"May you live in interesting times"... no prob for Eagles fans in 2011...

That's an old Chinese proverb, to paraphrase, and even the most disgruntled Eagles fans cannot disagree--- these are indeed interesting times. 

Tim Tebow 4-1 as a starter in Denver?--- that's interesting...It invokes memories of former Eagles flash Jack Concannon...and for many of you, that is your Google look-up assignment for today...

We have a Giants game to preview: 

First up, in honor of our Fantasy Football addicts here at EEB Brisuksegg contingent, here's our special guest columnist Ben Valentine from the Sporting News Fantasy division, who has taken a special interest in our upcoming grudge match with the G-Men:

Maclin (left) and Vick are in danger of missing Week 11.

"When the Giants and Eagles meet, there always seem to be fireworks. From DeSean Jackson running back a touchdown as time expired to cap a huge Eagles comeback last season to Victor Cruz's shocking emergence earlier this year, fantasy owners are often left smiling broadly when the game is over."

"The Eagles defense was reputed to be one of the best in the league coming into the season, yet owners of Giants skill players are probably relieved they're facing someone other than the San Francisco 49ers this week. Brandon Jacobs and his owners have to be especially pleased, going from one of the toughest run defenses out there to facing one of the worst. The wide receivers are probably a bit less enthused facing the legitimately tough Eagles secondary, but as Cruz showed earlier this year, the Eagles can be beaten through the air."

"On the other side, the Eagles will be concerned with their passing attack. Michael Vick has two broken ribs and is uncertain to play. Vince Young with all his questions and baggage looks like his potential replacement. Jeremy Maclin is dealing with a shoulder sprain and could also sit out. Jackson was benched last week, but owners hardly noticed with his disappearing act the last month. Only LeSean McCoy is bringing fantasy owners any joy from Philly these days."

Wow. Now I know why Brizer says "Fantasy Football Sucks"...

Talk about missing the bigger picture...

Jobs are on the line in this game...across the board. 

Even if the Eagles at 3-6 fail to deliver a big win over the Giants in the New Meadowlands on Sunday night, they must at least look good trying... or heads will roll at many personnel levels, including the coaching staff.  Andy Reid may be the one exception to that thesis... but even Andy may fall on his own sword at the end of 2011 if this game comes up snake-eyes...

The Giants at 6-3 have their own issues.... 
Michael Boley remained sidelined today as the Giants continued preparation for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The starting linebacker is nursing a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It's seeming more and more likely he'll be sidelined this weekend, forcing the Giants to get by with Mathias Kiwanuka and a bunch of rookies at linebacker. Whether Boley practices on Friday will be a big factor, though.

Elsewhere, running back Ahmad Bradshaw remains out of action. Again, he's not expected to play on Sunday.

And left tackle Will Beatty was not on the practice field. The reason is unclear at this point, as Beatty hasn't been on any injury reports this season. 

Meanwhile, Brandon Jacobs still hasn’t forgotten about last season’s “Miracle at the New Meadowlands.”

“Well, that’s always going to be a sour point in our heart, no question,” the Giants' running back of the 21-point debacle said after Thursday’s practice. “But you gotta move on.”

The Giants certainly have. They beat the Eagles in Week 3, and they have a chance to end the Eagles’ nightmare of a 2011 season on Sunday night.
“We can’t fall asleep on them and let them come alive against us,” Jacobs said.

“We’re going in there with everything that we have. We know the type of team that they are, [backs] up against the wall, and they’re gonna come out fighting. Mathematically they’re still in this thing, so they’re not gonna come in and just lay down. We have to go out there and put out the best effort that we possibly can to win this game.”

Jacobs was one of the happiest Giants after they went down to Philadelphia and took care of the Eagles, 29-16.
“They can continue to be the Dream Team and keep dreaming,” he infamously said.

On Thursday, Jacobs said he doesn’t like the Eagles -- or any other NFC East team for that matter. 
“I don’t like any of the teams in our division to be honest with you,” Jacobs said. “Other teams in our division don’t like us, [even] more so [they] don’t like me a lot.”

Jacobs is glad the Eagles have gotten off to a 3-6 start.
“I always feel that way about a team that’s in our division when they’re having a down year. No question about it,” Jacobs said. “It makes me feel good to know that we’re playing as good as we’re playing, and winning the division. We gotta hold on to it. We play each other a lot down the stretch and we’ve gotta be ready.”

The 29-year-old has served as the Giants’ starting running back the last two weeks because Ahmad Bradshaw has been out with a broken foot. He’s rushed for 127 yards and 36 carries and scored a touchdown over the last two games.

“I think I’ve played okay,” Jacobs said. “I just want to run as hard as I can and get as many yards as a I can. I’m not trying to do too much, I’m not trying to go out there and break every play because you won’t be productive that way. You’ve just got to take what you get.”

Jacobs expects Sunday night’s game to be a hard-hitting, grind-it-out affair.
“I’m just trying to take as much as I can get by going over the top of somebody,” Jacobs said. “They’re coming downhill and I’m going downhill.” 

Geez, I remember a time circa 2009 when Brandon Jacobs let it be known he wouldn't mind being signed by the Eagles.  That ship sailed. Now he sounds just a tad bitter.

Already this game has the feel of a Sonbutts Yard Sale... a lot of merchandise on the line, and a ton of haggling and hauling to be consummated....