Week 17 NFL Notes & Musings, the Life of Darren

When I was ten years old, my father took a lost young boy to an Eagles game. I was hooked the moment I walked through the tunnel. For reasons I no longer ask questions about, my lost and lonely self found a passion and a best friend that would come in many forms over the years. The numbers varied, the names on the back would blend together like the artistic edits of an Oliver Stone film. Nevertheless, I was hooked on the jersey. The logo. The color. It was there every Sunday and nothing for the last thirty years has moved me quite like Philadelphia’s football team. Most days, I call it a curse. I’ve suffered far more days with this team than I have savored yet I’m there every single gameday, in person for all that are home and glued to the boob tube for every road game.

Two and a half years ago, life dropped a stronger a passion and greater joy in my lap and she’s been by my side ever since. With all due respect to the absolute world’s greatest wife and the best friends a man could ask for, only my daughter could invoke more pride and energy in me. So, this Sunday was the culmination of a lifetime of dreams, joy and hope. No, the Eagles didn’t win the Superbowl. Hell, they didn’t even make the playoffs. It was a mere pristine Sunday in January, 57 degrees, the sun was shining and I walked up the steps to Lincoln Financial Field holding my daughter’s hand. Her first game. Her first anything, really. I was glassy eyed all day watching her. She looked up at the enormous structure with her jaw on the ground, her head on a swivel at the vast amount of people walking and laughing through the concourse.

Life is good.

Smartly, we entered over an hour early to take in the sites, snap some photos and get close to the field. Unforgettable is too small a word. As if I didn’t have to tell you, children are amazing. My daughter’s poise amongst an enormous crowd in a venue that tends to eat up people ten times her age, completely enamored me. She laughed along with my friends in my section, cheered without suggestion and, and I’m not making this up, at big moments yelled, “GO EAGLES!” The kid isn’t even two and a half yet.

And that was only one third of my New Year’s weekend. For Christmas, Santa brought me Winter Classic tickets. My brother Tommy’s love, or should I say lunacy, for the Flyers compares only to my maniacal dedication to the Eagles so who better to be with at one of the biggest winter events in Philadelphia history? We hit the ballyard early on Monday and most of the time at Citizens Bank Park, I felt like I was at the Superbowl. The NHL should be lauded for the pageantry it has created at this event. While it was disappointing that the Flyers had lost, at the end of the day it was merely one regular season game in an 82 game season. After a weekend of lifelong memories, it’s back to the grind. The holidays are over, the gray cold of winter has begun to set in and there won’t be a meaningful game played in Philadelphia until the Spring. The Flyers have about 20 games or so before the NHL hits it’s stretch run and, as I write this, it’s 45 days to pitchers and catchers. Don’t hit the bridge just yet…the Voodoo Brown crew will see you through the NFL playoffs and we’ve got some exciting things planned for the Spring and Summer.

Bidding farewell to 2011’s regular season, here are YOUR Week Seventeen NFL Notes & Musings…

Coming later in this article:  My plan for the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles. You’re on the edge of your seat. I can tell.

They’re dropping like flies!  As predicted right here, Tampa fired head coach Raheem Morris, St. Louis fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo, along with GM Brian Devaney and it appears the Colts’ Jim Caldwell is on the verge of receiving his walking papers. Surprisingly, Indianapolis has already fired VP / GM Bill Polian.

As well as Eli Manning has played in 2011, Victor Cruz is the unquestioned MVP of the New York football Giants.  He is friggin’ insane good…I’m thoroughly impressed.

Bring this man to Philly!

A few words on the Eagles season, now that it is officially over… forget about the four game winning streak to close out the season. There were some quality wins against not so qualified opponents, yet a win is a win in the National Football League. I thought the linebackers improved across the board, I think Nate Allen could be a strong starter in 2012 and I have some faith in DRC if Asante Samuel is traded. But this team has significant weaknesses on both sides of the ball and the amount of discussion warrants it’s own article. So keep an eye out for that in the future here on Voodoo Brown. For now, long story short? They need 2 linebackers. They need a safety. And, gasp, this team needs a quarterback. I WANT MATT FLYNN AND I WANT HIM AT ANY COST. ANY, ALL, ANYTHING. Andy Reid should tap that Green Bay pipeline and make a trade for the next great NFL franchise quarterback. Do it, Andy. DOOO ITTT.

I am the nations’ authority on quarterbacks.  I mean that. I’m not saying that to get a rise out of you. There are only two or three people on the planet that can even hang in a quarterback discussion with me. Case in point…my decade long opinion on Tony Romo. Can’t win a big game and the only stat that matters is big game wins. What constitutes a big game? If I have to tell you, take interest in another sport. The only quarterback mistake I’ve ever made was I misjudged Aaron Rodgers coming out of Cal.

Before the season started, yours truly picked Green Bay and New England in the Superbowl.  Not too shabby, as of today. Both earned the #1 seeds in their respective conferences. As much as I love the New Orleans Saints, I’d be a weasel to change my picks now.

Just saw the new 76ers commercial.  The tag line was: “Passionate, Intense, Proud.” They forgot to add, “LOL.” Does anyone actually care that the NBA is back?

Sacrifice this tradition.

There are a few things that Philadelphia should be embarrassed for, not the least of which are the Mummers that strut down Broad Street on New Year’s Day.  If you’re not from Philly, allow me a moment to describe this disaster: Imagine hundreds of drunk men with a yearning for a belonging dressed up in drag or wearing masks or makeup, all in sequence dancing like Elaine from Seinfeld down the street as thousands of drunken fans cheer them on belting out what they think are the words to the songs the paraders are playing on their banjos. Yes, banjos. Keep in mind, these people are often celebrated. The common theme for keeping these jokers around are that it’s tradition. You know what else was tradition at one point in history? Human sacrifice. You know what? I’d rather watch that. My opinion may be unpopular but I can promise you this ridiculous “tradition” will not be shared by my kids. It was fun when I was a drunken 25 year old. Certainly not anymore.

