Foles Steps Up
Posted: October 13th, 2013 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 143 Comments »The Eagles beat Tampa 31-20 to advance to 3-3. That’s 2 wins in a row. That’s 2 double-digit wins in a row. Nice.
Nick Foles got the start and played very well. He had some issues with the blitz in the 2nd quarter, but was better in the 2nd half. He went 22-31-296. He had 3 TDs and no INTs. He also ran for a TD, a great designed play on the opening drive.
The media peppered Chip Kelly with questions about whether Foles played well enough to win the starting QB job. Kelly wasn’t about to give that answer. You need to study the tape. And even then…one game is one game.
Foles was very impressive. The whole offense was impressive. Many NFL pundits talked about how the Eagles would not run the ball well without Vick. Eagles were 33-138 on the ground. Shady McCoy was 25-116. The OL did a good job and McCoy worked his magic.
Riley friggin’ Cooper woke up and played his best game. I mentioned that the QB change could help him. I’m not sure if that’s what did the trick, but something happened. Cooper was 4-120. He had gains of 47 and 44. The 47-yd play was a TD. The Eagles spread the ball around in the passing game. That was good to see.
One of the keys to the game was Red Zone play. The Eagles were 2 for 3. The one “failure” came late in the game when the team was playing for a FG and to milk the clock. The Bucs were 1 for 2. If you score TDs, the Bucs will struggle to keep up.
The Eagles defense was very up and down. They made Mike Glennon look good more than I would have liked. They struggled on 3rd/long. That has to be a point of emphasis going forward. You can’t win on 2 downs and then let the team out of jail, so to speak. When you get the offense in a favorable situation (to the defense), you must take advantage of that.
I was happy that the Eagles D came alive late in the game. They came up big when they needed to.
Fletcher Cox and Bradley Fletcher were the 2 players who stood out.
Feels good to see the guys at 3-3.
Tonight we can watch Dallas and Washington. Cheer for the Skins, but scout Dallas since that is who the Eagles face next Sunday.
_
Riley obv waiting for the white QB to have his breakout game. I kid, I kid.
“I will fight every Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus strain here!”
Everyone was thinking it, ha!
I really wonder what is up with our 3rd and long defense. Killed us against the Chargers and Chiefs.
oh man was it ever bad… and on that one drive talk about bend but dont break lol.. finally get them to 4th down at like the 3 yard line and that was after pinning them at their own goalline smh
They had them in a lot of 3rd and longs and it seems they couldn’t get much pressure at all until the last series. Cole seems like he’s lost something. Cox did well and I noticed Curry got some pressure. Seems like they had Graham dropping back a few times.
What happened to the Iggles of just a few years ago that led the league in sacks? Not sure why when it is 2nd or 3rd and forever they can’t get the sack.
Jason Babin had a career year and Cole wasnt in decline yet.
The Eagles offense played very well today, as a whole, outside of a few hiccups with the OL. There wasn’t well thrown balls that were drops today. Riley Cooper showed up, probably because he was more of an option in the passing game, instead of being primarily a blocker.
As far as Foles is concerned, I’m pleased that he made the throws he should make. I’m not in favor of switching to him, though. The Tampa defense was just thoroughly outschemed today, in the first drive, and after Foles started killing their pass rush with screens. That talent was persistently put out of position to respond to Kelly’s calls.
Vick “wont be 100%” next week, Foles starts. If he plays well, it’s his job. this is what I think Kelly will do. In terms of what I would like him to do, well, I’ll let some stats speak for me.
tampa defense 17.5 ppg.
Foles vs tampa bay, 31 points.
Vick, 5 passing tds in 4.5 games.
Foles 6 passing tds in 1.5 games.
