Bleacher Report - Articles by Jay Havis

Top 10 Reasons Why I Love the Eagles of the '90s!!!

Jay Havis — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:28:34 -0400

A lot of people ask me, "Why are you an Eagles fan? Don't you live in New York?" I always respond with five words: "Randall Cunningham and Jerome Brown." I have always said that the Philadelphia Eagles had the "hearts of champions," but it wasn't until I actually started paying attention to Eagles football, that I realized that they were so much more than that.

I watched as Randall Cunningham made people miss and flick a football sixty yards like it was nothing, I became amazed when I watched Andre Waters (R.I.P.) almost single-handedly destroy opposing offenses with the help of the "Gang Green" defense, all at the behest of the original "mad scientist," Buddy Ryan. The Eagles, although they never won a Super Bowl in this era, were consistently in the top of the league in terms of offense and defense. They were always a force to be reckoned with. The Eagles are the team that continues to define football for me. The tenacity, swagger, blue collar work ethic, and heart of this team, is what will always define football for me. Just in case you didn't know, here are my top ten Eagles of all time:

(Let's see where we match up.)

1. Jaws

2. "Concrete Charlie"

3. Randall Cunningham ("the original human highlight reel")—watch "Monday Night Football" to understand.

4. The Gang Green Defense

5. Brian Dawkins

6. Brian Westbrook

7. Herschel Walker

8. Donovan McNabb

9. Ike Reese

10. Tra Thomas

Philadelphia Eagles' Weapons Are All Present and Accounted For

Jay Havis — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:04:38 -0400

OK, lets take a look at what the Philadelphia Eagles' needs were for the upcoming season:

Offensive Line

Replace or re-sign Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan, both of whom are Philly fan faves and have been bookend tackles for the Eagles for God knows how long. Well, the FO finally got this right by signing Shawn Andrews' older brother, Stacey, from the Bengals and acquiring Jason Peters from the cash-strapped Buffalo Bills for a 2009 draft pick. That's two Pro-Bowl-caliber tackles in one off-season!

Offensive Backfield

Get a fullback. Who's going to replace "Buck?" Well, after months of speculation, the Eagles came to a deal with Leonard Weaver, the combo fullback out of Seattle. Hopefully he will give the Eagles some much-needed short-yardage help and an added dimension out of the backfield. The Eagles addressed the need for another HB by selecting LeSean "Shady" McCoy in the second round. This gives the Eagles a possible successor to Brian Westbrook, and if all goes as they plan, he may even spell Westbrook this season.

Wide Receiver

Probably the most contentious position on this list. The Eagles addressed this need by trading up with the Browns to select Jeremy Maclin out of the University of Missouri. The Eagles hope that he, Hank Baskett, Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and Brent Celek will open up things!

Tight End

With the departure of L.J. Smith, the Eagles decided they believe in Brent Celek as a starter. However, they brought in Cornelius Ingram from the University of Florida. Ingram may be a draft-day steal. Had he not torn his ACL he could have been a first-round pick.

Defensive Backfield

The FO tried to sign Brian Dawkins, but the Broncos gave him an INCREDIBLE deal to come to Denver. The Eagles opted to allow him to leave, hoping the young guys could step up and lead. Then they go out and sign Sean Jones, who can play in the "box," is a natural hitter, and is a deceptive ball hawk. They also signed Rashad Baker, who had a decent year with the Raiders. I believe the Eagles are going to give both the opportunity to compete with Demps for the starting job on the No. 3 defense in the NFL. The FO once again set itself up pretty nicely on the corner by trading Lito Sheppard to the Jets and bringing in Ellis Hobbs from New England.

So, what does all this mean?

That the Eagles have taken care of all their glaring needs.

They not only have made their team better, they have made the franchise younger for Donovan McNabb! They have given the offense a much-needed jolt (see Maclin) and the defense an infusion of talent and energy (see Jones and Hobbs).

