For the past week, the violent and pre-mature death of Washington Redskins' safety Sean Taylor has been front-page news around the nation. By now we all know the story, a 24-year old NFL star and new father was gunned in his own home by suspected burglars. But a lot of the talk in THIS city has been about why we, the public, seem to consider this tragic incident any more important, or any more newsworthy than any of the 300+ murders we as Philadelphians have seen in 2007. It could be as simple as our culture just lends itself to celebrity-obsession, and this is just another case of America being more intimately involved with the people on television than those living in our neighborhoods. But I think it's more complex than that. Today, sports are our common bond. In a nation divided over so much (political allegiances, race, news anchor preference, soft-drink loyalty...), we all love sports. Especially football. Quick check: name thirty-two United States senators. Ok, now name the thirty-two starting quarterbacks in the National Football League. No brainer, right?
We hear it all the time, "it's just a game". And that's true. Sports' main function in society is to entertain the masses. Entertainment is a very fancy word for distraction. Think about it. The aforementioned 300+ murders are a grave problem in our great city. But what is our main concern? Coach Andy Reid's play-calling and personnel decisions. Sports distract us from our mundane, often times depressing, existences. Last night's Monday Night Football game was my impetus's for this article, as I've been mulling over a way to relate the Sean Taylor Story to this blog, being as it is the top story in the nation at the moment. Back to last night's Pats/Ravens game. Being the Patriots mark that I am (no, I am not a traitor, I just appreciate teams who do what it takes to be great, rather than toiling in mediocrity while touting a resume` of almosts and calling their organization the "gold standard") I have been quite caught up in New England's pursuit of perfection. Needless to say, the game engulfed all of my attention. Sure, I had to re-write a paper for a history class in seven or so hours, and yeah, I am having some personal and emotional problems right now and, maybe I have had a mouse in my room for the past week, and, again, yes, I do live in America's most dangerous city. But last night, while watching the 4-7 Baltimore Ravens come less than yards away from de-railing the unbeaten New England Patriots' ride to a perfect regular season, nothing else mattered. All that I cared about was Willis McGahee pounding the Pats' D for three-and-a-half quarters, Rex Ryan calling an unnecessary timeout, Tom Brady leading yet another fourth quarter comeback, Baltimore's disciplinary breakdown, Jabar Gaffney's feet, Kyle Boller's near Doug Flutie-esque hail mary. That is all that went through my mind Monday night. So when people say that the death of Sean Taylor is no more tragic than those of the 300+ in this city over the past twelve months, it is somewhat un-true. Sean Taylor's murder effects us in ways which are almost indescribable. The great majority of us don't know the identities of those lost here in the city, or in other cities, or even of those fighting in Iraq. But we knew Sean Taylor. He was one of the many faces who lived in our bubble-world that protects us from everything that does not take place on a football field. Knowing now that our shelter can be penetrated by the same problems that exist outside of our television sets is rattling, to say the least. And now that we see not even our Great Distraction can keep us totally away from the coldness that is reality, this tragedy forces us, in some ways, to confront the issues from which we were seeking distraction.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!?!?
No. But damn, that was close. But how about deja vu? Tell me if this sounds familiar: The Philadelphia Eagles lost to the New England Patriots by three points. Philadelphia's quarterback threw 3 touchown passes and three interceptions, and Greg Lewis scored. Tom Brady was pressured but never rattled and the New England defense took the ball away when it really mattered. Familiar? I thought so, too. Years later, in a different city with a different quarterback the outcome is still the same: The NFL's "gold standard" franchise is defeated by the platnium-filled dynasty that is the New England Patriots. But this one was a little different, was it not? A.J. Feeley, once again filling in for the injured Donovan McNabb, put up almost identical statistics to Donovan McNabb's on that fateful day in February of 2005. But unlike Donovan, A.J. is not being accused of choking (figuratively or literally) against the heavily favored Pats, but praised for his overall play and forgiven for his several errant passes which ultimately cost the Eagles their chance at derailing New England's pursuit of perfection. But why? Maybe it's because Feeley has not started in over two seasons and actually over-achieved Sunday night, unlike McNabb, who clearly did not perform to the height of his abilities in Super Bowl XXXIX, nor has he for much of the 2007 season. But there may be more than just an understanding of the disparity between the two players' talent. Maybe we just do not like Donovan McNabb. We don't like his "whining" and his "don't blame me" attitude. And maybe we blame Donny, if only partially, for exiling Terrell Owens, easily the best receiver McNabb has ever thown to, to the hated Dallas Cowboys. And he still harps on getting booed on draft day. Personally, I would be willing to over look all of that if McNabb were to win a championship for this city, a feat that seems impossible with a 13-16 record as a strater dating back to Super Bowl 39 (not including the win against Miami last week, as prior to McNabb's injury, the Eagles were trailing). But I digress. The story right now is that the 22+ point underdog Philadelphia Eagles went toe-to-toe with one of the greatest NFL teams ever assembled and nearly pulled off the semingly impossible. But unfortunately, you don't get point for trying, and the Eagles now sit in the cellar of the NFC East, tied with the Washington Redskins at 5-6.
But this loss to New England, unlike the last one, did not crush the dreams of a city. Infact, it may have re-ignited them. With the combination of playing with heart, Andy Reid's aggressive game plan, the defense holding an offensive juggernaut to 24 points, and the "mediocre receivers" finding a way to get open (Greg Lewis- 4 Rec. 88 yds. 2 TD, Reggie Brown- 5 Rec. 45 yds. 1 TD, Kevin Curtis 5 Rec. 71 yds.) against the NFL's sixth rated pass defense, this team has a chance to get on a run similar to last season's turnaround orchestrated by Garcia & Co. But the key will be consistency, the intangible that has been missing all season. The Birds can't afford to forget to cover T.O. again, or give up another 12 sacks to the G-Men or get off to a slow start in New Orleans or overlook the Buffalo Bills. Nor can they afford to get away from running the ball. Passing 42 times was a necessity to keep up with the Pats' offense and because New England's D clearly had one goal- containing Brian Westbrook, who was held to 92 total yards on 24 touches and a rushing TD (3.83 YPT). But consistency in play calling, as well as level of play will be a necessity for this team to get on a roll and secure a wild card spot. Granted, Reid cannot call onside kicks and flea flickers and WR option-passes every week for the next five games, but he needs to stay aggressive. The Giants are heading into their annual second-half nose dive, and the rest of the conference (except for Dallas and Green Bay) is not very good, and four of the final five games are against teams ahead of the Eagles in the conference standings. This is very do-able. But only if the Birds play with the fire and heart that nearly knocked off the league's best this past Sunday night. The Eagles have now proven that, on any given week, they can play on a level with the week's best. Here's hoping they put it all together in the next five weeks.
Two closing notes. On the lighter side of the NFL, how bad is John Madden? I don't care if he is a legendary coach and the name sake of the best video game in the history of digital entertainment, he is a terrible color commentator. He's worse than Joe Buck in the booth. Absolutely dreadful.
I'd like to offer condolences to the family of Washington Redskins' safety Sean Taylor. Taylor, 24, was shot in his home Monday night and died early this morning.
