• March 28, 2024

Eagles-Redskins Pregame Thoughts

Evaluating For The Future

The 2012 season has been a colossal failure. The Eagles are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at 3-6, but anyone that believes this group still has any kind of miracle run in them is either insanely optimistic, or hopelessly delusional.

As painful as this season has been to watch…we’ve still got a month and a half to go. How incredible is that? While I can’t speak for everyone, for me personally it feels as though we’ve already played a full season. This has been such a bad year, and it’s amazing to me that we still have to get through seven more weeks of watching this football team.

Fortunately, we now get to watch and evaluate rookie quarterback Nick Foles. With Michael Vick sidelined by a concussion, Foles will get an opportunity to show what he can do and hopefully provide the Eagles with a good idea of whether or not they’ll need to look for a quarterback in next year’s draft.

Foles’ first performance against the Dallas Cowboys provided mixed results. The Arizona product looked very poised at times, and led the offense on a couple of scoring drives while hitting his receivers in stride. But he also had more than his share of downs. He was careless with the football too often, and gave the Cowboys multiple turnover opportunities. Dallas began to do a better job at rushing the rookie, and once that happened the poise that Foles showed early disappeared.

This week, Foles will have the benefit of taking all of the first-team reps. He’ll also face a pathetic Washington Redskins secondary that has gotten torched by opposing passing attacks all year. Let’s see how the 23-year old carries himself on Sunday, and how his teammates respond to him.

How The Eagles Can Beat The Redskins

Nick Foles will need to take advantage of the Redskins’ terrible defensive backs. I want to see the rookie make quick decisions, and run the offense confidently and effectively. The Eagles should try to take advantage of Foles’ height, and run some plays (such as the screen) that they haven’t been able to utilize well with Michael Vick.

Of course, a rather important key to helping a rookie quarterback succeed will be to commit to establishing a running game. Common sense dictates that a head coach that currently holds a 3-6 record (and is in desperate need of a turnaround to save his job) might want to put the football into the hands of his best player.

The Eagles defense hasn’t faced a quarterback like Robert Griffin III all season, and they’ve got to be ready for him. Griffin can hurt you both by air (1,993 yards, eight touchdowns) and by ground (529 yards, six touchdowns). The Redskins don’t have great receivers, but they design a great deal of running plays for their rookie quarterback, making their offense difficult to predict. The Eagles may have to put a spy on Griffin, and they can’t lose containment on him or he’ll gash them in the running game.

The Redskins also have an impressive rookie running back, Alfred Morris. Morris is a powerful running back who is among the league-leaders with 793 yards. The Eagles defenders have struggled with tackling throughout the season, and that is going to have to change or Morris will be able to move the ball at will all day.

Why The Redskins Will Win

I don’t have any reason to believe that the Eagles defense will be able to do what they need to do to shut down the Washington offense.

The Eagles defense has proven over the last month and a half that they can’t rush the passer, they can’t shut down receivers, they can’t stop the run, they don’t tackle well, and they don’t force turnovers.

This is the softest defense of the Andy Reid era, and they haven’t responded at all to new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles. If anything, they’ve gone backwards since the firing of Juan Castillo. This defense was shredded by Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, and I don’t think they’ll be able to effectively handle a dynamic playmaker like RG III.

The defense had a favorable matchup against a Dallas offense that couldn’t run the ball, and had been committing turnovers left and right all year. They ended up letting Felix Jones pick up over 90 total yards against them, and also allowed Tony Romo to play one of his most efficient games of the season.

I see Mike Shanahan wearing the defense down by giving his workhorse Morris a heavy workload, and then turning to Griffin to go for the kill with a big play.

Defensively, the Redskins might not look very good on paper, but they’ve always played the Eagles tough. They know that Andy Reid is going to be tempted to damage them through the air all day, and they’ll try to take advantage of a weak offensive line and sending waves of blitzes at Nick Foles to confuse the rookie and force him into mistakes.

