The Eagles find themselves with a 4-3 record. The offense has played very well in certain games, while they’ve struggled during contests. Here are my grades for the skill players on the Eagles offense.
Quarterbacks
Michael Vick – Vick played great in the Green Bay game, when he came in and almost led them to a comeback win. He also played great in the Detroit and Jacksonville games. In the Washington game, I thought he failed to get the offense going, until his final drive when he got hurt. (A)
Kevin Kolb – Kolb was terrible in the first game of the season against the Green Bay Packers. He came back against the Redskins and did a decent job. He played well against the 49ers, then played great against the Falcons. Kolb struggled in his final start against the Titans. (B-)
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy – As far as I’m concerned, McCoy has been the Offensive MVP for the team so far this season. He’s the Eagles leading rusher and his 38 catches are the most on the team. McCoy has averaged 4.5 yards per carry while running for 477 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns. (A)
Owen Schmitt – He’s been a pleasant surprise. Schmitt has shown a good pair of hands and tremendous blocking ability. He’s caught (B)
Tight Ends
Brent Celek – He played at a Pro Bowl level last year but he hasn’t performed at that level this year. Celek has been a disappointment with too many dropped passes. He’s caught only 21 catches for 229 yards and two touchdowns. (C)
Garrett Mills – He’s not much of a blocker or a pass receiver. Mills caught two passes for 19 yards. (D)
Wide Receivers
DeSean Jackson – Jackson has had great games versus the Lions, Jaguars and the Falcons. He’s been missing in others when they haven’t been able to get him the football or he didn’t play due to injury. Jackson averaged 20.8 per catch with three touchdowns. (B)
Jeremy Maclin – Maclin has stepped up his game and had an outstanding start of the season. He’s been the team’s most consistent receiver. Maclin already caught 30 passes for 458 yards with 6 of them going for touchdowns. (A)
Jason Avant – He’s had a very good season so far, but hasn’t been able to get into the end zone as of yet. Avant has 24 catches for 240 yards which is a ten yard average. (B)
Riley Cooper – Cooper had a great game versus the Titans, even though he caught only three passes. One of the catches was a great comeback grab and the other was for a touchdown. They’ve got to get him more involved in the second half of the season. (B)
Chad Hall – He’s done a good job as a receiver and a ball carrier. He’s only caught three passes but they were for first downs. (C)
Offensive Line
Mike McGlynn -He struggled with the adjustment calls when he was first made the starter, but he’s improved. McGlynn is a very good run blocker, but has room for improvement as a pass blocker. The mistake against the Titans cost us the game. (C)
Todd Herremans – He has played well and is the best offensive lineman on the football team. Herremans has the ability to pull and get out in front running backs or he can overpower defensive tackles. (B)
Max Jean-Gilles – He has been up and down with his performances. Jean-Gilles is limited in his mobility and can’t block quick defensive tackle, but he is very strong at the point of attack. (C)
Winston Justice – He’s played somewhat consistent at the right tackle spot. Justice isn’t a great pass blocker or run blocker, but he doesn’t make the costly mistakes. He’s got to get better and not need help on every good defensive end. (C)
Jason Peters – He’s played very poorly during the time when he was healthy enough to play. Peters hurt the team by jumping offsides and holding during key situations. His level of play was unacceptable. (D)
You pretty much hit it on the head G. I agree with you about Cooper. He needs to be on the field. He is a playmaker and has a swagger about him. Cooper, Jackson and Maclin should be the starting 3. Celek has been a big dissapointment. Maybe he needs to cut down on his appearances and focus on football. He had a loud opinion about the McNabb issue. He needs to worry about his job. If he isnt catching balls hes useless b/c he cant block. Clay Harbour is that bad? Hell they were saying how damn good he was in training camp. Now he cant even suit up on game days? Love Owen Schmidt nice player. I dont know J Peters contract situation but this is his 3rd year of not very good football. When is it time to cut your losses? I dont need to see anymore. Things arent gonna change. He cant continue to kill this team.
