The Day After

Posted: December 27th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 600 Comments »

It always feels weird when a season ends. Whether after a playoff loss or just a regular season game, the finality of the season being over just has a weird vibe to it. The thing you’ve cared about for months and months is gone. Sunday just becomes another day of the week.

I know there is one more game to go, but that is basically going to be 3 hours of praying no key players get hurt. There’s not a whole lot to talk about in regard to that game, good or bad. From here on out, the focus is on big picture stuff.

The good thing about all of this is that we have freedom from caring. The roller coaster of emotions that comes with watching a team week in and week out can be trying. It’s great when the team is winning or at least fun to follow, but when you have a team that is struggling, football becomes a form of torture. You don’t let your hopes get up during the week, but then when the game starts you let your heart get the best of you. You believe. This is the moment when the team will turn things around. Then reality slaps you upside the head in the form of an ugly turnover and you go right back to being miserable. Ugh.

And the 2015 Eagles were torturous.

You want a team to be what it is. The 2004 Eagles were loaded. They played like a great team, going 13-1 with starters and then making it to the Super Bowl. The 2000 Eagles were talented, but mostly scrappy. They beat bad teams, but struggled against the good teams they faced. You couldn’t be mad at that with Darnell Autry as the starting RB for almost half the season. The 1998 team was a mess. They lost 38-0 on opening day and told us all we needed to know about how that season would go.

We can debate the talent level of the 2015 Eagles. I think there is a lot of potential here. Others disagree. Still, I think we’d all agree that the team underachieved. They blew out the Saints and Giants. They had a 35-14 lead at New England. The Eagles dominated the 2nd half of the season opener and the 1st half of the Jets game. When things clicked, you saw the potential of this team.

Unfortunately, things did not click often enough. This is the most inconsistent Eagles team in a long time. They were up and down all year long. You would think one area was a strength and a few weeks later it was a major liability. The polar opposite would happen to some other part of the team. You could never figure out what was real…what was the foundation of the team.

I don’t know what the fatal flaw with this team was, but you could see evidence of some issues last night. Skins receivers made tough catches over and over. Eagles receivers dropped crucial passes on plays that weren’t that challenging. Zach Ertz fumbled while going down after catching a pass over the middle. Skins players took a few big shots, but never came close to fumbling.

For all the talk of scheme and talent, football comes down to basic execution – blocking, tackling, catching and holding onto the ball. The Skins were better than the Eagles in all of those areas. Their team got the job done. The Eagles didn’t. There is some type of intangible that teams have or don’t. Good teams do those things on a consistent basis. Bad teams don’t.

You can’t define that by talent or effort or any other tangible way. If you could, the coaches would fix it. For some reason, this particular collection of players and coaches simply isn’t working. The way to fix it is to make changes. The challenge facing Jeff Lurie and Chip Kelly is to decide what changes need to be made.

I am glad the frustration of the 2015 season is over. I’m excited about the upcoming offseason, but this won’t be an easy time. There are going to be a lot of tough questions asked and that will lead to some tough answers. I like a lot of individual players on the team, but the failure of this group to perform well together means very few guys are safe, from the coaching staff on down.

Let go of the 2015 season. Enjoy your Eagles-free Sunday. Go watch the new Star Wars movie. Or eat chocolate pudding with your family. Or find some new Megan Fox wallpaper for your computer. 2015 is over.

You’re free.

_


600 Comments on “The Day After”

  1. 1 sflomenb said at 1:40 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Tommy, now that the loss is fresh in our minds, do you think Chip is back next season?

  2. 2 TommyLawlor said at 2:40 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I do.

    That said, I don’t think it is a no-brainer. Lurie needs to do his due diligence on the matter.

  3. 3 Bacon & Iggles said at 1:55 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How about Billy Davis? Do you think Chip would/should move on from him?

  4. 4 bdbd20 said at 1:53 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Always tough. Time to root for AR (& Maclin) and Sean McD (& Kurt Coleman). Hoping Indy gets in too with Luck back. Would love to see Trent Cole get a ring.

  5. 5 Media Mike said at 6:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    After the horrible job McDermott did here, why on earth would one root for him? Ditto for Coleman.

  6. 6 Matt said at 10:22 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Because both were good here but didn’t get a fair shake

  7. 7 Media Mike said at 5:11 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    worst red zone D in the NFL in 30 years and perpetual blown coverages and missed tackles weren’t even close to good. A pox on both of them.

  8. 8 cshav10 said at 2:09 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Amazing how bad a DC becomes when the level of talent is low, and how good he is when the talent is high. Same DC, different talent. McDermott can do a pretty fair imitation of Jim Johnson when he has the horses.

  9. 9 ac134spectre said at 2:46 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    We dumped pinky earlym if you remember we had hanson playing outside as a cb. People just got easy over the top shot after over the top shot. The OL had sucked up a lot of draft resources. So… a lot fell on McDermott and he should have made more of a stink on personnel. Andy also wanted a fall guy.

  10. 10 Media Mike said at 3:59 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    But where McDermott was worst was in the red zone, where there was no “over the top.”

    I can’t find any other reason that “coaching” when we had a D that was 12th in yards, but in the red zone (where coaching is magnified) they fell to 32nd……..and the worst in 3 decades as part of that.

    Plus normally team-first guys, like Trent Cole, nuked McDermott in the press for being a poor coach.

  11. 11 ac134spectre said at 5:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    It was huis first year and stuff snowballed with lack of talent at lb, dt, cb. So, he tried to be very creative to make up for it. Most times, you just need guys to win battles. Cole was still playing bit those teams were a mess.

  12. 12 ac134spectre said at 5:24 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Its been a few years but i seem to remember andy and his perchant for small DTs and neglect of the Lb position. We had some guys that were fading at that point and LB was a sore spot. Then a couple DBs got hurt and missed time. Nate allen and brandon graham got hurt. Jamar cheney ended up starting. So, a lot of the red zone woes related to getting killed at the 20s and not having push on the dl. Then injuries made it all snowball.

  13. 13 Cafone said at 2:00 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The season isn’t over yet. Chip still has one more chance to screw up by winning the Giants game and I’m sure he will take advantage of it.

  14. 14 daveH said at 2:23 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Please sit Cox

  15. 15 RobNE said at 8:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Absolutely

  16. 16 Mitchell said at 2:13 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The fatal flaw = turnovers

  17. 17 daveH said at 2:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Someone posted 9 dtopped passes last night … is that a record. . Penalties combined w the turnovers and speed of play 3&outs ..might be worst offensive shoeing EVER

  18. 18 sflomenb said at 2:23 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Nah, that would be the Week 2 Dallas game.

  19. 19 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 2:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Those fumbles were back breakers

  20. 20 daveH said at 2:26 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Chip summed: Djax with his game winning punt return .. and demarco with his season ending fumble..

    Thanks Chip

  21. 21 Buge Halls said at 8:03 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    That and at least two (maybe three) TDs dropped or overthrown!

  22. 22 daveH said at 2:24 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You should see what that guy did with his backyard

  23. 23 Jernst said at 2:27 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m watching the Cowboys play the Bills right now (it’s either that or Indianapolis v Tennessee…). These are two teams that have relatively little to nothing to be playing for and there’s more energy than I’ve seen during an Eagles game all year. Dallas’ defense isn’t all that good, but they are flying around, gang tackling and laying the wood like we have done zero times this year.

    Good I hate the 2015 Eagles team … I’m so glad this terrible season is finally over and we can start talking about fixing this mess rather than hoping things start to just click for these frauds.

  24. 24 ACViking said at 2:50 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Jernst:

    You’ve made some strong (read: well presented) arguments regarding Bradford.

    I’m curious about your thoughts on (i) Kelly, (ii) his unique — uncopied in the NFL — scheme/approach to offensive football, (iii) it’s impact on the defense, and (iv) the defense itself, from talent to coaching.

    GOES FOR EVERYONE

  25. 25 Jernst said at 4:23 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Very tough/complicated subjects…I’ll do my best t answer those questions without writing a novel…I apologize in advance if that ends up happening anyways. Also would like to hear your views on those subjects too.

    – I think Kelly is a very bright coach. I also think he’s a bit too cocky and has gotten himself in a bit over his head with taking on GM responsibilities as well. As a coach, I think the most important thing to understand is that his offense (scheme, play calling, personnel, ect) is completely different now than what it was in 2013.

    The scheme I saw in 2013 was incredible. I loved the idea of packaged plays, putting certain defenders in a bind and then reading them post snap so that no matter what they chose to do, they’d be wrong. It was genius…genius in it’s simplicity. In a, “how’d it take so long for someone to implement something like this, why isn’t this how every offensive scheme is designed”, type of way. All of those things have, in fact, been copied by many teams. The odd thing is that they’ve seemingly been dropped by Kelly.

    http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2014/06/16/22-resources-chip-kellys-playbook/

    Just look through this archive of all-22 looks at Kelly’s playbook from 2013 and notice how many of the concepts are just completely gone in this years scheme.

    The league has not caught up to Kelly. Kelly has stopped being Kelly. He’s changed his offense entirely. This 2015 offense looks NOTHING like the varied, exciting schemes we saw before. It’s like Pat Shurmur has infected Kelly with boring.

    My theory is that when Kelly inherited a bunch of unique skill players he was forced to design ways to utilize their unique talents and he went to work like a mad scientist and created a lot of interesting and varied looks. As he’s gotten rid of the misfits and tried to put his ideal players in those positions, he’s assumed with the right players he’d have to rely less on scheming and more on the players executing. The scheme has thus gotten stale and predictable which has made it even harder to execute.

    I think the tempo can be an amazingly dangerous weapon when used correctly. Insisting on using it while your team goes 3 and out repeatedly is stupid. Tempo is not bad by itself. Mis-using it has predictable results on your defense dying down the stretch. Sometimes it makes sense to go fast, and sometimes it makes much more sense and is much more strategically advantageous to go slow. Any great offense should be able to do both equally well when need be and should not be married to one speed. And, any great coach should be able to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different tempos against different opponents and implement/deploy either tempo given the proper situation for each.

    The play calling has been abysmal. Like I said earlier. 2013 he showed some incredible play calling. In 2014 he showed some incredible play calling. Then this year once he had his players in place, he decided to narrow the play book down to 3 run plays and 4 pass plays. I just don’t get it.

    The biggest problem though on offense is due to GM Chip Kelly. The Offense is deplete of talent. Furthermore the talent is not adequately spread out. Three of the biggest contracts are given to RBs, even though the scheme insists that only one can be on the field at any given time. So every time 1 RB is in, two high priced RBs are sitting on the bench giving you no return on that investment. The best WR is a slot WR that works the middle of the field, the second best receiver is a slower TE that works the middle of the field, the third best receiver is a 5’6″ scat back that works the center of the field with option routes and screens, your best outside WR is Huff (I guess) who is a guy who excels at screen passes and working the middle of the field…how many people can you deploy on one play to attack the same area of the field. No one on this team can stretch it vertically or beat CBs on the outside. Just a horrendous job of building a team and deploying resources.

    The saddest part is that we had good outside WRs. However, we cut or let them leave in FA and then spent premium resources to (hopefully) make a lateral move (at this point it’s been a strong step backward).

    On defense:
    I think the talent is there in some areas, and is just adequate at others. Our dline is top notch. Our OLBs are simply not playmakers. I love Barwin, but whens the last time you remember him making an impact play? I honestly can’t remember. Graham is pretty invisible too. Kiko and Kendricks have played as bad as any ILBs I’ve ever seen. Demeco is done physically. I actually think the CBs and safeties are fine.

    Davis’ strength is scheming the front 7 to be able to generate pressure even when they don’t have a top pass rusher. He’s very good at that. Only problem is when he doesn’t aggressively scheme pressure, there’s no one besides Cox that has the talent to generate it on their own.

    Davis’ weakness is that he is atrocious and literally has no concept of how to scheme pass coverages. If I see one more CB line up with outside leverage on a third and long with no inside help and let the receiver run a simple slant for an easy first down I might have an aneurysm.

    As far as the tempo’s trickle down effect on all that. The more your on the field, the more tired you are going to get, and the less likely you’ll be able to generate pressure on your own. The defense fails all day to generate pressure, so Billy starts trying to scheme pressure, which takes players out of coverage and expose his shitty coverage schemes. The players that he schemes one on one opportunities for are too tired to take advantage of that and there’s still no pass rush.

  26. 26 JoeBlow said at 4:33 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    very well done sir!

  27. 27 anon said at 5:28 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “It’s like Pat Shurmur has infected Kelly with boring.”

    (i) CK: Very smart, but just as cocky. Think being successful first two years made him cocky, i think it negatively affected decision making this year — we’ll see if/how he responds this offseason. One thing that i think NEEDS to happen is more team building. Wasn’t an issue first two years b/c we inherited a core group of guys that knew eachother, etc. but when you rebuild you gotta spend time getting guys to mesh psychologically.

    (ii) Scheme: Generally agree with Jernst. Coordinators are vanilla. In the interest of being brief i think a lot of what you saw over the offseason was a response to what our issues were last year. Cutting down turnovers, throw easy passes to middle of the field, run the ball at every opportunity, got backs that are great in short yardage situations. Problem on offense is that OL not good enough, WRs not good enough and i don’t think Sam had enough time to learn the scheme properly.

    (iii) Effect on D: Agree with Jernst, but in many games we were out of it by half time so I do wonder if (a) effects of more plays are cumulative over years (b) since D was getting no help it sort of gives up when offense isn’t clicking. Playing more games i think doesn’t matter, same teams are in the playoffs playing extra games every year, they aren’t giving up 45 pts a game. But the D and O are groups that have to work together, i think there’s got to be more player accountability when players play poorly. I understand the thought behind staying w/ struggling players — but when you’re on a team and the same person is killing you over and over again i think you sort of give up.

    (iv) D. Talent: missing pass rusher and clearly missing a leader in the middle of the D. Meco is old and probably not 100%. Kiko and Kendricks are more athletic than they are “students of the game”. I think those are two of the most important positions on a D. As to coaching. Both from position fundamentals to scheme it’s been pretty bad. OLB we don’t have playmakers but we have “scheme sound guys”. ILB not scheme sound and they’re supposed to be doing a lot of the work especially in run game / covering TEs. Corner play is better. Our safeties basically play corner which doesn’t leave anyone to “ball hawk” in the defense, I think that’s why TOs collapsed when Carroll was injured.

    (v) GM: I don’t think he’s as bad as people say. He made mistakes but he was probably unqualified for the job. The job isn’t appetizing enough to get someone overqualified b/c you don’t have autonomy so i think the guy chip got settled. I can understand the moves that were made and why there were made. I can understand that rome wasn’t built in a day. Kelly chopped a lot of wood last year on offense and defense, but couldn’t get it all done. I think it’s fair to argue about the priorities of the moves he made (and his ability to replace talent).

  28. 28 RobNE said at 8:39 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Excellent post

  29. 29 iceberg584 said at 10:40 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Great post…and totally agree on the slant route. Teams have been murdering us with that all year long.

  30. 30 Sam Bradfords Chicken Legs said at 1:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Good post

  31. 31 Bacon & Iggles said at 2:05 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    WOW. All of #EaglesNation should get to read that. Starting with Chip Kelly.

  32. 32 Sam Bradfords Chicken Legs said at 1:17 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Teams are copying Chip. Oakland is especially and admittedly. It works.

    Research Erhardt-Perkins system. We run something very similar. Patriots have run it forever.

  33. 33 Sam Bradfords Chicken Legs said at 1:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/erhardt-perkins-system-part-2/

  34. 34 the midatlantic said at 2:34 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “Let go of the 2015 season. Enjoy your Eagles-free Sunday. Go watch the new Star Wars movie. Or eat chocolate pudding with your family. Or find some new Megan Fox wallpaper for your computer. 2015 is over.

    You’re free.”

    Brilliant and well-put. Thank you, Tommy for another season at the keyboard. Here’s to next year.

  35. 35 ACViking said at 2:36 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    If Andy Reid were handed this roster on January 4, 2016, I’d feel pretty confident the Eagles would win the NFC East next season. In fact, I think the Eagles would make a playoff run next year.

    I have no such expectations with Kelly.

    I’m not in the least advocating for Reid, his departure, return, or anything else. (It was time for a change in 2012.)

    All I’m suggesting is Reid appears to be a much, much better builder of teams than Chip Kelly. And, very possibly, a better coach.

    *******************

    Yes, in Y-1 Kelly took an injury-riddled 4-12 team to 10-6. Reid did much the same in KC. Kelly inherited the better offensive players, Reid the better defense.

    At this point, however, those franchises seemed headed in opposite directions.

    NOTE: In 2005, Nick Saban inherited a 4-12 Miami team and took them to a 9-7 record — and with Gus Frerrotte at QB. The next year, Miami regressed to 6-10, and Saban returned to college football.

  36. 36 TommyLawlor said at 2:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I am a Chip fan, but he is part of the problem. Can he figure some of his issues out and change? We’ll see…

  37. 37 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 2:48 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Chip has been in the NFL a total of 3 seasons… Chip is still learning the NFL game on field let alone the GM stuff.

    I don’t think its even fair to compare Reid to Chip at this point.

  38. 38 ACViking said at 2:55 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Will:

    Look at the years T-Law picked in his post: 1998 – 2000 – 2004.

    Andy Reid was a newby of a coach in 1999.

    But every season (in the early years) he made the Eagles better.

    I don’t have that expectation about Kelly vs. 2001 Andy Reid.

    **************

    Also, how many years should Kelly have to figure out the NFL?

  39. 39 Dave said at 3:06 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Would this be a conversation if Chip had Jim Johnson as his defensive coordinator? I definitely believe Andy was a great coach, but sheesh, look at his decisions on defense after Jim died.

  40. 40 ACViking said at 3:12 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Dave —

    Early Andy v. Late Andy . . . no contest.

    Reid gets credit for picking the right guy in JJ and *not* dictating the defense. (And inheriting some great D-players . . . and not cutting them.)

    That said, Reid’s done a very nice job in KC.

    And I say all this as someone who was never a big fan because Reid just wouldn’t run the ball enough for my tastes.

  41. 41 Dave said at 3:20 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    lol, I can remember many Sundays being at the game and our whole section going crazy begging for Andy to run it more.

    When you say “dictating the defense”, I assume you mean the fast-paced offense. With that, I whole-heartedly agree.

  42. 42 Buge Halls said at 8:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “Reid’s done a very nice job in KC.” – once again with defensive players he inherited.

  43. 43 anon said at 3:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    but reid had a long nfl tenure. i think w/ chip there will be more of a growing process.

  44. 44 Sam Bradfords Chicken Legs said at 1:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Not to mention Chip hasn’t been a head coach period in college or the pros for a decade yet. He’s young and definitely learning.

  45. 45 Buge Halls said at 8:07 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yes, but Reid had already spent how many years in the NFL studying under Holmgren – a great coach.

  46. 46 xeynon said at 5:54 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You’re right, it’s not a fair comparison at all. Reid took what had been the worst team in football to the NFC championship in his third season. Kelly is nowhere near as accomplished, and in fact the team has gotten steadily worse as his tenure has gone on and he has accrued more power over it. It’s an insult to Andy Reid to compare him to Kelly at this point.

  47. 47 anon said at 5:58 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    first thing reid got was a qb

  48. 48 xeynon said at 6:02 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Obviously that’s a huge part of it.

    Even leaving the QB aside, though, Reid quickly built a tough, disciplined team that was accountable and didn’t beat itself. Kelly has done the opposite.

  49. 49 ACViking said at 2:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    T-Law . . . T-Law:

    You were asked at the thread’s start if you think Kelly returns next year. (Answer: Yes, but Lurie needs to perform some due dilligence.)

    Do you think Kelly, on 1/4/16, remains King of the Eagles Personnel World?

  50. 50 TommyLawlor said at 2:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yes.

