Gotta Earn It
Posted: November 30th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 191 Comments »A Dallas loss or an Eagles win and the Eagles will be NFC East champs. The Skins had a chance to give the Eagles a nice gift by beating Dallas on Thursday Night Football, but the Skins proved to be just as gutless as we all feared.
No title tonight.
That’s probably a good thing, as crazy as that sounds. It would be hard to believe the Eagles would keep their edge for Sunday if they had the title wrapped up tonight. And that’s not a team you want to play without complete focus.
Seattle is already upset that they are underdogs. LB K.J. Wright shared his thoughts.
“Don’t sleep on us, man,” Wright said. “This team is really good. We’re still talented. We can be the best of the best. We are the best of the best, so just because we have injuries don’t mean that things will change. We’re going to be good out there.”
Seattle is at their best when they have a chip on their shoulder and it sounds like that’s the case.
The Eagles will need to have an edge of their own and playing for the NFC East title certainly helps. There won’t be any complacency. That doesn’t guarantee a win, but I think the team will have a better mindset with the Dallas win on TNF.
There’s also the fact that it would feel better to win the title rather than having someone else lose and get eliminated.
Sunday is going to be a tough, interesting game. I’m looking forward to seeing how the Eagles handle that situation.
*****
We all knew Russell Wilson was the key to the Seahawks, but this is insane.
Russell Wilson has accounted for 96.3% of Seattle's TDs this season (highest % by any player in Super Bowl era). Only 1 offensive TD has been scored by Seahawks this season that did not involve Wilson (Week 4: 30-yard rush by J.D. McKissic)
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) November 30, 2017
Wilson has 3 of their 4 rushing TDs and all 23 passing TDs.
Jim Schwartz needs to have a great gameplan and the players need to play at a high level.
*****
The Eagles are the sixth team since the 1970 merger to score 350+ points and allow fewer than 200 points over the first 11 games of a season. Each of the previous 5 teams to do so went to the Super Bowl (2007 Patriots, 1999 Rams, 1998 Broncos, 1991 Redskins, 1984 Dolphins).
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 30, 2017
3 of those 5 teams won the Super Bowl.
Miami and NE are the exceptions. Neither of them run the ball as well as the Eagles.
When you see nuggets like this, it can be tough to keep from immediately dreaming about the Super Bowl. There are six five games left and all the playoffs. Anything can happen. Enjoy this team and every step of the journey.
You can’t count on having a magical season like this next year or in the near future. Make sure you enjoy it. Live in the moment.
And mix in a few thoughts about winning it all. There’s not just hope this year. There is real potential.
_
God, I can’t wait for Sunday.
My kind of prayer.
Road game, I know. Russ Wilson, I know. But here’s what I also know.
Our offensive line has faced some tough defenses already. And they are having an outstanding year. I expect them to have their way for the most part. If they do, the Eagles have success and score something near their average output – I’m predicting 27 points.
Carson will be going against a weakened secondary featuring Byron Maxwell. I think he can find Agholor and Ertz, Alshon, Torrey and Mack without difficulty. And nobody is going to stop Blount, Ajayi and Clement for long.
Seahawks running backs have not been much of a factor. And Seahawks receivers will be facing lock down CB Ron Darby, along with our battle tested guys, Robinson and Mills.
TE Jimmy Graham will be facing either Malcolm Jenkins or a CB, possibly Rasul Douglas. This group has been shutting TE’s out of the offense all year.
Russell Wilson is the key. We’ll be chasing him all day. I think he’s good for 17 points against the Eagles. But that’s it.
It’s a big challenge that requires discipline and focus. But I think the Eagles will be up for it and continue to roll by 10 points. Eagles win 27-17.
Go Birds!
Yeah. I feel pretty confident about this game. What people are failing to mention is the Seahawks K situation. They can’t hit the long FG. That is big with going up against a D like ours.
I do think this may be the game we lean more toward Ajayi. The speed of the Seahawks defense could cause problems for Blount who seems to have trouble getting through the LOS at times.
I’d still prefer to leave Blount on the sidelines until the second half of most games. He’a Most effective when defenses are tired
Eagles 31-17.
We have a lot of red zone options.Let’s eat Eagles!!
As far as focus goes for this game…………….
