Are You Ready for Some Football?

This time of year is an exciting time for football players in general. Training camps are over and the season’s about to start. For young football players it’s filled with anxiety. The last week of preseason there will be about 25 players released from each team. Some may find their way onto practice squads and other may be forced to give up their dream of playing pro football.

Other young football players are anxious for another reason…the college football season is about to start. At that level there is not preseason. The first real test for a college football program counts in the standings. Some programs you can always expect to see great things. Others make major changes in the hopes of restoring school pride.

You know where I’m going…..Syracuse University is one of those programs. With a new head coach in Doug Marrone and a new QB in Greg Paulus there is a lot to be excited about. Paulus is a grad student who lettered as a basketball player at Duke. He’s smart and has a proven track record as a leader. I’m a firm believer that basketball skill helps in football and vice versa so I’m excited about what he can bring to the Orange. This week they start the season vs. Minnesota. I don’t know much about the Gophers but starting off against a Big 10 school won’t be easy. Let’s get it started the right way….Go Orange!

Another group of young football players who are excited about the calendar turning to September are the high school kids. I met one the other night following the Jaguars preseason game. Tamaric Richardson is an OL/DL who plays for Simon Gratz, although he attends Engineering & Science for his classes. He was the first recipient of my ticket giveaway this year. Brian Dawkins initiated the program last year and I thought it was too good to end. Philadelphia area coaches nominate their best players in terms of their work in the classroom and on the field and their character as well. It was nice to met Tamaric and his mom following the game.

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• Touchdown123 said August 30, 2009

  1st! Way to do Donovan. Way to take the time out of your extremely busy schedule and help out the young men who want to follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest athletes to exist. I'm really excited about the season, and it's funny because I moved from Jersey to Florida to Chicago now, but i've been a fan for a long time. Glad to have you as an Eagle, always have been, and good luck this season. Never look back, or down.

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  • VCampbell replied August 30, 2009

    Wow, your generosity and dynamic leadership never ceases to amaze me. It is truly wonderful to see people reach back and be role models for those who are to come behind them. You are truly a shining example of a role model and I applaud your efforts. I will be sure to come to Philadelphia this season to watch you and the team in action...
    
    Valerie ~

    
• greenisback said August 30, 2009

  Good work donovan. Class act. You take alot of heat from people around yardbarker. I Cant wait til you shut them all up and win the superbowl this year. You deserve it. E A G L E S EAGLES! FLY EAGLES FLY!

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• filly4ever said August 30, 2009

  Nice Super 5. Always a class act. Lets put the haters to rest once and for all. Bring it home for the city of Philly and the huge majority who support you and always have. Good luck this season and tell Rocco to punt it through that kiddyparks screen in Dallas in Jan.

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• wolfgirl said August 30, 2009

  i love our quarterback! we are so lucky to not only have one of the greatest to ever step foot on the field..we also have a man who walks the walk of honor! go get em #5

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• funkediva said August 30, 2009

  Yes, I am ready for some FOOTBALL! Have a bless and great season.

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• funkediva said August 30, 2009

  Yes, I am ready for some FOOTBALL! Have a blessed and great season.

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• stillscrambln said August 30, 2009

  The program with students is a necessity. I'm glad that you are keeping it going. Many 'props' to you, Dawk, and whoever else is giving back in the same fashion. Keep up the good work!

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• funkediva said August 30, 2009

  Yes, I am ready for some FOOTBALL! Have a blessed and great season.

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• stillscrambln said August 30, 2009

  The program with students is a necessity. I'm glad that you are keeping it going. Many 'props' to you, Dawk, and whoever else is giving back in the same fashion. Keep up the good work!

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• stillscrambln said August 30, 2009

  The program with students is a necessity. I'm glad that you are keeping it going. Many 'props' to you, Dawk, and whoever else is giving back in the same fashion. Keep up the good work!

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• stillscrambln said August 30, 2009

  The program with students is a necessity. I'm glad that you are keeping it going. Many 'props' to you, Dawk, and whoever else is giving back in the same fashion. Keep up the good work!

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• funkediva said August 30, 2009

  Yes, I am ready for some FOOTBALL! Have a blessed and great season.

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• stillscrambln said August 30, 2009

  The program with students is a necessity. I'm glad that you are keeping it going. Many 'props' to you, Dawk, and whoever else is giving back in the same fashion. Keep up the good work!

  

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• kristinmasyn said August 30, 2009

  CANT WAIT, I BELIEVE WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES! HAVE A GREAT SEASON.

