Crazy Season
Posted: September 23rd, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 105 Comments »Panthers 38, Giants 0. So, how many of you had that game called correctly?
The Giants and Skins both fell to 0-3 with losses today. Dallas dominated the Rams, the one team that DeMarco Murray can light up. The Cowboys are now 2-1 and atop the division.
SF lost. They’re 1-2. GB lost. They’re 1-2. The Falcons as well.
I have no idea what to make of the Giants. The Eagles could give up 4 TDs right now and still have allowed fewer points than the G-men. How on Earth is that possible? After 3 games, they have 3 sacks. JPP and Vinny Curry each have 1 sack this year. Even the Skins have a better defense than the Giants. And the Skins D is awful. Yikes.
Speaking of former opponents…the Chargers did lose, but Philip Rivers was 20-24. Dude is killing it in their new offense.
Records can be deceiving. No one thinks the 1-2 Eagles are as good as SF, GB or ATL. But does it make you feel any differently about the Eagles to see them with the same record as those teams?
Have the Giants and Steelers started to implode? One thing both have in common…QBs from the 2004 draft. Ben and Eli have mega-deals and less than great OLs to protect them. It still blows me away that the Steelers traded for Felix Jones when his time as an Eagle showed he clearly wasn’t someone you wanted on the field.
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I am getting desperate for the Eagles to win at home. It isn’t a “we must protect this house” kind of thing. I’m just tired of hearing about the losing streak.
In Andy Reid’s first year, the Eagles were in the middle of a long road losing streak. Reid led the Eagles to a win at Chicago on 10/17/99 that was the team’s first road win since 1997. Chip Kelly has an easier task in ending a home losing streak. But it still has to be done.
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Adam Schefter reported that the Browns are open to trading WR Josh Gordon. Should the Eagles be interested?
Gordon is big at 6-3, 225. As a rookie in 2012 he posted good numbers, 50-805-5. There is a lot to like. I’m sure Kelly would love having a big, talented WR. The downside with Gordon is that he’s already been in trouble twice. Any drug issue will get him suspended for a year. That makes him risky.
I don’t anticipate the Eagles going after him, but it wouldn’t shock me. If the price is right, he might just be worth the risk. He was 10-146-1 today in the Browns win over the Vikings.
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I really do agree with something Kelly said the other day. Don’t look for answers on the outside. Most problems will get solved by players already in the locker room. The point of this isn’t to put on blinders and avoid outsiders. The point is to motivate the players you do have. Let them know to quit looking for help. You put pressure on the current players to improve. That can bring out the best in them. It can also show you which players don’t have any more to give because they’re just not that good.
The “Next Man Up” philosophy worked very well during the early part of the Reid era. It has worked very well for the Ravens throughout Ozzie Newsome’s tenure.
One of the problems for looking for outside help is that most players are available for a reason. The player may be declining. He might be an underachiever. He might be a headache on the field or off it.
You never want to pass up talent, but adding a flawed or high maintenance player is always risky and I don’t like the signal it sends to the team. Players need to know the first place you’ll look is at the bottom of your own roster, as well as the practice squad. I think that helps to build a good e’sprit de corps.
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Mike Tomlin is the most overrated coach in the NFL. Has been for well since he became a HC. He has one of the best DC all time running the defense and tomlin is a defensive guy, IMO Tomlin is a glorified cheerleader.
You know, if Tomlin got a bad OL to play well, and ginned up a fountain of youth potion for his defense, he would have been total geeeenius.
Just asking a question, if Tomlin is such a cheerleader (presumably you’re thinking LeBeau is the actual guy producing), doesn’t that mean that LeBeau is making a hash of of the team? Maybe Tomlin can be a cheerleader still, with some other DC, say Leslie Frazier or Allan Williams. How ’bout it?
Making a hash of the team?? huh? So you think tomlin can go to LeBeau and override anything he does on defense?? i dont think so. Tomlin got a bad OL to play well?? You might want to give that credit to idk the OL coach?
Reid did not override Marty Morniwheg, did he? When he took over, he took over from McDermott in 2009 or 2010, calling defensive plays. Just from the description of what Geno Smith is doing, MM’s doing the same thing he’s always done.
