The “Dream Team” finally showed up tonight against Dallas. What we saw tonight was a team that played up to its potential. Andy Reid and company had a game plan and stuck with it and this turned into one of the most 
enjoyable games to watch in recent memory. Reid’s unbeaten streak after the week after a bye improved to 13-0 which is absolutely impressive.
Although the wide receivers did not have monster numbers in the statistics column, they proved to be effective on Sunday night. Without this receiving core, running back LeSean McCoy and tight end Brent Celek don’t have the games they do.
“Did you see how deep the safeties were playing? It was 500 yards back”, Michael Vick. “Can’t throw a bomb against that. So you have to pick and choose your spots. Intermediate routes, try to get them to come up and try to put pressure on them to get what you want. Sometimes it’s tough. Each week you’re not going to see the bomb. It all depends on what you get.”
The depth of the Cowboys safeties opened up everything for tight end Brent Celek, as well as wide receivers Jason Avant and Jeremy Maclin to operate over the middle.
The speed of DeSean Jackson had a major affect upon the game. Number 10 has had numerous big games against the Cowboys and that history had a major affect upon Rob Ryan’s defensive game plan. When the Eagles offense came to the line of scrimmage in South Philly, the Cowboys safeties were lining up in King of Prussia.
Ryan made it a point to make sure Jackson and Maclin weren’t burning them with big plays down field. They did a 
great job of bottling up the little guy but once again because of the threat of his speed he demands constant attention so opportunities were available for others. When you remove DeSean from the field all the attention shifts to Jeremy Maclin and defenses have an easier time with this offense.
Celek led the way in the receiving category with 7 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. The utilization of Celek is something the Eagles should have been doing more often this season. Clearly the three step drop for Mike Vick is working and when you send Celek out for a pass as opposed to keeping him in for blocking another option exists for the Eagles QB. Going forward I welcome teams to blitz our offense because Vick and the coaching staff are now realizing how effective the 3-step drop is.
When you blitz this team defenses will pay and having Celek out as an option instead of keeping him in to block clearly proved to be the adjustment that needs to continue going forward. Rob Ryan had no answers for Celek this evening and with all the other weapons the offense had on the field someone had to be left open and that turned out to be Celek.
Avant had 5 receptions for 74 yards proving once again the he is the safety valve of this offense. His ability to use those sure hands and operate in the middle of the field was a thing of beauty. Number 81 is one of the unsung heroes of this team and when you have wins like this one, he always plays a role in some way.
We’ve seen this in the past with Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb at QB but Avant once again proved tonight why he needs to be on the field. The man is there when you need him and he’s dependable. He was targeted 5 times and caught all 5 passes thrown his way with 14.8 yards per catch average. Going forward Avant will be a key player for this offense and Mike Vick will continue to use him as the safety valve wide receiver.
Maclin had 3 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Although he was only targeted 3 times on the evening he provided stability once again. His early touchdown was impressive. Maclin has the ability to take a short pass and turn it into a long gain. He had a lot of help on that play from blockers and that’s what good receivers do is take advantage of great blocking. Maclin is proving week in and week out that he is a force to be reckoned with. His presence alone on the field tonight was opening up opportunities for others. It’s clear that defenses need to game plan with Maclin in mind.
Jackson was on the field Sunday night and targeted 6 times which is second among Eagle receivers in the game only below Celek who was targeted 9 times. The speedster only came up with 3 receptions for 31 yards with his longest being a 14 yard pass. These numbers seem unimpressive for Jackson but remember if you look beneath the stats you can see the ability to be on the field was enough to propel this offense.
Earlier in the week, Jackson opened up about his contract situation with the team. November 14th is the deadline for counting money under this year’s salary cap so certainly if anything will get done for DeSean this season it will happen by then. If nothing happens by that date we as fans need to hope the team places the franchise tag on him
otherwise DeSean will be walking.
When asked about the contract last week DeSean stated “I think it will work out. After the bye week now, there’s a lot more time for things to get done.” He also stated he thinks the contract will get done “sooner or later.” Although his stats weren’t out of this world Sunday night DeSean once again proved why he needs to be here long term. He’s the ultimate threat when on the field. DeSeans efforts to receive a new contract should have been strengthened after Sundays game. He’s showing this season that he doesn’t need to be the big game guy on the field each and every week and that his presence alone on the field is worth a long term deal. McCoy and Celek had opportunities all night because Rob Ryan had to pay attention to DeSean and Maclin.
