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# 29
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EAGLES - Week Seven Analysis
« on: Oct 16th, 2003, 4:31pm » |
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Before the season started, if anyone had said the Eagles and Giants would be battling to stay out of the cellar and attempt to keep pace with the Cowboys and Redskins in Week 7, most people would have scoffed. But the Eagles and Giants each enter the game sporting 2-3 records in the cellar of the NFC East.
The Eagles defense, despite a number of injuries, has played well. The run defense has been outstanding as the interior defensive line has excelled and the speed of the LBs has prevented the RBs from turning the corner. The secondary has played well in spite of their youth and inexperience.
The offense has yet to find itself. The running game has been effective, when used. Brian Westbrook (questionable for the game) has overachieved while Staley and Buckhalter have both shown glimpses of solidity. The passing game has been horrendous. This is a result of increased blitzing by the defense (the Cowboys ran a Cover Zero defense 9 times last week - meaning all WRs were single covered by a DB and the safeties played on the line to stop the run or pass rush), inability of WRs to get open and catch the ball when they've had the chance, and a meltdown by QB Donovan McNabb.
The Giants have their own problems. QB Kerry Collins and RB Tiki Barber have been plagued by turnovers. The offense, while moving the ball well, still has trouble finding the endzone. The aggressive defense has given up a lot of yards.
This should be a defensive battle, reminiscent of their last game (week 17 last year when the Giants won 10-7 in OT). The Giants offense will make their share of mistakes, preventing any continuity, while the Eagles offense will continue to sputter. The Giants will probably take advantage of a tired Eagles defense in the 4th quarter and add a FG or a TD to win the game.
QB:
Once again McNabb looked confused by even the simplest defenses. His lack of confidence in himself and his receivers is stunting an offense that played very well last year. Until McNabb can make a quick read and hit a WR in stride, defenses will continue to rush him.
McNabb: 19-37 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 carries-27 yards
RB:
Brian Westbrook suffered a hip pointer and is questionable this week. Look for a heavier dose of Staley and Buckhalter until Westbrook is 100% again. The Eagles should be able to run the ball effectively if they can keep the score close.
Westbrook: 3 carries-13 yards, 1 catches-11 yards
Staley: 14 carries-58 yards, 3 catches-22 yards, 1 TD
Buckhalter: 11 carries-52 yards, 2 catches-10 yards
WR:
McNabb is reluctant to throw to a WR unless they are open - he does not throw to spots very often. Because the WRs have trouble getting free of the defenders, they will continue to struggle.
Pinkston: 2 catches-22 yards
Thrash: 3 catches-19 yards
Mitchell: 3 catches-30 yards
TE:
Until the Eagles can control the line of scrimmage, the TEs will be used primarily as blockers. Look for more than the 2 catches they shared last weekend.
Smith: 3 catches-22 yards
Lewis: 2 catches-18 yards
K:
Akers messed up once last week when he kicked the opening kickoff (onsides attempt) behind his coverage team.
Akers: 1-1 XP, 2-2 FG
Defense:
Look for the defense to take advantage of the fumbling of Tiki Barber and the INTs of Kerry Collins. They should be able to keep the Giant offense in check, at least until the 4th quarter.
Defense: 16 points allowed, 65 rush yards allowed, 260 pass yards allowed, 2 INTs, 1 FR, 2 sacks
FINAL SCORE:
Giants 16
Eagles 13
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
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Re: EAGLES - Week Seven Analysis
« Reply #4 on: Oct 20th, 2003, 10:18am » |
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on Oct 16th, 2003, 4:31pm, Philly wrote:
QB:
Once again McNabb looked confused by even the simplest defenses. His lack of confidence in himself and his receivers is stunting an offense that played very well last year. Until McNabb can make a quick read and hit a WR in stride, defenses will continue to rush him.
McNabb: 19-37 154 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 6 carries-27 yards
 | I DIGRESS...
Actual: 9-23 64 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 3 carries-(-1 yard)
Another pathetic effort from the QB. He started the game on fire, hitting his first 5 passes for 45 yards on a drive that resulted in a TD. Then he fell apart again. Coach Reid considered switching QBs at the half, but chose to stick with McNabb. In his postgame press conference, Big Red threw more support McNabb's direction. |
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RB:
Brian Westbrook suffered a hip pointer and is questionable this week. Look for a heavier dose of Staley and Buckhalter until Westbrook is 100% again. The Eagles should be able to run the ball effectively if they can keep the score close.
Westbrook: 3 carries-13 yards, 1 catches-11 yards
Staley: 14 carries-58 yards, 3 catches-22 yards, 1 TD
Buckhalter: 11 carries-52 yards, 2 catches-10 yards
| I DIGRESS...
Actual:
Westbrook: 15 carries-67 yards, 1 TD, 3 catches-11 yards, (and an 84-yd game-winning punt return TD if you get points for those things)
Staley: 1 carry-5 yards, 1 catch-4 yards
Buckhalter: 3 carries-19 yards, 1 fumble lost
Brian Westbrook played more than I expected, and good thing he did... Staley had one nice carry; I'm surprised he didn't get any more. Buckhalter also carried the ball well, despite the fumble. The RBs are clearly the only bright spot on the Eagles thus far, with Westbrook showing himself to be a legitimate fantasy start with 5 scores in his last 4 games. |
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WR:
McNabb is reluctant to throw to a WR unless they are open - he does not throw to spots very often. Because the WRs have trouble getting free of the defenders, they will continue to struggle.
Pinkston: 2 catches-22 yards
Thrash: 3 catches-19 yards
Mitchell: 3 catches-30 yards
| I DIGRESS...
Actual:
Pinkston: 1 catch-6 yards
This is a case where McNabb would look better if the WRs were playing better, and the WRs would look better if McNabb was playing better. As it is now, they all stink. |
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TE:
Until the Eagles can control the line of scrimmage, the TEs will be used primarily as blockers. Look for more than the 2 catches they shared last weekend.
Smith: 3 catches-22 yards
Lewis: 2 catches-18 yards
| I DIGRESS...
Actual:
Smith: 1 catch-25 yards
Lewis: 2 catches-15 yards
Smith had the best offensive play of the game with a big play following an offensive penalty putting the Eagles into a difficult situation. |
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K:
Akers messed up once last week when he kicked the opening kickoff (onsides attempt) behind his coverage team.
Akers: 1-1 XP, 2-2 FG
| I DIGRESS...
Actual: 2-2 XP
He can't hit those field goals if he doesn't get the opportunity to kick them. He may still be the best kicker in the league, but he is one of the worst fantasy kickers in the league now through no fault of his own. |
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Defense:
Look for the defense to take advantage of the fumbling of Tiki Barber and the INTs of Kerry Collins. They should be able to keep the Giant offense in check, at least until the 4th quarter.
Defense: 16 points allowed, 65 rush yards allowed, 260 pass yards allowed, 2 INTs, 1 FR, 2 sacks
| I DIGRESS...
10 points allowed, 180 rush yards allowed, 174 pass yards allowed, 0 INTs, 2 FR, 3 sacks
Overall, a decent effort by the defense, considering the offense couldn't give them any time to stay rested. They gave up the yards, but not the points. |
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FINAL SCORE:
Giants 16
Eagles 13
| I DIGRESS...
Giants 10
Eagles 14
I'm not really sure the Eagles won this game. I think it was more of a case of both teams trying desperately to lose the game, and the Giants made the biggest mistakes at the end of the game. Kerry Collins fumbled the ball in the red-zone and then the Giants special teams allowed a punt return for a TD. |
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
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Re: EAGLES - Week Seven Analysis
« Reply #5 on: Oct 20th, 2003, 1:39pm » |
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Just to follow up on the game...
I spent my lunch hour (as I normally do on Mondays) sitting in my car, chowing down on a WaWa sandwich, and listening to the Andy Reid Day-After News Conference.
Generally, it is just a waste of time (other than the chance to get out of the office) because Andy Reid dodges every question and refuses to put the blame on any single player. He usually takes the blame himself, saying he needs to do a better job of putting the players in position to make plays. (It gets very old very quickly.)
He did more of the same today. He said that the offense as a whole is not executing. It is one person breaking down on one play, and then another player the next.
The theme of the reporters' questions at the news conference was the play of Donovan McNabb. Of course Reid pointed out that McNabb made some very nice throws, and there were probably a handful that he (McNabb) would want back. When asked if there was any chance that McNabb might not be the starter next week, Reid indicated he wasn't looking that far ahead - he was concerned about this week's practice. He did indicate that if McNabb's injury worsened, he would not risk playing him.
Last week, when asked if Reid could imagine any circumstances where McNabb would not start against the Giants, his answer was a brusque "No." This week his answer was definitely non-committal.
If McNabb struggles in practice this week (which, according to team insiders, he almost never does), then look for Reid to announce that McNabb's thumb is getting worse and Koy Detmer will get the call.
Could be an interesting week in Eagle-land. I'll keep you posted if I learn anything new.
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| « Last Edit: Oct 20th, 2003, 1:41pm by Philly » |
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UFF Primetime Prophet
# 29
Pay, I said pay attention, son.
Posts: 5675
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Re: EAGLES - Week Seven Analysis
« Reply #8 on: Oct 20th, 2003, 4:42pm » |
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on Oct 20th, 2003, 3:40pm, steelkings wrote:OH MY GOD!!!! The last thing you said is that it will be an "interesting week in Eagle land". Is something gonna change from the first 7 weeks?The homey Colts and my beloved Steelers were off this weekend and My kids were watching the lion king on the big screen, so I was force fed a dose of the Eagles/Giants game on the weeny t.v. The whole time I watched I was thinking of the Eagle analysis and tring to stay awake. A buddy of mine declared; "This is a hard hitting football game , these teams are really going after each other." BULLSHIT. The only thing that seperates these two teams is the logo on there helmets. They both should have a big "L" . 1 for loser and the other for lucky. Face it. there isnt a decent football team in Pennsylvania. Maddox is an overrated white quarterback and mcNabb is an over rated black quarter back. I have to hear about the AFC North being the weak division. well they might have to scoot over and make room for the NFC East. Dallas is spankin that ass!
Well, I guess ill drop in a copy of Alladin on the big screen and look forward to the EAGLES- ANALYSIS WEAK 8. And try and stay awake! |
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This is what I had to say about the game last week:
Quote:| This should be a defensive battle, reminiscent of their last game (week 17 last year when the Giants won 10-7 in OT). The Giants offense will make their share of mistakes, preventing any continuity, while the Eagles offense will continue to sputter. The Giants will probably take advantage of a tired Eagles defense in the 4th quarter and add a FG or a TD to win the game. |
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Just switch TD to win the game to the Eagles column, and I nailed it.
Here's why I say it could be interesting in Philadelphia this week. If Reid does decide to sit McNabb this coming week (against a relatively bad Jets team that the Eagles should be able to beat even in their weakened state), he'll probably start Koy Detmer.
The reason he'll go with Detmer, even though most believe AJ Feeley is the better choice, is that (1) Koy is listed as the #2 QB and (2) most people know that Koy cannot be a successful starter in the league because of his lack of arm strength. (Thus making the call to put McNabb back in an easier one, since Reid anticipates a continued struggle with Detmer.)
Here's where it gets interesting. If Koy does play next week, I believe he will be VERY successful. First off, Koy plays with a fire and intensity that this team is sorely lacking. He'll have the guys in the huddle stoked to play harder. Secondly, Koy knows the WCO inside out. He realizes that on a three-step drop, he needs to have the ball out of his hands right after he plants his foot. McNabb drops 3 steps, sees his receiver still in his break (and therefore not open yet), and looks around for other options. Detmer also can lead a receiver to a spot, which McNabb does not do. Once Koy has a good day (we're talking more than 200 yards and 2-3 TDs), there will be a full-scale QB controversy in Philadelphia and Reid will look (even more) like a complete buffoon for blaming the offensive woes on everyone except McNabb.
That's just my take. I honestly believe that the Eagles offense is good enough to be one of the better ones in the league, but as long as McNabb has a lack of confidence in himself, but the confidence of the coach, nothing good will happen.
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