Sunday, January 3, 2010

Gameday - @ Dallas

***

UPDATE - Inactives

QB Michael Vick - #3 QB
WR Kevin Curtis
TE Martin Rucker
OT King Dunlap
OC Dallas Reynolds

DT Trevor Laws
CB Geoffrey Pope
FS Quintin Demps

The big loss is Demps. That now hurts us at KOR. Macho and Maclin will split the job. Damn. Oh well, no reason to do anything the easy way.

________________________________

Confession time. I'm not married to Megan Fox. I wasn't the model for the NBA logo. And I am nervous about today's game. I feel like we've got a great chance to win, but there are several hundred butterflies fighting for control of my stomach.

One player I didn't discuss a great deal in the preview was Brian Westbrook. He was in on 23 snaps last week. Will he be a key part of the gameplan today? I was sort of figuring he'd be worked into the lineup, but would only be part of the equation. I'm now wondering if I'm underestimating him.

Screen passes could be important today. We let Dallas come free and then throw over/around them. No one is better on screens than Westy.

I'm real interested in how we start. Do we use screens to try and calm the Cowboys rush? Do we go deep to stretch the defense and set up screens? Do we just run at Dallas to try and get them on their heels? I also wouldn't be surprised to see us open in the no-huddle to see if we could get Donovan off to a hot start.

Lots of options. I'm not sure what Reid and Marty will want to do.

LDE could be a key spot for the defense. Dallas is playing a backup RT, Doug Free. The Cowboys have been happy with Free's performance, but we'll see how he does in a game like this when things speed up. Juqua Parker has his moments.

Odd stat that I heard today...Dallas hasn't won a regular season finale since 1999. That is absolutely amazing.

One thing that calms my mind when I think about the game is simply this: Andy Reid / Donovan McNabb vs Wade Phillips / Tony Romo. Take away NFC title games and our combo is pretty special. Romo might knock us off our perch at some point. I hope that doesn't happen, but we all know that trends get flipped at some point. I think 2029 would be a good time for that to happen.

Let's hope DeSean gets another TD of more than 50 yards. That will give him the NFL record and it would be a big boost to us winning today.

Now we sit and wait...

_

93 comments:

Cliff said...

Doesn't Westbrook owe us a magical moment? Today would be nice.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Hadn't thought of it like that, but yeah...you're right.

Prem Prakash said...

I'm so hooked on the Eagles right now I think I need a 12-step group.

Baloophi said...

Step 1: Admit we have no control over Andy's run/pass ratio, yet we do have control over whether we throw the remote at the TV after a flea-flicker, incomplete screen, roll-right throw out of bounds 3 and out.

Baloophi said...

Step 2: A power greater than us determines whether Asante can tackle on any given Sunday.

Tommy Lawlor said...

There will be no recovery programs in here. We all live and die with our beloved Eagles.

In essence, we are Charlie Brown, with Lucy always moving the ball at the last second. We think "this is the time it will happen" only to be crushed. But there is no way we're not getting ready for the next try.

Baloophi said...

Lets just hope we don't look in our trick or treat bag after this game and say, "I got a rock."

Tommy Lawlor said...

The Vikings are killing NYG. The Giants must get some guys that can cover.

Wes Welker suffered a knee injury for the Pats. That would be a big loss for them.

IND at BUF is a snowstorm. Fun game to watch. Bills up 24-7.

Anyone else surprised the Saints are sitting everyone? They're about to lose their 3rd straight game. Not good.

Myron said...

Have you ever seen a team playing with less effort than the 2009 Giants?

I mean, wow. What a fall from grace in 2 years.

Tommy Lawlor said...

NYG = Fall of the Roman Empire

They brought in too many outsiders (Canty, Boley, Bernard, etc.).

Or maybe they just don't have enough guys in the back seven that can cover.

Baloophi said...

Eli is already making the Eli Face and the second half hasn't even started.

Yeah, I'm surprised the Saints are sitting it out. They must feel like they can flip a switch and right the ship... didn't work against Tampa.

This has been a rough pick 'em week.

Tommy Lawlor said...

