Never Saw It Coming

A friend writes:

Akers clearly got hurt on the extra point. It was very odd that Fox didn't mention it.

That shoulda made it a 27-24 game with our lead.

Still, the defense sucked today. I never saw that coming. Never.

Outcoached

mcnabb and jackson got the go ahead score but the D couldn't hold - ironically - on4th and inches and then in keeping to a FG.

Akers didn't help. missed a fg and tra point = forcing the 2pt. conversion.

Ultimately, eagles got outcoached. The Cards made adjustments from their last game with the Eagles and the Eagles didn't.

i'm crushed

i am literally at a loss as to what to think.

jim johnson's defense got abused the first half.

eagles offense stunk first half

mcnabb threw some terrible passes that cost the eagles plays - curtis, jackson, avant incompletes. and yet, lewis, particularly and others shoiuld have made some game turning catches;

mcnabb drove them down for the wining score but akers cost them 4 points.

o-lline  couldn't open up runninng holes but alllowed mcnabb 10 seconds on most pass plays - literally.

how many titles do the eagles have with fitzgerald?

i'm crushed

mcnabb and jackson got the go ahead score but the D couldn't hold - ironically - on4th and inches and then in keeping to a FG.

akers didn't help. missed a fg and tra point = forcing the 2pt. conversion.

ultimately, eagles got outcoached.

Prop lines

McNabb O/U 258 passing yards

Warner 265 passing

Westbrook - 66 1/2 rushing yards

James - 52 1/2 rushing yards

Fitzgerald - 6 1/2 receptions, 96 1/2 receiving yards

Jackson 60 1/2 receiving yards

Akers total points scored - 9

Over under final scores

Eagles 26
Cardinals 21

A New Defining Moment?

Could McNabb significantly remake/rehab his reputation with the know-nothings if he has a stellar game today?

Here's hoping 300 yards passing, 2 TDs, and one rushing TD today can and will cleanse some of the feelings from the past couple of years (the knee, the vomiting, TO, etc.).

Falcons- Eagles Revisited

At this time and on this day five years ago, we had already gotten a ride from a downtown Philly hotel to the airport parking lot from some guy that whiled away the time hand drawing patriotic bumper stickers like "KILL TERRARISTS!!"

We had persuaded an airport snow removal crew to use their front loader to clear a path for the RV so we were able to get it out of its spot regardless of the 6 inches of snow that had fallen the night before.

By this time five years ago, we had already gotten in to the tailgate parking lot because Baby Cogs had managed to save an extra spot next to a corner dumpster.

And by this time five years ago, we were playing Beirut on the Strapper-hand made playing table and it was so cold out that the beer in the cups and especially the foam was freezing during each of the games.

Perhaps the RV and the Eagles finest day.

Here's hoping the rest of that day is recreated again this afternoon.

More Burrell Appreciation

With the total flameout of Andruw Jones' talent (steroids, anyone?), its worth reflecting again on Pat Burrell's underappreciated stats.

From Sports Illustrated:

Yesterday the Dodgers cut ties with one of the greatest free-agent busts in recent history with the release of centerfielder Andruw Jones. The longtime Brave played just one season for L.A., hitting .158 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 209 at bats. Jones still ranks third among NL outfielders in home runs since the start of the 2005 season, with 120. The only NL sluggers to hit more from an outfield spot are free agent Adam Dunn, who hit 146 for the Reds and D-Backs, and Pat Burrell, who hit 122 for the Phillies before bolting for Tampa Bay this offseason.

In other words, Pat Burrell is the top OF slugger since 2005...if not before then.

Prediction

So the Sports Guy clearly hates the Eagles (see 10 reasons why Cards will beat Eagles).

But why is he and alot of every other people so enamored with the formerly no account Cards? Why isn't the Eagles 3rd ranked defense - which absolutely shut down the Cowboys, Vikings, and Giants - not getting any respect?

Why is Kurt Warner getting props as a comeback player but Donovan McNabb is being overlooked?

Why is the Eagles ability to score against the Vikings and Giants defenses being discounted and the Cards ability to beat a rookie quarterback making his first start on the road and Jake Delhomme's 5 turnovers being made into a world dominating defense?

Admittedly, the Eagles have not traditionally played well in Arizona. But I'm almost happy that Anquan Boldin is going to try to gut out a hammie tomorrow. Please, by all means. Dress and play and perform at 70%. Please. It will make the Larry Fitzgerald double teams that much more effective.

The Eagles are going to #1 with a bullet as Dick Clark might say.

And much like McNabb's coming out against his hometown Bears in a divisional playoff in the Windy City seven (eight?) years ago, i expect a similarly stellar performance for his winter home neighbors tomorrow.

