Sunday, August 31, 2008

Eagles claim Daniels; jettison Boiman

The Philadelphia Eagles claimed LB Tank Daniels off waivers from the New York Giants Sunday and released LB Rocky Boiman.

The 26-year-old Daniels (6-3, 248) returns to Philadelphia after originally entering the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Eagles in 2006. He spent the first 10 weeks of his rookie season on Philadelphia’s practice squad before joining the 53-man roster prior to their game at Indianapolis on 11/26/07. Daniels went on to record nine special teams tackles in the team’s final six contests. In 2007, Daniels was a member of the Giants Super Bowl Championship team, playing in four regular season games and all four postseason contests. In the playoffs, Daniels posted three special teams tackles and a forced fumble of a kickoff return by Michael Spurlock in a Wild Card game win at Tampa Bay.

A native of Clarendon, Ark., Daniels became the first player from Division II Harding University to play in the NFL. In fact, his jersey number (#3) was retired by the school this past season.

McDougle to Giants

The New York Giants have signed Jerome McDougle to a one-year deal worth $1 million, a day after he was released by the Eagles.

McDougle joins Dave Tollefson and veteran Renaldo Wynn as a reserve end behind Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka – who have stepped in, respectively, for Michael Strahan (the future Hall of Famer who retired in June) and Osi Umenyiora (the Pro Bowler who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Jets on Aug. 18).

“We think that this is going to be a real good investment for us,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin told the team's Web site. “He is a defensive end and he is a pass-rusher and he can fit in a rotation and can be a part of any third down package or second-and-long package that we have. He gives us some flexibility and versatility with a player. We are constantly trying to upgrade.”

“It is great,” McDougle added. “Defending Super Bowl champs - I look good in blue. I feel good to be here, staying in the division, so it’s not really much of a difference as far as guys you are going against. I just feel good to be here, to be wanted, and I am just looking forward to doing some good things on this defense. I like the defensive scheme, it is sort of the same kinds of things that I came from – a lot of movement – and we get after it.”

Penn State - Coastal Carolina by the numbers

- Penn State is now 101-19-2 in season openers, (winning its last seven and 16 of 18). The Nittany Lions are 36-7 in season openers under Joe Paterno and 109-12-1 in home openers overall.

- Joe Paterno won his 373rd career game, tying Florida State coach Bobby Bowden for the all-time lead among major college coaches.

- The Nittany Lions have won 32 of their last 41 games, tied for eighth-best in the nation over that span.

-Penn State is now 6-2 all-time in the month of August.

-The Nittany Lions are now 53-11 in non-conference games since starting Big Ten play in 1993.

-Penn State’s 66 points today are the most in a game for the Lions since scoring 67 against Louisiana Tech in 2000.

-Penn State’s 66 points Saturday are the most for the Lions in a season opener since defeating Susquehanna, 82-0, on Sept. 25, 1926.

- The Lions’ margin of victory was the most since the 59-0 win over Florida International in the 2007 season opener and tied for sixth-largest under Joe Paterno.

-The Nittany Lions are now 4-1 against teams from South Carolina (2-0 vs. South Carolina, 1-0 vs. Furman, 1-0 vs. Coastal Carolina and 0-1 vs. Clemson.)

- Penn State’s 594 yards of total offense are its most since gaining 661 yards in a 59-34 win vs. Rutgers at Giants Stadium in 1995.

- The Lions’ 334 rushing yards are their most since gaining 389 yards on the ground vs. Youngstown State in 2006.

-The 24 points scored by the Nittany Lions in the second quarter are the most points scored by Penn State in a quarter since recording 28 in the third stanza of last year’s season opener against Florida International.

-Penn State scored 38 points in the first half today, the most points in a half for Penn State since the Nittany Lions scored 56 in the first half at Illinois in 2005.

-The Nittany Lions scored seven rushing touchdowns in a game for the first time since rushing for seven scores against Michigan State in the 2002 regular season finale.

-Evan Royster’s three rushing touchdowns Saturday are a career-high and the first time that a Nittany Lion has had three rushing touchdowns in a game since Tony Hunt recorded the feat against Temple in 2006.

-Daryll Clark threw his first career touchdown pass in the second quarter, a 5-yard toss to Jordan Norwood.

-Stephfon Green notched his first career touchdown on a 7-yard rush in the second quarter.

-Derek Williams’s 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter was the first kickoff return for a touchdown of his career. Williams also has two punt returns for touchdowns in his career (Temple ’06 and Notre Dame ’07). It was the first kick return for a touchdown by a Nittany Lion since A.J. Wallace had a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown against Ohio State last season.

- Redshirt freshman Chaz Powell scored the first touchdown of his career on a 55-yard rush in the third quarter.

-True freshman Brandon Beachum scored the first touchdown of his career late in the fourth quarter.

-Bani Gbadyu’s interception in the second quarter was the first of his career.

-Pat Devlin’s 40-yard pass completion to Jordan Norwood, on his first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, marked the first completion of his career. Devlin was 0 for 1 passing in 2007.

-Derek Moye, Joe Suhey, Andrew Szczerba, Stephfon Green and Brent Carter all recorded their first career catches Saturday.

-Aaron Maybin tied a career-high with two sacks Saturday. He had two last year against Buffalo.

-First-time starters for Penn State included QB Daryll Clark, TB Evan Royster and WR Brett Brackett on offense and MLB Josh Hull and OLB Bani Gbadyu on defense.

- True freshmen who played for Penn State Saturday included Brandon Beachum, Jack Crawford, DeOn’tae Pannell and Michael Mauti.

- Penn State will take on Oregon State next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (et). The game will be televised on ABC, with coverage on ESPN or ESPN2 outside of the ABC coverage area.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Statement from Jody Mac

To the hundreds of my fans and friends who have attempted to call me, and the
thousands that have attempted to e-mail me, I thank you all very much. As you
have probably heard by now, I needed to have quadruple bypass surgery. The
procedure to this point has been a success. I now start the process of healing
and getting better. This was way too close of a call, and will serve as a
wake-up call for me. I am hoping to be back, talking Phillies pennant race,
Eagles good September start, and all things Philly sports before you know it.
Thanks for the support you have shown my show during my absence, and I would
appreeeciate it if you continue in that vain.

I would love to reply to
everyone individually, but I am just not up to the task. But know, your concern
makes the fight I am fighting a little easier
everyday.

Talk to you
soon…
Jody Mac

McDougle released; Dunlap to IR

The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have released the following 12 players:

CB Kyle Arrington

FB Jed Collins

FB Jason Davis

WR Michael Gasperson

DT Mike Marquardt

WR Shaheer McBride

DE Jerome McDougle

DT Montae Reagor

LB Justin Roland

LB Andy Studebaker

TE Kris Wilson

G Scott Young

The team also placed T King Dunlap (ankle) and G Mike Gibson (shoulder) on the Injured Reserve list.

The Eagles roster now stands at 53 players. Beginning Sunday at 12 pm (ET), all NFL teams may establish a practice squad of up to eight players.

