History is made: The Eagles suffer first loss on Thanksgiving but come back to conquer Patriots

Clay Asplundh & Alex Lotier

Staff Writers

Dating back to 1939, the Philadelphia Eagles had been 6-0 on Thanksgiving day games. Three of which were shutouts by the defense, who also allowed an average of only 16.7 points per game! Though these facts may be very impressive, nearly every Eagles fan would have some doubt to see it continue this year. With a team that is already lacking skill at many positions, they have additionally been hit with the injury bug and as a result, they continue to lose to the weaker NFL football teams. Well, this doubt proved to be for good reason on this thanksgiving day. A game that became only more painful to watch as it progressed, it was not only an Eagles loss, but a domination. The first thanksgiving defeat came with 45 points scored against the Eagles, nearly tripling the average points given to opposing teams for the six games prior to this year. It had been no surprise to anyone that this was this year when the streak was broken, but I think all of Philadelphia still remained hoping that their team could figure out a win. The truth is, we have too many holes to fill and at this point, it’s time to look forward to the draft and next year’s season.

....But that was a week ago…

Let’s talk about Tom Brady. Brady who? The Eagles certainly knocked this reigning champ and MVP off his game with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. After losing three of the most horrific games in the Chip Kelly era, Eagles fans were at an all-time low. The only expectation was a complete domination on our team this past weekend, but the very unexpected came true. A reverse domination for most of the game as the Eagles scored 35 unanswered points against the Super Bowl Champs. History was made once again, except this time for the better, as the Eagles got their first ever win against Tom Brady. More than ever, how this team’s season will play out is anyone’s guess. But as of now, the Eagles are sitting in first place and in full control of their own destiny.

Time to Start New Quarterback

Morgan Shadle

Staff Writer

Is it time for the Philadelphia Eagles to start Quarterback Mark Sanchez instead of Sam Bradford? The answer is no. The Eagles have been doing well with Sam Bradford. It’s just that they don't finish their drives. Philadelphia receivers have dropped about 20 balls so far this year, and they have to learn how to catch these balls if they want to get first downs and better field position. Also,once the Eagles hurry up offense starts to get going there's no stopping it, so drop balls is a game changer for the Eagles.

Can Mark Sanchez help the Eagles more than Bradford? No. Mark Sanchez will never be the guy for the Eagles. He just doesn't have the accuracy or knowledge to be a great quarterback. Last season, Mark Sanchez did well, but he blew big chances against teams like the Washington Redskins. If the Eagles won that game they probably would have made it to the playoffs. He, also he made really careless decisions that game. We need a quarterback that it is smart like Sam Bradford, but we need him to be like he was his rookie year when he won rookie of the year. Sam Bradford is accurate and precise, but he needs to be consistent. If the coaches can help him more, the Eagles are going to be a hard team to beat this year.

Also Sam Bradford has a one year contract with the Eagles. If the Eagles don’t like him and don’t want him the result of the season can determine if they drop him into free agency and get a new quarterback in free agency or the draft. So, aside from the season it’s not that big of a deal if he does poorly. However, it would be better to him to have a great year and for the Eagles to finally take first place

Fantasy Busts and Sleepers

John Sharkey and Tommy Lupo
Staff Writers

This NFL season has been filled with big time injuries and breakout performances. Before the first snap of the season, a slew of players were hyped up and gauged for a monster season. Players like Brandin Cooks, Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans, have performed lower than most NFL wide receivers, let alone have record breaking years. In the running back department, Eddie Lacy, CJ Anderson and Jeremy Hill were as high as first round picks and have performed like waiver wire pick-ups at best. The let downs do not stop there though, even looking to the Tight End position players like Dwayne Allen and Zach Ertz had major hype heading into the season, but have failed to produce much of anything in either real life stats or fantasy points. Finally, in our busts section, we move to the Quarterback position. One of the most consistent  players of our generation, Peyton Manning, seems to finally be slowing down, producing extremely low fantasy points across the board. Not only is this passing yardage and touchdown record holder getting up there in age, he has suffered from numerous injuries such as needing neck surgery and surgery for his planters fasciitis. In addition, Ryan Tannehill, poised for a breakout year has been quiet and even started the year 1-3 in the NFL. Overall, the year is only a little more than a quarter done, much more football is left to be played. Only time will tell who takes 2015 by the horns and who can’t get off their feet.

