Couple of Sunday Nuggets
Posted: July 17th, 2011 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 17 Comments »I was going through some old files and stumbled across some interesting stuff. One item was a short write-up of CB Jonathan Joseph when he was a draft prospect.
Good at press coverage. Physical CB. Can also play off. Played well in the bowl game. Very tight coverage. Had at least 2 PBUs. Beaten for TD in bowl game (fade route). Generally a good tackler. Gets a good break on the ball. Had 4 INTs for the year and 9 PBUs.
I recently wrote that I didn’t think Joseph would be a key Eagles target because he’s not an ideal fit. He played mostly off coverage with the Bengals. I don’t know if the Eagles were high on him coming out of South Carolina, but they certainly will go back to their scouting report of him from back then to help them decide if he should be a target. This still doesn’t make him an ideal fit, but the fact he was a physical, press CB in college does change things. He’s shown he has the ability to play that style.
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I also stumbled across my preview from the 2008 season finale. That was the game vs Dallas where the winner got to be the Wildcard team and the loser got a set of steak knives. We did okay that day.
I know many of you will be emotional at the thought of never getting to see LJ Smith, Lito, or Reggie Brown play for us again. Be brave. Be strong. I know you can do it.
I’m not sure what to expect on Sunday. Dallas isn’t a good road team (3-4). They aren’t a good December team (over the last decade). This is a huge game for them. How will they handle the pressure? At the same time, we haven’t exactly been great in must-win games the last couple of years. Something has to give. One team has to step up. The difference could be which team takes better care of the ball. We’re -1 on the year. Dallas is -7. Romo will give us chances to make plays. We must take advantage of them. Especially you, Asante.
The last two December meetings we’ve held Dallas to a total of 13 points. Give me that kind of defense on Sunday and chances are I’ll be a happy man. Is asking for Dawk to score a defensive TD being too greedy?
Let’s hope Sunday is a belated gift from Santa.
For those with a short memory, we won 44-6. Dawk didn’t score a defensive TD. He did create 2 for his teammates. That was one heckuva Sunday.
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Thank god the end of the lockout is in sight. I’m dying to right about some actual news. I’ve done nothing but speculate for the last few months. It is also great that the Eagles will (fingers crossed) still be able to hold Training Camp up at Lehigh. I think that environment is good for the team. And it is great for the fans.
Sam can talk about this better than me, but I’m glad the Salary Cap is back and will be more restrictive. Joe Banner and his people do a great job with the Cap. I think that gives us a big advantage. The Cap was barely relevant the last couple of years because it was so high and people just didn’t come close to it.
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Did any of you watch the NFL Network’s showing of the NFC title game win over Atlanta recently? It was in the form of The Game of the Week. It was fun to see that again. I hadn’t watched anything on that game in a while. Funny to see Mike Vick as the helpless Falcons QB. Their offense was so one-dimensional that it wasn’t funny. He couldn’t be more night and day different from then to now.
It was also fun to watch Donovan shrug off defenders. That was one strong dude. He didn’t have a great day (too cold for a passing attack to be in top form), but Donovan made key plays and we executed well in the Red Zone (shocking, I know). That guy wearing #36 was pretty good as well.
The real star of the game was the Eagles defense. The whole unit played well. I look forward to us getting back to having a strong defense, whether that is this year, next, or sometime soon. Gotta have a defense to win in the postseason.
Interesting stuff, read an article about the philosophy of the Eagles for free agency. They mentioned that if you get Aso or Joesph you couldn’t afford a higher end DE. So maybe it would be better to sign a high end DE, Ike Taylor, and Haynesworth.
Which was a better hit from that 2004 NFCCG – Dawkins walloping Alge Crumpler or Hollis Thomas flattening Vick at the 5-yard line?
Oddly enough, what I remember most about that game was a story about the punting. Atlanta’s punter was all over the place in that game (in crazy wind and snow.) Afterwards I read a story that mentioned that Dirk Johnson was practicing punts in the wind before the game – while the Falcon’s punter stayed inside. That summed up the game for me – the Eagles prepared, the Falcons didn’t. That was true on offense (McNabb was effective enough in the elements,) on defense (JJ’s gameplan for containing Michael Vick,) and on special teams.
Preparation and attention to detail are Andy Reid’s greatest strength. It’s why he rarely loses in the playoffs to inferior teams. His problems come when his opponent is as equally organized and prepared.
Doesn’t it seem now that Brian Westbrook’s career came and went in a flash? I know he was with the Eagles for seven seasons, which is a pretty long time for a running back, but he was so good and then just fell off so suddenly. The story of that position, I guess.
He was a HUGE part of this team’s success for a big chunk of the last decade for sure.
