3-Headed Monsters

Posted: November 3rd, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 229 Comments »

Back in 2003 the Eagles had a great set of RBs. Duce Staley was the workhorse. Correll Buckhalter was the big back. Young Brian Westbrook was the playmaker. Together, they were known as the 3-headed monster. None of them put up great numbers that year, but as a group their production was terrific.

On Sunday the Eagles unleashed the new version of the 3-headed monster.

LeSean McCoy – 23-117 rushing , 2-6 receiving

Darren Sproles – 3-17 rushing, 4-46 receiving

Chris Polk – 8-50-1 rushing

That is 236 total yards and a TD.

McCoy had his best game of the year. His numbers were better against the Giants, but I really liked the way he ran the ball on Sunday. Even Chip Kelly said after the game that there was “no dancing”. McCoy ran as N-S as possible and wasn’t constantly trying to make guys miss. He lowered his shoulder and plowed into defenders a couple of times.

Sproles was more of a weapon as a receiver. He caught a pair of short passes and turned them into 1st downs. He dropped a pass on a play where he had a chance for big yards. We’ll forgive him for that.

Polk came in toward the end of the 3rd quarter and helped the Eagles take control of the game. McCoy used 2 long runs to get the Eagles down to Houston’s 30-yard line. Then Polk rambled for 22 yards to put the ball inside the 10. That was an outside run. Good blocking sealed the corner and let Polk get wide, where he could then turn his shoulders upfield and run behind his pads. Jeremy Maclin was 20 yards downfield blocking. That was just a beautiful play. On the next play, Polk got the ball and went up the middle for the TD. He had to fight through one tackler, but there was no way Polk was getting stopped.

The beauty of this trio is how talented and different they are.

McCoy is the most dynamic RB in the league. He makes phenomenal cuts and is absolutely electric when he’s in space. Sproles has a great burst and really fires into the hole when he gets the ball. He can be elusive in space, but is more of a N-S runner than people expect. Polk isn’t as fast or quick as the other two, but runs hard and has the most power. He rarely goes down on first contact. My first memory of him was from a college game where he dragged Notre Dame defenders for extra yards on every carry.

Defenders have to adjust to each RB when he is in the game. They know ahead of time who is getting the ball, but when the body is used to one style, adjusting to another on the fly can be tricky. Watch Polk’s TD run. There is no wasted motion. He gets the ball and hits the hole right away. Shady might have gone a millisecond slower so he could read the blocks. Polk just ran. The next thing you know he’s at the 1-yard line and fighting his way into the end zone.

All 3 of the RBs are good pass protectors. All 3 can catch the ball. I sure hope Chip Kelly feeds them the ball over and over in the second half of the season. This offense is at its best when the RBs are getting a lot of touches. Feed ’em Chip…feed ’em.

* * * * *

Sadly, ILB is now going to become a 3-headed monster as well. Mychal Kendricks will become the focal point of that position. The Eagles will have Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho platoon in DeMeco Ryans spot.

Matthews is thought of as the better run defender. He will play a lot in the base defense and on run downs. Acho will play in passing situations or when the coaches think he might match up better.

The Eagles have used a lot of their dime package in recent weeks. That is when Nolan Carroll comes in as a LB and plays with either Ryans or Kendricks. The Eagles may play even more of this going forward.

Obviously there is no one guy who will replace Ryans, as a leader or LB. Matthews and Acho did a solid job filling in for Kendricks so this isn’t something totally new to them or the team. That said, Ryans was the stabilizing force that helped them play well. Kendricks now has to step up, as a player and leader. He’s got to be the alpha dog of the ILB group.

I mentioned yesterday that this could be the end of Ryans career. He will turn 31 next summer. He’s already lost a step. Ryans was smart enough to overcome that by always knowing where to be a step ahead of time. He has having a good season. But dealing with a major injury at his age and in a declining body means he has a tough outlook for the future. I hope he proves me wrong, but don’t count on it.

The last time he tore his Achilles, he didn’t start playing well until the following December. And that was several years ago. Maybe Sports Science will work its magic, but we have to be realistic about this. ILB just became a huge position of need for the upcoming offseason.

_


229 Comments on “3-Headed Monsters”

  1. 1 MattE said at 10:19 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    DeMeco’s cap number next year doesn’t help either.

  2. 2 bdbd20 said at 10:27 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Short term, Ryans injury sucks.

    Long term, it might be a blessing in disguise. Smith can focus his attention and maybe he’ll actually be pretty good.

    Maybe Billy Davis gets a little creative and plays Wolff or Margos in the box.

  3. 3 47_Ronin said at 4:20 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think the lotto has better odds than counting on Smith, Riley Cooper has more tackles than him.

  4. 4 Ark87 said at 4:27 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    that hurts on so many levels

  5. 5 Iskar36 said at 9:40 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I know it takes time to judge a rookie, but honestly, I’m not sure he could have had much more of a disappointing start to his career. He is a first round pick, has not been injured, and through 8 games, has not registered a single tackle. I was not a fan of the pick from the start. Then the Eagles came as far as you can without flat out admitting that they did not have a first round grade on him to begin with, which made me hate the pick even more. And now, through half a season he has done nothing. I really hope he makes me eat crow and proves that he was worth the pick, but right now to me, Smith has “Danny Watkins” written all over him.

  6. 6 teltschikfakeout88 said at 10:34 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    ILB….OL….and CB/S are areas of concern for next year…..unfortunately we can’t fix them all in one offseason….Smith as an ILB???…..at some point we will have to replace LT with a high pick or deal for one with a high pick….

  7. 7 Tom33 said at 11:00 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    The future LT is playing RT right now…

  8. 8 wee2424 said at 11:03 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Agree with that, but it still means we need a tackle.

  9. 9 RogerPodacter said at 11:04 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    so then we need a new RT. i think the point was that we have other important needs and opening up a new need at ILB really hurts.

  10. 10 Tom33 said at 11:12 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Peters should be playing long after Ryans would have been gone anyway. Demeco’s injury is a problem for 2014, maybe 2015, but he was never the long-term solution at that position (if there is such a thing in the NFL).

  11. 11 GEAGLE said at 2:45 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Oregons Jake Fisher, start off at Guard, eventually move him to RT…round 3 draft pick.

  12. 12 D3FB said at 3:52 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Fisher is going top 50.

  13. 13 teltschikfakeout88 said at 2:45 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Not so sure….would like for him to excel at RT first before just switching……get that we spent a high pick on the guy and am willing to wait……just not sure that Lane is the answer at LT….

  14. 14 wee2424 said at 5:36 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    He has been solid to say the least while flashing real potential at times which is pretty good considering he has only played 1 and 1/4 of a season.

  15. 15 wee2424 said at 11:01 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    OLB also. Cole and Graham might be gone next year. ILB was a priority even before the Ryans injury, its just a much bigger priority now.

  16. 16 holeplug said at 11:35 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Graham should start in Cole’s spot next year

  17. 17 wee2424 said at 5:31 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Thats what i have been thinking, but i bet there is a good chance he may want to go and play for a 4-3 team.

  18. 18 Avery Greene said at 11:03 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Goode may have been the guy they liked to take over. But he and Long got hurt, which left us thin at ILB. That’s how Matthews and Acho are here. Not sure what they will do with Smith, but he may stay inside now, then they reevaluate after the season. Not much out there that would be better coming in off the street.

  19. 19 EAGLES said at 3:01 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Goode would be my pick too, they’ll probably train him to take over. I remember RG3 singling him out last year to reporters after the game. Maybe Marcus Smith but I don’t think they’ll give up on him as an OLB. He’s athletic enough to play inside.

  20. 20 MattE said at 1:34 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Peters is 32 and just signed a 5 year contract. I’d say we got a solid 2-3 years left with Peters (considering both health and money). I’d say taking a tackle high after the 2015 season is not out of the question. Next year it’s gonna be secondary help and linebacker depth.

  21. 21 bsuperfi said at 2:06 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It’s not like Mathis and Herremans are kids either. I’m actually glad some of the backup OL are getting some exposure, because we need to know what we have at the OG spot for the future too. As we’ve seen, the OL is so critical to this team. We need those athletic run blockers.

