Eagles-Saints Pregame Thoughts
BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, News Sunday, November 4th, 2012
Offense Must Come Alive
There will be no excuses for the Eagles offense this week.
Andy Reid’s offense is ranked 28th in the league, managing just 17.1 points per game. Through the first six games of the year, the offense has looked painfully inefficient and hopeless. Poor playcalling combined with even poorer execution combined with 17 turnovers have reduced what once an electric, explosive unit into a joke. The Eagles were once a threat to score on any play, but now they struggle to put together multiple touchdown drives in a game.
Many people came into the season with high expectations for this offense, but after watching them perform at a mediocre level for seven games it’s fair to wonder whether or not they’ve been overrated as a group. Right now this offense doesn’t have an element that they can point to and confidently say that they do well on a consistent basis. It seems like each time the unit takes the field that they’re desperately grasping at straws in search of a spark that can get them into the endzone.
Followers of the team have been waiting for this group to have a breakout game in which they come alive and play like the group they were in the past that could move to football at will and put up more than 28 points in a game. If that breakout game doesn’t come on Monday night, then I don’t think it’s going to come at all.
The Saints defense is simply the worst in the business right now. New Orleans is giving up almost 500 and over 30 points a game. They don’t stop the run, they can’t cover anyone, and they don’t get pressure on the quarterback. This defense is so soft and incompetent, it makes the Eagles defense look like one of the best in the league by comparison.
The Saints have been lit up by every offense that has lined up against them so far this year, including the lowly Kansas City Chiefs. If you haven’t seen a Chiefs game this year, let me assure you, the Chiefs may be the worst offense in football. If you think Andy Reid does a terrible job of integrating his best player (LeSean McCoy) into the offense, Romeo Crennel does an even worse job by going weeks at a time without using Jamaal Charles while constantly putting the football into the hands of Matt Cassel, a quarterback who is more turnover-prone than Michael Vick. Yet in spite of their issues, the Chiefs managed to put up over 30 points against New Orleans in Week 3.
The Eagles have spent most of the season saying that they need to get better and that they’re a much better team than what they’ve shown. Well, it’s time to shut up and put up. Anything less than 28 points is unacceptable.
You can blame the coaches for poor playcalling. You can blame the offensive line for missing assignments and struggling to get any push. You can blame the quarterback for costing the team valuable scoring opportunities with his careless turnovers. But the reality is, if the Eagles offense comes up small again and against a defense this bad, it’s time for everyone to accept that the players on this offense have been vastly overrated, and aren’t nearly as good as many thought they were.
Defense Remains Unpredictable
I don’t know what to expect from the Eagles defense on Monday night.
While they’ve got nowhere to go but up after last week’s nightmarish performance against the Falcons, the Saints offense isn’t any less daunting.
The idea behind the firing of Juan Castillo was that Todd Bowles would be able to come in and provide some stability to a talented defense that had been underachieving and blowing fourth quarter leads. In the first week of the Bowles era, the defense took no steps forward and stumbled through their worst performance of the season, allowing Atlanta to score on each of their first six possessions.
The pass rush was still MIA, and the elite talent of the Falcon receivers was too much for the Eagles secondary to control.
After seeing such a lifeless, uninspired performance a week ago, I don’t see how Bowles can do anything to turn this group around. Maybe the Eagles do some things different with their rotations (maybe this is the week they finally give some serious consideration to activating their second-round pick Vinny Curry to inject some fresh blood into a defensive line that has been almost completely ineffective against opposing offensive line), but ultimately I think this defense just has too many underachievers that lack the drive necessary to dramatically improve themselves.
Part of what made this defense successful in the first few weeks of the season was that were creating turnovers in big moments. In each of their three victories this year, the defense has been responsible for at least one turnover that changed the outcome of the game. During the team’s three-game losing streak, they’ve stopped doing that.
How The Eagles Can Beat The Saints
As mentioned above, this a week for the offense to click on all cylinders and put up some big numbers.
As laughable as it is to even suggest this idea, the Eagles could take advantage of a run defense that gives up over 170 yards a game and lean heavily on LeSean McCoy and the running game. Once the run is established, the Eagles can turn to Michael Vick and the passing game to try and connect on some big plays down the field against a terrible New Orleans secondary.
Defensively, the Eagles have nowhere to go but up after last week.
The Saints don’t run the ball very well, and most of their offense runs through Drew Brees. As great as Brees is, he is a guy that is capable of turning the ball over multiple times in a game.
Nnamdi Asomugha should stick to covering Marques Colston most of the night. Colston isn’t a speedy receiver, he’s a big physical player that Nnamdi has a better chance to shut down. Several weeks ago the former Raider played his best game as an Eagle while covering Calvin Johnson. He has a chance to do the same to Colston.
