Under Pressure
Posted: December 24th, 2015 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 142 Comments »The Eagles season really boils down to one game. If they don’t win Saturday night, it’s over. I’m curious to see how the team responds to this situation.
A few weeks back the Eagles were 4-7 and at rock bottom. They had to go on the road to face Tom Brady and the 10-1 Patriots, who were coming off a loss. Every stat and trend told you the Eagles had virtually no chance in that game. And yet, with less than 8 minutes to go, the Eagles led 35-14. The Pats made it close, but the guys in green still won the game.
Does that mean the team will respond the same way this week and win?
I don’t know. The situations are a bit different. The Eagles relaxed once they hit rock bottom. They had to win to stay alive, but they also had nothing to lose. This is a situation where the Eagles have everything to lose. That may cause them to tighten up. Or they might find that same vibe from the Pats game and just relax and go play football.
This team has been maddening to follow all season long. You can never figure them out. They shut down veteran QBs like Drew Brees and Eli Manning, but get lit up by rookie Jameis Winston. They ran the ball well on the Jets and their stout front, but struggled to run on Miami and their struggling run D. You just never know what to expect.
I really hope the team plays well on Saturday. I don’t want a couple of controversial calls handing them the win. The whole point in trying to win the division is to get into the playoffs and to make some noise. No one thinks this group is going to magically come together and go win the Super Bowl. But that doesn’t mean they can’t win a game, maybe even two and make things interesting.
More than a few people don’t even see the point of winning.
The idea of winning the NFC East is fool's gold for Eagles. Doesn't solve the major holes they have, just shows that the division stinks.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) December 21, 2015
No one thinks that winning the division in a down year somehow takes away the disappointment of this season. Even if the Eagles had a few kicks go their way early on and were 8-6 right now, trying to lock up the division, this would be a disappointing year.
This team has not played anywhere close to its potential. Chip Kelly was trying to build a great team. There have been some impressive moments, but not nearly enough.
The point of making the playoffs is to have a shot at the big prize. We have seen in recent years that some odd teams do win in the postseason. The 9-7 Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011. The 10-6 Packers won it the year before. The 9-7 Cardinals got to the Super Bowl in 2008. You never know when the unexpected is going to happen. I don’t think the Eagles have much of a shot at some miracle run, but I do know this….they have no shot if they aren’t in the playoffs.
And I do think there is value in getting into the postseason for players to get to experience that level of football. Things are a bit faster, a bit more intense. You can learn from that.
Finally, ask Takeo Spikes about the playoffs. He played LB in the NFL for 14 years and never went to the playoffs. Ask Bills fans. Their last playoff game came in Andy Reid’s first season as Eagles coach, 1999. You want to go 13-3 or 12-4 and look like an outstanding team all year. But sometimes that doesn’t happen. If the stars align and you can still get into the postseason, I think you want that to happen. Even if you go one and done, the joy and excitement of playoff football is worth it.
People will argue about draft slot. There are no guarantees in the draft. Sometimes having the 22nd pick turns out better than having the 12th pick. If the Eagles had the chance to be Top 5 and get a rare talent, that would change things, but that’s not going to happen. I’ll take the playoffs and lower pick in this scenario.
Saturday night is going to tell us something about this team. Can they handle pressure? Can they seize an opportunity when it is there for the taking?
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The Eagles did get some good news on Eric Rowe. He is good to go and will play. Still no hard news on Byron Maxwell. That will probably be a Saturday decision.
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One nugget that may give you some confidence.
Eagles are only NFC East team this season to beat opponent with winning record (Jets and Patriots).
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) December 23, 2015
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A few writers have mentioned that the key year for Chip was actually 2016. Not sure the Murray signing supports that theory, but it is an interesting thing to ponder.
If so, getting to the playoffs with a “rebuilding” group would be pretty nice. If we see improvement from Bradford, Agoholor, Mathews, etc.., and improve the OL, 2016 could be special. Time will tell.
I agree that making the playoffs would be nice, but this group was supposed to be improving upon 10-6 rather than dropping well below it.
Probably our mistake with overly ambitious expectations, this Truley is the ultimate team game and we didn’t respect how difficult it is to have success in the NFL. Looking back.
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1) a QB who hadn’t played in two years, only started practicing in this new system, with new teammates since August 1st. Every top QB has been in their offense for at least 3 years, we gave Bradford a month to practice and threw him into the regular season fire.
2) OL needs to play as a cohesive Unit, we had two new startng Guards, and we didn’t even know who would start at RG Til close to August.. You can have 5 great lineman, but it won’t matter unless they have time to gel and really get comfortable playing together
3) New RBs, who had to adjust to running out of shotgun exclusively and who were really hurt by the early season OL struggles.. Looking back, probably not a great idea to hold Demarco out of practice as much as we did last offseason
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4) young Inexperienced WR’s who came into this season having No chemistry with our new QB
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5) we completely re-did our entire secondary. Like the Offensive line, It is also very important that the secondary Gels into a cohesive unit where guys know exactly what their teammates will do in every situation without having to verbally communicate
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This is a lot of change, a lot of players who still learning to play with new teammates… While the plan was that 10 wins aren’t good enough and last years team had a limited ceiling, probably should have given this team more than a year Til they can all come together, build chemistry we Need to be successful… We,changed everything because 10 wins weren’t good enough, but we probably should have been smarter than to expect that all this change would instantly pay off for us immediately in year 1… Even tho this year has been a struggle, I still view the majority of our players upside the same way I did going into this season with a few exceptions of course
When you change an entire secondary, two starting Guards, new RBs, young WR’s, new QB it has to be considered a mini rebuild..
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2016 is certainly the crucial year in chips career. No chance that chip coaches 2017 as a lame duck expiring contract, which means Chip needs to earn an extension next year or it will be his last year in Philly
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There certainly is value in getting players like Bradford a taste of playoff experience now, if the plan is to have quality playpff team next year.
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We haven’t drafted well enough to care about draft spot.
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But per Captain Chip they didn’t even have much changeover since last year. lol
Don’t see much upside currently on this team. Recent draft history does not give me much hope things will turn around quickly. Bradford may not even be on the team next year. While Agoholor is young, he has pretty much shown nothing. Mathews will be another year older and has never made it through a complete season without getting hurt. The OL is dumpster fire with no developing talent, a quickly aging hall of famer, and a middle that is too small and lacks NFL talent.
Next year will be either the same or worse (probably worse) than this year.