– They still need to finish 15-1 as long as the Vikings only have 2 losses
– Pederson has successfully navigated this team through a ton of potential traps
– This is a triple revenge game vs. Seattle, everybody has to be tired of losing to that team
The Vikings are the motivation right now. Even if (when) they lose, though, we will play for 15-1 until the Cowboys game. The second half of that game we may let off the gas a bit.
I have the Vikings down for a loss this Sunday and win next Sunday.
I’m still pissed about the arrogant gadget play last year where Doug Baldwin threw a touchdown pass to Russell Wilson.
It almost seemed wasteful for them to use it vs. us.
I hope they try it again this year so it can conclude with a Mill’s finger wag.
I imagine the Eagles also want to deliver a message they can kick the crap out of anyone, anywhere.
They’ve been playing that way.
“It would be hard to believe the Eagles would keep their edge for Sunday if they had the title wrapped up tonight.”
I disagree here. I cannot imagine winning the division is the goal motivating the team anymore. This group is working for home field advantage throughout.
Since I have no direct control over what happens on the field Sunday (beyond drinking the right beer and sitting in the correct position and I will see both are done) I don’t think my arrogance is a threat to the product on the field.
With that disclaimer, I am not worried about Seattle. On defense, we work to shut down the run and make a team one-dimensional, we neutralize the OL with waves of talented depth, then we destroy them. Steps 1 and 2 are already done.
On offense, we punish them in the run game and dismantle them with the pass. Both will work Sunday and there is no chance Wilson can push the boulder up the mountain single-handedly.
As our Germanic prognosticator often says, thank me later.
You don’t have to worry because me and my buddies have the control. Pete sits on the left part of the couch, I’m in the middle. Steve’s in the chair, Howard is to the right. Lucky beer at kickoff, meal at halftime, ice cream at the end of the 3rdq. And, if things aren’t going well, it’s down on the floor for pushups.
Don’t listen to that other guy, it’s me you should be thanking.
I really dislike all this talk about the Superbowl. How about we win a play off game for the first time in a decade?
Because this team is really only 2 years old. The Wentz and Pederson pairing, the Jim Schwartz defense are no responsible for previous failures. This team is playing at an elite level and gives us all reason for optimism. Will it end in a super bowl? Who knows. Tommy is saying enjoy the ride, but it’s ok to think about how far this team can go.
A also dislike people talking about us finally winning a Super Bowl.
A Super Bowl? Singular? What the hell is that all about?
Exactly! Why stop at one? Some people, I tell ya.
Why not both
I think it’s perfectly reasonable, in fact necessary, to discuss attainable goals. If this team were rolling into the playoffs at 9-7 on the backs of a weak NFC East Super Bowl chatter would just be jibber jabber. The interesting discussion would be about knocking off a team and what the roster needs to take next steps. At this point, the is showing SB is a reasonable expectation.
I for one am pissed that it is already December and this team has not won a single playoff game this year.
It’s time to fire that incompetent Doug Pederson.
If he would stop going for it on fourth down so much, they definitely would have won a playoff game and maybe even one or more Super Bowls already this season. He’s got to go!
Thank you. This team has not won shinola yet…no division titles, no HFA, no playoff games, no championship games and no SB. Nothing is gauranteed and hopefully their inexperience does not cost them at some point.
Why can’t we do both? Its all about chasing the ring. Every season. Why not us?
I just think you are setting yourself up for major disappointment when you place the cart before the horse…of course we are Eagles fans..
How is this never been discussed? Sheil killing it this week with how a silent count actually works, now this.
“When the quarterback leaves the pocket, the defensive backs cannot be called for illegal contact. And Pete Carroll teaches Seattle’s corners and safeties to take advantage of the rule. When the quarterback is out of the pocket, the Seahawks are taught to “eliminate” opposing wide receivers.”
https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/11/8/13560260/richard-sherman-bills-illegal-contact-walter-powell
http://www.footballzebras.com/2016/11/08/shermans-hit-at-the-end-of-the-game-is-legal/
The problem with that is that once the ball is in the air, they have to let go and the can still be called for holding
So don’t hold. The fact that you can knock a receiver on their ass, or at least off their pattern, is the whole point.
Pretty crazy to think but if Big V continues to progress then in the 2016 draft we acquired starters at arguably the 3 most premier positions within the sport. Impressive.
Hopefully Seumalo can develop into a starting center. I haven’t given up on him yet
Give up. He’s no Agholor or Big V.
