It's (half of) a beautiful day!

Brad Lidge raised his mighty arm in triumph, and the Phillies won a playoff series for only the 5th time in franchise's 125 year history. Now that's something to celebrate! That the Eagles didn't hold up their end of the bargain (again) was the only thing that could temper the celebration (but only slightly). Let's face it, a series-clinching win for the Phils and an Eagles loss is way better than vice versa.

Pat Burrell was the hero, going 3 for 4 with 4 rbi's and 2 home runs. After a one out double by Shane Victorino in the third inning, Chase Utley grounded out - moving Shane to third base. Brewers' skipper Dale Sveum elected to intentionally walk Ryan Howard, bringing up Pat "The Bat" with 2 men on. Burrell absolutely crushed Suppan's 2-2 offering, and with his homer he also effectively crushed the Brewers' spirit. After Jayson Werth finished off the back-to-back job with a 400+ ft home run, the Phils were well on their way to a closeout victory in game 4.

Considering that Pat was colder than Naomi Campbell going into the game (0 for 8 in the series' first three games), to break out of his slump like this, and help propel the Phillies into an NLCS showdown with the Dodgers, had to be a great feeling for him. These could be the last games free-agent-to-be Pat Burrell ever plays for the Phillies, and it was really cool to see him come through in such a big way, and in such a big game. He also added an insurance home run in the eighth inning for good measure.

Jimmy Rollins' contribution also can't be understated. He hit a leadoff home run on the sixth pitch of the game from veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan, and that really quieted what had been a raucous crowd up until that point.

More than that, though, it helped relax the Phillies entire team on a day where they needed their offense to score some runs, if for no other reason than to feel good about themselves going into the next round.

After all, with the exception of the Shane Victorino grand slam in game 2, and a misplay by Brewer's centerfielder Mike Cameron on a Chase Utley double in game 1, the Phillies bats had been very quiet. We all remember how anemic their offense was in last year's NLDS against the Rockies, so it's impossible to understate the importance of J Roll's second career playoff leadoff homerun.

There are, of course, other names that need to be mentioned here. Joe Blanton, who was making his second career playoff start, was brilliant in six innings of work and surrendered only one run on a monstrous home run by Prince "I could eat a left" Fielder to start the seventh inning.

Blanton was very smart in executing his game plan. He did just what he should, given a lead by the offense: pound the strike zone to a tune of 72 strikes in 107 pitches. He didn't walk a single batter, and really went right at the Brewers' lineup, forcing them to earn their way on base. Ryan Madson was great in his 2 innings of work, getting out of a couple of jams while only surrendering one run. Brad Lidge was his typical, lights-out self, working around a one-out single in the ninth inning. But this day belonged to the longest tenured Phillie (and most often criticized), Pat Burrell, who came up huge when it mattered most.

- Murdock

A nice changeup

Feels good, doesn't it Philly?

Our first Phillies playoff win in 15 years.  FIFTEEN YEARS.

Do you realize how long that's been?

Let me put it in perspective:

You were still using Windows 3.1, playing Super Nintendo, and listening to "Whoomp! There it is!"

Cole Hamels was ten years old.

October 1, 2008 -

Cole Hamels makes the Brewers look like Little Leaguers. 

If you were lucky enough to watch the game(thanks for the 3:00pm start, TBS), you got to see King Cole pitch a very, very pretty game.

Seriously. I'm talking USC Cheerleader pretty.

No...better.

Jessica Alba in your doorway wearing daisy dukes, carrying a pizza and a six pack - pretty.

By the numbers:

8 Innings, 9 strikeouts, 1 walk, 2 hits, 101 pitches, and 16 of 24 first-pitch strikes.

That's what you call an "Ace."

The other cornerstone of the franchise, (Mr. Utley) had the game-winning RBIs in the bottom of the third - doubling to deep center after Hamels laid down a perfect bunt and reached on an error. 

Of course, the Phillies didn't make it easy for us. 

Uncle Charlie sent Brad Lidge in to close the ninth, and after striking out Mike Cameron looking, he proceeds to give up a double and a single that Durham eventually scored on thanks to Chase slipping in the wet grass.

Uh oh. Here comes Prince Fielder, the poster boy for how vegetarians should NOT look is up to bat.

After about fifteen pitches, Lidge finally gets him swinging on an outside slider that probably would've been ball four. 

...and then a walk.

Philadelphia collectively held their breath...now the winning run is at the plate. 

...and then, a wild pitch.

Now the tying run is on second base, a solid base hit can knot it up.

But just as he has all year, he buckled down and got Corey Hart swinging.

Philadelphia exhaled.

...and hopefully exhumed its playoff demons simultaneously.

Tonight, we get a bigger test - Crazy Control Sabathia.

What? You expected me to look up what C.C stands for?