But this loss to New England, unlike the last one, did not crush the dreams of a city. Infact, it may have re-ignited them. With the combination of playing with heart, Andy Reid's aggressive game plan, the defense holding an offensive juggernaut to 24 points, and the "mediocre receivers" finding a way to get open (Greg Lewis- 4 Rec. 88 yds. 2 TD, Reggie Brown- 5 Rec. 45 yds. 1 TD, Kevin Curtis 5 Rec. 71 yds.) against the NFL's sixth rated pass defense, this team has a chance to get on a run similar to last season's turnaround orchestrated by Garcia & Co. But the key will be consistency, the intangible that has been missing all season. The Birds can't afford to forget to cover T.O. again, or give up another 12 sacks to the G-Men or get off to a slow start in New Orleans or overlook the Buffalo Bills. Nor can they afford to get away from running the ball. Passing 42 times was a necessity to keep up with the Pats' offense and because New England's D clearly had one goal- containing Brian Westbrook, who was held to 92 total yards on 24 touches and a rushing TD (3.83 YPT). But consistency in play calling, as well as level of play will be a necessity for this team to get on a roll and secure a wild card spot. Granted, Reid cannot call onside kicks and flea flickers and WR option-passes every week for the next five games, but he needs to stay aggressive. The Giants are heading into their annual second-half nose dive, and the rest of the conference (except for Dallas and Green Bay) is not very good, and four of the final five games are against teams ahead of the Eagles in the conference standings. This is very do-able. But only if the Birds play with the fire and heart that nearly knocked off the league's best this past Sunday night. The Eagles have now proven that, on any given week, they can play on a level with the week's best. Here's hoping they put it all together in the next five weeks.
Two closing notes. On the lighter side of the NFL, how bad is John Madden? I don't care if he is a legendary coach and the name sake of the best video game in the history of digital entertainment, he is a terrible color commentator. He's worse than Joe Buck in the booth. Absolutely dreadful.
I'd like to offer condolences to the family of Washington Redskins' safety Sean Taylor. Taylor, 24, was shot in his home Monday night and died early this morning.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE
22-60. A season riddled by turmoil both in the front office, on the ice and in the locker room yielded a record of 22-48-12 for the Philadelphia Flyers, the worst in team history. But unlike other teams in town, the Flyers did not wallow in their woeful season, did not whine about injuries or make excuses for their apparent failings. Rather, the Philadelphia front office re-built, and retooled the city's most decorated franchise back into contention. The groundwork was layed in February of last season by trading for goaltender Martin Biron, and again in April, by trading Peter Forsberg for Scottie Upshall and Ryan Parent. The rebuilding process continued through the offseason, as general manager Paul Holmgren traded the underachieving and enigmatic defenseman Joni Pitkanen, along with Geoff Sanderson, for ruuged veteran defenseman Jason Smith, and potential star-in-the-making Joffrey Lupol. The also traded the draft pick they received from the Forsberg trade back to Nashville for defenseman Kimo Timonen and explosive wing-man Scott Hartnell. But the big catch was 5'10" 179-pound centerman Danny Briere. The bona fide superstar had been speculated to be a target of the Flyers since mid-season, and they landed him on July 2, 2007. Through all the trades and signings and re-signings the Flyers created a team that, for the first time, could compete in the "New NHL". The combination of athleticism, speed, skill, leadership and out-right tougness has become the talk of this sports-orientated town.
As of today, the Philadelphia Flyers are 11-6, good enough for first place in the Atlantic Division and third overall, in the Eastern Conference. But what is impressive about this team is not the turn-around of record, but the new style and attitude with which the Flyguys are playing. Marty Biron is the goaltender Philadelphia has been searching for since the retirement of the legendary Ron Hextall. Despite having faced 495 shots (second most in the NHL), Biron has been spectacular, posting a 2.23 goals against average, as well as a .935 save percentage, sixth best in the league. The one piece of the puzzle that has been missing from some very good Flyers teams, teams that could have been great, was goaltending. Now with a solid stopper between the pipes, this team has the foundation from which championships are built. (To put Biron's early-season numbers into perspective, Martin Brodeur has a GAA of 2.77, a SV% of .891 and has faced 349 shots. Biron also has 2 shutouts to Brodeur's 0).
The re-vamped defense has not been stupendous, but they have certainly improved, and the determination with which the defense is playing makes the catastrophe that was last season, but a distant memory. Lead by team captain Jason Smith, this unit is fearless, and boast three players with at least 30 blocked shots through the first 17 games. (Jason Smith-55, Lasse Kukkonen-37, Kimmo Timonen-33). And make no mistake about it, there is no action that proves toughness and willingness to sacrifice more than getting infront of a rubber biscuit traveling up too 100 miles per hour. But its just not blocking shots and hitting and protecting the goalie. These D-Men can move the puck. Braydon Coburn can flat out fly. Jason Smith is an excellent passer and has the distinct ability to control the puck, and the game, under pressure. Kimmo Timonen leads the team in ice time and is third on the team in assists. Randy Jones is also a hybrid, mixing his physical play and defensive responsibilities with a touch for creating big plays. The defense has finally achieved balance. There is no Chris Therien or Mike Rathje (let's hope he can't come back. Nothing personal, but that man cannot play). The balance that mixes the muscle and toughness that every defenseman needs with real hockey ability. Sharp passing, steady handling, quick shot release. Once this D gels, it could be the league's top unit.
The offense has also be re-worked. No more are the days of a Legion of Doom type team, depending on one line to dominate the score shhet. This unit, too, has achieved balance. There is a lot of skill in this offense. Danny Briere is a premier scorer. He creates chances on every shift. Simon Gagne is a great finisher, and hopefully the recent concussions don't cut Gagne short, as he is just reaching his prime and developing a complete game. Jeff Carter's unique wrist shot can create a goal from antwhere on the ice, and his more aggressive play this season has yielded great results- 7 goals, 4 assists, +8. Joffrey Lupol is third on the team in points and leads the team in hits, he is a prime example of this team's new approach. RJ Umberger and Mike Knuble's large frames create mismatches against some of the league's top D-men, and the need to keep them out of the front of the net opens up a lot of room for their linemates on the outside, much the way John LeClair was able to do in his prime.
But the embodyment of this team's turnaround, and really the centerpiece of their success is 22-year old assistant captain Mike Richards. Richards was a top prospect when drafted him 24th overall in the 2004 entry draft. After a respectable rookie season in 2005-06, recording 11 goals and 23 assists as a part of the checking line. But a rough sophmore campaign left many wondering if Richards would go the way of so many other highly-touted Flyers prospects and disappoint the organization. But, just like the Flyers marketing campaign, Mike Richards is BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. Through 17 games Richards leads the team in goals (10), points (20), game-winning goals (3), short-handed goals (3), shots taken (48) and face off percentage (52.5). He also contributes to every phase of the game. Along with scoring, Richards is constantly matched up against the opponent's top line and given the unenviable task of shutting down their best playmakers (the Crosbys, the Jagrs, the Lecavaliers of the league). This task carries over in to special teams, as he is the top offensive penalty killer. Not only does his play great short-handed defense, but he creates plays in these situations, as he leads the league in short handed goals with three. Then on power plays he plays the point, as his heavy shot, 20/20 ice vision and overall hockey IQ allow coach John Steven to utilize 4 offensemen on the man advantage. Combine all of these skills with a willingness to sacrifice and lay out to clear a puck or block a shot, the ability to lay a big clean hit on the opposition, the fearlessness he displays by dropping the gloves against some of the league's best fighters are the intangibles that make Richards the face of this team. In Mike Richards there is every quality that has turned this team around, and every quality that will make him the next great captain in Philadelphia Flyers history.
