I admit that I was very concerned about the Eagles playing an up-and-coming Rams team early in the year when the Birds still hadn’t gotten used to all the new parts. I did forget that while the Rams have gotten much better, they still have a decent amount of stink in them. It certainly didn’t help that they lost Steven Jackson so early, nor did it help that Sam Bradford got banged up too. Regardless, the Eagles found a way to win handily 31-13. So, let’s look at the game:
What I liked…
-DeSean Jackson certainly began making his case for a new contract (as though he didn’t in his first few years?). What I liked was that the plays he was making weren’t his signature huge plays up and down the field. Not that we don’t want him making those plays, that’s not what I’m saying. But he was catching the underneath passes with consistency and that’s very important for him if he wants to be considered a tier above “just a home-run guy.”
-LeSean McCoy is about as close to a full-fledged stud as can be right now. He’s getting close to elite status, and who knows, maybe he would be there already if he were on more of a run-heavy team. Score another one for Andy Reid for losing a stud at the position and replacing him seamlessly.
-I have to say that I was impressed with the offensive line. Not that they were great by any stretch of the imagination, but I had such low hopes for them that doing just about anything would be impressive.
-Other than a couple plays here and there, the secondary lived up to the hype.
-Vick’s legs solve so many problems, don’t they? More on him later.
-Is that pressure from the front four without blitzing?? Amazing! Couldn’t believe I was watching an Eagles game. I didn’t like the Babin addition this offseason, so that shows what I know. This is definitely not the same Jason Babin that the Eagles had two years ago. And I’m loving the Cullen Jenkins move. He’s so active on the interior.
-After getting gashed thoroughly with the run early on, someone made some adjustments because they improved as the game went on.
-I like that the NFL helped the Eagles with one of their holes this offseason. The new kickoff rule patched up their kick coverage quickly, didn’t it?
…and not so much…
-Nnamdi’s a stud. No reason to grab Gibson’s shoulder pad on an uncatchable ball. You’re forgiven.
-Michael Vick has to be better than this. It didn’t seem like he was as awful as his numbers, but 14-32 isn’t going to cut it. 43% is not NFL level. Now, he also did a lot of other good things, but a big part of the hype for the 2011 Eagles is the assumption that Vick is going to be playing like he did for most of last year.
-Soooo….Danny Watkins, huh? He was the starter one week and deactivated the next. Yikes.
-Is it me or does it seem like if a running back gets past the front four of the Eagles defense they are immediately into the secondary? I feel like this defense is made of a really nice front four, stellar secondary and no middle tier. Only time will tell, but I fear that ignoring the linebacking position could hurt the team dearly at some point.
-I’ve been a fan of Chas Henry this offseason, but he needs to be better. His first two kicks were especially underwhelming. I don’t know what his final numbers were and I don’t care, because punting stats are presented very, very poorly and are misleading. I know what I saw with my eyes and I didn’t like it.
-Great game, Desean, but that doesn’t excuse the clear drop on that deep ball up the left sideline. You want Santonio/Fitz money? They make that play 19 times out of 20. Maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but he’s got the tools to be so incredible that I get disappointed at plays like that.
-Brent Celek still on this team? Another year of staying in to block to help a poor o-line? We’ll see.
-I really don’t think I care for the decisions being made by a lot of guys around the league to walk out with a ball eight yards deep. It was a bad idea when the kickoff was at the 30 and it’s a bad idea now. The reward isn’t worth the risk of the likely outcome: 1st and 10 at the 12-yard line.
-Don’t like that DeSean is returning punts regularly. Anyone see Dez Bryant get his quad busted up on a return last night? DeSean is too important to this offense, especially as Maclin gets his form back.
-We don’t need to mention the jail break Steven Jackson had on the Rams first play, do we? It’s assumed that we all thought that stunk? Okay then, won’t mention it.
