Iggles Blog - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

Eagles / 49ers Game Recap

Well, after last week's debacle, it was certainly nice to get a win.  And it sure felt good watching the Giants get pummeled up in Seattle.  But what does this win actually mean?

Ron Jaworski started to say something interesting the other day in a piece he contributed to the Philadelphia Eagles website:

"What I need to see from the Eagles is an identity to their running game. I want to see more 'attitude-type' running plays...  I've always said that it doesn't matter how many yards you gain, it matters that you get them when you need them..."

He sort of leaves it at that, however.  Which is too bad, because I think he was on to something but didn't quite get there.

The best teams really do have an identity.  When you think of the 90's Cowboys, you remember Emmitt Smith and his huge offensive line pounding away on the other team, wearing out a defense.  Any time there was a crucial third-and-long, it was Aikman-to-Irvin with that annoying deep out route where Irvin pushed off every time he needed separation. 

More recently, the Patriots beat their opponents with a hard-hitting and confusion-inducing defense, while quarterback Tom Brady kept drives alive with his pinpoint accuracy in the short passing game.

The Eagles of 2000-2003 also had an identity.  A tough and aggressive defense would keep it close while Donovan McNabb would make just enough plays with his arms and his legs to win the game in the end.  It wasn't always pretty, but it worked, at least as far as the NFC Championship Game.

That all changed with the addition of Terrell Owens before the 2004 season.  An offense that had been all dink-and-dunk suddenly became a quick-strike attack.  Unfortunately, the changes weren't all for the good.  A team that for years had taken an "all-business" approach suddenly became showy and cocky.  The preening factor went through the roof.  (This old-school fan didn't really appreciate it much.)

And the defense, which for years had been the backbone of the team, seemed to slide from dominant to adequate as more and more focus shifted to McNabb and Owens and the rest of the offense. 

The 2005 season marked the sudden and definitive end of that short-lived era.  The unanswered question for 2006, however, is what comes next?

After the first three games, we still don't know.  And the win over the 49ers didn't make things any clearer.

It's obvious this offense has the potential to be very, very good.  The Eagles are currently the number one offense in the league, and I would argue that they haven't yet hit their ceiling.  Westbrook and McNabb are at the top of their games, but guys like Reggie Brown, Donte Stallworth, and a rebuilt offensive line all have room for improvement as they get more experience playing together in this system.  Barring a significant injury (read: McNabb), this team is going to be scoring points in bunches for the rest of this season. 

The question mark is the defense.  And that is NOT what we expected going into this season, when the general consensus was that the offense -- minus Terrell Owens -- would be a work in progress while the defense would hold down the fort.  That isn't how things have worked out. 

Even without the injured Jevon Kearse and Lito Sheppard, the Eagles put a lot of pressure on 49ers' quarterback Alex Smith today.  He's a mobile guy, so it only resulted in three sacks, but he didn't spend a lot of quality time hanging out in the pocket.

But still the defense gave up 24 points, in a performance that was eerily similar to last week's collapse against the Giants.  The Eagles jumped out to a big first-half lead, then watched their opponent chip away and make the final result closer than it should have been.  The difference is that this time the offense made sure they kept scoring so the Eagles stayed a couple steps ahead. 

The problem is that explosive offenses don't win Super Bowls.  Not that it hurts to have one.  But the last six Super Bowls have been won by teams with dominant defenses (Ravens, Patriots three times, Buccaneers and Steelers).  You have to go back to the 1999-2000 season for the last champion that was offensively-focused (the Vermeil-coached St. Louis Rams).

To win the Super Bowl, you need to stop the other team from scoring.  (That sounds sort of like one of those Dan Fouts-type statements, but it's true if you think about it on one of those zen-type levels.)  And there are two ways to stop the other team from scoring: 1) play great defense, or 2) don't let them have the ball.  Either way works.  Both works even better. 