Wiiiith, America’s best warranty, ten years of being worry free, they’re watching out for youuuu aaaand mee….that damn Hundyai commercial sticks in my head for hours every time I see it.

As we head in to Wildcard Week, here are my predictions for the weekend’s matchups:
New Orleans over Detroit
Atlanta over NY Giants
Pittsburgh over Denver
Cincinnati over Houston

Maurice Jones-Drew is the first Jaguar in franchise history to win the rushing title.  His quarterback, Blaine Gabbert failed to reach the 100 yard passing mark for the second time in a month.

Awful helmet.

The chrome plated (actually painted) helmets worn by Oregon in the Rose Bowl were nauseating.

The Eagles set a franchise record with 6,386 total yards of offense in 2011.  Their kicker, rookie Alex Henery, finished the year 24 of 27 in field goals, the highest percentage in franchise history (88.9). Michael Pick set a personal record with 14 interceptions this season.

For the first time in franchise history, the New Orleans Saints went undefeated at home.  They also scored the most touchdowns in franchise history with 66 and the most points in franchise history with 510, which is third on the all time list. Drew Brees finished the year with 5,476 yards passing, best in NFL history.

49er kicker David Akers added to his season field goal total to make it 44, the most in NFL history.

Green Bay backup (and future Philadelphia starter, please*) Matt Flynn set Packer franchise records with 480 yards passing and 6 touchdown passes.  The Green Bay – Detroit game marked the first time in NFL history that opposing quarterbacks both threw for 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. Lions’ QB Matt Stafford threw for 520 yards and 5 scores.

Baltimore’s Ray Rice finished the year as only the second player in NFL history (Marshall Faulk) to record 1,000 yards rushing and 700 yards receiving in more than one season.

Ricky Williams has reached the 10,000 yard mark in his career. He is the 26th player in NFL history to do so.

Rape women. Beat Cleveland.

Cincinnati has not won a playoff game in over 21 years.

Ben Roethlisberger is now 14-1 against Cleveland.

You seated?  Here are Tim Tebow’s earth shattering numbers for his big game at home against Kansas City last Sunday: 6 for 22, 66 yards, 1 interception. His nice story has come to an end.

Arizona defensive back / punt returner Patrick Peterson set a rookie record for return yardage with 699.  It’s also the second highest total in NFL history. It should be noted that Peterson did not return punts while in college at LSU.

Congratulations to the Oakland Raiders for setting the NFL record for both penalties (163) and penalty yardage (1,358).  They have, by the way, flirted with this record since the dawn of time.

Congratulations to me for winning the first annual Voodoo Brown office pool with a final record of 177-78, picking every game this year for just under 70%. Did you really think I’d lose?

My guy, Matt Ryan, finished the year with 4,177 yards passing, a Falcons team record.  Roddy White also set a Falcons record…career receiving yardage with 7,374 surpassing Terance Mathis.

Tampa cornerback Rhonde Barber has now played in more games for the Bucs than anyone else with 225.

Bet you didn’t know that starting Steelers safety Ryan Clark has a rare blood disorder that keeps him from playing in Denver because of the thin air.  The last time he played at Mile High Stadium in 2007, he suffered a violent, near death reaction and was rushed to the hospital to have his spleen and gallbladder removed. It’s a sickle cell trait and he hasn’t played in Denver the last two time Pittsburgh has made the trip. If he plays again in high altitude, he could severely risk damage to his heart or brain. Consequently, he will sit out Sunday’s wildcard game in Denver.

Minnesota’s Jared Allen finished 2011 with 22 sacks, tops for the season.  DeMarcus Ware finished in 2nd place with 19.5, followed by Philadelphia’s ‘One Trick Pony,’ Jason Babin with 18.

I’ve never been a big Jason Taylor guy, but here’s a video of his tearful goodbye to his teammates.  His love and respect for the game is what struck me and his plea to younger players to cherish their time in the league, I thought, was very heartfelt. Taylor announced his official retirement earlier this season.

Now, my plan for the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles:
• First, fire Juan Castillo, hire Steve Spagnuolo as the new defensive coordinator.
• Secondly, trade both Michael Vick and Asante Samuel to the highest bidder. Nhamdi and DRC are my starting corners, Juselio Hanson remains my inside nickel cornerback.
• Third, trade or sign, depending on availability, Green Bay’s backup quarterback Matt Flynn, name him the starter.
• Fourth, squash the wide 9 and trade Jason Babin. He’s a one trick pony with his outside speed rush. The man has no interest in stopping the run. Of course, a defensive end will have to be added via the draft or free agency. I’ll have more on free agency after the season.
• Fifth, pay Desean Jackson. If you let him go, kick the tires on Marques Colston or Vincent Jackson. Both are huge targets and will give the Eagles a little more consistent play, yet neither possess the flash of Desean.
• Sixth, disavow themselves from Vince Young completely.
• Seventh, with regard to the draft, regardless of round or position, take the best defensive player on the board and invest in a top 5 linebacker.

Those moves should assure the Birds a place back in the post-season.

Kids having kids.

And finally, the kickoff to a weekend I will never forget began with myself and 8 friends I grew up with and our families spending the day with our kids at an indoor inflatable amusement park.  It’s amazing to see all of us, friends for decades, now all with growing families, still tight. Below is a group shot (that’s me in the Flyers hat with my daughter)…it wasn’t too long ago when it was just the handful of us guys huddled around the local bar. Life is good.

**Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter at: @DarrenDegaetano I’ll be going live during Wildcard Weekend to spread some post-holiday cheer.