Jags don't got Jack

I still don't like him, but Vick was great in this game. He was 17 for 31, 291 yards, 3 thrown TDs and 1 rushed in. Impressively, of 8 trips to the redzone this season he has led the team to 7 touchdowns. Most impressively, for the second week in a row, before the half he led the 2 minute offense to a TD. This week it was with no timeouts because Reid had blown them all as usual. We'll have to see if Vick can maintain his level of production vs. good defenses and through getting crushed 10 times+ a game.

The defense played the entire game this week, but the Jaguars were pathetic. Late in the 4th quarter before their final drive in garbage time they had only 19 yards in passing. The always astute John Lynch noted, "you can't win in this league with that type of production." (Not an exact quote, but that's the gist of what he said.)

Special teams still had their issues, but nothing the Jaguars could really take advantage of.

So the official start of the "Vick era" was a good one and the Eagles romped over the hapless Jaguars, 28-3.

Other notes:

• Vick had real nice touch on the throw for the opening TD to Jackson. I didn't know he had that in him.
• Most of the first half is my favorite kind of game: Poor play, poor reffing, poor announcing, poor game direction by Fox, etc. Just all around frustrating to watch.
• A lot of the time when Vick is sacked or is being tackled when he throws is because he takes too long to decide where he is going with the ball.
• Eagles dropped 4 interceptions in the first half. Fox failed to show a replay of all of them.
• Fox had the F team covering the game today, both in the booth and in the production truck. These guys were as bad as BK breakfast ads.
• Like I've said, Mike Bell sucks. Stop giving him touches. He blows his opportunities like Reid blows time outs.
• Last week Jackson had the big catch on the 2 minute drive before the half and Maclin had the TD catch. This week it was Celek with the big catch and Maclin again with the TD. This drive turned the game completely in the Eagles favor.
• Buckley is near the runner on almost every kick but never makes a clean tackle.
• The pass rush was was excellent this week.
• DeSean Jackson is starting to smell himself. Two weeks in a row he has dropped a catchable ball and ended a drive. Another time he failed to make a concerted effort to get both feet inbounds, and another he danced around instead of getting the first down. He did have 2 great plays though, one for a TD.
• Shots of Kolb cheerleading on the sideline are sad.
• "This isn't just a pizza. This is someone's dinner!" And that is also sad.
• Considine sucks, but he's the Jaguars best DB.
• Attention Geico: the saying goes, IF a woodchuck could chuck wood. Dumbasses.

So next week McNabb is returning. He led his team to 16 points vs. the mighty Rams this week. Should be fun.

Wacksonville

9/26 4:05 PM ET	Opening	betED	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING	Logans
Philadelphia @ Jacksonville	44 3	44.5 3	44.5 3	44.5 3	44.5 3

Matchup • Expanded Odds • Line History

Bonus Question: Will Kolb randomly come in to run a play here and there? I hope so.

6 up

Ha!

I think Andy Reid is losing it. He is cracking up. The most stubborn and obstinate coach in history who traded McNabb and made Kolb his starter, and only a couple of hours ago adamantly stated that Kolb is his starter, has completely flipped around in 24 hours and named Vick the starter all the while going overboard praising him, saying he is "playing out of his mind" and even said Vick can lead the team to a Super Bowl. And this decision was made based on 2 quarters of play from Kolb and 6 from Vick. And he even said this move would advance the maturation process of Kevin Kolb. Insane. But entertaining! ( I won't believe Reid is totally insane though until the number of runs equal the pass.)

So much for a transition year. So much for getting a year of growing pains out the way. We're back to being one year further away from competing for real IF Kolb is as good as sold. Or isn't he? Who knows now, and we won't be finding out this season it seems. Stupid. What happened to "the plan?"

To me the only theory that makes any sense is Reid watched the tape and saw how shockingly bad the offensive line was and decided Vick is the only QB in the league, let alone the team, that could survive lining up behind it. Kolb just got a concussion and maybe Reid wants to save him from weekly beatings and the very real possibility of his career ending prematurely via more head injuries.

The other theory I think is plausible is Reid looked at the landscape in the NFC and the NFC East in particular, and saw mediocrity almost everywhere. Suddenly the season wasn't as hopeless as first imagined and the Eagles could actually win and not just compete, and why waste a season with Kolb figuring things out? But this supposes Reid is blind to the problems on defense and special teams and believes 2 games is all you need to judge how the season will go.

The theory that management told Reid to name Vick is being shot down by Bob Grotz, John Smallwood on the radio, and others who would probably know.

But even better is me joking that the Eagles did it to "steal the Phillies thunder" and then hearing people call the radio stations and say it seriously. If anything this is distracting more from discussing the Eagles Swiss cheese defense and offensive lines. But at the same time a lot of discussion is now focused on ripping Reid, his hypocrisy, his lying, his lack of a plan, and his general insanity.

