Posted: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 9:42 PM | 36 comments |
 

10 observations: Eagles-Cardinals
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Here are my 10 observations from the Eagles' 32-25 loss to the Cardinals:

1. Don't even know where to begin this week. I guess we should start where it always starts with this team -- Donovan McNabb. He didn't play as well as his numbers indicate (28-for-47 for 375 yards, three touchdowns and an interception). In a way, the game was a microcosm of his whole season. He started off erratic, which has been the case all year. In the third quarter, he made every throw, looking as good as any quarterback in the league. And in the end, it wasn't enough. With McNabb, it seems like fans feel the need to go to extremes. One side argues that he never comes through in the clutch. The other side spends their time defending him. We need to look at the whole picture on the clutch thing. In the second half, the Eagles scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions, giving them a 25-24 lead. If the defense holds off Arizona, then aren't we talking about McNabb being clutch and leading the Eagles back from a 24-6 deficit? The point is it's almost never just one player. McNabb made mistakes. The receivers have seen better days. And even the offensive line had its share of lapses. And if I never hear another word about McNabb puking or smiling inappropriately, that'll be just fine with me. Some people need to get new material.

2. On Friday when I made my picks, I listed ways the Cardinals could win. But I really did not envision a scenario where the defense would give up 32 points. I thought the so-called resurgent running game of Arizona was a farce, but Edgerrin James carried for 73 yards. He had a 22-yard carry, which was his longest run of the postseason and was generally more effective than I thought he would be. And I don't know where to begin with Larry Fitzgerald. He gets open. He has great hands. He can outjump cornerbacks. And he's hard to bring down. In all, nine catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Add him to the list -- Ricky Manning, Joe Jurevicius, Ronde Barber, and now, Larry Fitzgerald.

3. So where does this rank among playoff losses of the McNabb/Andy Reid era? The Bucs loss at the Vet is still the worst. And I'd say the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots was worse. This probably ranks third, just ahead of the Panthers loss. What a roller coaster to get here. The season seemed over at so many different points during the last five months. Then all of a sudden, they got a chance to make up for all those missed opportunities, but it wasn't meant to be.

4. The optimist says...

Well, it was still a great season. Reid never lost the locker room. Just when it seemed like the season was over, we had that surreal Sunday in Week 17, which we'll never forget. The Bucs loss. The Bears loss. And the blowout against the Cowboys. The win at Minnesota in the wild-card round. And the upset of the defending Super Bowl champion Giants in the divisional round. This defense is still very young, and while they struggled today, the 'D' has carried them all season. The future is bright there. As for McNabb and Reid, what did we learn? We wanted them gone, but you could still do a whole lot worse. I'm willing to take my chances with them again next year and see what happens. I don't think this run is over quite yet.

5. The pessimist says...

You even shut ME up last week. But then we had to watch the same movie once again. Reid's team was unprepared. The defense, when it's facing a savvy vet, is not quite as impressive. And the quarterback failed to lead the team back with two minutes left and a chance to force overtime. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. Did anyone have faith in McNabb during that final drive? The answer is no. And if you don't have faith in your quarterback in a big spot, then what does that really say about your team? You can continue to go through this year after year, but the truth is that all this playoff run accomplished was further delaying change. This coach and quarterback cannot win the big one. And now we'll have to watch them try for another year at least.

6. DeSean Jackson really showed me something today. At times he's been criticized (letting go of the ball before getting into the end zone against the Cowboys; the big drop late against the Redskins), but this rookie season was an unquestioned success. As a receiver, he had six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown that gave the Eagles their biggest lead of the game. But there was more. When the Eagles were trailing and nothing was going right, the cameras caught Jackson on the sideline trying to encourage McNabb. And of course, the forced fumble after the McNabb interception, which gave the Eagles the ball back. Great hustle, great concentration. Something to look forward to next year I guess.

