Daily Chicken Scratch

Monday, November 26, 2007



I have to admit that I, like most people, bought into the hype of the point spread before the Eagles and Patriots game Sunday night. I was expecting to see another blow out win by the Patriots and it seemed that was going to happen after A.J. Feeley's second pass of the game was returned for a touchdown. As I watched Asante Samuel return the interception for a touchdown I thought here we go. This is the beginning of the end.

But something happened last night. Something I have not seen in quite some time. The Eagles wiped the touchdown off their shoulders, regained their composure and played as a team. The Eagles really gave the highly favored Patriots a run for their money last night. The Eagles looked as if they were going to spoil the Patriots perfect season.

There seemed to be no shortage of motivating factors for the Eagles either. I think the first motivating factor was the point spread. I think that the Eagles saw that they were expected to be the doormats for the Patriots and took offense to that. I believe the Eagles wanted to prove to the naysayers that they are a better team than their record shows.

When Donovan McNabb was ruled out for the game against the Patriots it seemed as if the magic Jeff Garcia had returned. For a guy who has not started a game this season and who was thrown into playing the best team in the NFL, A.J. Feeley played his head off last night. The team rallied around him and the Eagles looked as if they were the team to beat last night.

Feeley may have made some mistakes but I saw that the offense ran gracefully and effectively with him behind center. Which brings me to my point; I think it is time to relieve McNabb of his duties as starting quarterback.

I can see that the Eagles would have a much better record if the Feeley were running the offense. Feeley runs the West Coast offense with much more precision than McNabb and he looks poised in the pocket. I am not saying that A.J. is the greatest thing since sliced bread but I do think he is a better fit for this offense.

Feeley made his reads better and got more players involved in the passing game. Feeley made the short passes easily and even threw the deep ball really well. The passing game was very effective and the Eagles seemed to slice up the Patriots secondary.

I know that Andy Reid will not pull the trigger on handing Feeley the starting quarterback job but if he did I think he would save the Eagles season in doing so.

I really would like to know what the love affair is with McNabb and Reid. I know that McNabb is the $100 million dollar man but come on Andy, the players don't respect him. Go back and look at the film of all the previos games this season and then watch the film of the Patriots game. You will see the difference in the ways that both the offense and defense played and I feel that a lot of that has to do with who your QB is.

If you remember in 2002, McNabb went down with five games remaining and Feeley took over the job as starting QB. Feeley won four of fives games and took the Eagles to the playoffs. Last season, Jeff Garcia went 5-1 following McNabb’s season ending injury and again took the Eagles to the playoffs.

Looking at where the Eagles are now I don’t think a change at QB would be a bad thing. If history repeats itself, like it is known to do, a change at QB could get the Eagles into the playoffs.

If it were my call, McNabb would be carrying the clipboard for the rest of the season. Lets wait and see what all Mama McNabb has to say when yet again she is fielding questions on if Donovan should be the starting QB. She had no problems throwing Garcia under the bus after last year...watch out A.J. your NEXT!!!

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