Thanksgiving is a holiday that, with the vast commercial and marketing appeal of Christmas, is usually overlooked once Halloween is over. Dating back to what is now the Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont bordering states and with the Pilgrims and the Indians sharing feasts together, it has become a tradition of giving thanks and being with your loved ones. It is also a day of football: traditionally, both the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always host games on this day. But starting a year ago, an idea was given to the NFL to host another game on the NFL Network at 8:00 PM. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Arizona Cardinals on this day. And as a person, I am always grateful and thinking of those less fortunate during this time.
But as an Eagles fan, I am thankful for this BIG win.
The Eagles offense returned in powerful fashion, putting on a clinic against the 10th ranked Cardinals defense with a season high 48 points en route to a 48-20 victory over the visiting red birds. The Eagles got stoic efforts from both Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb, a man many fans had started to turn on after the past two games, and the play calling was finally balanced enough to levy power to both the left and the right sides. The defense also broke down potential MVP Kurt Warner with three interceptions, and they did it without pro bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who was suffering from a neck injury. Joselio Hanson and Lito Sheppard did not miss many beats at all in his absence, and the pressure was non-stop, despite the defense not being able to sack Warner.
Quarterbacks: Knowing that he was under pressure to perform after being benched for the first time in his career, be it high school, college, or pros, McNabb delivered with a timely and well managed offensive attack. And the best part of it was that the offense DID NOT rely solely on him and his arm, unlike the past three weeks. McNabb completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2%) for 260 yards and four touchdowns. McNabb also put his good footwork to use and ran the ball four times for 24 yards, and while the process might not evoke anything from 2002 (the year in which he broke his ankle, came back, and still beat the same team) there is no denying that his mobility has gotten much better this season as it has went along. Kevin Kolb even got into the game later on, to hand the ball off and take two kneel downs under the two minute warning to finish the clock off.
Unit Grade: A (95%)
Running Backs & Fullbacks: Multiple jokes were made up in the booth between radio announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick as to what the Eagles did with Westbrook between Sunday and Thursday, if they sent to a spa every day or sent him to a resort (no mention of Tony Romo though). Whatever it was that they did, it worked masterfully, as Westbrook hacked and slashed his way through the line and defenders unlike any one game this year outside the Falcons game, as he picked up 110 yards rushing on 22 carries for a neat five yards an average and two touchdowns. On top of that, Westbrook also caught three passes for 20 yards and two more touchdowns, so overall he had 25 touches for 130 yards and four touchdowns. For the first time since the bye week when we signed him, Kyle Eckel made his Eagles debut and became Correll Buckhalter if you will, as he ran the ball six times for 27 yards, most of which all came in the 4th quarter. What’s strange about the use of Eckel is that he was subbed in at running back despite being a fullback by trade, but another former Patriot was already there in Dan Klecko. Lorenzo Booker, also active for the first time in weeks, ran four times for 21 yards, while DeSean Jackson had one wildcat run for six yards.
Unit Grade: A (95%)
Wide Receivers: Jackson was looked at as a prolific return man, but a very good quality often missed in him is his route running and pass catching skills. This is further evidenced with him being the most consistent receiver on the team week in and week out, logging six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. Both Kevin Curtis and the big man Hank Baskett grabbed five receptions, Curtis going for 59 yards and Baskett for 42 yards, while Jason Avant caught four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown as well. Noticeable in production absence was Reggie Brown, who had no catches but was out there for some plays, and noticeable in complete absence was Greg Lewis. Perhaps a lot of this has to do with recent dumb penalties he has committed on special teams over the past three weeks.
Unit Grade: A (95%)
Tight Ends: It’s usually a good day when four receivers get at least four grabs each, that means we are spreading the ball around. But when LJ Smith gets involved, including spinning off the longest offensive play of the game for the Eagles, you KNOW a lot of good things are going on. Smith caught three passes for 32 yards, including one for 25-yards, and Brent Celek had one reception for six yards. Deactivated again was Matt Schobel, a person that I am sure is not on the cheap.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Offensive Line: The line has not looked this good overall since the first game of the year, opening up holes and pass blocking, and it also comes at the expense of a backup center having to be the third right guard on the season. Prior to the half, Max Jean-Gilles was injured and what preliminarily was being called a broken ankle, turned out to be a fractured ankle and torn ligaments in his knee. Not only will this injury sideline MJG for the remainder of the season, but it is an injury he is expected to take up to NINE months to rehab from. For the second half, Nick Cole took over at right guard, and he didn’t miss a beat, knowing the system and played left guard and center for the team. Only one time did the Cardinals get to a running back for a loss, and only one time did they sack McNabb. Only two penalties were levied to the line, a holding call on Jamaal Jackson and false start on Tra Thomas. But 186 yards rushing with a backup center at right guard looks really good to me.
Unit Grade: A+ (98%)
Defensive Line: As stated out front, no one got a sack on Warner, but the line helped to put a lot of pressure on him and force some errant throws in the form of drops and interceptions. Trent Cole, Darren Howard, Juqua Parker, and Mike Patterson all had one tackle each while Howard had a forced fumble the Cardinals recovered, with Cole providing two QB hurries and Howard and Parker one each. The lack of tackles is a direct result of Arizona’s inability to run the ball, or even have a remote interest in such an activity, with a total of ten carries for 25 yards.
Unit Grade: B (85%)
Linebackers: Whether he knows it or not, Stewart Bradley indirectly set the tone for the game. While he only had two tackles, he had the big pass defense that ended up in the hands of Joselio Hanson on the first Cardinals drive of the game. Akeem Jordan had three tackles and a recovered fumble forced from Anquan Boldin from Brian Dawkins, and Chris Gocong had one tackle. And aside from two freak receptions by Leonard Pope and Tim Hightower, coverage was pretty solid.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Secondary: Considering that Warner is a well known gunslinger, being down Samuel was not an ideal situation for the Eagles to be in. But despite that, the unit held the most proficient passer in the NFL to 235 yards, and while he had three touchdowns, he was picked off three times. Quintin Mikell had six tackles to lead the team with an interception while Brian Dawkins had five tackles, a forced fumble to Jordan, and a beautiful center field interception on 4th and one for Arizona. Hanson, the man of the hour on the time clock, had four tackles and the first interception of the game, while Sheldon brown had three tackles, as did Lito Sheppard. Quintin Demps, who also saw extended time on defense, had one tackle there and a couple of spots where he was matched up against both Boldin and Steve Breaston with measurable success against the two.
Unit Grade: A- (90%)
Special Teams: Except for Jackson’s miscalculated error on a punt return, the entire special teams unit was impressive. David Akers kept busy with two field goals kicked and six extra points made for 12 points while Sav Rocca got back to strong punting form, only needed three times averaging 45.7 a kick and 42.7 net with two of them inside the 20. Demps, the only saving grace a week ago from a shutout, had 24 yards an average on four kick returns and Jackson averaged three yards a punt return, mainly due to former Eagle punter Dirk Johnson not being able to tell the side of his foot from his shoe front. Coverage teams were sharp too, holding dynamic return men JJ Arrington to 21 yards a kick return on EIGHT returns, and Breaston to four yards on two punt returns.
Unit Grade - All Facets: A+ (98%)
Coaching: I don’t know how long it has been since I can say this, but I have NO complaints with ANY coach on the team! I thought the defensive improvements in the wake of Samuel’s injury were stellar, and special teams played very well. And on top of that, the balanced play calling from the very first drive was not something I expected. Now Andy, Marty…is it TOO much to ask to consistently do this?
Unit Grade - All Facets: A (95%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Brian Dawkins: Weapon X played brilliantly again with his two turnovers and huge hammering hits on Cardinal receivers.
2. Donovan McNabb: Brilliant all around game from the man many fans were quick to crucify for the team’s failures.
1. Brian Westbrook: I’ve said it before and will say it again, when you get the man the ball, at 75% he is better then many backs are at 100%.
Honorable Mention: Joselio Hanson and Quintin Mikell
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-With his interception in the 4th quarter, Dawkins tied the franchise record for most interceptions in a career with the Eagles. Along with Bill Bradley and Eric Allen, Dawkins now had 34 interceptions all time.
-The Eagles came into the game with an all-time record of 4-0 on Thanksgiving: the win tonight gives them a 5-0 mark all time now.
-Brian Westbrook, with four touchdowns on the game, was one away from breaking the record for most touchdowns in a game by an Eagle.
-David Akers eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark with his second field goal in the fourth quarter of the win. He now has 1,004 career points.
-The Eagles made better then usual in the red zone, entering seven times and walking away with six touchdowns. In addition, from the goal-to-go situations, they were a perfect five of five. Also, third downs were better executed, as the team went 10/14, good for 71%.
-The failure to pick up a sack in the game marks only the second time all year that the Eagles were held without a sack in a game.
Time will tell just how far this win will go to helping our own personal playoff picture. Now with ten days off until the next game at the Meadowlands, some players on the mend can take time to heal up and return for our second match of the year with the Giants on December 7th.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Eagles VS Ravens Review
The possibility of losing, with teams ahead of them in the wildcard race and in tow beside or behind them, was one that the Philadelphia Eagles could not possibly stand to face. Heading into enemy territory to face the Baltimore Ravens, a team with an inside track on the wildcard picture in the AFC, the Eagles needed to beat the team that their former special team’s coach and secondary coach for a year had went to fill a head coaching vacancy. And like with Steve Spaguolo, who went to the New York Giants as a defensive coordinator, John Harabaugh has a one up knowing what to expect from the ever predictable Andy Reid.
