Middle of the Road
Posted: November 17th, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 172 Comments »The Eagles are 4-5.
So are:
Skins
Bears
Bucs
Seahawks
Rams
Raiders
Chiefs
Texans
Colts
Dolphins
That’s pretty crazy.
I’m not trying to make you feel better about the Eagles mediocre season. I just find it wild that 1/3 of the league has the same mediocre record.
If’ I’m ranking those teams based on what I’ve seen…
SEA
PHI
KC
OAK
WAS
CHI
IND
STL
MIA
TB
HOU
The Skins and Bears are the most interesting teams on that list to me. Chicago is playing well recently and Jay Cutler seems to be doing well under the new coaching staff. The Skins confuse me. I can’t decide if they are close to being a good team or just have been good/lucky enough to go 4-5.
Football Outsiders has their newest DVOA rankings out. They have SEA, KC and PHI at the top of their 4-5 teams, with the Eagles being 11th in the league. Right now my eyes tell me the Eagles are a middle of the pack team. I can’t get mad when I see a power rankings listing them at 15 or lower. Right now this is a mediocre team.
The next few weeks will give us some interesting perspective on the 4-5 teams. Some will get hot. Others cold. Most will be up and down.
I have complete faith that the Eagles will at least be good enough to string me along another month.
*****
Still have the Eagles taking the East by 0.2 games. Favorite in 5 more games. Giants a favorite in 0 remaining games. Tough schedule.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 17, 2015
Mike is a fantasy football guru and knows the league well.
Are we selling the Giants short? Maybe…
*****
The OL did not play well on Sunday. Instability may have hurt their performance. Per this piece by Tim McManus, Lane Johnson didn’t know for sure whether he would play LT or RT a couple of hours before the game.
“I think he tried to go and I think he was going to go but I don’t think Chip allowed him to go is what it was,” said Johnson. “When I got there I thought he was warming up so I was expecting to go right. In the locker room, I was kind of, ‘What the f— am I playing?’ and ended up knowing I was going left. It was kind of messed up.”
Dennis Kelly and Johnson played very well the week before. It was more certain earlier in the week they’d play. You wonder if trying to get Jason Peters back actually hurt the OL because the players weren’t sure where they would be playing, if at all.
The line must play better this week. Let’s hope Jason Peters is back so the guys can return to their best spots.
*****
Jason Kelce shared some thoughts on his struggles.
Kelce was whistled for three penalties and he flung a shotgun snap over Bradford’s head.
“I think (setting the tone is) my job . . . It’s not like I’ve got to get with ’em each individually and coach ’em up or anything like that, I’ve just got to not make mistakes,” Kelce said. “Right now, I think I have 11 penalties through the season. The next closest center with penalties has seven, so I’ve got almost twice as many as the next guy down.
“That’s really what’s got to happen. I’ve got to eliminate those mental mistakes, the false starts, bad snaps. If we eliminate those things, I firmly believe we’ll get everything fixed.”
It would help the whole team if Kelce could clean up his issues and play better. The offense could move the ball better. That gives the offense more time to rest. When the offense has some success, that generally means they are winning the field position battle. And often the scoreboard.
*****
Old friend Nick Foles got benched in STL. Sam Bradford hasn’t been Johnny Unitas, but Foles has struggled to even play like Donnie Unitas this year. He is 29th in passer rating this year, looking up at rookie Jameis Winston. Ugh.
Foles, always the team guy, took the news well. He is a heckuva person. Never takes credit and always takes the blame. If only he were a better QB.
Jeff Fisher said Foles will get the job back eventually. He’s just out for now.
_
Agree this is a middle of the road team, and its coach / GM has a lot to answer for. I hope he’s more honest and modest with his boss and direct reports than he is with the media and fan base.
Well, considering he has a responsibility to report honestly to his boss and direct reports, and no such responsibility whatsoever to the media and fans, then yes, I suppose so.
Does it seem like Kelce is pressing and it’s affecting his play? Seems like he’s putting a lot of pressure on himself
it sure does– same with Jordan and his issue with drops. Seems like when kelce has a physically imposing DL to handle, his mind tends to concentrate on his responsibilities, rather than fundamentals.
If you look back to the games where he has struggled (Miami this year, also the first Dallas game; NyG game where they introduced the “nut stunt” a few years ago)- there are similarities to a dip in his performance.
Read this & it just made me feel sorry for the kid
Roto: Dolphins first-round rookie WR DeVante Parker has been watching old Louisville highlights to remind himself that he’s good.
Wow. That Roto tidbit is crazy. Really sad tbh. You gotta hope that he can regain his confidence.
Think we can trade for him? I’ll gladly give up a 5th for him; the Dolphins once gave up a 2nd rounder for AJ Feeley…… so there’s always a chance, right?
Kelly reportedly said that Vick will get the job back eventually. He’s also just out for now.
Foles is better than that dude. Even bad Foles.
How about Sanchez, Bradford and a first rounder for Foles.
It is amazing how, when the team finds itself in the middle of the road, so many fans want to lay down in traffic.
Nicely done!
