Here are my thoughts after the Eagles' 30-17 opening day victory over the Washington Redskins..
* The backward pass play which Nelson Agholor fumbled in the 1st quarter was supposed to be a run-play. I was ready to criticize the coach for the play-call. NI'm still leery of Pederson getting too cute with his play-calling at times. Near the goal-line in the 2nd quarter, why not give the ball to RB LaGarrette Blount more than once until you bang it ni? Isn't that why they signed Blount for such situations?
it worked out, as Carson Wentz threw a short pass to Blount for the score. Again, I just don't want Pederson to get too cute in obvious situations.
* Carson Wentz missed a few throws but overall he had a good game against the Redskins. When the offensive line was breaking down early, he managed to elude the Washington pass rush, finding Agholor on a long touchdown pass in the 1st quarter. Wentz, with improved weapons, is set to have a big season. Still, he threw the ball 39 times yesterday, far too much. Why not have more of a balanced running game, which would then open up the passing game even more?
* Watching Post-game Live on Comcast, I love Seth Joyner and his honesty, but you can't be so negative about the Birds, as he was yesterday, when they did win a big road game ( and a division game to boot). I get his point about running the ball more, and hopefully Pederson listens to the advice, but the Eagles did come up big in Washington, beating the 'Skins for the first time since September 2014.
Agholor made some big plays. Hopefully, playing in the slot, he will shine, especially with Jordan Matthews gone to Buffalo. Agholor still has the tools- size and speed- to become the player the Eagles thought warranted a first round draft pick. Ertz had another good game in Washington. Will he finally have the break-out, Pro Bowl season we have expected for so long? Both Alshon Jeeffery and Torrey Smith contributed too. The Birds scored 30 points against Washington, even though the offense was stagnant for a good part of the afternoon. When all cylinders are clicking, and the running game kicks into gear, expect a lot more 30-plus games form this Eagle offense.
* CB Ronald Darby dislocated his right ankle. He gets an MRI today. It wasn't fractured. Today they will find out if there is ligament damage. If not, maybe he can return in mid-season?
The Birds gave up a lot to get Darby form Buffalo ( Matthews and a 3rd round pick in next year's draft). Darby will be missed. GM Rossman will need to add depth to the secondary, even if Darby isn't done for the season. Could CB Sidney Jones be ready to play around mid-season as well?
Kicker Caleb Sturgis was limping as well and will be checked out today in Philly. I don't have much confidence in him. He missed an extra point early, then turned around and make three field goals. David Akers he ain't.
* As I predicted, the game came down to turnovers and the Eagles getting a pass rush on Redskin QB Kirk Cousins. Both of those factors actually occurred in one significant play, as late in the 4th quarter, Branden Graham caused Cousins to fumble and Fletcher Cox scooped up the loose ball for a game-sealing touchdown/. Philly got a break, as the replay showed that Counsins' arm may have been going forward as he was hit by Graham, which should've been an incomplete pass instead. It's about time one of those calls went the Eagles' way. Maybe it's me but it seems those iffy calls usually go against the Birds.
* Too many penalties, but it was the first game, so that can be cleaned up. Punter Donnie Jones had a key play late in the game when he pinned Washington down on their own 1-yard line. Field position was big all day, and Wentz started at or near mid-field several times during the day.
Coach Pederson deserved the strange Gatorade bath at the end. It was only an opening day win, over a division rival, on the road. Big win but far from a playoff victory. til, after all the heat and criticism that Pederson has been taking ( along with the rumors of defense coordinator Jim Schwartz supposedly lusting after Pederson's job). the team showed a united front by symbolically dousing Pederson in sticky Gatorade. A vote of confidence from the team.
* Rhonda Barber, Tiki's brother, was the color analyst for the Eagles game. He did an OK job, nothing special. He's not smooth, but he managed to get his point across. He grew up a Redskin fan, but he wasn't bias in his coverage. He paired with Kenny Albert.
* The Eagles look pretty good right now in the NFC East. The Giants looked dreadful last night vs. the Cowboys. Granted, Odell Beckham Jr. was out with an injury. But QB Eli Manning was dinking and dunking all night. Their Offensive line needs work. New York plays the Lions next Monday night at home, then travel to the Linc to face the Eagles in Philadelphia's home opener in several weeks.
Dallas didn't exactly light the world on fire either. Plus they are going to lose RB Zeke Elliot soon. He can put off the suspension, but sooner or later he will have to pay the price.
And we saw Washington yesterday. They are limited. Their O-line is poor and they don't look to have the big strike capability as they did when DeSean Jackson and Pierre Gaston were their main receivers.
So, the Birds have a tough game next Sunday at Kansas City and old coach Andy Reid. Reid has 10 days to prepare, an always dangerous thing. The Chiefs come off a big upset win in New England. Will they ride that momentum or come out full of themselves? The eagles need to stay afloat in the first quarter, when that frenzied Arrowhead Stadium crowd will be crazy. Getting out to a fast lead, maybe causing an early turnover, would help to calm the crowd. Just don't get down early.
* Miss North Dakota won the Miss America Pageant last nigh tin Atlantic City. She went to high school with Carson Wentz.
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