Talk about the Philadelphia Eagles. Their accomplishments, struggles, what they will need to keep winning, and what they will need to make the play-offs.
Monday, December 01, 2003
Can the Birds make it Eight?
The Eagles are now on a win streak of seven games. They are the number one team in the NFC after defeating the team that was in first place on Sunday. That team of course was the Carolina Panthers. Knocking them to a tie with Dallas for third place in the NFC with an 8-4 record. The question now is, Does Philly have what it takes to beat the boy's the second time around?
After thirteen weeks, the Eagles are back on top of the NFC East. They are one game over the Dallas Cowboys. Next week, the boys come to "the Linc" in an attempt to take back the lead of the division.
When the teams met earlier this year, the birds started the game with an onside kick which Dallas ran back for a touchdown. The Eagles fought back but the early points haunted them in the end as the Cowboys won 23-21. Not only will a win against Dallas put the Eagles in a great position to win the division, it gives them hope to stay atop the NFC.
The only other obstacle in the birds way of topping the NFC is the St. Louis Rams. Although the Eagles don't play the Rams, the Eagles can pull ahead by winning all of the conference games. The Rams have one more loss in the conference than the Eagles. This puts the Rams in second place despite an identical 9-3 overall record.
After a win this week, Eagles fans can feel a lot more comfortable about the playoff picture.
The Eagles are now on a win streak of seven games. They are the number one team in the NFC after defeating the team that was in first place on Sunday. That team of course was the Carolina Panthers. Knocking them to a tie with Dallas for third place in the NFC with an 8-4 record. The question now is, Does Philly have what it takes to beat the boy's the second time around?
After thirteen weeks, the Eagles are back on top of the NFC East. They are one game over the Dallas Cowboys. Next week, the boys come to "the Linc" in an attempt to take back the lead of the division.
When the teams met earlier this year, the birds started the game with an onside kick which Dallas ran back for a touchdown. The Eagles fought back but the early points haunted them in the end as the Cowboys won 23-21. Not only will a win against Dallas put the Eagles in a great position to win the division, it gives them hope to stay atop the NFC.
The only other obstacle in the birds way of topping the NFC is the St. Louis Rams. Although the Eagles don't play the Rams, the Eagles can pull ahead by winning all of the conference games. The Rams have one more loss in the conference than the Eagles. This puts the Rams in second place despite an identical 9-3 overall record.
After a win this week, Eagles fans can feel a lot more comfortable about the playoff picture.
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Eagles with a Healthy Defense?
The Eagles defense has suffered man injuries this season. Are they finally getting healthy? The injured defensive line of the Eagles included Hollis Thomas, Paul Grasmanis, Derrick Burgess, Jerome McDougle, and drafted rookie Jamaal Green. Thomas and McDougle have returned, but the others have not.
Also injured this season were the Eagle's three all pro, pro bowl defensive backs. They were Bobby Taylor, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Vincent. Out of those three Taylor is the only one still out. So will having their big name players back in the lineup help. Of course. The Eagles defense is still not complete. The bird's "D" was ranked in the top fifteen in the NFL with out their all star defensive backs. There "D" can only get better.
The Eagles defense has suffered man injuries this season. Are they finally getting healthy? The injured defensive line of the Eagles included Hollis Thomas, Paul Grasmanis, Derrick Burgess, Jerome McDougle, and drafted rookie Jamaal Green. Thomas and McDougle have returned, but the others have not.
Also injured this season were the Eagle's three all pro, pro bowl defensive backs. They were Bobby Taylor, Brian Dawkins, and Troy Vincent. Out of those three Taylor is the only one still out. So will having their big name players back in the lineup help. Of course. The Eagles defense is still not complete. The bird's "D" was ranked in the top fifteen in the NFL with out their all star defensive backs. There "D" can only get better.
Eagle's Triple Threat is a Concern for Opposition
The Eagle's running game has become their main source of offensive productivity. With three high caliber running backs, why wouldn't it be? Corell Buckhalter, Duce Staley, and the young prospect of Brian Westbrook make up explosive backfield. They all have their special areas in which they contribute differently, but as whole give the defense a scare.