First time ever desean 2 tds in a game
first time ever cooper 100+ yards
first time in 14 games bucs give up 100 to a single runner (so don’t need a mobile qb for the run game)
brady stats vs tampa 69% completion, 225 yards, 2tds, 1 int, 3 sacks, 92 rating
brees stats vs tampa 56% completion, 322 yards, 1 tds, 2 ints, 4 sacks, 67 rating
foles stats vs tampa 71% completion, 296 yards, 3tds (plus one rushing) 0 ints, 1 sack, 133 rating
Nah, if Vick is healthy, he’ll go.
why, because he’s so obviously outperforming Foles, last season and this? oh… wait….
I’ve made my reasons clear. Go troll someone else. I’m happy we got a win.
You didn’t give any reasons, actually.
He’s stated for months that Foles hasn’t got the arm to succeed. You saw the proof today.
correct.
Yes
All those long TD passes must be a magic trick, then?
Has to be told to every N00b, but arm strength isn’t about throwing it deep. Arm strength is about putting the whole field in play as a routine matter, and being able to make throws under adversity.
You are just a hater
Nope, just a realist. For example, does Matt Flynn throwing for six TDs hint at any meaningful capacity to start on a regular basis?
No, but Foles has shown good things in more than 1 game.
He was good late against Denver, he was good against the Giants and he was very good against a good Bucs D.
He’s had 2 bad games, and played in 9, and one of the bad games was his first ever start
Flynn was “good” vs NE, too. Had some decent preseason games.
Pre season? really?
/me shrugs…
no further data until his preseason with the Seahawks.
Well I thought the trade was huge joke. I fell it was Charlie Whitehurst all over again. That Wilson pick really saved them from total embarrassment.
So, what you’re saying is, preseason is meaningless?
You are a “realist” but think we should waste more time with that joke, vick?
He makes me miss Morton – he was a better class of troll.
By your definition, Foles put the whole field in play and should be the starter next week. Thank you for clearing that up.
Vick opponents: 14-6
Foles opponents: 0-11
When the two went head to head, Vick outplayed him.
Vick remains your starter.
All those are nice stats. The one that REALLY pops for me though, us the TD stats. That is no fluke. I cant quite put my finger on it, but the best way I can put it is I always feel comfortable with Foles in there. I don’t hate Vick at all, but somehow each Qtr. that goes by that he doesn’t turn it over it get hurt, I feel we skated by somehow. And the biggest thing for me always has been Nick being able to anticipate throws & Mike holding on till someone clearly has separation. That is HUGE & is why I believe receivers other than Djax who has the speed to separate, do well with Foles.
Vick opponents: 14-6
Foles opponents: 0-11
Kinda important in interpreting the rest of those stats…
Only if you think tampa’s record totally invalidates their top 8 defense, holding Brees to 11 pts and a 67 passer rating… clue, it doesnt. Foles has outperformed vick last season, and this season.
I didn’t say “totally.” I understand cautious optimism. But before declaring Foles a stud, I’ll need more than a game and a half against two of the three winless teams in the NFL.
I’m not declaring foles a stud, I’m saying i never want to see Vick starting for us again
Therein lies the rub…
What rub? Foles is ten years younger and has outperform ed him in the regukasr season in two different schemes. Vick is old and injury prone. Which, is, you know, why foles got the chance
Finlay is my hero… Foles > Vick
But we so badly want to have our long term QB on the roster now! 🙂
I disagree, you evaluate QB play at the QB position to determine who’s the starter and it’s clearly Nick Foles. Someone posted it above: Anticipation Throws. Nick Foles is a MASTER of it. That and Hot Reads. Those two crucial QB skills, which every QB needs. Vick doesn’t have.
As in, at all. If one is truly objective, Vick played horrible in the first half of San Diego(before becoming alive), and I believe the Chiefs game would have had a different outcome under Foles than Vick. Against Denver, they were mediocre but obviously below Chip’s standards. And then most insultingly against the Giants, Vick was non existent in the first half.