 Break-out performances happen every year from so-called nobodies, but the biggest breakout player is Devonta Freeman, running back for the Atlanta Falcons. After rookie running back Tevin Coleman went down, Freeman stepped in and has averaged almost 31 points in his last four games. Another big sleeper from this year would be Gary Barnidge, tight end from the Cleveland Browns. After being a no-show in the first two weeks of the season, Barnidge broke out for 65.8 (ESPN Standard) points in his last four games.

 Lastly, at debatably the most important position in fantasy football, the quarterback, a man by the name of Tyrod Taylor has burst onto the scene. Tyrod Taylor is the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, and prior to the season there was optimism about who would be under center in Orchard Park. In the first five games, Taylor scored a whopping 102.5 (ESPN Standard) points. From a backup to QB1, Taylor has made the people who passed up on him in their drafts regret it.

Standouts (For each position) PPG:                                              Busts (For each position) PPG:

QB: Tom Brady                                                                              QB: Peyton Manning

RB:Devonta Freeman                                                                    RB: Jeremy Hill

RB: Adrian Peterson                                                                      RB: Eddie Lacy

WR1:Deandre “NUK” Hopkins                                                       WR: Jordan Matthews

WR2:Julio Jones                                                                            WR: TY Hilton

Flex: Odell Beckham Jr.                                                                 Flex: Carlos Hyde

TE:Rob Gronkowski                                                                       TE: Jimmy Graham

D/ST: Broncos                                                                                D/ST: Texans

K:Stephen Gostkowski                                                                   K: Adam Vinatieri

         

Crazy NBA Start

Matthew Bracco And John Flavin

Staff Writers

The 2015-16 NBA season has definitely been off to an interesting start. There have been surprises and letdowns as well.

 One surprise came from Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons.  He put up some Wilt Chamberlain-like stats. He has already played three games this year in which he has had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. That’s something that the rest of the league has only done once this year. So far he's averaging 18 points a game and 19 rebounds a game. Drummond has been off to a great start and many think that he can continue dominating.

 A disappointment early on this season came from D’angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was the second pick in the draft, but he hasn’t looked good so far. However, he is only 19 years old and has plenty of time to get it together.

 The Golden State Warriors, who won the championship last year, and look even better this year. They started off the season 10-0.

 Steph Curry had a historical start to this season. He already has four 20 point quarters this year, more than anyone else in the league. He scored 118 points in the first three games of the season, joining Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West.

 The Philadelphia 76ers have not started off their season particularly well, considering that they’re 0-8. There is an upside though: Jahlil Okafor had five 20 point games already this season, 4 more than any other rookie has. The main concern about Okafor coming out of the draft was his defense, but he has looked good blocking shots and defending his man. Okafor has plenty of time to develop into one of the future stars of the NBA and could bring the 76ers a championship one day.

 Another highlight is how competitive the Western Conference will be this year. The Warriors look like they will clearly be the first seed, but there are five title contenders in the conference.

Temple Owls to Face Toledo Rockets in Marmot Boca Raton Bowl

Thomas Muzekari

Staff Writer

The Temple Owls football team started off 7-0 for the first time in team history after beating East Carolina 24-14. The Owls’ next test was when they hosted the 8th ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lincoln Financial Field, in a showdown on Halloween night. The Owls had a field goal lead late, but couldn’t hold on as they lost in a nail-biter, 24-20.

