When I talked about the Eagles path to the playoffs three weekends ago, and when I had them buried last weekend after the Redskins debacle, I never expected that the season would turn out like this.
Which part is more unbelievable? The Bears losing to the Texans? The Bucs not only losing to the Raiders at home, but blowing a 10-point lead to them and ending the season on a 4-game losing streak? Or us dismantling the Cowboys 44-6 in what was essentially a play-in game? In a year where the Phillies beat the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series, I can’t say much surprises me anymore…but this was a little ridiculous.
On to the game, if you could even call this a game. The main story was the defense. They outscored the Cowboys all by themselves, 14-6. They held the Boys to 80 total yards in the first half, and the majority of yards they gave up in the second half were in garbage time. This squad is absolutely relentless in putting pressure on the QB and gang tackling anyone with the ball. In my opinion, the the biggest strength of this defense is the depth. With Darren Howard, Trevor Laws, Chris Clemons and Victor Abiamiri, we can put together a pretty decent defensive line with just our bench. We have a pro-bowl corner in Lito Sheppard and an improving nickel back in Joselio Hanson for multiple receiver sets and even some solid back-ups at LB and S with Omar Gaither and Quentin Demps. We can keep our players fresh while keeping quality talent on the field. This wears down the opponents line, and helps our run defense and QB pressure.
And what might be the best thing about our NFC-best defense? It’s going to be around awhile. Of the 19 rotation players (the guys mentioned above, and the starters), 14 of them are 27 or younger and nearly half, 9 of them, are 25 or younger. Only 2 players, Brian Dawkins and Darren Howard, are nearing the end of their career. And the way Dawkins is going, who knows if he’ll ever stop.
The defense made this game a blowout, but the offense certainly played well enough to win it on their own. They had 3 scoring drives of 65+ yards in the first half and put together 3 other drives of 30+. They balanced out the run and pass (Andy, this WORKS! I SWEAR!) and finally utilized the incredibly under-utilized Correll Buckhalter. As always, McNabb spread the ball around nicely, and today he played within himself, committing no turnovers and throwing 2 touchdowns. Had we lost this game, McNabb would have bared the brunt of the criticism, so he should certainly get credit for the way he played in a pressure packed game today. Also, it should be noted that the Birds very quietly broke their team record for points in a season, with 416, and McNabb quietly broke his single season yards record, with 3,916.
The final point I like to make about this game I really couldn’t be happier to make. Dallas sucks. And it’s all their fault. The T.O. signing? Amounted to 0 playoff wins and a load of distractions this season. The Roy Williams trade? First, third, sixth, and seventh round picks for 19 catches and 198 yards. Pacman Jones? Fourth-round pick for another suspension and no production. Tony Romo? Besides flaunting his injuries and dating Jessica Simpson, the Cowboys savior is now 5-10 in December and January. The Eagles? 8 playoff wins and counting since the Cowboys last playoff victory. The Cowboys were unmotivated and outclassed, and this had to be one of the most fulfilling regular season victories I can remember.
As for this weekend. The Eagles travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings on Sunday at 4:30. I imagine we will be favored and I think we will win the game, if only because Tavaris Jackson will have a lot of trouble with our defense. That would of course, set up a meeting with the Giants at the Meadowlands, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Either way, if the Eagles play the way they did today, who knows how long we’ll be talking about football for. I seem to remember another Philly team that caught fire at the right time…
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
The Bucs game was a shocker, I mean the Raiders stink and to travel across the country and take down
1) an “ok” team
2) at home
3) trying to get into the playoffs
was simply amazing.
The Eagles game? Unbelievable but after the first goal line TD, the Cowboys were mentally done, they were on their cell phones lining up their vacation plans.
Speaking of that goal line 2 effort QB sneaks for the first TD? Did anybody re-watch that effort in slow-mo? Nick Cole to the right of center (Jamal Jackson) was outstanding, he blew the defender up in the air and back a solid 2-3 yards. That effort created the hole for Donovan to slip into the end zone.
From the time I saw him in training camp blowing up tackling dummies, I’ve loved Nick Cole, he is tremendous.
