sonnyboy
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No Kool aid here! Just a realistic spin of what I see.
This team is light years ahead of where it's been for our first four Eagle matchups under Parcels and as well prepared for them as we have been since 1999.
I'm as dissapointed as anyone we not sitting at 4-0 or at least 3-1, but I can't understand all the doom and gloom.
Coming into this season I believed we had significantly improved the overall talent level.
I saw the defense as improved but an inexperienced unit that would show improvement throughout the season as the rookies got thier feet under them and the veterans grew comfortable with the system and playing together. I also felt our offensive line had a chance to be special as well as J. Jones.
My concern was in the passing game. I felt we lacked talent and youth at WR and viewed Bledsoe as an average QB at best. I saw this as the number one reason we would not challenge the Eagles for the division.
After four weeks my here is my assesment of the team.
The defense is what I thought it would be only better.
The talent is there. We are not giving up big passing plays for a lack of talent, it's a communication and coordination problem. I love all three of our corners. They have all shown moments of brillance and the ability to make plays and most importanly...PLAY THE BALL. You can't coach ability. Don't be too concerned about the safeties. You don't need special players at safety, just field generals who know where they need to be. What you need is three players at corner and we have as good a three as you'll find in the league.
This secondary will come together and make less errors as the season progresses.
I have been impressed with the run defense and pass rushing ability of the front seven most of the time. The lack of overall production is clearly again a function of knowing the system..... not talent. Canty Ware Ferguson Glover Ellis Gynuen and others have all shown flashes.
What has most impressed me and given me the most reason for optimisim is Bledsoe and the passing game. It has surpassed all of my expectations in overall performance and particularly performance in the clutch.
This is the number one key to defeating the Eagles. In the past they have fielded the players and sceme to consistently destroy mediocre passing games and this has been our biggest problem in our match up with them. We now have the QB and skill position players to compete. I believe we can and we will put up big numbers on them. I also see thier banged up Dline as an excellent opportunity for J. Jones and the running game to maintain the need balance in our attack.
I am also optimistic in our defensive match up. As good as the Eagles are, they are still fairly one dimensional. They are a pass first pass second and then to mix it up maybe pass a little more. Seriously, Reid's idea of a balanced attack is passing as often to both the right and left sides of the field.
We need to blitz often on first and second down or whenever Westbrook is line up in the backfield to turn him into a blocker as often as possible. This was an very effective tactic used against Thurman Thomas and the Bills. A heavy dose of blitzing with a minimum of 5 to 6 guys will also give us a chance to deliver multiple hits to McNabb. To hell with maintaining the lanes, we need to turn these guys loose and go after McNabb hard as if he was immobile. Make him prove he's still a running threat in his current condition.
We aslo need to mix it up and drop 8 even 9 in coverage. Never let him know what's coming.
Third and long, when Westbrook is often lined up as a WR is when we should seldom biltz and commit 7 to 9 guys in coverage. When he's lined up as a WR, he should be covered by Newman or Glenn if we are in the Nickle. Which by the way, I believe we should go Nickle about 80% of the plays.
Henry should follow Owens all over the field for tight bump and run coverage wtih either a true double or zone behind.
Ultimately I want to see McNabb try to beat us throwing to G. Lewis and LJ Smith.
This team is light years ahead of where it's been for our first four Eagle matchups under Parcels and as well prepared for them as we have been since 1999.
I'm as dissapointed as anyone we not sitting at 4-0 or at least 3-1, but I can't understand all the doom and gloom.
Coming into this season I believed we had significantly improved the overall talent level.
I saw the defense as improved but an inexperienced unit that would show improvement throughout the season as the rookies got thier feet under them and the veterans grew comfortable with the system and playing together. I also felt our offensive line had a chance to be special as well as J. Jones.
My concern was in the passing game. I felt we lacked talent and youth at WR and viewed Bledsoe as an average QB at best. I saw this as the number one reason we would not challenge the Eagles for the division.
After four weeks my here is my assesment of the team.
The defense is what I thought it would be only better.
The talent is there. We are not giving up big passing plays for a lack of talent, it's a communication and coordination problem. I love all three of our corners. They have all shown moments of brillance and the ability to make plays and most importanly...PLAY THE BALL. You can't coach ability. Don't be too concerned about the safeties. You don't need special players at safety, just field generals who know where they need to be. What you need is three players at corner and we have as good a three as you'll find in the league.
This secondary will come together and make less errors as the season progresses.
I have been impressed with the run defense and pass rushing ability of the front seven most of the time. The lack of overall production is clearly again a function of knowing the system..... not talent. Canty Ware Ferguson Glover Ellis Gynuen and others have all shown flashes.
What has most impressed me and given me the most reason for optimisim is Bledsoe and the passing game. It has surpassed all of my expectations in overall performance and particularly performance in the clutch.
This is the number one key to defeating the Eagles. In the past they have fielded the players and sceme to consistently destroy mediocre passing games and this has been our biggest problem in our match up with them. We now have the QB and skill position players to compete. I believe we can and we will put up big numbers on them. I also see thier banged up Dline as an excellent opportunity for J. Jones and the running game to maintain the need balance in our attack.
I am also optimistic in our defensive match up. As good as the Eagles are, they are still fairly one dimensional. They are a pass first pass second and then to mix it up maybe pass a little more. Seriously, Reid's idea of a balanced attack is passing as often to both the right and left sides of the field.
We need to blitz often on first and second down or whenever Westbrook is line up in the backfield to turn him into a blocker as often as possible. This was an very effective tactic used against Thurman Thomas and the Bills. A heavy dose of blitzing with a minimum of 5 to 6 guys will also give us a chance to deliver multiple hits to McNabb. To hell with maintaining the lanes, we need to turn these guys loose and go after McNabb hard as if he was immobile. Make him prove he's still a running threat in his current condition.
We aslo need to mix it up and drop 8 even 9 in coverage. Never let him know what's coming.
Third and long, when Westbrook is often lined up as a WR is when we should seldom biltz and commit 7 to 9 guys in coverage. When he's lined up as a WR, he should be covered by Newman or Glenn if we are in the Nickle. Which by the way, I believe we should go Nickle about 80% of the plays.
Henry should follow Owens all over the field for tight bump and run coverage wtih either a true double or zone behind.
Ultimately I want to see McNabb try to beat us throwing to G. Lewis and LJ Smith.