This team has the potential to be great. The potent mix management has created with speed and grit, skill and toughness, youthful exuberance and veteran leadership is developing into a championship hockey cocktail. The season is still young, and we've all seen the Flyers play great in the first half of seasons and nosedive just before the playoffs and get eliminated in the first round. But this team looks different. They feel different. This new energy, new heart. Not to mention, they're entertaining as hell. They're fast, they score, they hit, they fight. What else could we ask for in this city?
As of today, the Philadelphia Flyers are 11-6, good enough for first place in the Atlantic Division and third overall, in the Eastern Conference. But what is impressive about this team is not the turn-around of record, but the new style and attitude with which the Flyguys are playing. Marty Biron is the goaltender Philadelphia has been searching for since the retirement of the legendary Ron Hextall. Despite having faced 495 shots (second most in the NHL), Biron has been spectacular, posting a 2.23 goals against average, as well as a .935 save percentage, sixth best in the league. The one piece of the puzzle that has been missing from some very good Flyers teams, teams that could have been great, was goaltending. Now with a solid stopper between the pipes, this team has the foundation from which championships are built. (To put Biron's early-season numbers into perspective, Martin Brodeur has a GAA of 2.77, a SV% of .891 and has faced 349 shots. Biron also has 2 shutouts to Brodeur's 0).
The re-vamped defense has not been stupendous, but they have certainly improved, and the determination with which the defense is playing makes the catastrophe that was last season, but a distant memory. Lead by team captain Jason Smith, this unit is fearless, and boast three players with at least 30 blocked shots through the first 17 games. (Jason Smith-55, Lasse Kukkonen-37, Kimmo Timonen-33). And make no mistake about it, there is no action that proves toughness and willingness to sacrifice more than getting infront of a rubber biscuit traveling up too 100 miles per hour. But its just not blocking shots and hitting and protecting the goalie. These D-Men can move the puck. Braydon Coburn can flat out fly. Jason Smith is an excellent passer and has the distinct ability to control the puck, and the game, under pressure. Kimmo Timonen leads the team in ice time and is third on the team in assists. Randy Jones is also a hybrid, mixing his physical play and defensive responsibilities with a touch for creating big plays. The defense has finally achieved balance. There is no Chris Therien or Mike Rathje (let's hope he can't come back. Nothing personal, but that man cannot play). The balance that mixes the muscle and toughness that every defenseman needs with real hockey ability. Sharp passing, steady handling, quick shot release. Once this D gels, it could be the league's top unit.
The offense has also be re-worked. No more are the days of a Legion of Doom type team, depending on one line to dominate the score shhet. This unit, too, has achieved balance. There is a lot of skill in this offense. Danny Briere is a premier scorer. He creates chances on every shift. Simon Gagne is a great finisher, and hopefully the recent concussions don't cut Gagne short, as he is just reaching his prime and developing a complete game. Jeff Carter's unique wrist shot can create a goal from antwhere on the ice, and his more aggressive play this season has yielded great results- 7 goals, 4 assists, +8. Joffrey Lupol is third on the team in points and leads the team in hits, he is a prime example of this team's new approach. RJ Umberger and Mike Knuble's large frames create mismatches against some of the league's top D-men, and the need to keep them out of the front of the net opens up a lot of room for their linemates on the outside, much the way John LeClair was able to do in his prime.
But the embodyment of this team's turnaround, and really the centerpiece of their success is 22-year old assistant captain Mike Richards. Richards was a top prospect when drafted him 24th overall in the 2004 entry draft. After a respectable rookie season in 2005-06, recording 11 goals and 23 assists as a part of the checking line. But a rough sophmore campaign left many wondering if Richards would go the way of so many other highly-touted Flyers prospects and disappoint the organization. But, just like the Flyers marketing campaign, Mike Richards is BACK WITH A VENGEANCE. Through 17 games Richards leads the team in goals (10), points (20), game-winning goals (3), short-handed goals (3), shots taken (48) and face off percentage (52.5). He also contributes to every phase of the game. Along with scoring, Richards is constantly matched up against the opponent's top line and given the unenviable task of shutting down their best playmakers (the Crosbys, the Jagrs, the Lecavaliers of the league). This task carries over in to special teams, as he is the top offensive penalty killer. Not only does his play great short-handed defense, but he creates plays in these situations, as he leads the league in short handed goals with three. Then on power plays he plays the point, as his heavy shot, 20/20 ice vision and overall hockey IQ allow coach John Steven to utilize 4 offensemen on the man advantage. Combine all of these skills with a willingness to sacrifice and lay out to clear a puck or block a shot, the ability to lay a big clean hit on the opposition, the fearlessness he displays by dropping the gloves against some of the league's best fighters are the intangibles that make Richards the face of this team. In Mike Richards there is every quality that has turned this team around, and every quality that will make him the next great captain in Philadelphia Flyers history.
This team has the potential to be great. The potent mix management has created with speed and grit, skill and toughness, youthful exuberance and veteran leadership is developing into a championship hockey cocktail. The season is still young, and we've all seen the Flyers play great in the first half of seasons and nosedive just before the playoffs and get eliminated in the first round. But this team looks different. They feel different. This new energy, new heart. Not to mention, they're entertaining as hell. They're fast, they score, they hit, they fight. What else could we ask for in this city?
More Good Than Bad, But It's Still Going To Be Ugly
Clinton Portis ran for 137 yards. Jason Campbell completed 68% of his passes for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. James Thrash (yes, THAT James Thrash) caught 5 balls for 85 yards and 2 TDs. Washington won the time of possession battle. The Eagles lost 2 fumbles. Kevin Curtis recorded 20 receiving yards and no TDs. Trent Cole was held sackless for the second consecutive week. But somehow, someway The Philadelphia Eagles managed to beat the Washington Redskins on Sunday, 33-25. McNabb, fighting innacuracy and shoulder soreness, managed to corale the troops and put up 20 points in the fourth quarter en route to a come-from-behind, possibly season saving victory. The key play was a Donovan McNabb screen pass over the middle to Brian Westbrook, who proceded to out run every Washington defender, with the help of Jon Runyan and Shawn Andrews, to the goal line in true season-saving-punt-return-against-the-Giants fashion. There were some other positive signs as well. Despite the aformentioned struggles, McNabb was able to connect on 20 of 28 passes for 251 yards and 4 TDs. LJ Smith finally seems to be making progress, as he was able to contribute for a larger part of the game than has been the case in previous weeks, and finished the day with 4 catches for 49 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Although the defense gave up big yards and allowed James Thrash to be productive for the first time... ever, the D came up big when it had to and forced and recovered two fourth quarter fumbles, and held Washington to field goals on two drives that each ended inside the Eagles 5-yard line. And the special teams didn't turn the ball over or give up a TD, a victory for the unit.
But Washington didn't exactly play as if they were interested in making their week 11 showdown in Dallas worth a share of the NFC East lead. The 'Skins committed 11 penalties, contributing to each of the Eagles scoring drives, as well as stalling their own. Washington tight end Chris Cooley got called for a false start on 3rd & goal from the Eagles' 2, on a play in which Philly was not able to substitute their goal-line package creating great confusion which could have easily lead to a Washington TD had Cooley not flinched. The Redskins also fumbled twice and missed an extra point in the first quarter, which lead coach Joe Gibbs to opt for a 2-point conversion mid-way through the second quarter, and the subsequent failure erased even more points off the board.