His legs don’t make up for the fact that he’s a FAILURE of a QB. Teams want Michael Vick passing in the NFL. They also want our offense to “rely” on those legs, as if they somehow get us in the end zone(as this season has evidenced, they don’t and they won’t).
We’re talking about the difference from a Professional NFL QB, and a RB masquerading as a QB.
“Playoffs”, winning? The last time Vick won a playoff game: 2004.
One would have to seriously delude themselves to call Michael Vick a “veteran, winning QB.”
Vick and Foles had one shared opponent this year, the Giants. So pull up those stats Dracula. If you are still in denial that Foles is a superior QB, then there is no saving you
14-6… So Vick didn’t play against the Giants?
I am not happy with how the defense played. Joe Bussell even did us the honor of telling us, via twitter, that the Eagle’s defense is terrible, primarily because of a lack of talent.
FOLES
Easy there. He struggled for 3 quarters against an 0-5 team.
Which three quarters were those?
Fair enough. “struggled” was too harsh a word. He looked good. Nice game- not dominant- against one of the worst teams in the league.
but not one of the worst defenses
I think he was citing the Giants D. Also, our center threw himself under the bus for the running struggles against the Giants, yet Foles still did well when he had the short field.
If he is citing the Giants D… then he needs to compare Vicks stats to Foles stats in that same game.
Seriously Dracula, what games are you watching. Which 3 quarters did he struggle in? 71% completion. Has Vick done that even once in a game since 2010?
Already acknowledged overstating it. Please see above. Foles is *meh* to me. I’m open to him changing my mind. My position is simple and reasonable: a good (not great) game and a half against teams that are a combined 0-11 isn’t enough to change my mind.
(I’m pulling for Barkley or a future stud because I don’t believe in Vick or Foles).
Okay, I’m good with anyone not named Vick being our starter. I don’t care if they start Casey at QB…
I’m pretty sure your position is clear from your screen name alone. 😉
If they bench Vick… I’ll have to give serious consideration to changing my name to “Nate Allen Must Go.”
“Good” and “Great” are pretty squishy terms. Everybody has their own personal definition for them. Today certainly meets my definition for the word “Great”.
You know what’s not squishy? 0-11. That’s the combined record of Foles’ opponents.
I’ll take 2-0 in those situations. Can’t really do much better.
Tommy, nice stat you missed- first time in 14 games Tampa have given up 100 yards to a single runner. And I think it is disingenuous to Foles not to state his play “did the trick” for Coop. Last season Coop produced a lot more with Foles as well.
From a guy over at BGN:
Desean after 6 games: 34 catches, 589 yds, 5 TDs.
McCoy after 6 games: 123 rushes for 630 yds, 15 catches, 241 yds, 3 TDs.
If one prorate those numbers over 16 games we get:
Desean 91 catches for 1570 yards and 13 TDs
McCoy 328 carries for 1680 yards, 40 catches 642 yds and 8 total TDs.
I would think McCoy’s total TDs would go up to around 12-15 total TDs
Remember Jason Peters saying he expected Lesean McCoy to get 1000 yards in 10 games? It’s looking good when you look at who we have left to play
McCoy has potential to get the remain 370 yards in the next two games.
Having Foles hit those two deep passes was tremendous. I don’t think anyone thought he’d be able to hit those, but for Dallas, it makes things even more difficult for them. They’re going to have to defend every part of the field. I’m confident in the offense’s ability to put points up on Dallas.
…on the flip side, I have no confidence in the defense. Bill Davis and company just made Mike Glennon look like a decent QB and couldn’t get off the field in 3rd and long all day. Romo is a goofball, but he’s going to carve this defense up if they don’t tighten up.
At the same time, 10 points came off of poor field position (great field position for them, not for us), and the Eagles had enough of a rush to force several holding calls.
The rush is getting better every week, and the secondary comes up with one or two big plays every game. This is what a defense in transition looks like. They played better than the score indicated.
i agree 100%
we scored on our 1st drive for the 1st time all season, we were efficient in the red zone, we ran effectively, put together some long drives, why the hell should we go back to vick. its like night and day, night being vick/bad and foles being day/good..
