Misc Monday Night Stuff
Posted: November 17th, 2014 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 277 Comments »There isn’t any breaking news from today so let me touch on some topics brought up in the comments section.
* Fixing the secondary – How could Howie Roseman and Chip Kelly pass on Aqib Talib and Darrelle Revis to keep the current corners? Complicated question. Both guys had big price tags. Both guys have baggage. That combination might have been enough to scare off the Eagles. Let’s not forget they tried adding stars back in 2011 with Nnamdi and DRC and that didn’t go as planned. Kelly and Bill Davis like the current corners more than fans and the media, but they do know the position must be upgraded. Will likely be a priority this offseason to add one starting CB and maybe draft another one or two.
The team does like Jaylen Watkins but it would be very hard to project him as a starter for the future with him having played so little.
I don’t know why Nolan Carroll isn’t getting a chance at LCB. I’d like to see him out there. The coaches feel differently.
* Judging Mark Sanchez – I made the point that we need to give him time to see what he is. But don’t we know from his time in NY? No. We know who Sanchez was in those circumstances, but this is very different. He may turn out to be the same guy, but that’s not a given. I believe we need to see Sanchez play on this team in this system for a month before we know if he’s a different guy or the same guy in a different uniform and zip code.
Tiki Barber was a fumbling machine before Tom Coughlin fixed him. Then he was completely different.
Compare Marshawn Lynch the Buffalo Bill vs Lynch the Seahawk.
Circumstances and coaching can make a vast difference even with a player who has been in the league for several years.
* Should we hate Josh Huff? – He’s made mistakes and there is no denying that. He doesn’t deal well with the media, which only makes matters worse. Chip Kelly recruited him to Oregon, coached him for 3 years and then drafted him. Kelly clearly believes in Huff. I trust Chip on this one. Let’s hope the the payoff is worth the rookie mistakes.
* GB holding – I didn’t notice the Packers getting away with tons of holding, but that is something I could have missed. If they did, the Eagles OL should have done a better job of holding when they had the chance. As Bill Davis says, you adjust to how the officials are calling the game.
* Eagles vs teams with winning records – This topic needs a full post.
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Losing games like the team did on Sunday can get the best of us. Please keep things civil and friendly in the comments section. We don’t always have to agree, but don’t let things get personal. You can argue without attacking.
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I agree we need to be patient and give Chip some time to build his team and staff through 4-5 years of drafts and some strategic trades. I am thrilled we had a playoff team in Chip’s very first year and probably one this year. Remember, Big Red finished his Eagles coaching career 1-11 in his last 12 games. That was only two years ago.
Ya..I agree with that. Going from 4-12, to 10-6 in one season is amazing. We’re gonna match that 10-6 mark this year at the very least.(most likely better unless we have a HUGE let down) We went from an embarrassment to playoff contender in one season, and now top 5 team in the entire NFC and were all mad that we lost to a recent Super Bowl champ. Its gonna take time to build this thing. We can’t be greedy and want it all today. The arrow is now pointing in the right direction for this organization again…it’ll just take a little more time than us sucess starved Eagles fans would like.
I wasn’t very thrilled when we drafted him because of his height, but I have been very impressed with Huff so far. Sure he’s made some boneheaded plays, but he’s a rookie and I assume those will go away.
Someone needs to show him the Bull Durham guide to sports interviews: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVca9MwDX8
What has Huff done that has impressed you? he literally costs us 7 pts a game, and has contributed absolutely nothing offensively.
He’s very physical. He doesn’t just get in somebody’s way to block them, he goes right after them and hits ’em in the mouth. He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but is rock solid and has speed. Would love to see him add even more poundage to his frame in the offseason. Like JMatt, he looks for contact after catching the ball. He has good enough balance to keep getting yardage after initial contact. Unfortunately, he’s a rookie and has been doing some very rookie things, but I’m not even close to giving up on him.
if he keeps talking bull to the media he wont last here…. we dont play that weak minded ish
I’ll just leave this here:
https://twitter.com/dpbrugler/status/534449992048857088
LOL!!!! You knew I was going to read this. Maybe we can get lucky enough to draft P.J.Williams next year. I’m already doing my due diligence.
This PJ Williams? Sorry bud, don’t think that dog’s gonna hunt.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/15/sports/ncaafootball/for-an-fsu-football-player-a-hit-and-run-becomes-two-traffic-tickets.html?_r=0
Yep, take him off. I hadn’t had time to look for off the field issues. Too bad, he looked like a good player. Why do you constantly poo on my cbs?
Preseason, my top corner was Marcus Peters. PJ Williams was my second favorite. I had a day 2 valuation of Josh Shaw. It’s been a big year for knuckleheads at CB.
I was watching Peters before reading this post and was thinking “screw Williams, Peters looks good too.” These kids are so dumb omg. Watched some Ladarius Gunter last night, he seemed ok. At least no character concerns that I could find. Kevin Johnson from Wake Forrest was decent too.
Trae Waynes is still is my #1 CB target for this team. He has that DRC frame and athleticism but he actually tries and can tackle.
DB changes are mostly likely coming next year. Fletcher, Boykin and Allen are on the last year of their deals and Wilson is due to make somewhere around 2 billion dollars. The might consider Nolan Caroll too expensive also since he’s due to make around 3 million with no cap hit if he’s cut.
Boykin was a 2012 draft pick. He is under contract through 2015.
Yes, you’re right. Thanks for the correction.
wilson??
Can you imagine if we would have nabbed Odell in the first and Matthews in the second!?!?!? I see Beckham every week with an amazing catch. I’m just so impressed with his catching/playmaking ability.
Could you imagine if we had all of those awful 2012 picks back?
Yea, screw Cox, Kendricks, Curry, Foles, Boykin, Kelly and Bryce Brown.
WORST DRAFT EVER
Sarcasm man sarcasm. We didn’t have draft picks in 2012 – 1 btw.
2011…
Did we have a chance to get him? A realistic chance? Maybe instead of Huff we could have grabbed (well, almost anybody) the WR that is doing well for the Steelers?
We had no chance to get Beckham unless you used a 3rd to move up as a minimum.
Exactly…
Shiiiit moving up two spots to get Cooks would have cost us a 3rd…no chance for ODB…as good as he is (not surprised)’still think it’s ahorrible pick for the Giantsl who cares about WRs when your OL has more holes than Swiss cheese?… Morons should have taken Zack Martin or tried to get Taylor Lewan
No probably not but he was my favorite player in the draft. I thought Martavius Bryant was an intriguing pick, however I think He was just a straight threat. Honeslty though he is doing better than Huff just not as versatile I guess.
He’s electric for sure. It took Cruz doing down for the Giants to realize what they have. He’s quite the talent.
idk, he seems like a one trick pony… (bryant)
could of had kelvin and jordan
umm… u mean kelvin and mattthews.. getting odell and jordan wasnt possible. smh
That’s why I said, “can you imagine.” No shit it wasn’t possible, we would have had to give up a second and a 4th to get that high.
yup.. and then without the 2nd wouldnt have beeen able to draft jordan
lol, yes I know. It was a fanciful scenario.
yes, yes it was. very fancy
tea and crumpets, fancy.
I don’t think Chip has a strong enough track record to give him the benefit of the doubt on draft picks yet. Huff sticks out like a sore thumb covered in poo especially after his comments about “it wasn’t my fault”. If he can stay here longer than Desean did while performing like he is now then that has to say something more about Chip than Huff.
I agree with you. I’m concerned that Chip feels invested in Huff because of their college ties.
maybe im just spoiled with the play of jordan matthews because watching huff is downright infuriating. every week he seems to make one huge mistake. lets hope it gets better for huff
You can see his ability to run after the catch. It is just those rookie mistakes come at the absolute worst times.
Lets hope he cleans it up before getting benched.
I am starting to really question Both Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman’s eye for talent and drafting skills. Howie hit it big in the 2012 draft drafting Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Vinny Curry, Nick Foles, Brandon Boykin, Bryce Brown. Then in 2013 they had a lot of misses and they had high draft picks that year #4 overall. They hit on the first 3 players but then whiffed on Barkley, Wolff, krugar, Poyer, David King. Then in 2014 it looks like they have a lot of misses as well. Hated the Marcus Smith pick. I didn’t see anything special about him other than he could drop into coverage. Marcus Smith being a former QB i don’t think he has the mind set to play OLB in the NFL. I never saw the aggressiveness needed. They really blew it. They could have drafted CB’s Darqueze Dennard, Jason Verrett or Bradley Roby, Safties Deone Buchanan, Jimmie Ward, WR Kelvin Benjamin. They could have traded up 1 spot and Drafted Ha Ha Clinton Dix, 2 spots and Drafted WR Brandin Cooks. Hated the Josh Huff pick as well. He should not have been a 3rd round pick. I liked the Jaylen Watkins pick they just need to give him a chance. At this point i would rather have Boykin, Carroll, or Watkins starting over Fletcher. They really need to make a change there but are way too stubborn. Beau Allen was a good pick and have to wait and see what Taylor Hart can do. Ed Reynolds cant beat out anybody we are signing guys off the street to play instead of Reynolds. All In all The last 2 drafts will come back to bite the Eagles. What scares me is that the Free Agent Market for CB’s this year is lousy. I dont think Darrelle Revis will leave New England. I would be worried to give big money to CB Chris Harris jr. Nothing at safety either Devin McCourty? But the FA class is strong at WR (Maclin, D.Thomas, D. Bryant, R.Cobb, M. Crabtree) and Pass rushers (J. Housten, JPP, G.Hardy, B. Orakpo, Worilds, N. Suh, J.Sheard. . I also would be interested in guard Mike Iupati to replace Herremans.
it’s not functionally a strong FA class if it consists of players that never leave their teams. mccourty would be a great coup, cb turned safety who is also a returner, but i don’t think he leaves the pats.
This years DB market is pathetic…
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Practically all the best safeties signed long terms deals theHere past couple years, and CB market is depressing..
The misses they had in 2013 were late round draft picks and there is just not way you can evaluate 2014’s draft class yet…
JPP sucks!
We don’t sign pieces of shit like Hardy
Orakpos play doesnt match his name brand and the price tag that will come with his name brand
Worlids, Id rather keep Brandon Graham
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Suh? Really? You are going to ask that asshole to Sacrafice his stats so he can two gap and let the linebackers make plays? Not a good idea
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I love Jabaal Sheard, but he just went down with a,serious year ending injury, not giving 40mil to a guy who is rehabbing
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I adore Justin Houston, but that’s not going to happen right now. We won’t see us giving $50 million dollar deals to some other teams players until we get all our young guys locked up Long term… Yesterday Howie practically hinted at this… We learned our lesson, big money free agents don’t work, unless you find someone who is THE PERFECT FIT to your franchise in every way, like Malcolm Jenkins, Connar Barwin, who didn’t cost 50mil…
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I’d bet that the next time we really pay big money for another teams player will be in like 2 years, when all our young guys are sigńed Longterm and we are only one piece away from getting over the top.
