Eagles-Redskins Second Take
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles-Redskins Second Take
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
By the Numbers
* The Eagles’ 11 first downs against the Redskins were their fewest since Oct. 9, 2005, when they managed just six in a 33-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. They also had 11 in two other games that year, both losses. The last time the Eagles managed to win a game with 11 or fewer first downs was Oct. 17, 2004, when they had 10 in a 30-8 win over the Carolina Panthers.
* The Eagles continue to flounder on third down. After converting just 2 of 16 third-down tries against Oakland, they were 4-for-15 Monday night. Of their 31 third-down opportunities in the two games, a disturbing 23 have been 6 yards or longer. They are 1-for-21 this season on third downs of 10 yards or more. That lone conversion came on DeSean Jackson’s 57-yard touchdown catch on a third-and-23 against the Redskins.
* After trying to throw deep against the Raiders and getting Donovan McNabb sacked six times, Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg shortened things up Monday. Ran wide receiver screens. Ran running back screens. Ran a tight end screen. Seldom went down the field against the Redskins. Of the Eagles’ 26 pass attempts Monday (25 by Donovan McNabb and one by Michael Vick), 18 were throws of five yards or less. Just two were throws of 15 yards or more – DeSean Jackson’s 57-yard touchdown catch, which traveled 40 yards in the air, and an off-target 18-yard throw to Jackson on a crossing route.
Observations
* If you look strictly at the numbers, Donovan McNabb didn’t have a bad night against the Redskins. Completed 60 percent of his passes. Didn’t have an interception. Hooked up with DeSean Jackson on a 57-yard touchdown pass. But the numbers don’t always tell the true story.
Truth is, McNabb didn’t play very well. A .600 completion percentage isn’t very good when 18 of your 25 attempts were passes of 5 yards or less.
McNabb had at least a half-dozen poor throws. He threw a dirt ball to an open Brent Celek on third-and-3 on the Eagles’ second possession. Threw low to Jeremy Maclin on a second-quarter sideline pass on another third-and-3.
Underthrew an open DeSean Jackson on an 18-yard crossing route in the second quarter even though he had plenty of time to deliver the ball and was able to step into his throw. Missed an open Jackson again on a six-yard throw in the middle of the field late in the third quarter. Badly overthrew Reggie Brown on a simple six-yard out route early in the fourth quarter.
Even his 57-yard touchdown pass to Jackson late in the second quarter hardly was a thing of beauty. Jackson was wide open down the field after completely suckering Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers with a post-corner double-move. McNabb’s pass was underthrown, but Jackson still was able to catch it and make it to the end zone.
* If the Eagles are going to run the Wildcat, they really need to sharpen up their blocking schemes for it. On a direct snap to LeSean McCoy on a second-and-9 play in the second quarter, both left guard Todd Herremans and fullback Leonard Weaver went to block second-level Redskins defenders and completely ignored right end Chris Wilson, who went unblocked and easily dropped McCoy for a 2-yard loss. The Eagles ran the Wildcat/spread nine times Monday night, including four times with Mike Vick in the game. Those nine plays produced just 22 yards. LeSean McCoy gained just 5 yards on four runs off direct snaps. Vick had nine yards on three carries and had a five-yard completion to tight end Brent Celek.
* Speaking of Vick, it’s clear that he still hasn’t regained the speed he had before he went to prison. That was evident in the second quarter Monday night on an option play when he tried to get outside on Redskins defensive end Andre Carter and was tripped up by Carter for a one-yard loss.
Did You Notice II?
* DeSean Jackson’s 67-yard touchdown run on an end-around on the Eagles’ first possession was made possible by the initial play-fake to Brian Westbrook, which both right end Andre Carter and weakside linebacker Rocky McIntosh reacted to, allowing Jackson to get to the outside and turn the corner.
* Asante Samuel should replay DeAngelo Hall’s excellent tackle on Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver in the second quarter if he wants to see how defensive backs are supposed to take down bigger ball carriers.
* The holding and tripping penalties against a gassed Todd Herremans on the Eagles’ next to last possession of the game.
Just Wondering
What under-the-table deal did Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo strike with his former boss, Andy Reid, before agreeing to give up linebacker Will Witherspoon, who had an interception return for a touchdown, a sack, a forced fumble and six tackles in his first game with the Eagles Monday night? Accepting a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round rookie wide receiver for a guy of Witherspoon’s obvious quality simply doesn’t compute unless both Spagnuolo and Rams general manager Billy Devaney are idiots, which they’re not, or have been promised a tit-for-tat favor down the line.
