Sunday, Ugly Sunday
Posted: September 21st, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 390 Comments »So…what did you do this weekend? Anything notable happen?
As much as I’d like to pretend I didn’t witness that debacle yesterday, I did. And boy was it bad.
I thought there might be some growing pains for Sam Bradford and the offense, but I figured they would be more specific or situational. They might struggle in the Red Zone. Or in short yardage situations. Or they might not throw the deep ball well enough. Things like that.
I did not anticipate getting a simple 1st down would be the challenge. But it sure was yesterday.
It will be interesting to see how Chip Kelly handles this mess. John Madden believed that you didn’t need to be hard on players when things were bad. They would get criticism from their wives, friends, neighbors, Wawa clerks and anyone else out there. Madden tried to build his guys up when they were down.
There is something to be said for the occasional fiery speech. Andy Reid’s players knew he was legitimately mad when he called them the P-word in a group meeting. Sometimes they responded. Sometimes they didn’t.
Yelling at the players isn’t going to fix the problems. You can yell at your computer for an hour, but the blue screen of death isn’t going away unless you actually address the problem. I tend to think that’s the mentality Chip will have. There is a problem. Let’s fix it. Yelling will make you feel good for a moment, but won’t do anything to fix the problem.
Kelly is generally pragmatic.
Still, players are human beings and sometimes you do have to push buttons to get them to snap out of whatever their issue is. Was the team overconfident the last 2 weeks? Are they trying too hard? If Kelly senses something is off, he’ll try to get the players back on track mentally and emotionally.
The real key here is fundamentals, which I wrote about for PE.com. There is no magic elixir. The team needs to block better. Tackle better. Throw better. Catch better. And so on. This isn’t about a playbook. This is all about execution. Right now the Eagles aren’t doing it.
If one person were to blame, he’d be gone. As Chip Kelly talked about on WIP this morning, this is a group failure. Jason Peters misses a block on one play. He’s perfect the next play, but Allen Barbre makes a mistake. Then he cleans it up and Jason Kelce screws up. This O-line should be able to run block. My concerns were pass protection. Go watch tape from last year and Gardner was a solid run blocker. Barbre has been a solid run blocker in the past. This is the O-line version of Whack-A-Mole. One guy screws up. That gets fixed and then another guy screws up.
This can be fixed.
This season can be saved.
But there are no guarantees. This team could also fall apart and finish 5-11.
Chip Kelly built this team and now it is up to him to fix it.
He never had a losing record at Oregon. He hasn’t had a losing record with the Eagles. This is a smart coach who has shown the ability to get a team on the right track.
Then again, I don’t know that he’s ever been part of a team that made so many big changes. This might prove to be the biggest challenge of Chip Kelly’s career so far. Maybe that will bring out the best in him.
So far all we’re seeing is the worst of his team.
_
Chip’s offense is built on predictability — of outcomes (mis-matches at the line or in coverage) and of schema (speed forces defenses into base).
Ironically his GM tenure dove into a world unpredictability (can Sam Bradford be better than the options he had), turnover (cutting/trading “stars”), and gambles (bringing on people recovering from injuries or heavy usage).
I cannot marry the two philosophies. It’s very perplexing from the outside.
This is why you pay a guy like Chip. If he’s the real deal, he will exploit the defensive gameplan. Time will tell.
My Prediction from last week :
1. Eagles lose AGAIN
2. Bradford gets hurt
3. Eagles offensive line shows its true colors AGAIN
4. Witten scores two TDs
5. KIKO ALONSO – concussion
6. Byron Maxwell smoked – AGAIN
7. Cowboys offensive line steamrolls the Eagles’ joke of a defense
8. Shady McCoy has more yards than Demarco Murray – even though McCoy wont suit up for the game due to injur
Go away troll
So…you seem to randomly hit a couple. Dallas, arguably a good team won. Meh.
Bradford not hurt. 1-1
Oline sucked 2-1
Witten scores two tds 2-2
Kiko concussion 2-3
Byron Maxwell smoked. ..call it a push 2-3-1
Cowboys oline steamroller eagles.. 2-4-1
Shady yards vs Murray 2-5-1
Maybe you could argue 3-4-1 or 4 n 4 but that ain’t really too good their amigo.
Actually it is
Question:
What happened to the packaged plays?
I miss Michael Vick.
They are still in there but like everything else not working atm
never thought week 3 against the Jets would be so critical to the rest of the season.
Although I’m still a Nick Foles guy, I don’t think he would’ve done well in last night’s game either. Maybe Brady with his quick decision making, and accurate passing could’ve done ok, or Russel Wilson could’ve made something happen with his legs. Both weeks have been surprisingly bad. On the plus side, we have the same record as the Seahawks 😛
I don’t think the debate should be Foles vs. Bradford. To me it should be “is the current QB good enough?”
It’s fine that Kelly decided to move on from Foles. But if he was gonna do that, he had to replace him with somebody who was a clear upgrade. Despite the fact that he throws a prettier spiral in 7-on-7’s, Bradford isn’t that as of now. And we paid a premium price to get him. Still early, but if he doesn’t improve dramatically that trade was a disaster.
I always looked at Kelly as either boom or bust – no in-between.
It looked like it was going to be boom at first, but now it seems like it’s going to be bust. He seems in over in head, both as coach and as GM – too much college mentality. I also think he never wanted Bradford and somehow thought he really could flip him (along with draft picks) for Mariota.
At this point, we either turn it around and win the Division – and I think with the Romo and Dez injuries, it won’t take much (9-7 or 8-8) to win it now – or things collapse like in 2012. This Jets game is definitely a must-win now.
I am not yet down on Chip Kelly, Head Coach, nor on Chip Kelly, Offensive Coordinator; but right now I am very down on Chip Kelly, GM and personnel evaluator.
I think if this mess continues without showing any signs of consistent competence then I think CK is done a week or two after the bye.
If we start to show improvement and have regular periods (if not whole games) like the second half at Atlanta, then Lurie may give CK another year to prove he can fix his mistakes, or he may bring Howie or another personnel guy in to help him.
Because really, at the end of the day, the only question is if Mr Lurie thinks the situation is salvageable or not.
What concerns me is that this might not just a couple of bad – REALLY bad – games. This is starting to feel like the culmination of Chip’s time as football czar for the Eagles.
2013: 10-6 season mostly with Andy’s guys, great offense and mediocre to poor defensive play.
2014: 10-6 season, Chip gets Desean out the door, Foles regresses/Sanchez is Sanchez, defense likely outperforms the offense this year.
2015: 0-2 thus far, Chip’s had a full offseason of complete control resulting in what we’ve come to view as a team full of “his guys.” The outcome: a team that’s made it clear that the system can’t overcome a lack of talent. Chip the GM has failed in overhauling the skill positions (seemingly for the worse), overhauling the offensive line (seemingly for the worse), and overhauling the QB position (seemingly for the worse). Chip the coach has failed by believing so dogmatically in the superiority of his system that he hasn’t really adjusted it since 2013.
The defense hasn’t been amazing during Chip’s tenure, but it’s outperformed the offense, particularly in the face of this god-awful 45 second 3 and outs the Eagles seem to specialize in. This team is starting to show some deep-seated structural flaws: an offensive system that MURDERS the defense and is undone by creative defensive schemes, a coach/GM that can only work with one very specific type of player personality, an emphasis on culture that’s starting to feel borderline cult-y, and a belief that scheme and culture trump talent (which doesn’t seem to have been borne out).
We might be screwed.
The team as a whole has gotten progressively worse since his first year in the league. Not a good trend so far
Shades of Ruben.
I’d say there was this probability that we had another crash as key talent got older. Mathis, heremmans, Cole were all old. DJ just didn’t fit. Maclin hit FA and was inreliable. Nick was nick foles, so. Likely to be a big turn over at some points and likely to be some down years as things get back together.
Kind of early to give up. Chip gambled on Bradford but felt 8t was a losing hand with Foles. The corners also got old.
So, maybe this is an off year. I think you have t9 look at the success of his wr picks and TE and hopeful play at other spots, Lb. Look at all that before going off the deep end. My problem is Chip is telegraphing his personnel moves and not getting value.
I still can’t figure out why a team (this team) needed a gutting of its stars and total revamp after going 10-6, all in the hope of building a new team that might be a super bowl contender.
Any news on kilo?
Still 2.204 pounds
And a lot more expensive than in the Miami vice days
My friend has an old Hoying jersey in his closet. Texted and asked if he should put some kind of tape over the back and put ‘Bradford’ in place instead if he goes to a game with me this year.
http://media.philly.com/images/172*302/20121211_inq_sheridan11z-e.JPG
I just wouldn’t bother going
we have found the bottom!
There is one person that can be blamed for this mess and thats Chip Kelly. These are his moves and they look bad. And not the “they need more time to gel” bad, but more like “they flat out have no talent” bad. Only Kiko looked to be the best personnel move until he tore or didn’t tear his ACL yesterday.
I’m curious to know why Kelce and Peters regressed from last week. Neither guard played well (again), but Kelce, Peters, and even Celek took turns looking horrible yesterday. Were they pressing to make up for the poor guard play or what?
Tempo caused confusion.
Tempo shouldn’t be a problem for those 3 guys. This is their 3rd year in the system.
Am I the only one who simply doesn’t know what to make of this team? It seems premature to say they’re going to be a bad team, but damn, at a certain point the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
No I’m kind of with you. There is obviously proof that Chip is a good/smart coach and should turn it around. But what I saw yesterday was so bad it makes me think how can a good coach allow that atrocious of performance from his team?
