Is Philly back?

[MDC 7,331]

You are my puppet.

 

That explains why you constantly follow me around and try to get my attention.

[phillybear 366]

That explains why you constantly follow me around and try to get my attention.

 

I am in your head. Dance, puppet, dance.

[MDC 7,331]

I am in your head.

 

You're so in my head that I never think about you, talk about you, or post to you, and I'm going home now, and sometime this week I'll check back and no doubt you'll have responded to this post too, because deep down you are gay for me and you know it.

 

As usual, owned.

[phillybear 366]

You're so in my head that I never think about you, talk about you, or post to you, and I'm going home now, and sometime this week I'll check back and no doubt you'll have responded to this post too, because deep down you are gay for me and you know it.

 

As usual, owned.

 

Those naked pictures of your girlfriend from a couple of years ago were kind of interesting. You know, the ones that were posted.

 

Dance, puppet, dance.

 

OK. I'll leave this thread now. I've had my fun.

 

Sorry about the thread hijacking folks. Just killing time on a slow day at work.

[MDC 7,331]

Those naked pictures of your girlfriend from a couple of years ago were kind of interesting. You know, the ones that were posted.

 

Dance, puppet, dance.

 

OK. I'll leave this thread now. I've had my fun.

 

Sorry about the thread hijacking folks. Just killing time on a slow day at work.

 

I called it.

 

ETA: Also, my apologies for the distraction. I really just wanted to talk about the Eagles. I'm used to Phillybear following me around the Geek Club but I didn't expect he'd do the same thing on the main board. It's partly my fault for not ignoring his cries for attention as usual.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Yes and the Eagles have never won a SuperBowl. How many of Belichicks playoff wins were SuperBowl wins? Last I checked, he had a couple of rings from his Parcells days, and three as head coach of the Patriots. Thats alot of hardware. Maybe its best to avoid comparing the Iggles and the Patriots if you want to count the actual postseason wins that really matter like the SuperBowl.

 

Look at the division. Tom Coughlin. Bill Parcells. Joe Gibbs. All these teams have better WR corps than Philly. They also all have old school coaches who push and get results from mistake free football. How Reid runs shop might be an advantage in the NFC West, where the teams play real sloppy, but its not gonna do him much than have him hold par in the NFC East. Sure Reids style will help them in teams outside of their division, but inside it is a whole different ballgame.

 

The Iggles intangibles are worth another two wins in the regular season, likely against underachievers outside the NFC East, but come the playoffs and the road to the Superbowl, they won't be beating up on regular season teams they are supposed to beat anymore, they will be facing hardened playoff caliber teams.

 

Be consistent. My reply was to your "Andy Reid and the Eagles are not good in the playoffs". You didn't say anything about a Super Bowl, chief.

 

Of course they lost the M'r Effin Super Bowl, genius. Parcells hasn't won jack in quite a long time. Coughlin has been to the big dance, and only got a whiff of championship contention. BTW, he was also fired from his job, too. Gibbs hasn't seen a SB in a very, very, long time. No one denies their career accomplishments. But when you're comparing 2 HOF coaches, who are much older, and both of whom have been coaching in the league for many years (compared to Andy Reid, who's been a head coach for 6-7 years now), and it's a pretty silly comparison.

 

No one compared the Eagles to the Patriots here. Nice try. The stat was pulled to show that the Eagles have had some type of success in the playoffs, and the only team that has been better in the playoffs over that span has been a DYNASTY with a HOF coach (who also happens to be the best in the business).

 

You just continue to keep that thought in your head that the Eagles will do nothing this year.

 

BTW, what in the bloody hell do old school football coaches have to do with "mistake free football", anyways?

That may be the most retarded thing I've seen posted in '06.

 

 

I'm gonna guess that most fans of the NFL are gonna discount the Eagles this season, count them out, and not think twice about them being contenders. On the other hand, I'm gonna bet the players/coaches/teams in the NFC will not do the same.

 

I hope no one gives them the chance. It'll be all the more sweeter when they prove everyone wrong (doesn't mean they can't use another player or two).

[JT 137]

Yes and the Eagles have never won a SuperBowl. How many of Belichicks playoff wins were SuperBowl wins? Last I checked, he had a couple of rings from his Parcells days, and three as head coach of the Patriots. Thats alot of hardware. Maybe its best to avoid comparing the Iggles and the Patriots if you want to count the actual postseason wins that really matter like the SuperBowl.

 

Look at the division. Tom Coughlin. Bill Parcells. Joe Gibbs. All these teams have better WR corps than Philly. They also all have old school coaches who push and get results from mistake free football. How Reid runs shop might be an advantage in the NFC West, where the teams play real sloppy, but its not gonna do him much than have him hold par in the NFC East. Sure Reids style will help them in teams outside of their division, but inside it is a whole different ballgame.

 

The Iggles intangibles are worth another two wins in the regular season, likely against underachievers outside the NFC East, but come the playoffs and the road to the Superbowl, they won't be beating up on regular season teams they are supposed to beat anymore, they will be facing hardened playoff caliber teams.

 

It was only a matter of time until one of those less skilled at hiding their Eagles bashing agenda showed up in this thread.