Would you prefer: https://youtu.be/PV3SQ5GE_cE?t=40s
Why do people worry about other teams? Is it to make themselves feel better about their own team? I may weigh 300 lbs, but man, look at that group of people averaging 301 so I can’t be as fat as them. Phew, dodged a bullet there thinking I was fat.
Are you in direct competition with those other people? Then it might be relevant.
Excellent!
You see AFC teams as competition? You think that’s air you’re breathing?
When we’re all playing for the Superbowl, yes they are competition.
unless you can beat the nfc teams to make the playoffs — afc teams records don’t matter
It is true the NFL is a mediocre league. There are 11 out of 32 teams with winning records. I understand the league wants it that way and the structure/rules encourage parity, but it makes for a boring and watered down product IMO.
The reality that the Eagles are one of the mediocre to bad 21 teams is of no solace to me; it makes me angry that we cannot win even with a softer schedule and horrible division. Lost opportunities galore
I wouldn’t say we lost many opportunities as of yet… The ONLY LOST Opportunity is we are out of the race for a first round bye… All our other goals and aspirations are still at arms length away…
..
Mediocrity when you are talking about a team that’s been together for 3 years is infuriating,,, but mediocrity when we are talking about a team still trying to come together from all the changes, that’s is still only one game away from the Divisipn lead is much easier to endure and explain…
…
The ONLY thing we lost so far is a first round bye, and im not sure that was even an expectation going into THIS season… Knowing all our goals are still very attainable, I would rather see a FANBASE that’s supporting the team, instead of adding to the adversity they have to try and overcome… In the middle of our season, still in the hunt for our division, starting to see growth in SAM and Murray the past few weeks, I would rather this city not launch an all out assualt bashing the team, and talking about Firing chip when we are 4-5… To hear people go from in Chip we Trust, to Fire chip in 9 games is a bit much, certainly doesn’t reflect The “Great, knowledgable FANBASE” we like to fancy ourselves as.
..
It’s absoluteky fair game to critique wins and losses, but when you go past critiquing a game, and start talking about Firing coaches and givng up on QB’s after 9 friggin games, it’s very hard to respect fellow Eagle fans
..
I’m baffled at all the fire chip crap I heard today, and believe me when I saw im just as frustrat with this season as anyone..
..
LEBRON said it best, everyone wants instant Oatmeal, but it doesn’t work that way..
Disagree that Chip gets the “all new guys need to gel” excuse. He chose to make all these changes and should have known, even though he shrugged it off publicly for months, that it would have a big impact on their performance this year. We were told they would be fine, but they are clearly not. They are far from fine.
I’ve never called for Chip to be fired ever. You’re barking up the wrong tree. However, he is responsible for this team and he better get it straightened out this off-season. If his team is performing like this again next year, he should very much be on the clock. It is not acceptable on any level.
This is not instant oatmeal, the guy has been here for 3 years.
https://twitter.com/BleedingGreen/status/666968565745106944
The Jon Dorenbos era may be over? Say it ain’t so!
I’m sure he’ll be okay, because he’s got a trick up his sleeve. 🙂
I wonder what he will do?
Good. Hopefully the threat of seeing us work out other long snappers is enough to kick Dorenbos in the ass and get his shit together
.
It’s bad enough we have a backup Kicker, Dorenbos and the holder should make it easier for the replacement kicker, instead of making it harder on Sturgis with bad snaps
I love the culture of this team. When you have the best veteran not suiting up because he isn’t the “starter” you KNOW there is problems lurking. They lose this game (which they will) there is going to be a lot of guys in that locker quitting.
You need to stop reading and listening to Howard Eskin. The man uses the phrase “Ponzi scheme” incorrectly 10x a day and the story he made up about Peters refusing to start was based on Lane Johnson being confused about which position he was going to play, which was refuted by Tim McManus’ article interviewing Lane Johnson that was extensively quoted by Tommy in the article here and linked.
WEll if Howard Eskin’s story IS the truth, this team is in huge trouble. There’s no denying that.
“if”
If you were over 13. You wouldn’t be posting here. See how that works?
If Eskin said the sun rose in the east I still wouldn’t believe him
Nobody can match Howard.
I have a feeling fans of most teams are disappointed by their teams’ play right now. None of us are happy with the Eagles, but this is a really weird year. Maybe some of the changes in the CBA are trickling down?
Check out this article (scroll down), in 11 out of 14 games last week, the underdog won! Green Bay was favored by 10.5 and lost. Cincinnati by 10 and lost. The Rams were favored by 7 and lost by 24. We were favored by 6 and lost by 1.
Cold comfort, but this is a weird year.
http://www.footballoutsiders.com/any-given-sunday/2015/any-given-sunday-lions-over-packers
Idgaf about any other team but the Eagles. Why is everyone so concerned that half the league is bad? Because Chip brought it up in his press? All I know is that those same 4-5 teams on that list were bad last year except for Seattle and Indy. So If others teams doing bad makes y’all happy then good for you all. The eagles are a just a messy, dysfunctional 4-5 team. From the inconsistent QB play, One minute the headlines are “Eagles OLine becoming elite” and then its “Eagles Oline destroyed by Ndamakung Suh.” How the fuck can we not run all over the 31st ranked defense. Fucked up snaps, Blocked punts, Chip’s play calling, Defense is good but I’m not seeing the same Defense from the first half of the season, mostly the secondary. It’s just one big mess. I was almost sure after the Dallas game we turned a corner but I guess not. Chip this is your “hand picked” team so I can’t find anyone else to blame.