Join us on the radio

Join The Phanatic Magazine's John Gottlieb and John McMullen Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (et) for another edition of Johns on Sports, coming to you live from the studios of WTBQ 99.1 FM in New York.

Join the program on WTBQ.com, calling in at (845) 651-1110, or writing an e-mail to johnsonsports@gmail.com.

Phils release Kris Benson

The Phillies released veteran pitcher Kris Benson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley Saturday.

Benson, who signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia in spring training, was a miserable 1-6 with a 5.78 ERA with Class A Clearwater and Lehigh Valley this year.

All-time wrestling great Kowalski dies

Walter "Killer" Kowalski, one of the greatest heels in professional wrestling history, passed away early this morning.

The WWE Hall of Famer was taken off life support almost two weeks ago following a massive
heart attack on August 18.

The 81-year-old Kowalski was best known for his feuds with then-WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino, but he also trained a number of stars in the business, most notably John "Big John Studd" Minton and Paul "Triple H" Levesque.




Judge rejects plea in Penn State case

A Centre County judge refused a plea agreement by former Penn State receiver Chris Bell, who was accused of threatening a teammate with a knife.

Bell pleaded guilty to making terroristic threats in connection with an April 7 confrontation with defensive end Devon Still where he allegedly threatened Still with an eight-inch knife at a dining hall.

Bell was kicked off the team after the arrest.

A sentencing hearing for Bell will likely take place next month.

Couture to fight Lesnar in UFC?

Yahoo! Sports Dave Meltez is reporting that UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture is in negotiations with the company for a new three-fight deal which would end a nasty legal battle between the two sides.

If the deal is made, UFC is expected to announce Couture will face Brock Lesnar on November 15 in Portland, Oregon sometime next week.

Meltzer also reported that the talks were originally about a Couture vs. Lesnar fight in Portland, as a one-fight deal to settle the legal issues. But, now they have expanded where both sides expect the 45-year-old Couture to retire as a UFC fighter.

The struggles of AFFLICTION and EliteXC along with the recent demise of both Bodog Fight and the IFL are limiting big money fight offers outside of the UFC.






Temple crushes Army in opener

-Courtesy of Temple University

West Point, NY - The slogan for the 2008 Temple Football team is "Flip the Switch', and third-year head coach Al Golden's Owls did just that in posting a convincing 35-7 season opening win over Army at Michie Stadium Friday night. It marked Temple's first season-opening victory since a 34-7 win over Richmond in 2002.

The Owls literally flipped the switch on the Black Knights as they used key turnovers and a 98-yard kickoff return by Jamal Schulters to lead them to the win. That was the formula Army utilized in defeating Temple, 37-21, last season.

Temple, however, is a not the youngest team in the nation this year, and the Owls looked more like a veteran squad from the outset.
After turning the ball over on their first possession, the Cherry and White defense stood strong, stopping the Black Knight on four downs in
the ensuing possession. That would set the tone for the contest.

The Cherry and White defense stymied the Black Knights' newly installed option-based offense all game. It was the lowest point total
for a Temple opponent since 2004 while the defense forced three key turnovers that led to 14 Owl points.

Senior Tommie Williams made the first big play for the Owls, stripping return specialist Carlo Sandiego at the 8 yard-line and recovering the fumble. Sophomore Marquise Liverpool, making his first start in the TU backfield, made two carries to move the ball to the five yard-line, and following a Temple timeout, DiMichele found his favorite target, senior wideout Bruce Francis in the left corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

Junior kicker Jake Brownell converted the extra point to give Temple a 7-0 lead.

On the Owls' next possession, DiMichele directed the offense on a 10-play, 71-yard drive, capping it with a seven-yard TD pass to tight
end Steve Maneri. Liverpool was impressive on the march down field, with two first down carries. DiMichele also had first down passes to Francis (12 yards) and Travis Shelton (18 yards) on the scoring drive that gave the Cherry and White a 14-0 lead just before the end of the first quarter.

Redshirt freshman Morkeith Brown, a 6-6 defensive end, made his presence known in his first collegiate game. A product of Harrisburg's Central Dauphin High, Brown, who actually enlisted in the Army following high school, stripped quarterback Carson Williams at the 17 yard-line on the first play of the second quarter and returned it for the score, making it 21-0 Owls.

Schulters kept the pressure on the hosts by taking the opening kickoff of the second-half 98 yards to paydirt. It was the first
kickoff return for a TD since 2006.

Senior Tony Dace finally put the Black Knights on the scoreboard with a one-yard plunge to cap the longest drive of the game
for either team, a 14-play, 78 yarder over seven-minutes and 32 seconds to cut the deficit to 28-7 with 7:10 remaining in the third quarter.

Liverpool capped the scoring on the night with a one-yard TD, his first career score. The touchdown was set up by a 28-yard reception
by Shelton to the Army one.

Temple's defense held strong on a fourth-and-two with Alex Joseph and Wilbert Brinson stuffing Dace at the goal-line with 7:24 remaining.

Junior DE Junior Galette led the Cherry and White defense with 11 tackles, six solo, while Amara Kamara and Alex Joseph each made nine stops.

DiMichele who missed the final five games of last season with a broken leg, completed 15 of 22 passes for 159 yards and two TDS.
Francis led a balanced receiving corps with five catches for 45 yards .

Sophomore punter Jeff Wathne had a stellar game, making four punts for a 44 yard average while also making a touchdown-saving tackle.

The Owls (1-0) will host Connecticut next Saturday (Noon, ESPNU/1210AM WPHT) at Lincoln Financial Field in its home opener. The
Owls are looking to avenge last season's controversial 22-17 loss to the Huskies.

Friday, August 29, 2008

The Steve Lienert Show

Episode 19 of The Steve Lienert Show is available for your listening pleasure at www.podmitten.com, where Lienert and the Pickleman wrap up their take on the Olympics, including the cheap-shot-taking Spanish hoops team, why hot Chinese cheerleaders aren't getting more air time during men's' volleyball games and the closing ceremonies.

They also delve into what happened to Jaime Moyer, how great it is to watch Mets fans suffer and Jimmy Rollins. And no show would be complete without mentioning the Eagles and Lienert's new gig. It's 20 minutes of your life you'll never get back, so why not spend it listening to The Steve Lienert Show?

Eagles Bubble Doesn't Have to Burst

By Steven Lienert

The Phanatic Magazine

From Jerome McDougle to Kris Wilson, from Chris Clemons to Andy Studebaker, Saturday could spell the end, at least temporarily, of their football lives.

Or, maybe not.

From what I see, the Eagles are in prime position to have the best 53 players make the team and the next five can be safely stowed away on the practice squad.

Defensive ends: 7

Juqua Parker and Trent Cole are the starters, Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard are the backups while Clemons, McDougle and Bryan Smith find time rushing the passer when the Eagles employ four ends on the line during obvious passing downs, just like the Giants did last year.

Defensive tackles: 4

Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley are beasts, and Trevor Laws and Dan Klecko are solid backups. That is if Klecko's wrist is ok. Cut: We hardly knew ya, Montae Reagor.

