Some QB Perspective

Posted: December 1st, 2014 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 292 Comments »

We have discussed and debated the merits of Nick Foles quite a bit this year (last year as well). After his injury, Mark Sanchez became the hot topic for discussion. Could either one of these players be The QB the Eagles need? If Sanchez continues to improve, do you put him above Foles despite the fact he’s a few years older?

As we think about these questions, I think some context is needed. The Eagles are looking for Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew Brees. But you have to take a couple of things into account. First, the rest of the league is also looking for stud QBs. That’s why the talk of “Trade up for Marcus Mariota” is so silly. Teams in the Top 5 or Top 10 will move up for him, if the first team in the draft doesn’t take him or makes the pick available. The Eagles will be down in the 25 range. They will have literally zero chance at him.

The other factor is that there aren’t 32 stud QBs out there. Just because you want one doesn’t mean you can have one. You can draft a QB really high, but there are no guarantees he’ll work out. You can try to develop a QB over time, but that has failed as well.

Think about Colin Kaepernick for a second. He first got on the field in 2012. He helped lead SF to the playoffs and then put on an amazing show in their win over GB. Kap threw for 263 yards and 2 TDs. He ran for 181 yards and 2 TDs. SF put up 45 points and looked like a machine. They barely lost the Super Bowl that year, but did score 31 points in the game. Kap did his part.

Kap got better in 2013 as the full time starter. He threw for 21 TDs and only 8 INTs. SF doesn’t throw a lot so you look to his numbers more for efficiency than gaudy totals. He finished with a QB rating of 91.6 and the team won a couple of playoff games before barely losing in the NFC title game. Life was good.

This year things have been a mess. Kap’s numbers aren’t awful, but they have regressed. The offense isn’t clicking the way it has in the past. In the last 5 games, SF has scored a total of 73 points. By comparison, the Eagles have scored 76 points in the last 2 games. Kap has only thrown for 250 or more yards once this year and he had an 80-yard TD help to boost that total. Beyond the numbers, just give him the eye test. Kap looks like a mess. He doesn’t look anything like a franchise QB.

Think about RG3. I don’t have to explain as much on him, but do remember that in 2012 he had one of the greatest seasons ever by a rookie QB. He was doing some things the NFL had never seen, but he did them amazingly well. Don’t overlook that fact. RG3 finished with a rating of 102.4 and had 20 TDs, while only throwing 5 INTs.

RG3 had some bad luck after that. He got hurt and his relationship with Mike Shanahan became very strained. Shanny is brutally tough on his QBs and can be a real son of a gun when things don’t go right. This year RG3 was healthy again, but had a new coach and new system to learn. Then he got hurt in the season opener and things have been a mess ever since.

At one point Kap and RG3 looked like they would be dominant QBs that might change the game. Now they are both struggling. For those of you who think this is all about mobile QBs, go check out Andy Dalton and Matt Schaub. Pocket passers can melt down just as well.

Here’s an interesting question. Would you trade Nick Foles for Kap? Would you trade Nick Foles for RG3? Straight up. No other picks.

It sure looks like RG3 is done in WAS. He has a ton of talent, but needs coaching and stability. Chip Kelly and the Eagles would offer both. Jay Glazer says Jim Harbaugh is gone after this year. That could mean Kap is available. The new coach might prefer a more productive passer.

Part of my point in talking about Kap and RG3 is that they are special physically. Both are fast runners. Both have great arms. Foles is nothing like them, which frustrates his critics. They don’t see anything special. Why would you want that guy as your QB?

I don’t know what the Eagles will do at QB in the offseason and I’m not even sure I know what I want them to do. I’ll admit that adding RG3 fascinates the heck out of me. I don’t think he’s been totally ruined, but he does need work. I think we’re all still unsure about Sanchez. He’s played 2 clean games (CAR, DAL). He’s put up good numbers, but against mediocre to bad defenses. This week is a huge test for him. Will facing Seattle bring out the best or worst in him?

Sanchez played pretty well on Thanksgiving, but the Dallas defense was bad. He’s got to show he can play a clean game and lead the team to points against a tough defense. At the least, I think Sanchez has shown that he can be a good backup. Could he become Kelly’s version of AJ Feeley?

For now, we’ll see what Sanchez can do. He’s got a great opportunity in front of him. You can tell he’s having a great time and is really enjoying getting to lead a real offense for the first time in his NFL career. If he can clean up his mistakes a bit and play smarter, Sanchez can enter the 2015 offseason as a wanted man, something that seemed crazy just a couple of months ago.

* * * * *

I wrote a By The Numbers piece for BGN looking at some impressive Eagles stats from this year.

It really is amazing the way players have flourished under Kelly and his staff. I didn’t get into all the great things that Dave Fipp and the STs units have done this year. For years I watched teams block punts and FGs and always wondered “Why can’t the Eagles do that?” This year I’m getting to experience that, as well as the great returns, and it is awesome.

_


292 Comments on “Some QB Perspective”

  1. 1 Corry said at 8:22 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Chip Kelly: Quarterback Whisperer.

  2. 2 370HSSV 0773H said at 8:25 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Kap > Foles > Sanchez > RG3

    I would take Kap first because I think he can be great in Kelly’s offense. He’s gotten caught up in the whole mess in SF. He thrived when SF ran the ball, which we do a lot.

    RG3 is a headache I don’t want. He’s not a team-first guy and is injury prone.

  3. 3 Javi Echie said at 1:43 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Don’t know how Chip would feel about Kaep, a guy that can’t go through his progressions. He seems to want a QBs that can see the field and through his reads. I would be fascinated to see him in this offense though

  4. 4 Dan said at 2:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Do like an X-files I want to believe thing and take the brain out of Foles put it into Kaepernick?

  5. 5 Javi Echie said at 3:25 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles’ brain in Kaepernick’s body i think would be Chip’s dream QB

  6. 6 Jernst said at 5:14 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Agreed! I’d be really interested in seeing Kaep in our offense. I think the reads are relatively easy. The process of learning is relatively simple and repetitive. And, the correct throw is usually wide open. I think he would be a complete stud in our system.

  7. 7 Dominik said at 10:13 AM on December 3rd, 2014:

    As long as we’re dreaming, let’s put Peyton Mannings brain in there. 😉

    Which is not a shot at Foles at all, obviously.

  8. 8 Media Mike said at 6:13 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    No thanks on Kaep.

  9. 9 Scott said at 8:33 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles doing well means any mediocre QB can come in and be successful.

  10. 10 Ben said at 8:35 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Some interesting considerations (I think) about Foles…

    We were insanely pass happy with no real running game when he played this year. With the running game functioning again no one expects 27-2 or whatever it was, but can he be way more effective again? Is durability an issue with him? He’s tough as hell though.

    Seeing this offense, I definitely think Chip values accuracy and getting the ball out quick over a QB’s ability to move (frankly I felt that way about his Oregon teams, too).

    Since finding Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady, etc. is statistically insanely unlikely, and I don’t know if RG3 is the character guy that Chip would want, the question is what could we win with?

    Could we win with Sanchez if he continues to improve a little bit? He was a top 5 pick, has tons of talent, and heck Big Ben and Eli have 4 super bowls in recent memory.

    The one thing I think would be nice would be if we could get a guy who could move well enough on the read option to even pick up 4 or 5 consistently and make the right read (like Sanchize vs. Dallas on drive 1).

    Again we don’t need Kap speed, but Rodgers speed with the ability to make good reads on the DE would be significant.

  11. 11 Jernst said at 10:06 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think you’re dead on. I think these last two years have shown that the way this offense operates and with an improved defense and top notch special teams play, this team not only has a chance, but has a reasonable expectation to have a chance against any team in this league as long as it gets mediocre QB play. Literally the only QB that this team seems incapable of being competitive with is Matt Barkley. It’s a real shame there wasn’t any top QB talent in Chips first year when we drafted 2nd because, since his offense is so good even with mediocre QBs we’ll never be up high enough to draft one again during his tenure.

    What if really like to see, then, is us start turning over the 3rd QB spot. If Barkley doesn’t show just one thing that makes us confident that he can ever be the guy, then I’d like to see us use that spot on developing potential stud QBs that fell out of the top of the draft or fell out of favor with their current teams and hope we eventually luck into a true top 5 QB. I just think with the amount of reps our backups get, we’d be ideally positioned to take advantage of that spot to develop a young QB or work on a reclamation project that has all the top athletic skill you want but never put it all together for whatever reason. Just don’t waste that spot on Barkley if he’s never gonna be more than a No 3 QB who you’d have no faith in if he ever had to play for a couple games.

  12. 12 Gary Barnes said at 9:12 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Both Foles and Sanchez are Alex Smith types with Eli Manning upside….if the run game is working and the OL is doing its job, they can effectively execute a play action pass game in order to add another dimension to the offense especially if the D/ST do their jobs and the team can build a lead. The lead really is crucial since it allows the offense to stay balanced, minimize turnovers, lets the team play field position and gives the D the ability to go after the QB more aggressively.

    The big differences are Foles has a stronger arm/can make more types of throws with better accuracy and Sanchez is more mobile & effective in the pocket. I think Foles handles pressure better and is probably a leader the players would follow more readily…if everything is going well Sanchez is very good, but we have seen under pressure he will fold hard. Both are prone to turnovers. Thus neither are franchise QB (yet) and I only see Foles having a real shot to become one…therefore I ride Sanchez this year, but stick with Foles overall.

  13. 13 Jernst said at 9:47 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Good analysis…I really agree with pretty much everything you said. Ultimately, I think it all comes down to whether or not Foles learns to climb the pocket rather than run backwards. If he breaks that bad habit, he’s a top 15 QB which is good enough. If he doesn’t he’s bottom 10, because he lacks the natural ability to overcome that lack of pocket presence.

  14. 14 fran35 said at 10:23 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I actually thought he was great at climbing the pocket last year and even his rookie year. That was one of the things that I thought was strong about his game. This year….backpedaling like crazy. But I agree, with the line solid and healthy, Foles is a good option, especially at his salary.

  15. 15 A Roy said at 1:26 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    My recollection of the first half the season was that he had no room to climb the pocket. OL struggled quite a bit until guys started coming back.

  16. 16 Jernst said at 1:29 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yes and no. I remember this being the case here and there, but it seemed that once he (rightfully) lost faith in the oline, he started to panick and run backwards even when they gave him a good pocket. A lot of the edge pressure he saw was created by his puzzling desire to set up 16 yards deep on a lot of his drop backs.