Too bad about the Murray signing. $8 million cap hold next year that the Eagles can’t get away from. This during a year in which they have to re-sign Bradford and will be out without a 2nd round pick. That $8 million would have been great to go after a guard or a wr.
How about drafting in this slot?
Good news for our roster next year
Your Picks:
Round 1 Pick 16: Jared Goff, QB, California (A+)
Round 3 Pick 10: Kyle Murphy, OT, Stanford (A)
Round 3 Pick 16: Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame (A+)
Round 4 Pick 16: Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State (B+)
Round 5 Pick 16: Deiondre’ Hall, CB, Northern Iowa (A)
Round 5 Pick 23: Ricky Seals-Jones, WR, Texas A&M (A+)
Round 6 Pick 16: Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State (A)
Round 7 Pick 16: Travis Feeney, OLB, Washington (A+)
Round 7 Pick 31: Eric Mac Lain, OG, Clemson (B+)
If Chip is the coach, I believe Sam will have a long term contract. Some fans will not like this, but it is Chip’s decision.
With that said, Chip will not be drafting a QB in round 1. More likely to be the starting RT. Lane will move to LT and Peters will sign some sort of extension/restructure and move to LG.
Line will be: 65-71-62-??-Rookie.
Maybe the RG is Gardner, Barbre, Barrett Jones, or Andrews.
Jones and Andrews are probably on the outside looking in next year. If we don’t get hit with the injury bug in camp I don’t think either make the squad.
do the guards keep their jobs?
No but they are all under contract, all have started at least 1 game at T, and all cost peanuts. So they make good experienced depth that buys you time to churn some day 3/UDFAs to find a couple younger pieces. At least 2 will be back, all three are probably with the team for camp.
You need one new G and one new T to start. A real swing tackle (no faith in Dennis Kelly) and a new G/C backup (Molk out of contract, don’t believe in Andrews) would be nice as well.
If they bring back Peters at lower money to play G thats one spot, if not I think they spend some of that money to go after a FA. If not you can live with the winner of Gardener/Tobin/Barbre as one starting G if you improve the rest.
I think the line looks something like
Lane – Winner of current group- Kelce – New – New
Depth:
1 or 2 of (Tobin, Barbre, Gardener) depending on JP
Backup G/C: Day 3/UDFA
Swing Tackle: Low money vet swing tackle or day 3 pick
Outside looking in: Hawkinson, Andrews, Jones, Boyko, Bunche, couple of UDFA
I could see us drafting Thorntons replacement (Buckner) in round 1, instead of drafting an OLineman.. If Buckner is available and we lose Thornton in free agency, would be shocked if we passed on him for someone else…
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But either way, if you aren’t set at the line of scrimmage, it becomes a No Brainer that is what you invest a first round pick in… we still have some upgrades to make at the line of scrimmage, so I would expect our first round pick to be invested into the OL or DL..
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Heck I would be fine with spending our 1st round pick and both 3rd round picks on a DE and two OL…. Maybe trade backwards from one of those picks to get another pick
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BIggest needs:… Starters at DE, RT and RG
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Depth Needs in order:
#1) OLB depth
2) DB
3) WR
4) QB
5) RB
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Maybe get a starter and a backüp in Free agency, leaving us with 6 positions needing To be addressed via Draft/trade/UDFA
Don’t think Peters will ever move to LG. His pride will get in the way of that happening. And I don’t think he’s that much of a team guy to restructure (maybe if money converted to signing bonus) and move positions. That ain’t happening.
I see you picked Correa. I also like Correa, very much. He had a very good bowl game yesterday. I know its early but I see him as a early day 2 pick and I hope the Eagles find a way to get him.
Don’t think we will draft a CB in this draft. Chip already views the rookie year as a redshirt year so next year we will have Sheppard, D. Rice and D. Randall coming into year 2. Can’t see him adding to that group. Would like to see Biggers stick around because we need veterans back there also. But other than that, I like the picks. Definitely need 3 OL in this draft. I wouldn’t be shocked if the first 3 picks are OL. Hell, San Francisco did it when they drafted Davis and Iupati. That’s what we need.
There is no way I want to do anything other than win out and win the division. I don’t vibe on rooting in a loss.
If your writing a script for the holiday season, this would be where a frustrated, fresh running back has a career game against a disliked division foe. Maybe unlikely, but it sure would make his, ours, the team’s, the fans, CK’s & the owner’s season much merrier.
If Murray were to stomp all over Washington it would be great.
Not a bad theory. We might be able to run on their front 7. Running game was ok against NE and Buf. AZ may just be that good up front.
Steady dose of 24, 29, and 43 might be what we see on Saturday.
6-2 when we run for 100 plus yards..
0-2 when we don’t run for 100 yards
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They are going to send DEsean deep against our young corners a few times on Saturday, Hopefully we give Huff, AGHOLAR, and Jordan a chance to go deep against the rookie corner the skins are forced to start. Bradford has nice deep ball accuracy
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ONLY have 1 road win, and it came against the Bears… Are we capable of taking care of business in a must win game?
From your mouth to Santa’s ears.
id bet Mathews will be better no matter how fresh murray is
Again, those Giants teams had an elite defense and were solid on offense and ST. The Eagles have zero elite units and are downright bad on offense and defense at times. This comparison continues to get trotted out, but does not hold water for this Eagles team. The Pack and Cards had elite offenses, again not good comparisons to the Eagles.
Again, the NE win would be very very hard to duplicate. Eagles got 3 TD from the D and ST that day. The offense scored 14 points total. Similar to last season, if the D and ST are scoring points, we can beat anyone as can any team. Depending on that, however, is not a consistent winning formula. The offense needs to be able to post at least 24 points/game to win consistently. They’ve averaged roughly 18 or so since the bye and that is with a better Bradford. That is simply not good enough at all.
Obviously, we all want the Eagles to win Saturday, beat the Giants to take the division and make a run in the playoffs, but, like you said Tommy, that should not allow accountability to be skipped or lessons to be missed on what needs to happen to make this team truly elite. Lurie & Chip need to get together, evaluate everything and make significant changes IMO.
Perfectly stated.
The giants D became elite during the playoffs. During the regular season, both of those giant teams had horrendous moments, more so the second one.
You know what else is hard to duplicate? Catching a ball with your helmet.
Not to mention, in their first SB win, the play before the helmet catch, Asante Samuel dropped an easy interception that he could have returned for a pick 6.
