Let's talk Philadelphia Eagles

[Maikeru-sama]

12th in total offense

9th Scoring offense

23rd in total defense. Of which they are ranked 26th against the run and 17th against the defending the pass.

Terrell Owens is 2nd in the NFL in receptions yardage and 1st in touchdown receptions.

Donovan Mcnabb is 7th in passing yardage, 6th in touchdown passes and has the 6th highest passer rating in the NFL.

And there is Jevon Kearse. Here is an excert from a fort worth star telegram writer regarding Kearse:

The Eagles defensive end, who spent his first five seasons in Tennessee, has six sacks in eight games, adding another threat to Philly's blitz-happy defense.
The impact of the three-time Pro Bowler, who signed for eight years, has ignited an Eagles defense that leads the NFL with 27 sacks.


LINK (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/10144549.htm)


Here is what a local writer felt were keys to the Eagles success (a Super Bowl berth)

1.Brian Westbrook: If he is healthy and playing with that special burst, the Eagles ought to be really hard to keep out of the Super Bowl.

2. Will the weekly T.O. controversy become a burden: Up to now, coaches and teammates have
aken life with Terrell Owens in stride. A couple of losses in a row could change that, especially if T.O. keeps feuding with analysts and commentators. It's hard to fight with an entity like ESPN and have your version of events get a full and fair hearing, as Owens found last week.

3. Defensive adjustments: Either a few starters on the line and among the linebacking corps will become more consistent, or subs will take their spots by playoff time.

4. L.J. Smith: Actually, it could be Freddie Mitchell, or Todd Pinkston, or Greg Lewis. But somebody has to become an additional feared weapon. Smith has the most potential, and he started the season like he meant to fill this role.

5. D-Mac and the line: If Donovan McNabb is going to solidify what until recently seemed a cinch to be his best season, he's going to need decent protection, and the threat of a running game, to which the line holds the key.


LINK (http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/10142512.htm)

The Eagles' biggest problem is stopping the run. They gave up 252 rushing yards to the Steelers last week, but of course, the Pittsburgh has more horses than we do. I think Zimmer and company will call a defensive game plan similar to the Minnesota game. I think Dixon and Roy Williams will be in deep zones to prevent the big play and that will open up the running game and I expect Westbrook to have a decent day and to have success similar to what Duce Staley had. Regardless of whatever schemes Zimmer comes up with, I still see Terrell Owens having a decent day against our very passive coverage.

The biggest mismatch may not be Owens vs. the Cowboys secondary, but rather Torrin Tucker vs Jevon Kearse and Corey Simon vs. Andre Gurode. Will they step up to the challenge like they did against Carolina in the first game or will they struggle like they did against Tampa Bay and Miami? The threat Kearse posses could keep Witten in to help double team more than the Cowboys want and take away one of the Cowboys biggest offensive weapons on some downs. I see Parcells getting away from his Great playcalling against the Lions where he ran ran ran, similar to last year and putting the ball in Vinny's hands to deterimine the outcome of the ball game once again. Unfortuntately, that is where the Eagles have been exploited, see their game against the Browns and the Steelers for more info.

The only positive I can think of is that we played the Pittsburgh Steelers very well and should have beaten them, of course the team that just defeated the Eagles.

That's pretty much the only positive I can think of.

Thoughts?

[BrownSugar]

Great research there on your part, MG!! Oh how I wish we had a runner that could expose their run defense like the Steelers did!! I don't know about this one....and having Roy back in coverage to help the corners may bite us in the butt like it did in Minnesota. They need to get as much pressure as they can on Donovan to take him out of his "A" game.

We'll see, I'm trying to be optimistic, but I'm not so sure we can pull this one out...

[Maikeru-sama]

Sup BrownSugar...

Would be great to see an upset. This will be the first Cowboys game I have attended this year (and I live right down the street from TS :(), so I am praying that we will make a game out of.

Something tells me Zimmer is going to be so predictable. Again I ask a Chicken or the Egg question...

Do you become more aggressive when you have a weak secondary or when you have a really good secondary? Im with the first approach.

This battle in the trenches between Tucker and Kearse will be one to watch.

I look for the Eagles to spread the Cowboys out early and get those weak corners out there.

Sometime tells me L.J. Smith could have a nice game as well.

- Mike G.

[BrownSugar]

Sup BrownSugar...

Would be great to see an upset. This will be the first Cowboys game I have attended this year (and I live right down the street from TS :(), so I am praying that we will make a game out of.

Something tells me Zimmer is going to be so predictable. Again I ask a Chicken or the Egg question...

Do you become more aggressive when you have a weak secondary or when you have a really good secondary? Im with the first approach.

This battle in the trenches between Tucker and Kearse will be one to watch.