Good stuff G and on target
I would agree with most of your assements except for TE
QB – Vick a “B +”, and Kolb a solid “B”
RB – McCoy a B + , Schmitt a B and the traded M Bell a “D”
WR – Maclin a B + , D-JAx, Avant both solid “B’s”, Cooper & Hall as “C” for their few opportunities
TE – Celek a D in my book, he’s dropped many passes which has stalled many drives, his blocking has taken a step back and it appears that he’s lost a 1/2 step.. In the Spring, eveyone was pumped about the TE Corp with Celek,Ingram and Harbor, now it’s probably the weakest postion on the team and has no one who can really run or put pressure on the Opposing Teams Defense.. This Postion needs to be addressed big time for next year..
The O/Line
Center – McGlynn – a C+ – after a shaky start, is playing some solid ball and brings a physical/nastiness to the O/Line, a very good future
RG – MJG – a C + and again after a little slow start is really starting to gel nicely with the OL
RT – W Justice – a solid B , has been the most consistent OL all season, notice how little you ever his his name called (very few blown assignments of penalties, improved pass protection and actually should be considered for the Pro-Bowl)
LG – T Herremans – C + , consistent as usual, but has had his share of penalties this season,
With the continued foot/ankle injuries, has lost a little of his quickness and lateral movement he used to have and bears watching as the season progresses
LT – J Peters – D – is consistently inconsistent, doesn’t line-up properly a few times a game which is inexcusable, his holding penalties and is simply nowehere worth the $$$ that he is paid and the fact the Eagles gave up a 1st Rd Draft and more to obtain him just boggles the mind.. At times, he looks awesome, especially in run blocking or out on screens, at other times, he appears lazy and uninspired and simply going thru the motions (he needs to be moved/traded after the season for he’s a bad seed,and influence for the rest of the OL)
Other O/L
N Cole – “D” Came into camp is poor shape (wehen he knew he was counted on to play CEnter for the injured J Jackson), then injured his knee and it appears that it is a recurring problem where his has lost his anchor,his quickness and his ability to contribute ( I think he will also be released after the season)
R Wells – “D” I can’t beleive that a 6-7-8 year Vet would have this hard of a time picking up a new Offense as far as playing along the O/Line goes (which has been the standard response by AR about his playing status) He looked ok in the one game he played,where he took over for MJG, but appears not to have much of a future for the Eagles
K Dunlap — “B” Has looked very good and active during his time playing and filling in for Peters,
Still a little raw, but plays aggressive and as he gets more experience, could be starter for this team or someone else in the NFL. His hard work and determination are really paying off and his progress reminds me a lotof how W Justice came along
A Howard — “Incomplete” – has seen any real game action yet, but after a great camp, appears to have a lot of upside
I can envision an OL like this for 2011 and beyond
LT – Dunlap LG- Herremans C- McGlynn RG- MJG RT- W Justice
I could also see WJ moving to RG and A Howard starting a RT down the road
Trade Peters and probably receive a 3rd Rd & 4th Pick in return which is the best they will get..
Re-sign J Jackson to be back-up Center, and keep either Cole or Wells and then Draft a couple of OL
I also agree about Cooper getting more playing time,
D-Jax can come out on some plays and especially in Red-Zone stiautions where D-Jax is too small and just doesn’t have much room to operate. Once iIn the Red-Zone, I would like to see Maclin,Avant and Cooper all lined up as the WR’s to match their size,strength for the tight areas where they will have to operate in get D-Jax off the field
Also it would be better to have Maclin,Avanta & Cooper too for they are all better blokers from the WR position which is real important in short-yardage & red-zone situations again where D-Jax is not that effective
Hahahahaha, the Cowboys are getting blasted! AGAIN!!!!!! If they go 3-13, I do not care if we go 6-10.
To AS,
I enjoy the Cowboys losing as much as everybody else, but since they are out of the playoff picture already, I am more concerned with other NFC teams competing with the Eagles like the Redskins,Giants,Packers,Bears, Saints,Bucs,Cardinals,etc,etc.. It’s about the Eagles making the playoffs which is right in front of them.
