But Enough About Me

Let's talk about you.  You, that once proud franchise (was it really just last year?) that strode across the NFC North like a colossus (at least since 2002 when they put you in that new division). 

As has so often occurred during the history of your storied ball club, this year's team is built around a proud defense.  It's not a particularly good defense, mind you, but it's very, very proud.

There have been many theories put forward for why the unit has struggled so much.  Is it the Super Bowl hangover?  The loss of defensive coordinator Ron Rivera?  Maybe just injuries?

No, no and no.

It's actually pretty simple.  And no, that link didn't work for me either.  But somehow that seems fitting, don't you think?

It's called addition by subtraction, baby, or in this case, subtraction by addition.  Sadly, there's no guarantee Mr. No-Gap will be playing this weekend.  I join Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter and Tony Hunt in sending my best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Now some may remember the last time the Eagles went up against one of their former defensive tackles.  It didn't go so well.  On the other hand, Hollis was pulling a Belichick with the needle.  Heck, if he'd shown that kind of commitment to getting his next contract winning while with the Eagles he'd probably still be in Philadelphia. 

Beyond the issue of OIllie Olé -- and I hope the section of the playbook devoted to attacking players other than the Swinging Gate is extremely small -- Sunday's contest really comes down to just one facet of the game.  And no, it's not special teams.  It's stopping Brian Griese.

That's right.  Stopping ... Brian ... Griese.

After Griese's first game as a starter, everyone pretty much laughed him off.  Three INTs, six sacks, not a good performance. 

But consider how rusty McNabb looked at the beginning of this season, and he'd only been off since the middle of last year.  Griese hasn't really been a full-time starter for years, really since his time in Denver.  Gruden jerked him around in Tampa Bay and evidently no quarterback can ever succeed in Miami.

This year, Griese's early preseason numbers were outstanding (yeah, I know) and he's been getting better each game.  Compare his career stats to Sexy Rexy's.  Which one would you rather face?

It's certainly possible the rest of his team is going to fold around him and it will be one of those multi-sack days, but if our guys aren't ready for him, things could get interesting. 

However, if the Eagles can hold down the Bears' rushing attack (the way everyone else has) with just the front seven and if Lito can actually get on the field this week, I like our match-ups.  As long as we can score some points early to keep the crowd from collectively losing its shit, I think this could actually be a pretty fun game.

What's that?  I'm talking about the Eagles again?  Sorry, just can't help it.  Although you'll be talking about them too on Sunday night, after they stick a boot in your butt to the tune of 27-23.

It's not you, it's them.

Comments

[Ajay]

Thanks for that Darwin Walker link. That sent me into a fit of laughter. There is absolutely no doubt about one thing, the Eagles definitely know when to let players go and not overpay for their services. See Walker above, Corey Simon, Troy Vincent, Duce Staley, etc.