We should have some fun tonight in the first half because they’ll be so many things to checkout when the Eagles face the Bengals. Terrell Owens and Chad Ocho Cinco will get most of the attention, but we have plenty of players and areas of the Philly football team to observe.
It’s all about the red zone tonight for the Eagles first team offense. They moved the ball against the Jaguars, but they need to put the ball in the end zone against the Bengals.
It’ll be interesting to see what plays Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg go to and what players they rely on to get the ball into the end zone. Will they bring in Michael Vick and roll him out to put the ball into the endzone?
Will they go with pass plays designed for the 20 yard line and in, which will allow them to take their shots at the end zone as soon as they pass the 20? Will they rely on Kolb’s accuracy and their big receivers, Riley Cooper, Brent Celek, Clay Harbor and Cornelius Ingram to get the job done?
I’d like to see Kolb hook up with DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin on a deep route. The sight of Jackson or Maclin getting deep on a secondary will open up the field for Kolb and the other Eagles receivers for the start of the season.
Center Mike McGlynn could help himself secure a starting job until Jamaal Jackson returns, if he plays well. I’d like to see how McGlynn, Kolb and the offense functions against the blitz.
I want to see if the Eagles secondary and cornerbacks in particular can deal with big physical receivers like Owens. They’ve had trouble all training camp with rookie Cooper’s size, so it’ll be interesting to see how they deal with Owens. This group will face big physical receivers in each game they play in the division.
Ocho Cinco doesn’t have the size and strength of Owens but he will be a test for the secondary as well. He runs great routes. We’ll see if Ocho Cinco gets the chance to run a deep route against rookie safety Nate Allen. Can Allen prevent either Owens or Ocho Cinco from making a play on the ball in the end zone?
Before the defense is tested by the Bengals passing game, the run front will tested by the Cincinnati running game. I’ll be very interested in how the outside linebackers perform versus the run. Will Ernie Sims and Akeem Jordan be where they’re susposed to be? Sims is proned to being beaten with cutbacks, bootlegs and other play action plays.
Cedric Benson and the Bengals running game is legitimate, so we’ll get the chance to see if the Eagles with their lack of size can stop the run. Strong running games with big wide receivers is what this Birds defense will have to deal with in each NFC East game.
Check me out after the game tonight on 610-WIP. I’ll be talking about who played well and who didn’t.
The 1st half with Starters playing on both teams, is the best match-up the Eagles will have this
Pre-season before the real Season starts. I am not sure how many Eagle fans realize how good and fast this Bengal #1 Defense is and I highly doubt the Eagles will be moving the ball up and down the field at will like they did versus the Jaguars.. The Bengas back 7 (LB’s & Secondary) is probably the most talented group they will play until they face the 49ers/Cowboys come mid-season…This will be a real test for QB Kolb and the WR’s & RB’s to get open for the Bengals are fast & physical
Here’s where we stand in the league:
6 spots filled
3 invitations outstanding – ****PLEASE ACCEPT YOU INVITE OR I WILL REMOVE YOU****
1 spot left.
Hit me up if you want the last invite drew_sg2000 at yahoo.com
Please no injuries…I hate preseason.
This is THE premiere game of the pre-season. No other pre-season game will matter as much as this one. This will be the ultimate test for the starting unit and for the team as whole. I’m stoked right now. I would like to see Kolb and the offense put up AT LEAST two tds in the first half. Anything else will be a dissapointment. This offense is good enough to put up two tds a half against ANY team, more so the Bengals. Next up on my list of things to watch for is how we handle the running game. Those two things are the most important aspects of the game for me. T.O. and Ochocinco are going to get theirs against any team, so if we can at least CONTAIN them to field goals, I’ll be happy — if they both do work but fail to “dominate” our corners, I’ll be content with that as well.
Giants just signed former Eagle Guard Shawn Andrews fyi…
PM I guess he wasn’t able to make a living singing that memorable hit “Get your Michael Phelps on”.
I think the secondary will be exposed tonight.
T.O. has never done jack against us and Chad might get his but lets see how they deal with some real pressure.Bengals are strong at the corners but i think they still have stinking Roy Williams.So theres a match up problem we’ll expose. Eagles need too play disciplined in the gaps and not leave cutback lanes for Ced Bens,and don’t let them get momentum in front of home crowd. If Kolb stays away from risky throws i think we can dap 17-21 on theses guys. Go Birds.
Andrews to G-men….that snakea$$..let’s see how his back feels when he has too really block someone in a game.
anybody see the stuff Farve is apparently saying about Childress??
