• March 28, 2024

Time To Get Healthy For The Final Four

A few days ago, I heard an analyst (I forgot who) say the Eagles would need to score 35 points to beat the Houston Texans.  That’s pretty much what they did, winning last nights game 34-24.

Although they’re record is 5-7, the Texans have been held under 20 points only three times this season.

When you consider Houston’s offense and the current state of the Eagles defense, a 49-7 victory sounds kind of unrealistic.

The most important thing is the Eagles improved their record to 8-4, keeping pressure on their division rival New York Giants.

What’s impressive about this win is the Eagles were able to do it without two key defensive starters, Asante Samuel and Jaqua Parker.  Even if they were able to play, the Texans offense would’ve been tough.

After a brutal yet successful 4 games in 18 days, the Eagles get a chance to rest 10 days before a Sunday night game in Dallas.

This “mini-bye” couldn’t have come at a better time because this is a slightly banged up football team.

In addition to Samuel and Parker, Michael Vick took quite few hits these last 3 games.  He needed to ride the stationary bike when the defense was on the field to keep his thigh loose after a hit from a Texan’s helmet.

LeSean McCoy has been magnificent.  Still, any chance to rest his rib is a great opportunity.

The Eagles remaining schedule includes two games against the Cowboys, one in the Meadowlands against the Giants and a home match against Minnesota.

Winning all four and finishing with a 12-4 record is very realistic.  But, if the Eagles aren’t careful, losing out and finishing 8-8 is a gloomy possibility as well.

With this time to rest and get healthy, this team should be at full strength and prepared to accomplish the former.

Haran Knight

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paulman
paulman
December 5, 2010 8:24 am

The Rest comes at a great time Indeed,
This will also allow banged up players like RT Justice, RG Cole, DT Bunkley and some of the younger players who have hit the old rookie wall out too (like Allen and Graham)

A couple of moves I would like to see for the final stretch

Replace RG N Cole with MJG, The O/Line has played their best games and ball when MJG has been in there. I think Cole is just a little too big and has a hard time moving laterally to stay in front of anyone
I would like to see WR R Cooper,TE C Harbor, RB J HArrison, FB O Schmitt utilized a little more and get some balls/plays thrown their way…
I do not think C Hall adds much, maybe on a reverse play, a bubble screens, but that’s about it

Defensively,
I would like to see K Coleman on the field more for Allen/Mickell or in some of the 3 Safety sets they employ.
I would like to see DT T Laws in more often (instead if Bunkley) and DE D Tapp get more snaps
(instead of Graham)
I would like to see LB Clayon on the field more on some pass coverages and maybe have Bradley out in obvious passing situations — (3rd & 8 or Longer,2 & 20, etc,etc)
I would rather see CB T Lindley as a replacement CB for Samuel or Patterson in case of injury..
Keep J Hanson as a nickle back covering the slot which is what he does well, but Hanson is not an outsdie CB and simply does not have the speed,size of physicality to play outside CB

Monolith
Monolith
December 5, 2010 9:27 am

Nice Paul, not bad. Hey kill me if you want ,but I like that Hall guy he is not a starter, or a prime backup I get that, but he means something to the team, trust me.

Anyway This team manned up on 4 game compac schedule, that really was impressive for such a young team facing the kind of offenses and defenses that they did in that span of time. Hey Eagle players if I said anything bad about you during that run (And I did note 3rd qtr Houston game), let me say I am sorry I need to man up with the karma and not leave you hanging like that, sorry won’t happen again (Unless you deserve it, ha).

Anyway players rest up get healthy and give us a christmas run that will make us sing and dance in the street (hell if southwest Airlines can do it, dang straight a winning Eagle fan can Get ’em).

As always LONG LIVE THE EAGLES, and bring it home boys.

Monolith
Monolith
December 5, 2010 9:54 am

I think that behind the scenes the NFL refs are on notice on watching for tardy hits on Vick while he is on the ground and the play is moments into being over. Make it rain yellow, I just want some balance thats all, he is a pocket passer now that happens to run great so give him the same curtesy you give other QB’s when they are on the ground.

