This Is About Us
Posted: January 26th, 2018 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 189 Comments »
Doug Pederson was asked about how he would handle the Eagles going up against the Patriots and all of their accomplishments. It is easy for the Patriots to seem bigger than life when you think about everything that team has accomplished over the years.
If the team sees Tom Brady as the greatest QB of his generation and a future Hall of Famer, they’re in trouble. The Eagles need to look at Brady as this week’s opponent. That isn’t trying to diminish his accomplishments, but rather not to let all that history be a factor in the game.
Pederson made a brilliant comment. ‘This can’t be about the Patriots. This has to be about us.”
Somebody give that man a bag of Funyuns. That’s the perfect answer. It really ties into my recent posts about how good this team has been all year. If the Eagles execute…if the Eagles eliminate mistakes…they will win this game.
If the Eagles get psyched out by facing Brady and his five Super Bowl rings and Bill Belichick and his seven Super Bowl rings, the Super Bowl will be a long, frustrating experience.
Pederson’s comments tell me that his head is in the right place and he knows how to approach the situation. Don’t rip the opponent and have your team relax. Don’t build up the opponent too much for fear of that having a negative affect.
Have your team focus on itself. Control what you can control. Everything else is just noise.
I don’t know if Pederson is secretly a psychological genius or he just has a great feel for what buttons to push with this team. Ray Rhodes gave too many speeches. Chip Kelly didn’t give enough. Pederson has been brilliant this year with knowing just what to say or do to bring out the best in his players.
Pederson seems like Mr. Nice Guy to the outside world, but he can be tough on the players when it is needed. This team has great player leadership so Pederson really isn’t so much motivating them as he is pushing them in the right direction.
Pederson has been consistent with his message. Starting in the offseason, he preached competition, competition and competition. That helped the players bond while also pushing them as individuals.
He also has pushed his Win The Week message all year. This was critical because it taught the players to do their jobs each and every day. Some coaches wait for big occasions or key games. Pederson has wanted his guys doing anything and everything they can on a daily basis, starting in the offseason.
As he explained at a recent press conference, you don’t get good in the Red Zone by focusing on that in the season. You start working on that area in May and June. You continue that through Training Camp and then the preseason. Then you get to see the results in the regular season.
Consistency.
Planning.
Long term thinking.
Identifying problems and solving them.
Pederson has had the right approach with this team all season and it now has them in the Super Bowl. So far his message for the Super Bowl is right on the money. We’ll have to wait and see if the players can deliver the right results, as they have all year.
*****
Doug Pederson is going to coach in the Super Bowl against Bill Belichick and it doesn’t seem like an agonizingly bad matchup for the Eagles.
— Noah Becker (@Noah_Becker) January 22, 2018
Noah is absolutely right. I’m shocked, but Pederson has been outstanding this year with gameplans, strategy and decision-making.
Football Perspective has a piece up on the coaching hires of 2016. Do I really need to tell you who the best hire was?
The Eagles head coach has had two strong seasons, thanks in part to stability at the coordinator position with Frank Reich and Jim Schwartz. Since arriving in Philadelphia, the Eagles rank 4th in points scored, 5th in points allowed, and 2nd in points differential.
This dude can flat out coach.
You want some wild perspective…Pederson has won more playoff games with his backup QB (2) than Hue Jackson has won regular season games in the past two years (1). Players mean a lot, but I guarantee you Pederson wouldn’t be 1-31 if he had coached the Browns the previous two years.
*****
The BEST @Eagles play from every game of their run to #SBLII! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mhlYE1jHZ1
— NFL (@NFL) January 22, 2018
I don’t agree with every choice, but those plays are mostly right.
It is amazing how good of a year Nelson Agholor had. Wow.
_
First
Since this is just silly. I’m keeping score, starting today, to make it worse.
Sean E – 1
Everybody Else – 0
Game on.
First
Sean E: 1
Everybody Else: 0
RobNE : -1 (penalty)
can you keep a count how many times I call this guy a d-bag?
Ironically being annoying is just annoying.
Its pretty amazing watching the video and thinking back to this year, game by game. Its pretty amazing seeing everything we have all talked about starting in the offseason start to come together. Its a real magical feeling to see the hard work and dedication make this team really special. Cant wait for Super Sunday and to see this team continue to get. it. done.
Im batman
“Somebody give that man a bag of Funyuns. That’s the perfect answer. It really ties into my recent posts about how good this team has been all year. If the Eagles execute…if the Eagles eliminate mistakes…they will win this game.”
That’s a nice feeling! Now go out and win the game boys!.