Agree. I don’t think he will never get to Kelce’s status as far as run blocking in the 2nd level, but he will be better at the point of attack.
I’d argue he’s a top 35 tackle.
At this point and time, or he will progress to that point?
I think he is there right now, and with a full offseason plus the rest of this season I think he can become a top 20 T. He has the potential to truly excel as a pass blocker, and the tools to become an above average Run blocker.
I do think he is our starting T of the future whether that is right or left T. Fortunately if it is L then LJ should not be upset because he is already making LT $.
Right now. I think he’s better than 7 LT’s and I’d only take 8 RT’s over him. I say 35 in case I overlooked a guy or two.
With his struggles recently do you think he may be better served at RT next year?
I think he’s had some rough games against some good pass rushers. I think the bigger question is does ignorance is bliss help carson vs seeing the pressure and making him skittish.
Need suggestions on coming up with an appropriate name for our Defense:
Gang Green 2.0
Green Stuffers
Gang Green is already taken IMO, that defense will live in our history forever
Green Machine
Green Menace
The Big Green
Cox Crushers
Broad Street Brothers is my thought. But that is more the team than just the defense.
Bowling Green
100% disagree with this:
You can’t count on having a magical season like this next year or in the near future.
While nothing is guaranteed(including this year)…I fully expect the Eagles to be even better next year(offense and defense). Expect Wentz to continue to grow(he hasn’t reached full potential yet). Is this year ‘magical or is it talent + good coaching? If this year is magical – imagine what the future can bring….Great time to be an Eagles fan…here’s to winning the division on the road in front of a national audience.
Well, we are playing the Hawks this week and they are a good example: Elite D (maybe in the top 10 Ever) and Awesome QB and their window already looks like it’s closing after two SB trip and only one sucess.
I don’t see it as closing. Every year they are competing. Who knows what happens next year. We can only hope to mirror their success(as much as I hate — HATE — Pete C.)
oh after Sunday it will!
We have not been especially lucky this season. We’ve lost our best offensive lineman, best running back, best linebacker, and best special teamer for the season, we’ve lost our kicker, and our top cornerback has only played in 3 games so far.
You’re correct we’re not going to start 10-1 every year (playing a first place schedule alone ensures that) but as long as Carson is healthy and playing at this level the floor is 10-6 or 11-5. That’s how much having a top quarterback matters.
Agreed….hoping it’s the beginning of continued success year after year…
1) no guarantee we will be better. As fans we expect all plus to improve or at least keep their same level of play. That is not the way it works. We have limited draft capital and are very tight against the cap. We will lose players without ideal ways to replace them. I expect us to take a step back next year. I’m not saying a huge step, but a step.
2) The chemistry this team has is special. Everyone who watches them can see it. It feels different. Sucess can change this chemistry. Losing people or adding new players can affect it. Losing coaches can have a huge impact.
I think we are set to have a nice window here of sustained success. This season may very well end up being the pinnacle of that sucess. We are 10-1 with a stud young QB, a coach who can’t make mistakes, and a team that loves playing with and for each other. I don’t see that as an every year occurrence.
Dallas and Falcons fans thought they would be better this year too.
You never know. I thought 2005 would be even better than 2004 — it wasn’t.
Most of what we are doing should be repeatable — especially simply having Wentz. There is no way I would expect a massive falloff. But being on track for home field advantage does not happen every year, even to the best teams.
Lots of things have gone right this year — the veterans we signed off the scrap heap have just about all performed well. That doesn’t happen every year; there will be some turnover, and maybe the guy who wasn’t great on the field was a big reason for harmony in the clubhouse, etc. Injuries can wreck anything.
I think we’ll be very good for a long time. 10-1 though? That won’t happen every year.
https://youtu.be/hTP2HZZeGPU
Great wrap. “Live in the moment” is sage advice, and it just so happens to parrot #11. When asked how the Eagles stay focused and overcome adversity, Wentz fed that very line to a reporter on the field after toying with their most recent opponents.
Who cares about Washington and Dallas? To paraphrase a line from “Game of Thrones”, the Eagle does not concern himself with the doings of mice.
The Birds will win this division. Securing a first round bye and HFA should be the goal now. That starts with beating the Seahawks on Sunday. Get it done.
Dallas’ misfortunes are my second favorite thing to the Eagles success. It helps that there’s a big NFC East rivalry in my group of friends. It gets personal sometimes.