 

Let's look at the old school division coaches and their mistake free football. Turnover margin, 2004 & 05 seasons: Washington -1, +1; NYG +4, +11 (very impressive, though it didn't seem to carry over vs Carolina in the post-season...maybe accomplished against those 'under achieving teams outside the NFC East'?); Dallas -15, -5; Philly +6, -7. Now a sensible person not looking for an opportunity to slam Philly & Reid would probably address last year's injuries, but I'm not going to ask you to go beyond your capabilities. The numbers alone say that Coughlin's team has done a great job with the ball; Washington and Philly have essentially broken even; and Dallas is nowhere close to the rest. As for 'how Reid runs shop', it's proven pretty successful vs the rest of the league over his tenure as a head coach. (NOTE: Here's where you start your 'no Super Bowl' response. Read carefully: 'pretty successful vs the rest of the league'. Who has or hasn't won a Super Bowl isn' the topic of this thread.)

 

Your bias is both transparent and amusing. Other teams win because of 'old school coaches' and 'mistake free football'; the Eagles win because of 'intangibles' vs 'underachievers'. The Eagles schedule this season features it's 6 division games (4 vs '05 playoff teams), along with 4 other games vs '05 playoff teams. That's half the 16 games. The other teams (Hou, SF, GB, NO, Tenn, Atl) would appear, at this ppoint, to be winnable contests (though I haven't looked at home vs away). So a return to the post season is likely to require wins vs 'hardened playoff caliber teams', just as it does for every team, every year.

[xenophobe 1]

I doubt we'll see a complete return to the team that was the class of the NFC a couple years ago. The real question to me is, will McNabb's game take a stop back. They still need to find a running game, and there remains serious questions about their receivers, so if they can't count on McNabb being on top of his game, they will likely struggle in a competative division, against a difficult schedule.

 

With that said, I saw some positive take aways from last year. Inspite of the injuries, they did play some competative football last year, despite what their record indicated. This was particularly true against division opponents, as is usually the case in the East. There is some tallent on this team, and they've drafted well and have a smart coaching staff that will get the most out of their team.

 

I expect them to come in 4th in what is shaping up to be a very competative division. I'm not sure what their record will be, and it may not be all that great, particularly if McNabb is not at form, but they're going to be a team that will make you earn your wins against them regardless.

[Force of Two 0]

I doubt we'll see a complete return to the team that was the class of the NFC a couple years ago. The real question to me is, will McNabb's game take a stop back. They still need to find a running game, and there remains serious questions about their receivers, so if they can't count on McNabb being on top of his game, they will likely struggle in a competative division, against a difficult schedule.

 

With that said, I saw some positive take aways from last year. Inspite of the injuries, they did play some competative football last year, despite what their record indicated. This was particularly true against division opponents, as is usually the case in the East. There is some tallent on this team, and they've drafted well and have a smart coaching staff that will get the most out of their team.

 

I expect them to come in 4th in what is shaping up to be a very competative division. I'm not sure what their record will be, and it may not be all that great, particularly if McNabb is not at form, but they're going to be a team that will make you earn your wins against them regardless.

 

The way the QB goes is the way most teams go....

 

Granted it was only mini-camp but McNabb looked to be in great shape (better than the past several years) and looks to have trimmed about 15 LBS

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

The way the QB goes is the way most teams go....

 

Granted it was only mini-camp but McNabb looked to be in great shape (better than the past several years) and looks to have trimmed about 15 LBS

 

I believe way too many folks are discounting the importance and impact their line play will have on their success this season. The offensive line should re-establish itself as a strength again this season. The defensive line is among the best (top to bottom) in the NFC.

 

By no means will the Eagles be the class of the NFC this season, and that is simply due to the fact that the rest of the conference is much better than year's past. The division will be an absolute dogfight. With that said, I like the Eagles depth on both sides of the ball compared to the rest of the division.

 

The running game is a serious question mark, but I believe the team will make an acquisition by the end of training camp (Stephen Davis or a Jonathan Wells to name a few).

 

The receiving corp is an unknown at this point. One big positive this off-season is continuity. McNabb and the entire receiving corp have been practicing together 2-3 times a week, working on timing, route running, and audibles.

 

Obviously, having an elite #1 would be great. But that's not the case. McNabb has shown in the past that he can be successful by spreading the ball around. At this point, some guys are gonna have to step up their games.

 

Overall, the games are gonna be won/lost on the LOS. That's where my confidence in the team is derived from, and folks really shouldn't overlook that aspect.

[Force of Two 0]

I believe way too many folks are discounting the importance and impact their line play will have on their success this season. The offensive line should re-establish itself as a strength again this season. The defensive line is among the best (top to bottom) in the NFC.

 

By no means will the Eagles be the class of the NFC this season, and that is simply due to the fact that the rest of the conference is much better than year's past. The division will be an absolute dogfight. With that said, I like the Eagles depth on both sides of the ball compared to the rest of the division.

 

The running game is a serious question mark, but I believe the team will make an acquisition by the end of training camp (Stephen Davis or a Jonathan Wells to name a few).

