The Truth about Philly no one talks about

[Eskimo]

You beat me to it.
I've often expressed this opinion of the eagles defense under Jim Johnson.

Johnson was so good at understanding/breaking down the opposing offense's protection scheme.

Everything they did started with pressure. They blitzed and stunted to create pressure better than any defense I can remember with fewer players actually rushing the passer.
They'd get more rushers free and more rushers in advantageous match-ups than anyone I can remember.

McDermott hasn't been nearly as effective.

Well Johnson was a legend and isn't going to be that easy to replace.

Sadly, I think our defense would suffer if Wade left, too. I don't think there is an understudy who could take over his 3-4 yet. He has masked our weakness at safety and ILB pretty well. I think he has used the CBs, our OLBs and our NT to near maximum advantage.

It'll be interesting to see if the second game of the season offensive meltdown pattern continues.

 

[Don Corleone]

I think I've seen Roy do that all of once this year. Miles beat Brown and the safety on a double move back in the first game and that was a thing of beauty. I do think Crayton and Miles are better at this than Roy. I think Ogletree is, too. I do wonder if he plays a bigger role here as he did get those two bubble screens against the Eagles in the last game.

Miles has been really good at the double moves. Roy? Not so much.

Ogletree may get his obligatory 2 or 3 plays this week as well. I laugh at the comments that some have made with regards to Ogletree (not your comments). Some act like he's a secret weapon waiting to be unleashed. In reality, he is lucky to get a few snaps a game, and it will likely remain that way as long as Crayton is serviceable.

 

[NextGenBoys]

Another thing....they're a big play offense.

And we all know what happens to a big play offense when you take away the big play...

We dont give up big plays. (Jeez I hope I didnt jinx us)

 

[Eskimo]

Miles has been really good at the double moves. Roy? Not so much.

Ogletree may get his obligatory 2 or 3 plays this week as well. I laugh at the comments that some have made with regards to Ogletree (not your comments). Some act like he's a secret weapon waiting to be unleashed. In reality, he is lucky to get a few snaps a game, and it will likely remain that way as long as Crayton is serviceable.

Ogletree's chance will come next year. He will get a full season in the conditioning program and a chance to work on his understanding of the offense, further refine his route running, improving his hands, working on catching balls with Romo, etc.

As we enter the playoffs, now is not the time to majorly change the roles players have been playing so Otree will continue to be the #5WR/KOR/ST.

I do think he has a shot at unseating Roy from the #2 spot next year. Ideally, Roy gets his *** in gear and wins the #2 over Crayton and Ogletree and returns to his 2006 form. Ogletree beats Crayton for the #3 and we are able to trade him for a future 4th round pick.

I do think at the end of the day we need some more speed at WR to get opposing offenses to back off a bit. I want Roy to really work on his releases and getting into his routes quickly - he is way too soft out there.

 

[ejthedj]

How did this turn into an Ogletree/Roy thread?

 

[TD-33]

the middle of this D is uncharacteristically soft.

We need to attack the middle with our running game, crossing routes and slants with our WRs, and Witten.

when Tony is feeling the pressure, he needs to hit the open lanes with feet ablazing.

we need to be able to read the blitzes so that Romo can attack those areas with quick passes.

That is a weakness of the scheme. When you bring an aggressive pass rush and need to blitz your MLB that leaves the middle open and the chance you take. Get the QB before he makes the throw or it can go for a big gain and would probably be on a 3rd down where the defense would like to get off the field.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I just really think we're going to win this game. I think we'll prove our D is better but it won't matter how it goes the media will still tout them as the better defense going into the playoffs. That's just how it's going to go.

 

[cowboys2233]

The Cowboys are 3 point favorites which means the mediots should all have their life savings on the game.

Yeah, with the 3+ point home-field boost, the game is basically a pick 'em on a neutral field and supports what seems to be the general consensus, the Eagles are better on offense, the Cowboys better on defense.

We'll see -- while I think many on this thread have rightly pointed out that the Philly defense is probably a little overrated and get more praise for their reputation than they deserve, I have to wonder about their offense too.

Let's face it, they're back to their old Eagle ways, pass first, pass second, pass third. They have no running game to speak of and when your offense becomes one-dimensional, as great as the Philly passing game is, you're living in dangerous territory.

As it turns out, the Cowboys have a pretty darn good secondary but more importantly, they have several pass rushers that can, and should, eat the Eagles' offensive line up. The Eagles OL is banged up, mixed up, and our front seven is playing as well as it has in several years (at least).

I just don't see McNabb having the time to go vertical in this game, particularly since everyone knows that is their game plan.

One dimensional passing offense + the mismatch up front = Cowboys victory.

 

[Apollo Creed]

This is a game where we need to use Felix early and often, especially on screens to keep them honest.

Dash is right about the double moves, their corners are always trying to make a play.

I hope they use a lot of play action and really pound the ball right up the gut.

 

[ROMOSAPIEN9]

More Felix Jones!

 

[CATCH17]

The thing you gotta remember though is we get the Eagles best shot every single time we play them.

So just because their defense may struggle against other teams doesn't mean it will happen against us because for the most part they make mental mistakes from a lack of concentration.

When teams play Dallas they concentrate more and you can tell.

 

[Don Corleone]

The thing you gotta remember though is we get the Eagles best shot every single time we play them.

So just because their defense may struggle against other teams doesn't mean it will happen against us because for the most part they make mental mistakes from a lack of concentration.

When teams play Dallas they concentrate more and you can tell.

This is both sad and true at the same time. This franchise hasn't done squat in 13 years, and yet, teams still come in ready to play.

I liken it to the Yankees in baseball, and the Lakers in the NBA. Different sports, but those franchises will never fly under the radar, no matter how good or how bad they are.

 

[ejthedj]

Called it... right on par. Now, for one more time