Fans had better be nice to Chip if they want him to stay around here the next few years.
https://i.imgflip.com/uby58.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxgny0UmY28/UstddcxGVtI/AAAAAAAAcdE/8CcQ1p210W4/s1600/I+still+can't+decide+what+to+order+dr+heckle+funny+andy+reid+memes.jpg
You inspired me.
Last week at work and I’ve gotten all my projects done. More time to feed the trolls.
It’s like he doesn’t remember 2011 or 12
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xQD1XD-FZQE/hqdefault.jpg
So guys, remember, don’t feed ’em. The starvation process is cruel, but necessary.
http://artmaplondon.com/artmap/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/internet-troll-20110516-102141.jpg
Dude I am 220 lbs 6’3″ and I look like Tom Brady. Get real bro.
ironic that you knew that post was directed towards you?
I think it’s ironic he compares himself to Tom Brady.
he’s got a mancrush
Im 6’2″ and 215 but I’m not Tom Brady.
More like Bradley Cooper…
How much did you snatch on Monday? How much did you clean yesterday? How much did you squat yesterday? How many pushups did you do this morning?
In your case, I’d say this:
You snatched a couple old lady purses.
You didn’t clean and your house is probably very dirty.
You may have squatted behind a clearing, because you don’t have a toilet.
You probably had to push yourself outta bed, so maybe one?
Snatch : 60
Clean : 85
Squat : 120
pushups Monday : 71
pushuips Tuesday : 72
pushups this morning : 73
My physique looks incredible
Shame none of that results in brain power.
Dude I scored 720 on my math SATs. Plus I have been correct about Chip Kelly and this team ever since the Summer when you were calling them Super Bowl contenders.
Wow you scored 720 on your Math SATs, you must be in Mensa.
yet you laud fat Andy Reid whose team has the same record at Chip’s
Chiefs are so much better than eagles.
Honestly that’s not that good. All the math on the sat is like 10th grade level. Anyone who is actually good at math gets 780 or above. If your not a math person then why are you bragging about a 720? Also I didn’t know they let 13 year olds take the sat
Lol you weren’t right about the Eagles. According to you we would lose every game and every good player would get injured every week. Atleast according to your weekly “predictions”
Then why are you measuring weights in kilos? Are you the Comcast guy in India who can’t get my wifi to work?
720 is what you score for getting your name correct!
so you’re bragging about your body to mostly men on the internet?
you’re getting kinda creepy
Being jacked directly correlates to football knowledge
Are you trying to turn me on?
lolololol. you’re bragging about squating 120. That’s not even a plate, bro.
It’s kilos you dumbass
Still not impressive at all given your size. Silly little joke.
It’s hilarious that you didn’t even try to pretend that this post wasn’t about you. I gotta say, your commitment to your craft is pretty impressive. How do you find that much time to sit around trying to instigate people on the internet? Does it just suck being you?
Its actually pretty awesome being me.
https://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_960w/Boston/2011-2020/2015/08/18/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/brady-sketch.jpg
Right now I’d have KC, MIA, SEA and WAS ahead of the Eagles. Maybe CHI and OAK too. How can you rank us ahead of WAS and MIA when they’ve beaten us? And KC were outstanding versus Denver last weekend
I keep telling these knuckleheads how well KC is playing but because they are butt hurt that they have a real coach, they won’t accept it. Even Tommy thinks the Eagles are better than the Chiefs which is so untrue.
If the Eagles went into Denver they would get roasted.
KC record 4 – 5
they played a banged up Broncos team after coming off the bye week. Not impressive at all.
Yeah take the crappy eagles to mile high and see them get smoked. They couldn’t even beat horrid Miami at hone
sort of like how fatso Reid’s team lost to the “horrid” Chicago Bears at home?
The Bears aren’t horrid.
Reid still lost at home when favored over a bad team.
other than an injury riddled Broncos team after a bye week, who has the Chefs beaten?
Not to side with snotmaster, but the Eagles signature win came against a 2-5 cowboys team starting it’s backup.
Not the first time (2013 to make the playoffs).
So please, for the love of god get the hell off of here and go to a KC page!
Silence people who disagree with you! That’s the way of the youth!
I am tired of all the negativity about Chip and the team. It is the easiest position to take in any profession to criticize the leader. You can especially see it in politics. Chip was given the responsibility to rejigger the team to what he believes will be a more competitive group. It will take time for them to gel. Yes, he made a mistake with Evan Mathis. The WRs are not playing well and failing the team effort. Did anyone expect Nelson Agholor to be almost invisible. NO, in fact, many were predicting a 1000 yard season for him. I hear the talking heads on radio & tv criticize, criticize and criticize. I have turned them off. I read selective articles on Philly.com that try to analyze how to fix/change/make better the team. I believe Chip is a good coach. Look at the changes he has brought not only to the Eagles, but are being copied by many others in the league. Even as simple as, at the end of the play give the ball to the ref. I see many teams having their players do it regularly. As you all know, there are many other innovations Chip has brought. How many other coaches do you know who would have figured out a plan to get a #1 quarterback for a team when drafting #20. It is bold and it takes time for the team to gel. We saw the offense soar for two years previously and now it has slowed. It is disappointing, but I have hope that things will get corrected next year and the year after when more players have been drafter by Chip. By the way, how GMs do you know who take as much personal interest in interviewing and seeing workouts of players. I have trust in anyone who is that committed to their job!!!
