbers had everything thinking it was 2007 all over again; the better comparison may end up being the 2000 Rams. That St. Louis squad passed for more yards than any team in league history, but the defense (ranked last in points allowed) prevented a Super Bowl repeat.

Jets Flunk First Leg of Road Trip

Rex Ryan is known for having elite defensive units. With Ryan, that  starts by stopping the run. Against the Raiders, the Jets’ defense looked anything but elite. In his first 34 games with the Jets, Rex Ryan’s defense never allowed more than 153 rushing yards (a mark hit by the Saints in 2009). The worst the Jets had been outrushed came in Week 3 of the 2009 season, when Tennessee gained 44 more rushing yards than the Jets. The Raiders rushed for 234 yards and outrushed New York by 134 yards, margins incomprehensible before Sunday.

During Ryan’s 10 seasons as an assistant in Baltimore, the high-water mark was 207 rushing yards gained by the 2008 Giants. Sunday was as unusual for New England as it was for Ryan, who has never had a worse performance against the run. An ugly interception by Mark Sanchez and an abysmal day by Antonio Cromartie were part of the problem, but inconsistent play from those two is something the Jets have endured before.  The run defense had almost never been the culprit.

Unlike the Patriots, the Jets appear to have the horses on defense to earn the benefit of the doubt. The only other game under Ryan when the run defense was primarily responsible for a loss came against Miami and the Wildcat in 2009. The Jets responded in the rematch by holding Miami to 52 rushing yards. Unfortunately for the Jets, there seems to be little margin for error in the next two weeks, with games in Baltimore and New England. The Ravens gained 553 yards of offense against the Rams, the second-highest yardage total by any team this season. Numbers one, two, and four on that list came at the hands Tom Brady and the Patriots. If the Jets still have questions about their defense two weeks from now, they may be staring at a 2-3 record.

Is That a Doughnut or the Eagles’ Defense?

A loss to the Giants doesn’t spell doom for Philadelphia: in both 2000 and 2003, Andy Reid’s Eagles made the playoffs after a 1-2 start. Philadelphia started 2-2 in 2010, and 2-2 is likely  for this edition, with San Francisco on tap this weekend (after edging the Bengals, the 49ers are now 2-21 in road games against non-N.F.C. West competition since 2007). Philadelphia can still realize all of its hopes and dreams, but there is no way to hide the warts anymore. In both losses, the three biggest worries for the Birds took center stage:

The Eagles can give any team in the league a serious challenge. But Philadelphia doesn’t have the look of a dominant 13-3 team that’s going to take the N.F.L. by storm. The dream is still attainable — Philadelphia could get hot at the right moment, Vick could be healthy in December and January, and the right set of playoff opponents could find their way on the Eagles’ schedule. But this is a flawed team, and its struggles in short-yardage situations against the Giants looked more like frustrating Andy Reid teams from the Donovan McNabb era than any sort of dream team.

Falcons Regress to Mean

After an opening day loss in Pittsburgh, the 2010 Falcons went on a 12-1 run in which they effectively clinched the top seed. Nine times in that 13-game stretch, the Falcons entered the fourth quarter leading or trailing by less than a touchdown; Atlanta went 9-0 in those games.

Had the team gone a more reasonable 5-4, the Falcons would have been a 9-7 team on the outside looking in. Instead, good fortune brought them the conference’s best record. Through three games this season, Atlanta has been trailing by 24, 10 and 13 points entering the third quarter. If not for a Michael Vick injury in Week 2, the Falcons could be staring at an 0-3 record. Atlanta wasn’t nearly as good as its record last year, but the Falcons aren’t going to be trailing by double digits every weekend this year either. Expect something more in the middle, but hopes of a Super season in Atlanta have seemed too rosy from the start. Atlanta’s pass defense is still the team’s Achilles’ heel, while the pass offense isn’t nearly as good as many seem to think it is. Since the start of last season, the Falcons rank just 24th in net yards per pass attempt.

Dishonorable Mention

The Chargers at home against the Chiefs was supposed to be a blowout; instead, San Diego was holding its breath until the game’s final minute. A slow September start is cliche for San Diego: the last five Septembers, the Chargers have been favored in 14 of 17 games, but have a record of  8-9 while going 5-11-1 against the spread. San Diego is 2-1 but has been underwhelming in both wins.