Oh I agree Dallas schadenfreude is fun, but annoying Dallas fans by treating their team as too insignificant to be worthy of rooting against is also fun. 🙂
And Giants pooch-screw of a season is my third favorite thing. Chim-chimeree chim-chim-chiree.
It made more sense to obsess about them when we all looked to be around a similar level, I agree.
Seriously. I can’t remember seeing this much whining from Eagles fans about what other fans are saying about our team. Who. Cares.
I’m over the Washteam flopping last night. That was a pitiful performance really, just bad all over.
I will say this though, I have never seen a team so ravaged by injuries on the offensive line. You know it’s bad when one of your starting tackles, who is already playing on two hurt ankles and a hurt knee, gets carted off. Morgan Moses has been injured 4 times in the same season.
At that point it was a lost cause, the Washteam OL couldn’t block anything and Cousins was running for his life.
Dak’s 100 yards passing on 22 attempts was crap, but he got bolstered by a couple TD passes.
Unfortunately they get to play the completely directionless Giants next week, and the almost as hideous Raiders the week after that. A real stroke of luck for them.
You think Washington’s injuries on the offensive line are bad, but what about Dallas? They had to play two whole games missing one of their starting offensive linemen, and I was led to believe that no team has ever suffered a worse injury situation. In fact, I seem to remember Chris Collingsworth talking about how “courageous” it was for Dak Prescott to even play behind the line that was so ravaged by injury that a single starter was missing.
Don’t forget he did it all without Lee. They said it couldn’t be done. U don’t know him. He is that man!
Dak is back!lol!
Hype train back on! Dak is back! Will be funny to see an over weight party mode belly shirt Zeke plodding in meaningless game against our back ups.
I’m in the “Raiyne/Rayne/Rain/Raineyene, please keeping leading Jerry Jones to believe that you are the next great Dallas QB and sign a $30 mil/yr contract to Andy-Daulton the Cowboys franchise” camp.
I want him to provide just enough hope that Cowboys fans keep believing.
“You know it’s bad when one of your starting tackles, who is already playing on two hurt ankles and a hurt knee, gets carted off. Morgan Moses has been injured 4 times in the same season.
Is it cynical to suspect that Gruden and team doctor are complicit? If he was already injured, and you’re starting him, how much sympathy do you require to feel good abut your decision? Folks often gird themselves for failure by making it more than likely.
After the last handful of seasons being extremely stressful (because of the teams struggles) I thought a winning season would be FAR less stressful. But in a way this season, I am WAY more stressed and not enjoying the season as much…..SOLELY I think because of the success and the serious possibility of what this team can achieve. I’ve been dreaming about it for so long so now that its possibly here its kind of ridonk. Anyway, like TLaw said, lets try to enjoy every game cause who knows when a season like this will happen again!! 😉
My wife commented recently that she likes it better when the Eagles are out of contention because then I am much less invested and the anticipation doesn’t start as early.
Opposite effect at my place. Eagles are winning, everyone is happy, the grass looks greener, the sky looks greener, everything is green…
Winning solves all problems.
Not me… to me it feels like sitting on top of a bulldozer rolling down the beach, watching the people on their towels get up and flee in panic, and crunching over kids’ sandcastles. Never felt this way about any Eagles team, for sure.
There’s nothing like crunching over kids’ sandcastles… Especially when they are still building them.
I feel you. I am enjoying every Eagles win. But, like Dougie P said himself, the Eagles have won the NFCE many, many times. If we win the NFCE, and that’s it, all the winning will be for nothing.
And there’s the problem. As noted, I’m enjoying each Eagles win, but we haven’t won the big one. The one we want. The one we need.
So I’m enjoying the wins, the domination. But a voice in the back of my head keeps saying: but they don’t mean anything if…
So, like I said, I feel you. I’m not necessarily stressed but I am in this weird space where I want to enjoy the shit out of 10-1 but because of, ya know, I can’t fully enjoy it, yet.
One thing I keep coming back to is that my expectation/goal for the team was a playoff appearance and win. Will I be satisfied if they achieve that this year? Eh… that’s the problem!
Reuben with the scoop:
https://twitter.com/RoobNBCS/status/936633692008734720
Shit, not Harold Jones-Quartey.
Toth sounds more like a practice player than developmental player. I don’t think the Eagles have any power run centers on the team, so he helps them against that look.