 

The receiving corp is an unknown at this point. One big positive this off-season is continuity. McNabb and the entire receiving corp have been practicing together 2-3 times a week, working on timing, route running, and audibles.

 

Obviously, having an elite #1 would be great. But that's not the case. McNabb has shown in the past that he can be successful by spreading the ball around. At this point, some guys are gonna have to step up their games.

 

Overall, the games are gonna be won/lost on the LOS. That's where my confidence in the team is derived from, and folks really shouldn't overlook that aspect.

 

Same thing I have said in a few of these Eagle bashing threads...both lines may now be the best in the Division with depth.....I think that they arent going to distance themselves from the rest of the East as they have in the past but they can still win the Division....I also like that fact that the hard part of the schedule is at the end...let them regain the confidence that they lost last year and believe that they are the best again and can compete with anyone in the NFC

[Gabriel Balcavienga 0]

please pay attention to the schedule. the last 6 weeks are nuclear. no playoffs. end of story.

[Force of Two 0]

please pay attention to the schedule. the last 6 weeks are nuclear. no playoffs. end of story.

 

arent you a bag of candy!....obviously its tough but at the same time what do we know right now, were basing it on 2005 and likely one or two of those teams wont be what they were anyway due to injury or ineptitude.......I think those lines will keep the Eagles in any game all season.

[Gabriel Balcavienga 0]

arent you a bag of candy!....obviously its tough but at the same time what do we know right now, were basing it on 2005 and likely one or two of those teams wont be what they were anyway due to injury or ineptitude.......I think those lines will keep the Eagles in any game all season.

 

yes but in any given year, aside from when the eagles were far dominant (which they're not anymore) it is always difficult to play an NFC east game on the road. Now we've got three in a row on the road against division rivals, and throw in there Indy, Carolina and Atlanta - no slouches. I'm usually the one wearing my homer green goggles but not this year.

[Force of Two 0]

yes but in any given year, aside from when the eagles were far dominant (which they're not anymore) it is always difficult to play an NFC east game on the road. Now we've got three in a row on the road against division rivals, and throw in there Indy, Carolina and Atlanta - no slouches. I'm usually the one wearing my homer green goggles but not this year.

 

At the same time without the amount of injuries that they had last year I dont expect them to lose three in a row anyway...and if they do they dont deserve to get in....The Atlanta game is at home...if thats to get in to the playoffs or mean something I dont expect them to lose that game..

 

I think if they go 3-3 in the East and win these games NO, SF, GB, Tenn, Houston then they need to only win two of the 5 games against Indy, Jax, Atlanta, TB, and Carolina....its not a stretch that they could go 10-6

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

yes but in any given year, aside from when the eagles were far dominant (which they're not anymore) it is always difficult to play an NFC east game on the road. Now we've got three in a row on the road against division rivals, and throw in there Indy, Carolina and Atlanta - no slouches. I'm usually the one wearing my homer green goggles but not this year.

 

The schedule is all relative. For the most part, the rest of the division will also have the same AFC opponents this season.

 

Crazy things happen late in the season. Teams fold early, teams get decimated by injuries, and teams just plainly crap the bed. Indy missed their window. With the exception of last season, the Eagles own Michael Vick. Carolina's a tough matchup, but definitely not impossible.

 

9-7/10-6 wins the division this season. Eagles finish at least .500, so that puts them in the hunt.

[TerrySilver 0]

just adding a new tangent to this discussion:

 

assuming the eagles stay relatively healthy, i think the key guy for the eagles this year is actually gonna be... drumroll please... darren howard and jerome mcdougle.

 

give me a second, i know it sounds crazy, but let me explain.

 

outside of the losses of every key offensive skill player last year (mcnabb, to, westbrook, pinkston), the biggest problem was that D-Line. Jim Johnson runs a blitz-happy defensive scheme where he runs a ton of guys at the qb, and this defensive scheme worked very well for years. but what happened last year was that the d-line, mainly the DE on the other side of kearse, provided absolutely no pass rush, which just allowed the opposing o-line to double up on kearse on every play. so now the eagles were throwing these blitzes, which were easily getting picked up by the offense, and leaving their corners exposed, with plenty of time for the opposing qb to pick apart the secondary in single coverage (and pick them apart they did last year). this was the eagles biggest problem last year. no pass rush, no forced turnovers = lots of losses

 

the eagles only had 5 games last year where they had 3 sacks or more (only had more the 3 sacks in 1 game). they went 3-2 in those games.

 

now if howard plays well and mcdougal is the real deal, and the opposing o-line has to keep honest in not doubling kearse, the pass rush should be back to its old form, terrorizing the qb and forcing him to make dumb decisions (i.e. turnovers). this is what took the eagles deep in the playoffs for 4 years in a row; not their offense.

 

 

we shall wait and see. worst case scenario for the eagles next year is 7-9, but if they get alot of bounces going their way, i wouldnt be surprised if they finished 11-5.

[Force of Two 0]

just adding a new tangent to this discussion:

 

assuming the eagles stay relatively healthy, i think the key guy for the eagles this year is actually gonna be... drumroll please... darren howard and jerome mcdougle.