  17. 17 A Roy said at 1:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    That was an accurate assessment. At some point, he started to get happy feet.

    Some years ago, as part of a fund raiser, I was part of a group that ran a dunking booth. Everyone was supposed to give an hour of their time to sit in the booth. Some of them had to come out early because, although the dunking wasn’t especially painful, the constant anticipation of IF it would happen drove them nuts.

    Once you’re hit enough times, you anticipate getting hit.

  18. 18 anon said at 2:24 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yeah that was frustrating.

  19. 19 fran35 said at 2:02 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I agree, sometimes that was the case. But later, as Molk got more comfortable, the pressure was not there quite as much. I just have this feeling that Foles was so nervous about Molk and Tobin playing matador that he thought backpedaling was the better option. I really think that when Nick steps up and sets his feet, he can make every throw on the field well.

  20. 20 Jernst said at 5:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I feel the same. It’s a vicious cycle for a young QB. He starts out under pressure and starts to develop the habit of back pedaling and bailing the pocket early. The more he back pedals the more pressure he creates for himself, because it’s impossible to block the edges for a QB that’s 16 yards behind the LOS. The more pressure he sees, the more his impulse to run backwards is reinforced. The more pressure he sees, the more he focuses on the rush, fails to set his feet properly and throws more inaccurate passes and the more he starts to press and get in his head and it just spirals out of control.

    Here’s a great video for everyone who thinks that Foles’ propensity to back pedal and run backwards was always present or that his decreased numbers/success were the sole result of a lack of running game, or going to pass happy or just a reversion to his true mean. Not the case, at all. He was a totally different QB last year. Watch this video and tell me that this isn’t a completely different QB from the one you saw this year.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmEsU6vielE

  21. 21 Jernst said at 1:27 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I completely agree! I was shocked by his reversion to Kevin Kolb 2.0 this year. People forget how adept he was at climbing the pocket and dealing with pressure last year. I know he can do it…we just have to hope that it was a combo of instability along the oline and a snowballing of bad habits that can be broken.

  22. 22 A_T_G said at 10:07 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    “…with Eli Manning upside….”

    You take that back. You take that back right now.

  23. 23 Gary Barnes said at 10:14 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    LOL…I admit it hurts, but Eli has crafted a good career and 2 SB wins out of being a game manager who can run a play action system based off a good run game, effective OL and strong defenses.

  24. 24 daveH said at 2:22 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    NICE!

  25. 25 Dan said at 3:01 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles and Sanchez are nothing like Alex Smith, have you ever watched him? Smith passes almost every pass 10 yards or less and if his first reads are blown will take off running. These two are nothing like Alex Smith and Alex Smith is nothing like Eli Manning.

  26. 26 Gary Barnes said at 3:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Eli, Foles, Smith and Sanchez all fall on the game manager arc depending on their team accomplishments; Eli has obviously achieved the most and Foles the least as of now, but they all are the type that will perform their best with a strong running game and OL plus a D that rushes the passer well and turns the ball over effectively…none of them are elite QB since, as we’ve seen, when one or more of these components are missing or not working well their performance drops off. We all know what bad Eli and Sanchez look like…we saw bad Foles this season.

  27. 27 Bartleby the Scriv said at 7:57 AM on December 4th, 2014:

    LOL … Eli won the Super Bowl in 2011 with the DEAD LAST ranked running game in the NFL and the “strong” offensive line you reference was, in 2011, LITERALLY the worst graded O-Line in the 9 year HISTORY of Pro Football Focus … Eli threw for 5,000 yards that year … and, oh yeah, the Giants had the #27 ranked defense in the NFL (worst ranked defense, BY FAR, for any Super Bowl winner) … soooo… yeah… GAME MANAGER LoL …

  28. 28 Gary Barnes said at 3:54 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Actually Smith has 29 passes over 20 yards this year, completion % of 65.1 overall and only runs if he has to…he is quite good at going through multiple reads so I’m not sure what you are basing your conclusions on.

  29. 29 Dan said at 4:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Gary, my conclusions are based on stats and facts, cherry pick what you want, Alex Smith has 2364 passing yards, with 1309 coming after the catch, accounting for 55% of his total passing yards. He has 228 completions, which would average to 10.37 yards per reception, however, at 55% coming after the catch, he is averaging 4.6 yds at reception. Your comparisons of Eli Manning, 3080 with 1325 after the catch for 43% of total passing yard with 277 completions making it for an average completion of 11.1 yds per reception, with an average reception at 6.3 yds and Foles 2163 with 1048 after the catch for 48% of his receiving yards, with 186 completions for an average of 6.04 yds per completion makes your statement far from accurate. Combined Foles and Sanchez have 51 passes over 20 yards, 10 over 40 yards while Smith has 29 over 20, 0 over 40 yards. This is the exact point I’ve made.

  30. 30 ICDogg said at 9:28 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t see the Eagles being in a position to make a major upgrade at QB this year.

  31. 31 bsuperfi said at 10:24 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Agreed, but I do see them able to bring in a lottery ticket.

    Best case scenario to me is if Foles or Sanchez has a super-efficient playoff run. The QB doesn’t have to be “elite” and carry the team on its back, but the QB does need to play clean games consistently, convert key 3rd downs, hit the open receivers, make a few tough throws, and let the run game do its work.

    The next best (and lottery ticket) scenario to me is if we bring back Foles, Sanchez, and some other guy with talent like RGIII who hasn’t put it together yet for any real stretch. Let them fight it out. It’s tough to imagine RGIII coming in and beating Foles or Sanchez in the offseason, but I’d be pretty interested to see what he looks like after a year on the bench.

  32. 32 ICDogg said at 9:31 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Obviously we’ve seen that a QB is better when the O-line is better. We’ve got a good O-line but adding another good young O-lineman would make us better now and into the future as we’ve got a few older players on this line.

  33. 33 Jernst said at 9:43 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I certainly wouldn’t mind a top right guard. Someone that could slide out to RT when Lane eventually replaces Peters at LT in a few years.

  34. 34 bdbd20 said at 9:50 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Unless we win the SB, I can’t imagine that Sanchez is here next year. Too many teams need a QB. I would assume Doug Marrone and Jeff Tedford are anxious to get a guy like that.

    If Chip is not sold on Foles, I do wonder if we might try and make a move for Ponder/Locker/Manuel/Geno Smith.

    If Chicago makes Cutler available, does this change the equation?

  35. 35 Buge Halls said at 9:50 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Geno Smith? Really??? Good Lawd, the kid can’t even beat Mike Vick!

  36. 36 Michael Winter Cho said at 1:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Neither could Foles.

  37. 37 Buge Halls said at 11:00 AM on December 2nd, 2014:

    Really? Who’s in Philly and who’s at the Jets? Seems to me that Foles kicked Vick right out of Philly!

  38. 38 Michael Winter Cho said at 1:29 PM on December 2nd, 2014:

    Foles got the job when Vick was injured. That being said, I actually agree with your original point. I’m not interested in Geno Smith. RGIII, yes.

  39. 39 Buge Halls said at 1:35 PM on December 2nd, 2014:

    And when Vick was healthy, who held onto the job? Foles.

  40. 40 Jernst said at 9:56 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I hope not…jay cutler is so imminently and easily hatable

  41. 41 Gary Barnes said at 9:59 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Disagree…Foles is better than Ponder/Locker/Geno and Manuel already…no interest in Cutler. The advantage of a young QB like Foles is we are not paying him franchise $$. We have one more year to see if Foles can become that level of QB – I’d see Sanchez probably moving on and Kelly bringing in another vet backup unless Barkley can make a jump in his development. QB is important, but there are also other areas of this team that badly need help (secondary, backup OL, LB) as well.

  42. 42 lovesbigfool said at 10:04 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles with Locker as the back up next year. Unless we go to the super bowl (win or lose) with Sanchez.

  43. 43 ian_no_2 said at 10:27 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Ponder/Locker/Manuel/Geno Smith are busts that can’t/ won’t bounce back like Sanchez has.. Sanchez wants to play in Kelly’s system and has learned it better than the others that have played for him and everyone they could conceivably get

  44. 44 Insomniac said at 10:45 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Can you tell me the numbers to win the lottery too?

  45. 45 Dan said at 3:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Ponder is god awful. I’m amazed he still has an NFL career.

  46. 46 Avery Greene said at 10:40 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    If you want to trade for someone, trade for Kap. He’s going to be on the block and I think he can be corrected.

  47. 47 Insomniac said at 10:51 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t want Kap’s contract.

  48. 48 Avery Greene said at 10:54 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    $12, $14, $16 mill isn’t too bad if he’s your franchise. That’s his salary 2015-2017.

  49. 49 Insomniac said at 10:56 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Trading picks for him and eating up a ton of cap space isn’t worth it.

  50. 50 anon said at 10:57 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    You wouldn’t trade ed reynolds or josh huff for Kaep?

  51. 51 Insomniac said at 11:01 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Nope. Kap is so overrated.

  52. 52 bill said at 11:03 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    And if it doesn’t get re-worked, that contract pretty much forces you to have him as starter, because even though it’s not ridiculous, it’s still a fair piece of the cap, and I’d bet would be the highest backup contract in the league by a fair margin.

  53. 53 anon said at 11:27 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    This is a good point. But he’s cuttable after every year.

  54. 54 Avery Greene said at 10:58 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    If he plays to his capability, this is a bargain price. I wouldn’t give up more than a #3 for him. I think it was ACViking or someone else that put 3rd round picks in perspective. Giving up a 3rd for Kap if he’s the man is not giving up much.

  55. 55 anon said at 11:00 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yeah Kaep goes through 1-2 receivers and then runs. That’s exactly what this offense requires. Go through progression, we’ll hand the ball off almost 50% of the time, you can do 5%-10% keepers and we’ll ask you to throw to wide open guys.

  56. 56 Avery Greene said at 11:03 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Chip Kelly has taught us that he will tailor the offense to the QB. Foles they went deep a lot more, Sanchez is more intermediate throw, and Kaep would probably be a mix of both (since he does have a decent arm).

    Kap might thrive in this system and he has more weapons.

  57. 57 Jernst said at 5:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think Kaep would be great in our offense. But, I think the plan will be to fix Foles next year and earliest we’ll see a major investment in the QB position is 2016 when either you’re paying Foles or doing something drastic and trading for Kaep.