Eagles 27
Cardinals 13

Arizona

My brother travelled to Arizona yesterday. Is staying at a fancy Westin resort in Scottsdale, 45 minutes from the stadium in Glendale.

He got two tix for he and his wife online (not sure if it was ebay, craigslist or stubhub): lower bowl for $425 each - face was, i believe $190. but really, when you are already spending way more on airfare - $700 on Southwest! - both the resort and the game tix begin to look like a bargain.

Anyway, says the weather is great - sunny and 77 degrees. A far cry from the 1 degree that i awoke to this morning!

My Prediction?

Pain!

Hands to the Face?

If not a face mask,shouldn't this at least be illegal hands to the face on the part of Bradshaw?

Did Anyone Notice?

That with 9:09 left in the game yesterday the game clock stopped?

The Giants had the ball and ran two plays and the clock did not run.

Finally, Fox removed the score and time graphic from the screen, the time came back up and the clock was running, but it read 7:58. A lot more time than one minute 11 seconds had run off between when the clock was supposed to have started and when it finally did.

McNabb

everyone will say what they want about the benching, but it unleashed something in McNabb. Maybe that was when it actually hit him that he might not be back next year. Since then, the normally buttoned down "company man" seems to be playing loose and having fun - something we maybe have not seen since his first 2-3 years in the league - before all his other QB draft counterparts flamed out, he became the "franchise" and took on the crushing pressure of expectations (right after the Rams championship loss?).

Anyway, at the time i hated the phone thing yesterday when Mcnabb drew the personal foul and turned a 3rd and 1 conversion from ending the game into an impossible 3rd and 16 that gave the Giants one last shot. 24 hours later however, with the penalty not hurting anything, i see it as the play of a straight arrow guy that really is just having fun -  a 10 year veteran playing like a rookie. i find it very encouraging.

It is unbelievable that D stuffed the Giants on 4th and short TWICE on must have first downs by the Giants. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

I mean, on that Eli QB sneak (and what a disaster that play call was, why are you not giving the ball to Jacobs?), i don't think the refs even measured for the first after 4th down, there was no question he didn't make it.

part of me doesn't like having to go out to Phoenix, the Eagles don't' traditional play/travel there really well. The other part of me likes it cause it fits in with the fast, loose, and world against us nature of this team right now.

Defense

Patterson and Bunkley really shone yesterday in stuffing those 4th and 1s. what i really like is the depth and flexibility of this line. you've got huge guys run stuffing tackles like the aforementioned two. and Laws is being worked into the mix. and they've got speed rushing, athletic d-ends like Juqua and Cole. And they've got Howard that shifts to d-tackle in passing downs, Abiamiri, and the late season emergence of Clemons who is playing a lot like the old Jevon Kearse - did you see him dropping back into LB pass coverage yesterday?

good point about Jackson. It might have made sense when he was "only" a rookie and they wanted to get him in the game. but now that he is the go to WR, why is he fielding punts? especially when you've got a good experienced returner who is 3rd string d-back.

Unofficial 2nd Half Donovan Stats

An ink stained wretch writes:

In both games, we've now won basically because - in a game in which both defenses played hard - our QB made more plays, way more, than their QB.

Our special teams were also huge, huge. God, even Rocca's been punting well. But in 2 straight games Donovan's been great in 2nd half, the other team's QB has been terrible.

Roughly, I think Donnie's 2nd half numbers in 2 games are:
26-37, 320 yds, 2 TDS, 1 INT.

Best Eagles D?

My brother chimes in:

I would say this is the best LB group he has had.  Its youth is the only reason it's not credited like the others.  You are watching one of the best MLB's in football and barring injury we will see him in a pro bowl very shortly.  Bradley is unbelievable.  Gocong is a great SAM – as good as the Carlos Emmons era and big upgrade over Dhani.  What sets them apart is that they can play run and pass which we know Trotter couldn't (certainly not in 2^nd stint).

I'll also go with this d-line being deeper than Hugh's years.  Patterson and Bunkley are underrated because they don't play a lot on passing downs (not saying PK was not giving credit, just talking about in general you never hear much about them, but they are very solid).

Don't look now, but Abiamiri is quickly looking like a good draft pick.

Can't touch the 2001-2003 DB's.

Top to bottom this is his best D.  No real weak spots.  For goodness sakes Lito can't get on field!!

Did anyone notice Lito playing on punt return team.  I saw him out there.  If Jackson has become crucial to the offense why haven't they moved to put Lito back on punt returns.  I know Jackson is better, but there was a reason we removed westbrook from that duty a few years ago.  Lito was very, very good when he did it.  If he can't play D why can't he return punts.  I know it's worked out well and Jackson has been nothing short of great, but at some point you can't have your #1 WR returning punts (at least no one else seems to do that).  It's like having your starting QB hold for the kicker – see Cowboys 2006 season.