Me too. People I’ve read and trusted for years have vetted Chip and his schemes. Reasonable analysis, etc. But you just don’t lay this kind of horrible turd of an offensive game without there being something really, systemically wrong with your system/culture/ideas.
Offense is supposedly Chip’s wheelhouse, and that right there was the worst offensive performance I’ve ever seen by a pro team.
Don’t know what to think.
Nonsense. Even the elite coaches leave a few turds on the field…you just have the luxury of not being a hometown fan for any of them at the time (if you truly think a series of bad games is an indictment of the program as a whole). Just relax and let the season play out a bit.
Is Chip Kelly the new Mouse Davis? To be determined..
If the receivers would learn to catch passes that hit them in the hands, many of these problems would go away. How many 1st downs were lost due to dropped passes? With the “box stacked” with 8 defenders it is unlikely that the run game will be great. That’s why you have to pass to open up running lanes (as the defense moves guys away from the line to cover). It would also eliminate most of Bradford’s INTs – as I believe three of them were bounces off of our receiver’s hands! The other issue in penalties that absolutely kill drives, but with a suspect line, there are going to be holding penalties.
Bradford had the same issues with WR drops in STL, however, Rams’ fans have been harping on how hard Bradford throws the balls, which makes it more difficult for the receivers to catch. Also how Bradford throwing to more than just Matthews and Ertz.
The receivers weren’t good yesterday, but there is no escaping the fact that Bradford hasn’t been good, and at times has been awful. He missed open receivers repeatedly yesterday, as a result of both bad reads and bad throws, and he’s thrown two absolutely brutal interceptions in the first two weeks. Matthews, Ertz, and Austin curing their dropsies won’t fix all the problems with the passing game.
I don’t think he was completely ready to come back but QBs and athletes can be quite delicate creatures when it comes to how their egos respond. I have to wonder if, like a number of quarterbacks in a similar or semi-related situation, Bradford isn’t ready but she made the decision to roll with him to throw him in the fire know and that’s the only way to force him to respond. It’s almost an issue of how long we leave Bradford in the fire. It’s quite possible that it’s the only way he’ll respond and given time he’ll be the guy and many think he can be….it’s also quite possible that this is what’s going to end up breaking him for good. The deal is that we really can’t know until we see the whole thing play out. But again underneath the surface it’s like that on any team at some position or another.
Utterly inexcusable for a team with this much talent to look like the worst team in football. The Oline play is atrocious. Kelce was getting manhandled. Multiple plays Kelce was driven 5 yards into the backfield and tossed aside like he was nothing. Every broken run I looked down and saw Barbre and Gardner standing around next to the pile blocking no one. The center of our line looks terrible and losing Mathis with no replacement was a completely self inflicted wound.
This team is like watching the run ‘n gun basketball team of Loyola Marymount back in the 90’s under Paul Westhead. It’s beautiful when it works, but painful to watch when it doesn’t work.
I just saw a line that got physically handled. I’m thinking that the team misses Mathis a lot along with Todd herremans. You have two marginal backups starting and it shows. 40% of the of the oline sucks. Previously you were counting on something allowing the oline to pull but don’t have it now. Because the guards are getting turned. That makes the tackles look bad because the rb ends up going deep to get room and allows the DE to set wide and not get tangled with the OT. So GE99 thinks Peters or Johnson is missing his block but it’s just that the tackle has a near impossible job because he has to operate in space all the time or deal with an inside atunt. Then the team is losing 4 blockers on the inside and the backside de is free and the ILB and MLB is clean and operating from 3 deep with no bodies on him.
Previously you had the luxury of sending kelce out to engage or pulling Mathis or pulling Mathis and sending Peters out to engage the LBs. Now you have kelce helping one of the guards who are getting popped backwards 2 yards mangling the left right flow.Todd and Mathis could at least not get turned, popped back or washed away.
It is fixable, in the offseason. Or you hope to play a team with a bad dline.
100% of the o-line sucks, 120% if you count Celek
140% if you count Ertz too
There’s no Chemistry between the OGs and the OTs; and the OGs and the Center…. Its showing.
I think this is the reason. ChipWagon has a new post up and he gets into this aspect a bit. But the whole OL was terrible in the game, including Peters and Kelce. Celek did not block well either.
he’s doing gods work breaking down those plays watching eagles get run over time after time.
sanchez?
As in dirty?
mathis or herremans wouldn’t have changed anything.
herrimans sucked anyway and mathis is doing no better now in Denver.
can’t wait for the draft.
Herremans and to a lesser extent Mathis are declining players. Fine to get rid of them. Not fine to do so without a good plan to replace them.
Maybe throw some screens if the opponents are shooting the gaps on every play? Something. Anything. If you know how the D is attacking you there needs to be a counter somewhere. Chip can’t keep letting the opposition dictate the offensive game plan.
It didn’t matter. If there wasn’t a penalty by us during the screens then the D-line had shot the gaps and the rb would get tackled in the backfield.
Chip wanted a challenge when he came to the NFL and he got one. The guy whose runs were snuffed out like the DC was in on the calls and the guy columnists were praising two weeks ago are the same guy. Every NFL coach is not above the level of competition until some rise to it.
Chip got Bradford because he saw how Brady, Wilson, Rodgers, and Brees have made Belichick, Carroll, McCarthy, and Peyton look so smart. Bradford has always been hot/ cold and one has to assume that starts and ends between the ears, and the discontinuity, dropped passes, bad blocking, lack of a run game, and big city pressure are taking their toll. What’s bugging me the most about him is how he doesn’t seem to be making the offense run faster, which is the main reason why I started thinking about Sanchez – who seems to understand and believe in the scheme the most – at the intermission last night. With limited run plays, a hurry up that isn’t fast is the worst of both worlds. If/ when the offense gels the accuracy is likely to return.
Discontinuity, Chip’s ability to adjust to adjustments, and fundamentals are clearly much of the problem here, and if the ship can be righted with a December hot streak the injuries to Romo and Bryant, the Giants’ start, and the Skins problems could keep this going into the new year.
Bradford is 18-32 lifetime. That’s horrible.
Sanchize really runs the scheme super well. Plus he’s way more mobile, lots of rollouts, etc. to help the offense, think CK wants Tom Brady, or Peyton and that’s not the way it works.
I may be missing something, but these do not seem to be new problems for this team under Chip, but rather continued manifestations by opponents since Chip and his coaches have not shown the ability to adjust yet.
Defenses have stacked the box just like the Falcons and Cowboys did last season and even in 2013 on occasion. Without a deep threat and/or the ability to stretch the field, defense do not need to worry about getting beat over the top and thus can use a S vs the run or CB/S to blitz.
Defenses have played primarily man like the Falcons and Cowboys did last season and in 2013 on occasion. Defenses have not had to worry about our WR or TE beating their man consistently and thus have more resources, especially in the LB corps, to put toward stopping the run or pressuring the QB.
Defenses have taken away the middle of the field like the last two opponents last season and in 2013. Defenses know Chip wants to use the short to medium pass game to complement his run scheme and that over the middle and down the seam are areas they need to cap. Since we’ve been ineffective on 1st and 2nd downs routinely, on obvious passing downs, the LB and CB/S just sit back and play the passing lanes which makes it quite difficult to convert on 3rd down.
On the defensive side, I still see the lack of a pass rush, mediocre technique by our CB and LB in coverage and inconsistent tackling all over the place. Thurmond has had some nice INT, but he also has been cooked in coverage and trucked in the run game. Maxwell we are all aware of, but Carroll has struggled as well with coverage. The inability to get off the field on 3rd down added to the defense already being asked to play 35+ minutes because of the bad offense is a killer.
The fact we have to blitz to get any kind of pressure is not a good sign, good offenses will burn us on that and they did last season.
I’m still on board with Chip, still think he is a good coach, but I think he does need to re-evaluate his systems and personnel thoroughly, finally understand what the defenses and offenses of our opponents are doing and come up with actionable adjustments to combat those approaches.
There have been several times last season and these first two games where the Eagles look surprised by how the defense or offense plays them – that is mind blowing. Chip should have known these trends a long time ago and come up with counter plans. If he has and they have failed, ok go back and try again, but if he has not recognized or planned for these approaches and prepared his players, that is a really really big indictment of him as a coach.
“The new wrinkle this season appears to be quick penetration or gap blitzes to blow up run plays”
This seems to be key. Could be that defenses have two years worth of tape on Chip’s run plays, which are pretty simple, does the same ones with some options built in over and over. So defensive linemen can really trust their eyes, and make good guesses to where the offensive linemen are going to go, and trust that their will be certain gaps in each run play that they can exploit. D-linemen might be being taught where the gaps are likely to be and to just shoot through them, (even if this goes against their usual gap techniques) because against the eagles this one shoot up where the gap is likely to be style (that it seemed the Falcons and Dallas used) is incredible effective, historically effective.
Good post, I think they are not worried about shooting the gaps and taking the risk because they likely know what play the Eagles are running and do not believe the Eagles will disguise anything and trick them. Seth Joyner tonight on PST that it was clear to him after watching the game tape that the defense could diagnose the plays as soon as the Eagles came to the line.