That’s all for now, I have to remember not to complain too much. This was destined to be a tough game and they really put the clamps down in the second half and killed any chance the Rams had in the game. Once they get these leads, teams are going to find it very hard to climb back against Nnamdi, Asante and DRC. Hopefully, Atlanta is as bad as they were on Sunday against the Bears and the Eagles can have a little tete-a-tete with the Giants sitting at 2-0.
its because of our skills positions that we will win games (like last yr)
our oline/lbs have been questionable for yrs, having rookies is the only dif and magnifies the positions
very good ground team, vick looked better avoiding hits and getting first downs like very few qbs can
pass def will be good as expected, esp with an aggressive and consistent pass rush
lbs have the speed in pass d, and we have room to grow there bc of our offense putting points up and limiting opponent run plays (trailing)
this game was never a question in my mind, and is a good start
we didnt even play to the half of our potential, it was a slow start yet we can get by and still dominate the scoreboard bc were elite
win on the road convincingly, not the greatest performance, thats exactly what i expected and we actually have a defense that will give the offense room for error (unlike recent seasons)
atl next, vick is going to lead us to another convincing vicktory
cant complain with 200+ rushing yards from wk one
i called the bears winning convincingly, and was enjoying every min of atls debacle
eagles off a bye week or in a dome, is a tally in the W column
Was I the only one that wanted to grab brian billick thru the TV and choke the life outta him?
So nothing on Matthews garbage ass huh?
What’s with you guys not reporting how this guy Matthews flat out stinks?
vr – me too.
songs, maybe it’s because football is about winning games, not having an excellent MLB
I’ve said numerous times that Matthews can’t play in the middle (or maybe even at all). I thought I covered that with my comment about the entire LB core, but if not, I’ll say it: I’m not even a little bit of a Casey Matthews fan.
What up fellas? I dont know bout you all, but I was just excited that the regular season had finally come for the Eagles…Didnt expect a “lights out” performance, and definitely didn’t see one! I will say though, Eagles executed when they needed to.
Fokou played pretty well…I still say its fools gold! hopefully I am wrong, though…but he has never impressed me if he stinks it up next week, I’d say sit his ass down over Matthews…at least Matthews is a rookie, still learning..
Chaney is “THE LB”, he wasn’t in the middle, but if you noticed he had command over the D at times….Anyone notice him change the line formation on that one play? Anyone notice him yell or get upset with Matthews on a pass play?
Chaney is the constant, if the other two cats aren’t being productive then sit their ass down for a play or two and see how the backups do…Fact is your not losing anything by sitting down a Matthews or Fokou for Clayton,Jordan, Rolle….
Yesterday we saw a bend but not break defense…besides the 1st TD and some long runs, the defense was solid…eliminate some mistakes, blown coverages, personal fouls, pass interfence calls…Rams may have only scored 7 points.
i couldn’t agree more. the rams get 3 yards and billick is gushing all over amendola. i had a crowd at my place for the game yesterday and it was borderline awkward with billick in my ear pissing on the birds every down. it’s 31-13 ahole! get bradford’s di#$ out of your mouth
Casey matthews = Mark Simoneau = Ernie Sims = TRASH…They have to do something about that. They’re better off with GCOBB!
Dion Lewis on Kickoffs, NO.
DeSean on Punts, HELL NO.
Other than that, good stuff Micah.
if steven jackson doesn’t get hurt this game is a nail biter. Turner is going to introduce matthews to the nfl
Not to mention Billick said that McCoy was just as good as Michael Westbrook when he was the Eagles RB. Some of these National guys really have no clue. lol For a minute with the way Billick was talking I thought Amendola was Welker! He also said that Amendola was an ex-Eagle when the starters were announced but if he had done his homework he would have realized that both of the Rams’ starting WR’s were Ex-Eagles because we traded Brandon Gibson to them for Will Witherspoon.. Just sayin
Wide 9 requires big physical linebackers to handle the run, the linemen and TE’s come unblocked, if the Eagles LB’s can learn to shed blocks we will be great, they are really fast, if they cannot, we are really in trouble. I cannot believe the Eagles let Bradley get out of here, we really left ourselves no alternatives that make any sense. The toughest teams we will face in the playoffs will be Bears, Ravens, Steelers, and Green Bay all of which would run us over at this time. I hope that the Eagles find a massive MLB for this team to backfill Matthews.
Who wouldn’t mind seeing LB Witherspoon roaming around for the Eagles
Micah, great breakdown. I always enjoy your commentary after a game because you’re objective to both the good and bad things the Eagles do. I feel like we really lucked out yesterday with Steven Jackson getting hurt. Is this going to be another woeful group against the run? Why don’t the Eagles value the LB position?
