Jeremy Maclin Highlights

I can't wait to see this guy running down the side line in Eagles green.
By:Shane Murray

Eagles Draft Picks 2009

For the Eagles and how I feel about the draft picks and the trade from this weekend.

Round 1 - Jeremy Maclin, Mizzou - I never thought that he'd be available so late in the first round, but thanks to Al Davis he was. He is a great pick for the Eagles. He should keep McNabb quiet for this season anyway.

Round 2 - LeSean McCoy, Pitt - Another small running back for the Eagles. I think they where looking for a guy that could split time with Westbrook. He should be able to do it. I was kind of hoping for a bigger running back though for short yardage. Since that was our weak spot last season.

Round 5 - Cornelius Ingram, Florida - A nice sized tight end that could go on the other side of the line in the Eagles two tight ends formations. I don't know how he is at blocking so I think he'll mostly be out for passing plays.

Round 5 - Victor Harris, Virginia Tech - I absolutely love this pick up. He won't be forced to start right away and with all the veteran corners on the Eagles roster. He'll be able to grow under them and learn from them. He reminds me of Lito a bit, maybe a better hitter though.

Round 5 - Fenuki Tupou, Oregon - Eagles got a pick here another tackle that can ride the bench behind the talented Eagles tackles. He should be able to grow and might even get a few plays in this season for running schemes.

Round 6 - Brandon Gibson, Washington State - I think this wasn't a bad pick at all. It could challenge the other wide outs that think they might make the team in the 4th or 5th spot.

Round 7 - Moise Fokou, Maryland - Another draft with late round line backer pick for the Eagles. I'm not surprised especially with how good our young line backing core is. I hope he sees some time on special teams and maybe can even take the weak side line backer spot, since the Eagles haven't really decided who they liked the most their.

Round 7 - Paul Fanaika, Arizona State - He should be able to grow behind the Eagles tackles if he can make the team. The Eagles have a lot of good young guards so it will be tough for him to make the team. He might make the practice squad though and still be able to grow from there.

Trade with Patriots for Ellis Hobbs - I personally don't like this trade at all besides the Eagles only traded two draft picks. I think the Eagles got him so that Jackson and Maclin didn't have to do kick and punt returns. I don't think you'll see him on defense that much, maybe in quarter and dime formations mostly.

By:Shane Murray

Eagles Draft Picks Over The Years

Let's look at how Andy Reid has done drafting in the first round for the last 11 seasons.

1999 - 2nd overall, Donovan McNabb, Syracus - Has been a star in the league for years and continues to shine in the NFL. Even with being one of the most inaccurate passers in the league and losing some of his mobility.

2000 - 6th overall, Corey Simon, Florida State - Was a great asset to the Eagles his first few years in the league, but after constant weight problems and other disputes. Simon and the Eagles parted ways and he became a Colt and now he isn't in the league anymore.

2001 - 25th overall, Freddie Mitchell, UCLA - He never really amounted much in the NFL. Unless you ask any Eagles fan or Packers fan about 4th and 26, he really will never be remembered. The Eagles and Mitchell parted ways a few years back and he is no longer in the league.

2002 - 26th overall, Lito Sheppard, Florida - Was a great corner when he was younger made a few probowls. The Eagles and Sheppard parted ways this offseason. He is now a New York Jet.

2003 - 15th overall, Jerome McDougle, Miami(FL) - He showed a lot of promise his rookie year, but before his sophmore year he was mugged and shot. He recovered from that and before his third season he tore a muscle. The Eagles kept showing faith in him though but last year after other players played better in the preseason they let him go. He is now a free agent, after playing in New York Giants organization last season.

2004 - 16th overall, Shawn Andrews, Arkansas - He is a great offensive linemen. He has already been a probowler and should make more appearances in the probowl. He had a rough season last year with the beginning of the season having bad depression and then later suffer from back spasm during the rest of the season. He should make a comeback this year, especially with his brother on Eagles.

2005 - 31st overall, Mike Patterson, USC - He is an anchor of the defensive line for the Eagles. He always provides good push for the defense up front. Never made the probowl though I think he should have for last season. He will be a long time Eagle.

2006 - 14th overall, Brodrick Bunkley, Florida State - The other part of the anchor for the Eagles defensive line. He is always giving a good push especially on run plays. He will probably make a probowl or two sometime in his future and another long time Eagle.

2007 - Traded away pick to Dallas Cowboys. Picked up Kevin Kolb, Houston as 36th overall pick in Second round.

2008 - Traded away pick to Carolina Panthers. Picked up Trever Laws, Notre Dame as 47th overall pick in second round and Deshaun Jackson, Cal as 49th overall pick in second round.

2009 - Yet, to be determined. Some people say it's going to be Knowshon Moreno or Bernie Wells. Some think it might be Pettigrew. I personally hope it's Hicks or Harvin that get's drafted or even Heyward - Bey. They might even trade it away following last two years history but I doubt it.

Well let's see who the do draft tonight at like 7:30 the pick should be made knowing how slow the draft usually goes and it's starting late this year at 4:00 p.m. est.
By:Shane Murray

Norris Trophy Finalists

Zdeno Chara from Boston, Mike Green from Washington, and Nicklas Lidstrom from Detroit. These are all really good defensemen and all are valuable to their teams. Lets take a look at each of these players individual and see who is most deserving of the Norris trophy.

