Philadelphia Eagles @ Carolina Panthers Preview

September 13th, 2009 8:29 am
by Big Dog

Welcome to the 2010 season, football fans. In a week full of interesting matchups and the beginning of the race to the playoffs, let’s take a quick look at the Eagles @ Panthers game and see what information we can glean.

Philadelphia Eagles

Historically speaking, Andy Reid isn’t renowned for a strong start to the season with his teams. Couple that with some unexpected personnel decisions during the off-season and there are a lot of unanswered questions facing the Eagles this Sunday. The first and biggest of these is surely the Offensive Line, faced with the challenge of holding a very tough Panthers defense while buying McNabb enough time to get the passing game going. If McNabb starts getting sacked, expect his passes to start being rushed and increasingly off target. Unfortunately due to his history with injury, Donovan’s not as light on his feet as he once was, which means that scrambling isn’t much of an option for him. While the Panthers’ corners have been giving away plenty of room in the pre-season, this will only make the job easier for McNabb if his front line holds.

Carolina Panthers

On paper at least, the Eagles look vulnerable up the middle. With a rookie Safety/CB in Victor (Macho) Harris and various troubles in the MLB position, it’s possible that Jake Delhomme will be able to catch the defense off-guard. On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers really have to win the battle at the line. As mentioned above, their corners have been giving away too much room so far in the pre-season. That has to stop now. If Julius Peppers can unleash the pain he dearly loves to, then the Eagles will really be in trouble.

Conclusion

Ultimately this game will be about one matchup only. The Eagles O-Line vs the Panthers D-Line. The game will be won and lost there. While there are a lot of questions over the Eagles Line, at this stage it looks to me like the Panthers are not playing tight enough in the middle and McNabb/Reid will punish them for this.

Prediction

A close fought game, but Eagles 21-17

Posted in Analysis, Andy Reid, Carolina Panthers, Donovan McNabb, Game, Julius Peppers, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NFL Players, NFL on television, NFL schedule, Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »

The hot seat – it burns, burns, burns

October 3rd, 2007 6:35 am
by Big Dog

We said it last time, and now it’s more true than ever, Norv Turner has to be grimacing with his butt firmly planted on the hottest seat in the NFL right now. So far this season San Diego have failed to fire on offense, in spite of Turner’s reputation as an offensive specialist. The Chargers are now languishing at 4th in the AFC West and have already lost more games than they did last season. Following the high expectations set last season, if the Chargers don’t turn things around and soon, Norv’s seat is set to spontaneously combust.

While it might not look like it on the surface, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb must be feeling things heat up a little bit too. So far the Eagles have played four games using the same basic plan with little adjustment for each opposing team. Of those four games the Eagles have won only one, and while that game was won in spectacular fashion, it wasn’t a division game. In fact Philadelphia are now locked in a desperate struggle to salvage their season given the fact that Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips and the Dallas Cowboys seem to be pretty content just racking up one win after the next.

Over in San Francisco somebody should tell Mike Nolan that Russell Crowe has already proven that Armani suits don’t win championships (his team made the playoffs and lost in the first round). There’s plenty to be said for looking good while you win, but you need to be winning before you can start worrying about looking good.

Cam Cameron also has to be starting to feel the heat in his first season for the Dolphins. Even though nobody had huge expectations for Miami, they’ve managed to disappoint anyway. Miami fans have to be hoping that Cam’s track record with successful QBs soon bears fruit with Trent Green.

What do you think? Hit us up in the comments and tell us whose seat is heating up and why.

Posted in Andy Reid, Cam Cameron, Dallas Cowboys, Donovan McNabb, Game, Miami Dolphins, Mike Nolan, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, Norv Turner, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Terrell Owens, Tony Romo, Trent Green, Wade Phillips | No Comments »

NFL Week 4 Instant Analysis: Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

September 30th, 2007 11:54 pm
by Pro Set

Philadelphia 3-16 NY Giants

It would be tempting to blame the injury problems of Philadelphia for the loss to NY Giants. RB Brian Westbrook was among those sorely missed. The truth is, however, that the Eagles were outplayed in a classic demonstration of why left tackles get paid so much money.