Another bubble screen for 30 yards to Samuel side…..T.O. on a double move……TOUCHDOWN!
The unstoppable beast named Ellis Hobbs get toasted again by 85 after Palmer moves the rookie safety with his eyes and throw an accurate dart to leave this blind spotted secondary with questions. If I ws a team I would throw quick outs and screens all day aginst the eagles team. They commit with the attack and Asante plays touch football. Kolb wil throw a pick this game.
more bright rays of sunshine from songs….I feel better just having read that inspirational tidbit….suppose it will rain too
songs, we git it, your nagging hemorrhoids still wont go away. Yikes! But seriously, go see a doctor for that, I hear they have meds. Disguising your anal anguish in the form of Eagles hate surely isn’t doing the trick. Try something different and maybe you will get a bit of relief.
Chad Johnson is a top flight wide-out,so giving up a deep ball too him is really no indication your a bad corner. Hobbs loks fiesty onj the short throws and can tackle with a punch.Not a Shell Brown punch but…come on. The dudes a step up in footspeed. And from what i saw at camp and in the Jags game i think Sante is gonna improve there. So what if he throws a pick…its preseason…get it out. Songs your negativity and obvious bleek outlook on our football team is ammusing and is your opinion. I respect it…but it’s b.s..
No mention of our disgusting o-line and bookend tackles?
“Ocho CInco” is probably one of top 5 Most Overated Players in the NFL and his bark is much louder than his bite..Watch for WR A Bryant and Rookie J Shipley to see a lot of action and their young TE’s
J Greshman and C Coffman.
I would be more concerned with stopping their big RB C Benson and shify back-up RB B Scott coming out of the backfield, so the LB’s for the Eagles will have a good test to see where they are..
Inspirational Feelings and Positive Thoughts:Making the best of your football season.
By:Songs
Forward and all references by Paulman
In stores now!!!!
I have too disagree with you there Paul…Chad runs crisp routes and is tough as nails.His hands are some of the best in the league. And come on!!!The kiss the baby list from last year!!
My primary concern is protection for Kolb. Against the Jags, he was sometimes forced from the pocket before he could make his reads. Fortunately, he didn’t get hit, but like every other pro QB, he will soon learn that, in the NFL, you scamper at your own peril. Tim Tebow has already been taught this very important lesson. Go Birds!
PM, I also disagree that 85 is overrated. I watched him last year against the Vikes. Despite the fact that the Bengals were losing badly, Ocho took some vicious hits but continued to play like a mad-man. With that effort, he earned my respect.
Paulman, 85 isn’t over rated. Over the past few years it was Palmer with the ACL injury and then other injuries after than and then Chad had an injury filled season. So for the most part it has been injuries that have slowed down the connection between these two. Anyhow, this will be a test for our defense. A good running game and much better WRs and even their TE with a very good QB.
I do agree that QB Palmer has not been as good or effective due to his injuries and think that Palmer is also overrated, he’s had like 1 very good season and has never been the same since that playoff injury to the Steelers back 3 years ago. Ocho is a good WR but not a burner, he will work the middle of the field on deep ins and outs and along the sidelines, he does have excellent hands and does give 100% which I admit is not a given for most WR’ s in todays NFL
The more I look at his numbers, they are pretty good, maybe I don’t know what the hell I am talking about and will choose him in our Fantasy League.. Let’s Go Ocho….
lmao songs “bubble screen” haha dallas will run about 5 of those again
wow really pman u dont like chad lol truly shocking
im liking eagles d the personnel seems to be there but i agree with song ellis hobbs is not the answer opposite assante
PM, let’s not get carried away. We all know and appreciate that you are an astute student of the game.
I need to get something off my chest. Ever since I stopped playing football, I have still put myself through my own personal training camp each year. For the past 2 months, I’ve been working out like a mule and now I feel like hittin’ somebody. Problem is, I’m 52 years old and someone would likely hit me back.
Oh, well, I’d better go run it off. Let’s go Birds!
hahahahahahaahhahahah good stuff drummer im dying
Pman i very rarly disagree with most of your posts if im being honest but i really think you muste be on drugs of some sort. Ocho is FAR from overrated. Besides being one of the funniest football players i have ever seen he has had a hell of a career and is easily a top notch reciever in this leauge. For a guy who likes stats im sure you know this but Ocho has already had SEVEN thousand yard seasons. Just my opion but with the kind of shape the dude keeps himself in i dont hink its out of reason to assume hell get three more. Now since when did a ten 1000 yard season reciever have more barkl then bite…stats dont lie. I think this game tonight will be a true test but i think our O will be alot more comfortable and our d is really going to show what there capable of. GO BIRDS
YEAH…BOY!! Long work week..Friday night and a Eagles game..Dont care if its practice..This O is exciting and I cant wait to see more Brandon Graham..Going to the pub to swill Guinness and flirt with the lassies..