- Magnum

Reid 'em and weep.

Yesterday's loss made me feel sick to my stomach.

It also could've been those wings that have been in my refrigerator since the Cowboys game...and the blue cheese.

What? It's not supposed to be blue? It's bleu? Oops.

Anyway - while the team absolutely played down the Bears...who in actuality aren't a "bad" team, I place the blame for this loss squarely on Andy Reid's shoulders.

Two plays stand out that he should've challenged:

1. The first Bears touchdown - Greg Olsen did not get his 2nd foot down in the end zone.

2. The 4th-and-one at the end of the game - I paused my DVR showing the overhead cam view:

Sure looks like he broke the plane to me...where were the challenge flags?!? Did he use them for napkins during a halftime snack and forget to bring them out of the lunchroom locker room? So while Andy is the #1 culprit - let's look at some of the other LVP's for the game.

- David Akers is dead to me. If he had hit either one of those field goals, we wouldn't have had to go for the touchdown at the end.

- DeSean Jackson had another good game - but that muffed punt led to seven for the Bears. CATCH THE BALL FIRST DJ. He also needs to remember the rule I thought all returners knew - if the ball is beyond the 10 yard line, let it bounce...if it's past - either field it or fair catch it.

- The offensive line allowed way too much pressure on third downs. Shawn Andrews, come back soon.

------------------------------------------------

A few highlights / other things I noted during the game:

- I'm going to start keeping note on how long it takes for Madden to talk about or show food during games. This game he started talking about food with three minutes left in the first quarter, and was showing food around 1:15.

...He needs a cooking show. Food network, get on it.

- The linebackers looked good again...I think I overheard that they're all 24. That's a pretty nice luxury, having three young quality linebackers. Gone are the days of Nate Wayne, Mark Simoneau, and Levon Kirkland.

- Hey refs, nice work on that Devin Hester touchdown. I haven't seen such an obvious non-call of offensive pass interference since Michael Irvin was playing.

- When and why did Juqua Thomas change his name to Juqua Parker? That throws me off more than calling "Tre" Thomas William.

- Hey, Reggie Brown is back! Looked okay...hopefully he'll continue to improve.

- With a healthy Westbrook playing, we blow them out. No doubt in my mind.

The best thing about this loss? It happened on a weekend where the Phillies clinched, the Mets choked, and the Cowboys played horribly.

That's a nice bit of aspirin for a hurting fan, I'd say.

Be good Philly, I'll see you on Wednesday.

GO PHILLIES!

- Magnum

Phillies Win Second Straight NL East Crown

After a 161 games, and 1 double play for the ages, the Phils are once again beasts of the East. The fact that they clinched last night should help them immeasurably in the playoffs. Cole Hamels, their ace, now gets the day off today, and will make the game 1 start on extra rest (considering he's the anti-Sabathia, this is a very good thing).

If there was a more exciting way to end it, I certainly can't think of one. Brad Lidge, he of the 43 consecutive saves (now 44) dating back to last year, was less than sharp. He allowed a run, and the bases were loaded with only one out last night. I know what you were thinking at that time (Great, he picks now for the first blown save of the year?), because I was thinking the same thing. But a ground ball up the middle was fielded brilliantly by a diving Jimmy Rollins, flipped to Chase Utley, and fired like a laser over to Ryan Howard for the pennant-clinching double play. And the rest, as they say, is champagne-soaked history.

So as we turn our thoughts to possible matchups (and we definitely want the Brewers rather that the well-rested Dodgers), I can't help but thinking that the Phillies are so much more prepared for this moment than they were last year. Last year, just winning the division was our whole goal. It took so much effort to complete the historic comback against the Mets, we simply didn't have anything left for the Rockies. Last year was unquestionably a succesful one, even so. Getting swept out of the first round simply won't do this year, however. As I watched the Fightin Phils celebrating, I couldn't shake the thought that they knew quite well that what they truly wanted still lay ahead of them. That winning the division was nice, but they hadn't truly accomplished anything all that special yet. That's exactly what I was hoping for, because that's a team who isn't happy to simply just be in the playoffs, that's a team who wants to win. And I'll drink to that.

- Murdock

Rothlesburied.

Whew.

For a moment there I thought our defense forgot how to rush the passer, and Jim Johnson had a senior moment and forgot what a blitz was.

After having zero sacks against the Cowboys in week 2, we come out and have NINE against one of the toughest quarterbacks in the league to bring down.

Honestly, if that was someone other than Big Ben - we might have had double-digit sacks, easily.

Good thing the NFL forces players to wear helmets, since we know Ben doesn't like to wear 'em...without one, he would've had serious brain damage.

Just as impressive was the defense against the run - Usually Willie Parker hits holes faster than Kirstie Alley hits a buffet line, but the defensive line and linebackers were all over him before he got a chance to ever kick into second gear.