MICAH, great article as usual. I agree 100% with you, but every time I bring up those points, i’m labeled a hater & told I don’t know what i’m talking about. Thanks for having common sense & a brain of your own. The LB’s & O-Line are horrid!
Real talk, Fokou played well!? What game did you watch!? He’s the one that got blown up on the Jackson TD, when he could have made the tackle. What play’s or tackles did he make!? I didn’t see any. Unless I need to get my eyes checked. Wait until the real teams start playing us. Don’t discount Atlanta, because they got waxed this week! They have a beast of an RB & 2 good DE’s. We should win, but don’t take them lightly, we can easily lose.
good game. im still concerned about the lbs though especially matthews and fouku…
the holes were huge in that area…scary huge, almost like we werent even using any linebackers in the game… they were wiped out invisible for parts of the game… They stiffened up some as the game went on, but Im seeing more of what concerns me about Matthews in the middle.. He just looks too small and not aggressive enough to meet the Olinemen at the hole and clog it. I see him trying to tackle the ball carrier after he has already passed Matthews.. Fouku was just as bad if not worse… He was just out of position and getting mauled out there… I still like Chaney.. he seems to be the only one capable of making a play or 2
Secondary looked OK.. looks like Nnamdi blew a zone coverage early on… looked like it was cover 3 and he thought it was 2.. not a problem, I know he is used to man and not zone.. Also the PI was unnecessary.. but sometimes you tell when you are running out there like that… Secondary was pretty good though.. not much work done on them
Oline looked like its getting itself together…. they look very sharp when pulling and run blocking.. nice and quick lineman getting out in front.. I liked that.. They handled the blitz and the dome better than I thought they would… still need to get better though because Vick needs to improvise a little less…
first game of the preseason, VIck was getting rid of the ball quickly…they need to get back to that.. they look a bit out of sync and Vick is standing back there a little too long…. I like Vick making the line calls… the more he knows? the better
good start….a good deal of WOrk to be done, but one thing that makes me feel good is the amount of talent we have on each side of the ball.. our talent won that game and I think that will be the case alot this year… Eagles step up their timing and execution, they’ll be very dangerous come playoff time.
I forgot to mention the Dline… The Dline is vicious.. savage group of horrible monsters out there.. they were blowing Bradford up.. they looked blood thirsty out there.. I loved it…. there wasnt much blitzing if any either.. that rotation is nasty and I hope they can keep fresh all year… they were flying around trying to hurt something… beasts
DDCar
Don’t worry about the “babyfans” who lable you a hater. As I said before, they are Eagle brownnoses, looking for love in all the wrong places.
The main guy (shiller) who tells you not to criticize the Eagles.
All’s he does is spend his time looking for people on this site that he can criticize.
The Eagles are in a division they will probably dominate and make the playoffs. A good coach and a good team will have the patience to stick with the run and wear the Eagles out like the Steelers did.
The good news is, this is the best schedule the Eagles have had in a long time, and they should have some time to work out some adjustments. They made a smart move by benching Watkins, and will have to do the same to the linebacking core.
Paulman rightly commented that the Eagles should just put Herremans at right tackle. He said it long before the Eagles eventually did it. Sometimes common sense is not all that common.
We saw how sorry the offensive line was, and eventually they got a journeyman to replace a 1st round draft pick.
It’s not even up for debate how the front office blew it, drafting a firefighter in the first round. “by their fruits you shall know them..” and right now the guy stinks and is not even activated. He’s not injured, he stinks. He may get better, but we live in the present, and right now he stinks. Because a 1st round draft pick gets paid starter money. He’s suppose to solve a problem and make your team better. 1st round draft picks today, are not projects.
If you need a right tackle draft one. Did you hear Andy Reids excuses as to why this guy can’t play??
Losers make excuses. Champions demand the best.
Babyfans argue against the obvious. Like the “party of no”. They just disagree for the sake of disagreeing. I don’t like you, so I am going to take the opposite position no matter what you say.
The Eagles won. And if that’s all you care about, then run around in bliss. But if you watched the Packers and the Bears you know we are not ready for either one right now.