Gotta agree with KGkoons. Eagles are very limited right now. Giants could feast on them, though the Eagles sometimes play at a very high level against the Giants and the Boys. Best chance is if the defense pitches a shutout and they get 14 points on kickoff and punt returns. And maybe another 7 on a bomb to Maclin. The league seems to know a 10-play drive by the Eagles is unlikely, so teams can now play them to stop the big pass.— tacklinjoe- Can someone ask Andy why he keeps throwing Wide Receiver/Tight End Screens? I've been an Eagles fan for 20 years have yet to see one go for more than 2 yards...— Sgerat
- People are so obsessed with McNabb, it's as if they can't recognize the TEAM won the game. Enjoy it people. Sure it was against a bad team, but consider the alternative (like last week). I'm looking forward to seeing this team prove itself against the Giants and Cowboys.— tbone pickins
- I am tired of hearing about we don't need Westbrook: It is like they keep saying from last year Westbrook is done, and if it wasn't for Brian's play toward the end of 08, especially the Cards on Turkey Day. When he tied Wilbert Montgomery for 4 TDs in one game. Then went on to have over 200 combined yards against the Giants in NY, you think we are in the playoffs, or would of got by Minnesota without his electric 73 yard screen for the TD that iced the game??? http://eagles.fandome.com/video/106894/Brian-Westbrooks-4th-Thanksgiving-TD/ http://madgame.com/videos/1711/eagles-vs-vikings-brian-westbrook-71-yard-touchdown-catch-.html— mikey48
Comment removed.- That game was gut wrenching.We are witnessing the least productive career for a qb's tenure on one team in the Eagle's history.I am talking about getting to the Big Show.Once and that was when the skin flint ownership got a decent receiver (TO).Then ,he goes and never gets replaced.Mcnabb's entry into the Hall Of Fame thwarted.It is painful to watch this Eagle team perform.— turtleguy64
- EXTREMELY tired of the Asante Samuel cannot tackle comments. Why would you throw jabs at a top 5 corner, in a blitz happy defense. He's our lone superbowl champion, he was more important to his super bowl teams than even Andy was to the Packers, but he gets blasted for resembling Deion Sanders, instead of Rod Woodson. I just want to win a Superbowl so you writers and editors can switch gears to more positive coverage. You have some of the best players in the league, but they are always blasted for not being perfect. I think the personal misery of some of the Philadelphia sports writers bleed onto the page each and everyday. In fact I know it, I've been reading my entire life.— DedaninFlorida
- here comes the MCNABB HATE in 3...2...1...— 1phillyallday1
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- only in Philly! they just beat the Redskins by 10 points! this game was not close! on the other hand redskins defense in this mess of a team is fourth in the league! It would be rated higher if the offense worked! EAGLES WON! come on!— billgfc
- Give Andy Reid some credit. Looks like a great trade, though Gibson will shine in a year or two. But you have to give to get. The upside for the Rams simply is getting a 22 year old player at a skill position, and a pick in a deep draft. They give up a 29 year old player in his prime. We love this trade now, but the naysayers will be back in a few years. Personally, I'm just glad to see Andy live for today instead of next year already. Let's go Birds!— hallux
- THE NUMEROUS 6 YD PASSES CERTAINLY MAKES #5 PASS/INTERCEPTION RATIO LOOK GREAT AS WELL AS HIS QB RATING.............GOT TIRED OF LISTENING TO GRUDEN MONDAY NIGHT TELLING US HOW GREAT AND WONDERFUL #5 IS. - A REAL MEDIOCRE PERFORMANCE BY THE OFFENSE WHO SEEMED TO PLAY WHEN THEY WANTED TO.........DEFENSE GAVE US 60 MINUTES.....— ox
- McNabb looked like McNabb. Did you notice... that he's managed to maintain a reasonable completion percentage throughout his career mainly for the reasons cited re this game - short throws? That the Eagles are unable to sustain a drive of any kind without BWest converting on 3rd and long? That DeSean Jackson could have had a cup of coffee waiting for that ball to show up where he was stopped and waiting for it? That this 'best roster in the NFL' has an O-line more similar to a sieve than a brick wal? ugh. ugh. ugh-lee win. A W is a W, but you don't get Ws against alot of NFL teams playing like that. Let's hope the Jekyll group shows up for the Jints.— raoool
Do any of the idiot/experts realize the WC offense is predicated on the short pass?— Mabus