This Eagles offense tonight showed the NFL what it’s capable of. So many options exist on this offense and Sunday night was a perfect example of how defenses will have trouble stopping everything. Going forward the Eagles should have learned a lot about how to run their offense. Clearly if teams are going to take away DeSean and Maclin they need to utilize Celek and LeSean McCoy in the running game. If I’m Mike Vick I’m excited about the three-step drop and becoming an expert at it because clearly even when you blitz against us we have a way around it.
This Eagles offense just has to many weapons for defenses to deal with. It’s a shame they couldn’t perform like this earlier in the season but I’ll give the coaching staff and team the benefit of the doubt that the lockout had an effect on everyone. I believe this team has finally come together after this game and we have seen a turning point in the season. Dallas is not a pushover in any way as they almost beat New England and the Jets earlier in the season. This was a dominant showing on offense against a good defense.
DeSean and company should have plenty of confidence going forward and I see this team going on a nice run now. The wide receivers proved to be a cohesive, complimentary unit. When one guy gets the attention someone else is open. They showed tonight that even if the stats are over the top, they can be a unit that will create opportunities for the running game and the tight end.
September and early October proved to be the training camp this team needed. Training camp is over and the season is now underway. Let’s sit back and enjoy the ride because after a victory like this one the only way to go is up.
I just posted this, saying that DeSean’s value is often unseen by the casual fan.
Some people look at stats and think they know the story. DeSean’s stats don’t say much, but the outcome of the game had much to do with Jackson.
The same holds true for the play-calling last night. Every time the pass rush heated up, Reid appropriately called a middle screen, or a sprint draw.
You also mentioned the 3-step drop. Finally, Reid has used it. That kept the defense off-balanced and Vick upright. Reid protected his rookie linemen from being eaten alive. Hopefully, he’ll continue to do so. Otherwise, their lack of pass-blocking ability will be seen once again.
The real question is whether we can count on Reid to continue this trend of play-calling.
Unfortunately, history says we can’t. History says he’ll be back to the 7-step drop, deep routes, 85% passing, and QB injury soon enough.
Hopefully, history is wrong, this time.
you heard it here folks….. Desean gets a deal done this week.
Well Mr Nuance – that’s a great question. I think many also asked the question – why is Reid drafting these lineman that are better suited for run blocking then fro pass blocking when we are a passing team. Many also asked the question why didn’t the eagles address the RT situation prior to the season. Several asked why did the Eagles waste a first rounder on Watkins. We also had many comments when the Eagles and McCoy were near the top of the league in rushing attempts and yardage about how it was Vicks runs that made the stats –
here is my question MR Nuance – who is actually sending the plays/playcalling this year? I don’t think its Reid – do you? I think MM is sending the plays in –
and you asked about the whole hating thing – Unfortunately, history says we can’t. History says he’ll be back to the 7-step drop, deep routes, 85% passing, and QB injury soon enough.
really – the day after a throttling of the Cowboys and you post this?
I’m sorry, Mrs. Nuance. What would you like me to post?
Wasn’t it only one week after the Falcons game that Reid blew the Titans game? I’ve been here before. It’s deja vu all over again.
Besides, who died and made you posting monitor? Is that what you aspire to? Okay, be all that you can be.
As for who’s drafting, etc. That’s pure speculation. Comic book stuff.
Don’t worry, my dear. I won’t hold it against you. Daddy loves his little girl. I like the way you address me with respect. I expect that from all of my women. Mr. Nuance it is! I love it!
I told you once. You’re out of your depth. You don’t want to tangle with me.
