Eagles-Cardinals Up-Down Drill
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Eagles-Cardinals Up-Down Drill
Jeff McLane
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here's a look at some of the highs and (many) lows from the Eagles' 27-6 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday:
↓ -- Michael Vick
Vick’s issues weren’t solved by two fourth quarter, game-winning drives. They merely masked his deficiencies as a quarterback. Vick is not a bad quarterback, but he is a flawed one that can easily be exploited by the blitz. The Eagles will have to find a way to counter this attack.
↓ – Andy Reid
It’s easy to second-guess, but Andy Reid should have taken the three points before he had Vick drop back with six seconds left before the break. The quarterback, of course, was sacked, fumbled and watched James Sanders race 93 yards the other way for a TD. 17-3 sounds a lot better than 24-0.
↑ -- Kevin Kolb
Not many thought he had it in him, but Kolb was everything the Eagles thought he would be when they named him their starting quarterback back in April of 2010. Problem was he’s no longer an Eagle. We’re not going to say that Reid made the wrong decision when he went with Vick, but Kolb enacted some revenge on Sunday.
↓ -- Damaris Johnson
Johnson had issues with ball security during the preseason, so it wasn’t a great surprise when he fumbled during a first half punt return. The turnover came at an inopportune time because the Eagles defense had their only three-and-out stand of the first half. The Cards turned the fumble into seven points.
↓ – LeSean McCoy
McCoy did a lousy job of blocking Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington when he blitzed up the middle late in the second quarter. Vick had no time and threw an incomplete pass as he was pressured. McCoy's pass blocking has been suspect all season.
↑ – Chas Henry
At least Chas Henry came to play. After a shaky second game, the Eagles punter bounced back with a strong effort. His four first half punts grossed a 53.2-yard average and a 43-yard net. When the punter is one of your top performers you know you've had a rough game.
↓ – DeSean Jackson
What was Jackson thinking when he started complaining to officials that he was interfered with as a second quarter pass was still in the air? Hey, DeSean run out the play first and then you can whine to the refs.
↓ – Officials
The replacement referees had a much cleaner performance after last week’s debacle, but they missed a personal foul penalty when Brent Celek was speared by Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes. Vick threw a hospital pass to the tight end, but Rhodes clearly led with his helmet when he decked Celek in the chest.
↑ – Larry Fitzgerald
How great is Larry Fitzgerald? In five games against the Eagles, including the 2008 NFC title game, the Cardinals receiver had 35 catches for 570 yards and nine touchdowns.
↓ – DeMeco Ryans
In a battle of middle linebackers, Washington outclassed DeMeco Ryans. He was everywhere for the Cardinals, but mostly in the Eagles’ backfield hounding Vick all game. Washington finished with six tackles and two sacks.
↓ – Demetress Bell
It’s hard to fault the Eagles for acquiring Bell in April after Jason Peters ruptured his Achilles tendon. He was the best they could do at the time. But Bell, who earned his first start Sunday with King Dunlap injured, had a forgetful day.
↑ – Defensive line
You really can’t fault the guys up front on defense. They pressured Kolb all game and recorded three sacks. The line wasn’t perfect but its effort was swallowed up by breakdowns in coverage by the Eagles secondary.
The embarrassing performance by the Eagles was a demonstration of a lack of discipline, a lack of preparation, and a seeming oversight the Cardinals were a worthy foe. We can blame certain Eagles for fumbles or a lack luster job...but ultimately Andy Reid just had the team so ill prepared there should be no question by Jeff Lurie he employee does not warrant another game as head coach. It is clear that All of the NFL knows Andy's strategies. He is so predictable that preparing for the Eagles is relatively easy. Tough he is a fine person, some of his players are at risk because of his predictability. Whoever calls th offensive plays also should be embarrassed. They too are so predictable that defenses seem to know what to do. There is no quarterback, no offensive line that will ever be able to perform with excellence when the game plan and how it carried out is easy to figure. Yet we always hear...it is my fault. That is commendable though when these kinds of games are repeated, and the mantra is repeated by Andy, then there is a critical flaw in decisions and leadership. When we repeat our same mistakes and repeat our hackneyed phrase...it was my fault because I did not prepare my players, then we should honor this and ask him to submit his resignation. When will Andy decide that his tenure as a coach, his droning on that he does not prepare his team, that it is time to protect his team by stepping down? That would be an honorable thing to do..before he has several of his players harmed permanently.— 5thstrretpast- ". ..We’re not going to say that Reid made the wrong decision when he went with Vick..." why no? -- he has shown in 10 seasons in the NFL that he is not qualified to play quarterback in the NFL..— warbiscuit
- No team wins when you turn the ball over like the Eagles do...they got lucky the past two weekends. Vick will never win a SB...Never! Let's start the Rookie.— John Dealoni
- This game was the lowest of lows....comparable to the 36-7 beating we took in Baltimore a few years back...ditto to all 5th street, warbiscuit & John's comments..Philly needs to make major changes.the sooner the better.— Big Jeff
- Vick used to be able to get by with his athletic ability...now he seems to have lost a step. He didn't have great line play ahead of him, but that is like saying Obama's problems are all due to Bush....Okay, some of it is, but at some point the man has to step up and take responsibility for his play. He probably gets hit too much to establish consistency and confidence in his teammates. I don't get the sense that he is a very smart QB based on some of the balls he throws away and the way he holds onto the ball when there should be a quick release. At one point last night it seemed like the Cards had 13 men out there on defense. I don't know if Foles is the answer or if he can play at a high level in the NFL. But he will play this season since Vick will be hurt soon given his penchant for taking hits...I do remember that Foles was only sacked 1 time in the preseason, and then he was chased out of bounds. He released the ball quickly, made smart throws. If we do go to Foles I would think the season is pretty much over, unless.....— jeffpendergast
