Rodeo bound

It wasn’t the blow out of the century, but the Eagles put on a display. Well, for one half at least.

The dominating two-quarter tactics that’s been the Birds’ signature, at least for 2009, was in full swing Sunday with the quick burst lead the Eagles pounced on top of the Broncos with last week.

Luckily, for us, I think a fast and prolific scoring offense will be the key to beating a cerebral quarterback like Tony Romo.

I would have liked a more handy romping put under Philadelphia’s belt going into the Dallas game that will surely set the tone for the playoffs, but I think the steady play and tenacity to keep themselves in the game will come in handy this week, as well.

Look for the Eagles to come out swinging and put the Cowboys on their heels within the first seven minutes of play. However, if the Birds can’t squirt one, or even two,  into the endzone within the first quarter, they are in for a rocky ride.

Making statements

I do not like this one bit.

Though we currently sit atop the NFC East standings with a flimsy one-game lead over Dallas, the Broncos (and Dawkins) come to town next week, while the Cowboys will be taking on the heartless (did you see MNF?!) Redskins.

Let’s just say coming off upsetting the Saints’ miraculous lossless season, the Cowboys should have no trouble with Washington.

As far as Philadelphia, this is a make it or break it game.

Though we have secured a wildcard ticket to the postseason and are still fighting for the Division title, I predict things will turn very hairy if we drop this game to Denver. That leaves the division at stake in the final regular season meeting, the Jan. 3 bout with Dallas.

If the Eagles want to establish themselves as a SuperBowl contender, they cannot drop this game to Denver. The last two games will set the tone going into the playoffs of what type of team we are and will establish how we are played by the rest of the league. Do we squeak by on a wildcard berth or do we announce that we are a sleeping giant about to claim our rightful destiny?

Snow blitz

Due to the inclement weather, the Eagles-49ers’ kickoff has been pushed from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. to give fans more time to travel there and crew to clean up.

Also, if you are attending the game, please bring an unwrapped toy or book to drive to give presents to underprivileged children.

In the bag

It’s official. Halladay wanted a winning team … and now here’s to help us move past the World Series doorstep and back onto the top of the podium.

It only cost us the best acquisition in the past decade.

Lee has been a solid, quiet, fail-safe beacon on our mound all year round. Just like that, he got shown the door with a quick kick on the way out.

I know, I know. It’s a part of baseball. It’s part of every sport. I don’t know how I end up so attached. Especially after just one year.

There was just something about Lee’s presence. His professional, calm, Moyer-like demeanor that I adored.

Well, I’ve heard this Halladay character is pretty good, so we’ll see how he stacks up.

Beg or barter

Talk about bringing right-hander Roy Halladay to Philadelphia — even after talks wrapped yesterday — is a hot topic around the blog-o-sphere.

Though the close to $16 million price tag the Blue Jays’ ace is looking to net, the need for pitching depth in Philadelphia is undeniable. We barely squeaked into the World Series this year, riding Lee’s worn and battered coattails the whole way.

With Hamels pretty much a non-factor at this point, the Phils know they need to make some changes, even if they won’t publicly admit it. However, speculation that J.A. Happ is the bartering chip is highly unnerving.

Ross Gload, a Marlins outfielder, is all the Phils inked during the Winter Meetings.

Tip top shape

Neck and neck with Dallas again.

The entrenched conference rivalry only gets hotter as we stand toe-to-toe with our Southern foes. Unfortunately, we are just an inch shorter since we lost to them in week 9. At home.

This week we get a chance to further climb the NFC East ladder as we head North to give the G-Men a romping similar to the one we dished out last time we faced Eli and his stupid plantar fasciitis.

Dallas has the honor of hosting the 9-3 Chargers in their spiffy new stadium, which hasn’t been the lucky charm Jerry Jones was hoping for.

Hello, top of the NFC East.

Though I predict the rest of the season — which has Dallas facing the untouchable New Orleans and the lackluster Red Skins, and us taking on a manageable San Fransisco squad and a formidable Broncos team — may very well come down to the last play of the Eagles/Cowboys 1 p.m. head-to-head Jan. 3.

Full court press

Looks like Allen is back in the saddle again and suiting up for a starting performance at his opener back in the City of Brotherly Love. That saddle, however, is fairly worn, winded and out of shape.

It’ll be the first time since we parted ways with the unruly Georgetown grad in 2006 that Iverson puts on a Sixers Jersey. It’ll be the first time, since Nov. 6, that Iverson puts on ANY jersey.

Since leaving Memphis, Iverson, by his own admittance, is out of shape. Actually, he hasn’t played at all.

The month-long hiatus from the court is really only a minor concern compared to the overall decline in Iverson’s play since leaving Philadelphia. It’s hard to believe the dominant guard left three years ago. It seems like we blinked and he’s back.

With standing-room only left for the debut, the boost in ticket sales was, as predicted, uplifting for the wayward team. Iverson boosting anything else remains to be seen.

Blast from the past

The newest buzz on the sports circuit is the embarassment the Sixers hope to bring to Philly with groveling at the underacheiving knees of Allen Iverson.

The man was a stud when he played here, and we let everything go when he put his foot in his mouth. Everything. Because he could keep us in the game and get us farther than if we had seven more benchwarmers playing.

But he’s no longer on that level, and, truth is, we let him go and kissed the drama goodbye right after him.

Pulling him back now does not promise even the hope of something that would outweigh the negative impact of such a move. A few extra ticket sales for his return debut is really worth having to bow our head in shame as the national sports media rips us apart and then having to watch the team further crumble as Iverson pretends he’s still what he used to be? I think not.

As of today, the Associated Press has reported the Sixers offered the failing Grizzly a one-year non-guaranteed contract after a meeting between the two parties yesterday.

Food for the Philadelphia soul

I had the pleasure of attending the Sixers game last night as they took on the Atlanta Falcons. Despite keeping it close, Bibby eventually undid any positive movement in our favor down the stretch and they fell, again, by more than 10.

The game itself, all things considered, was well-attended (we’re talking 70% capacity at most) and due to their struggling record, I was able to find my way into a $170-a-head club box for $14 (with a lot of help from some very kind workers). But even without the charitable hand, a group of 10 can get $60 a piece ticks for the boxes with a great view of the action, free food and a private bathroom and bar.

All told it may be worth it if the action on the court wasn’t so revolting. Not to mention it flew by in two hours flat and they ushered you out of there before you could even set your cup down.

However, I did find the secret to Philadelphia fans’ attitude problems: Free food. There was a bowl of Lays potato chips and I’ve never talked to friendlier people at a sporting event in Philly as around those taters.

Long December

The Eagles are one slip away from .500 and things are not looking up. After a promising opening, it’s been nothing but down hill for the Birds as 2009 has moved forward.

The injury bug has bitten this year’s team again, though it’s unlikely the absence of Westbrook or Curtis is really the Eagles downfall. There is no spark, none of the promising imagination originally present when Vick joined the team.

Where has the magic gone, the promise of a future fading …

We need more than a healthy line-up to turn this thing around.