I look for the Eagles to spread the Cowboys out early and get those weak corners out there.

Sometime tells me L.J. Smith could have a nice game as well.

- Mike G.
What section are you going to be sitting in?

[Chocolate Lab]

I remember reports after the Vikes game that the coaching staff regretted giving Moss so much attention. I wonder if they'll play more straight up against Owens this week.

[Maikeru-sama]

I dont know what seats yet.

A buddy on another message board who lives in New York is giving me the tickets and should arrive in the mail sometime this week.

I never asked what seats they were because the tickets were free :D .

- Mike G.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Andy Reed coaching vs zimmy's wussified coaching was a huge mismatch before they got TO...Now its that much worse...

Our only chance is to attack ROY & James vs McChunky soup...Blitz early & often...lil Dat & dexie must play the quick outlet passes BEFORE Westbrook has a chance to juke them silly...

If we do this we MIGHT have a chance of #1 Hurting McChunk and #2 TURNOVERS...

On offense we can score IF Morgan is used deep and Key has a HOF game...
Witten must also be used on quick passes if they choose to blitz so much...

Finally Lee MUST be used to make them pay for attacking...George is a waste...

[BrownSugar]

I dont know what seats yet.

A buddy on another message board who lives in New York is giving me the tickets and should arrive in the mail sometime this week.

I never asked what seats they were because the tickets were free :D .

- Mike G.
Let me know when you get them, my cousin and I are coming to the game, maybe we can meet you before the game.

[MeanandGreen]

Oh how I wish we had a runner that could expose their run defense like the Steelers did!!

It didn't take a great runner, lets be honest, it was the Steelers line. Thse holes were massive. Even Verron Haynes and even Willie Parker were averaging over 4 yards a carry.

I haven't followed the Cowboys much so I am not sure what your line is like but somehow I'm figuring they are not as good as the Steeler line. This is a bad matchup for you. Had you come off a win I'd be concerned but being that you guys were embarrissed as much as we were last week, coupled with a bad season and your coach not even showing much hope, I have a feeling that this isn't going to be as good as a game as it should have been.

I can't say I wish you luck but I'm hoping that the rivalry can start to get a bit more heated. I think the competition helped keep the NFC East teams sharp.

[Bach]

The Eagles' biggest problem is stopping the run. They gave up 252 rushing yards to the Steelers last week, but of course, the Pittsburgh has more horses than we do.

I think the Bengals were pretty bad against the run too...

And we basically didn't even try. Eddie went from 31 carries against Detroit to 8 against the Cincy.

I thought you were supposed to attack the opponents weak spot. :confused:

[Maikeru-sama]

I think the Bengals were pretty bad against the run too...

And we basically didn't even try. Eddie went from 31 carries against Detroit to 8 against the Cincy.

I thought you were supposed to attack the opponents weak spot. :confused:

I will do BrownSugar. My brother will be going to the game it would be good to finally meet you :).

Yes, I have chronicled some of the poor coaching moves Parcells has made this season.

The Lions had the 11th ranked rushing defense and we ran the ball 31 times with Eddie George.

The Bengals were deadlast in rush defense, giving up 155.6 rush yards a game, but we only run Eddie George 8 times.

Just doesn't make sense...

- Mike G.

[DoomsDayD]

I think it all depends on what team wants to show up and play on Monday night. Granted we arent probably better talent wise then the eagles but i do believe we could hold our own if we play our A game with fire and guts but from what i have seen lately..not going to happen. They are going to force VT to throw the ball and we all know what happens when he does that. They have no respect for our so called running game so expect a ton of blitzes and heavy coverage on Keyshawn.

[The Major]

I think it all depends on what team wants to show up and play on Monday night. Granted we arent probably better talent wise then the eagles but i do believe we could hold our own if we play our A game with fire and guts but from what i have seen lately..not going to happen. They are going to force VT to throw the ball and we all know what happens when he does that. They have no respect for our so called running game so expect a ton of blitzes and heavy coverage on Keyshawn.

"...They are going to force VT to throw the ball and we all know what happens when he does that..."

When the Jets played Philly in Phil. last year, VT passed the Jets to a lead before having to leave right before the half. He was very good overall. In fact, VT went 7-11 for 112 yds. with 1 TD pass off a Flea-Flicker and 0 picks. He was very good against that blitzing Philly def., beating their blitz whenever they tried!

[AJM1613]

Simon is our second best defensive tackle, he doesn't hold up well against the run and if often doubled by the center in passing situations. Rayburn, our backup RDT, is our best player at that position. He leads all defensive tackles in sacks (5) and is the best on our team against the run. He had two sacks last week against Faneca, perhaps the best in the league at his position. Simon has been underachieving, don't expect that matchup to be a noticeable mismatch. Rayburn and Allen are the two strongest players in the league, so that should be fun to watch.

