Jody Mac
11-21-2011, 03:43 PM
When the Giants and Eagles throw down, especially up the Turnpike, strange things seem to happen. Usually there is a wild or wacky play or two that makes it a strange game. The Sunday NFC East showdown between these two was as unpredictable as usual, but in a much broader sense for the Birds. A defense that has been shaky at best for most of the season turned up very stout against a good NY Giant offense. The Eagle running game, which is often under-used as successful as it is, was non-existant until Shady McCoy's 60 yard, put-it-away jaunt late in the contest. It was more the way they did it than the fact that they did it, the Birds beating a Giant team in their house after having been handled by them back in week three.
The Eagles 18-play, six converted third downs, 80-yard drive to retake the lead in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. Not only did they put the pressure on the Giants, they did so while eating up as much of the clock as they did. Vince Young's three interceptions look terrible on paper but his clutch delivering of the football in the game winning drive is what delivered the victory. For a guy who hasn't played all year to come in and move the offense through the air, bit by bit, was quite impressive. Against the leading sack squad in the NFL, Vince Young was sacked just once, a 3 yard set back early in the 3rd quarter. Despite his lengthy layoff from extended action, Young seemed quick with his reads and his release is shot gun like. If Michael Vick is physically good to go he will be under center next week against the Patriots. If he's not ready, Vince Young gives them that same puncher's chance on offense next week. Plus the Patriots pass defense can be had.
So where does this win leave the Eagles? The answer is, still in the mix. They are still below .500. They have to beat the Patriots at home and Seattle on the road just to get even at 6-6. They raised their level of confidence with this win, but they did the same with their 34-7 throttling of Dallas three weeks ago, then followed that up with two straight home losses. Don't let this game stand for any more than it was. A strong divisional win, picking up an all-important game in the standings, but it is just ONE win. Andy Reid dropped the "one game at a time" cliché after the game but it is very accurate with this team, at this time!! The season could have been over before Thanksgiving. Be thankful Eagle fans that next Sunday's game now has meaning!
Couple random Bird droppings...Although he can be frustrating, the Eagle offense is a different animal when they get the ball in DeSean Jackson's hands...Not sure if it is scheme and or coaching adjustments or if their players just ratcheted it up a couple notches, but the defense played high-motor football. They got up-field push against both the pass and the run. They finished their tackles. Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Several people told me prior to the game that the Eagles had more tempo and crispness in practice this week than maybe they had all year and it carried over to the game. If you can explain why something like that takes place this week, please pass it on to me and I'll make sure it gets to Andy!
The Phillies continue to be the most busy off-season baseball team. They added another nice piece to the puzzle on Sunday. They acquired Ty Wiggington from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later. That player could end up being cash. The Rockies will pick up half the tab on Wiggington's 4 million dollar salary. Wigginton is a veteran right-handed bat with pop that can play 1st, 3rd, outfield and even a little 2nd in a pinch. I mentioned here back in August that Wiggington would have been a nice pennant run acquisition for the Phils, well better late than never. In addition to his versatility and his power from the right hand side, Wigginton is a very good clubhouse guy. Getting Jimmy Rollins re-signed and working on a long term extension with Cole Hamels are bigger moves that the Phillies have to negotiate during this off-season but they have done quite nicely adding role players to their 25 man roster. All in due time, eh Rubin??
Since we have no NBA basketball to talk about and we don't know if we will ever get any this year, I find myself watching earlier season college hoops than usual. All of the City Six teams have gotten off to decent starts. What stands out early is that we've got some guards in town that can flat out fill it up. Ramon Moore is the unquestioned Owl's go to guy this year. He's averaging 20 points per in the early stages, as Temple has gotten out 3-1 with a couple of OT wins. The Hawks are also off to a 3-1 start and Carl Jones is putting it in at a 23.5 clip so far for the under six foot two guard. Pair of backcourt stalwarts has helped Nova to get out to a 3-0 start. Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns are taking advantage of their early season opponents to fill up the stat sheets at 22 and 19.3 respectively. LaSalle’s Tyreek Duren went for 24 in the Explorer's OT loss to 'Nova last week. The former Neumann-Guretti sophomore guard will be asked to make a lot of big buckets for LaSalle this season. While senior guard Zach Rosen will have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line for the Penn Quakers this year. We know there are a nice group of guards who can fill it up. The question may be who can find the big man who steps up to distance themselves as the best squad on the city hardwood!!
Despite an inability to beat the Winnipeg Jets, the Flyers find themselves with the most points in the Eastern Conference as they hit the quarter poll of the season. They've been as good on the road as they have been at home during the early going. Matt Read, the Flyers 25-year old rookie continues to impress and open eyes. There is something to be said for keeping someone who is as hungry as Read is. He keeps the pressure on and because of the way he plays the game, is becoming a Flyer fan favorite early! Anyone who puts in four years with the Bimidji State deserves all the success he can get. Go Beavers!!