  22. 22 D3FB said at 3:51 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    The handful of times I focused on Tobin he seemed to acquit himself quite well. He should be given a shot to compete with a young kid next year to replace Todd.

  23. 23 teltschikfakeout88 said at 2:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It was said that we wanted to take an OL in the third round of last years draft….but there was a run and we couldn’t get good value for anyone left on that round…..Howie mentioned that this was a dagger…..while I mentioned LT….we need to get some starter quality players at the guard positions soon or look to FA……Mathis and Herremans are no spring chickens….

  24. 24 Tom33 said at 11:06 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Demeco’s physical skills won’t be impossible to replace – remains to be seen if Casey or Acho can do it this year. His leadership will be hard to replace, but again guys like Barwin, Jenkins and maybe even Trent will likely step up. The part they won’t be able to replace is his intellect – he made all the line of scrimmage adjustments and I don’t know who is going to fill that role going forward, at least this year. Maybe Kendricks was paying attention in the meeting room while he was rehabbing from his torn calf. I hope so.

  25. 25 Ark87 said at 12:21 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yeah, Trent is a big time leader in that locker room, but he is a different type than ‘Meco. Meco is that classic shepherd- leader, keeps the flock together and points them in the right direction. Trent is like an alpha wolf, he isn’t the great communicator, he just does everything the right way and if you follow him and do what he does, you’ll be fine. Meco just takes it to a different level.

  26. 26 GEAGLE said at 2:09 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Malcolm Jenkins going to step up and take over leadership of the entire defense

  27. 27 pricebe said at 11:10 AM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I already thought ILB was one of our biggest needs next season…

    No mention of Marcus Smith?

  28. 28 T_S_O_P said at 12:04 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Tommy, though he was the tallest, was Buckhalter the big back? As a rookie and a 2nd year pro, Buck was our fastest back, who could get through the hole or round the outside. As part of his workhorse role, surely Staley was the big back? In terms of displacement in the bath tub, he was the biggest back. It also showed on the stat sheet, with Staley (of the 2) being the most used back in short situations and on 3rd down generally. Duce also had the pickle juice! 🙂

    Buck definitely got better with age, even if he lost some speed, overcoming difficult circumstances both physically and emotionally. He was amazing in 2008, and we should of saddled up and ridden him more in the playoff run.

    As for Westy, wow! How the Chipster would love to have some like him. He had an amazing and record breaking Eagles career, but under Chip, IMO, he could of had a first ballot HOF career.

    He does, as you point out have a nice stable of backs to play with and a RB coach, and I am so glad that, post injury, they are starting to up Polk’s contribution. I wanted it earlier in the season, when the run game wasn’t working for Shady, not because Polk would have been the answer, rather just to change it up. Different players need to be defended in different ways, even if one is an all-time great in the making and the other a 3rd teamer.

  29. 29 Buge Halls said at 3:13 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Wasn’t that the year he tore his biceps in the playoffs?

  30. 30 RobNE said at 12:46 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    my complaint is that wasn’t Polk healthy last year, and he didn’t get enough touches and many of us complained.

    So yes, this is great having 3 good backs, but Chip has to prove to me over more than one game that he will get Polk some touches.

  31. 31 jshort said at 12:50 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Thought Chip said Duce is responsible for how the RB’s are used.

  32. 32 RobNE said at 1:37 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    well, then it was Duce’s fault. I think there was a real emphasis on getting Shady the title and his bonus. But as the HC, Chip can tell Duce to mix it up more. Chip isn’t blameless.

  33. 33 jshort said at 3:01 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I agree.I remember Chip being asked about that in a presser. He pushed that off on Duce. My thinking is if we would have pounded Polk at the goal line in SF and Arz we would be looking at one loss or less.

  34. 34 Buge Halls said at 3:14 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    He wasn’t healthy for SF and just back for his first game for AZ

  35. 35 jshort said at 3:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Should have known that….Wishful thinking.

  36. 36 MattE said at 1:25 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Polk needs to be our closer. If the game is close i believe Sproles/McCoy get the touches in the 4th. If we have a lead we pound it with Polk.

  37. 37 Sean Stott said at 1:21 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Last year Ryans fell off a cliff as the season went on and became a liability.

  38. 38 Buge Halls said at 3:14 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think you mean Rex Ryan there…

  39. 39 CrackSammich said at 1:53 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    How many wins gets us the division at this point? I would think we’d need to get to at least 10, or 4-4 for the rest of the way out. Less, if those win come against the division. That’s probably doable.

    It seems the needs right now are the same ones that were talked about right after the draft. ILB, OL, and QB. You can make the argument for just about everything being upgraded except the DL, but they at least have replacement level players. We’re getting awfully thin at those three positions, though.

  40. 40 RobNE said at 2:17 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    hard to say. If we beat Dallas twice, we can lose more games than otherwise.

  41. 41 GEAGLE said at 2:29 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Not losing a division game this year…team will stick to the script 😉

  42. 42 Avery Greene said at 2:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Not only that, if they win the next 3, they pretty much could lock down the division.

  43. 43 GEAGLE said at 2:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Last time we were at the Linc, it was on National TV against the Giants..l
    .
    Next time we play at the Linc, it will be on national TV against the Panthers

    Just wait til we see what our front 7 does for an encore. I would not want to be Cam Newton after what happened last time an opposing QB stepped into the Linc…sCAM Newton going to catch a beating from our front 7

  44. 44 Avery Greene said at 2:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think they win the next 5 TBH. I think the Packers are vulnerable and our defense is way ahead of where they were when we played last year. We will miss Meco, but I think this is the time for some of the other guys to step up.

  45. 45 GEAGLE said at 2:53 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yup yup… As long as we don’t have to play Barkley, I doubt we lose more than 1 game… Last years team did it at the end Of the year, and we are much physically and mentally tougher than last year. We KNOW how to win now, and it’s going to be hard to beat us

    Everyone talks THAT “next man up ish”… But other teams “next man” that gets thrust into the games hasn’t been getting the reps all season that our “Next man up” has gotten…

    LOL Redskins have VICK, Garcon. Desean and they can’t beat teddy Bridegwater..while we can play our worst and still be in a game til tje very end againsg ANYONE!

  46. 46 Buge Halls said at 3:17 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Redskins…Vick…Huh????

  47. 47 GEAGLE said at 3:20 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Lol VICK, RG3, is there really a difference?

  48. 48 GEAGLE said at 4:00 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    If we can’t get the 1st seed, I hope they get it…. I don’t mind going to the desert in the playoffs and excersizing some NFC championship ghosts of Mcnabb and Reids past…. Our fans took over that stadium. I never seen anything like it…the noise was screwing me up, I couldn’t tell if it was good or bad …. When they had the ball on the 3rd down, our fans were making so much noise we thought we were at the Linc..

    Much rather see them get the 1 seed instead of seattle,San Fran, GB, SaintS.
    ..
    Lions are still the X factor…not sure yet if they are contenders roar pretender

  49. 49 Michael Winter Cho said at 3:12 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Apparently you didn’t hear. The Cardinals are the NFC East champs because they swept the division. That’s what I heard on the radio in Phoenix today.

  50. 50 GEAGLE said at 3:43 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    If there is a God we will run into them in January

    I’d be down to just quit the season, and us and arizona agree to play each other, best of 7 for the rest of the season, and just pummel them every sunday like clockwork for the rest of the season… Bruce Arians has budged his way into the top of my shit list rigjt between Dallas and the Giants….I hate Chris Baker, but skins are too pathetic to waste emotions hating

  51. 51 Nicodemus_09 said at 5:58 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think you may be the one person who has as much hatred for those ass hats as me.

  52. 52 GEAGLE said at 8:06 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Hate bruce Arians. ..and I’m tired of Fitzgerald… Want him to get knocked out of an Eagles gamee

  53. 53 A_T_G said at 3:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Wow, those wounds from when they were the NFCE doormat must still sting.

  54. 54 sonofdman said at 9:22 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    LOL. I heard someone on tv call the Cardinals-Cowboys game an NFC East showdown yesterday. They have only been out of the division for 12 years or so.

  55. 55 jshort said at 5:20 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    If you asked that at the beginning of the season, would have thought 6 is enough.