    I’ll write a post on this. It is possible they could bring in a veteran personnel guy to help (Tom Donoahoe is already on the staff), but I don’t see naming a GM. Someone has to be in control of the team. In Dallas that is Jerry Jones. In Baltimore that is Ozzie Newsome. In New England that is Bill Belichick, No one model has to be followed.

    It would be great if Chip had a partner relationship with a GM, but that’s virtually impossible at this point. Guy would come in from the outside. Would be awkward.

    Kelly does need a stronger voice giving him advice on free agents. Lurie can be part of that. Chip needs to tell his advisers to speak up more strongly. Everyone’s job is on the line so there is no reason for them to hold back this offseason.

  51. 51 ACViking said at 2:52 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Tommy . . .

    You’re the best.

  52. 52 Spooonius said at 3:04 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You’re not too shabby yourself sir. Great questions!

  53. 53 ACViking said at 3:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Thanks, Spooonius.

  54. 54 Cafone said at 3:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Bring back Howie!

  55. 55 Buge Halls said at 8:10 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Howie needs to stay right where he is pounding out contracts and watching the cap and keep personnel issues far, far out of his hands.

  56. 56 xeynon said at 11:51 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Howie did a far better job with personnel than Chip did.

  57. 57 Tumtum said at 3:06 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Well said Tlaw.

    Unfortunately my wife forces me to come to a buddies house to watch football. I couldn’t be less interested. It’s weird. I’m reading about Chris Davis not wanting 150 million dollars (i would rather have Upton anyway).

  58. 58 JoeBlow said at 3:09 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Whoever is announcing this Falcons/Panthers game needs to stop saying “Matt Ryan is playing like he is back on the streets of Philadelphia” ….he has said it like 5 times now and not only is it getting annoying but it is just factually incorrect. Ryan grew up in suburban Exton, PA and went to William Penn Charter…..this guy is acting like Ryan grew up playing two hand touch on 6th and Ritner and went to public school

  59. 59 Media Mike said at 6:13 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Private school attendance over public school attendance = punk move

  60. 60 JoeBlow said at 3:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    When the final whistle blew last night i was no longer frustrated….just a huge wave of relief washed over me, thank goodness this nightmare is over

  61. 61 Anonanon said at 3:12 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m rooting for the Giants now.
    Never mind the draft, if the Eagles match the Rams record they’ll be playing at Twickenham. Which means I’ll be able to watch Nick Foles inevitably tear them to shreds.

  62. 62 Dave said at 3:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    After just watching Julio Jones makes an awesome touchdown catch over 2 defenders, I think it’s obvious, receivers elevate the play of their QB, not the other way around. Would Eli have his 2nd ring without the “helmet catch”? It’s BS to think that Eli elevated his receiver to trap the ball against his helmet.

    All you can ask from a QB is to put his receivers in a position to make a play. The past 6 weeks, Sam had done that in abundance.

    The Eagles receivers remind me of my golf game, when things are going good, I’m not thinking about my swing and the pars continue to add up…when I have a few shanks in a row, my entire game falls apart and for the life of me, I cannot figure it out how to even get back to bogey ball. At the range, I’m in the zone. On the course, sometimes I’m not sure what my swing will even look like. I imagine the Eagles receivers practice well, but in the game, they start shanking it and it becomes contagious.

    edit: spelling

  63. 63 Bob Brewer said at 3:18 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m watching these crummy Ravens receivers making tough catch after tough catch and our guys can’t do squat. Ertz is beyond overrated.

  64. 64 daveH said at 4:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Squertz
    . ha you said
    ‘our guys cant do squat. Ertz pverrated”
    squat + ertz = squertz .. he fumbled dropped

  65. 65 xeynon said at 3:19 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    My biggest fear is that Kelly, knowing he’s on the hot seat going into 2016, starts to get desperate and throw good money after bad in a long shot attempt to turn things around too quickly. His moves last offseason were not only bad from a football standpoint, but with the exception of the Bradford trade committed the team for multiple years. Murray is going to be here next year. Ditto Maxwell. Ditto Alonso. This same team of overpaid, underperforming mediocrities is going to be taking the field next season, and knowing that if they don’t improve he’ll be fired Kelly might sacrifice resources such as cap space and future picks in an effort to keep his job.

    IMO he needs to be stripped of personnel duties.

  66. 66 Bob Brewer said at 3:20 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Problem is, I don’t think the previous guys were that much better.

  67. 67 xeynon said at 3:24 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Roseman missed on his share of draft picks, but he also made some good-to-great picks, consistently got good value in trades, and made smart, value-for-dollar free agent signings that didn’t bust the cap. He runs circles around Chip as a GM.

  68. 68 Bob Brewer said at 3:26 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He also had the advantage of being in the top half of the draft. When he was in the 20s, it was meh.

    Day 3 picks have been unproductive. Day 2 picks have been disappointing from a production standpoint.

    Roseman is better but he isn’t that great either.

  69. 69 xeynon said at 3:36 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m not saying he was a great GM. I think he was a bit above average. But Chip has been atrocious. He’s made bad trades, blown draft picks, overpaid for mediocre free agents, failed to address critical position weaknesses – in one offseason, he hit on every single way it’s possible to mismanage an NFL roster. It was a disaster, and it’s a disaster the effects of which will continue to hamper this team going forward as chickens like our missing second round pick and the cap impact from albatrosses like the Murray and Maxwell contracts come home to roost.

    I think he should be stripped of personnel decisions before he does any more long-term damage to the franchise. If that results in him quitting, so be it. I think he’s a good coach but he hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire in that area either.

  70. 70 Stormbringer said at 2:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Chip did have someone well seasoned to help with picking players. That was Tom Gamble. The whole mess started when someone (Chip?) made a crack that Howie is really good at contracts when it comes to being a GM and as I recall Gamble was sacked (with zero explanation) the next day. Right after that was when Chip made a fuss about being the GM.

    I don’t know who was responsible for the Smith pick. I do suspect Roseman or Chip wouldn’t have made such a fuss. But on the Agholor pick, at the time, everyone raved (and still seems to rave about his talent). I think that is the pick that is killing us this year. He would never have surpassed Maclin’s final year for us but if he’d have played better, I think the offense would have been a lot better.

    I’d like Chip to get one more shot as this situation somewhat reminds me of the end of Belichick in Cleveland and I think Chip can improve and be good and I’d rather it not be somewhere else. I’d say whack Billy Davis and replace the WR coach and get a replacement for Gamble (that Chip trusts) to be the GM. Also, get one solid veternan WR with some tread on the tires to help out the youngsters and Bradford.

    I think Bradford has been coming along a lot and while he may not be ‘elite’ I think he can be a strong quarterback if the WRs could make some catches and we can give him a clean pocket occasionally. With most other QBs, you assume the WRs will make basic catches and you have a decent amount like Eli (or Culpepper back in the day) that will ask the WRs to make some amazing catches. I catch my breath on the WRs making easy catches and I don’t know if we’ve seen an ‘amazing catch’ all sesason.

  71. 71 D3FB said at 5:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Kiko Alonso will make less than $1 million next year. But sure he’s overpaid. We’ll go with that.

  72. 72 xeynon said at 5:45 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    When did I say Alonso was overpaid? He’s doing to be here next year because Kelly cutting him now is tantamount to admitting that he completely screwed the pooch by failing to do due diligence on an injured player and traded away the franchise’s all-time leading rusher for a guy with a bum knee. Which he did. But you can misinterpret what I said to deflect what is a perfectly reasonable criticism of Kelly, so sure, let’s go with that instead.

  73. 73 D3FB said at 5:59 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “Murray is going to be here next year. Ditto Maxwell. Ditto Alonso. This same team of overpaid, underperforming mediocrities”

    Kiko got hurt and wasn’t the same afterwards. Let’s not bury him quite yet. Also even if we brought in a new GM they wouldn’t cut him. Why? Because he’s talented, costs nothing, and can be an impact player if he ever gets healthy again.

    Will he ever be healthy again? Who knows.

    Also Shady will tie his career low for games played this year. He has 3 TDs. He has less than 1000 yards rushing and his YPA is below his career average. Good player? Yes. WORST TRADE EVER!!!!!? GTFO

  74. 74 JoeBlow said at 6:02 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    NO LETS BURY HIM!!!!!

  75. 75 xeynon said at 6:14 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You’re stretching, big time. Calling them a team of overpaid, underperforming mediocrities is perfectly justifiable given that Murray and Maxwell (as well as other players like Austin) were vastly overpaid even if Alonso was not (though I think even that point can be argued – Kiko was a sub-replacement level player this year so even at less than $1 million he was paid too much).

    As for injuries, guys get hurt and lose the athleticism that made them special all the time. Happened to Stewart Bradley here a few years back. That’s why you have to do due medical diligence and not conclude a trade in 30 minutes. Shady is on the downside but was still a net positive, which Alonso was not this year, and they likely could’ve traded him for a player that would have likewise been a positive. Worst trade ever? No. But factoring in lack of return and opportunity cost, absolutely a bad one.

  76. 76 D3FB said at 6:25 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You understand medicals take place after the trade correct? Like Kiko did in fact have a medical. And trades are all pending medicals. Kiko didn’t show up in August and the team go oh shit you have a knee you’re coming off surgery from? Jesus literally first thing we’ve heard about it.

    We had a couple of FAs that didn’t produce much. So therefore the whole team is overpaid and underperforming? That’s a really really bad take. Maxwell is overpaid and average? Fletcher Cox is underpaid and a monster. Murray is overpaid and shit? Nolan Carrol makes nothing and was pretty darn good. Miles Austin made more than vet minimum? Ryan Matthews provided one hell of a bang for the buck. See It’s pretty damn easy to cherry pick a few outliers to support a shitty narrative.

    FA was a mixed bag. Howie had learned that premium FAs are far more likely to blow up in your face than shine. He knew the value was in mid level guys.

    Maxwell is overpaid. Everyone knew this was going to be true. But he’s solid if unspectacular. If he made 8million a year it wouldn’t be a big deal. 3 mil annually isn’t the stuff to ruin teams.

  77. 77 xeynon said at 7:00 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Medicals can be finessed. If Kelly wanted this trade to go down, and he clearly did, he’s not likely to listen if the doctor tells him Alonso will be able to play but may not regain his previous degree of athleticism. It was a dumb, indefensible trade. Why are you arguing that? The proof is in the pudding. Then, I do recall you saying that Matt Tobin, he of the nine QB hurries against last night, is a borderline Pro Bowl level guard or some such nonsense. So maybe you just like trolling.

    As for the rest of your post, I’m not going to debate stupid semantics with you any more. I’m done.

  78. 78 D3FB said at 6:06 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I watched the film from last year provided an in depth report on what I saw, and said pending growth he could be an ok starter, with above average starter upside. He hasn’t improved but really nobody has taken a step forward in the development category outside of Cox and Logan. But sure that means I said he was a pro bowler.

    You’re right though everyone is the worst player ever. The team is the worst team ever. Chip is the dumbest HC ever. Everything is shit. There is no hope. We won’t win another game for a decade because of the incompetence of the GM.

  79. 79 xeynon said at 8:52 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I am sorry to take snarky cheap shots at you, but you keep exaggerating and misrepresenting what I’m saying.

    I don’t think everything about this team is the worst ever. Chip’s first offseason as a GM was on the whole abominable, but not every move was bad. Thurmond made the transition to safety decently. Mathews was a good signing. Hicks was a good pick, if one taken at a spot where I would have preferred an OL, and Rowe and Shepherd have shown promise. I haven’t given up on Agholor yet since rookie WRs usually aren’t that great.

    HOWEVER, he made numerous moves that both (1) failed to improve the quality of the roster, and in some cases made it worse, and (2) consumed valuable resources (draft picks and cap space/flexibility). I’m comfortable saying right now that the Maxwell signing was a huge mistake. Ditto the Murray signing. Ditto cutting Evan Mathis because reasons. Unless Alonso drastically improves, trading McCoy for him will join them. Unless Bradford both re-signs on a team friendly deal and improves, trading a second round pick for him will as well.

    Chip Kelly insisted on complete control, got it, and proceeded to demolish an above average roster and replace it with a bad one. Instead of going from good to great, we’ve gone from good to bad. We’ve gotten older and more expensive as we’ve gotten worse. That’s not how rebuilding is supposed to work. Honestly I don’t know how you can look at this mess and be optimistic, or have any faith that Chip is the one to clean it up at this point. I certainly don’t think you have any reasonable grounds for taking issue with other fans being pessimistic about the future or harshly critical of Kelly’s methods. His performance has earned that response.

  80. 80 D3FB said at 7:37 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    I’m optimistic because it’s not impossible to fix. It’s not even super hard to fix.

    Revamp the OL, sign a mid level vet WR, take the saturation approach to pass rushers. All that is very doable and fixes the talent shortcomings.

  81. 81 xeynon said at 10:49 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    That’s a lot to get done in one offseason, but I’ll agree with you that it would be possible for a very good personnel guy who had lots of resources to work with. The reason I don’t think it’s possible is that Chip hasn’t shown himself to be even an average personnel guy and he doesn’t have a ton of resources to work with.

  82. 82 MichaelFloyd84 said at 7:39 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Weren’t you the guy that defended Marcus Smith at every opportunity and guaranteed we’d see a different player this year?

    My apologies if that was someone else. I don’t frequent the comment sections too often.

  83. 83 Media Mike said at 7:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The Marcus Smith fluffers were myself and Geagle. I was calling for 6 to 8 sacks for Smith this year.

  84. 84 MichaelFloyd84 said at 2:50 PM on December 31st, 2015:

    That’s right. GEagle was who i was thinking of. All i remember was that it was somebody who posted a ton, and was wayyy to sure of his knowledge of the future.

  85. 85 D3FB said at 5:57 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’ve maintained the “worst pick ever” crowd is a bit hyperbolic in regards to MSII. He has a skillset to be productive in this league. His confidence is just so shot he’s a mess.
    But no I was not in the he’s going to be some great player this year. I expected a competent 3rd OLB who could set the edge and provide plus coverage ability, with pass rushing a work in progress. That clearly hasn’t happened.

  86. 86 MichaelFloyd84 said at 2:51 PM on December 31st, 2015:

    It was GEagle i was thinking of. My apologies for the accusation

  87. 87 Nelson ALGore said at 7:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He made 1 play all year in week 1. He was over paid this year

  88. 88 ian_no_2 said at 3:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The one thing that sticks out at me most about this year is that the offense didn’t stay on the field enough to give the increasingly depleted defense a chance to catch its breath. I think the second half of the Cards game is when the defense drove by the last chance gas station and saw it was closed. For this reason it was smart not to scapegoat Billy Davis even if the fans’ view of BD’s acumen is correct, since someone has to take the risk of running Chip’s D under this stress. The OL was mediocre and inconsistent, the receivers dropped too many balls, and Bradford was struggling to settle in given 1 and 2. I don’t glean from this that Chip’s hurry up offense is simply a technique to be worked into Tom Brady’s arsenal and that Chip didn’t do a good job of assembling players under the circumstances.

    There’s no question I want Chip back as a coach and GM. He was cocky about OL, overly confident that the pieces would fit together better on offense immediately and the WRs he replaced the DJax/ JMac duo didn’t come through. On D, he’s done quite a good job as GM except for Alonso letting him down. Chip will surely hunker down and watch everything that went wrong. If he makes adjustments that relate to pro ball that utilize his creativity he will succeed here, if he can’t make those adjustments he will be a college coach. His coaches fall into the categories of pro tutors and college promotions, and he needs a dynamic team around him that thinks like him.

    I didn’t rule out the possibility that Chip’s formula would overcome all NFL obstacles from the start but that won’t be that case. I don’t, though, underestimate what Chip can do when he sorts out the challenge now before him.

  89. 89 Bob Brewer said at 3:27 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “The one thing that sticks out at me most about this year is that the offense didn’t stay on the field enough to give the increasingly depleted defense a chance to catch its breath. ”

    That’s 2 seasons in a row the D has worn down.

  90. 90 xeynon said at 3:29 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    How can you say he’s done a good job on defense as a GM? Hicks was a good draft pick and Thurmond a good bargain basement FA signing. But that’s it. He massively overpaid for Maxwell, who’s no better than a mediocre CB. He traded for Kiko Alonso after doing zero due diligence, and the guy got first hurt and then was a season-long liability against both run and pass. He traded a dependable, ball-hawking slot corner in Boykin and we were left with a pass defense that made no big plays and got torched by slot receivers repeatedly over the course of the season. I don’t see anything to suggest I should have confidence in Kelly’s GM work on the defensive side of the ball.

  91. 91 ian_no_2 said at 4:38 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Kelly devoted three picks to defense 47-191 and came up with Rowe, Hicks, and Shepherd. Graham was re-signed, Thurmond picked up. Maxwell should be evaluated long term against the alternative of not signing him or signing someone else. Boykin was benched for the Steelers after they got a pick for him, then Shepherd went down and they got unlikely improvement from Biggers. Ryans didn’t do much to earn his dough but he broke in Hicks. Kendricks disappointed but they didn’t give him the Bobby Wagner money. Of course they did due diligence on Alonso, can you name someone who watched him in Buffalo who thought he’s be a dud? and Kelly had him in college.

  92. 92 xeynon said at 5:13 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Rowe has showed some promise, but that’s it. Shepherd has proven nothing. He looked decent in training camp but that is next to meaningless. Graham was re-signed and had an underwhelming season at best – he made more plays last year as a part-time player than he did this year as a starter. Biggers sucks. This team gave up 35+ points at home 4 times. They’ve given up a franchise record 34 TD passes in only 15 games. They’re on track to give up more than 6,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time in franchise history.

    Bottom line:

    They. Are. Awful.

    How can you defend the job Kelly had done building this defense? It seems completely delusional to me.

  93. 93 ian_no_2 said at 6:53 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Rowe and Hicks would be first rounders if there was a re-do. If that’s not good enough and you want Shady’s stutter step back you can get an old Mattel Electronic QB and you can’t lose and it’s less expensive than Shady. Experts unanimously thought the ILBs were an area of strength and depth pre-season and that was the only unit that didn’t play like starters after Hicks went down. The problem was what the D was asked to do and how they were asked to do it.

  94. 94 xeynon said at 5:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    As for Alonso, it took 30 minutes to conclude the trade and they clearly didn’t do a proper medical evaluation to see how his knee injuries would affect him. That is not due diligence.

  95. 95 Mitchell said at 6:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    His knee got reinjured in the second game. Remember the int in the first game?

  96. 96 ConcussedFB said at 6:21 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I thought he was trailing bad on that play and used his last bit of athleticism to make the INT. Ryan threw late too but yeah I remember it.

  97. 97 ian_no_2 said at 7:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The Alsonso trade involved trading a RB who was set to make over $9M for a LB who had won the Pro Football Writers Defensive Rookie of the Year in his only year of action, made less than $800K this year, is locked down for under $1M next year, and if they cut him next August there’s no cap hit. In order to defer the cap figure the Bills agreed to guarantee Shady $13M over five years. The one trade you bash him for the most still doesn’t really look bad given the cap.

  98. 98 xeynon said at 7:52 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He promptly blew that cap space on Murray, who was a massive downgrade from Shady. So I don’t think you can really argue that cap flexibility makes up for the other problems with the trade.

  99. 99 ian_no_2 said at 7:54 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He took Murray from the Cowboys. If you think Shady would have had a big year behind the 2015 OL then you’re right, but I and most people don’t agree he would have.

  100. 100 Jernst said at 11:20 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Shady’s contract with us had over $10M cap hit in 2015, but just $7M cap hits in 2016 and 2017. And no more guaranteed money so we could cut him at any time. Trading Shady led to a $3.5M dead money hit. We then had a $5mil cap hit for Murray this year. So net for the trade in 2015 was a cap charge of $8.5mil (or a net savings of $1.5mil, which when you factor in Kikos contract is a net savings of about $700,000). Then in 2016 and 2017 Murray has cap hits of $8mil and $9mil. We can’t cut him next year because he has a dead cap charge of $13mil and even waiting until 2017 he’ll still have a $5mil dead charge. Whereas McCoy could have been cut at anytime between now and 2017 with no dead money.