Drummer – “wasn’t it only one week after the Falcons game that Reid blew the Titans game?” – um.. ok… so why did we loose that Titans game? As I recall it was our very weak secondary that lost the game to the Beast Britt – mostly Ellis Hobbs/Dimitri Patterson/Joselio Hanson not being able to do ANYTHING against Britt, and the rookie safety Allen struggling to cover for them. AND McDerrmott making no adjustments – not even trying anything – to that. So yeah, Reid failed to put better corners out there last year… ok…but that Titans game was lost due to inexperience/weakness at the CB and DC positions, not the head coach. And last time I checked, we improved the secondary GREATLY. So… essentially – WHY IN HELL ARE YOU MAKING THAT POINT? Because we might lose v. Chicago? DUH. It’s a football game! Any team can lose a football game. You’re trying to soften the celebration by bringing back your hate.
Schiller – Absolutely! Our defense gave it up, but so did our offense. There was a pick just prior to the half to turn the tide, and a succession of 3 and outs in the 2nd half – because Reid called an astounding 93% passes. 93%! You can’t leave your defense on the field the entire half, especially if they’re weak.
This is all about play-calling. Why would he do that, especially after enjoying the success at Atlanta where he called 38 runs and 29 passes? Once again, he’s smarter than the average bear.
You’ve got to know your team. If your defense is weak, all the more reason to control the clock and run the ball – the same way he got the lead in the first place. Not to mention that you have a young QB at the helm.
It’s not rocket science. In fact, it’s common sense.
Buddy Ryan used to say that a defense’s best friend is a running game. You control the clock, give your defense time to rest, and ice down the opposing offense. It’s a strategic move, just as is running out the clock with the run at the end of the game.
The Titans’ offense couldn’t score from the sideline.
It’s overly simplistic to just blame the defense.
You ask why I’m making a point.
I thought my stance was well stated. I don’t like Reid. I don’t believe he can win a Superbowl.
If my post rains on your parade. Tough stuff! Get an umbrella.
Unfortunately for you, this is American and we have a Constitution which permits me to speak my mind. How frustrating that must be for you. Oh well, life goes on.
Just so you know . . . you posts don’t bother me one bit. I can do with or without them. I don’t live my life on this site. There is merely a form of entertainment. I don’t lose any sleep and no one rains on my parade.
Think about it.
Drummer – we know you ‘don’t like Reid’. You’re a Reid Hater (not like it’s a novel concept). We know – but to cite Buddy Ryan – a coach who compared to Reid’s winning percentage – um… SUCKED! This aint Buddy’s league anymore either. Buddy’s mentality (and yours) fits a NFL that existed in a different centery. Differen Millenium for that matter. Please show me the run first/power running team that’s leading the NFL team this year. I don’t see one. I understand your passion for that old school style that was so time tested for a while. But it’s irrelevant to the modern day NFL. Wake up and smell the new coffee, the old coffee is very stale and no longer does the trick.
I love that the birds ran a ton last night (remember, I’m a HUGE Shady fan and have been before he was an Eagle)…and I do hope they continue it and have success. But our goal should not be to become a Buddy Ryan team and we have to keep Shady healthy going forward.
How pathetic someone’s life must be to live their lives vicariously through a sports franchise. The ups and downs, and uncertainties of it all.
Does it really hurt when someone expresses an opinion about a sports franchise? Does it really make you angry?
Man, get a life. Read a book, get a hobby, pay attention to your family, learn a skill. If you keep living through Reid, you’re going to remain angry.
Life lessons.
Well Mr Nuance – how about posting something that is actually true and relevant! How about not making up nuanced ‘bullshit’ like calling the rookie center that has a great game against a 3 time pro bowler in an offense that puts up 500 yards of offense a turnstyle – how about that MR Nuance – or is that too nuanced for you –
as for ‘posting monitor’ – well as I have stated many times – you have the god given, constituationally protected right to post any nonsensical bullshit you want (and you seem to execute the nonsensical bullshit frequently) and I have the same exact right to point out what absolute horseshit is is for you to call the starting center being turned into a turnstyle by an All Pro NT, yet the team has 500 yards of O, 30 first downs etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. There is ZERO, none, nil, nado, iota, of info to support your statement MR Nuance – none
I see I hurt your little feelings by pointing out you have no idea what you are talking about – I see those little kitty kat claws – meow. Drummer wants to come play – I am so sorry you are in such a bad mood – I surely wouldn’t want to ‘tangle’ with you – because clearly – clearly I am in way over my depth – that MRs Nuance – wow – man you are cutting edge with those comebacks – a regualr quip miester – I am in fear now – standing by for that next big putdown – oh no – what have I done – I am tangling with Mr Nuance – oh no Mr Nuaaaaaaaance (try to read it like the old SNL oh no MR Biiiiilllllll)
Schiller
I don’t hate Reid or anyone else. I just think he’s a poor coach.