Big Win by the Packers and big Loss by the Redskins
I see D McNabb had another stellar game today, have a key INT midway thru the 4th Period which
Detroit converted into points to take the lead, I also see he was sacked and injured at the end of the game and was replaced by R Grossman who was sacked on the next play from scrimmage allowing the lIns N Suh to pu teh fumble and rumble for a 16 yard TD to put the game away…
My hunch is that McNabb will not be offered a contract extension by the Redskins and he will become a free agent after this season and most likely move onto Arizona Cardinals for 2011, but his stock as a top-flight QB has been diminished for he has not had a very good season any way you look at it and if you keep him in the pocket, he’s actually below average
Eagles got a good deal in moving him with a 3rd Rd Pick (N Allen) and most likely a 5th Rd pick in next years draft.. moving forward, Viavk appears to be an upgrade at QB over McnAbb and at this point of the season I would rather even have Kolb as my QB than McNabb ..
Whoah there Silva slow it down a little bit buddy. I agree with the Cowboys gettin blasted and all, but 6-10 for us isn’t acceptable. I understand the demise of the cowboys is a great feeling b/c I’m with ya on that, but lets hope we make it to the playoffs and more. One game at a time guys, one game at a time! By the way the skins also lost and “Nabby got Yanked”.
I understand what you are saying, the NFC is collapsing as we all watch. Anything is possible, and I suppose the Birds can be players at the end of the season. But the joy I feel at the pathetic exhibition of so-called football down in Jerryworld is sublime. I am a bit torn as to the issues with our old QB. If he plays well, we get a better conditional draft pick next year. But it is amusing to learn that there are already calls in DC for Grossman to be the starter. As the Alice in Wonderland says “curiouser and curiouser.” You are correct, Nate Allen appears to be a ery nice benefit of the trade with the Skins. The old must go away, bring in the new.
To AS, Re: The McNabb Deal,
The Eagles basically would get a 4th Rd Pick if Redskins make the playoffs and if McNabb plays in so many games,etc,etc. The Eagles would get a 5th Rd pick if the Redskins do not make the playoffs
I rather the Redskins not make the Playoffs and Eagles get a 5th Rd pick in return, then see him and the Redskins make the playoffs because if they make the playoffs, that most likely means the Eagles wouldn’t make it..
make the playoffs
I did not recall what rounds the picks would be, and I am too lazy to Google it. Still, a 2nd a 5th for a player that may well be moving on from the Skins at the end of the year is not terrible. I wonder if he will like Minny in the winter. As an aside, today was the 1st day I really got to watch a lot of other teams play without interruptions. If anybody thinks Kolb will not get us at LEAST a 2nd round pick, they have rocks in their head. Qback play in the league is horrific. Now, gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I have a ribeye with my name on it.
To AS,
I think I erred,
If the Redskins make the Playoffs, and McNabb plays in certain amount of games and hits certain #’s
then it becomes a 3rd Rd in 2011 Draft.
If Redskins don’t make playoffs and McNabb fails to hit certain #’s, then it becomes a 4th Rd pick in 2011
Yea the conditional pick is either a 3rd or 4th. so the worst we can do is get a 2nd and a 4th for the Mcnabb deal…
Mcnabb lost to the lions today, the trade is looking better each week.
HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Hey Scorp..Same shit, different year!,,Your lover McNabb is tearing it up in Washington…Let them deal with the bullshit, melodramitic scene for a change…God, I am glad we got rid of him despite people like you who said we were idiots…No..Your the idiot!!! Get a clue dude..This guy is awful and drama is his bag…
Not only did the Redskins lose and McNabb play not very well (as he has most of the season)
He was axtually benched in 2-3 minutes left in favor of Rex Grossman who on the very next play,as pressured and fumbled in which th eLions D (N Suh) picked up and ran it back for a TD to ice the game for the Lions… The Redskins will not extend his contract and he will move on next year..
The word in DC is that Shannahan doesn not feel that McNabb is bright enough to pick-up his offense and simply does not have the accuracy to be a pure pocket passer which is what Shanahan’s system is based on.. McNabb will be an Arizona Cardinal next year
Does anyone have any inside scoop on if Celek is hurt or not? He has looked just ‘off” at times this year. I was wondering the same thing about Hobbs also. I’ll always love Sheldon Brown for his hit on Reggi Bush but we all saw him play hurt and not play well at times last year.