  56. 56 CrackSammich said at 1:56 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Sanchez is what we thought he was, it’s just not immediately noticeable because he is a better athlete and more polished than Foles. His decision making is the problem, not his ability, which is the opposite problem as Foles (for the most part…) We’ll see if whatever Sanchez can add makes up for the inevitable 1-3 ints per game.

  57. 57 bsuperfi said at 2:03 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Interesting column by Bill Barnwell on Grantland today. He thinks that Kelly’s system really simplifies the reads for QBs, especially because it knocks out a lot of the difficulty through simple pre-snap math. His contention seems to be that this will help Sanchez get past his historical decision-making weakness.

    http://grantland.com/the-triangle/week-9-wrap-up-new-england-patriots-denver-broncos/

    That said, I can’t say I’ve been impressed with Foles’ decision-making this year. He looked great in this regard last year, but not so much recently. I’ve never been a Sanchez fan (especially because the in-laws love USC), but there’s a reason he was a high draft pick and I’d love to see him become the player the Jets hoped he could be.

  58. 58 47_Ronin said at 4:09 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It’s not all Foles decision making, his mechanics have retrogressed this year as well. Some of his ints are bad throws either under thrown or behind the receiver. Foles doesn’t have a powerful arm thus his form becomes more important.

  59. 59 EagleNebula said at 5:01 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Nothing against Sanchez but doesn’t him being the jets pick negate the fact that it was a high pick? I mean it’s not as bad as if he was a raiders pick but…

  60. 60 jshort said at 3:11 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    How do you know Sanchez is the better athlete? I’d put my money on FOles in a one on one basketball game.

  61. 61 CrackSammich said at 3:16 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I’d rather see them play football, personally.

    http://mockdraftable.com/player/84/
    http://mockdraftable.com/player/1130/

  62. 62 GEAGLE said at 2:03 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I’m pretty damn sad today. Can’t express how much I enjoyed watching Meco play since joining the Eagles.. He is one of the few players who I try not to miss any of his snaps. Watch him closely every week when I go back and watch the game tape during the week… I think we can overcome this,loss.and be just fine….but personally this is a huge loss for me. One of my fav Eagles of all time.. Really relly enjoys watching him captain our defense.. Sad sad sad day. It’s like a punch to my gut today

  63. 63 eagleyankfan said at 2:11 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I’m with you on this. This hurts.

  64. 64 GEAGLE said at 2:12 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It really sucked the energy out of my day..

    2014 Philadelphia Eagles…”Do it for Demeco”!!!!!

  65. 65 RobNE said at 2:15 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I agree. The people who just say well he lost a step etc., so what. He knocked down receives that cut across, was in his spot, made the tackles etc. Everyone can’t be superstars. Some people need to be above average and do their job (as Gus would say).

    It’s a bad loss.

  66. 66 GEAGLE said at 2:28 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    What a class act. I really hope he gets to come back and play football again whether it’s with us or anyone else. Too good of a man for his career to end like this… Horrible loss..But schematically like Tom said, we will just play Dime on 3rd down with Mykal and Nolan…so we just need Casey and Acho to fill his big shoes on 1st and 2nd down…
    ..
    Silver lining, the loss forces marcus to get 2nd team reps the rest of the year which should jump start his growth..would assume he is on the field contributing on some level before this year ends

    I really wanted Mykals brother Eriz to get a year under Meco when we draft him in June….this is just a huge loss and I feel horrible for the man..
    ..
    Gotta win it for Cap Ryan

  67. 67 GENETiC-FREAK said at 2:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I rewatched the condensed game again.. Felt pretty guttered knowing Ryans is gonna get injured later in the game.. The man was ballin!

  68. 68 GEAGLE said at 2:59 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It’s one thing to see a class act fan favorite get hurt…it’s another tng when it happens to a guy at an age where it may threaten him ever playing thegame he loves again…he deserves better than that

  69. 69 jshort said at 3:39 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That’s what Little Bill said before Will Munny popped him..

  70. 70 jshort said at 3:28 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I thought about a rewatch on my way home. Then the injuries popped into my head…..save it for another time.

  71. 71 GEAGLE said at 2:08 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    My understanding of the FOles injury is, that if its a normal broken Collarbone, we would know about it without needing MRI..
    ..
    Because of this delay, their is a Chance that he fractured the AC joints at the end of the clavicle, which would be more of a separated shoûlder type of injury that would heal faster..
    ..
    Fortunately its not his throwing arm, or he would need extra rehab before he could come back..
    ..
    FOles will be back at some point this year, ready to lead us to our Super Bowl..
    ..
    Do it for Demeco boys!!!

  72. 72 GermanEagle said at 4:17 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Did Aaron Rodgers break his collarbone in his throwing shoulder when he missed 7 weeks?!

  73. 73 GEAGLE said at 8:05 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    NoN throwing arm like foles

  74. 74 GEAGLE said at 2:17 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Thankfully I didnt let one of you talk me out of starting Big Ben last night..lol talk about bad advice….first time a QB threw 6 TDs in back to back games..
    ..
    This is also the first time that shady rushed for ATleast 80 yards in 4 straight games…

  75. 75 mtn_green said at 3:35 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Marcus smith 2 will step in.

  76. 76 GEAGLE said at 3:40 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I know… Big things are in the kids future….I’m not one of the morons that don’t understand player development process and transition to the NFL for raw prospect… I’d bet we see marcus play some down the stretch this season….but he will def be a big part of OLB rotation next year…we need ATleast 3 good OLB…marcus.barwin, and eitner BG or Cole… I wouldn’t mind keeping both for a year and have a 4 OLB rotation and rotate two waves of OLB like tne DL does

  77. 77 b3nz0z said at 3:46 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    haha i pulled Big Ben for Foles. still might win if hilton brings it tonight, but that was 40 points i left on the bench

  78. 78 GEAGLE said at 3:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I had such a big week, I didn’t even check my matchup. I can’t possibly have lost.
    ..
    Big Ben had 6 TDs
    Jammal Charles almost 100 and a TD
    Maclin had a monster game
    Emmanual Sanders had a monster game
    Shane Vereen had a TD, few passes and like 60 yards.
    Barwn had a sack
    Eagles D was solid
    ..
    Can’t possibly have lost..

  79. 79 Crus57 said at 4:27 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    re Fantasy: last week I started Romo. This week I had to bring Foles off my bench. I sense a pattern there, so next week I’m going to see if I can trade for Carson Palmer..

  80. 80 GEAGLE said at 2:32 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Since Kempski wrote his “brilliant” column lol about us not having a deep threat because that jackass was cut, Maclin has gone out and caught a BOMB TD against the Cardinals(he wrote the article two says before arizona game), a Bomb TD against the Teans, and another Bomb on Sanchez first throw… 3 Big Deep passes in two games since that hack wrote his crappy column. Keep up the awesome work Kempski, and keep showing me what a fool I am for not reading your work lol
    ..
    Maclin is on pace for something crazy like 90 catches, 16 TDs and 1600 yards And jkasses are still writing about what a loss Desean is in November for a 6-2 team… Awesome work, standing round of applause

  81. 81 GermanEagle said at 3:21 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I am still not sure if you actually have understood That article.

  82. 82 GEAGLE said at 3:22 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I haven’t read it, Why the hell would I read a Desean article at the end of October when we are 5-1?

  83. 83 A_T_G said at 3:41 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Just so I have this straight, you are posting a comment about an article from a different site, that you didn’t read, from weeks ago, which is completely unrelated to the topic of the post?

    Well, I can agree with you on this much: there is stuff out there that is not worth reading…

  84. 84 GEAGLE said at 3:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I’ll have to live without your approval. Somehow, “my heart will go on”, like Celine Dion 😉

  85. 85 A_T_G said at 5:18 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I am not familiar with the song, I haven’t heard it. I guess that shouldn’t stop me from talking about how dumb it is, though.

  86. 86 RobNE said at 5:35 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Let’s start a book club where we only read the titles.

  87. 87 mksp said at 4:06 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    “Never argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

  88. 88 Baloophi said at 4:08 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That’s either Gandhi or George Carlin…

  89. 89 P_P_K said at 5:01 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Two guys who made the world a better place.

  90. 90 Nicodemus_09 said at 11:22 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Potato, pototto…. : )

  91. 91 Bert's Bells said at 3:21 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Kempski’s article presented statistics, not anecdotal evidence.