“Once they get these leads, teams are going to find it very hard to climb back against Nnamdi, Asante and DRC. Hopefully, Atlanta is as bad as they were on Sunday against the Bears and the Eagles can have a little tete-a-tete with the Giants sitting at 2-0. “… Micah Warren
Against scrub teams this formula works.
But it has not produced a NFL championship in 12 seasons under Andy Reid.
bsm – FYI, I agree with almost everything you said under “All’s he does is spend his time looking for people on this site that he can criticize.” which is not true.
But do you notice the difference in how you desribed things – calmly, and without hyperbole/extreme castastrophizing… and the way DDcar comments? I do. That’s all I am saying.
And it IS up for debate whether the front office blew the watkins pick. You do not draft a player for game one of his rookie season. That is just bullcrap. You draft a player for what he wiill do to your team throughout his career. Period. They did need an RT. They also needed an RG. They drafted an RG. He may pan out to be a quality starter for them. That’s not blowing it.
You are ignoring the time tested addage that “You cannot accurately judge a draft pick until several years out”. Why? It’s only been several months. Why are you ignoring something that we know to be true?
I love Penn State. I grew up watching the Penn State Highlight show every Sunday.
But I could not help but admire how well coached the Alabama team was. I could not help but admire how Nick Saban demanded the best from this team. When he was interviewed at half time, all’s he did was point out the weaknesses of his teams first half play. Even after the victory he did’nt look happy.
Alabama went throught 8 coaches before they settled on this guy. Many of those coaches won a lot of games. But the University of Alabama, made up their minds that anything short of a National Champtionship Program was unacceptable.
Notre Dame will so be firing their coach, even if he has a winning season. They have a National Championship culture at that school and eventually the will get a coach who will deliver. Because the demand it.
Frank Beamer(VA Tech) is the Andy Reid of College football. He wins enough games to keep his job. Gets enough good players to stay in the top 25 for most seasons. But he’s not going to win a National Championship at VA Tech. Regardless of the fact that VA Tech puts plenty of players in the NFL.
The school does not require a national championship program. They just want to win and make it to a bowl game. So that’s what you get. Year in and year out with VA Tech.
I think that the Eagles front office is beginning to demand a Superbowl quality program. They will get one soon.
But I don’t think it’s going to be Andy Reid.
good points BSM
And what do you think of Joe PAterno and the future of PEnn State,
they appear to be slipping further and futher into medicority and living off their past success instead of balzing their own trails.. I hate to say it, and I am sure you have read my feelings on PSU before, but moving to the Big 10 for a short-term gain is a long term losing proposition for it has alienated it’s roots and now they miss out getting many top players,recruits from the Mid-Atlantic region who now choose schools and programs to play in a conference where most of your games are closer to their families,high schools,relatives ,etc,etc and now chose to go to U Conn, Rutgers,Maryland,Pitt and West Virginia instead of having half their games 1,000 miles away in Nebraska,Minnesota,Iowa,Wisconson,Illinois,etc,etc..
PSU will never be a consistent Top-Tier Team in the Big 10 and will be about a .500 team in Conference play..
Schiller
Your point about a draft pick usually describes a draft class.
A modern 1st round pick is paid to start.
That is why I did not mention the other draft picks.
I did not expect Casey Matthews to start, or Kelce.
But the Eagles proclaimed him a starter right away.
He has been describe so far as a great run blocker.
He has been also been described as having no upside.
That is what is troubling about this pick. A former offensive lineman (andy reid), should be able to draft a right guard who can pass block.
Andy Reid is the one who said.
He is having trouble going from being a tackle to a guard.
He is having trouble going from the left side to the right side.
So what I meant by the statement was…
Why not just draft a guy from college who
A. Already played guard at a high level
B. Has been playing football all his life.
C. Already played on the right side of the line.
He always has to make the simple stuff deficult.
That’s whats frustrating about Andy Reid.
Whether it’s trading out of the 1st round to give a division rival your pick,
hiring a offensive line coach as a defensive coordinator, or bringing in a offensive tackle coming off of 3 back surgerys. Not to mention giving your all-pro QB to the Redskins. (what the heck has happened to McNabb)
That is the one thing I will give Andy Reid credit for. When the Eagles let you go, you usually stink.