This article really shows the value of a franchise QB in today’s NFL. Giants have Eli. Packers have Rodgers. That Cardinals team had Warner.
If Chip doesn’t find a QB capable of beating good defenses, the other stuff is pointless.
I might be in the minority here, but I think Bradford is close to being that guy. The throws the last few games have been really good. That kind of play will allow 81, 13, 86, and 17 to develop.
we are spoiled to live in a time of so many elite QBs. There are the Manning brothers, Brady, Rothlesberger, Brees and even Russell Wilson. then there are the good QBS who can’t seem to get the right team situation like Romo, or Rivers.
I think Bradford is definitely talented enough for the second grouping. He needs some help to get to the elite grouping.
That throw to Huff on Sunday night from the end zone was one of the best I’ve seen from him.
I think Sam Bradford has slowly grown on most of you. He’s looked really impressive the last few weeks. To those that are on the fence about him, what if he plays a great game in a do or die game? How would that affect how you feel about him? I have been a Bradford fan since we aquired him, but one of my true measurement for a QB is how he plays in clutch situations and games. I am really excited to see how he plays and I’m really hoping he gets some help from his teammates.
nick foles earned a lot of fans from the 2014 skins game. this could be the same sort of thing.
Still one of my favorite games.
The conversation has completely changed on Bradford, from being a liability to being better than the players around him. I am still waiting for the kind of break out game that shows he can be elite or at least second tier. Hopefully it comes this Saturday.
if run game not working would like to see if bradford can carry team on his arm.
The objections regarding Bradford — for me at least — were not about him as a football player.
It was the price paid, specifically that 2nd Rd pick, to acquire a QB (i) coming off 20 months of no football, (ii) in the last year of his contract, (iii) from a team desperate for Cap relief at the time.
Has he earned that 2nd rd pick in your eyes? If not, what will he have to do? For me, he’s right on the brink of it.
If you actually find your qb that is cheap. But it might cost some in money to keep him we knew that. Without knowing what other teams were actually offering its hard to know if we could have gotten him for less. Teams are qb desperate so sometimes they do offer crazy stuff. We did have some injury protection built into that deal though which reduced the risk some
It was like the Cabbage Patch Baby run many years ago… worth it or not, people were running each over to get the last one. Gotta have one.
With how Foles has played this season, have we traded a second and a backup QB for a franchise QB?
If that’s what Bradford is, this was robbery by the eagles. But it was always predicated on Bradford’s health, so you can’t say it was obviously that when the trade went down.
yeah people pretend like foles isn’t the worst qb in the league right now.
You like that…
https://youtu.be/p7CaiWxKYBo
There is no way anyone can call him/herself an Eagles fan and want to lose this game… just to get a better draft pick. Don’t even show up to the game or watch or comment here.
They can go watch the Sixers, instead.
I never understand wanting to see a team you support lose. The draft argument is nonsense.
Hate the coach atgument howrver is justified. .. it is the definition of retarded to root against your team … however, its like wslking out if stadium early . If ownership and management literally retard the franchi see .. its onbtge fans to respond in a more aggressive manner. Giant fans follow moronically no matter whst. We are less scared to challenge our coaches and owner
Well, I still wished the best for Reid even though he clearly should have moved on.
I don’t have that antipathy for Kelly, but yeah, I see what you’re saying.
Of course, if a team is winning you’re probably not going to hate the coach.
can’t not upvote Rocky
The skins aren’t good enough team for us to lose but get moral victories from the loss. Arizona was a loss to a better team. if the skins are a better team TODAY, it’s probably not by much.
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SAturday is a very important night for this team.
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for Starters, we get to see how SAM Bradford performs in one of the most meaningful games of his pro career. ITs really interestng when SAM has literally improved each week, and is playing QB at a high level as of late. you can see how much more,comfortable SAM is becoming in the pocket, under pass rush pressure. you can see an improved Command in this offense, improved chemistry with his teammates, and Most Important,,our Players have really responded to his leadership… Coming from the Rams, and YEARS where he rehabbed injuries,more Then he played football, this is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY to see how he steps up and plays with an entire season on the line,..
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There are also a lot of remaining Eagles who were here last year when the skins came to the Linc, and officially Ended our season beating us in our house with our ceiling on the line….I BETTER see a bunch of Pissed off, passionate, Dailed in Eagles ready to give everything they have on the field to make sure that this team doesn’t get to end our season in front of our fans two years in a row. if guys aren’t Excited and fired up for this game, something is seriously wrong with them..
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Even first year Eagles who weren’t here when the skins ended our season in the LINC have a lot to be fired up about thanks to scumbag Cheapshot artist Chris Baker running his mouth about how they will come to our house, kick our ass again, and then go celebrate the division crown in Philly on Saturday night…if that isn’t Bulletin Board material I don’t know what is. If Bellicick was our coach, he would use Bakers quote to have his team foaming at the mouth to rip skins heads off…..
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Against Arizona, we lost to a better team.. IF the skins are better than us it is not by much, so there is no excuse for allowing this team to come to philly, sweep us for the season, and take our playoff hopes from us.
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As a man, if you DONT have the heart to stand,up to a rival running his mouth about how they will come to our home and end our season, and then go out and celebrate in OUR city, somethng is wrong with you.
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It’s time for Eagle players to step up and have their best game. bradford and Cox will do their parts, it’s up to the supporting cast TI show up ready to play winning football.
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Play with FIRE, Passion, turn up the level of Physicality, but we also need to play smart, play Discaplined. Cutting down on our mistakes and playing Discaplined ball is what won us the Bills game. Emotions will be riding high, make sure we control ours better than Jackasses like Desean and Baker..
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I NEED to see 60 Minutes of Discaplined FIRE. 53 men better come to fight Saturday night, for ONE NIGHT, we,better be the hungrier team, the more physical team, the sharper executing team, and the more,Discaplined team..
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I BEG you, do NOT MAKE me wake up to a world on Sunday where Desean and the skins swept the Eagles and eliminated us in Philly for the second year in a row..
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I was pretty emotionally drained. bradford and Cox recent play is the only thing that gives me hope…. But that fat dirty scumbag Chris Baker woke my ass up, and someone in our locker room better make sure the team is whipped into a frenzy over Baker running his mouth like this,.. What makes it worse, is Baker had a pretty good game against us in September.