  92. 92 EagleNebula said at 4:55 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    His statistics weren’t built on sound reasoning. Most of the sports media tend to misuse statistics so it’s always important to take any evidence not presented with the appropriate rigor with a grain of salt.

    I say that as a fan of a lot of Jimmy Bamma’s work. His 10 awards columns and hierarchy are very entertaining and I enjoy the sense of humor he brings to covering football.

  93. 93 Bert's Bells said at 6:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Sure. He just said something like Eagles have had XXX number of plays over 20 yards this year compared to last year. It’s not really in depth analysis.

  94. 94 EagleNebula said at 7:12 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I want to make sure I am clear, I am really making a comment about the sports media in general and how they handle statistical analysis – not any one specific author/piece. This is actually a much larger discussion than we should have here so I won’t bore you with my complaints. I just wanted to point out that you really have to be careful with any presentation of data.

    **EDIT: I also want to point out that one of the aspects of what Tommy does here that I really appreciate is the way he sticks to his expertise. I wish all authors did the same.

  95. 95 D3FB said at 12:00 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    I mean the eagles plays get me excited. But I didn’t know they were porn for Jimmy.

  96. 96 Bert's Bells said at 7:57 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    He’s more of a Vin Diesel guy.

  97. 97 GEAGLE said at 7:02 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Lol let me get this straight, you needed an article to tell you that we aren’t having as many big plays as last year? Hahaha

    How about Kempski provide stats that people don’t know, like the Eagles defense not allowing a single run over 30 yards all year?
    ..
    I rarely ever got anything out of kempskis work, so I stopped reading…just like I don’t read Les Bowan article

  98. 98 mtn_green said at 3:25 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Kempskis more entertaining than sandpaper. So there’s that. His videos have gone seriously downhill since he sold out n

  99. 99 GEAGLE said at 3:35 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I wouldn’t even know. I honestly don’t read more than a Kempski headline. I won’t listen to a helmet to helmet show because of Kempski…the dork is like one step above Gonzo

  100. 100 anon said at 5:54 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Be nice having 2 wrs worth mentioning. Be a bear if Mac got hurt.

  101. 101 mtn_green said at 3:31 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Is this the same Patrick Chung?
    “Chung beat out Duron Harmon for a starting job in training camp and had played 75 percent of the defensive snaps this year. He had been competent, but on Sunday, he was actually an impressive part of the defense. Manning was clearly excited to see him and targeted him repeatedly, but Chung mostly held his own, especially when matched up one-on-one with Jacob Tamme. He did allow Julius Thomas’s 18-yard touchdown reception, but even that was pretty good coverage overcome by a perfect throw and catch.

    Chung was one of the key components in a New England secondary that matched up across the entire field with the Denver receivers. Chung spent more time in coverage as basically a hybrid safety/corner than he ever has in his career, while Brandon Browner spent most of his day battling with Julius Thomas. Kyle Arrington, another Manning target from the past, was able to hold his own against Wes Welker in the slot.”

    http://grantland.com/the-triangle/week-9-wrap-up-new-england-patriots-denver-broncos/

  102. 102 RobNE said at 3:43 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I swear Belicheck is a witch or something.

  103. 103 sutherneagle said at 5:27 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    when he was “playing for the Eagles“, he was secretly on Belicheck`s payroll

  104. 104 b3nz0z said at 3:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    uch

  105. 105 GEAGLE said at 3:50 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Really trying to rub it in Huh?

  106. 106 PK_NZ said at 3:32 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It’s quite funny how at this years draft ILB and OL were the positions everyone was really happy with, but realised we were way too thin yet didn’t draft anyone. And now those two positions are the ones with multiple injuries…

  107. 107 mtn_green said at 3:33 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Eagles needed help at OLB, wr, too.
    Although OLB and wr are playing pretty well, not counting cooper.

  108. 108 Avery Greene said at 7:32 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    They had Goode and Long, who both played well. You don’t think you’re going to lose 3 ILBs in the same year. There’s not a team in the league with that much depth at ILB or other position.

  109. 109 Tom33 said at 3:46 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Tommy – In your “Deceptively Good” post you asked the question if the Eagles could be compared to the 2010 Packers (a team whose regular season record didn’t match how well the played and who went on to win the Super Bowl). If I recall correctly, that team also got hammered by injuries that year.

    You better be right as I don’t want to go through this for nothing.

    It’s funny how we don’t hear the “sports science prevents injuries” narrative any more. The team is in excellent physical condition, but clavicles aren’t immune to “cracking” no matter how many smoothies you drink I guess.

  110. 110 EagleNebula said at 4:42 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Chip said that sports science was more about soft tissue injuries and conditioning not torn ligaments/tendons or broken bones.

  111. 111 Ark87 said at 6:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    yeah, it’s mainly focused on achieving maximum performance during games, and everything involved in that, like recovering as much as possible after the rigors of a game to maintain maximum performance week in and week out. I think people hear the focus on recovery and think that’s about quickley healing from injuries and preventing injuries but it’s really focused around performance, which as you said is more about the soft tissues. Keep those muscles ready to perform harder for longer on game day.

  112. 112 GEAGLE said at 3:53 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    One of my favorite things from this week is after the game, every offensive lineman talked about how they could all see how worn down they were from the tempo. Hands on their hips..sometimes just getting lined up as the were snapping the ball….to a man, everyone of our lineman talked about how fatigued they were…mas a former OL, that has to be the best feeling in the world that gives you a jolt of adrenalin. Nothing like not being tired when your opponent is sucking wind…our line were like sharks who smelled blood…consequently we see an inane 4 run play for 70 yards drive, and a ton of ball control eating up the clock late in games..
    ..l
    Polk single handed willed his way to that short yard conversion. BIGTIME beast run….
    ..
    Kelce: “wouldn’t trade our 3 backs for any teams 3 backs in the NFL”… I wouldn’t either

  113. 113 ICDogg said at 4:01 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    And by the way, in the Arizona game, I thought the tempo was dragging quite a bit.

  114. 114 GEAGLE said at 4:03 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    You are right,.we had no tempo. They threw 48 flags. Our tempo was non exsistent
    ..
    Run game, tempo, second half fatigue, these are major principles our team is built on… Also have to think getting Kelce back, helped the tempo in a major way

  115. 115 Anders said at 5:20 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    yea Flags is the biggest killer to tempo

  116. 116 GEAGLE said at 6:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    The ultimate cock block

  117. 117 HipDaDip said at 7:59 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    The ultimate “clock” block

  118. 118 GEAGLE said at 8:03 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Well played

  119. 119 Ark87 said at 4:15 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    No hate for JJ Watt, love that dude (still the best defender in the league imo), loving our tempo more. He’s a guy that gives 200% every snap, and our tempo used that against him. He must have felt like he was playing a double-header. Pace yourself young man! Or Chip will grind you down.

  120. 120 GEAGLE said at 4:11 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Gotta feel a little bad for Jets fans if they watch Sanchez light it up on Monday night football next week lol

  121. 121 Birds4Life said at 4:18 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Plus they are stuck rooting for Vick! I never feel bad for a NY fan, but it must suck being a Jets fan!

  122. 122 sonofdman said at 9:35 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Ha ha. And he wasn’t a free agent, the Eagles traded for him.

  123. 123 Birds4Life said at 4:14 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I hate seeing all these injuries but they may actually benefit us. After last year, with all the sports science talk and our luck with injuries, it had every other team looking to invest in their own sports science department (Green Bay went out and hired the sports science guy from Oregon). Maybe now other teams will say we just got lucky last year and not invest money into that aspect of the game. That will give us a few more years with a leg up on everyone else.

  124. 124 Avery Greene said at 7:29 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    LOL – you are on some different stuff right there! Mind blown!

    http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/20131215/4925451/mind-blown-o.gif

  125. 125 GEAGLE said at 4:21 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Last time the gIants were on National TV, it didn’t go so well lol.. Getting shut out and having their asses kicked by a hated rival Eagles team
    ..
    Hopefully I get to see a pissed off colts team take last weeks loss out on the Giants.. I enjoy “eli face” and “COUGHLIN face” too much.
    ..
    As fun as it is to watch Giants and Skins lose…hopefully they win some meaningless DECEMBER games screwing up their draft spot…don’t need them getting a top 10pick

  126. 126 Ark87 said at 4:45 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    you sure you don’t want to see them go on a winning streak in November to get their hopes up before they crumble?