 

give me a second, i know it sounds crazy, but let me explain.

 

outside of the losses of every key offensive skill player last year (mcnabb, to, westbrook, pinkston), the biggest problem was that D-Line. Jim Johnson runs a blitz-happy defensive scheme where he runs a ton of guys at the qb, and this defensive scheme worked very well for years. but what happened last year was that the d-line, mainly the DE on the other side of kearse, provided absolutely no pass rush, which just allowed the opposing o-line to double up on kearse on every play. so now the eagles were throwing these blitzes, which were easily getting picked up by the offense, and leaving their corners exposed, with plenty of time for the opposing qb to pick apart the secondary in single coverage (and pick them apart they did last year). this was the eagles biggest problem last year. no pass rush, no forced turnovers = lots of losses

 

the eagles only had 5 games last year where they had 3 sacks or more (only had more the 3 sacks in 1 game). they went 3-2 in those games.

 

now if howard plays well and mcdougal is the real deal, and the opposing o-line has to keep honest in not doubling kearse, the pass rush should be back to its old form, terrorizing the qb and forcing him to make dumb decisions (i.e. turnovers). this is what took the eagles deep in the playoffs for 4 years in a row; not their offense.

we shall wait and see. worst case scenario for the eagles next year is 7-9, but if they get alot of bounces going their way, i wouldnt be surprised if they finished 11-5.

 

I read in two different papers that McDougle had been unblockable in mini-camps.....

 

The D-Line is going to be very improved and the rest of the D will feed off of it.....

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

I read in two different papers that McDougle had been unblockable in mini-camps.....

 

The D-Line is going to be very improved and the rest of the D will feed off of it.....

 

I've read the same thing. If that's the case, the Eagles will be able to rotate their ends pretty frequently, which is always a huge plus when it comes to the d-line. It will also allow JJ to move Howard inside in pass rush situations. Howard's also had some recent history of injury, so having depth at his spot is crucial for continuity.

 

Having 4 solid DE's to rotate, along with 4 DT's to rotate will make the defense really solid. It takes alot of pressure off a thin LB unit, and a consistent pass rush makes a good defensive backfield that much better.

 

It will also allow JJ to use alot more blitz packages and the exotic pass coverages that he's known for.

[D'ohmer Simpson 0]

I hate to say it, but all the naysayers and Eagle haters have failed to offer any proof to back up their claims, and instead trot out the same old sayings we've heard since 2002.

 

I have to hand it to the Eagle fans on this board (of which I am one) for at least backing up their asserstions for why the Eagles will do better.

 

 

[birdbrain3X 0]

I hate to say it, but all the naysayers and Eagle haters have failed to offer any proof to back up their claims, and instead trot out the same old sayings we've heard since 2002.

 

I have to hand it to the Eagle fans on this board (of which I am one) for at least backing up their asserstions for why the Eagles will do better.

 

Yea. Ghost, Force and others did a great job. I would have hopped in but I refuse to attempt to type logic to trolls. I just string em along, make em angry as hell, call them poosays and bail out.

 

I think we're staring at 10-6 with another division crown. The rest of the division is better than a few years ago(it couldn't possibly get any worse) but the whole NFC is still weak if ya ask me. Can't wait to start proving people wrong!

[Bugs Bunny wuz here 0]

some philly fans are being unrealistic here. falling into the old, so and so looks good in camp hype that every homer takes as fact this time of year. the old, our injuried guys will be back and won't lose a step, assumptions. you guys can rationalize it all you want, and in the end, you may prove to be right. but if this were some other team we were talking about, i'm sure you'd be a lot more skeptical. the fact is, philly has a lot of question marks, and a lot to prove.

[Force of Two 0]

some philly fans are being unrealistic here. falling into the old, so and so looks good in camp hype that every homer takes as fact this time of year. the old, our injuried guys will be back and won't lose a step, assumptions. you guys can rationalize it all you want, and in the end, you may prove to be right. but if this were some other team we were talking about, i'm sure you'd be a lot more skeptical. the fact is, philly has a lot of question marks, and a lot to prove.

 

What injured guys do you think wont be able to make it back...Shepherd, Donovan, Westbrook...the only guy you can make that argument for is Tra Thomas and the Eagles have more than insured his position. Of course we are rationalizing some things as every fan does but the way people make the Eagles out on this board is that they are going to in the top ten of the draft next year....

 

Are we rationalizing aging QB's (dallas, or washington)? and has even one of us said that the Eagles are going 12-4. 10-6 isnt a stretch for this team.

 

I said that McDougle has looked sensational in camp....The Eagles arent counting on him for anything otherwise they wouldnt have gotten Howard in the offseason. Anything he does for the Eagles will be gravy.

 

Name me all the question marks that you perceive? because other than WR and a single OLB where is the real major questions?

[Bugs Bunny wuz here 0]

i don't think philly will be a bad team, for the record. i'm just saying that when players are coming back from injuries, or players are getting older, you have to acknowledge the questions, because it is not the norm that players returning from injury come back without losing a step. by far the most critical player for this team in this run has been mcnabb, and being realistic, you have to acknowledge there are questions. not that he won't be good, of course he will if he is healthy. but in their stretch, he was mvp calibur, more than people acknowledged, and it is far from a given that he come back with out missing a beat. in all fairness, that would not be the norm.

