I’ve had Eagles fans asking me why Birds rookie guard Danny Watkins played last night but center Jason Kelce didn’t play. They wondered whether it was because Watkins asked to play or because Kelce did not.
Eagles head coach Andy Reid let us know after the game, that he was going to have Watkins play whether he wanted to or not. I think Kelce is ahead of Watkins and obviously, Reid and his staff believe the same thing.
“I just wanted to give him a little extra time, with the lockout and the holdout,” Reid said after the game. “I thought he needed that. He wanted to work, so that was a plus, there.”
He’s definitely struggling with his pass blocking. He’s a much better run blocker right now than he is a pass blocker. Watkins wants be a mauler like a slugging prize fighter, who slugs it out, but the Eagles pass more than they run, so he’s going to need to learn to dance more than maul defenders. I think he’s needs to improve his footwork.
Watkins didn’t shine in the game against the Jets’ backups. He was inconsistent and I think it’s a reason for concern. On one play he was mauling a defensive tackle on a running play, but the next play, he was getting beaten by a backup defensive tackle as he was trying to protect Vince Young.
I don’t see how the Birds are going to leave Watkins without help when they play some of the league’s better pass rushing defensive tackles. It’s also worth pointing out that most of the defenses in the league have defensive ends line up at defensive tackle on third downs so they can apply pressure on the quarterback.
This will make Watkins’ pass blocking job even tougher. Teams don’t normally help the guards because it’s much easier to pass block at guard than at tackle. If they give Watkins help it will mean they can’t help the tackles with the guy they’re blocking.
As far as I’m concerned, if you have to help a guard, then that player shouldn’t be on the field, because that means you can’t help the tackles.
Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will have to come up with a game plan to help the young guard get his man blocked.
G, I saw Watkin’s performance the same as you did. He seems to lack quickness and is akward. I don’t see how he is going to improve his footwork and quickness to such an extent, that he will become a reliable starter. There is no comparison with him and Pouncey of the Steelers.
The way it looks now, he is headed for a game like Justice’s game againt the Giants a couple of years ago.
If we ran the football this wouldn’t be such a concern. As usual the problem roots in the Reids philosophy and play calling.
When you really look at it…this makes perfect sense.
It would really take us all by surprise if Reid actually drafted a top pass protector with the first round pick instead of a linemen who stregth is run blocking.
What you expect?
We are a mauling, running, smash mouth……damn I’m sorry.
That’s the steelers
Anyway….We thought he was suspect from the beginning….He is suspect but we’ll hold on to him for a few years like justice, just so Reid can not look like a bumbling idiot.
This Watkins guy was a reach in the 1st round. Do anyone disagree with that?
On another note, After last nights game i hope we can all put to rest who the backup QB should be, VY has really progressed in the past week, I know it was against a second team but he was a starter in this league which is something Kafka cant say plus who did he ever play against since hes been in the league? Thats right, 2nd n 3rd stringers ! Case closed !
If and when the Eagles cut Trevor Laws, All of you who joined me in criticizing these stupid bastards for not drafting Jeff Otah in 2008 will be justified. I don’t know if any of you remember that draft but I do, just like I’m going to remember this years draft. Why we didn’t draft a tackle is beyond me. Someone needs to revoke Andy Reid’s first 3 picks and hand the reigns over to someone who knows what the hell they’re doing, and for anyone to point out Djax and McCoy and Maclin those were so blatantly obvious picks I could have done it with my eyes closed. Djax and McCoy shouldn’t have even been on the board in the second round.