Linebacker: 6 plus 1 on practice squad

Omar Gaither, Stewart Bradley and Chris Gocong will start, with Akeem Jordan, Joe Mays and, yes, Rocky Boiman as the backups. Practice squad: Andy Studebaker. Boiman provides too much help on special teams for him to get cut, and Studebaker has too much potential as a speedy, pass rushing insurance policy to jettison.

Cornerbacks: 4

Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are the starters, Lito Sheppard is the nickel back and Joselio Hanson is the dime back. Teams that get behind and have to throw are playing right into the Eagles' hands.

Safety: 5

Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell provide the Eagles' best one-two safety punch since Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins manned the back line in 1990. Sean Considine gets one more chance and J.R. Reed is still hanging around, much to his credit. Quintin Demps has a lot to learn about pass coverage at the NFL level, but he will be the Eagles kickoff returner in 2008.

Defense overall (26): The Defensive line and linebacking corps are very fast and very young, and they'll be good for a long, long time. The corners are the strength of the team, and Brian Dawkins has at least one good year left in him.

Wide receiver: 6 plus 1 on practice squad

DeSean Jackson and Reggie Brown will be the starters until Kevin Curtis comes back from his sports hernia, with Jason Avant and Jackson switching in and out of the slot. Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis are still on the team, and it;s guaranteed that both of them will have one big game this season. That is, unless Lewis used his against New England in the preseason. Michael Gasperson (even though he was waived today) has shown enough in the preseason to be put on the practice squad. I hope he comes back.

Offensive line: 8 plus 2 on practice squad.

Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan anchor the line at the tackle position, while Shawn Andrews, who's showed no ill effects from his bout with depression and Todd Herremans start at guard, with big Jamaal Jackson at center. Nick Cole has earned a place on the team at center, with Max Jean-Gilles and Winston Justice as the backup guard and tackle respectively. Rookie guard Mike McGlynn and rookie tackle King Dunlap get put on the practice squad.

Tight ends: 3

L.J. Smith starts, with Brent Celek pushing him for his job. Matt Schobel edges out Kris Wilson for the last spot, but don't be surprised if both of them are let go in order to keep a younger player that would contribute on special teams.

Quarterbacks: 3 (duh)

Donovan McNabb starts, Kevin Kolb is the No. 2 while A.J. Feeley, who didn't look very sharp on Thursday night, is the three.

Running back: 4 plus one on practice squad.

Brian Westbrook starts (duh), Correll Buckhalter gets a bulk of the carries between the tackles and Booker spells Westbrook when he needs to be spelled. Tony Hunt makes the team as a fullback and a special teamer, while Jason Davis gets a spot on the practice squad.

Offense overall (24): Tight end has the most players on the bubble, but if your biggest problem is deciding who will be your third tight end, you don't have too many problems. The Eagles are healthy, their pissed and, if Jackson is anything like he's shown in the preseason, they are going to be tough to stop.

Special teams: 3

Punter Sav Rocca, kicker David Akers and long snapper Jon Dorenbos each make the team at their respective positions.

There you go: 26+24=50+3=53. With the amount of depth the Eagles have combined with the number of rookies that should contribute from the 2008 draft class, this could be a special year down at the Linc.

Steve Lienert can be reached at stevelienert@hotmail.com

De La Hoya - Pacquiao news conference transcript

Kelly Swanson: Thank you, everybody, for joining us today with what is a great, major announcement for boxing and at this time I would like to introduce Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Richard Schaefer: Thank you, Kelly, and welcome, everyone, to today's conference call. Over the past few weeks, there has been much speculation as to who Oscar will fight in his next fight, on December the 6th. Many opponents have been mentioned. Some of these would have been rematches. Others would have been new challenges.

However, there was only one fight which truly got people talking, some with excitement, others with skepticism, but everyone seems to have an opinion one way or the other about this particular match-up. It's not just a fight, but truly an event, which already now in this early stage transcends the sport in a way which I have never seen before, including our record-breaking one, which the fight last year between Oscar and Mayweather.

This fight will be a fight between two superstars, between two fighters who have captured the imagination of their people and beyond, two individuals with tremendous charisma, the two most popular fighters in the world, guys which have earned the respect of sports fans around the world because of their relentless style in the ring. Both guys go forward and don't know how to go back.

Yes, one is bigger, but older, and yes, the other one is faster and younger. Will it be youth and speed over size and skill? Will the older champion be able to yet again win against the current pound-for-pound champion? Yes, the event I'm talking about, and frankly the whole world is talking about, is the dream match-up. The legendary 10-time world champion, Olympic gold medal winner and Olympic hall of famer, without doubt, the face of boxing, Oscar de la Hoya, against a young, fast, (type) division, world champion and reigning pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao.

It is exactly these kind of events which will have boxing again on the front pages, from barbershops to Madison Avenue, from Main Street to Wall Street, the world will be talking. Bob Arum and I had our work certainly cut out on this one, but we pulled it off again.

Golden Boy and Top Rank are continuing to bring the fight fans the best and biggest match-ups, year after year. Just think, 2008, it started with Juan Manuel Marquez versus Manny Pacquiao, and then we have another trailer with Pavlik versus Hopkins on October 18th. And now, to top it all off, this mega-event from Las Vegas, from the MGM Grand on December 6th, live on HBO Pay Per View. It will be De La Hoya versus Pacquiao.

Before I'm going to turn it over to the fighters - yes, we have Oscar and Manny Pacquiao both on the call - it is a pleasure to introduce our co-promoter, the Chairman of Top Rank, Bob Arum. He certainly has a great historic perspective toward this fight, and it is my sincere pleasure to be working with you again, Bob.

Bob Arum: Thank you very much, Richard. I'm thrilled that this fight is taking place, because I have been involved in very - in many, many big fights, but this fight has worldwide implications. It is an American Olympian fighting against the greatest fighter, the greatest athlete, ever to come from the country of the Philippines. And, as someone of my age, I realize what the Philippines has meant to the United States, what it's meant to the world. The Philippine people fought courageously with the Americans at Bataan and Corregidor in the Second Word War.

The Filipinos are a great fighting people and Manny Pacquiao is their greatest fighter of all, and that's why this fight will have worldwide interest - forget interest only in New York or California or Chicago. This fight will be watched and talked about by people all over Asia, all over Europe and all over North and South America. This is what boxing is all about.

This fight will demonstrate to everyone that there is no sport universally as popular as the sport of boxing. And that's why I'm so pleased that Oscar and Manny agreed to engage in this fight and I'm delighted on behalf of Top Rank, again, working together with Richard Schaefer and all the Golden Boy teams.

Richard Schaefer: Thank you, Bob. Now, here is the 10-time world champion, Olympic gold medal winner, the golden boy from East L.A., Oscar de la Hoya.

Oscar de la Hoya: Thank you. Thank you very much, Richard. Thank you very much, Bob. To me, this is a challenge. To me, when a certain person in the boxing industry who is an expert mentioned the possibility last year of fighting Manny Pacquiao, it stuck to my head and it kept on lingering in my head and I kept on thinking about it over the months. And to this day I say to myself, can I really fight Manny Pacquiao and beat the pound-for-pound champion of the world?