I get wacking him good plan, but when you dive and hit Vick, and you were not part of the tackle group, sorry I am going to need a flag thrown as a cautionary warning. Hell Vick looks like a dang golf ball on the ground getting tee’d off on.

schiller
schiller
December 5, 2010 10:38 am

paul – isn’t cole only in there when MJG is hurt? I know Reid says ‘rotation’ but he really means that MJG is the starter, but not 100% healthy (hopefully his is by dallas) and Cole is the backup….we’ll see

And otherwise, yeah, we all agree on hall, and Harrison for sure. But, otherwise you are basically saying that you want to play unexperienced rookies over vets in crucial situations going into the heat of the playoff race. That’s risky and seems to me that you’re going for common draft ‘upside’ reports over experience. I’m not saying that I don’t like Lindley, Coleman, Cooper, and the likes for upside. And/or that I would be upset to put them in. But basically, you’re just playing fantasy games in your head. I want the coaches to evaluate what those guys (and all respective positions) for what they’ve done lately (and in practice), and then make decisions/set rotations. Luckily, I’m more likely to get what I want.

paulman
paulman
December 5, 2010 12:07 pm

I think Coach AR was leaning wIth Cole as the Starter moving forward the last couple of weeks
(after MJG was hurt, who replaced Cole when he got hurt early in the season) but after last games performance, Coach AR is saying both are more rotational, but I think MJG will get the nod from here on out and if he struggles or gets dinged, then Cole comes in and plays
I think the D plays better when Laws,Tapp and Coleman are in there over Bunkley,Graham and Allen
I am not sure what rookies you mean
Cole for Allen is a Rookie for Rookie
Tapp for Graham is a veteran over a Rookie
Laws is a 3 year Vet over a 5 year Vet in Bunkley
As far as CB Lindley goes, I would rather see him play CB over Hanson if Samuel/Patterson were out due to injury and Hanson inside as a slot DB in Nickle & Dime Packages

As far as Riley Cooper, I would like to see him more in the Red-Zone over D-Jax, who should be on the sidelines and go with the bigger package Maclin,Avant,Cooper as the WR’s to utilize their size and strength on a short field.

paulman
paulman
December 5, 2010 12:29 pm

Paulman’s NFL Predictions for Week #13 (Overall record of 102-61)

#1) NO Saints over the Bengals who apppear to have packed in it in for the season already
#2) Bears over Lions but in a very close game
#3) Packers over 49ers in a closer game than many probably think
#4) Jaguars over the Titans who have lost 4 straight and seem to be in a free-fall with the VY Fiasco and adding Moss, who doesn’t seem to be inspired or motivated to play NFL football anymore ..
#5) Chiefs over Broncos as they solidify their spot atop the AFC West
#6) Browns over Dolphins in a back and forth game won at the end in a complete toss up game
#7) Vikings over Bills in another close game and would not be surprised to see the Bills pull this out
#8) Giants over the Redskins in a low scoring game in which both offenses struggle
#9) SD Chargers over Raiders in big win as they continue to chase the Chiefs down in the AFC West
#10) Seahawks over the Panthers in perhaps the lowest TV rated game of the season..
#11) TB Bucs over the Falcons – Tampa gets a big win to stay in playoff chase, Ryan continues to strugggle on the road
#12) SL Rams over Cardinals – Rams continue to play hard for all 60 minutes and get a leg up in the NFC West over a team that has had the wheels fall off and has no identity in the Cardinals
#13) Cowboys over the Colts – Colts injuries have caught up to them and the offense is all out of sorts,Manning continues to struggle and Colt Defense struggles to stop the Cowboys
#14) Ravens over the Steelers – With Big Ben hurting, Steelers will struggle to score points and the Ravens pull away late for the win
#15) Pats over the Jets in a potential pre-view for the AFC Championship and home field advatange, Jets have had 3 last second wins over inferior teams and it’s hard to go against Coach Belichek and QB Brady in such a big game..

That’s it for this week and Enjoy the games…
(Eagles could use the Falcons,Bears,Packers,Saints,Giants all to lose today to help with their playoff chances and possible seeding but we’ll see how it goes…)

anderson silva
anderson silva
December 5, 2010 3:42 pm

The Redskins stink. Nobody is helping the Birds at all, as of yet. Tavaris Jackson is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Anybody interested in a strong armed atheltic qb who has received bad coaching? Maybe another rebuilding project to sit behind Vick in order to trade Kolb for draft picks to use as Oline help?