Foles did all this against an excellent D with the OL giving up a good bit of pressure. The only time Vick faced an excellent D he went 13-30 for 201 yards and threw 2 pics and lost a fumble. Foles had more completions than that in the first half today.
I don’t know what’s in Foles’s future, but to this point in the regular season, it’s not even close as to which QB has played better.
Small sample size is a very legitimate counter. It will also be a legitimate counter when Foles plays less than awesome. Only thing to do is keep playing him, let that sample size grow and see if Nick can grow.
It sure was nice to see the passing game working again… Even the screens were successful!
They were huge. When Tampa starting selling out on the blitz, the screens totally diffused them.
“Cheer for the Skins”
I will do no such thing. I will cheer for a MRSA outbreak in both training rooms…
Can’t we just root for the flu?
The flu won’t last multiple weeks. haha
Fine, we can root for smallpox.
It would be kind of funny if the Redskins were wiped out of because of the flu
What killed the Native Americans when the Spaniards came over? I think it was smallpox…?
Few things I saw:
– Cooper’s body language. Kelly was in his face in the 1st qtr but after the TD grab where Cooper made a nice play to use his size advantage to create some space he seemed to be more upbeat & lively than he has been all year.
– Ertz playing more snaps today and being targeted a lot more than Celek. Wonder if he has leapfrogged Celek on the depth chart.
– Bucs shooting themselves in the foot on offense all day especially with holding calls (5) and on the INT in the 1st half where Underwood stopped instead of continuing with the route which allowed for an easy INT.
– Glennon made a couple of decent short-to-intermediate throws but his long balls today were awful. All over the place and the Bucs had a few chances for a big play with decent 1-on-1 matchups if he could have allowed his WRs to make a play on a ball.
– Johnson continuing to struggle at RT especially in pass protection. I know he is a rookie but they need him to play better especially if Peters is going to be out next week.
Peters is going to be out next week? didn’t he come back into this game?
Peters did. Just speculating.
So why would he be out next week if he was healthy enough to dominate late in the game?
It was a dumb point.
ok phew. you scared me there!
edit: replied to myself instead of BobSmith77 like a dummy.
The bucs holding calls must have been frustrating for fans, but they weren’t the kind where they are away from the play and really just shooting themselves in the foot. Mostly, the holds seemed to be what sprung the running back. I think that is a credit to our guys.
There were a lot of penalties like that in this game (like the offsides penalty on 4th down) where I was soooo glad that it was happening to the other team instead of us this time.
This, Johnson’s a liability starting. It wasn’t IMO Foles “struggling” against the Blitz. It was an O-Line that couldn’t protect the QB and Johnson is the biggest culprit. So when Tommy says the O-Line played “good”, I’m sorry, especially in the first half they were terrible.
Part of the reason I’ll give Vick a bit of a break, it’s not much better than the 2012 O-Line. But they’ve both played under the same lines, with Foles being able to do much better due to his innate QB skills IMO. Being a pocket passer is at more of a premium than a running QB. If we’re not willing to give Foles a shot, teams will be calling for him.
This kid’s no Kolb, he has command of the pocket(especially when the O-Line can hold it) and he makes the right decisions.
i’m personally rooting for Foles, but i have to say that if Vick is healthy, its his job to lose. He hasn’t “lost” the job yet. he hasn’t played so bad that you HAVE to replace him.
that said, how did Vick first get the starting job here? Kolb goes out with an injury, and Vick comes in and plays some great offensive football. sounds familiar to me ; )
I certainly do think that Vick’s rope is getting a little shorter, though. Not because of poor play by Vick, but because of very good play by Foles.
I would agree with this. Vick hasn’t played horribly this year, and like Tommy said, “it’s one game.” Now if Foles keeps this kind of performance up for say…the next two games, then I think you really start to consider it.