Dutchman 1405
I have a gut feeling that we will make a laughing stock out of BB and TB in the SB and man handle the whole team!
Shock the WORLD!! Why not US???
For some reason I have the same feeling. I hope we are right. Losing would really hurt at this point.
This feeling of “one for all and all for one” is so strong. I haven’t seen it in Philly since the ’49 champs with Bednarik, Pihos and Van Buren et al. 70 years ago, it’s about time. Thank you Lord!
Pretty cool:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/eagles-didnt-seek-chris-long-160035383.html
Great article. Thank you for sharing that.
Very cool that Barwin played a supporting role in Long coming here.
Not only can he coach but he can develop culture and players. I’m so glad that Dougie is working out because he has had to deal with a lot of shit from a majority of fans and media. Win or lose, we know that this man can be the future and perhaps even get better. The future is bright but for now we need to get that damn ring and Lombardi trophy.
I never would have expected Doug Pederson to be an offensive genius, but his play calling, approach, and situational aggressiveness is impressive. The results of this offense is basically what I *thought* Chip Kelly was going to bring: an offense that makes you cover every inch of the field and keeps opposing defenses on their toes.
“I don’t agree with every choice, but those plays are mostly right.”
Criminal that the play from the Rams game wasn’t the circus catch by Jeffrey off of a throw from a guy with a broken knee.
Wentz’s Houdini-act-scramble on 3rd and long vs. the ‘Skins also did not make it.
True, but that TD pass to Clement was an amazing throw. It was one of Wentz’s best throws all year – and that’s saying something.
Yeah, that game had 3-4 plays which were incredible. The Hollins TD was also an amazing throw, right in stride. Hard to choose just one, but I think they got the right one.
They should have called it a tie and showed both those plays.
Many Eagles games had more than one great play. Wentz had an awesome play every game. Aggie had several. Ajayi had several. Blounts long runs are all scary good. Alshon had his moments. And so on…..
Yeah, that play was much more important and exciting then the defense scoring on the Ram’s desperation lateral play at the end of the game. That one stuck out as a definite wrong choice.
That was a brilliant answer and the sweetest bestest most brilliant answer by Peterson. . And way to go T Law for zeroing in on this !!!!
..
Exicuse me now while i call my guy in Vegas to double my multi million dollar bet on the birds before the line goes too far in our favor
Also, while I’m thinking about it: against the Falcons, Pederson called the direct hand off to Agholor for the first time all season. Against the Vikings it was the flea flicker. So for the Patriots, which one of our skill position players do you think gets a touchdown throw?
Edit: we’ll throw linemen in there too since Pederson will line them up as a TE.
I’d love it if they got Celek a TD in the Superbowl, and it’s always possible he’ll be overlooked at this point in his career.. more likely it will be someone like Clement though. Maybe they throw the fade to him like we did to Sproles last year?
I would fucking love if Celek got a TD in the Super Bowl. He deserves it more than anyone else.
Shovel pass to Celek. Who would see that coming?
Andy Reid?
Swinging gate and it’ll work this time.
I don’t see any passes to eligible linemen. Too many legit pass catchers, red zone running threats to get tricky.
Eagles don’t need to be clever to win, they just need to execute.
MAYBE if they’re piling up points in the second half…
I think Hollins has had a lot of snaps in the post season but no balls his way. Don’t think we can necessarily fool the pats, but I do look for him to get a ball his way at some point.
funny i thought torrey smith lost his job to hollins, but smith has come back in a big way – guess having a speed receiver is really key to the offense
He caught one against the Vikings I think
Halfback pass by Clement. Instant legend.
Is now the time to throw out a wildcat with Agholor under center? Ajayi?
No. There is only one player on this team I would trust under center other than a QB and that would be back up kicker, LB, ST’er ………Kamu Grugier-Hill
https://youtu.be/Xq9VF0jkbSA
Great stuff. Love BG.
He looked really sluggish in all those clips
Love the guy it was just what stuck out to me
It IS interesting that he looks so slow. Maybe it’s just how he runs isn’t that aesthetically appealing?
Love that DMX flow to the eagles fight song
Agholor should win the comeback player of the year award going off of all that happened. I love that this fanbase is embracing him, but it goes to show you that if you produce and show up every week and fix yourself (drops, dumb penatlies, etc.) then the best fans in the world we’ll have your back.
I’ve waited kinda patiently, if you use a loose definition of the word, for 5 full days already and you’re telling me I have to wait 9 more. Totally unfair.
See, focusing on the Senior Bowl does have other benefits.