 

beyond that, i also have questions about the linebackers, but the rest of the d is solid. i have questions all over the offense -qb, running game, receivers. yes, i know, these were all questions a few years ago to. but the point is, this is not a few years ago. we are two years removed from that team, and anyone who follows football knows, to years might as well be an eternity.

 

again, i'm not saying they will be bad. but until the games begin, there is a lot we don't know. but this uncertainty along side of the improved division, improved conference, and tough schedule, i would temper my expectations.

[onejayhawk 3]

No team is as good as they look when winning, or as bad as they look when losing. Take for example the Miami Dolphins. Prior to last season they looked like something the dog wouldn't touch. Yet without any really huge change in the roster, they jump into the playoff picture. conversely a mediocre team like Houston suddenly leads the league in losses. It swings right, then it swings wrong.

 

In 2004 everything fell right for the Eagles. They came close to a perfect record, and advanced to the SB. Yet the signs of the crash were there already, and not just TO and the injury. Talentwise I think they were more 11-5 than 14-2, but 11-5 is still very good. Last year the boat capsized, and the team fell apart. Players were hurt, showed their age, pouted, or whatever, and the team never jelled, except for a couple of games. Yet the falloff in talent was really only a game or three.

 

So what about this year. First they had a stellar draft, easily better than last season. Second the whole TO soap opera has moved to Dallas. They still have work to do. The Defense was exposed last year, and I am not certain that its all smoke. Certainly they need at least 2-3 starters to be replaced or to step up, because the play last year was not up to NFL playoff standards. But the young talent is there to work with. It just remains to be seen how it produces. Offensively, the loss of TO hurts badly. The pass catchers as a group are thin and lack both experience and talent. That was true in 2003 and today only the names have changed. The Oline had some problems last year, and the drafted linemen, while they may help, are still a couple years away from really contributing. However McNabb and the RB's are still quite good. I look for a substantial rebound, although not up to even 2003 levels.

 

Add it up and you get a team with talent, but in transition. They might reasonably be expected to be down an extra game or two just from working out the kinks. I am going with 8-8 or 9-7, 3rd in the NFC East.

 

J

[Force of Two 0]

i don't think philly will be a bad team, for the record. i'm just saying that when players are coming back from injuries, or players are getting older, you have to acknowledge the questions, because it is not the norm that players returning from injury come back without losing a step. by far the most critical player for this team in this run has been mcnabb, and being realistic, you have to acknowledge there are questions. not that he won't be good, of course he will if he is healthy. but in their stretch, he was mvp calibur, more than people acknowledged, and it is far from a given that he come back with out missing a beat. in all fairness, that would not be the norm.

 

beyond that, i also have questions about the linebackers, but the rest of the d is solid. i have questions all over the offense -qb, running game, receivers. yes, i know, these were all questions a few years ago to. but the point is, this is not a few years ago. we are two years removed from that team, and anyone who follows football knows, to years might as well be an eternity.

 

again, i'm not saying they will be bad. but until the games begin, there is a lot we don't know. but this uncertainty along side of the improved division, improved conference, and tough schedule, i would temper my expectations.

 

I would agree with 90% of what you are saying...I thought at first you were being one of these guys who just rips to rip.....Only one of the injured players is an "older" guy so I dont think there will be a dramatic drop off....

 

I have the questions about the receivers as well (which has already been stated), I know alot of people are down on the running backs but the team ran the ball at the end of the year a bit better and though I would love to see a Big Back to help I dont think it is a make or break need.

 

The Division is certainly improved from what it was, but I still think that so long as they break even in the East they can go 9-7 or 10-6....That last 6 games are a beast but Im hoping they will have built a cushion before that time comes.

[biscuitman357 0]

You Philly homers take your fandom beyond all reason. Anyone who actually thinks your team has deficiencies or can't win instantly must be someone who hates your team? What a crock.

 

The NFC East isn't a training ground for rookie coaches, its got three old school head coaches in Parcells, Gibbs and Coughlin who know how to win. Each of those teams have better WR corps and generally better offenses than Philly does.

 

Phillys best WR went to a division rival, no matter what anyones says about TO as a 'cancer' and its great that he is gone, hes still one of the best WRs in football and hes coming after the Eagles twice this year with something to prove. And this only highlights the Iggles inability to actually draft and develop productive WRs.

 

Philly had its front office credibility mangled by the TO situation plus its regular like clockwork offseason acrimony with its own free agents.

 

Philly has cap room, which is great, but you have to wonder year after year, with that dead cap room, why aren't they picking up a few more impact players. Corey Simon made a difference in that Colts D, is anyone going to say he wouldn't have made a difference for the Philly D last year?

