YR's My Meaningless Thoughts On The Eagles Game...

[Yakuza Rich]

- I think this is a bigger game than many will anticipate. Not only could it move us to 4-3, but also 2-0 in the division. Furthermore, I believe Andy Reid has only lost twice after a bye week, once in the Super Bowl versus the Patriots. Although that being said, I’ve always felt that it was the late Jim Johnson’s defense and gameplanning that was the reason behind that incredible post bye week record. Still though, it’s quite impressive and a win here would go a long way, IMO.

- I want to see a team with better execution this time. Cut out the false starts and the offsides penalties, missed blocking assignments, botched routes, etc. Let’s go in there, not beat ourselves and punch these guys in the mouth.


- As they say, the first step is ‘admitting you have a problem.’ It is good to see the team and Romo say ‘if we don’t beat ourselves, we can beat anybody.’

- For those who haven’t seen Philly play defense, they use what’s called a ‘Wide 9’ technique. The idea is to line up the DE’s out wide and have them crouch in what looks almost like a sprinter’s crouch. The idea is to go full bore at the QB. Teams have ran it up the middle against the Eagles (29th in run defense according to FO.com). Given that Garrett hasn’t been afraid to go after star players so far, it wouldn’t be surprising if he really went after Trent Cole in the run game either.


- I would probably watch out for screen passes by the Eagles. It’s been one thing teams have used with moderate success against us and Vick is great at scurrying backwards fast enough and then dumping one off to McCoy.

- I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them have Dez take on Asomugha as another ‘we’ll go after your best player’ type of thing. Then you can have Miles take on Asante Samuel. Samuel bites hard on play fakes and I think it’s something that Miles is good at.


- The good news is right now my statistical formula is projecting Dallas at 10-6, and that is with the schedule they’ve had where only the Rams have a losing record.


- Man, do I hate the Eagles.





YR

 

[shockandroll]

Thanks YZ, I'm told the iggles are going away from the wide 9 so we'll see how that plays out.

As good as our corners are playing right now, I think we can have good success limiting the passing game which will in turn help us stop the run. I think Lee's ability to cover the field will help limit Vick's effectiveness when he runs. I do expect them to move the ball on us but if we can prevent the 40+ yard TD's I think we have a real good chance to hold them to 3 points and here's why.

They have a young and undersized center who is giving up a lot of QB pressures. I think he's only 280. Ratliff and Brentt will have a field day with him, imo. Rat is used to going up against much bigger and stronger guys. If we are getting that pressure from straight on Vick cannot step up into the pocket to escape Ware or Spencer, he has no choice but to role one way or the other, depending on the pressure, many times that might be into the hands of another defender.

Their RT is also struggling and since Vick is a lefty, that's his blind side. I think we'll be able to get good pressure from his blind side, if Ware is coming from the left, and Rat is collasping the pocket, he'll have to blindly run to his right to avoid those two. They key is beating the RT so when he turns he sees another Cowboy.

If we are able to get pressure in this fashion, there are still plenty of guys free to deal with a screen pass should Vick get it away.

 

[BourbonBalz]

Personally, I think this might be our biggest game of the entire regular season. A win in Philly will essentially eliminate the Eagles and will bolster Dallas' confidence for a run the rest of the season. It will make us 2-0 in the division. Washington is sunk, the Eagles will be 2-5 with a loss, and the Giants' schedule the rest of the way is absolutely brutal. A loss won't kill us this weekend, but a win will be HUGE.

 

[tecolote]

About the bye week record, with the new cba, they completely changed the rules as to how much you can practice in a bye week, they just about took all the advantage teams on a bye had.

Teams coming of a bye were 1-5 last week.

 

[shockandroll]

About the bye week record, with the new cba, they completely changed the rules as to how much you can practice in a bye week, they just about took all the advantage teams on a bye had.

Teams coming of a bye were 1-5 last week.

One thing about that record, the iggles have been a pretty good team most of Reid's tenure. I have not look at the quality of the teams they played but many of those wins were just because they were a pretty good team. 6 years with at least 11 wins, only 3 loosing seasons.

I don't think it's some magical recipe, they were good.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

About the bye week record, with the new cba, they completely changed the rules as to how much you can practice in a bye week, they just about took all the advantage teams on a bye had.

Teams coming of a bye were 1-5 last week.

Excellent point.






YR

 

[LandryFan]

About the bye week record, with the new cba, they completely changed the rules as to how much you can practice in a bye week, they just about took all the advantage teams on a bye had.

Teams coming of a bye were 1-5 last week.

...and 3-9 for the year, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Picksix]

- Man, do I hate the Eagles.
YR

:eagles: :chainsaw: :disseags:

 

[VACowboy]

They abandoned the wide 9 last game, against Washington. My guess is that move was made because the Philthy coaches didn't respect the Redskank passing game and formulated their game plan around stopping the run. I doubt they take that tack against Tony Romo, but I believe Demarco Murray has probably given Reid a little something to think about.

 

[viman96]

The Eagles adjusted on defense against the Skins and kept their running game in check. It will be interesting if the Wide 9 is their base defense against us.

I expect the Vick to get some yards on the ground but I also expect him to take a pounding. Can you say, "Malachi Crunch"! LOL

I hope we see more of Murray in the running and passing game. I think his style of play sets up well against the Eagles. Their LBers take bad angles. Murray should be able to make them pay with his vision and speed. Bad angle by a LB, 1 cut by Murray and then use his speed to turn it up field.