  58. 58 Michael Winter Cho said at 1:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    He is playing to his capability. Information processing is more important than the arms and legs to a QB.

  59. 59 anon said at 2:09 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    nah, if you can’t throw it doesn’t matter whether you make the right decision.

  60. 60 anon said at 10:59 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    There’s no way Kaep gets out of SF at least not yet. I’d be surprised if they didn’t let RGIII stay the offseason in washington if they can’t get a 3rd for him (I wouldn’t give more than a 6th).

  61. 61 bill said at 10:59 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Kaep still can’t make it past his first read, and stares that read down to an unacceptable level. Harbaugh’s a perfectionist coach, so I’m sure it’s something he’s had Kaep working on all these years, and if anything, he’s regressed there. Kelly would have to essentially abandon the 4 verticals play that seems to be a favorite, because if you thought Foles had trouble getting to the 4th read effectively, Kaep will show what a train wreck it is with a QB who can’t make it past the first. His accuracy is a step below Foles’s, too.
    I think Kaep’s hit his ceiling – he can be an effective QB for a team with a dominant defense that only needs to score about 17-20 points a game, so long as he maintains his speed. I don’t think Kelly’s master plan envisions planning on having such a top-notch defense.

  62. 62 anon said at 11:03 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Run fast, Kaep has the arm to toss a deep ball, receivers are generally wide open in this scheme. No QB has put himself above reproach in the scheme. You can see that to take the offense to the highest level you’ve gotta have a mobile QB. If Sanchez can get 10 yds Kaep is getting 25, Shady gets back to easy running and we just throw the ball to maclin 11 times a game. Ertz can become effective again b/c we don’t need a TE blocking all the time.

  63. 63 Insomniac said at 11:04 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Just resign Vick for 1/5 of the price then.

  64. 64 Avery Greene said at 11:05 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think Kap has a higher upside.

  65. 65 Insomniac said at 11:07 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Of course he does. He just doesn’t warrant any time or assets to give to get him though. If we wanted a QB like Kap, we’d draft Brett Hundley next year.

  66. 66 Avery Greene said at 11:11 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Vick isn’t taking us to a Superbowl, Kap has been there.
    Sometimes you gotta pay to get what you want (or need).

  67. 67 bill said at 11:13 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Kaep went to a SB with a team that should have gone the year before with Alex Smith, if not for 2 horrendous special teams gifts to the Giants. It’s hard for me to say that Kaep really was that much of a difference maker.

  68. 68 Avery Greene said at 11:19 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t disagree with that and it pained me to see how that game turned out. But, Kaep has def regressed this year and I think it’s more coaching than him.

    If we look at our situation, Kelly has shown he can take an average QB and make them look good. I’d be interested to see Foles when he gets back, if he puts all these questions to rest. Foles will be here because he has a year left on his contract. Everyone wants the true #1 QB (as do I), and so we want Foles (or any QB) to do it all like Rodgers, Brady, or Manning.

    Can Foles be that guy? The jury is still out, but as fans some of us think about the larger possibilities of someone who is a true #1.

    Sorry for the length, just wanted to let you know my reasoning. I would love to see what Kelly could do with a QB that’s a true #1.

  69. 69 bill said at 11:28 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    No need to apologize, it’s a message board. My posts probably run to the verbose side from time to time (ahem)!
    I actually agree with everything but the causes of Kaep’s regression. I’ve seen no indication during his career that he can progress through reads, and I’m sure Harbaugh has tried to improve that. Kaep’s just not been able to improve there, and this year, they leaned more heavily on the passing game (especially early in the year) and Kaep just continued what he had always been, but with getting more than 25 att/game, his flaws were just exposed to a greater degree. I don’t think Kaep’s a true #1, because I think what you see is what you’re going to get. Foles is cheaper, and has some potential to improve (he’s probably going to be near his ceiling next year, though), and I’m far from convinced he’s a true #1. Wherever Kaep ends up, he’s unlikely to be a backup, given that contract, and I don’t think he’d be the better QB in this system. Even with his struggles behind a horrible OL this year, I like Foles’s game better than Kaep’s for an offense based team.

  70. 70 Insomniac said at 11:13 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Kap is also not winning without his stud defense.

  71. 71 anon said at 11:26 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t know whats going on there. They don’t run the ball, Kaep has thrown well before but he’s not this year, I gotta think the coaching situation is part of it, but he’s playing terrible. You know who else played terribly and was run out of a city? They guy who is winning games for us right now.

  72. 72 anon said at 11:24 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    didn’t i mention durability?

  73. 73 bill said at 11:08 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Has the arm, but not the vision or necessarily the accuracy. Again, people were complaining about Foles not getting to the wide open 4th read. Kaep *never* makes it to the second. Throwing to Maclin 11 times a game probably means that he’s seeing more than half the pass attempts, and probably equates to 1+ INTs per game. Teams will just double him late, after Kaep’s eyes go upfield, since he will throw to his first read, and with Kaep’s accuracy issues, well, it’s a real problem.
    And as I pointed out yesterday, people are just making stuff up about Sanchez opening up the run game. If you go to Chip Wagon, the first play he can show where the DE actually respected the Sanchez keeper was in the 4th quarter. Sorry, but the OL and Shady dominated that game on their own merits.

  74. 74 fran35 said at 1:54 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    This is a dead on assessment. Kap reminds me of Randall Cunningham Version 1. He is terrible at seeing the field. Horrible. And when he does see that his first(and only) option is open, he is often inaccurate. Can he run? Yes. Can he throw the ball a mile? Yes. But that is only good for video games. I am not sold that Foles is our future, but I would take him hands down over Kap

  75. 75 shah8 said at 1:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    And somehow, oh somehow, he kept getting into these big games, like the Super Bowl… And when he’s there, he doesn’t have home field against a dome team, two turnovers in his favor, and still manage to lose the game.

    ?:~)

  76. 76 fran35 said at 2:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Friend, you cannot use bits and pieces of evidence to bolster your arguement and discard the rest. You poohpooh the fact that Foles took the team to the playoffs in HIS ONLY YEAR AS A STARTER. You refuse to give credit to him for 27-2 and for breaking records in the NFL his first year and for the Pro Bowl MVP. Yet, you certainly have no problem embracing Kapernick for taking his team to big games (this is the same team that Alex Smith took to big games, right?). I do not blindly believe Foles is our future, but I also acknowledge the fact that he is talented. You have bashed Foles since the day he stepped on the field (yet you worship Joe Webb???). You bash Foles for his arm strength, yet you think Sanchez is the better passer? Have you watched Sanchez throw the ball? The guy cannot throw a 15 yd out to save his life. I simply see you as someone who is so pigheaded that he cannot admit when his assessment was wrong. Each and every game that Foles played well last year, you came on and marched out the caveats. This year, as he has regressed a bit, you bask in the warmth of all your erroneous predictions last year. Yet, you still fail to accept that Foles left the field in New Orleans in the playoffs after giving the team the lead-which the defense promptly lost. The playoff game that he lost, he completed 70% of his passes, threw 2 TD ZERO interceptions and had a rating of over 105.0. What else was he supposed to do?

  77. 77 anon said at 2:11 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    What are you asked to do in a Kelly offense? Have you seen the all-22s? One element is WIDE open, either the Kaep Keeper, the Shady two-step or the pass.

    For the record i’m happy where we are, but where we are isn’t sustainable.

  78. 78 NickS1, Armchair GM said at 1:12 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Not sure that’d be an issue given it’s structure.

  79. 79 Media Mike said at 6:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    He’s really bad at reading a D. The hits are going to keep adding up on the guy. He’ll keep regressing.

  80. 80 Media Mike said at 6:18 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Not to throw a reverse on things, but is it possible the decline of Foles this year makes teams hesitant of Sanchez and he doesn’t get a long term offer?

    The Eagles could easily afford to keep Foles (with his joke of a salary in year 4 of a 2nd round deal) and Sanchez (one year – $10 mil) and still have a ton of cap money laying around for other needs.

  81. 81 T_S_O_P said at 11:16 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    When RGIII entered the league they changed the rules on names being able to carry a numerical designation so that he could continue to be known as RGIII. I don’t mind trading for Robert Griffin QB, but I want no part of RGIII, if that makes sense.

    Off topic, Hester’s non PR TD call last night was a disgrace.

  82. 82 anon said at 11:18 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    That’s ok ATL still won, thankfully. Didn’t know that about RGIII, but other have benefited from the rule (Nolan Carroll).

  83. 83 the DONALD said at 11:23 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    If RGIII gets a hair cut like sanchez did.. then ill take him… he needs a total REBUILD and maybe a haircut will get him out of his DIVA ways.. prob spends to much time on it anyway.. get is short, not need to look at yourself in the mirror anymore.. just play FOOTBALL

  84. 84 Avery Greene said at 11:42 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Does this mean I need to cut my hair at 38? Though I’m not a diva, so I guess it doesn’t apply. 🙂

  85. 85 the DONALD said at 12:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    not unless your a struggling Diva QB stuck in NY or DC.. my hairs long too.. no worries

  86. 86 A Roy said at 1:21 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Oh, come now. Clay Matthews looks like hell, but he can certainly play football.

  87. 87 the DONALD said at 2:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    your missing the point… Clay is GOOD.. RGIII is not… im sure you can see my point but are skipping over it for some reason.. RG3 stinks.. therefore he will need to be rebuilt… mentally, physically etc.. there was a Sanchez article on MMQB pretty sure that said one thing SANCHEZ did was cut that West Coaster hair as well as rededicated himself to football… RG3 might benefit from that as well… HAIR INCLUDED!! but mainly he needs to rededicate himself and get some new people in his corner bc he is a classic DIVA who thinks his poop smells of money, which might be true, but his play smells of actual POOOOOOOOOOOOP… guy needs to stop getting advertising deals or his hopes of playing for a long time will dissolve…

  88. 88 suthrneagle said at 2:38 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Read the same (good) article. The haircut was more a result of the conversation. Sanchez took to heart the council the guy was giving. Don`t see the dudskin being as receptive to advice.

  89. 89 the DONALD said at 3:10 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    agreed.. it was supposed to be in jest but i have learned my lesson.. sarcasm doesn’t translate.. agreed i dont think RGme would be receptive..

  90. 90 suthrneagle said at 4:21 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    reread your post, still don`t see much sarcasm.