Historical thought –These next few weeks could prove vital in the HOF candidacy to Dawkins and McNabb.  Just huge.  Without SB rings I think both will have trouble getting in.  With them I think they are both in.

5 of his 10 years they have played in NFC championship (and 5 of last 8).  Please tell that to anyone/everyone that says McNabb can't win a big game.  That stat is incredible.

Eagles Best Defense?

A friend writes:

The defense is just soooo tough. I said it at the start of the playoffs, I believe this is probably the best unit Johnson has ever had. He's had years when his D-line was better (the Hugh Douglas prime of '01), he's had years with better LBs (Trotter in '01/'02), he's had better secondaries (those years of Taylor/Vincent/B-Dawk were sick).

But I think this D is probably, all together, as good as the '01/'02 squad, if not better.

To put that point into full view, in their last 4 games the Eagles have played 4 great offenses:

Redskins (10 points); Cowboys (6 points); Vikings (14); NYG (11).

And let's not forget that the Skins TD came on a short field after a McNabb fumble, and 2 of those FGs yesterday were on short fields -- 1 after the opening kickoff return, the other on the batted into the air INT and Mr Fatso running it down to the 30.

Paul Kane

to put that point into full view, in their last 4 games the Eagles have playe...

5:00 PM (3 hours ago)

Paul KaneLoading...

5:00 PM (3 hours ago)

Avant

A friend writes:

Has he come outta nowhere to become The. Go-To Receiver? Or have we wasted a few years on Reggie Brown instead of turning Avant into our No 1 receiver?
All Avant does is make clutch catches for 1st downs.

Eagles Analysis

Pretty funny… and accurate summation of the Eagles strengths and weaknesses and chances against the Giants.

Wes Welker Lite?

Says Jason Whitlock, “Philly did everything it could to keep Minnesota in the game. Memo to Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb: Kevin Curtis is not a deep threat on the edge. Curtis is a slot receiver, a Wes Welker Lite.

 

You expose Curtis to a playoff team's top two corners and he's highly ineffective. You put Curtis in the slot against a nickel and he can be a difference-maker.

 

When McNabb threw deep to Curtis on an important, late-game third-down play rather than dumping the ball to a wide-open Brian Westbrook in the flat, I wanted to turn the game off.”

Little Bro's Reaction

My brother chimes in:

I fear Deion could be right.  That and Lurie proclaiming they want McNabb - haven't we seen that before when they say publicly they want to keep him so later they can say - we tried and wanted to, but he didn't want to.  Total play for the media/fans.  It worries me.

The Defense is pretty f'in good.  Great 2nd half.  The big lapse was after Samuel's TD was bad.  They had chance to stop them and turn game into route. They did step it up in 2nd half though.

McNabb was great in 2nd half.  Moving the chains when pinned back - twice.  No points, but there was no chance the Vikes were going 90 yards on that defense in 2nd half.

I really like Avant.  Good hands.

Special teams were great.  Akers has been very, very good since about week 5.  Of course the meadowlands is like kryptonite to him.

Reid seemed to stick with run.  I can't believe they ran the ball once in 2nd half, but they kept doing it - with no success.  I'd like to see ratio, but I bet it was 60/40.  That's awesome.

Bucky is a quality backup.

Sheldon Brown, who I have always loved, has terrible hands.

GREAT, GREAT downfield blocking by receivers on the screen.  AND Nick Cole was out there knocking two guys down.

We had trouble stopping Chester taylor.  Worried about Jacobs.  Need Abiamiri back so Juqua Parker can sit his 245 lb body.

Very excited we're still playing.

Re-read the Sports Guy's picks.  He hates Philly.  We know that already. But he kills Reid and wants to put him in his manifesto as don't bet on Andy Reid ever.  Reid has 9 playoff victories and has won a playoff game every time he makes it.  He's won at least one playoff game in 7 of the last 9 years.  Yes, he mismanages the clock and can't challenge worth dog poo, but the guy wins.

We were 3-4-1 on road this year, but traditionally the Eagles have been very good on road.  Don't forget that.

McNabb Next Year

A friend responds:

Very difficult to see how Kolb could be under center next season. Today's game showed what happens with young QBs in playoffs. Deion, on NFL Net, is adamant in predicting McNabb will do all he can to go somewhere else.

McNabb 2009 Guarantee?

doesn't yesterday's win virtually assure McNabb now comes back next year?

I mean, is anyone comfortable with the concept of Kevin Kolb improving upon this team to take them beyond the divisional playoff round next year?