Its 2 games now… Giants and Bucs.
Game and just over a half. He’s done well over that stretch though.
Personally, I think Vick is withholding info on a rib injury. It’s hurt his throwing accuracy. I picked this up from some observations around the web – but it is only speculation on my part.
Naw..I think that hammy has been nagging. I thought he was hurt in the KC game. I do think the injury is more serious than folk are saying however.
Fuck vick… He hasn’t played horrible but he’s a 33 year old MEDIOCRE qb…Average on a good day, he doesn’t belong on a rebuildling team — EVER…. see if we can trade him for a 5th
I would have to agree that if you look at rebuilding a team Like rebuilding a car, you’d also start with a new engine (QB) as well no? I know it’s an oversimplification, but what more does this young kid need to do to prove he deserves his shot? He’s looking real good where he needs to & the biggest difference between him & #7? UPSIDE.
Alex Smith didn’t “lose” his job either. Not equating Foles with Kaepernick. Just saying that sometimes it doesn’t matter if a guy doesn’t “lose” his job.
Yes, yes he did. You have to think about what the coaches see on the all-22. Smith was taking sacks and not throwing to WRs. This made the 49’er offense critically unable to really come back from serious deficits (when it’s not the Eagles, of course). That team was not going to win anything with Smith starting, Harbaugh judged. Games like the one against NE is what solidified Kaepernick’s job.
this is the unknown for us – what is Kelly going to judge? is he going to view Vick or Foles as the best starter this year? is he going to view Vick as a 1 year rental and see what he has with Foles to decide what, if any, QB they need this offseason?
The 9ers were winning with Smith… and he had the top QB rating inthe league when he got injured.
McCoy is on pace for about ~2250 total yards of offense. Westbrook’s career high in ’07 was just a bit over 2100.
I hope that this increased usage doesn’t catch up to McCoy later this year. On pace to blow away his previous career high in touches by nearly 50 more than he had in ’11. Nice if Brown would show something and be able to take a bit more of the workload off McCoy’s shoulders.
I actually would like to see them throw more screens to Brown. The one from Denver (when he tripped going in to the end zone) shows his potential.
He had some nice ones during pre-season too.
I don’t like Brown on the sweep. He’s fast but seems to always got strung out.
I wonder if he might be better with a lead blocker.
Brown always takes it outside lately so teams adjusted. Wasn’t it the Chief’s game where Kelly was getting on him for bouncing it outside when it was supposed to be in inside run?
If he would run up the gut occasionally and follow his blocks more he’d be a much better runner in the long run. He has tremendous talent but is still learning.
And all last year. He tricked me and ran it up the gut a couple times this preseason. I thought his bouncitis had been cured. Not so much yet.
Was I right in seeing that we’ve become only the 4th team in history to get 400 yards total offense, in each contest, through the first 6 games of the season?
We’re one of 3 I believe. One was the ’07 Patriots. The other was sometime in the 80s or 90s I think.
Chargers. ’82, I think.
Chargers ’83 (1982 was the 9-game shortened strike season). The opening coda of the Air Coryell years.
Those ’83 Chargers finished 6-10 — with a defense that finished 28th [last] in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed.
San Diego’s offense finished 1st in yards but only 12th in points scored.
Wow, that sounds eerily like us.
My thoughts
Damn AC! on it again. One of my first great playoff memories was the Chargers / Dolphins OT game.
i thought it was the ’11 Pats
Re: Fletcher Cox at NT
I wrote last week that I’d love to see Fletcher Cox get some time at NT on passing downs, especially — a la former Raider HOFer Howie Long.
Today, I think we saw that — especially in the second half and 4th Q.
I think we also so a lot of sliding along the D-line just before the snap, so the linemen were in gaps and not nose-to-nose. We also saw some 46-type alignments on the D-line, with Cox, Thornton, and Spopy/Logan covering up the 3 interior O-linemen.
