Espn.com Palontonio says Focus remains on T.O. in Philly

[dargonking999]

Hoov,

That May have been the case Before (pre-2005), but right now, here's what you're looking at in running backs...

Jon Ritchie (power back)
Correll Buckhalter (power back)
Reno Mahe (mediocre with spurts of a good solid back)
Eric Mcoo (can fly)
Josh Perry (power back)
Brian Westbrook (he'll play)

We'll have to wait and see about that ...

do you seriously think all 6 of those RB's will make it?

And do you really think that Eagles are gonna change was got them to the NFC championship 4 straight years?

As much as i hate to say the eagles have won because of their passing game and there defense, there not gonna change now because of one or two backs, if they wanted ot change they coudl have done this awile before, he eagles arent a running team.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

This is all he was trying to accomplish.

Could you have found a smaller pix. NO one can read that shtuff

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

do you seriously think all 6 of those RB's will make it?

Never said that. However, the best in those six will make it.

And do you really think that Eagles are gonna change was got them to the NFC championship 4 straight years?

Sure would surprise a Lot of defenses. BTW, the Eagles are Not One-dimensional.

As much as i hate to say the eagles have won because of their passing game and there defense, there not gonna change now because of one or two backs, if they wanted ot change they coudl have done this awile before, he eagles arent a running team

I can't wait for the season to arrive. SOMetimes the only thing thats left to say is ...

Come get some ...

 

[lkelly]

Eric Mcoo (can fly)

OK, either the rest of your football players are really slow, or you just don't watch football at all. Eric McCoo (please spell his name right) is not fast by any measure. I saw him get run down from behind by an Ohio State DEFENSIVE LINEMAN. He's a borderline NFL talent that likely won't be on the Eagles roster this year. If he is, the Birds have not upgraded their backfield at all.

And did you just try to use Phil Simms as an expert opinion in order to back up an argument? LOL! What's next, trotting out an insipid Paul McGuire's sage wisdom? Maybe he can tell us exactly how long the 10 yard chain is.

 

[Rockytop6]

I need some clarification. Palontonio said without TO the Eagles lost the previous two NFC championship games. Did TO play in the recent NFC championship game that they won? I thought he missed the playoffs and didn't play until the SB. Palontonio is stating that the Eagles won the Conference game because of TO. Please, somebody clarify this for me.

 

[Hoov]

Hoov,

That May have been the case Before (pre-2005), but right now, here's what you're looking at in running backs...

Jon Ritchie (power back)
Correll Buckhalter (power back)
Reno Mahe (mediocre with spurts of a good solid back)
Eric Mcoo (can fly)
Josh Perry (power back)
Brian Westbrook (he'll play)

We'll have to wait and see about that ...

No doubt westbrook will play. Jon Ritchie is a FB, right ? He wont be carrying the team, he'll have his situational plays and when his number gets called and he's solid as a role player. Buckhalter could be good compliment to westbrook but he seems to get hurt a lot, this could be a year for him to prove something though.

The other guys, i don't think they'll really be called on a lot if they make the team.

 

[East Popcorn St]

I need some clarification. Palontonio said without TO the Eagles lost the previous two NFC championship games. Did TO play in the recent NFC championship game that they won? I thought he missed the playoffs and didn't play until the SB. Palontonio is stating that the Eagles won the Conference game because of TO. Please, somebody clarify this for me.

Here you go:

"Well, Reid is obviously choosing to forget a whole lot of bad recent history, including two straight losses in the NFC Championship game at home. Two years ago, the Eagles wide receivers, sans T.O., were embarrassed by the Carolina Panthers' secondary.

Last year, the Eagles made it through the playoffs and landed in Jacksonville without Owens."

[shrug] I won't deny-- and I don't think Paolontonio is denying, either-- that the Eagles made more improvements than just adding Owens between '03 and '04. But the point remains that the Eagles are better with him than without him. Finding ways to win without him for a relatively brief stretch, with essentially just two really critical outings (the two playoff games) is much easier than doing it for an extended period of time.

