Six weeks ago the Eagles were a trendy Super Bowl pick. They made a splash in bringing in Mathews and Murray, giving them a stable of talented RBs. Kelly cleared the locker room of guys who did not 100% buy into his system (Mathis, McCoy) and he went out and got his QB in Bradford. They made some moves on defense (Maxwell, Thurmond) which were lauded and expected to turn around the secondary. The general consensus of the talking heads was that the division was a foregone conclusion and a deep playoff run was in the cards.
Fast forward one month into the season...
The Birds are 1-3. The vaunted running game ranks 30th in the league at 70 YPG. The OL is a mess and the Mastermind can't seem to figure out how to use his slew of star RBs. After a month the Eagles are averaging 3.1 YPC, good for second worst in the league. FA prize Murray is averaging just over a yard per carry and has voiced his frustration at his lack of touches. Bradford hasn't been resurrected as so many predicted and his play has been pedestrian at best (6TDs, 4 INTs, 82 QB rating). The passing game has been anemic, just two pass plays over 30 yards and no deep game to speak of. They're also struggling mightily to get the ball to their wideouts: while WR Jordan Matthews leads the team in receptions he's followed by two RBs (Sproles, Mattjews) and a TE (Ertz). And while throwing to those positions is a staple of Kelly's O, none of those guys have more than 15 catches. Simply put the O is anemic: 29th in YPG and 23rd in PPG, 30th in rushing yards per game, 26th in passing yards per game, and next to last in YPC. That's pretty bad. From a supposed genius who is at the cutting edge of offensive strategy it's downright awful.
Things aren't much better on the other side of the ball. While the front 7 is decent the supposedly upgraded secondary has been a flop. Through September big ticket FA prize Maxwell has allowed a perfect QB rating, allowing 15 completions on 19 targets for 250+ yards and 2 TDs. Thurmond has 2 picks after moving to safety but has also been beaten plenty. Malcolm Jenkins is basically the only guy in their secondary playing consistently well.
Needless to say, the fans and much of the media is up in arms. Fans are already calling for his head. That's not unexpected. What is a surprise is the lashing he's getting from the media, who normally gush over "Big Balls Chip". This morning noted curmudgeon and all around prick Buzz Bissinger called him "a fraud". SB Nation published a piece today claiming Kelly is "running 'The Prodicers' scam in Philly". Howard Eskin (I know, consider the source) was on NFLN this morning claiming that many people feel Kelly will bolt for the college ranks should the season tank. And a lost season is a definite possibility; the next two months feature road games in Dallas, Carolina, and New England. Before the seasons midpoint they will play the Giants at home before going on the road to Carolina and Dallas. It's realistic to think they could be 2-6 midway through the season. If that's the case grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the fireworks.
They've gotten off to rocky starts before only to come on strong late so I can't write them off yet. How many times have we prematurely scheduled the Eagles funeral? At the same time I think it's unrealistic to expect Kelly to have the same late season success as Reid, who really did own November and December.
Thoughts, other than general happiness? Could this really be Kelly's last year? He has total control, rare in the NFL, would he give it up so quickly? We can only hope...because Kelly retreating back to the college ranks would top Saban's Miami Traveling Medicine Show. Sabah left the Phins in the lurch but he wasn't there very long, it didn't take much to redirect the franchise. The Eagles though, gave Chip the keys and watched as he completely altered the franchise over the last 3 years. If he were to leave now he'd be leaving behind an incredible mess...
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they will have a chance to tie us on their homefield and move ahead of us with the tiebreaker.
Everyone is getting too excited around here. Loooooong way to go.
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
There's a more likely chance the exact opposite happens. Typical trash.
and the Eagles OL has been trash this season, they are not going to be able to run the ball against the Giants...
But i forgot we are talking to the BBI eagles fan
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
Just like the Bills were going to beat the Giants by 2 touchdowns? and the Eagles were going to kill the Redskins and win 3 in a row before they faced the Giants?
have you ever been right with your predictions?
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In comment 12532644 Old Dirty Beckham said:
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
Just like the Bills were going to beat the Giants by 2 touchdowns? and the Eagles were going to kill the Redskins and win 3 in a row before they faced the Giants?
have you ever been right with your predictions?
Where did I say the NYG were losing to Buffalo by 2 tds? In the "players only" thread last week I said I liked our chances up there. And nobody could be happier to see Washington win last week than me. Here's the bottom line: I'm conditioned to seeing the Eagles beat us over the last decade. We're well under .500 vs this franchise. The only time we beat Kelly was by 8 points when Matt Barkley was his QB. The other 3 times we've lost by an average of 16.6 points, including a shut out where they probably could have hung a 50 burger on us if they chose to. Until we actually beat them, and do it in a convincing fashion, this current crop of NYG won't get the benefit of the doubt from me. Go down there next Monday night and prove me wrong.
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In comment 12532817 The_Boss said:
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In comment 12532644 Old Dirty Beckham said:
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
Just like the Bills were going to beat the Giants by 2 touchdowns? and the Eagles were going to kill the Redskins and win 3 in a row before they faced the Giants?
have you ever been right with your predictions?
Where did I say the NYG were losing to Buffalo by 2 tds? In the "players only" thread last week I said I liked our chances up there. And nobody could be happier to see Washington win last week than me. Here's the bottom line: I'm conditioned to seeing the Eagles beat us over the last decade. We're well under .500 vs this franchise. The only time we beat Kelly was by 8 points when Matt Barkley was his QB. The other 3 times we've lost by an average of 16.6 points, including a shut out where they probably could have hung a 50 burger on us if they chose to. Until we actually beat them, and do it in a convincing fashion, this current crop of NYG won't get the benefit of the doubt from me. Go down there next Monday night and prove me wrong.