Yeah, but for the future…
He is similar to Orlosky though so it’s an interesting trend.
Good point. Do you think it’s a shift in philosophy or just going after the best player available?
Both of these guys were rated fairly well.
Which one of you wrote this to Bill Simmons?
“I can’t believe people are falling for the same Tony Romo trap all over again. Of course he’s been a good TV announcer during the regular season. Just wait until the playoffs—he’s going to buckle under the pressure once again! What’s the broadcasting equivalent of a dropped extra point? Be ready, Phil Simms! Let’s all take a deep breath and remember what playoff Romo is like. And, yes, I am totally expecting a “how dare you” response.”
made my day
That’s hilarious. Romo is a good announcer, he’s smart and articulate, but the nasal tone of his voice is grating.
Just wait til the playoffs… and he has a cold.
Aw you got me. Haha. That was me. ;-]
The Two-Week Showdown-
The Eagles and the Vikes are having a two-week road game showdown. This could separate the conference standings more or bring them to a tie and a collision point.
Eagles next 2 games – @Seattle and @ LA Rams
Vikings next 2 games – @Atlanta and @Carolina
Will the Eagles win two straight conference road games? Will the Vikings?
The Vikings trail us by 1 in the win column. Their extra loss was a conference game, so they have 1 conference loss and the Birds have none.
Tiebreaker in play is Strength of Schedule according to Kempski today, and the Vikes seem to have the advantage if the two teams have the same win loss with the same conference record.
Go Eagles!
I’d love to see us win both, but…….
Vikings lose @ Atlanta and win @ Carolina.
Just saw this on my local news station: http://www.wect.com/story/36972468/nc-man-suing-nfl-player-claims-he-seduced-his-wife-and-ruined-his-marriage
Fletcher Cox, hope the league doesn’t discipline him for this, if they do he better Zeke out to finish the season and post-season
This was already out there, there’s a 0% chance the NFL cares at all about this.
had a feeling, just odd to see anything Eagles-related when checking out my local news
don’t put anything past that dope Goodell
I wonder what % of NFL players play around.
I would guess very very very high, based on some books I’ve read.
I read some pieces on the groupie scene around the NBA and it’s nuts. Apparently, there are numerous women whose career goal is to get pregnant by an NBA player.
Oh yeah, man. NBA? Big money. Long careers.
I’d guess it’s not significantly higher than the national average for the age range. Increased odds for travel are mitigated by intensity of workload and regimented schedule.
Don’t forget to factor in that they are much more desirable partners than the average male. Genetic lottery winners and all that.
Not sure if desirability plays much of a factor in it. Maybe some. Statistically speaking a person who is going to have multiple partners is going to do it regardless.
I’m going from memory here. This is stuff I’ve picked up in psych and sexuality lectures/studies.
Really, because I’ve been at bars with pro athletes and they were having more luck than me. 😉
Agreed. Seen that happen a lot.
Would you attribute it to “the famous athlete factor”
or “the known rich guy factor?”
Were you married and looking to play around? If so, did you find someone else to bang? Those are the factors that play into the stats.
Single dudes aren’t relevant to the equation.
I think I lost the train of this conversation! Yes, I was single and the married NBA players were scoring way more than me!
The question was about marital fidelity, not who gets more action.
The statistics on marital infidelity show that it’s pretty even across economic and social levels. Basically, if a married person wants to play around they will.
You have no bearing on the statistics if you were single.
You would if you were married, looking to score, were not able to and never did.
The studies show that a person’s wealth/social status have no bearing on marital fidelity. That’s the point I’ve been trying to make. To say athletes are unfaithful in marriage more than the rest of the population simply isn’t true.
If I was young, rich, good looking, athletic, famous, and sought after, it would be a challenge to stay the course.
If he’s not married, he’s not “playing around”. He’s just living life.
I kind of hope that marital infidelity leads to league sanctions because Jerruy F Dallas Jones would be fined all of the draft picks.
I don’t think they’ll care.
Damn that’s kind of a dick move by Cox. He said he wanted to get her pregnant
maybe he was actually into her? Being a rich baby-daddy paying child support for then next 18 years just doesn’t seem like a sexy idea. All’s fair in love in war as they say, wouldn’t tell that to a heartbroken Marine though. You do NOT want to see the intersection of that venn diagram once you’ve declared all is fair.
“Would ya have my Baby?”
That’s some serious sexy talk!
