Eagles Chat: Time to catch some passes

Welcome every one and away we go.

Clock management is 100% mental. It can be learned. We all know what to do. Why doesn't our team? Is it just not important to them, like punt returns?

I might be missing something, but on the list of Eagles problems right now, I'd say clock management is about 1,477. What was the problem you saw Monday night?

What's with Rocca? I haven't seen many booming punts since the regular season started. Is it time to bring back Dirk?

He definitely has not punted as well in the two regular-season games as he did in the preseason and, in case you didn't notice, Dirk Johnson had a great day filling in for an injured Brad Maynard with Chicago Sunday. If Sav doesn't become more consistent in a hurry, I wouldn't be shocked if the Eagles brought back Dirk, who was released earlier in the week because Maynard is ready to punt again.

They called timeout when the other team was trying to kick a FG and it cost 4 points. And why weren't 9 defenders in the end zone on that pass to Cooley?

The timeout wasn't a clock management issue. The Eagles only had 10 players on the field when the Redskins lined up for the field goal. Personally, I would have let them kick the field goal any way. The bigger question in that sequence was why Gibbs decided to kick a field goal in that situation? Anyway, I agree that it was inexcusable to give up a TD pass on a second-and-goal from the 16.

The Eagles seem to be in a funk mentally, something I haven't seen since the pre-Reid era. It looks like they are headed into a long slow slide into mediocrity. What's your take?

I don't think the problem is mental. I think it is physical mistakes. The quarterback is off throwing the football right now and unless he can get it turned around, they are going to be in trouble. That said, this is not the first time the Eagles have gone through some turbulent times. We all thought they were dead last season and they recovered to win the division. We all thought they were dead at the start of 2003 and they went 12-2 in their final 14 games. Can they do it again? Only if McNabb and the offense can get their act together.

Clock management? We talkin bout clock management? I mean..it's clock management..

Are you sure your name isn't Allen?

Do you think Reid will bench McNabb if they lose to Lions on Sunday?

Interesting question Sandy. It all depends on how McNabb looks and plays. Andy did consider benching McNabb back in 2003 in a game at the Meadowlands against the Giants when he was really struggling and battling a thumb injury. If Donovan continues to struggle and Andy thinks it's a health issue, I wouldn't discount the idea. One problem right now is that I'm not sure A.J. Feeley is healthy enough to step in and I'm not sure Reid would want to put this season in the hands of a rookie. It should be pointed out that McNabb has recovered from slow starts before.

Assuming the team doesn't make the playoffs, or is trounced in the playoffs, can we safely say we would be entering the rebuilding phase for 2008-2009?

P.S.V., I don't know if you can safely assume anything in the NFL. I assumed the Browns would get shutout last week after a QB change and they scored 51 points. I don't think Patriots fans saw three Super Bowl titles in four years coming when Tom Brady replaced an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001. I don't think Steelers fans anticipated a 15-1 season followed by a Super Bowl title when rookie Ben Roethlisberger took over as the team's quarterback. It's not the NFL it's the NAAL -- Never Assume Anything League.

Why is Greg Lewis still on the team?

He is a very good special teams player on coverage teams, particularly punt coverage. I'd agree he has reached his ceiling as an NFL player.

Should we believe Andy Reid's "rust is coming off" comment about Donovan's 4th quarter drive? Not sure I buy it.

I agree that McNabb looked better and threw with more confidence on those fourth-quarter drives and it wasn't entirely because the Redskins were in a prevent defense. I think there's some validity to McNabb and the offense being "rusty," but that's partly the head coach's fault because he didn't play his quarterback or first offense enough in the preseason.

If he's injured, then he's injured. Shouldn't the Birds play the backup QB until McNabb is healthy instead of killing the team?

Easier said than done, especially since A.J. Feeley still has a cast on his left hand. Do you think you have a better chance winning with a 75-percent healthy McNabb or a 100-percent healthy Kevin Kolb? I'd go with McNabb for a while in the hope he continues to improve physically because he has the proven NFL track record.

I'm a white Eagles fan.I started going to games at Franklin field. To me McNabb is our QB NOT our Black QB. I felt the same about Cunningham and Peete. BTW no QB was criticized more than Jaws. Enough with the race card. It's not Louisiana

I disagree that Donovan was playing the race card. The interview took place in August and he was  asked  a question that he answered. It's hard to argue that race hasn't been a factor in some of the criticism McNabb has received over the years. Limbaugh basically said he was undercriticized because the media was "desirous" to see a black quarterback be successful. T.O. called him a company man, which had racial overtones. The head of the Philadelphia NAACP called him a sellout to his race for not running enough. The racial issues have been there. But if you watch the entire HBO interview, McNabb answered questions in a matter-of-fact way and was not trying to play any card.

What's Takeo Spikes' neck size?

Quadruple XL. Sorry, I don't really know.

Why can't the Eagles rookies (particulary Tony Hunt) get on the field? Is there that big of a learning curve for a short-yardage back?

Hunt wasn't even activated last week and I think that's because they need that roster spot for Reno Mahe on game day. Hunt will eventually get on the field. I think you'll see Hunt play some more in the next couple of weeks.

Everybody is criticizing the wide receiver's. Does anyone give the other team any credit for playing the WR's well? The Redskins have 4 1st round draft picks in their secondary.

Come on, Brian, nobody ever gives the other team credit for doing anything well. You make a good point, but the Eagles' wide receivers do need to make some more contributions starting with Sunday's game against the Lions. This team does not have a great secondary or defense.

Westbrook said last week that no one was playing with a sense of urgency. DO you think him saying that was kind of a way of calling his teammates out, trying to light a fire underneath them?

I definitely think that's what he was doing, Sarah. Westbrook doesn't like to lose and he's an intense competitor and emerging leader.

What to do? This season will be over after Sunday. Start Kolb @ Giants and play for a high draft pick.

I'd be willing to bet that Kolb isn't going to start Week 4 against the Giants, but I also think the Eagles are going to win Sunday.

Do you think the receiving corps is the major problem? Granted - alot of McNabb's passes have been off target but he hasn't been able to find too many open receivers...

I think the entire offense is out of sync right now, including the receivers. It's also true, however, that the offense is moving the football at times, but stalling when it gets inside the red zone. Right now the Eagles have just one TD in six trips to the red zone. That's the worse percentage in the NFL right now.

The Lions. Nah. They can't beat us ... can they?

I don't think so, but this is the NAAL.

Any more questions?

Going once ...

Going twice ...

Going three times ...

What's your predication for the game?

I was leaning toward the Lions early in the week, but my mind has been changed and I'm going to pick the Eagles. Still working on the score.

are you going to Manayunk tonight?

Wouldn't miss it princess.

Is this all we get with Kevin Curtis?

I want to see more of Curtis before I make any final judgments. He was open at a critical time last week in the fourth quarter and McNabb misfired badly. Let's give him more of a chance than two games. All right, I'm outta here. Have a great weekend everybody and enjoy the game.