Despite all the hype that surrounds the talent-laden Eagles, you would have to be a fool to expect absolute perfection from the entire team in the first game.
But 31-13 will do just fine.
There may have been some hiccups on the offensive side, but there was certainly a lot to like from the receiving core and running backs—especially LeSean McCoy.
McCoy torched the Rams defense for 122 yards on a mere 15 carries. While Michael Vick was dodging his way through the Rams blitz-happy defensive line, McCoy’s athletic running style was yet another threat that opened up the field for other segments of the offense.
It was his 49-yard TD run that iced the game in the fourth quarter, effectively putting away the St. Louis Rams.
There are many opinions about what is most essential to the Eagles’ success this season, Vick’s health and the stability of the offensive line among them. McCoy, who is coming off an impressive 2010 campaign, is as understated a piece as you can have on a self-proclaimed “Dream Team.”
In games where Vick is not as sharp throwing the ball as some would like (there were certainly some bad throws by No. 7 throughout the course of Sunday’s game) McCoy goes from important to essential. Count me among the people who expected to see the ball given to Ronnie Brown more. There are only so many carries available in Andy Reid’s pass happy offense, but Brown still only had four carries for a mere seven yards.
Brown will see his share of the ball in wildcat plays and goal-line situations. But after today it is clear that the 
backfield and running game sit squarely on McCoy’s shoulders. He will see better defenses than the mediocre Rams squad but his explosive style could create a nightmare for opposing teams.
His 7-yard reception for a TD in the first quarter was essentially a running play. It’s these delay type red-zone plays that are almost unstoppable when every defensive players eyes are on Vick. It was a very nice play call and an easy score for McCoy. If he finds the gaps like he did on that play there is little an opposing team can do with the Eagles’ array of offensive weapons.
It may seem strange but Desean Jackson’s day was somewhat lackluster, yet at the same time, fruitful. He dropped an almost sure touchdown throw from Vick in the second quarter. It was a deep play that seemed tailor made for Jackson but his hands simply came up short. Overall he was targeted 12 times and had only six catches.
But that is the Desean Jackson we know. He certainly should haul in any ball that hits his hands but when a less-than-perfect game means a touchdown and reaching the century mark in yards you have to be happy with the performance.
Seeing that touchdown come in the red-zone is huge as well. Jackson’s size make’s it hard for him to be effective when the offense is within the opponents 20 yard line. A lot of the credit for the TD should go to Vick for making an impressive throw but those bootleg plays are tailor-made for Jackson. Who knows if the play was simply catching lightning in a bottle, but more red-zone TD’s for D-Jax could go a long way to making the Eagles a better team.
And for the record, if his miniscule contract was on his mind during the game he certainly did not let it show on the field— another promising sign.
It has also become very clear that whatever role Brent Celek is going to play in this offense it will be a small one.
Once Kevin Kolb’s favorite target on the field, Celek gets lost in the shuffle of outstanding receivers and running backs. He only had one catch on three targets. The offensive line will need as much help as it can get, so look for Celek to be primarily used as a blocker. Even when Celek goes out on routes Vick is more likely to look deep to one of either Jackson, Maclin or Smith or to tuck the ball and run than to look for Celek in the flat.
The Ram’s have some good players on their roster but they suffered a lot of injuries through the game. If the Eagles are as serious about its Super Bowl hopes as we all are they will have to beat better teams. There were mistakes and they will have to correct them if they want to beat teams like Green Bay.
Still, even with the sometimes shaky play, it is clear the talent on the offensive side of the ball could prove overwhelming even on their off days.
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DJax should have had 3 td’s & over 200 yds. rec. But who’s complaining. Good win.
I cant complain about DJAX because he normally is money on deep throws. You hardly see him drop deep throws. He is dynamic. I dont care what they pay him its not my money. I want him on my team. Can you imagine him lining up across from Dez Bryant? Then all the Eagle geniuses can say “we won atleast we didnt pay him all that money”, as hes running down the field. we really showed him!
We need to pay DJax today. Even though he dropped some passes he had a good game. Joe Banner needs to work this out. Overall I was happy with the win however we need to make sure we correct our mistakes before next week. The Atlanta game won’t be easy because after the Bears gave them I beat down they play us in their place. We must improve our run defense. We also need to block better for Vick. I don’t want him to have to run 10 times next week because I concerned about him getting hurt. If we focus on the right things we can beat the Falcons!!!!!
I’m glad we whooped a team we were supposed to. Especially when their best players get hurt. That’s what you have to do. Having said that, I think the same question marks remain. Oline will still have question marks until they play against a better defense. Not sure how we will play against good rushing teams because we saw what happened yesterday. It was just that the Rams couldn’t stop our O so they couldn’t run as much let alone Jackson gets hurt. So still not sure what our LBs will be. And the safeties weren’t testing and I don’t think anyone thought they would be this game. Didn’t really learn anything new about the team. Andy and Marty still get plays in too late and bad challenges. Pretty much business as usual.
We will have to see what happens in ATL. Everyone knows they are a completely different team when they are home so we will see. It will be emotional for Vick to go back as the starter this time. Should be a very good game.
IN MY OPINION, we should beat the Falcons by a similar score. The players know how much Vick wants this game and Atlanta is overrated.
reed, I hope we do whoop ATL. I just want us to put a whooping on a good team in their house. The thing about ATL is they play completely different at home. Their home record under Ryan and Smith is pretty good. They can look awful one week on the road and look like a Super Bowl contender the next week at home. Not a recipe to make a deep playoff run but that is who they are.
Falcons were manhandled by the Bears yesterday on both sides of the ball
(This was my early TV Game in my local TV market)
Falcons Defense and their LB’s are not very impressive and their Safeties are super agressive and can be burned deep.. If Vick is patient, he should be able to pick-apart this Falcons Secondary like Kolb did last year..
Falcons have always been frauds……….
The league was pumping them up to promote Ryan after Vick’s downfall….But, when it’s said and done the Falcons are going to wish they retained Vick’s rights.
Ryan is a bum and Falcons are frauds…..
It so happen they’re playing good teams early instead of a front loaded schedule of bum teams.
I don’t think Ryan is a bum, but he’s not an Elite QB and if simply asked to manage the game and throw 20-24 passes a game, would be very effective..
Having him apptempt 35-40 passes a game is like the Giants situation with Eli..
They more these 2 Teams pass, the less effective they will be..
Falcons Draft and Off-Season was very odd, where their issues are mostly on the Defensive side of the ball are in need of DT’s, LB’s and Secondary help and instead they trade away 4 Furture Draft picks to move up and select WR J Jones after they already have a pretty good WR corp.. Didn’t make sense and they will pay the price with a average to below average defense for the next 2-3 Seasons because of it…
agreed Paulman – Songs has the ‘over apply the word bum’ virus.