* Coach Doug Pederson was reportedly watching old tapes of quarterback Nick Foles, games where Foles excelled, especially in the 2013 season. Pederson was reportedly watching film of the NFC playoff game vs. the Saints, which the Eagles lost at home.The reason? To put Foles in better situations, to determine his strengths, what he can and can't do.
This may be a bogus report, or maybe Pederson is sandbagging, because if he doesn't know what Foles can do by now, the postseason really is lost. Pederson coached Foles in Kansas City. He knows what Foles is capable of doing. It's up to Pederson to tailor a game plan to his game.
Going with the ground game more, using play-action and quick throws,pushing the ball downfield only when teams stack eight in the box- those are the sort of things that will allow Foles to manage the game and give him the best chance to succeed.
Foles seems to respond to the up-tempo, hurry-up offense as well. Not the reckless, Chip Kelly-style that devalues time of possession, but an offense that uses no huddle and keeps everyone on their toes.
I expect Foles to play much better on January 13 when the birds play their first playoff game. He's no Carson Wentz, but I would rather trust Foles in a win-or go home playoff scenario than a Nate Sudfeld, who has all of three quarters under his belt of NFL experience.
* I finished the year 16-0 picking Eagles games. I will try my luck tomorrow with my NFL playoff selections for the upcoming wild-card weekend. Should be a fun weekend of pro football.
* Wondering if the Eagles organization will bring back their good luck charm- Timmy (Tim) Kelly, to sing the National Anthem in the postseason. Kelly, who goes by Tim now, graduated from Temple School of Music and sings in a local jazz group. Tim is blind and is also a survivor of cerebral palsy. He started singing the anthem at eagles home games at the Linc when he was a kid. He sang 20 times; in those games, the Eagles are 13-7. Tim sang often during the Andy Reid-years.
* Stick with the shaky Kenyard Barner as punt returner, but the Eagles need to get better kickoff an\d punt returners next year. After Darren Sproles went down early in the year, the return game, which should be another weapon and add to the scoring, is just there. We are merely hoping the return guys catch the ball, not break a touchdown.
Nelson Agholor was an excellent returner at Southern Cal but the Birds can't afford for him to split time as wide-out and returner. Wendall Smallwood has returned kickoffs before, but he has been inactive most of the season.
Hopefully the Birds find a speedy returner in the drat. Not having a return threat on special teams is a disadvantage.
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* The Sixers play San Antonio tonight. Joel Embiid is doubtful with a sprained hand. The injured happened Sunday night in Phoenix. Luckily, x-rays were negative. But it is yet another setback for the injury-prone Embiid.
One wonders if Embiid will be fragile through-out his career. He still doesn't play in back-to-back games. He can't be considered a great player, nor the 76'ers a great team, until Embiid proves he can remain healthy all season.
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The Flyers lost 5-1 to the Penguins last night at home. Goalie Brian Elliot, who has started 14 consecutive games, had a clunker, allowing four Pittsburgh goals in the second period.
Again, the Orange and Black remain consistently inconsistent. Coach Dave Hakstol will remain through-out the season, but my feeling is that the Flyers won't make the playoffs and Hakstol needs to go at the end
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