    Does this move still look good given the cap? This move coupled with the subsequent Murray signing is the worst cap move Chip has made.

  101. 101 ian_no_2 said at 11:37 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Between Murray and McCoy (old/ new deals) the guaranteed money is about the same. The difference for the Eagles is you add a LB, subtract Murray from Dallas. You guys would make great GMs if only you could go back in time and make trades and draft picks.

  102. 102 Jernst said at 12:30 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    You can pretend that this is all Monday morning quarterbacking where hindsight is 20/20, but I made these exact same points the moment the trade was announced. Feel free to scroll through the comments from that day to see for yourself.

    http://igglesblitz.com/2015/03/gotta-let-chip/

  103. 103 D3FB said at 5:38 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Boykin isn’t a ballhawk. 2013 was the only year he was.

  104. 104 anon said at 5:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    but how bad do you think they missed having a slot corner this year? seems like jenkins spent most of his time in coverage this year.

  105. 105 D3FB said at 5:51 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Minimally.

    We’ve faced 585 pass plays this year.

    Probably less than 100 have been to the slot WR when we are in nickel D. (probably fewer than 80 but we’ll call it an even 100)

    Figure 25 were simply uncatchable no matter what.

    Another 25 God himself wouldn’t have prevented.

    You’re looking at like 50 plays where the nickelback has a chance to impact the play. Jenkins/Thurmond/Biggers all did a decent job. So say they stopped 25 of those and Boykin would have stopped 35. You’re talking about a variation of about 10 plays out of 1000+ defensive snaps.

  106. 106 xeynon said at 5:50 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    2013 was the only year he had a lot of interceptions. But he had one of the highest pass breakup percentages of any DB in football last season IIRC. He’s sure as hell better than E.J. Biggers.

  107. 107 D3FB said at 5:53 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Definition:
    a skilled ball player, in particular a football or basketball
    player adept at stealing or intercepting the ball or an outfielder in
    baseball skilled at catching fly balls.

    See below simply due to target size you’re talking about such a small variance that it’s effectively negligible.

    Did we miss him? Sure.

    Is it in the top 30 things that ruined this season? Hell no.

  108. 108 xeynon said at 5:58 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He made plays.

    I agree it’s not in the top 30 things that killed us this year. But it is one of many, many bad personnel decisions Kelly made last offseason that collectively added up to turn the team into a dumpster fire. There is zero reason to have any faith whatsoever in Kelly’s personnel acumen at this point.

  109. 109 D3FB said at 6:01 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He’s so good he couldn’t get on the field in PIT behind a guy they picked up after the Bills cut him in the first wave of cuts to 75. He was in a contract year. He wasn’t coming back. He was up and down in 2014. We got a draft pick for roughly 10 plays difference

  110. 110 bubqr said at 3:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Given the main issues with this team have been inconsistency/effort/personnel decisions, I don’t really understand why:
    1. Everyone seem so sure that Chip will be back
    2. The only move people seem focused on is at the GM position

    I was 200% the Chip hiring, and overall happy about his first 2 seasons, despite the last offseason decisions, but given how the team has played this season, the apparent unhappiness of some veterans, I don’t really get how the consensus could be “keeping Chip as a coach”.

    This team failed to get a winning record despite an historically awful division, and other teams within that division facing critical injuries(Giants: OL/JPP, Cowbosy:Romo), while remaining itself relatively injury-free: how in the world is keeping Chip a logical thing? I really don’t get this.

  111. 111 TypicalDouche said at 4:09 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Because Lurie isn’t the type to fire a coach after one bad season and Chip deserves one more year with the team “he built”.

  112. 112 Aaron said at 4:19 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    meh

  113. 113 TypicalDouche said at 4:31 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    That means what exactly?.Good input man.

  114. 114 Aaron said at 5:39 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I dont know, but I had to reply to your comical nonsense of a post, doosh

  115. 115 bubqr said at 4:32 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The “it’s just a bad year” argument is not really rational. If the locker room does not trust Chip anymore, if the NFL has slightly adjusted to its scheme, and if he could not get good execution out of his team for sustained periods, how is just “giving him another year” going to help? What’s the plan? Just crossing our fingers, hoping things are going to change just because?
    This team did not face lots of injuries or critical ones, or a tough schedule, or bad luck, or any specific drama: they lost just because they were not good enough. Not a lot of excuses available for Chip this season.

  116. 116 TypicalDouche said at 4:35 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Please tell me what makes you think Chip lost the locker room?

  117. 117 JoeBlow said at 4:37 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    hey man how is your fantasy team doing today?

  118. 118 bubqr said at 4:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    That was an illustration to the fact that in some cases “giving it another year” is not an option, this being one. There needs to be a precise analysis as to why this year was a failure, just saying “it was a bad year” is not enough. For example Harbaugh is going to be back in Baltimore next year: they faced so many injuries that it would be unfair to pin this bad season on him for. I get the “bad yea” argument in his case What’s Chip’s excuse?

    FWIW I personally think that part of the locker room is not convinced by Chip’s methods anymore, as evidenced by the effort on the field, the recent Peters issue, and the lack of (convincing) player support, especially compared to earlier in his tenure, and compared to for example the Andy Reid days. But that’s just my opinion.

  119. 119 Phits said at 4:24 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The Iggles had their fair share of injury issues this season. How were we relatively injury free? Bradford, Peters, Mathews, Matthews, Murray, Maxwell, Hicks, Ertz, Alonzo, Thorton, Kendricks, Jenkins, Agholor

  120. 120 bubqr said at 4:37 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Every team face some level of injuries. In terms of amount or the positions/players concerned, the Eagles were in the most “lucky”(it’s not only luck, Chip’ smoothies work) in the league, and in the division. The Giants have a decimated OL and their best defensive player is missing fingers. Cowboys are missing their most important player. Both teams are in a worse position.

  121. 121 Phits said at 4:51 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Any new players in your system that miss time will impact their development and acclimation. At least NYG and Dallas have continuity, in the sense that their returning players will just have to get into game shape and aren’t required to learn an entire system. We lost Bradford mid-season for a few games (blow-outs). He had just turned the corner and was paying much better football than to start the season. There’s Ryan Mathews, who looked awesome before his concussion. After missing quarter of the season he came back looking like a shell of the player. We lose Hicks to a season ending injury, this turned out to be the nail in the coffin for the season. Hicks wasn’t just a good rookie.

  122. 122 bubqr said at 4:59 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    1. They did not miss many games overall
    2. RB and ILB were the 2 positions in which the Eagles had the most invested in
    3. Those 3 players have been injury prone in the past. It was nearly expected to have them missing games.
    4. Honestly,look around the NFL: the Eagles have been one of the healthiest team.

    Injuries cannot be an excuse for this season going this way. Really.

  123. 123 anon said at 5:35 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    yeah but people we got who were injured last season i don’t think had the time to get the scheme down b/c they were rehabbing and couldn’t catchup during the season – that’s my hope anyway.

  124. 124 Nelson ALGore said at 11:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Nickel Corner-IR
    Starting Corner-IR
    Best ILB-IR
    Starting right guard-IR

    How many time did we shuffle the OL this year? Seems like every other game…

    Look at Panthers and Rivera and exercise some patience. Another year of Romo and Eli creeping towards Retirement and I’m not exactly sold on cousins.

    To use and old Andy Reid quote “Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to take 2 steps forward”

  125. 125 Bob Brewer said at 4:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Somehow the Eagles beat both the Jets and Patriots. Stunning for this crew.

  126. 126 Media Mike said at 6:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    That is part of the tease with this team.

  127. 127 JoeBlow said at 4:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Soooooo did anyone see that coin toss abomination in the Pats/Jets game?

  128. 128 Checkdown Charlie said at 4:22 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yeah, who said what?

  129. 129 JoeBlow said at 4:28 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    it looked to me like the Pats player (matthew slater) called heads and it landed heads, then the ref turned to him and just said “you are going to kick” and then turned to Cromartie and asked him which side of the field he wanted to receive the ball……usually the team kicking gets that choice? But then Slater was left standing there like huh? “we won the damn coin flip” lol …..Even Cromartie was like WTF?

  130. 130 JoeBlow said at 4:29 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    i have only watched it once and that is what i got out of it

  131. 131 SteveH said at 5:31 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Bilicheck is saying that they wanted to kick and Slater confirms that. Just a bizarre decision.

  132. 132 JoeBlow said at 5:35 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    oh ok, after the coin landed the camera stays on it for a few seconds and i couldn’t tell who was saying what, but initially it sounded like the ref just declared that NE would be the kicking team lol

  133. 133 unhinged said at 4:36 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I agree with you, TL, there is talent on this team, and when you see mistakes and errors and drops and missed assignments, it ALL points to the coach. I’m a Kelly fan, but what is he doing or not doing that yields distracted, unfocused play on the field? You have until September of 2016 to explain it. Thank you.

  134. 134 Nelson ALGore said at 11:53 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The music blaring in practice has to go if he’s still doing that. Sad that we can’t beat teams that lose to everyone else on the road.

    The saints in’13 couldn’t win an away game till they went to Philly and the Redskins did it this year too

  135. 135 P_P_K said at 5:26 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    One of the all-time disappointing years. Heading into the season I was thinking11-12 wins if Sam stays healthy, 10 if Sanchez has to step into the lineup.

    The D was beefed up, we now had the great Kiko anchoring the linebackers thanks to that brilliant move to shed another culture-buster, Shady. Besides, we got DeMarco. It seems like yesterday I was thinking 1200 yards for Murray, 800 for Matthews, and 500 for Sproles. How could a D Coordinator plan against them? Jordan Matthews was going to break out, Agholor was going to make us forget about Maclin, and Ertz could make the Pro Bowl.

    The pre-season came and, in my innocense, I remember flawless play to go with the perfect record. Everything was all set, even Jaws said so, year three of the Chip era was going to be one of the all-time greats. On to the Super Bowl.

    I wish I saved some of that kool-aid to wash out this bitter taste in my mouth.

  136. 136 xeynon said at 5:29 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I thought 9-7, 8-8 if Sanchez played, and considered myself a pessimist/realist. Even I was surprised it was this bad.

  137. 137 P_P_K said at 5:45 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I thought we might very well sweep the other NFC East teams.

  138. 138 ChoTime said at 8:37 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Me too, I thought 8 to 10 maybe. I really didn’t like Bradford. The personnel moves in general seen the suspect. However I did get taken in by the preseason. So it took a few regular season games to regain my pessimism. So often, teams really are what they are in September. You’re pretty much to see how it’s going to go. Kind of depressing.

  139. 139 RobNE said at 8:03 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Good email. I’m not sure last time there was such a gap between my expectations and what happened.

  140. 140 Bert's Bells said at 5:26 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    We all still think Peters is moving to guard for the Eagles next season? After his crappy play at tackle and getting beat like drum for three quarters last night?

  141. 141 anon said at 5:29 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    or moving to retirement / a contender.

  142. 142 D3FB said at 5:34 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    If he’s willing to play for the equivalent of his dead money and play G? Sure.

    If not then thanks for the memories, you were great, best of luck.

  143. 143 Bert's Bells said at 6:39 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He’s been not good at all this season.

  144. 144 kajomo said at 8:55 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Its more of a money thing. He’s be getting a LT salary to play OG. I’d only move on from him though if we can replace him. This team doesnt need any more holes

  145. 145 JoeBlow said at 8:56 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Does moving Lane to LT count as replacing him?

  146. 146 kajomo said at 12:02 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    No because you now need a RT. we really need( 2)OG (1) OT. We also need to look at replacing Maxwell and Murray already since they seem like such bad fits and we can get out of their contracts after next year

  147. 147 Bert's Bells said at 3:58 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Considering his level of play in half the games this season, there already is a hole at LT.

  148. 148 Aaron said at 5:37 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    read where he pulled himself out because he didnt want to play for a team like this

  149. 149 anon said at 5:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    think it’s been happening in each of the blowouts.

  150. 150 Bert's Bells said at 6:38 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    For real?

    Just googled that now. He was getting flogged all game, he should just say that’s why he sat.

  151. 151 anon said at 5:51 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Maxwell (14 gms): 51 catches allowed, 787 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT, 100.7 QBR

    Cary Williams ’14 (16 gms): 56 cths, 757 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT, 89.5 QBR

  152. 152 D3FB said at 6:03 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Cary Williams 2015: currently out of football.

  153. 153 Iskar36 said at 7:07 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    That misses the point. I think most would argue it isn’t even close who is better between Williams and Maxwell. However, the stats suggest they are much closer than perceived. Yea, I would take Maxwell over Williams, but we massively overpaid him. To me, “being desperate” is an excuse, not a reasoning, and a weak one at that.

  154. 154 D3FB said at 6:17 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics.

    Statistics without context especially in football are pretty meaningless. Alot of Maxwells bad plays have been due to inherent flaws in the scheme (all schemes have them) lots of deep crossers and the like where if the QB has time to make the throw the CB is going to be in a bad spot.

    Yes he’s overpaid. But this team would have been much much worse with 16 games of Williams, Watkins or some meh guy we signed for 6 mil a year.

  155. 155 xeynon said at 7:19 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    You’re missing the point. Paying $11 million a year for a guy who’s been worse this year than Cary Williams was last year (which wasn’t good enough) is an appallingly bad use of resources in a salary capped sport.

  156. 156 Mitchell said at 7:32 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Is it the player or the scheme?

  157. 157 xeynon said at 7:40 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m sure it’s a combination of both. But call it the Larry Brown Rule: if a guy has succeeded as the 4th wheel in a unit playing a scheme that perfectly fits his skills, and you’re thinking of signing him to play in a completely different scheme with much less talented teammates, buyer beware.

  158. 158 JoeBlow said at 8:09 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He is playing in the same type of coverages here that he did in Seattle, ( Cover 3, press man). I ain’t saying Maxwell isn’t at fault or anything but i don’t get the 8 yard cushion that Billy davis has his corners give the receiver, especially with a guy like Max who isn’t the quickest guy. In Seattle Max mostly lined up in press man and was physical at the line, he was also asked to defend the slot alot in man coverage. Seattle also uses Cover 3, in fact they use it often, but Maxwell still usually lined up close to the LOS and dropped into his zone. The Cover 3 helps a guy like Sherman also, who’s weakness is receivers getting behind him…..kinda like today when Kenny Britt torched him up the sideline for a TD. Athletic fast LB’s help too, which the Eagles supposedly have. Jordan Hicks is one, A healthy Kiko would be another but i have to think his knee has been bothering him since September, guy looks like a shell of himself. Kendricks was a major dissappointment and Demeco is finished. They don’t have the talent Seattle does, that is obvious…..but this defense shouldn’t have been getting torched like it had the final 8 weeks

  159. 159 anon said at 9:37 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    so what does that say about maxwell?

  160. 160 kajomo said at 8:53 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    i cant wait to cut Maxwell after next year. The giants cushions, lack of effort, and going for the strip instead of the tackle all drive me nuts

  161. 161 P_P_K said at 5:56 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I did some looking back. Sports Illutsrated polled 12 writers at the beginning of the season, asking for their predictions for the playoffs. Nine of them had the Eagles making it to the Divisional Game. Six had the Eagles making it to the NFC Championship game, with four calling for a win, and three predicting a Super Bowl victory.

    One more: At the end of the pre-season, Vegas had the Eagles at 8-1 to win the Super Bowl. Same as New England and Denver, behind only Seattle, Green Bay and Indianapolis.

  162. 162 JoeBlow said at 5:57 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    they certainly thought we were talented

  163. 163 anon said at 5:59 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Pitt loses to a Ryan Mallet-lead ravens and may be out of the playoffs. Which is more dissapointing?

  164. 164 anon said at 6:01 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Carolina loses to Atlanta.

  165. 165 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 6:03 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Not surprising… its a division game and Car looks beatable more than they look like a juggernaut

  166. 166 JoeBlow said at 6:06 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    i called it to Geagle last week, just thought it was a bad spot for them going against a team they had humiliated 38-0 just two weeks ago and a division rival who had a chance to ruin their perfect season…..Carolina also played in a brutal game last week

  167. 167 bdbd20 said at 6:02 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Chip and Sam will be back. I do wonder how he OL will look. With yesterday’s developments, it sure looks like JP will be gone. Lane will obviously be the LT. I assume Kelce is safe. That leaves 3 positions. If we take a RT in round 1, the guards are still a weakness. It will be interesting.

    They seem high on Andrews. Barrett Jones is interesting.

  168. 168 JoeBlow said at 6:04 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    i personally like Josh Andrews a lot, i would like to see him play in this game against the Giants but i doubt it will happen

  169. 169 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 6:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    This is the game we win by 20 and drop 8 spots in the draft

  170. 170 D3FB said at 6:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I don’t rate Andrews at all.

  171. 171 JoeBlow said at 6:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    does that mean you don’t like him?

  172. 172 D3FB said at 6:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I mean I don’t know him, but I don’t think he profiles as ever being anything. If they bring in any kind of legit competition for the backup C/G spot he’s gone.

    People seem to like him because of a couple of nice blocks in the preseason where he was put in a favorable situation and also some backup QB syndrome.

  173. 173 Mitchell said at 6:19 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    How do you rate Tobin after seeing more snaps from him?

  174. 174 D3FB said at 6:30 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He didn’t improve. His run blocking is fine for the most part. When he gets matched up 1 on 1 in pass pro he struggles.

    He’s best suited as a backup. You could get away with him being the worst starter if the other 4 are pretty good and the OC is willing to babysit him some. But he should be back next year. He’s experienced and won’t cost anything.

  175. 175 Media Mike said at 6:31 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    And he’s still young, so he might continue to improve as a backup here. I’m more interested in seeing Barbre cleared out of here.

  176. 176 D3FB said at 6:33 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Probably not much. It’s more physical limitations.

    Babre, Gardener, and Tobin will all be back for camp. At least 2 probably make the final 53.

  177. 177 Media Mike said at 6:36 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Roster has so many o-line holes that you’re scenario wouldn’t shock me.

  178. 178 JoeBlow said at 6:18 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Me thinks Aaron Rodgers should pull a Peters and take himself out of the game, dude is getting killed

  179. 179 Media Mike said at 6:20 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    And they’ll need to beat the Vikes to win the division next week after Minnesota rolls up an 82-2 victory over the Giants in a game that sees Eli’s game played streak come to an end via a cranium cracking hit from Antony Barr.

  180. 180 Mitchell said at 6:24 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Cranium. It seems like it could be on the table of elements.

  181. 181 kajomo said at 8:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    We all know that bad OLs dont impact the effectiveness of QBs. Neither do dropped passes for that matter. Rodgers just sucks

  182. 182 JoeBlow said at 8:43 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    “Good Qb’s elevate the rest of their team”

  183. 183 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:46 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Biggest overstatement in football

  184. 184 kajomo said at 8:46 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    No Elite QBs elevate the rest of their team and there are maybe 4 if them in the league.

    Even the great Aaron Rodgers cannot overcome his teams deficiencies this season.

    We are over-critical of our own players. Wetend to make excuses for players on other teams that we would never make for our own guys. Ex: its ok for Rodgers to struggle because he has a bad OL, but Bradford needs to elevate the team around him regardless of his bad OL

  185. 185 xeynon said at 12:12 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Rodgers was getting trucked literally every time he dropped back to pass in that game. The Green Bay line was totally overmatched and he was missing best receiver (and has been all season). Bradford’s teammates have hardly had his back this season, but he’s never faced that level of adversity. He’s had plenty of bad turnovers and made plenty of bad decisions/throws that resulted in missed big play opportunities. Even when he’s been at his best, he’s been nothing more than a competent caretaker – he doesn’t have the explosiveness or big play potential or ability to improvise that Rodgers does. Bradford’s season this year was one year mediocre entry in a track record full of mediocre entries. Being down on him as a franchise QB is 100% justifiable.