Hung a 50 burger on us?? LOL....Foles played so crappy they are lucky we were just stuck in mud offensively.......
4 games now and the Eagles clearly look like a mediocre football team. The Giants look like a slightly above average football team and have a one game lead on Philly. If things hold true to form the Giants will finish with a better record. It's all we have to go on at this point. Doesn't mean it unfolds the way we hope but there's evidence to support the belief that Philly is in for a long year.
The only saving grace is Bradford could just be learning a new offense and maybe he peaks over the next month or so. That might be a stretch but it's not outlandish to believe it could happen.
Right now the Giants are in the best shape in the East. They just have to hold serve the rest of the season. Go 4-2 in the East and they absolutely have to beat Dallas in 3 weeks. 4-2 in the East and win the manageable games on the schedule. 10-6 wins the east no problem. 10 wins.
DJM - there's no new offense to learn....it's the simplist offense in the NFL. Look to the sideline, get the play, raise your leg with no snap count, and throw to a declared area.
Even on Bradford's long TD passes.....he doesn't look good. Everything is forced.....he's playing EXACTLY how he did with the Rams.
He should actually be doing better in this offense, but the OL is so messed up they can't get out of their own way.
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they will have a chance to tie us on their homefield and move ahead of us with the tiebreaker.
Everyone is getting too excited around here. Loooooong way to go.
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
Your act is wearing thin. Actually, it did a long time ago. No matter how awful your favorite team plays, you continue to insist that they are going to throttle the Giants? Just shut up, man. Control the line of scrimmage? The Eagles have had one of the very worst OL in football this season. They are treacherous. And the Giants OL has been MUCH better than in recent years.
I know we've all tried to get all this through your thick skull, but for the last time: THESE ARE NOT THE SAME TEAMS AS THEY WERE KAST YEAR! Or the year before. In fact, they couldn't be any more different than they've both been. But, go ahead, keep telling us all how dominant their interior lines are. They are actually the opposite of that, but why would you care? You're not searching for the truth, that much is obvious. You're a broken record.
I thought most assumed Dallas, with Romo, Dez and those criminal defensive player acquisitions - would win the East.
Personally not counting them out at 1-3. They are one game back with lots of football TBD.
I think having Spags will help this year. While the offense stunk, the defensive game plan in last year's game in Philadelphia allowed their offense to get off to a great start and jump out to a big lead.
I believe the only reason that Chip has Bradford as his starting QB is because he could not work out a trade with the Titans.
Why they wouldn't re-sign Mathis knowing the Oline could be an issue is very stupid. The Giants had to sign Beatty for big bucks a few years ago because they needed a starting OLT.
I dunno, it seems like almost all of Chip's moves have been stupid.
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In comment 12532644 Old Dirty Beckham said:
Quote:
they will have a chance to tie us on their homefield and move ahead of us with the tiebreaker.
Everyone is getting too excited around here. Loooooong way to go.
Exactly.
Have to hope they lose to the Saints because should they beat us in that scenario, they can't tie us (assuming we beat SF Sunday night).
That being said, I can see us losing by double digits again to them down there. I'm assuming they come out in those silly all black uni's to rev up their lowlife fanbase and beat us because we won't be able to control both sides of the LOS vs them, as usual.
Your act is wearing thin. Actually, it did a long time ago. No matter how awful your favorite team plays, you continue to insist that they are going to throttle the Giants? Just shut up, man. Control the line of scrimmage? The Eagles have had one of the very worst OL in football this season. They are treacherous. And the Giants OL has been MUCH better than in recent years.
I know we've all tried to get all this through your thick skull, but for the last time: THESE ARE NOT THE SAME TEAMS AS THEY WERE KAST YEAR! Or the year before. In fact, they couldn't be any more different than they've both been. But, go ahead, keep telling us all how dominant their interior lines are. They are actually the opposite of that, but why would you care? You're not searching for the truth, that much is obvious. You're a broken record.
Agreed Old Dirty Beckham is a schmuck to end all schmucks.
The streaks aren't total flukes. Philly has generally dominated the line of scrimmage against New York the past seven years - corresponding roughly with the Jason Peters era. Tony Romo has lit up the Giant defense in the fourth quarter. Romo is shelved indefinitely, and Peters might be nearing the end. (He's currently nursing a quad injury that may sideline him this week.) Both teams look pedestrian at best. Until the Giants beat them, though, NYG will remain also-rans in the East, along with Washington.
The streaks aren't total flukes. Philly has generally dominated the line of scrimmage against New York the past seven years - corresponding roughly with the Jason Peters era. Tony Romo has lit up the Giant defense in the fourth quarter. Romo is shelved indefinitely, and Peters might be nearing the end. (He's currently nursing a quad injury that may sideline him this week.) Both teams look pedestrian at best. Until the Giants beat them, though, NYG will remain also-rans in the East, along with Washington.
Great post.
Cycle through, and Reid gets to 2 NFCCs and a SB. No trophies.
Dallas picks up in strength thanks to Parcells, and builds up to a 12-4 NFCE title. They go one and done in the playoffs.
The teams of the NFCE have gone back and forth, with even Washington making an appearance at the top of the NFCE in 2012. The goal still remains the same - hardware.
And that's where, for all the dysfunction, the Giants have reigned supreme for some time. Let's hope they go back to the well one last time before Eli hangs 'em up.