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Eagles flex their muscle before Monday night showdown
With a 38-3 thumping of the St. Louis Rams, the Eagles immediately answered several of the questions floating around the team before the season.
The main question surrounding the Eagles every season it seems concerns the quality of their wide receivers. Every year, Head Coach Andy Reid tells anyone who will listen that his guys are good enough to win, as long as they do their job and catch the ball.
On Sunday, even without Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, the Eagles had three 100-yard receivers, including rookie DeSean Jackson, who showed that he is the real deal by hauling in 6 catches for 106 yards. Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett also topped the century mark in yards, while Jason Avant and L.J. Smith added 45 yards and 39 yards, respectively.
The fact that Brian Westbrook only had two catches, shows how smoothly the Eagles offense ran on Sunday afternoon, because when he’s catching eight or ten passes a game, that usually means the offense can’t get going and the receivers aren’t getting open.
The main difference between this performance and the receivers from previous years was their execution of plays. What impressed me most was how DeSean Jackson and the rest of the receivers went to the ball. It seems obvious, but I can’t even count how many times I had seen McNabb throw a pass and the receiver would wait for the ball to come to him, only to have it swatted away, instead of going after the ball and making the grab.
A great game by the wide receivers leads into the next question: How healthy is Donovan McNabb?
Short answer: very healthy. Long-term answer: Hopefully very healthy.
McNabb looked as sharp and decisive as I have ever seen him, and despite not having his top two wide receivers, he looked more confident than ever.
Not to take a shot at Giants fans, but the difference between Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb in week 1 was quite apparent. SuperFive was making crisp throws, and ended with 361 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to the second-string offense, while Manning looked like he reverted back to the 2007 regular season version of himself, throwing for 216 yards and an interception against the Redskins.
Now it is easy to say that the Rams are an awful team and McNabb should pick their defense apart, but without more than 1,800 yards worth of starting wide receivers, it was, without question, the best quarterback performance of the week. On the other hand, Manning should have pulled off a similar performance against the Skins, who were without their top two cornerbacks after Fred Smoot got injured.
The next question answered on Sunday was about the Eagles’ trio of Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks. When the Eagles failed to trade Lito Sheppard, many people openly questioned whether all three cornerbacks could work together on the field. By holding Torry Holt to just 1 catch for 9 yards, all while limiting Steven Jackson to less than three yards per carry, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson showed exactly what this defense is capable of doing each week.
The Birds were ball hawks all game, getting their hands on three St. Louis passes that should have been intercepted, and making quick hits to limit any running after the catch. Especially impressive was Sheldon Brown’s helmet-breaking hit on Steven Jackson in the open field, and overall, the Eagles’ defense simply dominated the Rams in all aspects of the game.
The final question going into the season was about the Eagles’ special teams play. Last year in the first game of the season, two muffed punts cost the Eagles a victory over the Green Bay Packers. This year, DeSean Jackson has claimed the job on punt returns and immediately showed his explosiveness, taking one 60 yards before being stopped inside the 20. I fully expect two or three touchdowns out of the special teams this season.
On the other side of the kicking, the coverage teams were flying around the ball, limiting Dante “the Human Joystick” Hall to just an 18-yard average on kickoff returns.
While the dominating victory over the Rams was fun to watch after eight long, football-less months, the real test comes next week when the Eagles travel to Dallas for a Monday night showdown in Big D. The Cowboys took care of the Cleveland Browns, 28-10, with impressive performances by Tony Romo, Marion Barber and Jason Witten. Dallas was able to shut down the Browns’ high-powered passing attack, while controlling the time of possession battle on offense, so we will all know soon enough where the Eagles really stand.
Prediction: Eagles win, 27-20, and Asante Samuel makes up for his two drops against the Rams.
***
Like the “On the Edge” column? Hear more of my opinions about Philadelphia sports every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on WBCB 1490 AM during the Coffee with Kahuna show.