Maybe we’ll get lucky with this old fart when herremans drops in beside him but still. We could have herremans at left guard still or right guard and have drafted an OT this year. I don’t care who it was, Gabe Carimi … or whoever they liked. I just don’t understand wtf these guys are doing in the war room on draft day. It’s like they’re all drunk and throwing darts at players.
wjat i dont understand is that why dont we start reggie wells until watkins is ready to start? we have a reliable guard that has played a signifcant time in the nfl. he is a proven veteran. let him start and in the meantime let mudd work with watkins until the kid is ready to start.
what i dont understand is that why dont we start reggie wells until watkins is ready to start? we have a reliable guard that has played a signifcant time in the nfl. he is a proven veteran. let him start and in the meantime let mudd work with watkins until the kid is ready to start.
on a side note: the kicking team looked really good. letting akers go was a smart move for the superbowl run.
another bust in round #1 by Andy…. everyone saw this coming… he was a 26yr old playing against college kids…no wonder he dominated…. now his true talent shows…. BUST
@runtheball09 – agree..
the kicking game will cost the Eagles at last 2 games this season.
Henry hit a 50 yd FG, you fools need to calm the F down.
And once again, Andy Reid doesn’t draft “busts” — look back at the history of Andy Reid’s first round picks and you’ll see 4 pro bowlers with a strong possibility of 5 with Maclin this year. Get some facts before spewing out moronic statements.
Do you guys want to see 1 regular season game before you jump off the Ben Franklin?
@bugsy — I just don’t get it with the clowns that come on here. It’s like they love negativity. I just read another article that said Watkins looked good and only made a couple minor mistakes It’s all up to interpretation. The kid is a rookie, 26 yrs old or not, this is his first professional action. Let him prove himself. I would understand if he signed a 10 yr 120 million dollar contract and was a veteran but goodness, can we see him play over the course of the season before the boo birds come out? The majority of Eagles fans FROM Philadelphia are knowledgable and don’t think like these internet fans do, so I’m glad about that……but it still amazes me.
He was hesitant on some plays and needs to work on that footwork.Good point G about if he needs help get em off the field. He is certainly not a bust or bad pick by any standards. Bottomline…lack of ota’s and his game right now isnt pass blocking everydown.Can he get it done week 1.I think so and we’lll get outta there with a dub.
Big game from SHady.
Erocks how do they cut list….
Phill Hunt..dude is the next D-BURG.
Eldra Buckly…tuff s.o.b….mudder type back..his mudder was a mudder
Hargrove…great pass rush and hunger for another shot at a title…swagger on d-line.
Landri….beast
Laws…experience in system and played great last year.
can somebody tell me what should I expect from a rookie with less than one month of work..?
Bird…he did nail that like a carpenter!!!
I love Philip Hunt.
Some consistency on one faucet of his game. Want too.
Im starting a Eagles fanhelp hotline…Ill chat with you for aminute about the game and bring you down off the ledge.Ill also be leaving positive messages and thoughts thoughout the day…# is…555-erock….HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Watkins is not a bust. He seems like he is lost in the scheme and is always in the wrong position. But whatever the case, I definitely think he should be put on the bench until he learns. He is going to get Vick killed. I really think that any of our veteran backup Guards could do a better job at this point. Watkins is giving way too many free passes to the backfield.
jott- I love your quote “everyone saw this coming”. That cracks me up because it implies that “everyone” saw the Eagles draft Watkins, and then thought “that kid is gonna stink it up in the preseason his rookie year”. Ha, it’s so ridiculous to think that ANYBODY was thinking about the preseason when evaluating a draft pick before he plays an NFL game. Oh wait, by ‘this’ you are talking bout what you are sure will happen in the future, not the preseason. So basically, by refering to ‘this’ you are making an ass out of yourself….umption
Vick gets injured because of Watkins –Watkins might as well pack his bags and leave because the fan base will roast him alive
Watkins will be fine, It may take him 1/2 of season, but how many Rookies come in and play at a high level and especially along the OL.. Not too many..
To RTB,
I am with you and stated the same mistake in the Eagles made by not Selecting OT Jeff Otah OR OT Sam Baker in the 2008 Draft instead of trading down and that #18 Overall Pick to the Panthers and have stated this numerous times.. (Otah is a clone of Tra Thomas) quiet,big,long arms and just shuts Defenders down and Bakers has been a 3 year Starter for the Falcons and has done a very solid job..