  127. 127 GEAGLE said at 6:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That may tickle my sadistic side lol, plus it would help them not get a top 5 pick that they drastically need

  128. 128 Avery Greene said at 7:26 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I just need Dwayne Allen to have a good game. I’m up 3 points in fantasy and I have Allen and the other guy has Hilton.

  129. 129 sonofdman said at 9:37 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Sorry, I’ll be rooting against you. I am up three points and the other guy has Allen. I’m in trouble.

  130. 130 Avery Greene said at 10:09 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That’s okay. The only rule IMO is we don’t root against Eagles players. Everyone else is fair game. 🙂

  131. 131 GENETiC-FREAK said at 5:27 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Ryans officially put on IR.. Safety Chris Prosinki signed from PS to the 53

  132. 132 Scott J said at 5:30 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    What a difference our line is with Kelce in there. What a great downfield blocker he is. And now we get Mathis back! Things are really gonna heat up!

  133. 133 GermanEagle said at 5:34 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    And Herremans probably going to IR.

  134. 134 SteveH said at 6:11 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Oddly enough Herremans is probably the weakest of our starting OL at this point, maybe Lane is still behind him, but Peters Mathis and Kelce are all studs for sure. Hurts less to lose Herr than any of the others I think.

  135. 135 mksp said at 5:42 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    If Mark Sanchez plays well (lets say, “slightly better than Nick Foles has been this year”), and the Eagles have a decent record over the next 6 weeks (say 4-2), there’s no way Chip goes back to Nick, right? Just from a continuity standpoint?

    Chip gonna make that money this year with his handling of the situation. Howie gonna make it over the summer. Intrigue, for sure.

  136. 136 anon said at 10:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Both Qbs being 5-2? I think you gotta go hot hand It’s not like Foles was crushing it before then. I don’t know if i’d want to QB here, seems like every QB plays great for a bit, then is mediocre, gets hurt and replaced.

  137. 137 eagleyankfan said at 8:06 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    I’ll disagree 100%. CK has said he likes to have 2 qb’s, but once a starter is named, there is no “not hand” play or flip flopping(my words) back and forth between starters. Like last year when both Vick and Nick played well. It was Vick, period. Is there a chance Sanchez plays lights out and claims the team as his? Maybe. But that’ll be asking Sanchez to do something he’s never done before(play lights out). This isn’t to compare last year with this year.
    …..
    That isn’t to say Sanchez can’t win with this team. I’m banking he can. I just don’t think Foles will get “Wally Pipped” here.

  138. 138 Ark87 said at 6:40 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Feeling bold, prediction time! I think the 3 headed monster is about to go off in a huge way multiple games in a row. Because of one man. Not Kelce, Not Mathis, but Maclin, not because of what he’s going to do but because of what he’s done. He’s going to start seeing something our WR’s haven’t seen a whole of this season, respect. If I’m wrong, Mac going to have one of the great eagle’s WR seasons. If I’m right, Shady has a 200 yard game coming.

  139. 139 GEAGLE said at 6:45 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    We won’t lose more than 1 game the rest of the regular season…bold enough? 🙂

  140. 140 RobNE said at 7:04 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Including postseason?

  141. 141 GEAGLE said at 7:11 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I won’t make offseason predictions… It’s practically a brand new seasons…need to see what we look like in December 1st.
    ….
    If my above statement holds true, then I’d feel pretty darn confident going into the playoffs. If we only lose 1’game, then you can’t call us an underdog against anyone in the NFC

  142. 142 Avery Greene said at 7:25 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Except the Cardinals who beat us. Might be a good thing if we are the dog going into that game.

  143. 143 sutherneagle said at 9:09 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    the Eagles lost that game, the Cardinals did not beat us…would love to play them in the playoffs.

  144. 144 wee2424 said at 6:57 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think also maybe due to Sanchez, he showed can throw the deep ball, but also because he is more athletic then Foles you have to be somewhat concerned of him running. Before people start freaking, im not saying he is better the Foles, im just saying you have to respect him running more then Foles. Also, i think Kelly will just run more with Sanchez in there.

  145. 145 GEAGLE said at 6:58 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    He had so much daylight to keep it and run Sunday, I’m sure chip told him not to run because we didn’t have another QB dressed in case he got hurt…

  146. 146 Ark87 said at 7:32 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Even when that other QB DOES dress, we rreeeeaaally don’t want Sanchez to get hurt.

  147. 147 Mr. Magee said at 8:47 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Could be right… What happens on the other side of the ball? How many points do we have to score to win??

  148. 148 GEAGLE said at 6:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Eagkes announced FOles does not need surgery….

  149. 149 Ark87 said at 6:51 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That’s pretty good news right? 1 Less thing to recover from?

  150. 150 GEAGLE said at 6:57 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    pretty sure no surgery is always better, Tho I’m sure their is probably an exception or two… Nick should be ready for the playoffs, possible last two weeks of reg season…

    Mathis said he could have went yesterday, he is back to full strength. Also said that our OL went to chip during the game and told him to run the ball because they were so fatigued..

    Not the first time our coach wasn’t too stubborn to listen to players resulting in a win

  151. 151 Ark87 said at 7:02 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    yeah it’s good that they can be like, Chip they’re stacking the box, but they’re so tired they’re basically blocking sleds, lets run! Good to be able to over-rule the numbers game we play. I think those packaged plays are the reason we have been so pass heavy early in games this year. Stack the box and play for the pass, blitz or bail into coverage.

  152. 152 GermanEagle said at 7:01 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I am not sure. First it was reported he’s out at least 4 weeks and when news broke that he didn’t need surgery he’s out 6-8 weeks all of a sudden.

    Aaron Rodgers missed 7 weeks, however does anyone know if it was his throwing shoulder when he broke his collarbone?

  153. 153 Ark87 said at 7:04 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    left (non-throwing shoulder) for both of them.

    Nick needs to spend all those week’s at TO’s house, working out in the driveway, sleeping in the hyperberic chamber.

  154. 154 GEAGLE said at 7:07 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yeah throwing shoûlder you would have to tack on like another 3 weeks of rehab atleast

  155. 155 Michael Winter Cho said at 9:24 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    He has 615,000 reasons to rehab with TO!

  156. 156 EagleNebula said at 7:20 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    6-8 weeks is standard for the normal clavicle break. The hope was that the injury was a chip near the shoulder joint which would have led to a shorter recovery time (which is why he had an MRI, apparently).

  157. 157 ACViking said at 7:04 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Re: Losing an MLB – Eagles style

    1. 1979: Bill Bergey

    The Eagles had miraculously reach the playoffs in ’78 with the 5th best defense — also 5th against the run. In the off-season, the Eagles add 1st Rd pick OLB Jerry Robinson and offensive guru Sid Gilman to the coaching staff.

    1979 looked like the Eagles would take that next step.

    But in Week 3, Bergey — who should be in the HOF — blows out his knee against the Saints.

    The Eagles finish 11-5 (losing a tie-breaker to Dallas for 1st place).
    And — as a hint of things to come — the Birds’ defense drops to 9th overall and 18th against the run.

    In the Divisional Playoffs at Tampa, the Bucs control the ball for more than 40 minutes by running it 55 times for 186 yards. FB Ricky Bell — who finished with 38 carries for 142 yards and 2 TDs — dominated the Eagles.

    Eagles lose to Tampa Bay 24-17 . . . because Bergey’s missing.

    (The following week, the Bucs lose 9-0 — NINE to NOTHING — to a 9-7 Rams team in the NFC Title Game; and the Rams lose to the Steelers in what should have been an All-Pennsylvania SB.)
    ______________

    2. 1994: Byron Evans

    The Eagles run out to a 6-2 start — including a 40-8 drubbing of the eventual SB champion 49ers in SF.

    The defense is spearheaded by Evans, OLB William Thomas, and CB Eric Allen, the last pieces of the great ’91 Gang Green Triple Crown defense.

    Week 9 at Arizona . . . MLB Byron Evans suffers a career ending broken leg.
    But the Birds hold on to defeat the Cards 17-7, raising their record to 7-2.