The big worry here isn’t that “it’s happening again” but rather that the malaise has spread to the passing offense. Even during ghosts of September past, Philip Rivers was fantastic. This year, Rivers has thrown a pair of interceptions each week while his big play and efficiency numbers have dropped.

Perhaps all the team needs is a healthy Antonio Gates, but the Chargers have looked more conservative on offense this season. According to Footballguys.com, San Diego has thrown 38 percent of its passes toward running backs, compared with 28 percent in 2008 to 2010. Mike Tolbert leads the team in receptions while Ryan Mathews is second in receiving yards. This may be a reflection of a small sample size rather than a shift in philosophy, but it’s worth keeping an eye on how the Chargers stretch the field over the next few weeks. San Diego led the league in yards per pass completion in both 2009 and 2010, but rank in the bottom half of the league in that metric three weeks into the season.

Pittsburgh defeated the Colts, but only by kicking  a field goal in the final seconds. A close victory over the lowly Colts (Pittsburgh was a 10.5 point favorite) doesn’t hide the scary issues in Pittsburgh:

Four Super Bowl hopefuls — the Patriots, Jets, Eagles and Falcons — had the spotlight shine on their weaknesses this past Sunday. Two other teams escaped with wins thanks to the scheduling gods. For all six teams, this Sunday represents a chance to right the ship. New England (Oakland), the Jets (Baltimore) and Pittsburgh (Houston) will need to to fix their flaws to avoid a two-game losing streak; all go on the road against tough A.F.C. teams. The Chargers (Miami), the Eagles (San Francisco) and the Falcons (@Seattle) have a chance to show they won’t play down to their level of competition. The odds say that at least a couple of the teams scratching their heads today will be pulling out their hair a week from now.

Chase Stuart contributes to the Pro-Football-Reference.com blog and to Footballguys.com.

Is Michael Vick Being Treated Unfairly by Officials?

Michael Vick said that he wasn’t complaining and that he wasn’t blaming the officials … and then, if my reading comprehension skills are still O.K., he complained and blamed the officials.

Below is a partial transcript of his talk with reporters — after the Eagles’ loss to the Giants – in which he says officials have been looking the other way as he has been battered in the pocket. The full conversation is at Eagles.com.

Let us know whether you agree with him. On Sunday night, the ESPN analyst and former quarterback Trent Dilfer was adamant that Vick had not been treated differently by the officials, saying essentially that it was all in Vick’s head. (Vick’s head is a different story.)

On the play in which he hurt his hand: “It was on the pass to (WR) Jeremy (Maclin).  (It was) Just an unfortunate situation, after such a great play, and I felt like I got hit late.  There was no flag. Broke my hand.”

On whether his hand was on his helmet when he got hit: “It really doesn’t matter where it was at. I was trying to protect myself.  Still didn’t get a flag and that’s pretty much been the story for the last three weeks. I mean obviously at some point something catastrophic is going to happen and I broke my hand. Not to blame the refs or say that it was their fault. It’s just one of those unfortunate situations and I just think more precautions should be taken when I’m inside the pocket. I mean if you look at all the replays, I’m on the ground every time and it’s unfortunate for myself and it’s unfortunate for my team and I’ll be lying if I said I wasn’t, if I were to sit here and say I wasn’t frustrated right now because of that.”

On whether he feels he’s not getting the calls other quarterbacks do: “Absolutely.”

On why he feels he doesn’t get the calls: “Why? I mean, you all see it. There’s no reason for me to go into a big dissertation about why I’m not getting the calls.  The refs, they have to do their job as well. I even mentioned it in training camp to the refs when we had our little meeting, so just for precaution. But hey, I don’t know.”

On whether he felt that there were other late hits on him: “Everybody saw the game. I was on the ground constantly. All of the time. Every time I throw the ball in all my highlights and just watching film in general, every time I throw the ball I’m on the ground, getting hit in the head and I don’t know why. I don’t get the 15-yard flags like everybody else does but hey- I’m not going to complain about it. I’m just making everybody aware and hopefully somebody will take notice.”