Thanks Eagles4Ever and it’s ok and actually a good thing to disagree from time to time,
But no more drugs for me anymore, I am too old for that plus I have to stay focused on winning the
GCobb Fantasy Leauge that Scorpion Set up… Ocho is no doubt a very good WR, but I don’t think he’s an elite one, Anyone recall how he did versus the Jets last year in last years Playoff game.. I think Revis shut him down for 2 catches for 28 yards and back in 2005 when Bengals previously went to the Playoffs, He had 4 catches for 50 yards.. An elite WR needs to make plays when the games count and Ocho Man has not done that yet so far in his career…
They didn’t look good in the 1st quarter. D-line is getting blocked, rookie safety got run over badly. O-line cannot open holes to run or keep 4 upright for very long. Not good at all. There are only two people I hate in this world, and TO is both of them. I hope he goes completely insane and lives a long long while, suffering the whole time.
Our lack of CB depth is on show tonight. Any team with 2-3 decent WR’s are going to expose Hanson/Hobbs.
As I said, my primary concern is the offensive line.
RG Stacey Andrews is not a NFL Caliber Starting Offensive LIneman, he has gotten beat on about 85% of his snaps… NO explosion at the point of attack, he needs to go and be replaced by N Cole or MJG when Herramans returns
OLB E Sims is not a Starting Caliber player (at least for this defense) he cannot disengage from blockers and gets lost in the shuffle ..
I thought the Secondary actually played pretty well, Hobbs, Hanson & Patterson all made nice plays in run support and good sound tackling.. Mickell and Allen I thought played very well as a tandem
HAnson obviously got burned deep on a bad play and Allen did get run over by big back Benson,but they made lots of solids plays…
The D/Line looks very passive (outside of T Cole), no consistent pressure at all on Palmer..
Bradley got straonger and wuicker as half went and finished very strong with big plays..
Jordan and Sims were no where to be found and appear to be a step behind and were pushed around for most of the half (not a good sign)
Kolb made some nice plays and was scrambling the 1st couple of series with very poor pass protection, when he steps up in th epocket he throw darts (to D-Jax and Celek as examplse) made a nice TD pass to Avant only to be called back by the 3rd Illegal formation penalty (2 on Peters and 1 on Justice which is inexcusable. D-JAx looks in fine form, Maclin continues to play “SCARED”, I don’t like his body language and when he catches the ball it appears he is just waiting to get popped and you can’t play that way.. He did that off and on last year and I thought with experience he would shake it off, but he plays like he doesn’t want to get hit ot hurt and you can’t play that way..
Running game was weak due to lack of clocking up the middle, Stacey Andrews looks horrible
W Justice had some nice blocks and Peters did well on pass protecting..
Once in the red-zone where the Eagles are struggling, why on 1st down call a gimmick play, run some real plays so you can work on them to improve, not these direct snaps that are “amatuerish”
and don’t work at the NFL level.. Kolb forced about 3-4 passes into double coverage and had a WR crossing the field wide open in the end zone on the ball he just overthrew to Avant in the End Zone,but he extended 3-4 plays by rolling out and finding WR don the field which were nice plays
Vick on the naked bootleg had Avant wide open 15 yards down field and you have to throw the ball,instead he kept it and gained about 15 yard running but the play there to make, is to throw it to your open WR and let them make plays
The Coverage teams are horrible and the return game is not very good either..
Hall is simply not fast enough to make anyone miss, Demps danced around too on Kick-off returns
ON the Coverage side, where are suppossed great ST players Gaither and Baskett, they didn’t show me anything and Gaither gave up on the muffed up Punt and PAcman Jones picked it up and ran for over 20 yards..
All in all a good physical 1st Half which went pretty much as I expected.. The bengals are a pretty good team and very phyical and fast as I stated in earlier posts, most Eagle fans are probably not that familiar with them by they are a legitiamte playoff contending team in a tough division with the Steelers & Ravens.. hope MAclin is alreight , he may have a busted forearm and be out for a bit, but Eagles have other weapons but need Herremans and JAckson to return before they get in sync, but they really have to address on what to do about Stacey Andrews at RG & OLB E Sims for both of these players just don’t seem to have waht it takes to be starters on this team..
