Lots of Philly writers have targeted the Eagles D's lack of size as a fundamental flaw in their system. Perhaps its true (I am leaning that way myself, I miss players like Carlos Emmons), and I cannot help but chuckle when Les Bowen writes things like: "You know those signs they have at amusement parks, setting a measurement for how big you have to be to go on a particular ride? There are Eagles scouts standing next to those lines, poised to sign anyone who is turned away," but there is something missing "from the mix" so-to-speak when assessing the current state of the Eagles defense. Yes, its true that the Eagles seem to have taken the throwback thing beyond jerseys and decided that a 70s-sized defensive line is the way to go when facing teams that routinely field offensive linemen in excess of 320lbs. (there is an argument to be made for speed and quickness to zip by these behemoths, but I am not going to make it here, plus when you get manhandled like we have been the past few weeks, it rings hollow).
It's something I cannot quite put my finger on...Its not just lack of confidence (that's an understatement) or lack of talent (although the erosion of talent at LB has reached the appalling stage) or lack of effort (when lineman cannot shed block ALL-NIGHT, I can only attribute that to not trying hard enough...getting pancaked or being out of position happens to everyone a few times each game (though with good defenses its usually only 1 dude, so it doesn't hurt as much))
The monumental collapse of the run defense (and thusly the whole defense) seems predicated on the near perfect alignment of all these negative factors, including a laissez faire attitude towards run defense....for instance
- You know, even when the Eagles we kicking ass, their run D was pretty soft...sure we had some good games, but as a general rule, good teams could run the ball on us. Bowen writes: "Watching the Colts' defense was a déjÀ-vu experience. Knowing their offense was going to score more than three dozen points while making it look easy, the Colts didn't sweat stopping Brian Westbrook." Its true, the Eagles D used to have (I hope they still to cling to the illusion) this imaginary mark of 17 pts....hold the opposition under 17 and you win (or so it was told) So when the Eagles offense was racking up points...it helped disguise a defensive weakness, no without an offense to stake us to big leads...you can bank on opposing teams testing the run early and often, because until the D mans-up to stop it, running on the Eagles is the new-old formula to breaking down the Birds..
- Do we have the personnel anymore to make Jim Johnson's schemes work? I dunno, doesn't seem like it...Lots of folks bashed the D-Line (and deservedly so) but this team has made it work before, this season in fact....both Tiki and Frank Gore were held in check....last year, basically the same group shut down LT...but it comes and goes spurts....and this latest spurt of bad and turned into a gusher....My beef is with how JJ is using his vaunted "rotation"....most of our DTs are "under-sized" (USC buds LaJuan Ramsey and Mike Patterson, both of whom I like, are listed at 290, Walker is right there too--I don't think he motors around like he used to). Rayburn plays lighter than his listed 303. Bunkley has decent size (306) but cannot seem to please the coaches enough to get on the field. (I heard one rumor that this was because he was too big for JJ's tastes)...
Now look, "undersize" Lineman are fine, when you have them coming off the edge, but when you gotta be tough in the middle and you play a 4-3, you cannot afford to start two smallish DTs and two speed rushing DEs....That is NOT what makes your D effective....We've a hard-nosed MLB in Jeremiah Trotter, but he needs to able to run free and slash to the ball-carrying....With Hollis Thomas gone, we don't have ANYONE who consistently occupies two offensive lineman...other teams simply draw up one-on-one blocking schemes and execute....and what you see it lineman and TEs snuffing out DEs and LBs on the edge, or simply pushing out of their lanes to allow to huge cutback holes....ITS PATHETIC....Jon Runyan explains here the danger of having a smallish D-line, and how it requires near perfect execution.
You cannot field a team of relative munchkins in this league and expect not to get beat up...yet the Eagles braintrust seems dead set on proving all of us "non-football" types wrongs...What do we know? Sitting in our laz-e-boys or playing football on Saturday afternoons...we know one thing, we the other team shows up with a bigger crew (especially when they got than one hard-core gym-rat who's like 230 and makes you wish you'd spend the past year in the gym), its going to be a long, bruising afternoon.
Can this team fix it? Being the eternal optimist when to comes to my Eagles, I want to say YES, YES They CAN!...show some heart, some toughness, some moxie...show SOMETHING so us fans can take heart and start cheering again....but this philosophy of speed or size is really haunting this team right now....how about a new philosophy...how about speed AND size....
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
At Least I'm Not a Giants Fan
Talk about an implosion....
I pulled this from the MMQB, two GYNts make King's hall of shame...
I'm sorry but that is season crushing defeat....and we Eagles fans should know, we've already suffered through two of them....
I pulled this from the MMQB, two GYNts make King's hall of shame...
Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, New York Giants. In one of the dumbest and most inexcusable plays in NFL history -- and one which will take its place alongside the Joe Pisarcik fumble in 1978 in dubious Giants' lore --...with 2:40 left in the Titans-Giants game. On fourth-and-10 from the Tennessee 24 and the Giants up 21-14, all New York had to do was stop the Titans from converting to clinch the game. From the shotgun, Young was looking for a receiving target when Kiwanuka, the rookie defensive end from Boston College, wrapped Young up by the mid-torso and began to drive him to the turf for a game-clinching sack. BUT THEN HE STOPPED DRIVING YOUNG BACK AND SIMPLY LET HIM GO, TO THE GASPING SHOCK OF EVERYONE IN THE STADIUM. (bolded by me) And Young ran for 19, and then led Tennessee to a tying touchdown with 49 seconds left.
Second there is ...Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants...We pick up from the tying Tennessee touchdown, with the entire Giants' sideline in stunned disbelief. Manning, playing the shakiest football of his three-year career, faded back with 32 seconds left and threw an interception right into the hands of Titans cornerback Pacman Jones. What's the one thing a quarterback can't do in this situation? Throw an interception in his own territory, of course. Jones picked it at the Giants' 49 and Vince Young completed two passes to get in Rob Bironas' field-goal range. Bironas' 49-yarder with 11 seconds left handed the Giants a ridiculous defeat.
I'm sorry but that is season crushing defeat....and we Eagles fans should know, we've already suffered through two of them....
Sunday, November 26, 2006
At Least the Offense Showed Up
You know folks, I think we might be able to sneak out a few wins with the offense...
I mean, Westbrook goes over 150 total yards...Garcia is super-efficient and does not make mistakes (no that late fumble was neither his fault, or a game-altering play)....and yet we still get let down somewhere....this D is HORRENDOUS...
I think I can hear the calls for Jim Johnson's head already...but to be honest, he's not the one overpursuing the stretch runs...he's not missing tackles at the line of scrimmage...he's not the one that looked velcro'd to the offensive lineman he's supposed to beat....THIS WAS a mano-a-mano blocking scheme that gobbled up the lineman and linebackers...Addai could've busted some break dancing moves on some of those runs...Hell, Addai could've done the "robot" on his way into the endzone on a couple of those plays....
And for all the illusion of the 45-21 final score, had the Eagles not blown that FG, it would've been 31-24 with 10+ minutes left in the game....no don't get me wrong...the way the D played it wouldn't have made one lick of difference....
But here the great thing about what ifs: IF you factor is the retarded WR pass that essentially gave the ball right back to a red-hot Colts offense early in the 2nd qtr....perhaps the Eagles do not allow 24 points in the first half....21 perhaps not certainly not 24....what could've happened had the game been a little tighter? Who knows. Honestly I think it would've been just another soul-crushing parade of missed tackles as the Eagles played the 2006 version of the ole defense.
I mean, Westbrook goes over 150 total yards...Garcia is super-efficient and does not make mistakes (no that late fumble was neither his fault, or a game-altering play)....and yet we still get let down somewhere....this D is HORRENDOUS...
I think I can hear the calls for Jim Johnson's head already...but to be honest, he's not the one overpursuing the stretch runs...he's not missing tackles at the line of scrimmage...he's not the one that looked velcro'd to the offensive lineman he's supposed to beat....THIS WAS a mano-a-mano blocking scheme that gobbled up the lineman and linebackers...Addai could've busted some break dancing moves on some of those runs...Hell, Addai could've done the "robot" on his way into the endzone on a couple of those plays....
And for all the illusion of the 45-21 final score, had the Eagles not blown that FG, it would've been 31-24 with 10+ minutes left in the game....no don't get me wrong...the way the D played it wouldn't have made one lick of difference....
But here the great thing about what ifs: IF you factor is the retarded WR pass that essentially gave the ball right back to a red-hot Colts offense early in the 2nd qtr....perhaps the Eagles do not allow 24 points in the first half....21 perhaps not certainly not 24....what could've happened had the game been a little tighter? Who knows. Honestly I think it would've been just another soul-crushing parade of missed tackles as the Eagles played the 2006 version of the ole defense.
Eagles might as well employ the Weinerdog D
JG has engineered two decent drives....not his fault Akers missed the FG....nor did he call the utterly retarded WR pass to start the second drive...I just don't understand that play call...I never will....
Now for the but part....I think our D would play better if we fielded Zaar and DJ, my two miniature dachshunds....cause at least they might underfoot and trip up Addai (to say nothing of being quick and so low they'd be hard to block)...
Would this be a fiercer LB for the Eagles?