  91. 91 the DONALD said at 10:02 AM on December 2nd, 2014:

    like I said, it doesn’t translate well.. its real dry.

  92. 92 GEAGLE said at 11:18 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    How dont people get so tired of this tired QB debate….

  93. 93 anon said at 11:24 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Is it tired? You’re a run with Nick guy based on last year? It think Tommy’s point is that you never know, plenty of QBs look great out of the gate and then regress.

    You can’t blame Nick’s picks all on the line, in preseason, in Jacksonville, against the NYG, even when the line is playing well you still have the picks, the deep ball was terrible for long stretches of the year, etc.

    No one (at least not me) is saying Nick isn’t the guy. I’m saying that he hasn’t done enough to put himself above reproach, which is sad because he could have locked up a job this year. I also being able to run (see Alex Smith not Kaep) takes the offense to a different level. I will also say that Mark Sanchez runs the offense way better from a tempo standpoint and he’s been the backup for 6 months).

    I was really anti-sanchez but seeing how he’s done really makes you think that we should open up the QB search b/c it can make really limited guys look good.

  94. 94 GEAGLE said at 11:36 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Only a debate in moronic fans and media’s eyes….Chip is still very high on FOles. How do I know? Because chip isnt a dumb fan or media member,.

    FOles will be starting next years, Sanchez will be his backup next year…. When this happens in September I’ll be sure to remind you of that day I tried to stop everyone from wasting their time, talking about the usual bullshitthat every media member in philly writes about when they don’t feel like doing anything,
    ,,,
    QB debate…ha give me a break. As if Chip is a moron who won’t take into account all the crap Nick had to deal with this year.
    ..
    News flash, everyones favorite flavor of the week Sanchez, would be DEAD or booed out of Philly by now if we asked Sanchez to play behind that mess of a OL with No run game… Chip won’t over react like a teenage girl and be a prisoner of the most recent moment.
    ..
    Chip knows he has a special youñg gunslingers to groom, he knows developing a young QB is a ROLLERCOASTER ride with peaks and valleys…. This debate doesn’t even really exist…

    Leave it up to Phily, luck out with a special young QB, and philly is down on the kid because he hasn’t grown into TOM Brady after we gave him 18 games ofNFL experience lol
    ..
    QB debate….don’t make me laugh.
    ..
    While fans and media continue on this bullshit narrative til next August, Chip is worried about keeping both Mark and Nick in philly next year, and Mark is the one who will be doing the backüp work… ATleast for next year, after next year,not sure if we can keep Mark here as a backup for year 3.

    lol the QB debate that doesn’t really exists lol… No coach throws away a young QB because he isn’t perfect yet after playing 18 NFL game lol

  95. 95 GEAGLE said at 11:44 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Lol chip won’t let Sanchez attempt a pass of over 20 yards…. But yeah there is a big heated QB battle in Philly….LOL!

  96. 96 anon said at 11:47 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    You know what Nicky’s deep ball % was while he was in? Until Oregon has Mariotta chip ran through QBs. No doubt nick is here next year he’s probably the starter. Hard to have Sanchez as a bakcup if he plays well b/c then (A) you have to pay him very well for a backup and (B) you’re back in QB competition in the fall, especially if Sanchez wins a playoff game.

  97. 97 GEAGLE said at 12:24 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Lol he had 3 interior lineman making THEre first starts… We couldn’t run the ball two yards, and you are talking about deep ball percentage? LOL ok

  98. 98 anon said at 2:02 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    So it’s just the fact that the OL is replacements not whether there’s actual pressure on the throws in question? LOL ok.

  99. 99 suthrneagle said at 2:28 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Definately maybe…how would you feel with about 800 pounds of angry men comin after you, with the 60/70 % chance that they smash and pound you into the ground, and then get the opportunity to do it again in the next few seconds, repeatedly for about 35-40 minutes a game.
    wanna trade places with him?

  100. 100 BlindChow said at 1:29 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Seriously, Kelly stopped calling deep ball plays when Nick was in, because he was missing them so bad this year. Some people are just in denial. They just want Foles to be the guy SO BAD. Maybe he is, but he’s definitely not looked it this year. (“27 & 2!” they shout in response, hands over their ears.)

  101. 101 Mitchell said at 4:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    You are right, I do want Nick to be the guy so bad. I am holding out hope that he is somewhere between the guy he was last year and they guy he was this year. I just want a qb we can hang our hat on but this is Philly so it will never happen, sadly.

  102. 102 suthrneagle said at 1:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    not true, game Foles threw a bomb -59 yrds.- to Maclin(leading and on target), Sanchez threw same pass(52 yrds.,on target ,but underthrown a tad so that it was only a completion)

  103. 103 fran35 said at 11:57 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Totally agree that Foles is the starter next year…most likely. I do not think that Sanchez comes back here, much less as the back up. He will get a nice contract from one of these mediocre teams that needs a decent vet to stabilize their offense. I think that we sign a younger guy to “compete” with Foles in camp(Jake Locker type). I guess the bigger question than whether foles is the starter next year is what we do in two weeks when Foles is cleared to play? Do we bring him back, or keep Sanchez? I think that Sanchez has not shown me enough to keep Foles on the bench. With this healthy line and the run game humming….I think Foles returns and lights it up.

  104. 104 mksp said at 11:45 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    LOL

  105. 105 mtn_green said at 12:10 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    It’s the easiest way to get clicks:

    Foles v. Sanchez. Discuss.

    (No offense tommy, you are definitely top two eagles content producers on internet, much appreciation, as I go click every as here to give you pennies)

  106. 106 GEAGLE said at 12:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    amazing. Especially when the debate doesnt even exist. Chip knows Nick is special. He isn’t a dumb fan or media member who gets carried away with the most recent thing their eyes see

  107. 107 A Roy said at 1:18 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    What about McNabb vs Kolb?

  108. 108 A Roy said at 1:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Or Foles vs Vick? It’s apparently a time-honored tradition for Philadelphia fans to want the backup more than the starter.

  109. 109 GEAGLE said at 11:55 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    This story about the Ohio st kid is just horrible, knowing what I know now, I still wouldn’t go back and not play football if I could have a mulligan, but really hope people in the NFL care about the mental health side of our gladiators instead of just caring about doing enough to not be liable when tragedies happen because of the brain trauma from the game..

    I don’t know what to really think of this poor kids story yet… Self inflicted gunshot wound to the head, sounded homicidal in the days leading up to the tragedy, but how the hell is it that his body and the gun were found in the dumpster? Just a horrible horrible tragedy

  110. 110 mtn_green said at 11:55 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles is future. We can debate backup QB next year. Sanchez is gone, he gets his last big contract, loves Philly forever for spring boarding him to millions. Next year Foles will only have 998 more years to go.

    Other than the obvious, I think Foles was battling injury this year, bring in any QB, Foles will beat them out.

    If Foles is 80% health he would start now. Chip would see them both in practice and pick the best one in practice that day. Chip knows when Foles is playing well by watching practice. Rodgers came back from same injury last year and wasn’t the same for a couple games.

  111. 111 Avery Greene said at 11:56 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    We at least have the luxury of not having to rush Foles back right now. We’ve seen how that’s worked out in DC and Dallas.

  112. 112 mtn_green said at 11:59 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    Luxury ends Sunday. Seattle defense can really bring out a QBs flaws. Eagles win, but Sanchez won’t be as good as Dallas and Carolina.

    Sanchizers will be screaming for Foles.

  113. 113 anon said at 12:01 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    How well do you think Foles would play vs SEA?

  114. 114 mtn_green said at 12:07 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    As chip would say “he is injured so I can’t answer that question”

  115. 115 GEAGLE said at 12:03 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Very true… People are getting too carried away with the recent performance. Sanchez only attempted two passes over 20 yards. LOB won’t respect his arm, they are going to over load the box and try to stop shady and beg Sanchez to throw at them.

    We will miss Nicks deep ball portion of the offense in the playoffs if we go with Sanchez.

  116. 116 anon said at 12:14 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    nick’s deep ball is his best attribute? what? Last year we loved the fact that nick didn’t use deep balls but kept the offense moving b/c of repetitive accuracy. Sanchize is putting up 300yds a game no deep balls, we’re putting up 30+ points a game on offense BEFORE DST points. How are we missing the deep ball?

  117. 117 GEAGLE said at 12:22 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Where did you read that Nick deep ball is his best attribute?

  118. 118 anon said at 2:01 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    that’s the fact that you’re using to distinguish him from sanchez. But no one raves about his deep ball, in fact it was atrocious at points in the year.

  119. 119 GEAGLE said at 12:01 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Playoffs would be ruined for me if Nick doesn’t play…but I do acknowledge that he should only play in the playoffs if he can play the last two games of the year and not look too rusty.
    ..
    After Shadys breakout game he was asked what’s so different now that he had the breakout monster performance. Shady didnt credit himself.. He simply pointed out that the line is back saying “these are the guys that gets it done”…
    ..
    Give Nick his OL back and we will see the gunslinger who was MIA with shady the first half of the year.

    If QBs could just perform with any old Lineman, there would be no reason to pony up like 70 million dollars for Kelce and Jason peters…

  120. 120 anon said at 12:03 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I hope it is the OL. Maybe the other issue we should be wondering about is Foles’ durability. He’s hurt all year now out 6 weeks? Last year hurt, rookie year broken hand?

  121. 121 GEAGLE said at 12:10 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Your nuts….durability. Doubt many other QBs would have lasted as long as he did this year taking the hits that kid took… Not enough painkillers in Wisconsin to keep bRett Favre healthy taking the hits Nick took.

    “There is no pressure like pressure rigjt up the middle in a QBs face”. It’s bad enough when you stick a unexperiwnced kid like Tobin next to a hall of famer like Peters…when you stick inexperienced Tobin, next to inexperienced Molk, next to inexperienced garner, it’s a friggin impressive miracle that we went 7-2 and Nick lasted that long….. Three inexperienced kids playing their firstgames, all lined up next to each other(no veteran to help them), in the interior of the OL is like a nightmare…. I can’t explain how impressive it is that we were even able to be et competitive with what we were dealing with….. We should be impressed with how shady and FOles perservered thru that mess to go 7-2 more than we are disapointed that they aren’t putting up video game numbers like last year, when they played behind the best OL in the history of the franchise.l.