Dick move by Cox. Heh.
From where did you erect that joke?
Your evidence for that claim is the aggrieved party who made a point to get it out in the ether…probably because he wants a payday. I don’t think it is proven by any stretch.
Was talking about the text messages
We’re talking about a photograph.
A Cox photo? That is what took down Favre, isn’t it?
It’s unclear whether Cox even knew she was married.
It’s unclear whether he knew but they were making future plans anyway.
He could be in love, Bro. Can you sue a man for that?
Not sure it would constitute anything league wise. Def kinda takes him down in my book. Who knows the really story though. She went to Philly and found a man…so hard to judge too quickly.
That’s the thing, in North Carolina, adultery is a misdemeanor, and it’s one of the few ridiculous states where there are laws in place and pretty solid legal grounds to sue a 3rd party for ruining your marriage. That being said, it sounds like the adultery occurred in Philly? Though the Eagles did come to NC this year so if anything can be proven, Fletch is just going to have to pay up. It’s practically petty cash to him, he should probably just go ahead and settle.
These suits are weird and never used. It is almost like stating someone interfered with your property or interfered with your constract.
Wife had free will and chose someone else. Suing that someoneelse is antiquated.
Most likely he thinks he’ll get hush money, and obviously is pissed.
It’s a civil suit. Guy had some dates or something. Guessing the league would want to “wait and see” about a matter like that. It’s not a criminal case. And it’s not a proven thing yet.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article187415163.html
Tobin thinks they can run on us. That’s adorable.
Hey Tobin, shut your turnstile mouth………and while I’m at it……….
https://twitter.com/sethjoyner/status/936694790745235456
Joyner’s tweet is murderous.
Joyner owns people on twitter!
Seth Joyner has killed someone in his life and not regretted it, I’m convinced.
Yeah he’s like the toughest dude ever.
Maybe it’s between him and Clint Eastwood.
dayuuumm
Yeah, Seth isn’t playing.
Kelly is pretty tough, too.
https://twitter.com/football_kelly/status/936684066635739142
I’m a huge fan of hers.
Seahawks stadium is known for their noise — they have set the Guiness record for it in the past.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10071653/seattle-seahawks-fans-set-stadium-noise-record
I think Kansas City broke the record back the next year, and still have it. But Tobin is quite believable there.
It is the architecture with the impact, not the fans.
Well, sure. But the loudness is how the players would measure it.
The loudness difference is generated by the stadium shape however, not any difference in the fans. Tobin used some extremely douchey phrasing, as Kelly (see ATG’s link) pointed out.
Wilson leads the team in rushing. Also Tobin is loved by sith lord D3FB a.k.a Belichick, makes sense that he’s a little crazy.
Who did it better?
https://twitter.com/eaglescheer/status/936605773211295744
Who looked better doing it?
The criteria are open ended.
T H A N K YOOOOOOOOO FOR THIS
They own this
That’s the BOSS
Underrated thing: Pittsburgh beating GB on a last-second field goal last Sunday. The word is that Rodgers is not far from returning, and will be activated as soon as he is eligible. If the Packers had been able to steal a win at Heinz Field, I think concern would have been warranted.
And put an additional loss on scumbag Carolina.
Yes, sir If Russell Wilson is scary, Rodgers is downright terrifying for the same reason. They alone can carry their mediocre teams to victory over nearly anybody.
They still have McCarthy as HC, I don’t think I’ll be scared of them until they’re hot even with Rodgers.
with 6 losses now, GB would have to win out and get help to make the playoffs
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3b0747631bbbf2e0dcb9a764855b8ba20d2fcb95a79a98b084bb64f6c3c90109.png
So, what is up with the Chiefs collapse? Did Alex Smith just wake up and remember he’s Alex Smith? Or is AR being extra-stubborn AR? WTF?
I certainly don’t know much about them, but Baldy’s Breakdown this week was highlighting how much their OL is struggling.
Is Andy missing Doug Pederson as Offensive Coordinator??
The aggressive downfield throws are gone. He was uncharacteristically killing teams with the deep throw earlier this season. Cold weather and poor O-line play really shrunk his range is my guess. Which shrinks the field for the opposing defense.
