All season, the Eagles have proven that they can blow people out and that they can gut out the close ones.¬† Now, they’ve proven that they can thoroughly stink up the joint for an entire half, blow a 17-point lead late and still get the W.¬† Impressive.
The Cowboys kept pace in the division and next week’s game will be for the NFC East down in Dallas.¬† In the meantime, let’s check out the game:
What I liked…
-The offense in the first half looked phenomenal.¬† There was a time when we were watching and we all felt that there was no way they could be stopped.¬† They did what they wanted, when they wanted.¬† Unfortunately, it didn’t last.
-I will man up here.¬† I said before that they should just shut Brian Westbrook down for the season.¬† He had concussion issues and hasn’t looked like himself for more than an entire calendar year.¬† Well, it looks like the rest did his legs some good.¬† I was very impressed by the jump in his step.¬† I liked how he was used sparingly and look forward to him being a nice little weapon in the post-season.¬† Ever remember a time when getting Westbrook back was found money?¬† Me neither.¬† It used to be the difference between being very good and not being competitive.¬† This is an excellent offense.
-DeSean Jackson changes games.¬† Even when it’s not all about him, it’s all about him.¬† Go ahead, take him away.¬† Put the clamps on him.¬† Now, pick one of these other six guys you want to shred your defense.¬† Choice is yours.¬† I’ll wait.
-Jeremy Maclin is not just some speed guy.¬† This guy is a legit wide receiver.¬† He catches everything with his hands and showed incredible body control on the sideline at the end of the game.¬† This guy can play the position.¬† The only team that might have the corners to deal with these two on the outside is the Bengals.¬† I love the pairing of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph.¬† But the Eagles only play them once every four years.¬† And it’s not a given that those two could deal with Maclin and DeSean anyway.
-You have to be impressed with Champ Bailey.¬† He ran stride for stride with DeSean all day on the deep routes.¬† This is the closest I’ve seen any corner come to running with 10.¬† It’s a shame that the Eagles and Jets always play in the fourth preseason game with no starters.¬† I want to see Revis tangle with DeSean.
-Am I the only one that likes Tracy White?¬† Should he be starting?¬† Probably not, but I’m so soured on the rest of the linebackers out there that they might as well put him in the game more.¬†
-Sheldon Brown has been a very good corner for a long time.¬† He’s taking his game to a new level.¬† How big was that pass breakup down the left sideline when Orton was looking for Brandon Marshall?¬† How many corners make that play against a very big and very talented Brandon Marshall?¬†
-Someone get Trent Cole some help.  This guy is a stud and he could use a little help over here.
-I’m back to taking David Akers for granted.¬† He was a little shaky at times over the past few seasons, but no more.¬† He’s fine and Eagles fans should be thrilled to have him.¬† Ask the Cowboys and Redskins if they’d want him right now.¬†
…and not so much…
-This section just has to start with Macho Harris.¬† I’m trying to remember an Eagles game where one player had such a negative impact on a game (QB not included.¬† Poor QB play will ruin any team).¬† Asante Samuel picks off a pass and takes it to the 50-yard line.¬† Great!¬† No, not so great.¬† While you can argue that Harris was doing his job assuming that the Broncos receiver catches that ball, the rules are the rules.¬† Are rules fair to defensive players?¬† Of course not.¬† Not even close.¬† But it is what it is.¬† I think the Eagles ended up snapping the ball four yards into their own end zone, but I couldn’t tell for sure.¬† So the Broncos score and Harris returns the kickoff.¬† Nothing better than compounding a dumb penalty with a fumble deep in your own territory.¬† And then to fumble another one after that?¬† Check his pay stubs and make sure the name “Denver Broncos” isn’t printed on there somewhere.
-This offensive line was not good at all.¬† And then to lose Jackson for the season doesn’t help things at all.¬† I saw Robert Ayers and Elvis Dumervil just abuse Jason Peters.¬† The McNabb fumble in the first half was especially bad.¬† Just abused.
-I was baffled by the offense in the second half.  What was going on?  Everything grinded to a complete halt.
-If the team isn’t concerned about Sav Rocca moving forward then I don’t know what to say.¬† Yes, sometimes the offense goes into a funk.¬† It happens.¬† There are times when you need your punter to bail you out.¬† I just don’t trust him whatsoever.¬† I want consistency out of my punter, not “let’s roll the dice and see what happens.”¬† I smell a training camp competition.
-LeSean McCoy….please listen to me.¬† Or listen to someone.¬† Anything.¬† Something.¬† Stop holding the ball so far away from your body.¬† You have been very lucky so far.¬† You simply cannot live like this in the NFL.¬† I don’t know when exactly, but it will bite you and the team in the rear end at a bad time.¬†¬†
-What was Brandon Stokely thinking?  I think someone is getting a FedEx envelope in his locker this week.