Please learn to Read. I never, at any time, ever posted that we should become a Buddy Ryan team.
The NFL is a passing league. I don’t even advocate for a balanced attack. I believe in smart football. If your QB is getting banged up, you don’t don’t call 50 seven-step drop passes, hoping to connect on a bomb – game after game – year after year.
There are measure which can be taken to protect your QB.
Okay, I’ve grown weary of this. Time to move on.
Hope you feel better. Life’s too short, especially if you don’t really have one yet.
Drummer, you’re being weird “How pathetic someone’s life must be to live their lives vicariously through a sports franchise. The ups and downs, and uncertainties of it all.” – who said anything about people’s lives or their whole lives? living vicariously through a sports franchise is being a fan. Don’t you get happy when the Eagles win and sad/angry/frustrated when they lose? I don’t see why you think anything hurt or made me angry – I’m on cloud nine – great win from last night.
posting on gcobb is not first amendment protected free speech but a privilge
Mr Nuance – that’s it – that’s all I get ‘don’t tangle with me’ and that’s it – one Mrs Nuance (I knew you liked me) and now you are weary – come on Drummer – its a slow morning – all the haters are taking the day off – nothing to bitch about so they are laying low – we won’t hear from them until like Thursday when they start predicting how bad Chicago is going to kill us
Jakey chu – what are you doing home from school – your mommy know you are skipping today or are you using that iphone she got you for your birthday to post from history class – you are going to get detention
jakedog – Ha but realize, that the right or privalage, goes for both posts and responses to posts. So really it’s stating the obvious and achieving nothing to point that out…
Somebody tell Marty, Andy, and Vick to watch the Pittsburg vs. New England game in the red zone. We settled on 2 field goals in the redzone again. Both teams stacked big receivers and multiple tight ends with two back sets and even audibled a couple times.
Just educating you schiller, where is the gratitude
This was a VERY satisfying game to watch. I couldn’t help but to burst when seeing the Cowgirls WRs arguing at multiple different coaches totally frustrated…I couldn’t help but to think that it’s that lack of discipline and general professionalism that permeates everything in that organization keeps them at the bottom.
What I don’t like is the fact that the Eagles offensive planning is now built around the O-Line not being able to consistently stand defenders up and build a “Wall.” At least Reid and company are recognizing that when aggressive teams over pursue and your O-line can’t really hold them up there will be running lanes that an exceptional running back can make use of.
To be clear when your QB is consistently is either in the shotgun, taking 7-step drops or running counter the direction of the O-Line to improvise a pocket away from the O-Line (89% percent of the non-passing QB strategy yesterday) to me this says that your O-Linemen can’t give a QB a 3-step drop and 2-3 seconds to make a completion. That’s basic football in a WC offense and a lot of times you’re going to need to rely upon those basics when the trickery doesn’t work.
Winston Justice played pretty well at RT the game he played and Evan Mathis has yet to have a particularly good game, so I was extremely vexed when I saw Heremans not back at LG.
Can anyone make the argument that the Eagles are better against more teams without Herremans at LG? Can anyone make the argument that Evan Mathis is better at LG than Todd Herremans? If Winston Justice is healthy and he played well at the position he started at last year and played well there for the majority of the year why is he not playing now?
Butch, I’m not so sure that Justice played that well there. He did ok but they gave him a ton of help. I’m fairly confident that the dropoff between Heramans to Justice at RT is FAR greater than the dropoff between Herramans and Mathis at LG. Therefore, they should keep it how it is. I don’t know why you’re down on Mathis… I think he’s played well there.