    Sanchez would be booed out of Philly if we had to ask him to play the first 9 games. He probably would t have lasted to the 5th game……..

  122. 122 anon said at 12:16 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    ok. Sanchez benefits from the fact that there are no expectations on his play. Nick is suffering from the reverse. To me they are playing equally, except i think Sanchize is running the offense at a quicker pace.

  123. 123 76mustang said at 12:54 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Really is remarkable the Eagles were 7-2 in that stretch, and the two losses were winnable! Great coaching job, and the team really had each others backs.

  124. 124 A Roy said at 1:16 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Fractured hand in 2012. Concussion in 2013. Broken clavicle in 2014. It’s fair to question his durability.

  125. 125 bdbd20 said at 11:59 AM on December 1st, 2014:

    With Foles, his strengths were decision making and accuracy. Those have been weaknesses this year.

    It may have a lot to do the O-line (protection and running game). Until we see him play a clean complete game, there will be doubts.

  126. 126 mtn_green said at 12:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Does anyone really believe that eagles will exchange serious capital (draft picks, cap space) for a Foles replacement before next season starts?

  127. 127 anon said at 12:17 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yeah i think that’s the reality. But it’d be nice to have stability at the position (including the no. 2 spot).

  128. 128 GEAGLE said at 12:21 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Of course,not, we have a special young QB in FOles to groom

  129. 129 Cafone said at 12:26 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round. He can sit for a year and learn while Foles plays out his contract.

  130. 130 bdbd20 said at 12:28 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    That’s the big question. We don’t know how Chip feels about Foles or Sanchez.

    He did not chose Foles, whereas he did pick Sanchez.

  131. 131 mtn_green said at 12:56 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    He spent a 4th? On Barkley. Unfortunately he is not good enough for qb2.

  132. 132 bill said at 12:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think if they draft a QB first or second, it’s an acknowledgment that this team is more than 2 years away from serious SB contention. Too many other holes to fill on this team to spend that much capital on a position that takes years to develop.

  133. 133 mtn_green said at 12:57 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    You believe eagles can get a better QB than Foles in 2nd or later this draft? Any idea who might even be in the ballpark? Just curious what a 2nd pick gets you for QB in this draft.

  134. 134 bill said at 1:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t know if anyone you draft this year is better than Foles for the next 2 years, but then I’m not a draftnik at all. My point is more to effect that ignoring the aging OL, the weakness at DB, and the question mark that is Ryans’s spot at ILB for one of the first two rounds this year means that the problems with this years’ roster are likely to get worse, and you probably won’t have a SB worthy roster anyway with a 1st or 2nd year QB leading the team because, in my admittedly limited knowledge on the subject, none of the QBs coming out are Luck level players.
    I don’t know. I’m not sold on Foles, but if I were Kelly, I’d have to a) know that Foles isn’t going to be the guy, and b) see a QB prospect that I think is a sure fire stud to pull the trigger in the 1st or 2nd. Possible, but I think it would say bad things about where the franchise currently stands.
    I’m far less impressed with Sanchez’s games than many on here, but I’d be less upset with paying him to stay and be the favored starter than I would be with the team spending a high pick on QB.

  135. 135 A Roy said at 1:08 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Rogers was a first round pick and then didn’t play for a couple years. GB was still a contender with Farvreere. Although I have to agree, I’d still rather see them pick a S, CB, OLB or OL with the 30th pick.

  136. 136 Mac said at 12:53 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I don’t think we will, but you can find plenty of folks who disagree with me. Foles is still under development, and my guess is that Chip believes he can win a lot of games with Foles.

  137. 137 mtn_green said at 12:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Agreed. Sanchez wasn’t brought in to compete. 27-2 bought Foles no QB competition in 2014. I’m guessing there won’t be one in 2014 either, with Foles as number 1

  138. 138 Eagles_Fan_in_San_Fran said at 12:08 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Sanchez = Sanchez : 2 TDs, 2 INTs is what you can expect (“Vick-like”)
    RG3 : Coaching headache and can he still be the same dual-threat he was before the injury (and how long before he suffers another major injury)?
    Kap: A mini-Cutler; SF won because of Frank Gore (a future first-ballot HOF), an OL that was top 3 the past couple of years and, of course, the D (the NFL’s version of Linebacker U over there)
    Foles: 27 TDs, 2 INTs – repeat until blue in the face.

    Yes, we’d all love the next Andrew Luck, but we’re not going to be in any position to draft that kind of sure-fire talent any time soon. In Foles we trust.

  139. 139 Insomniac said at 12:15 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles: 27 TDs, 2 INTs.

    As relevant as the Cowgirl’s past Superbowl wins.

  140. 140 BlindChow said at 1:16 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Seriously. It’s like some of these people are pretending 13 TDs, 10 INTs didn’t happen this year.

  141. 141 Mitchell said at 1:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    And some people are pretending 27 TDs/ 2 ints didn’t happen last year…….

  142. 142 anon said at 2:00 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    By that logic Kaep is the man, RGIII is the man, etc.

  143. 143 Mitchell said at 2:03 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Good point. However, they don’t have Kelly as a coach and their number still aren’t as impressive as Foles. I’ll say it again, I don’t care who is the qb, just don’t turn it over twice a game and make some plays here and there. That’s all this offense needs.

  144. 144 anon said at 2:08 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    1000% agree with that last sentence.

  145. 145 anon said at 1:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    don’t forget the fumbles.

  146. 146 suthrneagle said at 1:52 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Not true, the cowgirls no longer have the same players,
    whereas Foles is still under contract.

  147. 147 mksp said at 12:12 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Nick has regressed this year.

    This is a fact. His deep ball accuracy, pocket presence, and decision-making have all been markedly worse.

    You guys can choose to blame injuries or the line if you want.

    Or maybe the league has some tape on him now?

    I still like Nick and hope he is the answer because it would solve so many potential issues down the line.

    But right now Sanchez has a better grasp of the offense and is playing better football than Nick has all year.

    So a lot of question marks going into the playoffs and next season.

    I would be shocked if we see Nick again this year, barring an injury to Sanchez.

  148. 148 bill said at 12:47 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    If that applies to Foles, it also applies to Shady’s first half of the year.
    It’s so true it’s become trite, but you win games in the trenches. And for the first 8 games or so of the season, the Eagles’ OL was bordering on dumpster fire.
    Throwing 60+ attempts in a game behind a shaky OL is a vastly different thing than throwing 29 times behind a dominant OL. Having a RB get 100+ yards in the first 35 minutes of a game is different from having a RB get 29 for an entire game.
    Do we know for a fact that Nick’s struggles were mostly due to the OL struggles? Nope. But it’s kinda silly to ignore it as a circumstance. I feel very confident Foles would look better behind the OL that has played the last two weeks than he was behind Molk, Tobin, and RT Gardner or Herremans. How much better is certainly up to debate. But given the elevation in Shady’s play, it’s fair to argue Foles would have been much better, too.

  149. 149 BlindChow said at 1:12 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    A number of Foles’ bad decisions, bad throws, etc. came when there was no pressure. He even looked bad in the preseason, when he had a healthy OL going against vanilla defenses. There’s no question he’s regressed.

  150. 150 anon said at 1:58 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    No one wants to hear that, it doesn’t fit the narrative.

  151. 151 bill said at 3:58 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yep, ’cause everyone knows that QB pressures don’t have a cumulative effect, and that no QB *ever* has felt phantom pressure after an OL has acted like a turnstyle. I know that such things are real only in “narratives” and not in reality.
    As far as preseason, look at how bad some other great QBs were in the early season. Not saying Nick is on par, just that the first few weeks of a season are notoriously bad indicators of a QB’s future performance. After those first few weeks, the line was a wreck, and even then had Andrew “matador” Gardner at RT.
    I’m not arguing that Foles hasn’t had his issues this year. Clearly, he did. But the silly argument, to me, is the one you and those like you are making that the OL was utterly irrelevant to the discussion, and irrelevant to the comparison to Sanchez, who’s playing behind the best OL we’ve seen all season *by a large margin*.

  152. 152 GEAGLE said at 12:20 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Still can’t get over how pass,happy Andy Reid’s Cheifs team, thru week 13 hasnt completed a single TD pass to a WR….how can this even be possible? Alex smith is a veteran with tons of experience and this did cant hit 1 wide reciever in the ENDZONE in 13 weeks? JJ Watt, a defensive lineman has 5 TDs this year, 3 of which were TD receptions…. What the heck is andy doing over there?

    Arizona vs. KC is Goimg to be an ugly offensive game next week

  153. 153 anon said at 12:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Dwayne Bowe’s contract looking terrible. Jammal Charles earning all of his $$.

  154. 154 A_T_G said at 1:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    The opening play was a deep pass, the tenth this season. We do that in a good half.

  155. 155 Dan said at 3:09 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Ya that stat is amazing I was telling my friends about it, I can’t imagine how a WR doesn’t get a TD especially in a pass friendly league.

  156. 156 Cafone said at 12:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    The Eagles don’t need an Aaron Rodgers, they need a Russell Wilson, who happened to be taken in the third round.

    The Eagles need a guy who is a good, but not necessarily great, passer but also has the ability to be a threat in the read option so Shady can go for 2000 yards.

    Kap for Foles? without a doubt. RGIII? not a chance. Chip Kelly values durability and RGIII is made of paper mache’

  157. 157 shah8 said at 12:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    All things totally added up, I would literally prefer Joe Webb to RGIII. This isn’t to say that RGIII is bad. It’s mostly to say that Webb is as good or better at anything RGIII can physically do, and RGIII has the same requirement of straightening his game out with mechanics and on field processing. Just not as much work as Webb.

    One thing in the last two years of watching NFL is that agility really, really counts, and that was something I hadn’t really thought about until recently. It’s not just about the soft cut of 4.9s/40, hard of 5.05s/40, but also about the shuttle and three cone times, in that you must have hard cut-offs, like Allbright does with his hand size and Combine throwing velocity.

    Here’s the main thing I wish people would understand…

    Evaluating QBs is easy.

    Why?

