Eagles Vacation
Aug 30, 2010 Eagles Commentary, Me, The Site
Back when this blog was most active it was, probably at a minimum, eighty percent Eagles content. That was simply a reflection of what I’ve been most passionate about, which was always the Eagles. This was my space for barfing up my Eagles stream of consciousness.
But something happened to me as last season came to an end. Maybe this was unique to me but I don’t think it was. I got burned out.
It had nothing to do with a change in how much I cared about the Eagles. Far from it, that fire still burns. But I simply couldn’t spend another off-season reading every day about another failed playoff run and the predictable, tired “who will McNabb play for next season” drama while the same arguments play out in every paper, radio, and blog that covered the subject. I just wasn’t up for it, so I reduced my winter and spring investment in the Eagles to basic news.
The trade made me feel as twisted up as anyone else. And all the relief that came with Donovan’s baggage (well, most of it) being taken by truck down to DC somehow reinforced my decision to keep the Birds at arms length for a while. It was cathartic.
It’s nice to be getting back in the swing of things, though. I’m guessing I’m not alone. Just seeing NFL teams square off this August really got the blood flowing again and I feel like I’ve hit stage 8 or 9 of my Donovan recovery. Just in time.
Giants Have Question Marks, Too
Jul 29, 2009 Eagles Commentary
While there are some very good reasons to be optimistic about the 2009 Eagles campaign — it doesn’t take much thought to put together some reasons for doubt, either. Will the offensive line gel? Will and how much will the defense suffer after losing Jim Johnson? And perhaps the biggest of all, will Brian Westbrook be healthy and effective?
But the other likely NFC East powerhouse — the Giants — have their share of question marks as well.
- Don’t forget, this team also will have a new, unproven defensive coordinator (Bill Sheridan).
- Eli Manning is playing without Plaxico Burress, and the Giants did not go out and get any of the big name receivers that were rumored available. Whether any of their young crop of receivers is really any good is yet to be determined.
- Gone is one big part of their rushing attack — Derrick Ward. Keeping Jacobs healthy is more vital than ever, as “Ahmad Bradshaw, feature back” has never been tested.
Now, don’t get me wrong. This team will be good. They have an excellent offensive and defensive line — and when you’re team is strong in the trenches you will always be competitive.
The question I see for them is — when they face a tough defense, will they be able to put up points? The passing game is the key to almost every modern and powerful NFL offense. And whether Eli and that group of pass-catchers will be up to the task is an open question.
Tags: Eli Manning, New York Giants
Here’s Hoping the Streak Continues
Mar 5, 2009 Eagles Commentary
And the Cowboys have the TO hangover the Niners and Eagles went through. Actually, the Niners are still going through.
And with that being said, he’s still good enough that I don’t want the Giants or Redskins signing him.
C’mon Oakland, make him an offer he can’t refuse.
The Patriots are Brilliant. Except When They Aren’t
Feb 28, 2009 Eagles Commentary, NFL News
Let’s make a quick comparison.
Yesterday, the Eagles traded one of their backup defensive backs, a guy who has virtually no value to them, to the Jets for a 5th round draft pick and (potentially) a 2nd round pick in 2010.
Today, the Patriots traded Matt Cassell, a promising young quarterback who they slapped a franchise tag on worth $15 million, for a single 2nd round pick (if the rumor is true).
Now, maybe this is some sort of personal favor from Belichick to his old buddy Scott Pioli.
But if it’s not, I can’t believe the market for Cassel was this shallow. I mean, there’s good reason to be skeptical of some of the ridiculous praise thrown at him this year, but still — the Eagles got a 2nd round pick for AJ Feeley at one point!
Wow.
Update: After thinking about this for a few more minutes, there’s no way the Patriots do a deal this seemingly imbalanced with any other team. It pays to have good friends, and Scott Pioli is cashing in.
Eagles News: Stacy Andrews, Your New Right Tackle
Feb 27, 2009 Eagles Commentary, Eagles News
I gotta say, with an effort to be an easy-going casual Eagles fan, it’s going to be pretty cool to have brothers mashing people next to each other on the offensive line. I can only imagine how excited young Shawn and big brother are.
But it is also, almost certainly, the end of the road for two Eagles greats. And I mean that, greats. Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan have been absolutely irreplacable during this almost full decade of winning seasons for Philadelphia. I hope they both are able to enjoy life outside of an Eagles uniform.
This signing, obviously, has a major impact on what the Eagles can and will do in the NFL draft now. You’ve got to be excited about those two first-round picks, knowing they can be used on skill position guys. Very cool.
Eagles Recent History: A Distraction from the Soap Opera
Feb 24, 2009 Eagles Commentary
I always encourage the taking of joy from your rivals’ misery. So with that in mind:
Eagles-Giants Game Review: Better Late Than Never [Big Blue Interactive]
Highly Recommended.
Eagles Stats: WRs in Playoffs
Feb 17, 2009 Eagles Commentary, Eagles Rumors
This morning I felt the need to take a look at the Eagles wide receivers’ performances in the playoffs. With so much speculation about the receivers available for trade and whether or not the Eagles need them, it helps to evaluate and compare what we have against the rest of the league through every available means.
Specifically, I’ll be looking at the number of times they were targeted and how often that resulted in a completion, interception, or touchdown. Then I want to compare it to a few other receivers in the playoffs.