    The Eagles proceed to lose their next 7 straight.
    ______________

    3. 2002: Jeremiah Trotter

    No injury here. Just a financial decision to allow Pro Bowl MLB Totter to leave in free agency.

    In his place, the Eagles use an overweight and over-the-hill Levon Kirkland and too-slow, not-instinctual-enough Barry Gardner.

    In the NFC Title game — where having Trotter could made the difference — the Bucs break the Eagles backs with WR Joe Jurevicius running a shallow crossing pattern . . . for 71 yards.
    _______________

    4. 2009: Stew Bradley

    Injured in the preseason, Bradley misses the entire season — forcing the Eagles to turn to an expired-and-out-of-date Jeremiah Trotter.

    Birds go 11-5. But the clock runs out on Donovan McNabb in Dallas.

    And Disco Stew’s never the same.
    ________________

    5. 2014: DeMeco Ryans.

    Story to be written.

  158. 158 P_P_K said at 7:34 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I think it might have been Tommy who bestowed the nickname on Stew.

  159. 159 ACViking said at 7:57 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    PPK . . .

    That’s great trivia.

    And I think you’re right.

    By the way, what the hell does it mean?

  160. 160 sonofdman said at 9:43 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Disco Stu was a character on the Simpsons. I’m pretty sure that is where is came from.

  161. 161 sonofdman said at 9:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130709140419/simpsons/images/4/46/Disco_Stu_MAMASASFASFASFAS.png

  162. 162 Mr. Magee said at 8:46 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Great recall / summary… And probably THE most depressing read I’ve seen in a long time

  163. 163 ACViking said at 7:25 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Re: The Eagles’ Original 3-Headed Monster

    T-Law:

    In another era, the Eagles also relied on 3 HBs to share the load.

    In 1968, the 2-12 Birds — who blew the OJ Simpson sweepstakes — split the HB duties among Izzy Lang, Cyril Pinder, and the Eagles’ all-time worst No. 1 Pick, Harry Jones.

    [Can’t have a RB named Harry Jones.]

    Lang, Pinder, and Jones combined 376 yards on 131 carries, and 38 rec for 400 yards. All three combined for a total of 1 TD.
    _______________

    After the ’68 season, the Eagles swapped Lang to the Rams for a taxi-squad WR named Harold Jackson.

    Jackson, a college sprinter at Jackson State — built just like DJax and just as fast — became the best deep threat in the NFL for the next decade for the Eagles and Rams.

    Among the best trades the Eagles ever made, in any era.

  164. 164 P_P_K said at 7:33 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Great stuff. Harold Jackson was one of my favorites when I was a kid.

  165. 165 since1961 said at 7:34 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yeah, but did Hal have 29″ thighs? We know Izzy did.
    Great point on that trade, after giving up Maxie and Irv, we needed one back.

  166. 166 ACViking said at 7:53 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    since1961 . . .

    always like your comments on the old-timers.

    Joe must-go killed this franchise several times over.

  167. 167 since1961 said at 8:10 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Thanks, your epic tales spark my little memories. 53 years of waiting to see 1960 again! At least my dad had Van Buren, Walston, Pihos etc.

  168. 168 ACViking said at 8:25 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Re: Pihos

    It bothers me, a lot, that Lurie hasn’t ordered the retirement of Pete Pihos’s No. 35.

    Pihos dominated in his day, playing in 3 NFL title games and winning 2 championships. He was an All Pro 5x in 7 years. And he led the NFL in receptions in each of his last 3 seasons (and yards 2 out those 3) with 63, 60, and 62 catches in *just* 12 games.

    It’s not like the Eagles couldn’t get by without removing #35 from the equipment managers.

    Recently, forgettables like CB Trevard Lindley, RB Bruce Perry, and RB Chris Warren have worn it.

    Reminds how I thought Lurie didn’t respect the end of the VET (imho).

    And makes me think — and the missing Kelly green’s part of this — that Lurie believes the Eagles franchise began in 1994.

    (NOTE: I’m being harsh, yes. To make a point.)

  169. 169 since1961 said at 1:35 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    hell, why not Pistol Pete’s?

  170. 170 D3FB said at 7:40 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Best part of Kelly’s press conference today:

    Q: Does the fact that Sanchez is a little more mobile mean you are going to do different things with the playbook?

    A: Little things like Sanchez prefers a 17 yard in as opposed to a 15 yard dig. But as far as running ability? We’re not about to start running the speed option out there. He’s not that fast.

  171. 171 ACViking said at 8:33 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    D3FB . . .

    Was hoping to get your view on how Ryans’s loss:

    1. COULD impact the Eagles’ defense.

    2. MOST LIKELY will impact the Eagles’ defense (with all the usual caveats about things like other injuries, scheme adjustments, and — oh, I don’t know — predicting the future.)

    During the preseason, you fired off a great comment about the demands on an ILB in the 3-4 in the moments just before the center snaps the ball.

    Some of the best *inside football* material I’ve seen anywhere.

    Would welcome more.

  172. 172 D3FB said at 11:57 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    D3FBstrodamus predicts…

    Worst case scenario. Casey regresses to previous form. Acho is no better. MSIII get thrust into the starting role, and while he can hang from a physical standpoint, the mental side of the game is overwhelming for him fans lose their shit and he goes into the tank. (OLB to ILB in this system would be like moving Molk to TE, and then being suprised when he has no clue how to run a post-corner against cover 3).

    From a talent perspective Demeco is an above average starter, but diminishingly so. What he provides is stability and intellect/instinct. So from a talent perspective you can get 80-85% out of the three headed monster of Casey/Acho/Smith.

    The play calling shouldn’t be that big of a problem, the way the team signals in plays. I’m sure the terminology is different but essentially the initial call would be something like Base BAM (Backer and Mike A-gap) Rob3 (cover 3 robber). Kendricks or Casey can get that communicated.

    The big problem is going to be in the cat and mouse game. I don’t know that we are going to see it so much with Cam this week but Rodgers could eat our young with it. Say a team comes out with a wide out on each side, in the shotgun, back offset, a TE and H-back to the right. Now the H-back motions to the left, setting up just behind the LT. That may change the coverage or alignment, cancel a blitz, change who is blitzing. Now the back motions out to the right slot. Changes everything again. QB yells “hot,hot,hot” now you are looking to change the coverage to jump in the passing lanes. Finally the WR split out left comes in motion on a jet sweep. Lots of quickly changing variables that can alter things completely. It’s going to be hard for Jenkins to take over this role. If he’s lining up 10-15 yards off the ball the DL will never hear him. Even if an ILB echos the call, that just adds a delay. And if the DL doesn’t hear and echo the linebacker has to jump up and move him if he has time, and thats assuming the LB is on the right page.

    What Demeco did was all of that plus just his natural reads. So everytime the formation changes he has to pull up a list of four or five plays that the other team likes to run out of that formation. Then immediately presnap read the OL who is his primary read. If the OL “high hats” (sets up for pass pro) he needs to find his man and drop in coverage, continuing to pick up those entering and exiting his zone and communicating that to the players around him. If he gets a run block from the offensive lineman he now has to check his secondary key (backfield action) to determine if it is indeed a run or if it is playaction. If it is run he needs to combine backfield action with the blocking scheme/DL stunts, to determine which hole he needs to fill. Then and only then does it become see ball, get ball.

  173. 173 Ben Hert said at 8:07 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Just amazing stuff. Thanks so much.

  174. 174 eagleyankfan said at 8:19 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    This is good stuff. Cat and mouse is perfect way to describe. I expect CK and Davis to already know this stuff and will adjust(until other teams adjust).
    …..
    You mean, you can’t simply replace him and say “every little thing, is gonna be all right”? Thanks for educating us…

  175. 175 ACViking said at 7:52 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Re: Von Miller & Justin Houston

    Von Miller, Denver – 1st Rd, 2nd selection, 2011 draft

    Justin Houston, KC – 3rd Rd, 6th selection, 2011 draft

    JHouston’s maybe the best value pick on the defensive side in the past decade. If he’s not at the top of the class, it doesn’t take long to call roll.
    ______________

    Other 1st-Rd D-linemen/pass-rushers from the 2011 draft:

    JJ Watt
    Robert Quinn
    Aldon Smith
    Ryan Kerrigan
    Cameron Jordan
    Marcel Dareus
    Muhammad Wilkerson

    Could be the best D-line draft since the 1967 merger.

