JAX Preview
Posted: August 24th, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 68 Comments »The third preseason game is the one that most closely resembles a real game. The Eagles schedule this week was somewhat like that for a real game. There will also be some gameplanning involved. This is one week where results do matter, although a loss doesn’t mean you’ll be bad any more than a win guarantees a trip to the playoffs. You just get an idea of where your team is by the way they play in the third game. A big part of this is that backups shouldn’t hit the field until the middle of the 3rd quarter.
I don’t know what to make of the Jaguars so trying to get a feel for how to judge tonight’s results is going to be tricky. Like the Eagles, Jacksonville has a new coach. Like the Eagles, there are scheme changes. The huge difference is that the Eagles have the makings of one of the best offenses in football. The defense is the huge question mark. The Jags were awful on O and D last year, and not just due to injuries. They simply lack top talent. I like the new management, but it will take more than one year for them to make the jump to being a competitive team, unless QB Blaine Gabbert eats Awesome QB Pills the way that I do Funyuns and he’s able to turn into Russell Kaepernick III.
From a generic standpoint, I want the offense to score TDs and to not waste trips onto the plus side of the field. The first 2 games have featured some blown opportunities (for a variety of reasons). It would be good to see the offense play a cleaner game.
The defense needs to make some plays. Last week they got stops. Sacks and takeaways are what we need to see tonight. The defense has been very vanilla since Bill Davis is simply trying to get the players to learn the 3-4. I wonder if he opens things up a bit this evening. The 3-4 is at its best when you blitz. The Eagles need to see what they can do in that regard.
On STs, I just want more of the same from Dave Fipp’s unit. Crazy Eyes has that group playing really well. I’ve already got him slated for assistant coach of the year.
Now let’s talk about some positions and what I’ll be focused on.
QB – Vick will play at least a half. I’m hoping for more of the same. If the Jags do get some pressure and muddy the pocket, I’m curious to see how Vick responds. His calm play this summer has been incredibly impressive. Foles and Barkley just need to play well. No turnovers for Nick would be good. Matt not getting a receiver killed would be preferable.
RB – Shady showed me enough last week. He’s good. Bryce Brown missed the CAR game, but was terrific in the opener. It would be good to see him build on that. Chris Polk played well last week, aside from his fumble. He needs a good game and no fumbles. Matt Tucker’s big test will come next week.
WR – I’m really focused on Russell Shepard and Greg Salas. Shepard was very quiet last week on offense. Was he not getting open or did the ball just not come his way? Salas has looked good. He needs another good game to push for a roster spot. Shepard needs to make some plays. He has impressed everyone with his STs play.
TE – Can rookie Zach Ertz build on his good game from last week? He blocked well and was good as a pass-catcher. More, please. Derek Carrier is the backup I’m most interested in. I want to see him catch a couple of passes and show us that athletic ability of his. Clay Harbor will split reps at WR/TE. Heck, there are times when you can’t tell what he’s playing.
OL – Jason Peters will play. That should be fun to watch. This is the first time the Eagles starting OL has been together in a game since 2011. There have been changes on the right side, but still…these are the 5 guys that the team wants on the field. The backup spots are still very open. Allen Barbre is the top backup right now. Dallas Reynolds and Julian Vandervelde are fighting to be the backup Center. I prefer Reynolds, but Vandy had a solid game last week. He could help himself a lot with a strong showing. Danny Watkins needs to play well in order to earn a job. He’ll be the backup RG. I’m curious to see if Michael Bamiro plays with the 2’s or 3’s. I’d keep him with the 3’s, but the coaches might want to test him and see just where he’s at. It also might be interesting to see Matt Tobin slide over and play some RT with the 2’s. He had been at LT, but Barbre will handle that spot.
DL – Fletcher Cox made a big jump last week. I’d like to see him get even better this time out. Bennie Logan is still pushing for the NT job. He needs to show that he can anchor vs the run. I’m curious if Clifton Geathers and Damion Square will remain the backup DEs or if Vinny Curry will finally get one of those spots. He’s outplayed them so far. Antonio Dixon must play bigger, stronger and more desperately if he’s got a shot to make the team. Last week he was awful. And tonight begins the Eddie McClam era in Eagles history, assuming the new DE gets on the field. I have mixed feelings on rookie Joe Kruger. Part of me doesn’t even want him to play. Or if he does, he should struggle. Then the Eagles can get him on the practice squad. The other side of me wants to see him show his talent so that we can get excited by his potential. Catch-22.