PROS: Small and Quick (just like our LBs), built low to the ground he'd be hard for lineman to block or pick-up in traffic, follows directions pretty well, would bring a cute, aw shucks, factor to the D (I mean who would want to trample a weiner dog?); save cap space, would work for scraps
CONS: no opposable thumbs means he could only arm tackle, but how is that any different from what we've seen already; might poop on field...
I would happily coach him from the sidelines, maybe I should give Jim Johnson a call....
Now for the but part....I think our D would play better if we fielded Zaar and DJ, my two miniature dachshunds....cause at least they might underfoot and trip up Addai (to say nothing of being quick and so low they'd be hard to block)...
Would this be a fiercer LB for the Eagles?
PROS: Small and Quick (just like our LBs), built low to the ground he'd be hard for lineman to block or pick-up in traffic, follows directions pretty well, would bring a cute, aw shucks, factor to the D (I mean who would want to trample a weiner dog?); save cap space, would work for scrapsCONS: no opposable thumbs means he could only arm tackle, but how is that any different from what we've seen already; might poop on field...
I would happily coach him from the sidelines, maybe I should give Jim Johnson a call....
Where's the D?
Ok, the offense looked like they were energized and engaged....but the Eagles defense isn't even TRYING out there....somebody make a frackin' play...look enthused...look like you wanna be out there....I mean some guys are doing their jobs (the safeties), but the linemen and linebackers are getting embarrassed....
Why Challenge?
I'll tell you why Andy Reid challenged the call....the Colts play so crisply and Manning gets them together so efficiently after a big play that AR had to go with his gut...no waiting for replay as the Colts meander down the field....nope they run down there, and force the issue...you wanna take a chance? Did he catch it or not? At a time when so many teams plod down the field, the Colts get other teams to waste challenges and timeouts by playing with a sense of urgency...
The Need for Points
Good first drive by the Eagles...a 13-play, 8:00 min drive....only to blow a 36-yard FG attempt....
You cannot leave points on the field against this team...The Eagles only chance is to play flawlessly
You cannot leave points on the field against this team...The Eagles only chance is to play flawlessly
Getting Ready for Indy
Ok, so it is with some trepidation that I am preparing to watch the Eagles play the Colts...Will the real Eagles please stand up? Not the all-talk, little-action posers who've been parading around in midnight green & white the last few games. Nationally televised audience, lets see if we can show some pride out there....
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Where IS the Reaction?
I had to repost this from ProFootballTalk
First a disclaimer: I've despised Michael Irvin since he was an obnoxious, arrogant player for the team I hate the most, the Dallas Cowboys. So I am not inclined to cut the man any slack. My objective question: how is that ANY different or any LESS insensitive a racial remark than what others have made (and been absolutely grilled over).
ROMO-GATE GAINING MOMENTUM
Although we initially believed that the Thanksgiving holiday might take some steam out of the storm that has developed regarding the Jimmy "The Greek"-style comments of ESPN's Michael Irvin, several publications have kept the story alive. The exceptional Thursday performance of the object of the remarks, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, could give the story legs heading into the weekend.
On Monday, Irvin explained on ESPN Radio's The Dan Patrick Show that Romo's supreme athletic skills could be due to a dalliance in days gone by between one of Romo's female ancestors and a slave. To his credit, Patrick quickly challenged Irvin, saying, “Oh, that's the only way he can be a great athlete?”
Irvin could have pulled the escape hatch here, but instead he continued: “That's not the only way, but it's certainly one way. If great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandma pulled one of them studs up out of the barn (and said), 'Come on in here for a second,' you know, and they go out and work in the yard. You know, back in the day.”
The remarks initially went unnoticed, but by Wednesday several commentators (including Mike Freeman of CBSSportsline.com and Jason Whitlock of AOL) and web sites were shining a spotlight on the situation. Says Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star: "Joke or not, by my count, that's offensive to blacks, whites, grandmothers and humanity in general."
Friday, November 24, 2006
O.J. Needs to GO!
His name and bust need to be removed from the Hall of Fame in Canton. It is a disgrace that they still sully the building. O.J. was acquitted, and since his verdict came about by a trial of his peers then so-be-it. I can live with that....but to write a book and include a chapter about "how he WOULD HAVE DONE IT" (if he had be so inclined) no matter how its caveated, is to me an outright admission of his guilt. I totally agree with TMQ, this is NOT the act of an innocent man. If he was innocent or had any sense of grace or humanity, he would have found the mere suggestion that he write something like this repugnant.
I will not visit the Hall of Fame until he is removed, and if the NFL doesn't possess the dignity to do it, then I will not be visiting (not matter how much I'd like to visit).
I will not visit the Hall of Fame until he is removed, and if the NFL doesn't possess the dignity to do it, then I will not be visiting (not matter how much I'd like to visit).
