Domowitch's Eagles-Saints report card
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Domowitch's Eagles-Saints report card
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
RUSH OFFENSE
Forced to play run-and-shoot with the Saints, the Eagles ran the ball just 21 times for 85 yards. Forty-five of those yards came on seven runs out of the Wildcat formation. Just three of Brian Westbrook’s 13 rushing attempts went for more than 5 yards. Grade: C-plus
PASS OFFENSE
Kevin Kolb threw three interceptions, but two of them came in end-of-the-game desperation. The killer was the first one early in the second half when Saints linebacker Scott Shanle picked off his sideline throw for DeSean Jackson with the Eagles down only 11. It set up a short Saints scoring drive. Grade: C-plus
RUN DEFENSE
The Eagles gave up 133 rushing yards, including 47 on an early-fourth-quarter Saints scoring drive that ended any hopes of a comeback. Two of the defense’s surest tacklers – strong safety Quintin Mikell and cornerback Sheldon Brown – whiffed on Reggie’s Bush’s 19-yard cutback run for a TD. Grade: C-minus
PASS DEFENSE
The Eagles had no answers for Drew Brees, who threw for 311 yards and three TDs. They couldn’t get pressure on him because of his uncanny ability to get the ball out quickly, and their inconsistent tackling gave the Saints’ receivers too many yards after the catch. Brees was 9-for-11 for 131 yards on third down. Grade: D
SPECIAL TEAMS
Aside from a 63-yard kickoff return by Ellis Hobbs and a 61-yard punt by Sav Rocca, special teams were a disaster. Every time they stepped on the field, they seemed to commit a penalty. And Hobbs’ fumbled kickoff return to open the second half was a backbreaker. Grade: F
OVERALL
Turnovers, special-teams penalties and too many missed tackles on defense cost the Eagles any hope of getting off to a 2-0 start. Grade: D
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To read our post about Kevin Kolb's day, click here.
To read Andy Reid's take on the loss and a Brian Westbrook update, click here
To read Les Bowen's report on the game as it happened, click here
I can't wait to start hearing P-H-I-L-L-I-E-S chants at Eagles home games soon!— bcmojo- Anyone ask why Andy decided to throw the ball on 3rd down late in the 2nd qtr? It fell incomplete, clock stopped and Brees got the ball back and the Saints scored. Andy needs to "do a better job" - he was outcoached, again, by a conference rival. It's time to warm up the moving van for Big Red and Family Reid.— delcorules