I see the Eagles winning a minimum of 12 games this season, barring a major injury. The flexibility of the offense and the defense's attacking style will contribute to some very lopsided games.

The Eagles play in the NFC East and these games are civil wars. But they have a realistic chance of winning a high number of games this season.

Eagles Finally Get the Message...It's about Time!

Jay Havis — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:59:15 -0400

As a loyal Eagles fan, I must admit that draft day always brings questions that I never seem to get the answers to—namely, " How are we going to improve our team and get back to the Super Bowl?" and "How are Andy and the FO going to mess it up?"

Well, Eagles fan, they finally got it right!

I know we lost the "heartbeat" of the defense in Dawk, but we have very capable players and even with the aging "Mad Scientist" Jim Johnson, we will be just as tough this year as we were last year (No. 3 total D, for all the haters).

So, with that being said," How did they get it right?"

For starters, the Eagles chose not to mortgage their future and go after the "big WR" that so many say we needed.

Instead, they chose to get an electric, young WR, who's 6'1", named Jeremy Maclin and decided to get "Shady" (LOL), which basically provides No.5 with more weapons for the future instead of going after a talented yet attention-starved receiver in Anquan Boldin.

The guys in the corner office finally seem to get that in order to make things happen you have to make your quarterback happy—like Tom Brady and Randy Moss.

The Eagles didn't make any earth-shattering moves, but they did make an impact on their future, as a whole, and on the franchise.

They get a RT, LT, and a veteran CB, to circumvent the situation with Sheldon Brown, and bring in the duo of young S, who along with "Macho" Harris, will provide an interesting battle in Training Camp!

So, what's next for the Eagles?

Who knows. But one thing that we do know is that the FO and Andy finally listened to the "voice of the people!"

Now, only if they can find a way to trade Kolb for a rejuvenated Michael Vick, the Iggles will finally have their piece of the cheesesteak!

"Fly, Eagles, Fly!"

Where Is Your Team Going ?

Jay Havis — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 20:36:00 -0400

Ok, so we are only a few days away from the NFL Amateur Draft. You've watched your team on the NFL Network, criticized their EVERY move, and have even cursed out your front offices for not making the appropriate changes or not even making changes at all! ( I read the message boards, people).

So, I've compiled a few teams that I simply ask, "Where do you go now?"

1. St. Louis Rams - So, you've released your greatest wide receiver and perennial Pro Bowl offensive tackle in Torry Holt and Orlando Pace, respectively. You've still got a porous "D", a mediocore offensed, and a monster at RB named Stephen Jackson aka "Predator," so you will be OK, right?

Where do you go now: Do you go with an offensive Lineman to replace Pace, so that Bulger doesn't get killed or do you try and find a new weapon to team with "Predator"? Let me know St. Louis fans!

2. Cincinnati Bengals - You let your best receiver go to Seattle? Yes, SEATTLE...TJ was your best option, regardless of the fact that Carson Palmer was ineffective and hurt most of last season. Then you let your Pro Bowl tackle leave for Philly (Yes!, sorry) and now Chad Ocho is half way out the door...something isn't sitting right in the 'Nati!

Is Marvin on the hot seat? Where do the Bengals go? Do they replace TJ, package Chad for a few picks and a Boldin perhaps or continue to rebuild their struggling defense??

3. Buffalo Bills - Ummm...T.O.? The poster child for NFL dysfunction is now a resident (for at least a year) of Orchard Park. Let's just hope that the offense can deal with constant attention that T.O. is going to command in the lockerroom, the meetings, and hopefully can deal with the constant circus that is around Mr. Owens (check his resume, folks!)

Where will the Bills go? They dealt a potential headache to the Eagles for the 28th pick and a few others in the coming years, but what do they really need? Do they go after a RB to offset Marshawn Lynch's looming suspension, or do they try and continue attacking in Free Agency or go after a TE??

4. Cleveland Browns - So, you give away your outspoken TE to the Bucs for a few picks and a clean slate. Then you decide to bring in Eric "I snitched" Mangini to try and restore the Dawg Pounds luster! And there are rumors that Braylon wants out!