The reason for this is that in January almost all of the defenses are pretty good and, although you can never truly separate the performance of a wide receiver from that of his quarterback, I think there is close to consensus that Donovan had a pretty good run in the playoffs. He wasn’t the best quarterback (Warner) certainly, but he was still good. So here are the numbers for Jackson, Curtis, and Avant.
Jackson
MIN: (1/3, 34) NYG: (4/7, 81, INT) ARI: (6/11, 92, TD)
11/21, 207, TD, INT
Curtis
MIN: (4/7, 49, INT) NYG: (4/8, 40, INT) ARI: (4/8, 122)
12/23, 211, INT
Avant
MIN: (5/6, 47) NYG: (4/5, 43) ARI: (2/4, 23)
11/15, 113
The cumulative numbers aren’t surprising. Avant had the best catch rate in the regular season (for a lot of reasons), and he was an extremely reliable target for McNabb in January. I’m not sure how wise it would be to wish to see less Avant on the field (by replacing him with free agent/traded wide receiver X).
Now let’s take a look at the numbers for a few other guys. I only included guys who are #1 or #2 receivers, and who played at least two games.
Fitzgerald
ATL: (6/11, 101, TD) CAR: (8/13, 166, TD, INT) PHI: (9/11, 152, 3 TD) PIT: (7/8, 127, 2 TD)
30/43, 546, 7 TD, INT
Boldin
ATL: (2/5, 72, TD) PHI: (4/7, 34) PIT: (9/13, 84, INT)
15/25, 190, TD, INT
Holmes
SD: (2/8, 70, TD) BAL: (2/5, 25) ARI: (10/14, 131, TD, INT)
14/27, 226, 2TD, INT
Ward
SD: (3/3, 55) BAL: (4/5, 70) ARI: (2/4, 43)
9/12, 168
Chambers
IND: (4/7, 57, INT) PIT: (4/4, 72)
8/11, 129, INT
Mason
MIA: (4/8, 71) TEN: (5/9, 78, TD) PIT: (3/9, 41, INT)
12/26, 190, TD, INT
Getting the obvious out of the way, no one is Larry Fitzgerald. But I felt inclined to include him because, despite the fact that he’s not of this planet, he is still a receiver in the NFL.
Next, for the most part, you can immediately notice that our #1 and #2 guys do not have the catch rate of most of these other guys.
Catch Rate, In Order:
Ward (75%)
Fitzgerald (70%)
Chambers, Avant (73%)
Boldin (60%)
Holmes, Jackson, Curtis (52%)
Mason (46%)
And Their QB’s Completion Percentage in the playoffs:
Warner: 68%
Roethlisberger: 61%
McNabb: 60%
Rivers: 58%
Flacco: 44%
The only wide receiver on the Eagles who out-performed his quarterback’s completion percentage is Avant, the 3rd receiver. Elsewhere, you have guys like Hines Ward, Fitzgerald, and Chris Chambers who all put up fantastic catch rates. Even Desmond Mason’s terrible catch rate is better than Flacco’s completion percentage overall.
I don’t think the small sample size of the playoffs and this set of data is some kind of verdict in favor of doing whatever possible to improve the position. Their numbers aren’t terrible. And you could argue that both players should get better (Jackson especially).
But I would say is that these numbers reflect something most of us already agreed on: in the playoffs, the Eagles put out a starting wide receiver duo that isn’t as good as several other teams’ versions. How much that hurt the Birds is up for interpretation.
Finally a few random observations from the data gathering:
As bad as you might think the Carolina gameplan was against Fitzgerald, the Eagles was no better. Fitzgerald caught the first six balls thrown his way and his catch rate was better against the Eagles than the Panthers.
Baskett, Brown, and Lewis had no catches against the Giants.
Hines Ward doesn’t catch many balls any more, but when it comes his way it’s usually in a big spot and he almost always makes the catch.
Happy Holidays!
Nov 30, 2008 Eagles Commentary
Good Opener
Nov 19, 2008 Eagles Commentary
The ‘Cuse guards were too much for Richmond last night. The game became pretty simple in the second half — the perimeter defenders for the Spiders were simply incapable of containing Devendorf and Flynn.
If Devendorf wasn’t getting open for a jumper with a jab-step, then he or Flynn were taking their man off the dribble and getting a layup. The two combined for nearly fifty points.
It’s good to see those guys working together this early in the season. However, it’s important to realize that the Orange won’t necessarily be able to rely on them like this once Big East play starts and quality defensive teams get to work.
That’s why I was pleased to see Onauku get at least one good seal in the second half and Flynn got the ball to him for an easy dunk.
After Oakland on Friday, things will really start to get fun. Florida, neutral site, Monday at 7:30. ESPN.
Season Starts Tonight
Nov 18, 2008 Eagles Commentary
‘Cuse basketball starts in earnest tonight with a home game against Richmond (6pm, ESPN). Do not be fooled into thinking this is a gimme win for the Orange. The Spiders are a veteran squad that returned all of their key players. They run the Princeton offense. It will be a good early season test for the Orange.
The Orange were terrible defensively last season, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the unique Spiders offense.
After tonight, the schedule will include Oakland, then Florida, followed by either Kansas or Washington.
