Sunday, December 7, 2008

Giant Win!

The Eagles did it again. I had a feeling coming into this week that the Eagles would upset the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. With the whole circus going on up there in regards to Plaxico, I figured they would be a little unfocused. I also figured the Giants would eventually not play a good game - and it all came together for the Eagles today.
It looked to me like Marty was calling the plays. There was a stretch there in the third quarter where they must have run the ball five or six times in a row. I seriously think that is the first time I can ever remember them doing that under Andy. McNabb threw around 30 balls today - which is PERFECT! A majority were high percentage passes and he picked his spots to make a long throw - in particular the pass where Curtis reached up behind and made a great catch to set up the first half field goal, or maybe that what was the D was giving him. He also had a couple key scrambles for yardage.
It's amazing what happens with a commitment to running the ball. The line got into a rhythm and started pounding the Giants front seven. It was great to see. And the defense came up big all day long. I don't really recollect any sacks today but they had pressure on him when they needed it and unlike the matchup in Philly a month ago where they were utterly dominated, the defensive line - in particular Trent Cole - really showed up this afternoon. Kudos must also go out to the linebackers - Bradley, Gocong and Jordan (nice freakin' move!). I thought all three played great today, Gocong and Jordan probably their best games of the season.
Now sitting at 7-5-1, the Eagles are still on the outside looking in. Big THANKS to the Steelers for coming back and beating Dallas. It's still too tough to be playing out all the scenarios about the teams ahead of the Birds, all they can worry about is winning their games. Next Monday home vs. Browns, thinking a win. This team could be 8-5-1 heading to DC. Let's hope so.

Monday, December 1, 2008

My Lucky Day?

I really think this is unprecedented in the history of Bruce Springsteen releases. We've now gotten two singles within a week of eachother! And "The Wrestler" is floating around on YouTube for all to listen. Amazon.com posted a 30 second clip of "My Lucky Day", the new single from the upcoming album Working on a Dream, on Friday. I listened a few times and was pleasantly surprised. Here is the new full-length video with some behind the scenes footage reminiscent of Blood Brothers. This song has been growing on me since I listened to a rough version of it last night.



In the past, when Springsteen has recorded a new album, particularly with the E Street Band, it has been years in between releases. This one was recorded during breaks of the Magic Tour with the band in full form from being right off the road. In effect, I think this has resulted in more of what the afficionados refer to as the "classic E Street sound". Now, this song obviously isn't the early 70's boardwalk sound.....BUT, it is the late 70's, early 80's hard rocking, in your face sound of the E Street Band that you got on songs like "No Surrender" and nearly all of the The River. "Working on a Dream" has drawn mixed reviews, but it is Bruce and producer Brendan O'Brien trying to get the E Street Band on record as they sound live. I think this should bear well for the full length album.