Pete, S.F.W. was telling me on the phone last night how weirdly comparable the Mets and Cowgirls are [Chokers, easy to hate,cancerous clubhouse] maybe the Eagles can catch fire also. They have shown when on top of their game they can play with anybody and the clunkers they have had should happen less with so much on the line. Now will Andy keep running the ball against a good run defense ?
Thank you Mike for pointing out Nick Cole. First Andrews is lost, and when his backup Jean-Gilles went down, Cole stepped in and has been a game changer in both the run game and pass protection. The guy is a converted center that was an UDFA if I remember correctly and has been very under the radar but has sured up the offensive line as a former 3rd stringer thrust into action.
Mike D -
You make a good point about Cole, because one of, if not the, best attributes of the Reid era has been their ability to draft good OL in later rounds, and the TREMENDOUS ability of our OL coach, Castillo, to develop them.
Cole is our 3rd string guard, and has stepped in seamlessly.
DSS-
apparentely the Vikings chief run stopper, Pat Williams, is out with a broken something-or-other. Hopefully this will give Reid the confidence to run the ball.
there’s no reason Buck shouldn’t get 10-15 carries a game. He’s averaging 5 yards per carry this season.
DSS-
yes, it’s been a great couple years for me to hate my 2 most hated teams (Cowboys and Mets).
I think the Cowboys might be fun to hate for awhile. The Mets, im not so sure.
I am amazed at what transpired yesterday. I thought Oakland had a chance – they have actually been playing pretty good the past month but I still did not see that happening. Houston has also had a great second half to their season – that offense is dangerous. But for the Eagles to just completely dismantle the Cowboys was freaking awesome and a great way to end the season.
The depth of the D line has been huge. Ever since Abiamiri came back from injury, they have taken things up a notice. People don’t realize how much his wrist injury hurt the planned rotation from training camp.
My fear with this is that we still have no idea what Eagles team is going to show up next week. I could see a Giants like run and I could see a one and done. It all depends on how Reid calls the game and if McNabb is on his game, both of which can change very quickly from week to week. But I have thought all along that this roster is fine. If you have a coach that uses it right on offense, i.e., balanced play calling, it’s amazing what this team could do. Let’s just all pray that Reid utilizes the run game next week.
wow after the eagles loss to the giants i had pretty much soured on ‘em. the redskins loss just sealed up the conviction. NOW THIS?? kudos to them but OAKLAND BEATING THE BUCS?? i dont wanna jinx it but it looks like there might be another parade real soon. we got the weakest playoff class in the NFC in a while (Giants and Panthers are top seeds), Chicago and Dallas eliminated, everyone healthy, Reid drawing up his first run to pass ratio greater than 1. how many more stars need to align for them to get a shot? considering they (plus the rest of the NFC) did their very best NOT to be in this position.
I was at the game yesterday – amazing. The best moment for me was when my dad called me up and said ” Dan, do you see this ish? Un-fing-believable. YEAH!” He was born and raised in West Philly and lives and dies with the Eagles I haven’t heard that kind of excitement regarding the team since they went to the superbowl.
The people in the box with me were kind of in shock about how the game went down. I mean the Eagles played very well and they WON the game. But damn Dallas really made it easy for us in every possible. Just a bunch of losers. I think people will really need to start questioning Tony Romo as a leader and championship level quarterback because he looked like a lost wet puppy running around out there yesterday.
What a great belated gift the Eagles handed us yesterday (with a little help from OAK and HOU). Talk about going from miserable to top of the world within hours.
I thought all aspects of the game (Offense/Defense/Sp Teams) dominated the Cowboys yesterday. The offense clicked from the first posession and Bucky was off to the races as he should have been all year. The play calling of offense was first rate, not only utilizing the run, but calling good pass plays that McNabb could make a good throw on and the recivers could have a chance to make a play. Where were all these plays last week against Washington? It doesn’t matter now as they are right where they want to be, in the playoffs and hot.
I think the D will be just as aggressive against MIN to stop the run and put lots of pressure in the backfield. Make Tavaras Jackson beat them with his arm. Jim Johnson going up against his old foe Brad Childress will be interesting.