I’d trust Joyner on that. When they hired Chip people talked as if he was thinking a few steps ahead of the rest of the nfl. That he was anticipating how the league would react to his schemes, but that he already was planning what he would do to respond to them, when they figured hist first scheme out in a year or two. I bought into the thinking that Chip had plans spanning a few years into the future – something like how he would move to heavy two or three tight end scheme because teams would do A or B or C against him, then he would do D or E or F. And that each of these “moves” were big scheme and personnel changes, that would last a year or two, not just tweaking some plays.
One thing is clear, he seems honestly perplexed and does not have a chess move type next move. He is just focused on having his players perform the old moves with better technique.
Just saw Kiko Alonso. Wouldn’t comment on his knee. Had his knee covered and walking with limp. There’s no update from the team.
Per Z Berman.
Not a good sign imo…
Crap.
Walking is a good sign. If it were a torn ACL, I do wonder if the team would allow him to be walking around without crutches.
Why won’t they just tell us if he is injured or not. Reid would ALWAYS stat his press conference with the injury report. This is BULLSHIT
tendinitis again maybe?
Was angry, now I’m just kinda numb, you know? IF we play well next week, I’ll be happy. If we lose, it is what it is and it’s too early to predict what will happen next year.
I had the same feelings. I was angry for a good portion of the evening, then just kinda developed into a blank state and got real quiet. I think it was just the realization that all the preseason bullshit we talked ourselves into was just that, bullshit. I’m really surprised so many bought into it too, seeing a scenario pretty similar to this played out just 5 years ago.
I hit my comatose state in the 4th quarter.
it was one of those games where anything that could go wrong did go wrong.
as evidenced by the snap off Bradford’s chest.
dallas tried to let us win but we just weren’t having it
I’m pretty sure that was the play after the great interception by Jenkins and immediately after Aikman asked something like, “Can this be the time when the Eagles make a charge?”
Sam looked like such a lunkhead when the ball banged into him that I actually laughed out loud. It was like a 3 Stooges skit.
At least Cody Parkey hit a field goal…. i mean that’s somethin right?
A week earlier and we could be 1-1 and things would look a little less disastrous.
except the field goal wouldn’t have won it.
the falcons would have marched down the field to hit the game winner
I said we could be 1-1 factoring that in. Plus the defense has been solid since the first half of the Atlanta game so there was the possibility of stopping them and winning the game.
except the field goal wouldn’t have won it.
the falcons would have marched down the field to hit the game winner
Punt block, dropped passes, stupid interception on a guy covered like a blanket in the end zone. Ball bouncing off QB’s chest because he’s not ready for the snap, horrible run blocking with the defense knifing through and practically getting the hand-offs. Bradford skittish in the pocket. Other than that, why all the bitching?
Look at the replay closely. The ball hits the receiver right on the numbers, bounces forward, right into the arms of the LB. It should have been caught by our guy.
Well if you’re right, which I don’t doubt, then just put that in the receiver fucked up category.
Alot of that yesterday. Jimmy K has an article up in gif format that has close to 10 passes that were dropped by receivers.
I’m reposting for those who want to reap the benefit of my foray into enemy territory:
Okay, this is totally piling on. This loss is on Chip, he’s the captain. But Bradford is probably part of the problem. I went to a Ram’s blog and cut and pasted some of the comments (to be fair, there were some that defended SB, too).
“In the first half, Bradford led the Eagles’ offense to just 21 total yards. That’s the lowest total in the first half by an NFL team since Bradford did it with the St. Louis Rams in 2013.”
“Any doubt that Bradford only has a fastball and has no touch after that last INT?”
“The INT was more on Bradford than the WR. How many times do we have to see that before we admit “Bradford has nothing but a fastball”. He has no feel.
“I told y’all Bradford sucks. We’ll be fine. Our defense is legit.”
“This reminds me a ton of 2013 where we couldn’t run the ball and teams were forcing Bradford to try and beat them. He NEEDS to be more aggressive down the field, but jmo.”
“Teams are just going to stop the running game with Bradford at QB. Bradford just throws too many check downs and doesn’t take any shots.”
“Sam just doesn’t go through his reads”
“Bradford looks terrible, and I’m not surprised. I just giggled when Aikman talked about accuracy…………Bradford isn’t accurate.”
“Bradford sucks but the fumble has to be given to somebody so unfortunately it’s his. Bradford brings bad mojo to his team and I’m glad he’s gone”
“His body language rubs the team the wrong way, and I truly believe he lacks leadership skills. I’m really happy he’s gone.””
This post is excellent btw, I believe all of it. Reason why i never understood rams kept giving him chances after never showing anything in games. Practice all star. Sooner this team moves on the better but looks like he’ll take chip with him
Trigger warning: it can be upsetting to watch.
http://www.phillyvoice.com/-eagles-should-learn-catch-football-gif-recap-/
No OD is totally incorrect the ball went right to Sean Lee who had perfect coverage on Ertz and was in front of Ertz. Ertz wrapped his arms around Lee. It didn’t bounce at all.
Absolutely not ball was throw right into Sean Lee’s midsection, he was right in front of Ertz. Never touched Ertz , I can’t even see how you would have another angle showing otherwise because you can’t see hardly any of Ertz.
He might be still drunk
You even made me laugh on such a terrible day.
true when you put it like that what the big deal?
Actually, it was his head I think…
I’m surprised we dind’t let the rush come and just throw 5 yd screen passes, why even try to block them at that point, 2 WRs running verts on the outside, TE fake blocks and then looks for the pass
i agree, i thought they tried it a few times yesterday, one was called for a penalty on Ertz i think and another got them about 11 yards and a first down then it was just abandoned
I was just think this same thing. If defense are going to be this aggressive then use it against them.
Come with 5 WRs… somebody is going to be open
Believe it or not, the pass blocking has been really good, which is why Bradford’s play is so disturbing.Sam has been pressured a league low 13% of the time… He is getting flashbacks of his ram days back there, needs to get it together and trust his protection, but more important is getting the run game going, it’s supposed to be a main component of easing Bradford back in the game after a two year sabbatical. Doubt anyone who was high on Bradford would have been confident in him if we knew he wasn’t going to get to play behind a run game…
…
Our struggles to run the ball are having a negative trickle down effect on everything. Kelce and JP first and foremost need to get their shit together. If they play well it will help out the guards
looking at the gifs our guys weren’t getting open either. Last year random dudes were running open almost every play, not the case this year and none of our WRs are good enough yet to beat man w/out running a “man beater” crossing routes. But all those crossers reduce the guys that you can use to block. It’s not like we have a djax than can just outrun his guy and catch.
What has happened to Agholor? He doesn’t seem to be getting any seperation or finding spots along with trouble getting off jams.
Hopefully the NFL slows down a bit for him by Week 5 or 6 because they desperately need someone that teams will fear will get loose for a big play.
Yeah not sure — you know it’s bad when Mo’ clairborne is making plays.
Waiting for the all 22
may be a reason the line struggles…As a lineman, when your D counterpart knows who’s getting the ball, they’re on it from the start. When D is not sure, OL has a chance to set the block up. Our below average line is being further hampered by the play design (protect SB). Lot to ask those new guards.
Eagles release Morris sign Than Lewis, let the new regime begin.
Lewis is a better #3 going into the Jets game.
Fitzpatrick went to Harvard.
Lewis is from Duke.
Both schools are really, really hard to get into.
No point in worrying about any other issues until we get this run game going. The Run is so important tying in to everything we do..
..
The good news is they been so terrible against the run that there is definitely room for this run game to grow. Can the guards be good enough to be elite at running the ball? No idea,.. But the OL was so piss poor in the run game, so you can bet they are capable of playing better then that. I literally believe that any OL in the NFL is capable of running the ball better then that putrid, gutless display..Lane said it perfectly, we got punched in the mouth and sat there pissing down our legs..
..
Big team meeting this week. I never imagined that week 3 against the Jets would define the 2015 season…
..
I know what the starts are for 0-2 teams, but 0-2 doesn’t scare me, especially in this division.. But there are different types of 0-2, and this type of 0-2 is freightening and embarrassing.
..
No idea how we are supposed to get this run game started on the road against a BULLY DL of the jets, but you can’t start 0-3 and expect to turn it around.. week 3 on the road, literally fighting to hang on and not piss away this season. All the hard work this summer, do they dare piss it all away in week 3? Scary times…
“All the hard work this summer, do they dare piss it all away in week 3?” agree, sleep monitors, sports science, fitness regimes, etc. then to go up against probably the worst team you want to play right now — a team that’s spent all of it’s 1st round picks on DL.
Gotta say, skins dominated Rams on the ground yesterday almost 200ydsrushing between A. Mo and Matt Jones, they might be the best team right now.
Forget the X and O’s this week.. Major gut Check game.. It better be the most physical eagle performance I have seen in years. You were flat
Embarrassed during the game of the week, and not at the hands of Dallas, you embarrassed yourselves, time to grab your balls, make sure they are still there and do something about it..
..
If we aren’t pissed off, embarrassed Enough
To make sure you are the more physical team on Sunday, then you don’t deserve it anyway.., gut check time, step up and beat up that jets team or lay down and get taken out of Your misery Sunday…
The weekly interview that Kelly gave this morning on WIP left me cringing a bit.
Sure these interviews are all fluff, but his position is that “there’s no one
guy” that’s the problem, and “we have to play better.” In other words,
the problem is the system and the (lack of) talent. Wow, that’s a double
whammy.