When Phildelphia had possession, I felt that they ran the ball well through RB Correll Buckhalter. I also felt that PHI followed up their rare first downs with too many subsequent 1st & 10 pass plays. The NBC coverage foussed heavily on the battles between RT Jon Runyan and LE Michael Strahan, and, on the other end, LT Winston Justice and RE Osi Umenyiora. It is trite to say that the Giants dominated the edge rush and forced QB Donovan McNabb into rushing his passes.

What nobody seemed to address, however, was that McNabb was not stepping up into the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. He was taking five step drops and then getting hit. After the sheer volume of sacks that the Eagles conceded, I wanted to see McNabb hit his final drop step and step up, allowing his tackles to concentrate on stopping the inside move. Did anyone hear the name of DT Fred Robbins get mentioned? That means that there was less inside pressure on McNabb, but I guess that they did not have time to pressure him before he was sacked by the edge rushers.

There really is no point writing more than this. Since PHI could not protect the passer, the Eagles could not throw the ball. This meant that it was imperative for the Eagles to get the lead. On this reasoning, the game was decided in two plays.

First, with NYG moving forward late in the second quarter, LB Omar Gaither picked off a QB Eli Manning pass. After carrying the ball back to midfield, he ran out of bounds. I could not believe that he did not try to run over Manning. This was a terrible decision. The momentum of the turnover disappeared in a symphony of penalties and negative plays. How many truly great NFL defenders would run out of bounds when faced with a QB guarding the yardage to the endzone: not many.

Second, the FR TD return by LB Kawika Mitchell deserves mention. I still don’t know how a skill position player like Correll Buckhalter could not cover up that fumble. This Giants TD, occurring late in the 3rd quarter, drained the belief from the PHI players. If PHI had entered the final quarter, after conceding endless sacks and penalties, with only a ten point deficit, the NYG player might well have thought that the Eagles would prove impossible to extinguish: it’s happened before in this rivalry.

So, overall, the Eagles tried but failed in their (hopefully unintended) application of the Homer Simpson strategy. Stand up like a man, take as many punches as the other guy can possibly throw at you, and then push him over for the knock out victory. Having said that, Andy Reid had as many answers to the NYG pass rush as Moe Siszlak had to the power of Drederick Tatum. Was Andy Reid not once an NFL offensive lineman?

Finally, we only had to wait 90 seconds before John Madden mentioned exotic blitzes (see preview).

Posted in Analysis, Andy Reid, Brian Westbrook, Correll Buckhalter, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Fred Robbins, John Madden, Jon Runyan, Kawika Mitchell, Michael Strahan, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL on NBC, NY Giants, Osi Umenyiora, Philadelphia Eagles, Shaun Andrews, Week 4 Instant Analysis | No Comments »

NFL Week 4 Featured Preview: Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants

September 28th, 2007 11:07 pm
by Pro Set

Philadelphia (1-2) @ NY Giants (1-2) Sun 8:15pm ET on NBC

It will be hard for the loser of this match to win the division. Philadelphia comes in off an amazing display of offensive power against a Detroit Lions secondary that had clearly been studying film of the 2000 St Louis Rams defense: maybe Mike Martz brought it with him. NY Giants hits the halfway point of its divisional schedule here and will need a win to keep pace with Dallas.

NY Giants

QB Eli Manning was well supported last week by a dependable second half running game. RB Derrick Ward carried the ball effectively and exceeded expectations. The Giants cannot afford to spot the Eagles a 14-point lead like they did the Redskins. It follows that the Giants will need to run the ball with some success early in the match. The Giants should take heart from the way that the Redskins were able to run the ball against the Eagles. WSH was able to ground out long drives by good fundamental blocking. The power and strength of the PHI front seven is somewhat of a concern.

In the passing game, I’m sure that we’ll here at some point that Eli Manning will face some exotic blitzes from PHI defensive co-ordinator Jim Johnson. This is where the Giants have to make a decision. If WR Plaxico Burress is healthy enough, the Giants might be tempted to use a max protect scheme on 3rd down and try to hit Burress deep against single coverage. If Burress is still troubled by his ankle problem, then TE Jeremy Shockey has to be the hot receiver. If Shockey makes 3rd down catches that move the chains, the Eagles will be forced to back off the pressure. Eli Manning has a history of losing his mechanics and technique when pressured, so PHI will be loathe to sit back and just play coverage.