That may not occur, as Owens could return and be reintegrated with a minimum of friction . . . but no matter how frequently the team and fans assert the "one player does not a team make" mantra, there's really nothing positive about the current situation.

 

[TheSkaven]

I live in the Philadelphia suburbs and I can tell you that sports talk radio here is all T.O., all the time. Yes, Howard Eskin has started a food drive for T.O.'s family, but the morning crew did one better, creating a We Are The World knock off. A town that loved the guy has completely turned against him.

Both sides are digging in for the long haul, and it's going to destroy the Eagles season this year, mark my words.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

OK, either the rest of your football players are really slow, or you just don't watch football at all. He's a borderline NFL talent that likely won't be on the Eagles roster this year. If he is, the Birds have not upgraded their backfield at all.

Right, you know what you're talking about because you can spell good?!?
Take a look at this ...

McCoo Wins MVP, World League

June 12, 2004
By DAVE SPADARO


Eagles running back Eric McCoo ran for 167 yards on 28 carries, including a key touchdown run of 69 yards in the fourth quarter, to lead the Berlin Thunder to a 30-24 win over the Frankfurt Galaxy and the World League XII title on Saturday.

McCoo, allocated to NFL Europe by the Eagles, exploded on his touchdown run to put Berlin (10-1) ahead 30-10. The Thunder needed those points in the end.

RB Eric McCoo For his efforts, McCoo -- who led the league in rushing and in total yards from scrimmage during the regular season -- was named the game's Most Valuable Player. McCoo added three receptions for 23 more yards. The young running back is expected to make a strong bid to stick with the Eagles at Lehigh University. He'll return to the NovaCare Complex this week. PhiladelphiaEagles.com will have complete coverage when he is back in town.




McCoo is no slouch! But even he may/may not make the team. Look before you leap!

 

[Wolverine]

Even without Owens the Eagles are still gonna be a very good team. They might even get to the Super Bowl again without him. I dont think they will win the Super Bowl but I think they can get there again and without Owens.

They went to 3 straight NFC Championships without Owens. They also WON every playoff game and the NFC Championship without Owens. The game that Owens came back was the Super Bowl. The only play off game he plays for the Eagles the Eagles lose.

Eagles have a great coach in Reid and a great coaching staff. They will still be very very tuff to beat. Our Cowboys need one more draft that is close to what we had this year and another good FA. Then we can take over the East but even then it wont be easy.

I dont care if T.O. doesnt come back. The Eagles will still be very dangerous.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

i love it....

 

[Fletch]

i love it....

Is this really Dex's father? Just wondering.... :

 

[silverbear]

Right, you know what you're talking about because you can spell good?!?
Take a look at this ...

McCoo Wins MVP, World League

And now, how 'bout a list of all the running backs who have led NFLE in rushing, and gone on to rack up 1000 yards in the NFL in a single season??

Just because you can hit at AAA, it doesn't mean you can hit major league pitching... one season, Jeremaine Copeland led NFLE in receiving, and he couldn't even make the Cowboys' 53 man roster... Keith Davis was the defensive MVP of NFLE last year, and still hasn't even been able to nail down a starting job with the Boys...

 

[silverbear]

Hoov,

That May have been the case Before (pre-2005), but right now, here's what you're looking at in running backs...

Jon Ritchie (power back)

Actually, a fullback who rarely does much besides block... in 94 NFL games, he has all of FIFTEEN carries... and he has averaged a pitiful 2.4 YPC on those 15 carries... now, he WAS a pretty fair receiver-- earlier in his career... but over his last 35 games, he's had just 31 catches, for 198 yards...

Clearly, ALL Ritchie is, is a blocking FB... he offers next to no threat in any other aspect of the game...