  176. 176 Insomniac said at 8:00 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    That was the draft that we really dropped the ball on wasn’t it?

  177. 177 ACViking said at 8:16 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yes . . . in every Rd but 6 (Kelce).

    But, for the record, the same GM who brilliantly spotted the value Houston offered in Rd 3 chose WR-washout Jonathan Baldwin in Rd 1.

    KC’s former GM Scott Pioli.
    ____________

    There’s a great Belichick story related to Baldwin.

    Former Belichick pupil and Falcons GM Tom Demitroff called BB for his opinion on trading up from 27th overall with Cleveland to the 6th spot to select UGA’s Julio Jones.

    The price was swapping 1st’s, plus a 2nd and 4th in 2011, and a 1st and 4th in 2012.

    So Belichick tells Demitroff not to make the deal because he could get Pitt WR Jonathan Baldwin instead — and he’d be just about as good.

    Demitroff ignores Belichick and makes the deal for JJones.

    And Scott Pioli, part of the Belichick mafia, jumps on Baldwin at No. 26 overall. (Baldwin, again, out of the NFL after 3 seasons.) A big miss.

    Belichick himself has struggled with his draft selections of WRs the past few years — with the likes of Aaron Dobson, Brandon Tate, and Taylor Price.

    MORAL OF THE STORY . . .

    Get Belichick’s opinion of a WR — and run the other way.

  178. 178 Insomniac said at 10:49 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I wouldn’t be surprised if Houston breaks the sack record. He needs 11 more in 8 weeks. Sigh..what I would give for Houston to be an Eagle next year.

  179. 179 Anders said at 3:18 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Sadly the Chiefs should have money next year to franchise him and then give him Quinn money

  180. 180 ICDogg said at 12:21 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    In the book “War Room” by Michael Holley, Kelce was Pioli’s man-crush. He would have drafted him in the 6th had the Eagles not beaten him to the punch..

  181. 181 Anders said at 5:31 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Cameron Wake will still beat everybody in value, also have Richard Sherman or Kam Chancellor

  182. 182 ACViking said at 10:28 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    I’m only talking about draft picks — not free agents, like Wake.

    Chancellor and Sherman are both 5th Rd picks.

    Chancellor’s a 1-year wonder so far at safety.

    Sherman’s maybe the best CB in the NFL right now.

    But if the choice is a 20+ sack OLB vs. a CB, I think most coaches would take the OLB.

    Just my opinion.

  183. 183 Iskar36 said at 9:48 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    So you mentioned Sports Science. At the end of last year, people were basically saying Sports Science was some magic solution that reduced injuries and was going to extend careers. After yet another week of significant injuries, how has the attitude changed towards Sports Science? Obviously, Sports Science isn’t going to make bones unbreakable, but this season, it certainly seems that if our season gets derailed, injuries would be a major reason that we will all point to.

    Personally, I like that Chip is trying to do whatever he can to add a competitive advantage. And certainly, I doubt anything he is doing is harmful to any of the players, so why not do them. Still, I do wonder what the real positive effects are of Sports Science, at least as it relates to injuries.

  184. 184 Avery Greene said at 10:38 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    It’s related to soft tissue stuff, not broken bones, hernias, or other related injuries. It’s more for recovery and peak performance. It works, but there is no magic elixir for preventing injuries.

  185. 185 Toby_yboT said at 2:30 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    It’s fair to say that we got carried away last year. I’m sure the sports science stuff helps but I remember a lot of talk about how the smoothies were preventing muscle tears, cramps, etc.

  186. 186 Michael Winter Cho said at 9:20 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Sports science was getting credit for our remarkably injury-free season last year in some quarters. Then this year happened. SS was getting credit for our dominating the 2nd halves of games–then we started losing leads in the 2nd halves. Whatever benefit there is for SS–and it’s hard not to believe it’s a bit better than Taco Friday–it is going to be marginal and invisible to us.

  187. 187 EagleNebula said at 10:38 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    True, really impossible for us to tell anything because we don’t even know what we are supposed to be comparing.

  188. 188 CrackSammich said at 11:32 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    You shouldn’t take so much from what people are saying. Sport Science isn’t a cure. It’s preventative medicine. It’s the process by which the tema eliminates as many things that could hurt their players as possible. But that being said, if a 250lb dude lands with his weight directly hitting your collar bone, a smoothie isn’t going to stop it from snapping. It’s a rough game, where people taking unreal hits every moment. The idea that there was a way to protect people from injuries in that environment was overblown from the start.

  189. 189 Iskar36 said at 12:19 PM on November 4th, 2014:

    Certainly Sports Science isn’t going to prevent an injury like Foles, but I’m arguing against the thought that it is preventing a lot of soft tissue injuries as well. DeMeco Ryans tore his achillies, Evan Mathis sprained his MCL, Jason Kelce’s injury was abdominal. Todd Heremans tore his bicep. The injury that Sproles had was on his MCL. All of these are things generally unrelated to a 250 lb dude landing on a player. So it begs the question of how preventative is the Sports Science?

    Again, I’m not saying it is a bad thing by any means. I highly doubt it is hurting anyone, so if it even has a slight marginal benefit, there is no reason not to use it. I just am commenting based on the obvious overhype it received after last year, and then the comment from this post of “maybe Sports Science will work its magic…”

  190. 190 CrackSammich said at 1:58 PM on November 4th, 2014:

    Well, we both agree that it’s been overhyped.

    But still, Mathis and Sproles were injured when they were inadvertantly bent in directions they should not be bending. I don’t think science would help that, unless they had listened to the science that had told them that football is hard on the body and not played. I didn’t see the injuries to Ryans and Herremans, but those kind of tears generally occur when you push your body past what it can handle. Sure, sport science can help with that, but there’s limits. Even if the science worked perfectly, you’re still going to be in situations in football games where you’re pushing yourself past what is healthy. I don’t think there’s any way to stop that. The injury bug is taking its toll on us. Considering the luck we had last year with injuries, my gambling buddies would chalk this one up to being “due”.

  191. 191 Insomniac said at 10:26 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    DRC gets schooled by someone who’s so much shorter than he is. LOL.

  192. 192 EagleNebula said at 10:33 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Good old mile marker 23 … Or is it 21 now?

  193. 193 BC1968 said at 10:28 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Bradley Cooper wore this on The Tonight Show last week. Jimmy Fallon had a Jets(giggle)

  194. 194 anon said at 10:31 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    ODB is the truth. I liked Landry but ODB can play. # respect

  195. 195 Mitchell said at 10:36 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    I like Odell the first time I saw him play. I’ve never seen someone move the way he does. I knew he was gonna go in the first and O how I wish we could have gotten our hands on him.

  196. 196 ICDogg said at 12:27 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Did you see the clip of him in the pre-game warmups snatching the ball nonchalantly out of the air with one hand catches, while wearing his headphones…

  197. 197 Mitchell said at 12:52 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    No, but I saw a similar grab in game. He does it all the time. I really wish he was an Eagle you know? It would have been great to get him in the first and trade up in the second to get Smith II.

  198. 198 Anders said at 3:16 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    He was my favorite wr in the draft by far because of those hands

  199. 199 Mitchell said at 9:48 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Yes, I remember you and I talking about how he would be drafted in the first round when the mocks had him in the second. You could just tell he would be impressive in the NFL by his tape.

  200. 200 Insomniac said at 10:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Landry isn’t a bum himself. He’s posting similar stats to Matthews even though they throw less in Miami.

  201. 201 anon said at 10:44 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Yeah I really liked Landry, he’s a much better version of Josh Huff (no offense to Huff I like what he does).

  202. 202 Insomniac said at 10:58 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Landry had everything but the physical tools. Huff seems like he has stage fright and everything goes wrong for him.

  203. 203 NinjaP said at 8:12 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    I think Huff just tries to do too much every play.

  204. 204 EaglesFanaticcc said at 10:50 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Except we don’t say this about Celek because he doesn’t turn the ball over.