Did anyone see when Jeffrey Lourie tried to high five his wife and hit her right in the face?? It was one of the funniest moments in Eagles history.
Reid. Burp. “Proud of my guys … pass the rolls and mashed potatoes.”
McNabb. Twerp. “I’ve played great … they’ve spit on me, I continue to prevail.”
Together, here, another year … NO, NO, a thousand times NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jjg -
who are your replacements for next year?
keep in mind Cowher has apparentely said he does not plan to coach in ‘09
Pete Don’t have names in mind. Just want some fresh air. Very stale act. Win or lose, they’re both obnoxious.
Regarding replacements, could give Pete Carroll another try if he’s at all interested and can be pried away from college game. And give Kolb his chance at QB, following a full camp with 1st stringers, while carrying a winning veteran back-up a la Garcia, not A.J. Feeley.
I’ll give Tony Romo some credit, on 4th and short when the Cowboys absolutely had to keep the ball and take a chance in order to get some points, Tony wanted to go for it and waved off the punting team.
Wade Phillips is an absolute joke, extremely early on he had given up and was punting on very makeable 4th down situations
On Carroll, NFL coaching:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-farmer2-2008dec02,0,5762580,full.column
Every time Buck touches the ball good things happen. Why can’t Andy see that changing the pace with 2 RBs is a great idea? And gives Westbrook a needed rest? There is no reason why Westbrook can’t still get 20 touches and C. Buck gets at least 8-10 as well
If I owned the Eagles I’d tell Andy, you are going to run the ball 30 times min. per game no excuses, no exceptions.
Mike… Your preaching to the choir. Look at the sucessful teams in the NFL and what is the common bond? A platoon at running back. Carolina and the Giants are 2 perfect examples and the 1/2 seeds in the NFC.
jjg, you crazy dude. Reid might be bad, but Carroll is a nightmare, piling up a great record when you play Div 3 teams and you play 70% of your games at home isn’t all that difficult
I’d much rather have some NFL person coach our team keep those college coaches elsewhere
and Kolb? are you serious? I pray we keep Donovan another 2-3 years
MD Carroll 33-31 in first 2 stops, Jets & NE. Would think he’s learned a lot through those experiences and 8 yr. stint at SoCal (86-15). I like him, you don’t. Even if he proved again to be an average NFL coach on return, “nightmare” is a long stretch. And name me a Top 20 Div. I team that doesn’t load up on creampuffs, tilt schedule their way. He’s won. Can’t argue that. And one of the best Eagle head coaches ever, Vermeil, came from cross-town rival UCLA after a Rose Bowl win against then-#1 ranked Ohio State. Could the City of Angels bless the (soon-to-be) cooked Birds again?
Donovan’s just a fat boy in disguise, flingin’ some footballs and dreamin’ of his next box of Krispy Kremes. May your prayer go unanswered.
Kolb, coach’s kid – fair jury is still out.
And may Andy Reid be forced to dine at the Pen & Pencil Club each Monday until he exits town.
jjg: i get why you’re upset: it was a sure exit for at least McNabb or Reid had they finished the season outside the playoffs considering how POORLY the former played and the latter coached but this win alone somehow gives them new credibility and they can convince Lurie that the same old ship can still make some waves. we’re stuck for another sumthin years?
well for philly’s sake i’d rather see them have a CHANCE to FINALLY win a super bowl at the expense of the apparantly needed breathof fresh air. even if we don’t win anything, i feel its still worth it.
come on, Donovan has been a great QB, why folks can’t see this I don’t understand
have there been better QB’s than Donovan? sure, but Reid’s play calling and insisting we pass 60% of the time, and not having a great WR has hurt Donovan more than anything else
Donovan is light years better than anything this town will see in 10 years or more, throwing him out of town dooms you to terrible football for many years
I’m telling you as a NY Knicks fan, appreciate the big guy. Patrick Ewing where are you??
Since things have quieted down a bit on this topic and Mike brought up McNabb, here’s an article from Screamin’ A. Smith. Nothing we haven’t talked about already but there are a few good quotes and I’m sure it will stir things up a bit.