Kearse is a real good player, he exceeded my expectations coming into the season, both against the run and the pass. He will be doubled, Witten may not have as big of games as he has had in recent weeks because you should be in max protect most of the game.

TO has been running his mouth way too much to ESPN and around the league, I wish he would shut up. So far, he has been a model citizen in the locker room (according to everyone there) and to the rest of the players on our team. That is really all that matters.

I havn't been too impressed by what he brings to the offense, he has good "football speed" and a great ability to run after the catch. McNabb forces the ball into him way too much, and he drops a lot of balls. I saw him shy away from a hit from Deion against the Ravens two weeks ago, that is sad.

Our linebackers are bad. Simoneau can't tackle, hit or get off blocks, Trotter always hits the wrong holes, and Wayne is a combination of both (he is always out of position, he can't tackle and he can't get off blocks). Jones has been the most consistant linebacker, he can blitz, tackle and is always in good position, but his coverage against backs and tight ends is a huge dropoff from Emmons. Reese can cover better than any of them and blitz well, but he is extremely undersized. Adams plays with a high motor, I think he is better than the starter at that position (Wayne). You will not see the same linebackers though. This game is on Monday Night and Wayne WILL shine. For some reason, he plays great on Monday Night and bad the other 12-14 weeks.

Sheppard and Brown have played well, Brown almost never lets up any play, but Sheppard is very hot/cold. Brown's worst play was against the Steelers last week, when he coverage and an tackle on Ward for his two TDs (the pass TD and end around).

Dawkins is back his 2002 self and Lewis is playing good.

[Maikeru-sama]

It didn't take a great runner, lets be honest, it was the Steelers line. Thse holes were massive. Even Verron Haynes and even Willie Parker were averaging over 4 yards a carry.

I haven't followed the Cowboys much so I am not sure what your line is like but somehow I'm figuring they are not as good as the Steeler line. This is a bad matchup for you. Had you come off a win I'd be concerned but being that you guys were embarrissed as much as we were last week, coupled with a bad season and your coach not even showing much hope, I have a feeling that this isn't going to be as good as a game as it should have been.

I can't say I wish you luck but I'm hoping that the rivalry can start to get a bit more heated. I think the competition helped keep the NFC East teams sharp.

Yeah, but the Browns running backs gave the Eagles all they could handle as well. Taylor and Smith combined for nearly a hundred yards against the Eagles when they played Baltimore. Let's be honest here, your weakness is stopping the run and it has been that way for a while now.

- Mike G.

[Hostile]

Yeah, but the Browns running backs gave the Eagles all they could handle as well. Taylor and Smith combined for nearly a hundred yards against the Eagles when they played Baltimore. Let's be honest here, your weakness is stopping the run and it has been that way for a while now.

- Mike G.
Never make sense when talking to an Eagles fan. It confuses them.

[Bobo]

...and the Dallas Cowboys select in the 2005 draft.... Terrance Murphy (my lil' cousin), look out for him this year!!

Brown Sugar, it seems like that kid has got some really good skills. Both my favorite teams (Cowboys and Titans) are needing WR help, so if his name is called for either of those teams next April, I'll be excited ;)

As for the Eagles, I'm not getting my hopes up for a win, just for Roy to knock TO's teeth out. He'd probably still run his yap though.

[BrownSugar]

Brown Sugar, it seems like that kid has got some really good skills. Both my favorite teams (Cowboys and Titans) are needing WR help, so if his name is called for either of those teams next April, I'll be excited ;)

As for the Eagles, I'm not getting my hopes up for a win, just for Roy to knock TO's teeth out. He'd probably still run his yap though.
Thanks, the little guy needs a little encouragement this week after he screwed up a couple of times in the game on Saturday. He'll make it in the NFL wherever he goes, because he definitely has the mentality and skills for it.

[AJM1613]

Yeah, but the Browns running backs gave the Eagles all they could handle as well. Taylor and Smith combined for nearly a hundred yards against the Eagles when they played Baltimore. Let's be honest here, your weakness is stopping the run and it has been that way for a while now.

- Mike G.

This may have just gotten harder for you. It looks like Wayne is being replaced by Simoneau and Simoneau is being replaced by Trotter. Also, Walker is being replaced by Rayburn (if he can play, he was just in a car accident).

Bigger lineup better against the run.

[Phoenix-Talon]

No confusion intended, but one thing is certain -- this looks like its lining up to be one hellofva game for one team! And just another miserable defeat for the other!

[diehard2294]

I read in the usa today where Jim Johnson is ready to take Cory Simon out of the starting lineup, for lack of production. I found this interesting since he is a FA and some guys here want him in the offseason.