Also disconcerting to say there wouldn’t be any personnel changes either. Reminds me of the stubborn almost pathological insistence on leaving Fletcher on to flounder at CB while helping to sink the Eagles’ season.
Either fix it quick or they’re season is sunk. Not so much about the NFC East as I just see a team with a lot of new faces losing confidence in each other & their coach with another poor performance.
Almost impossible to get new players into this fast tempo offense mid season, especially on the o-line. The problem is we need more vets and not miles austin vest, but a jeremy maclin type of vet that can catch and take over a game when you need it. Got a first year, 2 second years and a 3rd year..
And Cooper!
One decent thing to come out of Dallas game is im proud how Jordan hicks battled, far from a great performance but he showed some heart n moxy getting thrown in a really tough situation..
..
The kid was burried on the ILB depth chart behind 3 really good ILBs, he MEVER imagined he would be thrust into action in week 2, and for someone burried on the bench so early in a rookie season, I was proud of how prepared he was.., no way he ever imagined playing on defense last week when he was preparing to play ST on Sunday, yet he showed that he is still preparing the way a pro should, came into a dysfunctional situation Sunday and he had plenty of mistakes and plays he would like back, but it never looked like the moment was to big for him.. Pleased to know our 3rd rd pick was preparing like a pro, even tho he never imagined he would play on Sunday.,.. Now we will find out about out 3rd rd pick, he is going to have to play on the road against the Jets in such an imptortant game where we literally will be fighting for our entire season ..hicks is lucky he will have mufasa
Next to him helping him thru this
Lots of drops first two games. Lots of drops by rams WRs, could it be sammy b?
Rams WRs are still dropping passes
Yes
next week will be interesting- 1) can they score on Jets D which is very good. 2) can the Jets score on them?
Defense will have to win the game for us…. Because I doubt the 40 point Defensive explosion is coming agiants the Jets D playing at Home…. If our WRs couldn’t make shit happen against Pigeons, Claiborne, and Patmon, what’s going to happen when our WRs have to line up against Revis, Cromartie and Buster Skrine?…. OL needing to get it going against Sheldon Ruchardson, Mohammed Wilkerson and Leonard Williams is far from Ideal..
..
our Defense is going to have to cary us against the Jets, hold them under 21 points for us to have a chance.. Byron Maxwell is going to be needed to play well against Brandon Marshall .. Fortunately, Losing Kemdricks and KIKO will probably force us to play more Zone, and Quarters which is what he did in seattle and plays more to his strengths..
,.
Our ST ISNT going to be able to score every week, but It’s unacceptable for this ST to get out played by their counterparts…. iF Jerome Couplin can’t help out on Deense, why the Fuck is he on Special teams instead of Prosinski? ST can’t get out played and costs us big plays, they are too good for that. I don’t expect them to score everyweek, but after this past week, ST owes us some big plays in New York. Get it together! Hope Tutu comes back
I actually like it better that week 3 is on the road rather then at home in a game that fans would be really nervous for., better off going on the road, the one thing worries me on the road is struggle communicating which is a problem for a team that’s still gelling. In Atlanta, half the stadium was eagle fans, the jets fans don’t play that shit, they won’t be letting our fans take over their stadium, it will be a very load pro jets crowd and normally we are much better on the road, heck Jason Peters last week said we are better on the road, but OL problems in a loud environment where we struggle to communicate is scary.
..
If we don’t physically beat up the Jets, season will be in the toilet
Prior to last year, the Eagles had the worst home record pct vs overall record pct since the Linc opened.
You know what the Eagles lack?! A frigging top 5 WR. Someone who demands double teams and can change a game. Like the one who took a TO after one year of dream marriage with Donovan…
he said he’s ready to play. I’m sure howie has his number.
I think Donovan is available as well.
I am really tired of those WRs since the TO days who are a No. 2 at best.
Do you think we could trade for Bolden?
I’d settle for a top 15 receiver.
My observations from the game:
1. Tony Romo and Witten are old.
2. Peters, Ryans, and Celek are also old.
3. Our WR’s hands are made of stone.
4. Our defense is actually pretty good.
5. If our oline can’t figure out how to block, I’m going to have a lot of extra time this football season because I’m not going to watch games.
He said our defense is good. LOL
“your defense” no chance you are a birds fan.. sorry i fed him, i know i know..
or defense was helped a lot by the massive amount of dallas penalties. Our offense was helped a lot too — terrible game yesterday for everyone involved.
Well to be fair, you are the the Donald, you live for that kind of stuff.
I have said over and over I am an Eagles fan. ILost respect fo rEagles fans after they took a shit o n andy reid and so I wont root for them again til Chip Kelly is gone.
I agree, one more game like that and I have my Sundays to do other useless things. like go outside.
damn!
1. This could be the beginning of the end of Romo’s career, between his back and collarbone.
2. It’s sad to say, but I think you’re right about Peters. Crap.
3. It’s an insult to stones to compare them to our receivers hands.
4. Our front 7 is good, our secondary is atrocious.
5. My buddys have decreed that we must watch every play of every game. No matter the game, no matter the score, come hell or high water.
Chip Wagon breaks down the hot mess that was our run game yesterday….does a very good job in stopping the film to highlight missed/fucked up blocking assignments…some of our TFL plays looked like a playground game…
And it looked like everyone took turns playing like ass.
looking at the first gif by Chip Wagon, you can see the Dallas linebackers are going full effort, full speed towards where Sproles is going to end up on the sweep, before Sproles has even touched the ball.
Defenses are very confident they know where the ball is going, so they can go full speed before Bradford even hands the ball off. So maybe some misdirection would be good, need to take advantage of an agressive D. Jets are likley to be very aggressive, hopefully Eagles can take advantage of this. Making the linebackers hesitate for half a second might help.
foles game against dallas when we lost 17-3 and he got knocked out was so bad, but this seemed worse. even though that was horrid
similar feels to that game in particular yesterday for me. Bradford looking skittish in the pocket at times reminded me of Foles just standing there looking lost. I don’t remember how the offense ran the ball that day but it couldn’t have been worse than yesterday’s shit show
Oh my gosh, great call! Maybe Bradford was concussed?!?!? And he will go on to throw 27 tds and 2 int??? Oh wait, he has already surpassed the INT total……
He should look into getting a real mobile qb. I know he says he doesn’t need it but if we had one yesterday I think things would have been a little different.
yeah where can you pick one of those up?
is there kiosk at the mall?
I’ve seen a few at sports authority
Right! Chip needs to get his head out of his ass, cut practice short, drive to the QB store, go in the Mobile QB section and get a Damn QB.
..
Aftr all the SUPERBOWLS we accumulated having running QBs since the 1980s,,clearly out of all our problems, not having a running QB is the biggest
In fairness, Thad Lewis is pretty mobile
Wait,where is this qb store? How come I didn’t know about this?
Pretty sure chips really only been successful with qb’s that could move. Hell even nick foles had a decent ypc.
Ask qq, he has been right about everything so far. He should have his own little following of fans, it would be cute.
No thank you. EVER.
Eagles cut qb and sign Thad Lewis
Bradford?
Lol! No, they cut Stephen Morris
If only. Fold while you can chip
Lol
Let’s pick up a mobile QB who’s bagging groceries, there has to be a few offensive lineman working construction and finally a lawyer who can play cornerback. Super Bowl here we come!
Sign me up for cornerback. I’ll have to compete against AC Viking but judging from his knowledge of Eagles history, I’m younger. Also, since I’m out of shape,I’ll be tired after 1 or 2 plays so being on the field all game shouldn’t make my level of play decline much from the beginning of the game!
Drink a shake and get on the field you’ll be fine. lol
How about if our defense did what their defense did? Make a tackle for loss an actual friggin tackle for a loss. Instead their guy breaks free 5 yards in his backfield and gets 3-5 yards positive yards. What in the actual fuck is that?
i know he only had 6 but it seemed like Malcolm Jenkins made about 20 tackles yesterday
Oh yeah he did a great job of wrapping up his tackles, he was one of the few bright spots out there, but there were some plays that were just maddening. We had some plays where our guys sliced right through their line and didn’t finish the deal.
Oh man that was drivin me nuts
#InChipwehavetotrust
Nailed it! dude, they will right the ship. I’ll drink all the kool aid in the world, run through walls, I don’t care, this season just started. All this lead up excitement to have this shit end on September 20th? Hell no!
im about to have a Jim Fassel “I am shoving my chips into the middle of the table, i am raising the ante, anybody who wants out can get out. This team is going to the playoffs” moment
Easy there guy, I love the Eags but it is just football. You have commented allot on this article so don’t tucker yourself out.
I comment a lot after game day and then disappear until the following Sunday. Won’t tucker out because come tomorrow I won’t even think about the Eags until Sunday pregame.
Running around checking other blogs, tweets and watching this shit 24/7 will tucker you out. I spend 2 days on football, one to watch the Eagles, the next day to post here, hardly think it’s anything more than a game.
in 2014 half our line was missing after the first 2 games and we were trying to figure that out. we are 100% healthy on offense and this group has been practicing together all offseason.
Shhh why are stating the obvious and ruining the optimism?
Chip talked about it today how we couldn’t run the ball at All in the San Fran game last year and they were able to go on and correct it….
..
I have no doubts this OL is capable of more then we saw yesterday, heck EVERY OL in the NFL is capable of more then our OL showed yesterday,,.. how Much more will we grow is the question… But there is certainly no where to go but up, yesterday was rock bottom as far as run games are concerned
are games 3-4 in 2014 the two games where the only projected O-line starter in the line-up was Peters?