  186. 186 kajomo said at 11:04 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I was kidding about Rodgers sucking and do not think Sam is anywhere close. My point was that we know Rodgers is great so we give him a pass when the things around him arent great, but dont do the same with our guys. For example we probably have a worse OL, worse running game, and nobody on offense like randall cobb. You give Rodgers a pass because of his team’s dificencies (and rightfully so), but not to Sam.

    You feel Sam was nothing but average in St Louis. He comes here and he is nothing but average. You ignore the struggles he had to overcome to even be average. The situation a QB is in a huge factor in their success. With the things Sam had to overcome and the way he improved over the course of the season I think it is completely fair to project him as a top 10 QB if the team improves around him, will he be Aaroun Rodger? No, but he could be Carson Palmer.

  187. 187 Media Mike said at 6:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    It is officially a debacle in Arizona.

  188. 188 Dragon_Eagle said at 6:48 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Why can’t Fox switch over to the Seattle-St. Louis game which is actually competitive?

  189. 189 Media Mike said at 6:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Don’t get me started on how stupid the programmers are for these networks.

  190. 190 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:02 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    And now Buck and Aikman need to spend 15 minutes talking about last week’s Panthers-Giants game because this game is freaking over and uninteresting.

  191. 191 xeynon said at 6:49 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Watching Arizona absolutely murder Green Bay. THAT is what a great NFL team looks like. Remember when people around here made fun of the Cards for getting stuck hiring Arians while we got Kelly? Pretty laughable now.

  192. 192 Dragon_Eagle said at 6:54 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yep. If it wasn’t for the Panthers and Rivera, Arians likely would be coach of the year. He’s earned it.

  193. 193 Joe Minx said at 6:56 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    There’s no question at this point we should have hired Arians. But that’s MMQB’ing now.

  194. 194 xeynon said at 7:04 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Oh I’m not MMQBing at all. I wanted Kelly over Arians too. But I was totally wrong.

  195. 195 Allen3000 said at 7:06 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’m not nitpicking Tommy bc he’s more knowledgeable than me, but I distinctly remember him dismissing them the past few years and even midway through this year claimed they weren’t that good. Truth is, they’ve been steadily improving since Arians arrived there and are looking about as complete as you can get.

  196. 196 xeynon said at 7:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yup. They look like the best team in football to me. Arizona-Carolina should be a hell of an NFC Chanpionship game.

  197. 197 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    NFC will be represented by Seattle, Arizona, or Carolina. All 3 are solid, complete teams. AFC seems wide open with NE nursing so many injuries.

  198. 198 RobNE said at 7:55 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The afc is not wide open. The pats are king until someone beats them. Tell me who in the afc can be considered likely to beat them.

  199. 199 Media Mike said at 7:56 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    The Jets? Not really.

  200. 200 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    With their injuries? And looking quite vulnerable over the past month or so? Pats are favorite, but if they lose home field, its wide open.

  201. 201 RobNE said at 9:54 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    right because they won’t be able to win in Cincinnati against AJ McCarron.

    It almost wouldn’t surprise if the Pats threw the game yesterday when they saw Pitt was losing.

    I think Edelman is back soon. Amendola is back soon. Their most likely foes are on their back up QB.

    If you said take the field or the Pats, c’mon the Pats are likely favorites in that pool right? Which means it’s not wide open. Even if they don’t get home field.

  202. 202 ACViking said at 7:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    AZ may have been the best team last season too, ’til losing Palmer

  203. 203 bdbd20 said at 8:38 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He did inherit Peterson, Campbell and Fitz. Not sure he would have the same success here with our talent.

    Big props for getting Palmer to play at a high level. I thought he was done.

  204. 204 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:44 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    He would have had McCoy, Jax, Maclin, Cox, Kendricks, graham and Boykin here

  205. 205 JoeBlow said at 8:54 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    the million dollar question is…..who would his QB be? Carson Palmer? It’s been said that Arians really liked Palmer throughout his career and Cardinals President Michael Bidwell and GM Steve Keim aggressively pursued him so idk who was really instrumental in getting him.

    “we are not in the rebuilding stage,this is too good of a football team to begin a youth movement, we’re in it to win and win now” – Arians after trading for Palmer

  206. 206 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 9:01 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    A good coach walked into a good situation… Same thing with Andy. KC had a roster full of pro bowlers when he took over. Offense just needed some help

  207. 207 JoeBlow said at 9:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    both guys got franchise QB’s right from the jump also.

  208. 208 ChoTime said at 9:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    The Cards really struggled when Warner retired. I didn’t think Palmer was all that good, but he is playing great and everything is clicking for that team.

  209. 209 JoeBlow said at 9:32 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    well….he wasn’t good, or at least nowhere near what he is doing now. He had a couple good seasons in Cincy, but nothing real crazy and that was with good pieces around him. He also dealt with a lot of injuries, then went to Oakland and didn’t do well there either, somewhere in there he also retired too.

    More power to Arians

  210. 210 bdbd20 said at 6:56 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    They are good players. Peterson and Fitz were guys who were at the top of their positions and in their prime. You could argue the same with Campbell.

    Other than Peters, not sure Chip inherited any guys at that level.

  211. 211 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:07 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Is anybody else watching the way the Cardinals tackle? Its like they’re professionals.

  212. 212 wee2424 said at 9:19 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Cardinals are the best team in the NFL. Carolina and Patriots would give them a fight but Cardinals would come out on top. Carolina and ARZ will be a fun NFCG to watch. ARZ and NE will be a fun SB to watch as well.

  213. 213 Media Mike said at 5:16 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Carolina isn’t getting that far. Seattle is taking them out.

  214. 214 bentheimmigrant said at 5:54 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Wow. You’re seriously committed to the Cam hate.

  215. 215 Media Mike said at 8:01 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    To be honest, I also hate Carolina due to Sean McDermott.

  216. 216 anon said at 9:48 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    they just lost to the rams, who btw have a better record than us

  217. 217 Media Mike said at 9:51 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The Rams have Seattle’s number; I don’t see that game as having much bearing on the playoffs.

  218. 218 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:13 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    To complete this season’s misery, it would only be fitting to have a Kansas City – Arizona Superbowl.

    What we gave up on versus what we gave up for the Chipper.

  219. 219 Media Mike said at 7:59 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’d be more miserable with a Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Super Bowl.

  220. 220 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Go Super Sayian Cam!!!!!

  221. 221 Media Mike said at 8:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    No thanks.

  222. 222 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Panthers Panther Panthers

    Only NFC team I can stand at this point.

  223. 223 Media Mike said at 5:15 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I wouldn’t mind Arizona, Seattle, Green Bay, or Minnesota winning the NFC.

  224. 224 Bob Brewer said at 8:00 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    We weren’t going anywhere with Andy. But maybe Eskin was right with Arians.

  225. 225 Julescat said at 8:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Arians landed in a good situation.

  226. 226 daveH said at 8:27 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Chiefs play fat andy’s D coordinator on the Panthers he dumped

  227. 227 wee2424 said at 9:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Could be wrong but I really don’t think McDermott was the same level of DC he was then as he is now. He needed more experience. That being said he Castillo obviously wasn’t the answer either. It should have been Bowles from the start.

  228. 228 Joe Minx said at 10:16 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Ron Rivera has quite a bit to do with that defense too.

  229. 229 wee2424 said at 12:57 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Very true. Random but how about Kurt Coleman. Curious to see if this year is just an anomaly for him or if it continues next year.

  230. 230 Media Mike said at 5:15 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    anomaly

  231. 231 wee2424 said at 12:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That’s what I’m leaning on. I’m not to familiar with how he is doing in Carolina besides his INT numbers. I’m sure his tackling can’t be that good. He isn’t doing what Jenkins is doing in the run game. Also doubt his 1v1 coverage improved much.

    Not to take to much credit from him but at times you can luck into INTS. Could be wrong because I haven’t seen to many of their games, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the case. 7 INTS is impressive regardless.

    If someone has watched their games more and I am wrong please correct me.

    Either way I am happy for him. He always seemed like a decent guy, and for a 7th round pick is a success.

  232. 232 Media Mike said at 12:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Norman locks down a side of the field and that front 7 has dominant players all over it; Coleman simply has to not drop INTs in order to get that many INTs.

  233. 233 wee2424 said at 1:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    While also being in the right place at the right time in which many a safety in this league is not capable of doing.

    Yes I do agree alot of it is due to his team mates, and alot of it is luck. That being said he is obviously executing his assignments correctly therefore leading to the picks. I do think it’s a little unfair to say they are just falling to him and he just needs to catch them.

    Lol, ask Jenkins, the catching part isn’t as automatic as Coleman makes it seem.

  234. 234 Nelson ALGore said at 7:17 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How many Ints would Jenkins have if he simply didn’t drop 90% of the balls that hit his hands???

    Coleman is not a great player, probably not a very good player actually but he still made the plays. I won’t take that away from him

  235. 235 Media Mike said at 5:15 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    He still isn’t; that’s Ron Rivera’s D.

  236. 236 A_T_G said at 8:48 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Yoda, is that you?

  237. 237 daveH said at 8:57 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Non c’est ne pas moi du “Yoda”

  238. 238 A_T_G said at 9:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Well, that makes much more sense. I wish I were multilingual.

    I have read a lot of your posts and this was the first one to seem off. That is impressive.

  239. 239 daveH said at 10:50 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Thanks ATG. Im not yoda, and not a great football mind either. Just a T Lawlor fan and fan of the many great insights in the comments here. I do hope some of my comments make sense and perhaps have insight. Always Glad to read yours indeed.
    I was skeptical of Chips many moves and his dismantling of a decent enough team. I was way way over andy reid long ago.
    Had like all of us much higher hopes for this season.
    Alas, i guess it was truly a typical eagles team however.
    Best, safe & happy new year.

    To ALL as well.

  240. 240 EaglesHero87 said at 9:58 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Yeah, I’m actually rooting for the Chiefs but would actually like to see the Panthers make a run for the Superbowl. I dislike the Cardinals so much that their talent on both sides of the ball cannot go ignored.

  241. 241 Julescat said at 8:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    realize fat Andy’s team has played just about every bad team in the NFL since their 1 – 5 start.

  242. 242 Nelson ALGore said at 7:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Execept the really trashy NFCEast. Nobody can mention the worst teams in the league without at least mentioning us 🙂

  243. 243 Anders said at 2:20 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The Cards the last decade is a great example of what finding the right QB can do.

    Palmer and Warner was dead before arriving in Arizona and both became MVP players for their teams.

    Palmers is also a good example of how much a QB can improve within a system if he gets the time.

  244. 244 Buge Halls said at 8:02 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    My guess – Chip stays and either the OC or DC or maybe both, are gone. Big, visible changes need to be made to placate the fans. But Lurie won’t fire his HC yet. Chip won’t get the same leeway that Reid got, but he’ll play out his contract at least.

  245. 245 Media Mike said at 8:05 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I’d offer the following modifier for “play out the contract”; Kelly will get next year, but won’t go into year 5 without an extension. Head coaches almost never go into the last year of their deal.

  246. 246 JoeBlow said at 8:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    yup, only ones who do are the ones being let go

  247. 247 wee2424 said at 9:14 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Firing the OC would just be a scapegoat to take pressure off Chip on the offensive side. He is pretty much the OC.

    Past two years I didn’t think so, but this year has me convinced that Play calling needs to be delegated to someone else brought in during the off season. It’s possible there is nobody worth bringing in for that though. Even if there were I really don’t see it happening under Chip.

  248. 248 ChoTime said at 9:21 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Hmm, I think I could do a decent job of picking which of the 4 offensive plays available to use in a given situation. How much does the position pay?

  249. 249 EaglesHero87 said at 9:57 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Billy Davis has got to go. I’m thinking Chip stays and probably will play out his contract, but he’ll definitely be on the hot seat next season.

  250. 250 xeynon said at 12:15 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think he gets next season. But if they suck again, he’s gone. No way you let him go into year 5 w/o an extension coming off two losing years.

  251. 251 eagleyankfan said at 9:01 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    would love to lay down some sarcasm, like gee, I hope we win next week so we can drop a few spots in the draft, so we can use that pick to fall back into the 2nd round to pick a WR — but I have all winter for that stuff. For now — Thanks T-Law for keeping most of in in line and level headed throughout the season.
    …..
    So many time, so little questions. Wait, strike that, reverse it…..

  252. 252 b3nz0z said at 10:24 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    if i know one thing about chip kelly, it’s that he’s going to win next week

  253. 253 anon said at 9:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Best

    Lane Johnson +3.6
    Sam Bradford +3.0

  254. 254 anon said at 9:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Worst

    Matt Tobin -10.0
    Kenjon Barner -2.4
    Zach Ertz -2.4
    Josh Huff -2.1
    Jason Peters -2.0
    Brent Celek -1.2
    Jason Kelce -1.2
    Nelson Agholor -1.2

  255. 255 anon said at 9:41 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    i’ve never seen a -10 before.

  256. 256 anon said at 9:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Best

    Fletcher Cox +2.1
    Malcolm Jenkins +1.7
    Jaylen Watkins +1.7
    E.J. Biggers +1.2
    Vinny Curry +1.1

  257. 257 anon said at 9:42 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Worst

    Kiko Alonso -4.2
    Mychal Kendricks -2.8
    DeMeco Ryans -2.8
    Walter Thurmond -2.1
    Brandon Bair -1.8
    Taylor Hart -1.5

  258. 258 anon said at 9:44 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Alonso was targeted six times. He allowed six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Kendricks was targeted six times. He allowed five receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Ryans was targeted twice. He allowed 46 yards and a touchdown.

  259. 259 Allen3000 said at 11:08 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Why was Kiko even in there? How many times do we need to see him over-pursue/run plays or miss tackles before he’s benched? Dude has flat out sucked this year. Maybe he’s hurt. Okay. Well then find someone else to take his spot because he’s not playing the role of an NFL player right now.

    Kendricks is almost as bad which is maddening to me. How does a player with so much potential get significantly worse in their 3rd season??? How does that happen? Poor coaching? Poor effort? I’d like to believe it’s not effort since Chip place such an emphasis on ‘high character’ guys and he chose to extend Kendricks to a very lucrative deal. I can’t really fault Ryans due to the deadly combo of age and injuries.

    Taylor Hart is another one…Why does he get so many reps when he repeatedly gets blown off the ball and NEVER makes plays????

  260. 260 anon said at 11:10 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    agree. kelly sucks at benching players.

  261. 261 peteike said at 12:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Im convinced a lot of these players would look good in a better scheme. Absolutely convinced BD is doing them zero favors. He is just horrible

  262. 262 Nelson ALGore said at 11:58 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Hey C’mon now he did tackle him self last week on that big run.

  263. 263 b3nz0z said at 10:23 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    ah yes, our three headed ILB monster

  264. 264 Insomniac said at 10:11 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Nice to see that someone recognizes Jaylen’s coverage skills.

  265. 265 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:43 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    Even the trash can at training camp managed a -8.5.

  266. 266 Insomniac said at 10:09 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I hope it’s a typo

  267. 267 xeynon said at 12:17 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Tobin was awful, but I don’t blame him for this performance, I blame Kelly. Kelly’s the one that put a guy who should be a backup/swing lineman into a starting role.

  268. 268 Anders said at 4:09 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Isnt Tobin starting because he was the backup and the starter got hurt?

  269. 269 Aaron said at 10:27 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    I have a structured settlement but i need cash now

  270. 270 daveH said at 7:34 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Genworth

  271. 271 anon said at 10:33 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    anyone watching giants? what a difference a wr makes.

  272. 272 Media Mike said at 5:12 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    That needs be stated thousands of times once Eli retires and fools try to get him into the HOF.

  273. 273 TXEaglesFan said at 10:52 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    So just wondering what the feeling is of the Chip Kelly Culture around the nfl? I see talk of let’s fire these coaches and bring in somebody else, but won’t this new coach have to be willing to accept this CK culture? Doesn’t that shrink the viable pool down, just like measurables and character shrink down the viable player talent pool?

    Additionally, I really don’t trust Kelly’s valuation process to rampage unimpeded through another free agency and draft. But if Lurie could strip him of GM responsibilities and even if Chip sticks around, what a toxic environment that could potentially be for the new GM – who of worth would want to choose to be in that position?

  274. 274 anon said at 10:56 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    all fair points

  275. 275 Anders said at 4:05 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The only thing lowering the potential coaches is if Kelly insist on staying a 3-4 2 gap team

  276. 276 Media Mike said at 9:17 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    True; personnel be damned.

  277. 277 Mitchell said at 11:54 PM on December 27th, 2015:

    For a fleeting moment right after the initial drive against Washington, I thought the Eagles were finally clicking…… I was wrong.

  278. 278 Crus57 said at 9:09 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Clicking like an arthritic joint, sadly.

  279. 279 kajomo said at 10:51 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I noticed that the eagle always seem to move the ball fairly well on their first drive for most of this year. Even with Sanchez they marched a but on that initial drive. Of course penalties, drops, etc have prevented them for scoring each time, but they certainly moved the ball. After that first drive things were always more of a struggle offensively

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  281. 281 anon said at 12:43 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    In 7 ½ career games against the Vikings, Eli Manning has thrown more touchdowns to Vikings defenders (five) than he has to his own team (four).

  282. 282 A_T_G said at 8:41 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    That is the best stat I have read in a while.

  283. 283 Eagles News: Jeffrey Lurie has a big decision to make on Chip Kelly's future - said at 6:33 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    […] The Day After – Iggles BlitzIt always feels weird when a season ends. Whether after a playoff loss or just a regular season game, the finality of the season being over just has a weird vibe to it. The thing you’ve cared about for months and months is gone. Sunday just becomes another day of the week. I know there is one more game to go, but that is basically going to be 3 hours of praying no key players get hurt. There’s not a whole lot to talk about in regard to that game, good or bad. From here on out, the focus is on big picture stuff. The good thing about all of this is that we have freedom from caring. The roller coaster of emotions that comes with watching a team week in and week out can be trying. […]

  284. 284 Bleeding Green Nation :: Eagles News: Jeffrey Lurie has a big decision to make on Chip Kelly's future - Rainy Monster said at 7:39 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    […] The Day After – Iggles BlitzIt always feels weird when a season ends. Whether after a playoff loss or just a regular season game, the finality of the season being over just has a weird vibe to it. The thing you’ve cared about for months and months is gone. Sunday just becomes another day of the week. I know there is one more game to go, but that is basically going to be 3 hours of praying no key players get hurt. There’s not a whole lot to talk about in regard to that game, good or bad. From here on out, the focus is on big picture stuff. The good thing about all of this is that we have freedom from caring. The roller coaster of emotions that comes with watching a team week in and week out can be trying. […]

  285. 285 Media Mike said at 7:59 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I really like Peyton Manning, but he’s coming off like a liar due to hiding things with exchanges like this;

    “Peyton Manning said the insinuation that HGH was shipped to his wife to disguise that he was getting it “sickens me.” He said her medical information was personal, and he would not discuss it.”

    So we’re just supposed to take him at his work when he won’t fully disclose all of the relavant medical facts? No sale.

  286. 286 Anders said at 8:03 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Why should Manning reveal his wife’s personal medical history? He only needs to show the NFL officials that his wife is legally getting HGH

  287. 287 Media Mike said at 8:05 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Because he’s publicly claiming it didn’t happen, but won’t publicly provide the full set of information. Anything less than full factual disclosure = you’re hiding something.

  288. 288 Anders said at 8:17 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    What happened to innocent until proven otherwise? Also if he took HGH,, one can only be suspended for failed test

  289. 289 Media Mike said at 8:20 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    That is for a trial court, not the court of public opinion. And I firmly believe that the public is entitled to a full story of what’s going on.

  290. 290 A Roy said at 8:41 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The guy who made the allegation was an intern with the company in 2013. The event supposedly took place in 2011. He has since recanted. Probably was passing on scuttlebutt without knowing he was speaking to a reporter. And do you really believe anything Al Jazeera reports?

