Dave Spadaro’s Open Letter Of Apology To Cowboys

Since I posted about what is being dubbed Spitgate 2010 earlier this evening, it seems everyone has taken to the story on many websites. A quick look over at the Eagles site led me to find this letter of apology from Dave Spadaro to the Cowboys organization. The whole time reading it you can tell he was made to write it, and that it wasn’t serious. It was an effort to save his job because he made the team look bad.

The comments from Eagles fans to this letter were all in support of this moron. Many said something to the effect of it just being grass, and no damage was done. Well tell me this – you sub-class Eagles idiots – one player spitting on anothers face is a “no damage done” act as well. Do you see the NFL or the teams of the spitting players ignoring it though? No! This was simply above and beyond just a heated rivalry. This was an act of stupidity by a fan who thought he was in a position to set an example.

Well let’s see this Spadaro punk walk around Cowboys Stadium this weekend – we’ll see how he likes getting spit on. No damage, right?

“As you may have seen, I went too far with my Spudcam video prior to Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Acting alone, and without permission from the Eagles organization, I walked out to the middle of the field at Cowboys Stadium and spit on the Cowboys star, and for that I deeply apologize to the outstanding Cowboys organization and the fine people there, from Jerry Jones to the rest of the team.

It was not my intention to insult the Cowboys. It was my intention to enjoy the spirit of a great sports rivalry, and I clearly went over the line and acted unprofessionally. The Cowboys have always been gracious hosts and I appreciate the relationship I have with the friends I have there.

Spudcam is a feature that has become very popular here, and the goal of Spudcam is to provide a unique perspective of the game-day experience. We here at PhiladelphiaEagles.com strive to do anything and everything to bring our fans as close as possible to the action, to enjoy the team they love on an every-day basis. I try to have fun with Spudcam and to put the camera in places that cameras normally don’t go.

I took it to the extreme here, and admit that I have done so in other situations this year. Again, it is all done in the spirit of pre-game fun, to get excited about the game, to show the fans at Lincoln Financial Field and those on the road what happens behind the scenes on game days.

I admit I get carried away with my love of the Philadelphia Eagles, and if this is a crime, I am clearly guilty. Game days are an incredible experience for me. The will to win is unlike anything I have ever felt. The angst and the tightly-knotted stomach and the ups and downs of 60 minutes of Eagles football leave me thoroughly drained — win or lose — and I enjoy having the opportunity to communicate that to the many great Eagles fans who follow this team on a (many-times) daily basis.

I appreciate the support of the Eagles organization as we take this web site to new levels. I have made many mistakes in my excitement over the years communicating my love of the Eagles to you, and the franchise has always backed me. There are times when my enthusiasm has to be reined in by many within the Eagles, who have always made sure to let me know when I’ve exceeded the boundaries of professionalism.

Again, I apologize to those whom I have offended by my actions with Spudcam. I acted in an unprofessional manner and I am deserving of the punishment coming my way, and of the scorn of Dallas fans and those who did not appreciate my actions. I am responsible for my work and I will stand up to the criticism.

For those Eagles fans who come here so often and who make this web site so successful, I thank you for your love of the Eagles. I appreciate the opportunity to communicate so frequently with Eagles fans, who want the same thing as I: To beat Dallas on Saturday night and to stay alive in this 2009 season.

Go Eagles!”

One important thing to note is that the video and spit occurred during the pregame time last Sunday. All I can say is that the Eagles got what they deserved for this kind of crap – a blowout loss.

Cowboys Fans – Get Up. Get Loud.

Spitting On The Star? A Real Eagles Fan

I say a real Eagles fan because they’re known to be some of the most vile fans in football. My first impression of them goes back to the 90′s when Micheal Irvin busted up his neck in Philly and the fans cheered for his injury. From fighting to cheering when an opposing team’s player is hurt, sometimes severely, Eagles fans have always been the lowest class fans in the league.

Well now they’ve gone a step further. Dave Spadaro is an Eagles fan, and he’s also an Eagles employee as he run’s the Spudcam and the team website. He’s the one responsible for putting the following video on www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com, though this was taken from YouTube.com since the video has been removed from the Eagles website.

It’s something that just never seems to go away, people trying to disrespect our Star. Terrell Owens did it – twice. We forgave him when we signed him, but this guy is just a putz. Spitting on the Star not once, but twice! And he was even looking around trying not to get caught. I say Jerry Jones should ban the Eagles media and employees not essential to playing football, but that’s a stretch.

If this kind of thing doesn’t get Cowboys fans riled up for the big game I don’t know what will. Come on folks, if you’re attending the game, stand up and get loud. Show your team some support and give Home Field Advantage some meaning in Dallas (Arlington). Get Up. Get Loud.

