Imperial Report: The Eagles

[The Emperor]

First off, I'd like to say that I wish all the Cowboys fans who hated Romo and doubted Romo would keep doing so. We don't need you on the bandwagon. Like Hostile at CowboysZone, I'm superstitious and I'm not. From what I've noticed, whenever the Romophobes start to "believe" in Tony, he has a turnover or pick that cost us the game according to their glutealcephalic philosophy. Stop. Keep doubting or hating Romo; it's good for business. Don't rock the boat.

Jim Johnson, the late great Eagles defensive coordinator from the last decade, said that he would sacrifice all the yards in the world as long as he didn't give up points. To me, that's the element that jumps out at me when I analyze the stats:


Offensive PPG -- Cowboys, 6th (24.9); Eagles, 8th (24.4)

Total Offense -- Cowboys, 6th; Eagles, 3rd

Passing Offense -- Cowboys, 7th (270.9); Eagles, 11th (251)

Rushing Offense -- Cowboys, 11th (119.8); Eagles, 3rd (149.7)


Defensive PPG -- Cowboys, 13th (21.1); Eagles, 19th (22.2)

Total Defense -- Cowboys, 13th; Eagles, 10th

Passing Defense -- Cowboys, 19th (235.3); Eagles, 10th (213.8)

Rushing Defense -- Cowboys, 7th (98.1); Eagles, 17th (113.6)


Did you catch that? The Eagles have a better total offense and defense than the Cowboys, but we have a better points per game average in both departments. To me, that indicates we're not going to get blown the frick out like some people have prognisticated. To me, it shows we have a darn good shot at winning this game, regardless of injuries to both squads.

I have no faith in our defense. Let me state that right now. I see the threads here and there with wild solutions from Bruce Carter spying on McCoy to rushing our men single file over the left tackle. We don't have the defense to shut down the Eagles offense. I'm not confident in them. Frankly, Rob Ryan doesn't have the personnel to do it. It's not his schemes so much as it is our personnel. Terence Newman is looking like Anthony Henry. Anthony Spencer is looking like Al Singleton. Our push up the middle is not formidable. Ware is injured. James and Brooking are too slow. Our defense won't be there to save the day.

Sadly, that means Romo and the offense has to save the day again. To be honest, during the Giants game, I was hoping their offense would score quickly so Romo and the offense would have enough time to drive for the field goal. I have confidence that our offense will win the game and make more plays. Out of all the injuries, what with Stacy Andrews or whoever he is getting injured, to me the biggest one is Ansante Samuel being out for this game. It's really going to affect their nickel situations. Who do you cover? Who do you sacrifice to cover Witten? And who do you leave open on our side to cover Witten? With Miles, Dez, and Lala playing the way they are, we're going to make them pay.

That's why I would start out on our first offensive series chucking the ball. Have that pigskin earn frequent flyer miles. If it's not working initially, then do what we should do every game -- well, what makes me secure every game: come out with the run. Establish the run. We need to be able to run the ball more for control and to keep their offense off the field as well as to cast the illusion of balance.

I don't have a lot of time to do my detailed predictions, but I am going to make this bold claim. Felix Jones is going to have 127 all purpose yards and a touchdown. He's going to play and he's going to help chase the Eagles safeties into the box so we can exploit their anemic Cover 0 matchups.

The reason why I can't be as detailed as I would like is because my computer is at the Mac Store. Back in June, I spilled about two ounces of Coke on the outside of my Macbook. I wiped it off and thought nothing of it. Well, it screwed with the battery and I can't use my laptop unless it's plugged into the wall. That's how I've been rolling all season. Finally, I've had enough money to get it fixed. So, anyway, that's why I've been limited. And I'm making this commitment right now: if my Macbook isn't fixed by the time we face the Giants and we end up making the playoffs, I'm not going to return for the playoffs. I'll be on the Cowboys underground media IR. It's not fair to the other members, I don't think.

I'm so thankful for my Droid. At least I can still read what's going on. It's very hard to write treatises with a touchpad though. That's why I've been laconic as of late.

Oh, and hey, CowboyMcCoy, I've moved up in the media like how Keon Lattimore moved up our roster. I'm still a lowly palooka in the bread line of media cadets. I probably will be for twenty years. I just haven't had time to do my thang. Like our Garrett-led Cowboys, you'll see the full potential in 2012, when the world ends.