Correll Buckhalter (power back)

Who can't seem to stay HEALTHY... he has played 30 games of the last 64 he could have played in, missing 2 entire seasons in the last 4 along the way...

When you look up "injury-prone" in your Funk & Wagnalls, there's a picture of Correll Buckhalter...

Reno Mahe (mediocre with spurts of a good solid back)

Hey, we've had guys who have shown "spurts", too... cut most of 'em... and Mahe hasn't shown as much as most of them did... he has played all of 13 NFL games in 2 seasons, and racked up an impressive 91 yards rushing, on 23 carries (not even a 4.0 average), while catching an equally impressive 15 receptions for 128 yards...

That means in 13 games, Mahe has given the Iggles an average of less than 17 yards per game...

You'll excuse me if I'm not particularly intimidated by this "mediocre" back with "spurts of a good solid back"...

Eric Mcoo (can fly)

Has never accomplished ANYTHING in the NFL... apparently, you're gettin' all worked up because he played well in NFL Europe; I have made a separate post explaining how doing that is hardly a sure indicator of success in the NFL...

Josh Perry (power back)

LOL... PARRY has played 3 seasons for the Iggles, and STILL hasn't had his first carry...

Some "power back"...

Brian Westbrook (he'll play)

Your best running back, but there are 2 problems with him-- 1) the Iggles worry about feeding him a full load at running back, on account of his size; 2) he's much better working to the outside than trying to ram it up between the tackles... a "power back", he's not... in fact, the Iggles seem to prefer to give him the ball 10-15 times per game... he's only had 4 games (out of 43 played) in which he's had more than 15 carries...

Westbrook has become your feature back by default, because Buckhalter can't stay on the field, but he's best suited to be the change of pace, third down specialist...

So, of the players you've listed, only Westbrook and Buckhalter impress me even slightly... well, OK, I really like Ritchie as a FB, but he's the kind of player that Parcells would never pursue, simply because he wants his FB to be more of a receiving threat...

Meanwhile, McCoo, Parry and Mahe don't scare ANYBODY...

But in the spirit of meeting you halfway, perhaps the best offseason move by the Iggles was drafting Ryan Moats, from Louisiana Tech... don't be surprised if he's not a big part of the picture at some point next season... I saw the guy play a few games in college, and he's got game, I think...

Leaving him off your list, while trying to convince us that Parry, Ritchie and McCoo offer some sort of running threat, really makes it look like you don't know your own team all that well...

Anyway, at this point, it is eminently fair to say the Iggles' running game is a question mark... you guys were 24th in rushing last year, and next to LAST in rushing attempts per game, at 23.4... this is the clearest possible indicator that the Iggles were a one dimensional, overwhelmingly passing-oriented team...

 

[silverbear]

I can't wait for the season to arrive. SOMetimes the only thing thats left to say is ...

Come get some ...

And for 4 straight years now, somebody has come along and done exactly that... 4 straight years of "close, but no cigar", and you STILL have the cojones to come in here and talk like the Iggles are bad...

Sorry, they remain the only NFC East team without a Lombardi Trophy in their trophy case... until they rectify that situation, any woofin' you do is just whistlin' past the graveyard...

It's rather like Mike Tyson tryin' to talk tough these days... LOL...

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

QUOTE]They went to 3 straight NFC Championships without Owens. They also WON every playoff game and the NFC Championship without Owens. The game that Owens came back was the Super Bowl. The only play off game he plays for the Eagles the Eagles lose.

Wolverine,

You know that about the Only thing we normally see eye-to-eye on is Westerns!

But you sure brought up an interesting correlation. Never looked at it like that before now.

But I think the Arizona Cardinals are going to do some damage when they visit the NFC-East this year.

Good hunting

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

And now, how 'bout a list of all the running backs who have led NFLE in rushing, and gone on to rack up 1000 yards in the NFL in a single season??

Bear,

I understand your point, but this lkelly guy wasn't making that kind of comparison -- he was talking about McCoo. But yeah, yeah, I get it...whatever.