It comes as no surprise, then, the end result of it all.
In one of the most lopsided and absurd losses this side of 2005, the Eagles managed to lose the football game in every possible facet. The Ravens defense scored more points then the Eagles offense did (7-0) the Eagles suffered their first blocked punt of the year, and again the defense was put on the spot, allowing three touchdowns on the game, two of them well earned and another not so much. The end result was a score of 36-7 Ravens and a further burial in the basement of the NFC East with every rival of ours winning on Sunday. And while the Eagles mathematically remain alive for the division title, the Giants at 10-1 would have to drop all five and we would have to win all five and finish up 10-5-1. Worse yet, ahead of the Eagles in the 5th spot is Tampa Bay at 8-3, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington are all 7-4 in the 6th spot, Minnesota is now 6-5 with Chicago, and tomorrow night, Green Bay and New Orleans, both 5-5 teams, will play each other.
Quarterbacks: For the first time in his career, Donovan McNabb was pulled from the game and benched after the half. Yes, you heard me right, the coaching half of the “10-Year Odd Couple” pairing put the quarterback half on the bench for Kevin Kolb in the final 30 minutes. But a number to know here is 12.5, and that is the average of the two and their QB rating COMBINED. Kolb had a slight lead in the rating department for his half, completing 10 of 23 passes (43.5%) for 73 yards and two interceptions, including one in the end zone which Ravens safety Ed Reed took 108-yards for a touchdown, for a 15.3 QB rating. McNabb completed eight of 18 passes (44.4%) for 59 yards with two interceptions, a fumble, and was sacked twice with a 13.2 QB rating. Neither quarterback was impressive, and if the season is shot as I have it figured as, the question is who starts from here out then?
Unit Grade: F (50%)
Running & Full Backs: Well, the good news is that the team averaged over four yards a carry as a team running the ball, but the bad news is that we STILL only ran the ball 21 times (as opposed to 43 pass attempts). But I guess with the way Brian Westbrook was running the ball when he was in there, I can understand why. Westbrook, having claimed to be banged up yet again and questionable, ran the ball 14 times for 39 yards and caught two passes for minus five yards, totaling only 16 touches for 34 yards. It might just be my opinion, but either the injuries are taking a toll because he is shy about hitting the holes, or he is really missing Shawn Andrews THAT much. But with Correll Buckhalter averaging eight yards a carry (two for 16 yards on the game) it leads me to believe it is the former for Westbrook. Kolb ran the ball three times for 12 yards, DeSean Jackson had one direct snap for 12 yards, and McNabb had one roll out for seven yards. And everyone’s favorite tackle-turned-fullback Dan Klecko had two catches for 18 yards, which I am sure is a career high for offensive output for him. I am still strongly of the belief that if the injuries are bothering Westbrook so much, then on such a short week, he should sit out the Thursday game, we activate Lorenzo Booker, and him and Buckhalter do the running (when we do it of course).
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Wide-outs & Tight Ends: Both of these are back together after the lack of production on the game. Jackson led the unit with five receptions for 47 yards and was also the fault of McNabb’s first interception while Brent Celek pulled in three catches for 26 yards, most of them from Kolb. Both Jason Avant and Kevin Curtis had two receptions each while our two tallest targets, LJ Smith and Hank Baskett, had one reception each. To me, the interception by McNabb to Fabian Washington is the only one a receiver can be blamed for (Jackson).
Unit Grade: C- (70%)
Offensive Line: Truly a mixed bag for this unit today. While they helped to average over four yards a carry rushing, they also allowed five tackles for a loss on backs as well, gave up five QB hurries and two sacks, 1.5 of them to linebacker Jarrett Johnson and a half to Trevor Pryce. And in rare fashion, every offensive lineman was tagged with at least ONE penalty EXCEPT for Todd Herremans: Jon Runyan was called for a hold (extremely questionable) and unnecessary roughness, Jamaal Jackson and Tra Thomas for holding, and Max Jean-Gilles for a false start. Like with the quarterbacks and offense as a whole, not very disciplined.
Unit Grade: C+ (78%)
Defensive Line: You would be hard pressed to find another unit on this team that, no matter what the situation is or what the score is, will continue to play regardless and play well. Trent Cole led the unit and finished second on the team with eight tackles with a sack worth 13 yards, a tackle for a loss, and a QB hurry while his bookend in crime Juqua Parker had six tackles and one for a loss. Mike Patterson had five tackles and one for a loss while Darren Howard provided three tackles and two QB hurries off the bench while Broderick Bunkley, who got injured and returned, had three tackles and so did Victor Abiamiri, alongside a sack, a QB hurry, and a tackle for a loss. Trevor Laws, our top pick in the 2008 draft, saw his most extensive action this year with Bunkley down, logging one tackle for a loss.
Unit Grade: A (93%)
Linebackers: In extremely odd fashion, Reid decided to bench Omar Gaither and start Akeem Jordan at WILL, citing the speed of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee for such a change. And from a statistical stand point it looked alright, but it did nothing from a playmaking stand point, as Jordan led the team with nine tackles and also had two tackles for a loss. Chris Gocong posted six tackles, instrumental vs. the run as well while Stewart Bradley had three tackles and a pass defense. And as far as I could tell, even with Jordan in at D and Tracy White and Tank Daniels getting numbers on teams, Gaither was nowhere to be found period.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Secondary: The Ravens managed 110 yards on the ground on 40 carries, limiting their pass attempts to only 26 (I know, the polar opposite of the Eagles) so not a lot was made of back here, except for one freak touchdown pass. Sheldon Brown led the unit with seven tackles and had a pass defense while Quintin Mikell had six tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble which, by the time it was all said and done, cost the Ravens 23 yards since they picked it back up. Brian Dawkins had two tackles while Joselio Hanson had one tackle, a QB hurry, and a pass defense. Asante Samuel, despite getting injured twice and coming back once, had one tackle and did pretty well on Derrick Mason, but Lito Sheppard got burned alive by Mark Clayton on a 53-yard touchdown pass, and Sean Considine was had by Daniel Wilcox on a 1-yard touchdown pass.
Unit Grade - All not named Lito or Sean: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Lito and Sean: C- (70%)
Special Teams: Talk about a terrible time to have your first blocked punt of the season, how about being down 13-7 at your own four yard line? That’s what happened to Sav Rocca thanks to blown coverage by Gocong and Considine, he averaged 48.5 a boot (41.6 with the block counted) with two inside the twenty and one touchback, while David Akers only got to hit an extra point. In somewhat of a joyous and celebratory occasion, a very rare kick return touchdown was posted by Quintin Demps, as he kept us from being shutout in this game with a 100-yard return just short of the half, and averaged 44.3 yards a return on four, and the team averaged 29.3 with short returns by Avant, Klecko, and Abiamiri. Jackson averaged six yards a punt return, and the Eagles held Yamon Figurs to 7.5 yards a punt return and the Ravens to 19.5 yards a kick return as a whole unit. And after seeing yet another dumb penalty by Greg Lewis (like one previous when he ran over a return man against the Giants) I question his existence in life, let alone on this team.
Unit Grade - Kick return and coverage: A+ (100%)
Unit Grade - Punt return and coverage: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Rocca: C (75%)
Unit Grade - Punt blocking: D (65%)
Coaching: Again another game where the defense is left out to dry…why am I not surprised by this revelation? The punt block was bad, and punting overall wasn’t that stellar (again) but coverage for kicks was very good and our kick returns were excellent for a change. But about Andy Reid and Marty Moron, I think my accompanying video review of the game in the smack shake part of the site best speaks to the way I feel about them two and Andy’s bone headed calls, including benching Donovan in a must have game and not allowing him to find his bearing once again. I said a week ago that I was plain out pissed with him, and while that might still be the case, I am ready to mark him off as perhaps the most senile and predictable point in his career and is obviously becoming a joke of a coach. And considering we’ve seen the likes of Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes lately, that is saying a hell of a lot. Furthermore, Marty Moron is no Brad Childress, and is only proving that with his lack of input and inept attitude.
Unit Grade - Defense: A (93%)
Unit Grade - Special Teams: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Offense: F (55%)
Unit Grade - Head Coach: F- (35%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Trent Cole: A sack and seven tackles on the game: non-stop motor and effort.
2. Quintin Mikell: Six tackles and the forced fumble on a sack.
1. Quintin Demps: Saved us from being shutout with his 100-yard kick return for a touchdown, and provided a wallop of a tackle on a Yamon punt return.
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-Heading into the game, the Ravens were one of two teams the Eagles were undefeated against, going 1-0-1 against them: obviously now we are 1-1-1.
-In the last two games, McNabb has incurred seven turnovers (five interceptions and two fumbles) the most over any two game stretch in his career.
-The 30 minutes Kolb was in for surpassed his previous outings combined.
-Again, on third down the team only managed to go 3-of-13 for 23% while missing their one and only red zone chance due to a Kolb interception.
Well, many have been telling us that this loss to Baltimore broke our playoff hopes in half, and while we still are mathematically alive, I cannot see the team digging out of this hole, not with three division games left and an 0-3 mark in it this year. Another loss, and I will officially be looking to the off-season.
It comes as no surprise, then, the end result of it all.