This season, one cannot harp on the negative, though. Especially in victory. Maybe McNabb did miss open receiver after open receiver. Maybe the defense did give up nearly 160 rushing yards. Maybe James Thrash (yes, again, THAT James Thrash) did make our secondary look like swiss cheese. But at this point all that matters is the final score, 33-25 good guys. Reggie Brown made 5 catches and scored his first TD of the year. Westbrook racked up 183 total yards and 3 scores. Quintin Mikell, starting his first game at strong saftey, recorded 8 tackles and forced a fumble (oh Sean Considine, we hardly knew thee...). All positive signs for a team looking toward the future. And make no mistake about it, this team is looking toward the future. Of course, nobody in the organization will admit to this, as they should not, but why then, would the Philadelphia Eagles use their first draft pick to add a quarterback, if the focus is on the here and now?
The truth is, this season is going to be a struggle. After next week's game against Miami every game will be a struggle. Yes, I know the cliche`, every game is a struggle. But I do not see how the Eagles, with their current level of play, can be anything but the underdog in the remaining games. At New England, Seattle, NY Giants, at Dallas, at New Orleans and Buffalo. The defence is wearing down more every week. McNabb, although he is obviously making great strides in recovering from last year's ACL tear, takes more hits every week, and complained of shoulder stiffness coming into the second half against Washington. Westbrook seems to be running on all cylinders right now, but we all know how his Pro Bowl-caliber seasons can turn into injured reserve-disappointments rather quickly.
More than anything, the remaining seven games will be a proving ground for every player on this roster, as I do not believe this is a secure job on this team, besides Shawn Andrews and (a healthy) Brian Westbrook. Can McNabb lead this team back to respectability, and is he worth the investment, going forward? If not, is it time to get Kevin Kolb a few snaps? Are Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis the outside receivers this team needs, and are they worth their long-term contracts? How many more seasons can Jon Runyan play through at his size and age? Is William Thomas coming back, and if he isn't, than is Winston Justice better than he played a month ago in the Meadowlands? How much have Jason Avant and Hank Baskett developed in their second season? Can Jevon Kearse justify his salary with at least one solid game? Ditto Darren Howard. Is Trent Cole an every-down end? How good are Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson? Is Omar Gaither a middle linebacker? Is Chris Gocong a linebacker, period? How many more games can Brian Dawkins give the Eagles everything he has without giving up the ability to walk? Do we have a suitable replacement at either safety position?
The remaining seven games will produce answers. If the majority of the answers to these questions are "yes" then re-building in the post-McNabb era will not be as painful as projected. If "no" then there could be several gloomy seasons followed by blown high draft picks ahead. Here's to hoping for the former.
But Washington didn't exactly play as if they were interested in making their week 11 showdown in Dallas worth a share of the NFC East lead. The 'Skins committed 11 penalties, contributing to each of the Eagles scoring drives, as well as stalling their own. Washington tight end Chris Cooley got called for a false start on 3rd & goal from the Eagles' 2, on a play in which Philly was not able to substitute their goal-line package creating great confusion which could have easily lead to a Washington TD had Cooley not flinched. The Redskins also fumbled twice and missed an extra point in the first quarter, which lead coach Joe Gibbs to opt for a 2-point conversion mid-way through the second quarter, and the subsequent failure erased even more points off the board.
This season, one cannot harp on the negative, though. Especially in victory. Maybe McNabb did miss open receiver after open receiver. Maybe the defense did give up nearly 160 rushing yards. Maybe James Thrash (yes, again, THAT James Thrash) did make our secondary look like swiss cheese. But at this point all that matters is the final score, 33-25 good guys. Reggie Brown made 5 catches and scored his first TD of the year. Westbrook racked up 183 total yards and 3 scores. Quintin Mikell, starting his first game at strong saftey, recorded 8 tackles and forced a fumble (oh Sean Considine, we hardly knew thee...). All positive signs for a team looking toward the future. And make no mistake about it, this team is looking toward the future. Of course, nobody in the organization will admit to this, as they should not, but why then, would the Philadelphia Eagles use their first draft pick to add a quarterback, if the focus is on the here and now?
The truth is, this season is going to be a struggle. After next week's game against Miami every game will be a struggle. Yes, I know the cliche`, every game is a struggle. But I do not see how the Eagles, with their current level of play, can be anything but the underdog in the remaining games. At New England, Seattle, NY Giants, at Dallas, at New Orleans and Buffalo. The defence is wearing down more every week. McNabb, although he is obviously making great strides in recovering from last year's ACL tear, takes more hits every week, and complained of shoulder stiffness coming into the second half against Washington. Westbrook seems to be running on all cylinders right now, but we all know how his Pro Bowl-caliber seasons can turn into injured reserve-disappointments rather quickly.
More than anything, the remaining seven games will be a proving ground for every player on this roster, as I do not believe this is a secure job on this team, besides Shawn Andrews and (a healthy) Brian Westbrook. Can McNabb lead this team back to respectability, and is he worth the investment, going forward? If not, is it time to get Kevin Kolb a few snaps? Are Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis the outside receivers this team needs, and are they worth their long-term contracts? How many more seasons can Jon Runyan play through at his size and age? Is William Thomas coming back, and if he isn't, than is Winston Justice better than he played a month ago in the Meadowlands? How much have Jason Avant and Hank Baskett developed in their second season? Can Jevon Kearse justify his salary with at least one solid game? Ditto Darren Howard. Is Trent Cole an every-down end? How good are Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson? Is Omar Gaither a middle linebacker? Is Chris Gocong a linebacker, period? How many more games can Brian Dawkins give the Eagles everything he has without giving up the ability to walk? Do we have a suitable replacement at either safety position?
The remaining seven games will produce answers. If the majority of the answers to these questions are "yes" then re-building in the post-McNabb era will not be as painful as projected. If "no" then there could be several gloomy seasons followed by blown high draft picks ahead. Here's to hoping for the former.
Monday, November 5, 2007
"And It Just Got Worse" (Warning: the possibly incoherent ramblings of an angry fan)
"And it just got worse." As he always does, the legendary Merrill Reesesaid it better than anybody else could have. What else was there to say about Terrell Owens, public enemy number one in Philadelphia, scampered for 45 yards on a catch and run from Tony Romo early in the third quarter to increase Dallas' lead to 28-7. And it got even worse from there. The final score was 38-17, and it was not that close. The Eagles scored their second touchdown with 5:51 left in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard pass from Donovan McNabb to Hank Baskett. To put that into perspective, Brad Johnson was quarterbacking the Cowboys at this time, as Dallas head coach Wade Phillips decided the game was getting a little too scrappy to put his $67.5 million dollar investment after going completing 20 of 25 passes for 324 yards and 3 TDs. Romo did throw an interception, as Lito Sheppard jumped in front of a pass intended for Patrick Crayton, but it did not matter as Donovan McNabb turned the ball back over when he threw a ball into double coverage and it was caught by Ken Hamlin. The Cowboys went on to score a Touchdown after three straight runs up the middle by Marion Barber, who, inexplicably, is still not the Cowboys announced starting running back, despite having more carries, yards, touchdowns and yards per rush than Julius Jones, who still tops the team's depth chart.