I trully hope that I am wrong about Andy Reid. If I have to eat crow I will gladly do it to see the Eagles win a Superbowl.
I don’t see that championship fire in Andy Reid. I see a big guy pretending to be tough.
I
Bsm – hear you and I think there is merit to all your points. This is a refreshingly civil debate about sports which is great!
I still think that first round picks are paid the way they are not to start – but because modern capitalism/recent cbas/ etc… have made it that way. Not becuase of any other reason. Many first rounders don’t start right away. Their contracts are the way they are based off of ‘the market’ etc… not based off of what the teams expect from them. Notice the recent rule changes for this….
As for Watkins – and your point about just drafting an NFL ready quality right guard…. Right guards in college are the worst OL on the team. They’re not on the blindside and they’re not playing tackle. Seriously, if you notice, very few college RG’s make it to the NFL period. The best OL in college get put at tackle or LG to help block the blindside. That’s just the way it is. That’s why you don’t just draft a college RG. And NFl teams rarely keep an OL on the same side for continuity. If its smarter to just keep it simple like you’re saying, then why doesn’t anyone do that, let alone Andy.
And I’m really take issue with the argument (and you’re not the only one to use it by any means) ‘playing all his life’…. – that’s bunk to me because I don’t care what he did in high school. If a player came in and played well, or if Watkins does soon, high school is irrelevant. If Watkins works out soon or eventually, nobody will say ‘ yeah, but he wasn’t playing in that win v. St. louis cause he didn’t play football in high school. What a dumb draft pick’. You see what I mean?
Paulman
Penn State should have stayed an independent for all the reasons you stated and because of the ability to have more controll over their schedule.
Remember when Penn State would open their season against a few Cup Cake universitys? Their only real challenge would be Pitt, and sometimes West Virginia. Sprinkled in would be high profile games against Notre Dame or USC. A top High School recruit wants to play in the NFL and they want to win. Penn State could guarantee they would win and have a great shot at making the Pros.
Bear Bryant died shortly after he resigned. So did Eddie Robinson. Legends like that eat, sleep and drink college football. I use to read Street and Smiths college football yearbook from cover to cover 10 times before one college play was even run. Joe Paterno has my utmost respect for running a clean program and for being a great bowl coach in his prime. His victory over the powerful Miami team that featured Heisman winner Testaverty is testiment to games are won on the field and great coaching can defeat better talent.
But I would like to see Paterno retire. He said he would not because of what happened to Bear Bryant.
Therefore I agree 100% with your assement of the current Program.
I can live with Penn State just having winning seasons,(until joe pa leaves) because Joe Paterno has already delivered National Championships and several undefeated Seasons.
Just wish he had beat Bear Bryant one time.
mr. Bsm, as usual, you have objectively and analytically addressed the problems with Reid, and I agree with you that the front office went all in, and it is now up to Reid to deliver; like you, I do not believe Reid will bring home a championship for all the reasons you articulated, and your analysis of Saban, Paterno, etc. Painfully remind us of this inescapable conclusion:Andy Reid is not a Champion
Schiller
Andy Andrews once said, that the notion that a person should accept you the way you are is ridiculous. He reasoned that the kid at the drive thru at McDonalds accepts you the way you are…because he does not care about you.
A true friend will tell you your shortcomings to help you.
I care about the Eagles more than a grown man should and probably focuse on their shortcomings because of that.
Any player can be a bust. But all’s you can do is try to stack the odds in your favor.
If Watkins started playing the game late, then I would question his love for the game versus a player who has done it all his life.
I also would have taken a player who I got to see film on, going up against top competion week in and week out. Baylor has not been that good since Mike Singletary was their middlelinebacker.
Keep in mind this is for a 1st rounder only. Small colleges have been putting stars in the NFL for years but usually you take a chance on those players in later rounds.
If college right guards are not that good, then take a left guard or a left tackle who can move to the other side. That is what these scouts get paid to do. What is the point of the wonderlink test and combines and visits if you can’t draft a offensive or defensive lineman in the first round who can play.
What film are you spending all summer looking at?