Giants-Eagles Matchup to Watch

Giants (1-1) at Eagles (1-1), 1 p.m. Eastern, Fox

Hakeem Nicks vs. Nnamdi Asomugha
At this point, the list of established Giants receivers is down to one: Nicks. With Mario Manningham (concussion) out for Sunday’s game, Nicks figures to see a steady diet of Asomugha (one of the best cornerbacks in the league) and perhaps even some double coverage. The Giants will have to run the ball to win, but they cannot ignore the passing game. And Nicks — with 11 receptions, 160 receiving yards and a touchdown this season — is the only true deep threat they have left.

Number to watch: 16

The Giants’ defense has recorded 16 quarterback hits in two games this season (to go with six 6 sacks), and pressure in the backfield will be at an even greater premium in Week 3 against Michael Vick. With their secondary struggling, the Giants will need a strong pass rush if they hope to contain the explosive Eagles offense. If they can knock down Vick, who is coming off a concussion, chances of pulling an upset increase significantly.

Quotation of the Week:

‘“It is a lot of trash talking and a lot of guys on the field that just hate each other. They just want to beat each other’s head in.’ ”
Eagles cornerback ASANTE SAMUEL, when asked to describe the Giants-Eagles rivalry.

For Smith, Time With Giants Is in the Past

PHILADELPHIA — The loss of Steve Smith to the Philadelphia Eagles has been evident for the Giants this season in everything from the play of Eli Manning to the comments of the offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Smith, however, does not seem to share the Giants’ sense of longing.

“I’m over that,” Smith said of his time with the Giants. “I’m an Eagle now, and I’m just excited about now.”

Smith signed with the Eagles in August after Philadelphia’s front office made a strong play to acquire him. Smith, who was coming off microfracture surgery on his left knee, signed a one-year deal with the Eagles.
Smith had been Manning’s most reliable target in his time with the Giants, who drafted him in the second round in 2007. He was a Pro Bowl receiver, finishing with a franchise-record 107 receptions in 2009. Still, the Giants did not seem to share the Eagles’ more optimistic view on the timetable for his return from the knee injury.

On Wednesday, Smith, who professed respect for the organization, played down the idea that there was any added significance playing the Giants.

“What do I got to prove?” Smith said. “The know exactly what I can do. I’ve proved a lot in that uniform. It’s time to prove something in this uniform.”

Smith has recovered faster than the Eagles had anticipated, although he has only recently started to be integrated into their offense. He was in for five plays and had no receptions in the a win over the St. Louis Rams in Week 1, and he had two receptions for 29 yards in the team’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.

The Giants, meanwhile, have missed Smith’s reliability in the slot. The team has looked to various options to replace him, though no one has emerged. That has left Gilbride and others commenting on how much they miss Smith’s presence, which Smith has noticed.

“Me and him had a great relationship,” Smith said of Gilbride, adding that he was still “good buddies” with the Giants’ receivers. “It makes you feel good inside.”

Rugby World Cup 2011: The Cold War has ended, but the revolution continues in Russian rugby

A return to the Cold War as Russia and the United States meet in New Plymouth on Thursday? KGB versus the CIA? Underhand surveillance of the other's training methods? Slipping a bit of polonium 210 into the Eagles' diet?

None of the sort, says Paul Pook, a Welsh native who's now the fitness coach for Russia. "The players are young, bright and modern. They're obviously aware of history, but have no hangover in that regard. That said, the public may see it slightly differently … and still hope to get one over the old enemy.

"From our point of view this game is fantastic because of the long history between old Soviet Union and the US, and that can only help to make the game more prominent and raise the profile of the sport in Russia."

The biggest change, Pook says, lies in the players' attitutes, training and diets – it's been a real modern-day revolution. Previously it could be a ramshackle lot, but the Russians have cast off their bear-fur jumpers for the most modern gear, training methods and nutrition.

"The players have been like sponges, soaking up new methods, foods and attitudes. The normal diet in Russia is often high fat, high sugar - pancakes can feature 2-3 a day with meals – so players' revamped regimes are all very exciting for them."

Proof of the sea change lies in the pudding. So nowadays, instead of a visit to the local for a deep-fried yak burger and a shot of vodka after training, the Russians jump into ice baths and tuck into a high-tech arsenal of products. 

