Bye Week

The Bye week could not have come at a better time. Before the season began, I really thought we would be 5-1/4-2 going into the bye. However, all is not lost. the NFC East has come down to earth, and the Eagles have survived without Westbrook. Atlanta is a much tougher opponent than I thought they would be. Turner is a stud, and Ryan has shown a lot of moxy. Roddy White is an emerging star, and the Atlanta defense has been solid.

On another note, I am rooting hard for these Phils to end our 25 year championship drought. I should mention to those fans of Philadelphia sports - Seattle has gone 27 years without a championship (with no relieve in sight) and Cleveland has gone 44 years since their city was the best at anything! Have faith!

Tight End????

The hot rumour is the Eagles are in on the Gonzalez talks. I am 100% for Tony G. landing in Philly. As I may have mentioned in past posts, LJ is a huge disappointment. We don't have a stud number 1 receiver (Dejean is coming, however!) so we need someone to take people out of the box. Who better? Gonzalez creates match up problems for teams that want to blitz (i.e. Giants), Cover 2 teams, and teams that want to gang up on Westbrook (I.E. EVERYBODY!!). The Chiefs are asking for a 3rd rounder. The Eagles have an extra number 1 that, we all know, the Eagles will trade on draft day for numerous picks. Spend now, and we are right there this year. We are in great shape after Giant, Redskin, and Cowboy losses. Make the move!

A win is a win!

Here is a look at yesterday's oft ugly win versus the 49ers:

The Good:

• Juqua Parker - Awesome! DE was a question mark coming into the season. We knew Trent Cole could get after the passer, but after that everyone was nervous. Parker has answered the call. Another sack, an interception, some tackles for a loss, and a whole lot of hustle plays. Love this guys effort on every snap.
• McNabb - Donovan is playing at such a high level. I know he had the one interception (and really could have thrown 2 more!) but he has been excellent. The Eagles receivers have stunk around him, but he continues to play well.
• Max Jean Gilles - He is not Shawn Andrews but he has been solid.
• Correll Buckhalter - What a great game! While losing Westbrook is awful, people are going to find out how good this guy is. And he is good!
• The O-Line - in the second half, they took over the game.

The Bad:

• LJ Smith - STINKS! We franchised this player??? WOW! I thought it was a good move at the time. I was wrong! Go get Tony Gonzalez and move this dog! He doesn't block, lines up wrong (see goal line versus the Redskins), and doesn't have 8 catches yet. He is the Mike Lieberthal of Tight ends!
• Covering Tight Ends - Vernon Davis had the best game of his career. What the hell are we doing! Cover the damn tight end, pleeeeeaaaaaassssseeeeee!
• Field Goal Unit - How does a team get penetration up the middle? Awful.

The Ugly:

• Cowboys and Redskins losses - good news!
• Jim Johnson of Dallas Cowboy/Fox Analyst fame says the Eagles will not make the playoffs.
• Jamie Moyer - I still love this guy!

Go Phils!!

After long thought............

It has been a while since last I wrote, but really how much could anyone want to think about the Eagles! Thank goodness for the Phillies. This has been an embarrassing couple of weeks. Some trends have emerged in the three Eagles losses:

1. The Eagles can not cover a tight end. In all three losses tight ends have made huge plays. It seems opposing coaches have found ways to exploit bad match ups with linebackers on tight ends.
2. The Eagles are, once again, an awful red zone team. Where is LJ Smith? Where is the offensive line?
3. The Eagles offense seems gutless. When they lose a lead they do not respond. I do not understand. A great team answers back, the Eagles do not. How about this stat over the last few years --- 1-8 in games decided by 4 points or less. Gutless.

In trying to look at the bright side - McNabb has been solid, and Westbrook gave a gutsy effort with 2 broken ribs on Sunday. Mikell is a good strong safety and Desean Jackson could be a good one.

Go Phillies!