If you went off that video you’d think Agholor was our 2nd best player and an Antonio Brown-esque stud receiver.
I like that they had to try and find a “best play” for the last game against the Cowboys lol.
The guy has really shown up as someone who can make plays for you. We haven’t had a playmaker at WR like him, in a long time. He is like a mix between Djax and Mac.
I laughed when I saw the “best play” from the last Cowboys game was a run of the mill 15 yard completion from Sudfeld to Marcus Johnson.
For Sudfeld that was a career highlight!
It was a nice pass!
Trade Sudfeld for a 6th?
Sure, but who is buying?
Thoughts from watching that vid:
Damn Nelly is actually a beast.
4th for Jay LOL
This team has been a real treat. Only season actually close to feel good vibes was 10′.
Some games hard to choos the best play of many great ones. What a year!
How the hell did NFL films allow that video to be released with the big banner posted across the bottom of the screen obscuring the plays.
Is Robinson going to be covering Amendola for the most part?
How is Ajayi’s ankle? Heard he was limited in practice – we really need him at 100%
Nice post Tommy! Ahhh I’m at the excitement level of the beginning of a regular season game. This is going to be a long week.
Can we talk more about Jim Schwartz and this defense? Should Jim Schwartz be coach of the year? Do they give that to DCs?
Let me make the case. Billy Davis, remember how frustrating those defenses were? How they got worse as the game went on. How they could stop the run but never the pass, and sometimes not even the run.
We shut out 2 playoff teams in the second half.
DB play: Do y’all remember a player by the name of sconces? Bradley Fletcher, Patrick Chung? Remember when we were trying to buy the best CBs in FA only to have them suck once they got here. This secondary is putting in WORK and it’s a bunch of nobodies.
Jalen Mills: He’s finger wagged his way into my heart. He’s a #1 CB, coming out of RD 7. Progress year over year is amazing.
Kendricks: Turned a liability / bench warmer into a contributor who at the very least is where he should be when he should be there.
3rd and Long: Gone are the days when we’d get to third and long and someone would throw a screen that would go for 45yds.
DL: Line has been stacked with studs, but now we basically have 2 starting DLs, our backups would be starters on other teams. DL stays fresh and does DAMAGE late in the game. And it’s not one guy EVERYONE contributes.
Turnovers: Defense comes up with crazy turnovers and scores points off turnovers — it looks like they’ve practiced how to run back picks and fumbles to make sure we score. They always seem to get big plays when we need them.
DC stays a DC: Appreciate that Schwartz didn’t run to the highest bidder after this season, I’m sure he had offers. Excited to see how good the defense will be next year!
Preach
Not to attempt to defend Bill Davis, but he was awarded a job – and took it – but seemed to have no executive decision-making power. Kelly was adamant that the defense would play a 3-4 scheme, which took LB support further away from the DB’s. So there was 2-gap DL with lots of LB tackles and blitzes, and CB’s in their skivvies. That and Kelly’s tempo (deployed 24/7) was a middle-finger to Davis and the players on the defense. I love what Schwartz has done, but he has been able to bring his pieces and impart his insights and mold the mentality of the D, which doesn’t exactly make him a privileged or cutting-edge DC, but gives him a means to be accountable…which I think BD did not have.
Amen. There were some games were the defense played extremely well only to have to come back in less than 1 minute of game play. They also scored a lot of points and created a lot of turnovers. It wasn’t perfect but BD had a lot of work to do. Converting Brandon Graham from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB, a declining DeMeco Ryans, playing with Cary Williams/Byron Maxwell/Bradley Fletcher, and Patrick Chung at S coming off a shoulder injury.
Agholor. Sproles. Jenkins. Ertz. Fipp. Undlin. The Seal in the Basement. Nick FOles. (!) Several others. Sam Bradford. (He and Teddy’s destroyed knee brought Wentz.) Spreads and options.
Sounds like Chip Kelly? Whether some folks want to hear it or not.
On another note. I couldn’t believe that a certain other blogger in Philly actually called the police about a rumor!
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/1/24/16931076/no-minneapolis-ride-share-drivers-wont-drop-eagles-fans-in-the-sticks
Well anyone who actually thought Chip was 100% clueless/wrong about All things was being ridiculous. And some of that was Howie/scouting dept. They hit on some top round draft picks…shocking…
Chip can coach college ball. That’s been proven. Because football is football, some things translate to the NFL. However, the NFL is always evolving. Chip proved to be completely out of his league in terms of keeping up. College is nowhere near the skill level and chess game that the NFL is. That’s why I love pro footbal and like college football. Its hard for me to get upset at 18 year old kids that are playing for fun. Men that are getting paid millions of dollars as the top athletes in the world are expected to do their jobs.
