My comments on the devastating Eagles' loss to Carolina. Blowing a 17-point lead at home in the 4th quarter to an NFC rival is unacceptable. No excuses. The Eagles drop to 3-4 with a trip to London this week to face the equally-struggling Jacksonville Jaguars.
-I've said it before here, in my blog. There is a reason why teams don't repeat as Super Bowl champs, let alone win back-to-back NFC East titles. Are the Eagles fat and sassy? Too many books written, too many celebrations? Even with a 17-point lead entering the final quarter special teams guys were yakking it up in the end zone. As a few Panthers commented after the game, the Eagles thought they had us and eased up...
The Eagles are full of themselves. Yes, there were many problems on Sunday afternoon, as we will discuss, from play-calling to the defense. But the team doesn't look hungry anymore. The desire and motivation isn't there, not like last season.
It's only natural. Players are human. Maybe they didn't train or study as hard during the off-season ( is that why there are so many hamstring problems now?). Is that why veterans like Chris Long ( who has disappeared) warned about forgetting the Super Bowl and last season and totally focus on this year?
- In 155 games with the Eagles up 17 or more points heading into the 4th quarter, the Birds had only lost twice. Make it three times after choking against Carolina yesterday.
-Psychologically, how does a team come back form such a devastating defeat? It's true- the Eagles can still win the NFC East and make the playoffs. But will they go far in the playoffs without home field advantage? Is it time to stick a fork in 'em?
Losing gives you a better draft pick as this aging team gets older. Philly has a boatload of draft picks next spring, including two second-rounders.
- There was no competition for kicker Jake Elliot during training camp. Despite making a crucial 61-yarder against the Giants last season, Elliot had been prone to miss easier field goals and extra points. That tendency reared its ugly head again Sunday as Elliot missed a very make able 36-yard field goal.
True, the wind was tricky going that way. Still, a professional kicker can't miss a 36-yarder.
- Is it fair to ask: were the Eagles a flash in the pan in 2018? Is this the real Eagles? Were the Birds just lucky to win the Super bowl? No, I don't think so. They were a really good team last season, despite the injuries ( that's why you can't make injuries the excuse this year).
This team is not the same team which won the world championship. Certain players left via free agency. Key coaches, especially Frank Reich, left for better opportunities ( I think Coach Pederson misses the common sense approach of Reich). Other players are hurt and all have aged, some more rapidly than others.
Simply put, its not the same team.
- A horrible sequence was during the final drive. After an 8-yard gain by running back Smallwood, with only two yards to go for a new set of downs, with the ball near the Carolina 10, instead of picking up the huge first down and getting four more tries with approxiately 30 seconds remaining and two time-outs, the Eagles threw the ball. Two incompletions and the game was over.
Why not call two running plays, get the first down, then take four shots into the end zone to win the game?
- Despite the poor defense in the 4th quarter, the offense needs to score more than 17 points at home.
- The 2-point conversion by the Panthers late i the game was critical. It forced the Eagles to score a touchdown during the final drive.
- Defensively, the Eagles sucked in the 4th quarter. As always, they played too soft in the secondary. Not enough pass rush, QB Cam Newton stood in the pocket and picked apart the defense. No blitzing, as is Defense Coordinator Jim Schwartz' M.O.
Speaking of Schwartz, I have never been a fan. He's no Jim Johnson, plus he's arrogant ( he refuses to talk to the media, as well as his own players, right after a game). His defense gave up over 600 yards in the Super Bowl. I hate his "bent but don't break philosophy. He's not aggressive enough. Soon his players take on a passive mentality. The Eagles could do so much better with another coordinator ( Seth Joiner?).
Jalan Mills needs to go. The coaches claimed they "owed" it to mills, a 7th round draft pick, to play him, despite weekly beatings. What about the fans? Don't the coaches owe it to the loyal fans not to play Mills?
We are seeing why the Bills traded Ronald Darby. How can players consistently bite on the double-move? Either they are learning form their mistakes or aren't being coached to learn. I don't see any improvement in the secondary.
- Does the collapse spur GM Howie Rossman to make a move before the trade deadline? This club has holes, enough to fill by season's end? You want to build for the future and collect those golden draft picks, yet you've gone all-in and that window to repeat as champs may be quickly closing.
So Rossman walks a fine line. He's got to get some help for his struggling squad yet he must also keep an eye on the future. He needs another running back, a speedy wide receiver, help in the secondary and on both lines. Special teams isn't so special anymore, aside from the punter.
Will Rossman make a move?
- Pederson needs to be criticized for calling 14 plays in the 4th quarter- 12 of them pass plays. Don't you throw to get a lead, then run the ball to take time off the clock at the end? With coaches Reich and DeFillipo gone, Pederson has no one to keep him balanced regarding play-calling and running the ball.
Seemed like Pederson reverted back to his days with time-management challenged Andy Reid in Kansas City.
- Pederson says the "pressure is off" now. What a stupid comment! If anything the pressure is higher. Maybe pressure is a good thing. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Instead of pampering or coddling the fat and sassy players, maybe they need a kick in the ass?
- Wentz failed at the end. But it's not the first time Wentz has choked when it was time to win a game. He's no Brett Favre. He's a great, young player, certainly the least of problems, but let's be honest- even with the defense breaking down the Birds still had a chance to win in the final seconds and couldn't seal the deal, primarily because Wentz turtled-up with the game on the line.
- So, what does it all mean? the Eagles are 3-4, embarrassing for a Super Bowl champion, behind 4-2 Washington and tied with Dallas. Off to jolly ol' England the Birds fly on a not-so-merry trip, to face Jacksonville. Another loss and the season really is doomed ( even though the birds still have all of their division games remaining). Win and you are back to being an average team, with a bye, coming back to play the cowboys at the Linc on Sunday Night football.
I want to believe, just like last year, yet I find it hard to believe this team can overcome such a bad loss. Remember, they still have trips to New Orleans and Los Angeles left. They must steal a game somewhere along the road.
The coach has all but dismissed the possibility of gaining the first or even second bye and seed in any playoff scenario. Heck, this team is going to struggle to make the playoffs, period. At least he is keeping it real in that aspect. The best this current nest of Birds can do is win the NFC east, get a home playoff game and go from there.
After winning the ultimate prize and making it to the Super bowl, anything less seems... disappointing and frustrating. Sadly, that's what we have to look forward to for the next several months....
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