” who would have figured out a plan to get a #1 quarterback for a team when drafting #20″
So do you want to sign Bradford to a multi-year contract?
can you change your name to Minimize, so I can get it done faster?
The offense hardly soared last season unless you’re talking about a bird with a broken wing. In fact, we’re seeing some of the same issues this season that haunted us offensively last season: poor OL play, red zone issues, high number of turnovers, 3rd down efficiency, poor execution etc.
2013, sure that year the offense soared, but since defenses adjusted and our personnel started to change we’ve not been as effective or consistent.
Agree to a point but Kelly fought and got full control this offseason. It is his team out there with Kelly the GM failing so far Kelly the coach.
It is ridiculous to suggest he should be fired right now. It also serves little purpose to fire him at the end of the season too. Even after next year, the only way it would make sense to fire him is if the team collapses (4-12/5-11) with players openly questioning Kelly. In that case, Lurie would probably have to think long and hard about not firing Kelly even with a year left on his deal.
Yes, yes, yes !!! we have to let it ride for more time, at least two years. Besides, any guarantee a new coach will do better ? Further, how long will it take for a new coach to get the team to Superbowl win ? I’ll take my chances with Chip
He took a gamble, some of his moves worked, some didn’t work, i’m sure he’s learned from this season. I’m sure Howie is chuckling every day doing whatever he’s doing (does he even go to games anymore?).
Do the OL issues serve as an indictment on Stout? Someone is grading out these players and saying they’re good — is Chip doing that all by himself? Our star lineman are committing TONS of fouls is no one coaching them on how things are being called?
WR coach has to go. Whoever is grading WR talent (scouting and internally) has to go
As with everything in life, doing a job is a learning process over time.
This is one thing Chip has not hesitated in doing, changing coaches. Andy Reid was slow to do so. If Chip sees the WR coach not doing his job hopefully Chip will continue the trend
the only thing I’d say is – CK is a very calculated guy – in everything he does. He doesn’t ‘gamble’. Maybe to us they seem like gambles, but I don’t think CK does anything without looking at and diagnosing every possible scenario. I guess part of that could be a ‘calculated risk’ — but if that risk was too high, CK wouldn’t have pulled the trigger.
Chip has a trait that not many people have– a singular focus and goal in life. He may not succeed here in Philly, nor his next stop- hell, he may NEVER win a SuperBowl. But you know what? I’ll take his preparation, commitment, and ability to evolve as a person, coach, and GM over almost EVERY other coach (Bellicheck the obvious one). Dude has a plan, and like ALL plans, sometimes you have to change course and try something different.
He’s doing that this year with Bradford, and while he hasn’t been “amazing”- kid has serious potential. Think about it– don’t do your job for 2 years, move to new area of the country, get a new boss, learn the structure of a new organization, and then live with the expectations that you’ll be PERFECT instantly. It takes time, hard work, and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to succeed- give him a chance.
Yes, I agree without reservation. Anyone who has that singularity of focus and commitment deserves a chance to prove his approach might work. On radio I hear interviews with NFL experts, (Mike Mayock), he told Missanelli yesterday it takes time. Also, Sanchez could have succeeded Sunday if Miles Austin had made a little more effort to drag his foot on one reception in the end zone, and extend his arms to try to catch the eventual interception.
Off topic (and we could all use a little off topic I think), but is anyone else just in awe of Steph Curry this season? Dude is averaging almost 34 points a game through 12, with an absurd 52FG% and 45.53PT%. What in the holy fuck? And he has massive style points doing it too, human highlight reel type stuff. If he even keeps close to this pace he’s a slam dunk back to back MVP.
I feel like there’s no way he can keep up this pace but wow, what a start to the season for him. GSW could be entering dynasty territory, they’re young, hungry and probably the most talented roster from top to bottom in the league.
It’s ridiculous. I would be rooting for him, but I’m a Spurs fan.
It’s almost not fair right? I have to believe there’s no way he can keep up this pace but last night he dropped 37 points on 13-23 shooting. That’s 37 points on 23 shots. He’s an absurdly efficient scorer. His advanced stats are off the charts right now, he’s so far out ahead of everyone else it’s hard to comprehend.
Just got to wait and see if he falls back to earth as the season goes on.
Phenomenal player. He is one of those generational players. Has a great shot, but also has great court vision, can create his own shot, and is decent on the defensive end. He’s as complete a player as you’ll find in the history of the league (as it stands right now).
If he plays like this throughout his career, he is easily first ballot HOF.
There is also the fact that he almost averages 1 point/minute – which is crazy to think about. That dude can do anything on the court.
https://twitter.com/KulpSays/status/667003142173810688
We should extend Bradford while we still can. Is that 18 million a year offer still on the table?