Daily Dose 1-6-2010

Let’s be honest, it’s midway through the week before the biggest game the Cowboys have had in more than a decade – in fact this spans across three decades from the 90′s and aughts to 2010. Sure they’ve had big games in the 13 years, but this wild card round of the playoffs is different for them, namely because they are a different team. They are poised for a deep playoff run, but they have to clear a mighty large hurdle first – the Eagles for the third time this year and the second week in a row.

So we start today’s dose with Mike Jenkins and DeSean Jackson. They’re already putting the pressure on by talking a little smack via Twitter, and now Jenkins has posted about it on his blog. Granted, he took a more tactful approach on his blog, but these two seem to be falling into a personal rivalry, and we’d expect nothing less right? Jackson posting on Twitter, “My colleagues and I are prepared to issue a sound thumping.“

DeSean Jackson is a very talented receiver, tough to stop. He’s fast and shifty and can give you a really hard time if you’re not prepared for him. He’s my favorite wide receiver to guard and brings a challenge every play. He really makes you watch your P’s and Q’s.

Mike Shanahan into Washington

In Washington, Mike Shanahan has been announced as the new Head Coach and V.P. of Football Operations for the Redskins. He signed a five year deal and while he will work hand-in-hand with his old buddy Bruce Allen, Shanahan will call the shots with final say on matters as they look to rebuild the struggling franchise. ESPN has reported that Shanahan’s son will be coming along as the new Offensive Coordinator as well.

In other Redskins news, RB Clinton Portis called out Jason Campbell on a local radio show saying that he isn’t a leader and likely never will be.

Roy Williams is a winner, after all?

I would trade anything in the world besides my family and my kids for a win. I could easily be at home right now, coming from Detroit. I could be 2-14 but instead I’m 11-5, East champion. It’s a great feeling.

That’s the latest from Roy Williams over on the Star-Telegram’s Cowboys Corner on his move from the Detroit Lions to the Dallas Cowboys.

My colleagues and I are prepared to issue a sound thumping

NFC East Grudge Match In The Wild Card Round

Never without some excitement to keep us reeling, the NFC East is going postseason this year. We just watched the Eagles fall on their face in Dallas as the Cowboys went on to a historical win and the top of the division, and now we get to look forward to a grudge match like only the rivalries of the NFC East can supply.

Their records are identical, they have the same wins and losses at home, on the road, and in the division – you couldn’t find a more evenly matched game if you hand picked the teams.

They’ve got similar sacks, similar touchdowns, similar passing and rushing yards, so where is the difference in this matchup that’s going to be a difference maker? Points!

The Eagles are riding high atop their best point total in franchise history at 429, which is the exact number of points they had before last week’s game. The Cowboys are at a more modest 363 points through the first 16 games. That’s the difference.

The Cowboys have only allowed an average of 15.6 points per game this season and have really been cracking down on that seemingly high number as of late. Riding a three-game winning streak, the ‘Boys have only given up 17 points in that span, and that was to the New Orleans Saints – a far cry from the Eagles by any perspective.

What’s more is that this Eagles offense is preparing to be the unit that wins the game. Through the air or on the ground doesn’t matter, but you don’t expect to win with defense when you’re offense has been the real heater during the year. The problem that just might throw a huge kink into their plans is that their offense, rated highly among all experts and most game logs, hasn’t been able to produce against the Cowboys this year.

Add to the mix the Eagles average points allowed per game at 21.1 and the fact that they are 664 yards behind Dallas in total offense this year, and you get what should be a slugfest. The normally high scoring Philly offense Vs. the new Dallas Doomsday Defense – a matchup that should fall the way of the plains in a Dallas victory.

I’ll let the averages do the pick for me.

Cowboys 21 – Eagles 7

Now let’s give it up Cowboys fans. The team has asked us two weeks in a row to pump up the volume and put some meaning behind home-field-advantage this year. Get up. Get loud.

Hammers Coming Down Around The League

Seems like just yesterday that the Cowboys pitched their first and historic consecutive shutout streak, completed more total offensive yards than any Cowboys team in history, and that Tony Romo became the first Cowboys QB ever to take every snap during the season. And all that while beating the Eagles and securing the NFC East title for the second time in three seasons.

Oh wait, that was just yesterday. Okay so maybe the Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC, and possibly the NFL, heading into the playoffs next Saturday night, but the real hot seats are elsewhere in the league.

As though anyone might have doubted it, the Redskins announced the firing of head coach Jim Zorn on Monday after having gone 12-20 in his tenure with the Skins. We’ve been hearing about it for weeks so far and nothing has changed yet – Washington is going after retired coach Mike Shanahan to replace Zorn. Most see this as a good thing considering that Shanahan won with the Bronco’s and that quarterback in the late 90′s, what’s his name? I forget – I never liked that guy. Would rather have seen Favre get his Super Bowl win in 97.