Maybe in the DRG, Tommy Lawlor will prove me right or prove me wrong.
It wasn’t just one game though. We saw Foles outplay Vick last year as a rookie vs a 10 year vet
I think you give the D too much credit too… They suck, very little improvement from week to week.
Very happy offensively.
The D did just enough to win this week. They just don’t have the horses to be much better right now. They will be a liability all season.
okay, it’s late enough in the game, but guys, the Jax/Den game? All time greatest upset?
If jags pull it off, what does it say about the rest of the teams the Broncos played?
remember what I said about arm strength? How much do you want to bet, that if you watched the game, it would show that Jax finally made Peyton Manning’s lack of arm strength a liability?
What’s probably more concerning is that the Jax offense is able to move on that defense. That offense is truly horrible with a horrendous OL and a journeyman QB. Something dreadfully wrong is going on with the Denver defense.
I would be willing to wager a very large sum that Manning is not a liability to his team.
I’m watching NE-NO. Maybe I’ll switchover…
switchover right after Henne doing what Henne does…
Wait ’till the playoffs.
If it’s not, it wouldn’t take long to call roll.
My vote (unless JAX wins):
Either . . .
1969 expansion Cincinnati Bengals upset the Oakland Raiders 31-17 — hand a great Raiders team, with MVP Daryle Lamonica at QB, their only loss of the ’69 season.
Or
1969 Pittsburgh Steelers (1-13) beat the 9-4-1 Detroit Lions.
1. I think Tampa is a terrible team because of their coaching. They actually have a half decent roster.
2. Bradley Fletcher is playing a lot better than I expected he would and I was pretty optimistic about him this off season.
3. I think Nick should start next week. He’s earned it. I’m still not a big fan of arm strength and his ability to evade sacks. But he is at the least a serviceable starter in this league.
4. The Eagles looked pretty good in their 4-3 sets.
If Vick is not 100 he should start. I think that hammy is pretty bad. Foles may have a good game against Tampa’s D. You can throw against them.. But you can throw against our D too. It should be a fun game.
Fuck my elimination game. I’m rooting for Jacksonville
Re: A Throw-back Offense / And Another Brooks?
Today’s games conjured up memories of classic NFL football. Even with the no-huddle and shot-gun formation — which in no way diminish the fundamental’s of Kelly’s scheme . . . or maybe a better word is philosophy.
The Eagles were nearly 50-50 run-to-pass. On purpose. Against a very, very good defense.
On the ground, the Birds played power football — and not just in the 4th Q with Peters lined up on the right, either.
Those quick-hitting inside-power runs bore more than a passing resemblance to what the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers did with HOF FBs Jim Brown and Jim Taylor in the ’60s (in schemes created by the trailblazer, Paul Brown, and the perfectionist, Vincent Lombardi).
Today . . . the Eagles punched SOMEONE ELSE in the mouth for a change. (With no MVick, the Bucs defense had no need to hesitate.)
Regarding the passing game, Foles took advantage of the short routes and hit HRs when they presented themselves. Classic Cleveland Browns/Green Bay Packer football, circa 1960-67 . . . with “weak armed” QBs like Bart Starr and Frank Ryan, Ph.D.
______________
NOTE: Foles is no vintage Bart Starr. This Eagles team is not Lombardi’s Packers. But it felt like Kelly schemed his offense today the way Lombardi’s Packers played: Power running and short passes with the occasional long ball. Old-style football at a fast pace and out of the shotgun.
Regardless of who’s QB next week or next year, I thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon of the kind of “throw back football” that used to be played at 33rd and South Street in West Philadelphia.
______________
LaVonte David . . . Wow.
Seemed like the best defensive player on the field for either team.
In fact, he looked like the best defensive player the Eagles have faced this year.
Lavonte David- I told the Eagles to draft him on the EMB, but they didn’t take my advice. They decided to take Kendricks instead- ouch.
