What we're watching: Eagles-Cardinals
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
What we're watching: Eagles-Cardinals
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
Here is our weekly look at what we'll be watching during the Eagles game ...
1. Hitting Warner. The Giants only sacked Kurt Warner once last week, but they got several good licks on him and it affected both his comfort level in the pocket and his performance. His .615 completion percentage was his lowest since Week 3. His 6.75 yards-per-attempt average was his lowest since Week 5. Eagles need to put him on the ground early and often.
2. Slumping McNabb. Andy Reid is giving the ball back to Donovan McNabb this week; a ball he’s turned over seven times in his last six quarters. He’s not seeing open receivers and missing them by entire area codes when he does spot them. In the last five games, he has a .526 completion percentage and has averaged just 6.3 yards per attempt. Another first half like he had against Baltimore and he could be back on the bench.
3. Secondary Performance. The Eagles have held nine of 11 opponents to a sub-.570 completion percentage. But they haven’t faced a passing attack as lethal – or as deep -- as Arizona’s. It’s difficult to visualize the Eagles’ undersized corners being able to contain Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban, particularly if Asante Samuel isn’t able to play. Eagles have just one interception in the last four games.
4. Third-Down Woes. The Eagles’ third-and-1 problems have spread to third-and-everything. In their last five games, they’ve converted just 18 of 70 (25.7 percent) third-down opportunities. They are 26th in the league in third-down conversions. Their pitiful 34.0 percent success mark is their lowest since ’05 (32.7) when they finished 6-10. If there’s any good news, it’s that the Cardinals are 23rd in third-down defense.
5. Many Happy Returns. Rookie return men Quintin Demps and DeSean Jackson both are take-it-the-house threats and they’re going up against a team whose coverage units have not performed well this season. The Cardinals are 28th in kickoff coverage (25.1) and 25th in punt coverage (10.7). Eagles’ struggling offense should at least have some short fields to work with.
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Some injury updates from Tuesday's practice: Defensive tackle Darren Howard did not practice after taking part on Monday. Howard suffered a neck injury during Sunday's game against Baltimore.
Brian Westbrook (knee, ankle) did not practice but said that he expects to play Thursday night. Asante Samuel (neck) did not practice and neither did Correll Buckhalter (knee), who has said he will not play.
#6) Who dresses for running back, Eckel or Booker? This is particularly noteworthy given C-Buck's status. Perhaps give Tony Hunt or Shaun Alexander a call???— Phrossty- give the ball to kleco,, he's our new "power back" LOL— osi is hurt boohoo
- ha...you guys still think AR will call a run play.— palmyra21
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too bad you are not Eagle Fans. Why don't ya go dis the Gints- I don't blame Reid for not starting Kolb this week due to the short week. That does make sense. He really does need to start him the rest of the season to give him some seasoning for next year and to find out if he can play at this level. If this is to be Donovan's last year I hope he has a great game and goes out with style. And if he is not with the Eagles next year(and it is time he moves on) I hope he has a successful year. With a very strong supporting cast as he had(especially on defense)in his first few years here he could be an effective QB for someone.— obergruber
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- come on you guys are fools... Curtis, Brown, Smith, Westbrook , Andrews are the core stars of the offense. How many injury games lost> HUH? How can you possibly castigate Donovan? It would be FAR worse if any of the other NFC east qb s had to play. Even immobile Tom Brady if healthy would struggle with that many weapons missing! Collins and Warner even worse! Of course the qb will press too much! Instead of waiting for FIVE top starters (2 all pro!) to all be healthy you wnat to throw the HEALTHY qb out. this smacks of DUMB Dumber and dumbest!— billgfc
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- With all the pregame soap opera talk, the nation will be watching. Eagles - please show the f up and not embarrass us!— DMC5
- 1) Yes, I am an Eagles fan. 2) I did err in thinking AR/Mornhinweg will call running plays. Apparently I suffer from AR-like, stubborn, blind spots and think AR will MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS! But in order to believe that nonsense, I must be smoking the billgfc finest after years (and YEARS) of the same mistakes from AR. 3) I'd love to dis the Gents, but they're the class of the NFL right now. (Ow! That hurts just typing it!!). 4) Yes, I'm tired of hocuspocus posting the link to his petition on every Eagles article - almost as tired as I am of AR: a) causing a critical delay of game penalty, b) calling the wrong play, c) drafting for 2-3 years from now - ONLY, d) challenging at the wrong time, e) abandoning the running attack, and f) getting outcoached on gameday - especially the 2nd half adjustments.— Phrossty
- Don't get me wrong. I want AR to succeed. After all, the only REAL success of a head coach is winning the Lombardi Trophy. I'd love that. However, I'm merely a fan of the game and even I have noticed an alarming trend. Namely, opposing defenses know the plays the Iggles Offense is running simply from doing their homework. Last year Carrier or Smoot (I forget which exactly) came off the Linc victoriously proclaiming, "they ain't done nothing we didn't see on film." This year in back-to-back games defensive players were willing to reveal to the media that they "knew what was coming." First the Bengals DB spills this. Then the Ravens NT mentions to Ed Reed that Reggie Brown is in the huddle, so it's a PASS on 2nd and inches!! Result: NFL record TD runback from an INT, simply based on watching Iggles' the personnel substitution. Look, even I know that if the 1st down pass is incomplete, then AR will call a draw to Westbrook on 2 and 10. Again, I don't get paid to coach, play, scout or study film. I watch for entertainment. But if I know the play from my sofa, then it isn't a surprise when that carry goes for -2 yards!! GET A CLUE ANDY!! JUST PLAY FOOTBALL AND STOP TRYING TO OUTSMART EVERYBODY!! Like Trot used to say, "It's not that hard. Just whupp the man in front of you!!"— Phrossty
so when do we start talking about the draft and who we should be looking for? We need a TE, two OTs a FS a RB and a lot of luck.— dpcoz- i'll be watching sponge bob marathon tomorrow,, at leat i dont know what bob's up to before it starts.. LOL— osi is hurt boohoo
