With the Eagles’ season on life support and two of the teams’ biggest stars on the injury shelf, it would take an unlikely character to come to the rescue. With a tie game and under twelve minutes left on the fourth quarter clock, the once revered Vince Young put on his Batman suit and came to the rescue.
The sixth-year quarterback’s masterful 18 play, 8:51 drive, culminated in an eight yard touchdown pass to wide-receiver Riley Cooper and left Birds fans across the Tri-State Area with a glimmer of hope.
Sunday nights’ 17-10 victory over the Giants was definitely not always pretty; but when the final whistle blew the Birds became a perfect 2-0 in MetLife Stadium, 4-6 on the season and a division best 3-1 in the NFC East.
For the first time in the last two weeks, the Eagles offensively made noticeable improvements and in-game adjustments.
The Birds’ offensive line was nothing short of magnificent. They yielded just a single sack to a Giants’ team that entered the game with 30 through nine games. With plenty of time to stand in the pocket, Vince Young was able to knock off the rust, gain confidence and eventually find a rhythm. Despite throwing three interceptions, the Texas grad finished the game with 246-yards passing and completions to seven different receivers including touchdowns to wide receivers Steve Smith and Riley Cooper.
LeSean McCoy finished the night with 113-yards on 23 carries, including a 60-yard scamper to seal the game. On his final dash, the third year back eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the second consecutive season. Unfortunately, the former Pitt star failed to score a touchdown for the first time this season.
Andy Reid appeared to finally have a game plan that capitalized on all of the weapons that the Eagles have. The longest tenured head coach elected not to abandon the run and handed the ball off to four different players. This helped the Eagles to control the ball for thirteen more minutes than the Giants.
The Birds were also nine of 17 on third down conversions, including six consecutive conversions on the team’s final scoring drive.
With the victory the Eagles improved to 4-6 on the season and sit two games behind the Cowboys and Giants for first place in the NFC East.
The Birds return to action next Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field for a 4:15 match-up with the New England Patriots.
Its amazing how we just showcased VY and he gets to walk after the season with us getting NOTHING in return, why in the world didnt we lock him up for 2yrs like we did with Vick? The Seahawks, Dolphins just to name a few are gonna be all over VY after the season and all were gonna get is a thank you, why to look ahead Eagles.
One thing no one is talking about is desean jackson came back more focused then ever from that supension. That was the most effort i have seen all season from him
My take on D-Jax… Pay him now. I don’t care if he catches 3 passes a game, HE IS A DIFFERENCE MAKER… Why is the team not paying him. Is he immature, yes. You want him to make more plays, pay him. The difference he makes is, you take him out of the offense, everyone comes closer to the line of scrimmage.
ChuckRob
I agree with you. Even when he doesn’t catch passes, the defense must double team or change their normal alignment to defend Jackson. Any time a player on either side of the ball causes the opposing team to change its normal behavior, he is a special player.
Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White always required double-teaming. Even if they didn’t get to the QB, they created mismatches for his teammates.
The same holds true for DJax. He creates space for everyone else. It seems the Giants chose to shut down McCoy, which worked in reverse for Jackson.
I was shocked by the play of Vince Young, especially after such a horrendous first half. I still don’t know what to make of him. His mechanics are suspect and his arm strength (for this type of team) seem weak, but he came through despite all obstacles and certainly beyond my greatest expectations.
Too many players who have contributed nothing to this team are making exponentially more than Jackson, which I consider an outrage.
We had a chance to see this offense without Jackson last week, and it was pitiful.
Not everything shows up on the stat sheet. In fact, it is often the lack of stats which prove a player’s worth. For example, a shut-down corner may not have many picks because the ball is not throw his way.
McCoy is incredible. He had zero blocking for most of the game. Still, time after time, he created something out of nothing. His game is improving. He’s much more patient. One particular play (a tackle pull), he got the ball and waited for a full second, before going through the hole for a relatively big gain.
I’m glad that Reid didn’t over-use him, which is what I had expected. I still think Reid passed too often and in situations when he should have run the ball. I felt he should have run the ball for the go-ahead score in the red zone during “the drive.” We were already in field goal range and if Young had thrown another pick, it would have spelled doom. That same type of play-calling will eventually get Young beat down and lose games.
ChuckRob – I agree he’s a huge difference. But maybe the reason they’re not paying him is that he’s worth (say) 100. They’re offering him 150 and he’s asking for 5000. Numbers are obviously way off but I think you get my point. He thinks he’s better than Jerry Rice and Larry Fitz combined. And he wants to get paid as so.
Jackson is one of those players who psyche means everything. He’s going to “act like a diva” at times. It goes with the territory. If you don’t like him, he doesn’t have to be on your team, but if he’s on your team, you’re going to get certain “negative behavior.” Personally, I love him! I can deal with the mistakes he sometimes makes.
Did you see the looks on the faces of the players on coaches on the Giants’ sideline after Jackson flipped the ball? That alone, in my opinion, was worth the penalty. The were hot!!!!! You could plainly see that each wanted to grab Jackson by the throat and commit first-degree murder on national television. To make matters worse, it was in THEIR house. I love it!!!!
None of us knows what Jackson is asking for, nor what, if anything, the Eagles have offered.
Anyone who says otherwise, is just fabricating. That sort of imagination is better used to write comic books.
Jackson has already made 3 pro bowls, saved an entire season, and may well have just saved another.
How many other players have done that?
Say goodbye to DJax after this year.
If you say goodbye to D-Jax, then you have to change the offense to a straight up smash mouth football… who else brings the deep threat. I give him a 4 year deal at market value…He deserves at least what Santonio Holmes got. He’s a Difference Maker… I mean you could always use Chad Hall at PR.
Birdo, I agree 100%!