Not much can really be said about this prime-time beat-down. The Cowboys proved they are the class of the NFC. The Eagles proved they are not contenders. Tony Romo proved to be worth every penny on his new contract, which pays him more than any other QB in the conference. Andy Reid proved he is incapable of leading this team and preparing them to play. And now the Birds stand at 3-5, with 3 losses in the division, and virtually no hope of a playoff birth. Unlike most weeks I am not going to put this game under a microscope and analyze what exactly went wrong. Honestly, the reason behind this is because the story of last night's game was simple: A pretty good team but a very bad team. Sure there were plays that may have shifted the momentum. Had McNabb not decided to force a ball into double coverage over the middle while attempting to run a two-minute drill right after Lito Sheppard intercepted Tony Romo and gave the offense a chance to tie the game before halftime, maybe this could have been a contest. Maybe if the Eagles had decided to establish the running game early then McNabb would not have fumbled after being sacked on the first play from scrimmage and spotted Dallas an easy 7-point lead within the first five minutes of play. But it all may not have mattered.
As the New England Patriots proved in the hour-or-so leading up to the Dallas/Philly matchup, talent is what matters, and the Cowboys are by far the most talented team in the NFC, and easily the more talented team on the field last night. Jason Witten took a bone-crunching hit and had his helmet torn off but managed 20-yards after contact because he is an excellent tight end, far better than anybody on the Eagles. Terrell Owens broke tackles and out ran the entire defense en route to a 45-yard touchdown reception that reminded an entire city why we loved him so much. Tony Romo escaped at least one sack on every drive and found open receiver after open receiver for big gains (in an oh-so-very young-Donovan way) on supposed "broken plays". Playmakers. Dallas has them on defense, too. Anthony Henry recorded his NFL-leading fifth interception last night. DeMarcus Ware recorded 1.5 of his 7 sacks last night. Ken Hamlin recorded his third interception of the season when he ended the Eagles' again futile attempt at a two-minute drill. Greg Ellis has 5.5 sacks. Players pitching it from every position. That has been the difference this season and it will continue to be the differnce until a change in personnel philosophy is made. Other teams draft players and sign free agents to make their team better, while Philadelphia drafts and signs low-cost players who will fit "our system". The system is clearly malfunctioning. It has become quite apparent that the Eagles aren't able to plug any player in to any position and get the production that a player with more talent was able to provide. Dhani Jones for Carlos Emmons? Reggie Brown for Terrell Owens? Winston Justice for William Thomas? Sean Considine for Michael Lewis? Matt McCoy for any other linebacker in the history of football? Even Kevin Curtis, who has been moderately productive this season, provides nothing close to the threat that was Donte` Stallworth. The list could go on.
While under-whelming under-achievements cannot be sole blamed on the coaching staff, namely head coach Andy Reid, it must be pointed out that this is Reid's team. Reid chose every single player on the roster because he felt they could fill a need for this team. Few of them have. What's worse is that it seems Reid has lost the ear of his players. Watch the games. Who is playing at the highest level they can? Westbrook? Yes. Dawkins? Obviously, although he's missed substantial time. Trent Cole? He looks like he's hustling on every snap. Jon Runyan? Sure, he's always been a gamer, but he's hurt and aging. Sheldon Brown? He's been one of the lone bight spots of this team. Who else? I hate to questin a player's heart, for I have no idea what is going on internally, but if anybody else is playing to their full potential they do not belong on an NFL roster.
No good can be taken from the loss to Dallas. Change must be made. The only positive I saw Sunday night was from the crowd, and their mass-exodus early in the third quarter. But that is not enough. The only way to convince the front office that to attack all they care about, their wallets. While an all out Eagles boycott will never happen, some measures need to be taken by the fans that will wake up Jeffrey Lurie and make him realize something needs to be done. Fire Reid. Fire Marty. Fire Joe Banner. Cut McNabb. Cut Jevon Kearse. Do something that will prove to us you care half as much as we do. That, of course, is a lie. But create the illusion. Create a winner again. You did it before. But that process will be a long road. The future at QB is a project. There are no playmakers in the receiving corps. The O-Line, specifically Thomas and Runyan, will be gone by the time Kold develops. Ditto for Westbrook. The D-Line is young, but Kearse and Darren Howard are simply warm bodies. Takeo Spikes is solid but will be gone long before this team is great again. Gaither is not a middle linebacker. Gocong is developing, but doesn't seem to have a nack for big plays. Considine is useless. The great Brian Dawkins will retire without a championship ring. This team has no prospect of getting better and now with eight games to play and virtually nothing to play for (except individual jobs), every fan who emerses themselves in this team and plans their Sunday around the game and bleeds green and hates Dallas and would die happily as long as it were one day after a Super Bowl victory must ask themselves, how much worse will this get?
Not much can really be said about this prime-time beat-down. The Cowboys proved they are the class of the NFC. The Eagles proved they are not contenders. Tony Romo proved to be worth every penny on his new contract, which pays him more than any other QB in the conference. Andy Reid proved he is incapable of leading this team and preparing them to play. And now the Birds stand at 3-5, with 3 losses in the division, and virtually no hope of a playoff birth. Unlike most weeks I am not going to put this game under a microscope and analyze what exactly went wrong. Honestly, the reason behind this is because the story of last night's game was simple: A pretty good team but a very bad team. Sure there were plays that may have shifted the momentum. Had McNabb not decided to force a ball into double coverage over the middle while attempting to run a two-minute drill right after Lito Sheppard intercepted Tony Romo and gave the offense a chance to tie the game before halftime, maybe this could have been a contest. Maybe if the Eagles had decided to establish the running game early then McNabb would not have fumbled after being sacked on the first play from scrimmage and spotted Dallas an easy 7-point lead within the first five minutes of play. But it all may not have mattered.
As the New England Patriots proved in the hour-or-so leading up to the Dallas/Philly matchup, talent is what matters, and the Cowboys are by far the most talented team in the NFC, and easily the more talented team on the field last night. Jason Witten took a bone-crunching hit and had his helmet torn off but managed 20-yards after contact because he is an excellent tight end, far better than anybody on the Eagles. Terrell Owens broke tackles and out ran the entire defense en route to a 45-yard touchdown reception that reminded an entire city why we loved him so much. Tony Romo escaped at least one sack on every drive and found open receiver after open receiver for big gains (in an oh-so-very young-Donovan way) on supposed "broken plays". Playmakers. Dallas has them on defense, too. Anthony Henry recorded his NFL-leading fifth interception last night. DeMarcus Ware recorded 1.5 of his 7 sacks last night. Ken Hamlin recorded his third interception of the season when he ended the Eagles' again futile attempt at a two-minute drill. Greg Ellis has 5.5 sacks. Players pitching it from every position. That has been the difference this season and it will continue to be the differnce until a change in personnel philosophy is made. Other teams draft players and sign free agents to make their team better, while Philadelphia drafts and signs low-cost players who will fit "our system". The system is clearly malfunctioning. It has become quite apparent that the Eagles aren't able to plug any player in to any position and get the production that a player with more talent was able to provide. Dhani Jones for Carlos Emmons? Reggie Brown for Terrell Owens? Winston Justice for William Thomas? Sean Considine for Michael Lewis? Matt McCoy for any other linebacker in the history of football? Even Kevin Curtis, who has been moderately productive this season, provides nothing close to the threat that was Donte` Stallworth. The list could go on.
While under-whelming under-achievements cannot be sole blamed on the coaching staff, namely head coach Andy Reid, it must be pointed out that this is Reid's team. Reid chose every single player on the roster because he felt they could fill a need for this team. Few of them have. What's worse is that it seems Reid has lost the ear of his players. Watch the games. Who is playing at the highest level they can? Westbrook? Yes. Dawkins? Obviously, although he's missed substantial time. Trent Cole? He looks like he's hustling on every snap. Jon Runyan? Sure, he's always been a gamer, but he's hurt and aging. Sheldon Brown? He's been one of the lone bight spots of this team. Who else? I hate to questin a player's heart, for I have no idea what is going on internally, but if anybody else is playing to their full potential they do not belong on an NFL roster.