Maybe this will the week that the Eagles get a sighting of either Trent Cole or Jason Babin. Neither player has been seen or heard from on the field in over a month, and these two are certainly overdue to have big games.
Why The Saints Will Win
Even though the Saints actually have a worse record than the Eagles, I think they’re a much more functional football team.
Their offense is still a powerhouse, and Brees has traditionally had no trouble carving up the Eagles defense in recent years. Their offensive line should be able to buy the quarterback ample time against an underachieving defensive line.
I don’t think the Eagles can account for all of Brees’ weapons. In addition to Colston, Todd Bowles will also need to find answers for a very good tight end (Jimmy Graham), an excellent slot receiver (Lance Moore), and a speedy guy who can stretch the field (Devery Henderson). After seeing what Matt Ryan did to this defense last week, there’s just no way I can see the Eagles limiting what the Saints can do.
If the Saints can follow Atlanta’s formula for success, it’s going to be another long game for the Eagles. New Orleans is very capable of putting together long, powerful drives that end in touchdowns. If they’re able to accomplish that, they’ll keep Michael Vick and the offense from getting into sync, and make it all too easy for the pass-happy Andy Reid to cross his running plays off of his play chart.
Final Thoughts
I just can’t see the Eagles coming out of New Orleans with a win.
To me, the Eagles are a sinking ship.
There is a sense of desperation around the team, but it’s not the type of desperation that translates into a team waking up and kicking things into high gear. This is the type of desperation in which the coach and his players are grasping at straws while blindly searching to solutions for their problems without a real sense of direction.
I think the Eagles will play a much more competitive game this week than they did against Atlanta, but the defense won’t be able to stop the Saints any more than they could the Falcons, and even if the offense plays well I don’t believe that they’re capable of keeping up with Drew Brees in a shootout.
Denny Basens is the editor of GCobb.com. Email him at dbasens@ycp.edu, or follow him on Twitter.
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Posted by Denny Basens
on Nov 4 2012. Filed under BREAKING NEWS, Eagles, News.
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This team is embarrassing.
i will miss passing on 3rd and 1
my first q is this…. who will be our qb next year? who will coach this team? better yet…. what will our D look like? will be have an Oline or will they just roll out some cones like they do this year?
guess i have a lot of 1st q’s.
is Jim J alive again? all out blitz shown every time. sorry but i hated that. Does this D know how to get a sack… or a turnover? or off the field?
haha… a turnover? lol.
lol they acted like they have never seen a sack before.lol
I guess we can put to rest what a good draft we had. Kendricks Boykins and Fletcher Cox all dont know what the hell they are doing. They all arent very good.
odd what can happen when you have a little time
I repeats the following players Tuesday morning
OT Demetress Bell, WR Riley Cooper, CB Nnamdi Asmogoah
Has Riley Cooper ever gotten separation from a CB
He’s got a big framed and still doesn’t know how to use it
He sucks
If any of you believe the Eagles are anywhere close to a Playoff Team, you do not Know Football
This Team is far from it, not does it deserve a chance to even be consideration even be considered an average Team
These Eagles Secondary is still one of the worst tackling Secondaries in the entire NFL and rookie LB Kendricjs has regressed as the Season has gone along in both pass-coverage and tackling
Lots of positions need upgrades, Safety
CB, LB, DL, OL, QB, TE
i miss runyan
Welp.. Cut Bell, cut Riley Cooper before the game ends! For that matter cut the whole line except Mathis.
This game is not on Andy Reid from a play calling, preparation standpoint. This game solely rests on the shoulder of the o-line, or lack there of!
Fire Howard Mudd and rehire Juan Castillo
. The eagles will not make the change to foles this year due to the shear fact he mite die back there. He literally mite die! I really am a pulling for mike Vick the person. He’s one tough sun of a gun. Unfortunately that will not always make you a good qb. At some point we do need to take into account how bad this o-line really is! I completely understand the injuries they have sustained but mike really has 2 secs before he’s getting drilled!
I will say and stand by my earlier statement
The Eagkes 2012 as far as playoff chances is over
Release D Bell, R Cooper & N Asmogoah
Tomorrow
On the OL switch D Kelley out to RT
And put Watkins in at RG
Sign free-agent RT in the off-Season, shift Herremans back to RG and then get bAck Kelce at Center and LT J Pegers and then Draft an OT and Guard to groom in the early Rounds of 2013 Draft and then go with Foles or Edwards at QB to at least have shot of making Playoffs in 2013
Defense play CB Boykin on the outside to replace Asmo,
Convert Marsh to a Safety and Draft a SAM LB, Safety, DT
And bring and move Fletcher Cox to DE
Fire Reid and concede defeat, This team has more holes than the Titanic.