There is some great football coming up on Thursday and some great shopping coming up for those so moved to get out to the stores on Friday. Enjoy however you spend your holiday downtime but most off all, enjoy the time with family and friends and be thankful for another great year we've all had!!
The Eagles 18-play, six converted third downs, 80-yard drive to retake the lead in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. Not only did they put the pressure on the Giants, they did so while eating up as much of the clock as they did. Vince Young's three interceptions look terrible on paper but his clutch delivering of the football in the game winning drive is what delivered the victory. For a guy who hasn't played all year to come in and move the offense through the air, bit by bit, was quite impressive. Against the leading sack squad in the NFL, Vince Young was sacked just once, a 3 yard set back early in the 3rd quarter. Despite his lengthy layoff from extended action, Young seemed quick with his reads and his release is shot gun like. If Michael Vick is physically good to go he will be under center next week against the Patriots. If he's not ready, Vince Young gives them that same puncher's chance on offense next week. Plus the Patriots pass defense can be had.
So where does this win leave the Eagles? The answer is, still in the mix. They are still below .500. They have to beat the Patriots at home and Seattle on the road just to get even at 6-6. They raised their level of confidence with this win, but they did the same with their 34-7 throttling of Dallas three weeks ago, then followed that up with two straight home losses. Don't let this game stand for any more than it was. A strong divisional win, picking up an all-important game in the standings, but it is just ONE win. Andy Reid dropped the "one game at a time" cliché after the game but it is very accurate with this team, at this time!! The season could have been over before Thanksgiving. Be thankful Eagle fans that next Sunday's game now has meaning!
Couple random Bird droppings...Although he can be frustrating, the Eagle offense is a different animal when they get the ball in DeSean Jackson's hands...Not sure if it is scheme and or coaching adjustments or if their players just ratcheted it up a couple notches, but the defense played high-motor football. They got up-field push against both the pass and the run. They finished their tackles. Seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Several people told me prior to the game that the Eagles had more tempo and crispness in practice this week than maybe they had all year and it carried over to the game. If you can explain why something like that takes place this week, please pass it on to me and I'll make sure it gets to Andy!
The Phillies continue to be the most busy off-season baseball team. They added another nice piece to the puzzle on Sunday. They acquired Ty Wiggington from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later. That player could end up being cash. The Rockies will pick up half the tab on Wiggington's 4 million dollar salary. Wigginton is a veteran right-handed bat with pop that can play 1st, 3rd, outfield and even a little 2nd in a pinch. I mentioned here back in August that Wiggington would have been a nice pennant run acquisition for the Phils, well better late than never. In addition to his versatility and his power from the right hand side, Wigginton is a very good clubhouse guy. Getting Jimmy Rollins re-signed and working on a long term extension with Cole Hamels are bigger moves that the Phillies have to negotiate during this off-season but they have done quite nicely adding role players to their 25 man roster. All in due time, eh Rubin??
Since we have no NBA basketball to talk about and we don't know if we will ever get any this year, I find myself watching earlier season college hoops than usual. All of the City Six teams have gotten off to decent starts. What stands out early is that we've got some guards in town that can flat out fill it up. Ramon Moore is the unquestioned Owl's go to guy this year. He's averaging 20 points per in the early stages, as Temple has gotten out 3-1 with a couple of OT wins. The Hawks are also off to a 3-1 start and Carl Jones is putting it in at a 23.5 clip so far for the under six foot two guard. Pair of backcourt stalwarts has helped Nova to get out to a 3-0 start. Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns are taking advantage of their early season opponents to fill up the stat sheets at 22 and 19.3 respectively. LaSalle’s Tyreek Duren went for 24 in the Explorer's OT loss to 'Nova last week. The former Neumann-Guretti sophomore guard will be asked to make a lot of big buckets for LaSalle this season. While senior guard Zach Rosen will have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line for the Penn Quakers this year. We know there are a nice group of guards who can fill it up. The question may be who can find the big man who steps up to distance themselves as the best squad on the city hardwood!!
Despite an inability to beat the Winnipeg Jets, the Flyers find themselves with the most points in the Eastern Conference as they hit the quarter poll of the season. They've been as good on the road as they have been at home during the early going. Matt Read, the Flyers 25-year old rookie continues to impress and open eyes. There is something to be said for keeping someone who is as hungry as Read is. He keeps the pressure on and because of the way he plays the game, is becoming a Flyer fan favorite early! Anyone who puts in four years with the Bimidji State deserves all the success he can get. Go Beavers!!
There is some great football coming up on Thursday and some great shopping coming up for those so moved to get out to the stores on Friday. Enjoy however you spend your holiday downtime but most off all, enjoy the time with family and friends and be thankful for another great year we've all had!!