The main question surrounding the Eagles every season it seems concerns the quality of their wide receivers. Every year, Head Coach Andy Reid tells anyone who will listen that his guys are good enough to win, as long as they do their job and catch the ball.
On Sunday, even without Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, the Eagles had three 100-yard receivers, including rookie DeSean Jackson, who showed that he is the real deal by hauling in 6 catches for 106 yards. Greg Lewis, Hank Baskett also topped the century mark in yards, while Jason Avant and L.J. Smith added 45 yards and 39 yards, respectively.
The fact that Brian Westbrook only had two catches, shows how smoothly the Eagles offense ran on Sunday afternoon, because when he’s catching eight or ten passes a game, that usually means the offense can’t get going and the receivers aren’t getting open.
The main difference between this performance and the receivers from previous years was their execution of plays. What impressed me most was how DeSean Jackson and the rest of the receivers went to the ball. It seems obvious, but I can’t even count how many times I had seen McNabb throw a pass and the receiver would wait for the ball to come to him, only to have it swatted away, instead of going after the ball and making the grab.
A great game by the wide receivers leads into the next question: How healthy is Donovan McNabb?
Short answer: very healthy. Long-term answer: Hopefully very healthy.
McNabb looked as sharp and decisive as I have ever seen him, and despite not having his top two wide receivers, he looked more confident than ever.
Not to take a shot at Giants fans, but the difference between Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb in week 1 was quite apparent. SuperFive was making crisp throws, and ended with 361 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to the second-string offense, while Manning looked like he reverted back to the 2007 regular season version of himself, throwing for 216 yards and an interception against the Redskins.
Now it is easy to say that the Rams are an awful team and McNabb should pick their defense apart, but without more than 1,800 yards worth of starting wide receivers, it was, without question, the best quarterback performance of the week. On the other hand, Manning should have pulled off a similar performance against the Skins, who were without their top two cornerbacks after Fred Smoot got injured.
The next question answered on Sunday was about the Eagles’ trio of Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks. When the Eagles failed to trade Lito Sheppard, many people openly questioned whether all three cornerbacks could work together on the field. By holding Torry Holt to just 1 catch for 9 yards, all while limiting Steven Jackson to less than three yards per carry, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson showed exactly what this defense is capable of doing each week.
The Birds were ball hawks all game, getting their hands on three St. Louis passes that should have been intercepted, and making quick hits to limit any running after the catch. Especially impressive was Sheldon Brown’s helmet-breaking hit on Steven Jackson in the open field, and overall, the Eagles’ defense simply dominated the Rams in all aspects of the game.
The final question going into the season was about the Eagles’ special teams play. Last year in the first game of the season, two muffed punts cost the Eagles a victory over the Green Bay Packers. This year, DeSean Jackson has claimed the job on punt returns and immediately showed his explosiveness, taking one 60 yards before being stopped inside the 20. I fully expect two or three touchdowns out of the special teams this season.
On the other side of the kicking, the coverage teams were flying around the ball, limiting Dante “the Human Joystick” Hall to just an 18-yard average on kickoff returns.
While the dominating victory over the Rams was fun to watch after eight long, football-less months, the real test comes next week when the Eagles travel to Dallas for a Monday night showdown in Big D. The Cowboys took care of the Cleveland Browns, 28-10, with impressive performances by Tony Romo, Marion Barber and Jason Witten. Dallas was able to shut down the Browns’ high-powered passing attack, while controlling the time of possession battle on offense, so we will all know soon enough where the Eagles really stand.
Prediction: Eagles win, 27-20, and Asante Samuel makes up for his two drops against the Rams.
***
Like the “On the Edge” column? Hear more of my opinions about Philadelphia sports every Friday at 3:30 p.m. on WBCB 1490 AM during the Coffee with Kahuna show.
posted by Matthew Fleishman, Yardley News Editor at
10:41 AM
10 Comments:
Why are you comparing McNabb and Manning? What exactly is the point of that?