The Marty Factor
One of many questions I have when the Eagles march onto the field for Sunday Night Football in America is whether or not the reunion of Marty Mornhinweg and Jeff Garcia will lead to a rekindling of Garcia's once-stellar performance. You see, when Garcia was a scrambling, West-Coast offense slinging Pro-Bowler he just so happened to be a San Francisco 49er...and his best years just so happened to come with our resident offensive coordinator as his OC.
Ok so just to be clear, that guarantees NOTHING, but it is at least one minor reason for hope...One other thing...I hope that the Eagles coaches will finally realize that they must have BALANCE offensively for this team to have a chance as the season goes on. In 2002, Andy Reid understood this, and he had Duce Staley on whom to lean. It was our running game and staunch D that saved that season (we went 12-4). With 5 out, this team will either collapse altogether without its season-long crutch or remember how to play TEAM football. That means, BLOCKING, CATCHING and TACKLING, fellas!
Ok so just to be clear, that guarantees NOTHING, but it is at least one minor reason for hope...One other thing...I hope that the Eagles coaches will finally realize that they must have BALANCE offensively for this team to have a chance as the season goes on. In 2002, Andy Reid understood this, and he had Duce Staley on whom to lean. It was our running game and staunch D that saved that season (we went 12-4). With 5 out, this team will either collapse altogether without its season-long crutch or remember how to play TEAM football. That means, BLOCKING, CATCHING and TACKLING, fellas!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Turkey Day!
Here wishing all my visitors a Happy Thanksgiving.
Enjoy your turkey:
Oops wrong Turkey.....how about this one?
Enjoy your turkey:
Oops wrong Turkey.....how about this one?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Breaking Down the Choice of Garcia over Feeley
Well folks, Andy Reid made it official. He's chosen Jeff Garcia as the starter. It was almost inevitable. In truth, it is the safe move. Everyone knew this was the reason the Eagles signed Garcia, a proven starting QB in the NFL. To have selected A.J. (my personal choice) would have pried open the lid to the proverbial can of worms (but not exactly spilled them out right away).
AR said as much "I brought Jeff in there for this situation, for this reason right here." We all knew that, even after they scooped up A.J. shortly before the start of the season. Admittedly, Garcia is the option that leaves AR with other options down the line. A.J. is the big gamble: could we recapture that 2002 magic and have lightning strike twice for the same team....Well, AR still has that wildcard in the hip pocket, and by starting Garcia, Reid keeps a certain amount of QB integrity on the team. Like I said, I prefer A.J. (based primarily on the lackluster response the team showed towards Garcia with the game against the Titans still up for grabs)....however, if Reid had bypassed Garcia (in effect, scuttling his own depth chart) there is NO WAY could legitimately go to Jeff (and expect the team to accept it) should A.J. fall flat.
He's got a veteran QB, who's lead playoff teams. It may not be the move I would've made, but I can understand why he did it. For all our sakes' I hope it works out.
AR said as much "I brought Jeff in there for this situation, for this reason right here." We all knew that, even after they scooped up A.J. shortly before the start of the season. Admittedly, Garcia is the option that leaves AR with other options down the line. A.J. is the big gamble: could we recapture that 2002 magic and have lightning strike twice for the same team....Well, AR still has that wildcard in the hip pocket, and by starting Garcia, Reid keeps a certain amount of QB integrity on the team. Like I said, I prefer A.J. (based primarily on the lackluster response the team showed towards Garcia with the game against the Titans still up for grabs)....however, if Reid had bypassed Garcia (in effect, scuttling his own depth chart) there is NO WAY could legitimately go to Jeff (and expect the team to accept it) should A.J. fall flat.
He's got a veteran QB, who's lead playoff teams. It may not be the move I would've made, but I can understand why he did it. For all our sakes' I hope it works out.
Monday, November 20, 2006
A Formula Revealed. Can the Eagles Counter It?
As I wait for Space Rangers 2 to download to my computer via Stardock, I figure now is as good a time as any to expound on a few items that still linger in my growing concern for the Eagles, their season and their direction.
As for the Season...they are 5-5 after 10 games, and to be brutally honest, they deserve to be exactly where they are at. Good teams do not give up the type of plays that the Eagles have this year. They make more plays, don't routinely get hammered on special teams, and they don't revert back to pass-wackiness a game after running the ball effectively (and actually winning a game by doing it...
One of the posters on the Philly.com chat made an interesting observation: the Eagles have lost to three teams starting young or relatively inexperience QBs...The Bucs with rookie Gratkowski, the Jaguars with David Garrard, and now the Titans with Vince Young....In NONE of those game did the QB do anything more impressive than HAND THE FRACKIN' BALL to his running back and make about 2 or 3 scrambles and 2 or 3 passes in each game to keep the chains moving (which speaks our defense's disheartening inability to get off the field in key situations).