Sure. All of that is true. I also think there’s this overreaction to that proven truth that everything Chip did or thought at the NFL level was the opposite as the right thing or just way off. Is he a good NFL coach? No. Is he adaptable/flexible/humble enough to become one? Highly highly doubtful.
But did some of his ideas/actions have total NFL merit to them? Absolutely. Like some of his draft picks, teaching Foles to get the ball out quick, rpos, emphasis on wr blocking, emphasis on sports science…
The all or nothing “he was/is total trash and everything associed with him is as a result – trap.
Fair. I’d argue that his approach to the draft was highly flawed as too much emphasis was placed on measurables and too little on talent. That doesn’t maximize the value you get in the draft though. Doesn’t really matter though as Doug Howie and Joe are killing it.
Big less talented people lose to little people with more talent. Can’t catch ’em to beat up on ’em.
Yeah, there’s a point where the size is overwhelmed by a talent disparity. But that point is generally revealed by college production mostly, only a little by measurables.
Fair. I also think that was over done a bit in the media. Do you think he loved Lane and Nelly only because of measurables? I sure don’t. You think that’s all he saw in Mariota? I don’t.
But Amen/Cheers to that last part.
You are still going to hit when drafting by measuables, especially in the early rounds but, you really limit your choices and jeopardize value in doing so.
A fat arrogant little SOB with some interesting ideas about offensive schemes.
Don’t bring Andy into this.
Andy was 1000 x better as a coach than Chip.
Of course.
Andy is not little. I’ve been around him, he’s a big boy.
To me the biggest differences between college ball and the NFL – and a major reason Chip has been successful in the first and failed in the latter – are roster size and the length of the season. In college you have close to 100 players on the roster and you can afford to run them through tons of high speed drills every practice because there are fewer practices and you have so many guys at each position to take reps. You can also afford to play tempo all the time because you can roll in fresh defenders the way a hockey team rolls its lines and you’re only playing 11 or 12 regular season games, so T.O.P. doesn’t matter that much.
In the pros you have a game day roster less than half the size of a college one, and you’re relying on your starters to play the whole game at many positions. If you run them down in practice and leave them out there to defend basically an extra game’s worth of defensive possessions over the course of 17 weeks, fatigue will become a factor.
Some of Chip’s ideas (e.g. play designs, formations) translated well to the NFL game. His approach to the metagame of structuring and running a football team’s non gameday activities and his strategy of doing every at top speed all the time did not.
College let’s you get away with “one size fits all” RB’s, DB’s, WR’s. Interchangeable guys. Err on the big side and push the other team around some.
Stiff hipped zone DB’s playing man coverage and power I RB’s running to the edge east and west won’t make it in the NFL. Guys are too specialized to their schemes in the pros.
Question: as the Giants exploited us with the quick game, YAC, and some rubs, I’m curious if anyone’s noticed whether we got better at each of those things as the season progressed, in case the Pats attempt to go after us in a similar way.
The Eagles LET the Giants play the quick game. The plan was to make Eli throw a lot and rely on his questionable receivers dinking and dunking all day.
Bc playing peess against those guys with the CBs we had was dangerous. Yes. We still dont press much. Brady is also a guy that can win games off dinking and dunking.
I agree. I have faith that the Eagles will have game plan for the short game to address it as a strength of the Patriots, whereas it’s a weakness for the Giants.
Allowing the dink and dunk game seems like a terrible strategy. I feel like it wears down the defense, takes up time of possession and makes the defense more vulnerable to break the long play.
It’s not terrible if your defense tackles well. If the offense needs two completions to get a first down, or a completion and a plus run, and needs to get six or seven first downs to score a TD, the chances of something going wrong for them (stuffed run, penalty, sack, etc.) before they reach the end zone are pretty high.
As far as the D getting worn down, playing tight man coverage is just as exhausting as playing off if not more so, and that approach is more vulnerable to big plays because all it takes is one receiver beating his defender into the route to get a guy wide open downfield. See several of those 30+ yard plays we dropped on the Vikings last week.
That’s true–they did lose 3 games doing it.
But, but, but… What about the 13 wins??? Lol!
Jokes are best left unexplained, friend.
Except the Eagles won. The strategy makes sense against the Giants. Manning is error prone and the don’t sustain drives.
It’s probably not the approach to take against the Patriots.