In one of the most lopsided and absurd losses this side of 2005, the Eagles managed to lose the football game in every possible facet. The Ravens defense scored more points then the Eagles offense did (7-0) the Eagles suffered their first blocked punt of the year, and again the defense was put on the spot, allowing three touchdowns on the game, two of them well earned and another not so much. The end result was a score of 36-7 Ravens and a further burial in the basement of the NFC East with every rival of ours winning on Sunday. And while the Eagles mathematically remain alive for the division title, the Giants at 10-1 would have to drop all five and we would have to win all five and finish up 10-5-1. Worse yet, ahead of the Eagles in the 5th spot is Tampa Bay at 8-3, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington are all 7-4 in the 6th spot, Minnesota is now 6-5 with Chicago, and tomorrow night, Green Bay and New Orleans, both 5-5 teams, will play each other.
Quarterbacks: For the first time in his career, Donovan McNabb was pulled from the game and benched after the half. Yes, you heard me right, the coaching half of the “10-Year Odd Couple” pairing put the quarterback half on the bench for Kevin Kolb in the final 30 minutes. But a number to know here is 12.5, and that is the average of the two and their QB rating COMBINED. Kolb had a slight lead in the rating department for his half, completing 10 of 23 passes (43.5%) for 73 yards and two interceptions, including one in the end zone which Ravens safety Ed Reed took 108-yards for a touchdown, for a 15.3 QB rating. McNabb completed eight of 18 passes (44.4%) for 59 yards with two interceptions, a fumble, and was sacked twice with a 13.2 QB rating. Neither quarterback was impressive, and if the season is shot as I have it figured as, the question is who starts from here out then?
Unit Grade: F (50%)
Running & Full Backs: Well, the good news is that the team averaged over four yards a carry as a team running the ball, but the bad news is that we STILL only ran the ball 21 times (as opposed to 43 pass attempts). But I guess with the way Brian Westbrook was running the ball when he was in there, I can understand why. Westbrook, having claimed to be banged up yet again and questionable, ran the ball 14 times for 39 yards and caught two passes for minus five yards, totaling only 16 touches for 34 yards. It might just be my opinion, but either the injuries are taking a toll because he is shy about hitting the holes, or he is really missing Shawn Andrews THAT much. But with Correll Buckhalter averaging eight yards a carry (two for 16 yards on the game) it leads me to believe it is the former for Westbrook. Kolb ran the ball three times for 12 yards, DeSean Jackson had one direct snap for 12 yards, and McNabb had one roll out for seven yards. And everyone’s favorite tackle-turned-fullback Dan Klecko had two catches for 18 yards, which I am sure is a career high for offensive output for him. I am still strongly of the belief that if the injuries are bothering Westbrook so much, then on such a short week, he should sit out the Thursday game, we activate Lorenzo Booker, and him and Buckhalter do the running (when we do it of course).
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Wide-outs & Tight Ends: Both of these are back together after the lack of production on the game. Jackson led the unit with five receptions for 47 yards and was also the fault of McNabb’s first interception while Brent Celek pulled in three catches for 26 yards, most of them from Kolb. Both Jason Avant and Kevin Curtis had two receptions each while our two tallest targets, LJ Smith and Hank Baskett, had one reception each. To me, the interception by McNabb to Fabian Washington is the only one a receiver can be blamed for (Jackson).
Unit Grade: C- (70%)
Offensive Line: Truly a mixed bag for this unit today. While they helped to average over four yards a carry rushing, they also allowed five tackles for a loss on backs as well, gave up five QB hurries and two sacks, 1.5 of them to linebacker Jarrett Johnson and a half to Trevor Pryce. And in rare fashion, every offensive lineman was tagged with at least ONE penalty EXCEPT for Todd Herremans: Jon Runyan was called for a hold (extremely questionable) and unnecessary roughness, Jamaal Jackson and Tra Thomas for holding, and Max Jean-Gilles for a false start. Like with the quarterbacks and offense as a whole, not very disciplined.
Unit Grade: C+ (78%)
Defensive Line: You would be hard pressed to find another unit on this team that, no matter what the situation is or what the score is, will continue to play regardless and play well. Trent Cole led the unit and finished second on the team with eight tackles with a sack worth 13 yards, a tackle for a loss, and a QB hurry while his bookend in crime Juqua Parker had six tackles and one for a loss. Mike Patterson had five tackles and one for a loss while Darren Howard provided three tackles and two QB hurries off the bench while Broderick Bunkley, who got injured and returned, had three tackles and so did Victor Abiamiri, alongside a sack, a QB hurry, and a tackle for a loss. Trevor Laws, our top pick in the 2008 draft, saw his most extensive action this year with Bunkley down, logging one tackle for a loss.
Unit Grade: A (93%)
Linebackers: In extremely odd fashion, Reid decided to bench Omar Gaither and start Akeem Jordan at WILL, citing the speed of Ray Rice and Willis McGahee for such a change. And from a statistical stand point it looked alright, but it did nothing from a playmaking stand point, as Jordan led the team with nine tackles and also had two tackles for a loss. Chris Gocong posted six tackles, instrumental vs. the run as well while Stewart Bradley had three tackles and a pass defense. And as far as I could tell, even with Jordan in at D and Tracy White and Tank Daniels getting numbers on teams, Gaither was nowhere to be found period.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Secondary: The Ravens managed 110 yards on the ground on 40 carries, limiting their pass attempts to only 26 (I know, the polar opposite of the Eagles) so not a lot was made of back here, except for one freak touchdown pass. Sheldon Brown led the unit with seven tackles and had a pass defense while Quintin Mikell had six tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a forced fumble which, by the time it was all said and done, cost the Ravens 23 yards since they picked it back up. Brian Dawkins had two tackles while Joselio Hanson had one tackle, a QB hurry, and a pass defense. Asante Samuel, despite getting injured twice and coming back once, had one tackle and did pretty well on Derrick Mason, but Lito Sheppard got burned alive by Mark Clayton on a 53-yard touchdown pass, and Sean Considine was had by Daniel Wilcox on a 1-yard touchdown pass.
Unit Grade - All not named Lito or Sean: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Lito and Sean: C- (70%)
Special Teams: Talk about a terrible time to have your first blocked punt of the season, how about being down 13-7 at your own four yard line? That’s what happened to Sav Rocca thanks to blown coverage by Gocong and Considine, he averaged 48.5 a boot (41.6 with the block counted) with two inside the twenty and one touchback, while David Akers only got to hit an extra point. In somewhat of a joyous and celebratory occasion, a very rare kick return touchdown was posted by Quintin Demps, as he kept us from being shutout in this game with a 100-yard return just short of the half, and averaged 44.3 yards a return on four, and the team averaged 29.3 with short returns by Avant, Klecko, and Abiamiri. Jackson averaged six yards a punt return, and the Eagles held Yamon Figurs to 7.5 yards a punt return and the Ravens to 19.5 yards a kick return as a whole unit. And after seeing yet another dumb penalty by Greg Lewis (like one previous when he ran over a return man against the Giants) I question his existence in life, let alone on this team.
Unit Grade - Kick return and coverage: A+ (100%)
Unit Grade - Punt return and coverage: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Rocca: C (75%)
Unit Grade - Punt blocking: D (65%)
Coaching: Again another game where the defense is left out to dry…why am I not surprised by this revelation? The punt block was bad, and punting overall wasn’t that stellar (again) but coverage for kicks was very good and our kick returns were excellent for a change. But about Andy Reid and Marty Moron, I think my accompanying video review of the game in the smack shake part of the site best speaks to the way I feel about them two and Andy’s bone headed calls, including benching Donovan in a must have game and not allowing him to find his bearing once again. I said a week ago that I was plain out pissed with him, and while that might still be the case, I am ready to mark him off as perhaps the most senile and predictable point in his career and is obviously becoming a joke of a coach. And considering we’ve seen the likes of Rich Kotite and Ray Rhodes lately, that is saying a hell of a lot. Furthermore, Marty Moron is no Brad Childress, and is only proving that with his lack of input and inept attitude.
Unit Grade - Defense: A (93%)
Unit Grade - Special Teams: B (85%)
Unit Grade - Offense: F (55%)
Unit Grade - Head Coach: F- (35%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Trent Cole: A sack and seven tackles on the game: non-stop motor and effort.
2. Quintin Mikell: Six tackles and the forced fumble on a sack.
1. Quintin Demps: Saved us from being shutout with his 100-yard kick return for a touchdown, and provided a wallop of a tackle on a Yamon punt return.
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-Heading into the game, the Ravens were one of two teams the Eagles were undefeated against, going 1-0-1 against them: obviously now we are 1-1-1.
-In the last two games, McNabb has incurred seven turnovers (five interceptions and two fumbles) the most over any two game stretch in his career.
-The 30 minutes Kolb was in for surpassed his previous outings combined.
-Again, on third down the team only managed to go 3-of-13 for 23% while missing their one and only red zone chance due to a Kolb interception.
Well, many have been telling us that this loss to Baltimore broke our playoff hopes in half, and while we still are mathematically alive, I cannot see the team digging out of this hole, not with three division games left and an 0-3 mark in it this year. Another loss, and I will officially be looking to the off-season.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Eagles Vs Bengals Review
One thing I have learned in the NFL season of 2008 is that nothing can be taken for granted, and nothing is ever perceived as certain. Reeling from a loss to the defending Superbowl Champion New York Giants and knowing that a pair of six win opponents await followed again by the Giants, many fans felt as if the Bengals game was a pushover. Many were looking forward to playing the Ravens and Cardinals instead of playing the team that lie right in front of them instead.
Therein was the biggest problem.