Where is the vaunted, fly-to-the-ball, turnover-causing, hard-hitting defense that we'd come to know and love. Has the game caught up to Jim Johnson's defensive schemes? How in the ever-loving FUCK can we lose to rookie QBs. Isn't our defense supposed to confuse the hell out them? Aren't we supposed to have this master blitz scheme to nail unsure QBs? Not getting to a mobile vet like Drew Brees all that much because Sean Payton implements a short-passing game plan is one thing...losing contain on a rookie QB who's primarily a running threat and doesn't look like he can scan the field all that well is inexcusable.
Yet the formula for beating the Eagles is surprisingly simple, and we've seen it repeated all too often of late, no matter how inexperienced or wet behind the ears the opposing QB. It goes something like this: run the ball a lot (knowing that eventually the Eagles will forget how to tackle) and call plenty of short passes to negate the Eagles pass rush. This formula seem overly simplistic but what it is aimed primarily to NOT ASK the QB to win the game. Piss-poor opposing teams (like the Bucs and Titans), armed with greenhorn QBs should not be able to dictate the style of play to us. As you know, for the most part our D did pretty well in each game, the Bucs won because Donovan gift wrapped not one but TWO TD to Ronde Barber, but they couldn't make the key plays necessarily to FORCE opposing team to abandon their conservative strategies. Part of that is slow starts by the offense (no need to take risks when the game is tight) but also this defense, for whatever reason, routinely gives up big third down conversions (Vince Young on the first drive of the game, Bruce G. on the last drive to set up the miracle FG).
I cannot remember a season in which I had so little faith in the Eagles D to close out an opponent. I fear that this is only going to get worse as the season reaches it toughest point. We'll face a couple of good veteran QB in the next two weeks: Peyton Manning and Jake Delhomme. The defense needs to snap out of it and start kicking some tail. I mean, we survived the 2002 AJ experiment primarily because the defense rose to the occasion. (we manhandled Kurt Warner and the Rams that year, winning 10-3, keyed by a Bobby Taylor INT return for a TD.
(don't get me started on INTs...evidently we blew not one but TWO potential INT TDs yesterday...another reason why we are getting beat by shlubs...we're not making them PAY for the mistakes that they DO make)
As for the Season...they are 5-5 after 10 games, and to be brutally honest, they deserve to be exactly where they are at. Good teams do not give up the type of plays that the Eagles have this year. They make more plays, don't routinely get hammered on special teams, and they don't revert back to pass-wackiness a game after running the ball effectively (and actually winning a game by doing it...
One of the posters on the Philly.com chat made an interesting observation: the Eagles have lost to three teams starting young or relatively inexperience QBs...The Bucs with rookie Gratkowski, the Jaguars with David Garrard, and now the Titans with Vince Young....In NONE of those game did the QB do anything more impressive than HAND THE FRACKIN' BALL to his running back and make about 2 or 3 scrambles and 2 or 3 passes in each game to keep the chains moving (which speaks our defense's disheartening inability to get off the field in key situations).
Where is the vaunted, fly-to-the-ball, turnover-causing, hard-hitting defense that we'd come to know and love. Has the game caught up to Jim Johnson's defensive schemes? How in the ever-loving FUCK can we lose to rookie QBs. Isn't our defense supposed to confuse the hell out them? Aren't we supposed to have this master blitz scheme to nail unsure QBs? Not getting to a mobile vet like Drew Brees all that much because Sean Payton implements a short-passing game plan is one thing...losing contain on a rookie QB who's primarily a running threat and doesn't look like he can scan the field all that well is inexcusable.
Yet the formula for beating the Eagles is surprisingly simple, and we've seen it repeated all too often of late, no matter how inexperienced or wet behind the ears the opposing QB. It goes something like this: run the ball a lot (knowing that eventually the Eagles will forget how to tackle) and call plenty of short passes to negate the Eagles pass rush. This formula seem overly simplistic but what it is aimed primarily to NOT ASK the QB to win the game. Piss-poor opposing teams (like the Bucs and Titans), armed with greenhorn QBs should not be able to dictate the style of play to us. As you know, for the most part our D did pretty well in each game, the Bucs won because Donovan gift wrapped not one but TWO TD to Ronde Barber, but they couldn't make the key plays necessarily to FORCE opposing team to abandon their conservative strategies. Part of that is slow starts by the offense (no need to take risks when the game is tight) but also this defense, for whatever reason, routinely gives up big third down conversions (Vince Young on the first drive of the game, Bruce G. on the last drive to set up the miracle FG).