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You can bet we won’t give anyone 50million, before we get Cox name on a Longterm deal along with all our young players that we want Longterm…. And good but not great pass rushers start at 20mil in guarantees on the open market. It’s really one of the positions you are better off drafting and developing for yourself…
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Remember how last year it was dumb to pay for free agent WR because it was a stacked WR draft? This years Draft is STACKED with two gap 3-4 DEs and 3-4 OLB pass rushers,… I can’t even remember a draft with so much front 7 talent
so…top 3 positional needs in draft/FA
SS/CB
ILB
OL
That’s 4
That’s funny.
we dont have SS’s just S’s who can play both spots, thats what they want, interchangeable
I’d put ILB at the top. CB is the toughest position on the field, and it incites to see your guy get beat for 6, but how many first downs were given up on sunday by routes over the middle with nobody in the same time zone? Rodgers burns most corners in the course of a game, but violent, rangy LB’s keep the middle covered, and we need a few.
My 2¢; it’s amazing how used to winning we become. 14-4 over the past 18 regular season games, undefeated at home, and we throw up a stinker and some get panicky.
As a wise man one said ,
R E L A X.
these are good times to be an Eagles fan.
Smart man… No one overreacts like Philly
we are reacting the way we should… we sucked big time.. we react accordingly.
For most Eagles fans, Monday morning is either heaven or hell. They forget it’s a 16 game season.
P_P_K:
Helps to have kids, no?
no body forgets.
our 1st tase of a real QB with a really good WR.. and we failed big time… if u arnet mad and dissapointed u might not be a real fan.. jussayin
No true Scotsman would use such a cheap rhetorical trick…
I’d like to see Huff traded to the local McDonald’s for a Happy Meal.
Huff costs us 7 pts every game. He needs to sit the rest of the year and come back ready to produce in 2015.
Unless Chip was around while getting Nnamdi — it’s not fair to say that debacle scared him off … I remember someone saying “see him with my own eyes” in player evaluation on current Eagles. If Chip holds true to evaluating talent that way, he wouldn’t give a nano-second of a thought about bringing in those two bums years ago…
1. Organizational Memory
2. Not cultural fits
True that. I agree about cultural fits. However, until a SB is won with ‘culture fits’, we can always second guess the talent that is passed by because ‘they don’t fit’…
I would argue that process is more important than results.
can’t have one without the other…not consistently anyway. The nfl is too fluid though to create and sustain a successful culture. Sooner or later, that “they don’t fit” talent is needed.
Maybe Nolan isn’t getting much at outside CB because he’s so important as a dimebacker, that setup allows us flexibility we wouldn’t have without him there. Similar to part of the reason for keeping Boykin in the slot.
We all give Billy Davis credit for this season so far. But I didn’t like his gameplan on sunday – at all. Now he’s getting paid for this job and I’m just a fan, but why the hell would you stay in base against Aaron Rodgers when they go to 11 personell?
We played Fitzpatrick and 50 % of Cam Newton in the last two weeks. Both were run heavy teams. Having Casey Matthews or Acho in there is OK, they do their job against the run and the opponents liked to run.
Having one of those guys (especially CM) in against Rodgers in 11 is something I don’t understand. This Defense is good against the run, but why not use the scheme we had against Andrew Luck against the Packers? Let them run the football, I don’t care if their RB gets 4.5 or even 5 YPC. Do everything you have to do to stop the elite QB. Davis did it against Luck and we won, Davis did it against Brees and even tough we lost, I liked the gameplan. Let the lesser talented players beat you. If they do – they deserve to win. But don’t let the stars beat you, try everything you can to stop that.
Davis played a lot of single high safety. Again: why would you do that? Why do you plan against the Packers like they are a running team? I don’t get the mindset behind those decisions. What was your goal? Stopping Eddy Lacy and let CW and Fletcher battle it out against Rodgers? Lol, that’s probably the most stupid idea against the Packers.
Now: we were so incredibly bad, chances are, it didn’t matter what Billy D was doing, we weren’t ready to play. But the defensive scheme didn’t help, imho.
Another thing I don’t like is all the comments from the players and coaches after the game. I don’t care what you think about Aaron Rodgers. I’d like to know what your plan is to improve yourself. The one exception is Maclin:
Word! Next week is a new game, a new chance to show the world what you can do. But acknowledge that you played your worst game of the year and don’t use the Aaron Rodgers excuse for that.
I expected a loss, I just didn’t thought we would play so bad. It’s not the end of the world, what counts in this league is the L and nothing less or more. But please, learn your lesson out of the blowout. That’s all I’m asking.
It’ll be really interesting to see how belichick plays the packers when they go there in 2 weeks. Hate him but he knows how to play elite QBs. If I’m Davis I’m watching that game with my notepad out.
I think he definitely comes with a different game plan next game. I can’t see him letting Fletcher get torched on the edge for another whole game.
You’re right, it will be interesting. The way Belichick usually works is to try to take away the #1 and 2. So I think he will do everything he can to stop Cobb and Nelson. Let Adams, the TEs or Lacy beat you.
Let’s not forget he has the better weapons (Revis vs. Cobb, Browner vs. Nelson or Arrington vs. Cobb and Revis vs. Nelson), but I’m pretty sure Belichick won’t give a sh*t about their running game as long as he can somehow contain Rodgers. And that’s the way you should play against the Packers, imho.
Like I said, Billy D deserves credit for this season so far, but I don’t know what his plan was against the Packers.
We definitely need to keep our eye on the Packers down the stretch. Pats @ GB is def very interesting, but I’m also very curious to see how they look on the road. They go on the road to Minnesota this week. But I’m really interested to see them @ the BILLS on December 14th…..if the Packers are for real, and really to be taken serious, they beat the Bills any place any time…but I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see that Bills defense kick there ads at home, and if GB can’t jump out to a 30 point lead in 8 minutes, teams will be able to expose their run defense, pound them, wear that defense down and keep Rogers off the field.
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@Vikings this week
Vs. Pats following week
@ Bills in mid December
.Hone vs. Lions last game of the season which could decide the division
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Those are the 4 GB games im very curious about
Belichick’s never faced-off against Rodgers.
In 2010 — the last time the Pats and GB played — AR was injured.
FWIW, Matt Flynn subbed for Rodgers and made a ton of money that day in a shoot-out at Gillette Stadium.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201012190nwe.htm
Wow…Bellicek/BRADY vs. Rogers for the first time? Color me intruiged,,.
After last nights game — the game plan should be simple as pie vs. Tenn. McCoy/Sproles followed by McCoy/Sproles. In the second half — McCoy/Sproles. Any questions?
Seemed like they blitzed everytime Ben dropped back to pass. I adore laveon bell, he was gashing them last night.
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We can’t lose to zack Metenburg… I’m not concerned with the actual Titans or cowgirls, but I am worries about playing two games in 5’days…we,can not afford any more injuries
No, we can’t loose, bc i’m going with a couple buddies, and I don’t want to wreck my streak of games I’ve went to that we’ve won
Bell waited for his blocks. Eventually the strength of the OL would open a hole for the overmatched DL. Eagles should have that same advantage.
Needs more Polk in 2nd half.
need to relax on the Huff hate….trust me, he is driving me insane too, with the boneheaded mistakes, and I cringe every time a reporter sticks a mIke in his face… While he has been a very frustrating rookie, kid seems to have some nice NFL ability For us to cultivate…. Right now, he is playing like a rookie…hopefully it clicks for him down the stretch. But I won’t worry about him until I see his year two development. Seen too many rookie WR struggle, come back the following year looking like monsters to be too down on Huff..
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Guess I’m just surprised to see one of chips oregon kids, having the Charecter issues… No rookie should ever throw coaches under the bus. I can live with boneheaded rookie mistakes on the field, but check your mouth at the door. If you plan on making it in this city, you better keep the ish “IN HOUSE”. Sooner he learns that lesson, less drama he will face in philly
He started out the same way at Oregon – would flash, especially on difficult catches, then would drop the easy pass. Each year saw improvement…kid has talent, just needs time/experience.
Yeah, I really don’t worry about him developing on the field. Historically tons of really great NFL,WRs had rough rookie seasons. Just because we see rookies have success all around the league, some need more time to transition than others,,,
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As a weapon, I actually like what I see in Huff more than I did when he was at Oregon. We are just scratching the surface with him. Not only will he be a WR we move all around, but I’m sure we will also use him as a gadget player, lining him up everywhere. I’m sure we eventually will see him even lining up in the backfield…. Just surprised that a guy chip personally brought to philly, is sticking his foot in his mouth so much.
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I’m personally expecting Mathews and Huff to grow into really dangerous weapons, and for huff we should see a big yeàr two leap. Hopefully Jordan Mathews takes huff with him in the offseason when Jordan goes to train with Calvin Johnson, Julio, AJ green and the top NFL WRs.. Would do huff some good.
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Huff is important, because Jordan will be groomed into more than a player who just lines up in the slot every play. We need huff to be a slot machine, when Jordan isnt in the slot
Huff can also be used at RB. I love the versatility he brings to the offense.. He just needs time.
Yeah we def will see him line up in the backfield at times, our players are so damn versatile, that there are so many countless option, hopefully we will see the offense expand instead of Always being in a one back shotgun… Heck two year from now after kids develop, you could do crazy stuff like line Up 4 WRs(huff being one of them) 1TE(Burton), no RB… On Like a crucial 3rd and 4… defense probabky has to counter with a dime package, you get them lined up, then motion Burton and Huff into the backfield and Huff can run with Burton as a lead blocker against a bunch of defensive backs who expected a pass because no RBs were in the game
Wow…adrian Peterson suspended without pay for ATleast the rest of the season
If you ask the NFLPA they created a new book just to throw at him.
Lol right!! Did you hear the Righteous Roger Goodells statement? He ripped PEterson a new one from his high horse.