OLB – Trent Cole played much better last week. He’ll be on the field a lot tonight. With every snap, he’ll get more comfortable. I hope Brandon Graham plays with the starters so we can see how he does in that setting. I also hope they put him on the field at DE with the first team Nickel group. Changes will be tough, though, since JAX runs an up-tempo attack just like the Eagles. Chris McCoy has really stood out to me. I want to see more of the same from him. It would be great if Travis Long or Adrian Robinson would show something.
ILB – I’m fine with the starters. The backups are the key here. Casey Matthews should be back on the field. I thought he was solid in the opener. He needs another good game to show he belongs on the roster. I’d love to see Emmanuel Acho playing beside him. Acho has really impressed me as a good backup and natural LB. Jake Knott has flashed, but must do a better job with taking on blockers. He’s got to be more physical.
S – Nate Allen is the guy I’ll be focused on here. He had a good game vs CAR. He didn’t make any plays, but that’s because there weren’t any to make. He covered well. He executed his assignments. He was around the ball. Tonight I’m hoping we get to see him hit and tackle, both in the box and in space. I’ve pretty much given up on Kenny Phillips. We’ll see if he even plays. Earl Wolff has played well for a rookie, but hasn’t been so good that he’s forced his way into the lineup. Kurt Coleman just does his job. Is that enough to make this team? Kurt would help himself with a big play or two. I don’t mean INTs necessarily. Make an impressive tackle or break up a pass or make a great hustle play. Do something to make the coaches take notice. Earl is on the team, but he needs the impressive plays to push for playing time.
CB – I like Bradley Fletcher so far. Cary Williams had one very good PBU last week, but wasn’t blowing any of us away beyond that play. I’m curious to see if they press more this week. Last week was lots of off-coverage. Brandon Boykin has been terrific in the slot. It would be nice if he would catch the ball. Eddie Whitley played well last week and should get some time with the backup defense. He and Brandon Hughes are battling for the #4 CB spot. Whitley is an interesting guy due to his size and versatility. Jordan Poyer finally did some good things last week. He needs a good game to push for a practice squad spot. I don’t see him on the roster right now.
We’ll start to get some answers tonight.
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Mr Hack, aka Jimmy Bama, wrote a piece on Bennie Logan and how he should be starting at NT.
The Panthers OL did not impress me at all so a solid showing by Logan is good, but I still want to see more.
There is no disputing that Isaac Sopoaga hasn’t blown us away, but you do wonder how much of that is him being a veteran and somewhat going through the motions in the preseason. NTs take a beating during the year. Is Sopoaga just taking it easy, so to speak? Is he a bust?
One interesting thing to notice is that Sopoaga lines up way off the ball for a NT. I don’t know what’s behind this. The other NTs are more on the ball. Is this his way of protecting his body during PS games? Is it the way he likes to play? Is this something Bill Davis wants him to do? I have no idea.
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Tommy, isnt the problem with Kruger, that if he blows this game and the next that the Eagles might not even want him on the PS? He needs to show just enough that you want him on the PS, but not enough to make teams claim him.
His issue is strength, not lack of talent. That’s exactly what the PS is for. The x-factor is if he’s not working hard or something like that. Then you’d have no interest in keeping him.
*singing to the tune of I’m a dreamer
‘Please dear God let Kenny Philips play tonight having a good game so we won’t see Nate Allen with the starters on the field any more’
Why cant you and GEagle give Nate Allen a clean slate like the coaches have?
How many clean slates do we wanna give Allen? He’s been around in the league long enough. However he can easily prove me wrong with a good showing tonight…
This is a brand new coaching staff. Every player deserves a clean slate or did you have same mentality with Vick?
well then shouldnt have nnamdi and DRC deserve clean slates?
They were veteran players with big price tags. If Nate made several million a year, he’d be gone too.
He will be gone too. One more year lol
NA and DRC had attitude problems. Never saw that with Allen, his head was just not there
No, but comparing Vick with Allen from a talent point of view is like comparing Megan Fox with Melissa McCarthy.