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we better show up with a proper balance of Violence, discapline and Intelligence
I’m ready to go all in on Bradford, so while this season has been emotionally draining, Saturday is a valuable opportunity to see Sammy play in one of the most meaningful games of his pro career. SAM has been a QB I am very excited to move forward with since around the Carolina game, and he has been getting better and better ever since. Last week, I saw Bradford make,throws that we rarely even saw durimg the McNabb Golden age. What’s really exciting is that as well as Bradford is starting to play, we Know he is capable of so much more. So while this season hasnt gone the way we wanted. finding our QB to move forward with, and get him to the Offseason healthy is more valuable than anything that could have happened this year short of making the Super Bowl. I knew SAM was a very talented thrower with a quality QB brain, but he has been even better than I thought he would be in some crucial areas like Pocket Presence, Leadership, grading out as the most accurate QB in the NFL when rolling out and throwing on the run which I would have never guesses was possible, and u damn sure didn’t expect him to be top 5 in most pass plays of 40 yards or more..
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SAM is showing a lot of qualities and talent that we can really move forward with and win with, and WHATS so exciting is that we are seeing this even tho he hasn’t played in two years, doesn’t have full command of our offense yet, ISNT getting to play behind a potent run game we expected, has been getting Killed all year because of an OL that isn’t good enough, and has WR who have dropped a ridiculous amount of passes, many of which would have extended drives.
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I was happy to see Chip remind everyone, how it takes time to get a QB comfortable in a new offense and how all the best QBs have been in the same Offense, with the same coaches for YEARS:
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BRady/Bellichick, together forever, Mindmeld
Rodgers/McCarthy, together for YEARS
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Cam/Rivera, togethet for what is it, 4? 5 years before this year he officially arrived as an elite QB?
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Russell Wilson/pete Carroll together for 4 years
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Dalton/Marvin Lewis together for 5 years
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It took Romo like half a decade in Dallas before he could grow into the QB he has become
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Brees and Sean Peyton true Mindmeld..
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SAM Bradford was FULLY Cleared to start practicing as QB of the Eagles on August 1st. One Month of practicing in a new offense, trying to build chemistry with new WRs, and trying to learn to trust his new OL, and get on the same page with his new Center.. All while he was trying to build his body and confidence to come back from two years of rehabbing from injuries..
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It’s a miserable season, but have to really appreciate what bradford is overcoming and growing into, improve a little each week as QB of chips offense, and leader of the Eagles… I don’t understand how fans can see,the throws that he is starting to make knowing that He doesmt have a great supporting cast around him, and is still growing his command of this new offense?… I don’t understand how fans can see the throws he is making, and not want to see what he looks like with an offseason to train as the QB of the Eagles, work his chemistry with his weapons, How could you not want to see what he looks like behind a significantly Upgraded offensive Line, playing off of a potent run game we envisioned?
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It Blows my mind that there are so many fans and media members who Want to get rid of him. I can understand if you aren’t ready to commit to the kid for the next 5 years, but how could you Not want to see More before you give up on such a talented player knowing how hard it is to find a QB as good as Bradford, let alone finding a better one? How could you not want to see what he looks like with a better Oll, run game, WRS, two years removed from the injury, and another year of growing his command of this offense? I don’t get it
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Even if you are impatient or short sited, you have to realize you won’t be able to get a QB that can give us a better chance to win next year than Bradford will if we allow him to build on this season… Dump assets into improving the team around the QB., and first and foremost, we,need to dump assets into ensuring we,NEVER ALLOW Bradford to get hit as much as we allowed this year
Interesting one on one interview will billy d.
http://www.phillymag.com/birds247/2015/12/24/eagles-wake-up-call-1-on-1-with-billy-davis/
“Through 14 games, they are now 30th in opponent rushing yards/attempt (4.5), 27th in points per game (25.9) and last in red zone efficiency (69 percent TD rate).”
Standup guy, but this D is terrible.
Our D has been terrible for his entire stay…And a few years prior to that, but thats not his fault.
pfff 1on1 is all Billy D knows lol
6-2 when running 100 plus yards…0-6 when we are held under 100
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It’s no secret that the skins are going to send Desean deep trying to victimize our backup Corners.. Well the skins also have a rookie CB that they are forced to count on. Shame on us If we don’t make it a point to test this kid deep a handful of times Saturday. They have an inexperienced corner, we have a pretty damn accurate deep ball thrower, gotta go after this kid deep and pressure their defense the way that they will pressure ours with Desean…
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I want to see AGHOLAR, Huff, Jordan, and Coop all line up in front of the rookie and take turns testing him deep.. I don’t give a damn if we have to line up in Max Protection with Only two WR to give Bradford enough time to go deep.
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ERTZ has to show up and have a bigger impact then we allow Jordan Reed to have on this game..
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Thurmond needs to spend the entire game in over the top support keeping Desean from getting behind him.
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jaylen Watkins and Thurmond bracket Desean all game
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Big corner Eric ROWE has to step up and keep Garcon in Check
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malcolm Jenkins is going to have to take out his anger on the disrespectful absurd Pro Bowl snub and make a point shutting down Jordan Reed!
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Lane NEEDS to have his best game against Kerrigan.
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Kelce and the Guards have to handle the size of Chris Baker, and RJF
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Shame on Jason Peters if he doesn’t erase Trent MUrphy from factoring into this game
Colts signed Stephen Morris off our practice squad. Guess we liked Thad Lewis more, kind of sucks. I liked Morris.
mksp . . .
Happy holidays. Good to see you here.
I will HATE to have to play this game without Bennie Logan
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But the Silver Linning is that im hype to see Papa Bair back in action, and Bairs long arms, and ability to bat down balls like Barwin does could come in handy against a shorter Kirk Cousins.
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its CRUCIAL that Mychal KEndricks and the ILB’s get their heads out of their asses, and shut down a skins run game that hasn’t been very potent. If we can make Cousins play from behind on the road, forcing Him to abandon th run and try to throw their way back into the game, I like our chances to win at home If you allow Cox, Curry, BG, Barwin to pin their ears back and focus on rushiñg the passer.. But for that to haopen, the Offense has to do its part putting points on the board, and the ILBs have to do their Job and shut down the damn run game..
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How will Our leaders, Bradford and Cox play in what is one of the biggest games of their young pro career.
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Having to rely on backüp Corners, sure feel lucky we found our safety tandem we can rock with going forward. We are going to need Thurmond and Jenkins to have one of their best games as An eagle..