Clearly, you're trying to take a shot at the Giants. Guess you missed last season.
This is exactly what's wrong with Philadelphia fans. They care more about stats than wins and losses.
How many rings does Donovan have? How many rings does Eli have? Case closed.
Oh, but McNabb played better against the Rams than Eli did against Washington ... so Donovan must be better.
You're an idiot, dude.
Oh I get it, when a quarterback wins a Super Bowl, he's annointed the best quarterback in the NFL. Guys like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson agree with you.
In case you missed last season's playoff run, the Giants' defense, led by Strahan, Umenyiora, and Tuck carried the team. Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress also were key components of the run.
Where would you rate Eli Manning among quarterbacks going into week 2 of the season? Eli Manning played well for a month in his first four seasons as a professional, and you're rating him higher than McNabb?
Any person outside of the Giants fan base would take Donovan McNabb over Eli Manning, and that is a fact. You can go to ESPN, FoxSports, CBSSportline, Yahoo, AOL or any other place with a sports section, and you'll find that opinion.
Sorry to break it to you, but look for another 20 INT season from Eli.
Who said Eli was the best QB in the NFL?
The Giants defense was spectacular during the playoff run, but you're completely ignoring the fact that Eli outplayed every QB he faced -- Garcia, Romo, Favre and Brady. The last two, I think you'll agree, are first-ballot Hall of Famers. When has Donovan EVER had a stretch like that?
You're also ignoring that Eli threw for 152 yards in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl against a team that some labeled the greatest of all-time.
You want to take Donovan on a week-to-week basis? Go right ahead. I'll take the guy who shines on the big stage, which McNabb has never done.
Sorry to break it you, but look for another year without any championships in Philadelphia.
"Eli Manning played well for a month in his first four seasons as a professional"
Um, do you know how many times the Giants have missed the playoffs since Eli became the full-time starter? ZERO.
Obviously, he's played well more than just a month. My God, the jealousy in Philly is overwhelming. I wish I could have been in a bar down there to see the look on those inbreds' faces while Eli and the Giants celebrated one of the greatest NFL stories of all time.
Wow ... what a horrible performance by Eli today. You really have hit the nail right on the head.
By the way ... were Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson named MVP of their Super Bowl wins? Didn't think so.
I just stumbled onto this blog, and I have to say the author is a complete moron.
He says Plaxico Burress and Brandon Jacobs were key components in the Giants' playoff run. Does he not know that Amani Toomer was their leading receiver, and Ahmad Bradshaw was their leading rusher?
Does he know that Osi Umenyiora did not record a sack in the playoffs?
I have to ask, do you get paid?
Now you guys are just being argumentative...
If I said that Burress was worthless in the playoffs you all would have pointed to his 11 catch performance against the Packers and his Super Bowl-winning touchdown catch.
And if I said that Umenyiora did nothing because of his 0 sacks, you would have pointed to the quarterback hurries he registered and the extra help it took to block him, which allowed the rest of the line to get more pressure on the quarterback.
By the way, I'm not taking anything away from Eli's performance last year in the playoffs. He was outstanding, as the stats will show. But during the regular season, he's a below average quarterback, which the stats will also show. Case in point: His career quarterback rating is 74.0, which is below average, and his 73.8 last year ranked him 25th among quarterbacks in the NFL, below guys like Kyle Boller, Joey Harrington, Jason Campbell, Sage Rosentfels and Chad Pennington. This is a fact that cannot be disputed.
If you read back through the blog, I actually rooted for the Giants in the Super Bowl because of my hatred for the Patriots, and on many occassions have given credit to their defensive line and hoped the Eagles would build a similar unit for this year.
I'm not a Giants-hater, just a realist.
His rating yesterday was 131.4.
Nonetheless, I could care less. All I care about is wins and losses, and Eli is a winner. Period.
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