Allen has some real talent for the safety position. Either you give everybody you keep a clean slate or nobody. Cant pick and choose or you lose the locker room
What is this crying about who I like and who I don’t like. I thought we have pieces for a nice defense in place while I spent every day listening to everyone else talk about how untalented we are and how horrible our defense will be, yet I didnt bitch and cry about, I tried to make my argument for why they are better then the untalented group of bums everyone else thought they were. i didnt wine and try to force you to see something that you didnt, so why the hell do I not have the right to not like 1 of our players? i dont get it…now I have to hear constant wining about me not liking one underachieving 4th year player?
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It’s not like Nate Allen’s future is in my hands…my oppinion means nothing, but NO, I just won’t have blind faith in anyone…but at any moment he is welcome to shut me up and show me something!!! Looks like once again, he will get plenty of chances..
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let me ask this again…His excuse is his lack of confidence….so please tell me why in the world I should have any confidence in him until he proves that he has confidence in himself? When the hell is he going to step up and makemamstatement?
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When?
I’m excited about the defense too. We surely will be better than last year. The progress of the second year players and a couple off-season hits give us opportunity.
I remember how Tommy loved Nate Allen coming out of South Florida. He had talent as a safety and played there for three years. He was good as a rookie. When the coaching staff stays with him, and Brian Dawkins supports him, it gives some of us a chance to imagine his success.
But be my guest and not like the guy. A few of us are hoping that the safety issues were a result of the wide nine fiasco. Who will lead the team in interceptions? As of right now, I figure Nate Allen might be a good guess. Besides Boykin, is there someone you feel confident will have more?
Allen is the starter I have the least confidence in, but who I would like to be wrong about because he is young and has more ability then anyone else we have…but I have no confidence in someone who has no confidence in himself…It’s not like I want him to fail. His success is in myest interest as a fan, I just am no longer buying it til I see it is all…
Anyone who’s watched an eagles game recently can see Allen plays scared of contact. I’ve been against him for three years now. He was never the same after his shoulder injury his rookie year. His mentality is soft and that he won’t overcome, IMO. Talent schmalent if you don’t produce on the field.
Nate has to prove to me that I should give him a clean slate as well. As far as I’m concerned, he is the weakest link on D.
there is a difference between handing an underachieving wimp a clean slate, and having him monopolize ALL the first team reps during preseason games…NO, I’m not interested in seeing Nate play all the snaps against the ones…This is the last chance to see where Earl Wolff is at this point in time, and I want to see him play with the 1’s.
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You can give Nate all the blind free passes that you’d like, he wont be here in 2014…It’s his 4th year, I expect him to actually do more then just make a QB look elsewhere. Hit someone so I can STFU. Please Shut me up Nate!!! I welcome it!!! But this blind free pass stuff is a joke…
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I gave Curry a free pass for last year, and what did he do with it? he came into the game and hit everyone in his path!!!
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I recognize the solid game he had in coverage last week. I won’t take that away from him…but he shouldn’t have been in the game last week. Wolff should have played with the ones against Carolina, so that we could have actually made an informed decision on who should be playing in tonight’s dress rehearsal…Until Wolff plays with the One’s, we Know Nothing!!! I simply ask that you use the preseason to find out. I don’t think I’m asking too much.
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What Kind of Safety would never be considered for ST play? A SOFT ONE!!!! Show me that you aren’t soft, and I will be glad to shut up! But these blind free passes don’t do it from me! There are lessons to be learned from past history. I worry about the way Nate Allen is wired!!! And that you can’t fix! …. There is nothing I want more then to be wrong about Vick, Nate and Cole, but Im never going to be a mindless sheep. I shut up about players for years because I try to wait til enough time has gone by to fairl judge who they are, well it’s year 4 and Nate is done with the blind passes. I don’t care how bad our coaches were last year, I doubt any of them told him not to hit anyone…
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looks like Nate will get every opportunity yet again to shut me up. we want the same exact thing…Good Safety play. You just have more confidence regarding Nate then I do….I’m the guy that fights with people about not judging young players too soon in their career…I have waited years to hold Nate accountable for his soft crap! Well now its time to put up or shut up, and excuse me for the lack of confidence.
