We signed on for this trip with the Eagles for 2011 (and for many of us, a lifetime), and now it’s time to perk up and carry on… We’ve got to shake this emotional slump we are in… and concentrate on how the Eagles organization can and must dig itself out of this current malaise of scheme and personnel.
It may get worse before it gets better. But like the guy in 1980 said, “Ya gotta believe…”
One big plus to come out of this 24-23 debacle of a loss to the 49ers is that Vick played a whale of a game, amassing 500 yards of personal offense, and came out of it without major injury or structural damage…he lives to excel another day, perhaps in Buffalo (3-1) next Sunday…
Chris E.J. Lewis, our frequent commenter and associate member from the Great White North, pointed out a lot of positives to come out of the demoralizing loss to San Francisco— Vick’s performance and overall good decision making, Clay Harbor’s emergence as a receiving tight end, good special teams coverage on punts and a field goal blocked by King Dunlap and recovered by Colt Anderson…and other bright spots.
But the doomsayers declare the Eagles’ 513 total offensive yards meant nothing because they failed in almost all the “critical moments” with “atrocious play-calling” and more lousy ball security. And defensively, gashed up the middle by crippled running back Frank Gore (15 carries, 127 yards), exposed by ordinary quarterback Alex Smith, and beaten by a rookie head coach who was in a 23-3 hole, nearly 3,000 miles from home…well, somehow that distracts from any bright spots or progress that actually occurred…
Nick Fierro (Allentown Morning Call) sums up the naysayers judgement: “Beaten schematically, especially with second-half adjustments. Play-calling at goal line was once again atrocious. Defense has no clue in fourth quarter at all anymore. It’s only a matter of time before the players stop buying in.”
Stop buying in? Isn’t that what many fans are doing already right now?
My question is a simple one: What the hell else do we have to buy into? Switch to backing a team that’s winning?
Be true to your school. It’s still possible to salvage a playoff run out of this team of underachieving overachievers…
I’m more concerned about the injuries right now than I am about the schemes. Defensive tackle Antonio Dixon will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn left triceps. In addition, defensive end Trent Cole (strained calf) and left tackle Jason Peters (strained hamstring) are expected to be sidelined for at least two games, starting with next week’s trip to Buffalo.
At defensive tackle, they could promote rookie Cedric Thornton from the practice squad or maybe sign free agent Derek Landri, who was released at the end of the preseason. Peters, a four-time Pro Bowler, will be missing a chance to play against his old team. He spent his first six seasons with the Bills before signing with the Eagles in 2009. King Dunlap is expected to start in his place.
These injuries will impact the game plans of both embattled coordinators, Castillo (defense) and Mornhinweg (offense), to the point where simplification in the right direction may turn out to be a good thing temporarily.
Coordinators do need to perk up, of course… but sometimes we forget they’re in a chess match with other coordinators on the opponent’s side, and there are days when the other guy just flat outsmarts you.
Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman, a Ventnor (NJ) native and Holy Spirit High School graduate, made enough adjustments to generate 289 yards and 21 points in the last two quarters. “That was a big win for us,” Roman said in a text message after the game. “Never underestimate the kid from Ventnor!”
See what I mean? Learn and observe, both Juan and Marty, from some of the stuff Greg Roman just showed you… don’t be offended or depressed… just perk up! And carry on…
It wasn’t all on the coordinators, either. There were several instances in which Eagles’ defenders were either in position to make a tackle or bat down a pass— and simply failed to deliver.
“You can’t sit up here and point out the defensive coordinator because it’s the players who have to step up and make the plays,” Cullen Jenkins said. “We’re getting beat when people are there. People have the opportunity (to make a play) and it’s not getting done.
“Maybe having this label of having so many good people is hurting us because maybe people are standing around waiting for someone else to do it. You can’t expect someone else to do it. At some point, the man in you has to come out.”
There it is again! Perk up! It’s like Brizer is speaking through Cullen Jenkins… Carry on.
Clear eyes… full heart.
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