And worse yet, to compound this mistake, was made again in last year’s decision to move up 11 Spots and trading two 3rd Rounders in the process to Draft DE B Graham when there were very good OT’ s available late in the 1st Round/Early 2nd Round
OT Bulaga was taken at #23 by the Packers
OT R Saffold was taken at #33 by the Rams (who was on my wish list)
I didn’t mind if the Eagles moved up if they selected an impact player like Safety E Thomas (which if they did, then they wouldn’t have had to draft N Allen in the 2nd Round or Jarrett in the 2nd Round this year) and could have addressed other positions but that’s water under the bridge at this point
Rumour mill from the Windy City
Bears LB Lance Briggs wants out and the Bears & Eagles are talking about a trade..
Eagles Send TE B Celek and DT T Laws to the Bears for LB L Briggs and
5th Round PIck in 2012
Paulman. Shutup.
Offensive line looked pretty good when Kafka came in the game. I like the kid Vandervelde I thought he was impressive. Cant use OTA’s against Danny Watkins. No one had OTA’s and some kids are shinning right now. Danny bottom lines needs to produce and he needs to do it fast. We dont have until mid season for him to be effective. I dont want to see 6 games of the regular season where vick is running for his life.
The @$$#OLE, should have been in camp on time!!!! That was precious, needed time, that he missed, in a very short offseason, that has killed him. Nobody ever mentions that. He is going to struggle mightily, all year! Peters-Mathis-Kelce-Watkins-Herramans. Vick better have his Standing Will filled out! The middle of the line is worse & weaker, than last year. I didn’t think that was possible. But it is!
BTW, guys it’s not negatively, it’s reality!!! Deal with it! Don’t live in a world full of denial & delusion! Use your eyes & mind for what they are for, not what you want them or Reid tells you to see. The O-line, LB’s & Safeties, are too young, inexperienced, weak & not good enough! PERIOD!!!
dd – what’s your beef with the safeties – Jarrod Page is experienced and will most likely be starting. Coleman has played OK, and you may have heard of the CBs in the secondary, they greatly affect how the safeties play.
You are itching because week one is around the corner and you don’t have the answers to make you comfortable.
I’ll give you an answer, we are an elite team in every aspect simple as that.
Offense: 27 ppg, added Ronnie Brown, Steve Smith, Donald Lee, Vick studied, Howard Mudd is the best at what he does
Defense: Washburn is the best at what he does and Trent Cole finally has help across the board. Secondary is prime, Coleman looks like a diamond in the rough.
Special Teams: Rocca wasn’t great and Akers choked more times than not in clutch situations in his career. He is a good guy but you need to separate support for production.Henery never choked in College and is money so far and we have never had a mentioned punter. Our coverage and return units are elite.
Questions? Sure, but who doesn’t have them?
Last year’s Super Bowl had 2 of the mediocre OL in the NFL
Eagles: Playoff team, serious contender, great talent and staff.
What you should do: Enjoy the ride and watch how the young players develop. We have a nice combination of young and proven veterans with the youth.
Worried? Not as an Eagles fan.
Worried? Probably as a fan of another NFC East team (like half my friends are) and if I’m a rebuilding team with this shortened offseason.
Chill out, the Packers were not consistent or impressive as a whole last regular season, and the Patriots went undefeated and didn’t get the job done.
So much happens during the year, players breakout and injuries happen. So you adapt.
Once you realize these are grown ass men doing this everyday for a living, and we didn’t pick up James Thrash or Mark Simoneau or other slouches, we added rookies and Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball. Preseason means more to the Bengals and the Lions as opposed to the Eagles and the Patriots.