We are just looking at Watkins right now, but they have whiffed on McDougal, Patterson, Bunkley. And traded out of the first round.
So freaking smart.
Have to go to a meeting.
With the exception of “Shark in the Water” I generally see the good in most eagle players.
BSM – Yeah, about Penn State and Pitt (I’m a pitt alumn), what I heard is that JoPa specifically rejected playing pitt for that reason – to avoid the quality non-conference matchup to pad the record. He put an end to a great tradition that I was sorry to not be a part of when I was there. It’s a damn shame that the PSU Pitt game isn’t still active. That’s my beef with JoPa.
Jake – How did they go all in – what chips did they sacrifice? They just added a lot. Going ‘all in’ means risking everything for one chance. Who besides desean jackson (of significance) is here for just this year? I just don’t see it as going all in. They only real pieces they ‘anted up’ with is Kolb and Bunkley.
bsm – again, I really appreciate the sanity of this discussion and the way you express yourself.
About them missing before in the first – no doubt – those were bad draft picks. But I feel like you are losing touch with what draft picks are – a gamble. Watkins was the concensus best guard in the draft and the guy who many said was the most NFL ready out of all of them. They were clearly wrong about that second part. But hindsight is 20/20 – it seems like you’re ignoring or discounting the fact. You can ‘stack the odds’ all you want – and they DID do that – he was seen as the surest bet for an NFL ready quality guard. But at the end of the day, drafting is guessing and OF COURSE there will be some mistakes in hindsight.
And Bsm – for your list ‘A, B, and C’ – A WAS true. How can you argue otherwise?
@DDCar
I was watching the same game as you buddy! First off, I’m not a fan of Fokou whatsoever and I clearly state how I feel about him in the post above….
I never thought I would be defending Fokou…but let me ask you, does one play define how well a player, plays? As I recall all 3 LB’s were taken out of the play because blockers were on them in regards to the play you mention, and they were over committing, not just the run with Jackson, but many times on the long run plays…i also recall NNamdi getting hit with a penalty, doess that mean he didnt play well? DJAX had a pass or two he could of caught, did he play well? Vick threw for 43% completion, did he play well?
So yes, Fokou played well, but am I willing to bet the bank that he’ll do the same week in and week out? Hell Nah….Maybe I see it different because I dont have any expectations on Fokou…Do you expect more from him? if so you’ll be waiting a long time…
real talk – that’s a good point.
I still just can’t believe how much people are talking about 1 bad play in an Eagles win.
BSM, cheers to you for being level headed & having a brain of your own that isn’t brain washed by Andy Reid. Schiller everything that I post isn’t catastrophic or extreme. I just can’t stand you & your butt buddies, criticizing & talking down to everyone with a differing opinion to yours. Yes, the Eagles won, that’s cool, & i’m glad. I am just pointing out what the problems are & have not been rectified by Andy’s ignorance. If you want to be a blind, delusional, loyalist, go ahead. I have a mind & brain of my own. I don’t allow Andy to hold my nads in his pocket. Excuses & turning a blind eye to things are for losers & people who are comfortable with being second best & look the other way. I want a SB, not just be in contention every year. Maybe everything is sun, puppy dogs, kitties & hunky dory in Schiller world, but in the real world, the Eagles will not win a SB until Reid & his ignorant, stubborn, predictable, egotistical, philosophy & roster moves are long gone from here. You can not ignore things every year & expect to succeed. The LB’s are horrible, the O-line is horrific & neither were improved from last year. Both were 2 & 3 on the priority list in the off season, to RCB & WERE NOT improved upon. If you can possibly say that either played well on Sunday & were improved upon, you need to get your eyes & brain checked. I don’t know what you are watching. Yes, they won against a horrible team, that lost their biggest weapon after he torched them. If it wasn’t for McCoy, Vick running for his life & the Rams stupidly changing their game plan, it would have been a different story. But hey we are 1-0, that’s all that counts, right!?
But, hey when we have an early out in the playoffs AGAIN, if we even get there, all of the comment Nazi’s will say, hey we had a winning season, in a rebuilding year, don’t worry, we have next year & we have faith in Reid & in Reid we trust.
F U & square peg in round hole Andy Reid.