Oh and didn’t see this posted but we good:
http://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/the700level/eagles-avoid-curse-billy-penn-after-workers-place-figurine-atop-new-tower
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b389747d465928046359f3f78276d74cc4025db5d52d3da8608815f2374778b6.jpg
Nice to have the young franchise QB who is wowing people while the Chiefs’ and Giants’ fans are agonizing over their mediocre veteran QB and pining for their recently drafted QBs who supposedly aren’t ready.
RE: “It would be hard to believe the Eagles would keep their edge for Sunday if they had the title wrapped up tonight.”
We must be watching two different teams this year if you believe that to be the case. I dont get the sense at all that winning the NFC East at this point is a focus at all for the Eagles. The team seems entirely focused on positioning themselves to be in a great situation for a Super Bowl run, and that means getting a bye and havong homefield advantage. With that focus, winning the NFC is just a milestone that I dont see affecting their edge at all.
I’ve gotten the impression the team is very focused on the team in front of them each and every week.
Agree. .and Wentz as a rising talent has no interest in taking ‘time off’ ..he is in full bloen building and learning mode .. if he were to have a bad game i think if would come more from trying to learn or expand his techniques
Sam Darnold capped off his “regular” season last night with a decent stat line and is now 64% 3700 26 12 on the year. (unless last night wasn’t included yet and he’d be 4000 28 12).
I’m still convinced the Browns are going to key in on Sorry Miss Jackson at QB (Haslem loves himself some run around dudes – freaked out over missing out on RB3, drafted Manziel, signed / forced RG3 into lineup, drafted Kizer) at some point in round 1, so I’m afraid we’ll be looking at Darnold on the Giants. Shame I won’t be able to root for the dude anymore.
Generally looking at the bottom of the league, I could see the following QB situations next year
Browns – Sorry Miss Jackson
Niners – Jimmy G
Giants – Darnold
Looking at other teams, I could see Denver, Miami, Jets, Cardinals, Chargers, Bengals, Bills, Jags, Saints, Vikings, and Steelers all possibly in on QB early or early-ish.
This could be a really really fun QB draft / offseason……and hopefully a chance for Howie to get a good return on trading Foles to a team who misses out on QB in round one or two and wants to give up a 3rd as a hedge / bridge until they can draft a guy in 2019. But in all honesty, I’d be pumped for a 5th for Foles.
I was just thinking how excited Viking fans must be. Super Bowl in their city this year and their team has a legit shot despite being on the backup to the backup QB and losing their promising RB.
It will be a shame to snuff out that hope and joy, but it must be done.
Thankfully, they are more cursed then we are.
Having the SB in your city almost seems like a curse.
Edit: stadium… I know LA blah blah
That would be an amazing story if they ended up getting there given that they drafted a rookie RB stud, (albeit taking a chance on character), he looked the part, and then they lost him for the year. And that’s blatantly ignoring all they’ve (done?, had done to them, had chance done to them?) at QB in the past few years!
Just sayin…
Sucks for them that Carson Wentz and the Eagles are in their way…
I was just thinking about how Sam Bradford’s backups have often had just as much as success as him. That happened in St. Louis a couple times, in Minnesota, and even Carson as a rook was probably about as good. Sanchez was the exception. It was one reason I never thought bought him as a player, despite the pretty technique.
He has all the tools, and nice stats even, but if there were a “gun slinger” stat in Madden, his would be damn near rock bottom. Beyond that the dude doesn’t have the stuff to pull a play or drive out of the fire. If the play doesn’t go the way you drew it up, it’s a lost play. Operating within a system, he can execute with the best of them. I would not want to see him on Dallas with a good O-line and run game, to give an example.
I think you’re being too kind. His advanced stats are poor (with the exception of this year, ironically), primarily the yards/attempt stat which tracks most closely with QB effectiveness. Basically he would probably be great at a QB skill competition, but doesn’t have what it takes to excel in the NFL. That being said, he is a starter, just a lower tier one.
Alshon signed.. hope these terms are favorable…4 years
We kind of don’t have a choice. I mean you CAN make a future contract with money you don’t have and enter yourself into cap hell, but I trust Howie.
Hopefully the timing plays to our favor. Alshon is not putting up great numbers, but he is a great presence to have on the field.
I think he fits in here great. Seems like he has the right attitude, but I really wanna see these terms. 8 mil is far too much.
I’m ambivalent, generally speaking you pay for projected future performance not past (though the past being a big part of projecting into the future).