There is a line of negativity and reality and if you still live in Philly, you don’t realize when you cross it. You actually don’t know the meaning of those 2 words, you combine a part of reality with negativity instilled in a Philadelphia fan. Out ehre in San Diego, everyone is afraid or picking the Eagles, and you guys are uncomfortable with the target and the hype. Make up your damn minds whether you want to build our roster by draft or by trade/free agency. Our staff has you running wild because you can’t get a grasp of everything and choose to poke holes for no reason, when the voids are mostly filled. We’re not going to get 24 starting Pro Bowlers (11-O / 11-D / K & P)
It’s the entire middle of the DF, that I have no faith in, & a problem with. What plays have they made, that gives you the confidence that they are going to be okay !? If your going on blind faith, & what this idiotic coach is telling you, then you are further up that Colon than I thought. Experience means Stugots, if your not good or decent. You can have years of experience in having sex, but what does that mean if you aint any good!? NOTHING, that’s what!!!
My friends that are Cowboys, Giants, Redskins, Packers, Falcons, and Bears fans (all NFC teams fyi and die-hard fans) are all giving Philly more credit than you “Eagles fans”
San Diego may not be the best homer town, and it isn’t by any means, but there are fans of every team out here and I’ll tell you guys one more time, you really act like a teen. Yeah, there will always be an issue or need in a league of parity, but damn even the “hate” I get for my Eagles comes with respect and I’m happy outside this shitty bubble of feedback that people realize how great Andy Reid is and our franchise is in general. Not everyone can win the Super Bowl, only one team and that doesn’t fall on one man or 2 or 3, but a great team and a great staff that trust each other and go all out.
We’re on our way, who’s coming on Eagles flight to the Superbowl this season?
I feel we can/will win every season and the electricity is in the air. I’ll go on this ride alone if I have to, don’t mind me.
DD, just an FYI – I NEVER go on what Andy says. I put 0 stock in what Andy says – EVER becuase he only speaks to honor his contract – I think we all know that he’d do his job without speaking to the media if he had his way.
And as far as confidence – I don’t see why having confidence (from our fan perspective) is relevant at all. I don’t know or think I know what will happen v. the rams or anything beyond. I’m going to watch the game (duh) and we’ll see what happens.
The Eagles may win or lose. We’ll see, why do you have to know/feel confident now?
You know what also sucks, you can bet every post on this site gets detoured and thrown off topic. I try to come on and post about what I just read and there we go, total team breakdown and those same people writing those same premature arguments for the sake of getting their point read for the 50th time and are too impatient to see things happen.
Fair enough Schill, but when you are constantly criticising everybody, & arguing with everyone, who you disagree with, makes you seem like a stepford, mindless, delusional, @$$#OLE, that is towing the company line! Maybe i’m the one who is the delusional, critical, nutbag! But, I highly doubt it!!!
I have the SD Chargers over the NO Saints in this Years Super Bowl
Eagles go 10-6, make the Playoffs but lose on the Road to either the PAckers or Saints in the Diviosnal Round of the Playoffs
DDCar – You all are and stuck in your little circles. Come to Cali and I’ll show you guys what’s up with a change of scenery. You won’t wanna go back and you’ll appreciate your Eagles more!!
paulman: write your own blog or put it somewhere that’s relevant, no one cares about your predictions. or at least wait for someone to ask.
This is concerning the original post about Danny Watkins:
Give the guy at least 4 weeks that count on our record before you give him his progress report grade. When our bye week (week 7) comes around you can give a report card grade for the semester/season.
After that, same with the next 4 games and then a season grade.
Far as any of us know, it takes rookies some time to get acclimated and you hope they grow and we have yet to play a game that matters since our loss to GB in the playoffs (yeah, that’s right playoffs…some of you make it seem like we’re the Browns I swear).
WM, if you hate this site so much, don’t read it, & go somewhere else! What can I tell you!? This is an opinioned, blog website, where we can talk about our teams! If you want patience go become a Buddhist Monk! Guys like you & Schill drive me nuts!! Stop criticising, correcting & reprimanding everybody, that you disagree with! We are all grown ups & you are not our Parents! Go to your own site if you don’t like it!! God almighty!!