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Strongly suggest reading the statement Goodell made about the PEterson ruling…..even better than that ruling, MUST SEE TV is Robert Griffins press conference after he comes off his bye week, to look like crap, getting destroyed by a 1-8 team…RG3 starts off by saying he wasn’t good enough, but then he went on to talk about how all his team mates weren’t good enough, and how poor Robert is just one man, he can’t win it all by himself…I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from a QBs mouth…. All EAGLES fans HAVE to see RG3 press conference, and then Jay Gruden press conference ripping into RG3 about how he needs to worry about himself, not criticizing his team mates and talking to the media about what anyone besides him should be doing….must see TV for Eagle fans. RG3 vs, Jay Gruden is headed towards REALITY TV ROAD, that relationship is about to combust. Get yo popcorn ready eagle fans
I saw this. It’s a mess down there. You have Jackson Instagramming that can’t do elite things with average talent. Not sure if he’s referencing RG3 or the oline.
Long live Dan Snyder.
Lol it’s going to get very entertaining down there…
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It’s incredible, they fire the last regime because it became a circus, hired a new regime and in year 1,’they instantky become a circus… That’s one dysfunctional mess, it’s close to like Oakland Raider/Maury Povitch, “you are not the father” type of trashy Drama…
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How can pro football team consistently be a joke no Matter who they hire and fire? What are the “constants”? Bob Griffin and dirty scumbag snyder.
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Donavon left so much to be desired as a QB leader. Ridiculous Charecter flaws that would keep him from leading a team to a Lombardi, but Donovan was like the greatest leader ever compared to this idiot RG3
DeSean’s Instagram is one of the lowest things I can ever remember an athlete doing to his teammates. Thank you, Chip, for getting rid of him.
Really!! After getting cut after a probowl year, they accepted him into that locker room….few month later, this idiots is basically on social media posting about how his team mates suck!!
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NFL network loves him, they book him as much as possible because they know he is dumb and will put his foot in his mouth and give up some media gold, while ruining some relationship with his team mates or coaches… They keep booking him as a guest and the idiot takes the bait every time… “NFL network loves me yo..they value myselfs analysis yo”?.. While the producers laugh “dance puppet dance”
I don’t know, maybe I’m more sensitive to the idea that you treat your teammates with respect and you never, ever dis’ them to the press. This is over the line. This is T.O. level bullcrap. This is teams with any integrity won’t sign you stuff. This is lockeroom, “You talkin’ about me?”
Every young man says and does stupid things. Perhaps some day DeSean will look back on this and cringe at how self-centered and oblivious he once was.
It is such a weird and culturally-dependent case. What would have remarked little comment fifty years ago becomes a cause celebre. Of course, AP is not a sympathetic figure and is an easy target.
In Korea, it was customary to use a switch on the back of the calves (ouch–that stings!) or the rear. But parents would improvise and use shoes or rice paddles. Never heard about leaves in the mouth, I got plenty of soap! (I guess that’s better?) Corporal punishment has been the first line of defense in much of Asia. They’re all about the “spare the rod, spoil the child.”
http://kimchimamas.typepad.com/kimchi_mamas/2008/07/old-school-disc.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/spankin24.htm
I thought they set up a new committee to handle things like this.
Let me know when Jim Irsay’s kicked out of the Owners Club.
Probably won’t even happen after he maims some poor family crossing the street.
No way Peterson cops a plea without believing he’s served his time. Why bother? He had a decent shot at securing a mis-trial, at a minimum. And he’d miss the same amount of time.
THERE’S MORE TO THIS STORY.
Completely agree with Tom about Sanchez. Tired of people pointing out his Jets years every time we debate Sanchez. NY Jets is where QBs go to die.. Talking about a franchise whos best QB after Namath was Chad Pennington.
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The only thing Rex, Buddy and Bob Ryan know about QBs, is how to hit them!
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Better offensive coaching, better offensive weapons, better offense….we should see a better QB than what the Jets saw….how much better? Beats the hell out of me, nothing to do but wait and see.l.
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I wouldn’t get too carried away by the Packers game.. QBs who sat on the bench all year, probably aren’t going to perform to well, if 8 minutes into the game they find themselves down 30 points to a hall of fame QB who happens to be on Fire…..I’m sure he will be better than what we saw sunday, the question is how much better? Nothing to do but wait and see… But pretending you know what you will get because of his Jets years, is just trash
Hey, dont’ be ‘dssin’ Chad Pennington. I thought the guy had a nice touch on the ball and had some real potential.
Having said that, if you go to a bar and offer to buy drinks for anyone who likes Chad, you’ll get away cheap.
I liked Pennington since his mArshall days with Randy Moss, but that guy shouldn’t be the second best QB in a franchises that olds history
It’s really simple. The Eagles are not as good as some believe, and not as bad as others think they are. We are a very young team that I believe can be categorized as “on the rise”. However, we are not elite…not yet. You can only do so much each off season. People need to remember we’re dealing with a first-time NFL coach who is barely past the midway point of just his second season. Patience really is a virtue, sometimes.
It’s not that simple… Too often people look at the most recent game, and conclude THATS exactly who our team is…for a young team like us THATS only a year and a half into the program building, it’s a fluid situation, who we are in September, who we are in October doesn’t even matter… What your team grows into come playoff time, September, October is just about making sure you have enough wins to get to the dance in January…
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This is a young team that still has a ton of growing to do.. A month from now, we should be better than who we are today, of course injuries can pop up and slow down your growth..
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Recently we have been seeing some nice growth in a few areas, that all dosnt get erased because of one ass kicking to a hall of fame QB..
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Just look at the last 4’games, and see how much growth we saw from the beginning of they year:
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front 7 has grown into a league leader in sacks
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CB had been playing much better prior to GB game, forcing a handful of coverage sacks.
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This is all a fluid situation. Who we are today, SHOULD NOT BE the same team we see in January… We have another month and a half of growth ahead of us, til we have to put it all on the line in the playoffs. Let’s stay healthy, make the most of this month and a half and improve enough to do some damage in January…
True. We just need the CBs to not let the receivers get behind them. These guys aren’t world burners, but they can definitely play better.
There’s nothing wrong with being average when you’re surrounded by better talent. The front 7 is that better talent. I have no doubt the front 7 will fix their issues. The CBs will be up and down as usual, but if they make only a couple mistakes a game it’s manageable.
Plus we’re not playing Rodgers every week.
It’s funny, there’s a sense of deja vu. I don’t know if it’s realistic. We’re a “good” team, with some “good” pieces, but no dominant pieces that can take us over the top. I guess the decline of Shady, Peters, and Foles will put one in this mood.
Isn’t the correct strategy to ensure that CBs have safety help behind them?
You’re preaching to the choir. I thought they should have doubled Nelson a bit. But it didn’t matter. Rodgers still got out of the pocket and beat us with his feet.
Mark F:
Two things.
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First I agree with you that “[t]he Eagles are not as good as some believe, and not as bad as others think they are.”
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Second, I’ve read before where the Eagles are considered a “young” team.
But looking at position groups, I don’t really see this team as “young,” defined chronologically or by experienced — not beyond the D-line.
I’m defining young as 26 years-old or less and in the NFL for 4 years or less. (McCoy, for example, is 26 and in his 6th season, so he’s very experienced and not “young” for the sake of my question.)
Looking individually at the 22 projected starters — other than on the D-line — the only young guys are: Foles, Jordan Matthews, Lane Johnson, and Myckal Kendricks. And I’ll include Boykin, although his future here looks more uncertain than 6 months ago.
Otherwise, the projected O-line starters — except for LJ and Kelce (at 27 in his 4th year) — are experienced and old by NFL standards. Celek is old by NFL standards. Maclin is in his 6th season and very experienced. Cooper’s 27 and in his 5th season. He’s inexperienced but not exactly young.
On defense, the starting CBs are 30 and 28 years-old. (Nolan Carroll’s 27 and in his 5th year.)
The starting safeties are both 27 and in their 5th and 6th NFL seasons (Allen – Jenkins, in that order).
The OLBs? Trent Cole’s 32 and in his 10th year. Barwin’s 29 years old and a 6-year starter. DeMeco Ryans is 30, in his 9th year, and probably finished in Philadelphia. (Replacements C-Matthews and Acho may be young and inexperienced, but they’re not very good.)
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For me, I’m not seeing the Eagles as a “young” team.
Inexperienced in Kelly’s system, maybe. But not inexperienced or particularly young by NFL standards generally.
That said, at the most important position, the Eagles were definitely inexperienced — until the Houston game. And that’s QB.
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I’m not wedded to this view and certainly open to other arguments.
Foles, Matthews, LJ, Ertz, Boykin, Logan, Thorton, Allen, Cox with guys like Kelce, Maclin, Mccoy, Graham being far from old too there is a lot of young talent but the team has some oldies too
the only place we are old is the o line and maybe the secondary but we aren’t even that old there
Using the word “young” without context doesn’t add much to the evaluation, respectfully.
McCoy is only 26.
But he’s in his 6th year.
Same for Maclin.
Calling them “young” without acknowledging they’re VERY experienced kind of misses the point — in my view — of the people saying, “Oh, the Eagles are young and will progress.”
I included 8 of the names you mentioned.
And I limited myself to STARTERS. Since they play the most.
Plus, for definitional purposes, I excluded anyone 27 or with 6 or more years experience — which covers another couple names.
In my view, players with 6 years’ experience should not be considered “young” — in the sense of “inexperienced” — like Maclin.
That’s the whole point of saying, “oh, we have a young team — which will play better as they get more experienced.”
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Chronologically, everyone on the Eagles is “young” compared to me.
But my premise is that the term “young” is a surrogate for “inexperienced.”
The Eagles’ starters are, generally speaking, NOT inexperienced — except at the D-line.
oh ok, when I am thinking young I think a bit differently I simply think not old so any wr under 28 would be young to me, a RB under 26 a lineman in their 20s a QB under 30 etc. if we are talking about experience and using inexperience as an excuse that doesn’t fly for most the roster except the last 3 classes. I still think we are young compared to many other teams
O:
Totally agree that, if contracts can be worked out, the Eagles have a nice core they can keep together for several years.
A great core, in fact.
But overall, the team’s a pretty seasoned group of guys — except at QB when Foles was in. The injury hurts because it cost him valuable experience.
Yesterday morning on WIP Bill Parcells checked in. Surprised to hear him say that he has been following the Eagles all year, really likes what chip is building and he,views the Eagles as a really good football team…..also spoke about not getting carried away by the blowout to the Packers. Citing that it happens, he has coached teams that got their ass kicked the way we did, but rebounded nicely. Said not to make too much of a bad loss like that, but how we respond against the Titans is important..
