The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Week 3
Repeat after me: McNabb will be fine. Maybe if we all say it together, it will come true. While the Eagles need time to rest and relax to heel their physical wounds, I think we all ned to rest and relax to heel our emotional wounds. My heart can’t take many more games like yesterday’s thriller over the Raiders. I’m sure every other article you’ve seen thus far has already commented on the character this win demonstrated, so let’s just get right down to what it really showed:
The Good
- A win is a win - Yes, I know we were all mocking Falcons fans over this two weeks ago, but eeking out a win was all we really needed. Injuries are already bounding through the locker room, so the Eagles just need to keep north of .500 in case anyone *cough* McNabb *cough* might need to rest a game or two down the stretch.
- 8 TDs 2 INTs - Despite McNabb struggling with injuries thus far this season, he’s putting up some sick numbers. His two interceptions have been caused by an illegal hit and a deflected ball. Reid is running him ragged, but what’s frightening is just how well he’s responding.
- These guys are clutch - Let’s hear it for Owens, Dawkins, and Akers (okay, McNabb, too). All of these fine gentlemen came through when the team needed them most - from Dawkins’ killer D in the red zone to Owens’ final catch to, of course, Akers’ tough-as-nails game-winning kick. I’m just glad they’re on our side.
- Jones comes into his own - A year later and Jones has made us forget almost as much of our past linebacking woes as Trotter did last year. Sure he got beat by Courtney Anderson early on, but did you look at the stats on that freak - a 6′7″ TE. He’s actually bigger than Chad Lewis. Seriously, Jones and Trotter have really shored up 2/3s of our linebacking corps.
- Green Akers - Can we praise David a little more? Contrary to popular opinion, reports are that Akers looked good in practice and even boomed a 55 yarder. Some fans even remarked that he was hitting from the 40s during warmups yesterday. Every indication was that he would be fine for the game. So yes, his last second heroics deserve all of the praise and none of the derision.
- The run defense has arrived - Remember all of he people talking about Lamont Jordan and how great he was and the brilliant move by the Raiders to sign him big? Remember all of the complaints about how much yardage the Eagles give up on the ground? How’s 16 for 19 yards with a long of 14 sound? That’s right, the Birds held the most coveted free agent running back of this past offseason to less than 20 yards rushing and only gave up 21 on the ground total.
- CBs to the rescue - The true highlight of the defense is that stifling secondary. They did give up over 300 yards through the air, but that was due more to the lack of a pass rush than their abilities. Both Brown and Sheppard played fantastically and combined for 8 passes defensed.
- Pay the man - Of course I am talking about Westbrook. He may not be the perfect running back, but he’s the perfect one for our system. Hopefully with Gordon we now have a solid number two, but that doesn’t preclude the need to sign #36 long term.
The Bad
- See Andy run? - A week after Andy Reid remembered that you don’t have to pass every down, he risked Donovan’s health in spite of a decent ground attack. Never down by more than a touchdown, Reid called over 50 passing plays. 70-30 is not the balanced attack that wins championships, especially when your quarterback is taking unnecessary hits.
- Dear (Little) John - I have to do it. I have to rip my boy LJ for being too reckless near the goalline. That drive would have cemented the game. But since everybody else is already moaning about his “poor carrying skills,” let me just clear up some misconceptions: this is not a regular problem for LJ. He has had 2 bad hits near the goalline to cause fumbles and one strip by the Pats while fighting for extra yards. Yes, the coaches need to work with him on this, but it is not nearly as bad as many make it seem.
- The other third - Oh yeah, we have a weakside, too. While Trotter and Jones are playing great D, offenses are learning that neither Adams nor Simoneau are playing even good D. JJ needs to light a fire under those guys who are currently leaving way too much of the tackling up to the secondary.
- The missing Freak - Remember the good ol’ days of the feared Eagles pass rush? I can barely remember them either. I’m sure JJ was playing more conservatively due to the threat of Moss, but Kearse seemed completey non-existent and the pressure up the middle from last week was gone. Darwin Walker will be sitting out another week and I’m beginning to wonder if he is more important to this line than the 66 Million Dollar Man. I know you have to look beyond the number and, specifically, beyond the sacks, but even the intangibles appeared to be missing this week. If this happens next week, Tony Gonzalez might just set some receiving records with the time Trent Green will have.
The Ugly
- The Walking Wounded - Akers. Owens. McNabb. Walker. Westbrook. If you’re not injured, you must not be playing tough enough for this team. It’s too early to tell, but Philly fans know well how much injuries can destroy a solid season. While Westbrook and Owens appear fine and we still have decent enough depth at DT with Walker out, Akers and McNabb are serious concerns. We take our kicking game for granted, so let’s just hope that Todd France can come and fill in for Akers the next few weeks; but McNabb might be forced to sit out a game or two as well. The injuries are mounting and visions of Steve McNair are dancing through my head. Donovan is one tough hombre, but if this abdominal issue is worse than they think…
- Sloppy seconds - I’ll make this brief: 4 penalties in the first 13 seconds of the game. That would almost be excusible considering the odd circumstances of the opening kickoff; but 5 additional penalties, 2 turnovers, and countless missed opportunities nearly gave a very winnable game away. This team is not the well-oiled machine of last year.
Parting Shots
I won’t come down on anyone too hard for this game, but the Eagles have got to stop shooting themselves in the foot early on. They gave up way too much early in the Atlanta game (including the starting MLB) and never recovered, and gave up too much to start this game and almost didn’t recover. I’ll take the win, but the future of this team is a little shakey until we hear more on the status of these injuries.
On the flip side, this really was a character win. I hate that term, too, but the Eagles could just have easily folded under all of the pressure. Instead the clutch play of Akers, McNabb, Owens, Westbrook, and Dawkins showed the resolve of this team when many indicators said they were down and out. If this season isn’t a success, it certainly won’t be for a lack of trying.
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Posted on September 26, 2005 by Thom | Filed Under Eagles, Philadelphia
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