Unfortunately, it's pretty clear at this point the Eagles aren't equipped for the latter.  Reid spent a lot of time in the preseason trying to set a tone with his offensive line, as Jaws mentioned in the piece I referenced above.  That led some observers to think that maybe the Eagles would play more of a ball-control, run-proportionate style of offense this year, at least in the second half of games when they were ahead.

But this just isn't who the Eagles are.  It's not who Reid is.  It's not who Westbrook is.  And it doesn't seem to be who this offensive line is. 

The Giants' and 49ers' games have really confirmed that fact.  The Eagles just aren't a grind-it-out team.  When they try, their offense just shuts down.  They have offensive linemen who are great pass blockers.  They have scatbacks who are deadly in space, but aren't likely to run through many tackles up the middle.  Both their tight ends are speed guys who are merely decent run-blockers.  Heck, they even have the best quarterback in the NFC.  Why bother running the ball when McNabb is so good chucking it around?

So we're not going to be a ball control team, but the scary part is that it's starting to look like maybe the "play great defense" thing could be hard to achieve as well.  Yes, some of the defensive injuries have been significant.  Rod Hood played a courageous game this afternoon with his injured heel.  On a couple of long pass plays, it was clear he wasn't 100 percent, but he stayed out there and for the most part did a decent job.  If the Iggles can get Hood and Sheppard back healthy, that should resolve most of the problems in the secondary. 

And it should be mentioned that strong safety Michael Lewis also played a stronger game today.  He was much better in coverage and for the first time this season, looked like he belonged out there next to Dawkins. 

But... 24 points to a team that could charitably be described as "up-and-coming"?  That's not good enough.

And yet.  There was maybe a glimmer today of something we haven't seen in awhile.  That defensive series in the third quarter, when the 49ers had first and goal from the Eagles' one-yard line, was one heck of a goal-line stand:

First play, Niners' tailback Frank Gore to the left, stuffed by Dawkins and Trotter. 

Second down, Gore outside to the right.  No gain.  Again Dawkins in on the stop.

Third down, Gore back inside.  Trotter low, Dawkins high, ball knocked away, recovered by DT Mike Patterson, who rumbles 98 yards for his first-ever NFL touchdown. 

Now THAT was some defense. 

And it may have been the barest flickerings of an identity on that side of the ball.  It's hard to say, because the 49ers followed that series up with three more touchdowns.  But maybe -- maybe -- it was a start.

That's the problem when you win a game you were supposed to win.  It feels great and the fans should be happy, but unless the final score is 60-0, it's always going to to leave some questions.  Now we'll see how the Eagles defense responds to yet another at-times ragged effort. 

Upon that response hangs the season.

Questions I Want to Ask Andy Reid After Getting Him Drunk

1. For whatever reason, has David Akers lost the certainty that he's going to make every kick he attempts?  Once lost, is that something that can be recovered?

2. Do you regret (special teams coach) John Harbaugh talking you into keeping both Perry and Mahe as returners?

3. Would Donte Stallworth have played in today's game if it had been against a better team than the 49ers?

4. Is Donovan McNabb better now than Brett Favre was at his peak?

5. Let's see, 36 called passes and 15 called runs.  You don't really give a crap what your run/pass ratio is as long as Westbrook is getting the ball a lot, do you?  :)

Eagles / 49ers Preview

I had a lot of trouble last night trying to figure out what I was going to say about this Sunday's game against the 49ers.  San Francisco is clearly a better team than it has been the last couple of seasons.  They have just enough offensive weapons to be scary (Smith, Gore, Bryant).  And once these up-and-coming young teams get rolling, sometimes they forget which games they're supposed to lose.

However.

After last weekend's fourth quarter debacle, the Eagles defense, even without a couple of key starters, is going to be angry.  I don't see a young quarterback getting too comfortable going against this defensive line all day.  I'll be surprised if the Niners surpass 17 points.

Which means this is a Jeff Garcia game, as in if Donovan McNabb showed up tomorrow morning with pneumonia and couldn't play, the Eagles could still win this game with their backup quarterback.

