You guys know the deal. It’s Know your enemy, Eagles edition. This week, we are joined by the boys over at Eagles Eye. This week, we talk about the Eagles slow start, how Jason Peters has looked, the Eagles inability to stop the run and Mike Vick. If you want to hear my responses to some of their questions, head on over to their site.
1) The Eagles are 1-3 and there seems to be a sense of panic from not only the fans, but the team itself. Mike Vick complaining about refs and blowing 4th quarter leads are the beginning of their issues. Why have the Eagles had so many problems this early in the season?
I think the Philly fans really bought into the “Quick Fix” theory— that acquiring big-name free agents like Nnamdi Asomugha would instantly solve the holes in the Eagles 4-3 defense left over from last year. Especially after the lockout ended, these fans were hungry for an immediate impact in the early season W-L column… and so far, it hasn’t happened. Bad tackling and dropped catches and fumbles lost at key moments have not helped. My opinion on the slow start?— it boils down to new defensive schemes (“Wide 9 defensive line”) emphasizing increased pass rush allowing huge gaps for opponents’ rushing game— and offensive schemes (“Zone-blocking” installed on offensive line) not quite coming together in a reliable way yet. A new defensive coordinator (Juan Castillo) is receiving his trial by fire… and hasn’t quite put all the new scheme components in synch with his new personnel.
Same goes for OC Marty Mornhinweg, who has not adjusted to red-zone playcalling or short yardage situations well under his new offensive line system. Vick has put up some nice games with big passing and rushing yardage on his own— that is, when he has not been knocked out of two games already with massive shots to the body and head. He’s getting better at protecting himself and the ball now… but the first three games, he was not very good at ball security or making quicker reads on his pocket passes…and he was getting hammered. Usually that’s when the 4th quarter leads dissolved (amazingly they’ve blown three of them already), based on a turnover or big play coming off an opponent’s defensive pressure on Vick.
Vick is right to complain about late hits… he’s not getting the calls Brady or Brees or Manning would get…but he should have complained privately to his coaches or the league office. In a nutshell: the Eagles are losing because they are squandering too many points on offense and giving up too many points on defense. The talent is there to turn the situation completely around… but Philly fans are very impatient with the learning curve at the moment.
2) The Eagles biggest problem on defense seems to be their inability to stop the run and defend the tight end, what are the reasons for their issues?
Right, Eagles are getting gashed for big runs a lot so far, and they got torched by two of the best tight ends in the business, Tony Gonzalez and Vernon Davis… Of course, Gonzo made just a phenomenal TD catch to beat ’em in Atlanta on a play where he was covered very well. The problem is the “Wide 9” is designed to funnel running plays and TE’s toward the middle of the field… but the Eagles linebackers and safeties have not yet figured out how to consistently fill those middle gaps.
3) How are Philly fans dealing with Mike Vick? I know he’s been on his best behavior since getting out of jail, but his recent complaints about the refs and being a little testy after Sunday’s game, are making me think he’s buckling under the pressure.
Vick is actually impressing me with his character and toughness this year. He accepts blame for losses even when it’s not really his fault (as in last Sunday’s loss to the 49ers)… As I said, I think he has a legitimate gripe about the refs (Patrick Willis just drilled him on a hit that started 3 yards out of bounds!), but his mistake was going public with it. He is gradually learning public relations skills and will not likely make that mistake again. I think most Philly fans really like Mike.
4) How has Jason Peters looked for you guys since the trade. I’ve read mixed results about his time in Philly. Is he worth the money you guys are paying him?
Jason Peters, who sadly will miss this game in Buffalo due to hamstring issues, is worth every penny the Eagles are paying him. He is in my opinion the best left tackle in the league. I’ve rarely seen a guy as big as Peters who can get out on a block and run it up field the way he does from the tackle position. His pass protection skills are the best I’ve seen in a long time.
5) For years now, the Eagles have always had problems with short yardage. Can you give me a reason why that seems to be a problem for them?
Short-yardage gains for the Eagles have been hard to come by the last few years. Injuries, and a rotating cast of replacement personnel at center and all along the offensive line, have factored into a tale of woe and failure on 4th-and-1 or 3rd-and-goal…
6) I’m a big fan of the LeSean McCoy (Mainly because he’s in my PPR Fantasy League), how has he played in comparison to what Westbrook use to do for you guys in his prime?
LeSean McCoy lifted weights for the first time in his life last year. The result– he’s breaking tackles. He was already a naturally gifted runner with great speed and cut-back ability. Now he can run over you too. McCoy compares very favorably to Westbrook in his prime. Both are very good receivers on short pass routes, too. Westbrook would get the edge at power running over the top if necessary…Shady still tends to dance a little and bounce it back when he should just hit the hole straight up.
7) Who wins and why?
Man, I am never comfortable with game predictions because so many weird things can happen to affect a game’s outcome. But I’ll go out on a limb and predict a 20-16 upset victory by the Eagles… which I rarely do… only because the Bills will cause them to prepare better. The Bills are a good team and the Eagles know it. I’ve known it for awhile, going back to the year before last season. Plus, the Eagles’ luck has got to change…even as they play a very good team like the Bills. How much longer can they roll snake-eyes?!!
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