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but since I’m Always getting blasted on this board for being a Rosey Optimist, I think I’m entitled to not like, or not have much confidence in a player or two….I didnt want Vick here, I still don’t want Vick here, but I always keep it real and give the man his due when he deserves it. Nate gets No free passes from me Any more!!! But he will get his due like everyone else does from me when their play warrants it, and I certainly don’t root for him to fail when he takes the field as an Eagle..
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maybe it’s just a Philadelphia thing, but I haven’t encountered to many Philadelphians that are happy with the way Nate plays the game…
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Philosophically I believe that having a burning desire to hit someone should be a prerequisite to playing Defense for the Philadelphia Eagles. I tolerated that soft crap from CBs for years, but I’m sorry, I can not tolerate it from an Eagles Safety. I don’t call the shots, doesn’t matter what I think, Nate will get every opportunity to make me a believer…Hopefully he finally takes advantage of all the opportunities that he has been given..
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But I’m tired of waiting for Prissy little Stella to “get her groove back”…we talk about confidence well if Nate doesn’t be
I’ve in himself then why the hell should I? PUt up or Shut up,Mr. Allen!!
You know the concept of training? If Wolff is not earning it in training, why should he be given the chance?
I like and believe in 98% percent of these defenders more then you do, and I didn’t need to see the the panthers game to have that oppinion because I been shouting it from a cliff since April!!! So what if I don’t have confidence in Nate Allen? I don’t root against the guy. It’s not like I won’t be happy to see him make plays…I just don’t believe he is going to prove to be good enough to be here past this year…for the tenth time, I would love to be wrong!
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I know a guy we questioned with much less experience then Allen named Vinny Curry, who the moment he got on the field he shut us all up…as for Nate..I’m waiting…..
Unless you know what personally is going on in training, I have no interest in you using it in your argument…Assuming practice is infallible went out the window when Vinny Curry spent a season not dressing…Give the kid a preseason opportunity and then I will gladly conceded he is a failure
I admit I didn’t read all of this response yet, but ”handing an underachieving wimp a clean slate” reeks of irony.
he can prove to be a good player, but I doubt he will ever prove to be a tough physical player, so in terms of NFL safeties, yes I view him as a wimp…would you ever consider playing him on ST? Lol
Russell Shepard is who im looking at… tommy how has greg salas been on STs?? i say that because seems like all of our WRs can play STs, desean and damaris return, coop avant cover and block (does damaris do any covering/blocking?), id like to see us just get a WR with upside to develop. I dont care if he would be inactive for half the season… yes this is me finding logic in claiming a guy like da’rick rodgers and PS’ing shepard if need be for a WR with more upside…
Sadly we are not claiming Rogers. He went undrafted and might not make the Bills, that says a lot about him.
I dont care, i see talent, thats what its about. Plus he will have a lil experience in a up tempo no huddle that the bills are running, and guys like jason avant could be good for him.
When a guy like Rogers go un-drafted, there is some serious problems behind the scenes we do not know about (more than just some weed)
i dont care, theres no big contract, no draft picks used, thats the kind of talent you take those kind of chances on…
I think the reason the Eagles wouldn’t go after Rodgers despite all that is that they’re trying to build a culture of high-character and high-effort guys. You don’t bring in a guy who washed out of Buffalo when there’s a real possibility he’s going to detract from the culture AND his lack of character and effort means it’s not likely he’ll play up to his potential anyway. The risks don’t merit bringing in a guy who probably would never be more than a roleplayer in the bestcase scenario.
best case scenario is role player? Best case scenario is chris carter!!! lol… The kid is talented. Coach’em up!! If we have a chance to claim him then he will be released from his 1st team, he better want to try harder. Guys like vick avant jackson, lesean, could inspire him to work hard.
But i mean if you can point me towards a WR just as good or better who we can get just as cheap let me know, im all ears.
I’m w/ you, as I wanted us to take a shot in him after the draft. Very little risk, potentially high reward. I live in the upstate NY area and trust me when I say, everybody knows this kid has talent. But everyone also knows he’s got some non talent related problems. And I’m not talking bout drugs. It’s basically that he doesn’t play the game, when it comes to practice, the right way (a phrase that I really hate btw).
