Housekeeping Thursday

McNabb vs. Garcia

I know, it's too early to have this discussion.  Save it for after the season.

But if I had a dollar for every time I've heard some cockamamie theory over the last two months for why Jeff Garcia is a better quarterback than Donovan McNabb, I'd be able to move up to the big-money tables in Vegas this weekend, rather than wandering all over creation trying to find some $5 blackjack on a Friday night. 

Evidently Rick Reilly was on Dan Patrick's radio show today and said that the Eagles "had" to re-sign Garcia for next season and they should try to move McNabb because he's got a lot of trade value.  I can't verify his exact words, since I'm not an ESPN "Insider" and don't plan to become one any time soon, but OF COURSE Donovan McNabb has great trade value since he's a TOP FIVE @#$%! quarterback, you ninny.

Anyway, let's just take a quick look at the stats.  The shaded lines are the average numbers compiled by the two quarterbacks in the games they started this season (not counting Atlanta, since Garcia came out after the first series).  The other numbers are Garcia's game-by-game results:

	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	TD	Int
McNabb	19.3	33.7	57.4%	285.4	2.0	0.6
Garcia	17.7	27.8	63.5%	207.3	1.7	0.3
	19.0	23.0	82.6%	140.0	2.0	0.0
	21.0	39.0	53.8%	312.0	3.0	0.0
	15.0	23.0	65.2%	164.0	2.0	0.0
	19.0	28.0	67.9%	237.0	1.0	1.0
	15.0	23.0	65.2%	238.0	1.0	1.0
	17.0	31.0	54.8%	153.0	1.0	0.0

Yes, I understand the Eagles changed the offensive balance after McNabb went down.  I'm all for leaning more heavily on the running game.  But look at the difference between McNabb's average game and all of Garcia's performances.  In six games, Garcia arguably had one performance that was better than McNabb's average game this season.

One.

I'm glad Garcia has stepped in and grabbed the reins this season in relief of McNabb.  He's done a great job and of course I'm rooting for him to keep it up as long as possible.  But there's no quarterback controversy here.

An Outsider's Look at the Eagles

Football Outsiders is absolutely the best site for funky NFL statistics.  In an attempt to control for outside factors, they make up all kinds of scoring mechanisms and measuring systems.  Sometimes it all feels a bit "on the fly," but there's no denying they've got some interesting insights.

At any rate, in their ratings formula, Philadelphia is the best team in the NFC, although they still have them behind all four AFC teams.

They also have regular season rankings, which suggest that John Harbaugh has some work to do in the off-season.

The "defense vs. types of receiver" numbers (scroll down) are very interesting as a way to gauge every team's cornerback tandem.  It's not particularly surprising, for example, that Denver is the best in the league at shutting down an opposing team's #1 threat, given the presence of Champ Bailey.  Interestingly, the Saints are the worst in the league in that stat...

And for those who think Reggie Bush is going to be the key in this game, notice that the Eagles are #2 defending pass-catching running backs.

The defensive rushing rankings (again, scroll down) are pretty hard on the Eagles for runs to every point but right end.  The Saints are stronger on their left side (the offense's right), so look for Westbrook to be following a pulling Big Kid to the left this weekend.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

Guess which team led the league in penalty yards this season?  Hint: it wasn't the Raiders.

That's an absurd figure for a team that's gotten this far into the playoffs.  We will certainly remember some of the more damaging penalties this year for a long time, won't we?

But here's something else.  You think I'm crazy for suggesting that NFL refs have dramatically cut down on the number of flags they've thrown this year?  Take a look at this chart:

Is anyone out there reporting on this?  It seems like a pretty major story.

Comments

[AJC]

I may be wrong, but I have seen more non-calls for pass interference and offensive holding this year.
Earlier, the talk was how roughing the passer calls to protect the quarterback were ruining the game and now look at this.
If I remember correctly, in previous years, you would see a block in the back on EVERY kick-off or punt.
Obviously, the call came down from the league office to let them play, I just wish they would be consistent.

[Jason]

If you think the penalty drop is large now, wait until a year or two from now when they follow the collegiate model and make pass interference a max. 15 yd penalty.

That possible rule change might be the official end of Eli Manning.

[bake]

Here's the chords that go along with the Eagles fights song, for anyone who plays guitar.

C
Fly Eagles Fly
C G7
On the road to Victory
Dm
Fight Eagles Fight
Dm G7 C
Score a Touchdown One Two Three
C7 F7
Hit em Low Hit em High
D7 G7
And Watch Our Eagles Fly
C A7
Fly Eagles Fly
Dm G7 C
On the Road to Victory

I learned it from the Eagles Pep Band at the carnival over the summer, sounds good when I play it..lol..just a little tricky in the changes in some parts, but a simple basic song.

I may annoy some people and may say things that is wacked sometimes, ask Paul domowitch...LMAO
The Cowher thing he told me makes for good reading but it's off base and the new Giants coach will be decided next year by their new GM. I don't think everything I say is off base, maybe alot is but I don't give a shit.
I had two bone marrow transplants over the summer, had alot of drugs, and have alot of time on my hands to sit and spew..LOL...I told Paul I'll be back to work soon and I'll stop annoying people like him with my shit....LOL
The weird thing is, I have to take the drugs, and you may get some of my best stuff when they kick in...especially in the morning or afternoon....usually by nightfall I'm mellowed out and watching the simpsons or seinfeld, espn, nfl network, what have you

[bake]

Well the song didn't come out the way I typed it when I hit post. It's the right chords not in the right part of the words though. If anyone wants a transcript of it exactly, just let me know. I'll even perform at your party....LOL