I also disagree with the idea that Kolb is now ruined forever. If he is that fragile of a flower I don't know how he made it to the NFL in the first place.

Twenty!

That's right, The Doc is now at 20 Wins, first to do such a thing in a Philies uni since Lefty. Very nice. The question now, though, is with Hamels and Lidge back to form this year, and Oswalt on the mound... and Doc as good as Lee was last year.... Is there any way the Phils don't win the World Series this year?

Five games up... Let's see how this thing ends.... Can't wait for the playoffs. This win sure is better news than the Dog Killer being dubbed Reid's starter in homage to the rehab work Big Red has been doing over the years with his sons.

Ugly win, but a win

It took Ernie Sims 29 games plus the longest game ever to finally taste victory again. But his defense is the reason the Eagles almost blew this game. After fixing whatever is was that was wrong in the first half at halftime and shutting down Jahvid Best, and comfortably ahead 35 to 17, the defense relaxed. I'm sure Reid will blame the youth of the team for the near epic collapse. But the Eagles managed to hold on and eke out a 35-32 victory over the not as lowly as they used to be, Lions.

I hate to admit it, but Vick played really good. He played like we wished McNabb would have played the last couple years. He threw the ball accurately and ran when it was open, keeping the defense guessing and off balance. He was also helped by the Lions dropping a couple of EASY interceptions. Contributing to the offensive success was McCoy's big game. He had success running the ball almost every time he touched it and became the first RB with 3 rushing touchdowns in a game since Charlie Garner vs. the Redskins in 1995. Way to run the ball Reid! There was also some good play calling this game. Good game from DeSean Jackson as well, although he was weak returning punts.

Special teams coverage was actually good too! They even had a kickoff return that failed to make it to the 20. Still had stupid penalties and returns that were mediocre and blew the onside kick (Riley Cooper).

Other notes:

• No Stewart Bradley, big game for the tight end and the running back catching the ball.
• Improv shovel pass by Shawn Hill early in the first would be replayed infinitely and lauded forever if Brett Favre had done it.
• Lions went 76 yards for a TD without throwing it once. But they didn't have to, the Eagles run defense was terrible. Note to Andy Reid: notice how the Lions were running it successfully and at no point thought it would be a good idea to go away from it?
• DeSean Jackson is fast.
• Mike Bell sucks. Every play he was involved in was a negative.
• Correct call on DeSean Jackson's non-catch. Glad to see that Lions fans agree that they deserved to lose last week. After that play though, the Lions scored 17 straight points.
• Someone hates Jason Peters. But give him credit, he kept on playing and didn't false start once.
• At the end of the first quarter the Lions punted from their own endzone. A few plays later the Eagles had managed to be at their own 10. After the punt and a penalty, the Lions had picked up 55 yards in field possession while their offense sat on the bench. Pathetic.
• Illegal formation issues continue from the preseason. Is this a pro-football team or not?
• After the Lions player dropped that easy interception you knew the Eagles would finish the drive and score a TD. It happens 9 times out of 10.
• The only throw to Maclin in the first half was his TD. It looked like he was the only receiver out on a route.
• On Ellis Hobbes' interception the receiver in the slot was uncovered. Good throw Shaun Hill.
• Most annoying player of the game was easily Kyle Vanden Bosch. He's so rah-rah, pink, and his helmet fits like a hat.
• Eagles miraculously only had 1 holding call all game. Of course it negated a 35 yard run by McCoy.
• Calvin Johnson was erased for the most part by Asante Samuels. He got his TD when the defense was in zone.
• Both teams defensive lines "lined up in the neutral zone" all game but there wasn't one call.
• Lions 3rd and 1 failure and then the 4th and 1 failure were Reid-esque. Should have kicked a field goal dummies.

Kolb will be back next week, but I bet Vick gets series and not just individual plays. This is because Andy Reid is a football genius.

Detroit, suck city

9/19 1:00 PM ET	Opening	betED	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING	Logans
Philadelphia @ Detroit	41 3	41.5 6	41.5 7	41 6	41.5 6

Matchup • Expanded Odds • Line History

Bonus Question: If Detroit's defense sets up to defend the pass the entire game will Andy Reid run it less than 8 times or more than 8 times?

QB controversy?

The first half was an extension of the preseason. The offense was anemic and the defense was pretty good, but not great. Then three key Eagle players got hurt - Jamal Jackson, Stewart Bradley, and Kevin Kolb. At the half they trailed 13-3.