Monolith
Monolith
December 5, 2010 5:02 pm

@ Anderson: As the old saying goes “If you want something done, ya have to do it yourself.” We are going to just have to put them giants to rest ourselves. Damn close game for those lions I was pulling for them.

How is this for a nickname, Eagles: The Giant killers, the Cowboy wrangles, the Falcon masters, the bear tamers, the unpackers, the halo smashers, oh and viking boat sinkers. hmm well those cute little titles ought to cover the rest of the season and the playoffs. Get with me later to see if we use the titles Rust Makers, Jet crashers, traitor makers, or Raven pillows.

As always LONG LIVE THE EAGLES

anderson silva
anderson silva
December 5, 2010 7:04 pm

TO just can’t keep his mouth shut. He is the most targeted wide out in the league this season, and he still has to run his yap, “watch the film” indicating it is obviously the Qback’s fault, could not have any other reason. He just has to stick knives in people, it is like a disease for him.

drummerwinslow
drummerwinslow
December 5, 2010 7:26 pm

Cowboys lose Dez Bryant to a fractured ankle. Yes!!!

Monolith
Monolith
December 5, 2010 8:37 pm

@Drummer, I think that we can beat the cowboys even if they have Bryant, but let me tell ya buddy i feel you and is in total agreement with you when I add my YES!!! to yours. Why? Simple I want to beat the Cowboys like we did the Redskins. That is just a wish, not an expectation of course.

@anderson, hey man you would think being 2 and whatever would make him a little humble…….Uh? dang my bad what or who was I thinking about, sorry won’t happen again.

And finnally, Mr. Paul your predictions paid off (Mostly), so I have to give you a dap on that, now take note of T.O. and stay humble brother don’t forget we know who you are.

paulman
paulman
December 6, 2010 12:01 am

Paulman’s Rankings of the Top Teams in the NFC after week #13

#1) Falcons (10-2) – Best record in the Conference, have not lost a home game all season
#2) NO Saints (9-3) – 5 wins in a row, gutsy call to go for the win instead of tying FG which gave an
opportunuity for the Bungles to blow the game like they usually do.. Defending Super Bowl Champs
#3) Bears (9-3) – On a roll with 5 Wins in a row, have tough finish vs the Pats,Vikings,Jets & Packers so let’s see how good they really are..
#4) Packers (8-4) – Won decisvely at home versus a better playing 49ers team,explosive offensively
and Rodgers continues to play at a All-Pro& possible MVP Level
#5) Eagles (8-4) – Won 4 out of 5 and with Vick at QB, are 6-1 in games that he’s started and finished, Eagles Defense continues to struggle in the Red-Zone allowing teams to score TD’s too easily
#6) Giants (8-4) – Big win over a dysfuntional and offensively challenged Redskin squad..With injuries to their top 3 WR’s,and 2 OL Starters, this has forced to Giants to go back to Giant football and run the ball which they are starting to do well. When Eli simply manages a game, he plays well, when they rely on his to throw 30-35 times a game, they are not the same team, thei Defense is starting to play really well right at the right time.
#7) TB Bucs (7-5) – Much improved team with a lot of young talent, Strong foundation with a rebuilt
organization from GM,HC dow to it’s roster, Built to compete for the next 5-8 years.
#8) SL Rams (6-6) – Another surprise in the NFC who have competed in almost every game with a rookie QB (Bradford) who many doubted that he would be effective as a Pro, young no-name WR’s and a young OL.. Rams play solid fundamental football and don’t beat themselves which is a mark of good Coaching from Spags and his staff
#9) Seahawks (6-6) – Could still win the NFC West, but remain so inconsistent, good one week at home, horrible the next week on the road..