I cant stand Screamin A Smith. I refuse to listen to or read anything that he says/writes. He is always kissing up to one player or another. Kind of like that disgusting love fest after Eagles beat Cardinals on t-giving. Those NFL network guys made me want to hurl the way they were slobbing the Dmac knob. Deon, Warren Sapp, etc
bski…Thanks for the article. Looks like Steven A is a big McNabb fan. It seems as everyone outside of the Philly bubble is a McNabb fan. Maybe they just don’t get to see him at his worst like we do? I have been thinking a lot lately of how the team would fare if Reid was let go and McNabb kept. Get a coach in there that understands the dynamic to winning football games is on the ground. Westbrook/Buckhalter combine for 30 carries a game. Does McNabb become a superstar with that system? Utilize the run to open up the pass.
If McNabb is traded, we have a good 2-3 years of pathetic football ahead of us. By the time Kolb is NFL quality, Westbrook is past his prime, the defense is aged, and the offensvie line will be totally renovated. Is that what we want here in Philly with our beloved Eagles? Are we calling for change because every year we are competitive, but not the best in the league? I was just as bad as the next guy and threw in the towel after the Cincy/Baltimore games and absolutely lost all hope after Washington. But if this team is on the field in 2009, still in tact, can they win a Superbowl? I believe they can. If anything needs to be changed it has to be the style of offensive play calling. Whether its Reid or someone else, the run must be utilized and the west coast offense needs to be laid down to rest. Platoon Westbrook and Bucky and see what we can do before its time to start over and rebuild.
I agree that this team has the right pieces to win a superbowl, but will the head coach call the plays that keeps a defense honest? I dont expect us to pound the ball like Carolina/NY Giants/Baltimore but just run enough that defense’s have to respect the run especially with a combo back there of Westy/Buck.
Birds/Vikings game tickets are going for $30 right now on ticketmaster. Ridiculous how they can’t sell out a playoff game.
J Dubbz nails it in post #25
The only thing I can add is when Donovan scrambles for time and occasionally runs this team can’t be stopped. And when guys who are 36 to 38 are still playing well in this league?? I think ‘ol #5 has many good years ahead of him.
Donovan is not only good, he’s still a top 10 QB in this league and you’d be nuts to let him escape. Me? I want him to play another 3-5 years and retire an Eagle. Yo Donovan, I love ya.
Reid? Still a good coach, still better than half the league and light years ahead of straight up morons like Jauron in Buffalo (read Easterbrook in Page 2 of ESPN today), but if they let him go, I’m ok with that. I’m forever holding my breath he will pull out a 75% pass to 25% run coaching performance, and that is going to kill me one of these days.
MD: i think i am probably the biggest McNabb fan here. the problem i think most ppl, and I have with him is; I want him to be great. he is talent wise on the cusp of that Manning/Brady class. he has never crossed it bcos of inconsistency. It is maddening to know with all he has been through in philly, that he doesnt get over that bump. It is equally maddening to see a 6yr plus veteran quarterback come out and throw games like the Ravens game. The true worth of a veteran is consistency. you can count on what you’re gonna get. that is what trumps the rookie. you figure with his experience he would be taking off now but somehow it hasnt happening.
anyway once we win a championship everything will be forgotten. we don’t and here we are again.
McNabb’s limitations are primarily of his and Reid’s own making, which I agree makes me nuts. When Donovan runs and scrambles and is only asked to throw the ball 55% of the time (or less) he is equal to Brady and Payton.
When he sits back there and just wants to be a pocket passer he gives up weapon’s he has that most don’t. That is maddening!
Eli Manning’s total yards from scrimmage in 2007 was 10 yards for the entire year. That’s a one dimensional pocket passer.
And at only 32-33, it’s hard to believe he doesn’t have the stamina for the very occasional run. I’m not asking for Michael Vick’s 50 to 100 yards running per game. But I’d love to see 20 or about 300 yards per year plus the side to side scramble like we saw in the Dallas game that let Buck get the 59 yard catch and run.
I just sent an email message on Donovan’s personal web site, I told him he’s the best and told him the only jersey I own is #5. So who’s the best McNabb fan now ?