Pook readily acknowledges, though, that this revolution will take a long time to show real effects. "We have to be realistic about our chances at this World Cup. The USA is probably our biggest game. As for Australia, Ireland and Italy, we simply hope to gain their respect. Ultimately, we hope that playing on the big stage will help grow game in Russia."

This blog is supported by Maximuscle, who supply the Russian team with Ache Free, Beta Alanine, Immune Support, Promax, Cyclone, Promax Bars, Promax Diet, Progain Flapjack, Viper Active Gel, Viper Active & Recovermax. http://www.maximuscle.com

Remembering Pete Pihos, Pioneering Tight End

A few thoughts about Pete Pihos, one of pro football’s first great pass-catching tight ends. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Pihos died Tuesday in a nursing home in Winston-Salem, N.C., at age 87.

Pete Pihos was one of the best all-around players in N.F.L. history. He excelled on offense, defense and on special teams for the Philadelphia Eagles’ championship teams of the late 1940s. On the field, probably his most important contribution was in demonstrating the potential of the tight end in the passing game. From Ditka to Mackey all the way to Tony Gonzalez, it all started with Pete Pihos and the generation shaped by war.

Pihos grew up in Chicago and was a two-time all-American end and fullback at Indiana. The Eagles selected Pihos in the fifth round of the 1945 draft (41st over all) knowing he would not be able to join them until he finished his military service. “I can wait for a player like Pihos,” said Philadelphia’s coach, Greasy Neale. (Ray Didinger and Robert Lyons, “The Eagles Encyclopedia,” Temple University Press, 2005)

During the war, Pihos served 14 months in Europe under General Patton. Many years later, he described his experience in football terms. “In the infantry I wasn’t in the backfield”, he said. “I was up in the front.” (NFL Films, “The Complete History of the Philadelphia Eagles, 2004)

Over his nine-year career, from 1947 to 1955, Pihos made first-team All-Pro five times and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last six seasons. He missed only one game, in 1949, and finished with 373 receptions for 5,619 yards and 63 touchdowns (61 receiving, 1 by fumble recovery, and 1 by punt return). Pihos was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1970.

The Eagles won the Eastern Division title in Pihos’s first three seasons. In the 1947 playoff game against the Steelers to determine the division winner, Pihos blocked a punt that set up the first touchdown in a 21-0 victory. In 1948, the Eagles won the N.F.L. championship with a 7-0 win over the Chicago Cardinals in a blizzard at Shibe Park. The next year, they won it again, defeating the Rams in Los Angeles, 14-0. Steve Van Buren, the Hall of Fame running back, had a championship game record 196 yards rushing, and Pihos caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tommy Thompson.

In those early years, Pihos, like many others, played both ways. He was a tight end on offense and a defensive end and linebacker on defense. Then, the tight ends were designated as “right ends.” They usually lined up in the attached position, next to the right offensive tackle.

At 6-1 and about 210 pounds, Pihos wasn’t very big, and he wasn’t particularly fast, either. He made up for it with intelligence, toughness and determination. He ran precise routes, which he often adjusted depending on the position of the defenders, and he had great hands. A teammate, defensive back Russ Craft, said that Pihos “had those big paws, and he could catch a ball in a crowd better than anyone I’ve ever seen.” (Didinger) Pihos led the Eagles in receptions in eight of his nine seasons. He was also an effective blocker, especially for Van Buren in that 1949 championship game.

One of the most productive plays in the Eagle offense during that time was the tight end screen pass. It soon became known as the Pihos screen. Here, he simulated a block on the defensive end for about two beats. Then he faced the quarterback and made the catch with his back to the defense, usually in the middle of the field. After that, he would turn, pick up his blockers, and take off downfield like the fullback he once was. “Pihos is like a bull,” Neale said, “When he gets his hands on the ball, there isn’t much the defense can do. He just runs over people.” (Didinger) The Rams also used this screen effectively with Hall of Famer Elroy Hirsch.

By 1950, Pihos was used mostly on offense. But in 1952, Philadelphia’s new coach, Jim Trimble, decided to move Bud Grant, the Eagles’ No. 1 draft pick in 1950 (and later the Hall of Fame coach of the Minnesota Vikings), from defensive end to tight end. Pihos moved over to defensive end and, again, made first team All-Pro. Paul Zimmerman, in “The New Thinking Man’s Guide to Pro Football,” remembered seeing Pihos and the Eagles’ other defensive end, Norm Willey, sack Giant quarterbacks Charlie Conerly and Fred Benners 13 times for 118 yards lost at the Polo Grounds that year.