Yes, I'm older. Yes, I'm bigger. And yes, he's younger and he's the pound-for-pound champion. But when people starting saying, oh, well, Manny can beat you, Manny can knock you out, and especially when Freddie Roach started saying, Oscar can't pull the trigger or Manny Pacquiao, the fighter I trained, can beat you, it started to become a challenge to me. And now it is very personal, especially when Manny Pacquiao beat all the legendary Mexican fighters from Mexico.

To me, it's a challenge, and especially because people are talking. People are talking that Manny Pacquiao can beat me. Well, we'll see December 6th. (Speaking in Spanish)

Richard Schaefer: Thank you, Oscar. Bob, if I could give it back to you.

Bob Arum: Thank you, Richard. Manny Pacquiao, everybody knows the pride of his country in his exploits. Everybody knows that Filipinos all over the world, now eight million of them living outside the Philippines, how they follow Manny's every move.

But people all over the world who are not Filipinos also now follow Manny Pacquiao and realize what a great young man he is and what a tremendous athlete. So it's with a great deal of pride that I turn this over to the lightweight champion of the world, the pound-for-pound king in boxing today, Manny Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao: Hello, everybody. And what I can say of this fight is I know everybody's (said) that this fight - it will be a difficult fight for me, but I know. Some people say that it's a very easy fight for Oscar, but you know what? I always do my job in the ring and I've done my best to give a good fight and to win this fight.

I think I can beat De La Hoya, especially what is - I saw his last performance on the last fight and I think I'm faster and stronger than him, and I'm younger. And also I think that I believe I can give him in the way that I - no, no, I did (there) in my last fight. So I think that the point is my speed is going to be a big favor in this fight, but I think that Oscar de la Hoya is - he has an advantage by the height and he's bigger in height. He's taller than me, but I believe that I am stronger than him. So it's going to be a great fight.

Bob Arum: OK, thank you, Manny. Well said, and now I'd turn it back to Richard Schaefer.

Richard Schaefer: Thank you, Bob, and so again it's official, De La Hoya vs Pacquiao on December 6th, MGM Grand Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View.

Oscar is ringing the bell. We will be announcing more information about the fight, such as the press tour, ticket information and we should be making as well the trainers available for an international conference call, since the teams, both Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather are very opinionated about their respective fighters. It will be on doubt a great promotion, lots of incredible promotional activities in the pipeline and we will all make history together to yet again take our sport to never-seen-before heights.

Thank you to the fighters who agreed to this amazing showdown. Thank you, Bob and Top Rank. Thank you to the media and to fight fans, and I have to say as well, thank you to the man who is one of the most knowledgeable experts in the sport, has an impeccable reputation, and yes he is the architecture of this dream match-up, and that is HBO's legendary expert commentator, Larry Merchant.

Thank you, Larry. We would like to open it now for questions.

Operator: Greg Beacham of "Associated Press."

Greg Beacham (Associated Press): Hello, Oscar. Hey, we know Manny will have reservations about the size discrepancies in this match-up. What were your reservations about fighting a guy who's smaller than you like that?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, I think first of all a lot of people are going to be very surprised when we're standing next to each other. Size really isn't going to be that much of a big difference. It's not going to be like Roy Jones against John Ruiz with the size differential. And I just thought, how can this fight be possible?

But when people started talking, when people started saying, oh, well, Manny can beat you, when the odds came out at two to one, even less than that, when even Freddie Roach started saying, well, Oscar can't pull the trigger and Manny can knock him out, well, that started getting into my head. It started to become a challenge to me. And these are the type of events that really get me fired up, so I think the size differential isn't going to be any big deal to Manny or myself. I understand the relentless style that Manny has. I understand the speed he has. So, for me, as a 35-year-old fighter, it really is a big challenge to me.

Greg Beacham: You mentioned Freddie's comments a couple of times. Did that feel like a betrayal, to have a guy you work with like that say stuff like that?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, I felt challenged, especially from an expert trainer like Freddie Roach, who trained me and who trains Manny. Obviously, he knows my style and he knows Manny's. And for him to say that was a big challenge. And if he thinks that I can't pull the trigger, well, we'll see December 6th.

Dan Rafael (ESPN): Thanks a lot, everybody. I'll throw this out to either I guess Richard or Bob. There was a lot of discussion in the lead up to the fight that everything had been agreed on in a very cordial negotiation, down to the split of the fight, that was the big challenge, 70-30, 60-40. What did you settle on?

Bob Arum: Well, I think that - let me just say. Manny has asked me not to at this particular point talk about numbers or percentages or anything like that. Richard and I will confer about whether we're going to make a statement about that, but I really want to respect Manny's wishes now and not comment on the purses or any of the financial elements.

Richard Schaefer: I agree with that, and, look, I really don't think it's necessary for anyone to know what the split is. The fact is that each fighter wanted to fight, each fighter looks at the fight as a challenge. Each fighter obviously believes they will win and so each fighter in the end of the day had to give a little bit. So it was a give and take and in the end Bob and I were able to put the fight together.

Dan Rafael: OK, Oscar, are you still committed to this being your final fight? You've said that many times, essentially when you were putting - after the Steve Forbes fight, is this your last time? Is this the grand finale of a great career?

Oscar de la Hoya: My focus is my training. My focus is my next fight. I'm not going to talk about retirement. I'm not going to think about retirement. I want to be 100 percent focused on the job I have to take care of, and that's in the ring and we'll see after the fight how I feel, if it's my last fight or not. But right now my focus is my training. That's the number-one priority.

Dan Rafael: OK, so it may not be. You did say many times, Oscar, that it's your last fight. So if you're changing of heart, that's fine. I mean, happy to have you back in the ring, but it sounds like there's a little crack in the door there that there wasn't three or four months ago.

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, let's just say my foot got caught in the door.

Dan Rafael: OK. Manny, when you started your career in such a small weight division, did you ever think the day would come that you would be fighting not only a welterweight fight, but fighting one of the greatest stars of the game?

Manny Pacquiao: When I started my boxing career, I'd never think this fight would happen. This is the (focus) of my boxing career, because this is a visit from God.

Dan Rafael: Did you say a visit from God?

Bob Arum: Like a blessing.

Dan Rafael: A blessing, OK.

Manny Pacquiao: A visit from God. I think this is my (destiny).

Robert Morales (LA Daily News): Hey, Oscar, congratulations on getting this fight done. I know you guys did look very hard on this. I know that as a promoter you work very hard at your job from what (Eric) and Richard and everybody has told me. So I'm wondering, I know that you must have went over all the pros and cons of this fight, right in your mind, during this process.