I don't know how you're supposed to pick games like these with major lineup shuffles.

Under 90 minutes to Kickoff.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Giants now trail 34-0 in the mid 3rd. Wow.

Baloophi said...

I'm hoping FOX switches to something other than the Giants' tryout that is being broadcast on my TV. I don't know what they go to... ATL/TB? CHI/DET? They could re-run the Bud Bowl at this point and it would be more entertaining.

Speaking of bowls, anybody have any thoughts on yesterday's collegiate action? Someone on the EMB mentioned Batch from Texas Tech as a potential Eagles' RB target and I thought the same thing watching him... power, speed, and just under 60 receptions.

Cliff said...

I like what the Vikings are doing. Of course, they need to win today to keep their shot at the #2 seed alive, but at least they're not rolling over like the Saints. Like you said, 3 losses is a row hurts and it's not like they've been sitting their players the previous 2 games.

Cliff said...

I like Batch and McCluster. Of course, I didn't really know much about McCluster until after the bowl game, but how sweet is that last name?

Cliff said...

Oh, shoot, I think McCluster is an underclassman. Nevermind.

Tommy Lawlor said...

MIN 41
NYG 0

The Vikes are trying to get back their mojo. As long as they're at home they are tough to beat.

Tommy Lawlor said...

McCluster is a Senior. Problem is that he weighs about 165. Lorenzo Booker could beat him in a fight. I don't like Dexter for us because we have so many small, quick, speedy guys already. If Westy retires and they want to add him, I can live with that.

Batch is an underclassmen I think.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Just updated the front page.

UPDATE - Inactives

QB Michael Vick - #3 QB
WR Kevin Curtis
TE Martin Rucker
OT King Dunlap
OC Dallas Reynolds

DT Trevor Laws
CB Geoffrey Pope
FS Quintin Demps

The big loss is Demps. That now hurts us at KOR. Macho and Maclin will split the job. Damn. Oh well, no reason to do anything the easy way.

Baloophi said...

Pat White down in Miami...

Tommy Lawlor said...

BUF's Fred Jackson has run for over 200 yards today. He's over 1,000 for the year. Love that guy.

Cliff said...

Crap. No Vick? That sucks.

The worst part about the game, I hope, will be that Aikmen and Buck are calling it.

Baloophi said...

Does Hines Ward smile after every play? He's got McNabb Syndrome.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Listening to Joe Buck for 3 hours should be against the Geneva Convention.

Baloophi said...

At least it won't be Joe Buck AND Tim McCarver.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Excellent point, Baloophi. I don't know how baseball fans deal with those two.

Baloophi said...

A lot of booze.

Cliff said...

I forgot Pam Oliver... Who the hell is in charge of putting these crews together?

I was watching the ESPN broadcast of Virginia Tech vs. Seton Hall last night. Doug Gottlieb was atrocious. He was breaking down a replay and couldn't even get the players right. Granted, it's VT and Seton Hall so there weren't any stars, but the man was criticizing players who weren't even on the court during the replay he was showing!

How do these guys get jobs? I know Joe Buck has the family lineage and Gottlieb was a good college player, but at some point the network exec has to question their ability to actually do their job.

Baloophi said...

PITT/MIA just go interesting... Fins coming back...

Baloophi said...

Also, my last "word verification" was "scemen." Always good for a chuckle.

Tommy Lawlor said...

I like Pam Oliver.

Gottlieb loves to bring "attitude" to the broadcast, as if that is something impressive. I appreciate guys not being 100% positive, but don't go too far the other way.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Houston just picked off Brady and now has the ball around the NE 20. Game is tied at 27. 3:30 left.

A win would be big for the Texans.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Giants are about to lose back to back games by 30 or more points. Imagine if I'd told you that in early October.

Baloophi said...

Miami recovers fumble on Steeler's 12 yard line. It's 27 - 24 Pittsburgh with 6:56 to go...

Cliff said...

I can't forgive Pam Oliver for those bogus McNabb stories from a few years ago.

Yeah, I hold grudges.

Baloophi said...