  205. 205 Anders said at 3:14 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    In college Landry and huff was not comparable at all. Landry had zero yac skills in college where huff is like a RB after the catch

  206. 206 Mitchell said at 11:15 PM on November 3rd, 2014:

    Ok boyz, I re-watched Ed Reynolds tape on Draftbreakdown.com and I think he has a good chance to start next year. He has the ball hawk factor from his Junior year and vastly improved tackling during his Senior year (not many int because NO ONE threw at him). We have commented on his underwhelming athleticism yet at his pro-day he ran in the 4.4’s and had a 38 inch vertical and I don’t see a “plodder” on tape. We may be clamoring for another safety come April but he may already be on our practice squad. We shall see.

  207. 207 wee2424 said at 1:13 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    If the coaches saw someone that could be an effective starter next year i doubt he would be on the PS, esspecially considering our current garbage safety play. To add to that the other 31 teams have seen the same tape as you plus some, and have had real NFL talent scouts look at that tape. If they really thought he had promise as a starter as soon as next year a team would have taken him by now.

  208. 208 Mitchell said at 1:48 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    WOAH, negative Nancy alert! He definitely needs more coaching but compared to the safety play league wide and what I have seen in safeties taken before him, that are already starting, I don’t see why he can’t play. Did you watch the tape? I’m interested in other’s thoughts.

  209. 209 sonofdman said at 2:20 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Didn’t the Eagles just call up a different safety from the practice squad yesterday? Not a good sign for Reynolds.

  210. 210 D3FB said at 2:21 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Prosinski was signed off the street. He has 9 NFL starts and has played in like 40 more. Practice squad is for learning and development. The Eagles likely wanted a veteran who was a good special teams player for the stretch run.

  211. 211 sonofdman said at 2:27 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Cool. For some reason, I thought I read that they called Prosinski up from the practice squad. Thanks for the info of Prosinski, I knew nothing about him. Anyway, I hope that they develop Reynolds and he turns into something.

  212. 212 mksp said at 8:39 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Basically this year’s Brad Smith.

  213. 213 wee2424 said at 2:44 PM on November 4th, 2014:

    Im just being realistic.

  214. 214 Insomniac said at 1:53 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    31 teams passed up Brady.

  215. 215 A_T_G said at 7:33 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    And Jaiquan Jarrett.

  216. 216 wee2424 said at 2:42 PM on November 4th, 2014:

    Ok? I think we can admit that these are totally different circumstances. That is ridiculous to apply that to Reynolds.

  217. 217 Toby_yboT said at 12:59 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Correll MF’n BUCKHALTER! Dude had so much potential. Myself, and I think many eagles fans, have been waiting 10+ years for some return of the 3 headed monster. It was almost an annual tradition on the emb, each years rationalization why this is def. the year we’ll see Reid use his backups. So I sincerely hope this becomes a trend and not just one awesome game.

  218. 218 Eagles Wake-Up Call: Three Leftovers From Chip | The 7 Seven said at 7:07 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    […] Tommy Lawlor of Iggles Blitz on the Eagles’ run game: […]

  219. 219 GEAGLE said at 8:35 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Terrell Pryor is at Novacare today!!.. Please sign and convert him to WR!!!!

  220. 220 EaglesFanaticcc said at 10:27 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    If signed, he would be the first true running QB to play under Chip for the Eagles.

  221. 221 EagleNebula said at 10:30 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    The beat writers are saying that isn’t a true rumor. Story came from a post on an unverified Facebook page. Sorry to disappoint you…

  222. 222 GermanEagle said at 10:20 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Nick Foles in his last 16 games: 338-for-539 (63%), 4,432 yards, 34 TDs, 11 INTs.

  223. 223 anon said at 10:32 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Can’t really add this year with last year to bouy his stats. He was amazing last year. Hopefully he takes this time to figure out what happened. Ironically he gets hurt when he’s had the most complete o line he’s had in a while.

  224. 224 EagleNebula said at 10:51 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    I would argue it is more valid to add last years stats than to project forward with this years… Though more fair to look at all career starts under Chip (which is one more game than last 16). However, you are right that you also do need to look at each year separately from last too. Unfortunately, the sample size of his starts under Chip is far too small to get any real statistical insight other than he has been highly inconsistent. As such, you can back pretty much any argument you want by presenting this data in a way that is favorable to your argument…

  225. 225 GermanEagle said at 10:58 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    why not?! If everyone assumes last year was an aberration why can you not assume the same for this season as well?! The result should be something in the middle which his stats over the last 16 games would illustrate.

  226. 226 EaglesFanaticcc said at 10:35 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Nick Foles this year:187-for-312 (59.9%), 2162 yards, 13 TDs, 10 INTs.

  227. 227 EagleNebula said at 10:43 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Is your point that he has performed remarkably worse than previously or that 7 bad games can be balanced by 9 good ones? really you can make so many arguments based those two lines it’s crazy and a reminder that we know nothing of how he will end up as a player.

  228. 228 ACViking said at 10:48 AM on November 4th, 2014:

    Re: D3FB on the Challenges of Replacing an Experienced ILB

    For those who may have missed it . . . .

    Commenter D3FB provided some fantastic “inside football” insights about some of the issues now facing the Eagles in replacing DeMeco Ryans.

    For anyone interested in an what actually happens in the moments before and just after the offense snaps the ball, this is *Do-Not-Miss* material.

    YOU WILL NOT SEE THIS KIND OF ANALYSIS ANYWHERE ELSE.

    (Apologies in advance to those who’ve seen it.)
    _________________

    D3FBstrodamus predicts . . .

    Worst case scenario. Casey regresses to previous form. Acho is no better. MSIII get thrust into the starting role, and while he can hang from a physical standpoint, the mental side of the game is overwhelming for him fans lose their shit and he goes into the tank. (OLB to ILB in this system would be like moving Molk to TE, and then being suprised when he has no clue how to run a post-corner against cover 3).

    From a talent perspective Demeco is an above average starter, but diminishingly so. What he provides is stability and intellect/instinct. So from a talent perspective you can get 80-85% out of the three headed monster of Casey/Acho/Smith.

    The play calling shouldn’t be that big of a problem, the way the team signals in plays. I’m sure the terminology is different but essentially the initial call would be something like Base BAM (Backer and Mike A-gap) Rob3 (cover 3 robber). Kendricks or Casey can get that communicated.

    The big problem is going to be in the cat and mouse game. I don’t know that we are going to see it so much with Cam this week but Rodgers could eat our young with it. Say a team comes out with a wide out on each side, in the shotgun, back offset, a TE and H-back to the right. Now the H-back motions to the left, setting up just behind the LT. That may change the coverage or alignment, cancel a blitz, change who is blitzing. Now the back motions out to the right slot. Changes everything again. QB yells “hot,hot,hot” now you are looking to change the coverage to jump in the passing lanes. Finally the WR split out left comes in motion on a jet sweep. Lots of quickly changing variables that can alter things completely. It’s going to be hard for Jenkins to take over this role. If he’s lining up 10-15 yards off the ball the DL will never hear him. Even if an ILB echos the call, that just adds a delay. And if the DL doesn’t hear and echo the linebacker has to jump up and move him if he has time, and thats assuming the LB is on the right page.

    What Demeco did was all of that plus just his natural reads. So everytime the formation changes he has to pull up a list of four or five plays that the other team likes to run out of that formation. Then immediately presnap read the OL who is his primary read. If the OL “high hats” (sets up for pass pro) he needs to find his man and drop in coverage, continuing to pick up those entering and exiting his zone and communicating that to the players around him. If he gets a run block from the offensive lineman he now has to check his secondary key (backfield action) to determine if it is indeed a run or if it is playaction. If it is run he needs to combine backfield action with the blocking scheme/DL stunts, to determine which hole he needs to fill. Then and only then does it become see ball, get ball.

    -A thesis on ILB play in the 3-4.

    By D3FBstradus LLC.

    The following content is copyrighted for the use of D3FB and his associates.
    Any other unauthorized use of this material can and will be subject to law. Or
    me just shaking my fist, and muttering about meddling kids and a dog.

  229. 229 Soldier said at 4:10 AM on November 6th, 2014:

    If Mccoy, Sproles, and Polk can continue to play like that then I like our chances to win it all. I haven’t seen any other team do what the Eagles did in their one drive against Houston where all we did was run the football aggressively. No other team has had that type of success. The Eagles in that series looked unstoppable.