The biggest reason the Giants had success scoring points on us with that approach – as opposed to just moving the ball between the twenties – is that we missed a ton of tackles in both games that allowed short passes to become long gainers, and that in the first game they were able to score in the red zone because they had an elite playmaking receiver who could beat tight coverage for the TD in OBJ.
If your defense tackles well, dink-and-dunk can get an offense down the field, but it won’t produce X plays, and scoring goes down as a result because it’s hard to string together 12 or 13 play drives without something (sack, penalty, etc.) going wrong, even for a really good QB. Teams have deployed the short game against the Eagles all season. The reason most teams haven’t had as much success with it as the Giants (and to a lesser degree the Chargers and Redskins) did is that our defense has generally done a much better job tackling and shutting down YAC than it did in those games.
The Patriots have an elite RZ playmaker on Beckham’s level in Gronk, so that’s something to worry about, but if our DBs do their job and tackle I’m not worried about them winning the game purely with short passing.
no they will throw in a long pass to get PI every so often.
博客还真是个好东西！
I have a huge dilemma that needs resolution with your help: I live in Maine in clear sight of the enemy. I have been going to a SB party for a few years, hosted by my college classmate of yore and a bigger-than-life Pats fan. The attendees, some 15-20 of them are by far mostly Pats fans. We have fun with great food and dollar bets along the way. BUT, this year is different.
Do my wife and I attend, of beg off? I hate distractions of any kind when I see my Eagles play. I would also feel as if I were in Foxborough sitting among Pats fans.
My inclination is to hunker down at home. I have a good friend, also from Philly, who is as rabid and superstitious as I am. We have a miserable record of watching Eagles games that end up on the losing side. The only game we watched in 2017 was the Seahawks game, and we know how that went. He is inclined to stay away from me as far as possible next Sunday.
So, do I tough it out and go the party? Or, do I watch it at home alone with my wife? Do I insist to Steve that he come over anyway? Dear Abbys, give me advice. The fate of the game is resting on it.
Steve. I’m not going to big neighbors party but rather than watch by myself I’m now thinking of driving to friend’s in Villanova and going out with him (bar or house party). But I’m kind of reserved I don’t want to be 1 against 40 (win or lose) but I have friends who would love that.
Your prior experience of watching with your friend I hate to tell you did not influence the outcome. Also if they win how much more would it mean to be watching together
I’d stay at home even if everyone at the party was an Eagles fan. Watching the game with a few buddies that actually want to watch the game is fine. You add other people and it’s miserable. Any other SB is fine to watch at a party, but I’d personally would go nuts with other people trying to talk to me about lobstah in the middle of a play with the Eagles playing.
Agree. 100%. You don’t want to be explaining to some dude what “neutral zone infractions” are while Ertz is rambling 35 yards downfield for a touchdown.
Hang with the all the Eagles fans you know. Avoid the Pats fans.
Stay home, watch alone, and if you want, have your friend on the phone the whole time or a lot.
Not the cheatriots fan ones of course…
This is about us. Don’t play scared. What would BB Doug do?
This.
I retract my statement below. RobNE nailed it.
Winner.
Need to remember this forever.
I only approve of that last part if BB stands for Bryan Braman and his “kill, mame, and destroy” mantra. If it’s about lord cheater, check yourself and then take a shower to clean off that masshole scum that you picked up.
Few, ok, reread that comment of yours…I’m calm now….promise.
(Lived in Boston for 5 years… I have post traumatic Eagle in new England syndrome)
Big balls Doug.
Yeah, I got that on the re-read. I think it deserves the whole spell out anyhow. Though my buddy calls him “riverboat Douggie” which I like too.
I’m not going anywhere. Last time I went to a party was the Eagles 49ers game, which I didn’t get to see… because I was at a party. Woof.
Exactly. This event has only happened 2 other times in the last 50+ years. I don’t want miss any of it. I’m not an extrovert, so maybe some people enjoy discussing how Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island during the game.
Be the fan they all think you are. Become the heel.
Exactly, be every horrible stereotype you can during the game. Throw batteries at them, dress them up as Santa and harass them. Mock them for living someplace cold and shitty. Hold nothing back.
Then, when we win, flip the script. Speak to them in a very genteel manner. Offer them Grey Poupon. Lift your pinkies while drinking your celebratory cider. Speak like Charles Winchester III from MASH.
They won’t know what hit them. They’ll be a whirlwind of emotions.
Upvote for CWIII reference.
Yeah, no. Distractions like that would seriously harsh my mellow.
I wouldn’t go. It sounds like you’ll have more fun at home and watching with those guys would be miserable.
Go to the game w your bud ?
Cheapo flight boston to Chicago and drive.
..