    Because NFL QBs require a physical acumen that is just not that easy to find. There is a reason EJ Manuel was picked in the first, despite his atrocious level of moxie. All that stuff people like to blabber about, like “look off the safety”, “footwork”, “reading defenses”–all of that only *really* matters for the QBs that already has the perquisite physical capacity and natural playground skill/moxie. Kaepernick might have had a horrible day yesterday, and Luck a brilliant one, but if I wanted my team to make a deep playoff run whenever we get there, I’m taking Kaepernick every time. All of Luck’s refinement doesn’t make up for the issue that he has something of a Matt Ryan level arm. Those guys *almost always* gets exposed in the playoffs, because they wind up not being able to make enough perfect throws against functioning defenses that’s playing like they mean it. This is why I’ve always considered RGIII the more serious top level prospect than Luck…

    It’s a similar sort of issue with Winston vs Mariota. Here, both players have more than enough physical acumen, and so you go off of what they do intellectually and mechanically. Winston’s higher level of QB play on film, despite all of the interceptions, makes me feel far more comfortable with him. One also notes that he has very few disastrous interceptions, so one thinks he can increase or decrease aggressiveness as needed. The black box issue with Mariota is significant, because over the last few years, especially since seeing Dennis Dixon in 2010 after his start against the Ravens in 2009, I’ve seen spread QB consistently needing extensive remedial work done in the pros. Cam Newton did fine, but he probably had very little to unlearn, whereas, Brandon Weedon never could drop the quick-fire attitude, or Ryan Tannehill being as raw as Joe Webb at entry, and only now resembling something of a real NFL QB, albeit one with low levels of moxie. Flip side, QBs that were strong rushers in college (rushing orientated offense) have tended to have more success in the pros, I think because of the “less to unlearn” factor–same as the Tedford QB issues. Pro style QBs have their issues like Manuel, Clausen, Barkley, but frankly? I think there is a very easy filter for that. Does the pro-style QB win alot of games, and make plays, and does he clearly have the arm, feet, and size? Some will break trend, like Matt Stafford or Russell Wilson, but these are good rules of thumb.

  158. 158 GermanEagle said at 12:26 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I would literally prefer Joe Webb to RGIII
    Lol…I really happen to believe that YOU are Joe Webb…!

  159. 159 shah8 said at 12:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Take a look at Joe Webb’s twitter…

  160. 160 GermanEagle said at 12:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Pass..

  161. 161 McNabbulousness said at 12:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Faux Webb

  162. 162 A Roy said at 1:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think I’d rather have Jack Webb…

  163. 163 mksp said at 12:39 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    A+++++

  164. 164 shah8 said at 12:44 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    One thing, when I say that Stafford is a bust, I mean compared to his overall profile. Guys like him, Carson Palmer, etc, are what top of the line prospects looks like, not Andrew Luck.

  165. 165 shah8 said at 12:52 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I forgot to point my finger towards Derek Carr as an example of just how black box these spread offenses can be…

  166. 166 anon said at 2:45 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Agree whole heartedly on the black box concept. Though you don’t always know what you’re getting from a traditional ‘pro style’ offense either.

  167. 167 shah8 said at 4:54 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    nope. Just like with Trent Richardson. Can’t tell that the dude has no vision in college, etc, etc…Draft isn’t a crapshoot, but it *is* about a lot of soft evaluation and thinking “I’ll coach him up”. Stephen Hill has everything you want in a WR, except good hands. Fine, you think, just don’t draft guys with obviously bad hands. However, Demarius Thomas had fairly inconsistent hands as well. So it’s a war between seeing on film–is that play as atrocious as it looks…really? Is that play as great as it looks…really? Can he do it again? Can we get him to stop doing that?

  168. 168 mksp said at 12:51 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    You must have loved Vince Young coming out of school.

    And I wonder what you thought of Aaron Rodgers.

  169. 169 shah8 said at 12:59 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I wasn’t paying attention to football much mid-decade.

    I thought well of Vince Young during his good 2009 season. I don’t think well of him now. He’s basically dumb as a brick. Jeff Fisher might have screwed with him, but Young is a good example of someone (who had the physical stuff) who can’t read defenses, etc.

    If there’s another thing I’ve learned in the last couple of years, it’s that throwing up deep jump balls tend to make QBs look better than they are for awhile, as long as the luck holds up. Vince Young in 2009 was doing much of what Nick Foles in 2013 was doing. Michael Vick in 2010 was doing the same, except that he was also making the functional passes, and was running well on top of that. Austin Davis this year did the same as well, but his luck only lasted, what, six games?

    I do want to get a real QB in the offseason. Mark Sanchez is okay, but offensive systems can only do so much. If you’re aiming for a Super Bowl, you are going to have to have a guy who can make critical throws when you need them, not just opportunistically…

  170. 170 shah8 said at 1:01 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Hmm, his better year, despite the fewer wins, was apparently 2010…

  171. 171 sonofdman said at 1:02 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Just so we are all clear, in shah8’s world:

    Webb > RGIII > Luck

  172. 172 shah8 said at 1:03 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    In terms of ceilings, yes, I’m saying that, seriously.

    Of course, with Webb being 27 years old and still untaught, well…

  173. 173 Jernst said at 1:36 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Do Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have the requisite physical ability and agility to succeed at the position that HOF QB Joe Webb clearly has? No? Ok…well then maybe it’s time to rethink your theory, because it’s completely absurd.

  174. 174 shah8 said at 1:46 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    /me chuckles…

    lighten up on the defensiveness, man

  175. 175 Jernst said at 5:12 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    All in good fun, mate…glad you have a sense of humor. I like your posts, but I also think you’re certifiably insane, haha

  176. 176 SteveH said at 2:48 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Shah8’s world is a frightening place, I’m not sure I want to go there.

  177. 177 GEAGLE said at 12:25 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Hope RG3 goes to dallas!!!! Jerry jones and RG3 would be glorious

  178. 178 P_P_K said at 4:08 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    It could happen. Romo is on the way out. His back won’t let him play much loner and JJ will do anything for a splash.

  179. 179 Mac said at 4:58 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Jerry’s gonna make a blockbuster trade to get his boy Manziel.

  180. 180 Anders said at 4:10 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I like RG3 (seems to be in minority) and would love to see what Kelly can do with him

  181. 181 sonofdman said at 8:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    me too

  182. 182 McNabbulousness said at 12:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    rg3 straight up for foles, no way. part of talent is staying on the field and griffin has shown he can’t do that on a consistent basis.

  183. 183 Bert's Bells said at 1:46 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    To be fair, Foles hasn’t exactly been an iron man either.

  184. 184 anon said at 1:58 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    That’s my other issue with him.

  185. 185 D3FB said at 3:25 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    At the same time two ACL’s and a broken ankle are a little different than a broken thumb, concunsion and broken collarbone.

  186. 186 Anders said at 4:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Still shows Foles is injury prone. Take Vick, its never the same injury, just a new one every time

  187. 187 Bert's Bells said at 4:44 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    True, but we’re talking about the ability to suit up. Not the extent of the injury.

  188. 188 GermanEagle said at 12:39 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I think we all should really appreciate to having Nick Foles.Talked to Jets Fans at my local bar in Queens last night and they hope that Foles becomes available next off-season so they can take him in a heartbeat..

  189. 189 Insomniac said at 12:46 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Jets fans also don’t know what a QB looked like since Chad Pennington.

  190. 190 shah8 said at 12:46 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles would not play well in NY. I don’t think he’d even last six games there. Geno Smith and Michael Vick have their issues, but that offense is terrabad…

  191. 191 anon said at 1:17 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    hahaha. It’d be funny if Sanchez was back, i’m sure Rex Ryan is like “see i knew he was a good qb”.

  192. 192 Bert's Bells said at 1:43 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    The Jets are a lot like Washington. The ownership there is terrible and it seeps through the organization (Tebow, for example).

    Rex Ryan’s early success there is testament to what a good defensive coach he is. It probably hurt him in the long run as Woody Johnson meddled even more because of it.

  193. 193 OregonDucker said at 1:25 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    With Chip you get the flexibility of tailoring your offense to the QB’s physical skill set, except for one thing – fast decision-making. I think Shah8 is on to something when he states that spread QBs are ” a black box”; at least for a Chip QB the scheme can compensate for lots of QB deficiencies. This is why there is hope for Sanchez, if he is not too old to learn.

    For me, the Seahawks game, hosted in Philly, is a great test for what we have in Sanchez. Can he learn to drop when a sack is imminent, or must he force the pass into double coverage? Can he burn Sherman? Or is he really butt-fumble, bumbling Jet’s QB when facing the onslaught?

  194. 194 Avery Greene said at 1:57 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Probably somewhere in-between.

  195. 195 GEAGIRL said at 2:22 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    You dumnies…agin wit the qb talk. Stoopid tomie, stop righting dis stuf. All predections made bin wright so far

    Arizionia
    Predectioun- 28-17 Eagles takeover the cardinals nest

    phorrty9ers
    Predectuion- My guess, they answer the bell. We climb to 4-0 and America
    will all be on the eagles bandwagon tomorrow…

    Don’t think we will squeek out a 3 point win….thinking we Embarress this dysfunctional team and beat them by 10….

    along wit the peackers predection dat makes dis team unlossed! Call he a homer! Scrue youse! Dey win out and be 16-0. He spel embaras and sqek rong, I dew spel a bit beter then him

  196. 196 anon said at 2:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    They’re getting less funny every time…

  197. 197 GEAGIRL said at 2:24 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Funny?

  198. 198 A_T_G said at 4:38 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    “[N]uthing (sic) funny bout (sic) dat (sic).”

    Finally, something with which I can agree.

  199. 199 Bert's Bells said at 4:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I say the same thing about GEAGLE.

  200. 200 iceberg584 said at 2:27 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’m seeing some chatter about the Florida Gators planning to contact Chip Kelly this week about their coaching vacancy. I don’t think Chip is going anywhere, but if Florida were to somehow poach our head coach, I’d be willing to burn that campus to the ground.

  201. 201 GEAGIRL said at 2:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2854863/Justices-weigh-limits-free-speech-Internet.html

  202. 202 Anders said at 2:48 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Kelly will never leave for college. He hates boosters and recruiting, the 2 most important parts of college HC duties

  203. 203 Ark87 said at 2:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    A campus that brought the world Tebowmania, Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez, and then if they stole our coach? yeah I’m in.

  204. 204 D3FB said at 3:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    The only reason Chip would go to Florida, would be if this media creation of friction between him and Howie is true. If it is true Chip could take the Florida job just to troll Howie, and proceed to run the program into the ground and send it into SMU levels of irrelevance.