The only report I have heard on him about his attitude is that a O-Linemen had to jump down his throat for not giving his full effort on blocking a CB during camp. Yet it’s still being recognized that he is being basically shutout of preseason by the coaching staff. It’s almost like Marone is trying to break him down and build him back up of Marone’s just not going to tolerate it on his team and has had no intent of having Rogers on the 53 from day one. To each his own when it comes to coaching styles.
So yes he needs to change his attitude and being an UDFA, do whatever is required of him to make the squad. Yes he has tons of talent. Yes I still would like to take a chance on him and see if we can get his head on straight. Please no “we don’t have a strong enough lockerroom” stuff. If we don’t or if players arent stepping up like right now to enforce strong leadership in our lockerroom, then we have bigger issues than just bringing in a player w/ a questionable character and someone(s) need to step up to change this, regardless of who we have or think about bringing in.
Yet I don’t think Howie’s gonna go near this kid w/ a 10ft pole. But keep your eyes on the Bills WR situation, cause they have a lot of young talent their and there’s still one very promising guy who might not make it. It all comes down to if B-Lo decides to keep Brad Smith! If they do then Marcus Easley should be available. He’s been killing it all preseason against the 2’s and got to play w/ the 1’s due to injury. Plus his game has really improved from a route running and consistency stand point. He’s young, has great size, gives maximum effort on every play, has good charecter and legit downfield speed. I would love to have this kid on the roster to take Benn’s spot and he would definitely push Coop.
PS…still think we need to get another burner, incase Desean goes down.
Greg has been solid on STs. Not as good as Shepard, though.
Has Poyer stuck out at all on ST?
Random – still kinda wish we would of signed danny woodhead instead of felix jones, would of been a great fit and i just read danny didnt let up a single sack out of 60 pass blocking snaps, for a guy his size thats damn impressive..woodhead prolly didnt want to play here behind bryce and lesean anyway tho… just random thoughts
I’m happy with Polk. We could have two amazing back ups behind Shady and best of all they are young.
Woodhead would require real money. Felix was in the bargain bin.
not really did you see woodheads deal?? they got him cheap!!!
Random Questions-
Could Phillips, Thornton and/or Kelly start the season on IR or PUP?
If Shepard doesn’t get touches from here on, is it because they’re trying to stash him on the practice squad?
Will another team grab Bamiro if we put him on the PS?
Why would you start Thornton on IR when he is the starting LDE? Neither Phillips or Kelly can start on PUP as both have practiced at TC.
Either Thornton is hurt (he’s supposedly battling a hammy) or he just isn’t very good. If he’s hurt, give him time to recover and be productive again. If he’s not hurt, he should be cut. I don’t get it with Thornton – he looked so promising two years ago.
Thanks for the PUP info. Could they start on IR? How does that work?
Thornton was terrific last week. Best starting DL. He’s fine and has looked good.
If guys go to IR, they stay there. Teams now have one exception so that has to be used very carefully.
You’re right – I got Thornton and Dixon mixed up. Dixon is the disappointment.
This. Makes. More. Sense.
Yes it does. Dixon has been very disappointing.
Rewatching the Panthers game, I thought Clifton didn’t get the credit he deserved. he particularly made a huge impact on this one series where, he worked his way down the line to make a stop on the RB, then followed it up with another nice tackle for a short gain. I don’t care how they work their rotation tonight, as long as I get to see Curry,Logan,Square and Graham get some snaps against starting Olinemen, which is probably one of the better positions on that putrid team..
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I thought we blitzed a nice amount(especially Mykal) against the Panthers for a preseason game..
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Would like to see Chunger continue his good play, making plays all over the field, and I hope we get to see what Wolff and Kenny can do with the ones
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Acho had a nice game against Pats but I didn’t notice him much against Carolina..Hope he has a productive game and plays his way onto this team as a backup..
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carry played off a lot last week and he was shaking off the rust from not playing much since Febuary, would like to see him improve from last week. hopefully Bradley’s tight coverage results in some incompletions when you play against a guy like Gabbert(although he had a nice showing in his last game actually resembling a QB).
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Like Tom pointed out, Next Step….Turnovers!! Causing them and eliminating them!!
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I also hope to continue to see us play Discaplined ball in terms of penalties. It’s been a pleasant surprise
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..Crazy eyes for president!!!! Dude just seems like he can cause someone to spontaneously combust with his death stare!!!
