Individually this Eagles team is great! Pro Bowl players at every corner and rookies who have more potential than I can even begin to fathom at this time, but something is just not there. On the field there appears to be a total disconnect; off the field the antics appear to be never ending. Say what you will, think how you’d like, but I don’t see a team in the Philadelphia Eagles.
Who’s playing with heart? I see Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, LeSean McCoy and even Brent Celek getting mad when they aren’t able to make plays. I understand that. As a fan, I appreciate that. On the other hand you have guys like Nnamdi Asomugha who’s calling out his (now former) coach. Trent Cole who got angry at Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez. Jason Babin using his Twitter account to define loyalty, supposedly in defense of Andy Reid. Eagles QB Mike Vick said in a press conference he understands that he might be benched. I can’t even get into Mychal Kendricks missing a meeting. Time to take a deep breath Eagles fans, players and coaches.
Let’s live in reality and examine what’s really going on. Eagles fans are going to be loyal to the team regardless. They might say things you find “terrible” Jason Babin, but that’s because they’re upset with how things are going. It might be difficult to understand, but it’s because they are, in fact, loyal fans and because they do care that they even bother to voice their opinions. Do you think you’re playing up to your potential? Fans certainly don’t. Does that give them the right to say things? Freedom of Speech my friend. Would you rather have a quiet stadium? That will never happen here in the city of Philadelphia especially not in the Linc. The same fans who are your worst critics when you’re losing are your biggest cheerleaders when you’re winning. Find me an Eagles fan who enjoys losing….good luck.
Andy Reid said that QB Mike Vick is one of the most competitive guys he has ever worked with. I have yet to see or sense that. Competitive people would not be understanding of anyone or anything getting in their way of playing. To me it seems like he would rather be benched at this point. Benching Vick would allow him to avoid injuries making him more valuable next season and he would still get a nice paycheck. Too large of a paycheck, which Andy Reid is now learning the hard way. The contract more or less catapulted former Eagles President Joe Banner right into the hands of the Cleveland Browns. Too much money too soon does not equal production does it Nnamdi Asomugha?
Enough with that. While watching the Philadelphia 76ers get blown out in Philadelphia by the New York Knicks, I was also being sent updates via ESPN Scorecenter of the Eagles vs. Saints Monday Night Football game. Eagles QB Mike Vick threw one short pass after another. Learning to compensate for the areas that struggle is crucial. Vick knows he only has a certain number of seconds to get rid of the ball and as much as we can all blame the injury plagued offensive line, plays need to be made.
Glimpses of greatness were shown in the strangest of places. Eagles RB Bryce Brown had a solid game and while WR Desean Jackson made a few mistakes, he made up for it with a beautiful catch. That trick play with Riley Cooper would have been great had they actually gotten it right. Lateral passes are not the simplest thing to throw int he heat of the moment. Is anyone else curious how many times they practiced that play? I’m sure it was ad nauseam.
Our red zone abilities are completely pathetic. Running plays were utilized, but not enough and not enough at the appropriate times. Reid and Mornhinweg called for 17 passing and only three running plays in 20 red zone plays. Care to know how many yards were gained? -24. Read that and try not to weep. At this point bring in Plaxico Burress. If Burress were to play for a total of three minutes no one would care as long as something is done about the lack of ability to score touchdowns.
Discussing the offensive line at this point equates to the sound of someone running fingernails down a chalkboard repeatedly so I’m just not going to do it. Herremans is officially on IR and will not play the rest of the season. Reid refuses to call former Eagles C Jamaal Jackson back to the team for no real reason that makes sense to me. Everyone else, well, yeah.
The fumble recovery by Brandon Graham was huge, but his celebration as though the team had just won the Super Bowl was slightly embarassing. Graham should definitely be utilized more as he seems to have so much passion and tenacity for the game. Coming back to prove his doubters wrong has helped him step up on a few different occasions.
Vick do you still want to blame the media after the loss on Monday or can we all stop playing the blame game and get back to focusing on football? It’s time to stop pointing fingers and focus on beating Dallas. If the Eagles defeat Dallas at home on Sunday, it is highly likely that fans will forgive the losses this team has notched so far. I love this Eagles team and I’m still hoping they can turn this season around.