He just posted it, I would look it up but I’m too tuckered.
I believe so. I was more grasping for straws.
Apparently, according to GEAGLE, so is Kelly.
Week 4 they had 1 out of the 5 O-Linemen. Week 4 was a top 5 defense. Week 5 they got Lane back. They started getting healthy. All of our guys are healthy. No one is coming to save them.
malcolm Jenkins is really playimg some good football this year, and Jordan Hicks showed a ton of promise yesterday., Thurmond was quiet but I really think he will grow nicely into this new role. After all our issues yesterday, I think it’s crazy to dwell on that TD Maxwell gave up when the game was over and the defense that fought its ass of all game covering for an offense that put them in terribke situations all game…
..
truth is, The Defense showed nice growth yesterday from the Atlanta game, They aren’t where we need to be yet as a defense, but if we can keep making progress like we did from the Atlanta game to the Dallas, with each week that Passes, by Mid October the defense will be where we need it to be…with so many new Faces, it’s no secret that we should be a better second half team then we are in the first half of the season, but we have to claw and scratch find a way to win these games, and stay afloat while we grow into the team we think we can be…
..
Defense was far from perfect yesterday. A lot to improve on.. But the defense showed decent growth from week 1 to week 2, which is what we need them to do while we are gelling early in the year….What’s extremely disturbing is the Atlanta game should have been a wake up call. I understand that the beginning of the year is just the starting point, and we need to grow each week to becomes the great team everyone thinks can compete in the playoffs, for that to happen we have to grow each week.. Very disturbing that after the offense had a crappy starting point in Atlanta, instead of improving the way the defense did, seems like the Offense went backwards from the Atlanta game.,very disturbing that the offense isn’t showing growth from one week to the next,, if that doesn’t change this week, we have serious problems
Can Celek play guard?
hopefully not, he was the worst blocker on the field yesterday
Aptly sums up the post-game reaction today:
http://i.imgur.com/6m9icgz.jpg
I hope you used the wrong your/you’re for irony there.
KIKO believes he didn’t tear his ACL,,, he is no Doctor, but ACL tear is something he Experiemced twice before so it’s emcouraging that he doesn’t believe it to be That serious.
,,
KEndricks is allegedly going to push it t try and play Sunday.. If he has returning so soon on his mind, it can’t be that serious… but Mychal needs to sit down with the sports Sciemce guys and they need to come up with a better plan for KEndricks to take care of his Hamstrings… What he has been doing ISNT working…gotta find a way to try and Better take care Of his hamstrings.. Might be worth trying some “Bikram Yoga” during the week, more sleep? Better hydrated? Change up his pregame warm up routine? Gotta find a way to stop missing games every yeat over his hamstrings,.
..
But I’m very encouraged by what I saw from jordan Hicks, we activated,our Dime package, which we hadn’t practiced in 2-3 weeks on the sideline yesterday because of our ILB injuries… Dime Package means that Hicks was on the field Alone, without Mufasa on passing downs… For the Kid to be able to handle That, when he never Imagined playing this week while he was preparing for Dallas last week. Is a very encouraging sign..
..
For your #4’LB, as a rookie im his second game, to be able to play As the lone LB in dime when we hadn’t practoced it the last few weeks is fuckin impressive. proud of the Kid, and I don’t Fear having Hicks and MUFASA on the field, and I feel very fortunate to be able to feel good about our LBs after losing two LBs KIKO and KEndricks who I think so highly of…. Go Jordan Hicks!,
Ryans was hard to watch yesterday.. Has the mind to play but the physical tools hes become a liability
Saw plenty of good from Demeco yesterday. But also saw a lot of Bad… Took him two years to get back from the first Achilles so it’s safe to say he is still getting back to pre injury from,..
..
Meco Practically single handedly shut them down on the goal line holding them to 3, along with Beau Allen helping him make an Awesome play on 1st down, and Meco shut Dallas down the next two plays, forcing them to kick a FG…
…
I didn’t get the “Hard to watch” impression from MECO yesterday, but I’ll look out for it when I go back and watch the game. I’ll Probably just watch the Defensive snaps again.. No reason to watch the offensive debacle again.
.
If Mykal and KIKO can’t play, our Nickel Defense goes in the Toilet, and we will have to ask Hicks to hold down the fort as our ONLY LB in Dime… But Hopefully MUFASA,has enough in the Tank to hold it down on 1st and 2nd down til one of our starters get back…. But Jordan Hicks is going to have to grow up fast, and contribute on defense this year even tho we thought he owuld only play ST…
This is why preseason is so important.. Rust, chemistry, should never be a reason for struggling or starting slow.. People want preseason cut short i reckon preseason needs less of backups n more of the starters.. Maybe Ryans wasnt ready to run then but this O was healthy then n there is no excuse for why they arent executing
Clearly we chose getting to the season Healthy, over getting to the season prepared and it was a risky gamble during a year where you new you would have to start the season needing to build chemistry… We bet that we could stay afloat and gut out enough wins to keep us in olay until we gelled into the team that people so much potential in… That gamble now has us facing an 0-2 start… Chip Kelly teams have rolled of 5,6 wins in a row before. We are by no means out of this, but our margin of error is getting smaller and smaller….. We just need to get that FIRST WIN, once we get it, guys can loosen up, not play as tight.. This first win is proving a little too elusive for our tastes… But This City has certainly been rattled.
..
i don’t think fans are ready to waive the white flag yet, but I doubt many fans will go into this Jet game feeling really confident.. We thought the AtLatta loss was a growing pain ANOMOLY, the dallas loss smacked us in the face, and if this doesn’t have our attention, God help us..
,,
We are Fortunate in Tony’s Misfortune, rookie Hicks Knocking Romo out for two months was like am extra lifeline..but if we don’t get it together, get Angry and Bring the Physicality, we won’t beat the Skins who are playing physocal football.
..
if we don’t get it together, Donkey Kong Suh might send half our backfield to the hospital
Oh god, talk about tuckering out.
not sure what my rooting interest are supposed to be tonight? I’m happy we go on the road to play the jets, but im not sure,what’s better for us..
.
Would we rather see the Jets beat the Colts tonight, go home feeling Good and confident about themselves go into the Eagles game? Or would we rather see the jets look like crap tonight and go home pissed Off and prepare to host the Eagles?
Pick the Jets. It’ll knock more people out of my suicide pool.
If you’re scarfing down shrimp and someone says, “Easy there, the ocean called and they’re running out of shrimp.” What would be a good comeback? “Well the jerk store called and they are running out of you!” or would you go with, “Well I had sex with your wife!”
How about, “Well, I think you got prank called because the ocean doesn’t even get cell service.”
Or maybe, “Wildlife depletion due to over-fishing is a serious issue facing our society. Don’t joke about the loss of biodiversity, you prick.”
How about combining your two responses, “You must of had bad reception the phone call was actually you wife saying ‘I’m running out on you, you shrimp.'”
Dude, you should’ve wrote for Seinfeld. Cell phone use wasn’t a big thing then though, but I think you would’ve adapted just fine, that was awesome.
By the way, why did you ask?
That episode was on lol…Seeing how many Seinfeld fans were on here.
Ah, I watched it but I am not one of the fans that know the episodes. I thought someone actually said that to you.
LOL Well that makes you even more talented of a writer. You know what’s weird? I didn’t even think you actually knew what I was referencing because of the way you answered. That made your answer that much better.
Thanks. And yeah, the cell phone wouldn’t have made sense for Seinfeld.
That second paragraph…Genius. Great job.
All about fundamentals, huh… Is this preseason? Is TC over yet??
nope, just finished the last preseason game yesterday. the team should be good and getting better, can’t wait for the playoffs.
There was a time the NFL had 6 preseason games and 14 regular season games. If only
A memorable era (1961-1977):
10-4 in 1961.
9-5 in 1966.
6-7-1 in 1971.
6-8 in 1964.
Eight seasons with 2, 3, or 4 wins.
And a couple with 5 wins.
______________
The past 15 years have been the golden era of Eagles football . . . but you’d only know it if you survived the ’60s.
I’d actually say 25 to 30 years have been great.
88-92. 95, 96. 2000-2010. 2013-14.
All winning seasons.
I won’t argue with that.
Not one bit.
Being 38, I don’t have in my years of close fandom any extreme stretches of the team being pitiful and hopeless. The worse three year stretch was 1997 through 99.
imagine 20 years of that — with a couple of winning, but non-playoff, seasons sprinkled in.
That’s how you throw snowballs at Santa Claus.
You can get a feel for the bad old days by watching the beginning of Invincible just before the Vermeil years. That scene in the stands at the beginning of the movie looked bleak and pathetic…and realistic Fans fed up with years of losing
We are the same age. Luckily for me, I was drunk for most of those years.
Listen to Didinger on Saturday morning on WIP. If you have you know he has so much knowledge and is a great story teller recalling the old days. I go back to the mid to late 70’s memory wise. Didinger will talk about the late 40’s Championship teams with such fondness and appreciation you’d think he was there. He’s so good, I could listen to that guy day and night. He’s not always right, he predicted this team to get off to a strong start, but who is right all the time? Especially about this crazy team.