If we win 2 of 3 of these then we win the game

Redzone defense and offense
3rd down conversion rate on defense and offense
Turnovers on defense and offense

 

[casmith07]

:eagles: :chainsaw: :disseags:

Pretty much this.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Personally, I think this might be our biggest game of the entire regular season. A win in Philly will essentially eliminate the Eagles and will bolster Dallas' confidence for a run the rest of the season. It will make us 2-0 in the division. Washington is sunk, the Eagles will be 2-5 with a loss, and the Giants' schedule the rest of the way is absolutely brutal. A loss won't kill us this weekend, but a win will be HUGE.

this IS our biggest game. Win this and we are on our way barring an injury to Romo. Plus Philly would be done. Lose this and we are tied with Philly and it will be a battle to the end of the year to win the division.

 

[JD_KaPow]

About the bye week record, with the new cba, they completely changed the rules as to how much you can practice in a bye week, they just about took all the advantage teams on a bye had.

Teams coming of a bye were 1-5 last week.

Teams coming off the bye were 2-4 last week, actually (Denver and KC both won). The losers included the Seahawks and the Cardinals - I don't think those numbers mean much of anything.

Teams coming off the bye the week before were 1-5 (maybe that's what you meant), but those losers included the Dolphins, Rams, and Browns, plus our close loss at New England.

Basically, a whole bunch of bad teams had early byes this year.

 

[mldardy]

The Eagles adjusted on defense against the Skins and kept their running game in check. It will be interesting if the Wide 9 is their base defense against us.

I'm not giving the Eagle D credit for holding down the Skins running game. Hightower didn't play in that game and who said the Skins have a good running attack in the first place. Yeah they run the ball a lot because their qb's/wr's are terrible. That Eagle D is still not proven in stopping the run.

 

[adbutcher]

- Man, do I hate the Eagles.
YR

 

[dmq]

I didn't know Trent Cole was playing.

 

[28 Joker]

I really think the Cowboys offense can punish this Eagles defense. Philadelphia's safeties are average, and their linebackers are suspect. Their CBs are bad tacklers. I think you will see some short throws and a whole lot of missed tackles by the Eagles in this game. I think the Cowboys can YAC this team into the ground.

I think Dallas will run Murray up the middle where the Eagles are so weak in run defense, too. Murray should be able to move the chains and get loose some due to the Eagles' suspect middle defense.

 

[28 Joker]

I didn't know Trent Cole was playing.

Free needs to get after Cole. That is a big match-up, and that is a bit of a concern to me.

The Eagles have no shot to win this game if Cole and Babin (VS Smith) get shut down. Cole and Babin VS Free and Smith is going to be a huge factor in the outcome of the game, imo.

Look for the Eagles to target Kosier with Cullen Jenkins.

I think Dallas will look to get the ball out of Romo's hand fast, and I think Murray will play a key role in the running game.

 

[28 Joker]

In 2007 and 2009, this game was played on Sunday night.

Dallas won both games, so they are recent 2-0. That is a recent trend.

It will be interesting to see if the Cowboys don't go spread/shot-gun heavy this week. The Eagles want you to do that, so they can play all three of their CBs and get after the passer.

The Cowboys only used the shot-gun 10 times last week, and I thought that was interesting. We might see a bunch of 2 TE and fullback sets in this game by Dallas. I look for the Cowboys to go heavy and run Murray and pass out of those sets, too.

I think Dallas will take a few shots deep, but I look for shorter to intermediate passes by Romo. I think the YAC yards will be big for Dallas in this game.

Also, I'm glad this game is in Philadelphia. The Eagles are under a whole lot of pressure, and sometimes playing at home isn't a good thing. The Eagles are 0-2 at home this year, too. After all, they are the self-proclaimed "Dream Team".

 

[Hot_Toddy]

-For those who haven’t seen Philly play defense, they use what’s called a ‘Wide 9’ technique. The idea is to line up the DE’s out wide and have them crouch in what looks almost like a sprinter’s crouch. The idea is to go full bore at the QB. Teams have ran it up the middle against the Eagles (29th in run defense according to FO.com). Given that Garrett hasn’t been afraid to go after star players so far, it wouldn’t be surprising if he really went after Trent Cole in the run game either.

YR

First of all Great post as usual YR.

Yup, I lick my chops at the wide 9 in regards to the run.

As shockandroll and VA Cowboy replied: They may have abandoned it. Did they just for the skins game? I dunno.

If they use the wide 9: The Cowboys would shread them up on the ground. Wide 9's worst enemy is a lead blocker on the opposition. It'll be like the parting of the red sea with our backs having 'more than ample' room to run.

If they went away from it (or do for the Cowboys game): Romo and company will tear them apart. I would like to see some 3 wide sets if this is the case (with Robinson on the field).

Because....

Word out of philly (according to Rob and Spags) on Thursdays 'Talkin Cowboys' at dallascowboys.com is that the Eagles are planning on using one of their corners on Witten. Not sure if that will happen or not, but a 3 wide (if Philly tries that) We would light them up through the air.

On the other side of the ball, it is an absolute must to keep their TE Celek in check. They've been targeting him a lot more recently (9 or 10 times vs the Skins) and Celek had the 1st TD of the game. I believe in our D to do just that.