Deja Vu
Full recap to come later, but I just want to point something out right now:
OCTOBER 22, 2006
Bryant's 62-yard FG gives Bucs 23-21 win
By Aaron Knox
Philly.com Staff
Finally, the Eagles missed a chance to tie the game late in the first half on an inexplicable decision by McNabb in the final seconds.
The Eagles drove 74 yards in 50 seconds to reach the Buccaneers 6 with 9 seconds to play in the half, including a 20-yard run by McNabb and a 29-yard scamper on a screen pass by Brian Westbrook.
With no timeouts, the Eagles opted to take one crack at the end zone before bringing on David Akers for a short field goal attempt.
But McNabb instead threw to tight end L.J. Smith at the Bucs 2, where Barber -- who else? -- wrapped him up with five seconds remaining. McNabb had no chance to spike the ball and time expired.
It marked the first time all season the Eagles, who entered the game with the NFL's top-ranked offense, failed to score in the first half.
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OCTOBER 24, 2005
By Aaron Knox
Philly.com Staff
Finally, the Eagles missed a chance to tie the game late in the first half on an inexplicable decision by McNabb in the final seconds.
The Eagles drove 74 yards in 50 seconds to reach the Buccaneers 6 with 9 seconds to play in the half, including a 20-yard run by McNabb and a 29-yard scamper on a screen pass by Brian Westbrook.
With no timeouts, the Eagles opted to take one crack at the end zone before bringing on David Akers for a short field goal attempt.
But McNabb instead threw to tight end L.J. Smith at the Bucs 2, where Barber -- who else? -- wrapped him up with five seconds remaining. McNabb had no chance to spike the ball and time expired.
It marked the first time all season the Eagles, who entered the game with the NFL's top-ranked offense, failed to score in the first half.
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OCTOBER 24, 2005
Eagles Notes Clock mistake on Reid's watch
By Bob Brookover; Inquirer Staff Writer
It was easy to forget the end of the first half after all that happened at the end of the second half yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles would be wise to remember how they whiffed on an opportunity to put points on the scoreboard as time expired in the first half of their 20-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
"I blew it," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I called a route that I shouldn't have. I should have put all of the receivers in the end zone, and I didn't do that. That won't happen again."
The abridged version of what happened: With the Eagles out of time-outs and just 10 seconds left in the first half, quarterback Donovan McNabb and the offense were given one more shot at scoring a touchdown rather than settling for a field goal. It was first and 10 from the 13.
The one receiver who didn't run an end-zone route was tight end L.J. Smith, and he's the man McNabb found with the football at about the 5-yard line. Smith fought for another yard before being taken down, and then the Eagles scrambled to get to the line of scrimmage.
McNabb spiked the ball with one second left in the half, but not all of the offensive players were set, resulting in a false-start penalty that ended the half.
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January 18, 2005
Eagles Playback
The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Taking the blame"
Reid took the blame for the Eagles' failure to put up points before the end of the first half when McNabb inexplicably threw a pass over the middle to running back Dorsey Levens with 10 seconds and no time-outs remaining.
"I have to do a better job with that and keep all of his throws in the end zone," Reid said. "I could have given him a better play than what I did. I gave him a play with underneath routes. It wasn't smart on my part."
Maybe not, but McNabb has to know he can't throw anywhere other than the end zone, too. And there were receivers in the end zone.
By Bob Brookover; Inquirer Staff Writer
It was easy to forget the end of the first half after all that happened at the end of the second half yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles would be wise to remember how they whiffed on an opportunity to put points on the scoreboard as time expired in the first half of their 20-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
"I blew it," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I called a route that I shouldn't have. I should have put all of the receivers in the end zone, and I didn't do that. That won't happen again."
The abridged version of what happened: With the Eagles out of time-outs and just 10 seconds left in the first half, quarterback Donovan McNabb and the offense were given one more shot at scoring a touchdown rather than settling for a field goal. It was first and 10 from the 13.
The one receiver who didn't run an end-zone route was tight end L.J. Smith, and he's the man McNabb found with the football at about the 5-yard line. Smith fought for another yard before being taken down, and then the Eagles scrambled to get to the line of scrimmage.
McNabb spiked the ball with one second left in the half, but not all of the offensive players were set, resulting in a false-start penalty that ended the half.
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January 18, 2005
Eagles Playback
The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Taking the blame"
Reid took the blame for the Eagles' failure to put up points before the end of the first half when McNabb inexplicably threw a pass over the middle to running back Dorsey Levens with 10 seconds and no time-outs remaining.
"I have to do a better job with that and keep all of his throws in the end zone," Reid said. "I could have given him a better play than what I did. I gave him a play with underneath routes. It wasn't smart on my part."
Maybe not, but McNabb has to know he can't throw anywhere other than the end zone, too. And there were receivers in the end zone.
The Eagles don't learn from their mistakes. After the Giants game, they still haven't learned. Different circumstances, of course, but still, same result. Time runs out in the first half, but they had all 3 time-outs in that drive. They put themselves in position to score either a fg or a td in that drive, as long as they didn't give up a sack or throw it anywhere but the end zone. Was a poor decision by mcnabb, not time management in this case. Stupid penalty by trent cole in giants game, but have they learned from that? Not Mcdougle. Already had the penalty, an obvious face mask, but he still kicks the flag and gives up another 15. They go on to eat more clock and then kick a fg. Never fear, eagles offense is here. They scored easily in that last 2:49. Too easily, it appears. Bad Kickoff coverage and the bucs are at the 37 with two timeouts. Enough to give them a field goal attempt. A near impossible attempt of course. But like i said near impossible. It was good and now there is trouble in nfc east land.
Yes the cowboys and giants play each other tomorrow night and someone has to lose. Best case scenario for the eagles is they will be all tied at 5-3 with giants and cowboys after they come back from bye week. Crushing loses this year. Every fucking one of them. They had the lead in the 4th quarter in every game and still managed to lose. They win one of those games and they are in so much better position. Now the Eagles need to win 8 out of their 9 games to win this division. I checked the schedules and it's not too tough for the giants or cowboys. We have to beat all those teams. There's no leeway here. Maybe you can lose the colts game, but basically you have to run the table. THey can do it. It's going to be tough. They have to play complete games, offense and defense, for 4 QUARTERS. 5-3 in the first half of the season will be at the bye, cause they will win next week without a doubt. I guarantee that. Must go 7-1 in second half of season against a tougher schedule because they blew their chance against the easy part of it.
Posted by: bake | October 22, 2006 at 10:51 PM