You know dude, sometimes, just like when the QB has a bad day, the coach just has a bad team. There isn’t any shame in having inadequate talent. You take your licks and you draft well. The Steelers reload as well as they do because whenever they’ve been bad, they hit on their draft choices. The Eagles? Star Lotulelei was really the pick there. We have the space eater playing well, then much of the rest of the defense is having an easier time. Carolina has a terrible defensive backfield, but Eli can’t find Nicks, now, can he, ’cause he’s on his back.
Reid is a better offensive mind then MM, Tomilin is NOT a better defensive mind then Dick. Idk what the F you are talking about, you are all over the place with no actual point. Good talk.
I….don’t think it’s me that’s having the communications problem.
oh but it is
Honestly, id rather see them trade for Greg Little. Gordon is the better and more talented player, but little will cost less. I liked him coming out the draft. Could be a very interesting fit in chips offensive. He can line up anywhere, even at RB. Really strong blocker and really athletic. A better prospect then Benn. He def has an issue with drops, but i like the kid.
id say no. gordon would be a great compliment. a second rd pick too high you say? see zach ertz, see kendricks. gordon is a legit receiver, coming from the browns! imagine what he’d do in this system. plus he’s on a rookie deal so cap friendly.
gordon is one problem away from a year suspension. chip isnt bringing character problems on the team. why would i see ertz and kendricks?? lol those are 2 good character guys. smh
but players of questionable ability.
Greg Little can’t catch. He was benched as a starter for that reason.
Yeah i know. He will have to improve. You wont trade for someone without any flaws. But we have a guy named jason avant who could be a great influence on him.
He’s not any good at getting open, either. A complete zero in terms of advantage over Cooper or especially Avant. Did you see Gordon crush AJ Jefferson with a double move to get completely wide the freak open? Gordon gets open. Gordon has to be respected as a receiving option, and we get the two deep safeties that open up the TE game back.
Gordon is a character problem that one failed drug test away from a one year suspension, with a bad work ethic and entitlement problems. Greg little has 1400 rec yards for his career, coop has had half of that and has played longer.
The Browns *had* to throw to Little, just like we now *have* to throw to Cooper. Of course Little has yards, there was not any competition for balls in his first year, and a bit into his second.
As far as Gordon’s drug issues? I don’t really care. Talent is talent is talent. He’s not Lawrence Phillips, and I see Tyrian Mathau beasting it up. Gronkowski always had a serious injury history, but there were Super Bowls before it came to really haunt him. At the end of the day, it’s Gordon’s body and it’s just not my business unless he’s like making out with a gangster’s moll.
what does the honey badger have to do with anything?? smh you weird as hell bruh… well i guess we have to throw to cooper too, cooper has 6 yards threw 3 games.. Good talk.
drug issues got him kicked out of lsu.
and?? im not arguing that hes talented, im saying we wont be trading for a character problem just like we didnt draft the honey badger.
take away draft picks from the defense to sign a browns WR? No thanks unless they want to trade away Jordan Cameron. This year can’t compromise our future…stay the course. Worry about Growth instead of wins
take draft picks away from the defense? its one mid to late round pick and in case you didnt know there will be players in this thing called free agency, and you dont have to give up picks!! i know its crazy!!!
there is a free agency in case you forgot, its ok i understand. but if you think every pick will be used on defense you arent very bright my friend
I really don’t want to be the bearer of the bad news, but I am afraid that the Eagles won’t win before week 6 again. Because this will be the first gameday (Bucs) when NOT facing one of former Eagles players. And we all know that guys like King Dunlap & Co were on a mission. Winston will aim to bring Justice next Sunday before Cullen and Patt will create havoc for Kelce and Herremans.
We should just have not get rid of Chad Hall…….
dammit curse of the former Eagles
How could you forget about the Bucs stud pass rusher, Daniel Te’o Neshiam?
Oh boy… make it week 9 then as the Cowboys still have a shark in the water. The Raiders are the first team without any former Eagles players. Un-frigging-believable…
I thought mmmmBop and Keenan Clayton were both in Oakland.
nope, not anymore.