Well, Seattle passed on David, too, for Bobby Wagner.
Both, at this point, look like better football players than Kendrick.
On the other hand, Kendrick kicked both their butts at the 2012 Combine.
(But Roseman’s said that, after he took over drafting in 2012, Combine results weren’t nearly as important as production.)
Kendricks was a really great LB at Cal.
2012 was a great year for LBs in the 2nd round and you couldnt really go wrong.
It’ll be interesting to see if Schiano is criticized for how they’re using Revis. They paid big money (and a 1st round pick) for him, and they’re not playing to his strengths. If there was ever a player to build your defense around (and the compensation would be reason enough), it would be him.
Bucs fans hate that he is in so much zone instead of straight man.
Reminds me of a certain other CB picked up by another team.
I’m a huge Foles supporter and believe this win validates him as the starting quarterback of the future. I’m not ready to bench Vick yet though. With how good Vick was in the preseason, I don’t want to close the door on him playing for us at that level. After all, the Eagles could easily be a team that makes the playoffs and if Vick gives the Eagles even a slight boost just from his presence, he needs to start. Once you bench Vick, there’s no going back. His confidence will be shattered of you make that move. When Vick is healthy, he shoyld get about 2 games to play like he did in the preseason and Weeks 1-2. If he can’t do it, Kelly needs to go all-in with Foles.
I know today the Eagles didn’t have many penalties and the Bucs kept shooting themselves in the foot. Seems that it was that way too. Seems to me that one big difference from Reid to Kelly has been a more disciplined less penalized team. That said, I’m only going off the last two weeks would have to look further into it but I’m not so maybe Tommy or someone could. You see, I’m lazy, I’m not watching anymore football, the Eagles are in first place whatever happens tonight will happen whether I watch it or not. Plus I’m about to eat steak.
Today was the first day they didn’t have many penalties:
WAS: 8 – 65 (penalties – yards)
SD: 9 – 82
KC: 6 – 45
DEN: 8 – 62
NYG: 8 – 88
TB: 3 – 31
since i know some of us were wondering this in the gameday thread:
per Jeff McLane:
At some point, cornerback Cary Williams left the field with cramps and Roc Carmichael was called on to replace him outside in the nickel.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20131014_Kelly_outsmarts_Bucs_on_4th_down.html#Z3PSX5blWkH54HLl.99
Some quick hits…
1. Bradley Fletcher can play. And play well. Best FA signing in a long time.
2. The D will only be as good as it’s safety play. I’m a huge Earl Wolff fan but today he had a handful of rookie moments. He’s getting better at recognizing routes and breaking on the ball but still slow at other times. Nate was Nate.
3. Regardless of how you cut it, the biggest takeaway from this win: Foles deserves to start next week against Dallas. He showed everything today. Short, intermediate, deep throws. The biggest criteria that Chip values in QB is “repetitive accuracy”. Foles has more of that than Vick.
Foles can definitely play but I still cringe a bit knowing that the teams he has played so far are ones that killed themselves. I fear for Foles next week unless Ware somehow gets massive diarrhea and misses the game.
Brady might be GOAT at the QB position, but he has no clue on how to dress:
https://twitter.com/AndrewSiciliano/status/389542517210746880/photo/1
Blame Giselle.
That is essentially two teams’ seasons we put to their final rest in two weeks. We are the undertakers of the NFC. It might be tough to duplicate next week, unless we can frustrate the ‘Boys into a mass brawl breaking out on their sidelines. Dez punching out coaches, Romo cowering under the Gatorade table while the kicker and punter try to kick him from either side, Sims trying to fight everyone, but instead just running around and crashing into trainers’ tables and TV cameras…
I think they should start working on the gameplan tonight.
I knew it would catch on this year.
You should make that your new avatar.
If Foles is good enough to start, maybe they can split Vick out wide and run a quadruple option.
Repeat after me, this is a rebuilding year