I realize that's an overconfident sounding statement in the wake of the Giants' game, but I can't shake the feeling that this remains a really, really good team that won't be making the same mistake in taking their boots off their opponent's throat again. 

If Westbrook can't go, obviously that makes this a little tougher, but inasmuch as WE NEED A HEALTHY WESTBROOK FOR LONG TERM SUCCESS, I wouldn't mind seeing Moats get some action carrying the ball.  A third option out of the backfield is something worth cultivating. 

Westbrook practiced today, so I'll assume he can play.  Prediction: Eagles over Niners,  27 - 16. 

Golf on a Football Blog?

Yeah, quick diversion from football for a second.  The Ryder Cup is this weekend.  This year the American and European teams are playing in Ireland, starting early this morning. 

I love the Ryder Cup, because it's the one international sporting event left where our guys actually have a chance to win and since the teams are so evenly matched and we're talking about Europe (rather than, say, Bangladesh) we can root all out for them without feeling like a bunch of bullies.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Olympics, too.  But it's hard not to root just a little for those athletes that come from tiny countries where they throw huge parties just for lucking into a bronze because someone ahead of them failed a drug test.

The World Cup doesn't count because there's no chance we're going to win that thing in the next couple of decades. 

The American team doesn't usually do that well playing in Europe and the last few years haven't been kind to our guys.  In '04 the Euros came over here and put a serious beatdown on our team.  On the plus side, this time around we're not doing anything stupid like sending Tiger and Mickelson, two guys who can't stand each other, out there as partners.   

If you have a couple minutes this weekend, flip over to the golf.  Even if you're one of those "golf on TV is stupid" types, you might feel a little different when the crowd is roaring every time one of our guys screws up and partners are doing those awkward golf high fives where there's like a 50 percent chance they'll miss. 

Plus, Colin Montgomerie is a weenie.  At least root against him. 

.

Quick addendum.  I had the golf on in the background as I finished editing this post.  The TiVo was paused on a shot of Montgomerie giving an interview.  My dog was sitting next to me, softly growling.  I couldn't figure out what the heck he was thinking about.  After I submitted the post, I un-paused the thing and Colin started talking again.  My dog jumped off the couch and started barking at the TV.  Now he's back to growling at Montgomerie's frozen mug and pacing around the room like he's afraid the guy is going to jump him.

Understand this is a dog whose typical reaction to anyone but the mailman or meter reader is to roll over and hope for a belly rub.  I also don't think he's ever noticed anything happening on the TV before.

Sweet, even my dog can't stand you, Colin.  USA! USA! USA!

Iggles Nation Speaks Out

Boy, that loss to the Giants sure sticks with you, doesn't it?  It's Thursday, a time when most weeks all Eagles conversation would be about the upcoming opponent.  Not this week.  Blogs, message boards and water coolers are all still aflame about what was admittedly one of the worst Eagles losses in quite some time.

Because not everyone has time to read those other outlets, I offer as a public service this summary of the typical fan's reaction to the loss.  According to the fans, after several days of sober analysis, here's what happened:

"The problem is Reid.  He’s never learned that you have to run the ball to win in this league.  You can't just go pass, pass, pass all the time.

He also shouldn't have gotten so conservative in his play-calling.  That's what killed us.  Why are we just slamming it up in there between the tackles every time in the fourth quarter, rather than going for the big strike that would have slammed the door shut?

And what was with all the aggressive blitzing by Jim Johnson's defense?  They should have sat back and played it safe with a prevent defense that might have given up some yards, but would have kept the Giants on the scoreboard.

Of course, that won't work if your cornerbacks keep giving up all those short completions that keep the chains moving.  Would it have killed him to bring some pressure to take a little bit of the heat off of those guys?

Our secondary sure did look bad, didn't it?  I've been telling you since Day One that we could never win with "Litoast" back there.  That guy's so overrated.  We didn't miss him at all in the fourth quarter and overtime when the Giants receivers were running wide open all over the place and Eli Manning completed 14 straight passes.