First, is was unbelievable that the Bengals would keep the game close with the Eagles. Then, it was unbelievable that the Bengals actually held a ten point lead in the third quarter. Then it was unbelievable that the game was actually going into overtime. Then finally, it was unbelievable that the two teams would actually not be able to decide a winner VIA overtime, as the game ended up tied 13-13. The tie effectively leaves the Eagles in the basement, as the Dallas Cowboys defeat of the Washington Redskins 14-10 pulls the teams into a 6-4 quandary, and the Giants smashing of our next opponent on Sunday, 30-10, moves them to 9-1.
Quarterbacks: Chopped into wood and thrown into the fire by his own head coach, Donovan McNabb looked like his usual unspectacular self to start the game, but unlike weeks past, he never seemed to find a consistent, white hot groove at any time. McNabb attempted a whopping 58 passes (and 60 when you include the two times he was sacked) and completed only 28 of them (48.3%) for 339 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions, a lost fumble, and a mere 50.9 QB rating. Now I know that McNabb is smart enough to realize that he can call an audible when he sees something he doesn’t like, but why would they keep giving him the pass when he was hit and lost a fumble and three interceptions on top of that?
McNabb Grade: C (75%)
Running and Full Backs: All I have to say about the lack of respect to your running game when the Bengals had the 22nd best run defense is this: 18 carries. That is all the more that we ran the ball all game, even with 33:46 of total possession INCLUDING overtime. Brian Westbrook had 14 carries for 60 yards and had three receptions for 11 yards, totaling 17 touches for 71 yards and no touchdowns. Correll Buckhalter had one carry for three yards but his lone reception was the 2nd longest play of the game at 44 yards, while McNabb had two yards rushing on a 4th and inches situation in the final quarter of regulation. In his hand off duty, DeSean Jackson had two carries for three yards and Dan Klecko had a catch for eight yards.
Unit Grade: B (85% due in large part to getting screwed in play calling)
Wide Receivers: It is hard to believe that McNabb missed 30 passes during the game, but some timely and costly mistakes came from this unit. Kevin Curtis led the team with seven catches for 64 yards but also tipped an interception and dropped two passes, while Jackson had four catches for 66 yards. Jason Avant had three catches for 32 yards while Hank “My new wife is a former girlfriend of Hugh Heffner’s” Baskett caught two passes for 74 yards, one of which went 57 yards and set up our only touchdown, while Reggie Brown caught the first completion of the game for a HUGE gain of zero yards! Something I find post-humorous is that Greg Lewis was listed as being subbed in, but he appeared nowhere to my knowledge.
Unit Grade: C (75%)
Tight End: Coming complete with his own cheering section (after all, he did go to school at Cincinnati) Brent Celek was ready to take on the Bengals and his own teammate LJ Smith. Both of them caught three passes while Celek had 25 yards to Smith’s 15, but LJ had the team’s only touchdown. That Smith actually got open in the end zone without finding a pitfall again is a minor victory in its own right.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Offensive line: When you do simple math, you can look at the fact that McNabb was sacked once for every 30 times he dropped back, which is pretty solid, but the numbers are deceiving. Despite only allowing two sacks, the line still allowed for three different linemen to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage and five quarterback hurries and four tackles for a loss on runs. However, the Eagles DID get Westbrook up at 4.3 yards a run and 3.8 as a team, and if they would have been released on the run, I think it would have been much better. But as it is, it was just another day for the big men up front with yet again NO penalties called on them, even though the consummate whole of the team got flagged eight times.
Unit Grade: B (85%)
Defensive Line: Another Cincinnati alumni came back to haunt the pro team in the city something terrible. Trent Cole was an absolute destructive force, pacing the team for one quarter of their eight sacks with two of them along with two hurries and two tackles for a loss combined with ten total tackles. Both Broderick Bunkley and Juqua Parker had six tackles each with Bunkley posting a sack, a tackle for a loss, a QB hurry, and a pass defense as well. Darren Howard again tightened his lead on the team’s sack race with two more, along with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, two QB hurries, and the games only turnover on a recovered fumble. Chris Clemons also chipped in a sack with a tackle for a loss and a QB hurry while Victor Abiamiri and Mike Patterson had two assisted tackles with Vic logging a pass defense, and Trevor Laws had one assist tackle. The guys up front made life for Ryan Fitzpatrick a living hell and were a BIG reason as to why the Bengals averaged 1.9 yards rushing as a team (30 carries for 56 yards).
Unit Grade: A+ (98%)
Linebackers: Fooled by a few miscues on pitches to halfbacks, the linebackers still did a very good job against the run and looked strong once again. Stewart Bradley, one week removed from a career high 14 tackles against the Giants, had 12 more against the Bengals (10 solo and 2 assist) with two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble while Omar Gaither came in with six tackles. Chris Gocong checked in with three tackles as well, while backups Akeem Jordan and Tracy White each had a tackle on special teams.
Unit Grade: A- (90%)
Secondary: It appeared that, no matter where he lined up, that TJ Houshmandzadeh proved an ethic mismatch for any corner, totaling 41% of his team’s receptions (12 catches) and 57% of their yards (149 yards) and their only touchdown of the game. Joselio Hanson had the most active game of anyone back there, whether for better or worse, as he led with six tackles, recorded a sack with a tackle for a loss and a QB hurry but was also the one who was lined up against “Who’s Your Daddy” on his touchdown catch. Sheldon Brown had five total tackles with two QB hurries, one of which led to a roughing the passer call, a tackle for a loss, and a sack while Quintin Mikell had five tackles (all assisted) with a pass defense. Asante Samuel had four solo tackles and a whopping FOUR pass defenses, two of which easily should have been picked off while both Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard have four tackles apiece, Dawkins with a tackle for a loss and Sheppard with a forced fumble. Allowing a mediocre quarterback like Fitzpatrick to pass for 261 yards is not good, but then again, TJ was the bigger detriment, considering Chris Henry had like 700 drops and Chad “Ocho Stinko” Johnson was quiet.
Unit Grade: B- (82%)
Special Teams: What a bad time for Sav Rocca to regress and show us his 2007 inconsistent side again. Rocca punted ten times but only averaged 36.2 yards a punt prior to his net, which was a woeful 31.1 yards a kick with none pinned in and one kick in the end zone. David Akers was solid again, hitting his two field goal tries and one extra point attempt, but once again, punt return blocking and kick blocking both were terrible. On four returns, Quintin Demps averaged a meager 17.5 yards a return, and Jackson averaged 7.2 yards on six punt returns, while coverage allowed Glenn Holt 24.3 yards a kick return and 7.8 yards a punt return between Antonio Chatman and TJ. Sean Considine led with four tackles, two assist and two solo.
Akers Grade: A- (90%)
Coverage Grade: B- (80%)
Returns Grade: C (75%)
Rocca Grade: C- (70%)
Coaching: First off start with some good: the defense, even though they gave up 261 yards passing but netted 226 after the eight sacks for 35 yards, giving up a total net of 282 yards despite being out there 41:44 of total game time is quite impressive. That said, the offense and special teams take a heavy hit in this game for the tie. And as you are about to see in my video about Andy and the offense exclusive to the “Smack Shack” forum of the site, I do not like the way things are going. Just when we thought that the days of 60-40 or even 65-35 pass-run ratios were gone, the ugliness only begins today: out of 78 total offensive plays, the team threw the ball 60 times, including sacks and ran the ball only 18 times! So, to save you the dividing as I have already done it, that is 77-23 pass-run. And this is remembering that Cincinnati had the 22nd WORST RUN DEFENSE in the NFL, NOT the pass defense. This is totally asinine and absurd and there is NO EXCUSE at all for this type of offensive play calling. This is something I would expect if Bozo and Doink the Clown family were calling the damn offense but…oh wait, you know what? That is pretty close to the case anyway, isn’t it?
Defense Grade: A (95%)
Special Teams Grade: C+ (78%)
Offense and Coach Grade: F- (40%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Stewart Bradley: Becoming the pulse and leader of the defense.
2. Darren Howard: Continues to impress off of the bench as #3 defensive end.
1. Trent Cole: Raised some almighty Cain returning to the city where he played college ball at.
Honorable Mention: Broderick Bunkley, Sheldon Brown, Asante Samuel, and Joselio Hanson (Heck, how about the whole D?)
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-The last tie in NFL history came in 2002, the Eagles last tie came oddly enough 11 years ago to the day of the Bengals game. Even more odd was that we tied the team we are due to face next Sunday, the Ravens, 10-10.
-Due to a valiant goal line stand thanks to Donovan’s fumble, the defense stopped the Bengals lone red zone attempt, while the Eagles were 1-of-2 with a touchdown from 4-yards but one field goal. But once again, the 3rd down percentage was horrid, finishing up 3-of-18 for 17%.
-The Eagles were penalized eight times for 60 yards, the most amount of yellow flags thrown against the Eagles in one game this season.
I got one more thing to say before I sign off: as stated, McNabb missed 30 passes for the game, and 14 of these misses were pass defenses by the Bengals. And despite throwing three interceptions, against a more competent team like, say, the Ravens, we would be burned alive on the mistakes.
So then, have I told you how much Andy and Marty have pissed me?
Therein was the biggest problem.