Anders is correct. I had to check their roster before posting this though.
i actually think we will beat denver, why? because everyone thinks we wont. its that easy lol
I would welcome josh gordon at any time, Cooper can’t get open consistently.
Just want to say that watching the seahawks for the first 3 weeks, that MK over Bobby Wagner pick hurts. The guy is a tackling machine
I really hate comparisons like that. There is no way to know how Kendricks would play for the Seahawks and how Wagner would play for us.
Exactly….Wagner seems to be in a much better situation up there. I imagine Kendricks would be licking his lips knowing he had the SEA secondary playing behind him as well.
The Giants complete implosion today is bizarre. The Panthers aren’t a good team, and they managed to put up 31 on the Cowboys, who might not be world beaters but they aren’t the Jaguars. So getting shut out, and looking so awful in the process leads me to believe their morale is shot.
The Steelers have been trying to skate by with a miserable OL For a while now, and with Pouncey out (one of the few good pieces they’ve acquired for the OL) they don’t really stand a chance. Their defense hasn’t really been able to replace the play makers they used to have either.
Same thing can be said for the Giants really. Their pass rush is gone and they have nothing behind it. Their WR core is useless because their OL can’t pass protect. The one dynamic RB they have can’t hold onto the ball.
I can’t help but feel like our roster is superior right now and we’re coming off a 4-12 season.
Problem with the Steelers is they have invested a massive amount of draft picks in that OL and they are either injured or just bad picks.
I also think the time is over to call the Steelers a top drafting team.
Problem for the Giants is they have ignored glaring holes on their roster and the suppose strength is not a strength anymore.
Take 2012 draft, they drafted Wilson and Randle in the first 2 rounds at a time when they had Nicks, Cruz and Bradshaw. I know BPA is the Giants way, but Wilson looked like a panic pick. Im all for upgrading WR/RB when you need em or a too good a a player is there.
yea, i agree with you.
there was a time when the Steelers D was a big “next man up” type D. some big name player walks out? no big deal, they have this other guy they drafted a year or two back ready to step in.
now, they have jarvis jones starting as a rookie and i can’t help but say “thats not how the steelers build a defense” no matter how good a prospect he is. i think they just were not prepared to replace harrison on D.
oh, and their OL is awful, but it has been for a while. remember that game we played them and racked up like 9 sacks? i’m pretty sure they still won…but they can’t pull it off this year.
We won that game, but the Steelers managed to win the SB that year.
we did? well that shows how great my memory is these days. : P
thanks for correcting me!
you do not remember the flying Dawkins sack to seal the game? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Mv-vXGRN4
yes! one of my favorite football memories right there!
i just remember the game being a low-scoring affair and thought we lost. : (
Ha, ha even better than beating us! Oh, yeah, that’s the Cardinal SB…don’t remind me 🙁
I really thought when we had to face the Cards that it was finally our turn to play in the SB again and I think we could have beat the Steelers.
Our division is a joke
Hey Tommy. Great Posting. It really puts into perspective what is going on with the Eagles, the NFC East and the NFL. Just one thing: it is unacceptable that the Cowboys are at the top of the NFC East. That must stop immediately.
Other weird things: look what happens when you Google “Tommy Lawlor” – someone looks like they’re pranking you (unless you’re just telling your fans to send you Viagra and Cialis).
For posterity:
Tommy, i think you should have your website guy(s?) take a look into this. from your home page, right click anywhere empty and select ‘view source’ and you can see the raw HTML. just search for ‘cialis’ and you’ll see lots of this crap.
not sure how this gets there, but i always assumed you’d sell sunglasses over pharmaceuticals.
I’ll check into this.
Tommy’s got a plan… any time people google to buy some dodgy pharmaceuticals… BAM Eagles news.
haha it would be kinda funny if the logo for the site said “Canadian Discount Meds” crossed out with Iggles Blitz below it. like you came here for cheap drugs, but stay for the eagles news lol.
I’ve been living in Pittsburgh for the past 5 years, so I’ve seen a lot of Steelers coverage. There are several reasons they’ve fallen apart.