Anyways, he went on the air Saturday shortly after hearing the Moses Malone story. Dude, it was the best, he tells the best stories, true stories..lol…I mean that’s not always the case with people, but he is so sincere. His football knowledge is incredible, especially his history of the game. It’s must listen to radio. I know he calls in during the week, but I make it a point to tune him in on Sat morning 10-1 usually, unless he’s on vacation or maybe offseason. He can do all the sports too, he wrote for the Bulletin back in the day, did all 4 teams.
Ray Diddy’s an all-time favorite.
I’m not in the area, so I can’t hear him on the radio.
But I’ve exchanged emails with him — kicking around some history.
He’s fantastic. And when he’s gone, there’ll be no one in the Philadelphia area to keep the history of this franchise alive.
Regrettably, Lurie’s not much for team history pre-1994.
There’re still plenty of Eagles from those terrible teams in the ’60s and ’70s who stood out and merit recognition.
Don’t think it’ll happen, unfortunately.
Hey google listen to wip online, you’ll get it. That’s how I listen to it, I don’t even own a radio anymore lol…..Anyways, I didn’t write everything the way I wanted the first time so I hope you saw the edit part.
Ray talks about the most obscure players and can give the best detail. He has a football mind like no other, that’s awesome you exchange emails with him. I live with the post game show, win or lose, just because of him.
Just so you know, I’m usually tough on former players’ knowledge of the game, Brian Westbrook is really, really good on postgame. That guy knows his shit, I can even see Ray’s nod of approval of his knowledge. Wish you could see that, but you can hear Ray if you get a chance on Saturday morning.
Will do.
Thank you for the heads up.
Not a prob, I know you know your shit and would appreciate hearing more of him. Especially this time of year.
Yep, Ray wanted a game at Franklin Field, he pushed for it. The only problem, and Ray admitted it, there’s no bathrooms in the upper deck? Something like that? How does that happen? LOL We need Kelly green, I agree it seems like Lurie doesn’t want anything to do with that era, or just won’t acknowledge for some reason. He did those wacky blue and yellow uniforms, but that kelly green with the old Eagles with the wing span, that’s the shit, wish they would play a game in those unis.
A regular season game at Franklin Field would require a miracle (of 1978 proportions).
But a pre-season game there would absolutely be doable for the fans.
I’m a Penn alum. Between the 20’s, sitting in the upper-deck is the best venue for watching football in Philadelphia.
That would be great. I’m not sure if Ray was pushing for a regular season game or preseason, but definitely should be able to do a preseason game at least.
My Dad had two seats, North stands upper deck, third row, about the 8 yard line at the ‘open’ end. There was a railing after the first two rows so you could roll your Daily News (with Eagles & visitors’ rosters covering page 1) over it and not lose it. Wow, you felt you didn’t even have to wind up to hit the edge of the field (with a snowball, of course)
I think the blue and yellow were okay because there was no threat of fans liking them.
Omg sometimes I use them on Madden because I don’t do drugs but I want to trip.
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m in a positive frame of mind for the future.
Your score is: 6606 (GRADE: A-)
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 21: Jared Goff, QB, California (A+)
Round 3 Pick 13: Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford (B-)
Round 3 Pick 21: Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana (A)
Round 4 Pick 21: Joe Haeg, OT, North Dakota State (A)
Round 4 Pick 23: Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas State (A+)
Round 5 Pick 15: Ryan Malleck, TE, Virginia Tech (B)
Round 5 Pick 20: Doug Middleton, FS, Appalachian State (B+)
Round 6 Pick 21: Terrance Smith, OLB, Florida State (A-)
Round 7 Pick 21: Sebastian Tretola, OG, Arkansas (B-)
please don’t start this. how are we pick 21, that’s not terrible (or just based on last year)?
We’re 21 based on last year’s I guess.
And I needed to do something to get out of the flame war on what ails the team.
I don’t see this as perpetual on my part until the college season is over and all of the underclassmen declare.
Imagine what you’ll be able to do picking 5th.
Get Goff hopefully.
I don’t follow college, but did you just draft players with name like NFL players? That is what I would do.
Kyle Murphy= Trent Murphy,
Jason Spriggs = Suggs,
Gronkowski= Gronkowski,
Ryan Mallek = Ryan Mallet,
Doug Middleton = Kate Middleton (whatever),
Terrance Smith = Terrance Smith,
Tretola = Mariota.
Nah, I looked at what came up as I googled names of guys listed as best available.
But that overlap is funny.
But it would be epic if we landed Goff.
No it would be a disaster because we would be picking 1-1.
No offense’ but any Eagle Mock that doesn’t include the DNA of Both Gronkowskis and Watts is an F
.,
I’d rather trade all our 4th and 5th round picks since,chip wipes his ass with them anyway
Charecter doesn’t mean shit when it’s all picnics, unicorns and long walks on the beach, But down 0-2’and reaching run game rock bottom, we are about to put our Charecter to the ultimate test and we will find out a lot about yhis team Early in the season… You can’t gel and come together as a team without facing adversity together. GRanted it’s a little more adversity then we would like tThis early in the season..and while THIS MUCH adversity could completely ruin our season if we don’t step up and do something about this as a team. Can’t look around and expect the man next to you to do something about this. To a man we shit the bed, and we Need ALL HANDS ON DECK, the margin of error is getting smaller and smaller…THE GLASS HALF FULL aspect of this Horrible situation is that for a team with so many new players that still need to gel, THIS MUCH,ADVERSITY that’s staring in our face right now can also be viewed as a heckuva growth opportunity. It Could end our season, BUT, if we can claw and scratch our way out of this mess, and climb our way back up to controlling this division it’s really going To expedite our Gelling process and it could really spring board us into growing into the team we,need to be if we want to compete at the highest upper echelon level of this league….we put a Ton of emphasis on Charechter and now is when we need it most, but if we don’t step up now it will be too late…. We have some really big adversity staring in our face, overcome it, fight your way back into control of the division, one week at a time and if we can manage to overcome this adversity, it would be HUGE!,Id rather NOT be in the postion of course, but if we can overcome this, we will be better for it as a team, as a NEW team that still growing, then we would be if like last year, we struggle but squeek our way to wins.. This can actually really good for us.lREAlly good for us. But that’s up to us, As much as overcoming this can MAKE US, it’s also a serious threat to BRAKE US… I believe in the coaching, I believe in the overall team talent. And I was Told that we were putting extra emphasis on trying to buld the charachter of a Champion.we,can step up and turn this into an awesome opportunity that we significantly grow from, or it can destroy our season…. No need to talk about the Charchter, because we,sure as hell are about to find all about the Charechetr of these players..
..
..
demarco Murray is a friggin Gentleman.. demarco and Lane sat at their lockers dejected after the game. As playërs left, Demarco was talking to all the media about how this is all on him, how he ismt running well enough, how he needs to be better, how he will be better… What a Gentleman. I appreciate you being. Class,act and not throwing your new team Under the Bus, but Murray is the LAST player to blame for this 0-2 start,,, truth is, yesterday Meant the world to demarco, and the Eagles, his new teammates completely failed him yesterday.
..
Young players with Egos like RG3,’can learn a lot from how Demarco handled wha was probably one Of the most frustrating games in his career with Complete Ckass…. much Respect..
.,
I also love how hurt and upset Lane Johnson was after the game. it clearly means a lot to him. And he was embarressed, best of all he was vocal about how it’s time for the team to grow a pair, and how the players would have to be Brutally honest with each other this week, while staying United and get themselves prepared to claw and scratch themselves out of this hole together
no interviews for andrews, celek or barbe those are the guys i’d want to talk to. bmax gives a good interview too in that he’ll say what’s on his mind.
THIS IS GOLD.
DUDE.
You’ve really outdone yourself here.
CHARECTER, MOTHERF**KERS.
Not to jump in because I know I annoy the piss out of a few people here as well, but is there really any purpose to you trolling Geagle’s stuff?
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
If he’s gonna post 10x more than the next person and repeat himself over and over again and generally foster an oppressive atmosphere, then he’s gonna get his nonsense called out.
I consider it my civic duty. I understand that it annoys some people, but you’re always going to break a few eggs in a revolution.
Well, that explains that.
Great read!
http://www.thenation.com/article/getting-god-out-of-football/
So much I would love to say, but this is a sports blog. You’re right though, great read.
Rodgers tweaking Wilson was really worth a chuckle.
The Foster part of the article is somewhat old news however.
Yep, I like Rodgers, I know I probably shouldn’t, same conference, beat us once to get to go on to win the Super Bowl, killed us last year, but always liked him. Those commercials last year were great. Can’t even remember now, the credit card or something? I just remember laughing my ass off. To be clear, if we need to beat him, I will dislike him with all my heart. Oh yeah, and beating the Cowboys last year helped me like him, now this article.
Sad part is that Falcolns were one of the worst run Ds last year Dallas was 22.
Yeah, that isn’t an area the Jets really struggle with.
“There’s also the possibility that teams have started to catch on to how
Kelly naturally creates running lanes within his offense. The Dolphins
have run into similar trouble on the ground. After finishing last year
with the second-best per-carry average in the league, Miami is 26th
through two games, averaging just 3.41 yards per carry. That’s still
better than the 32nd-ranked Eagles and their 2.12 average, but it’s a
drastic drop-off from where Miami was a season ago.” grantland
I always come to Tommy’s articles first, he seems to be one of the most level headed bloggers/analysts. I think this is an exceptional read and really what I needed today! (Although, his buddy Jimmy is absolutely hilarious and always presents a good read.) This is a completely new team and with the QB position being the main chess piece, it takes time for them to jell and get on the same page. I may be in the minority here, but I kind of thought this season would start off a bit rocky. I think we all had expectations way too high. Talent on this team is there, but talent won’t win. Teams win. I also think this team is missing a few more pieces to the puzzle. It’s likely going to take another year or two to see some real progress now that Chip has full control of the roster. He could only do so much this year. I’m not throwing in the towel yet, but I just don’t have the same level of expectations that most people seem to have. The good thing here about the NFC East is…it’s wide open at this point in the season. The reality is the Eagles dug themselves into a hole, but it’s not to the point they can’t dig themselves out of it.