The Day After

Tough, tough win. The Vikings are actually pretty good - especially that defense - and Jackson managed the game pretty well till they needed to throw and then he was a disaster. Interesting other teams have flaws that their fans can see in preseason but the "professionals" (i.e., the gm and coaches) don't address.

for instance, with that defense a halfway competent QB should get them into the divisional round. But they started the season with Jackson and he ended their season today.

i just hope the Eags aren't too banged up from today's game for the rested Giants next week.

and they finally caught a break with the NFL scheduling and don't have to play on a short week like they did against New Orleans.

BTW, didn't Westbrook's screen TD remind you of the same long screen TD he had against the Redskins last year at FedEx field?

Reevaluating Eagles D

A friend, who had called the Eagles' defense and coach Jim Johnson "pathetic" in November, has offered up a helping of crow. He now writes, contritely:

Johnson's defense this year has possibly turned into his best ever. The D-line is still under-sized, but he's done a tremendous job with these young linebackers, turning them into the unsung heroes of this defense.

On another note, our special teams might have been the difference today. Akers went 4-4 and Jackson's punt returns set up a FG and also was a huge field position changer. Oh, and their punter sucked.

The Over the Hill Gang Rides Again

Joe Gibbs is gone and George Allen is dead, but the Redskins continue to squander draft picks on over the hill players.

Also from the Boston Globe:

The verdict is in on the Dolphins' trade of Jason Taylor to the Redskins for a 2009 second-round draft choice and a 2010 sixth-round pick. The winner: Miami. The Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5 and qualified for the playoffs, while Taylor - who was slowed by calf surgery in September - totaled a career-low 3 1/2 sacks with 8-8 Washington. Taylor is due $8.5 million in 2009, and given that high figure, it's possible he won't even be back with the Redskins next season.

Bye Bye

From the Boston Globe. Encouraging news for the Eagles:

Once thought to be vital in the quest for a Super Bowl title, the first-round bye isn't as important as one might think. Consider that each of the last three Super Bowl champions - the 2005 Steelers, the 2006 Colts, the 2007 Giants - all played in the wild-card round. Overall, six Super Bowl champions have played on wild-card weekend.

Statistic of Interest

During the Colts-Chargers overtime game, CBS displayed a graphic that said home teams were 12-12 in playoff OT games, but that they had won 9 of the last 13.

In other words, at one point in NFL history, road teams were a mind boggling 8-3 in playoff OT. I want to know more about all this. 1) How did the road teams have such success and 2) what has happened to give home teams such a streaky recent advantage, including San Diego's win yesterday which now makes home teams 10 for the last 14 in playoff OT.

Screen

Didn't Westbrook's screen TD remind you of the same long screen TD he had against the Redskins two year's ago at FedEx field?

Atl-Ari

I think atlanta is the most likely of the wildcards/favorites to lose this weekend.

The cards are much maligned but they do play well at home. In addition, the valley of the sun has historically been a tough road trip for east coast teams.

Add in that matt ryan is a rookie qb and there is no shame for a falcons team that made the playoffs even if they go one and out.

Falcon 13
Cardinals 31

How bout them utes

Utah is this year's Boise State, right down to the hook and lateral.

The BCS should (but won't) rethink its entire system after this Mountain West "power" took it right to the 2nd best team in the all-powerful SEC.

And there will only be one uundefeated team this year- and it didn't play in the championship game or even get serious consideration - Utah.

6 for 6

I am fascinated by this chart which appeared in yesterday's NY Times graphing the average points scored per NFL drive for drives starting at each yard line.

Understandably, drives starting at the opponents 1 yard line are the highest scoring starting points. But the next highest scoring starting position is not the 2 yeard line but the 7 yard line?!

What could account for the difference? Either the extra yards allow teams more/better passing options by giving defenses more territory to defend, or the 6 yard line gives offenses more options and defenses, conversely, more things to consider than if both teams were focused on running it in from, say, the 3 yard line.

Moreover, teams score more if they start at the 8 yeard line than if they start at the 3, 5, or 7 yard line.

Eagles Viking Prediction

SI's Peter King predicts a 24-23 Vikings victory, predicated on a lot of rushing by Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.

I see things a little differently.

Eagles 23
Vikings 16

And it could be a bigger margin of victory if the Eagles get an early lead and force Tarvaris Jackson into throwing more and relying less on Peterson's legs.

A State of Interest Only to Me?

From the New York Times:

Players listed with thigh injuries wind up playing 69.2 percent of the time, according to Barnwell's research; those with hamstring injuries play just 54.8 percent, the lowest among all injury types. So listing someone with a hamstring injury could telegraph his likelihood of playing.