No good can be taken from the loss to Dallas. Change must be made. The only positive I saw Sunday night was from the crowd, and their mass-exodus early in the third quarter. But that is not enough. The only way to convince the front office that to attack all they care about, their wallets. While an all out Eagles boycott will never happen, some measures need to be taken by the fans that will wake up Jeffrey Lurie and make him realize something needs to be done. Fire Reid. Fire Marty. Fire Joe Banner. Cut McNabb. Cut Jevon Kearse. Do something that will prove to us you care half as much as we do. That, of course, is a lie. But create the illusion. Create a winner again. You did it before. But that process will be a long road. The future at QB is a project. There are no playmakers in the receiving corps. The O-Line, specifically Thomas and Runyan, will be gone by the time Kold develops. Ditto for Westbrook. The D-Line is young, but Kearse and Darren Howard are simply warm bodies. Takeo Spikes is solid but will be gone long before this team is great again. Gaither is not a middle linebacker. Gocong is developing, but doesn't seem to have a nack for big plays. Considine is useless. The great Brian Dawkins will retire without a championship ring. This team has no prospect of getting better and now with eight games to play and virtually nothing to play for (except individual jobs), every fan who emerses themselves in this team and plans their Sunday around the game and bleeds green and hates Dallas and would die happily as long as it were one day after a Super Bowl victory must ask themselves, how much worse will this get?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Dallas Sucks!
It must have started at birth. As far back as I can remember I have hated that star logo, hated that city, hated Jerry Jones and absolutely despised "America's Team". The way the team carries themselves just disgusts me, as if they are bigger than the NFL. Their fans in this area are sickening. They run and hide until the team shows signs of life and taunt Eagles fans with their Super Bowl championships and play off the past decade in which the 'Boys have failed to win a single post-season game. It is as if Dallas fans in this area are only supporters of the Cowboys because they know it simply pisses off Philadelphia fans, no other reason. They are the type of people that would rather see everyone around them suffer than enjoy the victory of a team in which they have an emotional and regional attachment.
The Eagles players admit that their greatest on the field rivalry is against the New York Giants. Watch closely the intensity and ferosity of the physicality of any given matchup between these two teams. Look at, for example, the wildcard round playoff game in Philadelphia last season. Hall of Fame sports writer and human football encyclopedia Ray Didinger said he was more-or-less amazed that the Eagles were able to put out the effort they did the following week in their divisional round loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles and Giants have all the ingredients for a classic rivalry: proximity, heated matchups (i.e.: Runyan vs. Strahan), unbelievable history- Bednarik laying out Frank Gifford and sending the Birds to the 1960 NFL Championship, The Miracle in the Meadowlands I & II, McNabb's late TD pass to James Thrash on a Monday Night in the Meadowlands to give the Birds their first win over the Giants in 10 previous attempts, Philly's home opener last season in which Eli Manning lead the Giants back from a 17-point defecit at halftime to win the game in overtime. The list could go on forever. How is it then, that the Dallas Cowboys, a team from half way across the country, are the team that draws so much pure hatred from the fans? Especially when Dallas fans (fans of the Cowboys who have been to a game in Irving, Texas) recognize the Eagles as a divisional foe, but point to the Redskins as their historic rival? Unlike the rivalry with New York, the hatred of Dallas really does not stem from past games played between the teams, but the way the Cowboys (at least since the 1970s) have been represented by the media, the players, the coaches and the NFL in general. The winning tradition, the "America's Team" advertising campaign, the personalities are all so hatable. What makes Dallas even more detestable is the great disparity between themselves and the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Eagles have dominated the NFC for the past decade, they have not been able to capture the ultimate goal, a Super Bowl Championship, something the Cowboys have done five times despite having been in the league 32 years longer than the Cowboys. Yes, the Eagles were the team of the decade in the 40s, making appearances in three NFL Championships and winning two. And yes, the Eagles did hand Vince Lombardi the only playoff loss of his career in the 1960 NFL Championship, but since then there has been nothing, and Dallas has had everything. Superstar Quarterbacks, the career-rushing leader, Superbowl after Superbowl, a few Hall of Fame coaches, and half of the broadcast positions on networks that air NFL games.
I hate the Dallas Cowboys, as does the rest of Eagles-Nation. In a city where underdogs are celebrated far more than the "naturals" the Cowboys truly are the Apollo Creed to our Rocky Balboa. In the 1980 playoffs the Eagles made their first of two Super Bowl appearances, losing to the Oakland Raiders, 27-10. But, unlike the '04 season, the Super Bowl is not the game we remember. We remember Wilbert Montgomery, in the NFC Championship, running for a 42-yard touchdown in the Eagles second play from scrimmage to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead. Beating Dallas was the Super Bowl, it was all that mattered. Think of the great moments in Eagles history. Except for Chad Lewis' second touchdown in the NFC Championship, 4th & 26 and the Eagles/Giants highlights above, I bet they are all times the Eagles beat up on the evil empire. The '80 NFC title game. The third game of the '91 season when the Birds D (arguably the best ever) sacked Troy Aikman 11 times and shut out the league's top offense. December 10, 1995: Ground Hog Day, The Eagles stuff Emmitt Smith twice after the referees determined the first attempt took place during what should have been the two-minute warning, after the second stop on the exact same play, the Eagles drove down the field and won on a last second field goal. 1996, Eagles leading by three, Dallas has a first down inside the five and all seems to be doomed until James Willis intercepts Troy Aikman's pass and returns the ball out of the end zone to the 10-yard line, laterals to Troy Vincent who ran 90 yards for the game-clinching score. Or how about last year, when Lito Sheppard intercepted Drew Bledsoe in the endzone and ran 102 yards to seal the victory in Terrell Owens' "homecoming" game? Tim Hauck ending Michael Irvin's career? Pelting Jimmy Johnson with snow balls? These are the memories we charrish most. We hate Dallas because they are everything we are not. And, except for the rings, everything we hope to never become. This Sunday night, after the Patriots go to Indianapolis for Super Bowl 41.5 the main event of the evening will be The Dallas Cowboys playing the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the game we circle every year when the schedule comes out. We want to see Dallas because we love watching them lose. This game is going to determine the rest of the season for the Birds. If they can win this division game and be the second blemish on Dallas' first place record it will re-energize this team and, at least for one more week, give us, the fans a reason to love our Eagles. Now I invite everyone (if anybody actually reads my ramblings) to share their favorite Dallas/Philly memory in the comment section.
Now let's start the weekend right: DALLAS SUCKS! DALLAS SUCKS! DALLAS SUCKS!
