VCU uPDaTe WeEk 2 – Games Ending September 15, 2008

(GREEN AND) SILVER LINING. 

ON Monday Night in Dallas, some good things happened. And, umm, some not so good things. Let’s review the good: On balance, Donovan played really well. He was peak Donovan, and not just carving up some junior college team like the Rams – he was poised and effective against a very good Cowboys defense. The failure to score at the end was a crushing disappointment, but it really points to no large shortcoming. The offensive line did a nice job all night long. Sheldon Brown, Asante Samuel, Quentin Mikell, and the defensive tackles played well. On the other hand: While kick and punt returns went well, kick and punt coverage was atrocious. Sean Considine proved all night (once again) that he is nothing more than a special teams player. Brian Dawkins got owned all night and the best thing we have to replace him (which Andy should do but won’t) is JR Reed. The defensive ends had no success against the Cowboys O-line. Sean Andrews left with an injury and our offensive production dropped off – coincidence? DeSean Jackson made an idiotic move (to no lasting harm).

WHERE IS THE SILVER LINING?

Playing Dallas is our Super Bowl. Frequently, after we beat them, we go into an adrenaline-deprived funk that can last for weeks. In the longer run, losing this game should not be very costly. This game told the Eagles that they are good enough to compete, but they are not on top. They need to play better and the coaches need to coach better. Coming that close to beating the favored Cowboys in Dallas tells us that the Eagles can play with and beat any team, especially since New England, the Colts, and the Chargers all look so mortal this year.

HEY, HOW ABOUT THEM PHILS?

This time last week, we said, “They are fading at the wrong time.” Now, they are tied for the Wild Card and just a half-game behind the Mutts. Never say never!

CULTURE CORNER.

Ross Childress (from Collective Soul) has formed a new band, and their eponymous debut release “Starfish and Coffee” is a jangly set of guitar-and-piano powered pop. Goes great with your morning coffee, but not sure how it goes with starfish. You can hear the tunes here: http://www.mystarfishandcoffee.com/store.htm

EATING THINGS.

Best pizza in the world? There are plenty of opinions, and the folks at Food Network think it’s in Phoenix AZ. While that is technically possible, it’s certain that 99% of all worthy pies come from the Pizza Belt, which is a narrow corridor stretching from Philly up through Trenton, New York, New Haven, and Boston. DeLorenzo’s (Hudson St) in Trenton NJ is the title holder (for 25 years) in our eyes. Food Network’s #2 place, though, is a worthy challenger – Di Fara Pizza in Brooklyn. Have you had Tacconelli’s from Port Richmond in Philly? You need to “reserve your dough” a day in advance. Good news, though – like DeLorenzo’s, they have opened a suburban location where getting a treasured pie is not such an ordeal. DeLorenzo’s outpost is in Robbinsville NJ, while Tacconelli’s is in Maple Shade NJ.

READ KEN FISHER. CLICK THE LINK. http://www.forbes.com/fisher Don’t be an investor without reading Fisher!

GO PHILS! but…..THE STANDINGS