What are you going to do CLEVELAND? Contrary to popular belief and commercials, LeBron is not playing for YOU!!

Where do you go? Do you replace Winslow or do you keep working on that defense and make moves in the Free Agent market?

Thoughts? Recommendations? I want to hear it all...Let me know!

ElHafiz's War Room Chatter...Where Do We Go Now?

Jay Havis — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:50:38 -0400

Ok, so we are only a few days away from the NFL Amateur Draft...You've watched your team on the NFL Network, criticized their EVERY move and have even cursed out your Front Offices for not making the appropriate changes or not even making changes at all! (I read the message boards, people.)

So, I've compiled a few teams that I simply ask, "Where do you go now?"

1. St. Louis Rams- So, what you've released your greatest WR and perennial Pro Bowl T in Torry Holt and Orlando Pace, respectively. You've still got a porous "D", a mediocre offense and and a monster at RB named Stephen Jackson aka "Predator", so you will be OK, right?

Where do you go now: Do you go with an offensive Lineman to replace Pace, so that Bulger doesn't get killed or do you try and find a new weapon to team with "Predator"? Let me know St. Louis fans!

2. Cincinnati Bengals- You let your best receiver go to Seattle ? Yes, SEATTLE...TJ was your best option, regardless of the fact that Carson Palmer was ineffective and hurt most of last season, then you let your Pro Bowl T leave for Philly ( Yes!, sorry) and now Chad Ocho is half way out the door....something isn't sitting right in the 'Nati!

Is Marvin on the Hot Seat? Where do the Bengals go? Do they replace TJ, package Chad for a few picks and a Boldin perhaps or continue to rebuild their struggling defense??

3. Buffalo Bills- Ummm...T.O.? The poster child for NFL dysfunction is now a resident (for at least a year) of Orchard Park...let's just hope that the offense can deal with constant attention that T.O. is going to command in the lockerroom, the meetings, and hopefully can deal with the constant circus that is around Mr. Owens (check his resume, folks!) Where will the Bills go?

They dealt a potential headache to the Eagles for the 28th pick and a few others in the coming years, but what do they really need? Do they go after a RB (to offset Marshawn Lynch's looming suspension) or do they try and continue attacking in Free Agency or go after a TE??

4. Cleveland Browns- So, you give away your outspoken TE to the Bucs for a few picks and a clean slate. Then you decide to bring in Eric "I snitched" Mangini to try and restore the Dawg Pounds luster! AND there are rumors that Braylon wants OUT!!

What are you going to do CLEVELAND? Contrary to popular belief and commercials: LeBron is not playing for YOU!! Where do you go? Do you replace Winslow or do you keep working on that defense and make moves in the Free Agent market?

Thoughts? Recommendations? I want to hear it all...Let me know!

NFL 2009: Top 10 Sleeper Teams

Jay Havis — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:37:51 -0400

These are just my thoughts on whom I think will be the sleeper teams for the upcoming 2009 NFL Season. Am I off ? What do you think? I want to hear what you guys are thinking? Tell me who should be on the list. Who should be off the list? Am I pipe dreaming or am I right on target? Let me know. should the Ravens be on the list? Eagles? Giants? or even the Cowboys? Bleacher creatures, Unite! Let's see where we make sense and where you are soo pissed at me that you want to tell me where to go, Feel Free! I'm here to listen to you and do what you tell me what do!

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Yankees Use Pettite and Tex To Get Back To .500!

Jay Havis — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:59:45 -0400

Are the Yankees finally back?

Who knows, but from the way that they have been playing the past couple of days, maybe Joe Girardi might still have his job for a few more days.

LOL!

With great performances from A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettite, the Yanks could have some much needed confidence after two lackluster performances to start the season.

Hopefully these wins will be just the momentum, and confidence, builders that New York needs to capitalize on all that talent they have.