First, is was unbelievable that the Bengals would keep the game close with the Eagles. Then, it was unbelievable that the Bengals actually held a ten point lead in the third quarter. Then it was unbelievable that the game was actually going into overtime. Then finally, it was unbelievable that the two teams would actually not be able to decide a winner VIA overtime, as the game ended up tied 13-13. The tie effectively leaves the Eagles in the basement, as the Dallas Cowboys defeat of the Washington Redskins 14-10 pulls the teams into a 6-4 quandary, and the Giants smashing of our next opponent on Sunday, 30-10, moves them to 9-1.
Quarterbacks: Chopped into wood and thrown into the fire by his own head coach, Donovan McNabb looked like his usual unspectacular self to start the game, but unlike weeks past, he never seemed to find a consistent, white hot groove at any time. McNabb attempted a whopping 58 passes (and 60 when you include the two times he was sacked) and completed only 28 of them (48.3%) for 339 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions, a lost fumble, and a mere 50.9 QB rating. Now I know that McNabb is smart enough to realize that he can call an audible when he sees something he doesn’t like, but why would they keep giving him the pass when he was hit and lost a fumble and three interceptions on top of that?
McNabb Grade: C (75%)
Running and Full Backs: All I have to say about the lack of respect to your running game when the Bengals had the 22nd best run defense is this: 18 carries. That is all the more that we ran the ball all game, even with 33:46 of total possession INCLUDING overtime. Brian Westbrook had 14 carries for 60 yards and had three receptions for 11 yards, totaling 17 touches for 71 yards and no touchdowns. Correll Buckhalter had one carry for three yards but his lone reception was the 2nd longest play of the game at 44 yards, while McNabb had two yards rushing on a 4th and inches situation in the final quarter of regulation. In his hand off duty, DeSean Jackson had two carries for three yards and Dan Klecko had a catch for eight yards.
Unit Grade: B (85% due in large part to getting screwed in play calling)
Wide Receivers: It is hard to believe that McNabb missed 30 passes during the game, but some timely and costly mistakes came from this unit. Kevin Curtis led the team with seven catches for 64 yards but also tipped an interception and dropped two passes, while Jackson had four catches for 66 yards. Jason Avant had three catches for 32 yards while Hank “My new wife is a former girlfriend of Hugh Heffner’s” Baskett caught two passes for 74 yards, one of which went 57 yards and set up our only touchdown, while Reggie Brown caught the first completion of the game for a HUGE gain of zero yards! Something I find post-humorous is that Greg Lewis was listed as being subbed in, but he appeared nowhere to my knowledge.
Unit Grade: C (75%)
Tight End: Coming complete with his own cheering section (after all, he did go to school at Cincinnati) Brent Celek was ready to take on the Bengals and his own teammate LJ Smith. Both of them caught three passes while Celek had 25 yards to Smith’s 15, but LJ had the team’s only touchdown. That Smith actually got open in the end zone without finding a pitfall again is a minor victory in its own right.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Offensive line: When you do simple math, you can look at the fact that McNabb was sacked once for every 30 times he dropped back, which is pretty solid, but the numbers are deceiving. Despite only allowing two sacks, the line still allowed for three different linemen to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage and five quarterback hurries and four tackles for a loss on runs. However, the Eagles DID get Westbrook up at 4.3 yards a run and 3.8 as a team, and if they would have been released on the run, I think it would have been much better. But as it is, it was just another day for the big men up front with yet again NO penalties called on them, even though the consummate whole of the team got flagged eight times.
Unit Grade: B (85%)
Defensive Line: Another Cincinnati alumni came back to haunt the pro team in the city something terrible. Trent Cole was an absolute destructive force, pacing the team for one quarter of their eight sacks with two of them along with two hurries and two tackles for a loss combined with ten total tackles. Both Broderick Bunkley and Juqua Parker had six tackles each with Bunkley posting a sack, a tackle for a loss, a QB hurry, and a pass defense as well. Darren Howard again tightened his lead on the team’s sack race with two more, along with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, two QB hurries, and the games only turnover on a recovered fumble. Chris Clemons also chipped in a sack with a tackle for a loss and a QB hurry while Victor Abiamiri and Mike Patterson had two assisted tackles with Vic logging a pass defense, and Trevor Laws had one assist tackle. The guys up front made life for Ryan Fitzpatrick a living hell and were a BIG reason as to why the Bengals averaged 1.9 yards rushing as a team (30 carries for 56 yards).
Unit Grade: A+ (98%)
Linebackers: Fooled by a few miscues on pitches to halfbacks, the linebackers still did a very good job against the run and looked strong once again. Stewart Bradley, one week removed from a career high 14 tackles against the Giants, had 12 more against the Bengals (10 solo and 2 assist) with two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble while Omar Gaither came in with six tackles. Chris Gocong checked in with three tackles as well, while backups Akeem Jordan and Tracy White each had a tackle on special teams.
Unit Grade: A- (90%)
Secondary: It appeared that, no matter where he lined up, that TJ Houshmandzadeh proved an ethic mismatch for any corner, totaling 41% of his team’s receptions (12 catches) and 57% of their yards (149 yards) and their only touchdown of the game. Joselio Hanson had the most active game of anyone back there, whether for better or worse, as he led with six tackles, recorded a sack with a tackle for a loss and a QB hurry but was also the one who was lined up against “Who’s Your Daddy” on his touchdown catch. Sheldon Brown had five total tackles with two QB hurries, one of which led to a roughing the passer call, a tackle for a loss, and a sack while Quintin Mikell had five tackles (all assisted) with a pass defense. Asante Samuel had four solo tackles and a whopping FOUR pass defenses, two of which easily should have been picked off while both Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard have four tackles apiece, Dawkins with a tackle for a loss and Sheppard with a forced fumble. Allowing a mediocre quarterback like Fitzpatrick to pass for 261 yards is not good, but then again, TJ was the bigger detriment, considering Chris Henry had like 700 drops and Chad “Ocho Stinko” Johnson was quiet.
Unit Grade: B- (82%)
Special Teams: What a bad time for Sav Rocca to regress and show us his 2007 inconsistent side again. Rocca punted ten times but only averaged 36.2 yards a punt prior to his net, which was a woeful 31.1 yards a kick with none pinned in and one kick in the end zone. David Akers was solid again, hitting his two field goal tries and one extra point attempt, but once again, punt return blocking and kick blocking both were terrible. On four returns, Quintin Demps averaged a meager 17.5 yards a return, and Jackson averaged 7.2 yards on six punt returns, while coverage allowed Glenn Holt 24.3 yards a kick return and 7.8 yards a punt return between Antonio Chatman and TJ. Sean Considine led with four tackles, two assist and two solo.
Akers Grade: A- (90%)
Coverage Grade: B- (80%)
Returns Grade: C (75%)
Rocca Grade: C- (70%)
Coaching: First off start with some good: the defense, even though they gave up 261 yards passing but netted 226 after the eight sacks for 35 yards, giving up a total net of 282 yards despite being out there 41:44 of total game time is quite impressive. That said, the offense and special teams take a heavy hit in this game for the tie. And as you are about to see in my video about Andy and the offense exclusive to the “Smack Shack” forum of the site, I do not like the way things are going. Just when we thought that the days of 60-40 or even 65-35 pass-run ratios were gone, the ugliness only begins today: out of 78 total offensive plays, the team threw the ball 60 times, including sacks and ran the ball only 18 times! So, to save you the dividing as I have already done it, that is 77-23 pass-run. And this is remembering that Cincinnati had the 22nd WORST RUN DEFENSE in the NFL, NOT the pass defense. This is totally asinine and absurd and there is NO EXCUSE at all for this type of offensive play calling. This is something I would expect if Bozo and Doink the Clown family were calling the damn offense but…oh wait, you know what? That is pretty close to the case anyway, isn’t it?
Defense Grade: A (95%)
Special Teams Grade: C+ (78%)
Offense and Coach Grade: F- (40%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Stewart Bradley: Becoming the pulse and leader of the defense.
2. Darren Howard: Continues to impress off of the bench as #3 defensive end.
1. Trent Cole: Raised some almighty Cain returning to the city where he played college ball at.
Honorable Mention: Broderick Bunkley, Sheldon Brown, Asante Samuel, and Joselio Hanson (Heck, how about the whole D?)
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-The last tie in NFL history came in 2002, the Eagles last tie came oddly enough 11 years ago to the day of the Bengals game. Even more odd was that we tied the team we are due to face next Sunday, the Ravens, 10-10.
-Due to a valiant goal line stand thanks to Donovan’s fumble, the defense stopped the Bengals lone red zone attempt, while the Eagles were 1-of-2 with a touchdown from 4-yards but one field goal. But once again, the 3rd down percentage was horrid, finishing up 3-of-18 for 17%.
-The Eagles were penalized eight times for 60 yards, the most amount of yellow flags thrown against the Eagles in one game this season.
I got one more thing to say before I sign off: as stated, McNabb missed 30 passes for the game, and 14 of these misses were pass defenses by the Bengals. And despite throwing three interceptions, against a more competent team like, say, the Ravens, we would be burned alive on the mistakes.
So then, have I told you how much Andy and Marty have pissed me?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Eagles Vs Giants Review
RipperEagle Retrospectives:
Week 10: Giants @ Eagles
By RipperEagle (RE96)
Week 10: Giants @ Eagles
By RipperEagle (RE96)
As expected when it comes down to many of the battles between the Eagles and their NFC East brethren, the games are always going to be exciting, close in score, and feature things you aren’t going to find in other matches out there. And Sunday Night’s game with the visiting Giants was no exception to this rule: guys who weigh 264 pounds flying through the air, a defensive tackle picking off a pass and rumbling with it, and two silly challenges in a row by one coach and a challenge on another call which was unjust by the other. But the bottom line is that, right in front of the Eagles was their chance at their very first division win, and the opportunity to knock off the defending Superbowl Champions.