Stay away from the party. Won’t be a fun way to watch. The competition won’t be enjoyable.
..
Record the game but listen to it live on the radio with your eagles bud.
..
Heres a text from one of my bud’s — “As a longtime Eagles fan – I never expect them to win – ever “.. he is rich and smart and loyal.
.
This year is different. .we all blame ourselves; that we each have been the reasons we lost and our rituals are the jinx. That’s not true. Doug won’t let us down. .this team is different and bigger than our collective jinxes.
..
Your Pats party isn’t going to be that good when they are complaining and bumming out. .
..
I’m bagging the big party and watching with my bud because i swear and i will cry when they pull it off !!!
I do listen to Merrill on the radio, but have never tried to sync it with the telecast. Is there a delay?
Yes, but that’s what the syncing is about. Finagle it.
Got it. Thx.
Shud be. .but probably not in a satisfying way .. but i don’t know. .I’m in nyc so I’m lucky every time i hear merrills voice
I actually think I might cry if they win too.
Stay home, watch with your wife, and comment on Iggles Blitz.
Plot twist: Wife is a Pats fan…
Ouch. Make her wear her hat when midnight green wins.
I am truly humbled by your responses, bros. This is why there is no other blog quite like Iggles Blitz. Tommy sets the tone and you guys make it fun for the most part. We all know the outliers, or is it outliars?
So, with great and humorous advice from you all, even though I discovered that there is a Philly sports bar in Portland featuring Philly steaks, which we all know can never be replicated outside of the Philly “zone,” I now plan to watch it at home with my wife…and a plea to my bud to watch with us come hell or high water.
Furthermore, I will comment on the game using my ipad, listen to Merrill while I watch (hopefully), and drink my favorite hard cider, Dirty Mayor made by Citizens Cider in Middlebury, VT. The flavor is ginger tinged and perfect. However, I can only drink two large cans along the way. I’m a cheap drunk and I don’t want alcohol to fuzz up my focus.
An aside: this morning, my wife and I joined our large group of friends for our Saturday ritual at a great bakery and coffee shop in Brunswick. One of my “friends” thrust their SB menu in my face. It features the likes of “Rober Kraft Mac and Cheese” among other in your face Pats offerings. I complained to management about the one-sidedness of the menu and demanded an Eagles reciprocation. We’ll see how that FLIES.
What’s going to happen is going to happen. Have your friend watch the game with you both.
As a long time Eagles fan I have no friends or family members that will watch a game with me, as it was always their fault if we happened to lose or if game momentum was changing. That would bring out the worst in me. How dare they come into my environment and change the out come of that game. Crazy yes? I know.
I struggled weather to share this or not but. Perspective change; Mine was Oct. 2016 our 23 yr old daughter was killed in a automobile accident. You see this stuff on the news all the time but never think it is going to affect to you. Anyway coming to this site reading all the articles and comments, sometimes kind of blankly at first, helped my sanity. Please no condolences, that has all been said, and not why I put this here, just that I’m now happy (well accepting) when my friends and family do stop over to watch a game. What will be will be.
I do have to admit some of my idiosyncrasies have come back but at least I’m not throwing out family members and friends. Still won’t answer phone when game is on, and have radio on in garage with Merrill and Mike, go out there when things aren’t going right,
I really appreciate your candor, jshort. I can’t begin to imagine how you could cope with such a tragedy in your family.
Not the same, but my father died when I was 10 years old and his early demise has affected my life to this day. I remember clearly when my mother came home and gave my sisters and me the news. What I also remember (this was in 1952) is that I was listening to a Cubs-Phillies game at the time.
Following all my Philly teams then and now gives me the best diversion I can think of. We live in another world that those that don’t have no idea what it’s about.
So, lesson from you: dispense with the superstitions and jinxes and let the game play out as it will. Thanks.
I’m sorry for your loss. I had a similar experience this past June when my father passed away. Suddenly, the small things didn’t seem so large.
Igglesblitz and the online Eagles community helped me to grieve his loss; and now that we’re one step away, I’m looking forward to the Eagles finally winning the Super bowl.
I’m watching at home. Merrill and quick synced up to the tv. Allows me to nervously pace without being judged.
Eagles game plan has to watch for the quick passes and dink and dunk offense. Maybe DL should work on getting hands up this week. Show blitz and drop into coverage. Drop BG into coverage and only rush 3 a few times. Mix it up a little give Brady more to think about.
God ESPN is need to lay off the correct staff members. Dumb fuck Ian O’Connor has a GOAT article based on Brady vs. Jordan. NEWS FLASH MOTHER FUCKER; Wilt > Jordan and don’t fucking walk around Philly saying otherwise.