Pam's better than most "hat and mittens" sideline reporters.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Remember that Pats rookie receiver Julian Edeleman who gave us fits in the preseason opener?

He just did some of that stuff to the Texans with their season on the line.

HOU is up 7, but NE has the ball with 43 ticks left.

Cliff said...

Michelle Tafoya's the best, though. Cheryl Miller is too buddy-buddy with all the players. It comes off as cheesey, even though I believe she probably is buddies with her interview subjects. She can beat most of them in HORSE, anyway.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Edelman dropped a pass on 4th down and now HOU will have their first winning record ever, 9-7.

T_S_O_P said...

Bring it on.

I'm still floating from earlier, where doing the ironing helped keep me under control!!!

Luck 36 Jersey being worn

Baloophi said...

Time to go rock back and forth on the couch for three hours and scream out holding calls to the refs.

Have fun, everybody!

Tommy Lawlor said...

Away we go.

Tommy Lawlor said...

We're down 7-0. That's okay. This game isn't going to be some cakewalk. The winning team will have to earn this victory.

Unknown said...

That drive was fairly ominous. Those butterflies just doubled in size.

Unknown said...

Anyone else getting a 44-6 vibe? bad 44-6.

Tommy Lawlor said...

MmmBop 4 Prez !!!

Tommy Lawlor said...

Down 7-0 at the end of 1. That's alright. We let Dallas start hot, but they've got only the 1 TD to show for it. Now we are finding our rhythm.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Donovan is not making me a happy camper.

Unknown said...

maclin should've made that catch though

Tommy Lawlor said...

I guess now we need to keep it close until Donnie gets going.

I'd like to see us get the ball to the RBs more. I know they're starting slow, but you need to get them touches.

Mr_Boomy said...

Poor start for the Defense and I got a feeling that Andy will be Pass-Happy today.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Now might be a good time to get concerned. We really need a good drive to respond to the 'Boys.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

It's like the Eagles couldn't decide whether to go for it or go vanilla on defense so as not show anything for a possible rematch next week. Way to blow any realistic shot at the super bowl boys.

Baloophi said...

If we're going to stay in this game we're going to need a special teams or defensive score... they're controlling the clock.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Winston gets hurt. Uhhh...this ought to be interesting.

Unknown said...

This is embarrassing

Unknown said...

Wow. This must be how Dallas fans felt last year.

ZackISM said...

anyone else think we should pull our starters? Game is pretty much over. No reason to risk losing anyone....

Tommy Lawlor said...

I am shocked at what I'm seeing. The good news is that we're only down 14 so far. Dallas is almost in FG range, though. Heck, they could easily score another TD.

Ben Hessel said...

This may b the rolling rock talking, but we f****** suck

Tommy Lawlor said...

Thank god for touchbacks.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

What a terrible half, perhaps the worst of the season. Completely unprepared to play with a poor gameplan. Everyone has failed, from Andy Reid down to the worst cheerleader, and it looks like its going to cost them any realistic shot at the super ball. Classic Andy and Donny.

Baloophi said...

I keep trying to fool myself that we are really only two mistakes out of this (Maclin misconnection, fumbled snap)... that is the curse of the Eagles fan.

Unknown said...

Come on eagles, at least give us a glimmer of hope for next week... If we have to head back to dallas after a total mauling it is going to be a horrible, horrible seven days.

Ben Hessel said...

Baloophi we are only those 2 mistakes out plus the missed djax td deep. But its those plays that make or break any game for any team.

Unknown said...

I think Sean Mcdermot is really laying an egg with this passive gameplan. We live and die with the blitz, why change that now. They're carving up our zones and our run D looks like 2006 again.

We just need some people to get their heads out of their asses and start fighting.

Mostly I'm seeing Mcdermot calling a terrible game though. Why are we constantly rushing a base 4 that hasn't been able to get there all year long?

Tommy Lawlor said...

Let's go get some points.

ZackISM said...

Can anyone tell me why we are risking injury? This does not make sense. We're getting blown out - I know Dallas has a lot of film, but why give them more? Why risk DJax's?

