For the second game in a row, the Eagles are playing in New York (New Jersey actually). This time the Eagles play an even worse team, which would be the NY Jets. The Giants stink, that we know. Well guess what?
They are better than the Jets. My point is that the Eagles will reach a new low if they lose to these guys on Sunday.
Living up here I get to listen to all the local fans whine (and lately there has been a lot to whine about with the Yankees, Mets, Jets and, to a certain degree, the Giants). Well, here is what is up with the Jets:
-Chad Pennington is not very good at football. When you have a moderately weak arm to begin with, several shoulder injuries just don’t help. He just doesn’t have an NFL-caliber arm and it’s killing the offense. You don’t know what pain is until you turn the TV on Sunday at 1pm and the only game you get is Jets vs. Ravens. Shoot me. The Jets’ offense is considered on fire if they complete a pass more than 12 yards, and it’s because of his weak arm. The locals are clamoring for the former second-round pick Kellen Clemens to play. He isn’t as savvy and experienced as Pennington, but he can add some different dimensions. Pennington makes Jeff Garcia look like Jeff George. My gut says we see Clemens start the second half.
-The Jets can’t run the ball either. Thomas Jones is averaging 3.3 yards per carry with no TD’s. He’s too good for that so something is wrong. If the Eagles hold down that rushing attack (and I use the word “attack” lightly), they will force Pennington to throw the ball and that should lead to some picks.
-On offense, the guy to watch is Leon Washington. If you don’t know who he is, hope and pray that you don’t learn it on Sunday. That will mean that he busted a long one. This guy has speed to burn and I’ve seen him do some serious damage with big plays. Oh, and he return kicks too.
-On defense, keep an eye on safety Kerry Rhodes. He is quietly becoming a top safety in the league and he can be problems.
-In the secondary, the Eagles need to exploit rookie cornerback Darrelle Revis. He’s talented for sure, but he’s not afraid to screw up. He’s still young and the Eagles need to jump on that. The problem is that I’m not sure if the WR’s are good enough to do that.
-Sports radio is filled with complaints about LB Jonathan Vilma in the 3-4 defense. He’s more suited to the 4-3, and hasn’t been as effective in the 3-4. He’s still good, though, and I talked to Greg Buttle (former Jet, now does a lot of Jets radio) about this. Buttle says that it doesn’t matter and he’ll be fine. Let’s hope he isn’t fine against the Eagles, because this guy can play.
-Another guy accused of being miscast is nose tackle Dewayne Robertson, a former first-round pick. One of the keys of the 3-4 is to have that big nose tackle manning the middle. Patriots NT Vince Wilfork told the NY Daily News last month,"if you don't have size and strength, you're in bad shape, If you're standing still, two-gapping all the time, you're going to wear down by the third and fourth quarter." You know what that means, Andy? There should be plenty of second-half running. Wear this guy down.
micahw@feverpitchmedia.com