  291. 291 A_T_G said at 8:56 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    But, but..some reporter said it so Peyton must reveal all of his wife’s personal data to prove otherwise. Being a reporter must be a lot of fun, because unfortunately, Mike’s is the prevailing opinion.

    In related news, I saw a tweet that Tom Brady’s wife becomes disoriented when she is cold. In fact, she can’t even find my house using GPS when wearing only her underwear.

  292. 292 Media Mike said at 9:05 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    That is the ultimate false equivalence. That Brady scenario has noting to do with anything remotely related to Brady’s employment. And why isn’t Manning refuting that HGH was shipped to his house? If it wasn’t, he should just clearly state that. If it was for some medical condition and his wife used it legitimately, he should just clearly disclose it.

    By giving a half answer, Manning is creating a vacuum of information that folks can feel free to fill however they’d like.

    His level of bluster coupled with half stories strikes at his credibility.

  293. 293 A_T_G said at 9:21 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Why does it matter if he had a wing of his house built entirely out of HGH? If he doesn’t test positive it is none of our business. If the testing is insufficient, then that is the problem.

  294. 294 Media Mike said at 9:25 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    If he was employed as my borough’s head of sanitation I wouldn’t care, but because he makes his living off of athletic accomplishments that can be illegally aided by HGH I believe reporting / investigating those elements of his live are totally valid as well as any ancillary elements (such as his wife’s possible medical need to have HGH in the house for herself) of that story.

    If the story was that Manning was stiffing his paperboy on a tip because he wife didn’t like the kid, I wouldn’t care.

  295. 295 peteike said at 11:44 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    fine line there though, going after an ancillary persons personal health records. Health stuff is heavily protected for good reason. Nobody has a right to know any of that, end of story. Read between the lines all you want though.

  296. 296 A Roy said at 10:11 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Some people want all the information…true or not…invasive or not. And the reason is because…they deserve to know!

  297. 297 peteike said at 11:43 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    All the players are guilty, heck, these kids are starting in high school I imagine. Giant O line kids with barely a pubic hair hitting high 200s. Now someone just attached a name and trail. This might be fun watching them squirm but I dont even care that they are taking this stuff. So obvious hes guilty.

  298. 298 A Roy said at 10:12 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The way I heard it, she was unable to find her way out of your bedroom. Must’ve read that on Al Jazeera.

  299. 299 Media Mike said at 9:01 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Yes I generally believe in the journalistic integrity of Al Jazeera, that organization is strongly credible for most of the news.

    And the reporter verified that their source was indeed employed there in 2011 in a call to that company.

  300. 300 Bert's Bells said at 9:18 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’m gonna agree with you here. Al Jazeera is more credible than most US sources. Colleagues who’ve worked there say it’s the most rigorous (and also beat benefits and environment) news/ doc broadcaster they’ve worked.

  301. 301 Media Mike said at 9:22 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    And given all of that, the source for this story could very well turn out to have been a liar. But even if they recanted after the reporter verified that person’s employment at that company, that doesn’t fall on the reporter or the news organization. I’m just galled by Manning huffing and puffing over the story, but refusing to provide a full set of information that properly refutes.

    And fascist Ditka calling out Al Jazeera enhances their credibility in my eyes.

  302. 302 peteike said at 11:40 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    haha, I saw that and was yelling at my TV. Ugh, Ditka is just the worst. Clueless sap spouting that nonsense and then what followed was so comical. All the ex players just outright dismissing the story, it would have been funnier if it wasnt so sad. Really folks, face it, on its face most of us have to agree that we know this stuff is going on. Then when its called out were supposed to shoot the messenger. Cmon. It puts those guys in a bad spot but I dont feel bad for them. I think most fans dont care because “football”. We expect a certain amount of that, look at the players, its beyond human. However, now the story becomes about the sources instead of the story. Shift that focus, oldest trick in the book. I thought the part about the other supplements they cant detect or arent actually HGH and how easy it is to pass the tests is more than the names.

  303. 303 Julescat said at 11:52 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    did the journalist verify the story with more than one source? if not, look for the story to fall apart

  304. 304 Media Mike said at 12:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That’s a fair question,I haven’t seen that reported either way.

  305. 305 peteike said at 12:17 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    and that source is back tracking, claiming he “caught” him at a bad time in his life and took advantage. Lol, okay dude, Ill tend to still believe the guy told the truth but sure, there is plenty to pick apart. Anymore it feels like journalism doesnt stand a chance if enough people want to rip something away and twist everything surrounding it. That being said, there is too much of the made up stuff going around also. Its a giant mess of a game anymore.

  306. 306 ChoTime said at 9:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    It does appear to be less propagandistic than US news IMO.

    BTW, do any of you actually care if Manning used HGH to heal from him neck injury?

  307. 307 CrackSammich said at 2:52 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He doesn’t need to show them that, either. Her business is her business, and regardless of it being true or not, whoever broke those HIPPA laws is getting sued.

  308. 308 Bert's Bells said at 9:22 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think telling people to eat Papa John’s is infinitely worse than an athlete lying about using science to be a better player.

  309. 309 Media Mike said at 9:27 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Papa John is a vile piece of human garbage who was complicit in trying to lobby the government on medical policy in a way that would have killed tens of thousands of Americans over the last 5 years; I don’t buy his pizza under any circumstance.

  310. 310 wee2424 said at 10:55 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Explain please.

  311. 311 Media Mike said at 10:59 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Papa John was 100% anti the ACA. Failure to expand Medicaid would have killed tens of thousands of Americans each year.

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/harvard-study-medicaid-expansion-deaths

  312. 312 Ark87 said at 11:02 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    It’s one thing to not like paying for health insurance and tell congress that, it’s another to turn it into a threat, saying he would fire 30% of his workers or some such if congress goes through with it.

    Keep it classy Pizza man

  313. 313 A Roy said at 1:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Hey, he DID say it would cost another nickel per pizza if he had to provide health insurance.

  314. 314 ChoTime said at 9:15 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That is so messed up, damn guvmint! I mean, if we can’t get 2 large pizzas for $12.99, what’s this country coming to?

  315. 315 wee2424 said at 11:56 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Interesting. Thanks for sharing the article. Not to delve to much into it, but I wonder Mannings stance on that.

  316. 316 b3nz0z said at 12:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i believe manning thinks that $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  317. 317 Bert's Bells said at 11:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    And that’s the best thing you can say about the guy.

  318. 318 Mac said at 11:58 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    And to think, I don’t buy their pizza because it’s gross. I never knew there was more to it than that.

  319. 319 ChoTime said at 9:14 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I will Google, but I do hate Papa John’s. I kind of liked it 20 years ago when it replaced Domino’s, but I knew something was up when it didn’t much resemble food after being refrigerated.

  320. 320 Ark87 said at 10:45 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    If he was taking it he needs to get his money back. Dude can’t get that ball downfield and doesn’t really look like a pro athlete.

  321. 321 Julescat said at 11:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    many named in the report are threatening law suits and the source is now backing off the claims. sounds like bad journalism.

  322. 322 Media Mike said at 12:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How on earth can you call the method by which the Phillies can void Ryan Howard’s contract “bad journalism?”

  323. 323 A Roy said at 12:58 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Well deserved upvote.

  324. 324 Sean Stott said at 12:47 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Don’t forget, it’s the same guy who sexually assaulted a trainer.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Manning#Sexual_assault_allegation_and_violations_of_court_orders

  325. 325 Media Mike said at 12:51 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    F-ing unreal. I had no idea that ever happened. That definitely knocks him down a few pegs in my book.

  326. 326 peteike said at 12:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    sure, all in the playbook. Everything about the guys past is coming out now. Thing is, I believed this stuff was happening anyway. Now a story is just verifying it but everyone will get caught up in the sources and buy the character assassination instead of the story.

  327. 327 Joe Minx said at 3:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I never heard about this either. Don’t know how I missed it.

  328. 328 ChoTime said at 9:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Really? Kind of a sad commentary on the media.

  329. 329 oreofestar said at 9:26 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Cowboys about to get a nice top 5 pick

  330. 330 Media Mike said at 9:29 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    I hope they pick the hoodlum street trash from Ole Miss who just was busted for smoking the herb and falling out of the hotel window in Atlanta. Dallas adding a player who is already going to be in the NFL substance abuse program and likely to be suspended sooner rather than later is a draft pick I can get behind!

  331. 331 b3nz0z said at 11:27 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    hoodlum street trash? unless you know the dude personally that sounds a bit . . . ugly

  332. 332 Media Mike said at 12:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/14405009/robert-nkemdiche-suspended-sugar-bowl-following-arrest

    This is so bad. I wouldn’t touch this guy with a 10 foot pole.

  333. 333 bdbd20 said at 3:22 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How about an 11-ft pole?

  334. 334 CrackSammich said at 2:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How dare you. Media Mike is well known for his well researched and level headed assessments.

  335. 335 JoeBlow said at 2:53 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i think they go Jalen Ramsey

  336. 336 Media Mike said at 9:35 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kempski just put out that the Eagles will be drafting anywhere from 8th through 17th; that’s a huge swing based only one game. The league has too many terrible teams this year.

  337. 337 b3nz0z said at 11:26 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    and yet not enough terrible teams to save our season

  338. 338 A Roy said at 12:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    It seems half the league is 6-9.

  339. 339 Media Mike said at 1:01 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I don’t know if you realized why that is so funny. But it is.

  340. 340 A Roy said at 1:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Knew it worked on a couple levels…

  341. 341 ChoTime said at 9:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Not as fun as it sounds, is it now?

  342. 342 Ark87 said at 10:59 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    It does feel weird when the season ends. For me it’s a weird mix of avoiding the fact that the season over, sort of getting stuck there and not moving on, meanwhile the season is still going on for lots of teams, and articles start talking about needs and drafts and throw tons of names I don’t know with a 1 paragraph scouting report (and that is the thorough ones).

    In high school I read a (nonfiction) book called “Tuesdays with Morrie”. In the book a person dies and the writer feels like his world is crumbling, but the world still turns and people go on like nothing happened at all. I feel like that to a much less traumatic degree.

  343. 343 Tumtum said at 11:11 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Train stops for no one man. It is a weird feeling when you contemplate it…every time.

  344. 344 Crus57 said at 11:54 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    My mother was rushed to hospital just before christmas and is still in there, so I totally get that whole “world goes on without you” thing. Something so important to me is happening and yet the people outside carry on as if nothing has changed (because of course to them, it hasn’t). It’s a weird feeling.

  345. 345 Ark87 said at 1:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Sorry to hear about your mom. I wish her along with you and your family well. Things like that can be especially tough in the holidays.

  346. 346 ChoTime said at 9:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Check out Kitchen Table Wisdom for more reminders of the vast scope of life outside of football.

    I am going to hold my nose and try to root for the hometown Redbirds.

  347. 347 EaglesGameBalls said at 11:23 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Nelson Agholor first year : 21 Rec, 260 yds, 1TD
    Freddie Mitchell first year : 21 Rec, 283 yds, 1TD

  348. 348 Julescat said at 11:27 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    apt comparison

    Agholor is a bust!

  349. 349 b3nz0z said at 11:29 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    you guys crack me up. he sucked as a rookie. i’m in no mood to make excuses for anyone on that squad, but calling a rookie WR a bust is laughably impatient.

  350. 350 Julescat said at 11:31 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    too many dropped balls

  351. 351 b3nz0z said at 11:32 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    totally agree! he had a putrid and disappointing season. still can’t call a rookie a bust with any credibility.

  352. 352 Julescat said at 11:34 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    it’s not like he was lost and then improved as the year went on. He dropped balls in the Washington game. He has been consistently bad.

    if a 1st round WR can’t catch then he’s a bust

  353. 353 b3nz0z said at 11:35 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    if he plays that way next year you’re right. until then he had a terrible rookie year and had better figure things out.

  354. 354 Gian GEAGLE said at 11:39 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    The Philly way….

  355. 355 EaglesGameBalls said at 11:30 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Marcus Smith had 24 snaps on STs. He had 0 on offense.

  356. 356 b3nz0z said at 11:32 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    much bustier bust

  357. 357 Bert's Bells said at 11:33 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    He’s the Dolly Parton of Eagles draft picks.

  358. 358 b3nz0z said at 11:33 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    i got nothing. that’s just funny

  359. 359 ChoTime said at 9:09 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Funny, but wrong. Dolly is an excellent songwriter, good singer, and was quite the looker in her day! (In other words, talented)

  360. 360 Bert's Bells said at 11:31 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    He should thank Freddie’s hands.

  361. 361 Jernst said at 11:46 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Antonio Brown first year: 16 Rec, 167 yards, 0TD

  362. 362 b3nz0z said at 11:47 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    BUST

  363. 363 anon said at 11:53 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    did he play 95% of snaps?

  364. 364 EaglesGameBalls said at 12:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He played in 9 games.

  365. 365 ChoTime said at 9:08 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    What’s more likely, for a rookie who totally sucks despite lots of opportunities to become great or to wash out?

  366. 366 Gian GEAGLE said at 11:37 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    There is so much that Needs to be upgraded, but the lessons of 2011 and 2015 seasons to me says that the worst thing we can do is to over react TO MUCH and go make a million changes again like last season… The season has been flat out a FAILURE, and it has been clearly NOT GOOD ENOUGH. So after such a bad year, with so much needing to improve you have to REACT, but the trick is to NOT OVEREACT…
    ..
    If we want to be a good team next year, the one thing I feel like we have learned is that instant success won’t be achieved by blowing this up and making a ton of changes again. the trick is to know what changes absolutely need to be made because of a lack of talent, and what needed upgrades can take place simply by continuing to Develope players we already have In House, Most of the time that means developing young players, but we have also seen cases where free agent veteran acquisitions also needing a year to get adjusted before they could show us the best they were really cabpable of, for example both Nolan and Jenkins were much better this year than they were last year, even if Jenkins was successful last year, he took it to a higher level this year..some free agents we added last year will be better next year, for Example Walter Thurmond, who went into this year with ZERO SAFETY Experience and is a week away from giving us 16 games at a level of safety play we have lacked for almost a decade. safe to say that with a year experience, Thurmond will be even better next year.. Unfortuntely, some free agents we signed were a clear cut mistake that probablyy won’t be significantly better given Continuity. demarco Murray is a serious concern that might end up in this category. can improving the OL blocking, and altering the offense, and another Offseason to get more comfortable save the signing of Demarco Murray, or is it Doomed to be a mistake that can’t be fixed and needs to be replaced? It’s very hard to be confident that the Murray signing can be salvaged. Seems destined to remain a mistake, a costly one at that..
    .
    I have more hope for a guy like KIKO. This year we see a shell Of the Linebacker who won rookie of the year two years ago. The question is has he,lost his explosion forever, or will it be one of those cases where he gets his explosion back when he is two years removed from the injury which is pretty common,mFor example, Demeco Ryan first ACL, he was Horribke the first year back for the Texans, and then got back to his level of play the next year as an Eagle… HOPEFULLY KIKO happens to be a case of needing to be two years removed from his injury to regain his explosiveness.. So there is still hope for KIKO, but you also have to acknowledge that it’s also possibe that he never regains that explosiveness he lacked this season.,
    ..
    Barbre and Tobin have gotten a lot of playing experiemce, and Unfortunately I haven’t seen a level of growth that would make me comfortable penciling them in as next years starters, I thought Gardner was better than both, but injury robbed us of the chance to fight out…
    .,
    The regression of a healthy KEndricks is very scary for me, hopefully this just ends up being a down year, but KIKO has an excuse, what is Kendricks? Very dissapointing,..
    ..
    How do we fix the WR corp? On one hand, I see plenty of ability in AGHOLAR, and I trust him as a person to work to live up to his ability… AGHOLAR seems like one of those upgrades that can be fixed with time and continuity.. But what about Josh Huff? He flashes the ability all the time, but he can’t seem to put it all together, can he grow into one of our 3 starting Wrs, or does he need to be relegated to #4 Wr/ST duty? Fans don’t have much confidence in Huff, but there are plenty of cases where WRs needed more than 2 seasons to grow into Stating Caliber players who make the most of their ability and talemts. As frustrating as Huff has been, two years seems way too short to be giving up on the kid, especially when it’s not hard to see his talent,.
    ..
    The RB position is the Biggest Mess. We invested so much, yet we weren’t close to being good enough…
    ,.
    What’s tricky is that the OL play Wasnt very good, so you also have to figure out what can be drastically improved simply by upgrading the OL run and pass blocking?
    .,
    A Ton of work to do, a ton of Upgrades NEED to be Made, but some of which can be fixed by continuity and further development. For example, on One hand I think we have the personnel in place to grow into a quality secondary, but I don’t think any amount of extra time for continuity will turn this starting OL into an Elite OL…. And there aren’t many flaws in football that need to be fixed more urgently than the OL… Build a quality OL, and it can have a big effect on your weapons..
    ..
    so there is a ton of work to do, a lot that needs to be upgraded, the good news is that many of the upgrades can come from further developing players we already have…. There is so much to do, I don’t know what the answers are, but I am Fairly certain that making wholesale roster changes every offseason is not a winning solution..
    ..
    A big difference of the 2011 mess and this mess is that at least our mistakes for the most part are high Charechter guys where as the 2011 Mutts were highly unlikeable and not the type of men you want to face adversity with… This 2015 group of Eagles actually managed to stay togethet for the most part during a very difficult season, and that’s a promising sign moving forward..
    ..
    As bad as this season has been, we found OUR QB, and I would have gladly sacraficed a season to get a player who can bring stability to our QB position.
    .
    Bradford naturally growing into our leader in the midst of a ton of adversity, proving he can play the position at a high level even without a quality offense around him is a Godsend or this franchise moving forward… Now we just need to get hm under contract, let the drama begin

  367. 367 unhinged said at 12:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That is a fair, if optimistic assessment, and as far as it goes makes sense. Here is what I am most concerned about: Is Kelly meeting his players halfway as far as keeping them in their comfort zones, or is it more of a case of do what you do best, but do it my way? Murray was built for inside running, but not for shotgun hand-offs, and not behind blockers who are athletic enough to get to the second level, but not powerful enough to sustain blocks on tackles and ends, Miles Austin was a very reliable receiver in Cleveland before lacerating his kidney. Did he just get old and bad, or was his role doomed from too little attention to his requirements as a player? Tony Dungy was asked what was behind Bruce Arians’ success, and he said Arians finds what his QB wants, and gives it to him. He puts his players in their comfort zones, and lets them play. I’m still a believer in Kelly, but the inconsistent execution on the field by almost every player is down to him. His evaluation of talent may be satisfactory, but is his scheme and leadership as HC good enough to maximize his players? Your point about not overreacting makes perfect sense, but if Kelly is not helping his players play smart, consistent football, he needs to react monumentally.

  368. 368 anon said at 12:51 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    undoubtedly kelly has a lot to learn. if he adjusts in the offseason, keep him, if he doesn’t drop him. hiring kelly also meant give him a lab to test his philosophies about how to run an organization, from ground up. but i think kelly deals in reality.

  369. 369 unhinged said at 1:14 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    Yeah, I agree. If he cannot adjust in a rather demonstrative fashion, it could be ugly transitioning to a new HC, system, front office rather abruptly.

  370. 370 Nelson ALGore said at 8:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kendrick needs a 1 gap defense.

    He’s like a small Lavar Arrington… Talented yes but he can’t be asked to make a choice (between gaps). He needs to be cut lose and attack.

  371. 371 BobSmith77 said at 11:38 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Eagles are either dead last in almost every defensive category since the bye. Utter disaster and David better consider non NFL coaching options at this point.

  372. 372 Media Mike said at 12:01 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He’s so overmatched.

  373. 373 Insomniac said at 12:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Retirement. He’s made enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Spare the high schools and colleges please.

  374. 374 EaglesGameBalls said at 11:38 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Chief’s first round pick is a pro bowler.

  375. 375 Media Mike said at 12:01 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    And he’s good at making other people choke!