So the ineffective Kolb was out with a concussion, and in comes Vick to start the second half and suddenly the offense has life. Vick's terrible play in the preseason didn't make an appearance and he made smart plays, good throws and great runs. Unfortunately kickoff coverage was terrible, the defense didn't make enough stops, the offense couldn't catch up and the Eagles lost 27-20.

Two plays though might have made a difference - Vick should have run the ball into the endzone instead of trying to force a pass through traffic to Jackson. And the failed QB draw on fourth down that ended the Eagles hopes was an awful call.

Of course all week now the various media will hype a non-existent QB controversy and morons will insist Vick should be the starter.

Other notes:

• I really like the new uniforms. Instant classics.

Season 0pener and something new to root for

9/12 4:15 PM ET	Opening	betED	5Dimes	SPORTSBETTING	Logans
Green Bay @ Philadelphia	45 -1	47.5 3	47 3	48 3	47.5 3

Matchup • Expanded Odds • Line History

Bonus Question: Will Green Bay blow the game because they didn't think a legitimate punt returner was important?

Predictions

As they have done for the last 50 years, the Eagles once again lost the final game of their season last year. But instead of usual one crushing defeat, the Eagles suffered 2 in a row to the hated Cowboys, and this apparently spurred a drastic overhaul of the roster. Big names that are no longer here include McNabb, Westbrook, and Sheldon Brown, but players like Gocong, Demps, and Stacy Andrews - all once highly touted by the team - are also gone. In the front office Howie Roseman took Tom Heckert's position and apparently had a successful draft with Brandon Graham and Nate Allen projected to start, and 10 of the 13 picks making the team in some form.

So this season begins with a lot of young, inexperienced players expected to step in and fill some big shoes, and a lot of transition and uncertainty at key positions, most notably the offensive line. And in addition to the roster moves, the schedule looks like it's pretty damn hard. I also think all across the NFL teams have gotten better - the dregs won't be as awful as they have been recently and some middling teams have risen to the next level. Overall though I am optimistic and plan to enjoy this season with no expectations except growth and improvement as the season progresses. I don't think this team is ready to do anything big this year, but next year I will expect the usual Super Bowl or bust.

In the comments make your season long, game by game predictions and whatever reasons you might have to justify it. Also, what teams will be in the AFC and NFC championship games, the Super Bowl, who will win it all, and what teams will be this year's worst? Convenient link to last year's predictions here.

EAGLES 2010 SEASON SCHEDULE
Sun, Sep 12 vs Green Bay 4:15 PM FOX
Sun, Sep 19 @ Detroit 1:00 PM FOX
Sun, Sep 26 @ Jacksonville 4:05 PM FOX
Sun, Oct 3 vs Washington 4:15 PM FOX
Sun, Oct 10 @ San Francisco 8:20 PM NBC
Sun, Oct 17 vs Atlanta 1:00 PM FOX
Sun, Oct 24 @ Tennessee 1:00 PM FOX
BYE WEEK Oct 31
Sun, Nov 7 vs Indianapolis 4:15 PM CBS
Mon, Nov 15 @ Washington 8:30 PM
Sun, Nov 21 vs New York 8:20 PM NBC
Sun, Nov 28 @ Chicago 1:00 PM FOX
Thu, Dec 2 vs Houston 8:20 PM NFL
Sun, Dec 12 @ Dallass 8:20 PM NBC
Sun, Dec 19 @ New York 1:00 PM FOX
Sun, Dec 26 vs Minnesota 1:00 PM FOX
Sun, Jan 2 vs Dallass 1:00 PM FOX

Eagles lose a really, really boring talent evaluation

Safety, seventh round draft pick and Eagles last pick, Kurt Coleman, had the game of his life and scored both of the Eagles touchdowns with fumble recoveries and returns. The ball bounced right to him both times and he took advantage. Sadly however, he is now the Eagles leading touchdown scorer in the preseason.

The Eagles offense was again morose. It had a little bit of life with Vick at QB, but drives were killed by his inaccuracy. The Kafka led version was dead however. I don't think they got a first down for 2 quarters and then when it finally got their first in the 4th, they turned it over on the next play.

The Eagles defense was winning this game all by itself until Ryan reinserted Mark Brunell and Santonio Holmes for a series vs. the Eagles future cuts, and they connected on a bomb to put the Jets ahead. Kind of cheap. The Eagles had plenty of time to respond though, but didn't.

The Eagles special teams coverage and returns were much better. The guy they got in a trade this week with the Cardinals had a couple good returns. He'll probably be doing the punt returns on opening day. The Puntapus was great tonight dropping a punt that died right inside the 5 and downed at the 2, and another he coffin-cornered at the one. Akers missed a makeable field goal though.

It will be interesting to see who they cut and who they pick up from waivers heading into the opener.