How about 4yr deal, $1mil per year, with a $14mil bonus if we win the superbowl?
Bradford said it was Bullshit,., basically he made is sound like he wishes that was ever on the table and insinuated that he would have signed that extension with the quickness..
..
Basically, once again, an Howard Eskin “report” turns out to be a fairytale
So, if you could erase the first couple of ugly games (but keep in his two good ones), he would be the 20th ranked QB in the league.
Furthermore, if we could extrapolate a good OL and good WR into the mix, plus some improvement from knowing the system, what would that make him next year? 8 QBs currently are averaging over 100, Brady, Palmer, Taylor (!, but only half as many attempts as the others), Dalton, Rodgers, Carr (!), Brees, and Rivers. Would Sam rise into the ranks of the “good quarterbacks” if he was given a lot more help?
To get to 8 yards/attempt (a “good” number), Sam would have to have completed 25 more completed passes–ie, zero drops, each averaging 15.32 yards. (25 is about the number of drops, right?). Even if our bad receivers managed to catch these balls, given Sam’s propensity to throw behind the line of scrimmage, that is not close to happening.
The offense has a long way to go. SB has a lot of excuses, but I am not sure they account for his performance. Evidence mounts that he is at best average.
Kind of the way I see it to. Simply isn’t good enough to be a difference-maker and you can make a valid argument he is a marginal NFL starter. Basically what the Eagles have right now and far and away their biggest challenge moving ahead forward.
I think with the QBs you’ve named:
Brady and Rodgers might have more success, but some of those guys have a good team around them as well.
Getting an above average QB to raise the level of their team is extremely hard to find. Palmer, Taylor, Dalton, Brees, Carr, and Rivers aren’t having any more success in this offense than Bradford. Not with the play of the receivers or OL.
I think Bradford has the ability to be above-average, but as with anything in football it’s a team effort. It doesn’t matter how good a QB plays if the OL or WRs aren’t playing well.
It’s taken Dalton 5 years in the system to get where he’s at. Also notice they run a lot of RO in Cincy.
Are you saying we have to wait 5 years for Bradford to be any good? Oh fukc I just threw up in my mouth.
More important for me is the growth he has started to show in Carolina, Dallas and before he got hurt in Miami, the more he plays the more he will continue to improve,,, but when it comes to SAM, I think the most important thing is for him to go into the Offseason fully healthy, so he can spend the summer working to improve as a QB for once, instead of worrying about rehabbing his body all summer…. Instead of having to lift weights to strengthen ligaments post surgery, Id love to see him have a summer to work out, try to strengthen his legs, add a little bulk to his frame, increase his command of this offense til knowing where all his weapons are on every play becomes second nature to him and he can start to move the offense as fast as Sanchez…. Just continuity in this offense, with these new teammates that he will get from being healthy this Offseason would be GReat for his growth,,, improve some of the talent around him like the Guards and that should also help show big improvement in the Bradford led Eagle offense.
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I’m on the SB bandwagon. I don’t know why other people here think that a franchise QB will just appear out of nowhere and all the sudden we’ll be in the Superbowl. Gotta take time with a QB who has franchise-talent and let him develop and take time to adjust and get in a rhythm. 8-9 games isn’t enough time, especially when the team isn’t playing well around him.
I just want the playoffs this year, but I think this team takes a big step forward next year.
https://twitter.com/MattLombardo975/status/667008218493788160
Question of the day: Would Bill Belichick sign Greg Hardy at a discount? Given Belichick’s history of signing problem child players for a discount and making it work, would Belicheck take on someone as controversial as Hardy? It would definitely be a bigger risk than any of the other bad rep players he’s signed in the past, but, would he do it?
Postscript: Belicheck is a fucking confusing name to spell and I have to google it every time.
he might have signed Hardy but something tells me Hardy would be gone from Belicheck’s team by now.
yeah can’t miss a meeting and still be on the team.
Wouldnt last two weeks under Bellichick
After the Hernandez debacle, I don’t think Kraft would allow it
Nope! And if Bellicheat did sigń Hardy, it wouldnt last more than a couple weeks, He takes a flier on questionabke charechters, but the second he realizes he can’t control Hardy, he would immediately cut him (so basically, Hardy would last about two weeks as a Patriot)
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After the Hernandez disgrace, Bellicheat won’t take a Fleir on Criminal Level domestic abuser like Hardy, That PR Hit is too much for a team who gave Hernandez millions.. So you won’t see such a serious offender of heinous crime get signed by the Patriots, but he will take fliers on guys with past Charechter problems, but the minute they don’t uphold their end of the bargain and bellicheat feels like he can’t control them, he will cut them right away..
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I think Bellicheat would quit, before he lets an Owner put him in Jason Garretts shoes, forcing a maniac unto him who he can’t control, and nueter the coach of any authority the way Jerry Jones chopped Jason Garretts Balls off… garret thas had tohave like 4 or 5 private meetings withHardy to discuss his behavior, Hardy must laugh at Jason Garrett, how do you respect a coach when no matter how many times he has to “Talk to you” he has no authority to do anything to you because Jerry Jones wants you in a cowboy uniform on the field..smh.. bellicheat would quit before letting an owner make a powerless fool out of him.