  205. 205 CrackSammich said at 4:34 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    They plan to contact Chip in the same way that you can ask Megan Fox out on a date on Twitter. Why not, it’s free to ask.

  206. 206 GEAGLE said at 5:51 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Heard there is nothing to worry

  207. 207 SteveH said at 2:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’d rather Kap than RG3, but either one would be intriguing prospect.

  208. 208 oreofestar said at 5:45 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Not with that contract

  209. 209 ACViking said at 3:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Re: Record Setting Eagles

    The Chiefs have zero TD passes to WRs so far this year.

    Have any other teams been that futile for an entire NFL season?

    The 1966 Eagles hold the post-AFL record (1960-present), I think.

    That year, the Birds went 9-5 — in what was HC Joe Kuharich’s best single-season record with the BIrds (from ’63-’68).

    And the Eagles finished 5th out of 15 teams in points scored.

    So how many TD passes to WRs?

    Among QBs Norm Snead (10 starts), Jack Concannon (2 starts) and King Hill (2 starts), they threw a total of . . . 1 TD to wide-receivers.

    Just 1 over a 14-game season. The QBs combined for 14 TD passes.

    The receiver was Ron Goodwin. He scored on an 11-yard pass from Snead in the 6th game against the Steelers.

    (Goodwin was a “Kuharich guy” — joining the Birds as a 16th Rd pick in 1963 from Baylor and getting cut after 1968, not long after Kuharich’s exit.)

    Should the Chiefs get a TD pass to a WR this year, he’ll join the long-forgotten Ron Goodwin in the record books.

  210. 210 P_P_K said at 4:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Great stuff about terrible times. Remember “Joe Must Go”?

    Here’s some trivia: Who did the Eagles trade to get Norm Snead? No internet searching.

  211. 211 suthrneagle said at 4:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Sonny Jurgensen

  212. 212 Avery Greene said at 5:31 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    My dad explains this was part of the reason for throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. He was at the game. He tells me they traded Jurgensen and McDonald, and the fans were told they would be just as good.

    So late in the season, everyone could see they stunk, and in my dad’s words, “It was like Santa was waving, and calling all of us suckers.”

  213. 213 ICDogg said at 5:57 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Actually the Eagles won a couple games late in the season they would have been better off losing since they would have been able to draft OJ Simpson instead of Leroy Keyes.

  214. 214 jpate said at 9:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Why did they trade jurgensen? Was he not the player he turned out to be when he was an eagle?

  215. 215 GEAGLE said at 5:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Thank you

  216. 216 bwin29 said at 4:08 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    My God can you imagine how good this team would be with a great QB?

  217. 217 Avery Greene said at 5:28 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    or with a great CB?

  218. 218 GEAGLE said at 5:20 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Watching the game live Thursday, I had no idea what a game Malcolm Jenkins had. might have been his best game of the season, he put the clamps on Jason Witten, you can tell he really studied Wittens tendencies, that was the best I have ever seen an eagle play Wittten. Of course he isnt the same monster he once was, but Witten has more left in the tank than Thursdays performance would suggest…, he also had really good support coverage on Dez at times.. Had some nice plays in the run too. His DGR should be action packed this week
    ..
    Thursday was easily one of the best games of Malcolm’s short eagle career, some really impressive stuff…opposing Tight ends terrorized us for years, really excited about this defenses ability to no longer get gashed by tight ends. last years playoff game, Connar Barwin dominated Jimmy Graham like no one I have ever seen. Having an OLB who can take an elite TE out of a playoff games and now having a safety who is also capable of keeping TEs under control should really serve us well going forward. After years of being tortured by Tight ends, great knowing a weakness is becoming a strength for this defense.

    Eagles second in the NFL in sacks, we currently already have 5 more sacks than last season and we still have 4 games to go…..

  219. 219 Jernst said at 5:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Here’s a great video for everyone who thinks that Foles’ propensity
    to back pedal and run backwards was always present or that his decreased
    numbers/success were the sole result of a lack of running game, or
    going to pass happy or just a reversion to his true mean. Not the case,
    at all. He was a totally different QB last year. Watch this video and
    tell me that this isn’t a completely different QB from the one you saw
    this year.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmEsU6vielE

  220. 220 Avery Greene said at 5:34 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    You need to fix the link.

  221. 221 Jernst said at 5:35 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    damnit…i can’t get it to load for some reason. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmEsU6vielE

    Try this

  222. 222 Avery Greene said at 5:35 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    LOL – which game? I’ll google it and post it.

  223. 223 Jernst said at 5:37 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmEsU6vielE

  224. 224 anon said at 8:24 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yeah mobility needed, peyton manning not making it in this offense.

  225. 225 Jernst said at 5:36 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Or search for this on youtube:

    Nick Foles Highlights 2013-14: Making Plays Under Pressure

    It’s a great cut up of all Nick’s games from last year when he was under pressure. He steps up and towards the LOS in every single clip. It’s extremely telling in my opinion.

  226. 226 Insomniac said at 7:14 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Just a heads up, you usually just need to refresh the page to see it.

  227. 227 Avery Greene said at 7:15 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    We did, for some reason it was giving a 502 error. We both refreshed a couple times. Glad it’s working now.

  228. 228 anon said at 8:22 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yeah it’s 2014 and he’s got a new gif [the one of him backpeddlng for 20 yds and throwing of his back foot]

  229. 229 Guest said at 5:37 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    For the video Jernst is talking about…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmEsU6vielE

  230. 230 Jernst said at 5:38 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    haha…thanks! Stupid Technology! I was literally sitting here screaming, “Obey me!!!” at the computer. My girlfriend is starting to worry about me.

  231. 231 A_T_G said at 7:18 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I heard if you do that with an Apple product, Siri files for a restraining order against you.

  232. 232 GEAGLE said at 7:24 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I caught myself calling Siri “sweetie”…. That’s how you know you need a technology timeout

  233. 233 oreofestar said at 5:43 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    How much do you think we will spend extending Cox, Kendricks and Thorton we have the fifth year option for Cox that we will almost certainly pick up but still wondering what you guys think it will take for these three 6/40? 5/30? 4/18?

  234. 234 Media Mike said at 6:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I really don’t know the 3-4 DE market well enough to give you a price quote on Cox or Thorton.

    ILB is another one I don’t know that well.

    We’re so new to playing 3-4 that I don’t know what top guys in a front 7 playing 3-4 get except for double digit sack OLBs get.

  235. 235 GEAGLE said at 6:49 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Don’t think the market really matters as much as it normally would. if Cox hit the open free agent market, you can bet he would be guaranteed to sign a top 5 Player at his position contract….but we have the rights to his 5th year, so giving him as extension NOW, letting him get paid now, instead of waiting two more years and risking two more years worth of injury, probably means we are going to save money and not make him one of the 5 highest paid players at his position…
    ,..
    Cox isnt all about the money type. My understanding is he is very simple country boy, extremely frugal..sure getting some security now will be worth more to him than being one of the highest paid players at his position……banner strategy, save money by offering young players security early.
    ..
    I’m not suggesting that Cox won’t get a really nice deal, but he won’t be holding out for insane Gerald McCoy money…

  236. 236 oreofestar said at 6:55 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    So you think hell get too 5-10 money so what is that?!

  237. 237 GEAGLE said at 7:11 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Wonder if we can lock him into like a 8yr Kelce contract?
    ..
    This kid is one of the best DL in the NFL and he is still only 23 years old which is younger than everyone’s favorite cowboy rookie who cox dominated zack Martin who is already 24 years old…. Amazing that cox has so much experiemce and talent and he is still younger than rookies

  238. 238 Insomniac said at 7:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Ced should get 4-6 millon a year. Kendricks and Cox should be around 6-7 million with performance incentives.

  239. 239 D3FB said at 9:57 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Ced is an RFA. They either bring him in under market value (4-5 mil for a good 34 DE) or just tender him for a second rounder for like 1.5 million and kick the can down the road.

    As far as Cox: Ngata makes 12apy, Calias 11, Docket 9, and Desmond Bryant 7. So proabably 5years 40-45.

    Kendricks: Willis, Mayo, Timmons, Bowmann, David Harris, Lauranitis, Daryl Washington all get/(got) between 8 and 10 a year. Meco’s contract had an average value of 7.8. I would expect somewhere around 5 for 45.

  240. 240 GEAGLE said at 5:43 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    The QB controversy in my mind is what’s up with Matt Barkley? That’s my only real question about the immediate future of our QB room. If my assumptions are correct that both mark and Nick will be here next year, what Chip does about Barkley this offseason IMO is going to be very telling.
    ..
    We are at the point where he will have to show growth to warrant continuing to have a spot on this team…. curious to see if Chip values continuing to grow Barkley, or if he pulls the plug on the Barkley experiement to make room for a new young developmental QB?
    ..
    It would be awesome if Barkley shows enough growth to Warrant Chip continuing to develop him for the next two years. While FOles and Sanchez hold down the QB position, It would be cool to just let Barkley develop away from the public eye, and after two more offseasons of development, go back and see what Chip groomed Barkley into after 4 years of,development….

  241. 241 GEAGLE said at 6:42 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’m so screwed!! This is a must win fantasy week for my playoff hopes.
    I’m currently up by 0.6 points lol, all my guys played, and my opponent has Dolphins #2 TE Dion Sims tonight… Lol any chance that bastard doesn’t score a point?

  242. 242 Pennguino said at 7:00 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I am down by 1.9 and I have the Dolphins Kicker. Just need a FG

  243. 243 Avery Greene said at 7:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Or 2 extra points.

  244. 244 GEAGLE said at 7:07 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’m sure you feel much better than I do going into this game.

    What’s up with Dolphins CHarles Clay? Hopefully he plays and takes the majority of Sims snaps… If this dude catches a pass, my season is probably over… Grrrr

  245. 245 Avery Greene said at 7:04 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Dalton has been on the bench since Week 5. I’m benching Sanu too. I lost this week because I got 0 points from Sproles, Graham, and like 3 from Sanu.

    Though Sproles is the only one that gets a flyer. As long as the Eagles win, he can score whatever he wants. Another thing that hurt was Forte only gave me 5 points.

    Edit: I got 3 from Sproles, though I’m used to double digit scores weekly.

  246. 246 anon said at 8:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yeah…romo killed me across all leagues.

