Poor Richard's Scorecard

Brian Westbrook Says What Eagles Fans Want to Hear--But Not What They Need to Hear

AS IF they needed it, Brian Westbrook gave Eagles fans yet more ammunition in their never-ending war against Andy Reid, Joe Banner, and Jeff Lurie. Westbrook, released by the Birds recently in the wake of a swift, injury-paved career slide, has been observing publicly that for the front office, "it's all about money" and "dollar signs."

In Which the Author (Sort of) Explains His Absence

The last time we spoke, Cliff Lee was the Phillies' best pitcher, the Eagles were trying to find themselves, and Allen Iverson and Peter Laviolette were new in town. Much has happened since then, and not simply on the sporting scene, which is why things have been sparse around here lately. Details on that soon; the good news is that the new year will bring a renewed commitment to the kind of trenchant Philadelphia commentary you have come to know and love. Until then, Happy New Year! | PRS

No Offense, Mr. Vick, But It Was the Eagles' D That Impressed Me More

Michael Vick's successful return to Atlanta headlined coverage of the Eagles' breathtakingly easy win over the Falcons yesterday, but the Birds would have rolled up 31 points with or without the redemption-seeking quarterback. The bigger story to me was Philadelphia's defense, which did exactly what you're supposed to against a backup QB. Second-stringer Chris Redman, his passes batted down or picked off all afternoon long, never developed a rhythm, and an impressive goal-line stand late in the second quarter allowed Vick, Donovan McNabb, and company to cruise in the second half. It was a terrific showing, and not a moment too soon, with the NFC East appeared headed down to the wire. | PRS

The Eagles Win an Easy One, But Concerns Persist

The NFL's schedulers handed the Eagles a gift last night: the Washington Redskins, wrapped in haplessness and topped with a bow of craptitude. And the Birds did what they should have done, building a big first-half lead and coasting the rest of the way.

The 27-17 final, though, said less about where the Eagles are headed this season than where Washington is. The 'Skins were just dreadful, turning the ball over with regularity and giving up a couple of big plays that allowed Philadelphia to put the game out of reach early.

In Eagles' Romp, Michael Vick Got the Headlines, but Kevin Kolb Got the Win

"Shows what you know," a Facebook friend cracked in a comment on my worrisome Eagles-Chiefs preview, after the Birds had stomped Kansas City at Lincoln Financial Field. Indeed. Punditry, whether in print, on television, or in pixels, is an inexact science.

A Puzzling Eagles Team Has the Bettors' Trust, But Not Mine

The Eagles are 9-point favorites against Kansas City today, which means Vegas must not have been paying too much attention to what happened last Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. I get that the Chief are winless and that the game is at the Linc, but the Birds are simply too volatile for me to entrust any betting money to. Consider:

Kevin Kolb Must Be Wondering If Anyone in Midnight Green Has His Back

Yesterday's pregame post was headlined "The Eagles Aren't Doing Kevin Kolb Any Favors" because of the front office's seeming reluctance to throw its full support behind the team's backup QB. The Michael Vick and Jeff Garcia signings, combined with organizational rumblings about Donovan McNabb's desire to play against the Saints despite his broken rib, evoked an image of Kolb being thrown under the bus. Would he get more than a week to show his stuff and to grow in the role?

After yesterday's debacle at the Linc, I was tempted to write the same headline, this time referring to Kolb's teammates and coaches.

The Eagles Aren't Doing Kevin Kolb Any Favors

The Eagles pay Kevin Kolb good money to wear a baseball cap and carry a clipboard, though of course he'd much rather be playing than strolling the sidelines. Well, today he gets his chance. With Donovan McNabb nursing a broken rib, Kolb is the guy. Surely, though, he's wondering for how long. A game? A half? A quarter?

He has every reason to wonder.

The Eagles Reach a Quarterback Crossroads With Every Traffic Camera in the Game Fixed on Them

Of course Donovan McNabb got hurt Sunday. What else could have happened? The Eagles' star-crossed quarterback already was set for a turbulent season, with last season's benching compounded by the team's decision to bring the shameful Circus Vick to town. An injury--specifically, the rib McNabb broke in the Birds' win over Carolina--should have been expected, given Andy Reid's farcical handling of the quarterback situation thus far.

Good Job, Birds; Better Job, Phillies

It's telling that on a day when the Birds opened big, the only "E-A-G-L-E-S" chant I heard in Citizens Bank Park was in the men's room following the Phillies' 5-4 win over the Mets. The ballpark was sold out, the sun was shining, the Phils got key hits, and Kyle Kendrick was terrific in starting the opener of the day's day-night doubleheader. Who needed football?