 

To Phillys credit, it did spend on two impact FAs a few years back - TO, and we see how that worked out, and Jevon Kearse. Very little is said about Kearse but the guy is a bust. For the kind of money he signed for, he is not the playmaker and difference maker on the defense that his salary dictates he should be. Its a bad taste in fans mouth if you don't spend, you get bad PR and public squabbling over contracts with your own players, and the ones you do sign either hammer the front office's credibility or can't produce on the field.

 

And speaking of the lockerroom, TO pointed out the truth that alot of people, including sportswriters, didn't want to face. During the SuperBowl, there was McNabb walking along, huffing and puffing, with no urgency with time running out in the 4th quarter. Can McNabb win the big game down the road? Thats what counts. And whats telling is no one in that Iggles lockerroom stood up for McNabb when TO took his shots, what kind of 'lockerroom' chemistry do you have there, with or without TO?

 

The Eagles are not a bad team, but saying they had a good draft isn't going to be enough. They have player who are getting older, they continue to use an offensive system that is frankly mediocre without TO, and its clear the Iggles are designed to maximize profit, not win a SuperBowl.

[JT 137]

You Philly homers take your fandom beyond all reason. Anyone who actually thinks your team has deficiencies or can't win instantly must be someone who hates your team? What a crock.

 

The NFC East isn't a training ground for rookie coaches, its got three old school head coaches in Parcells, Gibbs and Coughlin who know how to win. Each of those teams have better WR corps and generally better offenses than Philly does.

 

Phillys best WR went to a division rival, no matter what anyones says about TO as a 'cancer' and its great that he is gone, hes still one of the best WRs in football and hes coming after the Eagles twice this year with something to prove. And this only highlights the Iggles inability to actually draft and develop productive WRs.

 

Philly had its front office credibility mangled by the TO situation plus its regular like clockwork offseason acrimony with its own free agents.

 

Philly has cap room, which is great, but you have to wonder year after year, with that dead cap room, why aren't they picking up a few more impact players. Corey Simon made a difference in that Colts D, is anyone going to say he wouldn't have made a difference for the Philly D last year?

 

To Phillys credit, it did spend on two impact FAs a few years back - TO, and we see how that worked out, and Jevon Kearse. Very little is said about Kearse but the guy is a bust. For the kind of money he signed for, he is not the playmaker and difference maker on the defense that his salary dictates he should be. Its a bad taste in fans mouth if you don't spend, you get bad PR and public squabbling over contracts with your own players, and the ones you do sign either hammer the front office's credibility or can't produce on the field.

 

And speaking of the lockerroom, TO pointed out the truth that alot of people, including sportswriters, didn't want to face. During the SuperBowl, there was McNabb walking along, huffing and puffing, with no urgency with time running out in the 4th quarter. Can McNabb win the big game down the road? Thats what counts. And whats telling is no one in that Iggles lockerroom stood up for McNabb when TO took his shots, what kind of 'lockerroom' chemistry do you have there, with or without TO?

 

The Eagles are not a bad team, but saying they had a good draft isn't going to be enough. They have player who are getting older, they continue to use an offensive system that is frankly mediocre without TO, and its clear the Iggles are designed to maximize profit, not win a SuperBowl.

 

 

I don't usually recommend cut & paste, but you post the same thing over and over. Save yourself some time.

[Walter34 3]

The challenge for Philly is the tough division. All 4 teams are tough and at this point, it looks like at least 2 or maybe all 3 are a bit ahead of the eagles. The eagles skill position players look like the main weakness. outside of westy, they are awfully weak.

 

The eagles are better than their record showed last year, but will likely finish around .500 due to the rough division and sched.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

You Philly homers take your fandom beyond all reason. Anyone who actually thinks your team has deficiencies or can't win instantly must be someone who hates your team? What a crock.

 

The NFC East isn't a training ground for rookie coaches, its got three old school head coaches in Parcells, Gibbs and Coughlin who know how to win. Each of those teams have better WR corps and generally better offenses than Philly does.

 

Phillys best WR went to a division rival, no matter what anyones says about TO as a 'cancer' and its great that he is gone, hes still one of the best WRs in football and hes coming after the Eagles twice this year with something to prove. And this only highlights the Iggles inability to actually draft and develop productive WRs.

 

Philly had its front office credibility mangled by the TO situation plus its regular like clockwork offseason acrimony with its own free agents.

 

Philly has cap room, which is great, but you have to wonder year after year, with that dead cap room, why aren't they picking up a few more impact players. Corey Simon made a difference in that Colts D, is anyone going to say he wouldn't have made a difference for the Philly D last year?

 

To Phillys credit, it did spend on two impact FAs a few years back - TO, and we see how that worked out, and Jevon Kearse. Very little is said about Kearse but the guy is a bust. For the kind of money he signed for, he is not the playmaker and difference maker on the defense that his salary dictates he should be. Its a bad taste in fans mouth if you don't spend, you get bad PR and public squabbling over contracts with your own players, and the ones you do sign either hammer the front office's credibility or can't produce on the field.

 

And speaking of the lockerroom, TO pointed out the truth that alot of people, including sportswriters, didn't want to face. During the SuperBowl, there was McNabb walking along, huffing and puffing, with no urgency with time running out in the 4th quarter. Can McNabb win the big game down the road? Thats what counts. And whats telling is no one in that Iggles lockerroom stood up for McNabb when TO took his shots, what kind of 'lockerroom' chemistry do you have there, with or without TO?