Eagles have a tough final stretch of 4 games to end the Season (Cowboys,GIants,VIkings,Cowboys)
3 of the 4 games are versus a resurgent Cowboys & Viking Teams that many though a month ago would be pushover games.These will not, both teams have new interim HC and a lot of the Coaching staffs,players are playing hard and trying to impress to be able to get permanent jobs in the NFL as a Coach or Player so neither team is packing it in and in fact for both the Cowboys and VIkings who both started the season with high hopes, they will relish in the role to play spoiler and win as many games as possible to finish the season out even though neither will make post-season
The Eagles vs Giants could very well determinel which team from the NFC East will make the playoffs. It’s been my belief since early season, that the NFC East will only get 1 team in and that’s the Divisional Winner into the playoffs this year. The NFC South and North will most likely get the
Wild-Card teams and are overall stronger divisions than the NFC East this year top to bottom.
Eagles are going to have to earn their way to their playoffs which bodes well once the
Playoffs start, they could have a wild-card game at home, but most likely would have to go on the road after that in which they have been a pretty good team on the road..
With teams like the Falcons,Saints ahead of them and losing any head to head tie-breakers to the
Packers and Bears, I don’t see any way the Eagles get seeded higher than a 3rd or 4th in the NFC
when the playoffs start, unnless the teams ahead all stumble and the Eagles run the table..
But first things first, Eagles need to win their Division first, which means they have to beat the
Cowboys next week and then worry about the the Giants the following week,
Keep taking them 1 at a time is all you can control..

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
December 6, 2010 4:29 am

Paulman..I remember with Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers ahead of Michael Vick.

For the record Peyton Manning looks worse than your boy Kolb and don’t dive me the injuries to hos skill position spill. He have Reggie Wayne and his skill positions are still better than Mcnabb had early in his career yet Mcnabb produced on a high level…Manning is absolutelt atrocious when the refs are not keeping his drives alive and he’s even worse when pressure is in his face. He’s “Ass”, throwing pick 6’s to the opponent to the opponent as if it’s by design. 4 frakin interceptions. We didn’t here Rivers name yesterday when the average Raiders put a foot on their neck yet Vick keeps his numbers and production high even in a lost (View numbers against Bears). Now you losers will get on Ryan’s sack because the Falcon’s record. I looked at the falcons game against the Bucs yesterday and it’s clear he’s just good..not grat at all.

If the refs don’t give them the ball after an interception that clearly hit the ground, Alanta loses. We stomped a mud hole in them with Kolb at the Helm.

When you look around the league, Michael Vick is the clear MVP of the league hands down for he’s the most dangerous player with the ball in his hands and this team would struggle to be .500 without him.

You think the Colts would have a worse record without Manning?

Manning is the reason they’re losing.

Vick will be MVP

Gotta Luv It
Gotta Luv It
December 6, 2010 9:26 am

“VICK FOR MVR”
Don’t mean a thing if “WE” ain’t got that ring

Gotta Luv It
Gotta Luv It
December 6, 2010 9:26 am

“VICK FOR MVP”
Don’t mean a thing if “WE” ain’t got that ring

paulman
paulman
December 6, 2010 10:45 am

To Songs

I have not mentioned Peyton as a potential MVP for this season, In fact, I have stated that he was not the same QB and that this was the weakest Colt Team in 6-8 years and that the Colts were probably going to struggle just to make the Playoffs annd not really be strong contender for a deep playoff run.
QB P Rivers just played his way out of contention for season MVP
I believe it will be between QB’s T Brady, A Rodgers, M Ryan, M Sanchez and M Vick will all be vying for the MVP for this seaon and it will probably go to the player whose team finishes up on top..
The NFL typically selects the player from the top team or 2 and the Eagles have some work to do
to move up in the overall Rankings.. Vick is a strong contender no doubt, but so are the above players I listed, for their teams are playing better overall ball right now but with a month and 4 games left, there will plenty of opportunity for these players to shine or to play themselves out.. We’ll see..

the strongest will have the ed the Drtong

Gotta Luv It
Gotta Luv It
December 6, 2010 11:48 am

After not making the Playoffs since 2006…I think Matt Cassel needs to be in that MVP discussion …
Win on Sunday for them should do the trick

paulman
paulman
December 7, 2010 9:18 am

It’s Patriots QB T Brady’s MVP Award to lose hands down.. he was almost perfect last night and is leading a Patriot Offense to a 10-2 Record and averaging 32 points per game with average WR’s and a average rushing attack.