@Tommy
An article the other day mentioning players that teams felt were getting paid too much, like CB Nate Clements in SF getting 7.25 this yr would be cut immediately and Dawkins 6 would probably rework his deal with Denver. Clements stats looked avg. for him, he’s supposedly one of the best tacklers for a CB, has good size(6′ 205) and covers the opposing teams best WR. Even though he’s 31 do you think he’d be a good addition for a couple yrs.; especially if it just cost 4-5 a yr.(’til were more stable with young CB’s). And if we could get Dawk as a BUp for a couple million couldn’t he help the 3 young S and maybe start if one of them aren’t ready in the beginning. Another article mentioned how it’s hard for S to make the Hall; but if we won the SB within the next couple yrs. maybe that would help Dawk get in.
@Mac
High-end DE, Ike Taylor AND Haynesworth?!?!?!?!
At least some fans don’t have ludicrous expectations at this point.
I’d be thrilled (THRILLED) with Joseph and
A rotational DE. And doubt they get that.
Nearly every team has loads of cap room and holes. Plus they get
A couple of days to sign their own.
Wouldn’t it be better to sign Tennessee’s MLB instead of Bradley. Would be familiar with playing behind the DL, not an injury worry, might be a better player and should be able to get everyone lined up correctly. Bradley wouldn’t have a clue in the new system. Supposedly it took Haynesworth around six yrs b4 he became a great player in Wash’s system and he would sign for less money if he came to Philly if he’s due 5 or 6 this yr maybe he’d play for 4 if Skins cut him. Maybe Babin won’t ask for as much in Philly. Could extend Laws, Bunkly, DJax and Vick’s contract, as well as signing, Plax and Bush. Maybe get a 2nd rd pick from Carolina for Patterson since they need a run stuffing DT so badly. Sorry for going on and on.
What about getting Vernon Gholston as a FA if he’s inexpensive?
* Like Babin, 1st round DE that flopped at LB, only higher pick;
* Speed for pass rushing DE;
* Opposite Trent Cole;
* Like Babin, works with Washburn;
* If disappointing, Eagles have some depth at position to fall back on.
@ian no 2
I’d like bringing him in to see him play at his natural position as well. It would be a low risk and possibly a very high return. Another player could be a 4-3 DT Amobi Okoye who was drafted by the Texans when he was 19 and now are switching to a 3-4 def. Lots of people just find it easier to lable them a bust though and don’t realize it’s like bringing in a 24 yr old rookie with experience who might do better in a change of scenery and different (maybe better) coaching staff. It would be like picking up two top 10 draft picks for nothing.
If we are collecting poor top ten draftees, why not pursue Huff? He’ll, why not Robert Gallery.
Two key things:
Top ten stiffs are still stiffs.
Top ten stiffs still take roster spots from more deserving players
Dewey, Didn’t say it would happen lol. It was just one scenario listed on another blog. It all comes down to what Taylor would want.
Not really applicable to the topic but had an idea. Read Tennessee was looking to get bigger on the D-line, while we’re looking to get quicker, more explosive. How about either of Patterson of Bunkley for DT Jason Jones?
Sigh, I miss the old Donovan, the pre-2005 disaster year one. I think the biggest play he made all day was that corner of the end zone TD toss to Chad Lewis, where he toe tapped to get it in.
Its a shame that Lewis’ injury pretty much ended his career, but its fitting that he helped us onto the super bowl in his last game.
That really was a special day, we just wanted it more, you could see it in the way we played. I can’t remember too many games where we played with that great a sense of urgency. Anyone else remember Trotter stalking the sidelines screaming “HIT ANYTHING THAT MOVES!” ?
Another great play from that game: Trotter splitting the DL and streaking into the backfield untouched and burying Warrick Dunn for a loss. We had a lot of bigtime plays that game.
Osi Potentially the biggest DBag in NFL History–
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/giants/post/_/id/5173/osi-talks-to-mara-about-his-happiness
Looks like LeSean was right after all–
http://gmenhq.com/2011/07/16/both-giants-tuck-kiwanuka-make-top-5-pass-rushing-productivity-ranking/
I guess Gholston is best as one of two FA DE signings, if that, not ideal for being the only signing. PFW says the Eagles are looking to spend money on a DE.
The Eagles wouldn’t be able to field a team without DL draft busts. They stuff the run ok. They have Cole, Dixon, Parker and a bunch of draft busts.
ian… we have been talking D-line for weeks.
You are correct, we have invested draft picks in the D-line, now it’s time to get some proven talent, and it’s time to strike while the iron is hot and grab my man Charles Johnson.
Mac,
i agree w u. i dont think C Johnson, Haynesworth and Ike Taylor is out of the question. normally i would say no way but we seem like we are willing to go beyond the norm this year. not to mention we dumped alot of salary over the last 2 year.
jparker is supposed to make around 3.5 mill, he could get cut. we have a bunch of guys making under 1mill on the dline. to add hayneworth for i think it was 5mill and johnson for whatever he might get, doesnt seem that crazy. and ike shouldnt cost too much, if he does then go for someone else cuz if we can get CJ and AH, i am ok with just a decent corner for now
or just get namdi.
TyPhilly21
what a dbag. i wish they could just say, “ok u r banned from the nfl since we make ur life so diffcult, have fun working at a normal job for 3% of what u make now”