First is that Tomlin is awful at drafting. Think about Andy’s 2010 and 2011 drafts. The Steelers have had that quality of draft in every one during Tomlin’s tenure, except 2007 (Lawrence Timmons was the 1st pick and LaMarr Woodley was the 2nd. A good draft, but none were any good after that). Most of the first round picks have either left the team already (Rashard Mendenhall- who wasn’t good to begin with), not even started (Cameron Heyward), get hurt all of the time (Maurkice Pouncey- who has regressed since his good rookie season, David DeCastro), or are just becoming starters now and aren’t very good (Ziggy Hood). It’s too early to tell with Jarvis Jones.
Second is that the Steelers have completely neglected the backfield. Ben has one weapon and only one weapon: Antonio Brown. There are no good running backs and none of the other receivers are any good. Having Heath Miller get hurt was a blow too. But the biggest weakness is how unstable their offensive line has been. The tackle position has been a disaster. Mike Adams, a 2nd round pick, has been a revolving door. They were so desperate that they even brought back an old Flozell Adams to man that job. At center, Pouncey used to be pretty good, but I think injuries have eaten away at his leg strength. He didn’t get very much push on defensive linemen before his injury this season. Ben relies on having all day to throw and being able to escape defenders, but the pressure is too strong even for him because of this o-line.
Third is that the Steeler defense is REALLY old. Polamalu is one of the few guys who is having a good year, but he’s been in and out with injuries the past few years. Casey Hampton and James Harrison are both gone, and it hurts not having them. Their corners aren’t very good, but we certainly know what that feels like.
Um — Ike Taylor is top 3 corner in the NFL. (he isn’t very good?) He’s not the guy on Seattle, but he’s right behind him. Can’t get much more shut down than this guy…
He’s better than what we have, but he’s not top 3. Outside of him, the cornerbacks are awful.
Top 3? Says who? I can name 5 better than him- Sherman, Flowers, Tillman, Peterson, Haden.
Jennings, Revis, Webb, Joseph to name a few others
OK, let me ask this — what did AJ Green(who is, arguably the best WR in the NFL) do against him? 0. What did B. Marshel(arguably, top 7 WR) do against him? Nothing. Sherman, yes. Haden. I’ll give you. The rest? No way. Revis use to be, but not anymore. Webb and Joseph? Joseph of Cinci? How did he do vs. B. Marshal?
What did Dwayne Bowe do against Bradley Fletcher this week?
you lost me. What does that have to do with Pitt and Ike? Are you suggestion Fletcher is better than Ike cause he shut down a tier 3 wr?
Using that logic, Captain Munnerlyn is also top 5 after shutting down Cruz and Nicks this past week. And DeAndelo Hall had that one good game against Dez too, remember?
Ike is nothing more than your typical, better than average, starting #2 CB. Ain’t nothing special.
You came up with a few good WRs that Taylor had a good game against. I just pointed out that lesser CBs can have big games against top WRs.
now here’s a match up to watch — AJ Green vs. Haden this week. Right there is some good football to watch…
Nice post. It’s funny how many teams keep the “good drafting” label long after they stopped being good, or after that particular FO team moved on. In the present NFL landscape, there are not too many teams I see as having been consistently good (granted, there are a lot of new or unproven changes recently).
My list in no particular order is Baltimore (Ozzie), Seattle (Schneider/Carroll), SF (Baalke; hopefully Gamble brings some of that to us!), and the Packers (Thompson, though had a few rough years recently too). The Pats and Saints do well too, but I think bringing in offensive contributors helps given the particular coach and QB situation at those respective teams.
EDIT: I’ve been impressed with Elway too, but not sure how the DEN front office shakes out. Also pretty new at this. Other “teams to keep an eye on” are ARI, SD, CLE, and IND
I’ve always been kind of skeptical of the Patriots drafting legacy. They occasionally find a diamond in the rough, which tends to make people forget all the other misses they have with their selections, especially in the earlier rounds.
getting a little carried away with using the Eagles in the sentences as GB/Atlanta and SF. I get what you’re saying but that’s a stretch. Those teams have played: Indy/Seahawks/Cinci/SF/Miami/Saints. So you’re saying IF the Eagles played any of the same schedule, they would be 1-2? Eagles first 3 were powderpuff games. Before people start saying — well, the Chiefs are 3 and 0 — well, Jax(terrible), Eagles(we know) and Cowboys(eh) ….