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You won’t see Bellicheat take fliers on serious criminals any more.. But we will still probably see Patriots take fliers on NFL problem child’s, for example,once the skins cut Desean Jackson, that’s the type of lack of football Charechter that Bellicheat would take a flier on,,,,but I doubt that Desean can be a good enough teammate, to last an entire season with Bellicheat… DEsean still values stats and personal Glory over team success, and Bellichick has no patiemce for that..rightfully so
now that Sam Bradford and Ryan Matthews are going to miss time, does that complete the list of injury-prone free agents/trade/draft getting injured? No wait, Walter Thurmond is still hanging in there right?
Bradford-check
Hicks-check
Kiko-check
Murray-check (groin in Jets game I think)
Ryan Matthews- check
And the injury-prone guys already on our roster also got hurt.
Kendricks- check
Demeco-Check
The only guy left standing so far who has a history with injuries is Walter Thurmond
Edit: I don’t think Miles Austin has missed any time either, figures.
Anyway, Durability just might be a real thing, not just a string of bad luck some people seem to have. Or maybe it’s just that kind of year. At the beginning of the year I noted Chip’s quote about durability being the most important ability, so I thought the roster moves he made were strange. I could only speculate that he didn’t really believe in injury histories for sports science reasons (“the circumference of Bradford’s knees check out, so his injury history must have been bad luck!”).
Luckly we only lost 1 of the injury-prone players for the season. That’s worth mentioning.
Don’t jinx it man, I think we’ve actually been pretty lucky with injuries to our injury prone guys so far. At least most of them aren’t done for the season.
to be fair – if the offensive tackle does his job – Bradford wouldn’t be hurt.
Everyone in football gets hurt.
I think we got value from most of those guys Hicks and Rmatt definitely. I expect Kiko to come on in the last half of the season once the rust wears off.
Now might be a good time to trade Sproles for a third rounder, if they can get that.
“Mike is a fantasy football guru and knows the league well.”
Good for Mike. It’s a fantasy to think that the Eagles will win the East. And what if they do? More heartbreak in store.
same story every year. when is the heartbreak coming is always the question
Last season, 10-6 was middle of the road and not good enough. Now, that looks like the passing lane.
We’re still on the road at least…
As your avatar would say, “Soytinly, toots, soytinly.”
Lol….BARELY!
Aside from SEA / IND when’s the last time any of these teams were relevant?
that’s true, almost never….
https://twitter.com/NickFierro/status/667041586769997824
I knew we picked him to play
Nice progress for a rookie. Very hard position to learn on an NFL level.
I like him, and I thought we’d see more of him. But there’s decent competition ahead of him, and this position is no longer a liability. So you’re absolutely right on both counts. We didn’t have to rush him, and he’s making strides at a very important position.
In happy news, 3 on 3 hockey is the greatest thing in the world. Ghostisbehere looks like a treasure.
In sad news, Flyers are awful.
The Eagles are arguably the best sports team in Philly, which us just sad.
Holmgren’s contracts are still biting this team a couple years later. I can’t place which contract is worse, Lecavalier or MacDonald. Both are stealing money, and one of which is getting $5 mill to be in the AHL.
Nevermind, Macs contract is the worse of the two.
So Hexy needs to get those things un-biting the team ASAP.
Don’t know how he’s going to do it, but he’s off to a good start. If he gets rid of either contract (or both), he should be in the running for GM of the year.
Ghostbear is already our best Dman and its not even close. If Medvedev can get over his concussion sooner than later we may be able to string a few W’s together, but holy shit we can look like hot garbage.
Now keep in mind that Ghostbear WILL get beat on occasion and he WILL look like a rookie too. Just for future reference when someone who turns the Flyers on who has never really watched them and they see Ghost get beat and then complain somewhere about his online.
Kinda like the people who are chanting for Giroux to be traded. I hate you people, I hate you so very much.
But the refs f’d the Flyers out of a win last night. That goal by Schenn should have counted. There was nothing even close to a distinct kicking motion. I wish somebody would kick the people who disallowed the goal in the throat with a hockey skate so they’d bleed to death.
Does Ruben know anything about hockey?
Does he know anything about baseball?
Interesting article on Brian’s site. The writer shows that Kelly has spent about the same draft resources on offense and defense. Also pointed out something I didn’t know, that we have the highest payroll for offense in the league this year. That’s harsh, given the poor production.
The article doesn’t mention free agent acquisitions, however.
http://mcnabborkolb.com/blog/2015/11/17/offense-taken?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+McnabbOrKolb+%28McNabb+or+Kolb%29
Sam and JP are expensive. Plus our first round pick each year has been an offensive player. Outside that salaries aren’t crazy. We’re def overpaying lots of people though (Coop, austin, celek, etc.)
Sam JP Demarco Kelce – offense is definitely top heavy
kendricks and bmax are really the only expensive ones on the D although that will change the next year or two
“Plus our first round pick each year has been an offensive player.” –I guess you’re pretending the Marcus Smith didn’t count? Or maybe that he plays offense..might as well, at this rate
Marcus Smith = who?