 The Owls were a little under the radar at the start of the season, but the team got off to a fast start as they beat Penn State for the first time since 1941, 27-10 in the season opener. Ever since, the team did not let up and strung together nine more wins. The team’s success has been anchored by running back Jahad Thomas who has 19 total touchdowns through thirteen games. Also, the team’s defense has been strong, allowing under 20 points a game.

  Temple stepped into the top 25 for the first time since 1979 after its win against UCF. “People are respecting Temple and how we have played,” Head Coach Matt Rhule said. “We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he explained.

   Temple were 10-2 with their only two losses coming against Notre Dame and USF. They clinched a spot in the conference championship after taking down UConn 27-3. They then lost to the 18th ranked Houston Cougars in Texas.

  The 24th ranked Owls have earned a spot in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl where they will face the 9-2 Toledo Rockets on December 22.

NFL Player Found Guilty

Oliver Colvin and Blake Doherty

Staff Writers

After hearing of Greg Hardy’s assault on his former girlfriend Nicole Holder, Judge Becky Thorne Tin ruled Hardy guilty. Hardy was sentenced to a suspended 60 day jail term and 18 months probation, a punishment sent aside by Hardy’s appeal for a jury trial in Superior Court.

 The incident began in the football player’s uptown luxury apartment after a night of travelling the city and drinking thousands of dollars in champagne on May 13. Holder explained that once in the apartment, Hardy threw her from the bed to the bathtub, dragging her around by her hair. Hardy then proceeded to choke and threaten to kill Holder, but instead dialed 911 and explained that Holder was going crazy trying to beat him up. Hardy’s defense attorney explained that after Holder spent the night drinking and buzzing cocaine she was asked by Hardy to leave the apartment. He then said that Holder flew into a jealous rage.

 The most important evidence came from two females that were involved in the entourage that night. The information led to the closing of the case. Both pieces of evidence pointed toward the story that Holder told, in which Hardy assaulted Holder and tried to cover up his tracks. Judge Tin did not find Hardy’s story to be true and proceeded to rule him guilty.

 As of right now, the case has not yet affected Hardy’s standings with the Carolina Panthers, but there are long term concerns of where Hardy might stand with the team. Hardy signed a $13.1 million one year contract last Spring.

 When asked about the case, Judge Tin explained that it does not matter if the charged person is an NFL player or an average joe, if the person assaults someone they will be prosecuted and convicted.

The Fallout of CJ2K

Danny Doherty

Staff Writer

A legend was born at the 2008 NFL Combine when a product from East Carolina University ran the fastest 40 time in the history of the combine. Chris Johnson, a running back from Orlando, became a first round draft pick, and in his just second year in the league, he became the sixth man to rush for 2,000 yards. His career, as well as the Tennessee Titans franchise was looking up. But just as his peak of performance was reached, a long road down a rough path of unfortunate events has led to the fall of “CJ2K.”

 In the years following his record breaking season, tough times sought Johnson. His yardage steadily declined, and he went from one of the most sought after running backs in the NFL, to a backup for a failed New York Jets organization in 2014. Just a month after he was released by the Jets at the end of their 2014 season,  Johnson would never forget. Shot in a drive by shooting in his hometown of Orlando, losing a friend in the shooting, and possibly kissing away his NFL career forever, Johnson was in a tough state.

 Determination, and a will to go on was what propelled Johnson over the top and overcome insurmountable odds. With a reminder of the incident still logged in his shoulder, he was signed as a backup for one year by the Arizona Cardinals during the preseason of the 2015 season. He quickly earned the starting role and in no time showed what “CJ2K” was all about. Rushing for 100-yards in four games, and projected his best season since his 2,000-yard campaign, Johnson once again hit a wall.

 The week 12 game against the 49ers gave Johnson resulted in a career ending fractured tibia in his leg. This most likely delivered an epic blow to the end of a career of one of the most prolific running backs in a generation. Johnson has shown to come back from tough odds before, but most likely this is the final blow for the legend of “CJ2K.”