Philadelphia

After the surreal nature of last Sunday, QB Donovan McNabb might be expected to enter this game on top of the world. But I think that RB Brian Westbrook is more important. Westbrook has to be decisive and strong against an NYG front that suddenly clicked in the second half last Sunday. Westbrook cannot get greedy and bounce runs outside. I would like to see the Eagles line up and run consistently over the right side of the line, using the nastiest RG / RT combo in the NFC, being RG Shaun Andrews and RT Jon Runyan. I can’t see LB Kawika Mitchell and LB Antonio Pierce shedding those blocks too easily. Of course, if DT Fred Robbins and DT Barry Cofield can disrupt the central rushing lanes, the linebackers will be far more dangerous.

When the Eagles throw the ball, WR Reggie Brown and WR Kevin Curtis have to get open. The Giants secondary was torched by the Cowboys in Week 1, and the Redskins too hit some deep passes last Sunday. I expect the PHI line to provide good pass protection. I think that the Eagles have to try to drive the Giants into softer coverage with a couple of early deep balls on 1st & 10 or better. I have not been impressed with TE LJ Smith so far and I think that he needs to be a better broken play 3rd down receiver (much like WSH TE Chris Cooley). The Eagles also should make every effort to use Westbrook on screens and option patterns, since the linebackers will have to sit off him out of respect for his speed. If they don’t, PHI must be prepared to call the wheel route and let Westbrook go deep.

Conclusion

It’s hardly a big call to predict that this will be close. I think, unusually, that it will help the Eagles to be on the road. I think that they need to be a little more conservative on offense and let the Giants force the play. There is an injury doubt over PHI K David Akers, but he is expected to play. I like the Eagles in a close one, mainly due to the fact that Westbrook is a proven game-breaker in this series. Don’t be surprised to see some trick plays, and maybe even fake kicks. This one is too important for both teams to leave any page untried.

Prediction: Philadelphia

Posted in Antonio Pierce, Brian Westbrook, David Akers, Derrick Ward, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Fred Robbins, Game, Jeremy Shockey, Kawika Mitchell, Kevin Curtis, LJ Smith, NFL, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Game Previews, NY Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Reggie Brown | No Comments »

This could get controversial

September 26th, 2007 7:38 am
by Big Dog

Alright, here’s the thing. Race is a hot issue in football right now. There’s the ongoing Michael Vick thing, and recently Donovan McNabb accidentally said the truth out loud.

Issues like this sit on a hotbed of emotion just waiting to be fanned into fires of prejudice. They’re practically impossible to discuss without offending and upsetting somebody. The truth is that I’m not sure how much I can say on this. Race relations are complicated and involved. It’s too tempting to oversimplify it, down to some kind of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” thing.

Rather than bore you with my take on things, I thought I’d point you towards what a couple of others had to say.

First of all here’s what Howard Bryant has had to say on Michael Vick and some of the email he’s received.

Next, here’s a blog with a few choice things to say about Donovan McNabb.

Finally, Mike Freeman has a few things to share about the complete lack of racism in America and his email inbox.

Posted in Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick | No Comments »

MNF coverage crippled by commentary

September 18th, 2007 1:50 am
by Pro Set

Despite Joe Theismann leaving the booth, tonight’s MNF coverage really demonstrated how far matters have deteriorated since Al Michaels departed for NBC.

With a tight, hugely important divisional showdown in play, (yes, actually in play) the long-suffering viewers were treated to a torturous over-indulgence of Charles Barkley followed by a fourth quarter descent into storyline wonderland that was just infuriating.

Barkley entered the booth in the third quarter and made some prescient and insightful remarks on the pressures facing QB Donovan McNabb. This was a really interesting period as McNabb battled to keep PHI within striking distance with the fans on his back.

But the MNF crew just had to begin pontificating on the New England spygate incident. This had been covered, on national television, 24 hours previously when the Patriots were actually playing. The relevance and newsworthiness of the MNF input was negligible, at best. The story of the evening was the game in front of them, and the issue at hand was how PHI would convert its painful but stuttering drives into TD opportunities, whilst getting pressure on WSH QB Jason Campbell on the other side of the ball without letting the Redskins run freely.