Math challenged idiots grate on my nerves; especially when attempting to commit crimes against Philadelphia.
But I do like reading historical comps on Brady’s accomplishments for sure; hopefully we do something to knock him into the “lost 3 Super Bowls” column.
I like the historical connotations of beating the Pats in this SB because of the forthcoming end of the B&B era. Screw their legacy as much as possible.
Gronk practiced today.
He’s playing. If Sendajo played in a week after being knock out then Gronk is going play with 2 weeks off.
I love Gronk the person, but if we’re being honest, who can tell the fucking difference?
Good. When we beat the Pats I don’t want to hear any excuses from their fans.
He did not
someone on twitter said they listened to mic’d video, after flea flicker Celek goes up to Doug and says can you believe it?
Doug: “yes I can”
Regarding the refs. I’m looking at this like a boxing match. For better or worse, a decision goes to the champ if it makes it to the judges. The eagles will need to have a two score lead in the 4th or Brady and the pats will get every holding, pi, etc their way. It is what it is. Eagles simply have to take this game out of the refs’ hands.
You want Doug and Swartz to find the pats weaknesses (what few there are) and exploit them. At the same time, the eagles are going to play to their strengths regardless and do what they do; they are aggressive on offense and defense, and that’s when they’re at their best—and also what has led to so many blow outs, including the Vikes game.
We come at teams with power, speed, and creative schemes in both sides of the ball. There will be some pats specific tweaks, but at the end of the day, Eagles football can win this game.
Also, we’re due for a special teams score or forced TO. That would be sweet.
You know what we’re due for…..Knocking a starting QB out of a game…over due!
I do feel like ST are due. Perfect time to have something big happen.
Pats love to kick the KO off short and to one side. I hope Fipp has something special dialed up for that.
The patriots are a couple of plays away from being 7-0 in the SB in the Brady-Belichick era.
The Pats are also about 5 plays away from being 0-7 in those games. (Look at the score differential on those games … And how Seattle and ATL choked, just to name a couple.)
This team, and B-B, are beatable.
Will Hernandez a mauler with nice block on the move in Senior Bowl springing Ballage for a nice run.. Wow.
Yeah he’s been looking good all week…i also like alex kappa
Mayfield is looking rusty and off but it’s early. Western Kentucky QB Mike White is sharp. I wonder where he’s going in the draft.
My thoughts:
Thinking about this game. One thing that has surprised me in the playoffs is the special teams issues. Can we not have any punt return issues? Even with the elation from going to the superbowl, that really lingers in my mind.
Also, I loved the part last game when Fletcher got mad at J.watkins for getting into that fight….
Yeah wAtkins wtf is this your first victory !
Josh Allen in. They say Mayfield ‘s day is over.
https://youtu.be/A__A6Do7N8I
Video about how scared the jags coaches were against new england. And how new england has that effect on teams. How teams get so caught up in the “patriots mystique” that they abandon their own strengths which made them successful.
Looking forward to his video next week where he covers the eagles more in depth
IMO, the best type of kill is overkill. No brakes and no looking back until the game is over because everyone knows that Brady + Belichick has dark entities working with them.
Peds has to keep foot on gas all game long.
Yup, stick to the plan because if they come out flat like he did against the Seahawks then the entire fanbase is going to go nuclear.
I have to prepare myself for the Eagles starting out flat. And the patriots dink and dunk crap, and a close game that comes down to the last play. Right now I think it has the potential to be a blowout.
I think potential blowout also .. bb doug knows not to stop
Yes!
Nice td throw by Josh Allen. He’s been a little uneven on his throws but he had perfect touch into a tight window on that one.
Mayock with a nice plug for Eagles…
I hope the Browns take Josh Allen. He’s definitely more rough around the edges than Carson was but the Giants could bring him along behind Eli. Shurmur is good with guys like that.
Rosen and Darnold definitely have talent but they’re SoCal guys so I’d rather take my chances against them.
This guy compares Allen to Kizer but totally misses the mark on that. Allen has a stronger arm and is more of a threat running and scrambling.
https://www.ohio.com/akron/sports/browns/nate-ulrichs-browns-analysis-senior-bowl-practices-confirm-no-1-overall-pick-should-come-down-to-sam-darnold-josh-rosen
The Ringer had an article about how Allen, looking the part aside, has never looked like a particularly good QB even against non-Power 5 college competition, and still misses what should be routine throws for an NFL level QB even in drills these days. I’d stay far, far away if I were a team picking at the top of the draft. I can’t think of a single who guy who had that profile coming out of college and wasn’t a bust in the pros.