Final Thoughts

I like the Redskins in this game. While they’ve got a losing record, they’re a young team that has been in a lot of close games this season and they seem to be headed in the right direction. They’re also going to be fresh off of their bye week, and they’ll be well prepared to knock off the Eagles in front of their home crowd.

For the Eagles to have a chance in this game, they’re going to have to lean heavily on LeSean McCoy, and if Andy Reid hasn’t done that yet this season I don’t know that he ever will.

I don’t know what to expect from Foles. I think he has a chance to come out and play well, but the amount of mistakes he made against Dallas was troubling. If the offensive line turns in another terrible performance, it could be a very frustrating first start for the rookie.

If there’s one thing I am confident in, its that I know this defense won’t come out and do what it takes to shut down the Washington offense. The Redskins won’t face much resistance from this heartless unit, and I think the young Washington squad comes away with the win tomorrow afternoon.

Denny Basens is the editor of GCobb.com. Email him at dbasens@ycp.edu, or follow him on Twitter.

 

 

Denny Basens

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paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 12:19 am

I see RB with a big day (125 Yards) and lots of screens, quick outs to WR’
Josh Morgan and Santana Moss who always plays well versus the Eagle
And don’t fall asleep with RB Evan Royster out on Screens/Outlet passes in the FlAts. Since TE went down with season ending injury a few weeks back, Rookie TE ( whose name escapes me right now) has been a favorite target of his
A big white guy with long hair and has been very impressive
Offensively, the Eagles should put 24-27 Pts on this Redskin Defense who are without their top 3 pass-rushers (Orapko, Kerrigan & Carriker) so even with the OL issues the Eagles have, they should be able to protect QB Foles well enough to make some plays down the field. D-Jax has had big games versus the Redskins in his career and I expect a big game from him, TE Celek and RB McCoy
Final abalysis is a close game with Special Teams playing a big part and unfortunately, the Eagles return and coverage units are amongst the Leauges worst so I am Calling for a Redskin Victory 27-23 over the Stumbling, struggling Eagles even though Foles ends up playing a good game in his NFL game but not good enough to overcome the Eagkes Defense/Special Teans Play as Eagkes fall to 3-7 and will be 1 week away from being mathematically eliminated for the Post-Season

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 12:22 am

That’s Redskins RB Morris with a big game running rough-shod thru the Eagles Defense. Eagles Secondary will want no parts of him come 2nd Half

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 10:24 am

Gdday and welcome to the most important Eagles’ game since 2007. I’m pumped (for the first time in 3 years).

QB is the most important position n a team and defines the franchises’ direction. Great QBs can turn mediocre coaches into Superbowl winners, but Great coaches cannot overcome terrible QBs.

In 2007 it was clear that Mcnabb’s skills were in rapid decline. Since that time the Eagles’ braintrust have tried to replace him…first with Kolb (skittish, and clearly injury prone) and then with Vick (doomed from the beginning).

Both attempts failed miserably.

This is attempt #3, and it is so crucially important for the franchise going forward.

Foles succeeds, and we can have a competitive team again in 2014.

He fails, and we’re looking at a QB selection top 3 in 2014 and a competitive team in 2016 the earliest.

This is big.

Best scenario? (and early indicators are positive) He appoints himself well….command of huddle, mostly good decisions, high %, more TDs than turnovers, good yardage….that he lets us know he can succeed in the NFL…..and the Eagles still lose the game.

Lets go kid…I’m getting old and don;t want to wait till 2016. Gmmie some hope now.

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 10:51 am

I don’t put any real significance long-term for the Eagles today Vinnie
It’s Foles first NFL Start with two 3-6 Teams playing
I am curious to see how the Eagles play of course but win or lose doesn’t mean that much in the big scheme of things. It will be interesting to watch how the Eagles defend RGIII for they face him twice a year for the next 8 seasons or so..

andrew p
andrew p
November 18, 2012 11:10 am

Heres a thought, Eagles are 3-0 this year when McCoy runs the ball 20 or more times and 0-6 when he doesnt, I dont think you have to go to college to figure this out, oh wait, were talking about the Eagles coaching staff, you might have to.