This goes on McNabb, too.  He gets so tight in big games.  And why the hell was he smiling on the sideline so much during the first three quarters when the Eagles were doing so well?  How about a little focus?

But clearly, it's time for Reid to go.  In seven seasons his teams have lost three NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl.  I'm so sick of this lack of success.

Look around the league.  When was the last time any team won a Super Bowl by sticking with a single coach, through thick and thin, anywhere near this long? 

That pretty much sums it up.  Thanks for giving me the chance to get a little closure here.  Last thing I'll write about the Giants game, I promise.

Cowboys Coming to Town for Christmas After All?

This is really intriguing:

"It's not official, but word is if the Phillies make the National League playoffs -- they went into last night one game behind the Dodgers for the wild-card lead -- the Eagles' games with Dallas this year could be switched. "

This would be good because a) it would break up that string of three road division games near the end of the season and b) it would mean playing Dallas at the Linc when the weather is a lot nastier.  I'll take any edge we can get.

Of course, the Phillies, who as of Wednesday night officially tied the Dodgers for the NL wild card lead, have to not blow this thing.  Any takers on that bet?

[Update: The Daily News dumped a big bucket of cold water all over this one.  "NFL officials have told the Eagles that the Dallas games - Oct. 8 at Lincoln Financial Field, Christmas Day in Irving, Texas - would not be switched. There have been many rumors and some media reports that if the Phillies make the playoffs, the Eagles would not play at home Oct. 8. In fact, there have been various combinations of Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers games, some of them playoff contests, on the same dates at the South Philadelphia sports complex over the years and nobody has moved a regular-season game because of it in recent memory. Some of the national media and/or blogosphere people spreading this rumor must be under the impression the Eagles and the Phils play in the same stadium, which, of course, they don't..."]

The Season's First Big Gamble

Through four and a half quarters this past Sunday, it looked like the Eagles' major roster gamble wasn't paying off.  Blessed with a surplus of talent on both lines and an unsteady running back position, the Eagles had trimmed their depth at other positions, most notably in the secondary, where they kept only four cornerbacks.

Then Lito Sheppard got hurt against the Texans and starter-caliber backup Rod Hood injured his heel against the Giants and all of a sudden Eli Manning was having fun throwing against Joselio Hansen and a just-reclaimed Dexter Wynn.  It made one wonder whether we should have made that position a bit more of a priority when final cuts were made.

Then Jevon Kearse went down. 

As we all know now -- and as we feared at the time -- Kearse is done for the season, with damage to multiple ligaments in his left knee.  This is going to be a huge loss.  Jevon was off the hottest start of his Eagles' career, with 3.5 sacks in his first two games.  I'm no expert at all on defensive line techniques, but it seemed to my untrained eye like he was doing a better job this year keeping the offensive linemen's hands off of him by using a couple of new techniques.  The work of new line coach Pete Jenkins seemed to be paying off.

So now we see the merit of the Eagles' roster approach.  Replacing Kearse in the rotation -- if not the starting lineup -- will be former first-round pick (and star-crossed athlete) Jerome McDougle, who has been a healthy inactive for the first two games.  Not many teams can boast that kind of depth.

So now the theory is that we've had our major line injury.  Our d-line numbers go down to eight (Howard, Cole, Thomas, McDougle, Patterson, Walker, Bunkley, Ramsey) and we keep adding cornerbacks in the hopes that someone can stay healthy enough to remain on the field.   

Injuries are an unfortunate part of the NFL.  In the last five years, we have also learned that they are practically inevitable on the defensive line.  Reid and his staff should be commended for their foresight with how they handled the roster. 

Now let's just hope the Iggles don't get any more opportunities to show us why that depth is so important.

Eagles Call Up CB Dustin Fox to Patch Wounded Roster

Bit of a surprise today for the Eagles, who signed CB Dustin Fox off the practice squad to take Jevon Kearse's roster spot.  Most people seemed to think the Iggs would try to re-sign Donald Strickland, who played decently in spot duty last season in nickel situations.