Part of me agrees with you, but the overall disgusting lack of blocking has me irked beyond belief. If we were just dealing with Bradford rust losing us games, I’d feel a bit better.
In 2015, a QB new to Kelly’s scheme.
Same as 2013 for Vick and Foles.
And in 2014 for Sanchez.
But Bradford had not played in nearly two years. Not drawing any conclusions but different circumstances clearly.
Bardford had the worst game in CK era, worse than matty be even.
Player
Year
Week
Opp
Cmp
Att
Cmp%
Yds
Y/Att
TD
INT
QBR
Sam Bradford
2015
2
DAL
23
37
62.2%
224
6.1
1
2
5.3
Matt Barkley
2013
8
NYG
17
26
65.4%
158
6.1
0
1
6.1
Nick Foles
2013
7
DAL
11
29
37.9%
80
2.8
0
0
8.9
Matt Barkley
2013
7
DAL
11
20
55.0%
129
6.5
0
3
14.4
Mark Sanchez
2014
11
GB
26
44
59.1%
346
7.9
2
2
15.3
This is a terrible offense and it’s not just the QB. Celek and Kelce can’t block, WRs can’t catch, QB can’t check down or throw, and Chip can’t scheme. You can’t fixate on one guy. This team’s offense sucks.
One persistent theme has been the team’s need to “gel” — especially on offense.
At the start of 2013, in the first 4 games of Kelly’s tenure here, the Eagles’ offense had just 6 players who’d started at least 8 games in 2012 — which includes the QB (who soon lost his job).
In those first 4 games of 2013 — in an entirely new scheme — the worst offensive output was 431 total yards and 16 points in Gm 3 v. Chiefs, a game that included 5 turnovers by the Birds.
In 2015, the offense has 7 players who started at least 8 games last season (five of whom started nearly all 16 in 2013).
New QB in 2015 playing in a new scheme . . . like Vick and everyone else who started in 2013.
Not drawing any conclusions. Just noting the data.
I get all of that, but there is an underlying fear (echoed by Brian Westbrook last night after the game) that the two guards will simply never been good enough for us to sustain any blocking success. That’s what scares me most.
Pretty hard to believe — considering all the bad teams over the years with bad O-lines, which still ran decently — that 2 guards are so completely responsible for what’s happening.
Completely, probably not. Major contributors, may very well be.
seems that way so far.
The play they ran last week where the center pulls and they sweep right? That was so obvious that it was going to happen this week the Cowboys sliced through and were almost ready for the hand off.
I truly believe that play should be dead, I believe I could’ve game planned for it. It was one of the successful plays they ran well last week, believe one was called back on a hold. Sproles I think also ran it successfully. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think it’s an easy play to detect and for the linebackers to slice the gaps.
Edit to add: It also lost like 8 yards for Murray last week on one play. I hate that play, hate it to death.
Westbrook, who I mentioned earlier I believe is a great analyst, was asked if he’d rather be the Cowboys with the hurt QB or the Eagles with the shitty start. He still picked the Eagles and said he still likes their chances. Weird, but encouraging.
I agree with westie, playoffs are still possible.
Celek had the worse PFF. Kelce was bad also. And Kelce hikes when the QB is not looking. No, the guards are not the only problem.
Hang them all from lamp posts in front of The Link.
I totally get all of that, but I trust B West when he says these dudes at guards might be pitiful beyond redemption.
I respect Westy but he’s using the guards as escape goats. Look at the Seahawks lack of a running game for a clue to part of our problem.
DCs are now shooting gaps to stop inside and outside zone read runs. The bonus is that they can also get pressure on the QB during play action. Chip and Carroll need to adjust their run plays and protection packages.
dolphins having same problem.
Interesting comment. That leads credence to the idea DCs have found answers to zone plays.
I’m all for making those types of play calling and/or schematic adjustments as long as it doesn’t result in a running QB system.
Agree. A solution is more power plays and less zone plays.
GET A HAT ON A HAT!
Wasn’t there a 3rd and inches where they threw a long pass? Did they not trust at least sneaking Bradford on that play?
Man im over the need to gel excuse.. Thats what i was saying below about preseason needing to used for the starters n less of the backups or players tryna fight for a spot.. Thats where the hard gains are made during the offseason n these preseason games.. Should hit the ground running come regular season not using it as gelling games
Even if all of that is correct, we all still need to prognosticate for what we expect for the rest of the season. Already completed actions, like how much to play guys in the pre-season, can’t be fixed until next August.
On something like both picks going towards Ertz (who was out PS) I buy the geling excuse
No gelling is needed to learn how to catch a ball lol Ertz along with Matthews last week plain stuffed up the catch.. No science about it
I understand that but neither are natural pass catchers. The more ertz plays with Bradford the better they will be with timing. Ertz has the skill set to be unstoppable but they need to start getting him the ball
Agree.
Every team in the NFL faces the same situation as the Eagles — turnover throughout the team. And especially on the O-line.
I agree with your point about new QBs each of the 3 seasons, but this one feels different. This one feels like this is the QB that Chip wants for the future. Bradford isn’t the only problem and certainly isn’t the biggest problem, he missed some throws yesterday by a long shot, but so does AR and Tom Brady sometimes. I still think it will take some time for all the pieces of the puzzle to come together. The preseason isn’t the time to gel. It has never been. They play the preseason in a different manner, the game speed is much different.
If you guys havent seen it yet.. Wasnt just the Gs struggling
http://chipwagon.typepad.com/eagles/2015/09/the-eagles-run-game-is-a-hot-mess.html
Noted. So the message I’m getting is to keep my complaining about the guards, but also increase the complaining about Kelce and Celek.
Kiko not looking good ffs
https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/646100021037953024
can’t bad 1.000 on the injuries i guess, that’s really too bad. Although in 1.5 games he did more than Matthews did in 4 years. Najee Goode, where are you?!
We pretty much know about Kiko, what about Kendricks? And aren’t we glad we kept him? If he’s ok I mean.
Kendricks gonna try against Jets.. Would like to see Hicks get more reps over Ryans though
going to try to play next week
CB Byron Maxwell (6-yr, $64m contract offseason) has been thrown at
19x, allowed 15 comp, 240 yds, 2 TD, 158.3 (perfect) QB rating
Good thing he gets a break next week vs. Brandon Marshall and/or Eric Decker……………………
Jets have been using both guys in the slot during practices this week,Vontae Davis is expected to shadow Marshall all game. I think both #2 cb Greg Toler and indy’s slot corner are out with injuries for tonight
I’m thinking they’ll have both outside vs. us. Just a hunch.
homestly might pick up decker in fantasy, my all eagles teams are busted.
Uugggly stat damn.. Pick your game up Maxwell.. Good thing is looks like Carroll holding his own
Rather than throw Maxwell under the bus, perhaps we should look at our secondary schemes. Given the success Belicheat has had with some of our maligned secondary, part of the problem I believe, is Billy Davis.
Did you see the “success” Bradley Fletcher has shown this year?
Fletch was pretty bad against bills. Would say safeties haven’t been anywhere near maxwell unfortunately. I think Maragos is just a body.
You’re completely on point. You leave guys on an island, give anyone any amount of time to get open, even a receiver with 4.6 speed, he’s going to find a way. Better scheme and pass rushing is something Seattle had. We have Billy what the fuck has he ever done? Davis.
I kinda lean toward the Rex Ryan approach to Luck. Put the QB on his back quickly, and let the WRs run free. Who cares then?
Exactly. There’s no better pass defense than a qb on his back. The Eagles have shown the ability to get to the backfield on rushing plays, but their pass rush, although decent enough for a few sacks and a broken clavicle, wasn’t good enough. Or do you guys think it was? I don’t know, I think Davis leaves his guys hung out to dry, but then the biggest problem, doesn’t adjust. He hasn’t been good anywhere has he?
I think your boy Chip Kelly is telling billy what schemes he wants run… Because what we do is a lot closer to Oregons defense, then the schemes Billy ran at all his previous spots… If Chip is telling Billy what type of defense he has to run, can’t help but wonder what other restrictions he is putting on how the defense should operate…… That doesn’t excuse billy from game day play calling like the 3rd and 15 draw we gave up in Atlanta when they had already exhausted their screen option the play before..
..
I don’t believe it’s a case of letting Billy Look at the Personel he has and allow him to run what he thinks fits this group of players best, and If that’s true, it’s a PROBLEM, and a Damn shame people rip billy so much.. I know chip interferes, because Billy Presents the defensive game plan to chip on Friday who then Critiques and signs off on the Defensive Gameplan, while Azzinaro is here partly because he knows exactly what chip wants…… I really hope chip gives Billy the freedom to do whatever he thinks gives us the best chance of playing our best defense, but I worry that chip restricts our defensive options more then we know…
..