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 11:29 am

Redskins and every other Team stack the box to take McCoy out of the game and will make Foles have to beat them as other Teams have played the Eagles and take their chances on Vick beating them
I stated back in Summer that McCoy would not have a huge season like last year due to Teams keying on McCoy and taking their chances with shaky pass-protection and QB play, McCoy will get his touches and yards, but until they get good consistent QB & Receiver play, mcCoys big play capability will be more limited since Teans no longer fear the Eagles Passing attack

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:03 pm

The actual game is of little significance…in fact an arguement can be made that losing would be better long term….but how Foles looks is of incredible importance going forward.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 18, 2012 1:08 pm

Add Celek to the scrap heap. That ball hit his hands

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:11 pm

Nice catch Celek

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:20 pm

Would be nice if the team could try to help the rook out a bit. SOlid drive being ruined

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:26 pm

Interceptions on 3rd and 21 are bad, but not back breaking

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:47 pm

Decent drive

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:49 pm

Could the D:

a)..take beter angles…I mean 95 just gave up the sideline to RGIII

b) stop with the wimpy arm tackles

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 1:55 pm

Nmandi gets ripped a lot, but I can’t see how that was his fault.

Gotta Luv It
Gotta Luv It
November 18, 2012 1:57 pm

Lmao…first game this season Vinnie has criticized the D

Frank22
Frank22
November 18, 2012 1:59 pm

Celek- cut
Allen- cut
Coleman-cut
Bell- cut
Avant – cut
Asmo- searous pay cut
Babin- searous pay cut
I don’t know what to say about drc?

Andy Reid’s demise is not play calling, it’s his lack of talent evaluation. I could play safety on this team and I’m 40lbs over weight.

larrwd
larrwd
November 18, 2012 2:11 pm

Foles is proving how good Mike vick really is right now..

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 2:18 pm
Reply to  larrwd

Dude, get off of Vicks nuts! Are you snorting bath salts?!? WTF GOOD has Vick shown? Nitwit!!! He BLOWS like the rest of these afterbirth’s!!! Foles included! Just STFU, with the Vick slurping, already! He done! This team is just flat out AWFUL!!!!!!

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 18, 2012 2:20 pm
Reply to  larrwd

Put the bong down, Foles is sliding the pocket. He ain’t great but Vicks defeciences are highlighted. Another celek drop

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 2:14 pm

wtf are you talking about?

larrwd
larrwd
November 18, 2012 2:18 pm

Foles sucks just like i said.. This is awful. Youre an idiot vinnie that knows nothing about football. Dont even respond to my messeges. Infact go get me a beer , beer bitch

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 2:21 pm

It’s like a long punt Vinnie,
You can’t expect a Rookie QB in his first start performance dictate any long term plan for the Eagle, I don’t think anyone can evaluate how a QB is going to pan out in his first game.. Give him the final 7 games and then we have a decent sample of what the kid can do but the way this entire team is playing right now, I don’t think it matters much come 2013 when the Eagkes have a new Coaching Staff, new philosophy and schemes.. I just want to see Fojds progress week by week and see improvement as he goes along but I am not going to get excited or hold a lot of stock for future success piling with a bunch of teamnatems/ coaches who are planning their offseason trios already and haven thrown in the towel on each other and the Coaches

larrwd
larrwd
November 18, 2012 2:22 pm

and with 4th pick in 2013 NFL draft the Philadelphia Eagles select Geno Smith ,West Virgina

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 2:32 pm
Reply to  larrwd

BWAHAHAHA!!!! Clueless!!! Geno Smith? Yeah, that’s what we need, another project!!! Dude he isn’t that good.

larrwd
larrwd
November 18, 2012 2:23 pm

For all of you idiots quarterbacks arent groomed anymore theyre expected to come in and play.. stop living in the 80s.. its do or die

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 2:25 pm

FOles has drop back to pass 23x this half…of those…2 were “bad” decisions

throw 10 – deep to no one pick on 3rd and 21…though it didn;t hurt
throw 21 – screen to McCoy that had no chance

21 other throws were solid decisions. That is very good.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 2:25 pm

Also find it weird that he’s been sacked once, and been on the turf only 2x.

