ESPN Mosley: The gap between Philly and Dallas

[NoLuv4Jerry]

the eagles do not run the ball...and therein lies the problem. Donavan cannot carry a team for 16 games and the playoffs. So they are going to fall short every time because the team is built for Donavan to win every game for them

 

[Hoofbite]

I caught Florio on Fox Sports last night, and he was actually pretty decent... Much better than on his stupid blog. But he said he hears that they are getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on going to Kolb. He said the recent claims that they're happy with McNabb are only to keep his trade value up.

It might not be true, but I wouldn't doubt it, either.

BTW, he also said he wouldn't be surprised if they gave that Ed Block courage award to Vick to help increase his trade value. Only the Eagles.

Wouldn't shock me. In fact, neither of those would shock me.

I hope they do go Kolb.

 

[NextGenBoys]

The gap isn't far at all.

The NFL is all about matchups though, and we match up against Philly very well.

I think it's as simple as that. They live and die with the big play, and we take that away.

 

[jazzcat22]

I think the gap can widen. Our team is pretty much in tact. There will not, or probably not, as of today, will be a big change in our roster. It should only improve with 1 or 2 decent FA's. No big name splashes, but a few like Sensebaugh type players. And with a good draft. We will only get better, or show the potential too.

The Eagles however have many questions. They can very possibly, if not from the team, but from the fans and media have a QB controversy with McNabb and Kolb. Their defense is not what it used to be. And they still have no true running game. Will Westbrook even be back? Jackson can be defened, as we proved 3 times. Other teams will look at those films. Was it the scheme or our CB's...or both.

 

[AmishCowboy]

The gap isn't far at all.

The NFL is all about matchups though, and we match up against Philly very well.

I think it's as simple as that. They live and die with the big play, and we take that away.

I agree, kinda like we don't match up well with the Giants?

 

[NextGenBoys]

I agree, kinda like we don't match up well with the Giants?

I'm torn on our NY matchup. In a way with their linebackers and corners, we match up well.

But with their offensive line and PA passing game, we dont match up well.

We've swept them in 07, split in 08, and they swept us in 09. Looks like we're due again next season.

 

[Longboysfan]

The Eagle's side of that argument centers on three areas:
1) Rushing game. If the Eagles get a consistent rushing game, they could be scary. Westbrook may or may not have much left in the tank. McCoy isn't at Westbrook's level and I'm not convinced he's a 25 - 30 carry guy.
2) Linebackers. I realize that injuries palyed a role here with Philly last year, but, imho, it's an obvious weakness in their D. Bringing back Trotter was a move that smacked of desperation.
3) Leadership. Dawkin's departure left a real gap in that area. When it came to crunch time late in the season, the Eagles just didn't have the leadership in that locker room.

I'll go with this.

I really think the Eagles will cut Westbrook before next season or whenever they owe him a chunk of change from a roster bonus. It's their mantra not to hang onto anyone hurt or old. for this I say....:disseags: on the Eagles Management.

Linebackers were below average for the Eagles this season. And with the way the free agency is structured this year the Eagles will not get much of a chance to get a top level player. They will sign a player like Trotter to fill the gap. But they are in trouble here.

Leadership - when they cut Trotter this offseason it's all gone. There is no emotional leader on the Eagles - No Mcnabb is not even close to being there.

Their QB situation - McNabb has the whole offense structured around him and Westbrook and now the WR corp. Kolb can do most of the things McNabb does but not all. Reid has gone all in on McNabb and now won the big game with him.

We just have to strenghten our line play and we should do well this year.

 

[reddyuta]

if we had the same injuries as the eagles had on the o-line then we would have struggled to win 8 games and defintely miss the playoffs.i dont think there is any gap between the 2 teams.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I am one who believes gaps can be closed quickly, but they can also be widened quickly.

IMO Dallas needs to do 3 things to widen the gap. These are in no particular order, and they are not the only things that can improve, just the 3 biggest deficiencies.

1. Fix the Return games, especially Kick Returns.

2. Fix the Kicking game. We left anywhere from 18 to 30 points on the field just on missed FGs and we avoided going for FGs at times because we were so erratic.

3. Create turnovers. Quite simply, if our Defense lacks anything at all it is larceny of the football. We start taking the ball away and there is no stopping this team.

"larceny of the football" - WOW... everything so often you come up with a great one... the other one "embrace the hatred"

Good stuff.



Now, I may be in the minority here but I think one of these two has to step up.

1. Roy
2. Ogletree - in his case, step in and step up.

THEN we are DANGEROUS. Roy was a drive killer or a "non-contributor to sustaining drives"

If that gets remedied then everything changes. The defense goes back onto the field with points on the board and they can pin their ears back and be more aggressive. Teams may have to throw a little more leading to more opportunites to the "larceny of the football"

 

[dallascowboyfanboy]

:blech: IMO, next year we widen the gap between us and the Iggles. Westbrook is done. Not worried about Leshon Mccoy either. Jeremy Maclin might have peaked in college. So the only player that worries me on their team is Desean Jackson.

 

[gbrittain]

I am one who believes gaps can be closed quickly, but they can also be widened quickly.