That was my 1st half Synopsis …
Forgot to mention M Fokou with a holding penalty on the 1st punt coverage.. what’s with this guy..
Defense didn’t look bad to me. Allen did get run over but was making plays otherwise. I’d rather see Graham out there instead of Parker who didn’t look to be getting much pressure.
Kolb looked pretty good considering. One questionable throw to DeSean otherwise no real complaints.
O-line HUGE problem.
We need Todd back and I’d think about putting Howard over at RG. Can’t be much worse than Stacy right now. (BTW I don’t blame them for not drafting OL in the draft because from what I understand the talent wasn’t there this year, they did manage to find a hidden gem with Howard seemingly)
Should have had a TD if not for a stupid pre-snap penalty. No excuse for that Gilles.
Vick is TERRIBLE. Can we officially put a end to saying he should start?
All I can say is Ouch. The O line sucks. Especially G, G and G. Vick makes horrible decisions. Kolb missed Avant for a Td. The D had some turnovers but still got handled by a rookie TE. And it looks like in the 12th year of Reid we still have ZERO running game. Nada..Zilch. Kapoot. No rushing attack threat whatsoever. Other than that it was a good pre-season game.
Sims is a beast, as long as it is against his own team during thud drills when nobody is going hard. He’s weak. Demps has a ten-cent head, he probably should be teaching school or selling insurance soon. He takes dumb penalties, says he will learn from it, then goes and does it again. Fokou as well, he is a penalty machine, and cannot figure out the defense anyway. Akers’ leg is going to break off at the hip by midseason at this rate, O needs a touchdown at some point, even if it is just by luck. On the other side, no picks for Kolb, no TD’s from the reciever who used to play here, and 85 got jacked up baaaaaad. Nice to see that stiff doing the chicken dance like a punchdrunk bum of a fighter. PMan is on about maclin, he needs to keep running with the ball, he keeps dancing around he will never survive the season (assuming he is not on IR with a busted up arm). Run after the catch, then do the old Rams’ trick, dive a few yards forward and avoid the big hit. Hanson cannot play outside, not physically gifted enough. Hobbs might be okay, he will at least stick his body in and hit somebody, despite his size. I expected better this evening, the O looks the same as it used to, the ball moves in big chunks, but not consistently. I do not know if Vick will ever read, react and throw accurately, but he at least looks like he is trying to be a Qback, as opposed to a RB.
All I can do is shake my head and say damn… well. at least the first string didn’t play a whole game. and; hopefully we can go back and work on things and “put our players in a better position to at least score touchdowns and try to win games”. I hope this isn’t the case for the next 5 years.
Now that the game is over,
I am hoping the O/line’s poor play finally opened some eyes with this Coaching Staff..
I think MCGlynn held his own, but with Stacey getting beat almost every snap and back-up MJG on the other side, it wasn’t like he had much help.. Teams will game plan to come right up at A gap (between Center and RG all season long if they don’t address the Stacey Andrews situation..Once Herremans returns and cole gets healthy, maybe Cole or MJG can take over RG…
Another option, which is proabably a year away, is to have RT W Justice move to RG and have A Howard play RT
2 Formations I saw early and often that were bothering.. when Eagles were on offense, the WR’s are all bunched up close to the line of scrimmage bringing in more defenders closer to the line of scrimmage, how about spreading these so-called “Dynamic Receivers” out wider to create more space for McCoy/Weaver or whoever to operate, also allows the QB to roll one side or another if need be…
The other formation that was pissing me off was on defense in the 1st half, all 3 LB are too far off the line of scrimmage and too close to each allowing Benbgal blocker a head of steam at the point of attack and it looke like a few times that Eagles LB’s were actually running into each other and leftr the edges too much open for Bengal Runners to run to daylight.. I liked how the Secondary played overall but the front 7 was pretty weak at best… Teams with better O/Lines are going to give their QB’s too much time to find too many talented WR’s/TE running downfield and open
The last thing that was disappointing to me was I was looking for 4-5 players to show us something
(Ingram,Harbor,Scott,Hall,Washington) and none of them did a damn thing..
On Defense I was looking for Sims,Laws,Tapp,Graham,Macho & Demps to make some plays and again, there was very little I saw which goes back to the Eagles being a very mediocre team
and the M Vick being a #1 Starter QB in this league, are you kidding me..He is a wildcat,redzone
great Athlete who plays the QB position and nothing more…but he is not a legitimate starting QB…