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But what I really really want to see tonight, is Lane Johnson going all “Boots to Asses” on Babin. Pound that dude into the dirt!!!!…Normally when I watch the Eagles offense live, I focus in on Lane Johnson, but with Peters back tonight, I don’t know who to watch lol
Crazy Eyes is the best nickname for an Eagles assistant since Juanita
Let’s see Dixon after a week of practice, he hadn’t practiced for a couple weeks before being inserted against Carolina, so they were probably trying to give him some PT to get him up to game speed. If he isn’t approaching his norm (2010 when he played 2 gap) this game, then he’s on the bubble.
I’m not sold on Logan at NT this year, on a swing basis yes, but 40+ snaps? Not sure he’s physically ready for that load. Want to work a rookie in, not overwhelm him, and NT is physically demanding and can wear down a rookie over a 16 game season.
I’m not understanding the Dixon wait and see approach. For numerous reasons he has never done to well in the league, w/ the start of 2010 being the exception.
I do however feel the same way bout Logan. And to add to it, despite Jimmy’s article, I would have to (like to) see a dramatic improvement of him anchoring, before being comfortable w/ him even being considered for the NT starting spot. I wish we had a massive physically dominating NT but sadly we don’t. Wanted to see what Geathers looked like at NT but Tommy has made us very aware of his leverage and pad level issues. Would still be nice to see him line up there on a couple of snaps, every once in awhile.
it’s aggrivating watching Brandon Williams play like the beast many of us knew he would be for the Ravens
Was overlooking the “height thing” in the months leading up to the draft. Really wanted us to get him and thought he’d be a real good fit for us. Kid is a beast.
The moment Ozzie Newsome drafted him I knew he was a beast lol
what do you think, Sopoaga is chopped Liver? Lol Soap will help Shoulder Benny’s load at NT…A few of Mykals big plays last week came because the non flashy Soap did his jobs,
Tonight’s game is one where I wish Buddy Ryan was our coach, or at least the defensive coordinator (imagine Chip as HC and Buddy as DC: football heaven). I know that’s unlikely because Chip is Mr. Good Sportsmanship. Hell, I’ll side with Cary Williams tonight if that means he finishes Babin. I want Babin carted off the field tonight. I’d put a bounty on that POS’s head. Clean or dirty hit: I don’t care. Lane Johnson has the opportunity to become my favorite NFL player if he beats the crap out of that wuss Babin. Or anyone really if they hit him good after the whistle. I don’t think I’ve ever hated a pro athlete as much as I hate that dude. A sissy who stood around when there was a run play. An all around selfish football player who threw his teammates under the bus. He’s a bigger Philly villain than J.D. Drew, Terrell Owens, and Michael Irvin put together.
Wow, you really hate Jason Babin. I don’t feel anywhere close to that.
Whoever down voted you should be “taken to that special farm where parents take their child’s pets” so that they can “Run Free” lol…
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Tonight Lane Gets his Wings!!!!
[…] Good stuff from everyone. And here is my game preview […]
Links to some other game previews are posted here.
http://eaglesblog.net/2013/08/what-to-watch-jax/
Robert Woods is a great pick by the Bills.
I’ve got a feeling that our season opener will be a shootout…
Havnt you heard, that crappy Redskins D is going to shut us out?
I don’t think they’re crappy. It’s more like both offences are really good at putting points on the board.
The Skins D was 21th in points last year
So?! Our offense wasn’t much better last year either. Doesn’t mean it will be the same in ’13, does it?
They only got Orakpo back and havnt really looked good outside of run defense. Compare with the Eagles that got several pro bowl type players back and a new system
Orakpo gets abused by JP, and Kerrigan gets Zone read! And No 50yr old man(fLetcher) is catching McCoy….can’t wait to see that Old man try to keep up with shady and our fast tempo!!!! We are putting up more points than London Fletchers age in Washington!!!
Darryl Tapp and Brandon Graham should have never swapped #’s!!!
I will co sign that!
It looks like my prayers have been heard:
Kenny Phillips is suited up. Looks to be a go
Now please thank the football gods with 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 Int, 1 tackle for a loss and 5 PBUs. Is that too much to ask???
Geez, if Howie & Co. had only drafted Earl Thomas…