Marcussssssssss Darling
I II’nd that
I find Marcus Smith offensive. You aren’t offended?
We are a 4-5 team, getting ready to play with Sanchez who has like 81TDs,
and 80 INts for his career which basically defines mediocrity, so the last thing I want To hear from eagle fans as acting like we should show up sunday and blow the Bucs out of philly… We aren’t GOOD ENOUGH right now to assume ANY game is a Guaranteed win,
The Good News is we have literally been in every single game this year and could have won every single game. it’s also a good sign that typically our losses are a case of us making too many self inflicted mistakes to win. it’s not a case of losing games, looking like you don’t even belong on the same field as teams that are beating us. saying This team lacks Talant is such a FALACY! Lacking Talent means that we are playing to our best, but it’s not good enough to win, and NO ONE can say that has been the case, so the lack of talent bullshit needs to stop.. We mostly lose when we beat ourselves, you NEVER see a case where we play a great game, but it’s just not good enough to win.. Most of our losses, cut down the dumb penalties and mistakes, along with ST mistakes and we win those games,.. When I look at the 4-5 team and how it has progressed over the course of the year, to me this 4-5 team looks closer to a 7-2 top team, than closer to a 2-7 disaster of a team
..
For a team with so many new first year Eagles, and young Eagles still trying to grow into Pro’s, I think it’s reasonable to expect that the more these players play and practice in this scheme, playing with these same players, the more we gel and come together as a team, and the more that happens, the more we start to cut down on self inflicted mistakes that have been what has kept us from winning games…
..
Take SAM Bradford. Give this guy another 5-6 games of experience this year, an entire Offseason to actually work on being a QB, instead of rehabbing like he does every offseason, an improved OL and I think we could reasonably expect SAM to drastically improve from this season to next year, Just wait Til he has the command of this offense to move it as fast as sanchez.. just improving our OL alone would make us drastically better than what we saw this year….
..
just look at demarco Murrays season, The friggin NFL Rushing leader started off looking Terrible on this new team, with these new teammates, playing in this new scheme. As bad as he looked early on in the season, you can see just how drastically he has improved the more he got comfortable in this new situation.. That doesn’t just go for Murray, we have so many players in key roles still growing in their role on the this new team in the same position as Murray.. And it’s not just the new players, our old players have to get used to working with new players… Look at Nolan Carroll last year, compared to Nolan Carroll THIS YEAR, it TAKES some time to get comfortable, grow into a new role so you can show the best you are capable of.
..
I can deal with a down year, but ONLY if it turns out that this down year was laying a neccessary foundation that leads to future success.. So if we struggle all year, Chip will tell us all we NEED TO KNOW about the job he HAS DONE by how he goes about the next offseason. If we see chip start to make a ton of changes again, cutting key guys he added just a year ago, we Know that Last Offseasons rebuild has failed miserably in chips eyes… Yet if after this struggling year, chip still has confidence in most of his new players, and we see a quieter offseason like 2014 where we only added Jenkins, backüp Nolan, And ST players Maragos and Braman, to me that speaks to chip believing that this season was just about laying a foundation and his new offense still has a much higher ceiling to grow into..
..
NEEDING MORE TIME to gel isn’t just some excuse for guys who are struggling. It goes for STUDS too,,. Walter thurmond first time playing safety, let him play 16 games at safety and a full offseason training to play safety, further gelling with his new teammates and as great as Thurmond has been this year, I expect him to reach an even higher level next year after having a year under his belt…. murray is looking better and better each week (sometimes OL shits the bed and makes it hard to see it)… Bradford has been looking drastically improved in the Carolina game, Dallas Game, and the beginning of the Miami game. 3 weeks are no fluke, That’s GROWTH he was showing… And he will continue to grow the longer he gets to play in this new system with new teammates against NFL competition, especially as the players around him also start playing better
..
You hear so many people admit that Sancez runs the offense faster than SAM. Which has been true.. The reason for it is because Sanchez knows this offense better and has been working in it a year longer than SAM.. So If Sam clearly doesn’t have a Grasp of the offense yet to show the type of command we see in Sanchez, to me that’s an OBVIOUS SIGN that SAM has more growing to do in this offense, he is a more Talemted QB than Sanchez, the more he gets comfortable as QB of chips eagle Offense, the more we should see him improve, and cut down the mistakes..
.
… There are so Many Coorectable aspects that have made up the thin line between Losimg and winning.. I have No idea if we Gel and improve enough in time to save this season, but I am encouraged by the fact we are talented enough to usually determine if we win or lose,. You don’t EVER see us play a great game and us lose because we just aren’t good enough, and for a team that’s still coming together, incorporating so many new Eagles, and young players still developing as professionals, for me that’s a good sign that gives legit hope to look forward to…
..
Of course there are mistakes that result from a lack of talent, for example, Suh is so much more talented than Tobin, so his lack of talent can lead to having to commit holding penalties, which are Types of problems that speak to a lack of talent,.. But there is just so many very correctable mistakes that we can improve on that have nothing to do with lacking talent, or our opponent, and so many new players and young players that can be reasonable expected to improve as they get more comfortable here,…. Hopfully we start to show improvement down the stretch to help justify continuing to build on this new Chip/Marynowitz foundation that we are laying this season, calm our fans and show them we are heading in the right directions, like the Giants did towards the end of last season after struggling all year going into a season with so Many New first year Giants,.,
..
