Eagle woes

TACOBILL · Head Dick

Eagle woes

TACOBILL · Head Dick

doughede · Mr. Big Nuts

Don’t forget the Trent Cole's kick to Meat & Potato’s in the Giants game... That allowed them to tie the game.. Your right though TacoBill, they are making to many mistakes, and I can only hear Andy Reid say "I need to do a better job with that" so many times.... On both sides of the ball they are making mistakes... And the Special Team's is nothing special this year. Dexter Wynn just gets on my nerves for some reason, then I look at the alternative in Reno Mahe and I get pissed off.. The bottom line is that the Eagles just need to start playing smart football..

shack · Head Dick

For the most part the blame is on the D. They can't get off the field, stop the run, and aren't doing too hot at the pass either. Penalties in the 4th have led to 1st downs instead of punts that turned into field goals to win or tie (if I remember right it was a tying FG in the Giants game)

Either Jim Johnson is too old or his schemes have become to predictable, but they're not working and his players have lost discipline. The offense seems to be making up for its gaffes, but they keep putting the game in the hands of the defense and they are losing it, except for Dallas, but that was hardly because of great D but bad rout running and mediocre QBing.

saturn11 · Head Dick

i've been critical of the birds d on this board, and last week, their inability to put the nails in the coffin when brees and co got the ball with 8 minutes left was agonizing. and i DO think that if you look back over the past four years, jim johnson's d's have been pretty vulnerable.

but this is NOT the week to complain about their inability to keep an offense off the field. the bucaneers offense was reponsible for, what, six of their points yesterday?

the eagles offense yesterday was SO productive that it produced points for the eagles AND the opponent.

i agree with taco, however, the problems are about coaching. that makes them correctible. what's disturbing is that some of these problems have been around for season after season after season.

how does a guy who's playing at the top of his game NOT GET that you can't throw it to a player on the 3 yard line with 9 seconds left? that kind of mental error gets coached out of a qb long before he gets to this stage of his career.

were it not for mcnabb's and westbrook's athleticism, we wouldn't have even gotten close to the win column. and the plays they both scored on were on HORRIBLE plays to call in those situations, especially westbrook's: the birds were still taking about 40 seconds off the clock between each play, and time was running out. if westbrook doesn't take that one to the house, he's nowhere NEAR the sidelines. what was reid thinking? you can't tell me he thought that one would go to the house.

it's a shame, because, as taco points out, their three losses were all VERY winnable. they beat the giants and the bucs everywhere but on the scoreboard. the eagles even did a better job of beating the eagles than their opponents. it's unbelievable.

shack · Head Dick

It may not be THE week to blame the D, but seriously it was 9 points and the Bucs O kept the ball out of Donvan's hands for a good long while. It's not as if they were a powerhouse offense.

Besides, it's also an issue of their discipline in the 4th, in the last minutes. Unnecessary penalties keeping them on the field and allowing field goal position because of it.

And Johnson's mantra used to be, "give up the run, but stop the pass", or "stop the big play", but they aren't. You got guys just standing around open with three guys waiting for him to catch it. It's ugly and not "Jim Johnson style D".

Like I said the O made up for their gaffes, but needed more time WITH the ball to win and that falls on the defense if they want to be "winners" or even contenders.

If their tougher games are ahead of them then we'll see just how good the offense is too. Blaming the D for these first few, but not having a real running game will probably expose the offense later, again. Of course if Stallworth returns and makes his catches it might not matter.

Right now they look like a contender on O and an also ran on D, which makes them mediocre as a team.

-- Edited by shack at 18:22, 2006-10-23

saturn11 · Head Dick

Shack, i agree about the discipline. But the idea that offense was "making up for the d's gaffes" is just plain wrong: donovan GAVE the bucs 14 points, and he and jason avant combined to TAKE AWAY at least 6 (and possibly 14) more points that the birds could have scored.

gaffes? we talkin' gaffes? donovan was making up for his own gaffes yesterday.

gradkowski threw for 104 yards. cadillac rushed for 82 yards. the d did their job.

if you wanna focus on the d in your complaints about that loss, that's fine with me.

while you're doing that, ronde barber will be streaking down the sidelines with two passes, and fourteen points, special delivery from donovan mc pukey face.

-- Edited by saturn11 at 19:55, 2006-10-23

shack · Head Dick

Saturn, the gaffes I was referring to were the offenses. They made up for their own gaffes by putting together scoring drives.

Forget about the yards that the Bucs offense had and think about time of possession, 31:01 for a team that went nowhere. Not good. The Birds offense needed more time and as a team they needed the D to get them back on the field. That's what a complete team does. The Birds are not it.

I'm not laying sole blame on the D for this game, but their lack of success in these tight ones. The Giants game wasn't even tight. The Dallas game probably shouldn't have been and only luck kept them from losing that. Even the 49ers came back and made it interesting. They were picked apart by NO by using the short game, time of possesion, and poor pass coverage. They still had a chance if not for 12 men on the field.