The pros being that obviously it's going to be a big event, everybody's going to make a lot of money, the cons being Oscar perhaps going out on his last fight fighting the smaller guy. I talked to guys like Carlo Palomino and Israel Vasquez, and both of them were concerned about what this might - not for sure, might do to your legacy. What do you see to those people?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, it's obviously the implications, I would say, there's none. This is going to be a tremendous, tremendous fight. I mean, (styles) make fights and this fight here is made to be a war in the ring, so it's not going to hurt my legacy whatsoever. I'm not saying that I'm retiring. I'm not saying that I'm staying in boxing. I'm just focusing on fighting this fight and winning.

I think my legacy is already cemented. You can't take back what I've accomplished in the ring. So this fight was made because it's a challenge to me and at the same time it's a huge event worldwide, so it's a win-win situation.

Steve Carp (Las Vegas Review Journal). I find it a little ironic that if this is indeed the end of the line and we're not saying it is, that you and Bob Arum are teaming up again, as you did at the start of your career. Could you talk a little bit about Bob being involved in this promotion, as the man who first got you going as a professional?

Oscar de la Hoya: Absolutely. It's always a great pleasure to be working with Bob and it's ironic how things turn around. Bob promoted my career in the beginning and now we're going to be a part of the biggest event in boxing history towards the end of my career, so it's always wonderful to work with Bob. And with Golden Boy and Top Rank, we're going to really have the world talking about this fight. And it's just up to me and Manny, where I have no doubt we're going to give the fans what they're looking for, and that's a special fight inside that ring.

Steve Carp: Bob, could you comment about being involved, promoting Oscar in one of his fights again, this time at the end of his career?

Bob Arum: Well, Oscar is right. I mean, I always enjoyed promoting Oscar's fights. We did very, very well together. I have great admiration for him as a fighter, as a person. And I just will do everything possible, my company will, to make this the greatest boxing match ever, and because, as I said in my introductory remarks, it involves persons from two faraway, far-distant continents, this will have worldwide implications and will indeed be the match that will set the standard of our times for big matches.

I mean, Oscar's fight with Felix Trinidad was a huge fight because it had the great fighter from Puerto Rico against the great fighter from the United States who was of Mexican heritage. But there's something about this fight with Oscar and Manny that gives it such worldwide attention that I'm really proud to be involved with Oscar and Richard and Manny in presenting this fight, because I think it's great for the sport of boxing.

Steve Carp: Richard, real fast, can you just go over some of the other details. They are fighting at 147 and they are using eight-ounce gloves and just the little things like that? Can you just confirm some of those details?

Richard Schaefer: Yes, you just said it. They will be eight-ounce gloves. They will be at 147 pounds. There will be a big press (to) announce soon. We're going to try to incorporate promotional tools and ideas which really haven't been used before. So it's going to be a very exciting promotion. If you have with Top Rank and Golden Boy the two leading boxing promoters working together, I think then you have the two most popular fighters. And there is a reason why they are the most popular, because their style and their charisma, I think you put all these ingredients together, I have to say, I am so excited about this promotion and this fight.

Steve Carp: Will it be Nevada judges and referees from Nevada, or will it be a mixed judging group?

Bob Arum: Well, that's really up to the Nevada Commission. It's a great commission in Nevada. Richard and I and all the participants have great respect for it. So whatever the commission decides to do we'll go along with because I think it is the leading boxing commission in the world.

Johnny Falgoust (USA Today): Hi, thanks. I have a question for Manny and for Oscar. Manny, you said you would expect this fight to go along the lines of your fight with Manny Pacquiao with David Diaz. Does that mean you're expecting to knock out Oscar?

Manny Pacquiao: Well, I'm not saying that I'm going to knock out Oscar. I will do my best. He gave a good fight, a real good fight, and you know what? What I believe is I am faster than De La Hoya and I think I can box him in the fight.

(Johnny Falgoust): And, Oscar, some of the toughest fights in your career has been against speed guys, from Mayweather to Shane Mosley and whatnot. Do you find that you have to fight Manny - do you think your size difference, though, is somehow going to allow you to neutralize that, or do you feel like you have to do something different to Manny Pacquiao than you did with some of these other guys?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, I mean, first of all, for a fighter - I do have to change my style around. I do have to adjust to his speed. I know he's a strong fighter. I know he's a very powerful puncher with both hands. But I think the tricky part about it is going to be the speed, so I have to figure out a way to pull the trigger the way Freddie Roach said. We have to work on all that, and I have to find a way to increase my speed in that ring.

So it's going to be - I have quite a task in front of me. We're three months away and we have to figure out quick how we're going to neutralize him, because it's going to be an explosive fight, that's for sure, because my pride and Manny's pride, we're going to fight in the center of the ring. So we just have to figure out how we can be faster than many that night.

(Johnny Falgoust): Is it going to be as simple, though, Oscar, as just staying behind your jabs, because jabs neutralize speed and you used it against Mayweather. It didn't work too hot. Is it something as simplistic as that?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, yes, it's something as simple as that, but I also have to keep in mind that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw. So in the past the southpaw fighters that I have fought I really haven't done very well with, so this is not going to be an easy fight. I have no intentions of taking it easy in the gym. I have no intentions of looking for this fight to be easy. I mean, this is going to be very difficult, because this will be the strongest, fastest southpaw fighter I've ever faced, and just because he's the pound-for-pound champion.

Jim Hill (KCBS-TV):Oscar, congratulations and good luck to you, buddy. There's a two-part question I have for you today, Oscar. If indeed you have - if this isn't your last fight, when did you change your mind about this not being your last fight, and how will you keep from being so sentimental with all of those things floating around this particular fight?

Oscar de la Hoya: Well, I just don't want it to be the focus of this fight. I don't want to think about it, I don't want to talk about it. I have made some comments in the past, but my focus is the training. My focus is the fight.

My job is to get prepared the best possible to be in the best shape ever, so I'm not going to talk about retirement anymore, I'm not going to mention it. After the fight, then we will decide on how we're going to go about it, but right now the focus is the fight.

And to your second question, can you repeat that second question, Jim?

Jim Hill: Yes, Oscar, with all the talk about possible retirement, how will you keep that from distracting you in getting totally ready for this fight, because there is a certain amount of sentimentality that goes along with that?

Oscar de la Hoya: Yes, exactly. Well, it's going to be very difficult. I know, but once we're in the gym, once we're letting punches fly and once we're sparring and once I start feeling great with my speed and my power and when I'm with Mayweather and things are going great, you forget about all that. You start thinking about, hey, I can fight 10 more times. So it's going to be the focus. The focus is going to be training, fighting and winning, and then we'll take it from there.

Jim Hill: Oscar, there's all kinds of saying that goes with boxing about one of them is about going to the well one too many times. Are you at all concerned about that?

Oscar de la Hoya: Oh, absolutely. My wife and I talked about it this morning. A lot of fighters tend not to retire because there is another big payday along the way. The great thing about me is I know that I can still do this. I know that my reflexes are still there. I know that my speed and my power is still there, but I also realize that it's towards the end of the career. So that's why I made the preparations in order to make it an easy transition from fighting to retiring.

So it's just I'm going to focus on the training and the fighting and, like I said, we'll take it from there.