When Grant jumped to the Canadian league in 1953, Pihos went back to his old position and led the the N.F.L. in receptions, 63, yards receiving, 1,049, and in touchdown catches, 10. He led the league in receptions in 1954 and again in 1955.

After the 1955 season, Pihos surprised the Eagles by announcing his retirement at 32. At the time he cited his disappointment that Trimble had been replaced as coach, and the pull of family and business interests. In a 1981 interview, though, he said he was also influenced by a chance meeting with another famous athlete:

I ran into Joe DiMaggio once in Atlantic City. He said ‘Pete, when you retire, make sure you retire on top. Things will be better for you. Don’t retire as a has-been.’ I always remembered that. I could’ve played longer but I chose to retire on top. (Didinger)

Andy Barall writes about pro football history for The Fifth Down.

Losing Steve Smith to Eagles Is Another Blow for Giants

Does it seem that the terrain between Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey has been tilted toward Pennsylvania? That DeSean Jackson and the Eagles have never stopped distancing themselves from the Giants  since Matt Dodge punted the ball at Jackson instead of out of bounds?

Steve Smith, Giant stalwart and Eli Manning security blanket, is the latest talented free agent to join the Eagles after he rejected a lesser offer from the Giants. Smith, who is still recovering from knee surgery and may miss most of the first half of the season,  said on his Facebook page:

I will always cherish my time in NY and the super bowl victory.. This was obviously not an easy decision for me or something i ever expected but unfortunately the business aspect proved that the eagles wanted me to be part of their organization MUCH more than the Giants did.. A special thanks to my WR buddies, coach Gilbride, all of u amazing fans on here, and the entire giants organization for drafting me.. Time for a new beginning…

It may be a case of dueling doctors.

Clark Judge of CBSSports.com:

What seems apparent here is that the Eagles’ physicians must think that Smith is farther along in his recovery than the Giants’ physicians.

Extra point: Smith, a second-round pick in 2007, has been a great value for the Giants. He helped them win a Super Bowl. For Giants fans, this is turning into something of a traumatic off-season. How could General Manager Jerry Reese let Smith go to a division rival that seems loaded with promise? Set aside talent for a moment. Is it a concern that the Giants are losing such well-respected guys — Shaun O’Hara, Rich Seubert, Kevin Boss, Smith — in the locker room?

N.F.L. Free-for-All Central

Big signing news of the day, so far
The Titans added a bit of stability with the signing of former Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on Monday, although that is sort of like saying you’ve added some fresh water to the Atlantic Ocean. But after sending Vince Young into exile and having Kerry Collins retire instead of dive into this reclamation project, the Titans desperately needed not to throw their first-round draft pick Jake Locker straight into the lion pit. They put out a call for a veteran stop-gap and Hasselbeck, 35, answered, to the tune of $21 million over three years, the Tennessean reported.

The Jets getting Santonio Holmes back into the fold for $50 million over five years has more sizzle to it, as does running back DeAngelo Williams re-upping with the Panthers. Carolina also re-signed defensive end Charles Johnson.

Big trade news of the day, so far
The much-anticipated trade of Donovan McNabb from the Redskins to the Vikings is still in the anticipated category, as of early Wednesday afternoon. Seemingly everyone in the football media world, and a few of their great aunts, has a source confirming this will happen while both sides agree on what draft picks the Redskins get and perhaps bickering over the size of McNabb’s ear muff allowance.

Also percolating is a rumored deal between the Eagles and Cardinals that would send quarterback Kevin Kolb to the desert in return for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft pick. The Broncos are also dangling quarterback Kyle Orton and the Dolphins are among those swinging their shopping cart in his direction.

Big other news in the N.F.L. today, so far
It may be a first when a player begs his university to declare him ineligible for the coming season, but that’s just what Terrelle Pryor did at Ohio State. On Wednesday, the Buckeyes granted the wish of their former quarterback/current existential bane. Pryor, who had already announced he was ditching the team, wants the N.F.L. to stage a supplemental draft for him and without the ineligibility, he wasn’t eligible for one.