Eagles play poorly, but win

In a game that was dubbed "important" by the media, the Eagles didn't really play like it was. All the problems from the previous fake games were still present - terrible pass protection, bad redzone production, dumb penalties, terrible kick coverage, and lapses in focus. But thanks to Kansas City being a crappy team that made more mistakes than the Eagles, and an impressive 80 yard, 8 play drive in the last minutes of the game by Kafka, the Eagles pulled out a 20 to 17 victory.

Other notes:

• Andy Reid got DeSean Jackson hurt with his stupid play call. Keep him away from the monsters at the line of scrimmage, dumbass.
• Kolb did not have a good game at all. He ran out of the pocket too early too much. But then again, can you blame him since his protection was terrible?
• Mike Bell got a lot of carries this game and showed me very little except that he isn't that good. But maybe he needs more time.
• Offensive line pass protection was awful, but the running backs barely helped picking up the blitzes.
• Jason Peters sucks. It must have been the crowd noise in the half empty stadium that caused him to false start twice on third down and destroy drives.
• Refs were in mid-season form, missing calls then calling make-up calls.
• ETN's coverage was worse than usual. Don Tollefson is completely unqualified to do play-by-play, but he is great at being an Eagles shill on the order of Spadaro. And everybody said at least one stupid or wrong thing except Jamie Apody. Also took till the second quarter to show a replay of the play that got DeSean Jackson hurt.
• Chad Hall made it easy for the Eagles to cut him after tonight.
• Nate Allen is a smart dude that makes smart plays. I'm impressed.
• Brandon Graham was good again and was another positive.
• Special teams coverage still awful, returns mediocre, kicks good.
• Maclin was not very good tonight. If Jackson goes out he has to step up and he didn't. He also still doesn't protect the ball. You think he'd learn after last week.
• Hope the KC player is alright and not paralyzed. Amazing that the very next play the players were going full speed again, throwing caution to the wind.
• Riley Cooper should definitely see some playing time this year. He looks like he belongs.

Get ready for the JETS!

Very late post on Eagles vs. Bengals

Oops. I thought I set this up to automatically post an "open thread" post for last Friday's game since I wasn't going to be near a computer at the time. Oh well, I dun goofed.

Positives:

• Kolb's throw to Jackson on a scramble where they freelanced and Kolb dropped it in perfectly over the corner and in front of the safety while on the run. Kolb is good.
• Defense is looking pretty good and is hitting with violence again. The Malachi crunch on Oucho-cinco was very enjoyable.
• Brandon Graham made some plays in this game, especially when he got in the backfield and exploded into the running back and crushed him.
• Akers I think has been perfect.
• The fact that Vick was brutal will maybe shut up the "Vick should start" morons.

Negatives:

• The offensive line was awful. Not just in the blocking department, but the playing smart department - they couldn't even line up right.
• If Kolb gets hurt because he's taking a beating, there is nothing behind him.
• Redzone offense, as usual, is anemic.
• Special teams coverage is awful.
• Run game has shown very little.
• Still very little pressure without bringing a blitz.
• Seems there isn't much depth after the starters.

Two more weeks till real football. But here's what Aaron Rogers has been doing - 20 of 24 for 275 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions and a 154 QB rating.

Eagles vs. Panthers

Unfortunately I won't be able to catch most of the fake game tonight and my VCR (yeah VCR) doesn't record or play anymore. But first series Kolb looks pretty good. So discuss the game in the comments if you wish or read this article on how McNabb is sucking.

Philly Boy Roy

Longtime Astros ace Roy Oswalt accepted a trade to the Phillies today, and I can't see anything to criticize here. It's all good.

Sure, had they re-upped Cliff Lee for the season maybe this move would not have been necessary, but putting that aside this deal looks pretty sweet.

The Phils get a bonafide all-star caliber pitcher, creating a great 1-2-3 rotation with Halladay and Hamels going down the stretch of the season and hopefully into the playoffs. And the Astros, for some reason, agreed to pay almost half of Oswalt's salary for this season and next — thanks Ed Wade!

We gave up J.A. Happ and some low level minor leaguers, but I'd call that a good deal. Whatever back issues Oswalt has, I feel a lot better going into a playoff game with Oswalt on the hill. If the Phils had to give up a stud first base prospect then no biggie — we have that Ryan Howard guy for a while.

Former Great Sports Debate stalwart Jayson Stark has the details here.

One downside for Oswalt is that he won't be able to wear those awesome retro Astos jerseys anymore.



UPDATE: The minor leaguers going from Philly to Houston were outfielder Anthony Gose and shortstop Jonathan Villar. So the Phillies did not give up highly rated first base prospect Jonathan Singleton.