Alshon is never going to be the guy open every play (or very much at all), but the back shoulder throw, the boxing a defender away from a pass like a basketball player, high pointing a pass-those are there all day. But you need freaky good chemistry to make that dangerous and near unstoppable. Right now I wouldn’t write off the possibility of him returning to star receiver form, so I wouldn’t lose my mind if he gets paid above this year’s performance.
Obviously I’d much prefer we got him on a bargain. Cap is tiiiight.
Cap might be tight, but in the past, how have we made out doubting whether Howie can handle it. Plus, doesn’t it go up every year? And don’t we have vets coming off the books/retiring most likely? I’m not worried.
The main reason cap was seen as so tight was because it could have potentially limited our ability to resign/extend Jeffrey and Jerningan, well….
He’ll manage it. But he is an artist, and cap space is his canvas. It’s the difference of scale between the Mona Lisa and the Sistine Chapel. He’ll do great with however much cap he has to work with, but I’d prefer more cap for more magic. Going to have to shed a lot of contributors, next year is going to be a much different team. That’s why we got to make this year’s magic formula count.
Your preference is your preference. But i don’t understand how cap room and need to find a different top wr is a better scenario. Factoring in what makes him special, chemistry with Carson, etc.
I didn’t say any of that. I said obviously I prefer getting him for a bargain because more cap space is better than less cap space. And there was a whole paragraph before that justifying spending the money.
My B. Misunderstood you.
I will admit the guarantees posted above seem favorable. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was more like a 35 mil contract which I think is exactly what he would be worth.
I kind of would write that possibility off. I think he is at his peak potential on this team at this very instant. I will not be surprised if this ends up being his peak performance year with the Eagles.
He has already defied the injury gods. Funny how guys are able to do that when playing for a contract.
4 years 52 mil with 27 guaranteed
Guaranteed is actually ok.
Just signed Alshon to 4 yr deal. Lovely.
With an average of $13 mil per year AJ is earning comparable money to TY Hilton. He is making less than Dez and AJ Green who signed their deals a few years ago. Some may argue that $13mil is too much for AJ, but it appears he got market value. He is still making considerably less than the top WR are getting lately.
I would argue he was over paid.
I mean it’s a lot of money, but it’s probably under market value. Tavon Austin signed a 4/$42m extension with $28.5m gtd last year. It’s not just that he’s under all the other recent #1 WR contracts, but he’s not terribly far out of line with some of the #2 WR contracts given out recently.
Just a note about 2018 free agency, currently on OTC there is $1.2billion in cap space available in next years free agency. That is up from $800mil in 2017 and something like $600mil in 2016. There is no where near $1.2billion in cap space worth of players available to be signed. Lots of teams have rolled over cap the last 2-3 years and are well under the rolling 3 year 95% cash spending figure needed in the CBA.
Free agency will be bonkers in 2018, with 2 teams with over $100mil in cap space and 15 teams with over $40mil in cap space. Getting players signed to deals that are in line with the 2016 and 2017 market at this point is a fantastic move, and both Jefferies and Jernigan are going to probably be asking questions of their agents come April.
Very interesting, and cool. I wish I could contribute meaningful information like you do Fuf. If that happens, Howie is in my HoF. Also want to see the fluff in this AJ contract.
I will say, if we all recall the last time everyone thought spending would be bonkers, it was much more reserved. I can’t remember the reason, also something to do with the CBA…oh yeah uncapped year. People mused about collusion. Let’s see what happens this time.
Who is Jeffries though? Does he play with agular?
lol – dyslexia strikes at strange times >_<
Guess that further proves why it’s important to lock our guys up before they hit the open market. Good info!!
Eagles sign Alshon to 4 yrs / 27m guaranteed / 52m total.
https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2017/12/2/16727602/alshon-jeffery-eagles-multi-year-contract-extension-philadelphia-details-wide-receiver-bears-years
In response to Tommy’s title:
AJ delivered!
Eagles signed Alshon Jeffery to a four-year, $52 million extension through 2021.
The deal includes $27 million guaranteed. The Eagles made it a point to acquire more weapons for Carson Wentz this offseason, and Jeffery was the centerpiece. He started the season slowly, but he has turned it on the last several games, apparently enough to convince the Eagles to make a long-term commitment. With Zach Ertz also under contract through 2021, Nelson Agholor under contract for at least one more year, and rookie Mack Hollins looking like a quality player, Philly should have a solid receiver corps for the next several years.