On the plus side we get to play the nfc east 5 more times.
Yeah but I don’t see the Eagles go 6-0, let alone sweeping the Cowboys. I’d be happy with a 4-2 record.
On TV in NY we got the Giants game, which was superbly entertaining (dejected, defeated, just now dawning on them how bad they are, flashbacks to Eagles ’12 season after the 4th game) and the Jets game which was surprisingly good at the end. While observing fantasy scores, it really did seem like defenses shut down a lot of weapons across the league yesterday. And a lot of good QBs looked bad. So to answer your question, yes I’m feeling much more hopeful for this Eagles team today than I did on Friday. Except that Dallas win, but I know it’s September and Romo’s fairy godmother’s spell wears off at the stroke of November.
after 3 games — you have a feeling of what the team is. We knew Shady is a Beast. We new Vick — will be Vick. We knew DJ will be DJ. There’s nothing new. We knew this defense in transition was going to be tough to watch(cough, Allen). There are no surprises. The “feel” good thing about this team IS the schedule: we still play the Giants(twice), Wash and Minn. Get a little lucky with the Bucs and Raiders. Maybe — just maybe — this team gets more than 4 wins. maybe.
i still think we get a solid 6 or 7 no problem. We play some bad teams late and I think when we get back on a normal routine we’ll play a bt better. I think the team should improve as the season goes on. Lots of new pieces, scheme etc.
It all comes down to Vick…which doesn’t really inspire confidence.
id like to also beat detroit. i was at that travesty of a game last year.
6 or 7? I’ll take that bet. (honestly, I don’t care if they only win 2 more as long as its versus the Giants :))
Mike Tomlin once said the read option was the flavor of the month. It looks like he was the flavor of the month instead.
I really think Tomlin was overrated as HC. He in essence won a SB with a team build by Cowher and ran trough the defense coached by Lebeau
He’s been to two Superbowls with one win, has coached three 12-4 teams, and has a winning percentage of over 63%. He is a good coach no matter how you look at it. Being 0-3 for one season doesn’t negate his 6 previous seasons.
I can see why people think he’s overrated because he hasn’t had to build anything. He took over Cowher’s crew and made it to two SB’s.
ACViking reminds us below that he doesn’t have final say in personnel.
I’m not ready to say he’s Barry Switzer (or George Siefert) for that matter, but he is facing his toughest challenge to his coaching this year.
Last night, even though they lost, said a lot to me about Tomlin. We can agree that the Steelers have a lot of holes on offense, yet they DIDN’T pack it in when they were down 21. They kept fighting.
Yes, it’s only game 3 so you hope your team has some fight in them, but look at how the Giants didn’t seem to have any fight after the TD was called back and they missed the FG. They play for a 2 time SB winning coach.
Pittsburgh, like the Giants, have a lot of work to do. I think Tomlin might be up for it.
Hang on.
Tomlin has no control over personnel.
The Steelers’ drafting over the past decade — save Big Ben, Woodley, and Timmons — hasn’t been particularly good.
They also lost Pouncey on opening day, along with some other folks on the O-line.
Too soon to write Tomlin’s epitaph.
I’d be interested in Josh Gordon, but not enough to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick. Maybe a 3rd. We could throw in a depth player if we have to. As long as Howie doesn’t pull a Joe Banner, we might be able to keep Maclin too. The trio of Jackson, Maclin, and Gordon would be nice.
I think Maclin’s played his last game as an Eagle (unfortunately). Someone is likely to give him reasonable money, $7 mil per, and I don’t think the Eagles would want $17 mil per tied up in the WR position as you could get Maclin’s production much cheaper. Depending on how much Banner liked Maclin, I’d love to trade his rights plus a 4th or 5th for Gordon (though admittedly I probably wouldn’t take that trade if I’m the Browns because of the new contract and the injury).
Gordon and Jackson could(would?) be one of the best WR tandems in the league as both can get deep and are explosive after the catch. I believe Gordon would still have 2 years on his rookie deal after this one, so it wouldn’t be a huge salary commitment and if he didn’t fit you could cut him with no cap consequences.