The Eagles players admit that their greatest on the field rivalry is against the New York Giants. Watch closely the intensity and ferosity of the physicality of any given matchup between these two teams. Look at, for example, the wildcard round playoff game in Philadelphia last season. Hall of Fame sports writer and human football encyclopedia Ray Didinger said he was more-or-less amazed that the Eagles were able to put out the effort they did the following week in their divisional round loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles and Giants have all the ingredients for a classic rivalry: proximity, heated matchups (i.e.: Runyan vs. Strahan), unbelievable history- Bednarik laying out Frank Gifford and sending the Birds to the 1960 NFL Championship, The Miracle in the Meadowlands I & II, McNabb's late TD pass to James Thrash on a Monday Night in the Meadowlands to give the Birds their first win over the Giants in 10 previous attempts, Philly's home opener last season in which Eli Manning lead the Giants back from a 17-point defecit at halftime to win the game in overtime. The list could go on forever. How is it then, that the Dallas Cowboys, a team from half way across the country, are the team that draws so much pure hatred from the fans? Especially when Dallas fans (fans of the Cowboys who have been to a game in Irving, Texas) recognize the Eagles as a divisional foe, but point to the Redskins as their historic rival? Unlike the rivalry with New York, the hatred of Dallas really does not stem from past games played between the teams, but the way the Cowboys (at least since the 1970s) have been represented by the media, the players, the coaches and the NFL in general. The winning tradition, the "America's Team" advertising campaign, the personalities are all so hatable. What makes Dallas even more detestable is the great disparity between themselves and the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Eagles have dominated the NFC for the past decade, they have not been able to capture the ultimate goal, a Super Bowl Championship, something the Cowboys have done five times despite having been in the league 32 years longer than the Cowboys. Yes, the Eagles were the team of the decade in the 40s, making appearances in three NFL Championships and winning two. And yes, the Eagles did hand Vince Lombardi the only playoff loss of his career in the 1960 NFL Championship, but since then there has been nothing, and Dallas has had everything. Superstar Quarterbacks, the career-rushing leader, Superbowl after Superbowl, a few Hall of Fame coaches, and half of the broadcast positions on networks that air NFL games.
I hate the Dallas Cowboys, as does the rest of Eagles-Nation. In a city where underdogs are celebrated far more than the "naturals" the Cowboys truly are the Apollo Creed to our Rocky Balboa. In the 1980 playoffs the Eagles made their first of two Super Bowl appearances, losing to the Oakland Raiders, 27-10. But, unlike the '04 season, the Super Bowl is not the game we remember. We remember Wilbert Montgomery, in the NFC Championship, running for a 42-yard touchdown in the Eagles second play from scrimmage to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead. Beating Dallas was the Super Bowl, it was all that mattered. Think of the great moments in Eagles history. Except for Chad Lewis' second touchdown in the NFC Championship, 4th & 26 and the Eagles/Giants highlights above, I bet they are all times the Eagles beat up on the evil empire. The '80 NFC title game. The third game of the '91 season when the Birds D (arguably the best ever) sacked Troy Aikman 11 times and shut out the league's top offense. December 10, 1995: Ground Hog Day, The Eagles stuff Emmitt Smith twice after the referees determined the first attempt took place during what should have been the two-minute warning, after the second stop on the exact same play, the Eagles drove down the field and won on a last second field goal. 1996, Eagles leading by three, Dallas has a first down inside the five and all seems to be doomed until James Willis intercepts Troy Aikman's pass and returns the ball out of the end zone to the 10-yard line, laterals to Troy Vincent who ran 90 yards for the game-clinching score. Or how about last year, when Lito Sheppard intercepted Drew Bledsoe in the endzone and ran 102 yards to seal the victory in Terrell Owens' "homecoming" game? Tim Hauck ending Michael Irvin's career? Pelting Jimmy Johnson with snow balls? These are the memories we charrish most. We hate Dallas because they are everything we are not. And, except for the rings, everything we hope to never become. This Sunday night, after the Patriots go to Indianapolis for Super Bowl 41.5 the main event of the evening will be The Dallas Cowboys playing the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the game we circle every year when the schedule comes out. We want to see Dallas because we love watching them lose. This game is going to determine the rest of the season for the Birds. If they can win this division game and be the second blemish on Dallas' first place record it will re-energize this team and, at least for one more week, give us, the fans a reason to love our Eagles. Now I invite everyone (if anybody actually reads my ramblings) to share their favorite Dallas/Philly memory in the comment section.
Now let's start the weekend right: DALLAS SUCKS! DALLAS SUCKS! DALLAS SUCKS!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Back On Track!
On Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles took it upon themselves to score not one, but TWO touchdowns on heir way to a 23-16 victory over now 2-5 Minnesota Vikings and just like that the Birds have righted the ship and are again on the road to victory. After an early de javu` moment in which the McNabb lead offense was forced to settle for a field goal after driving 72 yards in 10 plays and setting up on a first and goal from the 2-yard line. But the next two drives resulted in touchdowns in goal-to-go situations (6-yard shovel pass from McNabb to Westbrook, 1-yard dive over-the-top by Westbrook) and the offense finished the day 2-for-5 in the red zone, and all five drives yielded points, as David Akers connected on three field goals (20, 27, 25). The Vikings came into the game with the fourth ranked rushing defense, and showed why their front four have been so dominant this season, holding Brian Westbrook to a 2007-low 46 yards on 21 carries, for a very unWestbrook-like 2.2 yards per carry. But the big story of the day was the rejuvenated passing attack. For the only time all season (except for the Homecoming-esque Detroit Lions game) the throwing-and-catching part of the offense contributed to an Eagles victory. Donovan McNabb completed 23 passes on 36 attempts (64% compared to his season average of 58.5%) for 333 yards and one score. Number 5 was in sync with his receivers all afternoon, as Reggie Brown caught a season high 8 balls for 105 yards! Brown, a third-year receiver out of Georgia, came into the game with 17 catches for 214 yards, but displayed the big play ability that helped make last season's offense one of the most dangerous in the league. If McNabb has had a "go-to-guy" this season it has been the Birds' big free agent landing of Kevin Curtis. Curtis continued his steady play Sunday, pitching in with 3 receptions for 76 yards, including an incredible one handed grab in the fourth quarter in which Curtis jumped and literally stole the ball away from a Viking with one arm and managed to keep his feet inside the sideline. Greg Lewis managed not to cost the Eagles the game, and even caught two balls for 63 yards, one of which was a 50-yard strike that lead to an eventual field goal. Lewis also had a chance for a touchdown on a slant thrown somewhat behind him in the endzone. On the play it appeared as if Lewis caught darren Sharper's knee to the collar bone, and Lewis did not return to the game. He is not listed on the early injury report for Sunday Night's showdown against the NFC East leading Dallas Cowboys. Brian Westbrook also helped ourt in the passing game, not only with his 46 yards on 4 catches and a touchdown, but laid some big blocks in pass protection,, allowing McNabb the extra second he has been needing to find a receiver down field. Another good sign was McNabb's mobility. His speed is still not the threat that used to cause sleepless nights for defensive coordinators around the league, but his escapability and allusiveness are continuing to improve, as is Donovan's confidence and willingness to take off down the field when his receivers refuse to beat the coverage. McNabb ran three times for 13 BIG yards, and although those aren't the numbers that break a defense's back, it is a sign of improvement as far as rehab is concerned. Donny also set his feet well and threw the ball to the receivers in a way that allowed them to make plays despite fairly good defensive coverage. In a post-game interview McNabb stated that since the bye week he has been making reat progress in rehabilitating his torn ACL, and if the progress continues McNabb will be in Hawaii once again representing Philadelphia in his sixth Pro Bowl.
