In honor of the start of training camp, and the beginning of what could potentially be a torturous six months during which Cowboys fans make my life a living hell, I give you this photograph taken last February. The Cowboys and Troy Aikman may have Super Bowl rings, but I will always have this:



















Sucker.

It's been a few days since Eagles Training Camp opened and there's one burning question on everyone's mind:

Is Correll Buckhalter hurt yet?

Buckhalter, the running back many Eagles fans expected to lead the team over the last several years, missed the last two seasons with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. He practiced with the team on Monday for the first time since August 5, 2005, when he injured his right knee for the second straight year.

Eagles fans waits cautiously, desperate to avoid the disappointment of years past. Andy Reid, on the other hand, feels that this season will be different. Last weekend he put Buckhalter through a handful of post-practice workouts to ensure that he was ready for full contact.

Buckhalter's health is the key to the Eagles running game, a running game which was nearly non-existant last season. Reid, who chose to run only 35.6% of the time, may have felt that beyond Brian Westbrook, he just didn't have any options. It's still early, but it's looking as though that could change. McNabb, ten pounds lighter and much healthier than last year, has already vowed to be more mobile this season. If he stays true to that promise, and Buckhalter can put together his first healthy season in three years, the Eagles will once again be a threat on the ground.

___________________

Other Burning Questions

1. How many times will Pinkston flub a pass up the middle, claiming the sun was in his eyes?

2. How many tubs of lard will the city of Philadelphia consume during the weeklong tailgate leading up to the October 8th game against T.O. and the Cowboys?

3. Will Andy Reid let Team Ambassador/talk show host Hugh Douglas suit up for one play on December 25 as a Chrismas gift to all Eagles fans? Is there an Eagles fan alive who doesn't want to see the Cowboys star painted red with his blood in honor of the birth of Jesus? Of course not.

4. Who is William Thomas?

5. Will Jevon Kearse return to his 2004 form or continue to be an invisible member of the defensive corps?

Random Things You Should Care About

* This is easily the most bizarre news of the NHL off-season. Hell, it might be the most bizarre news of the calendar year. Former Flyers goalie Garth Snow retired in order to take over the NY Islanders' GM position after Neil Smith, one of the worst GMs in the business, was fired. Seriously. He wasn't good enough to be the Islanders #1 goaltender, and all of a sudden he's running the team? How long before players begin demanding trades?

* There seems to be a plethora of good movies out right now. At the top of my recommendations list is Little Miss Sunshine. If you're one of those people who lacks the ability to laugh, don't bother. Otherwise, see it on opening night. Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinarory Story of the New York Cosmos was also excellent if you're a fan of sports or history. It's a facinating story that you'll be amazed you've never heard. And if you're a sucker for mindless chick flicks with brilliant performances by Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada isn't so bad, either.

* I love A-Rod. I really do.




* The SoSH Red Sox wiki has to be one of the coolest things ever. There's not a Red Sox fact in existance that can't be found there. If only every sports team had a wiki with such depth.

* The NFL starts training camp in less than one week. Hell, the Eagles have already started. But if your team can claim Todd "Alligator Arms" Pinkston as its #1 wide receiver, you should not be excited.

Speaking of football, I have a wonderful gift for Eagles fans and Cowboys haters. Look for it here on Friday.