So annoying.
I had $100 on Vick being at +300 odds. So close to a nice $300. Was so going to collect till Desean turned that hook into a useless 77 yrd td, and Vick stayed in the whole game for no reason.
He’s so bad….I know people will point to the oline, but I guarantee they will improve 100% when Foles comes in next Sunday.
being replaced
I officially, am ashamed to call myself an Eagles fan! Absolutely embarrassing, shameful & disgraceful!!!! The entire team needs to be broomed!!!! The O-line is horrifying! The D-line are a bunch of overpaid, overrated MUTTS!!!! The secondary is an abyss!!!! The coaching staff is clueless, inept, stupid & lost!!!!! And the QB is a brain damaged, lost puppy, running for his life!!!!!!!! They all must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will tel you what I did see….after every tackle, decent run…..a lot of Birds walking away from their teammates and towards the cameras to flex/pose…..
….during a 3-5 season in a game they were losing from the start.
Not a fan…..(talking a lot to you Coles….though there are others in your showboating crew.)
NO MORE F^#@ING EXCUSES!! NO MORE BLAMING THE MEDIA & THE FANS!!! NO MORE!!!! ENOUGH, IS ENOUGH!!!!! LURIE BETTER FIRE THIS STAFF, TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THE PLAYOFF HOPES ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
NO MORE F^#@ING EXCUSES!! NO MORE BLAMING THE MEDIA & THE FANS!!! NO MORE!!!! ENOUGH, IS ENOUGH!!!!! LURIE BETTER FIRE THIS STAFF, TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE, BECAUSE THE PLAYOFF HOPES ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!
Vinnie YOUR A IDIOT. From Steve Young to John Gruden to Trent Dilfer said that no QB could function behind that oline. They said they watched so much film and that the oline was so bad they didnt know how Vick was still functioning. But Vinnie on the internet says they are all wrong.lmao. Who the hell are you? Are you kidding me? Vinnie on the internet says it would be better with Nick Foles.lol. What coaches tape have you watched? You know more that alol the experts? lmao. What a joke.
You know who sucks. Kendricks he sucks. He cant tackle or cover. Fletcher Cox WTF has he done in 6 weeks? I havent heard his name all year.lol Boykins not only is he a terrible return man can he actually cover someone? Enough with the great draft this year.
Vinnie you state you see alot of players flex and pose? Well turn on the games on Sunday. Every damn team flex and poses. From 1 win teams to 8 win teams. lol You think Philly players are the only ones that do it? I watched the 1 win Panthers flex and pose all day. The players could give a damn what any fan thinks.
@ Vinnie when everyone in America was talking about how bad the oline is and you come on the internet and dont even criticize the oline and the first thing out of your mouth is”with another QB the oline will be better”, not even stating that the oline was bad and going right to Vick and calling his TD meaningless it is quite clear you have other issues with the QB. Is it a race thing? Is it the dog thing? Its definetly something. . You never ever criticize the oline. Why is that?
Exactly Dags…I understand the dude saying he doesn’t like Vicks play and doesn’t think he can get it done..I got that…but when the other glaring issues with the team is ignored to the point where it’s not even mentioned.. Makes me wonder whats really going on with dude…
Gruden spent the entire game calling out the O-line
telling us how bad the are…but dude thinks they’ll play better
With the other QB out there ?
No mention of #67 missing numerous blocks which were clear as day
No mention of #77 pissing his pants
No mention of #65 getting beat causing a sack
No mention of #66 allowing blitzes straight of the middle again
No mention of #69 being exposed
Man 5 redone trips inside the 15 and only 13 pts
Ok I’ll give dude the pick 6 should’ve been a tighter throw
But give me a break why no runs called…
Anyway….why no Fire from the coaches..somebody should’ve been gettin
Their ass chewed thoroughly the most animated coach was Duce
As much as I love my team as much as I want them
To win…I just want this to END
Just a minor note that probably sealed the game for the Saints
On the Int play down by the end one, why are 2 Receivers running
Short routes 3 yards together wher the open space is smaller and defenders have less field to cover (both Celek & Harbor) were too close to each other
And again as we have seen for a couple of Seasons now, why run routes in the Red -Zone short of the end-zone. I can see a RB in the clat as an outket but the Wr & TE’s beed to run routes into the end zone when you are within 15 yardsnot these short routes where the Secondsry is condensed and have a shorter field to defend. Eagles are losers and to deserved to lose last night as they have most games this Season. Time to. Clean house from GM Roseman down to about 1/2 this Roster
The fact that the oline is horrible does not negate the fact that the Qb is also horrible.