Brad Diamond

Philadelphia Eagles More Than Wrayed Wings

Early this season I talked about the issues surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles football team and head coach Andy Reid.  Well, this past Sunday, the Redskins crushed, and I mean crushed the home standing Birds 23-17.  Finally, reality has set in with the rib injury to Brian Westbrook taking an offensive toll on the Philadelphia offense.  Only, major piece of arsenal left for Reid is rookie sensation, DeSean Jackson who does everything for the coach. In fact, if Jackson did not dance for 68 yards on a punt return, the differential in the Sunday tilt would have been more eye opening. 

The NFC east is loaded with talented groups of offensive and defensive lineman. Philadelphia, though, has the least ability.  On the offensive line, the injury to guard Andrews has hurt (along with early season depression issues) and the replacement (GIles) is just so-so having problems picking up the stunts of the better defensive lines. Looking at the Washington game, the 'Skins ran Portis to the left side of the line, the Eagles right side defensively, which means the 'Hogs ate lunch to the tune of 231 yards rushing, 145 by Portis.  In addition, to the Eagles line and playmaking issues the special teams seem to be failing in key areas once again. This time around, K David Akers has been plagued by mental, rather than physical and technique issues.  There is an old theory in major league baseball, that once a hurler loses the physical ability to hit certain spots around the plate, the mental part begins to slip. The same goes for a place kicker.  Also, the Eagles committed another major penalty on special teams late in the game which led to the winning touchdown for the 'Skins.

Our insiders still insist that QB McNabb is far from 100% and his health could be another late season problem for a franchise in a nose dive. Thankfully,  for the local fan base  the Phillies  did not  fall off the bus on their way to the National Pennant series with the hot LA Dodgers. One down and one to go, maybe!

RUTGERS FOOTBALL HITS THE WALL 0-3

HC Greg Schiano is in his 8th year at New Brunswick entering the campaign with a decent 38-46 coaching record considering, he took over a waste land program in the middle of New Jersey. The 2007 season completed with another winning campaign, but problems seem to surface once the Scarlet Knights defeated the MAC entity Ball State 52-30 in the self-proclaimed International Bowl. First, RB Ray Rice was drafted by the Ravens and that square FB Leonard left about a year prior.  The once decent offensive line is not strong to allow quarterback Mike Teel very little space when the running game is not producing down the field.

This past week Navy upset Rutgers (-6) on a FG by Matt Harmon in the fourth quarter 23-21.  Navy pounded the Rutgers more athletic front for 272 yards rushing. Clearly, this is not same Scarlet Knight club that pulled a major mid-week upset at home against South Florida 30-27.  Our friends at surrounding newspapers have felt the club looks and sounds the same, but Schiano seems to be a little distant at times. Do you think the Penn State job is on his my mind? This week the Knights set-up at home against little Morgan State (gimme a break!).  That is not the best way to prepare for consecutive road games versus West Virgina, who is dying to beat up an opposing unit, and Cincinnati. Again, I'll go back to the Navy game, as that was might through Rutgers into a very difficult tail spin. What I can't digest from the Middies bend, was Schiano's inability to stop the option, a task that has brought the coach high grades in the past. 

We'll give a look again after the Cincinnati game, but FOR now, Rutgers is a "go against" team on our legend. Good Luck!

THE ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE START THE NICK SABAN ERA - CFB #1

2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT #1

Former NFL and National Championship coach (LSU 2003) Nick Saban greeted Tide backers for the spring practice with the ability to create the next legend in 'Bama football. He was cheered by the almost 93,000 fans who ventured to Tuscaloosa to get a look at the 2007 'Bama edition. Some observers see Saban as a rallying point for Alabama football. Saban, though, must erase a ten year period in which the Crimson Tide earned only two bowl successes and three winning SEC seasons. But, before those stout Tide fans go-a-cheering to loudly, overall Saban has been noted more for jumping ship than winning football games. Money it seems has always won over his heart, but the coach insists the change in part was to help raise his children in a college town.

Critical for HC Saban will be the ability to recruit in-state student-athlete’s while stopping the bleeding process to the universities in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Already the crafty recruiter has made in roads that will benefit the program over the next year. After reaching Baton Rouge a few years ago Saban solidified the LSU name plate by going 48-16. Unfortunately, for Alabama the temperature in the SEC has become red hot with national championship coach Urban Meyer at Florida, Les Miles at LSU and Steve Spurrier at South Carolina. Also, we can't discount Georgia no matter who guides the program. Ole Miss mentor Ed Orgeron is restructuring the program an is well liked. Over at Tennessee Phillip Fulmer in his 17th season looks to mitigate some of the personnel issues that hurt his program. The Vols are loaded.

Looking back at the recent spring practice HC Nick Saban was configuring a spread formation along with the shotgun to enhance the ability of QB John Parker Wilson. This is not a good sign considering Alabama lost their starting running backs who both had
solid seasons from the blocking standpoint. But, there are nine starters returning to the offense and a host of red shirts knocking on the door. Defensively,'Bama should depress a notch considering the upper class studs lost to graduation.

In the end, Nick Saban will go through a transition season down at Tuscaloosa, but his ability to recruit with the Alabama moniker should go a long way to bring great hope to a once legendary program.

Special Note
College Football Report #2 in 2007 will tout Louisiana State as Brad Diamond Sports long shot BCS Champion.