Eagles lacking star power
The Eagles' problem is personnel.
Eagles lacking star power
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Criticizing the play-calling is this city's guilty pleasure, like watching "Cheaters" or "Blind Date." But even on days like last Sunday, when it seems as if Roger Lodge is calling the plays in the second half, that isn't the Eagles' real problem.
That would be personnel.
That would be a lack of star players.
I'm just going to run these numbers down in no particular order. They're just numbers, and they don't tell the entire story, and that is all true. But as a quick-and-dirty measure of stars, or identifying the players the other team might be really, really worried about, it offers some suggestions.
The quarterback, Donovan McNabb, is 16th in the NFL in quarterback rating, 16th out of 32 starters, smack in the middle. He is 18th in completion percentage, 19th in yards per pass attempt.
The running back, Brian Westbrook, is 13th in the NFL in rushing attempts per game (16.9) and 15th in yards per game (68.2) and yards per attempt (4.0). Westbrook actually has one more carry this season than the Giants' Brandon Jacobs in the same number of games played but he is averaging a full yard less per carry. Injuries, whatever -- those are the numbers.
The top wide receiver, rookie DeSean Jackson, has 60 catches -- which is 26th in the NFL among wide receivers. Injuries and et cetera have hurt the Eagles' receivers this year, but that's the ranking of their best guy, 26th.
Tight end? With 37 catches, L.J. Smith is 20th in the league. And, you know, it's a good thing they don't rank these guys by blocking ability.
Defensive line? Trent Cole and Darren Howard each have nine sacks, 13th in the NFL, and have had fine years. But 13th is 13th -- and, combined, they have fewer sacks than the Cowboys' Demarcus Ware.
Defensive back? Asante Samuel leads with four interceptions. That's the 12th highest total in the NFL among defensive backs.
Again, while there is often an explanation, the result is the result. They have talent but little scary talent. They have guys who concern the other teams' coaches but don't keep them up at night. Westbrook is clearly the closest thing they have in that regard but he is perpetually dinged, it seems. And after that, well...
That is the issue here.
rich, until you admit play calling has somethign to do with it, your columns are moot— main liner- A game breaking tight end would be a big help, sure. But I don't think the Eagles' problem is lack of stars. Their biggest problems are filling oncoming retirements and play calling.— p-diddy
- You have hit the nail square on the head my friend. I am NOT one of those clamoring for Andy Reid's head on a spit. I love Reid as a coach. I just believe he needs to focus on coaching. Allow someone else to "buy the groceries" as it was so eloquently put by Bill Parcells. They need more weapons. Plain and simple. Donovan is a very good QB but his days of taking the team on his broad shoulders are past. He can still be successful but he needs help and he needs it now.— KCPhillyPhan69
- I'm glad that others seem to agree on the importance of "team". It can't be said enough that teams win games and defense wins championships.— furio
- Rich,, just retire,, you lose every time you write.— osi is hurt boohoo
- Reid is the worst clock manager in NFL history,... Period.— aman1711
- hey Rich,you're killing your credibility here man. First, if you brought Joe Montana in from his prime he couldn't be successful with these plays. Secondly, in the 3 weeks prior to Sunday when the Birds had a balanced approach, the talent level seemed just fine. How could you be suffering from writers block in a time like this?— allegrabene
- Rich you're in the tank for Reid and from the comments here your credibility with your readers is compromised. Take a breath, step back, and stop being an apologist for the mediocrity (or much worse) in the Eagles' game management. Arent you supposed to be a journalist? Questioning the status quo?— jamesiri
- Coaching is the problem, hands down. A good coach teaches players that you can end in a tie. A good coach informs his players that on the last play of the game and you need to be in the endzone, don't run your route two yards short (and if you do, for God's sake stretch your arms out with the ball to break the plain). Reggie Brown was totally unaware of the situation because he flipped the ball to the Ref like there would be enough time to spike the ball with 2 seconds left. If a coach can't teach, bring in more intelligent players at least.— springfieldzoo
- a lot of the stats are a result of playcalling. I think everyone can agree that one player that needs to go is Reggie Brown. For TE, Celek had a hell of a game when smith was out, yet Reid, stubborn as ever, has used him sparingly since. And, of course, it's one thing to compare Jacobs with Westbrook (as if they were minting Brandon Jacobs out there) but quite another considering Reid elected to go with no fullback at all, then cut his only RB (Hunt) that had any size.— dreinterests
- Thank you rich for making my life hurt that much more... Merry Christmas.— prez_beck
Comment removed.- Key things to change or do: Get a "star" WR - look at the production when we had Owens; Run the ball more - we win when we run more; Find a big, hammering RB to support Westbrook - they problems of gaining that 3rd and 1 or 2 would evaporate; Gain the eye of the tiger - the team lacks it and a sense or urgency - this may only come with a head coaching change.— psuwelsh
- Tony Gonazlez or Roy Williams ring a bell? We could have had the tight end that makes that block and B-Wes scores and doesn't drop two 20+ wide open plays. This team loses because of the moves they don't make and the money they don't spend on one or two players a year they are away from being relevant. Why keep McNabb, Dawk and B-Wes if we are going to waste them? Just like with Reggie White let's hope these three can move on to franchises where winning is priority No 1, not the balanced check book.— TitleTown19148
- How can you have star power when you trade away your first round draft picks? Seems to me that trading out of the first round pretty much adds up to medicore talent.— NickEeee
