So, the Eagles wrapped up the 2007 season at 8-8. It’s a bittersweet end to the season; the team played very well down the stretch,
yet had screwed up too many times prior to this week to get themselves into the playoffs. This team is playing well enough to compete with anyone on any given Sunday. Not saying they would; they could. Let’s look at Sunday’s season finale:
What I liked:
-Donovan McNabb did a little extra. 29/41 for 345, 1 TD and 1 INT. No one was thrilled with the costly pick, but he threw seven all season, so I’ll give him a break. Where are the McNabb haters now? He completed almost 71% of his passes against the Bills. Sure, their secondary is hurt and wretched, but he can only play against the guys that are out there. He avoided a sack and fired a dart to Greg Lewis. He dropped a beautiful 30-yard ball right behind the coverage to Westbrook. The thought of this guy leaving town makes my stomach turn.
So let’s look at his season: He threw for 3,324 yards in 14 games. The last time I checked, that’s a nice season. 19 TD’s and seven INT’s is efficiency. He’s never had monster TD pass numbers, so this number doesn’t seem terribly low to me. If I’ve added my numbers from the Bills game correctly, he finished the season with a 61.5% completion percentage, which isn’t bad either. Are these career-year numbers for McNabb? Of course not, but the way people talked about him all season, you wouldn’t expect to be looking at these type stats.
-Brian Westbrook is on a different planet. He sat most of the second half, but he was dynamite again when he was in there. I’m not going to sit here and do another “oh how I love thee, let me count thy ways” paragraph. I’ve done that all year. Let’s think of it this way: Who would you take over him? Ladainian Tomlinson….and? That list is getting shorter every week. Adrian Peterson would probably spark a debate.
-I liked that Winston Justice looks better on the right side (more on that later). He looked better than he did against the Giants, but I looked better than he did that game and I didn’t leave the couch. Yes, he made mistakes. Yes, he missed some plays. But, compared to what I thought he might be, he actually showed that he might be able to play.
-Reggie Brown has finished the season pretty well. He seems to be playing much better. He caught 5 balls for 83 yards. Based on what I’ve seen him do in previous games, I’ll take that.
-The defense didn’t allow a TD. Sure, I still don’t think they make enough big plays, but if you hold a team to nine points, chances are you are going to win. This defense hits people too. They laid the wood several times on Sunday afternoon. Love watching those hits.
-Speaking of hits, you have to love Sav Rocca’s violent tackle of Roscoe Parrish. He seemed generally angry with Parrish for having the audacity to return a punt. Anyone get thoughts of John Teltschik? For those that don’t remember Teltschik, he punted for the Eagles from 1986-1989. If there was a Buddy Ryan punter, it was Teltschik. Most kickers and punters take awkward dives at a player’s legs when they have to try to make a tackle. Not Teltschik. He would go face first into the guy’s chest. That was great to watch. Such a tough nut, and so is Rocca. These Aussie rules guys aren’t messing around. I remember a story about former-Charger punter Darren Bennett when he came into the league. He would punt the ball and sprint down ahead of the coverage to make a tackle. They had to tell him that he’s supposed to stay back. How can you not love a tough punter?
-I think I like Brent Celek, but not really as a starter. He think he could become a really nice #2 tight end. I’d probably rather have a better athlete as the #1.
-Juqua Thomas really seemed to get after it this week (man, I’m starting to sound like Andy Reid). He was very active and chased Bills QB Trent Edwards all day.
-Speaking of Edwards, I like the kid. He’s a rookie QB who, despite paltry numbers, made some veteran decisions. 16/30 for 133 yards and no TD’s won’t make anyone forget about Jim Kelly anytime soon, but he had Eagles in his face for most of the afternoon. But he didn’t doing anything stupid and throw balls up for grabs. He made some very mature decisions to throw balls away and not turn plays into disasters. He’s not great and he’s a rookie, but they may have something to work with in Buffalo. JP Losman, that thump sound is the sound of the door hitting you in the rear end.
…and not so much:
-I didn’t like that as soon as Westbrook left the game, there was nowhere to run.
-I didn’t like that Winston Justice was filling in a right tackle. I would love to know what the Eagles’ coaches plan to do with him. He is clearly still acclimating to the NFL level and can’t be confused by playing left and right tackle. He seems to be more comfortable on the right side. Fine. Leave him there.
-Overall, just too much pressure on Donovan.
-Are you serious with these kick and punt returns? I can’t really complain about Reno Mahe because he doesn’t make mistakes. But he doesn’t scare anyone either. This has to be addressed in the offseason. And those kickoff returns Sunday were just dreadful.
-I wish Chris Gocong was faster. He doesn’t get to the edge quick enough for me. Just let the guy put his hand down and find someone else to play linebacker. He’s not awful at all, but you could upgrade.
-I don’t like when I look down the individual stats of the Eagles defense and see all “0’s” in sacks, forced fumbles and INT’s.
-You know what I don’t like? These advertisers and sponsors ruining the holidays. I can’t listen to another Christmas song. If I see one more guy surprise his wife with a diamond from Kay Jewelers in some ridiculously awkward moment, I’m going to break my television. Guy buying his wife a brand new Lexus? Are you serious? What planet do these people live on? I heard one ad on the radio that said to come on down to their automall and get all the cars that are on your friends’ lists. Ummm….what? Get my friend a car? I’m sorry, but if you get someone an HDTV, they better be doing somersaults. But…a car? Maybe I’m rude to my friends, but it’s more like “hey, here is a Judas Priest mirror that I won at a local fair for throwing a ball in a basket.” Christmas is a full-on commercial event now and it seems to be getting worse every year. I feel bludgeoned and bloodied at this point.
Ok, that was a tangent. Happy Holidays to all of GCobb.com Land and have a happy and safe new year!