  376. 376 anon said at 12:15 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    hard for dbs to look good w/ no pass rush

  377. 377 JoeBlow said at 2:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    just wanted to say that i really like this comment

  378. 378 Ark87 said at 11:41 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Are we in agreement that next year is a make or break year for Chip? That would not be ideal for him, since he is going to need a lot of new bodies in to play key roles for us next year and we don’t know for sure that he has his man at QB (which the rule of thumb says that means he doesn’t).

    But he still needs to demonstrate he can adapt, innovate, inspire (if his message is getting flat and people aren’t buying in like they used to), and most importantly, win ball games. We’ve seen a pretty clear decline from year 1 through year 3, particularly on offense. Whether that is mostly from being a bad GM or Coach, he needs that to be addressed and improved.

    If I’m being reasonable, I know I shouldn’t expect a drastic turn around in one off season, especially since these roster holes need to be filled and developed, but I’m not wanting to spot chip another 2 years either.

  379. 379 b3nz0z said at 11:46 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    i was a big defender of Chip but yeah, he needs to turn it around THIS year or it’s time for lurie to move on.

  380. 380 Gian GEAGLE said at 11:48 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Dude, the day we signed Chip we KNEW 2016 was a make it or break it yeàr for chip… Chip signed a 5yr deal, but in reality it’s a 4yr deal, and after next season we would have to decide whether we want to extend chip or not. If we don’t extend chip, we will hear that the Eagles and Chip decided a “mutual Split” was best… Next year is yeàr 4, and Chip was NEVER EVER EVER going to coach in yeàr 5 as a lame duck coach, so Chip always was going to have 4 years to prove he should be extended, or we would part ways, and next year is year 4..
    ..
    So No matter how bad of great this season was, Mext year was ALWAYS going to be the make it or break it year for chips future in Philly

  381. 381 Bert's Bells said at 11:50 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    Agree

  382. 382 Gian GEAGLE said at 11:53 AM on December 28th, 2015:

    No shit you agree, it’s the reality of the situation

  383. 383 Media Mike said at 12:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That’s not a very nice way of building an intellectual coalition.

  384. 384 b3nz0z said at 12:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i may use this quote pretty often, thanks

  385. 385 Media Mike said at 12:05 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Any time. And I like Geagle, but I didn’t consider that to be very nice.

  386. 386 Tumtum said at 12:43 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Testy today?

  387. 387 Bert's Bells said at 12:54 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    For a second I thought this was a reply from TypicalDouche.

  388. 388 TypicalDouche said at 1:09 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Most people recognize my replies when they happen. Also seems like Geags is more upset then trying to be a douche like I can be.

  389. 389 Bert's Bells said at 1:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    You just have to face it, being a douche is just more natural for him.

  390. 390 A Roy said at 1:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Are you saying the GEags comes by it naturally while you had to work at it?

  391. 391 Ark87 said at 2:24 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I didn’t know that when we signed him. I don’t know of any brand new coach who has a leash that extends beyond year 2, anything beyond that has to be earned in my book. Rule of thumb being success gives buys you 2 years, progress buys you 1. But then by that model he’d be gone after this year.

  392. 392 Media Mike said at 4:03 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think the proper thing to do with a guy you hire is give him his contract length minus one year and let him get to work. Nobody should go into their final year as a lame duck, so Chip’s tenure as coach needs to be given 4 years on his 5 year deal to be judged.

  393. 393 Mac said at 4:19 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think Mr Lurie understands this principle. We can’t afford to waste an entire year of a young player’s career on a lame duck coach (especially given how short their career’s are).

  394. 394 Ark87 said at 4:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    that makes sense given what has happened. But Suppose year 1 was a disaster, fine, that happens, just year one. Year 2, no progress, also disaster. Year 3 loses the locker room. So what everyone is telling me is he’d still be here for year 4 because that’s the contract?

    To me 2 years are given, anything beyond that has to be earned somehow.

  395. 395 Mac said at 12:07 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I like Chip Kelly and want him back next year and for the foreseeable future.

    I wonder though, if the frenetic pace of practices is causing some of the problems we’ve seen this year. In the music world, it can be extremely beneficial to practice the correct motion slowly and repeatedly. At the slow place, the procedural memory (muscle memory) seems to form in a way that is more precise, and at times may be the best (or only) way to remove bad habits. Would our WRs for example have more success actually catching the ball if you could slow the process down and develop good and consistent habits?

  396. 396 Media Mike said at 12:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That’s a really interesting question. I’d love to comment either way, but I don’t have a base of knowledge to give you a valid opinion. But that is a really good question.

  397. 397 Tumtum said at 12:42 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Interesting argument. Wonder if Kelly has any idea.

  398. 398 anon said at 12:44 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    100% agree instead of just running it and then doing a teach session . Also makes you wonder how bad practice looks .

  399. 399 ChoTime said at 9:05 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    As a fellow musician, I feel the extra reps Chip is going for should be beneficial. These guys already know how to snap, catch, carry the football; those are basic skills that have been automatic for years. However, possibly tempo is not compatible with the complexity of the NFL or these players just aren’t competent for this style of play.

  400. 400 Mac said at 1:02 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    I would love to assume that these guys can catch, but the results are terrible currently. The first few easy drops this season I reasoned away saying “he’s thinking about where he’s going not focused on securing the football.” But it happened over and over. I’m just scratching my head here trying to think about how they could change things up for the players.

    More reps should equal more automatic success… but in some ways this season that hasn’t been the case. I hope Chip does some outside the box thinking to try to figure this out.

  401. 401 Mac said at 12:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Is it just me, or do we still have players that fit a 4-3 defense in a better way?

    Graham, Cox, Logan, Curry
    Barwin, Hicks, Kiko

    If Cox is our best defensive player, shouldn’t we do all we can to set him up to make plays rather than having him set other people up to overrun the play?

    We have so many players who can play really well on the dline, and so few good linebackers… but we keep putting 4 linebackers on the field. Why?

  402. 402 Insomniac said at 12:13 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kiko?

  403. 403 Mac said at 12:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Somebody has to play weakside linebacker. I have more faith in him healing up by next season than I do in Kendricks growing a brain.

  404. 404 EaglesGameBalls said at 12:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kiko doesnt even belong in an NFL uniform.

  405. 405 Mac said at 12:39 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    But you’re with me on the fact that only one position looks like a weak link in that array. I don’t care if it’s Kiko or Kendricks playing WLB… maybe Kendricks looks better with less responsibility, or maybe Kiko returns to form when he’s healthy. Either way I’m not counting on them to be amazing, but just do the job. Heck I’m ok with Goode in that role.

  406. 406 peteike said at 12:39 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    a different coordinator and I guarantee most of them would be playing way better. They are exposed by being so dreadfully outcoached on that side of the ball.

  407. 407 EaglesGameBalls said at 12:40 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    TO be honest I have no idea what happened to Kendricks this year. I think he quit on Chip. I can’t think of any other explanation because prior to this year that kid was a beast.

  408. 408 Crus57 said at 12:44 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Maybe his injury early in the year affected him mentally, after all there was the suggestion that he’d torn his ACL again only for it to be downgraded to a minor tear.. that could get into your head, if you’re a pro athlete worried about your career.

  409. 409 Tumtum said at 12:48 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Seriously doubt that is the case. Chip just paid him this off-season. Complacent? Good chance of that. Quitting on the guy who just paid you. No way.

  410. 410 botto said at 2:43 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    well he sure was fired up for Washington but he blew it. so he did not quit

  411. 411 Media Mike said at 12:33 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    A 4-3 would be superior to a 3-4 in every way imaginable.

  412. 412 daveH said at 1:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Id rsther gave 4 big speedy inebackers out there rscking upnthe tackles, busting up tight ends snd shooying gaps .. is 4 LBs the 3/4 or the 4/3 ?

  413. 413 b3nz0z said at 1:45 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    34

  414. 414 daveH said at 3:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    So im disagreeing w mafia mike ? Hmmmm

  415. 415 Media Mike said at 4:01 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That’s what we use now, and it isn’t working at generating pressure on the passer and the LBs aren’t good at covering the pass either.

    I’d rather destroy the other team with 4 down linemen and let the back 7 clean up the tackling / covering.

  416. 416 daveH said at 4:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    yeah im ready to try and learn as much as I can ..believe that im not an expert .. visually I cant tell the dif btw how many are lined up vs who is playing LB etc … I appreciate the insight!!
    I just hate seeing our tiny cover guys trying to tackle so much. asante hated it and obviously the only d backs we have that can tackle..cant cover (except Jenkins and he cant be everywhere always)!
    and the expensice 63M dude cant do either .. and for all his efforts to cause a fumble I don’t think he even ever caused one!! that’s even worse look for him!

  417. 417 Tumtum said at 12:40 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Barwin Hick and Kiko seem to be 3-4 guys. Name the scheme, invent it tomorrow, Cox is going to be a fit. Logan, is probably a better fit in the 3-4, but would probably do ok in the 43.

  418. 418 b3nz0z said at 1:03 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    as the “jack” i feel like barwin should be able to translate better than, say a “predator” OLB would. hicks looked so good that i’d be willing to roll the dice on him as a mike. we would have one hell of a D line for sure

  419. 419 Tumtum said at 12:59 PM on December 29th, 2015:

    At 6’2″ 238 he would be undersized by anyone’s standards at MLB, much less Chip’s. I think he is perfectly suited for the 34. He was so good I think he would probably get by, but he appears to have a chance at being a great one in the 34.

  420. 420 b3nz0z said at 1:39 PM on December 29th, 2015:

    you might be right, but Ray Lewis was even shorter and he did aight in the 43. i agree that he’d be even better in the 34 but that assumes kiko or kendricks rebounds next year.

  421. 421 b3nz0z said at 1:40 PM on December 29th, 2015:

    you’re right, however, that Chip wouldn’t dig it.

  422. 422 Ark87 said at 1:25 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think Bennie would be interesting in a 4-3. In the first part of the season when he was healthy he was highly disruptive. Surprisingly slippery for a big man. Would be interesting to see what he could do lined up in a gap.

  423. 423 Ark87 said at 1:13 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Because I believe Cox could take this D to the next level if used…if we built the D around his ability to be disruptive and put him in a position to maximize that ability, I would be up for moving on from Chip if the right guy popped up. Plenty of talent to work with to make this defense a top unit.

    My current stance is we have no reason to fire Chip for the sake of firing him, but if the right name came up, I’d make room if I were in charge

  424. 424 lcwboyboy said at 12:17 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    The more I mull it over, the more convinced I become that Chip won’t be back for 2016. Maybe I’m giving Jeff Lurie too much credit, but I can’t see him allowing Chip to maintain control over personnel. And I can’t see Chip accepting such a “demotion”. If that’s how things play out, here’s what I’d like to see happen:

    1. Call the Titans and see if they have interest in reuniting Mariotta with Kelly. If so, trade him for whatever you can get. Otherwise, just let him walk.

    2. Hire and “football guy” as your G.M. I’d prefer someone well respected with experience, but I’d settle for a young, up and comer like Chris Polian. As long as he has a football pedigree. No more business men runnning the front office (Banner and Roseman).

    3. I’m not a fan of retread coaches so here’s a name I’d consider: Greg Roman. The Eagles need to draft / groom a young QB and he’s shown the ability to work with and get results from a number of signal callers. He’s not a sexy candidate by any means but he’s got 15 years of NFL coaching experience and he comes with a clean slate.

    4. Cap be damned, get younger and cut dead weight. Release Jason Peters if you can’t trade him to a contender. Say bye-bye to Brent Celek and Demeco Ryans. Take the cap hit on Demarco Murray if (new coach) doesn’t think he’s a fit.

    5. Please hire a 4-3 DC. Pass rushers are hard to come by and you have one in Vinny Curry who will be coveted in free agency. Get him a scheme that fits and re-sign him. Now you have Grahahm and Curry as your ends, Cox as your 3 technique, and Logan as your NT. Then you return Barwin, Kendricks and Hicks as your starting LBs. You can probably resign Thurmond for a reasonable price and return your secondary .. which I’m fairly confident will be improved with a new DC.

    6. Draft: Quarterback, Offensive Line, Pass rusher, BPA

    7. Free Agency: middle tier OL and WR

    ************

    I know Lurie is generally patient, but I hope he’s learned from his mistake of keeping Reid a year (or two) too long. It’s a gamble to blow this thing up after three years but I think it’s a bigger gamble to double down on Chip this season. The team has regressed each season he’s been here. He’s handed out bad contracts and is single-handedly responsible for the depleted talent level on the o-line and at WR.

    There are too many holes on this team to think that the ship can be righted in one season anyway. And if Kelly can’t get this team back tot he playoffs in 2016, which I don’t think he can, he’ll be gone after next year anyway. Don’t pro-long the inevitable. The team is officially in rebuilding mode and Jeff Lurie needs to recognize that.

  425. 425 EaglesGameBalls said at 12:19 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I agree. Cut bait with Chip because this isn’t going to turn around. Just get the new process started. The sooner you get it started the sooner the Eagles will start winning again. Chip is just going to continue to screw things up.

  426. 426 Gian GEAGLE said at 12:26 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Don’t hold your breath

  427. 427 lcwboyboy said at 12:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Sadly, I know.

  428. 428 Tumtum said at 12:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    If what you paint here happened I wouldn’t be upset. Greg Roman is a name I like fore sure. He now has a very real pedigree of recent offensive success.

    I think BPA over all in draft though.

    I honestly have no answer, and would probably be fine keeping Kelly. I disagree the team regressed last year from 13′ though. 10-6 is 10-6. In fact 10-6 where you don’t win the division and don’t get a wild card can be more impressive in my estimation (better competition).

  429. 429 Media Mike said at 12:39 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    The only thing I don’t like about Roman is that he might want a dual threat QB due to his prior work with Kaep and Tie Rod Taylor. I don’t care to risk going to that type of QB situation with my precious viewing hours devoted to Eagles football.

  430. 430 anon said at 12:41 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Yeah I think Roman is traveling further down a road no one wants to go ‘re. Qbs . That offense hasn’t impressed me despite the qbs stats

  431. 431 Tumtum said at 12:47 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I can see the issue in that. I personally don’t mind it.

  432. 432 Bert's Bells said at 1:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Lurie is a “demote up” kind of guy. I’d guess he brings in a football guy and bumps Kelly’s title to Grand Master Wizard or whatever and says Chip has more power when he actually has a little less.

  433. 433 daveH said at 1:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Damn thats a nice read! After that you could almost sell me a Murray jersey .. almost

  434. 434 Media Mike said at 1:08 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Stuff like this out of Chip’s mouth makes it hard for me to defend why I think he deserves to be here in 2016.

    https://twitter.com/pdomo/status/681536783042146304

  435. 435 scratcherk said at 1:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Who knows what he actually said in what context. Media are click hungry

  436. 436 Media Mike said at 1:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Multiple writers all had the quote at the same time from the presser.

  437. 437 anon said at 1:26 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    HE said he’s not the GM, the only difference is he has control of the 90man roster. Basically i think Ed Many does all the scouting, controls all that stuff but Chip controls final say of draft, 90 man and final 53. I don’t think he does numbers but probably nothing happens w/out him saying yes.

  438. 438 anon said at 1:30 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    But i don’t know if that’s a bad system. Shouldn’t the GM be under the coach? Getting the types of players that the coach wants / needs? I wonder if howie doing his own thing last year precipitated that.

  439. 439 EaglesGameBalls said at 1:46 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He said he is responsible for the 90 man roster.

  440. 440 scratcherk said at 1:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    From my calculations, it seems the eagles can pick anywhere from 9-19 based on what happens this week. Obviously a loss would help matters.

  441. 441 Media Mike said at 1:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kempski did the SOS calculations; we’re looking at 8 through 17.

  442. 442 scratcherk said at 1:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Seems like a bigger range than normal

  443. 443 b3nz0z said at 1:15 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    lotta crappy teams

  444. 444 pxa said at 1:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Chip’s best year was when he was not bothered with GM or GM-type duties. All the innovation that dazzled the league in his first year was not even tried this year. Chip can come back as coach but not as the final decision maker for the roster. Eagles need to bring in an experienced GM.

  445. 445 anon said at 1:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    watched chip’s presser. He side-stepped JPs comments. Basically said JPs been beat up bad all year but obviously didn’t address the question of people quitting or playing down.

  446. 446 b3nz0z said at 1:44 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    he needs to realize that avoiding hard questions is something you only get to do when successful.

  447. 447 anon said at 1:48 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Agree, he’s been more candid at some pressers. But agree 100%

  448. 448 Joe Minx said at 3:06 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Lurie is the only person he has to answer to. Sorry. You can be as angry as you want at him & he doesn’t have to say anything.

  449. 449 EaglesGameBalls said at 1:46 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He avoided every question. It was a waste.

  450. 450 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:03 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I honestly don’t watch his press confrences any more.. Find them to be a waste of time… I don’t watch Murray press confrences or Mufasa, both are really boring and won’t tell us ANYTHNG.
    ..
    Playërs I find informative are:
    bradford
    Lane
    Malcolm Jenkins
    jordan Mathews
    KELCE
    Sometimes Barwin

  451. 451 anon said at 1:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    One thing i don’t like is when chip says guys on bench aren’t good enough, if they were good they would be playing. Talking down your backups doesn’t make sense to me, especially when he doesn’t have a great relationship with players to begin with.

    That said he said Goode merits playing time, which he should have gotten before the season is out hand, especially since he’s cut as soon as everyone gets healthy.