Best QB prospect, then:
Josh Allen? Or Baker Mayfield?
TBH, I’m not a big fan of Mayfield…he’s almost like Geno Smith in that he is a product of the offense to some extent, so many wide open receivers and the way Mayfield acts is also a concern.
He doesn’t throw into tight windows but you could see him in certain offenses. His upside to me is Andy Dalton level.
Above the euphoria I will feel after beating the Great Northeast Cheatriots, just think of the * after the loss “backup Nick Foles”. I’m giddy with expectation.
Wring w Foles will be extra epic. . So many players had a part in the season being such a sick success that it really adds to the team element
Vote for Carson who is up for FEDEX AIR Player of the Year
http://www.nfl.com/voting/players-air-and-ground/2017/year/0#playerId:0ap3000000890676
For a multibillion dollar industry, that is a piece of crap website to view on mobile.
NFL dot com or the voting window for Fedex?
Both
Sorry about the draft talk but there’s still a week of SB talk until we win our first championship in my lifetime. I want to get opiniins of these players. We’re in ok enough shape that we don’t have to draft for need though getting a young OL mat be most desirable. DJ just released his first top 50. He’s by no means perfect but I like his viewpoint.
Man we’re going to get a really good prospect in 1st or we trade down.
Looking in that 25-40 ish sweet spot , these are intriguing players to consider.
OT’s Mike McGlinchey, Brian O’Neill, Marinas Rankin
OG Billy Price (C), Will Hernandez (not in DJ’s top 50 but he seems to fit D’s mold except maybe versatility)
DTs Taven Bryan, Harrison Phillips (not a big need but they’re both so intriguing)
DE Sam Hubbard (LDE. Graham is going to be 30, has a game like Ryan Kerrigan’s)
LB s Rashaan Evans, Leighton Van Der Esch
RB Sony Michele
Jeremiah ‘s top 50
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000909727/article/daniel-jeremiahs-top-50-prospects-for-2018-nfl-draft
Totally ignored most of the draft process since this has been a magical season. Gotta catch up but would be hard since draftbreakdown shut down.
A few months ago before we got Ajayi, I talked up Sony Michel as a draft crush/possible mid-round pick and now he’s possibly a top 50 pick. Dude’s really good. I’m in the minority of this one but I really think that we should have drafted a safety (actually wanted Malik Hooker) last year. We need to start grooming guys behind Jenkins/McLeod and the same idea applies for our LBs. We really need better backups at LB.
I’m a big fan of Sony too. He runs with great balance and eats up yards in a hurry. I wanted them to take Hooker too but was ok with Barnett. I told my buddy that many times before the draft. I’d be ok if they drafted him but not jump up and down.
Extremely balanced RB. He might not have one excellent trait but he’s a solid 7-8 in all categories. I would love to have him but that would be extremely luxurious.
Also, he’s the kind of player you can rotate or use as an almost every down back if needed and it’s probably high for him at 28 where DJ has him.
LVDE was impressive watching live, but I haven’t watched any cutups. I’m also skeptical that a ton of LBs are going in the top two rounds.
Just a random note: the Vikings celebrated w/ the curling routine on their first TD while we didn’t celebrate any of ours w/ routines. I wouldn’t have minded if they did, but I think it’s telling how their mindset has shifted a bit to all business. Still have to have fun and be loose, but gotta be dialed in now.
That’s a good point. The Eagles did stuff like that when they were playing lightweights like the Bears. The Vikings probably thought they were going to steamroll over us and had all sorts of celebrations planned. Guess they’ll have to save them for next year…
It seems like the celebrations curtailed after the Seattle game. Maybe a wakeup call.
What is the ratchet thing that the D Lineman do ??
..
And Mills and Bradham bicep flex to bicep slam is the boss
I also loved hearing Doug refer to the Pats recently as “Just another faceless opponent”, while talking to the team. He’s really driving that point home. I heart Doug Pederson.
Such a great message. No need to get caught up in what game is being played or who they are playing.
What if I told you this would be the first SB where one team had a real vocal home field advantage?
This wouldn’t be the first super bowl where that is true.
Ok but don’t ruin my narrative.
Sorry. I think it will help our defense for sure.
Who cares if it’s the first? If not, what were the outcomes of the other games?
The last time eagles were in the super bowl we owned the stadium. Still lost.
and what if it wasn’t that amazingly close either … ..
https://youtu.be/1X85VD6j1Ew
LOTS OF NI GGERS AND TALKING APES LEADING UP TO THE SB