But I hear what you're saying. In this one game they are not solely responsible. But 31 minutes for 200 yds is a bit much.

-- Edited by shack at 20:09, 2006-10-23

-- Edited by shack at 20:13, 2006-10-23

saturn11 · Head Dick

sorry for the misunderstanding, there, shack (that was MY gaffe!).

seems like we see the whole thing pretty much the same way. i haven't been all that high on jim johnson's d for awhile, now.

and i DO like the players. the coaches seem to have gotten into the habit of overthinking everything, however.

hark44 · Kick Asser

after the loss to the giants, i'm sure you can recall the rabbid anger of my post that began the thread entitled, "EAGLES SUCK!!" but now, i'm just depressed... i'm very numb about the football situation right now and i hate that... except for a select few players, they haven't been playing like they want it... i can't even get into the mechanics right now of why they're losing, because i've been hearing the if's and buts week in and week out on WIP, comcast, etc... even when they win, they still aren't disciplined... it seems like they take plays off as a team... the defense will play tight and make two nice stops, only to stand flat-footed and give up that 3rd down conversion... im tired of it.. and im just hoping it ends right now. best case scenario: the birds come back home to the LINC, after two tough losses on the road and get pumped again... use that pure emotion to find it again and put a whoopin on the jags... then they have the bye week to gain some perspective (and they better, because the worst is yet to come in the second half of the season). worst case scenario: i dont want to talk about it, but i believe they started out 4-3 last year, and we all remember how that ended...

shack · Head Dick

saturn11 wrote:

sorry for the misunderstanding, there, shack (that was MY gaffe!).

seems like we see the whole thing pretty much the same way. i haven't been all that high on jim johnson's d for awhile, now.

and i DO like the players. the coaches seem to have gotten into the habit of overthinking everything, however.

Overthinking for sure, but then underthinking the 4th quarter. Referring to Jim Johnson's Ole style prevent-the-win defense.

The guy apparently changes his complete defensive scheme every offseason, but can't figure out how to stay aggressive at the end of games.

Watching TO last night I was wondering if, with the ruining of his own persona, that the thing he did most for the Eagles, bringing that "aura" or something, he can't do for Dallas. He's got the skills for sure, but the mentality on both sides of the ball that changed in Philly and probably helped propel them farther even without him in those games leading up to the SB, doesn't seem to have taken place in Dallas.

The defense did play well, especially after Trotter became a starter, but even with Trotter now they don't have that same.... something, and I wonder if that left with TO and all his baggage. Of course in the SB when you have guys yelling "SCREEN" and then the Pats run a screen and get a first down because nobody could defend what they knew was happening, you gotta wonder if they had been coached on it.

doughede · Mr. Big Nuts

The Defense is struggling right now... And they cannot stop the run... But Jim Johnson’s Defensive really never stopped the run... That Defensive is made for getting after the QB.. When a team is running the ball with the lead vs. the Eagles, they know its coming and still cannot stop it, that’s a problem!! Granted they have a game here and there where they will keep the run in check, but that might be because the Eagles won big and the team was forced to pass...

Example vs. the Giants this year.. Tiki Barber the NFL's leading rusher, was held to 51 yards on 21 carries.. That’s because the Giants had to throw to get back into the game... The Giants had some favorable breaks in that game with the fumble in the end zone and the STUPID play of Trent Cole to get them in position for the tying FG.. I’m a huge Eagles Fan, and a season ticket holder that doesn’t miss a home game.. I know they are playing bad on defensive, but the Stupid Mental mistakes are why we are 4-3 and not 7-0.. You don’t loose 3 out of 7 games, on the last play of the game by playing smart football...

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

This team has talent, yet after what I've seen over the past 2 weeks, I also think they are INCREDIBLY dumb! Talk about a team that has found every way in the world to LOSE a football game, this team certainly fits into that category, and that's coming from an EAGLES fan!

Christopher Wallace · Head Dick

Vanni9283 wrote:

This team has talent, yet after what I've seen over the past 2 weeks, I also think they are INCREDIBLY dumb! Talk about a team that has found every way in the world to LOSE a football game, this team certainly fits into that category, and that's coming from an EAGLES fan!

Sounds like the team on the other side of PA.

Bolivar · Half A Man

Even though Philly is struggling right now, compared to so much of the rest of the league they are in pretty good shape in that you can't point to one aspect of their team and say there's a fatal flaw that will wreck the whole enterprise. They have lost three heartbreaking games and this becomes a test of mental toughness more than one of trying to fix the unfixable. (For example, the 49ers can talk all they want to about 'correcting mistakes' on defense, but the plain fact is they just don't have the horses on that side of the ball.) If Andy Reid and team's leaders can keep everyone focused despite the recent disappointments their season can be turned around very quickly and the Eagles's recent troubles will be seen later a more of a bump in the road rather than a season killer. My one concern about Philly is Westbrook. You'd like to see someone a little bigger and a little more durable as the every down back.

TACOBILL · Head Dick

The Eagles were winning....and lost 3 games on the last play of the game...that fukn sucks.

