The Agony Of Victory

As I'm writing this, Kevin Kolb doesn't look that bad.  He doesn't look great, but we've seen worse.  If we're going to blow a couple of winnable early season games -- and we are -- we might as well make it a learning experience for the heir apparent at the QB position.

The problem comes if this isn't just a couple week injury for McNabb.  Obviously we don't know anything yet, but I was struck by two things:  1) The gingerness with which McNabb returned from (and went back to) the locker room, and 2) The apparent somberness of the sideline discussion between McNabb and Sheldon Brown.  That didn't look like a guy saying, "Nah, I'm cool.  Just tweaked it a bit." 

I'll try not to descend too deeply into mopery, but an awful lot of positive things now get overshadowed by one potentially serious injury.

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Let's hit a few high notes, for balance:

This was an extremely well-coached game by the Eagles.  McDermott's fancy new schemes are going to get a lot of the attention, but the offensive gameplan had its fair share of wrinkles too.  I think we need to do a better job of getting DeSean involved in the passing game, but when everything else is working, there's no need to force things.

The Eagles have a lot of fastballs.  Both offense and defense.  It's kind of ridiculous that our fullback might be a better runner than some of the backup tailbacks we've had in the past. 

McDermott actually used all those pitches.  Snap counting is going to be interesting in this game.  Looked like we were running free substitution out there sometimes.

Eagles played fast today.  DeSean Jackson looks faster than anyone else on the field.  The rest of the team -- after that bonk-y first drive -- flew around all day.  Fun to watch.  The tackling could have been a bit better, though.

Sheldon Brown.  Nice choice on the pre-game video, Derek.  Yes, yes it was.

LeSean McCoy.  Just fine taking all those post-decision carries.  What a great pick.

Asante Samuel's hair.  Enjoy the dreads now, man.  That hairline is headed to the 700 level.

None of the guys we were worried about had issues.  Justice looked fine (Kolb has to get rid of that ball).  Macho had no obvious mix-ups, although with the pressure the front seven was applying, he might have had some things covered up.  The linebackers will face a much stiffer test next week against Payton and Brees.  We may set a record for most DBs on the field at one time, if our line can control the running game.

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All in all, we've had worse season openers ...

... maybe.