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I don’t view Parcells as some fluffer who gives out fake compliments.. That grumpy bastard Keeps it real. Was a good interview, made me feel a little better about the loss
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I thought Howie was like a friend of Joe Banner…I did not know that Howies first NFL interview was with Parcells in New York. He didn’t get that job, but it all worked out for Howie landing in Philly.
Count me as one that’s never been impressed by Parcells. He, IMHO, was an overrated coach. He’s good to very good. Not HOF worthy.
I agree about the blowout. Years ago, Eagles pounded the Cowboys to a pulp. Cowboys won the SB that year….
EYF:
You’re remembering the MNF game in 1992 when — still fueled by Jerome Brown’s death — the Eagles shut down the Cowboys 31-7 in week 4 (off a bye). As you wrote, ‘Boys won the SB that year.
In 1994, the Birds did the same thing to the 49ers in SF, in HB Charlie Garner’s first game after recovering from a rib injury. Eagles won 40-8 — also in week 4 and also off a bye. 49ers won the SB that year.
Sorry I didn’t see you asking about the RG3 comments yesterday…I posted about it on this thread
funny Redskins fans are actually talking about taking a QB round 1 this year lol
LOL!!!!!
saw that; thank you
I remember that ’92 game because one of the announcers commented on our D, saying something like, “The Eagles are in a feeding frenzy.” I just love that line.
Right . . . Great memory.
That was right after Aikman rolled to his right (going left to right on the TV), and threw into the EZ. The ball was deflected up in the air and picked-off by Byron Evans.
How can you remember that detail after 23 years?! You’re the Rainman of Eagles lore!
That phrase — “the Eagles are in a feeding frenzy” — just stuck in my mind, along with that play.
The world looked really beautiful the next day.
Unfortunately, within a month, it was clear the Cowboys were on the way up.
While the Birds — with Kotite at the helm — were really hurt by the loss of Jerome Brown. And not in the same class as Dallas.
I for one absolutely love all these snippets of info you provide on interviews, articles etc Especially considering I live hundreds of miles from “home base” now. Thank you & here’s hoping you continue to churn these type of things out.
The transition towards being a passing league never really bothered me till Sunday. When your CB is slower than a WR , he just has to watch him run by him, and when a QB is as red hot as Rodgers is right now, there is just nothing your defense can do but just watch WR run his rout untouched and then get the perfect ball placement, even if the CB has decent positioning, the perfect throw beats every coverage. QB play that good just breaks the game of football as the rules are set now. Illogical rant end now
Only way to beat the ELITE hall of fame QBs is to put a beating on them… Dawkins believes that the field at Lambeau really hurt us yesterday because when the grass is bad like it was Sunday it hurts the team THATS built for speed. Dawkins talked about when the grass is bad and slippery like sunday, for example you have to go away from your speed rushes, your speed RBs, and switch to “Power” Attack, but our entire team is built on speed, not power so Dawkins thinks we were really hurt at a few positions Sunday by the grass. His words not mine,..,,…
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I do know Maclin felt the need to change shoes after the first quarter.
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With that said, we didn’t lose by 50 points because of grass. A lot factored into the Embarressing game… I mean, when you are playing with your backüp making his second start, you probably aren’t going to be able to go on the road and overcome the packers defense and special teams scoring 21 points…as if Rogers needed help scoring on Sunday.l
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It’s a joke, but we have to get used to the fact that we aren’t allowed to touch other teams QBs, but that our QBs won’t get any calls. We,blow on QBs and have to pay the price, whether it’s FOles or Sanchez, we won’t be getting many calls..who knows, if we got to extend two drives because of the hits they put on Sanchez, maybe we build some momentum and don’t find ourselves down 30 points 5 minutes into the game with a back up QB making his 2nd start in two years…
Even then, the dude was incredible at beating the blitz, anytime we got pressure the ball was out instantly. He’s the best in the business at beating pressure.
Yup…one of the keys to the game for me was being able to get pressure with our front 4… That’s really the only way to slow down Rogers when he is on top of his game… We couldn’t even get to him blitzing, so you know our front 4’didnt stand a chance..
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Just go back to the packers playoff loss to the Giants a few years ago. They were able to beat Rogers because they were able to beat him up with their nascar package only rushiñg 4
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Just remember this the next time GB plays the Lions which could decide that division, that entire game will be all about the Lions trying to rough up Rogers only using its front 4…shame because recent weeks we started getting pressure even when we only rushed 4… That didnt Happen Sunday, and blitzing just made it worse.
Players had off day, speed pass rushers having problem with the turf, a bad man at QB getting the ball out fast, all combined for us getting destroyed, but it was just one game…like Jason Peters said, as bad as it was, it’s not like it counts as 3 losses.. Lol
How does everyone view the NFL landscape these days?
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Very difficult to find team on 3’game winning streaks, who haven’t gotten blown out once in the last 3’games…basically it’s only the Patriots, who IMO are probably the best team at this moment. And the Cardinals, coach of the year Bruce Arians… I don’t mean to be disrespectful, because pig face arians has done am hekuva job thru all the injuries, but I just don’t fear the Cardinals AT ALL! I guess I like How we match Up against them. If we can’t finish as the #1 seed in the NFC, I’m hoping Cardinals can hold on to the top spot.
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Greenbay looked really good these last two weeks, but they still have so much to prove on the road. Really keeping my eye on how the Pack performs on the road down the stretch…
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After those two teams, I struggle putting another NFC team above us at this moment. But I reserve the right to change this opinion because of the unknown at QB… .. Lions don’t scare me the least bit, Niners and Seahawks are sinking ships with trouble in their lockerrooms.. I don’t think either of these teams will be a Real player in the playoffs.
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Saints sucked all year, one redeeming quality was they were tough as nails to beat at home, now even THATS gone after the bengals came into their house and spanked them!..losing Cooks for 5-6 weeks is a major blow..we do still need to keep an eye on them having a hall of fame QB in a disgraceful decision that might only take 6 or 7 games to win….
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I know this is only year and a half into what we are BUILDING in Philly, and normally I would be patient and give this team the proper time to grow and not let my desire for instant gratification turn me into the typical dumb Eagles fan, but the NFC is soooooo damn Wide Open, that it’s hard to not want to take a run at this thing right now. We know that who goes into the playoffs hot with momentum is important, but it might never be as important as it is in a year where this is all so wide open. It’s rough sitting here in mid November, the crucial final stretch of the season right around the corner, and have no idea what we have at QB…but judging Sanchez on a game where he found himself down 30 5 minutes into the game probably isn’t the best barameter,
At the beginning of the year, I picked a Green Bay – Denver Super Bowl. At this point, in the AFC I’d say it’s going to come down to Denver or New England. In the NFC, GB will be tough to beat if they get home field in the playoffs. After the Cards win over Detroit, with Stanton as qb, I’m finally accepting they are real. Then, dare I say it, stand the Eagles. Without going into too much detail, I think we are solid enough in almost every aspect to make a playoff run. The exception being the defensive backfield, which, alas, is quite a significant exception.
I just can’t help but not to fear the Cardinals. I respect the year they are having, and I do buy them as being a very tough team to beat, but I guess I just feel like we match up well with them.
If I had to pick a team to give a higher seed than us to, it would be the Cadinals…going to arizona, just doesn’t scare me, we beat them last year, arizona and the refs beat us this year, I would love a win or go home tie breaker for a trip to the Super Bowl on the line vs. Them… I like how we match Up with them and they can’t ever get more help from the refs than they got the last time they barely beat us
Agree with your overall assessment, and would add that every contending team is one key injury away from mediocrity. There’s still a lot of football to be payed, and we’ve entered the cold weather season. Let’s see how well the indoor and southern teams fare in below freezing temps with wind, which is all the more reason the Eagles must find a way to get their ground game clicking again. I still like our chances a lot, especially if we stay healthy down the stretch.
True true,,all good points..
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my “script”(expectation) for this season was a 12-4 season. I’m not sure yet if that script needs to be amended with FOles going down or if Sanchez keep us on course, but We,just got our butt whipped, but I still think 12-4 is very attainable for us, if the injury bug leaves us alone,.,
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The key to 12-4 IMO is going to be how we overcome the biggest ass whipping since Denver and handle this tough stretch of two games in five days, the second being a key division game vs, Dallas… If the BEATDOWN at the hands of GB fuels us to pick up these next two Key wins, then I absolutely think we don’t have to adjust the “script” and can continue on Our path to 12-4 which would ensure us a division win.
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These next two games are extremely winnable for us. But they are soooo Damn important that for the first time this season Im nervous. A loss to the Titans or Dallas right now would be really bad news….we need to get Sanchez and his troops confidence to go into DECEMBER ready to handle business against the seahawks and Cowboys part Deux..
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Titans have a pretty good pass rush, Ray Horton will blitz the hell out of us..this is the game we need to get our run game going. Shut down the Titans meh run game, while getting our run game going, and should be fine against the Titans.
Even if there pass rush is having a good day, or pass rush at home should be on point, and I do trust Sanchez to handle a pass rush more than Rookie Metenberger….need to get our run game going THIS WEEK against the Titans, get thru the game healthy. Be nice to blow out the Titans and be able to rest our starters in the 4th since 5 days later is the dallas showdown.
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Crucial crucial next two games!!! Hopefully sunday gets her quickly because I will be a nervous wreck til this Titans game… For the first time this year “my script” for the season is being threatened
Pats are winning the SB is the way I see it. Another parade I have to avoid.
I dunno. Kind of thought their Super Bowl winning days are over and they will ride out their careers as the ultimate cock tease every year, fooling fans into false hope. No post SPYGATE superbowls!!!!
Nah, they trounced denver during regular season last year on to get whalloped in the playoffs.
In hindsight we could of given up our 3rd to move up to get cooks. Might be a lot to move up few spots but essentially that’s trading Smith and Huff for Cooks. Seems like a sweet deal now.
But our biggest problem isn’t a slot receiver. It’s either CB or 2nd Wideout, and Cooks doesn’t have the size Chip wants for blocking in the run game.
I know it’s not a need just talking about a realistic opportunity that could of been had. As for the blocking I think if Cooks was on the board at 22 he would of drafted him regardless of his size.
I think so, then we wouldn’t have gone after Matthews or Smith.
we should have taken Brady in the 5th
Tommy, you didn’t mention the cleats. I know it could be a detail, but from your post yesterday, you mentioned a lot of people slipping in the team mistakes: Peters, Maclin, McCoy clearly not having usual feet awareness, defensive players slipping… I don’t like to take the equipment as an excuse, but in that case, it was clearly the reason of some big plays that eliminated any come-back idea.