 

The Eagles are not a bad team, but saying they had a good draft isn't going to be enough. They have player who are getting older, they continue to use an offensive system that is frankly mediocre without TO, and its clear the Iggles are designed to maximize profit, not win a SuperBowl.

 

What has Tom Coughlin won that Andy Reid hasn't? Who gives a rat's fart about "old school coaches". A win is a win, no matter how you coach.

 

Eagles made a huge offer for Lecharles Bentley. They were ready to roll on Javon Walker (and their contract offer was better than what Denver gave him). Every team has to fall within 10% of the salary cap (spending wise), which tells me in one way or another, they all spend pretty much the same. Besides, the Redskins have blown out their cap over the past few years, and what has it gotten them?

 

I think it's how you spend the money. It's not monopoly, and it's not fantasy football.

 

I think you're just a hater, because you've offered no rational and pertinent information to back up your assertions that the Eagles are not a good team.

 

 

The challenge for Philly is the tough division. All 4 teams are tough and at this point, it looks like at least 2 or maybe all 3 are a bit ahead of the eagles. The eagles skill position players look like the main weakness. outside of westy, they are awfully weak.

 

The eagles are better than their record showed last year, but will likely finish around .500 due to the rough division and sched.

 

And McNabb is a better QB than Bledsoe, Brunell, and Manning. I believe he plays a skill position.

[Gabriel Balcavienga 0]

I hate to say it, but all the naysayers and Eagle haters have failed to offer any proof to back up their claims, and instead trot out the same old sayings we've heard since 2002.

 

I have to hand it to the Eagle fans on this board (of which I am one) for at least backing up their asserstions for why the Eagles will do better.

 

i'm as big an eagles fan as anyone you'll ever find and i have been for all 31 years of my life. my reasoning is the ridiculous end of season 6 game schedule. i see the giants being stronger, dallas being stronger and the redskins so-so but still a competitive squad. imo we will lose 4 of the last 6 and even if we make the playoffs which i think is a longshot, losing 4 of 6 is no way to begin the playoffs (probably on the road again in the first playoff game).

 

it seems like every offseason we all forget how significatn the traveling and home field advantage can be.

[Walter34 3]

And McNabb is a better QB than Bledsoe, Brunell, and Manning. I believe he plays a skill position.

 

agreed, but I was referring to RBs, WRs and TEs.

[phillybear 366]

This thread is still around. I figured it would have been deleted by now.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

i'm as big an eagles fan as anyone you'll ever find and i have been for all 31 years of my life. my reasoning is the ridiculous end of season 6 game schedule. i see the giants being stronger, dallas being stronger and the redskins so-so but still a competitive squad. imo we will lose 4 of the last 6 and even if we make the playoffs which i think is a longshot, losing 4 of 6 is no way to begin the playoffs (probably on the road again in the first playoff game).

 

it seems like every offseason we all forget how significatn the traveling and home field advantage can be.

 

It's all relative because the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys are pretty much playing the same AFC opponents. EVERY team in the division is better this season, and that does include the Eagles. Please, do not discount the additions the Eagles have made on both sides of the ball.

 

Now I'm not saying the Eagles are gonna roll like they did 2 years ago. I do believe they'll be in the hunt.

[Walter34 3]

It's all relative because the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys are pretty much playing the same AFC opponents. EVERY team in the division is better this season, and that does include the Eagles. Please, do not discount the additions the Eagles have made on both sides of the ball.

 

Now I'm not saying the Eagles are gonna roll like they did 2 years ago. I do believe they'll be in the hunt.

 

Outside of rookies, what are these additions?

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

Outside of rookies, what are these additions?

 

Darren Howard and Shawn Barber. Barber is not a very big addition, but he's a guy who has thrived in this particular system. Howard was an important addition. Kearse needed a running partner, and Howard is the guy. The plan has been for the young guys drafted last year to earn the starting spots at LB, and if they can't do it, Barber's the fall back.

 

McNabb's gonna have to go back to spreading the ball around. Gaffney could be a decent inside receiver, and Josh Schobel is a nice backup to LJ Smith (who's been known on occassion to split out wide).

 

Of course it would have been nice to have TO here. Sure, having Walker would have been huge. But it didn't happen, no one is crying, and the team has moved on (as well as most fans).

 

You cannot discount the rookie additions. The defensive line has been significantly upgraded. Again, solid dee line frees up linebackers to make plays, consistent pass rush affords the defensive backs to play more aggressively and make plays.

 

Now, Bears fans should all know that a strong defense can carry a team pretty far. Bears have more offensive woes than the Birds (not to mention they don't have McNabb), but somehow the Bears won last year. How? With a stellar defense.

 

Defense will again be the strongsuit of this team.

[Walter34 3]

Darren Howard and Shawn Barber. Barber is not a very big addition, but he's a guy who has thrived in this particular system. Howard was an important addition. Kearse needed a running partner, and Howard is the guy. The plan has been for the young guys drafted last year to earn the starting spots at LB, and if they can't do it, Barber's the fall back.