I cannot remember a season in which I had so little faith in the Eagles D to close out an opponent. I fear that this is only going to get worse as the season reaches it toughest point. We'll face a couple of good veteran QB in the next two weeks: Peyton Manning and Jake Delhomme. The defense needs to snap out of it and start kicking some tail. I mean, we survived the 2002 AJ experiment primarily because the defense rose to the occasion. (we manhandled Kurt Warner and the Rams that year, winning 10-3, keyed by a Bobby Taylor INT return for a TD.
(don't get me started on INTs...evidently we blew not one but TWO potential INT TDs yesterday...another reason why we are getting beat by shlubs...we're not making them PAY for the mistakes that they DO make)
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A.J. or Garcia -- Who Will Lead Us?
Well, Donovan is done until next year, and there's no use crying over spilt milk. I wish him a speedy and full recovery, but the critical question facing a team seemingly full of them is who is going to under center taking snaps when the Eagles limp into Indianapolis next Sunday night.
First the objective analysis part of the rant:
- This is the exact sort of nightmare scenario that prompted the Eagles go out and signed Jeff Garcia after last year's Mike McMahon debacle. The man's got a good resume for a back-up and when/if he gets his timing down with the wide receivers, he could prove to be very effective.
- The Eagles also scooped up former rescue-the-season QB A.J. Feeley just before the season started when the Chargers made him available. OK so you already knew that, and I suspect you also know that its that signing that made Andy Reid hesitate during the post-game press conference when asked who his starting QB is going to be.
- The team did not respond all that impressively to Garcia...by my audio count (listening to Merrill Reese) Garcia had no fewer than 6 dropped passes in his first 15 attempts...so instead of starting off hot (he woulda been 12/15 and maybe have had a scoring drive before the 4th qtr) he started off tepid and the team wallowed with him under center. Part of it is execution. We Eagles fans have seen situation before (the team's response to Koy and A.J. in 2002 being the most remarkable) when the Eagles step-it-up in response to their leader going down. Today, no one stepped up to help to Garcia make this a game...not the D, not the O, not the ST. To be totally fair, I thought Westbrook and Stallworth tried to pull their share of the load, but a raft of drops just killed them all.
- At this point, AR and the coaches have a brutal decision. Garcia or Feeley.
The case for Garcia goes something like this: he a former Pro-Bowl QB who made playoff runs before, he's mobile (which the Eagles are used to), and he's got a better pedigree as a starter than Option B: A.J. Feeley. hmmm, that's about it.
Now let me rant a bit about why I would start A.J.:
- note the aforementioned lack of enthusiasm for playing with Garcia...their lack of response/failure to rally after their field general got carted off speaks VOLUMES about whether the team views JG as the answer. IMHO, they don't. Nothing against him, but that's how I read today's situation. In all fairness, I could be wrong.
- as a lifetime fan, its hard to forget what A.J. has already done for the team. His performance a few years ago earned him a lot slack in this town...well maybe not a lot, but it probably earned him plenty of support to get a few starts.
- Perhaps most compelling question regarding who should start for the Eagles is the style of play offered by the two quarterbacks. Garcia is a timing QB, it could take weeks for him to gel with the team. This team in 5-5 and is barely treading water. What we need is a QB who can step in and play MOST like Donovan. A.J. can make the throws that Garcia cannot. Feeley's got a good arm, if he's in there, the offensive playbook will stay intact, for the most part. Garcia showed today that he cannot throw the deep ball effectively...he throws it like Mark Brunell as a matter of fact...occasionally heaving one or two really brisk deep balls that leave you scratching head ((because the throw before he looked like Lamar Latrel the limp-wristed javelin thrower from Revenge of the Nerds)). For the most part, however, Garcia simply does not have the arm strength to make the same throws as Donovan. Having him back there will fundamentally CHANGE the way the Eagles offense has to approach the game. For that reason alone, my personal preference is that Andy Reid dial up A.J.'s number.
CAVEAT: If the Eagles continue to turn the ball over, leave points on the field, squander field position, take stupid penalties, fail to make opponents pay for mistakes, fail to adequately cover ST returner, and fail to find an effective mix of run and pass--in effect continue the idiocies on display yesterday at the LINC--then it WON'T MATTER ONE IOTA who is playing QB for the Birds, because they will lose and embarrass us all.
First the objective analysis part of the rant:
- This is the exact sort of nightmare scenario that prompted the Eagles go out and signed Jeff Garcia after last year's Mike McMahon debacle. The man's got a good resume for a back-up and when/if he gets his timing down with the wide receivers, he could prove to be very effective.
