The weapons debate
Do the Eagles have weapons?
The weapons debate
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
So let me get this straight: the Eagles just played a season in which they set a franchise record for points scored but they don't have any weapons.
And just so I understand: whenever Donovan McNabb plays a good game it's because he's great and whenever he comes up short it's because he has no help.
Just so I get it.
No, they don't have Larry Fitzgerald. Yes, they would be better if they had Larry Fitzgerald. But come on. Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson are not incompetents. When healthy, Brian Westbrook has the same status at his position and occupies the same number of defenders as Fitzgerald does at his. Westbrook's continued health is a real and fair question, but his pedigree and his healthy production levels are not. They have weapons in the passing game. Their problem this season was an inconsistent, ineffective running game.
This is such a tiring conversation. The guy threw for a zillion yards even while playing badly enough in one month-long stretch of the season to get himself benched. And think about two of the biggest passing plays of the post-season. One was a 71-yard screen pass to Westbrook against the Vikings, a play that was all about Westbrook and the downfield blocking. The other was the bomb to Jackson against the Cardinals, a tipped ball on which Jackson showed a great display of concentration.
He has weapons. I cannot take another off-season of this. They need to fix their running game so that they can get the tough, dirty yards in the tough, dirty situations. That is their biggest offensive issue, giving Westbrook a running mate -- that and the likely retooling of their offensive line.
new GM— daveH
Comment removed.
It is pointless to get another RB because Andy won't use him. They drafted Tony Hunt to be a big back that got short yardage yet whenever that situation came up they just gave it to Westbrook. They activated Kyle Eckel to use in short yardage situations and he was effective for 2 games and then they stopped using him. Buckhalter was 2nd in the league in yards per touch this year yet even with an injured Westbrook, Buckhalter still had very limited touches— Lemur- Comment removed.
- Are you having an arguement with yourself Rich? I don't get it. You can never have too many weapons is the point. This team has no running game what so ever. It's all on 5.— R3
- Comment removed.
- Comment removed.
- The Steelers have a dominant defense, run the football and have a WR who would wlk in here tomorrow and be the # 1. They won a 3 years ago when their QB threw for like 90 yards and had a QB rating of around 40. So don't tell me McNabb is the reason we lose. The Steelers won DESPITE Rothlisberger. But no one remembers that.— gee1971
- Comment removed.
- Deshaun is a 160 lb rookie. He had a great season, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. He makes Torry Holt and Isaac bruce look like heifers and they used to lie down on the turf before a potential tackler could hit them.— gee1971
- Comment removed.
- Todd. There is no reason why not. Thye have money, they have room, they have need. They don't load up at those positions because they don't want to...or don't think they need to. It's not about can't. They feel like they can win without it. Why they would want to...why they wouldn't want to give themselves every opportunity to win, is a better question.— gee1971
- We need more Weapons! We need a #1 WR! #1! Not two #2's and three #3's. Look at Warner..he had pro bowlers in Faulk, Bruce, and Holt in St. Louis and Boldin and Fitzgerald in Arizona. Come on now..what has McNabb had? Nobody?!? All scrubs except for Westbrook when healthy and TO for one year. I do think Jackson is great and is going to get better, but he's not a #1. He's going to be a great #2..get a #1 WR and Curtis #3 in the slot and we'd be set. lonewolf, youre wrong..the Steelers have way more weapons then us. Parker at RB and don't forget their rookie RB Mendenhall who is hurt. Ward, Holmes, Washington, and a TE the does it all. McNabb is better than Ben.!— topshelfer6
- Comment removed.
- Talking point.. I just saw Ike Reese on TV and he thinks Curtis is one of the best #2's in the league and Jackson is a rising star. Hmmm I agree with Ike and Rich and Bil966 enuf of this no receivers talk. It nonsence. Ike says Mcnabb needs to repair his image , I think he needs to repair his head! Whats is legacy now? Biggest whiner or biggest loser of all time? its all about 5 comming up empty.— coach1456
