Eagle Eye Observations: Week 9
What to make of our beloved Eagles at the midway point of the 2009 campaign? If any team is an enigma, it would be this bunch. A 5-3 record isn’t terrible, but it seems very misleading. If you call the Giants a quality opponent, and that’s debatable at this point, then they are the only team of note in the win column.
The Birds remind me of my ex-girlfriend, Sheila. One week she was as cool as a summer breeze. We’d hang together, share a few laughs and get along great. The next week she’d turn schizoid and become an insufferable bitch who I couldn’t stomach to be around. After a few months of dealing with her bi-polar ass, I kicked her to the curb. I wish it was that easy to do with the Eagles, but I’ve put in 25 years. I just can’t divorce them. That would be wrong.
I could pontificate about last night’s loss in greater detail, but we all saw the same thing. Instead, I’m going to turn the Eagle Eye on the state of this team through eight games. What are the pros and cons? Who are the heroes and goats? Can they improve, or are we stuck with an inconsistent gang of unfocused players who can’t string together four or five solid performances in a row?
- Since 2006, this team has relied on a feast or famine offensive attack. As much as I love watching DeSean, Maclin, Celek, McCoy and Westbrook spring 50-yard touchdowns, you can’t survive in the NFL on those kinds of plays. It’s not simply a case of running the ball more, because the last two games they have run the ball effectively enough to win. The intermediate passing game must be utilized. There is nothing wrong with five to seven yard pass plays. Right now, we are not seeing this facet of the offense.
- What happened to the discipline? I can’t recall a Reid coached team that commits so many bad penalties at the wrong times during games. They are the fifth most penalized team in the league. Whether it’s young guys or vets, all of these mental/physical errors are correctable. The coaches teach them to play smart, but it’s on the players to execute with their brains.
- Here’s a scary stat: A 1-8-1 record in their last ten games decided by six points or less. That is beyond awful. Championship teams like the Patriots and Steelers win close games. Unless this team failure is remedied, we can forget about a Lombardi trophy coming to Philly.
- Winless on NBC Sunday night games! What’s all that about?
- Can we admit that the Michael Vick experiment is not working? He has no business seeing the field. Two or three plays per game is pointless. Whatever “vision” Reid and Co. had for Vick has completely faded.
- I like what Sean McDermott is doing with his personnel. He’s mixing up formations and running players in and out nicely. The increase in turnovers is one of the bright spots of the season. The defensive depth has been tested already and it will continue to be tested with injuries to Samuel and Jordan. Guys like Jason Babin and Antonio Dixon have been pleasant surprises.
- I don’t know what else I can say about Donovan. His inconsistency is very frustrating. Airmailing routine throws has always been a weakness, but he seems to be missing open receivers at an alarming rate. That being said, I’ve watched Drew Brees and Tom Brady struggle in games this year and still find a way to win. Asking Don to be perfect every week is unrealistic. The other 52 players need to help him out. Blaming 5 is easy, but he is not the sole reason why this team struggles in tight games against good opponents.
- Leonard Weaver is everything we thought he’d be and more. He’s a pure fullback who runs with power. I mentioned in last night’s recap that he needs to be the designated short-yardage back ALL the time. Why do I get the feeling that when/if Westbrook returns, Weaver will become an afterthought?
- Stacy Andrews is not ready to play. He should be placed on IR. Watching him get abused every week is painful. With injuries mounting, they need the roster spot. He’s obviously not recovered from his knee surgery. Either that or he is a monumental free agent bust. Too early to tell.
- Here are my heroes through eight games: DeSean, Celek, Weaver, Justice, Cole, Bunkley, Jordan, Spoon and Akers.
- Now for the goats: Peters (only because he can’t stay healthy), Andrews, McNabb, Abiamiri (same reason as Peters), Clemons, Laws, Fokou and Sheldon (for biting on Romo’s pump fake). Oh, and the biggest goat: Andy Reid. His playcalling and game management have been atrocious at times. Inexcusable for an 11-year head coach.
The only loss that bothers me is the Raiders game. Losing to the Saints and Cowboys hurts, but both are playoff caliber teams. The Birds have always been a second half of the season team. It won’t be easy, but a 6-2 record is possible. However, in order for that to happen, the mental breakdowns and failures in the clutch must cease. If they don’t, we’re staring at an 8-8 finish and another tumultuous offseason filled with drama.