But like with our other primetime games, this didn’t happen.
The score went one way from the next: the Eagles had a 7-0 lead right away, then the Giants led 17-7, then the Eagles led 24-20, then the Giants led 36-24. But when all was said and done, the Giants defeated the Eagles 36-31 thanks to some silly play calling on 3rd and 3 and 4th and 1 to end part of the game on.
Quarterbacks: As has been the case with the past two weeks, Donovan McNabb got off to yet another slow, ice cold start. But unlike other units and players, he once again found his bearings to a degree once more this time as he hit 17 of 36 passes (47%) for 194 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. And he also led the team with 35 yards rushing on three carries. Thanks to the offensive line, McNabb had plenty of time to throw the ball, but a lot of the misses came as a result of forcing to someone who wasn’t open, or again, drops.
McNabb Grade: B- (80%)
Running & Full Backs: What a sad showing from the actual runners. The reason I say actual runners is because a receiver (DeSean Jackson) had more rushing yards then the backup runner and also two less then the starter. Brian Westbrook carried the ball 13 times for 26 yards and caught three passes for 33 yards, clearly a non-factor. Correll Buckhalter had two carries for 21 yards, but 20 of them were on one run. Dan Klecko, more then not, missed a good amount of lead blocks, and I got to wonder, where DID Kyle Eckel go, Antarctica?
Unit Grade: C (75%)
Receivers: Jackson was the team’s best receiver and third best runner: he had four receptions for 61 yards and ran the ball three times for 24 yards and a 10-yard touchdown run from the wildcat formation. Two receivers tallied 25 yard receiving and a touchdown with Kevin Curtis getting there on three catches, and Jason Avant on two receptions while both Hank Baskett and Reggie Brown had a seven yard reception, Hank using his size in the end zone to post the third touchdown.
Jackson Grade: A (95%)
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Tight Ends: What a difference a week makes: last week, Brent Celek was a superstar, and this week, he had one notable lazy drop but nothing else. Instead, it was the returning LJ Smith who finished second with three receptions for 36 yards. Obviously, the Giants defense is much better then the Seahawks defense, so now the question is, was that a fluke or not?
Unit Grade: C (75%)
Offensive Line: No one can blame the big guys for not doing their job. Up against the second best defense in terms of sacks and the best in the NFC, they allowed the Giants NO sacks and very few hurries or pressures either. And while the running game wasn’t too proficient with Brian or Correll running, only one time did someone get hit in the backfield for a 1-yard loss. Jon Runyan provided the block of the game on Jackson’s 10-yard touchdown run. And why Nick Cole started instead of Todd Herremans, who later came back, is a mystery to me.
Unit Grade: A+ (98%)
Defensive line: Save a sack, this unit was abysmal. They were easily engulfed by the Giants offensive line on the run, and more then not, were simply manhandled and pushed around in pass rushing. Broderick Bunkley had seven tackles even though he needed an IV for cramping later on while Trent Cole had six tackles and the game’s only sack. Juqua Parker posted four tackles, Trevor Laws had two tackles in extensive action for the missing Bunkley, and both Darren Howard and Mike Patterson had a tackle, although Patterson ALSO had his first interception and recovered a fumble by Brandon Jacobs. True, the defense got four tackles for a loss of 12 yards on the Giants, but 44 carries, 217 yards, and 4.9 yards a run loom larger then that minuscule stat.
Patterson Grade: A (93%)
Bunkley and Cole Grade: B (85%)
Unit Grade: C- (70%)
Linebackers: Often thrown into the fray when (insert name of Giants running back here) got past the first line of the defense, the linebackers had their hands full, some more so then others. Stewart Bradley posted a total of 14 tackles and also a facemask penalty while Chris Gocong had six tackles, one of which was a wicked shot on Jacobs which forced a fumble, and Omar Gaither had three tackles and a forced fumble which went out of bounds. Somehow, Akeem Jordon got in for a while at linebacker at someone’s expense and had two tackles as well.
Unit Grade: B (85%)
Secondary: Not a lot of activity here, although when you can run the ball like the Giants did, I guess I can understand why. Brian Dawkins had seven tackles and a forced fumble on the game while Joselio Hanson had four tackles and Asante Samuel had three. Quintin Mikell had three tackles but was best remembered for Kevin Boss hurdling right over him while Sean Considine had one tackle and Sheldon Brown had an assisted tackle. Not really tested that much except in the red zone with touchdowns by Boss and Burress.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Special Teams: David Akers and Sav Rocca both came to work again, Akers hitting four extra points and his only field goal try while Rocca punted five times with two inside the 20, a rare touchback, and a net average of 32.6, but only because of two Dominick Hixon punt returns for 22 yards an average. Jackson never got to return any of the three Giants punts, but Quintin Demps averaged 27 yards a kick return on eight of them and fumbled for the first time this season.
Akers and Rocca Grade: A- (90%)
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Coaching: We have not been known as a running team, so I want to know who the genius was who thought that calling runs on 3rd and 3 and then 4th and 1 to a guy who was getting shut down was a good idea. Furthermore, Jimmy better chew out that pathetic run defense before we head to Cincinnati, and Rory needs to get the punt cover unit back to the tackling basics.
Unit Grade: C- (70%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Mike Patterson: First career INT and recovered fumble
2. DeSean Jackson: 85 yards of offense and a rushing touchdown
1. Offensive Line: Great job against the 3rd best defense in the NFL.
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-Did you know that our record in primetime games, going back to 2007, is NOW at 0-7, and that includes an 0-5 mark against the NFC East?
-This is the second time this season we gave up more then 200 yards rushing in a game, the first time was again at home to Washington in week five.
-The Eagles held the ball for only 20:10 in the game.
I apologize for not having too much to say guys, but this loss really hurt. In my opinion, this is the WORST loss of the season just a bit ahead of losing to the Chicago Bears in week four.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Eagles Vs Seahawks Review
We all know the recent history of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks, and it is something that has been a bit of a nuisance for the Eagles and their backup quarterbacks. The reason for that, of course, was in the last meeting in week 13 of the 2007 season when AJ Feeley was filling in for an injured Donovan McNabb, and Feeley got confused and figured Lofa Tatupu was on his team, pitching him three of his four interceptions in a 28-24 loss at home. In 2005 it was even worse then that, as the now dismissed Mike McMahon and Koy Toy Detmer combined to bury us in a 42-0 blasting in 2005 when we were supposed to be honoring the late great Reggie White on a Monday Night game, again in December. And once again, for both the Eagles players and fans alike, the aura had to be over their heads that in recent years, the Seahawks and Mike Holmgren had their number.
The only difference was this time there were no backups to help them out.
Facing the Seahawks for the first time in over four years, Donovan McNabb showed Seattle what a difference it could make with the backups out and the master of the offense in the game, as his numbers helped propel an offense which scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. After this point David Akers came out for a virtual field goal practice session, as the Eagles made one mistake on the first defensive play of the game but struck back with 26 unanswered points to defeat the Seahawks 26-7 at Qwest Field in Seattle to improve to 5-3 on the year and continue on a 3-game winning streak. But the win only further complicates the NFC East picture, however, the Eagles moved into 3rd place going into week ten because at the same time the Eagles were beating the Seahawks, the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-14. The Cowboys loss leaves them back a half a game in last place going into their bye week, and the Eagles one whole game behind the Washington Redskins, set to do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football prior to their week ten bye with Dallas, and two whole games behind the Giants, who they host next Sunday Night on NBC.
Quarterbacks: When McNabb is on, he is really on. As of late, McNabb’s numbers have been stellar and his ability to fight off pressure and still get his passes to his receivers reminds many of 2004 all over again, a certain year where a certain team made it to the Superbowl. Yeah, in MY OPINION anyway, he is looking that good once again. For the game McNabb was 28 of 43 (65%) for 349 yards with two touchdowns and an interception which proved meaningless and a 96 QB rating. His accuracy is especially encouraging, since he started the game going 0-for-6. He also had two carries for six yards including a 1-yard quarterback sneak to convert a 4th and inches situation from the Hawks 35 which led to our second touchdown. If we plan on beating the Giants and pushing our way into the playoffs or even the division title, it is pivotal we keep #5 standing and give him time so he can cut down the opposing secondary. But that’s pretty much elementary, right?
McNabb Grade: A+ (98)
Running Backs: For two straight weeks, we have done what Brian Westbrook wants done. He has stated on many occasions that he would like to run the ball at least 20 times a game, and today he got 20 carries, it is just that he only got 61 yards to go with it. But it seemed as if wherever he went, he couldn’t seem to make anything work at all, in fact no one really could, which is a shame because the week before we had 192 yards against Atlanta. Westbrook also had a three way tie with six receptions for 35 yards, totaling 26 touches for 96 yards. Correll Buckhalter had two carries for two yards and a reception for six yards and Lorenzo Booker had three carries for zero yards, and DeSean Jackson had one receiver end around for three yards. All toll, the team ran the ball 28 times for 72 yards at 2.6 a carry, and the longest run went eight yards, which of course was Brian’s.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Wide Receivers: Separate from tight ends this week because of actual tight end production we will start here first. A huge welcome back to Kevin Curtis, who returned to the field a week ago but returned to playmaking this week as he caught six receptions for 83 yards and one was yard shy of picking up his first touchdown of the season. Both Greg Lewis and Jackson caught two passes apiece while Reggie Brown’s lone reception went 22 yards for a touchdown while the lone reception by Hank Baskett was accused by Seattle of not being a catch, a dispute which would soon cost them a timeout and the challenge. As though it seems a different receiver is featured every week, this time Curtis was in the spotlight.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Tight Ends: I figured with LJ Smith out and the fact that the tight end has been invisible anyway that Brent Celek would just be an “after thought starter.” But that was FAR from the case as Celek turned in huge numbers in the league of Jason Witten and Antonio Gates and far and away from anything we are used to. Celek caught six passes for 131 yards and 21.8 yards a catch. What is even better is the fact that Matt Schobel, who hadn’t been active for weeks, was put in as the number two tight end and had two receptions for ten yards. Maybe it is rash, but I really think that, even when Smith comes back, Celek would stay the starter.