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 2:27 pm

Add Vick, Asmo and Vabin to your cuts Frank
You don’t bring back Veteran players on the wrong side of 30
Pay cut or not never happens, you cut the chord and move on
See Westbrrok, tea Thomas, D McNabb, Dawkins, Janall Jackson,
As examples

Frank22
Frank22
November 18, 2012 2:27 pm

No way eagles take smith.

larrwd
larrwd
November 18, 2012 2:35 pm
Reply to  Frank22

He’ll probably be the first pick so your probably right. One can dream though..

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 2:29 pm

To Vinnie
The most important game of this 2012 Season was a few weeks back
Versus the Saints and the Sagles failed to once again rise to the occasion
The Season has been a lost one ever since for all intents and purposes

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 2:29 pm

This team is a cruel, sick, JOKE!!! What a complete waste, & embarrassment, most of these wastes of sperm are! They must overhaul, this entire team!!!! I’m ashamed to be a Birds fan right now!!!! What a disgrace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FU REID!!!!!!!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 2:34 pm

no qb is coming in the draft….Foles is showing enough to get a shot next year……..good decisions….good awareness……GREAT pocket awareness……good presnap awareness (audible to cooper)….command of huddle/playcalls…….

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 2:36 pm

As I watch another debacle, I have now reached the stage where I feel sorry for Andy Reid.Because today is not coaching. This team is short on talent and not very bright. How do you leave these receivers this wide open? Shady fumbles! Two more interceptions. This team is stupid! Does the defense not know what coverages they are in? It appears they’ re trying to run the ball(Brown looks good today) but now that they are behind they will have to try and throw the ball behind an untalented offensive line who can not pass protect. The end of the season cannot come fast enough. Andy you shouldn’t have to go out this way. You are to blame for certain things but nor for today.

gman
gman
November 18, 2012 2:37 pm

I hate andy reid the play calling sucks ass all you people want to point at vick about his play now look at whats going on who are u going to be mad at now

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 18, 2012 2:40 pm

just stop Vinnie, doesn’t matter who the QB is this team is bad. I could care less how Foles looks it’s about winning right now not some mythical let’s get ready for next year nonsense.

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 2:40 pm

Eagles will be the basement Team of the NFC East for the next few seasons
Teams needs to upgrade/replace about half it’s roster
Redskins are young and a rising Team in the East (they have 3 Pro-Bowlers out all season too in De/Olb Orapko, Kerrigan and TE Fred Savis and I didn’t read or hear much whining from their club and coaches
Giants are the class of the division due to great coaching, front office and a winning tradition and sound football philosophy
Eagles are on their way down and fast. It’s going to be a couple ugly years my friends and probably worse than 2011 was..

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 2:55 pm
Reply to  paulman

You said it ” the Giants are the class because of great coaching and a front office that knows what they are doing. The birds need to can Howie Roseman when the let Reid go and the next personnel guy needs to come from the Giants, Steelers, Packers or the Texans. Somebody that has a winning philosophy background.

Biglion821
Biglion821
November 18, 2012 2:42 pm

by the way I think Foles can play but he cannot do anything consistent behind this trulf offensive line.

paulman
paulman
November 18, 2012 2:47 pm

Geno Smith has cooled considerably Fter a hot start to his Senior Season
I am not sold on him being a Lro-Style Behind the Center type of QB that you need to be in the NFL
He’s another product of a spread offense in College that puts ups great #’s but can’t get it down against the better and more physical defenses that he will see at the NFL, I would stay away him

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 2:49 pm

Vinnie, please stop! You’re trying too hard! He looks mediocre at best. Just because he looks a hair better than Vick, ain’t making him the savior. This team is horrific, in all areas, & facets of the game! This team needs to be nuked, & it is going to take a few years to rebuild this slop!!!!!!!!!!