PS I hate Andy Reid...53 yard FG? Down 17? Reid is a POS coach.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

This team deserves to lose next week too after this disgraceful showing.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Glad to see the defense step up and make a stop. That's encouraging.

Now go score a TD. Keep Akers on the bench until we get at least 1 TD on the board.

ZackISM said...

Reid should be fired for this game . DJax is on the sideline now. F' Andy Reid and his idiotic coaching.

ZackISM said...

I know not many agree with me - but there is no reason to continue this. Brent just left. Minor or not. They need to pull the starters. We've lost this game, why risk helping our opponent for next week (The Cowboys) more than we alredy have.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

I am disgusted by the gutless performance by both the players and coaching staff today. Playing well and losing is one thing, coming out small in every singe facet of the game is completely unacceptable.

Tommy Lawlor said...

I'm not in favor of benching the key players yet. If we're down 17 with 10 minutes left then I'm all for it. There is still a lot of time left.

Unknown said...

Defense a lot better in the second half

Tommy Lawlor said...

24-0.

Pull the starters.

Unknown said...

forget what I said earlier.

Luckily we get a rematch next week.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

Had it all on the table in front of them, and pissed it all away. Another shining example of Reid's staff getting badly out coached in a big game, and Donny coming up very small when the team needs him most.

Unknown said...

Glad to see we're back to playing Eagles football.

ZackISM said...

Hopefully this bites fat man in his ass. He's a plain idiot and leaving starters in down 24-0 in a game that is over, when the playoff begin next week is dumb.

Add to it the 53 yard FG; the punt on 4th & 8 at about the 40;the timeout before the punt. This is a terrible coach

Unknown said...

it's going to be a lonnngggg week

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

Eagles setting themselves up for the ultimate humiliation, back to back losses to the Cowboys allowing them to get over their losing streak. Just perfect. I hate you Andy reid. Being so badly outcoached by that bumbling idiot.

Tommy Lawlor said...

We finally sacked Romo. His day was too perfect.

Get some points on the board so we can lose with a hint of dignity.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

Too late for that Tommy. Coming out so very small with so much on the line says a lot about this team.

Tommy Lawlor said...

Derrick Johnson has scored 2 defensive TDs today for KC. So much for the Broncos making the playoffs. Sorry Dawk.

arby said...

Our quick but lightweight linebackers were being manhandled in the 1st half allowing those long runs. I was afraid our patched-together defense would falter sooner or later....

Tommy Lawlor said...

Dominant sack by JP.

Unknown said...

After a shocking first half the D played ok second half.

The Offense on the other hand. You could kinda see it coming. McNabb was off but playcaling was as much an issue as anything today.

Dr. Ogrodnick said...

Thank god for "big game" Andy. What an atrocious game plan in pretty all phases of the game. I don't even want to watch next week now, I am so disgusted.

Baloophi said...

Welp.

Maybe in the vein of our overconfidence ruining our playoff rematch with the Cards last year after blowing them out on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys will poop the bed next week?

I don't know what to take away from this game other than a high level of frustration at Reid. It didn't seem like they got to McNabb that much... he certainly seemed off. The D got better in the second half, but it's unclear at what point the Cowboys started shutting it down (despite leaving the starters in).

Not having a functional running game really hurts when you can't throw or catch...

Unknown said...

This was a pretty depressing loss, I can't even conjure up my usual disdain. I'm mostly just sad because it looks likely that we're going to go and get our asses beat again last week.

I still think the defensive gameplan at the start was terrible. Rushing 4 and zone defense, plus the run D getting gashed, was just awful.

Cowboys ran one our old favorite plays for a TD on us, the old Flip 90. You see that Tommy?

Baloophi said...

Yeah that counter to Felix Jones was devastating. Q could not shake his block... and I was scrutinizing for holding.

I don't think we'll get blown out again next week but if we don't find a way to stop that draw it's not going to be pretty. Also, covering Witten might be a new strategy to try next week.

Tommy - I think I speak for everyone when I say we understand if you don't want to re-watch this game. I think a simple "play better, play smarter" gameplan fits the bill...