By the way, I like the fact that no player mentioned that, even if some could have.
On the air Dawkins talked about how he thinks the grass definitely hurt a team that’s all built on speed like us. RBs, pass rushers everything built on speed, aNd when the field is bad like that, you have to switch from speed to Power. Start power pass rushes, power running like polk…. Dawkins believes that it definitely played a role in the game… But a lot more than just field conditions have to go wrong for us to get our asses kicked the way we were
…Maclin did feel the need to change his cleats after the 1st quarter, doubt he was the only eagle.. But you don’t get slaughtered the way we did, just because of a slippery field…alot went wrong
I agree on the fact that it’s not the main parameter. But against a team when you need to be perfect to be in the game, you cannot have slipping players (that led to incomplete 3rd downs, a sack and a TD at least in what I painfully remember).
It certainly played its part, and I too would prefer not having to deal with that, when we have enough to worry about with Rogers
I dont know, GB is also built on speed minus Lacy and it didnt bother them. Heck, they barely run the ball anymore either so its speed at WR. Unless I just assume they had the right cleats to start but we had pregame to figure that out maybe, who knows. In terms of FA CBs, not sure those guys would have signed here anyway to add to the money/character. Talib Im sure was all about Peyton and Denver once they made an offer. Good point he makes about the holding, it didnt matter. I was more upset that they couldnt get any of those fumbles and the bad snap. Every one bounced right back to them, frustrating.
“Unless I just assume they had the right cleats to start but we had pregame to figure that out maybe, who knows. ”
Who knows, but we can assume the Packers are quite used to have the good equipment on their field in these conditions. They clearly should have checked that during the pregame, and I’m surprised they didn’t. But clearly, players slipping that much is not usual, especially when the other team does not.
The biggest problem to me isn’t Sanchez or our corners (though they are a real issue); it’s the failure to get the run game going with any consistency this year. There are a lot of justifications for this that I buy – e.g. the lack of O-line consistency and loading the box – but justification has crossed the line into excuse territory.
The offense is predicated on a couple fundamental run plays. Screens and packaged plays more broadly key off them. That’s the core offense, its strategic identity. Shady is a serious problem right now. He looks like an indecisive, shell-shocked young QB behind a leaky O-line, and shouldn’t at this point in his career. Sproles and especially Polk need more carries. Chip needs to use the 3 TEs he has on his roster for heavy run sets that he can pass out of too. It’s the best way to increase the odds that QBs like Sanchez and Foles can post great numbers.
There are a few more games to get the run game back on track, but it needs to gather some momentum to make any kind of serious playoff run with whoever’s at QB.
By biggest issue with sunday was the leagues top ranked special teams not showing up to play. On the road @Lambeau it was crucial for us to win 2 of the 3 phases of the game to overcome the advantage they had at QB…we got whipped on in all 3 phases..
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I don’t mind playing our hearts out and losing by a yard in San francisco when we were trying to overcome 3 young inexperienced players all playing mext to each other on the interior of our OL..
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But I can’t stomach us NOT SHOWING UP like we did on Sunday. There is NO WAY that sunday accurately depicted how these two teams match up against each other in January and that sucks.. Win or lose, I was looking forward to testing ourselves, a barometer game showing us how we stack Up. How much work we have to do…and we decided to not even show up…I was ok with a loss if we could grow from it, and learn from it….but the only lesson to take from Sunday is that if you dont showup, you will get embarressed on sunday.
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Had we known before this game that the Green Bay offense and special teams would combine to score 21 points.there probably wouldn’t be much reason to even watch the game……
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I have no friggin clue what we are going to get from Sanchez. But I do know that it doesn’t even matter if his supporting cast doesn’t show up. Mark Sanchez ismt Going to will us to many wings. Starting QB goes down, it’s up to everyone to rally, step their game up for the backüp QB…when that doesn’t haooen, it will look a lot like sunday,
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However, when Healthy, outside of the QB position we are a pretty damn good, well coached team that improves as the year goes on, and who this year has been able to help carry our QBs when they struggled to a 7-3 start….I think/hope that when our supporting cast plays up to its capabilities, it should be a lot to compete with a backup, even if we just make him a game manager
A long shot, but if everything were to somehow stay the same.
I don’t see why we can’t take the second seed. It is totally wide open with 4 teams at 7-3.
These next two games are EVERYTHING! Rebound from the ass kicking to win two games in 5 days and that will give us the momentum we need to kick ass in December and stick to the 12-4 script…then again, if we win these next two games in 5 days, we will be 9-3, and the rest of the schedule would be:
Seattle traveling to philly. Their run defense will be in complete shambles by then.
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dallas at Philly. NO RESPECT for these clowns. If we handle them in Dallas we can handle them in Philly.
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@Giants
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@ Skins
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If we can win these next to games and go 9-3, 12-4 is absolutely in our site, and running the table finishing 13-3 probably isn’t completely out of the question with this remaining schedule…
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packers already have 3 losses and have tough games like Patriots, @Bills, Lions….. Basically I think we are competing with Packers for that #2nd seed…
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Then again, that’s with me making assumptions that Sanchez will be better than what we saw as a jet
I hate to say it GEagle but we have NO Offense. None, Zero. To even beat the Titans, you have to execute on offense – and we can’t.
For the Eagles to have any chance, we need to establish a run game and do something, anything, to replace Fletch. He does not have the speed to keep up with good WRs and frequently gets out of position, even when trying to make a tackle. OCs have seen how bad he is and will target him frequently. Third and 25 will be no problem with Fletch in the game.
Sorry to be negative, but I am pissed about this offense and a couple of losers on D.
Relax…you are judging our offense after it found itself down 30 points in 5 minutes to a hall of fame QB who was on FIRE!!!… I can assure you Zack Mettenburg will provide a “different” dynamic lol……down 30 game plans go out the window…so far what happened in GB is an ANOMOLY
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People forget that shady had the best stretch of 4 games in his career, culminating in the trampling of the Texans just a few weeks ago. Since then Kelce and Mahis have had a few more weeks of training, and knocking some rust off whle tobin has had some time to adjust to playing on the other side, and Lane and Tobins chemistry has had some time to gel….
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I can’t pin point exactly when, but I’d bet that if offensive lineman stop getting injured, we will see this room game back to operating the way we know and love…which then makes like easier for whoever i QB is..
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You are too good Of fan to be a prisoner of the moment. You know your team is better than you saw on Sunday. Be easy.. Titans and Dallas arent imsourmountable tests.
wow I haven’t seen you down before. Buck up!
Titans stink…our defense will crush Metenburg and san key led offense!
Fletch was balling against Carolina. Remember when everyone thought Sconces was the worst?
Need to stop the turnovers. We are something special to have this record with our differential
This is Chip’s second year, and D is transitioning from a bad 4-3 to a surprisingly solid 3-4. People need to relax as our new-nemesis Aaron Rodgers would say.
Also, for reference, Cards vs winning teams:
W vs. 49ers at home
L (big) vs. Broncos on road
W vs. Eagles at home
W vs. Cowboys w/ Brandon “Let Me Help You Win” Weeden
W vs. Rams at home
W vs.Lions at home
So they’ve done well at home. Take out the Cowgirls game b/c Weeden, take out the Rams b/c they’re solid but won’t be a playoff team, and they’re 3-0 at home, 0-1 on the road.
Now they’re likely gonna have home field at this point in the playoffs, but look at their offensive numbers. If Rodgers can get even a 14 pt lead on them, how the hell are they gonna come back if he doesn’t throw a pick 6?
The Cards scored 0 for about 80% of the last game.
Their D is good, Bowles is good, but they feel like they’re squeaking by (granted their injuries). Their road offense puts up 24 ppg vs Broncos (shoot out), Raiders (suck), and Cowboys (mediocre D and the Weeden impact, again).
If the Cards win the SB, they’d be the worst offensive team since the ’63 Bears to win the title.
Bears ranked 10th out of 12 teams in offense.
But the ’63 Bears had a triple-crown defense (like the ’91 Eagles).
Think they will have some problems in January football:
1) They are equipped tor stop the run, which is crucial in January. But I can also see them struggling to run in January footbal which probably would mean too much on Stantons shoulders
2) They can shut down the run, solid in coverage, but struggle to generate pass rush with the front 4. Live by the Blitz, die by the Blitz sort of pass defense…when you play against Peyton,Rogers,BRADY you don’t want to have to bitz them every time. Can’t generate pass rush with your front 4, great QBs will make you pay
TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
I’m no odds makers, but I’d set the Cards’ odds of winning the SB somewhere below Baltimore’s but above Cleveland’s.
I just don’t see Drew Stanton getting it done in the playoffs — when the quality of the opposition rockets up.
I agree… Maybe if he had some Demarco Murray type of run game in front of him that could push him into game manager mode of only throwing 20 times a game, he could win some games… But the cardinal RBs have been playing thru injury since October, by January they should be pretty worn down,….ultimately they will probably be forced to ask too much of their back up to win in January..I also think we match Up real well with us, so if someone has to finish with a better seed than us, I hope It’s them… Super Bowl is in arizona this year isnt it? I’d gladly see us go WIN in Arizona in January to get aquinted with the field for early Febuary 😉
Besides Ellington, were the Cards depending on another RB before the season started? More of a power guy?
BTW — Le’veon Bell . . . that was some hard-ass football the last 15 minutes. (Saw your comment abt him earlier)
What’s his name.. Idiot that got arrested for domestic abuse right around the time of the Rice SCANDEL..what’s his name?
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They also have the other Back, Stephan taylor or something who is also banged up. It’s ellington/Taylor tandem now, both playing thru injury
Jonathan Dwyer – late of the Steelers and GATech.
Yeah, that genius…I always confuse him with Rainey for some reason… I don’t know where Dwyer fit in their plans but they certainly are light at that position with taylor and Ellingyon playing injured…I’m sure that team will be drafting a RB in May, pass rushers too.
Concern of today:
Eagles are on pace for 40 turnovers. Over last 8 seasons, no team has made playoffs w/ 35 or more TOs. Just 1 team even had winning record.
Records are, as they say, made to be broken.
Yes, sir!
WOW!!! Earl Wolff placed on injured reserves ending his season…everyone favorite, Roc Carmicheal is Baaaaaaack lol
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Panthers waive Avant
was he hurt or benched?
I was real high on wolff, what happened to this guy?
I was high on him too…this sounds really bad,..as in Get out of our face you are benched Bad.