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Having to play against John Brown, Fitzgerald and Flloyd last week with backüp corners was GREAT PREPERATION for a matchup against Desean, Garcon and Reed who are,crucial to any chance the skins have of winning games…
It sure would be a great Christmas gift if Kendricks and Alonso played well.
Re: Rebuilding Eagles vs. Rebuilding Panthers
The argument’s been repeatedly made that, with so much change on both sides of the ball, it’s only natural that the Eagles would be inconsistent this season.
The Eagles have 4 new starters on defense and 5 new starters on offense. And a 6-8 record so far.
What about the 14-0 Panthers? Are they 14-0 because they had no changes from 2014 to 2015?
In fact, the Panthers have 4 new starters on offense: 2 new OTs, 2 new WRs. On defense, Carolina has 5 new starters: 2 DL, 1 LB, 2 DBs.
So with 9 new starters — just like the Eagles — Carolina has gone 14-0.
So what’s the difference between these teams?
The QBs? The ILBs? The CBs?
Whatever it is, the *excuse* — and that’s all it is — about 9 new starters is not the reason the Eagles are 6-8.
Cam Newton is carrying that team
I think that’s the key. If Newton was the Eagles qb, we’d also be 14-0. OK, just kidding. Really, though, if Cam was under center, I think we’d be a 10-12 win team.
the difference might be where those new starters play.
they have great ILB, not new.
they have a 5 year QB, biggest difference I would think.
the leader is not new. and he’s Is winning the games.
doesn’t hurt that secondary is playing at a crazy level.
Well said. Some of the problems you can attribute are to key guys that are also new having not been able to get much time in the summer. If Demarco had a whole summer to adapt to the offense, it could be an entirely different season. I think Sam’s stats at the start of the season and at the end of the season speak for themselves.
You can make excuses for the issues, but they are just that, excuses. Long of the short is that at the end of the day the team has been poor.
A trendy thing to say now is that there are so many holes on the roster, and Chip the GM is bad. Others like to say that the team needs time. Luckily fans don’t run teams. It sure feels like GM Chip only filled holes, by looking at where players cut have panned out, and at the success of the draft. Unfortunately, there appear to have been more holes that we thought.
Lots of players have under preformed, mainly on offense. To think that it is realistic to replace many of these guys would be unrealistic. It would be equally foolish to think that lots of these guys can’t turn it around and have very good seasons next year.
Im rambling but basically: Panthers are the Panthers, we are the Eagles. Different teams.
Well, their WRs aren’t any good and their new LB is playing like 25 or 30 percent of the time, since they are in Nickel for around 70 percent (if I remember correctly), because Kuechly and Davis get the job done regardless.
So we have 3 new starters who aren’t important for them. Important are the 2 DL (had a good foundation there, though, Lotulelei and Johnson are the key parts of their DL), the 2 DBs and the 2 OTs. Especially their two OL players, since they were pathetic at the OL last year.
The silver lining? Eagles could be a difference team with two new OL next year, too. I think all those outside runs are called because Chip doesn’t trust his two Guards + Kelce in the power run game between the Tackles, while Kelce is great in the outside game (2nd level).
Now, Chip doesn’t want the phone booth Guards. But he must upgrade the Guards, I’m sure he knows that. Could be a world’s difference on Offense.
On Defense, our DL was a strenght. No idea what happened there. Thornton and Logan not being really healthy, maybe?
And yeah, of course, not having a QB learning the system can make a difference, somehow…
One team has a legitimate defensive coordinator (Mcdermott) and one doesn’t.
***(Rivera)
Wake me when it’s over…
Read what I found to be an interesting diversity of opinion over at Philly.com (I know, I’m an idiot). Columnist McClane argued that Bill Davis must go, and columnist Murphy cited inferior talent as the Eagles primary problem. I love the back-benchers we have here at IB, and I think the Eagles have been sufficiently disappointing to accommodate every last one. The sentiment that I cannot put to bed is that this is not an overtly high-risk offense – I don’t think any offense that looks to run whenever possible fits that categorization – but it puts more pressure on a defense than any run-n-gun, Air Coryell, Andy Reid-imbalanced, high-octane passing offense that I have ever witnessed. Kelly’s insistence that high pace is inherently preferable to amassing possession time strikes me as an unignorable factor in how the Eagles have fared this season. So Kelly can be criticized for inferior talent on the field, and if he sees what I see, his insistence on pace strikes me as the parents fighting while the baby is screaming, or using grease to put out a fire. It is not at all a certainty that slowing down the offense would have led to different outcomes, but, as HC, Kelly will break down plays and trends in a game and completely gloss over high-tempo as a given…end of discussion. I get that he strongly believes that pace enhances pressure on his opponents’ defense, but seeing that offense flounder, and watching his defense hit a wall time and time again…Chip is selling us a high-wire act with no net. In a league of parity and pervasive mediocrity, the Eagles are a team that seems to be unable to consistently win because the pressure of needing to have everything click is much greater than the probability that everything will click often enough to win a Lombardi. I am becoming a doubter. I like what Kelly has been attempting to do with the indolent defense that he inherited, but he doggedly seems to abuse those players – many of them kids by telling them and us and the world that they need to give everything to be successful, but that HE doesn’t have to because he has some dogmatic attachment to high-tempo, and that it CAN yield positive results often enough to make the pain and mental anguish all worth it. I loathe dogmas.
Enjoyed this as far as i made it
we don’t run much tempo with sam bradford. if we get a first down or two re run tempo, but the offense runs a lot slower this year it seems. problem is 3 and out is 3 and out.
I just saw the other night that Eagles are right on pace with previous 2 seasons for fewest seconds between plays. That isn’t evidence, but it does reflect priority.
I out up 137 points in the iggles blitz fantasy league this past week but I got eliminated the week before. Most points put up in our league all year
Cam is a freak. But you only our up half of that when you needed it.
Yeah diggs hill and Adams failed me. Idk why I kept playing Adams thinking he would finally do something. My draft was pretty awful
Don’t feel bad missed the playoffs with most points before in a very competitive league.
10:40 Christmas Eve … Ssnta shud be here shortly .. frer pintd of Yuenhling gor sny Esgles fooooool who posts after me
To anyone who would rather get a better draft pick than go into the playoffs, or hell, even win more games without making the playoffs – you’re a loser.
10-6 helped this team a lot this year.
The way they got there was what told the story.