 

McNabb's gonna have to go back to spreading the ball around. Gaffney could be a decent inside receiver, and Josh Schobel is a nice backup to LJ Smith (who's been known on occassion to split out wide).

 

Of course it would have been nice to have TO here. Sure, having Walker would have been huge. But it didn't happen, no one is crying, and the team has moved on (as well as most fans).

 

You cannot discount the rookie additions. The defensive line has been significantly upgraded. Again, solid dee line frees up linebackers to make plays, consistent pass rush affords the defensive backs to play more aggressively and make plays.

 

Now, Bears fans should all know that a strong defense can carry a team pretty far. Bears have more offensive woes than the Birds (not to mention they don't have McNabb), but somehow the Bears won last year. How? With a stellar defense.

 

Defense will again be the strongsuit of this team.

 

I definately see a strong D. How strong is the question. With rookies, they are on the most part just learning in year 1. They can be mistake prone. That said, Bunkley should add to the rotation. The line appears to be deep despite the loss last year of the best you had in Simon. The secondary is also top notch. The LBs are average, but should be helped by improved line play. Overall, it should be a top 10 D.

 

McNabb is obviously better than anything we have had since Sid Luckman. I would think however that outside of qb, even the lowly Bears O is ahead of the eagles at this point. Line and RBs are very solid. The WRs are mediocre at best, but ahead of the Eagles for now.

 

I do see a good team in philly, but the division and schedule will be tough for them. They may win 10 in another division, but be down to 7 or 8 in the NFC east. We'll see.

[Force of Two 0]

It sounds like the Eagles fans are being reasonable about expectations based on the past 6 years of performances with the likes of Pinkston, Thrash, Small, and Johnson and no one is expecting a SB berth....why is anyone thinking that its a stretch that this team can go 10-6....

 

As far as skill players Westbrook is far and away better than what they have had in the past. LJ Smith is a far better playmaker than Chad Lewis ever was. The outside threats are lacking but a spread the ball around offense has made this team go in the past.

 

Here is what I think is a reasonable expectation of their schedule

 

Wins against Green Bay, New Orleans, Houston, Tennessee, San Fran, and a split in the Division

 

They have to win 2 games against Indy, Carolina, Jax, TB, and Atlanta, 3 of those games are at home.

 

I still stand by 9-7/10-6 and a wildcard berth.

 

I definately see a strong D. How strong is the question. With rookies, they are on the most part just learning in year 1. They can be mistake prone. That said, Bunkley should add to the rotation. The line appears to be deep despite the loss last year of the best you had in Simon. The secondary is also top notch. The LBs are average, but should be helped by improved line play. Overall, it should be a top 10 D.

 

McNabb is obviously better than anything we have had since Sid Luckman. I would think however that outside of qb, even the lowly Bears O is ahead of the eagles at this point. Line and RBs are very solid. The WRs are mediocre at best, but ahead of the Eagles for now.

 

I do see a good team in philly, but the division and schedule will be tough for them. They may win 10 in another division, but be down to 7 or 8 in the NFC east. We'll see.

 

Thanks for at least elaborating on some of the points that others dont....

 

Bunckley will be the only rookie playing on D...and Likely he wont start anyway as Patterson and Walker are still going to be the starters...Though I liked him and what he did for the Eagles, I think you missed a bit of Simon last year....he didnt do anything for the Colts and came to them again overweight. Im not going to get into Bears v Eagles but the point has been made that a strong D can carry team pretty far and theoretically if the Eagles were this years Bears...the QB position could make all the difference in the world.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

It sounds like the Eagles fans are being reasonable about expectations based on the past 6 years of performances with the likes of Pinkston, Thrash, Small, and Johnson and no one is expecting a SB berth....why is anyone thinking that its a stretch that this team can go 10-6....

 

As far as skill players Westbrook is far and away better than what they have had in the past. LJ Smith is a far better playmaker than Chad Lewis ever was. The outside threats are lacking but a spread the ball around offense has made this team go in the past.

 

Here is what I think is a reasonable expectation of their schedule

 

Wins against Green Bay, New Orleans, Houston, Tennessee, San Fran, and a split in the Division

 

They have to win 2 games against Indy, Carolina, Jax, TB, and Atlanta, 3 of those games are at home.

 

I still stand by 9-7/10-6 and a wildcard berth.

Thanks for at least elaborating on some of the points that others dont....

 

Bunckley will be the only rookie playing on D...and Likely he wont start anyway as Patterson and Walker are still going to be the starters...Though I liked him and what he did for the Eagles, I think you missed a bit of Simon last year....he didnt do anything for the Colts and came to them again overweight. Im not going to get into Bears v Eagles but the point has been made that a strong D can carry team pretty far and theoretically if the Eagles were this years Bears...the QB position could make all the difference in the world.

 

Well said.

 

No one here is predicting the Eagles to roll to the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl. I do feel, however, that many folks are leaving them for dead, that the schedule is insurmountable, and that the rest of the division is head and shoulders above the Eagles.

 

I believe the best they can finish next year is 10-6. No better.