Speaking of ending worlds, the Jets will beat the Giants. We'll be playing for the division and this is how it shakes out:


Eagles 7 10 7 10 34
Cowboys 7 7 7 14 35

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

Well, there are some who will always blame the quarterback for wins and losses. I just don't know what to say about some fans who have watched this season transpire and don't put the onus of our record on Garrett..instead, Romo is to blame for the pass play with broken ribs and a punctured lung when we're up 24 pts in the 3rd quarter. The timeout. Romo has done all he can do.

We're a much better team. We had guys like Robinson, Murray and Lee show us that we have the tools it takes to be great. Added to what we already had, I don't think there is much to complain about other than some bad play calls and what not.

And that's sad to hear, I guess I was mistaken when I thought I heard your voice on another media outlet. Oh, well. I'll stay tuned in. I heard Kritie's show last night. She PM'd it to me. That was a good one. Maybe if I have a smart phone app, I can find the time to tune in or maybe if I just got a smart phone. Hint, hint, Santa.

This game will be a battle to the end. It's our last home game, so we better bring it to the Eagles. On the other hand, I'd like to go into the Giants stadium with something to play for and maybe Tony Romo could sign the wall in their locker room.

I do know I'll be anxious to root against the next two opponents. And I do know every player and every coach has something on the line. But we do control our own destiny just as much as anyone else.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

This team can't hold a lead to save its life. The D secondary is awful. So if we get up by 3 TD's I won't feel safe. Personally, I think Rob Ryan is a joke. That won't sit well with some because everyone is hoping he is as great as he says he is and thats saying alot. Fans point out that he doesn't have the players and I agree to a point, but something tells me the better Coordinators in the league would have done a much better job. I think he is just average and I'm not basing that on just this year either. The guy has never had a top D since he's been coaching. Now he's talking smack about being a head coach. I would say thats not happening but with some of the hires the last few years I wouldn't doubt it.....

I will probably get flamed for saying this but I think our chances of winning this game are slim. We just can't stop anyone on D...Thats all.............

 

[sbark]

Interior of the OLine will have to "hold the Line" a heck of alot better than they did the 1st game.....gotta be able to step up away from Babin etc

.....and will Garrett break pride and throw some screens......or are they just plays that work against Tampa's of the world....

 

[Doomsday101]

Interior of the OLine will have to "hold the Line" a heck of alot better than they did the 1st game.....gotta be able to step up away from Babin etc

.....and will Garrett break pride and throw some screens......or are they just plays that work against Tampa's of the world....

Well then don't fall behind by 21 points right off the bat. Once eagles had us in the hole like that they just pinned their ears back and came after Romo. They knew the only way we get back in it was by throwing the ball so it made their job easier

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

This team can't hold a lead to save its life. The D secondary is awful. So if we get up by 3 TD's I won't feel safe. Personally, I think Rob Ryan is a joke. That won't sit well with some because everyone is hoping he is as great as he says he is and thats saying alot. Fans point out that he doesn't have the players and I agree to a point, but something tells me the better Coordinators in the league would have done a much better job. I think he is just average and I'm not basing that on just this year either. The guy has never had a top D since he's been coaching. Now he's talking smack about being a head coach. I would say thats not happening but with some of the hires the last few years I wouldn't doubt it.....

I will probably get flamed for saying this but I think our chances of winning this game are slim. We just can't stop anyone on D...Thats all.............

Defense has been the strongpoint, I think. I can't think of many times where we've had as many 3rd down stops than under Ryan. I could be wrong. And this is without peaking at stats. Also, stopping in the red zone has been satisfactory. For the most part, Ryan's defense has been the scariest part of our team.

Down the stretch, the offense has been inconsistent because of lack of run play calling to set the tone. Garrett finally caught on to the fact that Felix is a Finesse back and not a starter. Kudos to him for that.

All is forgiven if we get into the playoffs, though. Win these next two and he'd have my respect going into the playoffs. But, like you, I hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

 

[Red Dragon]

Defense has been the strongpoint, I think. I can't think of many times where we've had as many 3rd down stops than under Ryan. I could be wrong. And this is without peaking at stats. Also, stopping in the red zone has been satisfactory. For the most part, Ryan's defense has been the scariest part of our team.

Perhaps, but it's hard to think of the same defense that couldn't hold a 34-22 lead against New York being the "scariest" part of our team, as opposed to the part that put 34 points on the board in the first place.