I just don’t understand or agree with the sentiment that this team is “not playing anywhere near it’s potential”. Is this year a major disappointment? Absolutely. But an underachieving bunch? No. That was Reid’s last year, and also the reason Kelly went to the playoffs his first year. I challenge anyone who believes that this team has more talent than the team that Reid left Kelly. I have major angst with Kellys personnel moves and the fact that our offense has a bare cupboard. The defense may have talent, but underachieving. I am not sure if Billy Davis is really this bad, or the fact that Kellys flawed offensive scheme puts way too much strain on the defense. My guess is that the truth is somewhere in the middle. Offensively, our WR position is a major liability, our o line which kelly has failed to address is old, lacking talent or broken and lacking any bright spots. We have a QB that *might* be the guy, but we will have to pay big money to even discern whether he is the guy. The thing we do have in spades is RB salaries, which will lead to us most likely jetisoning Sproles in the offseason because Murray has crippled us.
Looking back now, I can objectively say that every move Chip made in the off-season really made sense, save Mathis as the only possible mistake. Who would of thought Murray wouldn’t do well in this system? He was the style runner Chip always wanted. He was just like Ryan Matthews (who has done very well). Obviously, you can say in hindsight that was bad (who knows what happens next year). I don’t think anyone hated the move at the time. At the time of many of the moves I, like you, thought Chip was a crazy man.
Just curious if you could hit on some of the GM moves that you take issue with. I’ll debate you a bit on them if I disagree :).
Right now, I prefer Chip the GM to Chip the coach. I think the lack of an effective offense lies squarely on Chip’s shoulders. The talent he has assembled is good. Jordan Mattews, Huff, and Ags are all very talented players that can succeed. The fact they haven’t lies mainly on Chip.
I would say, more specifically than the offense but turnovers are killing the offense. Almost leading the league again. Less TOs equals more offensive playing time equals more points equals less defense seeong the field.
Well, the moves that I had issue with, and still have issue with now:
-I did not agree with signing Maxwell to the amount we paid him. I realize we had little to no talent at CB, but Maxwell was vastly overrated and we were desperate. I do not mind over paying a player that is good and you know Will be good in your scheme. I felt maxwell had limited starting experience on an exceptional defense. For anyone who says that they were 100% sure he was for real are either lying or had not really watched him at Seattle. He was trending up, I will agree, but he had started only a year or so and was shielded by having an epic secondary around him. I felt he wasn’t worth breaking the bank for.
-not paying Jeremy maclin. As I stated above, I feel that some players are worth overpaying for, especially when you are 100% sure of their talent, character, and commitment. Maclin left for Kansas City for more money, but wanted Chip to match the salary. According to Maclin, the Eagles chose not to. After letting desean go for nothing (another questionable move), we let Maclin walk and are cupboards were bare. However…….
We did sign Miles Austin. The money we paid Austin could have helped offset the extra we would have to pay maclin. However, I feel so utterly depressed when I look at the lack of talent at the WR position in relation to the rest of the NFL or even the nfc east.
-I did not and do not like the signing of Murray. It made little sense after the Mathews signing and I did not think he fit our scheme. He is such a poor fit that he barely plays. I believe the guy is a genuinely good guy that apparently is super tight with Bradford. anyone that is smitten with Sam and wants the team to resign him should worry that he will even want to resign, as he may have issues wi how Demarco has been poorly used and perhaps feels his friend betrayed.
-I still have issues with giving up a young QB with talent with a low price tag, a 2d rounder, and 4th rder for an unproven guy that is making way too much money and only has one year left on his contract. Because of how badly chip constructed the offense around him, we are still not sure if we should back the Brinks truck up for bradford, but we may be forced to. I maintain that with Foles at QB, maclin back this year, and Mathews at RB and a properly utilized sproles, we are a walk off NFC east division winner.
Finally, the utter disregard for the offensive line, aside from deconstruction, is egregious. We have a rapidly decrepit Peters, which was easy to predict, a tiny center that struggles at the point of attack–and always has—but was bolstered by two solid guards. The fact that Herremens was completely done is only further evidence of Kellys inability or lack of desire to renew and bolster our o line.
I guess my issue with this argument is that a move making sense is an incredibly low bar to hold a GM to. A GM who makes moves thay don’t make arguable sense at the time should be fired immediatley. A GMs job is to also successfully hit on certain moves, particularly if they make several high risk moves. You can absolutely make the argument that signing the lead ing rusher from last year was a valuable move, but given how things went, clearly they overvalued Murray, and with the contract they gave him, it will hurt them next year as well. That is one example, and I would argue there are several others, but my point is that GMs job does invlove forcasting the future of the moves they make. Simply saying that there is logic at the time is insufficient for me.
Good logic and you bring up an obvious point that I have overlooked. Too often I have heard the Chip apologists say that we can’t fault him because he took a chance and gambled big to be a contender. Ok, show me a GM that is not working to become a contender. If Roseman had made some of these bone head moves he would have been pilloried, mostly because he was not a native football guy. Chip, on the other hand, is an offensive genius that had the balls to gamble and we should laud his moxy.
Robert E. Lee was a military genius and had balls too, at Gettysburg.
And for his strategic acumen and success, some gold Ole boys named a car after him. Yet he still lost the war.
The thing is that most of the moves were good forecasting.
Sam is better than Nick, even if he isn’t the guy and we don’t agree on compensation. Todd father and Trent were done. Mathis is really old and would of put the line in flux even worse when he was injured. Shady, at the time, I felt was a year too soon. Going off of his year, that is debatable.
Murray can still work here. On the plus side he was been pretty healthy. If he gets a real off season with the team he can learn to run from the gun. Will it work? Who knows, but at least we know he hasn’t broken down yet. Bills can’t say the same for Shady.
Not finding line help and letting Maclin slip away appear to be the biggest issues. They are not small faults, but they can be over come.
I still think Max is a signing the team had to make. He is still 10x better than what we had last year. Thurmond was an amazing find. The draft was really really good. Ryan Mathews was a terrific sign.
Was he perfect? Nah, but overall he made he team a better unit. They are closer to a Super Bowl now than they were at this time last year.
As poor as they did last week, this team would crush the team we had 365 days ago.
We will have to agree to disagree.
Sam is better than Foles: This is true, but not a second round pick better plus the major difference in cost. On top of that, the difference in quality of Bradford vs Foles is meaningless if neither QB is good enough to lead he team on a playoff run. Bradford was certainly hurt this season by players around him, but I see Bradford as a mediocre QB at best so while Foles is worse, I would rather have that plus the second round pick.