  452. 452 b3nz0z said at 1:52 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    yeah that’s not a tendency i care for. at least the walrus always protected his dudes

  453. 453 Gian GEAGLE said at 1:56 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    A lot of work to do this offseason.. Buts it’s also very important that we improve many of our Flaws from within, because 2011 and 2015 taught us that you can’t make a ton of roster changes and expect to have instant success the following year..
    .
    last year, Giants hired a new OC who implemented a new offense. Eli Wasnt coming off a two year layoff due to injuries like Bradford, Eli Wasnt on a new team needing to gel with a new roster of players like Bradford, yet Eli still had plenty of struggles last year, because it was year 1 of a new Offense. eli didn’t have to overcome half of what Bradford was faced with this year yet he still had a modest year 1 in a new system completing about 58% of his passes. With last year under his belt, another offseason of continuity Eli was able to make some big strides as QB of the new Giants offense this year, bringing his 58% completipn percentage from last year up to 63% this year..
    ..
    Like Eli, Bradford spent this season learning and growing into a new offense. No matter how good or bad he was this year, it’s reasonable to expect that given continuity he would improve as his command of the offense improved. On top of learning a new offense, SAM was shaking off two years of rust and facing a mental battle of learning to trust his body again, and we did him no favor with an OL that has Been getting him drilled all year which can’t be easy mentally when you are trying to trust your body again after two years of injuries. We also did him no favors, having to play with a run game that struggled at least half of the season, and Weapons who dropped an insane amount of well placed passes, many of which would have extended drives, even dropping a few would be TDs.. If this isn’t enough to deal with, SAM also had to deal with being under fire by a ridiculuos Local media and a take no prisoners FANBASE that really łet the coaches and team have it this year.. all this Insane amount of adversity, and Bradford handled it with Poise, he grew into our leader in the middle of all this adversity, and no matter how much we struggled, the kid has been improving each week since before the Carolina game. Bradford showed further Growth in the skins, he was one of our best players, in a must win games where players needed to step up…. chip would have to be completely INSANE to get rid of a QB who is still IMPROVING.
    ..
    If Eli could go from 58% to 63% from year 1 to year 2 in a new offense, how much more can Bradford improve since he has shown to be able to handle about as much adversity as a QB who played in this city has ever had to face?
    ..
    This is Rock Bottom of the chip kelly era, yet in some way, we have a more promising future TODAY than we have had since chip arrived for the simple fact that thru this hellish season, Bradford and Cox have emerged as young players in their prime who have Naturally grown into leaders of this franchise. These aren’t loud, Boiserous players who went out of their way to TRY and Be Leaders, they Naturally became Franchise Cornerstones because of how they led by example no matter how much terrible adversity sorrounded this team. there was a lot that Stunk about the play of the Eagles these last 8 games, but for the most part, Bradford and Cox handled it like true leaders, and stepped up and played well as the games got more and more importamt, no matter how bad the rest of the team played..
    ..
    We have a GAMECHANGER on Defense that has been the best player on the field at times even against great opponents, that just turned 25years old, and a young, accurate, intelligent, 28year old entering his QB Prime, who showed a level of toughness that few knew he had in him, getting blasted behind our mess of an OL all year, and much better pocket presence than I knew he had in him…
    ..
    this was a miserable season, but with Cox and Bradford naturally emerging as leaders, we may be in the best position moving Forward than we were coming off both of the 10-6 seasons…..
    ..
    There is a to of mistakes Chip has to fix, but let’s be honest, he has also managed to do some Good for this franchise moving forward:
    .
    1) We have a QB to build around, which is most important to EVERY Nfl
    Franchise

    2) We have a young LT to build around, Lane Johnson, probably #2 most important position on offense

    3)’Kelce, we have a young center, who needs to bounce back from a down year, another crucial position filled
    .
    4) Jordan Mathews, Wr
    ..
    5) ERTZ young TE

    QB, LT, C, probably the most valuable positions on offense, we have filled with young talent we can build around
    ..
    DEFENSE:
    .
    1) fixed a decade long safety Problem.. Extend Thurmond and we are set at safety
    .,
    2) Truthfully I think we have a good secondary in place going forward. Injuries allowed us to find out ROWE is on the right Path, Maxwell had plenty of bad, but there was also a lot of good he wasn’t given credit for.. I think both Maxwell and Nolan can be solid members of a quality secondary moving forward. Hopefully JaCorey Can really play, add another quality DB in the draft, and continue to gel into a secondary that eventually plays as a cohesive unit, and our secondary will be in Place.
    ..
    3) Cox arrived as a true Game changer, a Force to build around
    ..
    4) JORDAN HICKS BABY!!!… Hopefully Kendricks (like Kelce) has a big bounce back year next year, but it would be a tremendous boost if Kiko regains his explosivness when he is two years removed from the injury FINGERS CROSSED..
    ..
    5) Barwin/BG are solid OLBs, This was BG first season playing major snaps. He should be a little bit better next year with this year under his belt.. Our OLBs grade out at a solid B… But we need to add some young pass Rush depth to rotate into each game whether it comes from MS2 or someone else
    ,,
    6) Bennie Logan is going to be fantastic NT for a long time. We haven’t even seen his best yet, In Year 2, we Knew Cox would be special, but we really didn’t start to consistentky see Cox perform like a true game changer until last year (year 3), and this year, he completeky has settled into Elite, Defensive Force Status in year 4..

  454. 454 TypicalDouche said at 2:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Your optimism is well received and hopefully everything works out well like you said.

  455. 455 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:09 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    No no no no,,.. Belive me, IM FURIOUS, and there were a TON of Mistakes, and a handful which won’t be easy to Fix… But I figure, there won’t be a lack of people pointing out the Bad, so it’s also important to acknowledge some of the good, although most of the good HASNT paid off yet.
    ..
    Believe me, I’m as Furious and beaten down as every Eagle fan
    ,,
    There are problems so big like Murray contract that I don’t have the strength to even wrap my head around and contemplate a solution..
    ..
    But a silver Linning is, if you told me I had to Sacrafice a season to get a QB to move forward with the next 4 years, I would have told you to sign me up… And at least I do feel that we finally got the best QB we can possibly get our hands on, who im excited to move forward with…
    ..
    We have a QB, a young LT, hopefully KELCE rebounds, a defensive Force in Cox, and our Secondary is almost built… So there is good, but so much Bad, and so much that needs fixing, starting with our coach and GM learning important lessons and growing into better Pro..

  456. 456 TypicalDouche said at 2:41 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Oh I hear you brother and I am in agreement with you on a majority of those things. My one question to you is, do you think the Eagles will try to bring Carroll back and would he even want to be back? I am in the mindset that they want Rowe to continue to develop and be the starting CB here for the foreseeable future so would they even try to bring him in if that’s the case. Then on he other end would Nolan even want to return knowing he may take a backseat to Rowe.

  457. 457 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:22 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Carrol works hard, is still young, and has a ton of versatility, so I do think we would LIKE to have Nolan Carroll back, But if We are able to keep him, I don’t think it will be as a starting Corner, this was his first year at starting outside corner and did an OK job, but last year he had a pretty Solid year as our Dime corner,.. So even if we start ROWE and Maxwell outside which I think is the plan, Nolan has value as the top outside corner Backüp, who can also compete with JaCorey To see who will play Nickel and who will play Dime… I absolutely think we would like Nolan back, just not as our starting corner so im not sure if he will be happy to return..
    ..
    ROWE, thurmond, Jenkins, Maxwell can grow into a secondary we can win with IMO, but there is more to a Seconday than the 4 starters, so I’m sure we would LOVE to bring back Nolan, but can we,get him to stay at a Price that works for us? That, could be a problem… But from Thurmonds point of view, he worked harder than everyone last summer and won a starting Job, maybe he thinks given an opportunity he can prove it again, even if we go into it expecting it to be ROWE and Maxwell?
    ..
    We Probably can’t agree on a price tag with Nolan to keep him off the free agent Market, but once he hits the open market, if he isn’t finding the offers he expected, maybe we can work out a deal to bring him back… It’s not like he would be the type of backüp who will only play if someone gets injured, he would still at least get into each game as the Nickel or Dime depending on if JaCorey can beat him or not for the Nickel role?
    ..
    Either way, we probably need to hit on 1 more DB in the draft, and JaCorey work out as well as coaches think to real be set..
    ..
    For a secondary that was thrown together last offseason, this year was a decent foundation of a Secindary finally good enough to proceed with

  458. 458 anon said at 3:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’d keep nolan and not have to waste a draft pick. Keep all the secondary guys – let them gel / grow together. We really need a pass rusher and the ILBs to step up. I’m especially not dropping a guy that works as hard as Nolan (I’d keep Thurmond too).

    real question is how do you make Bmax a more physical guy?

  459. 459 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:33 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I agree, the secondary NEEDS to Gel, MORE then it needs to replace players…. But for me, we should take a flier on a DB and an OL in EVERY Draft…so Id pay Nolan, Thurmond, and Jenkins, and still spend a 6th or one of our 5ths on a DB if we can… But I definitely think keeping this secondary together and allow them to grow together is our ideal option.. Just depends on what type of offers Nolan gets from other teams..

  460. 460 anon said at 3:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    hoping him being injured helps that out. I’d like to see us bring a gaggle of OL/pass rushers in the building. I’d even take a flier on an aging pass rusher who will play limited snaps. Or we need to get more creative with blitzing DBs / ILBs. Cox can’t be the only one putting in work.

  461. 461 b3nz0z said at 3:47 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    both. we need more talent and better scheming.

  462. 462 daveH said at 5:35 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I love the demarco assessment. .. chip the jerk

  463. 463 b3nz0z said at 2:04 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    mostly agree but:
    1. matthews and ertz are promising young players but both have been around long enough that 2016 is the “show me” year for them. neither has been great yet.
    2. are we sure kelce is still good?
    3. even if jenkins and thurmond return, we use a nickel S and reynolds hasn’t cut it
    4. our OLBs weren’t terrible, but either one could be realistically upgraded and at least one should be upgraded
    5. did bennie’s play fall off because of his injury, or BEFORE his injury?
    6. can beau allen be good enough to back bennie up?

  464. 464 Bert's Bells said at 2:07 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Ertz is the new LJ Smith.

    Maybe not that bad, but he’s always about to have a “breakout year” then performs worse than his peers.

  465. 465 b3nz0z said at 2:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    woof!

  466. 466 Ark87 said at 2:14 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Seems to be a staple of the athletic pass catching TE (with a few notable exceptions). Every once in a while they do something amazing and you say, “hot damn what a match-up nightmare, this guys is going to be a game changer.” But then it doesn’t go anywhere.

  467. 467 ChoTime said at 9:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Don’t let Collingsworth hear you, he talked about Ertz as if he were the Gronk of our team.

  468. 468 Mac said at 2:57 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    He was trying to convince everyone that Kendricks was an amazing LB last year as well. Maybe he’s some weird voodoo witch doctor cursing our young talent.

  469. 469 Gian GEAGLE said at 2:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    1) ERTZ and Mathews are two players with Talent, who will travel the USA all offseason to work their ass off to become better players… I don’t need them to SHOW ME anything, Im confidemt it will happen Naturally for those players, they will show up for Camp, better football players, combined with growing Chemistry with Bradford who hopefully will get to play behind a good OL, and quality run game we envisioned, and I think ERTZ and Jordan will be fine, it will happen naturally, just need to become better players, and build chemistry with their QB.. Those are the last two weapons I worry about..
    ,,
    2) are we sure KELCE is still good? Lol sure HOPE SO… Can’t piss on a young player in his prime the first time he has a down season, It’s not like Father time has caught up to him and taken his ability.. This was a first year working with a new QB, while also having a new guard on each side of him, after many years of stability with Herremans and mathis.. A lot of Kelce’s mistakes were the boneheaded type like crazy snaps. It’s not like it’s some terribly difficult skill that he can’t fix…. Fix the OL, put Talent around him that we can move forward with and bring stability to the OL, and I have no reason to believe he wont rebound from a down year.. What we do at Guard and RT, is the much Bigger concern for me..
    ..
    3) Jenkims AND Thurmond BETTER return,,,, DONT forgot, JaCorey Sheppard impressed coaches so much he was going to start and allow us to trade Boykin… Hopefully they were right about JaCorey… But with ROWE emerging opposite of Maxwell, Nolan Carroll can move back to Slot corner, and compete with JaCorey for Nickel duties, while the other becomes our Dime, remember Nolan was solid last year as our Dime corner… I also said we Need to hit on ANOTHER DB in the draft, and who knows if Denzel Rice can play,, maybe we can get a glimpse of that young man In the Giants game?
    ..
    4) Both Barwin and BG will be Eagles next year and most likely start… We NEED added Talent at OLB, and depth that can rotate in, but it’s a position we Need to get Younger AT and will need to be upgraded via draft, or trade for young player, we won’t see a high priced free agent at OLB this offseason…
    ..
    5) whatever the “Fall off” was, doesn’t concern me much, because his best football is still ahead of him… Cox was a quality player in Year two, but there is a tremendous difference between Year 2 Cox, and the Cox we saw in year 3 and 4… And Id like to think even a successful player has more to grow after his second season…. But to answer your question, for me, his first bad game was the Carolina game, but I thought carolina OL had a great gameplan, Constantly double teaming Bennie, that was the beginning of his “fall off” if I remember correctly… I’m so confidemt in Bennies future, I think we have to lose Thornton, a playet I am very fond of, and I worry that it may also mean the end of VINNY Curry…. logan is NOT a concern of mine, he can proceed as our NT or replace Thornton at DE
    .
    6) I like Beau.. Not sure I ever see him as a Longterm starting Solution, but I do like him in a War Pig, added Girth role off the bench,,all he has to do is take on a double team and stay on his feet, which im comfidemt he can do,. The issue is replacing Thornton with a DE who can play the run, but also bring some pass rush to help Cox..

    I think we have all types of Massive mistakes and issues that need to be fixed, but I feel pretty good about those 6 areas, and certainly feel that there are much bigger fish we need to fry

  470. 470 b3nz0z said at 2:52 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i agree that kelce’s mistakes were largely boneheaded and shouldn’t be repeated. unless, of course, he’s physically overmatched due to his size, and he needs excellent guard play to look good again. i don’t see us turning both guard spots into strengths, so i’m hoping it’s something he can adjust to.
    barwin and graham don’t suck. but neither is an “impact” player at this point, and for a team getting completely torched in the passing game, i don’t think “not sucking” is good enough at such a premium position. i’m not saying there’s an OLB tree we can go pluck one off of, but i’m saying that if we consider the BG and Barwin starting tandem to be sufficient, we should expect similar pass rushing results next year (i.e. this particular secondary will get burned by even moderately good passing attacks). they’re both grown veterans, so i think we know pretty accurately where their ceiling is.

  471. 471 daveH said at 5:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Beau yes but hart no

  472. 472 peteike said at 5:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Im fine with the D core mostly, they need a new coach, seriously. How many years of ineptitude until fans realize hes the problem. Out coached all the time. So many times this season, there were giant gaps in the red zone even, where its not a players mistake, its a scheme/coaching problem. Hes bad, hes never been good. I wanted him gone this last offseason. Cant get fooled by his 4 decent games a year. He has to go

  473. 473 b3nz0z said at 5:54 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i’m mostly fine with them too. but remember what it’s like to have an elite defense? right now only Cox and Jenkins are at that level.

  474. 474 botto said at 2:36 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    this weekend they had Dick Vermeil’s a football life on and it was pretty interesting some of the parallels between him and Kelly.
    both coming from college. Dick was not sure he should go to Philly, why? the fans and the media. classic, some things never change
    both had players absolutely hate the practice time and felt worn out….
    players were bummed on it and had a hard time with this college coach.
    I have no conclusion, just didn’t know about Dick’s history before the eagles or any of that stuff.

  475. 475 Bert's Bells said at 2:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Kelly goes to the Rams and wins a SuperBowl?

    With FOles?

  476. 476 botto said at 2:46 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    if foles could get a job at the supermarket first.

  477. 477 botto said at 2:53 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    after a 14 year layoff

  478. 478 P_P_K said at 3:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That would be next year, after Andy wins the SB this year with Maclin.

  479. 479 Julescat said at 3:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    KC played a very soft schedule

    don’t believe the hype

  480. 480 anon said at 3:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Think people need to stop comparing us to chiefs. Chiefs had like 9 pro bowlers already on the team when Andy got there. Had a very young team — probably b/c chiefs have been terrible for years. And most of all Chiefs came in with young stud pass rushers. It’s two completely different situations.

  481. 481 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Mainly because Cheifs and The Cardinals BUILT on Andy and Arians first two seasons where as Chip came to Power and decided we needed to rebuild the offense, reconfigure assets or whatever you want to call it,,, we strategically took a step back in hopes to have a higher future ceiling, where as KC and Arizona continued to build on their first two seasons, so realistically both SHOULD have probabky been ahead of us This year,,,
    ..
    Problem is, we made some major mistakes in our Rebuild, hopefully we can fix them all in this offseason, but I’m not so sure, specifically the Demarco Murray mess.. We can Finally get out of the absurd Cooper deal, and now we have this Murray albatross weighing us down smh

  482. 482 daveH said at 5:30 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    YOURS andy winning! !

  483. 483 ac134spectre said at 2:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I just see so many holes, that at least you can just finally purge the hell out of the roster. You have the OLT of the future. Got a good interior DT. Got a couple promising ILB and a few other rising players.

    Sucks about the second round pick but maybe some idiot team, like cleveland will trade for Bradford.

  484. 484 TypicalDouche said at 2:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    There is no need for a team to be idiots to trade for Bradford and why would the Eagles trade the first legitimate QB they have had in a while? Under the circumstances Bradford was under, playing for the first time in 2 years coming off major injuries, new team, new players, new scheme and with all that said he absolutely performed well. So tell me again why the Eagles should dump him and start the QB carousel again?

  485. 485 peteike said at 4:54 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    save time wasted spending the next few seasons on an oft injured average QB to find out hes still oft injured and average. Carousel is there regardless, better start trying to find that guy now. Only thing is, they can still do that to an extent with him here while we wait to find out hes still the same oft injured average QB. We just get to be Rams fans for a few more seasons.

  486. 486 daveH said at 5:28 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    An offseason of practice routes & passes to agholar & huff at mcnabs empty house in AZ should help a lot i like to hope

  487. 487 b3nz0z said at 5:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Bradford will learn to throw the wormburner in no time at all

  488. 488 daveH said at 5:54 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think we saw 3 of em lasy game actually

  489. 489 peteike said at 5:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    we need Westbrook and JJ clones for that to help

  490. 490 ac134spectre said at 5:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Because you look at the all 22 and it says bradford makes bad decisions, has questional ball placement and leaves points on the field.

    His recognition of an open wr is too slow for him to be effective.

  491. 491 Mitchell said at 6:07 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Woah woah woah, Bradford has thrown SEVERAL anticipation throws, especially in recent weeks. For example the throw to Huff on 3rd and lomg a couple weeks ago and the toss to Agholor in the endzone this past week. The throw to Agholor was incomplete but it was an anticipation throw and illustrates that they need more time together.

  492. 492 ac134spectre said at 4:15 PM on December 29th, 2015:

    I just dont believe it. He has moments here and there but so many missed plays, it just never works out.

    Its ok that we got him for a second, but om certain i dont want a long haul investment in him.

    Cool to disagree. Bleed green.

  493. 493 anon said at 3:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think we have a ton of talented players. Question is whether we can get them to gel. Obviously it didn’t happen this year, but lots of players that were FAs were also coming off of serious injuries most of which takes an extra year to get over.

    What bothers me is (1) Kendricks, why is he playing so terribly, (2) when Kendricks / Kiko are playing poorly why doesn’t a guy like Goode get playing time, (3) When ags is just running wind springs, why not let Kraus run wind sprints and see what happens. Once they get the roster locked down in september then there’s no more changes and i don’t totally understand that. How do you, as a guy like goode, stay motivated if the guy in front of you is playing like hot ass and you can never see the field.

    Also found it interesting, in chip’s first year they rotated in the secondary a lot more than they did this year — i wonder why there’s no rotation to get young guys playing time / keep the defense fresh.

  494. 494 b3nz0z said at 3:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    my thought is just that kendricks played desperate and frustrated. he wants to prove himself and he’s overthinking/ trying to do too much.

  495. 495 anon said at 3:21 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’d straight bench him for not tackling. The same way chip benched desean when he didn’t want to learn all the WR positions.

    And that’s another thing. Wrs the first couple of years moved around a lot more. Now we have dedicated slot, dedicated outside. What happened to all the fun stuff in this offense?

  496. 496 b3nz0z said at 3:26 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    don’t get me started! remember when we’d be like “wtf Lane’s split out wide” and it was just weird and unpredictable?

  497. 497 anon said at 3:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I gotta wonder if it’s shurmer or what.

  498. 498 b3nz0z said at 3:28 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    he was around in year 1 wasn’t he?

  499. 499 anon said at 3:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    yeah but did he get more power or less? Or maybe with 3 years of tape it’s hard to disguise that we’re running the same couple of plays.

  500. 500 b3nz0z said at 3:32 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    the redskins game only felt like three years

  501. 501 b3nz0z said at 3:28 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i’d like to see more benching too

  502. 502 JoeBlow said at 3:14 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i have these same concerns, especially regarding Najee Goode. How the hell did he not get playing time the past couple weeks? The ILB have been IMO the biggest reason for this defense downfall in the second half of the season. Demeco just looks finished, Kiko looked like he was 35 instead of 25 and i am really hoping he can get healthy or he will just be a lost cause and Kendricks was such a bum this year, i know he was hurt earlier in the year and maybe that has something to do with it but all 3 of these guys were either a step or two slow or just were totally out of position or both

    Do we actually need to draft another ILB this year after taking Hicks last year when everyone was sort of thinking that was our strength on defense

  503. 503 A_T_G said at 3:24 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    My optimistic theory with Kiko is that, being undersized, strength and conditioning is crucial for him. Slowed by recovery and then set back by injury, he was never able to get back in the shape he needs. Next year will look more like the DROY guy from Buffalo.

    If anyone responds to this immutable logic with a post that mentions Stewart Bradley or Jamar Cheney I will hunt you down. I have the time now.

  504. 504 b3nz0z said at 3:27 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    ernie simms?

  505. 505 TypicalDouche said at 3:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think you spelled Mychal Kendricks wrong in that post but its an easy mistake to make as they look very similar on the field.

