Jody Mac
09-19-2011, 01:47 PM
It is a Sunday sports day that Philly fans will probably want to forget. Michael Vick's health and how long he will be out, if at all, will probably dictate how long they will be forced to remember it. If Vick injuries are not severe the Eagle loss is something they can get over quickly. As for the Phils, Sunday's loss can be chalked up to the hangover, literally and figuratively. Stinks when you are going through it but it goes away! After what they accomplished Saturday night, a mulligan is certainly understandable!
For the national Sunday night viewing audience, the Eagles/Falcons shootout was some entertaining viewing! Lot's of scoring, turnovers, and the seesaw effect on the scoreboard. When Mike Kafka's 50 yard Hail Mary was batted down on the final play of the game the Falcons had secured a 35-31 victory. The final score and the status of their starting QB tempered eagle fans enjoyment of this exciting tilt. But don't believe the Eagles lost this game because Michael Vick went down after a helmet-to-helmet collision with his own right tackle. A defense that couldn't get a big stop in the fourth quarter is much more to blame for the Birds not getting to 2-0.
The Eagles defense is looked at the way some people look at the layout of most super markets. If you do quality shopping in the outside rows and along the back you will do just fine. Don't worry about the middle. That's fine in theory but in reality there are some very necessary items in the middle, if you are trying to make a complete shopping run. Or trying to stop the run.
Put on your thinking cap, your memory cap. Tell me the play made by any of their linebackers or their strong safety. Go ahead, I'll wait ... Yeah, didn't think so. Atlanta ran 61 plays from scrimmage and nary one real memorable play out of Chaney, Fokou, Matthews or Page. They piled up the tackles but they were too far down the field or after completed passes. The Birds are the classic donut team, a huge whole in the middle, Andy Reid begged off commenting on his defense after the game till after he watched the game film. I can save him the trouble. Great pressure from the de line, superior coverage from the corners with 2 interceptions thrown in, the middle is problematic. So what to do? Flipping Chaney and Matthews inside out might be a start. Fellow rookie Brian Rolle may get more time against the Giants but the upgrading options at linebacker are not on the roster right now.
It's not all bad news though. Despite some untimely turnovers, the Eagles fast break offense is still one of the most exciting units in the NFL. Maclin, Jackson, Celek and even newbie Steve Smith were catching balls left and right. LeSean McCoy was once again at his shifty and shady best running for over 5 yards per carry and finding pay dirt twice. With the kind of beating the Eagles de line put on Matt Ryan, they should have been able to make 31 points stand up. But the Eagles offensive line once again allowed their quarterbacks to take too may hits, including one that may force Michael Vick to miss some time. The Birds want Michael Vick to stay in the pocket more. Be careful what you ask for...
Big picture, this loss is not crushing to the Birds. If it decides where an NFC divisional playoff game is to be played because of a tie breaking advantage to the Falcons we'll have to revise that stance come January but we have a long way to go before we get there. How concussed is Mr. Vick is the thing that needs to be discussed above all else leading into the Eagles first home game, first divisional game of the year against the arriving Giants this week.
The big picture is ALL you need to be worrying about when it comes to the Phils. Even though he played more regulars than I thought he would Sunday night, the fact that the Phils were shut out by the Cards Sunday night, while Cole Hamels gave up a couple long drives, Charlie Manuel will have lost no sleep over the 5-0 Cardinals win Sunday night. After locking up their record setting 5th straight NL East divisional title, you can understand a Phillie let down. Their magic number to clinch home field advantage through out the playoffs is one and they can get that tonight against the Cardinals. Then they go into rest, not rust mode. Charlie Manuel has to try and find the perfect balance of freshening his troops while keeping their edge. In Charlie we trust. There is some motivation for some of the players who will be taking the field these last few days. The 25th man on the roster has yet to be determined. John Bowker has literally done nothing since his August acquiring (0-8, 6 Ks). Pete Orr, Dominic Brown and Brandon Moss will get a look to see who will be the last bat off the bench. While Antonio Bastardo is struggling, Manuel and Dubee will try and get him right because he will be part of the Phil's October pen. As will Michael Stutes who has been inconsistent the last few weeks. Several callups including lefty Joe Savery will get a look these last two weeks but I believe the Phils will stick with those who have the extensive experience (yes this means David Herndon, maybe even Joe Blanton) over the youngsters!
After today's series finale against St. Louis (Remember the Phils have not lost a 4 game series all year and have dropped two of the first three here to the Cards), a four game set against the Nationals and Jason Werth will close out the home season for the Phightins'. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the ball park because you'll be asked to rev it up for another playoff run, less than 2 weeks from now!!
While the Phillies have almost everything wrapped up and all of baseball's divisions looked pretty well decided, there could be some wild card fun these last 10 days of the season. The Red Sox are proving that just compiling talent is not enough. They've given the Tampa Rays a major opening to oust them from post-season play. That would put a major damper on my pre-season prediction of a Sox/Phils World Series. Can't have everything in life I guess.
Here comes my yearly plea for the sponsor of this of this blog. Please check out the advertisement on this page and on the home page for Nexxt Level Training and All Out Baseball. They are a great group for training and improving your youngster’s athletic skills. My daughter raised the level of her play to the point that she's played varsity basketball at her high school since her freshman year. They can improve your daughter or son in any and all sports. The baseball program lent a helping hand to Seneca high school pitcher Kevin Comer who recently signed a 1.65 million dollar contact as a draftee of the Toronto Blue Jays. They have state of the art facilities and skilled, caring instructors. Give both the Nexxt Level and All Out Baseball web sites a click to find out more if you've got a youngster who is looking to take their athletic game to the "Nexxt Level !!" Make sure you tell them that Jody Mc sent you and they'll take extra special care of your young guy or girl!!!