The offense looked a bit inconsistent at times...and for a moment there the season looked precariously on the brink with injuries to Westbrook and McNabb.

Looks like they're both going to be okay at this point - hopefully both ready for the game in Chicago Sunday night.

McNabb spread the ball around very well again - and how many people do you think picked up Hank Baskett in their fantasy league this week?

It's only right - his name is BASKETT. It'd be a travesty to ruin such a good wide reciever name.

The only other NFL name that's quite as fit would be La'Roi Glover...except he plays defensive tackle.

Chris Berman doesn't even need to try.

Play of the game? Right here.



...apparently the reports of Brian Dawkins' demise were greatly exaggerated.

This week, duh Bares.

Go Eagles.

...and Redskins.

- Magnum

Now THAT's how you start a football season

Well Eagles fans, I have to say - while I had high expectations for week 1, they certainly didn't include delusions of a blowout, 1-catch-by-Holt, 40-yards-by-Stephen-Jackson, THREE-ONE-HUNDRED-YARD-RECEIVERS performance.

Hang on. I need a minute to digest this.

Alright, so I know the Rams are bad...but the Eagles are also notoriously slow starters under Andy Reid, save for 2004*coughsuperbowlyearIdidn'twannasayitcough*.

Let's look a bit closer at these head-scratching game anecdotes:

- It's the first time there has been three one-hundred-yard recievers  since 2000 when the Chiefs did it, and the first time the Eagles have done it since 1960. (In case you were wondering who did it, it was Timmy Brown, Tommy McDonald and Pete Retzlaff)

- McNabb looked as accurate as I've seen him - and save for that play he could have probably run it in, he made smart decisions. As per Sunday, he is now the all time leader in fewest interceptions / per pass attempt.
- Again, two of the most dynamic offensive players in the league were completely shut down.

Thank goodness for special teams. Remember opening day last year, or have you had psychotherapy attempting to forget it?

I bet even Andy Reid was happy to throw Reno Mahe's number in the trash. 

"On alternate weekends I cater weddings!"

Seriously though Reno, I hope life is treating you well at The Cheesecake Factory. I heard some guy once made $100 in tips on a Friday night. 

Next up - The Dal-lass Cowgirls.

Bring 'em on.

- Magnum

I smell football...

Fellow sports fans, rejoice...for FOOTBALL SEASON IS UPON us.

As an Eagles fan, I'm pumped about this season, much more than last year.

On paper, better linebackers, arguably the best secondary in football, and better special teams...plus a healthier Donovan which makes a ginormous difference.

DeSean Jackson is already looking like a fantastic draft pick. Even in preseason I can't remember an Eagles wideout (besides Owens, duh) looking this good.

What else am I looking forward to seeing besides the Birds back in the playoffs?

1. Brett Favre inducing the Madden Curse upon himself.

J-E-T-S - BRETTS BRETTS BRETTS!?

You just couldn't fade off into the sunset, eh Brett? You were finally gonna be the one to break the Madden Curse by actually just sitting on the couch and watching football. But noooo...Now you're just going to end up like Namath and all those other legendary QB's who played lackluster final seasons with mediocre teams.

2. Calvin Johnson begin to take the mantle of held by Randy Moss as the best wideout in the game. To me, wide receiver is hands down the most exciting position in football - there's nothing like watching a player take over from that position.

The guy's got all the tools: Speed, size, athleticism, and seemingly a good head on his shoulders.

...Shame he plays for the Lions.

3. Jason Taylor actually doing a pirouette during a game, followed by William(Oh just call him Tre) Thomas hitting him with a crushing block and ending his career.

I can't think of anything more punch-worthy than how he looks here.

I thought I read somewhere that Warren Sapp is going to be on Dancing With the Stars next season.

Seriously?

I can't think of anything I'd want to watch LESS.

Honestly, I'd rather watch a music video with Shaq rapping.

4. The NFC (b)East being hands down the most exciting conference in the league.

How great is it to be in this monster of a division. What if you had to watch the Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks and 49'ers 8 games out of the year?

UGH.

Westbrook: "Demarcus? Where?"

5. Adrian Peterson - up or down year?

The kid ran roughshod over NFL defenses last year, but he won't be a surprise to anyone anymore - Defensive coordinators have now had an entire offseason to prep for the wunderkind.

...and while I don't believe adult men should ever wear purple in a uniform, The Vikings(aka Eagles-lite) could be fun to watch.

6. The Eagles beating the Cowboys 38-0 in the NFC Championship game to advance to the Super Bowl.

Okay okay okay...

We probably won't shut them out.

...a guy can dream, can't he?

See you guys on the couch tomorrow...it's football time.

- Magnum