Todd was getting to old, so that move made sense, but then you have to recognize the hole that it creates and spend resources to help the oline.
Letting Trent go didn’t really bug me because he was getting older as well and we had a replacement to use in Graham although Graham hasn’t really been the guy we hoped he would be.
Mathis is old, that’s for sure but he was a quality player on the Eagles line. Yes, he didn’t play as well this season, but that doesn’t guarantee he would have played poorly here. Just look back at Mathis’ career prior to coming to the Eagles. On top of that, again, you have to have a replacement.
Shady for Kiko… no way you can say that is a win for us. Kiko has been useless. Shady maybe on the decline, but I would absolutely take him over Kiko.
Murray has been absolutely awful and is being paid a huge salary. Sure, things may turn around next season, but having been so bad this season, it’s hard to imagine. The fact that he has been healthy adds to the concern. You can’t even blame “health” as a reason for the poor production.
Maxwell is clearly overpaid. I never understood the argument that it was ok to overpay him because we had issues at CB but not ok to overpay Maclin. If you are going to overpay anyone, it should be the guy that you know can produce in your system rather than the FA. Sure he is better than what we had, but that doesn’t make overpaying the right move. It is simply an excuse. And as for Maclin, I should point out to be clear, we always had the opportunity to franchise tag Maclin last season, something many on here wanted/expected, so yes, we DID let him walk.
Thurmond and Ryan Mathews were the two things that worked out well. Both the types of low risk high reward signings you want in an offseason.
As for the draft… let’s be honest and point out that Agholor has had a bad rookie season. No, it doesn’t mean he is a bust and he certainly can have a great career still, but he has not played well. Rowe has been up and down. I think he has shown a lot of promise, but certainly not a guy I am calling a stud just yet. Jordan Hicks had an incredible start to his career, but injury concerns are what hurt him in the draft and hurt him this year. So we will see if that is something that plagues his career. As a whole, I would hardly call this draft a “really good” one.
To me, Chip has missed far more than he has hit. He has also made huge risks with questionable upside. Clearly you disagree and we will probably have to agree to disagree, but I simply don’t see it the way you do.
I suppose we will, have to. Don’t forget Gardner filled the void at RG. We don’t know how well that would of worked out, but he looked good until he was injured. Don’t forget they locked him up for multiple years just before the season started.
I just feel like all of those spots including QB would of been major issues this season had no changes been made. He ripped the band aide off. I am fine with that I guess.
I agree now (and then) that I would of loved to over pay for Maclin. The only problem there is that doing contracts like that get you into major trouble down the road (see the Ravens). I guess if you win a Super Bowl in the process that is great, but I don’t think Maclin is the missing link. I think by the time the rest of the team is ready this wr group will be just as suitable without him.
My real contention with you is the draft class. If you can pull 3 starters from a draft (1 of the 6th round guys is going to start too, so 4), that is a pretty damn good class. We can disagree about the actual value of each of the top 3, but it is safe to say they are starters.
Our personnel moves on offense have been pretty terrible. DeMarco was a terrible signing that really messes up our cap next year and will still have significant dead space once we cut him after 2016. Not ponying up the extra mil for Maclin/not making him a priority to sign BEFORE free agency, was a big mistake. Signing Miles Austin was a mistake. I’m sorry I know people are tired of hearing it but releasing DeSean was a mistake. Releasing Mathis was a mistake. Not adding any significant new blood to the Oline was a mistake. Riley Coopers contract was a mistake. Trading McCoy was a mistake. The only move that I can see the potential for a huge payoff with is Foles and a 2nd for Bradford. But, a second round pick still seems too steep, and not having a renegotiated deal in place prior to the trade (having the trade contingent on that, in fact) was a huge blunder.
Chips not off to a good start as a GM.
But Thurmond & Mathews (short term deals) seem to have turned out fine. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
[…] Under Pressure – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles season really boils down to one game. If they don’t win Saturday night, it’s over. I’m curious to see how the team responds to this situation. A few weeks back the Eagles were 4-7 and at rock bottom. They had to go on the road to face Tom Brady and the 10-1 Patriots, who were coming off a loss. Every stat and trend told you the Eagles had virtually no chance in that game. And yet, with less than 8 minutes to go, the Eagles led 35-14. The Pats made it close, but the guys in green still won the game. Does that mean the team will respond the same way this week and win? […]
Merry Christmas everyone.
Right back at ya and to all in the iggles community! It’s almost like two Christmases back to back. Our playoffs start tomorrow!
Yup merry christmas everybody..hopefully we get a nice late gift tommorow evening
I’ve been down on Chip and calling for his head all year. That does not mean I want losses. Au contraire. I want wins, wins, and more wins. I want Chip to prove me wrong.
Beat the snot out of the Washington Snyders. Lets go do something unexpected in the playoffs and ruin someone else year. Spread the misery! Tis the season.
Spread the Misery !!love it .. Mele Kalikimaka
[…] Under Pressure – Iggles BlitzThe Eagles season really boils down to one game. If they don’t win Saturday night, it’s over. I’m curious to see how the team responds to this situation. A few weeks back the Eagles were 4-7 and at rock bottom. They had to go on the road to face Tom Brady and the 10-1 Patriots, who were coming off a loss. Every stat and trend told you the Eagles had virtually no chance in that game. And yet, with less than 8 minutes to go, the Eagles led 35-14. The Pats made it close, but the guys in green still won the game. Does that mean the team will respond the same way this week and win? […]
Merry Christmas, friends.
Guys I need some advice. I am in my championship this week for my work league (major shit talking rights lol).
J. Hill (@DEN)
B. Cooks (Maybe no Brees, vs JAX)
K. Aiken (vs PITT w/ Jimmy Clausen?)
R. Cobb (@ ARI, but no Tyrann Mathieu)
T. Lockett (vs. STL)
B. Powell (vs. NE, shootout?)
L. Miller (vs IND, but do i trust his weird ass workload?)
I think I’m sold on starting Christine Michael.
Halle Berry, katy Perry, Matthew McConaghey’s wife & last year’s Miss Amsterdam!!
T-law:
A year’s full of thanks for all you give here. The real spirit of Christmas.
Right that, Tommy. You deserve top spot on Santa’s list.
Frohe Weihnachten, Eagles Freunde.