For the national Sunday night viewing audience, the Eagles/Falcons shootout was some entertaining viewing! Lot's of scoring, turnovers, and the seesaw effect on the scoreboard. When Mike Kafka's 50 yard Hail Mary was batted down on the final play of the game the Falcons had secured a 35-31 victory. The final score and the status of their starting QB tempered eagle fans enjoyment of this exciting tilt. But don't believe the Eagles lost this game because Michael Vick went down after a helmet-to-helmet collision with his own right tackle. A defense that couldn't get a big stop in the fourth quarter is much more to blame for the Birds not getting to 2-0.
The Eagles defense is looked at the way some people look at the layout of most super markets. If you do quality shopping in the outside rows and along the back you will do just fine. Don't worry about the middle. That's fine in theory but in reality there are some very necessary items in the middle, if you are trying to make a complete shopping run. Or trying to stop the run.
Put on your thinking cap, your memory cap. Tell me the play made by any of their linebackers or their strong safety. Go ahead, I'll wait ... Yeah, didn't think so. Atlanta ran 61 plays from scrimmage and nary one real memorable play out of Chaney, Fokou, Matthews or Page. They piled up the tackles but they were too far down the field or after completed passes. The Birds are the classic donut team, a huge whole in the middle, Andy Reid begged off commenting on his defense after the game till after he watched the game film. I can save him the trouble. Great pressure from the de line, superior coverage from the corners with 2 interceptions thrown in, the middle is problematic. So what to do? Flipping Chaney and Matthews inside out might be a start. Fellow rookie Brian Rolle may get more time against the Giants but the upgrading options at linebacker are not on the roster right now.
It's not all bad news though. Despite some untimely turnovers, the Eagles fast break offense is still one of the most exciting units in the NFL. Maclin, Jackson, Celek and even newbie Steve Smith were catching balls left and right. LeSean McCoy was once again at his shifty and shady best running for over 5 yards per carry and finding pay dirt twice. With the kind of beating the Eagles de line put on Matt Ryan, they should have been able to make 31 points stand up. But the Eagles offensive line once again allowed their quarterbacks to take too may hits, including one that may force Michael Vick to miss some time. The Birds want Michael Vick to stay in the pocket more. Be careful what you ask for...
Big picture, this loss is not crushing to the Birds. If it decides where an NFC divisional playoff game is to be played because of a tie breaking advantage to the Falcons we'll have to revise that stance come January but we have a long way to go before we get there. How concussed is Mr. Vick is the thing that needs to be discussed above all else leading into the Eagles first home game, first divisional game of the year against the arriving Giants this week.
The big picture is ALL you need to be worrying about when it comes to the Phils. Even though he played more regulars than I thought he would Sunday night, the fact that the Phils were shut out by the Cards Sunday night, while Cole Hamels gave up a couple long drives, Charlie Manuel will have lost no sleep over the 5-0 Cardinals win Sunday night. After locking up their record setting 5th straight NL East divisional title, you can understand a Phillie let down. Their magic number to clinch home field advantage through out the playoffs is one and they can get that tonight against the Cardinals. Then they go into rest, not rust mode. Charlie Manuel has to try and find the perfect balance of freshening his troops while keeping their edge. In Charlie we trust. There is some motivation for some of the players who will be taking the field these last few days. The 25th man on the roster has yet to be determined. John Bowker has literally done nothing since his August acquiring (0-8, 6 Ks). Pete Orr, Dominic Brown and Brandon Moss will get a look to see who will be the last bat off the bench. While Antonio Bastardo is struggling, Manuel and Dubee will try and get him right because he will be part of the Phil's October pen. As will Michael Stutes who has been inconsistent the last few weeks. Several callups including lefty Joe Savery will get a look these last two weeks but I believe the Phils will stick with those who have the extensive experience (yes this means David Herndon, maybe even Joe Blanton) over the youngsters!
After today's series finale against St. Louis (Remember the Phils have not lost a 4 game series all year and have dropped two of the first three here to the Cards), a four game set against the Nationals and Jason Werth will close out the home season for the Phightins'. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at the ball park because you'll be asked to rev it up for another playoff run, less than 2 weeks from now!!
While the Phillies have almost everything wrapped up and all of baseball's divisions looked pretty well decided, there could be some wild card fun these last 10 days of the season. The Red Sox are proving that just compiling talent is not enough. They've given the Tampa Rays a major opening to oust them from post-season play. That would put a major damper on my pre-season prediction of a Sox/Phils World Series. Can't have everything in life I guess.
Here comes my yearly plea for the sponsor of this of this blog. Please check out the advertisement on this page and on the home page for Nexxt Level Training and All Out Baseball. They are a great group for training and improving your youngster’s athletic skills. My daughter raised the level of her play to the point that she's played varsity basketball at her high school since her freshman year. They can improve your daughter or son in any and all sports. The baseball program lent a helping hand to Seneca high school pitcher Kevin Comer who recently signed a 1.65 million dollar contact as a draftee of the Toronto Blue Jays. They have state of the art facilities and skilled, caring instructors. Give both the Nexxt Level and All Out Baseball web sites a click to find out more if you've got a youngster who is looking to take their athletic game to the "Nexxt Level !!" Make sure you tell them that Jody Mc sent you and they'll take extra special care of your young guy or girl!!!