Monday Catch-Up and Musings
I've been pretty out if the mix since the game ended on Thursday night. We were visiting my wife's family in California and there was a lot going on. I'm also sick and work this morning has been crazy.
So. Today's going to just be a catch-up day. Then we're back tomorrow with your regularly scheduled programming.
Thoughts:
The annihilation of the Cardinals obviously begs for an explanation of how that fits into the "not talented enough" framework. I'm hamstrung here because I watched the game on a grainy computer feed that made picking up on things like the arrival of Demps hard to do in real time. My plan is to do a video rewind this week -- with this question as the theme -- but my gut instinct here is that this is a case of a) The Cardinals are a truly excellent match-up for the Eagles and b) Things like this tend to happen in the NFL.
The Cardinals proved once again that if you can't stop Brian Westbrook, you won't stop the Eagles. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the league seems to have figured out how to stop (an injured) Brian Westbrook.
Eat it, Spadaro. I've still not gotten over this piece the Eagles' web front man wrote a couple weeks ago about McNabb. This part especially drove me nuts:
McNabb is holding on to the ball, waiting for the receivers to create separation and then gunning it to them. The receivers are not consistent enough catching the football, but I believe of lot of that has to do with their lack of certainty as to when the ball is coming out, and where it is coming to, and how fast McNabb is throwing it and all the little insecurities that lead to drops.
McNabb was playing with six different receivers, three tight ends and a couple of running backs, and Spadaro blamed him for the timing issues. And drops.
Whatever. The fact that the Eagles finally shortened their receiver rotation on Thursday night -- with the explanation as given by the announcers that they felt the previous set-up was hurting his ability to get into a rhythm -- pretty much closes the book on that one.
Watch Nick Cole. One of this year's biggest disappointments has been Jamaal Jackson. He's too heavy, he doesn't seem to be playing well, and the rumors are finally starting to come out that he's not looking that great on film. Cole has never impressed me in his time on the field, but if he has four games to get a look, maybe he'll be a little more consistent. This is his chance to make a run at starting center for next year. If he doesn't do it now, it's not happening. (And if he doesn't do it fast, look for Mike McGlynn to get his shot.)
That's it for now. Back tomorrow.
I watched the first half on replay last night. One thing that struck me was that it looked like Arizona just wasn't prepared for the Eagles. They hadn't had enough time to break the Eagles down properly and incorporate what they saw. The Eagles also had some good fortune -- Warner was inaccurate, McNabb was the beneficiary of some good plays. But, for example, the shovel pass touchdown to Westbrook -- I don't think that play gains positive yardage against a team with a regular week of prep, let alone a touchdown.
Fun game to win and to watch, but I don't think it tells us much about the team; I think it was just a rough schedule for the Cardinals and their coaching staff.
Looking forward to seeing McGlynn in the wedge at a minimum. He should be more agile than Cole, though I worry about the lack of experience.
Posted by: shlynch | December 01, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Great win on Thursday but it was against the Cardinals. Their defense doesnt scare teams. Lets see how they do against the Giants. Till then the jury is still out.
I am hoping that they shortening of receivers gives McNabb the spark he needs and that we get hot and run the tables. McNabb looked very sharp and it was nice to see him use his legs again.
Posted by: quest4fire85 | December 01, 2008 at 01:36 PM
The answer is simple - Cardinals were worn down by Giants; they had less than three days to rest and traveled across the country.
If Eagles played them in Arizona on Sunday - we would have seen Ravens game redux..
This Sunday game in New York will settle things in the right perspective.
PS. What is going on with Omar? Is he hanging out with Lito now?
Posted by: Eaglecrazy | December 01, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Speaking of Omar (and Lito), you know what I would like? (And I'm sure there is a market for this in ad revenue, but it would be tedious to compile) After each game, I'd like a list of how many players each Eagle played. Every now and then we find out Chris Clemons played a certain number or Abiamiri's playing time is increasing (or Bunkley's is decreasing). If there was just a resource where, each week, it would say how many plays everyone played, I think a lot of eagles fans would be interested in that.
I go to all the games, and after every play (offense or defense) it seems like 4 or 5 guys are shuffling in and out. It's impossible to keep everyone straight in live time.
Posted by: Brandon | December 01, 2008 at 05:37 PM
"I watched the game on a grainy computer feed"
Was that via NFL.com?
I caught it that way, but it was SO annoying as the feed seemed to cut out every time the play was being run...and then it would come back AFTER the play was over. I wouldn't doubt that it was deliberate as a marketing ploy to get you to pay for the NFL Network Channel instead!
Posted by: Eagles Fan in San Fran | December 01, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Nope, slingbox. Which works great, it's just the broadband connection I was on wasn't so hot.
Posted by: Derek | December 01, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Wow! A Ryan Moats sighting on MNF - he rushed twice for the Texans during the 4th quarter of their blow out win tonight - the first went for 4 yards, then, the very next play, he went (backwards) for negative 5 yards.
A quick check of the stats shows he's rushed 10 times for 51 yards going into the game. He's actually listed as the #2 back, but that's only because Ahman Green just went on the IR this week.
Posted by: Eagles Fan in San Fran | December 01, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Ryan Moats always seemed like a guy who would thrive in the Denver (and now Houston) system, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him emerge in the next year or two as a key player for Kubiak.
Posted by: shlynch | December 02, 2008 at 09:12 AM
He won't pass Slaton, but that's exactly right. One cut and go is his game.
Posted by: Derek | December 02, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Moats rushed for 34 against Ravens on 7 attempts - longest 12 yard run and 17 against Bungles - avg 4.2 on 16 Atts. Booker barely got 2.7 on 48.
Posted by: Eaglecrazy | December 02, 2008 at 06:13 PM