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Just figure he was healthy and practices these past two weeks and they didn’t let him dress for two games. The kid is a super athlete, I’m sure he could also play special teams, but the fact THAT he isn’t ATleast playing special teams, is not a good sign at all.
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If you put a gun to my head, my best guess would be we are really turned off by him not being willing to play thru injury which is the NFL Scarlett Letter, but I don’t know that to be fact
but Carmichael? come on now
What’s wrong? You don’t miss him punting balls that should be downed at the one, in the back of the ENDZONE?
lead foot
We have Trey Burton for that now, and he’s bigger.
Let’s hope he’s the 2014 Chung in comparison to last season…
Basically he’s a softy that can’t play threw a stomach ache. I clearly exaggerate but Wolff would get any nic and use it as an excuse not to play. Good riddance I hope they cut him next.
seems odd to IR him when he hasn’t shown up on the Injury Report this whole year. That is some shady Belichick stuff right there.
I like it if we can get away with it
we learned a few things on Sunday.
If you have an elite QB it doesn’t matter what system you run or how fast you go. it doesn’t matter if you get the D line huffing and puffing.
It doesn’t matter how good your defense is or how great your running back is.
it doesn’t matter who the coach is or what the culture is.
if you have an elite QB all that matters is you have a couple good WR for him to throw too, not the best WR’s just pretty darn good ones and you can score a ton of points and not turn the ball over.
Relax..Rogers doesnt do that every week…but yes, when hall of fame QBs get hot, your only Chance is to hit him hard and often..if you can’t put a beating on him, a hot hall of fame QB is going to shred you…
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What really makes Rogers a complete Bastard is that he not only is surgical from the pocket, but the few times you are able to pressure him, he is able to take off with his legs…..pocket passers like BRADY, Manning, Rivers, FOles… They don’t have those Jets…. Only thing close to a passer like that who can run is Luck if he continues to develop
yeah that was a nightmare how he would escape. just when you thought we had him….
And he is a small dude, all it takes is one good hit, one time Fletcher cox weight falls on him on the wrong spot and it becomes a completly different game….but that bastard Cockaroaches would always escape
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That’s what worries me about Sanchez, similar size to Rogers.. I miss our Big 6’6 230lb gunslinger who could take a hit or two,…for guys like Sanchez and Rogers, they really can’t be taking hits, because it won’t take much for it to be the Hit that changes the entire game
yeah foles is tough
The nature of how officials call games is the basic reason why I’ll never gamble on any games, even though I think I’m pretty good at analyzing how things *should* go. Inopportune holding (non)calls effectively can make games effectively unpredictable.
It’s also why you should always cast shade on anyone who thinks exceptional talent isn’t worth it for whatever reason. If the dude isn’t Lawrence Phillips or Aaron Hernandez, then it’s pretty much *is* part of your job description to handle divas.
Because it’s like this–While I have yet to see Andrew Luck on one of his better days, what I *do* see of him is a moderately talented passer who relies an awful lot on defenses making errors, unforced or otherwise. Luck’s speed and agility at his size are far more remarkable than his arm or his play-processing ability. That largely means that I know that if Andrew Luck should face any sort of serious defense with talent and discipline, that defense can shut his ass down passing-wise, roughly comparable to how Matt Ryan fares. That Indy squad needs to stop thinking about how to make Luck look good, with spending so many draft picks on offense. Check it out, the only high round defensive pick that Indy has gotten seems to be Bjoern Werner. They got Vontae Davis, and LB D. Jackson in free agency, but there isn’t anything like a real cupboard on the defensive side of the board, which would be true even if Mathis was healthy. And that’s how you get games like what we just saw Sunday Night.
Talent is talent is talent. Superluminary talent is rarely free of assholism, because each and every one of those guys knows just how special they are. That’s why Dez is the way he is. That’s why Cutler is the way he is. That is, in effect, why Kathleen Battle is the way she is.
You have to be able to battle through bad calls and misfortune and toxic workplaces. When people are complaining that the officials are missing holding calls–that’s an indictment on the DL more than it ever was the officials, unless you’re talking about some really egregious stuff. The Patriots line hold all the time, and don’t get called for it. However, that has not ever mattered for the Terrell Suggs of the world. Our defensive situation, believe it or not, is fundamentally more recoverable than Indy’s. It just needs a true difference maker on the line or LB. Bradley Fletcher isn’t that good, what with never looking back for the ball, but he was pretty much consistently being put in bad position trying to handle Nelson one on one with a DL that wasn’t getting to Rodgers.
The Patriots employed an extra offensive lineman (Cameron Fleming)
for 37 of their smashmouth running sets, which opened gaping holes for
Gray and in turn, predictably, opened the passing attack for Brady and
his boys.
Hey Chip do you read the NE papers?
Until we are willing to acknowledge that their are other ways of running the ball besides Shotgun, we aren’t going to get off… When you stack the box against shotgun run that wants to spread you out, the counter is to throw outside until it forces you to loosen up in the box so we can run…maybe you can ask that of FOles, but you can’t ask your backüp to get the run game going for us….you have to adjust, get out of shotgun, teams want to stack the box? Sub Dennis Kelly in the game, put Casey and Celek in the game, with Tim Burton Lead Blocking for Polk amd run the damn BOX OVER!!
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You can NOT ask the backüp to loosen up the box so that we can run out of shotgun, fuck shotgun for a week or two. It ain’t the Only damn way to run the ball.
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Adjust to different formations where we can IMPOSE OUR WILL in the run game against a defense THATS stacking the Box. Establish the RUN 1st, so that it can protect our backup QB and make things easier for him, you know, get in a Rythem, tempo,wear down defense, yada, yada, yada…
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Stop asking backüp QB to loosen things up for all pro running back…change the damn formation and use the all pro running back to open things up for the back up!!!!
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wait, so you’re agreeing with me right?
That we need to get the DAMNED run game going no matter what? ABSOLUTELY!!
Interesting/crazy wide open season. The NFL is like the Wild West, who’s going to step up and seize control? This is a unique opportunity for a bunch of franchises because for once there aren’t the big powerhouse teams to try and overcome,,,, NO ONE is great, everyone is very flawed… Who can hide their flaws the best down the stretch while exposing their opponents? The NFC doesn’t run thru @ seattle any more. Peyton manning just scored 7 points in a game, his team has OL issues, amd RB issues and they greatly rely on RBs to block for Peyton….Andrew Luck lost his run game when Bradshaw went down for the season Sunday. Now his run game is at the mercy of trent Richardson. luck throws enough INTs on his own, take away whatever run game they had, and they will be forced to ask more of Luck, when they should be stepping up and asking less of the kid.
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The Lions are an “elite team” these days….anyone afraid of them?
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Crazy crazy year, which team is going to stop getting injured and plant their flag and tame the Wild West, and seize Lombardi glory?
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Big Big Big Unique opportunity for starved SB teams such as ourselves,
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And after this year, things will get crazy, balance of power will be shifted. You figure the VIkings want NOTHING to do with AP. pEterson still has enough in the tank to really tilt balance of power if he goes to a contender….Seattle is going to jettison the BEASTMODE, and he has ATleast another year of Terror, what if Lynch jumped ship to go protect Peyton Manning?… Who knows where those RBs are going to sign…what about Demarco Murray? Will Jerruh get greedy, piss away Murray to sign AP?
I love your optimisim, but the path through the nfc looks like its going through lambeau, and nobody’s winning there, sorry to tell you
Huh? You think GB is a lock to finish with a top 2 seed? Maybe we are a bad matchup for them, doesn’t mean someone else can’t go to Lambeau and knock them off like Giants and 49ers who both beat the great Rogers in the playoffs at lambeau
Green Bay still has to play New England and finishes the season against the Lions. It’s possible they finish with 2 more losses and don’t make the playoffs. Depending on what is going on in the East with the Eagles and Cowboys, and in the West with Seattle and SF, the Lions-Packers finale could push one of those teams out of the playoffs. This season is still wide open.
Earl Wolff IRed. Roc Carmicheal is back. I’m ok with Earl being gone, but ROC?! They can’t find anyone else?
You mean, they can’t find anyone else who knows the defense in November?…probabky not,,unless you prefer Marsh lol
Holy smokes. Again. Earl Wolff to injured reserve & we sign Roc frickin’ Carmichael. Wolff bypassed the doghouse & went straight to the humane society.
If the steelers defense is scoring off of Mettenberg you know our defense needs to score this week.
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Hold up, I forgot about our,turnover streak!!! Did the packers turn the ball over?
Nope, the streak ended quietly. Vinny Curry forced a fumble on his sack, but GB recovered. That was as close as we got.
Ugh…crap, I liked that streak. Guess block punt doesn’t count as turnover. Lol I’m reaching
they also had a missed snap that we couldnt recover. I thought it was 2 fumbles and the snap but maybe it was just one. I was so annoyed they couldnt get one of them, just bounced right back to GB every time.
Didn`t they block a punt?
That’s not the same as a turnover.
Chip made me spit my coffee lol funny dude,
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Yesterday, day after disaster press conference, someone asked him if the DEA agents visited us in the locker room, citing that the DEA is showing up to opposing teams locker rooms league wide because of some painkiller SCANDEL or something, I don’t know the entire issue… But chip literally hadn’t heard about it yet, he is looking at the reporter like God No the DEA didnt visit us.. He said “I don’t know anything about that.. WE LOST. But no need to pile on lol Holy Smokes lol the dea”….
DEA is investigating whether the team doctors/trainers are giving out pain meds on the road. By law, not allowed to administer outside of offices, something like that
Ben Tate and LaGarrett Blount both were waived today.. Id assume the colts try to claim one since their hopes amd dreams currently rest on trent Richardson with Bradshaw being DONE FOR THe YEAR,
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Word is Wolff put himself on IR.. “lesions on his knee”… Not sure how true that is tho heard it on radio
lesions?
what the hell is that?
My understanding is that lesions in the knee joint result from a lack of blood supply to the affected area. The lesion shows itself in a small area of the cartilage that covers, for example, the part of the femur that meets the tibia.
Intense activity will aggravate the symptoms. If left untreated or ignored, a piece of bone and cartilage where the blood is not flowing can separate from the remainder of the femur and float around in the knee joint.
Apparently, the cause of lesions like this is unknown.
Rest is the general protocol. If that doesn’t work, then surgery.
so its not legion Aires disease then?
well maybe wolff really has been in pain and not just A pain
this is great info btw, thanks, I borrowed it but gave you credit
I have an osteochondrial lesion on my talus bone (ankle). It’s part of a larger osteoarthritic issue. It sucks, hurts to walk. I probably sprained my ankle 20+ times during high school playing football and basketball.