That is crazy about McNabb. Shanahan shows a lack of intelligence for not knowing that for sure before he brought McNabb in. Duh! I could see making a mistake when drafting a QB, but there’s know way they should have traded for him if they aren’t going to use him. And Haynesworth is making so much that why the hell not play him too? What a dumbass.
I always thought Shanahan was overrated as a coach and if it wasn’t for RB Terrell Davis,
he would have not won those Super Bowls with or without John Elway in my opinion…
But He definitely has a way of alienating players 1st A Haynewsorth, then C Portis, and now McNabb.
He likes to have “Yes” people/coaches/staff to surround him to tell what a “Genius” he is and you look at his last 4-5 years at Denver when he had Dual Title of GM/Coach and had complete authority, he ran that Franchise right into the groud with some horrible draft picks,free agent signing, firing Def/Coordiantors almost every year… I bet he doesn’t last 3 Seasons with the Redskins..
I know its only the probowl, but last year’s game was the moment when I was convinced the Birds should trade McNabb.
He was beyond horrible. 3 for 10 with a pick. And he threw a pick 6 but it was called back on a D penalty. He bounced at least 2 more right off defenders chests. In the probowl when no one is even trying. Rodgers had just gone 13 of 16 or something before him.
I remember thinking, “Wow. He’s really finished. He’s terrible.” I’ve watched the Skins a lot this year, and except for the first Q vs the Birds and a couple of long bombs, he’s been terrible. He’s also had the ball in his hands 4x in the 4th with a chance to win or tie and is 0-4. Not that surprising that Shanahan didn;t give him his 5th try.
He went a long way with his legs. I think he’s taken such a beating over the years that his legs are done like an RB in his 30s. He’s just not a good QB anymore.
Also one of the reasons I am not a fan of the scramblers….when that goes……
I meant 3x…..
Wow, i am looking at this thread, we have to rein it in. It is turning into another position paper on our old qb, which I think it is safe to say, it a topic that has been beaten to death three times over. That being said, my only real problem with him was he sems to be playing his 4th year in the league over and over and over. There was a point at which his growth stopped, his accuracy did not improve further, his game management did not improve, he just stalled out. That is why I thought he would be better off in a new city with a new opportunity. That is my last last comment on him, I wish him well in life, and on the football field in the areas in which it benefits the Eagles. But really, we all need to let it/him go.
Oh please stop with the soap boxes. Is this the same McNabb who got Jackson and Celek to the pro bowl last year or did they throw the balls to themselves? Is this the McNabb that set the most points in a season record? Washingtons oline sucks, there running backs suck and there recievers suck. What do you expect? We knew that coming in. Thats all the more reason to be embarrassed that the Eagles lost at home to Washington.
Anderson his 4th year in the league he was taking the Eagles to multiple championship games and multiple pro bowls so thats not such a bad thing. People talk about what McNabb cant do. 35,000 yards 200 tds and counting. 6 pro bowls and counting. For guy who isnt very accurate it always amazes me how he has these numbers. Hes gonna be a terrible qb right into Canton.
I never said he was not a quality qb. I think his growth ceased, for whatever reason. Why that is we will never know. I expected him to be better in his 7th year than he was at 5, but I continued to see the same missed passes, hesitancy to throw into certain areas and a lack of touch throwing into holes in a zone defense. He certainly had strengths, a strong tough and durable man. He could throw it as far as a receiver could run, rarely turned the ball over. Those are all admirable traits in a franchise qb, which he was indeed. But I never saw him become the field general that this team appeared to need to win on the biggest stage. This is precisely the debate I did not want to encourage in any way. Its over. He is gone. He does not play here any longer. The only real interest I have in him is how his play this season affects the Eagles draft next year. He is just another player who came here, played a sport and did not deliever us a championship. Lindros, Iverson, etc. They come and they go, once they are gone, they need to be forgotten.