Rafael Ramos (La Opinion) (Speaking in Spanish)

Oscar de la Hoya: (Speaking in Spanish) Translation: He asked me if this fight will in Mexico take me, or around the world take me to be compared in the likes of the Chavez's and the Salvador Sanchez's coming from Mexico? I said no. Chavez and Salvador Sanchez, (Roveno Vivarez), they will always be great legends in Mexico. And it's nice that they can mention my name next to theirs, but I will never compare Chavez and these other great fighters from Mexico will always be the greatest legends to ever come out of Mexico.

And I also had the opportunity to invite all the great legends, living legends from Mexico, to come to the fight. So they will all be at ringside, cheering me on for this fight.

Lee Samuels: Bob and Richard, we got some news come in from MGM Mirage and Sports Book and they've opened this very, very tight, Oscar is an eight to five favorite.

Bob Arum: Wait until the Filipino money comes in.

Richard Schaefer: Well, I think that says it all and I think that's a great way to actually end this conference call. It will be an amazing showdown and we are looking forward to see you all in the press tour, and of course then on December 6th at the MGM. Thank you so much.

Bob Arum: Thank you all again. Go to sleep, Manny (who participated on the call at 2:30am Philippines time).

First Eagles cuts in; Moats gone

Philadelphia, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - Running back Ryan Moats was one of eight players released by the Philadelphia Eagles Friday.

A third-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2005, Moats enjoyed his greatest success as a rookie when he tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with three and was second in rushing yards with 278 in just seven games.

Last season, Moats suffered a season-ending ankle injury that forced him to spend the year injured reserve.

The Eagles also released wide receivers Bam Childress and Jamal Jones, cornerbacks Therrian Fontenot and Nick Graham, safety Marcus Paschal, guard Stefan Rodgers and linebacker Pago Togafau.

With the moves, the Eagles roster now stands at 67. All NFL teams must reach the roster limit of 53 by 6 p.m. (et) Saturday.

DE LA HOYA VS. PACQUIAO SET FOR DECEMBER 6 IN LAS VEGAS

-Courtesy of Golden Boy Promotions

LOS ANGELES (August 28) - The wait is over and the fight is on. . .Olympic gold medalist and 10-time world champion "The Golden Boy" OSCAR DE LA HOYA will face current Ring Magazine No. 1-ranked pound for pound champion MANNY "Pacman" PACQUIAO on Saturday, December 6 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in a bout that will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View.

Presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank, Inc., the bout will be a 12-round, non-title fight contested at the 147-pound welterweight limit. This exciting and intriguing match-up pits two of the most recognizable and popular talents in the sport today in what will surely be the grand finale of the 2008 boxing calendar year.

"Manny Pacquiao is considered the best fighter in boxing today and I always want to fight the best," said De La Hoya. "I am glad we were able to make this fight happen because while Pacquiao is at the pinnacle of his success and has defeated all of the top fighters he has faced, I am going to show the world that it stops with me. December 6 can't get here soon enough."

"This is my greatest challenge," said Pacquiao. "When I take that walk to the ring to fight Oscar, I will carry all the people of The Philippines - the entire country - on my shoulders. I promise I will fight with all of my heart and that I will give everything I have. Like my trainer Freddie Roach says, I have what it takes to win the biggest fight of my life."

After several weeks of amicable discussions between De La Hoya's company, Golden Boy Promotions, and Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank, Inc., a deal was struck this week ensuring fans around the world the opportunity to see this dream match-up.

Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer, Golden Boy Promotions said, "This fight will have the whole world talking and will be a fantastic night for boxing. Oscar's career has always been defined by taking on the biggest challenges and fighting best names in boxing. This fight against a great champion like Manny Pacquiao is just another testament to his readiness to face the strongest competition and continue his legacy as one of the greatest fighters boxing has ever seen."

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, Chairman of the Board, Top Rank added, "This fight is what all sports fans are looking forward to, a contest between two champions who come to fight and who are the most popular names in boxing today. Manny Pacquiao is taking on a major task in facing the legendary Oscar de la Hoya, but we at Top Rank are very confident Manny will handle himself extremely well."

Richard Sturm, President of Sports and Entertainment, MGM MIRAGE said, "MGM MIRAGE has hosted the greatest names in sports and entertainment and this event will certainly continue that tradition. We look forward to presenting one of the most exciting promotions in the history of boxing and there is no question this fight will have a major impact on fans worldwide."
Mark Taffet, HBO Pay-Per-View said, "De La Hoya-Pacquiao is a dream match-up which will capture the imagination of sports fans everywhere. It's the pay-per-view king vs. the pound-for-pound king and an event in which both fighters' popularity clearly transcends the sport."

Oscar de la Hoya has been a fan favorite and the most successful pay-per-view attraction in the history of the boxing. A 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist for the United States, de la Hoya (39-5, 30 KOs) is a champion in every division he has competed in from 130 to 160 pounds and has faced boxing's elite for over 15 years, including Floyd Mayweather, Julio Cesar Chavez, Bernard Hopkins, Shane Mosley, Felix Trinidad, Pernell Whitaker, Ike Quartey, Fernando Vargas, Arturo Gatti, Genaro Hernandez, Jesse James Leija and Hector Camacho Sr. In his fight against Mayweather on May 5, 2007, he fell short via a close split decision, but set records with the fight having the most pay-per-view buys and grossing the most revenue in the history of boxing. In his last fight against Steve Forbes on May 3, 2008 De La Hoya registered a dominating unanimous decision victory, winning nearly every round of the fight which took place in suburban Los Angeles at the outdoor Home Depot Center soccer stadium, another first for boxing's star attraction.

Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) is recognized by most knowledgeable observers as the best fighter at any weight in the world today. Pacquiao, 29, has held world titles in four weight divisions, winning the WBC flyweight world title two weeks before his 20th birthday in December of 1998, the IBF junior featherweight world title at age 22 in 2001, the WBC super featherweight world title in March of this year and most recently the WBC lightweight world title in his last fight on June 28 against defending champion David Diaz.

Penn State Football Story debuts this weekend

-Courtesy of Penn State University

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., August 29, 2008 - The Emmy Award winning program, The Penn State Football Story, will debut this weekend on outlets throughout the nation as the Nittany Lions open the 2008 campaign.

The Penn State Football Story has captured "Outstanding Sports Series" honors at the Mid-Atlantic Region Emmy Awards several times in the past decade. Critically acclaimed, The Penn State Football Story captures the closeness between players, coaches and staff that is vital in Penn State maintaining its position as one of the nation's premier football programs.

Every program this season will feature a profile on at least one member of the squad. The Penn State Football Story traveled to players’ hometowns and interviewed family, friends and coaches to provide viewers more insight into some of their favorite players.

The program airs every week during the Nittany Lions' football season throughout Pennsylvania and regional sports cable networks and channels throughout the nation.

Among the Pennsylvania outlets carrying The Penn State Football Story are: WTAJ-TV, Ch. 10 (State College, Altoona, Johnstown); WPSU-TV, Ch. 3 (State College/Central Pa.); WHP-TV, Ch. 21 (Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Reading); WNEP-TV, Ch. 16 (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre); WFMZ-TV, Ch. 69 (Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton); WFXP-TV, Ch. 66 (Erie); FSN Pittsburgh and CSN-Philadelphia (Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware).