IMO Dallas needs to do 3 things to widen the gap. These are in no particular order, and they are not the only things that can improve, just the 3 biggest deficiencies.

1. Fix the Return games, especially Kick Returns.

2. Fix the Kicking game. We left anywhere from 18 to 30 points on the field just on missed FGs and we avoided going for FGs at times because we were so erratic.

3. Create turnovers. Quite simply, if our Defense lacks anything at all it is larceny of the football. We start taking the ball away and there is no stopping this team.

Excellent list there Hos. I thought the key to last year before the season ever started was the obvious staying healthy and reducing penalties. I thought if Dallas was successful there they would be a top contender.

I was some what right but ultimately wrong. I did not count on Nick Folk falling apart. Our kick returners including Felix looked like they were going out for a jog in the park when returning kicks.

Above all, our defense was really really good but won't be great until they start forcing more turnovers.

If Dallas manages to improve the areas you listed greatly, I would really like our chances.

 

[TheSkaven]

Philly is gonna have some crappy times coming up. As soon as McNabb goes, they will struggle. He's not the best QB but he is good enough and most of all he has had some good enough years to present himself as a leader. When he takes off, they will be up creek without a paddle.

I still can't figure out why anyone things McNabb has brought the Eagles their success, though I really do not want to hijack the thread. Please note the Eagles record when McNabb is out, and his record when playing from behind.

Philly is, has, and always will be about playing great defense, turnovers, blitzing and field position. Andy Reid is not a good game day coach but he is a very good head coach.

McNabb no longer has escapability and his passes are erratic. I am convinced they'll actually be a better team with a more efficient WCO passer.

 

[brickman]

The Eagle's side of that argument centers on three areas:
1) Rushing game. If the Eagles get a consistent rushing game, they could be scary. Westbrook may or may not have much left in the tank. McCoy isn't at Westbrook's level and I'm not convinced he's a 25 - 30 carry guy.
2) Linebackers. I realize that injuries palyed a role here with Philly last year, but, imho, it's an obvious weakness in their D. Bringing back Trotter was a move that smacked of desperation.
3) Leadership. Dawkin's departure left a real gap in that area. When it came to crunch time late in the season, the Eagles just didn't have the leadership in that locker room.

I think our gaps are a lot smaller and easier to address and fill than the Eagles gaps.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas is primed to take the next step and fight for a Superbowl title.

 

[sonnyboy]

if we had the same injuries as the eagles had on the o-line then we would have struggled to win 8 games and defintely miss the playoffs.i dont think there is any gap between the 2 teams.

I wonder if you gave us the same benefit of the doubt after our 44-6 loss to them to finish out of the play-offs at 9-7. As well documented, we had a ton of injuries throughout the season. More than 2007 and 2009 combined.
Certainly more than the eagles had this year, yet still managed to win 9 games.

And of course we played that last game with our 3rd string LOG, no Felix and a one-armed Adams.

 

[reddyuta]

I wonder if you gave us the same benefit of the doubt after our 44-6 loss to them to finish out of the play-offs at 9-7. As well documented, we had a ton of injuries throughout the season. More than 2007 and 2009 combined.
Certainly more than the eagles had this year, yet still managed to win 9 games.

And of course we played that last game with our 3rd string LOG, no Felix and a one-armed Adams.

ofcourse.the point i am trying to make is that we have some Jags as backups for the o-line(except Free).We have seen how bad Procter can be.we need to get rid of procter ,mcquistan and possibly preston.We need to draft somebody like pouncey who can also play guard and tackle.

 

[21Savage]

ofcourse.the point i am trying to make is that we have some Jags as backups for the o-line(except Free).We have seen how bad Procter can be.we need to get rid of procter ,mcquistan and possibly preston.We need to draft somebody like pouncey who can also play guard and tackle.

When a team kicks your *** 3 times in a season, with the last 2 games being blowouts, to say there's no difference in both teams is utterly ridiculous.

 

[reddyuta]

When a team kicks your *** 3 times in a season, with the last 2 games being blowouts, to say there's no difference in both teams is utterly ridiculous.

i think you are missing my point.i think there is not a lot of difference between a full strength dallas team and a full strength eagles team.

 

[Seven]

I caught Florio on Fox Sports last night, and he was actually pretty decent... Much better than on his stupid blog. But he said he hears that they are getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on going to Kolb. He said the recent claims that they're happy with McNabb are only to keep his trade value up.

Rumor here in Colorado is that the Donks are talking to the egals about acquiring McNabb. D-Mac (104.3 The Fan) started a Facebook page in a 'Get McNabb crusade' and had close to 1000 strong in about three hours.

It would also help keep Marshal with the Broncos. Who knows?

 

[wileedog]

1. Fix the Return games, especially Kick Returns.

2. Fix the Kicking game. We left anywhere from 18 to 30 points on the field just on missed FGs and we avoided going for FGs at times because we were so erratic.

3. Create turnovers. Quite simply, if our Defense lacks anything at all it is larceny of the football. We start taking the ball away and there is no stopping this team.

I could live without the first two if you give me #3. Can't call yourself an elite defense if you aren't taking the ball away consistently.