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• kristinmasyn said August 31, 2009

  real mature, and who cares if you like the cowgirls and if you think mcnabb is ugly? mcnabb is getting paid millions and im sure if he saw your comment he still will sleep sound at night and make millions that you are not. LOL

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• stpalmer4 said August 31, 2009

  D, thats good stuff bro! We need more people with a kind heart like your in this world. Thank you for taking another step for youth in the world. You one of the good guys!

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• 5snumber1fan said August 31, 2009

  SOME PEOPLE WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING JUST TO HAVE THEMSELVES FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELF.
  AS FOR DONOVAN.........HIS ACTIONS SPEAK FOR HIM. IT IS A SHAME THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN PHILLY THAT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE IN DONOVAN.
  HE IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE LOCKER ROOM. HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TROUBLE OFF THE FIELD AND SPEAKS HIS MIND NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR DOES.
  I KNOW THIS IS THE YEAR. GOOOOOOOOOOO EAGLES

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• 5snumber1fan said August 31, 2009

  SOME PEOPLE WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING JUST TO HAVE THEMSELVES FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELF.
  AS FOR DONOVAN.........HIS ACTIONS SPEAK FOR HIM. IT IS A SHAME THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN PHILLY THAT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE IN DONOVAN.
  HE IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE LOCKER ROOM. HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TROUBLE OFF THE FIELD AND SPEAKS HIS MIND NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR DOES.
  I KNOW THIS IS THE YEAR. GOOOOOOOOOOO EAGLES

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• 5snumber1fan said August 31, 2009

  SOME PEOPLE WILL DO OR SAY ANYTHING JUST TO HAVE THEMSELVES FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELF.
  AS FOR DONOVAN.........HIS ACTIONS SPEAK FOR HIM. IT IS A SHAME THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN PHILLY THAT STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT WE HAVE IN DONOVAN.
  HE IS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE LOCKER ROOM. HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TROUBLE OFF THE FIELD AND SPEAKS HIS MIND NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR DOES.
  I KNOW THIS IS THE YEAR. GOOOOOOOOOOO EAGLES

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• LOGIC215 said August 31, 2009

  Way to Go D Mac! You are definitely a class act and one of only a few BIG name athletes to give back and to be a true and genuine role model. still happy that my wife agreed to name our so Donovan.......................lol i get so much crap for that being and EAGLES fan and all..........who cares right!

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• jerseu_devil said August 31, 2009

  oh me, oh my! My post was deleted, lest Donovans eyes befall such jibbing!?! Yardbarker censors athlete posts?! NO EFFING WAY?! When did THAT start happening.....wow. Who would have EVER believed that yardbarker would **** all over the first amendment....
  
  the wheel goes round.

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• Randall4Prez said August 31, 2009

  Ummm I'm pretty sure that post from "a cowboys fan" was a joke. First of all his comment was obviously dumb and secondly he used the picture of a 450lb cowboys fan that alot of Eagles fans have used to mock them. Don't know for sure, just saying. On a different note, how cool is it that Donny Mac gives a shout out to this student personally in his blog.
  
  In times when sports stars are constantly rumored to be involced in different scandals, its nice to have a class act be the face of our franchise.
  
  
  
  

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• khollen said August 31, 2009

  then how do you explain vegas?

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• Eaglesgrl5 said August 31, 2009

  Good dude right there... good luck this season, I'l be watching!

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• LILEAGLE said August 31, 2009

  i don't care about all this and that!!! just win a super bowl for chrissake!!!!

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• LILEAGLE said August 31, 2009

  i don't care about all this and that!!! just win a super bowl for chrissake!!!!

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• DMSUPER5 said September 01, 2009

  Let's go Super Mc5iveulous!!!!!

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  • MONSTER replied September 01, 2009

    really? no seriously.....really?
  • greenisback replied September 01, 2009

    monster...GET OUT!!!:)
  • DMSUPER5 replied September 01, 2009

    Tony GayTrannieMo can't hold Don's jock strap.
• hollywoodeagle said September 01, 2009

  Concentrating on everything but winning a superbowl. Fighting with vick and letting his giant ego get in his way. fans are growing tired of your charades. Just win a superbowl or leave town.

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• hollywoodeagle said September 01, 2009

  Time is passing him by. He was special when he got to Philly and now its a race against time. If he doesnt win a superbowl will anyone really give a crap about D-Mac. I wont. To me it will go down as the worse case of a special player not to achieve the ultimate prize. His career has been one of the poorest handled that i can remember. And the front office should be ashamed of itself. But no longer does Donovan get afree pass by me.

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  • greenisback replied September 01, 2009

    well theres reasons why you are at home watchin games and not under center....support mcnabb or u leave the bandwago d-bag
• therainman said September 01, 2009

  D-Mac here is wishing that you have a GREAT season! Personally I think you are a class act among your peers. While I know some philly fans don't appreciate you, I am do. Stay positive, and focus.

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• hollywoodeagle said September 01, 2009

  hes a phony. the way he came down the tunnel in colts preseason game strumming air was pathetic. If you noticed during warmups Peyton looked serious. McNabb acts immature and thats why he hasnt won the big game. his mind roams. He is missing what favre & manning have and thats a take no prisoners approach. Hes good but not good enough to think he owns Eagle fans and can do what he wants.

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  • greenisback replied September 02, 2009

    refer to my reply to your first idiotic post.
    
    
  • DMSUPER5 replied September 03, 2009

    You have to admit. The man knows how to have fun. You see guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning out there all serious, no fun and games. But Donovan knows how to light a smile. You have to give the man credit.
  • EazyEagleZ replied September 03, 2009

    You know what else is phony Hollywood? Eagle’s fans who claim to be diehards yet tear the team down every chance they get. That's some Benedict Arnold type sh*t.
  • kuz5400 replied September 12, 2009

    You need a mind for it to roam. Manning doesn't see the need to hurl when the game is on the line.
• greenisback said September 03, 2009

  ive never seen mcnabb laugh or smile after he has thrown a pick....not right after....maybe like 5 minutes(gametime) after

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  • DMSUPER5 replied September 03, 2009

    Exactly. Donovan obviously wants his team to do well. He won't be afraid to smack his hands or yell "c'mon!" after a mistake by a wideout.
• MONSTER said September 03, 2009

  you guys are blind when it comes to mcnabb,seriously............."You have to admit. The man knows how to have fun. You see guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning out there all serious, no fun and games. But Donovan knows how to light a smile. You have to give the man credit. "......thats the dumbest quote i have EVER seen..........4 superbowls to none,as you guys like to say....."NUFF SAID"

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  • EazyEagleZ replied September 03, 2009

    Isn't Homo crying in a shower somewhere? Go and help him up. When Homo actually wins an important game even once then you can talk.
  • DMSUPER5 replied September 03, 2009

    Tony Romo is another guy who just loves the game. He's not afraid to bring his latest girlfriend down to the field, impress her, and maybe sleep with her later. You have to give him credit, he can get with chicks no matter how greatly it affects his on field performance.
  • EazyEagleZ replied September 03, 2009

    Tony loves the game? He does not even take his craft seriously and he actually said he never cared about winning. The guy is a terrible leader, but clowns like monster are all on his nut sack.
  • DMSUPER5 replied September 04, 2009

    *ahem*
    "no matter how greatly it affects his on field performance."
    *ahem*
  • EazyEagleZ replied September 09, 2009

    Monster refrains from talking about his beloved Cowboys, because he has nothing nice to say about them.
• MONSTER said September 04, 2009

  dmsuper5 did mcnabb throw a int before that pic was taken of him?

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  • DMSUPER5 replied September 04, 2009

    Name another quarterback who can play, but have fun at the same time...
    
    I thought so.
  • greenisback replied September 11, 2009

    No monster thats a picture of him laughin at romo as he fell in the shower last year after the 44-6 whoopin MCnabb and the eagles put on you....
    
    stay out of eagles posts.....or atleast mcnabbs blogs....we dont go i nromos blogs...oh wait hes to much of a ***** to come on yardbarker cause he knows he would get torn apart
• Jeanene said September 09, 2009

  I would take my hat off to you if I had one on. :) Wish there were nore people like us around. The world would be such a better place instead of most who think of themselves ONLY. Holler at me......:)

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• MattYoukilis said September 11, 2009

  OK!!
  勝ちに行きましょう！
  All for Jim Johnson!!

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• greend said September 14, 2009

  Don, hope you recover very quickly from your rib injury great game yesterday.

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• greenisback said September 14, 2009

  same, hopefully its a quick heal for ya. But dont rush back and hurt urself more. We need you healthy in december.

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  • khollen replied September 14, 2009

    agree.
• EazyEagleZ said September 14, 2009

  Get well soon DMac. We need you back soon, but ready.

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