7. One thing I don't understand. When Warner has words with offensive coordinator Todd Haley on the sideline, he's just being a leader and should have input. When Anquan Boldin has words with Haley on the sidelines, he's a distraction and should just shut-up and play. Maybe the explanation is that Warner is a probable Hall of Famer and a veteran. But Haley didn't seem too pleased with either guys' comments. Shouldn't they both be criticized?

8. Some various texts and e-mails to share.

From philly.com's Mike Potter at 3:52: I'm gonna throw up.
From my buddy Jordan at 4:39: Out of gas.
From my buddy Jordan at 5:46: Or not.
E-mail from philly.com's Ellen Dunkel at 7:14: Expecting a riot? There are about a zillion cops in riot gear around City Hall. No exaggeration.
E-mail from philly.com's Mike Potter at 7:26: They must have been there in case the Eagles won. Cause don't nobody have the energy to riot after that loss. I feel like somebody just punched me in the gut.

I imagine similar e-mails/texts/IMs were being exchanged throughout the Delaware Valley.

9. What was up with David Akers? Can't kill a guy for missing a 47-yarder, but the kickoff out of bounds? And the extra point? Should it really matter where the laces are facing on an extra point? He seemed like a rattled relief pitcher out there. And by the way, Quintin Demps, what the heck were you thinking on that hit of Warner? Still trying to figure that one out.