Villanova's Brian Westbrook has become well known for his speed and his ability to get outside and turn the corner. Defenses plan to contain the outside more in hope to reduce big gains by the second year Westbrook. While doing this, they sometimes neglect the middle of the field.
Corell Buckhalter takes most of the carries up the middle and is a good short yardage power back. He does not have the speed to get around the outside like Westbrook, so Buckhalter takes the ball "up the gut" for a lot of short gains. Buckhalter is the go to guy for a one or two yard first down run.
Lastly is Duce Staley. Staley is exceptional in the screen passing and short gain passes. Duce has an incredible set of hands, and if he catches a short pass with momentum he can have great yards after the catch (yac).
What makes this running game such a threat is that even though the three backs have their special areas of specialty, they can all run and catch very well. In addition to having three guys who can do it all, they are three guys who do it all.
The way most games have gone, Westbrook and Buckhalter rotate much of the game and keep defenses on their toes. Staley, because missing the beginning of the season, comes in usually towards the end of the game. The beauty in this is that Staley comes in late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter, only to run over an already tired defense with his fresh set of legs. This is very affective because the defense is tired from stopping the lightening quickness of Westbrook and the endurance of Buckhalter. Then they are forced to stop the fresh and less played Staley, who just runs over the tired defense.
With the three backs as good as this backfield, a lot of defenses go into the games with the mentality of "we have to stop the run." Concentrating on the run allows QB Donovan McNabb to throw to his receivers and on occasion run with the football. The way Donovan has been playing the past few weeks, any defense can not afford to not concentrate as hard on the passing game.
Overall, this offense is a good one. With McNabb playing good football like he has the past few weeks and the explosive running game, there is not reason why the Eagles offense shouldn't be highly ranked in the NFC in not the entire NFL.
Now there are problems with the line and receivers, but the potential to be a great offense is in Philadelphia.
The Eagle's running game has become their main source of offensive productivity. With three high caliber running backs, why wouldn't it be? Corell Buckhalter, Duce Staley, and the young prospect of Brian Westbrook make up explosive backfield. They all have their special areas in which they contribute differently, but as whole give the defense a scare.
Villanova's Brian Westbrook has become well known for his speed and his ability to get outside and turn the corner. Defenses plan to contain the outside more in hope to reduce big gains by the second year Westbrook. While doing this, they sometimes neglect the middle of the field.
Corell Buckhalter takes most of the carries up the middle and is a good short yardage power back. He does not have the speed to get around the outside like Westbrook, so Buckhalter takes the ball "up the gut" for a lot of short gains. Buckhalter is the go to guy for a one or two yard first down run.
Lastly is Duce Staley. Staley is exceptional in the screen passing and short gain passes. Duce has an incredible set of hands, and if he catches a short pass with momentum he can have great yards after the catch (yac).
What makes this running game such a threat is that even though the three backs have their special areas of specialty, they can all run and catch very well. In addition to having three guys who can do it all, they are three guys who do it all.
The way most games have gone, Westbrook and Buckhalter rotate much of the game and keep defenses on their toes. Staley, because missing the beginning of the season, comes in usually towards the end of the game. The beauty in this is that Staley comes in late in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter, only to run over an already tired defense with his fresh set of legs. This is very affective because the defense is tired from stopping the lightening quickness of Westbrook and the endurance of Buckhalter. Then they are forced to stop the fresh and less played Staley, who just runs over the tired defense.
With the three backs as good as this backfield, a lot of defenses go into the games with the mentality of "we have to stop the run." Concentrating on the run allows QB Donovan McNabb to throw to his receivers and on occasion run with the football. The way Donovan has been playing the past few weeks, any defense can not afford to not concentrate as hard on the passing game.
Overall, this offense is a good one. With McNabb playing good football like he has the past few weeks and the explosive running game, there is not reason why the Eagles offense shouldn't be highly ranked in the NFC in not the entire NFL.
Now there are problems with the line and receivers, but the potential to be a great offense is in Philadelphia.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Can Philly Top NFC East again?