- The Eagles also scooped up former rescue-the-season QB A.J. Feeley just before the season started when the Chargers made him available. OK so you already knew that, and I suspect you also know that its that signing that made Andy Reid hesitate during the post-game press conference when asked who his starting QB is going to be.
- The team did not respond all that impressively to Garcia...by my audio count (listening to Merrill Reese) Garcia had no fewer than 6 dropped passes in his first 15 attempts...so instead of starting off hot (he woulda been 12/15 and maybe have had a scoring drive before the 4th qtr) he started off tepid and the team wallowed with him under center. Part of it is execution. We Eagles fans have seen situation before (the team's response to Koy and A.J. in 2002 being the most remarkable) when the Eagles step-it-up in response to their leader going down. Today, no one stepped up to help to Garcia make this a game...not the D, not the O, not the ST. To be totally fair, I thought Westbrook and Stallworth tried to pull their share of the load, but a raft of drops just killed them all.
- At this point, AR and the coaches have a brutal decision. Garcia or Feeley.
The case for Garcia goes something like this: he a former Pro-Bowl QB who made playoff runs before, he's mobile (which the Eagles are used to), and he's got a better pedigree as a starter than Option B: A.J. Feeley. hmmm, that's about it.
Now let me rant a bit about why I would start A.J.:
- note the aforementioned lack of enthusiasm for playing with Garcia...their lack of response/failure to rally after their field general got carted off speaks VOLUMES about whether the team views JG as the answer. IMHO, they don't. Nothing against him, but that's how I read today's situation. In all fairness, I could be wrong.
- as a lifetime fan, its hard to forget what A.J. has already done for the team. His performance a few years ago earned him a lot slack in this town...well maybe not a lot, but it probably earned him plenty of support to get a few starts.
- Perhaps most compelling question regarding who should start for the Eagles is the style of play offered by the two quarterbacks. Garcia is a timing QB, it could take weeks for him to gel with the team. This team in 5-5 and is barely treading water. What we need is a QB who can step in and play MOST like Donovan. A.J. can make the throws that Garcia cannot. Feeley's got a good arm, if he's in there, the offensive playbook will stay intact, for the most part. Garcia showed today that he cannot throw the deep ball effectively...he throws it like Mark Brunell as a matter of fact...occasionally heaving one or two really brisk deep balls that leave you scratching head ((because the throw before he looked like Lamar Latrel the limp-wristed javelin thrower from Revenge of the Nerds)). For the most part, however, Garcia simply does not have the arm strength to make the same throws as Donovan. Having him back there will fundamentally CHANGE the way the Eagles offense has to approach the game. For that reason alone, my personal preference is that Andy Reid dial up A.J.'s number.
CAVEAT: If the Eagles continue to turn the ball over, leave points on the field, squander field position, take stupid penalties, fail to make opponents pay for mistakes, fail to adequately cover ST returner, and fail to find an effective mix of run and pass--in effect continue the idiocies on display yesterday at the LINC--then it WON'T MATTER ONE IOTA who is playing QB for the Birds, because they will lose and embarrass us all.
5 Done for the Year - SH*T
Andy Reid just made it official...Donovan is done for the year...so long 2006...
I don't think the team will go in the tank, but their contender-ship is over....5 was the man who gave us the chance to win any game...come back from any deficit....overcome any opponent...I don't see Garcia providing us the same level of competition.
Reid is being starkly honest in the P.C. "you gotta catch the football AND tackle"...the basics...if you want to win games in the NFL.
Blown opportunities defines the Titans game: Not making interceptions when your DBs are position to do so, stupid penalties (how the F can you false start with goal to go)...getting the Titans backed into 3rd and longs (esp. on that first drive, with the crowd at full throttle) and letting him run for first downs...
I don't think the team will go in the tank, but their contender-ship is over....5 was the man who gave us the chance to win any game...come back from any deficit....overcome any opponent...I don't see Garcia providing us the same level of competition.
Reid is being starkly honest in the P.C. "you gotta catch the football AND tackle"...the basics...if you want to win games in the NFL.
Blown opportunities defines the Titans game: Not making interceptions when your DBs are position to do so, stupid penalties (how the F can you false start with goal to go)...getting the Titans backed into 3rd and longs (esp. on that first drive, with the crowd at full throttle) and letting him run for first downs...
"Just that kinda day"
8 Penalties, a few of them costly...and two huge setbacks....first a defensive letdown on Henry's big run....down 17-6....then the Special Teams, after playing a very good game on returns, forgets how to tackle and Pacman Jones wiggles away and scores on a 90yd punt return. (Merrill and Mike note that our snapper was flagrantly held on the return, but there was no flag).