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

Actually, a fullback who rarely does much besides block... he WAS a pretty fair receiver-- Clearly, ALL Ritchie is, is a blocking FB... he offers next to no threat in any other aspect of the game...

Bear, are you kidding me? A blocking back is "GOLD" when you have the likes of a Westbrook ...or a J.J. (Cowboz RB)! re-think that one. Sure, health is an issue -- but that appliies to everyone.

When you look up "injury-prone" in your Funk & Wagnalls, there's a picture of Correll Buckhalter...

Ok! But he's healthy right now and perhaps could stay that way. If he goes out on an injury this year, I think he knows he's done. We'll see. But a healthy Buckhaulter is a dangerous compliment to the offense.

Hey, we've had guys who have shown "spurts", too... cut most of 'em... and Mahe hasn't shown as much as most of them did... he has played all of 13 NFL games in 2 seasons, and racked up an impressive 91 yards rushing, on 23 carries (not even a 4.0 average), while catching an equally impressive 15 receptions for 128 yards...

Yeah, well ok, I hear you on this one. But he compliments speacial teams. Didn't do too bad on a couple of runbacks in 2004. whatever...:

That means in 13 games, Mahe has given the Iggles an average of less than 17 yards per game...

Bear, I'm Not trying to contridict your stats, but Mahe is useful, especially If those 17 yards were pivitol yards needed for first downs.

You'll excuse me if I'm not particularly intimidated by this "mediocre" back with "spurts of a good solid back"...

Ok, so what. I get that point too; neither am I. Move on...

- you're gettin' all worked up because he played well in NFL Europe;
- doing that is hardly a sure indicator of success in the NFL...

Lol ...no Bear, I'm no where near being worked up yet -- at least not until the regulalr season starts!

LOL... PARRY has played 3 seasons for the Iggles, and STILL hasn't had his first carry...

Josh Parry 2004 HIGHLIGHTS:

Notched 2 catches at Cle. (10/24), both of which went for 1st downs. His catch in the 1st qtr. was the 1st of his career

Played in his first NFL game on 10/3 at Chi. (10/3) and help lead RB Brian Westbrook to a 115-yd. rushing day.

I suppose you are at Liberty to do so, ...but I'm not ready to call him a scrub.

Leaving him (Moats) off your list, while trying to convince us that Parry, Ritchie and McCoo offer some sort of running threat, really makes it look like you don't know your own team all that well...

Actually, you identifying someone acquired in the draft on my list (everyOne else has played for the Eagles in some capacity [practice squad, NFL Europe, etc], except for Moats, tells me that YOU don't know MY Team that well!

...this is the clearest possible indicator that the Iggles were a one dimensional, overwhelmingly passing-oriented team...

Listen, I'm no coach, but ...

1.) I know my team -- at Least better than You do!

2) If being a one-dimensional Team in 2004 took us to the Super Bowl, than you'd better be prepared for a multi-dimensional Eagles Team in 2005!

 

[Phoenix-Talon]

you STILL have the cojones

Yeah Bear I have a pair, don't you realize how difficult it is to be here, knowing
how much hate some have expressed for your team (that takes cojones), knowing that I have to tone down my responses while some flame away simply because I'm an Eagles fan (..." " "); knowing that when all else fails, you can throw Out the "sorry, the Eagles remain the only NFC East team without a Lombardi Trophy in their trophy case," (..." " ").

But it takes bigger cojones to follow the rules, and refrain any attempts to disrespect another team simply because they are your opponents!

Perhaps we all need to cleanup a little dust from our trophy cases!

 

[Longboysfan]

Under a "team concept," one player does not dictate the outcome of the entire time. Collectively, they decide their own destiny.

I think Reid knows what he' talking about.

I've seen the Philly WR's minus TO.

Your passing game will suffer greatly. :iggles:
:iggles: :iggles: