Eagles Nest

Will Lurie spend the money necessary for a Super Bowl title?

Marc made a comment on my blog that made me think.  We were mourning the Eagles loss to the Cardinals.  He said, “No, the mourning period never actually ends. In fact, with this team in goes no indefinitely. McNabb keeps whining, Banner keeps spinning facts, and Reid keeps mismanaging the clock. This may not end until Lurie cashes in his chips, oops, I mean hundreds of millions, and sells.”

 I share your pain, bro.  The Eagles are good enough to make the man money but when is Lurie going to dip into his cash horde and give the Eagles the play makers to put them over the top. McNabb and Westbrook aren't going to be around forever.  Lurie needs to spend the money now to cash in on the big Super Bowl prize.

 

To give Lurie credit, he built the Eagles franchise.  New stadium, new player training complex, signed a good coach, and held on to a good team that went to the NFC championship 5 out of the last 8 years.  When he laid out the cash to get a big time wide receiver, the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl.

 

For all we say about players and coaches, the Eagles are Lurie's team.  The Eagles have money to spend under the salary cap.  Does Luries want the Super Bowl?  Lurie's history says one time in 10 years he did spend money.  This year, he looked happy on the sideline with his playoff beard.  Maybe Lurie will part with his cash horde to give himself and Eagle fan the satisfaction of a Super Bowl win.  If Luries doesn't he is in danger of becoming the owner of the Buffalo Bills of this decade.  Good enough to compete but can't seal the deal.  Jeffery Lurie, is that what you want? 

Eagle flashbacks!!?!

 

It's Super Bowl week.  That's 14 days in real time.  Sports TV has lots of time to kill.  Time to review the games.  I am seeing flashbacks of the Eagles-Cardinals games. It's like a bad dream.  Larry Fitzgerald to the right.  Larry Fitzgerald to the left.  Larry Fitzgerald jumping.  Quintin Demps stumbling.  I yell at the TV, "Get UP!" Not working. Yelling is not changing the game. My family looks at me in pity. The Eagles are like a bad drug.  Once they get into your blood the post-season detox is hell. This is going to be a hard Super Bowl to watch.  The Eagles were one win away.  What might have been different if the Eagles defense got to Warner a couple more times?  Stop right there.  Time to get a grip on myself.  I need to focus on the food and the commercials.  Food, commercials and next year.  Eagles fans always have next year.

Mourning period over

This year the Eagles were not Super.  One great third quarter was not enough to beat the Cardinals.  Congratulations to the Arizona for getting hot at the right time to keep their Cinderella season going. 

Thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles for keeping this season entertaining.  The roller coaster started up in pre-season Super Bowl hype then down the Baltimore Ravens benching of Donovan McNabb and up to the thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys, and in to the playoffs, beating the New York Giants.

Now into the nothingness of watching other teams play in the Super Bowl.  Sure, I will watch but the party is always better when your team in playing.  Maybe next year.

The Eagles finally pulled it together at the end of the year.  Enough to give Philly fans a thrill and some hope for the future.  As long as Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are on the team the Eagles have a chance.  DeSean Jackson is a game-breaker.  Jackson and Curtis give the Eagles a legitimate shot at making the West Coast offense work in the short and long passing game. 

Ending on an up note, the Eagles have two first round draft picks to talk about.  Help is coming.  Given the fact that a good part of this year's defense was drafted in 2006, I am willing to give Andy Reid the benefit of the doubt and believe that he is going to pick some winners and maybe another home run like DeSean Jackson. 

Westbrook's frustration

 

B-West is a marked man.  The opposing defenses mantra is "22 eyes on number 36."  It's working.  Westbrook acknowledged the playoff run defenses are good.  Against the Vikings in frustration, Westbrook flung the ball.  Andy Reid signaled him to calm down.

If it's not the run defense, you have to wonder if it's the season's injuries holding his production down.  Ankle sprain, cracked ribs would have sidelined you and me for six weeks.  Westbrook takes a couple weeks off and runs again.  Sometimes he breaks out for a good game, sometimes not.  It could be the chronically sore knee that is keeping B-West from top form but it doesn't stop him from showing up and helping the team.

On Friday, Brian Westbrook practiced and is ready.  That is his routine this season in the face of the injuries and pain.  During his NFC Championship Game press conference, Westbrook said he feels really good. When asked if the knee feels better than it did last Sunday, he said, "Yes, I would say better."

Frustrated or not, Westbrook on the field gives the Eagles offense an edge.  He makes the opposing defense work on stopping him and that opens it up for the other Eagle offensive playmakers.  It's working for the Eagles and you never know when B-West is going to break one.  That's what I am looking for.

Eagles Cardinals NFC Championship: 5 things the Eagles must own

1.  The Eagles defense must own the time Cardinals QB Kurt Warner gets to throw.  The Eagles defensive front has to live like there is not another second to lose.  If Warner gets that extra second then the Cardinals talented wide receivers will see the ball down field.

2.   The Eagles offense must own the clock.  Time of possession is everything.  The Eagles get the ball and don't give it back.  The Cardinals offense will have the best seat in the house to watch the Eagles work.

3.  The Eagles must own the end zone.  Eagles kicker David Akers is going great but touchdowns will give the Eagles and the Philly fans breathing room.  The Eagles need to own a big lead and don't look back.

4. Brian Westbrook owns the all-everything back title.  B-West is looking to vent the past year's frustration on Arizona.  A healthy Westbrook breaks off big yards by land and by air.    

5.  The Eagles defensive front must own the line of scrimmage and beyond.  The Eagles stop the Cardinals run in the back field.  There is a war going on and the Eagles are claiming Cardinal territory. 

Talk about owning your destiny.  The Eagles win and they are Super.  The Eagles are going to battle and with a little more luck win by 9. 

Eagles Cardinals looking back at the first game

The Eagles were a mess trying to put themselves together after a humiliating loss with the Ravens.   QB Donovan McNabb was coming off being benched for the first time in his life.  We were thinking this could be the beginning of the changing of the guards at quarterback. 

The Cardinals and QB Kurt Warner were flying high trying to clinch the NFC West division.  Neither team could run.

For the Eagles, this game was the turning point in the season.  Andy Reid committed the offense to the run and it worked.  FB Kyle Eckel converts short yardage for first downs.  The Eagles came up big.  Scored on their first two drives and didn't look back.

The Philly defense was its usual good self and got plenty of help from the Eagle offense.  Philadelphia put up 48 points.

The Cardinals were a mess coming out of this game.  They managed to clinch the NFC West but were not given much of a chance in the playoffs.

A chance was all Arizona needed.  The Cardinals found a running game and made their way to NFC Championship game. 

The Eagles and the Cardinals figured out how to win.  They got hot at the right time.  They are in the game and that's all that counts.  The last two standing in the NFC.  Now the winner gets the chance to go to the Super Bowl. 

Happy Days for Andy Reid

His Eagles team is in the NFC championship game.  Andy Reid has taken the Philadelphia Eagles to the championship game 5 of the last 8 years. 

And some people were calling for his head when the Eagles were 5-5-1.  Not any more.  The love affair continues.  Strike that last sentence.  Andy Reid has been around Philadelphia for 10 years.  It is a marriage. 

The marriage has its ups and downs.  Philadelphia likes it when we win games and travel places.  When the Eagles lose, Philly remembers all Andy Reid's short comings.  Andy doesn't talk.  Andy doesn't answer questions.  Andy has the same old West Coast offense week after week.  He doesn't change and he is no fun.  Andy is too busy being personnel manager and coach.  He is wear out himself with all that responsibility .   All of Philly cries that Andy needs some help except when Andy wins.  All is forgiven.  We are good again. 

This season there have been cracks in Andy's calm exterior.  He is starting to show emotion on the sideline.  Can't it be that Andy is comfortable with Philly fans?  I think so.  I loved that NFL commercial when Andy looks straight into the camera and tells us, "Just win baby!"  Andy is having fun.  After 10 years, he is enjoying the challenges of the NFL and he is delivering the goods. 

Eagles time of possession

How does the time of possession game affect the Eagles?  The Eagles are holding on to the ball.  They are calling running plays even when the running game isn't working.  The Eagles are winning.

I don't think the time of possession is only the running game.  The Eagles are settling for shorter passes.  Making completions and moving the chains.  They are taking less throws down field and taking what the opposing defenses are giving them.

I don't buy the argument the Eagles offense is tiring out the other defense.  These guys are professional athletes and are ready to run all game.  Both sides are equally tired and they get enough breaks in the game to recover fully. 

The Eagles time of possession gives Donovan McNabb and company more opportunities to score.  Every time they have the ball there is the possibility that the Eagles can break one.  The Eagles hand it off to B-West because could break one of those 2 yards and carry a mountain of defensive players for a long gain.

The Eagles offense is probing for weakness and setting up the big play.  At any time, DeSean Jackson or Kevin Curtis could pull a double move and go long.  The Eagles run and pass small keeps the opposing defenders honest.  The Eagles play makers are waiting to break one long. 

On the other side, the other team can't score if they don't have the ball.  When the Eagles take time off the clock there are fewer chances to score.  Sure, it was great when the Eagles would go down the field in a hurry.  Those games were track meets.  The Eagles are getting away from that type of game.  The Eagles are slowing down the game and holding on to the ball is working.  It isn't pretty to see the Eagles settle for the short yards but I love seeing the first downs pile up. 

The Playoff Beard is working

       

The Beard must be doing something to Andy Reid.  Reid gives Brian Westbrook 18 carries that go for 36 yards.  Not much there.  Giants shut down the Eagles running attack.  The running game was not working.  No way would the beardless Andy would have stayed with the run for the whole game.

The Beard must be stimulating his brain in different ways.  Could it be the old dog is learning new tricks?  Or his former coaching stuff has influenced him that the running game helps the passing game?  Whatever it is keep the Beard and keep the running game.  The Beard has got touches of gray but winning makes it look good. 

Eagles 23 Giants 11: The Eagles stuff the Giants!!!

 

On this day, the Eagles are better than the Giants.  Today is all that counts.  Next week, the Eagles take on the Cardinals in Arizona.  And the Giants suck.

The Eagles defense made the Giants Earth, Wind and Fire running attack look bad.  Stopped them twice in the 4th quarter on 4th down and one yard to go.  So much for have a big back when the Eagles defensive line is in the back field.  The Eagles played bigger.

The Giants could not get a touch down in the red zone.  The Eagles defense carried the day. 

Asante Samuel earned his pay day.  Samuel is in the right place at the right time again.  His pick leads to 7 points and sets the tone for the Eagle D.

Donovan McNabb was the man today.  McNabb scores one TD on a QB sneak and one on a pass to TE Brent Celek.  In the second half, McNabb kept the drives going with his legs, throwing off defenders to extend the play and hitting the open man.  McNabb is looking super.

Winning is so nice.

Eagles vs. Giants: 5 Super playoff matchups

1.  Eagles defense vs. Giant running attack.  The Giants won the first match up and the Eagles won the second.  The Eagles are getting better on run defense and have been shutting down big backs since the first Giant game.  Look for the Eagles give a super effort to shut off the Giants run.

2.  Eagles run vs. Giants defense.  Time of possession will determine the game winner.  The Giants offense at first in the league.  In their second match up, the Eagles won the time possession battle with Westbrook's 33 carries and 200 yards.  In this playoff game, weather is going to be a factor.  The big Eagle offensive line is going to give a super shove to slide the Giants front out of the way while Westbrook and Buckhalter tip toe their way to the end zone.

3.  Eagles secondary vs. Giant wide receivers.  No Plaxcio, no problem.  The Eagles secondary will shut down the Giants wide receivers.  This will free up Eagle defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to shut down the run.  The Eagles pass rush is going to have a super day bringing down Giant QB Eli Manning.

4.  Eagles passing attack vs. the weather.  The Eagles need to pass to move the chains.  The wind effects McNabb's passes and the cold doesn't not help Eagles receivers hold on to the ball.  The Giants will have the same problem.  At Giants stadium, the Eagles overcame the winds in their regular season win over the Giants.  The Eagles receivers are super focused over the Eagles run up to the playoffs.

5.  Donovan McNabb vs. Eli Manning.  Both are good quarterbacks who control the game and don't make mistakes.  Manning has a better touch than McNabb.  McNabb is more mobile than Manning.  The weather will throw off Manning's advantage.  McNabb's mobility will help the Eagles to make big plays to keep the drives going.  McNabb puts on the Superman cape to carry the Eagles offense.

The Eagles-Giants game could be decided by slips and trips because of the freezing conditions.  The Eagles game ability has gotten better as the season wore on.  The Eagles are on a roll.  Eagles get lucky by 7 points. 

I am not listening to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

Buck and Aikman don't care about the game that they are watching.  They don't get excited about the plays.  They want to talk about what is happening around the league.  They make football sound like a baseball game.  And Buck and Aikman don't sound like they care about the Eagles.

For the past two games,  I turn off the sound on the TV.  I just need the picture.  I can figure out what is happening.  I don't need Buck, Aikman or Pam Oliver to explain it for me.

Then,  I have been turning to the homers, Merril Reese and Mike Quick, on WYSP 94.1 FM.  I don't need objectivity.  I am an Eagle fan.  I want the Eagles to win and the other team to lose.    Reese and Quick send up allot of Eagle love.  That's my Eagle heaven.  I will be there on Sunday at 1:00 PM.

Dear Eagles, Please win just to shut up the Giant fans

I live on the dividing line between Eagles country and Giants country.  My Giants fan neighbor has been on the Super Bowl rag for the past year.  Any mention of how well the Eagles are doing I hear, "How many Super Bowl rings have the Eagles won?"  Yeah, it is grammar school put down that grown men are not tired of using.  I am sick of hearing it.  That's why the Eagles need to win on Sunday.  Eagles fans have suffered for a long time.  To my Giant fan neighbor, my usual response is the Super Bowl is a publicity ploy.  The Philadelphia Eagles won NFL championships.  The Eagles won in 1948 and 1949 but I wasn't around when Steve Van Buren took the Eagles to two consecutive NFL championships.  And I was 5 months old when the Norm Van Brocklin and Chuck Bednarik got the ring in 1960.  Since then, Eagle fans haven't much to talk about.  We had good teams in the  late 70's with Dick Vermeil, Ron Jaworski, Harold Carmichael and Wilbert Montgomery.  We had fun times with Buddy Ryan and Randall Cunningham.  Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook gave Eagles fans their latest and greatest run but no Super Bowl.  For the Eagles players, they had great success at different levels of the game. As athletes, they have tasted success   The Eagles fans have not seen a NFL football championship since 1960.  We are desperate.  We need the Philadelphia Eagles to sit down on New York Giant Brandon Jacobs and company.  We are tired of hearing Giants trash talk.  We need the Eagles to win one for the Philadelphia fans to give us bragging rights.  The Super Bowl trophy would go nice with the Philadelphia Phillies World Series win.

Eagles 26 Vikings 14: Eagles step up in crunch time!!!

The big players made the big plays and the Eagles had the bigger plays. Vikings couldn't stop DeSean Jackson as a punt returner or wide receiver.  His big plays resulted in points.  Big time corner back Asante Samuel came up with a pick and takes it in for a touch down.  Then in the fourth quarter, the Eagles needed to put some distance between themselves and the Vikings as Brian Westbrook scores a TD on a 71 yardscreen pass where everyone was blocking for him.  The Eagles offense came through when it needed to and kicker David Akers 4 field goals were the difference in the game. 

The Eagles got enough offense and the Eagle defense made it stand up.  The Eagles D were swarming the Vikings running backs.  The Eagles couldn't keep Vikings Adrian Peterson down all game.  He got his 40 yard touchdown.  But he didn't get any more big gains. 

The Eagles won the field possession game with the Eagles getting enough first downs to make it tough for the Vikings to drive for a score.  McNabb hit the Eagle receivers when they need to move the chains and they held on.

The wild card win was a team victory.  Next week is the Giants.  I am sure we will see that Westbrook screen when the Eagles need it the most.

Winner take all Super Bowl tournament. Anyone nervous?

Getting to the playoffs was the hard part.  There were times when the playoffs were doubtful for Eagles fans.  All that is past.  The Eagles made it. 

Now, only 4 wins separate the Philadelphia Eagles from the Super Bowl trophy.  12 teams want to keep the Eagles from the prize.  We know two of the teams.  First, it is the Minnesota Vikings then if the Eagles win they play the New York Giants at Giants stadium.  Then they would play the winner of the Arizona Cardinals-Carolina Panthers game for the NFC championship.

The Super Bowl tournament is win or go home.  The past record doesn't mean anything.  Check out the San Diego Chargers last night.  Their 8-8 record did not stop the from beating the Colts who had a better regular season record.  The Chargers are moving on. 

That's the cool thing about the playoffs.  The best team that day goes on.  The Eagles need to keep it together one game at a time for 4 games.  Can they do it?  They did end the season well and that is good for their confidence.  Hopefully, the Eagle coaches figured out that they need a running game to make the West Coast Offense work. 

Time of possession worked wonders for the Eagles offense and gave the Eagle defense the break it needed.  The Eagles offense needs to score three touchdowns to give the defense a fighting chance against the better teams in the playoffs.  The Eagle offense is the weak link.

The Eagles defense had a great year.  Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson got his tweaking done early in the season.  Johnson has his players in a position to win games.  The Eagles defense has to carry the team to the playoffs.  They were the third best defense after playing the tough NFC East.  The Eagles will reap the rewards in the post-season.  The Eagles have played playoff football for the past month.  No time to stop now.

Eagles vs. Vikings: 5 things the Eagles must stop

1.  The Eagles must stop Viking RB Adrian Peterson.  Peterson is the machine that gobbles up yards and time on the clock.  Stop him and get the Vikings off the field.

2.  Dear Andy Reid and Marty Mornhiweg, stop thinking pass first.  Everyone in the league knows what they do and now it is time to change up and keep the Vikings off balance.  Running is the new game in town.

3.  Stop Viking QB Tavaris Jackson from scrambling.  His legs are better than his arm.  Shut down the Viking receivers, close up the pocket and keep Jackson from getting big gains.

4.  Reid and Mornhiweg must stop calling the 14 yard inside curl routes.  When the defensive player gets to the spot before the Eagles wide receiver then it is time to dust off others plays in the West Coast Offense.

5.  Eagles QB Donovan McNabb must stop thinking of himself as a pocket passer.  The Eagles offense needs another weapon.  McNabb won the most games, passed for most yards and ran for the most yards as an Eagle QB.  Donovan, just do it all on Sunday.

The Vikings have the best running back in the league.  Playing in the NFC East, the Eagles run defense have played the best running attacks all season.  All that practice during the season, makes the Eagles perfect to stop the run.  Eagles by 7.

Good Eagles or Bad Eagles?!? Who is going to show up on Sunday?

This season you never know what you are going to get with the Eagles.

Good Eagles:  Everyone is healthy that means Brian Westbrook and yes, Kevin Curtis can deliver the goods.  Brian Westbrook is the straw that stirs the offensive cocktail.

Bad Eagles:  Brian Westbrook says that he is healthy and ready to play but can't make a cut to get outside.  When the ankle goes bad, B-West doesn't have the explosive first step and the offense is flat.

Good Eagles:  The defense stops the run and then the blitz sack attack begins.  It is fun watching the opposition quarterbacks get pummeled.

Bad Eagles:  The defense can't hold the edges and doesn't get off the field.  The Eagles offense doesn't have many chances to get warmed up and to work its magic.  The Eagle offense goes into its one-two-three-punt routine.

Good Eagles:  The run/pass ration is good.  The Eagles hold on to the football and convert on third down.  They keep the chains moving. 

Bad Eagles:  It is a cold and windy day.  The opposition defense has a weak secondary.  The Eagle coaches give up on the run.  Everyone in the league knows what play is next so the color commentator can call the next play.  Donovan McNabb has to pass every down to win the game.  You wonder why the Eagles signed Westbrook to a big contract extension if they are not going to use him.

Good Eagles:  The defense shuts down the other team and creates turnovers.  The offense doesn't give the ball away or commit any penalties.  The game is tense but the Eagles hold on to the game to win.

Bad Eagles:  The Eagles are in control of their own destiny.  They come out playing flat and lose.

Good Eagles:  The Eagles are in control of their own destiny.  They destroy the other team and win.

The Good Eagles need to show up this Sunday.  Without the good Eagle defense the Eagle offense won't get many chance if Viking RB Adrian Petersen to racking up big yards.  I am hoping the Eagles are healthy and play with heart against Minnesota. 

Eagles team character has its day

The team with the most talent didn't win on Sunday.  And the Dallas Cowboys are not going to the playoffs.  That sounds so good to me.  The Cowboys are out of it.

The up and down and up again Eagles are going to the playoffs.  There were many times when it looked like they were not going to get it together.  They never quit showing up for game time and giving it their best shot.  Sometimes their best shot didn't look so good.  But the Eagles got enough wins to send the Cowboys and the Redskins packing.

That is a testament to Andy Reid and the type of players that he picks.  Reid goes for character and coaches to get the best out of his players.  In the past, Reid experimented with the quick fix and signed talented bad attitude T.O.  That experiment got the Eagles close but the next year the bad attitude broke up the team chemistry.  Reid cut off the bad attitude.  The Cowboys signed the talented bad attitude and T.O. has yet to see the playoffs in a Dallas uniform.

Reid went back to his core values--good people make good football players and a better team.   When injuries, losses, and other distractions looked like they would take the Eagles down, the team shook them off and kept their focus.  They repeated the mantra, 'Next game, get the win and don't stop till the season is over.'  They won the head games and delivered peak performances in a tough environment.

“For the guys to pull together the way they pulled together after a tough loss, where we were basically left for dead, to come back out and play the way that every unit played, it speaks volumes about this team, the character in it, and the belief that we have in one another and the coaching staff,” veteran safety Brian Dawkins said.

Good players, good coaching (how about them takeaways and defensive speed), good football and good character won the Dallas game and carried the Eagles into the playoffs.  I don't think it is going to stop there.  The Vikings are next on the hit list.  Things are coming together for the Eagles at the right time.

Eagles 44 Cowboys 6: The Eagles are in the playoffs!!!!

It was a perfect day in Philadelphia.  The Bears lose, the Buccaneers lose and the Cowboys choke in a big December game.  Well, the Eagles did stuff it down the Cowboys throats.  Everything went right for the Eagles.

This Eagles came ready to play on a warm December night.  They made the Cowboys look bad.  The Eagles offense was winning the game before the Eagles defense started scoring and putting the game out of reach.  It was the kind of game that I like: not even close with no doubt who was going to win.  I had enough doubt coming into this game.  I couldn't even watch the scores from the 1 PM games.  I came back from my run to find out the Eagles were back in the driver's seat.

The Eagles looked good driving.  Buckhalter's big catch and run for 60 yards that set up Donovan McNabb QB sneak TD.  DeSean Jackson came up with some clutch catches.   DeSean, all is forgiven.  Just keep making opposing defenses look bad.  Buckhalter again with a 4 yard catch and fought to get a TD.   I am happy that Reid and Mornhiweg remembered to dial up some plays for Buckhalter.  Buck was a difference maker. 

The Eagles defense has carried this team all season.  Today, they pressured Tony Romo and that paid off in big takeaway points.  Chris Clemons runs fumble back 73yards for a TD.  Joselio Hanson picks a fumble and takes it 96 yards.  Brian Dawkins is the force behind the both fumbles.  Player X took over the game. 

The Eagles hit their goal of making the playoffs.  Now anything is possible.  The Phillies showed that the best team that gets hot wins the big prize.  The Philadelphia Eagles are 4 wins away from the Super Bowl trophy. 

Cowboys vs. Eagles: 5 things for the Cowboys to choke on

1.  The Cowboys whiff on pass protection.  Tony Romo hits the choke reflex when faced with pressure and throws a couple of interceptions.

2.  The Eagles special teams come up big and the Cowboys offense sputters and stops because of bad field position.

3.  Marty Mornhiweg and Andy Reid take their memory pills.  Mornhiweg remembers to call more running plays and that Correll Buckhalter lives on the Eagle roster.   The Cowboys choke on heavy doses of Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter for big yards and time off the clock.

4.  The Cowboys gag on their adrenaline and come out too tight for the big must win game that they need to make their playoffs.

5.  When the Cowboys don't make the playoffs for yet another year, T.O. chokes on his own tears and secretly swallows his words as he wishes that he had Donovan McNabb as a quarterback.

The Eagles come out loose and ready to play.  Andy Reid and Marty Mornhiweg continue to experiment with the run/pass ratio as if their jobs depended on it.  This week they get it right.  Eagles by 3.

All I want for Christmas...

is a win over Dallas.  If Santa has the playoff gift package on his sleigh, I will take that too.  But the win over Dallas will be nice because it's Dallas and will keep the Cowboys out of the playoffs.

The Eagles should stick it to the Cowboy's so-called star power and high salaries.  An Eagle victory will be one for the working man.  It will be fun for Philly fans to watch the Dallas Cowboys stew in their own juices over the long off-season.

Nothing like watching a train wreck in progress.  Philly fans are counting on the Eagles to make T.O. cry some more. 

Welcome to the first game of the 2009 pre-season

Alright the Eagles have a thin chance to get in the playoffs if they win against Dallas on Sunday.  The reality is that the Eagles are playing for their 2009 jobs.  The Philadelphia Eagles front office is switching gears.  It is time to evaluate talent.

The Eagles need another running back, maybe two.  Even with Westbrook hurting, Reid and Mornhinweg would not put in Correll Buckhalter or activate Lorenzo Booker.

Time for offensive lineman.  The Eagles couldn't run outside.  They couldn't get the tough yards inside.  When was the last time drafted high for an offensive lineman?  In 2006, Winston Justice was picked in the second round.  Reality check on the future.  Justice got demoted by Mike McGlynn on the special team's line.

Wide receiver:  DeSean Jackson despite the drops in the Redskins game is a godsend.  Who else could get behind opposing defenses?  Not Reggie "I don't know where the end zone is" Brown.  When Kevin Curtis went down, the Eagles needed a quick speedy receiver to get open and they didn't have one.

The Eagles still need one franchise player tight end.  Preferably one that doesn't drop the ball in big games.

Despite ending with good numbers against the run, the Eagles defense had problems holding the edges.  The Eagles need a big strong defensive end to be a force against the run.  Speed worked most the season but against the bigger teams in the NFC East the Eagles need more mass up front.

While we are evaluating talent, time to shake up the players.  Instead of benching Donovan McNabb, it's time to change the offensive coordinator, Marty Mornhiweg.  When all you can do is throw the ball on cold and windy days, maybe Mornhinweg should go to San Diego where the weather will suit that type of game.  And give the boot to special teams coach, Rory Segrest.  I can't bear to watch another blocked field goal to be run back for a touch down.

That's a long list.  The Eagles need allot of help to compete for a playoff spot in the NFC East.

Redskins 10 Eagles 3: Big Frustrating NO Thank You!??!!

The Eagles get handed a Christmas gift from the San Diego Chargers.  They were in charge of their destiny before the Redskins game.  The Eagles offense decided to return the playoff gift.

On the offensive side, the Eagles coaches and players came out flatter than a pancake.  The Eagles looked like they were playing the Bengals.  Managed only 3 points.  They gave up a fumble that lead to a touchdown.  Dropped passes.  Couldn't run.  Can't manage a clock if the game depended on it.  Inches away from a touchdown.  The Eagles offense didn't look like they wanted to go to playoffs.

They will need a miracle next Sunday to get into the post-season play.  I hope the Philadelphia Eagles decide to show up and play to win next week against the Dallas Cowboys.

Injuries make a difference for the Eagles

The Eagles could have used more of Shawn Andrews, Kevin Curtis, and Brian Westbrook.  For every game they were out or nursing an injury the Eagles didn't do so good. 

The Eagles needed Andrews big strong back to get that extra yard and sustain time eating drives.  Curtis helped the West Coast offense flow once he got into football shape.  Brian Westbrook proved that he is the straw that stirs the Eagles offense.  No B-West, no production and Donovan McNabb sounds like one hand clapping.  McNabb needs Westbrook to keep the pressure off and keep opposing defenses guessing.

At this point of the season, I don't think we are going to see Shawn Andrews return.  Max Jean-Gilles did well as his replacement and Nick Cole stepped up when Jean-Gilles went down.  Westbrook is a warrior and gets up for every game despite a bad ankle and a sore knee.  Curtis is not going to play against the Redskins.  I am expecting that Reggie Brown will have a good game in his place.  Brown was affected by injuries this year.   By now he should be healthy and motivated.

One player who hasn't had a significant injuries is Donovan McNabb and that has made a difference this year.  McNabb is putting up big numbers and has found his running game.  When McNabb and Westbrook are healthy the Eagles can beat anybody.  Here's hoping that they hold up and the Eagles get some help to make the playoffs.

Eagles vs. Redskins: 5 things the Eagles want for Christmas

   

     1.  The Eagles want to control the line of scrimmage like they own it and that means more running game, more running game and more running game.

2.  The Eagles defense wants to close down the Redskins' running game that means Clinton Portis does not get a 100-yard game and no running touch downs.  Sorry Clinton, you were not good to the Eagles in the first game.

3.  The Eagles want a healthy Shawn Andrews so they can count on getting that much needed one yard any time they want it.

4.  Donovan McNabb wants to stay hot and win big so he can answers questions about how great it is to be a father of three at Christmas.

5.  The Eagles want the Minnesota Vikings and the San Diego Chargers to win this weekend so they can have visions of playoff football on Christmas Eve.

Playoff crunch time is here and the Eagles are in the mix.  The Eagles win by 10 and give Philadelphia some Christmas cheer.

Are the Eagles the weakest link?

Sure for the last three games, the Eagles are playing great football.  They beat two good teams in Arizona and New York.  The Philadelphia Eagles are hot but they are the team on the bubble in the NFC wild card race to the play offs.  They are the weakest link.

The Eagles are not the lead dogs.  If the Eagles win out they will eliminate Dallas and Chicago.  One loss and they are done.  They only control part of their destiny.

The Eagles have been up and down this season.  The Cincinnati game was the downer.  Now Philly needs helps from the Vikings.  If the Vikings clinch the NFC North division with a win against Atlanta Falcons then the Falcons become the weakest link. 

Eagles 30 Browns 10: Browns down two more to go

       

What can the Browns do for you?  Roll over and play dead.  The Eagles scored on the first drive and didn't look back.

It really helps to have a healthy Kevin Curtis in the Eagles lineup.  You can tell Curtis needs to be 100% to create separation.  He is a key part of the Eagles keep the chains moving philosophy.

I like the way the Eagles look right now.  The Eagles kept the ball.  Philly moved the ball with decent balance of running and passing.  Over the last three games, I don't know what Andy Reid's eating but he shouldn't change a thing because it's working.

Somebody should buy Andy a beer.  He listened to his team and is getting results.  Now the Eagles need to keep winning and hope the Vikings knock off the Falcons.  The win over the Browns doesn't mean anything unless the Eagles get into the playoffs.

Eagles vs. Browns: Five things to feed

1.  Feed the run calling alien coach that has taken over Andy Reid's body.

2.  Feed the Eagles running game.  Keep the Eagles big offensive line happy and let them get after the Cleveland Browns defensive line.  Give Brian Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter big helpings of football.  The magic number for running plays is 35.  Remember to tell that to the run calling alien coach.

3.  Keep feeding positive thoughts to Donovan McNabb.  Fatherhood is good for Donovan and making a difference in his game.  And definitely feed the meter and keep the time of possession game going.

4.  Stop the Cleveland running game and feed the Eagles blitz machine.  Make Cleveland Browns third string quarterback Ken Dorsey eats the football.

5.  Eat up the Cleveland single wing offense.  Don't let wide receiver and return specialist Joshua Cribbs get comfortable.  Make sure after the game, Cribbs needs to swallow a double share of pain pills.

The Browns are done for the season and playing for pride on Monday Night football.  This season, the Browns beat the Giants on Monday night.  The Eagles are playing before the Philadelphia faithful. Philly needs this win to keep the playoff dream alive.   Time for the real Eagles to show up and dominate the Browns.  Eagles by 14 points. 

I hate Monday Night Football

I can't wait that long to see the Eagles play the Browns on Monday night.  I prefer a 1:00 PM start time on Sunday.  The 4:00 PM game is OK but anything later makes me wait too long.

The only good thing about the Monday Night game is that we get a chance to see Dallas, Washington and Atlanta lose.  And the Eagles need them all to lose one more game between now and the end of the season.  The Redskins and the Cowboys are on the Eagles hit list because the Eagles will play them one more time this year.  In those games the Eagles control their destiny but the Eagles will need help with Atlanta.  That's what happens when the Eagles didn't win the games they should have won.  We are depending on the Buccaneers, Vikings and Rams for help against Atlanta.

Here is Andy Reid's take, " Anything can happen in the NFL, so you just have to make sure that you take care of your business and you can't worry about really anything else.  If you get to Thanksgiving and you're within striking distance, that's a good thing.  And we were within striking distance, so hopefully we'll just keep pushing and do a good job there."

That's a good thing!!?   What is Andy Reid the Martha Stewart of NFL coaches.  Just win Andy.  Do your job and win then you will have a job next season.

What happened to Lorenzo Booker?

During preseason there was talk of a flying two headed running and catching monster.  We were going to see Brian Westbrook and Lorenzo Booker on the field at the same time.  We were told that would be too much speed for opposing defenses to cover.  There would be great match ups where Westbrook or Booker lining up wide with the other Eagle wide receivers.  Now 13 games into the season, I don't remember ever seeing Booker lining up wide with Westbrook in the backfield.  I guess the Booker and Westbrook combination went the same way as trying to get Correll Buckhalter more touches in the game.

Hey Andy Reid and Marty Morhinweg, thanks for the lip service.  Let us know what you really think.