Fox is an interesting prospect.  He was drafted in the third round out of Ohio State last year by the Minnesota Vikings.  He got hurt and missed the season while on injured reserve and ended up on the waiver wire this summer.

Ordinarily we wouldn't care too much about a sixth cornerback, but at the rate the Eagles are losing guys to injury, Fox could be starting by next week. 

Interesting note: "His brother, Derek, played with the Indianapolis Colts 2000 and 2001, while his uncle, Tom, was a safety for New England 1976-81."  Here's his scouting report coming out of college. 

The Crisis

"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer teammate and the sunshine fan will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their team; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

"Our schedule, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.

"Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as VICTORY should not be highly rated.

"I see no real cause for fear. I know our situation well, and can see the way out of it..."

Andy Reid is the best coach in the NFC.  This is the week he earns his money.

References: 1, 2 and 3

Give Me a Break

Oh for Pete's sake.  One bad loss and now the idiots are out calling for Andy Reid's head.  No wonder the rest of the world thinks Iggles fans are a bunch of raving lunatics. 

Putting the Giants Loss in Perspective

So here we are, the morning after. 

After a loss like this, there comes a point when the team and its fans have to move on.  To understand that while it was a brutal defeat and a blown opportunity, it was only one game and there's still plenty of time left this season to make a run.

But you're crazy if you think there's ANY chance I'm ready to do that yet.  So as a follow-up to yesterday's choke-job, here's one fan's list of the five worst Eagles' losses of the Andy Reid era:

5. Dallas Cowboys, 11/14/05 - There's actually plenty of competition for this #5 slot.  I'm going to go with last year's second Cowboys game, where the Eagles seemed to be on the path to victory until McNabb threw a horrible interception to Roy Williams that resulted in both a game-winning touchdown and the final season-ending injury to McNabb as he tried to make the tackle.  The ONLY positive from the experience was that McNabb finally got the surgery he needed from the beginning and came back healthy for this offseason.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9/8/03 - This was payback time.  The Eagles were opening on a Monday night in their brand new stadium against the team that had knocked them out of last year's playoffs.  With a healthy Brian Westbrook, this was going to be the first step toward the Super Bowl.  One 17-0 butt-whupping later and the entire season seemed lost.  (Of course, after losing again the second week to the New England Patriots, the Eagles rebounded to make their third straight NFC Championship game.  More on that later.)

3. New York Giants, 9/17/06 - That's how bad this loss was.  Only the two brutal NFC Championship game defeats surpass it.  I have nothing else to add to what I said yesterday. 

2. Carolina Panthers, 2004 NFC Championship Game - A punch-less Eagles offense, missing an injured Brian Westbrook, was manhandled by a tough Panthers' defense.  McNabb was hurt early and ended up tossing three interceptions before being replaced.  This was just a total butt-kicking, and wasn't as close as the 14-3 final score indicated.  Bonus: this was the game that convinced Andy Reid to pursue Terrell Owens, a decision whose repercussions are still being felt today.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2003 NFC Championship Game - As bad as the Carolina loss was, we at least understood that without Westbrook, that was going to be a tough game. 

This one, we never saw coming. 

The up-and-coming Eagles were back in the NFC Championship game and this time they were at home.  The Bucs had lost three straight times at the Vet -- scoring no offensive TDs -- and had won only one time ever when the temperature was below 40 degrees.  Even worse, the Eagles scored first after a big runback by veteran return man Brian Mitchell. 

Eagles' fans will long remember Bucs' coach Jon Gruden, the boy genius, isolating WR Joe Jurevicius on 300-pound Eagles linebacker Levon Kirkland for a huge catch-and-run TD.  Relying mostly on quick three-step drops to counter our aggressive blitzing scheme, Bucs' QB Brad Johnson carved up the Eagles' secondary and the Bucs' defense took care of the rest.

After this one was over, I remember lying motionless with my head down on the floor as my soon-to-be wife alternated between trying to comfort me and wondering whether or not this might be a good time to leave the crazy person.  Fortunately, she stuck around.