But if you are not from philly...or even if you are...i stream the guys from www.wpen.com. They are opinionated and dont drink the kool aide. They pretty much answer every email and read alot on the air. Now I am not plugging them...but for what its worth....if you want to get an honest opinion or want a question answered by someone is has some inside info...these are your guys

GoBearsGalason · Head Dick

I just wrote in and asked them if they would kidnap mcnabb this week and ass rape him so I don't have to play against him in fantasy football this week. I got no response and no reply yet.

I find it so funny that with every pass he makes Rush Limbaugh look like a complete fukn Drilldo. I cannot wait

The fukn guy is a fantasy fukn god right now. I wish he would quit, if only for one week. After that he can do whatever his little old black quarterback heart desires.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Christopher Wallace,

I know what team you're talking about, and I'm curious to know what happened to their defense? It appears to have disappeared!

Christopher Wallace · Head Dick

Vanni9283 wrote:

Christopher Wallace, I know what team you're talking about, and I'm curious to know what happened to their defense? It appears to have disappeared!

It has nothing to do with defense. It's called turnovers. The Steelers defense isn't designed to crush teams if the have the ball on our own 20 yard line. We play bend but dont break. A lot of zone. Turnovers are killing this team. If we werent turning the ball over we would be 4-2.

Special teams has been horrible. We miss Randle El, even though he wasn't worth what the deadskins paid him. Return teams have been bad. Coverage has been below average. Reed/Gardocki have been below average.

Ben has not been the same but played great Sunday, minus fumbling the snap that was huge.

Overall, if we stop the turnovers, play good special teams like we did last season, and Ben plays well, we could be in the mix for the title.

If not, we are looking at 8-8.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

But they gave up 41 points to Atlanta! A defense that gives up that many points should be questioned.

shack · Head Dick

I think Vick has a game or two a year that make people say, "See! He can throw". He usually follows it up with another that proves the doubters right again though.

Couple that with a struggling team in the Steelers and it all comes together for them. That said, Atlanta's D is one of the best in the beginning of the year recently and starts falling apart after. They gave up a bunch of points to a struggling Pittsburgh O as well. That's what is called an anomoly and not something to base either team on.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

I think Vick has a game or two a year that make people say, "See! He can throw". He usually follows it up with another that proves the doubters right again though.

I ABSOLUTELY agree with you on that Shack. Last year, it was Miami. 2 years ago it was Denver. This was probably his one break out game for this year. But who knows, Cinci's D is rather weak, so maybe he'll have another one this week. Could be another shoot-out, but I think Cinci has a bit more firepower than Atlanta, and will wind up outscoring them in this one for the W.

Christopher Wallace · Head Dick

The whole point guys is that Vick put up points dumping the ball off to Crumpler when he had the ball on the Steelers side of the field to start the drive.

Hell that will make Joey Harrington look good.

We fumbled a punt. Fumbled a snap. Gave up an onside kick. Fumbled a handoff.

=

28 points

shack · Head Dick

Yeah, but if that happens 16 games a year for Vick he wil still only total 10 TD passes a season.

shack · Head Dick

3 L's in a row with both units battling for most inept, all three if you include special teams.

Just out of curiosity, how come a punter can lose his protection from a roughing call for fumbling around with the ball(bad snap) even though it didn't hit the ground, but the team can still be penalized for illegal man downfield? Seems odd that it would be okay for the other team to be able to pound him, but that same thing doesn't allow for a guy to run downfield like he supposed to.

Not that it mattered, just out of curiosity.

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Yeah, this season, like last year's, appears to be spiraling out of control. This team used to come up BIG in situations like this, but yesterday, they showed no sense of urgency whatsoever. Just a truly EMBARASSING performance by our football team yesterday! At 4-4, I think we are in DEEP trouble!

LeRoy · Kick Asser

I think that the lack of a top flight wide out is one of the big problems. If the Eagles didn't have such a quality qb and one of the best backs (westbrook), they could be winless at this point.

TACOBILL · Head Dick

I am officially OFF the fukn bandwagon. I havent said that since Rich Kotite....but the Eagles have gone soft. No discipline...stupid funkn penalties....and NO balls.

And I think the biggest reason they suck this year....is because they are predictable on both sides of the ball. They blitz at the wrong time and and on the wrong side. They run up the gut when they need a screen. The WR's cant get open.

You hear McNabb was sacked 4 times yesterday. They werent his fault or the O-line. It was the WR's not getting open or breaking off a route when the pocket starts to collapse.

The dropped balls were fukn ugly...real fukn ugly. But that goes back to discipline

Vanni9283 · Head Dick

Well, TacoBill, their predictibility was one of the reasons (other than the TO saga) why they sucked last year as well. I mean, how could they go so quickly from a team who was 4-1 to a team that is now 4-4???

TACOBILL · Head Dick

After watching the last couple of weeks.....I would almost bet that Joe Banner put up a copy of the Eagles Playbook\game plan on Ebay to generate a few extra buck$