I don’t know if the is the same thing as Earl, but could be.
I’m 33 by the way. Can’t tell you how much this thing sucks.
Twitter has quotes from him so it looks legit.
how good did Bell look running last night.
he runs hard and straight ahead.
we need a rb like that.
maybe we have one in Polk but chip hates us to seem him
Hes amazing at hesitating and then bursting. He has incredible patience waiting for the blockers to create the holes. We have McCoy who Im fine sticking by still at this point. He will get his at some point in the next few weeks imo. I thought he showed just a bit more pop this last game if his toe really is bothering him. I wouldnt mind if they used Polk/Sproles more either though
Can’t stay healthy. If Polk had 30touches in a game he’d have to go on IR.
This could get interesting/ugly:
Just saw Matt Tobin in the locker room asked him why he wasn’t at practice and he just walked away. Something is up. #Eagles
Per Jeff McLane
saw that…
Probably benched after his awful game
Sad but probably true.
Tobin realized that McLane was the one who keyed his car, and instead of retaliating to his face is plotting his revenge quietly.
Think it’s much to do about nothing. Prob injury or personal business. If this were a demotion, he would have been working with the 2nd team, my understanding is he didn’t practice… hopefully he practices tomorrow
Concussion. His status for Sunday is uncertain. Not good.
Jesus,mwhen the hell did that happen? What the FOCK does a man have to do to get some OL continuity this season. WTF lane is in year two, how many different Guardsare we going to ask him to develop chemistry with? If Tobin didn’t get it during the game, wtf happened?
Am I thrilled with Huff? HEEECK no. Do I hate him? Equal parts no. The kid is a rookie WR, had an injury, and really hasn’t gotten practice time with the starters. Not to mention he has had some terrible luck. Every mistake he makes has been amplified because it had a huge impact. JM just had a pass go right off his hands that would of been a huge gain (when it was still a game), and I haven’t heard much about that. It also didn’t deflect into the defenders hands… Has he been running in the gunner role at this year or even practicing it? Was he just forced in there because Boykin was hurt? If so I think that would be his first play at the position this season. He misses the tacke? Okay that happens all the time. Just so happens it went for 6.
It is pretty apparent that Huff has game break ability. He also has a little bit of a rain cloud over his head. Is that there to stay? Who knows, but he needs time before being judged, in my eyes.
I agree I think Huff will be a weapon for us for a long time.
he is tough and can make plays, he just hasn’t shown too much yet, but he will be good.
I look forward to when he breaks games open, instead of apart.
Good one.
Wolff on IR they resign Roc?? So is Roc here to replace Fletcher or play ST?? They only been dressing 4 CBs lately.. Is 4th round pick Watkins still learning he cant get on the field either??
I’m willing to admit the team can’t draft DBs…
Why? Jalen watkins is a talented kid, we haven’t even seen yet. Curious to see Reynolds next year, he will have had this redshirt year to learn our defense, means he should be ready to play fast and show us what he can do at camp next year…they used a late pick on Poyer who 3 different NFL coaches wanted on their team, he even gets some playing time…..
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You can’t make a statement like that til you see THIS CURRENT personel department spend a top 100 pick on a defensive Back that can’t turn into a high quality starter by year 3…. We haven’t invested high picks in DBs yet which makes sense for a team that’s at the beginning of the building phase. You build from the inside out…makes sense new regime wanted to get right in the trenches before worrying about the backend…
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We want this to be a complete puzzle but it’s not we have some building and developing left to do. It’s just that chip has done such a good job competing NOW that we loose track of this…
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We look at what we have as us having a good team that can compete now, but I’d bet chip still thinks we have a long way to go before we have the team he plans on bringing to this city. Took seahawks 4 drafts to build their team… That would mean we are half way there… 2 more,drafts means like 6-12 new, hopefully upgraded talent…
There’s a reason why they haven’t in two years…
I won’t bad mouth watkins or reynolds since they aren’t dressing right now. But they aren’t dressing right now.
To be clear i’m ok that we don’t do well drafting personnel (Howie is still the GM) but then i think they have to be more aggressive in FA.
LOL why havent they been cut yet? We feel sorry for them? Paying them hundreds of thousands of dollars in charity?
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But they havent provided philly fans any instant gratification so logically they are garbage picks destined to be complete busts….marcus smith hasn’t provided any instant gratification, obviously he sucks. Who cares that he never played ILB a day in his life before like a month ago, and that he has 3 OLBs playing out of their minds right now ahead of, if hecant learn to play ILB a new position, in one months time well enough to play at an NFL level and provide ANON and all the genius Eagles fans instant gratification, he obviously SUCKS!!! And when the great infallible Mel Kiper,thinks he shouldn’t have been drafted in round 1…you know he is destined to be garbage,
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Hopefully the eagles stop wasting Anon and their brilliant fanbases time and just waive Marcus, Wolff, Reynolds, and Watkins so they stop wasting roster spots Nd we can sign some Real talent off the street
When you haven’t had a DB the team can be proud of in 5-6 years, but you only spend late round flyers on DB picks then i think you have to wonder what’s going on there.
What’s going on? Theyrioritized building from the inside out first..first year regime spends top pick on LT, second year on edge rusher…3 highest valued position in football QB,LT, Edge Rusher…pretty standard team building 101.. Unrealistic fans slave to instant gratification, are the problem, not the way this team is being built
Watkins was a 4th. Wolff was a 5th. Reynolds was a 5th.
For reference, here’s the chart of the historical success rate of DBs taken that late in the draft. 14-17% success rate is about what we’re getting.
http://eaglesrewind.com/2013/01/29/hacking-the-draft-comprehensive-chart/
If you’re referring to Jarrett, Allen,and Marsh, well… point taken. But Coleman far exceeded what he should have been expected to be as well.
I think if we were better at drafting DBs we’d draft them higher. I think the staff doesn’t want to waste resources on a position where they are so hit or miss. Or they think they think what they are asking DBs to do is something totally different than what they are asked in college and so they’ll need tons of training no matter what round they’re picked in.
We’ve needed DBs here for a long time but havent gotten a guy we can hang our hat on.
It’s really surprising how many of the consensus top DB’s the last few drafts have turned out to be as bad as our DB’s. At least we didn’t trade picks away to move up and get one, like Dallas did (muahaha).
Yeah glad we didn’t get stuck with Vaccaro. Maybe the point is that DBs are too hit or miss for everyone for people to allocate high draft picks there?
ya prob, hows Dee Millner doing. Its crazy because theres such a premium to get top players there but such a risk. Not like QB though but safety is getting there
Haven’t heard much this year. I know last year he was benched…
from philly.com
“The 1-9 Jaguars had a bye this week, but that didn’t stop Dwayne Gratz from seeing a little action.
Yesterday, the starting cornerback missed practice after an early-morning arrest in Miami for trying to use bubble gum to purchase items from a store.
Police said Gratz had no money, smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. When asked to exit the store, Gratz told police, “No, I’m not leaving.”
Gratz, a third-round draft pick out of Connecticut in 2013, has started seven games this season. He was charged with disorderly intoxication and trespassing.
Bail was set at three packs of Juicy Fruit and two boxes of Chiclets.”
At least our corners are mostly sane.
Doesn’t Wolff’s neighbor comment on here? We need a report. Sit by the upstairs window with the shades drawn and a telephoto lens. Lets see what kind of shape that knee is really in…
Might see more than his knee lol Say no to stalking haha
I assume Carmichael being resigned is more about Boykin’s nagging hamstring than it is Wolff’s injury/burial. The team seems to like Carmichael’s special teams abilities, his kicking the ball into the endzone last year not withstanding. He’s not here to start–at least not on purpose. I think he’s here to be CB depth in case Boykin can’t go.
Wolff’s situation is what it is. Everyone in fan land seems to think the guy is just a whiner, as if every player on the team doesn’t understand that sitting out means the end of their career. If the kid doesn’t feel like he can play, I think the couple hundred thousand dollars he’s potentially losing is reason enough for me to believe him. Besides that, if the team truly wanted rid of Wolff, they’d have cut him. The reason they didn’t is because another team would likely poach him based on his measurables.
Is our system terrible? Looking at AZ they got Cramartie for a song and he’s balling. Plus he’s got so many kids you know he’ll work for a check
Not sure what that has to do with my comment?
yeah I went on my own tangent thinking about how no one on our roster is decent. Also what happened to boykin? 7 picks in 2013 now gets roasted?
The rumor is that he’s playing through an injury.
He is just a band aid.. You don’t “build” with Cromaries and DRC’s… How many years total will Cromartie spend in Arizona? Lucky if they get two good years out of him….that’s a signing you make when you are like one piece away. We are trying to build something…
You do know who our CBs are, right?
Yeah, the dudes we went 7-3 with and that are good enough to be in first place in the division with
HAHAHA. Great logic.
That’s not to say we can’t draft other positions well, we get good lineman late, great running backs all over the place, we probably could get a good WR late if we wanted, but it just seems like DBs are an achilles heel.
Yeah, who cares if we can’t beat playoff teams with our CB’s. We owned Chad Henne!
As far as our division, we haven’t even played Dallas yet…
Grown ups are talking kid.. Piss off simleton
we beat Luck. and the Giants sure thought they were good, as did everyone else until we rocked them and sent there season spiraling down
we can only play the teams on our schedule guy
CBS playesf pretty well down the stretch last year, made big plays against Dez to get us into the playoffs and defended Brees and his WRs with some solid play in the playoffs…. Safety was a much bigger problem than corners in playoffs…
If you want to have an honest convo, corners didn’t play bad at all down the stretch last year, and the year before Cary played well down the stretch and made some HUGE plays against Brady’s and Manning who tried to pick on him…they went home, Cary got a Super Bowl ring…
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Two years ago he was a Super Bowl winning corner, aka a proven corner you can win with…flawed, yes, frustrating, at times, ultimately in crunch time he is a corner that has been proven to be able to win with at the highest level .. Tell me how you are going to replace Bradley, before you worry about Cary…
I never said anything about Cary – but there’s an issue when he’s the most consistent guy on the roster.
We absolutely need more secondary talent. That’s not even disputable.. Saftey and outside CB… I just need Cary to stick a around long enough to not pencil in a rookie CB to start like we did when we penciled in casey Mathws as our starting LB under andy Reid… I want Cary and Bradley in place until a young Talent develops and proves that he can no longer be kept on the bench…. ,.and this goes for every position… The more we can transition from veteran to young player gradually, the better off we will be… I’m strongly against cutting a veteran and just penciling in a draft pick and assume our rookie CB will be alright in a year where we are contending
if it wasn’t for Cary we would not have made the playoffs last year.
he saved the game against the cowboys on that 2 point conversion to Dez.