Merrill is just disgusted... he just said "I don't know what is happening to this football team"...I don't think ANY of us know...Mike Quick: "Its almost as if they are just going through the motions"
Reese is calling drop after drop after dropped pass. I mean, Garcia's stat-line is horrible, but I've heard Merrill call at least 6 DROPS...what the hell is going on? He's 6 for 15 with 6 drops...I mean he should be off to a torrid 12/15 sparking the Eagles to nice game without McNabb...instead its guys looking around, wondering who is going to make a play..its a rehash of the Jags game.
Quick: "The Eagles just need to play BETTER FOOTBALL."
AR is challenging the spot on the play. Look this defense has NOT given up. The special teams made huge gaffe, but other than that (and that is BIG OTHER) Reno has done an admirable job trying to spark the offense, which hasn't responded in any way shape or form.
AR wins the challenge...refs had been too generous with the spot...hopefully we get the ball back....maybe the ST can get the TD back...
Just three catches by the Wideouts? Quite getting mad at your helmet L.J. and make a friggin' catch! Hey hey...ok that's more like it. (he caught one just as I typed that).
The Eagles have started drives with excellent field position throughout the second half (and most times in the first) and have done very little with it. Eagles finally driving. They F'd up the snap on the FG...."Unbelievable" says Merrill...."Just that kinda day"
Merrill is just disgusted... he just said "I don't know what is happening to this football team"...I don't think ANY of us know...Mike Quick: "Its almost as if they are just going through the motions"
Reese is calling drop after drop after dropped pass. I mean, Garcia's stat-line is horrible, but I've heard Merrill call at least 6 DROPS...what the hell is going on? He's 6 for 15 with 6 drops...I mean he should be off to a torrid 12/15 sparking the Eagles to nice game without McNabb...instead its guys looking around, wondering who is going to make a play..its a rehash of the Jags game.
Quick: "The Eagles just need to play BETTER FOOTBALL."
AR is challenging the spot on the play. Look this defense has NOT given up. The special teams made huge gaffe, but other than that (and that is BIG OTHER) Reno has done an admirable job trying to spark the offense, which hasn't responded in any way shape or form.
AR wins the challenge...refs had been too generous with the spot...hopefully we get the ball back....maybe the ST can get the TD back...
Just three catches by the Wideouts? Quite getting mad at your helmet L.J. and make a friggin' catch! Hey hey...ok that's more like it. (he caught one just as I typed that).
The Eagles have started drives with excellent field position throughout the second half (and most times in the first) and have done very little with it. Eagles finally driving. They F'd up the snap on the FG...."Unbelievable" says Merrill...."Just that kinda day"
What Happened to Balance?
Note: Please be OK Donovan...5 got injured early in the second quarter....
My audio impression of the game so far: why aren't the Eagles running the ball a bit more...I mean, I just checked the stats...we've got 24 pass attempts and just 12 running plays by Buck and Westbrook....Travis Henry just broke a big score after the Eagles had looked like they had bottled him up after an initial run...
OK WB is averaging under 3 yards a carry...but so what? BLOCK better...give him the rock, he's your game-breaker with McNabb out right now.
My audio impression of the game so far: why aren't the Eagles running the ball a bit more...I mean, I just checked the stats...we've got 24 pass attempts and just 12 running plays by Buck and Westbrook....Travis Henry just broke a big score after the Eagles had looked like they had bottled him up after an initial run...
OK WB is averaging under 3 yards a carry...but so what? BLOCK better...give him the rock, he's your game-breaker with McNabb out right now.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Make Love Not Warcraft
OMG folks, I just watched Southpark Episode 1008 which does a priceless spoof of World of Warcraft...you can see it here...just be prepared to LYAO....I tell you what, this show just doesn't seem to be aging...its like the Simpsons, only crude...the jokes are pretty dang good...inside references...I dig it...
Bad Day to Be a Zombie
Ok, confession time, I like Zombie movies...especially those of George A. Romero....Night of the Living Dead (orig, B&W) was awesome...and Dawn of the Dead was a classic...Day of the Dead was OK and Land of the Dead, while promising, needed some help.
The remakes have been alright...I liked the Dawn of the Dead remake, but I wasn't real keen on the leaping/sprinting zombie thing...I prefer the inexorable, punishing advance....its more doomsday-ish, more suspenseful....
Well in the vein of the Dawn of the Dead remake, click here: to see the Day of Dead remake, due out Apr 2007.
The remakes have been alright...I liked the Dawn of the Dead remake, but I wasn't real keen on the leaping/sprinting zombie thing...I prefer the inexorable, punishing advance....its more doomsday-ish, more suspenseful....
Well in the vein of the Dawn of the Dead remake, click here: to see the Day of Dead remake, due out Apr 2007.
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