Zdeno Chara, the anchor of the Bruins defense and also the teams captain. He had 19 goals, 31 assists, for 50 points and a +/- of +23. He only had 95 penalty minutes in 80 games this season. He definitely has found his place in Boston.

Mike Green is the anchor of the Capitols defense. He had 31 goals, 42 assists, and 73 points and +/- and +24 on the season. He only had 68 penalty minutes in 68 games this season. That is a lot of production from only 68 games, that's slightly more then 1 point per game. That's great to have a offensive defensemen and with a +24 on the season that's not bad either.

Nicklas Lidstrom is the anchor of the Red Wings defense and also the teams captain. He had 16 goals, 43 assists, for 59 points and +/- of +31. In 78 games only had 30 penalty minutes this season. That's a lot of control for a players, that's why he is the leader of the team and the anchor of the defense.

I think that Lidstrom should get the Norris trophy just because all he does for Detroit. I can see arguments for the other two players also. Lidstrom though had the best +/- of the three and the smartest play with only 30 pim in a whole season. Since 2000 he's won the Norris trophy 6 times with only 1 other person beating him. Scott Niedermayer in 2003 the year before the lockout was the only person to beat him.

By:Shane Murray

NHL Rookie of the Year

It's going to between 3 players this season. Bobby Ryan from Anahiem, Steve Mason from Columbus, and Kris Versteeg from Chicago. Let's take a look at who is worthy of the Rookie of the Year.

Bobby Ryan from Anahiem first. Ryan is a right wing and plays on the second line as a rookie. He had 31 goals, 26 assists, and 57 points with a +/- of +13 this season. That's a good start for a rookie especially on a second line. He'll work out well for the Ducks.

Steve Mason from Columbus. Mason was the leader in the NHL in shutouts with 10. That's a good start for a rookie goaltender. He had a record of 33-20-7 and a G.A.A. of 2.29 that's the second best in the league. He helped carry Columbus to their frist ever playoffs apperance.

Kris Versteeg from Chicago. Versteeg is a left wing and plays on the second line as a rookie. He had 22 goals, 31 assists, and 53 points with a +/- and +15 this season. That's a great rookie season for any player. He should probably end up playing on the first line if he keeps up this production.

I think Steve Mason will end up taking this trophy. He had the most impact on his team by being the first goalie to take columbus into the playoffs. He also led the NHL in the shutouts. I'll truely be surprised if anyone ends up getting it besides him.

By:Shane Murray

NHL Playoffs

Well we are well into the first round of the playoffs right now and lets see how my guessing has been working out for me. I bolded the teams I picked to win and I'll give an evaulation of my picks and who is poised to win now.

East
Boston vs Montreal
I said Boston would win in 5 games, they bested me by winning in 4 games.

Washingtonvs New York Rangers
Washington is down 3-1 in their series. I wouldn't say that their next game will be their last just because of Ovechkin. Though Theodore is a weak link in Washington for sure.

New Jersey vs Carolina
I picked this too be a 6 or 7 game series and the series is tied 2 games a piece after 4 games. I think still think Carolina will win this series.

Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is up 3-1 in this series that I picked to go 6 games. I still think it will be 6 games. Philadelphia might be able to push it to 7 games if so Pittsburgh might want to watch out.

West
San Jose vs. Anaheim
Anaheim is up 2-1 on San Jose. The Sharks are doing the same thing they do every season come playoff time it seems choking. I thought this might be their year too.

Detroit vs Columbus
Detroit is up 3-0 in the series. I think tonight will be Columbus last playoff game this season.

Vancouver vs St. Louis
Vancouver took the series in 4 games like I said they would.

Chicago vs Calgary
I said this would be a 7 game series and right now the series is tied 2-2. I said it would be tough with these evenly matched teams and so far it's proved true. I'm still taking Calgary.

So I'm not doing to bad on the first round. I got 3 going against me right now. Let's see how the first round finishes.

By:Shane Murray

NBA Playoffs

This has been one of the better years in the NBA than previous. Their isn't just two really great teams that will be able to power their way through the playoffs in 4 and 5 game series. I think this year will be a lot of 6 and 7 game series. I can't wait to see tip of tomorrow, but until then let's try to guess who'll get out the first round.

East
Boston vs Chicago
-while I want to give Chicago a chance because Garnette will be out of at least the first few games, if not all of playoffs. I think Boston takes this in 6 games.

Cleveland vs Detroit
-Cleveland is a much better team then Detroit all over the floor. Cleveland takes this in 5 games.

Orlando vs Philadelphia
If Philadelphia finally got over they way they been playing recently. This could end up being one of the best series. Because besides Dwight Howard the Sixers can hang with the rest of the Magic. I'm still giving it to the Magic though in 6 games.

Atlanta vs Miami
This is a really good match up all over the court. Though I think that Miami will end up being too much with DWade and they'll take the series in 5 games.

West
L.A. Lakers vs Utah
-This seems to be a good match up for the Lakers in the first round. I think the Lakers will win this in a tough 5 game series.

Denver vs New Orleans
-This is a really interesting match up. Carmello Anthony who everyone used to talk about but isn't talked about much anymore. Up against the young stud at point guard in Chris Paul. I'm taking the Hornets in a 6 game series.

Dallas vs San Antonio
San Antonio will be too much for Dallas and the series will end in 5 games.

Portland vs Huston
This is my favorite match up of the playoffs. Mostly because I have no idea who will win this series both teams are really streaky. I think that Portland will end up winning in 7 games though.

By:Shane Murray