  506. 506 Ark87 said at 3:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    pff, land shark?, more like left shark
    http://i.imgur.com/bBdo8Hm.gif

  507. 507 b3nz0z said at 3:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    his snout would at least knock down some passes

  508. 508 A_T_G said at 3:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I was thinking more of guys that looked like our future, then never regained that form. In Bradley’s case specifically, a result of an ACL.

    Sims is more in the category of an incredible sports car where the throttle sticks, the brakes don’t work, and the steering wheel isn’t actually attached.

  509. 509 TypicalDouche said at 3:36 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    So if Ernie Sims is that then Kendricks must be a luxury car being driven around by a blind chauffeur?

  510. 510 b3nz0z said at 3:49 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i always kind of suspected that Stew’s injury actually prevented us from finding out that he wasn’t good enough

  511. 511 A_T_G said at 3:55 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Interesting theory. So the injury was more of a footnote in a story that paralleled Jamar Cheneys?

  512. 512 b3nz0z said at 3:59 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    it’s like if you had a terrible car but forgot to put the brake on and it fell off a cliff before your friends could realize how crappy the car really was.

  513. 513 Mac said at 4:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    And for the first two seconds of slamming the gas pedal down nothing happens… but then… Look the f out.

  514. 514 Aaron said at 3:48 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    takeo

  515. 515 A_T_G said at 3:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I don’t remember many specifics of his disappointment.

  516. 516 ChoTime said at 8:52 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Next year he’ll be a true shark in the water.

  517. 517 wee2424 said at 3:22 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I don’t think they can rotate in the secondary anymore then they were. Boykin is gone, but his supposed replacement tore his ACL in TC. Safeties play nickel alot so Reynolds or Maragos have received alot of playing time at S. Biggers would also play nickel.

  518. 518 anon said at 3:24 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think they could have worked Rowe i more, although I have to admit that based on pre-season and Saints game I was a Rowe hater- but he looks like a guy that’s taking coaching well.

  519. 519 wee2424 said at 3:32 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Rookie CBs historically struggle. I think their plan to get him experience was to have him play when he was needed. I think they did the right thing by Rowe.

    If he lit it up in the pre-season it may have been a different story. Remember they tried him at nickel.

    There was no way they would take Maxwell out to put him in. Also keep in mind Carroll had a strong start to the season.

  520. 520 daveH said at 5:22 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    And when do we see MS2 play or judt get waived for snother body

  521. 521 botto said at 5:30 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    we are waiting for MS3.

  522. 522 b3nz0z said at 5:30 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    MS2.1

  523. 523 b3nz0z said at 5:30 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    eff it, rest barwin and give marcus 99% of defensive snaps. while we’re at it, rest Mathews and Sproles and let DeMarco and Kenjon split the reps.

  524. 524 anon said at 3:54 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Colts o-line so bad they’ve run through all 3 qbs.

  525. 525 TypicalDouche said at 3:59 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    And are preparing to start either Luck or Stephen Morris. Morris will go from Eagles practice squad to Colts’ starter in a matter of 2 weeks.

  526. 526 b3nz0z said at 4:00 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    and, with the way things have been going for us, Morris will light it up.

  527. 527 Mac said at 4:21 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He’ll be like the 2nd coming of Andrew Luck

  528. 528 b3nz0z said at 4:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    “Luck, hand Morris the neck beard. He’s starting now.”

  529. 529 Media Mike said at 4:03 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Idiot Grigson needs to go out there and play behind the crap line he assembled.

  530. 530 TypicalDouche said at 4:25 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    But but but he drafted Andrew Luck so he must be a great GM!

  531. 531 botto said at 5:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    its going to be a long summer… again, and winter just started?! geez.

  532. 532 P_P_K said at 7:05 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Opening day next year is 9/11.

  533. 533 Media Mike said at 7:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Great, will people be shamed into having to root for NY teams again for no tangible reason? The 2001 World Series was a case study is nonsense.

  534. 534 botto said at 8:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    ha Yankees, and patriots? ugh 2001

  535. 535 CTbirdsguy said at 5:23 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    This season empathically reaffirmed what has, in my opinion, been plaguing this organization for years – player development is completely insufficient. I always see people’s optimism for the future take the form of “Player X will improve with another year under his belt”, “Player Y will be in his 3rd year in the system and should be expected to be better”…but it usually doesn’t happen. Josh Huff remains Josh Huff. Whether he is not set up to learn to get better, or the Eagles can’t capitalize on his abilities, who knows. But I no longer fully expect him to be any better next year either, and I can’t help but believe that the league’s better organizations would get twice as much out of a talented 3rd round receiver like Huff.

    “Player Z had a phenomenal offseason and is ready for a breakout year”: Zach Ertz is the same player he was a year ago. All the work with blocking specialists? They still preferred Celek as a blocker and used Ertz in the same capacity as before, if I’m not mistaken. Nolan Carroll also couldn’t hold down a starting position after his H.O.F. offseason.

    Then there’s the inexplicable regressions from players like Kendricks and Kelce. Did we not think that Kendricks would build off of his sporadic moments of brilliance and become more consistent? Well now why would we expect him to snap out of it for next year? And if a similar regression happens to a different player next year, will we be surprised? I won’t.

    All of this is to say the regime has me totally jaded at this point; Agholor is talented and hard-working, but why should he make a “leap” if none of the other Eagles receivers have. There’s obviously tons of problems with the team right now but I’m continually let down by player development and I feel like it doesn’t get mentioned much

  536. 536 CTbirdsguy said at 5:24 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    it makes one look at Malcolm Butler and say “how in the world is that possible”

  537. 537 Media Mike said at 5:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How indeed

  538. 538 daveH said at 6:05 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Agree yep.bid like to sed them in the pats org and have rewarding careers

  539. 539 sdev923 said at 7:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    It’s the position coaches. Look at what’s happen to this team since the wave of great position coaches under AR left (i think Harbaugh in 07)

  540. 540 CTbirdsguy said at 7:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I agree that’s got to be a large part of it. We’ve heard the calls for Bicknell’s head; what about the LBs coach? Nobody even knows who he is

  541. 541 CTbirdsguy said at 7:32 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    check that, I forgot about the Rick Minter discussions…but how has he remained blameless? And weren’t most of these position coaches Kelly’s hires, yet another indictment of his overall team building ability

  542. 542 botto said at 5:33 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    there is no way Bradford is playing this week right?
    I want to see thad. even if that is his name.
    and no way Peters plays. do we get to see some of the other guys? Bunche, etc..?
    who else?

  543. 543 Poppi said at 7:07 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Love the question. IMO, everyone plays except injured starters like Peters. Bradford needs more work even if the OL sucks and the receiving crew is hurting. Its not like we have a lot of draftees needing some game time. Keep Sam in there – give him more work in his progress back to full time and hopefully top tier status. Nothing wrong with trying to abuse the worst pass defense in NFL history with what we have. If Bradford gets hurt, he has 8 months to recover. We’ll be looking for more QBs anyway for next year.

  544. 544 anon said at 7:08 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’d rotate some young guys in. See who looks good at game speed.

  545. 545 Poppi said at 8:15 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’m not against that, I just don’t think Chip will do anything but try his best to win, whatever that entails.

  546. 546 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:16 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Going to need ODB to save us from Chip this week

  547. 547 anon said at 8:18 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Hopefully enough people are “hurt”

  548. 548 Mr. Magee said at 7:25 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I love the question too, and I would not put Bradford out there, no way. Maybe if they plan to get rid of him, but otherwise it doesn’t make any sense. I wouldn’t play Cox, either. The rest of them can wallow in it.

  549. 549 botto said at 8:33 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    id run Murray 300 times up the freakin middle

  550. 550 JoeBlow said at 7:56 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    i would play him and i think Chip plans on him playing. He still needs time in this offense and throwing to these receivers. I know it’s meaningless to us fans and semi-meaningless for some players, but he needs all the work he can get. Guys i wouldn’t play are Peters, Ryans, Alonso….maybe even limit Cox, Jenkins and Thurmond….i’m really hoping they lose though.

  551. 551 SteveH said at 8:38 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I want to see all the young guys get plenty of time, whether they suck or not. Give MS2 the whole game, give Huff, Agholor tons of snaps. Play Ed Reynolds and Eric Rowe 100%.

    I’d love to see Stephen Morris get promoted from the PS and get the start but that won’t happen.

  552. 552 JoeBlow said at 8:46 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Stephen Morris might be starting for the Colts this week, Indy claimed him off our PS last week…..i hear you though….i would like to see Denzel Rice promoted this week just to see how he does

  553. 553 Julescat said at 5:37 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    will the Giants fire both coach and GM?

  554. 554 Media Mike said at 5:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    That would be awesome

  555. 555 JoeBlow said at 6:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think he either retires or is fired, and i think GM Jerry Reese is also let go.

    If they do fire Coughlin, i think Macadoo will just be promoted. It would be a waste of 2 years to bring in a new HC and have him want to revamp the rest of the coaching staff and then Eli would have to learn a new system at the age of 35.

    The Mara’s are pretty loyal people but i think they are just looking for a fresh start after missing the playoffs for a 4th straight year

  556. 556 Bert's Bells said at 7:13 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I tend to agree, but the one thing is they’d need a GM to agree with Macadoo promotion. That’s probably not too hard. It’s almost guaranteed they’ll be picking a QB in 2017. Fairly attractive gig if it opens up.

  557. 557 Media Mike said at 6:01 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Eliot Shorr Parks needs to stop being allowed to speak in public. He just stated that the franchise tag of Bradford would cost $25 million and that keeping Bradford for next year could cost $25 or $30 million……………………….

    ON WHAT PLANET IS THE TAG GOING TO BE $25 MILLION AND HOW WOULD BRADFORD BE A $30 MILLION CAP HIT NEXT YEAR???????????????????????

    What a dope.

    Here are next year’s tags.

    http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25378860/agents-take-von-miller-headlines-2016-franchise-tag-candidates

    QB will be a tick under $20 mil and the transition tag for that player will be appx $18 mil.

    Shorr-Parks is a poorly researched dope.

  558. 558 ACViking said at 6:44 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Exclusive franchise tag for QBs — which bars the player from negotiating with other teams — is projected to be $25 M

  559. 559 Media Mike said at 6:47 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Which is totally not up for discussion with Bradford. I can’t recall a single time it was used other than with Brees.

  560. 560 SteveH said at 8:36 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    its sad to think sam bradford at 20 mil might be our best option next year.

  561. 561 daveH said at 6:02 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Tommy writes alot less whrn we suck.
    Thats fupped duck.

  562. 562 Media Mike said at 6:03 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I agree, his work usually takes us all to new and interesting places from a commentary standpoint.

  563. 563 Sean Stott said at 6:48 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    O.Line needs a revamp. That’s stating the obvious. The pass protection was adequate but the run blocking, at times at least, was downright unwatchable.

    The WR corps needs to learn how to catch the ball. This also includes RBs. At a fundamental level, professional football is about catching the ball. We all saw how different the Giants looked without ODB. There’s just no excuse for the drops this year.

    The defensive coaching needs to be more adaptable. When opponents single out a particular weakness and exploit it all game long, that’s bad. Why is it that casual fans can instantly realize that Demeco Ryans can not be counted on for zone coverage in the middle of the field, but Billy Davis cannot see that? Why do our corners line up 10 yards back on 3rd & 4?

    I don’t complain when Bradley Fletcher gets beat deep by Desean Jackson, that will happen. But when it’s the same play, over and over again, that is 100% coaching and 0% the player’s fault. You need to know the players’ strengths and weaknesses.

    The offensive coaching needs to be more adaptable. That’s not even possible at this point, unlike the defense. CK seems way too stubborn and stuck in his ways. I think he outright refuses to change his game plan once a game starts. It doesn’t make sense to keep running the same play and losing 2 yards each time. If every time you run the inside zone the DTs slant on you and tackle you in the backfield, you need to change it up. You can call it execution, but at a certain point you need to own up and admit you need to change. Every loss CK would say he got outcoached or out-executed or whatever, yet the inconsistencies and impotency still linger.

    This is the first time I’ve ever said this, but I must admit it now. This is not college. You’re not going to find 53 good samaritans. The Evan Mathis situation was so poorly handled it’s insane. I think we need to treat players like adults, and work with them instead of against them. Desean and Mathis were loved in this city, and they were both ran out. Hindsight is 20/20, but would anyone argue against the point that if we had both Mathis and Jackson this year we’d be in the playoffs and Redskins wouldn’t be?

    One final point. Turnovers are great, they help you win games. But they are a mirage. They are luck almost always. You can’t rely on turnovers to win you games, like this defense was doing. The 2012 Bears come to mind. Their defense was incredible – because it had a lucky spat of turnovers.

    Also, please fix the 3rd & Long defensive package. What a trainwreck that is.

  564. 564 Media Mike said at 6:51 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’m totally with you here.

    Especially here;

    “I don’t complain when Bradley Fletcher gets beat deep by Desean Jackson, that will happen. But when it’s the same play, over and over again, that is 100% coaching and 0% the player’s fault. You need to know the players’ strengths and weaknesses.”

    And that is why Billy Davis needs to be shown the door.

    And Chip has a year to fix most of this or he’ll be gone at the end of 2016, I’m hoping that is motivation enough to get him to be less stubborn on a few of the issues you mentioned.

  565. 565 shah8 said at 6:51 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    2012 was a mulligan. Injury bug year. 2014 is somewhat more ominous. Not that I didn’t guess that this would happen, but it’s still bad that a meltdown did occur. I do think that I want Chip gone, because I suspect that the majority of his issues is that he has poor social skills, and that doesn’t really change quickly. Let him learn on some other city’s dime the basic lessons in kissing sublime athletic ass.

  566. 566 Media Mike said at 6:57 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    The “social skills” aspect of Kelly is interesting. I’ve seen people suggest everything from him being a sociopath all the way down to having an autism spectrum disorder.

  567. 567 Bert's Bells said at 7:09 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    He doesn’t really exhibit any autistic tendencies in his public speaking. Like none at all. Bellichick is more autistic, and sociopathic, but BB is neither -he’s just a smart guy who’s a little arrogant and doesn’t want to deal with the press.

  568. 568 Media Mike said at 7:11 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I’d agree with you; I was just pointing out there is a ton of discussion out there about Chip’s personality that runs every possible topic.

  569. 569 Mr. Magee said at 7:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Oh, the joys of having a high profile job! At least he’s well compensated.

  570. 570 Mr. Magee said at 7:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    This post smacks of “don’t blame Chip, the players didn’t execute.” But you can’t fire a whole team, Tommy.

  571. 571 Media Mike said at 7:17 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How great would it be if a new GM / coach combo came into a team and just liquidated the whole roster? Fire sale and/or cut of every single guy on the team who wasn’t on a rookie contract.

  572. 572 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 7:21 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Id rather hire a GM and give the coach another year; than start another rebuild this offseason

  573. 573 Media Mike said at 7:21 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I was speaking more on general terms than for us. Like San Fran for example; there is zero reason to keep 95% of that roster.

  574. 574 anon said at 7:28 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    yeah they got rid of most of the good people last year. I’d take Navarro Bowman, who wants to play in Santa Clara anyway?

  575. 575 Media Mike said at 7:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Exactly. They have a few choice vets that would bring back decent return in trades along with quite a few stiffs. Why not go full Hinkie and blow the whole thing up?

  576. 576 anon said at 7:31 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Also Penn State grad….would you give up a 3rd for him?

  577. 577 Media Mike said at 7:32 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think given the massive injury history of Hyde and overall need the Niners have for a run game; DeMarco Murray for Bowman sounds about right!

  578. 578 anon said at 7:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Tamba Hali could come free — he’s old, but probably better than what we have.

  579. 579 Media Mike said at 7:34 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I might wait for him to be cut this offseason, but I like that guy as a player to watch.

  580. 580 Insomniac said at 7:43 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Slow as hell Hali? No thanks I’d keep Graham and put the cap space towards resigning Thurmond/another CB

  581. 581 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 7:35 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Bowman and Hicks patrolling the middle of the field? Yes please…

  582. 582 Poppi said at 8:22 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    2016 – There are no untouchables on this team except Cox. There are 8-10 others I want to keep – Hicks, Jenkins, Johnson, Rowe, Shepherd, and some specialists.

  583. 583 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    I think Matthews is more than worth keeping. Guy had a bad first half of the season but I wouldn’t give up on him. He looked like the guy we need him to be after the bye

    Id rather role Sam as the starter with a rookie on the bench.

    Id hang onto Watkins, even if its only as a dime or nickel. He had some tight coverage these last 2 weeks.

    I wouldn’t give up on Agholor unless we are getting a 1st rounder for him.

    Id give Kendricks a chance to bounce back unless we found a way to get a better player or pick. Kiko and Meco need to go.

  584. 584 Bert's Bells said at 5:06 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    As we’ve seen with the Texans, a dominant DLineman doesn’t get you to the playoffs if you’ve got nothing else.

    Unfortunately, even Cox isn’t untouchable.

  585. 585 Poppi said at 6:35 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    agree – its a 2-3 year change process at best. I thought we were in year 3, but……….

  586. 586 anon said at 4:57 PM on December 29th, 2015:

    2016 need to be an extension of the moves in 2015. Need to let them gel — can’t keep churning the whole roster.

  587. 587 yiluyingxiao said at 8:29 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    提前祝您新年快乐。
    乙未年(羊)冬月十九 2015-12-29

  588. 588 Bob Brewer said at 8:50 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    The Bengals receivers made more tough catches on that drive than the Eagles receivers did all year. They can all go to hell.

  589. 589 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 8:53 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Its the easy ones we drop

  590. 590 ChoTime said at 8:56 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Guys, I just got back from Disneyland–what’d I miss? Are we going to the playoffs and pull a Giants to make a deep run? How much did we beat WAS by? How many big plays did our awesome free agent acquisitions make?

  591. 591 Crus57 said at 9:12 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    You haven’t been practicing your serve, we can tell.

  592. 592 ChoTime said at 10:35 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    This is true and I feel like I let you guys down.

  593. 593 daveH said at 9:20 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    How was dusneyland? Did you you lose the tickets. drop the kids’ food popcorn and soda all over the place and get 2 parking tickets ? Get busted for trying to skip the line and ignore any good advice about where to stay and what rides to go on?

  594. 594 ChoTime said at 10:35 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Hey, that’s spooky, have you been spying on me?

    Actually, I am a 3-year veteran now and more or less know the ropes. I could draw a map! If you get there early and know what you’re doing, it’s not too bad. It also helps if you aren’t trying to do everything in one day. By noon, the place is a madhouse and I pretty much switch to people-watch mode. Once you’ve had your foot run over “accidentally” enough times by double-wide strollers pushed by frazzled moms, it’s time to find a bench.

  595. 595 daveH said at 11:28 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    (You were at Disneyland watching the game was Dismaland .. so i was trying to imagine what eoild hsporn if Chip Kelly took the Eagles where you were.. and how would it go
    .. thats how dad the game was. Nice miss onnyour part.)
    But i think you were kidding anyway

  596. 596 ChoTime said at 10:59 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    That’s true, I did miss that, but actually it is very easy to have the experience you imagined there! As cheesy as Disneyland is, everything but the food is top notch, so in other words, not like CK.

  597. 597 DrFeelgood said at 9:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    hey tommy boy….the fatal flaw is the fat little fraud you love so much…admit he cant coach men and is a college fraud, admit it, admit it, admit it you loser.

  598. 598 A Roy said at 10:10 PM on December 28th, 2015:

    Asshole.

  599. 599 DrFeelgood said at 7:41 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    is that what the A stands for….ok makes sense….you suk by the way…

  600. 600 A Roy said at 7:45 AM on December 29th, 2015:

    Oooh. A retort. Surprised the asshole didn’t go the “I know you are but what am I?” route. You don’t walk into someone’s place and disrespect him like that. Asshole. And now I’ll allow the child to get the last word.