Unit Grade: A+ (99%)
Offensive line: First thing is first, and that is to address our newest pass catching threat, you know him previously as Todd Herremans, but NOW he has become “Hands Herremans”! An eligible tackle from 1st and goal on the Hawks one yard line, he caught his first ever touchdown catch to put us up for good at 14-7. That said though, the actual play of the offensive line was average in the running game but pretty good in the pass game, although McNabb was hurried seven times, all by defensive linemen for Seattle and sacked once, although THAT was more his fault due to his dancing at the Hawks 4-yard line. Early on, the line was not able to move the front line of the Seahawks minus Patrick Kearney who was out with a shoulder injury, but by the time they could, the running game was pretty well grounded anyway. Not getting tagged with a penalty was a plus though, and the pass protection was solid for the most part, but they HAVE to start using more of a push between a 360-LB Max Jean-Giles and a 350-LB Jamaal Jackson for the running backs. I know, Shawn is hurt, but come on, Max is even BIGGER then he is!
“Hands Herremans” Grade: A+ (100%)
Pass Blocking Grade: A- (90%)
Run Blocking Grade: C (75%)
Defensive line: Even though the line forced three of the team’s four sacks, it seemed as if they COULD have come away with about six or seven sacks. And as evidenced by them forcing six of the team’s eight quarterback hurries, even WHEN they were not sacking Seneca Wallace, seemed to be in his face all the time. More so Darren Howard, who led all linemen with four QB hurries, three tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss while Broderick Bunkley pulled in three tackles as well. Both Trent Cole and Mike Patterson posted two tackles each, with Cole adding a tackle for a loss and Patterson a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hurry. Chris Clemons, Juqua Parker, and Victor Abiamiri had one tackle each, Parker and Abiamiri posting pass defenses and Clemons a tackle for a loss, a QB hurry, and a sack on the very last play of the game. The three sacks forced only tell a third of the story: another third would be the hurries and pressures, and the other third would be their ability to contain the duo of Maurice Morris and Julius Jones, who were both held to a combined 84 yards between them and as a team they had 86 yards.
Unit Grade: A (95%)
Linebackers: For the past two weeks, the linebackers haven’t been harassed by a tight end and John Carlson and Owen Schmidt, two rookies from the Hawks 2008 class, were held to a combined five catches for 40 yards. Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong both co-led the team with six tackles each while Gaither piled on three tackles for a loss, a sack, and a QB hurry. In fact, he was the first defensive player to post a sack in the fourth quarter for the Eagles. Stewart Bradley had four tackles and looked pretty much as a stand by watching the outside linebackers do their thing, as all three reserve linebackers, Tracy White, Akeem Jordon, and Tank Daniels, all figured in on special teams along with Gaither and Gocong as well.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Secondary: Wallace threw for 169 yards, which is a very good number for the secondary, but then you take their ONLY play which scored a touchdown away from them, Wallace had 79 yards instead! That pass was to Koren Robinson who burned Lito Sheppard, who looked great against the Falcons, to the ground. Quintin Mikell had four tackles with a quarterback hurry and a pass defense as Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins, and Sheppard all had two tackles with Brown posting two pass defenses and Dawkins one. Joselio Hanson and Asante Samuel both had one tackle with Samuel posting two pass defenses.
Everyone except Sheppard Grade: A (95%)
Sheppard Grade: DD (For Donkey Douche)
Special Teams: With Akers hitting four field goals on four tries, one would believe that his kicking struggles are under control, and one of them was from his dreaded 40-49 range as well. Sav Rocca kept us in the game early with his masterful punting and as a reward, was really not needed as much from the 2nd quarter on when we finally started scoring points, punting five times and averaging 47 yards a punt, netting 41.4 and putting two inside the twenty. Quintin Demps only saw two kick returns (both in the first) but averaged 31.5 a return and Jackson had ten yards a punt return. The kick coverage team allowed Josh Wilson and Josh Forsett to 24.6 yards a kick return and Forsett to seven yards a kick return while Gocong and White both had two tackles while Sean Considine, Daniels, Jordan, Gaither, and Demps all had one tackle each.
Kicking and Punting Grade: A+ (98%)
Returns and Punt Coverage Grade: B+ (88%)
Kick Coverage Grade: B (83%)
Coaching: For starters, the defense gave up only 233 net yards of offense and forced ELEVEN punts on Seattle, and don’t forget once again, 90 yards on one play. As is, they averaged 4.2 yards per play on offense on 55 plays, but removing the play where Sheppard appeared to be daydreaming about his off-season trade, they averaged 2.6 yards a play, a whopping 1.6 yard difference on one play! So they done well, and the special teams unit work speaks for its self. But once again, I want to talk offense and play calling, and no, I am NOT here to bash it this week. For the record, it was 72 total plays, 44 passes (including one sack) and 28 runs, making it 61-39 pass-run. But it wasn’t just the numbers Donovan had that will allow me to look past this, but also the fact that the offensive line couldn’t get much of a run support push until way later on. This week, the pass happy game plan will be okayed by me (you are SO lucky Andy Reid!)
Defense Grade: A+ (99%)
Special Teams Grade: A (93%)
Offense Grade: B (85%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Darren Howard: Apparently he was nothing more then a name and phantom in figure to Seattle: has proven the people who were Anti-Howard and Pro-McDougle in training camp to look like idiots (innocent whistling).
2. Donovan McNabb: Only smudge was the interception, but he takes a back seat to the shocking superstar of the game.
1. Brent Celek: Breakout game from a tight end was something we didn’t expect: our future starter might be closer then we think he is.
Honorable Mention: “Hands Herremans” and Kevin Curtis
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-On their opening drive, the Seahawks went 90-yards for a touchdown. On their following 12 drives, they punted 11 times, combining for 143 yards for the final 58:11 of the game. In addition, only three of their 13 drives managed to enter Eagles territory, and their best one, to our 22-yard line, ended when the game did.
-The Eagles posted the most lopsided advantage in time of possession to date this year, holding the ball 37:15 of the 60 minutes and never ceding any advantage to Seattle in any single quarter of the game.
-On the opening three drives for the Eagles, they combined for six yards of offense and no points: on the next 11 drives, they combined for 413 yards, four field goals, two touchdowns, and the only interception of the game.
-Again the red zone offense was merely pedestrian, along with the 3rd down efficiency rating: the red zone offense was 1-of-3 today, with the Herremans touchdown, a field goal, and an interception, and the Eagles, coming in only 39% on 3rd down attempts, went 6-of-16 for 38% once again.
-On the flip side, Seattle never ONE saw our red zone on 12 drives.
-Poor timeout management and penalties spruce hurt Seattle just as much: even though they only had four penalties, two came back to back in the 3rd quarter on a 4th and 10 and then 4th and 15 (a false start on left guard Mike Wahle, and then a delay of game on punter Jon Ryan).
The Eagles going into Sunday Night Football with the Giants with a 5-3 record and a three game winning steak is a huge plus. But I do not believe that the team is going to fare very well if we start off slowly like we have against Atlanta and Seattle. New York is going to bury us if we do that: here is hoping we can play football for a full sixty minutes next week and pull closer to the top of the division.
The only difference was this time there were no backups to help them out.
Facing the Seahawks for the first time in over four years, Donovan McNabb showed Seattle what a difference it could make with the backups out and the master of the offense in the game, as his numbers helped propel an offense which scored two touchdowns in the second quarter. After this point David Akers came out for a virtual field goal practice session, as the Eagles made one mistake on the first defensive play of the game but struck back with 26 unanswered points to defeat the Seahawks 26-7 at Qwest Field in Seattle to improve to 5-3 on the year and continue on a 3-game winning streak. But the win only further complicates the NFC East picture, however, the Eagles moved into 3rd place going into week ten because at the same time the Eagles were beating the Seahawks, the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-14. The Cowboys loss leaves them back a half a game in last place going into their bye week, and the Eagles one whole game behind the Washington Redskins, set to do battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football prior to their week ten bye with Dallas, and two whole games behind the Giants, who they host next Sunday Night on NBC.
Quarterbacks: When McNabb is on, he is really on. As of late, McNabb’s numbers have been stellar and his ability to fight off pressure and still get his passes to his receivers reminds many of 2004 all over again, a certain year where a certain team made it to the Superbowl. Yeah, in MY OPINION anyway, he is looking that good once again. For the game McNabb was 28 of 43 (65%) for 349 yards with two touchdowns and an interception which proved meaningless and a 96 QB rating. His accuracy is especially encouraging, since he started the game going 0-for-6. He also had two carries for six yards including a 1-yard quarterback sneak to convert a 4th and inches situation from the Hawks 35 which led to our second touchdown. If we plan on beating the Giants and pushing our way into the playoffs or even the division title, it is pivotal we keep #5 standing and give him time so he can cut down the opposing secondary. But that’s pretty much elementary, right?