The Big Ten Network, YES (New York) and MASN (Baltimore-Washington, D.C.), are among the other networks carrying the program across the nation.

Phils add Stairs

Pat Gillick has finished shopping in the Walmart clearance aisle and, according to FOXSports' Ken Rosenthal, picked up veteran Matt Stairs from the Toronto Blue Jays Friday for a minor league
player to be named later.

Stairs was designated for assignment by the Jays following Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 40-year-old Stairs, who inked a two-year contract extension worth $3.25 million last November, batted .250 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 105 games this season for Toronto. He is scheduled to make $1 million in 2009.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Hugh Douglas joining FOX29

Former Eagle and current WIP personality Hugh Douglas will join Bill Vargus and Joe Staszak for football season on Fox29.


Live Eagles blog from the Linc

Philadelphia, PA (The Phanatic Magazine) - It's all about the roster battles tonight at the Linc as the Eagles welcome the New York Bretts...err Jets to town.

Since Lord Favre and DMac are sitting safely on the bench, the most interesting thing to keep an eye on are the battles at defensive end and fullback.

Former first round pick Jerome McDougle has gone from afterthought to the team's best defensive end in the preseason but his history of injuries have kept him firmly on the bubble. Not to mention the Birds invested $4 million on the overrated Chris Clemons and a third-round draft choice on the raw Bryan Smith.

At fullback, another third-round pick Tony Hunt, tries to save his Eagles career by showing something at fullback. Hunt just doesn't have the speed to mean anything at running back and is, by his own admission, uncomfortable at fullback. Jason Davis is the better option but the Eagles may not want to admit a mistake by jettisoning Hunt. Meanwhile, Thomas Tapeh, is probably already making his reservations for Hawaii as Adrian Peterson's caddy in Minneapolis.

On the offensive line rookie Mike McGlynn, a fourth-round pick, has shown little to this point and remains behind Max Jean-Gilles as well as the unheralded Scott Young. Another bad outing may have McGlynn earmarked for the practice squad.

6:35 - The Jets won the toss and will receive...Hello Kellen Clemens.

6:38 - McDougle knocks down Clemens' second pass...

6:39 - Jets kick away from Quintin Demps and Kevin Kolb is up...

6:44 - Kolb just misses a TD down the left sideline to Michael Gasperson...Birds settle for 40-yard Davis Akers field goal. Brent Celek looked good as an outlet receiver but a screen to Lorenzo Booker looked ugly...

6:47 - Hunt with a special teams tackle...that can't hurt...

6:48 - Clemens already out...Brett in for the Jets...Ratliff that is...

6:49 - How does Jesse Chatman stay in the NFL? By the way, a shout out to former Phanatic staffer Grey Wiley, former Philadelphia Soul receiver Larry Brackins is on the Jets...

6:51 - McDougle and Smith share a sack of Ratliff...Also want to take time out to congratulate The Phanatic's own Steve Lienert who is now a member of PhiladelphiaEagles.com...

6:53 - Meanwhile tune into The Phanatic's John McMullen, who will be on Team990.com talking NFL this Sunday...'Johns on Sports' with McMullen and John Gottlieb is also back Saturday on WTBQ.com...

6:57 - Who needs DMac? Kolb to Baskett 25 yards down to the Jets' three...

6:59 - A play later, Booker takes it in...Eagles 10, Bretts 0

7:02 - Ratliff out, Clemens back in...Mangini is a genius...He's "Mangenius"...Brett Favre or not, the Jets are in for a long year with that guy at the helm. I realize Andy Reid is arrogant and flat out annoying at times but compared to most coaches in this league...He's Don Shula.

7:05 - Jets finally convert a third down and it's Chatman that does it...In case you are wondering New York's real running backs are Thomas Jones and Leon Washington...

7:10 - Joe Mays looks like a worldbeater beating up on Chatman...

INJURY UPDATE - Booker has a hip pointer but is expected to return...Why? Can't Buck and Hunt handle the load?

7:11 - End of the first quarter...Gratuitous plug time...check out a new Lienert podcast by clicking the link on the right side of the page...

7:13 - Nice reverse by Jets' Paul Raymond gains 21 yards to the Eagles' 19...followed by incompletion to Brackins...

7:17 - Too much Chatman on that drive leads to 22-yard Mike Nugent field goal -- Eagles 10, Jets 3

7:18 - That was a 17-play drive by the way, just when I compliment Mays, he tanks it....almost like a "Dr. Z" curse...By the way, who did Zimmerman pick to make the Super Bowl?...Uh, oh...

7:20 - Demps gets outside for a 51-yard return...

FIRST QUARTER NUMBERS - Kolb 7-of-10 for 77 yards, Celek three receptions for 29 yards; Mays five tackles and Smith four tackles and one-half sack...

7:23 - Eagles hyped up Booker way too much. No question he has athleticism but he runs with no power...

7:26 - Kolb almost got Matt Schobel killed over the middle but came back and hit Bam Childress for a first down at the Jets' 10...

7:27 - Swing pass to Booker and he shows the athleticism I was talking about...Translation good in space, bad from the backfield...Jean-Gilles ruined the play, however, with a personal foul...

7:28 - Short arm by Schobel...that's what happens when you are almost killed....A Kris Wilson sighting!

7:29 - Birds settle for an Akers field goal - 29 yards -- Birds 13, Jets 3...Credit that to Demps...

7:33 - Chink in the Eagles' special teams armor...Jets return to 40...

7:36 - Rocky Boiman just sniffed out a screen...Screen to the other side worked against rookie Justin Roland, however...That's the difference with experience...I realize Boiman hasn't showed much in the preseason but he better make this team...

7:40 - Joselio Hanson just looked like Izel Jenkins on a slant and McDougle whiffed on a sack opportunity leading to an 11-yard Ratliff to Raymond TD, Eagles 13, Jets 10...

INJURY UPDATE - Dan Klecko has a wrist injury and was taken for X-Rays...Real scoreboard is Eagles 2 injuries, Jets 0

7:44 - Two-minute warning means plug time...You can get Jared Trexler's new book on Penn State football by clicking the link on the right side...

7:46 - Gasperson just made a nice catch but even with Kevin Curts' injury, he's got no shot...

7:47 - Kolb plays Donovan McNabb for a play, throwing a grounder to Booker...

7:48 - Holding - Winston Justice -- can you say bust?

7:50 - All in all, a solid first half for Kolb but he looked shaky in the two-minute drill. Still not sure if he would be a better option than A.J. Feeley for a one-shot start...

7:51 - This is the Jesse Chatman show for the NY Jets...someone shoot me...

7:52 - Rookie Mike Marquardt sacks Jets' fourth stringer Erik Ainge...That's worth the price of admission...

7:56 - 12 men on the field give the Jets new life at midfield but Ainge missed a wide open Dustin Keller...