  247. 247 GENETiC-FREAK said at 7:35 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Sims starting.. Clay IA.. Maybe Sims will fumble?? lol

  248. 248 Insomniac said at 7:03 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    i took a nap and had the most awful nightmare. Skip Bayless became the next Cowgirls head coach and brought Tim Tebow out of retirement. They proceed to win Superbowls and Cowgirl fans start tebowing while pointing at their fingers yelling “HOW MANY RINGS U GOT”, whenever you tell them they suck 10 years after their relevancy. I don’t even…

  249. 249 GEAGLE said at 7:06 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    LOL!

  250. 250 GEAGLE said at 7:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Jason LaConfora “reports” that colts, Niners and seahawks are all really interested in Juron Carter, Chris Carter’s 6’5 205lb, 24yr old son, who plays WR in Canada… Report is he will let his body rest Up and hold a “pro day” after the holidays, he is elible to be signed in Febuary….

    Knowing Chip leaves no stone unturned and has signed players from all types of weird situations, wouldnt be surprised if we were also interested, it’s just that I don’t expect to see many leaks from the Eagles…if I’m Chris Carter, I would probably give some serious thought to my son going to play in a chip kelly offense, if we are even interested that is…
    ..
    cardinals are going to have a hard time holding on to that division. LT sprained his ankle, he will play thru it, but the Honeybadger broke his thumb and they are still deciding on what to do. They can stick a big cast on it and let him play thru it or stick a pin in his thumb that will cause him to miss 3 game(which I’m not sure the Carfinals defense can really afford)

  251. 251 A_T_G said at 7:14 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Why would three teams suddenly be “really interested” in a player that they all had opportunities to bring in just as those teams are preparing for a stretch run at the playoffs? Seems suspect. Do you have a link?

  252. 252 anon said at 7:15 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yup, why would you ever sign a guy in February? Chris Carter in the HOF can’t get his son on a team?

  253. 253 Avery Greene said at 7:17 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I would think there’s probably some rule about that with the CFL. But it is interesting because Rice could be signed by any team.

  254. 254 GEAGLE said at 7:20 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yeah it’s a rule, you aren’t allowed to sign him til Febuary. His season recently ended. They are signing him for NEXT year, not now…. Obviously this kid gets to skip the draft, and will be eligible to be signed before the free agent market starts… No idea what the difference is between rice and Carter situation that makes Carter have to wait til Febuary to sign a deal

  255. 255 Avery Greene said at 7:20 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Rice was cut this year – so maybe that has something to do with it.

  256. 256 GEAGLE said at 7:21 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yeah that would probably have something to do with it

  257. 257 GEAGLE said at 7:16 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Huh? I don’t think they are allowed to sign him til Febuary. He was under contract with the CFL and just ended his season. I saw the report on Rotoworld,

  258. 258 A_T_G said at 7:20 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Right, and they are all kinda busy right now. So, why are they talking to LaConfora now? Sounds more like Cris is talking.

  259. 259 GEAGLE said at 7:23 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Most likely. I’m not really familiar with the kid, for example why is he 24 and in the CFL instead of just coming out of college? I gotta read up on him…
    ….
    I hear Micheal Irvings son is a Baby MONSTER, like 6’5 230lbs,

  260. 260 anon said at 8:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    yup that’s what i’m saying. Jordan’s kid isn’t good at bball…

  261. 261 Insomniac said at 9:00 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’d take him if he only smokes half the crack his dad did.

  262. 262 Insomniac said at 9:00 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Maybe he could be the next Cameron Wake.

  263. 263 A_T_G said at 10:30 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    He would need to add a lot of weight.

  264. 264 GEAGLE said at 7:17 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    CBS sports jason LaConfora, I saw the report on Rotoworld tho

  265. 265 oreofestar said at 7:48 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Cardinals have Cowboys tiebreaker and only two conference losses and should make the playoffs, you probably think about the stretch run and have Ty miss 3 games

  266. 266 GermanEagle said at 7:57 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Nah, why would the Eagles want anything to do with a Carter.. Never worked out in Philly. #lookingdownandkickingdustuponthefloor

  267. 267 D3FB said at 9:45 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I strongly doubt the Eagles will have much interest. Bounced from school to school but never was academically eligible. Was also in trouble from a disciplinary standpoint. His Juco QB called him a cancer.

  268. 268 Pennguino said at 8:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I am a Fole’s supporter. He is a young, heady, QB that has some limitations on the physical side. He is not a quick twitch athlete with a quick release or has the leg speed to be a constant running threat. He has shown a few warts this year. He was off during preseason and during the first 7 games. There are a lot of events that factor into this. First time starter for the season, more game film, more game film on HC, new WR’s (sans Coop), different home life, higher expectations, oline decimated, no running game, throwing 30% more passes per game this year than last, being asked to carry the offense.

    It’s a lot to ask for a young QB in his third year, second system, with only a season worth of starts. I still love the things about him that you can’t measure with a stop watch. The heart, toughness, in every game (minus Minny), 4th quarter drives, no ego (Superman/Hero Complex), film/gym rat.

    The health (availability/#1 Ability) is not a concern. He broke his hand in the second quarter and continued to play the rest of the game. Andy sat him even though Foles said he could play. Andy, in his last game as the Eagles HC, was just throwing a bone to Vick. It was nothing more that a Coach taking care of his project and doing right by Vick. I think it was a classy move. Nick missed one game with a concussion last year. He will miss 7-8 games this year. I haven’t bought into it yet. I am not discounting it at all but, I want to see more.

    I like the way Sanchez is moving in the pocket and the speed at which the offense runs. Reminds me of last year’s preseason. Sanchez is efficient. Seattle will be another test for him. The red zone picked up then fell flat again. In the first 7 games there were only 4 rushing TD’s. They have five in the last 5 games.

    My heart wants Foles to get a game under him and then go into the playoffs (if we make it). My head is still waiting to get more info on what Sanchez is or isn’t. We will know more after the Giants. Need to see a tight game from him. All of his games have been over by the half.

  269. 269 anon said at 8:09 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yeah be interesting to see. Against bad teams there’s not of the “slow start but then we got it together”. Come out firing up by 14 in the first quarter, up by 20+ at the half. Let the dogs out on D and run the ball.

    But i think what you wrote has summed up what everyone is saying,

  270. 270 Pennguino said at 8:14 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Yea, we are no closer in knowing if we have a QB or not. smh

    We have a real good team but uncertain at QB. Going to have to wait it out another year I guess. If Sanchez goes all Alex Smith and plays within himself and manages a great system then maybe we have something.

  271. 271 anon said at 8:21 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’d love to have alex smith, f’in andy reid. smith would be perfect for the system, he can run, makes good decisions, doesn’t turn the ball over, but he’s got a noodle arm.

  272. 272 Mitchell said at 8:44 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Noodle arm or not, our screens and blocking ability are deadly!

  273. 273 GermanEagle said at 9:37 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    And never throws a TD to a WR.

  274. 274 anon said at 11:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    perfect, i have shady in fantasy!

  275. 275 D3FB said at 9:39 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Exactly, thats the thing with the injuries. All three of them, if the Superbowl was the next week, he would have played.

  276. 276 fran35 said at 11:05 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I’m confused by your statement, are you saying Foles could play on the broken collar bone if he had too?

  277. 277 anon said at 11:19 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    hahah. Or you’d want him playing with a broken hand, or if he’s going through the concussion protocol?

  278. 278 D3FB said at 10:44 AM on December 2nd, 2014:

    It’s his non throwing shoulder. If it was the super bowl they would brace it and shoot him full of painkillers.

  279. 279 fran35 said at 10:46 AM on December 2nd, 2014:

    10-4. Thx

  280. 280 Baloophi said at 8:16 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    This post and discussion reminds me why it’s important to meet and talk with as many prospects as you can during the draft process, regardless of whether you think you might get them. As an example, I think the Eagles were the first team to meet with RG3 at the combine, despite having the 15th pick and basically no shot at getting him (and Vick having just signed a new contract, etc.). You never know what sort of situation a player will wind up in, injuries, performance, etc., or what position you will be in so having those notes from a face-to-face meeting might prove valuable in re-evaluating pro talent.

  281. 281 anon said at 9:27 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    ball control on full display in NY right now. 30run plays 3 pass plays.

  282. 282 GermanEagle said at 9:35 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Is Andy Reid their Head coach?

  283. 283 A_T_G said at 10:22 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    No, but Marty is their OC.

  284. 284 oreofestar said at 9:50 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Pray for our man Geagle that all is well with him after Dion Sims’ catches

  285. 285 anon said at 11:10 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    I need a jarvis landry td — hoping something flies my way.

  286. 286 RogerPodacter said at 11:27 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Geno Smith’s line for tonight looks too bad to be true…
    7/13 – 65 yards, 0 TD 1 INT

    that has to be one of the worst passing performances in a very long time.

  287. 287 mtn_green said at 11:28 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles in Dallas game?

  288. 288 RogerPodacter said at 11:33 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    Foles went 11/29 for 80 yards 0 TD 0 INT
    oof. probably worse due to lower %, but no INT makes his day look a little better.
    Barkley also came in with 11/20 for 129 0 TD 3 INT

    the Jets on the day had 65 yards passing in the game. that is just something else.

  289. 289 RogerPodacter said at 11:37 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    i don’t know how reliable this info is, but i used Pro Football Reference to put together a list of teams that had <=100 passing yards in a game.

    http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=game&year_min=1940&year_max=2014&game_type=&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&stadium_id=&temperature_gtlt=lt&temperature=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=&team_conf_id=&team_div_id=&opp_id=&opp_conf_id=&opp_div_id=&team_off_scheme=&team_def_align=&opp_off_scheme=&opp_def_align=&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=pass_yds&c1comp=lt&c1val=100&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5comp=&c5gtlt=lt&c6mult=1.0&c6comp=&order_by=game_date

  290. 290 RogerPodacter said at 11:39 PM on December 1st, 2014:

    HOW THE HELL DID THE BENGALS HAVE 0 PASSING YARDS IN 2009/2010?!

    31 passing yards, -31 yards from sacks. WOW…

    http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201001030nyj.htm

  291. 291 anon said at 12:20 PM on December 2nd, 2014:

    hahah but unnecessary.

  292. 292 anon said at 12:21 PM on December 2nd, 2014:

    yeah i mean they literally tried to take him out of the game by running on every single play. He had to make 1 play and threw a pick. Nick Folk also went alex henery last night missing two field goals that would have won the game. gotta be frustrating.