I don’t know why chip is fixated on running a certain defense at all costs, I hope we,are running what we think this personel can execute best, but I can’t buy that… We have a Bunch of Zone DBs, and we are insisting on running man, bump n run… Maybe we switch to more zone, Quarters as we learn our new personnel
regression is mean
Johnny Manziel has more TD passes this year of 54 yards or more [39
attempts] than Sam Bradford has in his career [1,849 attempts].
That should be under the heading- Fun Facts!
Manziel, Jameis, Mariota who play for the worst teams in the NFL! Won games before the Eagles, Seahawks, Ravens and possibly the colts.. What upside down Bizzaro world is this?
saints 0-2, bears and lions 0-2
All the QBs in the NFC are going down..
romo Gone
Cutler gone for a few weeks
Brees Banged up
Stafford Banged up
At worst, this season will be a tragic comedy full of hilarity. I think we’re collectively underselling this angle.
I mean, everyone else laughed when Kelce snapped the ball off Bradford’s chest the 1st play after a big turnover right?
And an interception right off Ertz’ hands?
My favorite part was the drive where we got a 1st down on the first play of the drive with a pass to Nelson Agoholor (I think), and then Murray was tacked 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage on two straight plays.
I mean, if this was a football movie, you wouldn’t believe a football team could be that inept, right?
At best, Chip and co. turn it around and we go 10-6 and are maybe in the playoffs.
But otherwise, this could be a hilarious season.
I agree, at a certain point you’ve already screamed yourself silly…………..so you have to shake your head and laugh.
Not really. I changed the channel.
I have never turned an Eagles game off in 30ish years of following the team.
I’m also the same cheap / stubborn dude who won’t walk out of a movie theater, no matter how bad the film is.
For some, the pain is just too great. I have never seen a Chip offense so inept. It was, quite simply, an abomination.
I agree, but I still need to see every play.
The Defense was playing so well that I couldn’t turn it off in case Chip remembered how football works and somehow managed to communicate it to the rest of the Offense.
We could have stole that game up until the Maxwell “For Who, For What” Moment.
Never thought Chip could ever have an offense with that kind of output. Thoroughly shocked.
The year the Eagles went 5-6 after losing to the Colts when Garcia took over I told everyone that they will win out. I actually said they would win out starting with the Colts game. They lost the Colts game, I went to the next game on Monday night against Carolina. They pulled that out. I told everyone they were winning out. Three straight division games on the road including the Xmas day game in Dallas and I was right. They ended up 10-6 beating Atlanta in a meaningless New Years’ game cause Dallas choked against Detroit right before the Eagles game started. That was Vick’s last game before jail. He went out with an “injury’ but somehow made it to his New Year’s Eve party. Anyways:
Everyone had Garcia fever! We beat the Giants in the first round of the playoffs and then the dream finally ended when we lost to the Saints. I kept saying we are winning out and i was right. I was full of shit and knew it, but apparently I willed them to win out. Let me know if you need me for anything guys.
Agree, 100%
I turned off the Miracle 2, fortunately my buddy texted me to turn it back with 5 minutes left.
It’s like the episode of Breaking Bad when Walter is looking in the hole in the floor of his house for the money and his wife said she had to use it. He goes hysterical and can’t stop laughing.
cant imagine having to watch the game back and forth over and over this week.
Fran Duffy throwing heat on the vine. I think some DC decided that the “nut stunt” that NTs ran last year should just be run by every playside lineman hard to block when you’re flowing one way.
Copy and pasted from the side of this blog:
As the hype builds on Sam Bradford, a bit of humor is a good thing.
Report: Sam Bradford cures cancer, wipes out poverty, invents high-speed
car made from recycled newspaper that actually cleanses atmosphere. —
Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) August 30,
Homework assignment: What’s the new headline for Bradford on September 21st?
Bradford is dead
Yikes, assignment closed.
Report: Bradford caused cancer.
Kiko Alonso – LB – Eagles
FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo reports there’s a “possibility” Eagles ILB Kiko Alonso (knee) will miss the rest of the season.
Per Garafolo, more tests need to be done on Alonso’s knee, but his season is in “jeopardy.” Alonso hurt his surgically-repaired left knee that he tore his ACL in last summer again on Sunday against the Cowboys. It would be a devastating loss for the Eagles and a crushing blow to Alonso, who would require more rehab.
Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter
….
and the hits keep coming…are we really going to be forced to watch Ryans play extended time? Jordan Hicks’ development better be fast.
Oh and Cedric Thornton will be out 2-4 weeks with a broken bone in his hand. This season is just laudable already.
Thats not as big a deal if we are being honest
It’s still another starter hurt. Do you have that much confidence in Hart and Bair?
to run block, yup
yea i guess that makes sense being that the Eagles will be losing in most games and teams will run at them.
Well at least we have her.
where is the ana cheri Eagles pic, now that if the greatest thing in the world
Couldn’t find Eagle’s attire, close enough. Here’s Ana Yeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa
🙂
She has long fingers
We’ve had a bad day, we deserve this.
jets already have 6 TOs
I have to say: don’t think the Eagles will beat the Jets next week.
you don’t have to say.
we know
Maybe I’ll take it as a good sign.
We got the answer:
wait you’re not eaglesfanqq..
Or is he……?
Losing Kiko for the year could be big. ‘Meco clearly isn’t all the way back and Hicks being just a rookie… Things go from bad to worse.
Emmanuel Acho (@thEMANacho) | Twitter
https://twitter.com/thEMANacho
1 day ago
I FEEL for those boys on the Eagles defense right now!!
1 day ago
Would LOVE to be there for my old squad! But per NFL rules I can’t come back to the team that injury settled me til week 9!
I’d like to see him back. Demeco is too old to go sideline to sideline now. That’s assuming Kiko/Kendricks can’t play.
I found it! season saved!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COrRjjYXAAAHnB9.jpg:large
True or False. Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles performed significantly below their talent level.
Explain.
Unknown.
True.
No one is really THAT bad.
Dallas tried but even they couldn’t keep up…
jets d looks good
Yeah we might as well just activate two punters so donnie doesn’t get too sore
going to be 0 receivers open this week. might as well forfeit.
Fire pagano! Trade luck! Herrimens sucks….
Oh wrong site
Wait!!!!!! Are Pagano and/or Luck available? Talk to us. I want my Herremans back, too.
I can’t believe I am envious of the Jets offense
vontae davis in concussion protocal
Or could be neck injury…hope hes ok, hopefully at least one weeks rest is sufficient
Well. I am not going to the game on Sunday.
i already wasted $$ on tickets, going w/ ajets fan. Hopefully wearing my TO jersey.
Is that your new jersey for New Jersey?
yup, had to go with a classic, worst case I can just put tape over the name and go with matthews
Interesting classic to choose. What would he have to say about Bradford?
I don’t think we’re beating the Jets..
The question is , who are we beating?
maybe the Panthers?
maybe ourselves
Saints with no Brees
How
Where?
They are making the Colts look like the Eagles. Daz not good for us. They are going to feast on this offense lol.
Didn’t the colts start 0-2 last year?
yes, lost to Denver to start the year then to Eagles
Ha not these Eagles! But maybe we could beat these colts
Would you rather have Gore or Murray?
Mathis
Murray. The guy was so fired up during the game but he had no one coming with him…
I feel bad for him already.
hmmm now who?
#79 Holding!
#79 dropping back to pass, I mean block.(it worked)
Thanks, Indy, for making me not feel so bad.
I have watched a lot of football but barely I can remember such sloppy crap ever. Besides the Pats and Packers who really looks like a contender? Cardinals maybe? But that’s it?!!
Please god not the cardinals
This Andrew Luck guy stinks!!!
Looking forward to Matthews against Revis. Not!
I’m more worried about all these “A” Gap blitzes against our guards that the Jets have been throwing out there
colts shut out in 5 of 8 quarters
Who’s worse?
Niners, Colts, Eagles?
Niners. No contest.
Howard Eskin @howardeskin 54m54 minutes ago
LB Kiko Alonzo I’m hearing has ACL sprain but not tear could b out 2-4 wks. #Eagles .. More on Michael Kendricks injury Con’t …
I never trust Eskin but i hope he is right about this
Sounds overly optimistic… And with a compromised wheel, he might be no better than whoever replaces him
This Colts game reminds me of the Eagles game yesterday. Hyped pre-season team who can’t do anything right, way too many penalties, silly turnovers
At least Gore has had a bunch of nice runs
Brett Hundley prob would have been a good use of a pick
Lets trade them our starting QB cuz Chip loves potentially good QBs
b marsh just dragged 2 dbs into the end zone
This Jets game is setting up beautifully for next week
i know, should have got that sanchez jersey instead. 5 forced turnovers.
luck is so overrated
guy has no chance
Yeah tonight, still not saying he’s bad just overhyped at this point
So funny that he doesnt get criticized for being such a turnover machine
yeah it’s always “he’s just trying to make a play”
So I guess it is better, in fact, to be good than to be Luck.
The only thing more embarrassing than Reuben Frank’s abject defense of Nick Foles is his abject defense of Ryan Grigson.
“How did we let him get away?” Because he’s the only GM in the league who could screw up this bad after being handed Luck on a silver platter.
Evaluate players better.
Draft better.
Coach better.
Design plays better.
Game plan better.
Call plays better.
Adjust better.
Oops, those characteristics DO all point to one person.
yep, this is what you get when you let one person make all the decisions. good job lurie.