I dont see how we could get Maclin’s production much cheaper than 7 mill per year.
I would love to have Gordon, but I do not think the Browns will accept less than 3rd and would be hesitant to do that
60-70 catches for 900 yards and 5 or so TDs. I’m not paying $7 mil per year for that. Some of the guys that matched or exceeded that last year: Brian Hartline, Cecil Shorts, Brandon Lloyd, Lance Moore, TY Hilton. Hilton may be a $7 million player one day, but none of the other guys are.
There is more to WR play than just stats.
Larry Fitzgerald had 70 catches for just under 800 yards last year.
Maclin is a very underrated WR imo and if we could bring him back on a Brian Hartline type contract, I would do it in a heartbeat.
I think we can get Maclin on a cheap one-year contract. He might be willing to take less for a shot at a larger payout next year (and a chance to stay with the Eagles)…
Career shutouts:
Sean McDermott, 1
Jim Johnson, 0
Have to give Rivera and McDermott credit. They have really drafted some great front 7 players. Now they just need to get a good CB and safety
Ouch. And true.
The Eagles always lose initial grudge matchups against ex-QBs or ex-coaches. Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, Sean McDermott, Andy Reid.
Hadn’t thought about this, but seems to be true.
John Harbaugh too.
You have to go back to 2007 and Brad Childress to break the streak.
And Leslie Frazier.
Good stuff bwin29.
That’s true. It also seems like whenever we make a special point to honor someone we tend to stink it up too. Maybe that’s just my impression.
They beat the Giants last year in the Dawkins retirement game. Lost 8 home games in a row since then!
Looks like the NFL has figured out Jim Harbaugh. Doesn’t he know this isn’t college??
Chip will be fine, we just underestimated his adjustment period..
can’t wait to watch Denver tonight? Cox,Curry,graham!Thorton need to have the games of their lives to not get completely embarrassed be The Sherrif
If we are ever going to play towards our players strengths and go 4-3u this has to be the time to do it. 11 days to get ready for Denver. They need to scrap the two gapping and unleash the dogs or who we have no shot at not being completey embarrassed by Peyton. If we don’t unleash cox, graham, curry and they dont play the game of their lives, it’s going to be really bad. We have to rough u Peyton…no point in talking about safety’s, cbs, lbs this week..Peyton eats them all unless they strength of this defense shows up, and hits Peyton all night…hoping Chip allows billy to unleash them this week
If you could choose:
Bears D and Special Teams or Seahawks D and Special Teams?
Seahawks.
easily the hawks…heck we haven’t even seen their pass rush yet
I thought it would be an easy choice, but the Bears DST create so many turnovers and score touchdowns it’s not even funny any more.
Looks like Rex Ryan and Marty Mornhinweg had a little talk:
29 passes
41 rushes
Re: Vincent Curry
T-Law (et al.):
Given Kelly’s desire for a 2-gap defense . . . do you see the coaching staff’s decision to have Curry bulk up to be a D-lineman, rather than lose about 5 pounds to play OLB, as (i) the right decision, or (ii) a disappointing one?
In the long term, Curry might be have been the best answer at ROLB because of the explosive first step. Then again, maybe not.
Graham’s a bull-rush guy. He doesn’t seem to be a “quickness” guy like a Tamba Hali.
Curry’s first-step is the best one I’ve seen from an interior lineman since Keith Millard played for the Vikings in the mid-80s.
But, maybe the question is, would Curry’s first-step productively translate to OLB?
There remains the question of Curry’s pass-coverage ability. Graham’s still learning.
And I understand that Curry was familiar to the Eagles’ new staff when the decision to bulk him up was made.
Curry gets to the QB, I think if he had coverage skills and could play LB he would be on the field a lot more (though i think he’ll be on the field a lot now anyway).
Josh Gordon would be a nice pickup if he could be had for a 3rd and maybe a backup. We would immediately have someone opposite DJax that teams have to account for, and if we do decide to resign Maclin, he would be able to take his time and heal up. I doubt we get someone as talented with our 3rd round pick in the 2014 draft.
Although heard he was beasting b/c Cleveland was trying to feature him “sell high”. According to rotoworld there are offers out there.