Yup yup…I also wouldnt mind extending Bradley Fletcher, because having Brad and Nolan are two high Charecter veterans, with experience playing outside and slot corner that would be professional about moving to the bench into depth roles, once the young corners we draft are developed and ready to take over.
This from 24/7:
“Actually, the way he describes it “between the bone” may be a lesion on the meniscus (otherwise known as cartilage); it’s not unusual for this to only show up on MRIs and it is not only painful but it can be totally debilitating. If you research this a bit, you will see that treatment includes surgery but it is really dependent on the grade of injury. Perhaps the concerns and confusion can be traced back to the severity of the injury, which isn’t always readily apparent.
I’ve been critical of Wolff but I admit I have to take a step back; his body may have been telling him one thing and the medical folks just didn’t see it and he ended up trying to play through a worsening injury. Hopefully, he and the doctors are now in sync and the knee will be treated properly.
If he comes back, it will be like getting a bonus draft choice next year.”
PFT Top Headline: Chip Kelly says Marcus Smith will get playing time when he earns it!!!! WHOA!
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Stop the presses! BREAKING NEWS!! That crazy “college coach” in philly doesn’t believe in giving away playing time! That Cooky college coach has this crazy idea about playing the guys who play the best in practice…. Will this revolutionize the league forever? Or get him chased back to college? Lol
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I really don’t understand the media. Are they dumb? Or just clueless? Marcus is a RAW OLB drafted so we can develop into an OLB that can rush the passer, set the edge and drop into coverage. At This current point in time, Philly has 3 OLBs playing out of their minds ahead of Marcus Smith… We are momentarily STACKED at his position, weak at ILB, a position marcus NEVER played in his life….so we can’t play a rookie OLB over 3 OLB having BIGTIME season. And the kid has only been learning ILB a month ago, yet we make him out to be a bust, because he can’t learn the ILB position well enough in one month of practice time to perform at an NFL level?
..Do the jackasses realize that the REAL story would be if Chip were playing Marcus ahead of 3 veteran OLBs that are playing LIGHTS OUT?
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Stupidity is at an all time high, harrissing chip about a rookie OLB not being able to play ahead of 3 of our best defenders? That’s news?
that’s funny you keep calling him an OLB. When’s the last time he’s practiced there? I think CK is talking about him getting in on a rotation of Casey Matthews and Emmanual Acho..but keep going.
Bet you anything you want he will be an OLB next year… If he is going to be an ILB, then you won’t see the Eagles draft Kemdrick lil brother or some other ILB high in the draft, if they indeed plan on moving our first round pick to ILB…but that won’t happen, and you will see the eagles prioritize ILB in the draft…
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STACKED at OLB, and WEAK at ILB, and it’s that funny that he spent some time at ILB?
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FYI, he ismt even playing ILB, he was learning ILB in certain subpackages like Nickel package…when the hell have you seen Marcus smith playing ILB in a 3-4’behind two gapping ILBs? When the hell has that happened this year?
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It hasn’t, the kid is good in coverage, we spent a few minutes putting him in subpackages where he would be in a position to use his ability to drop into coverage. Amd people slapped the ILB label on him lol, and the slaves to instant gratifction took it and ran with him playing ILB lol get real
He’s not playing ILB b/c he’s not playing. I think ILB could be a good role for him great cover guy, can let Kendricks fly around, can cover TEs, etc.
Actually in a 3-4 it’s the OLB and the safeties job to cover TE man to man. Think to the saints game. You never saw Kendrick matched up with Jimmy Graham, that was Connar Barwin who was OWNING Jimmy in the playoffs… When you see Kendrick matched up on Witten that happens when Mykal drops back into zone and the TE happens to go work his part of the Zone,,.when we play man coverage, you will either see the OLB or Jenkins matchup on TEs..ILBs like Kedrick typically have to cover RBs coming out of the back field, that why you would see Kendrick on Green Dog blitzes rushiñg the QB every time his man, the RB stayed into block, no one to cover, Rush the passer,.green Dog blitz..
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By your definition, you want Marcus playing OLB lol
Saw Kendricks covering TE on the slant TD on Fletcher.. Lucky ball didnt go to the TE coz Kendricks was trailing
Eagles Insider ✔ @EaglesInsiderFollow
Davis: Smith II isn’t playing outside right now, and the inside position will grow him and help him grow as a complete linebacker.
6:20 AM – 6 Nov 2014
See how the season plays out.. But for now looks like hes staying put
If kendrick is on a TE, it’s either zone coverage, or some nickel or dime subpackage where Barwin and the OLBs are down lineman playing as 4-3 DEs…
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At no point have we seen marcus Smith play ILB in a base 3-4 to my understanding… His coverage ability is what is transitioning the easiest to the NFL, since Kendick is the only LB we can have THATS good in coverage, it makes sense to put Marcus in a role he can best handle, so we use him as an ILB in Nickel, when Barwin,COle,and BG have their hands in the dirt as DE on 4 man lines….
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Until we see marcus smith in our base 3-4, lining up at ILB, playing behind two gapping DL, I wouldn’t get to carried away with this ILB talk… He has a role in a subpackage that is labeled ILB, but it’s a role we have also used Barwin in…. It’s not at all our base defense ILB… When COLE and BG are in the game together as 4-3 DEs, we have also used Barwn in that second ILB in Nickel package role….but that’s very different and a very long way away from playing ILB in a 3-4
Nah was man coz he was chasing the TE with his back turned.. If is was Zone he would of had the play in front of him or let him pass coz he had safety help over the top.. I get what you talking about now playing the Mack/Buck/Mike in the base 3-4 alignment
I know Marcus has everything to grow into a great OLB..ILB for him IMO is much more of a crap shoot. I’m not used to seeing him run sideline to sideline so I have no clue what he could do at ILB…but I’m drooling over his raw OLB ability…
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My Question is what happens at ILB, Meco’s spot! My Dream is drafting Kendricks brother, and having the two brothers fly around making plays, but I’m not exactly certain of THATS possile… When you look at Demeco Ryan, he stylistically differs from the kendrick boys, Bigger, more Physical, shed Blockers type of MIke ILB to pair with Kemdrick, flying around making plays… So I’m not exactly 100% sure we would be ok playing with two kendrick brothers in the middle of our base, if NOT, and we want to go a BIGGER more Physical route at Kendricks running mate, the Ideal Candidate for me is Miss St Benardrick McKinney…not too many 6’5 ILBs with his type of athleticism around…
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I’m hoping we are fine giving up some size, to have two explosive, 3 down kendrick brothers flying around the middle of our defense, with athletic Rotation of Barwin/Dion Jordan, BG/Marcus smith, rotating in at ILB 😉
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And we would have two kendrick brothers, marcus, Dion, Barwin all types of linebackers that can drop into coverage and be 3 down players in the modern NFL with the freak TEs. ;)”””
Think he was playing passing downs in replacement of our less agile ILBs.
I’m thinking his time at ILB could be a permanent gig.. Could turn out to be Eagles version of Timmons.. Who knows
He isn’t even playing ILB..get real,.. He is most comfortable in coverage right now, casey and Acho are better against the run than in coverage, so we spent some time seeing if we can use his coverage in certain subpackages… He isn’t really playing ILB….at NO POINT have we seen him play ILB in a 3-4 behind two gapping DLs… He ismt playing ILB.. We are using his coverage in subpackages that you can label as ILB, we do the same ish with Barwin in coverage at times in certain subpackages…that’s not transitioning to ILB….
So you say there are 3 OLB playing better than him now n he cant beat them out for playing time.. So next year we are hoping he can beat them out? Or is Cole n Graham goneski after this season?
I dont think there is an answer to that question. I think ideally we want all 4 them here, being ready to produce so we can have a fresh rotation, two waves of OLBs like we do on the DL and ILB….but for all 4 to be here, sacrafices will have to be made and I have no idea what renegotiation COle and BG would agree too…not only do they have to agree to new contracts but they see the writings n the wall. Soon the first round OLB is going to get snaps, they will have to be ok with the rotation understand the kid will start cutting into their snaps..
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My understanding of Brandon Graham is he is borderline desperate to prove his worth so he can stay here long term. He wants to be here really bad and that says a lot because we never even let him start. He turned himselff into a well rounded OLB and he is even playing ST like a beast…it’s not going to be an issue working out an extension with BG..I’d guarentee he is here next year, COLE I have No idea what he is willing to Sacrafice, what he prioritizes the last few years of,his career… IF he is willing to a more cap friendly renegotiation and understands that the kids are going to start cutting int his snaps, I’m sure we would love to have him back possibly finish his career as an Eagle on a pereniel playoff team
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I’m expecting an ILB drafted in the first two rounds, I actually wouldnt at all mind turning him into Timmons, I just don’t believe that’s the direction we are headed…but what the heck, we need OLB and ILB I would be happy to have him perform at a 1st round level at either position, I just believe ILB talk to be exaggerated
Yeah i hear where you coming from. My ideal situation next year is signing Justin Houston if he hits the market. Then having Smith at ILB.
Yeah it’s unclear how good our OLBs are. OLBs are expensive and i don’t think we’ll go there. Coaches have to be happy with OLB perforamnce as a group and the types of people have there. ILB is weaker but maybe only b/c Goode is injured. Putting good back into the lineup it’s hard to see where MSII fits in. It’s unclear that he’s progressing at all (if he were i think Kelly wouldn’t have used different words — Kelly said the same thing about Smith as he did about Wolff, which is different than the types of things he says about Reynolds, Watkins, etc.)
Shoot. Sigń me up… Love me some justin Houston
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I’m an Eagles fan, I ain’t married to any players. feel Free to UPGRADE ANY POSITION they want UPGRADE, means a better team…I’m down for upgrades anywhere, If it’s improvement, works for me… But when allocation of resources come into play, I have my ideas about what will be upgraded and what won’t be upgraded, but I’m ALWAYS,DOWN TO UPGRADE ANY POSITION… Justin Houston would be the best edge rusher on our team, I’d give him a piggy back ride from the airport to Novacare if it happened, I just wouldn’t hold my breath expecting it to happen… We won’t be giving 50mil to any other teams olayers til we get all our young players signed long term.. Then if there is one missing link, that’s when we will go out and make a splash, but only when that splash will get us over the hump…we are,more than 1 player away at the moment