We’re still waiting to see who will be replacing coach Mangini in Cleveland now that Mike Holmgren has taken over the front office.

And the Bills, according to a report citing an anonymous source in the organization, have fired the entire coaching staff after beating the Patriots Sunday 30-7 to finish the season 6-10. Imagine that – firing the entire coaching staff at one time. Looks like there is going to be a lot of work to be done this offseason in Buffalo, and then there’s handling Terrell Owens. Some reports out there are speculating that retired coach Bill Cowher may be going into Buffalo as the cleanup guy. We’ll see.

Elsewhere, Chad Ochocinco has hurt his knee though his status for next week’s playoff game against the Jets is unknown at this point, Wes Welker has all but obliterated his knee and is done for the season, and did I mention that the Eagles got what was coming to them?

Will History Repeat Itself, Or Will ‘Boys Top Eagles?

In just three short days our beloved Cowboys will face off against the Eagles in a chillingly similar fashion to last years regular season finale.

Last year the Cowboys and Eagles met up to end the season in a game full of playoff implications. One team was more dominant leading up to the game, and again this year the record says it’s the Eagles having won their last six contests.

Eagles vs. Cowboys But this year the Cowboys are riddled with injuries, and they have been playing their best football in December. Tony Romo has only thrown one interception this December, and that was a deflection off of Roy Williams’ hands at that.

This time around it’s not about who makes the postseason, there is no win-and-you’re-in scenarios this year. Both teams are locked in. They are playing merely for pride, and by pride I mean NFC seed and for the NFC East title.

So with an official game preview upcoming, I just want to know, who thinks the Eagles will be victorious for the second year in a row?

Roy Williams Blames Himself, Vows To Get Better

Did anyone notice that after his critical drop at the end of the first half against Washington last week, that Roy Williams wasn’t thrown to again in that game? Well Roy apparently did and decided to say a few things about it.

I suppose the simplest thing I can pass on to you would be this, “I blame myself.” Those are his words.

He also says that he knows he must get back to the fundamentals of being a wide receiver in this league. He says that he needs to look the ball in every time, and that he needs to catch the ball. According to him, he ranks in the top three in the league as far as hands – he admits that not being obvious at all. Even his own mother had to tell him that he is leading the league with 10 drops this year.

But something more than what he said caught my attention and hopefully will produce actual results. He says that he is going to catch 100 balls from the pitching machine after practice each day until he gets this fixed.

Maybe he’ll start acting like even a decent wide out after the work. But he has got to stop smiling after he screws up so royally, it doesn’t help any. Get mad and fix the problem. We’ll see.

I don’t particularly find it helpful that he said “I have to take my game to another level. It starts this Sunday,” to me that task started the day he got in Dallas, and definitely this past Monday after the game he had in Washington the night before. Something like that never waits until next week, and I hope his going back to the Juggs (pitching machine) is his way of doing that.

So No Colombo, We’re Still Free To Play

So what about Marc Colombo? Coach Wade Phillips says he’ll not be ready for the season finale. Actually, listening to Wade talk about it makes me wonder if Colombo will be ready to go for the wildcard round. People actually seem to be worried about Doug Free getting another start while Colombo heals. I’m not, and I’ll tell you why.

I compared our last four games, all of which Free has started in place of Colombo, to four games earlier in the season when Colombo was starting and playing fully.

The first thing I noticed is that while Free shouldn’t be a part of matching numbers that Colombo was a part of, the comparison showed that in each set of four games we converted a total of 25/53 on third downs. But a little more telling about it that we had a lot more third downs with Colombo in the game.

Next I wanted to see how Romo faired in the pocket and if there was a notable difference between Free and Colombo playing, and there was a small difference. With Colombo, Romo was sacked nine times for a loss of 47 yards. With Free, Romo was sacked just seven times for a loss of 42 yards. Now we could argue that 2 sacks over four games doesn’t make that much of a difference, but I’m pretty sure that Romo and every other QB in the game would tell you that every sack matters. Continue reading →

Six Cowboys Voted Into Pro Bowl

That’s right, we’ve got six again this year, and while there are a couple of names you would expect, some I certainly didn’t expect to see.


Miles Austin	Leonard Davis	Jay Ratliff


Jason Witten	Andre Gurode	DeMarcus Ware

Not that any of us want it to matter though. Since the Pro Bowl will be played the week before the Super Bowl, if the Cowboys do make it that far, none of those six will show at the all-star game. One can only hope … I guess.