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.
No talk about the O-Line. That's where the problem is. Question is if this group can improve over the next few weeks with some playing time together or is this a group that was greatly overestimated. We'll cut Herrremans a break because he hasn't played all year or with any of these guys. But until the O-Line starts playing solid football the offense is going to struggle. The line didn't run block or pass block very well against Washington and New York isn't going to be an easier group to handle.— craig123- Les, the "tit for tat favor down the line" is the Rams salary dump. That team is being sold dude.— MidGreen
- Mcnabb isn't playing top notch lately.... period. This isn't kickball, so stop throwing the ball at people's feet.— ironshiekisnumber1
The WC offense is predicated on short passes that hit receivers in stride so they can maximize YAC. Reid/McNabb offense is predicted on short passes that receivers have to throw themselves at the ground to catch for a five yd gain. McNabb is a bad fit for a WC offense and Reid is too stubborn to admit that and adjust as required.— tornadoh- Samuel is a tackling joke - but I do have to point out that he brought down Chris Cooley by himself in the first quarter; I was surprised to see it. The rest of the time he waits for someone else to make contact then joins in. Sadly, DMac has always thrown the occasional dirt ball. I only counted 2 or 3 in that game, though. Keep in mind that when your O-line is struggling, you can't put out good passes; though some of his miscues came when he had plenty of time. You also can't run block with a struggling O-line. Most of the offensive problems are due to all the constant change and injury on the O-line. Although, I am disturbed that our wideouts can't seem to get open most of the time.— reb
- Eagles who? This is now a Phillies town! It's the same old song and dance with the Eagles...get rid of Reid, Vick and McNabb then the true fans will return. GO PHILLIES!— RickVaughn
- Here is the "Dirt Ball McNabb" reality......HE DOESN'T THROW MANY INTERCEPTIONS!!!! Reason: It is clear to someone that has played and coached football...you often tell QB's to throw low versus high.....duh....it you throw high and it sails it usually results in INT's; if you throw low; it's either caught be your teammate or the dirt...notice NO int's.....Pick your poison....An Int machine as in Brett Farve or McNabb and his occasional cutters....the only reaon the Eagles won this one is they actually ran the ball. McNabb had 25 attemps which is GREAT balance..everytime they dial up the 50 plus pass show; they LOSE!!!! Again; pick your poison!!!— RoastedBird
- Hand over the reigns to Kolb...Bad news...Noodle arm Kolb wouldv'e had his deep ball to DJax intercepted considering he can only chuck it about 45 yards.....I can't wait to the Kolb era....so I can RIP him the way McNabb has been ripped!!!! Remember how good Kolb looked after taking over last year??? You Kolbies praise him for s-300 yard games in which in the one he threw for 3 TD's, 3 int's and 300 yards....sounds like a CHOKER to me considering they lost, if you want to apply the same Super Bowel Choke Loss that McNabb endured; those were his exact stats in the Bowl vs. New England.....stats anyone? facts anyone?— RoastedBird
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