Just showed meine Frau this. We spent almost 4 years in bavaria. I got her a couple of the German Windmills this Christmas. One from Käthe Wohlfahrt. We hope to make it back before we retire.
Danke! Frohe Weihnachten
Many thanks Tommy for the community you have created and your insightful writing.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
OD:
Best the season has to offer. Always in our thoughts here.
Thanks AC. Been a struggle but in the words of a character in Little Big Man – ” I will endeavor to persevere…..”
Lots of us appreciate your presence here, OD. Hope knowing this makes the struggle a bit easier.
May brighter days be ahead.
OD Merry Christmas buddy.
…
You haven’t been around in a while and I would love your opinion on how Chip handles the kind of adversity he is currently facing. Is he the type top leave the team hanging dry on something he built or would he see this through regardless of failure or success?
Been pretty ill lately but your question deserves an answer. Chip is not a quitter. He will see this through until fans tar and feather him and ride him out of town – which could come after the Skins game.
Never seen a team quit on him before but we have seen it a few times this year. I share with many here concerns about his play calling, lack of scheme innovation, and failure to pull under performing players – never seen this either. My guess is the talent pool is so shallow, we don’t have substitutes that are better alternatives. Still, I am concerned about where this is headed – we’ll know for sure after this game. (I personally feel Cox and Bradford could pull a miracle. They can raise everybody’s game.)
I am sorry to hear about your illness friend, I wish you nothing but the best and get better quickly pal.
…
I honestly never seen Chip is the quitting type either but being that you know more about Chip then most, I wanted your expertise. I feel the same way in regards to everything you said. I appreciate the quick response and once again get better asap, your commenting is always very welcome and appreciated.
Hang in there! Good to see you.
Those teams that made runs had better QBs than we do Tommy. I have little faith of converting on third down with Sam at QB let alone him carrying a team through a playoff game. No reason on earth to get a worse draft pick just so we can get killed by Seattle.
I think Sam can.. im mo worriedd bout O line & recievers
What a losers mentality you have. I don’t think it’s in Chip’s DNA to tank games and I’m happy about that. What kind of fans really cheer for a team to tank for a better pick when their isn’t a Andrew Luck in this draft?
What a morons mentality you have. The eagles suck. Chip is an awful coach. He will never win a playoff game in his pro career. I don’t need to wish for losses because I know the redskins beat the eagles tomorrow because the eagles suck.
Haha a morons mentality coming from the person that only posts moronic, stupid comments on here. Don’t talk nonsense when you’re clearly an idiot. I’m sure you were one of the fake fans cheering Chip and this team the previous 2 years just to only put the coach (That for one won 10 games with a roster that went 4-12) down for having a bad year. Yes it’s clear the Eagles aren’t a good team this year captain obvious. Chip will never win a playoff game? Wow so you’re also a psychic at that? Lol I love talking to stupid people like you who comment and actually believe that what they post is correct. Man you’re such a genius, why don’t you have a position as an NFL gm? Sit back in your high chair and shut up little boy because your trolling skills aren’t up to par yet. When you’re really ready to make sense and talk come back and find me.
he called you a moron, douche, funny stuff right there
Right I am an idiot. I guess I should give back my chemical engineering degree because I’m not smart like you. I don’t need to be a psychic to see that chips tempo approach destroys his own defense over the course of a season. Now what happens at the end of the season? Oh right the playoffs. How many teams with broken down defenses win in the playoffs? None of them? Isn’t the common adage that defenses win championships? Well chip kelly destroys his own defense through out the season anyone who isn’t a complete moron can see that. So based on the evidence presented saying he won;t win a playoff game is just the correct assumption.
And what was my last moronic post? Was it the one where I hated the Nelson Agholor selection? You know the rookie wide receiver pff has as one of the worst players in the NFL. What a moron I was to question how bad a bad player was going to be before he put an nfl uniform on.
bah humbug
That’s what I say when the putrid and watered down NBA is the only sporting event on TV all day.
GAME DAY!
I’m sure Tommy will have a new post up soon, but I needed to get on here and comment prior to hiking, napping, Penn State, Star Wars (again), and the game tonight.
We 100% need to be on here talking about a victory tonight. I don’t care how they win, but winning this game is a must. This game is a test of fortitude, desire, attentiveness to one’s job.
I’m with ya brother, I’ll take a win anyway it comes.
Whoops; Penn State ain’t today.
Over / under on times Trent Williams clearly holds Graham and doesn’t get called for it is 3.5.
Bonus points for guessing the specific the number of times he clearly neckties Graham with a fully extended arm, but the ref pretends not to see it.
I’ll take the under, but by just a bit. I see Williams definitely neck tying Graham twice and completely tackle him once. The real question MM should be ,”How many times will the refs actually call a hold? “
They need to call more. Williams gets away with more holding than any player since Chris Samuels. I thing we’re going on 15+ years with Washington’s LTs holding Hugh Douglas, Trent Cole, and Brandon Graham multiple times every game without getting the calls from the ref.
I completely agree Mike, it’s very frustrating watching those games and seeing the holds that don’t get called.
The refs don’t even know their own rule book.
http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/15_Rule12_Player_Conduct.pdf
“An offensive player cannot obstruct or impede an opponent by grasping him with his hands or
encircling any part of a defender’s body with his arms, except in the following situations:”
Yet Williams and Samuels continually put their arms out looped around the neck of Douglas, Cole, and Graham.
“If a blocker’s arms or
hands are outside an opponent’s frame, it is a foul if the blocker materially restricts him.”
Again, the clothesline blocking done by Washington LTs is completely and totally illegal.
score prediction: 38-17, Washington, and me sobbing in the corner.
That had better result in firings of several assistant coaches and cuts of several players as part of Kelly’s presser after the game.
Hopefully we fire Billy Davis, regardless of how this season pans out.
Cousins’ downfield accuracy has improved dramatically since Jackson returned to the lineup, and he is 9-of-14 on throws targeting Jackson more than 20 yards downfield. He is 8-of-37 to everyone else.
it’ll be ironic if this jackson led team makes the playoffs.
It won’t be that bad considering that we got top compensation for Jackson when we traded him…………………
Eagles either win today or it is the beginning of the end of Kelly’s tenure here.
i’m in redskins country and it suuuuucks. fans strutting around all hard like their team doesn’t suck. we better win this i don’t care if we suck in the playoffs i can’t deal with smug redskins fans for the next zillion weeks.