Posted: Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 12:29 AM | 27 comments |
 

Circus comes to Dallas
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IRVING, Texas -- Sometimes, a football game is a circus. And sometimes, the calliope crashes to the ground.
I mean, exactly what was DeSean Jackson thinking?

It was a fabulous game. It was a ridiculous game. For the final time at Texas Stadium, Eagles-Cowboys was big play piled upon big play, lightning bolts at 20 paces, seven lead changes, just outrageous. The Eagles will rue how it ended even as the Cowboys celebrated into the night (and morning). The numbers themselves, the numbers in the final score - Cowboys 41, Eagles 37 - will always tell a remarkable story. They will require no embellishment.

And then there is the case of Jackson, who seemingly cannot do anything that fails to cause jaws to drop.
The rookie receiver from Cal who lit up Lincoln Financial Field last week in his pro debut, and who now has become the first player in the NFL since the Eagles' Don Looney in 1940 to open his career with consecutive 100-yard receiving games, also made an embarrassing mistake, casually tossing away the ball at the end of what should have been a 61-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter.

The problem was that Jackson had not yet crossed the goal line, and a replay challenge by the Cowboys resulted in the play being ruled a fumble. At that point, only the vagaries of the NFL rulebook saved the rookie. The Eagles were given the ball at the Dallas 1-yard line and scored anyway on the next play. That left the situation to be classified as embarrassing rather than disastrous.

But what is it with Jackson? You hope he learns. You hope he realizes, after such a national-television faux pas, the downside of pride. You hope he knows now that hot dogs can result in worse things than indigestion. You hope, but you do not know.

Only time will mature him. At the same time, say a prayer that maturity does not diminish him. Because Jackson is a star-in-training and no one can doubt. He finished last night with six catches for 110 yards. It would appear that the only thing that can stop him are an injury or, well, himself.

Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 12:29 AM  Permalink | 27 comments
27
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:11 AM, 09/16/2008
    For the love of God... Andy, please leave the city tonight. Hook and Lateral? Then you're smirking, when shockingly it failed? Did you honestly think it would? You are horrendous.
    — rbm7528
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:18 AM, 09/16/2008
    How about the horrific 4th quarters by both Brian Dawkins and Jon Ruynan? Dawkins showed his age, lack of speed, and is a a liability on the pass coverage. Runyan got abused by the Cowboys pass rush and gave up several key sacks. Sure the Westbrook-McNabb fumble hurt, but both of these key veterans played terrible foobtall when game was online. Other questions: Why is Schobel on active game day roster? What happened to Lorenzo Booker in the offensive looks? Entertaining game nonetheless.
    — shoeshineboy
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:21 AM, 09/16/2008
    Bright side, is this is definitly a good team... I think we'll beat them at the Linc and wouldn't be shocked if we met again in the playoffs... maybe then Andy can bring out the Puntrooskie when the game is on the line... Hook & Lateral!!! Fire him!
    — rbm7528
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:22 AM, 09/16/2008
    Gotta say, McNabb did choke on that throw to Westbrook. However, Westbrook is the checkdown and he was going to get hit on that play, so it's mostly moot. Seriously though, hook and ladder? This a pop warner game?? With the game on the line, that's not a serious play call. Good grief.
    — psv
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  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:45 AM, 09/16/2008
    psv...McNabb's throw was high but catchable - Westy should have had it. Agree with Blackacre in that it was 5's fault on the two fumbles which really did cost us the game. Defense will get better as the year goes on so there's no doubt we can beat the scums from D. However we STILL need more pressure from the front four. HATE THE F-ING COWBOYS. Tony Kornhaiser is an a-hole and Dallas lover who should not be in the booth. That last play was embarrassing. Can't we win one of these games, just once? If we can beat Pittsburgh, this team is for real. Peace, and go Birds!
    — PhilCali
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:01 AM, 09/16/2008
    The O Line is not to blame in any of this... McNabb should have gotten rid of the ball for 2 of those crucial sacks. He did not. He threw the ball at the receivers feet 2 or 3 times. He blew an easy pass to Westbrook down the stretch. He choked down the stretch. There are so many times during the game when McNabb comes up huge, then blows it big time later on. I can't take it any more!
    — nrf000
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:17 AM, 09/16/2008
    Sean Considine Needs to go. Not one, not two, but AT LEAST 3 times he screwed up coverage. He is horrible. I understand Strong safeties need to be substituted in and out to take a breather. Why not put J.R. Reed in there instead of Considine I mean seriously the guy is horrible.
    — CupCRAZE23
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:17 AM, 09/16/2008
    Reid : why not a pass downfield for a first down at the end of the game? Idiot.
    — Huge
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:29 AM, 09/16/2008
    Yeah,it was all Mcnabb's fault. Never mind the fact that his top two receivers are hurt, and he's throwing to guys who should be in the Arena League. In fact, are you haters sure it wasn't his fault that the defense played so poorly? What about the attacks on the World Trade Center? Were they Mcnabb's fault too? God, if only our quarterback were perfect, and could complete 100% of his passes instead of only 65%. You people are idiots. If you "can't take any more" of the greatest quarterback in Eagles history, then maybe you should follow a new team. Like one of the 20 or so teams in the NFL whose QBs couldn't hold McNabb's jock.
    — JGT
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:31 AM, 09/16/2008
    I think play calls are to blame. They should have stuck with the plan and gained a few yards on first. When you get to 4th down, I hate the trick play. Get the ball to bwest 10 yards out and let him make a play. Halfway through the 3rd we had 'em... gotta develop the killer instinct. Still have a meeting in December to send a message. Dont mess that one up... GO BIRDS!!!
    — phillyinboston
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:39 AM, 09/16/2008
    they did try to get some initial yardage. on first down, lewis couldn't hold the ball, on 2nd, Jackson couldn't catch the ball, and on third, McNabb threw the ball an inch higher that Westy can jump. That hook and lateral play was a joke, why didn't they send DJax on a go route or two?
    — WCPhan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:51 AM, 09/16/2008
    Hey - anyone out there a Cowboys fan?? If so - how 'bout them cowboys!How great was T.O, first half catch - jumped 5 feet high - what an amazing catch ! 2 TD's...he IS THE MAN....Iggles you f'kd that up - should have kept the "stud" and the SB would have been yours for the keeping....along w/ a huge-parade down Broad Street - oh well get the "sticks" - and get ready to hit the links - and then sit back and watch Da Boyzzz - make the SB - and along w/ playing in the SB take that trophy back to Texas to continue on w/ the dynasty....Go Boyz
    — poshnspice


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About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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