7:58 - "Mangenius" wants a time out to set up the Hail Mary with three seconds left...Can you say Tony La Russa...Jets come out of timeout with a incomplete slip screen instead...Wow, what coaching...

HALFTIME

Defensive end update: The Eagles aren't playing Darren Howard which means he is regarded as too valuable and Clemens was an injury scratch. Both McDougle and Smith played very well in the first half. If you go on merit, Joe Banner and Company are going to have to eat $4 million. But, that's unlikely to happen. You might have to get used to seeing McDougle about 90 minutes up the Jersey Turnpike...

8:12 - Second half underway with A.J. at the helm but Eagles go three-and-out...

8:15 - Now Chatman is returning punts, Mangini must be pissed at everyone today

HALFTIME NUMBERS - Kolb 13-of-21 for 138 yards; Booker 6 rushes for 22 yds and 2 receptions for 20 yds; Mays 10 tackles; Meanwhile, Chatman had 19 touches for the Jets!

8:18 - Sadly, Chatman is wearing the Birds' defense down...Mangini finally calls off the dogs for a few plays and goes to Jehuu Caulcrick at running back...Chatman is the Jim Brown of the preseason if Jim Brown averaged 3.0 yards a carry...

8:22 - Mays just missed an Int.; instead it was a six-yard Ainge to David Ball TD...Jets have their first lead 17-13

8:26 - The Eagles have found a few players in the preseason and that's what this is all about. Obviously, DeSean Jackson can play and it's pretty evident Mays and Demps belong at this level. For all the crap, Reid and Tom Heckert get from WIP and 950, they did a nice job with the draft this year. Speaking of ESPN 950, tune in to hear former Phanatics Tim McManus and Tom Byrne.

8:29 - I'm a little surprised Booker is still on the field in the second half. I guess he needs the reps but he already got banged up in the first half so why not let someone else who is not in your plans finish things?

8:31 - Finally a Jason Davis sighting...I guess that bodes well for Hunt but I am not sure Tony Hunt playing fullback makes the Eagles a better team...

8:32 - Booker has turned into Chatman in the third quarter...Let's hope he's not injured...

8:33 - Perfect Feeley pass down the seam but Childress got Bam'd and couldn't hold on...

8:35 - Feeley running toward the sideline and forces one that Abram Elam picks off...If A.J. could accept his limitations and become a game manager, he could be an NFL starting quarterback. Instead, he's a third-stringer known for outkicking his coverage and dating Heather Mills for all those years...

8:37 - Stop me if you heard this but Jesse Chatman carries for the Jets. Clearly Mangini has no regard for the health or well-being of Mr. Chatman. Bum Phillips used Earl Campbell less. I wonder what the record for touches in a preseason game is...

8:40 - Hey, Trevor Laws with a tackle! There are a lot of things to be excited about with the Eagles. Defensive tackle depth is not one of them. Laws had not impressed. Klecko had bounced from fullback to DT and is now hurt, while Marquardt is far from ready...Thank the football gods Howard can slip inside...Doea anyone have Kimo von Oelhofen's cell number?

END OF THIRD QUARTER

8:43 - Illegal contact on Demps nullifies a Therrian Fontenot pick...

8:46 - Some Kolb in-game quotes for you:

On how important it was for him to start tonight:

“It was huge. It was my first start. Although it’s just the preseason, and the starters weren’t out there with me, it’s still big for me. It breaks me in slowly to hopefully what I am going to be one day.”

On where he is now compared to last year:

“It’s tenfold. Just the comfort level. The group we have out there right now, I really like. I don’t know if it’s the twos or what it is, but it seemed like everyone we had in there had great continuity. Everyone works hard and that’s all you can ask out of those guys.”

On whether he is ready to play if he gets the call:

“I think [there is] no doubt that I’m ready to go. I think I have progressed every game throughout the preseason. That was my goal. If I can continue to do that, then hopefully I’ll have a great career here.”

On how important the preseason games are to his progression:

“They are huge, because you never know what the regular season is going to be like. The biggest thing now is to not regress. I’ve gotten progressively better, I just can’t regress when I’m sitting on the sidelines. I have to make sure I get plenty of reps in practice and keep my part.”

On his confidence level going into this season:

“I feel very confident; definitely as confident as I have ever been here in Philadelphia. The offense is coming smoothly, things are coming great, and the coaches are doing a great job playcalling for me so far, too.”

8:49 - For those of you who think Chris Jackson can play in the NFL, understand Larry Brackins, who is a pretty darn good AFL receiver, can't get open against third-string NFL corners...A Nugent 34-yard field goal puts Jets up, 20-13...

THIRD QUARTER NUMBERS: Feeley was 4-for-8 for 39 yards and the pick; The Chatman touch count is now up to 26.

8:53 - Beautiful touch pass by Feeley to Gasperson goes for 54 yards down to the Jets' six...

8:55 - Feeley to Childress, three-yard score...Jets' Matt Chatham also called for roughing Feeley with a blow to the head...20 all...Nothing like preseason OT...

9:03 - Birds' D forces a three-and-out but Demps flubs a monster 60-yard Ben Graham punt and Jets recover at the Eagles' 17. Demps is still a rookie and you will have to live with that kind of thing...You know what's coming...That wouldn't have happened with Reno Mahe back there...

9:06 - Klecko's back and made on a tackle on guess who...Chatman...

9:07 - Chatman two-yard TD run...Can you play preseason fantasy football?...If you can, Jesse Chatman becomes LaDainian Tomlinson...

9:13 - Jean-Gilles is down and being attended to by trainers...Had to be helped off the field with an apparent left leg injury...

9:18 - Another A.J. pick by Hank Poteat with about 2 1/2 minutes left should do it...

9:20 - Wait just a minute, Big Red is playing to win and using his timeouts. Another sack by Smith has the Jets looking at third-and-a-mile...

9:21 - Klecko gets in on the sack party and Feeley will get a chance to record his third int...

9:22 - Jean-Gilles has a left knee injury and it may be serious...

9:28 - 4th-and-2...Here's the ballgame...Feeley converts with a run up the middle...

9:29 - Booker drops one in the flat...Don't get too excited by him Eagles fans...

9:30 - Less than a minute to go...Feeley is dinking-and-dunking...He finally goes downfield and overthrows Shaheer McBride badly...

9:31 - 4th-and-10 with 37 seconds left...This game won't die...La Russa...I mean Mangini calls timeout...That bodes well for the Eagles...

9:32 - Incomplete to Gasperson. The game and the preseason are mercifully over...

The Big winners today were Kolb, Mays and Smith. Demps would have been in that category as well but the botched punt cost the Eagles the game. McDougal also played well, while the injury to Jean-Gilles may have put McGlynn back in the hunt.

BY THE NUMBERS: Smith ended with 11 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks, while Mays played Patrick Willis and had 12 tackles. Gasperson finished with three catches for 80 yards and Feeley finished 13-of-25 for 143 yards with a TD and two picks.

10:03 - The Eagles are calling Jean-Gilles' injury a knee sprain and he will undergo an MRI Friday morning.