Rob Q. Ink - A Philly Sports Blog

To be honest, the emotion of the Phillies winning their third straight National League East championship isn’t as much excitement as it is a reserved sense of joy. Now that they’ve won a World Series, that can really be the only goal. But a few thoughts come to mind. No one in this city would have ever thought Charlie Manuel would go down as one of the best managers in team history just a few years ago, but regardless of what happens in October it’s pretty much undeniable now. Manuel earned some of the criticism he received, but I can’t help but think of guys that ripped him simply for his accent. Yet, he’s shown a ton of class in victory, and did so again tonight giving Brad Lidge the final out to win the division. Already, hearing Harry Kalas’ call of last year’s World Series victory replayed is sending chills up and down many a Phillies fan. Seeing the players pay tribute to the legendary announcer by tapping the HK sign honoring him in the outfield will only endear this team to the

Too distracted to blog much in the last week, I deprived the blogosphere of my thoughts on the hot sports issues and my picks of the week. I could pull a Brandon Lang and write about going 8-2 over the weekend, but based on passed performance even I’d think people were stupid for believing that. However, since I was far more successful keeping my picks to myself, I may just tank the whole idea of publishing picks. But my sports commentary persists. Here’s a little rapid fire catching up: • Like it or not, Kevin Kolb runs Andy Reid’s offense better than Donovan McNabb. Devotees of McNabb can whine all they want, but what they should really do is actually pay attention. McNabb was never suited for this offense. No doubt Kolb’s numbers were inflated by Kansas City’s putrid defense and a prevent “D” in a blowout loss to New Orleans. But the media members reaching back more than a decade to reference Bobby Hoying need to get a grip. Bottom line, this team can make one more Super Bowl “run”

I don’t consider myself an expert at finding information on the internet, but I certainly think I’m more than proficient at it. Yet, it took reading a recap of Ashley Fox’s in-game blog in the Inquirer to find Kevin Kolb’s first half statistics. He was 14 of 22 in passing attempts for 196 yards in the first half when the game was still undecided. This was the guy’s first start in the NFL against a team most expect to make the playoffs. Ok, he didn’t have any touchdowns, and threw one critical interception early in the second half when the game’s outcome was still in doubt. Yet, I’ve already had the “knowledgeable” Philadelphia Eagles fans ask me what game I was watching because I’m not going on and on about how Kolb “sucks.” Why isn’t Kolb getting more attention for his first half performance? (By the way, he ended up throwing for 391 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions, so I’m not ignoring the second half. I just think it was extended garbage time.) Without a doubt the Eagles

It’s only Week #2 and the Philadelphia Eagles were forced to bring in Jeff Garcia and release Hank Baskett because once again Andy Reid has demonstrated his total inability to prepare for a season. For a guy that was hired because of his attention to detail, Reid constantly demonstrates that he’s incapable of adjusting when his plans fail. How the hell do you go into a season without a backup quarterback on your roster in the event that your injury-prone starting quarterback is injured Week #1? It’s not like Donovan McNabb is known for his durability. This is 10 times worse than getting caught without a punt returner a few years ago. The only difference is that the oversight didn’t directly cost the Eagles a game . . . yet. The fact that they brought Garcia back is almost laughable, not because of Garcia’s talent but it’s almost like the organization is inviting a controversy. They jettisoned this guy a few years ago after he revived an Eagles season after McNabb went down because McNa

The Eagles shocked plenty of people, including me, by coming out in their season opener and spanking the Carolina Panthers. Less shocking is the fact that Donovan McNabb went down with an injury that could sideline him for several weeks. Despite the 38-10 score, there really wasn’t a whole lot to get excited about with the Eagles, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The fact is that the Eagles sustained only one scoring drive, with all of their other points being scored or set-up by the defense and special teams. In fact, two of their three offensive touchdowns and a field goal, which could easily be seen as a failed offensive drive, were scored after the defense got a turnover and delivered the ball to the offense inside Carolina’s 35 yard line. Before he was injured McNabb only threw for 79 yards, which did include 2 TDs but also an interception. And once again, fair or not, the question of whether McNabb can stay healthy for any length of time is a real issue. Kevin Kolb’s

It’s been a struggle to get back into a blogging mood while dealing with a computer I should have replaced years ago and attempting to decide what I want to do now that I’m done with my previous contract as a writer for a non-profit. But there’s nothing like a football Friday to kick things into gear. Everybody has predictions this time of year that will be worthless before the first ACL of a superstar player on their Super Bowl pick snaps. Mine will likely be no different, but since we live in a world where doing something because everybody else is doing it has become a perfectly logical reason, I’ll offer my own predictions. Just to be a little, and I do mean a little, different, I’ll pick the San Diego Chargers to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. I’d like to claim that this is based on in-depth analysis, but it’s not. I just think the Chargers have a pretty easy schedule, which will keep them fresher than New England for the AFC Championship and give them the home field.

Maybe you thought the football season had officially begun now that the Mayor’s Cup has been won. Ok, maybe not. But Boise State already won a game that was critical to their chances for a BCS Bowl, so it really must be football season. We even have a 70+ point spread on one college game this weekend. Of course what really gets football kicked-off in Philadelphia is an Eagles team controversy. Sure, there’s already been plenty of controversy around the Eagles, but this year we actually have a date for the real controversy to begin. Granted, the controversy over how Donovan McNabb will handle the presence of Michael Vick has already begun. But now that Roger Goodell has decreed that Vick can play by Week 3, which should be considered a bonus by the Eagles as many expected a longer suspension stemming from Vick’s involvement in dog fighting, I’m guessing we actually have a date for the full-fledged beginning of the annual controversy that dominates the season. With the absurdity of the N