10. And lastly a thank you to all the Moving the Chains readers and chat participants. We had over 5,000 people join the chat at different times throughout the course of the game. Before kickoff, I did a role call. People were checking in from Korea, Tokyo, London, Salt Lake City and other places. Very cool for everyone to be able to converse together even if you weren't in Philadelphia. We just started the chats this season, but they were really a great success. Hopefully we can improve on them before the start of next season. And to the Moving the Chains readers, this will be the final 10 observations post of the season. But the point of the blog is to write about the NFL 365 days a year so stay tuned for offseason news, including full coverage of the draft. And as always, feel free to contact me if there's anything specific you'd like to see me cover on here.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 9:42 PM  Permalink | 36 comments
36
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:57 PM, 01/18/2009
    Sheil, is there an way that you can talk to the Eagles organization and BEG THEM TO BRING A #1 TRUE RECEIVER PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! Im willing to go to Philly and WORK FOR FREE. I HOPE THAT JEFF AND THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION SAW THE GAME THE WAY WE SAW IT, WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD RECEIVING CORPS GOOD THINGS HAPPEN AND ALTHOUGH MCNABB DIDN'T PLAY HIS BEST HE JUST CANT DO EVERYTHING BY HIMSELF, HE'S NOT THE SAME MCNABB OF PAST YEARS LOOK AT WHAT KURT HAS DONE WITH GOOD RECEIVERS........SO, PLEASE.....I BEG YOU.......DO THIS FAVOR FOR ME BECAUSE IM GETTING HELL HERE IN CRYBOY LAND.
    — tonygreeneagle5
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:30 PM, 01/18/2009
    Biggest keys to the loss: 1)Those two passes that McNabb missed in the first half that would have been TDs...the one to Greg Lewis (even though he still should have caught it) and the one across the middle to Baskett. A TD there would have changed the game. 2)The Eagles inexplicetly taking a time out at the end of the first half when they had a 3rd and 20. That time out gave the Cardinals extra time and they drove down and got a field goal at the end of the half thanks in part to Demps' stupid penalty. 3) Akers missed field goal and extra point. 4) Poor tackling by the defense, especially Demps' horrible tackle attempt on Hightower on the Cardinals game winning TD. 5)McNabb/Reid still not being able to complete a game winning 2 minute drive. 6)Questionable referee calls including the non pass interference calls on Curtis and Avant
    — Lemur
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:39 PM, 01/18/2009
    Tonygreeneagle5 I couldn't agree more. While the Eagles did get to the NFC Championship game with these receivers, Fitzgerald showed what a stud receiver can do for a team. McNabb has to play a perfect game and that is not fair. With a stud receiver McNabb can make a mistake and the receiver can bail him out like Burress would do for Eli last year. Look at the year we had TO...we went to the Superbowl. Just having one stud receiver opens up everything, especially when you have a guy like Westbrook. Sheil, great job with the blog this season. I look forward to your 10 observations every week and your optimist-pessemist feature is always right on.
    — Lemur
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:57 PM, 01/18/2009
    Great game by Celek today but I wonder if the outcome would have been any different if we had Tony Gonzalez out there to catch and block. But good thing we held on to the 2nd round pick. We can use it to draft another Matt McCoy or trade it for two 4th round picks. Yay!
    — Lemur
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:02 PM, 01/18/2009
    I do want to give some credit to the Cardinals, especially their offensive coordinator. He called a great game and seemed to dial up the right play every time we blitz (thanks also in part to Warner being possessed today)...and Fitzgerald in just a beast. Ok sorry for all the posts. I am just very frustrated. That's it from me...I hope
    — Lemur
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:09 PM, 01/18/2009
    Message to Demps: Wrap a player when you tackle him. On the last cardinal TD, he hits Hightower at the two yard line but doesn't tackle him. Key play there, if Arizona gets a field goal instead of a TD the eagles are in much better shape. btw, has Mcnabb ever led a come-from-behind win on the last drive? Preseason and High school don't count.
    — swany65
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:15 PM, 01/18/2009
    Another observation: You'd never see an Eagles player yelling at an Eagles coach on the sideline. You might see Desean Jackson yelling at Brad Childress, but not an Eagles coach.
    — p-diddy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:25 PM, 01/18/2009
    Greg Lewis shouldn't even be on the team. The Eagles wide receivers operate in packages which means quite often their best are not on the field. Lewis has to be beyond wide open to catch the ball. Any coach that would put him on the field for even one play, would probably try to make a defensive tackle into a fullback!
    — jimmyj
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:27 PM, 01/18/2009
    Blame this loss squarely on Jim Johnson. What a surprise. Fitzgerald can't be covered in single man. Guess he slept through the Carlina-Arizona game last week.
    — jimmyj
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:42 PM, 01/18/2009
    Boldin has no right to talk back to Haley. Unlike Warner, Boldin hasn't been doing much in the playoffs to demand anything.
    — phillychokesagain
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 01/18/2009
    Akers by the way, PREVENTED A RUN BACK BY THE GIANTS last week so HE SAVED OUR ASSSES. anyone crying about Akers' performance please share your insights on Quinten Demps ... 0 run back yards, fell down on a TD single coverage, got RUN OVER on a running TD, and logged an ALL TIME FRANCHISE EMBARRASSMENT CHEAPSHOT ..and then yes, if G Lew is back next year its the same ol joke again.
    — daveH
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:38 AM, 01/19/2009
    This loss doesn't just end the season, it calls into question the entire philosophy the Lurie/Banner/Reid Eagles are based on. The Eagles have been "good" for the past decade, because they draft pretty well, retain talent, don't waste money on free agents, etc. But being "good" every year... being "competitive" every year... doesn't win championships. You need to have the down years to pay for the talent thqt gets you to the top of the mountain... The Cardinals proved that tonight. 3 years ago they sucked. This year, they are going to the Super Bowl. Time to change the philosophy in Philly.
    — Navyfaninatl
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:53 AM, 01/19/2009
    Let me step up and defend my boy demps real quick.. First off yeah he may have missed tackles, so did the entire Defense. He is a rookie. Yeah he did let a touchdown pass get by him by Larry Fitzgerald, first off he slipt which a numbe rof players did, and second, Sheldon, Asante, Dawk, Bradley, everyone got beat by Fitz, he is just that good. This kid is legit, I still like him. The hit on Kurt, I loved. Who wasn't frustrated by that game, and didn't want to pop that old guy under the table. He had no return yards because apparently they heard he was good, and kicked away from him... 39 fight on
    — Knock0ut12


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About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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