McNabb Grade: A+ (98)
Running Backs: For two straight weeks, we have done what Brian Westbrook wants done. He has stated on many occasions that he would like to run the ball at least 20 times a game, and today he got 20 carries, it is just that he only got 61 yards to go with it. But it seemed as if wherever he went, he couldn’t seem to make anything work at all, in fact no one really could, which is a shame because the week before we had 192 yards against Atlanta. Westbrook also had a three way tie with six receptions for 35 yards, totaling 26 touches for 96 yards. Correll Buckhalter had two carries for two yards and a reception for six yards and Lorenzo Booker had three carries for zero yards, and DeSean Jackson had one receiver end around for three yards. All toll, the team ran the ball 28 times for 72 yards at 2.6 a carry, and the longest run went eight yards, which of course was Brian’s.
Unit Grade: B- (80%)
Wide Receivers: Separate from tight ends this week because of actual tight end production we will start here first. A huge welcome back to Kevin Curtis, who returned to the field a week ago but returned to playmaking this week as he caught six receptions for 83 yards and one was yard shy of picking up his first touchdown of the season. Both Greg Lewis and Jackson caught two passes apiece while Reggie Brown’s lone reception went 22 yards for a touchdown while the lone reception by Hank Baskett was accused by Seattle of not being a catch, a dispute which would soon cost them a timeout and the challenge. As though it seems a different receiver is featured every week, this time Curtis was in the spotlight.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Tight Ends: I figured with LJ Smith out and the fact that the tight end has been invisible anyway that Brent Celek would just be an “after thought starter.” But that was FAR from the case as Celek turned in huge numbers in the league of Jason Witten and Antonio Gates and far and away from anything we are used to. Celek caught six passes for 131 yards and 21.8 yards a catch. What is even better is the fact that Matt Schobel, who hadn’t been active for weeks, was put in as the number two tight end and had two receptions for ten yards. Maybe it is rash, but I really think that, even when Smith comes back, Celek would stay the starter.
Unit Grade: A+ (99%)
Offensive line: First thing is first, and that is to address our newest pass catching threat, you know him previously as Todd Herremans, but NOW he has become “Hands Herremans”! An eligible tackle from 1st and goal on the Hawks one yard line, he caught his first ever touchdown catch to put us up for good at 14-7. That said though, the actual play of the offensive line was average in the running game but pretty good in the pass game, although McNabb was hurried seven times, all by defensive linemen for Seattle and sacked once, although THAT was more his fault due to his dancing at the Hawks 4-yard line. Early on, the line was not able to move the front line of the Seahawks minus Patrick Kearney who was out with a shoulder injury, but by the time they could, the running game was pretty well grounded anyway. Not getting tagged with a penalty was a plus though, and the pass protection was solid for the most part, but they HAVE to start using more of a push between a 360-LB Max Jean-Giles and a 350-LB Jamaal Jackson for the running backs. I know, Shawn is hurt, but come on, Max is even BIGGER then he is!
“Hands Herremans” Grade: A+ (100%)
Pass Blocking Grade: A- (90%)
Run Blocking Grade: C (75%)
Defensive line: Even though the line forced three of the team’s four sacks, it seemed as if they COULD have come away with about six or seven sacks. And as evidenced by them forcing six of the team’s eight quarterback hurries, even WHEN they were not sacking Seneca Wallace, seemed to be in his face all the time. More so Darren Howard, who led all linemen with four QB hurries, three tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss while Broderick Bunkley pulled in three tackles as well. Both Trent Cole and Mike Patterson posted two tackles each, with Cole adding a tackle for a loss and Patterson a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hurry. Chris Clemons, Juqua Parker, and Victor Abiamiri had one tackle each, Parker and Abiamiri posting pass defenses and Clemons a tackle for a loss, a QB hurry, and a sack on the very last play of the game. The three sacks forced only tell a third of the story: another third would be the hurries and pressures, and the other third would be their ability to contain the duo of Maurice Morris and Julius Jones, who were both held to a combined 84 yards between them and as a team they had 86 yards.
Unit Grade: A (95%)
Linebackers: For the past two weeks, the linebackers haven’t been harassed by a tight end and John Carlson and Owen Schmidt, two rookies from the Hawks 2008 class, were held to a combined five catches for 40 yards. Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong both co-led the team with six tackles each while Gaither piled on three tackles for a loss, a sack, and a QB hurry. In fact, he was the first defensive player to post a sack in the fourth quarter for the Eagles. Stewart Bradley had four tackles and looked pretty much as a stand by watching the outside linebackers do their thing, as all three reserve linebackers, Tracy White, Akeem Jordon, and Tank Daniels, all figured in on special teams along with Gaither and Gocong as well.
Unit Grade: B+ (88%)
Secondary: Wallace threw for 169 yards, which is a very good number for the secondary, but then you take their ONLY play which scored a touchdown away from them, Wallace had 79 yards instead! That pass was to Koren Robinson who burned Lito Sheppard, who looked great against the Falcons, to the ground. Quintin Mikell had four tackles with a quarterback hurry and a pass defense as Sheldon Brown, Brian Dawkins, and Sheppard all had two tackles with Brown posting two pass defenses and Dawkins one. Joselio Hanson and Asante Samuel both had one tackle with Samuel posting two pass defenses.
Everyone except Sheppard Grade: A (95%)
Sheppard Grade: DD (For Donkey Douche)
Special Teams: With Akers hitting four field goals on four tries, one would believe that his kicking struggles are under control, and one of them was from his dreaded 40-49 range as well. Sav Rocca kept us in the game early with his masterful punting and as a reward, was really not needed as much from the 2nd quarter on when we finally started scoring points, punting five times and averaging 47 yards a punt, netting 41.4 and putting two inside the twenty. Quintin Demps only saw two kick returns (both in the first) but averaged 31.5 a return and Jackson had ten yards a punt return. The kick coverage team allowed Josh Wilson and Josh Forsett to 24.6 yards a kick return and Forsett to seven yards a kick return while Gocong and White both had two tackles while Sean Considine, Daniels, Jordan, Gaither, and Demps all had one tackle each.
Kicking and Punting Grade: A+ (98%)
Returns and Punt Coverage Grade: B+ (88%)
Kick Coverage Grade: B (83%)
Coaching: For starters, the defense gave up only 233 net yards of offense and forced ELEVEN punts on Seattle, and don’t forget once again, 90 yards on one play. As is, they averaged 4.2 yards per play on offense on 55 plays, but removing the play where Sheppard appeared to be daydreaming about his off-season trade, they averaged 2.6 yards a play, a whopping 1.6 yard difference on one play! So they done well, and the special teams unit work speaks for its self. But once again, I want to talk offense and play calling, and no, I am NOT here to bash it this week. For the record, it was 72 total plays, 44 passes (including one sack) and 28 runs, making it 61-39 pass-run. But it wasn’t just the numbers Donovan had that will allow me to look past this, but also the fact that the offensive line couldn’t get much of a run support push until way later on. This week, the pass happy game plan will be okayed by me (you are SO lucky Andy Reid!)
Defense Grade: A+ (99%)
Special Teams Grade: A (93%)
Offense Grade: B (85%)
Ripper’s Three Game Balls:
3. Darren Howard: Apparently he was nothing more then a name and phantom in figure to Seattle: has proven the people who were Anti-Howard and Pro-McDougle in training camp to look like idiots (innocent whistling).
2. Donovan McNabb: Only smudge was the interception, but he takes a back seat to the shocking superstar of the game.
1. Brent Celek: Breakout game from a tight end was something we didn’t expect: our future starter might be closer then we think he is.
Honorable Mention: “Hands Herremans” and Kevin Curtis
Numbers and Stats of Interest:
-On their opening drive, the Seahawks went 90-yards for a touchdown. On their following 12 drives, they punted 11 times, combining for 143 yards for the final 58:11 of the game. In addition, only three of their 13 drives managed to enter Eagles territory, and their best one, to our 22-yard line, ended when the game did.
-The Eagles posted the most lopsided advantage in time of possession to date this year, holding the ball 37:15 of the 60 minutes and never ceding any advantage to Seattle in any single quarter of the game.
-On the opening three drives for the Eagles, they combined for six yards of offense and no points: on the next 11 drives, they combined for 413 yards, four field goals, two touchdowns, and the only interception of the game.
-Again the red zone offense was merely pedestrian, along with the 3rd down efficiency rating: the red zone offense was 1-of-3 today, with the Herremans touchdown, a field goal, and an interception, and the Eagles, coming in only 39% on 3rd down attempts, went 6-of-16 for 38% once again.
-On the flip side, Seattle never ONE saw our red zone on 12 drives.
-Poor timeout management and penalties spruce hurt Seattle just as much: even though they only had four penalties, two came back to back in the 3rd quarter on a 4th and 10 and then 4th and 15 (a false start on left guard Mike Wahle, and then a delay of game on punter Jon Ryan).
The Eagles going into Sunday Night Football with the Giants with a 5-3 record and a three game winning steak is a huge plus. But I do not believe that the team is going to fare very well if we start off slowly like we have against Atlanta and Seattle. New York is going to bury us if we do that: here is hoping we can play football for a full sixty minutes next week and pull closer to the top of the division.
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