After 2 straight weeks of getting SMOKED by the rival DALLAS COWBOYS, the Eagles are out of the playoffs and Philly's Super Bowl hopes go on hold for another year...............Not only is it now comical all of the talk this past week of how much of a "genius" Andy Reid was for not "showing" the Cowboys anything last week, but it's time to take a real look at this team.
Consider this.......the Eagles lost to the Oakland Raiders earlier this year. (The Raiders only won for games this year.) the Eagles were 0-5 this year against teams who made the playoffs. That's right, all 11 of their wins came against nonplayoff teams! Here's a list of things which either need to be changed or corrected before next year if you expect to go further:
sorry, just got a little distracted!!!!!
- Andy Reid - yes, he's won a ton of regular season games over the past years and got the team to 1 'Bowl, but is that all you want? If so, fine, no change required. But if you want to go further something needs to be done. Now I'm not necessarily advocating a coaching change, but at least the coach needs to update/change some of his philosophies. There are times when Reid gets too "pass happy" with the play calling. There hasn't been enough emphasis on developing a true running game in Philly. Westbrook is a nice player, but not someone who's gonna carry the ball 250 to 300 times a year. I do believe rookie McCoy could be a good NFL back, but you got to stay with the run more and give him the ball!
- DONOVAN MCNABB - I like McNabb. Always have.....but Reid doesn't do enough to hide his weaknesses. This goes back to the prior point about running the ball......McNabb can be extremely inconsistent and if you want to win in January you can't afford this.... McNabb has always had a problem with consistent accuracy and if you're gonna throw it 35 times a game it's gonna show! It may be time to look at Kevin Kolb. Do you remember earlier this year when Kolb started a game and threw for over 350 yards......I can think of at least 10 teams Kolb could start for right now...... If Reid is still committed to McNabb, then you need to cut back pass attempts to around 22 to 24 times a game.
- MIKE VICK - Stange move on the Eagles part............They signed Vick, but all year it was evident thay really didn't know how they wanted to use him. (I also believe they sold their soul when signing him and was a totally unnecessary move.) If you've got Vick then become more adept at using him. Study film of the how the Dolphins use the wildcat because the Eagles were extremely "Vanilla" in their use of Vick in the 'Cat. Also, they never made use of the biggest weapon with Vick, put him and and McNabb on the field at the same time! Better yet, trade him now for some help at Linebacker!
- Somewhere along the way the Eagles have lost some hunger. Even if the Cowboys are a better team right now, the Eagles didn't look very hungry the past 2 weeks. Some even looked relieved to be done with the season............is this a reflection on the coaching staff?
- The loss of Jim Johnson was bigger than expected on defense. Rest his soul, he was such a motivator and innovator for the defense.
- LINEBACKER - When pre-season started Jeremiah Trottier was doing a radio show on a local station. Soon he became the starting middle linebacker. Better be a point of importance come draft time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Desean Jackson - shut up and just play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Well, at least Dan Snider's not your owner!
stay strong and stay fit
1. I agree, Reid should stay but he does need to change his philosophy, and its just as much his OC that sucks at play calling and Reid lets him do it. Every game i get pissed at how little they run the ball. Last night they were getting 3-4 yds a pop early in the game, the problem was they ran it once every 8 plays. RUN THE BALL PLAY DEFENSE WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.
ReplyDelete2.I have no problem giving McNabb one more year. I agree with you Fritz they never seem to hide is weaknesses they seem to go the other way and show them. Run the football and get a BIG reciever and McNabb would be a top QB again. Play action plays dont work when the defense knows you arent going to run.
3. As for Kolb, i hated him when they got him and up until this year. I think now he will do fine as a NFL QB, keep him around so he can take over.
4.Vick, pick up his option then trade him that will be the best thing he will ever do for the eagles.
5.Linebacker isnt that bad, Stewart was one of or even the best Middle linebacker in the NFL the end of last year. He will be back and Witherspoon and jordan will make a very good linebacker core. The problem is at DB and Dline. They need a DE to go across from Cole and a Saftey cause Macho Harris couldnt cover himself with a blanket.
6. Desean Jackson is one of the most explosive players in the NFL, but after you got bitched two weeks in a row shut the hell up and play.
7. The tackles will be ok the inside three suck, Jackson was good at center but he will be out most or all of next year.
8. With all these needs here is how i see the off season going for the Eagles. They sign a O lineman that isnt very good, they trade their first round pick for 2 seconds and a 4th, they keep everyone and dont change a thing.
You are right i am, atleast the eagles do something right. CHEERLEADERS
ReplyDeleteThe Eagles were going in the right direction in the middle of the year when they started giving the ball to Weaver and McCoy more, thus setting up the play action to their dynamic receivers. Not only does not establishing the run hurt the QB, look what it did Saturday to the OL. Peters is a perennial Pro Bowler who usually dominates, yet when Ware knew there would be no running, he made him look like a scrub. If it is so obvious to all of us, why doesn't someone as successful as Reid pick up on it. Play action is just a literal waste of pocket time without the actual threat of a run.
ReplyDeleteJones, you are by far one of the most commentors on his blog!!!! wish we could here more from you
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