DDCar- straight up, you just don’t get it and I can’t wait for you and others to wake up. Grown ups act like it. If you want to be treated like a man then talk like man, it’s that simple buddy.
Philly is all about Brotherly Love right?
Well that ship sailed a long time ago and I view you as my Eagles’ brothers.
Sure, some of you know each other but I come on here for G’s content.
It’d be nice to be able to communicate with people that have the same interests, some of you water down this site and aren’t on our level (Jon Hart, Gotta Luv It, Songz, Schiller, and some of you have your moments, even paulman).
I enjoy differing opinions, but when it’s repetitive and from the same individuals those “opinions” go from post to post about thew same shit. Take a step back and look at everything, you do have your moments as well, but for the most part are stuck in the bubble and I’m trying here because I was a follower of this site way before I started participating and have seen at a high level. Just keep it real, it’s beyond yours, mine, and the next guys’ thoughts and opinions. If you can’t get that, damn…
I just never the See the Eagles winning a Super Bowl under Coach AR/MM unless they change their Pass-Happy Philosophy and I don’t care how many Pro-Bowl PLayers are on the Roster.. It’s not being negative, it is what it is..
You are not going to win playing in a COld-Weather City (Without a Dome) with a %65-35% Pass to RUn Ratio, At least in Dec/January.. Their System puts way too much Pressue on the QB to basically be almost perfect every week and it’s just not feasible or realitsic to expect Vick,VY,KAfka,KOlb or even McNAbb to play that well every game out.. And by Passing the ball so much , they end up putting a lot of pressure on the Eagles Denfese for keeping them on the field longer instead of the Eagles Offense being able to sustain drives..
I hope this is the Season that things go in favor of the EAgle, I hope VIck stays healthy for the entire year, I hope Coach AR/MM run a more balanced approach to the game plans.. But until I am proven otherwise by Coach AR, I have to stay with what they do and simply stated, it;’s not godo enough to win a SUper Bowl.. Too many gadgets,formations,trickery and finesse does not win you Playoff games or Super Bowls..
Paulman, I care! I think you are very funny, sarcastic & informative. But these stupid bozo’s on here, aren’t intellectual or intelligent enough to realise that you are just pushing everyone’s buttons, to get a rise out of them. Your predictions & topics are mind boggling, hysterical!
Stop taking yourselves so serious, blog Nazi’s!!
When you start to point fingers at other people for trying to reach out with good will (like your parent statement when I’m just trying to be a brother/friend), you are either insecure or have some void that you crave “independence.”
My mind is right and I speak with a good heart. I don’t throw empty statements around and I care about every word I type and back it up.
Come up with a solution rather than complain about a problem. If you hate the OL’s unit, what would you do different at this point and time with the players we have? You’re not satisfied with the LBs that’s fine, who would you start or bench, or possibly sign? That’s what I’m saying.
It’s obvious, these buttons you speak of. Just old and boring, that’s why people have their own blogs. You ever thought of getting one for yourself? Or worried you won’t get the attention you need so you rant on here? Yeah, that’s what I thought…
My opinions are repetitive, because I don’t contradict myself. I don’t jump on & off of bandwagon’s. I see what’s wrong & I speak my mind. Like I said prior- “If you want patience, go become a Buddhist Monk. If you want to have someone, who agrees with everything you say, think or do. Go get a stepford wife or stepford fan.” I choose to speak my mind on what I see, what I feel, & what is real. If you don’t like it! Too bad! I don’t know what to tell you! You don’t get it!
DDCar: you throw out expletives in almost every post, compare sex to football skills then invoke the name of God. You have no credibility and wonder why some criticize you as well as other extreme negativists. You live in a world of hatred and mistrust, with no balance. How ’bout YOU going to another site with your crass perspectives? Grown-up… really? “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Actually, I do. It’s beyond you and me and you are fixated on the irrelevant. Have a good day, may we see better days and conversations. No grudges on my behalf, and no need to apologize later. I’ll see a difference in your words throughout the season, and you won’t notice. Take care.