Mercifully the enforced conversation created by Barkley departed at the end of the third quarter. I’m not sure that I could have coped if Mike (the Choirboy) Tirico had mentioned again that Barkley covers the NBA for TNT, and that “our (Tirico’s and Barkley’s) paths will cross many times during the (NBA) season.”

We all then suffered as Tony Kornheiser, who tries hard but does not seem to have the patience to appreciate a full game of NFL football, started soliloquising on the future of WSH coach Joe Gibbs. The relevance of this subject matter to the game at hand was zero. It’s Week 2 and the Redskins are 1-0 so the future of the coach is absolutely moot when a 2-0 start is one defensive stop away. My bet is that Joe Gibbs, as well as every interested viewer, was fully focussed on how to contain the threatened PHI comeback.

I felt that Kornehiser had saved this up for a large PHI lead to fill 4th quarter dead time, and refused to allow the game to dictate the storylines. This manufactured storyline is beloved by the MNF crew. It simply gives them an excuse to follow a prepared script and cue up something that gives the aura of preparedness.

I feel ungrateful criticising a crew that has replaced the Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, Suzy Kolber human interest-athon that used to crush my will to breathe.

But Tirico insists on explaining the ultra obvious during the one game of the week that is on cable, and might be expected to draw the most discerning and knowledgeable audience. Kornheiser is a newspaper man and loves to focus on pre-game storylines that can be “followed up” and “developed.”

I yearn for the return of Dick Stockton and Matt Millen, or Ray Bentley and Ron Pitts.

Posted in Al Michaels, Dick Stockton, Donovan McNabb, Jason Campbell, Joe Gibbs, Matt Millen, Mike Tirico, Monday Night Football, NFL on NBC, Philadelphia Eagles, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Washington Redskins | No Comments »

Week 1 Instant Analysis

September 9th, 2007 5:59 pm
by Pro Set

Philadelphia 13

Green Bay 16

I always feel that college football players receive too much criticism for errors of judgement. On Sundays, the reverse is true. Green Bay scored 13 points from 3 PHI turnovers and that was, unsurprisingly, decisive. I said that the Eagles had to avoid turnovers and special teams touchdowns. The Eagles managed to yield to both categories on one play in the first quarter on a muffed punt recovery. PHI WR Greg Lewis was the culprit.

With a McNabb INT leading to a GB field goal, the Eagles had given up a 10 point start on the road. From then on PHI controlled the game without dominating. The Eagles ran well on early downs through RB Westbrook. This took pressure off McNabb. PHI built a 13-10 through some solid drives and disciplined defence, however it was inevitable that GB QB Favre would influence the result at some point. His effort on the tying FG drive late in the 3rd quarter was phenomenal (7-9 for 66 yards), especially, of course, on 3rd down.

So the game arrived at the not uncommon NFL scenario of scores level deep into the final quarter. GB had not looked like providing another long scoring drive or anything close, with the Packers rushing game shut down.

It looked like PHI would have the last chance to win the game when the Packers were stopped on 3rd down inside the final minutes. But JR Reed, replacing Lewis as PR, sprinted towards the GB short punt at full speed and dived forward, muffing the catch. In all my time watching NFL games, this ranks as one of the worst individual mistakes that I have ever seen. There was no risk to possession by ignoring the ball. The punt was short, the game was tied. The game was then lost.

From a supposed professional, this was inexcusable. An example has to be set, and if Andy Reid does not cut him this week then I think that he simply has no future as a playoff coach. By not cutting him, Reid is admitting that the PR was not given specific instructions to ignore any difficult catch opportunity and simply to ensure that PHI secured possession.

Knowing when to instruct your players to leave a punt alone if in any doubt is an important feature of game management, and I openly questioned Reid’s game management in the preview. The Eagles gave this one away, and suffered a conference loss. The Packers defence was vastly improved on last season’s rabble, and I think that this makes McNabb’s effort very impressive.

Posted in Analysis, Andy Reid, Brett Favre, Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, Game, Green Bay Packers, Greg Lewis, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, Philadelphia Eagles | No Comments »