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 2:54 pm

LOVE THIS HIGH POWERED OFFENSE! SB, BAAABYY!!!!! BWAHAHAHA!!! Can’t take it anymore! REDZONE TIME!!!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 2:55 pm

Can I repeat that this is his first ever start in the league?

What do you want in a first start, knowing beforehand that its going to be a loss (rookie QBs lose something like 90% of their first starts throughout NFL history)

Command of offense – check
Good decisions – check
Can make all throws – check

He’s playing beautifully for his first start dumbass

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 3:07 pm

Vin, I love ya Bro, but WTF are you watching?!? He has made some poor decisions. Has NOT played beautifully!!!! You are the only F^#@ING DUMB@$$!!!! AGAIN, WTF ARE YOU WATCHING?!? BTW, THIS DF IS HORRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta Luv It
Gotta Luv It
November 18, 2012 2:59 pm

Ooohhh weee….we puttin up pts today…

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 3:00 pm

Look at the dysfunctional Redskins offense….I’m not suprised…the guy running the show is 10 games in…our guy is 1 game in…,

ugh…more defenders taking bad angles…..why Nmandi attack in you gotta know RGIII is going to the sideline….

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 3:02 pm

The rookie led offense had 7 points today (not off turnovers inside redzone)….so why is anyone suprised that our rookie led offense has 6???

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 3:03 pm

It is his first start so everybody needs to calm down. Are there mistakes, absolutely. Was anyone expecting a win today really? This team cannot tackle cannot cover, cannot get to the QB , the special teams cannot cover and cannot return the ball and the offense can move between the 20’s but cannot punch it in. The problems go way beyond Foles. Let’s give him the rest of the year at least to get a firm evaluation on him before we anoint him as a success or failure.

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 3:06 pm

Now if you want to give RGIII credit for a complete fluck “bomb” td….go ahead….

This Eagles team needs a lot of work. A lot.

But right now the QB is playing well for his first start.

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 3:07 pm

Oh by the way did I mention undisciplined! Another penalty! This is a Reid /coaching problem. Has been this way for several years. Really Boykin or Coleman could not knock this down! I know the defense doesn’t generate turnovers but don’t they teach knocking down passes in practice. Unbelievable!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
November 18, 2012 3:07 pm

At least we’re not losing 13-0 to the Browns at home

Frank22
Frank22
November 18, 2012 3:08 pm

Paul, i thought Vick was as good as gone after the New Orleans game. Vick is not completely to blame for this sorry team. But if you don’t think he played a large part, I don’t want you working for me or with me. Because you my friends are idiots.

Frank22
Frank22
November 18, 2012 3:10 pm

Did you see foles make that check too riley cooper on the second or third drive? Mike Vick would not be able to do that. Foles is a rook and he was able to make that. What does that say for Vick?

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 3:11 pm

Silver lining! Browns beating the Cowboys. The stinking Browns. I would love to see Jerry Jones’ face if that holds up.

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 3:21 pm
Reply to  phillyfan

philly, there are ZERO silver linings!!!!

daggolden
daggolden
November 18, 2012 3:11 pm

Nick Foles SUCKS!.

haveacigar
haveacigar
November 18, 2012 3:14 pm
Reply to  daggolden

Now there is an informed fan. Idiot. You are as stupid as the people who say he is going to be greatl too early to tell. He has some skills but too early to tell, especially with this group of stiffs

DCar
DCar
November 18, 2012 3:20 pm
Reply to  daggolden

And you suck Vicks bean-bag!!!!

phillyfan
phillyfan
November 18, 2012 3:14 pm

Undiscilplined. Darryl Tapp! Why is this guy still on the team?