The Eagles could potentially be in first place of the NFC East after this week. It is hard to believe that after a 0-2 start to the season, and the slim marginal wins this team has been facing, that they have the potential to reclaim the east. First, Dallas would have to lose against the New England Patriots at New England. Both teams are 7-2 and have very good offenses. While Dallas has an exceptional run defense, New England's defense is very good also. This will be a defensive battle, but whoever's offense can get points on the board early will win the game. Dallas would then be 7-3.
The other thing that would have to happen is that the Eagles would have to beat the New York Giants at the Linc. The Giants have an awful lot of talent on their team, but they need to play like one. Lately the Giants have fallen apart. The win the Eagles had earlier in the season came from a Brian Westbrook return for a touchdown inside the two-minute warning. The score was 14-10 and the Eagles barely pulled out the win. That is one thing that will motivate the Giants. One thing the Eagles can not afford to do is to get a lot of penalties. The offensive line has to protect QB Donovan McNabb, and the receivers have to get open and hold on to the football (which has been a struggle all year)
The Eagles could potentially be in first place of the NFC East after this week. It is hard to believe that after a 0-2 start to the season, and the slim marginal wins this team has been facing, that they have the potential to reclaim the east. First, Dallas would have to lose against the New England Patriots at New England. Both teams are 7-2 and have very good offenses. While Dallas has an exceptional run defense, New England's defense is very good also. This will be a defensive battle, but whoever's offense can get points on the board early will win the game. Dallas would then be 7-3.
The other thing that would have to happen is that the Eagles would have to beat the New York Giants at the Linc. The Giants have an awful lot of talent on their team, but they need to play like one. Lately the Giants have fallen apart. The win the Eagles had earlier in the season came from a Brian Westbrook return for a touchdown inside the two-minute warning. The score was 14-10 and the Eagles barely pulled out the win. That is one thing that will motivate the Giants. One thing the Eagles can not afford to do is to get a lot of penalties. The offensive line has to protect QB Donovan McNabb, and the receivers have to get open and hold on to the football (which has been a struggle all year)
Hot Streak?
Out of the last seven games, the Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1. In four of those seven games the final score had a margin of four points or less. The highest point differential came with a ten point win over the Buffalo Bills. Out of the three victories which were decided by five or more points, all of the were against teams with a record below .500. The game that was a loss was to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys won by two points with the final score 23-21. Within some of those games, the victories have been won inside the two minute warning. Particualrly the Brian Westbrook return for a touchdown vs. the G-men, and most recently the last drive against Green Bay. In these games the Eagles won by four and three points.
So are the Eagles as good as their last seven game record shows, or are they lucky to be barely getting over the hump? The answer is neither. Out of the past seven games, only one team has a winning record. The Dallas Cowboys, the team which gave them a loss. Sure it is easly to win six games when three of the teams are dead last in their division. These teams being Washington, Atlanta, and the New York Jets.
What the Eagles need to do is to win more games, against better quality teams. This streak of 6-1 sure helps record wise for the birds to get into the playoffs, but what will happen once we get there?
Out of the last seven games, the Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1. In four of those seven games the final score had a margin of four points or less. The highest point differential came with a ten point win over the Buffalo Bills. Out of the three victories which were decided by five or more points, all of the were against teams with a record below .500. The game that was a loss was to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys won by two points with the final score 23-21. Within some of those games, the victories have been won inside the two minute warning. Particualrly the Brian Westbrook return for a touchdown vs. the G-men, and most recently the last drive against Green Bay. In these games the Eagles won by four and three points.
So are the Eagles as good as their last seven game record shows, or are they lucky to be barely getting over the hump? The answer is neither. Out of the past seven games, only one team has a winning record. The Dallas Cowboys, the team which gave them a loss. Sure it is easly to win six games when three of the teams are dead last in their division. These teams being Washington, Atlanta, and the New York Jets.
What the Eagles need to do is to win more games, against better quality teams. This streak of 6-1 sure helps record wise for the birds to get into the playoffs, but what will happen once we get there?