I wish these comments had a like button….by the way Drummer your eagles fan pass has been revoked u should move to Dallas or somewhere else besides here….because apparently u don’t know jack about being a real philly sports fan …its a hard life …but we dedicated ride or die type of fans …..so all of that super gay i hate myself and everyone else crap u keep posting ….keep it moving ,,,because around here we ride or die win or lose…YOU IDIOT
I just wanted to point out the fact that Coach Ryans/ Defensive Game plan was not very good, but in order to protect against the Big PLay and Deep Play, he schemed to give the Eagles the middle of teh Field and short to intermediate routes.. and once their best cover ILB S Lee went out hurt , there was no way that 36 Year Old ILB Keith Brooking was goign to be able to cover Celek,Avant of the middle real well.. but this is what interestes me, everyone talks about a game a adjustments.. Did anyone see Coach Ryan change his scheme at all.. it was just assanine wasn’t it.. especially since they were down 21-24 Points by earley 3rd Quarter, at that point what does it matter if you give up a a big play..Coach Ryan never changed his coverages or anything to stop the bleeding so just remember that many Coaches across the NFL get stubborn or so absorbed with thie rparticular plan and truly believe that it will work and is the best way to attack or stop a team.. Last night’s game was another example of another Coach (DC Ryan) being unable to make adjustments so it doesn’t just happen to the Eagles..
And to be honest, Coach Ryan is a bit overrated in my book anyways .. I mean for the last 4-5 Years he Coached both the Browns and Raiders.. Did neith of these teams make th eplayoffs, how many Defensive players from his Coached Teams went to the Pro-Bowl (outside Asmogoah with the Raiders) just full of Hot Air and has the family names going for him,but he is definitely not Head Coach material at this stage of his career.. not even close
TO Butch,
You have to remember that W Justice has played 1 game (last Week) since last year and is coming off that Knee INjury/Surgery.. He may not sill have that 100 % mobility back as of yet.. As far as mathis, I thought he had a pretty strong game last evening (as the entire OL did) and I bet Coach Ar & Mudd finally have the line that they have envuisioned since the beginning of the Season as it was in last night’s game (Peters,Mathis,Kelce,Watkins,Herremans) I believe that if the Guards stay healthy and play well, that Herremans is the Eagles RT and Justice is relegated to a back-up role for Herremans has always wanted to play OT and is playing well there and I don’t see Mudd/Coach Ar changing things up..(I really don’t believe W justice is a Mudd type of player to begin with and this will probably be WJ final season with the Eagles)
No changes on that O Line – NONE – 500 yards of O – McCoy running for 185 – hell no – Mathis looked strong in there – peters was a monster – Kelce and Watkins did a great job – by week 10, no injuries, this will be the premier O Line in the NFL – I need some fireman jokes – Where are the fireman jokes!
TO Paul
Having Herremans at tackle wasn’t part of the original plan in any shape or form even at the beginning of the season. Mathis looked decent on Sunday with a plan that included all of the trickery, BUT the Eagles have been running that stuff all season and it’s gotten them to 1-4, before the Dallas game. Vick has been constantly flushed to the right side every game and it’s usually heat coming from Mathis’ vacated spot.
My main concern with the Bears is that their D-Line is BIG, their LBs are BIG. The undersized O-Line, as it is may not be able to as easily re-direct them as they did to Dallas’ smaller 3-4.
Schiller, how easily you forget four games of getting overpowered and bowled over. The Eagles played a lot of two TE set on Sunday, so it wasn’t just Justice the got help, even when Justice wasn’t getting help rushers were not consistently breaking free and forcing Vick left which told me a lot about where he is. Unless the guy’s injured they need to let him play, get comfortable with the new technique and let Herreman’s permanently shore up that left side.
Butch – I’m not forgetting anything, I don’t agree that Mathis was getting overpowered and bowled over. I think that Kelce/Watkins/Devan were – but not Mathis. I think the left side IS sured up, without Herramans at guard. And I think Herramans is by FAR the best RT on the team right now. That’s Vick’s blindside and you want to weaken the guy blocking there? I say that’s silly.
I disagree Butch,
I think the Coaches knew that Justice would not be ready any time soon at the beginning of the Season and that Herremans would be sliding out to OT since there really was no one else (outside of DUnlap) who was on the Roster and coupld play OT… Herremans has been itching to play the OT since he was Drafted and I think the RT position remains his regardless of when Justice returns to 100% Healthy..