The offense finally stepping up was the headline of the day, and righfully so, but the defense again played very well. Vikings Rookie running back Adrian Peterson came into this week eight matchup leading the NFL in rushing yards with 670 yards, and an astounding 6.2 yards per carry. The Birds D held Peterson to 70 yards on 20 carries and kept him out of the endzone. Despite stacking the box to contain Peterson, the Vikings QB-tandem of Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger (who replaced Holcomb after a sack that esulted in Holcomb landing frighteningly on his head in an incident that could have been a lot worse) combined for only 182 yards passing, and went 14-for-26. After an 11 play, 79 yard drive to start the Vikings day, Minnesota was forced to punt on six of their following nine possessions, and were kept from scoring a touchdown after the opening drive. Trent Cole lead the defense with 8 tackles (7 solo), including 2 sacks. The pair of sacks pushed Cole's season total to a league-leading 9, also a career high. Juqua Thomas added his fourth sack of the season, and Jevon Kears'e only tackle of the game was his third-and-a-half sack of the year (Jevon Kearse 2007 stat-tracker: 7 starts, 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, $7.33 million) Sheldon Brown continued his Pro Bowl bid, despite not recording an interception, Brown broke up several passes and recorded 7 tackles. Chris Gocong continued to show signs of understanding how to play linebacker, as he was in on 8 plays and even stopped Peterson in the backfield. Although they have only forced 8 turnovers through 7 games (5 interceptions, 3 fumbles) the defense continues to keep the Eagles in games and keep opposing offenses out of the end zone. If the D begins making big plays to go along with their season full of GOOD plays, they will be able to set this improving offense up with the field position the special teams is unable to provide. This could result in a lot more points, and, in turn, enough victories to gt back into the realistic playoff picture.
And playoffs must be the goal. Scratch that. A championship is the only bench mark for success, but to win the Super Bowl the Eagles must make the playoffs, and for the first time all year, it looks possible. At 3-4 Philadelphia sits in tenth place in the NFC. Of the nine teams ahead of the Birds, five are on the schedule, including two gmes against division/conference leading Dallas. They are beatable. If the Eagles had played with any fire on offense they would have beaten Washington in week 2. The fire (and fire power) seems to have returned. Washington is beatable. Miami is one of, if not the worst team in the league. The 'Phins will struggle to win a game this season, and it certainly will not be against the resurgant Eagles. Miami is a win. New England is not beatable and have the best chance of any team since the historic Dolphins to go undefeated. New England is a loss. Seattle is a .500 caliber team in a poor division. But on any given week Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck can find a way to win, and the matchup of Deion Branch vs. Lito Sheppard brings back horrifying memories. But Seattle is by no means great, and the Eagles will be looking to bounce back. Winnable. Despite giving up 12 sacks to the Giants the Eagles were in the game the whole way. "New York" is quite beatable. After another winnable game in Dallas, The Eagles return to their 2006 house of horrors, the New Orleans Superdome. The Saints struggled early, but have come on of late, winning their last three games, and sitting tie-breaker points ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC standings. This will be a close game, and without Deuce McAllister to break the Eagles' D as he did twice in as many games last season the Eagles have a great chance. The Saints are definetly beatable. This leaves a 1:00 showdown in Philly against Buffalo. The Bills have been playing musical chairs at QB all season and are not very good. But they showed they know how to take advantage of a team looking ahead, as they nearly pulled off a Monday Night upset over the NFC's best, the Dallas Cowboys. Unless by some miracle the Eagles have their spot locked up, or are playing for the #1 draft pick, they will have to play a good game against a bad team. Buffalo is the most beatable team left on the schedule. There you have it. A legitimate chanc to go 8-1 down the stretch and finish 12-4. It is possible. Likely? No. But most certainly possible. These Eagles have played their best ball when backed into a corner over the years, and they are in a corner right now. Here's hoping they fight (FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!) their way out.
The offense finally stepping up was the headline of the day, and righfully so, but the defense again played very well. Vikings Rookie running back Adrian Peterson came into this week eight matchup leading the NFL in rushing yards with 670 yards, and an astounding 6.2 yards per carry. The Birds D held Peterson to 70 yards on 20 carries and kept him out of the endzone. Despite stacking the box to contain Peterson, the Vikings QB-tandem of Kelly Holcomb and Brooks Bollinger (who replaced Holcomb after a sack that esulted in Holcomb landing frighteningly on his head in an incident that could have been a lot worse) combined for only 182 yards passing, and went 14-for-26. After an 11 play, 79 yard drive to start the Vikings day, Minnesota was forced to punt on six of their following nine possessions, and were kept from scoring a touchdown after the opening drive. Trent Cole lead the defense with 8 tackles (7 solo), including 2 sacks. The pair of sacks pushed Cole's season total to a league-leading 9, also a career high. Juqua Thomas added his fourth sack of the season, and Jevon Kears'e only tackle of the game was his third-and-a-half sack of the year (Jevon Kearse 2007 stat-tracker: 7 starts, 11 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 0 forced fumbles, $7.33 million) Sheldon Brown continued his Pro Bowl bid, despite not recording an interception, Brown broke up several passes and recorded 7 tackles. Chris Gocong continued to show signs of understanding how to play linebacker, as he was in on 8 plays and even stopped Peterson in the backfield. Although they have only forced 8 turnovers through 7 games (5 interceptions, 3 fumbles) the defense continues to keep the Eagles in games and keep opposing offenses out of the end zone. If the D begins making big plays to go along with their season full of GOOD plays, they will be able to set this improving offense up with the field position the special teams is unable to provide. This could result in a lot more points, and, in turn, enough victories to gt back into the realistic playoff picture.
And playoffs must be the goal. Scratch that. A championship is the only bench mark for success, but to win the Super Bowl the Eagles must make the playoffs, and for the first time all year, it looks possible. At 3-4 Philadelphia sits in tenth place in the NFC. Of the nine teams ahead of the Birds, five are on the schedule, including two gmes against division/conference leading Dallas. They are beatable. If the Eagles had played with any fire on offense they would have beaten Washington in week 2. The fire (and fire power) seems to have returned. Washington is beatable. Miami is one of, if not the worst team in the league. The 'Phins will struggle to win a game this season, and it certainly will not be against the resurgant Eagles. Miami is a win. New England is not beatable and have the best chance of any team since the historic Dolphins to go undefeated. New England is a loss. Seattle is a .500 caliber team in a poor division. But on any given week Shaun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck can find a way to win, and the matchup of Deion Branch vs. Lito Sheppard brings back horrifying memories. But Seattle is by no means great, and the Eagles will be looking to bounce back. Winnable. Despite giving up 12 sacks to the Giants the Eagles were in the game the whole way. "New York" is quite beatable. After another winnable game in Dallas, The Eagles return to their 2006 house of horrors, the New Orleans Superdome. The Saints struggled early, but have come on of late, winning their last three games, and sitting tie-breaker points ahead of Philadelphia in the NFC standings. This will be a close game, and without Deuce McAllister to break the Eagles' D as he did twice in as many games last season the Eagles have a great chance. The Saints are definetly beatable. This leaves a 1:00 showdown in Philly against Buffalo. The Bills have been playing musical chairs at QB all season and are not very good. But they showed they know how to take advantage of a team looking ahead, as they nearly pulled off a Monday Night upset over the NFC's best, the Dallas Cowboys. Unless by some miracle the Eagles have their spot locked up, or are playing for the #1 draft pick, they will have to play a good game against a bad team. Buffalo is the most beatable team left on the schedule. There you have it. A legitimate chanc to go 8-1 down the stretch and finish 12-4. It is possible. Likely? No. But most certainly possible. These Eagles have played their best ball when backed into a corner over the years, and they are in a corner right now. Here's hoping they fight (FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!) their way out.
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