It’s still very difficult to get an exact read on how good this Eagles team is, because they’ve played such lousy teams lately.¬† But that said, they still mopped up the Bucs 33-14
at the Linc on Sunday.
I would have to lean towards the Eagles being a pretty good team because they won by a decent margin while not remotely playing their best football.¬† Let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-Ok, ok.¬† I get it.¬† While I did preface my previous statements about Maclin with “I know it’s still early,” I have in the past said that I wanted to see something.¬† Anything.¬† Something to show why you were a top pick.¬† Well, hats off to Maclin.¬† I wasn’t even looking to see all that.¬† Six catches for 142 yards and 2 TD’s?¬† And almost caught a 49-yard pass at the end from Vick?¬† Yikes.¬† I was just looking for a flash of his ability, not a thorough domination.¬† But he delivered.¬† This is why he was a high draft pick.¬† I will leave him alone now.¬† I admit when I’m wrong.
-With all the NFL teams that can’t find one QB to play even halfway decent football, the Eagles have three that could play if need be.¬† Donovan came back and put on a show.¬† 16-21 for 264 and three TD’s.¬† That’ll fly.
-With the day Maclin had, Donovan coming back strong, Westbrook coming back, the emergence of Brent Celek, LeSean McCoy being ok but not spectacular, DeSean still there to hurt you, and Leonard Weaver….how many ways can this offense do damage?¬† This is a lot of weapons.¬†
-Great play by Abiamiri on his bull rush of Davin Joseph to force the fumble and get the sack on Josh Johnson.  Manhandled him.
-I like Josh Johnson.¬† I give this kid credit.¬† They were in his face all day and he made some great throws in the face of the rush.¬† Sure, he made some mistakes but that’s more than expected.¬† How about his receivers help him a lick?
-How good is Akers?¬† Remember a couple years ago when the “bring in competition for Akers” chatter was starting?¬† Well, I think we are going back to taking him for granted.¬† Leg looks as strong as ever.
-Andy Reid continues to dominate after the bye.  You have to give him credit there.
-Asante and Sheldon got some very important turnovers.
-This Tampa team is not nearly as bad as I thought.¬† They just do stupid things that they aren’t talented enough to overcome.¬† When it’s early, Raheem, you just take the points.¬† You were only down seven.¬† Three potential field goals were wasted.¬† That nine points would have changed the complexion of the game.¬† There are dreadful teams and there are dreadful-with-hope teams.¬† I think the Bucs are dreadful with hope.¬† They do have some players out there.¬† Not many, but some.
-Wow they brought a lot of heat.  Fun to watch.
-You have to like that the Cowboys Рdespite getting the win in OT Рstruggled with the lowly Chiefs.  And the Redskins?  What are they doing?  These games will not be anywhere near as easy as the Bucs and the Chiefs games were for the Eagles.  But you have to think they should win those.
-I dig Brent Celek.¬† Anyone else notice that he has a confidence and swagger about him now?¬† It’s somewhat subtle, but he used to have this “hey look what I just did!” look on his face in the past when he made a nice play.¬† Now, it seems like he expects those things out of himself and that’s a good thing.¬† This guy is becoming a baller.
…and not so much…
-You have got to be kidding me with all of these terrible penalties.¬† How many drives did they keep alive because of stupid penalties?¬† Just awful.¬† I can’t think of those in the context of this game.¬† They are good enough to overcome those against Tampa Bay.¬† I always think, ‘what if they did this against the Giants?’¬† Not good.¬†
-Tampa Bay’s WR play was inexcusable.¬† Help the kid out!¬†
-The Eagles defense still does not cover TE’s well.¬† I guess we just have to live with that.¬† It’s been this way for a while.
-I don’t like seeing Donovan take those hits.¬† I know, I know…it’s football.¬† Still, I wished he threw the ball away on the play where he got his arm caught.
-Seriously?¬† This is the Wildcat?¬† Dump it!¬† It does nothing and if this is what the Eagles think they need to do to run the ball effectively, they can just fold up the tents and go home now.¬† It’s not effective, it doesn’t scare anyone and it just wastes plays.¬† I’m sure we haven’t seen all of their ideas, but I thought they’d be better than this with it.¬†
-Stop handing the ball off to DeSean.  He is not big and will get crushed one day. 
-Why is Westbrook still in the game with four minutes left in a blowout?¬† Was Eldra Buckley busy with something on the sidelines?¬† I guess he didn’t need the reps.
-Tampa Bay is simply atrocious when it comes to giving up the big play.  When we talk about how certain teams match up well with others, a team that gives up big plays does not match up well with the Eagles at all.  Absolutely torched back there.
-Can someone please help Sav Rocca get the ball out quicker?  You can measure his windup and release with a calendar. 
-Gaines Adams is pretty close to an unmitigated bust.  4th-overall pick in 2007 and he just gives you nothing. 
And now it’s off to Oakland to face a very tough Raider team.¬† They have a great coach (who would never do something stupid like commit felony assault on a fellow member of the coaching staff), a winning, hard-working QB, and an extremely dangerous first-round pick at WR who does everything incredibly well except catch the football.¬† If the Eagles win this game by less than 20 points, I’ll be concerned moving forward.¬†