But as fans, we can’t go from IN CHIP WE TRUST, TO FIRE CHIP IN 9 weeks… I mean Come on. We have a New QB, two New RBs, 2 new WRs, two new starting Guards and Dennis Kelly now, a brand new secondary, a backüp Kicker, 9 games into this new era with so many new players, we can’t be jumping ship, calling for chips head, adding to the adversity our team is trying to fight thru,,, How fucking Absurd can we be? I could understand if this team has been togetjet for two years and we are still waiting for guys to play to their full potential, but COME ON, it’s been 9 friggin games, and we are a win away from the division lead, we can’t be acting like a disgrace. heck our QB and RB on a new team didn’t even start practicing Til August 1st. There just is NO WAY we can expect to see the best these players are capable of, but we have been seeing growth, when our OL gives us a chance. Not Only will guys get better in this scheme, but improving the talent around them will also help. just cleaning up the stupid correctable crap like false starts, and illegal formations would probably have us at like 6-3 instead of 5-4 right now… I’m not enjoying this either, but thats the cost of doing business when you decide to rebuild an entire offense in year 3… this was the direction our leader felt we needed to go, once we accept that decision, we have to support it for more than 9 games. Especially when all our goals are still very attainable this year… I can understand if this was a 2-7 disaster, we play our ass off and just aren’t good enough to win, but that hasn’t even been close to our reality.
..
This season is hard and frustrating for me too, and while I am down on this years Eagles, I still have a lot of excitement for a future with SAM/Demarco led Eagle offense…we allowed chip to make all these changes, have to give him and these new players more than half a season before we deem them to be a mistake
Gian GEAGLE? Are you GEAGLE with a new name..?
Who else is simultaneously so prolific and so illiterate as a writer?
I think he’s a good writer and good typer. Damn you the steven king of commenters and a steven haw king of fu king street knowledge.
Even I have to admit that if I was his editor he’d be the best writer at philly.com
Laffed out loud.
I just respekt anyone who can type that much..its like a full hour of dealing with spell check and undoing f’d up auto correct. This stupid comment alone is f in killing me
Like Chip says, it’s just a matter of execution.
Moles grow too, but not into something you’d want to keep around.
Pretty Pathetic how fans can go from In Chip we Trust, Super Bowl here we come. to OFF WITH CHIPS HEAD in 9 weeks smh… What an awesome, intelligent fanbase, “you can’t fool us” LOL
,.
I could understand if we were 2-7 and look like we don’t even belong on the field with the teams that beat us, but we are a win away from division lead, we have had a chance to win every game, and lost mostly because of stupid mistakes that are very fixable, we haven’t lost games because our best isn’t good enough… Such a new team, gotta have more Patience than wanting a coach fired after 9 games, when everything we set out to accomplish is still very attainable for this season…Most Important, we are seeing the new players like Murray and Bradford continue to improve as they get more and more game experience in this system, at least when our OL plays well enough to give them a chance.
..
So much correctable crap that’s been the difference between winning and losing, Special Team mistakes, false starts, erratic snaps, illegal formation, dropped passes… Clean this crap up and we would probably be like 6-3 at least. Such a new team, can reasonably expect a lot of this to get cleaned up… I would be much more worried if we played our best and our best isn’t good enough to win…We have so many new talented players that can be reasonably expected to improve and clean up mistakes as they get more comfortable, as well as Talented young players still growing as Pro’s.,,
..
I’m frustrated that we are going thru these growing pains, but this is EXACTLY why I was so against rebuilding in year 3.. but Since we decided to rebuild, since we can’t undo the roster changes, we have to be smart enough to allow enough time for this new offense to come together,and that requires more than one season. Hopefully we see continued growth the rest of this season making it easier for fans to see the big picture
So where do you guys think our draft position will be at? 14-17? 9-14?
32.
Thanks, I’ll have another…
We trading back with the Panthers to get a second?
LOL – if they win it all, I will be drunk for real.
Better than Giants, NE, AZ, GB or SEA winning
Unfortunately, I think it’s going to be NE unless something drastic changes. I expect them to be healthier going into the postseason.
Yeah Cincy lost to the Texans, but I still think they got a strong shot as well.
TBH, I wouldn’t hate a Cincy- Carolina Superbowl.
Everyone else tho would make me sick. I hate AZ and Sea. I’m a Rodgers fan, but I hate the coach. Tough to figure out how to cheer.
The Vikings
Cheer for no one.
Edelman is a big loss unless amendola steps it up.
yeah i did that just for Media Mike’s enjoyment
Is it to late to hope for a top 10 pick?
I wish.
1 …
“He’s always been practicing with us the
past two years and when he was the starter last year, it’s kind of the
same energy he brings. He’s a very motivational guy, he’s going to talk a
lot, get guys going, hold guys accountable. I think that’s what you
want in a quarterback, a leader of this team,” said Ertz. Quote regarding MS my starting quarterback in fantasy.
He definitely plays with Conviction out there. Maybe we will see more passes downfield with Sanchez.