Eagles Chat: Quite an impressive win
The Birds looked much better, but so do other division foes, says the Inquirer's Ashley Fox.
Ashley Fox: Hello there. Back for another Monday, this time after a much-needed Eagles W. Have at it. Did yesterday alleviate concerns, or was it merely a win over a defense that couldn't tackle me? Send you comments, and we'll get started.
Peter: Any update on Westbrook's injuries? Plus how the heck did Curtis get so wide open?
Ashley Fox: Andy Reid is addressing the media down at the NovaCare Complex now, so I'm sure he'll have an update on Westbrook. I heard last night that it wasn't particularly serious, but we'll see. As for Curtis, the Lions' secondary was abysmal. Even Curtis said it on one of those touchdowns, he couldn't believe he was wide open.
Peter: Do you think not wearing the brace made a big difference for McNabb?
Ashley Fox: Well, it certainly looked that way. McNabb looked more comfortable, more mobile. He was able to scurry around more than we had seen in the first two games. In short, he looked like the McNabb of old, pre-injury. Was it all because he shed the brace? Probably not. But he looked totally different, so you've got to think there's something to it.
Ashley Fox: I was at FedEx Field last night, watching the Giants D finally show up for a game. They made an impressive goal-line stand, keeping the Redskins out of the end zone, from the one-yard line, three times (plus a spike to stop the clock). So the Giants, like the Birds, have a little momentum heading into Sunday night's game at the Meadowlands. Any thoughts on that?
Jersey Boy: Think the fans will get off McNabb's back now? Or will it be like, "Hey, trade him while he's hot?"
Ashley Fox: This league is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. So, Don gets a pass for the next week. Beyond that? If he struggles against the Giants and the Eagles lose heading into the bye week, it'll start up again. Did you hear the boos when he was introduced?
Jersey Boy: is this division better than we thought? Dallas sure smoked the Bears last night.
Ashley Fox: That's a good question. I certainly have been surprised by how the Redskins have played. And Dallas has been unstoppable. I couldn't believe how they carved up Chicago last night. So yes, I think the division is better. It's going to be a tough one to win. The Eagles are going to have to steal at least one division game on the road to have a chance.
Smedley Dooright: What's your take on McNabb's claim that black QBs have it tougher from fans and media?
Ashley Fox: I think there's something to it. Obviously, McNabb feels that way, so there must be something to it. Look, I have it tougher than my white male colleagues because I'm a female. I'm judged differently, have to work harder, get criticized simply because I'm a female. I get a lot of "get back in the kitchen" comments. I certainly don't dwell on it, nor do I really talk about it, but I feel it. I'm sure McNabb feels it from a different standpoint. So yes, I'm sure there's something to it.
Rahsaan: Finally a strong win! (Granted it was against a team we were expected to beat, but...) Do you think this win is enough to get people focused on FOOOTBALL issues and not on D'Mac the Black Quarterback?
Ashley Fox: I hope so. And yes, I think so, too.
Jersey Boy: I was at the game, heard the boos and was surprised. Westbrook practically got a standing O. I thought maybe fans would get off McNabb's back. I mean, right or wrong, good or bad as a QB, he'd been through a lot last week.
AJ: those eagle uniforms look pretty bad. are they permanent? who makes these sad fashion statements?
Ashley Fox: You know what? I kind of liked them. They were the throwbacks to the Eagles' first season. I think they're going to wear them one more time, although I can't swear to it. The Redskins wore throwbacks last night too. They weren't as jarring as the Eagles, but they were very cool. Colorful socks. Old-school helmets. I like it.
Timbo: Many times on ESPN and other nationally syndicated sports programs, I heard the commentators say, "Well, Philly is tough" or "The fans are brutal", when they spoke about McNabb's Real Sports interview. My question is this: do you think that amount of criticism actually helped McNabb/Eagles snap out of their funk?
Ashley Fox: I'm not sure it did, but Westbrook did say the team rallied around McNabb after the week he had. So it's quite possible. More likely, they were fired up because their proverbial backs were against the wall. They could not lose yesterday. Only three times in the last 17 years have teams started 0-3 and made the playoffs. Those aren't good odds. McNabb, Westbrook, et al knew they had to win that game. And they got it done.
Ashley Fox: And one thing on the "Philly is a tough town" comments. That's true. It's certainly tougher than, say, Indy or San Diego or Jacksonville. But every NFL team is under scrutiny/pressure from fans. It's the nature of the business. And I don't think the media here is any more vicious than Chicago or New York or even Atlanta. That's the nature of the business, too.
G.V. Sappi: Can the Eagles beat Dallas in Dallas?
Ashley Fox: That game is a long way off. Dec. 16, to be exact. So I'm not ready to make that call. There's a lot of football to be played between now and then. I will say that Dallas is looking tough. Real tough.
jrpaso1: WAS THE DEFENSE THAT GOOD OR THE LIONS THAT BAD?
Ashley Fox: I think it was a combination of both. I thought the Lions wide receivers would give the Eagles secondary more of a problem, espcially with Dawkins and Sheppard out. But apparently not.
Timbo: How much of yesterday's passing performance by McNabb do you attribute to the O line, the receivers, and the lions D, respectively?
Ashley Fox: The credit, and blame, gets spread all the way around. The line gave McNabb time to find his receivers, who ran good routes. And the Lions D couldn't tackle me walking down Broad Street. But McNabb was sharp. There's no taking that away from 5.
YM: Any word on Lito being back for next week? Also, is next week another must win game to stay away from the basement in the division?
Ashley Fox: I'm not at the NovaCare Complex today, and I didn't hear Andy's press conference. I heard last night, however, that Lito could be back this week. If there's any lingering effects, however, they're going to hold him out so he can get the bye week to get right. And on this week's game being a must-win, yes, I think it is. The Eagles certainly don't want to be 1-3 heading into the bye week. And 0-2 is a tough way to start the division. They're going to have to snag one, probably two division games on the road, and this will be the "easiest" of the three.
Timbo: Any info on the Giants injuries? If Burress and Steve Smith are out, it should limit the Giants to the ground. How well do you think the Eagles linebackers will do in stopping the Giants ground attack?
Ashley Fox: Not sure yet on the wideouts. I will say I was impressed by the Giants backup running back, Derrick Ward, who has been starting for Brandon Jacobs. He did a nice job yesterday. Made some good cuts, almost ran for 100 yards. He's certainly not LaDainian Tomlinson, but he should be a decent test for the Eagles. I haven't settled on a score, but I'm probably going to pick the Eagles again this week. So that should tell you something.
Ashley Fox: Alright folks, anything else?
Timbo: Yeah, I hope they clean Shockey's clock. Go Birds!
Ashley Fox: Thanks for playing, Timbo.
Ashley Fox: Last call...
Scott: Do you think this win, quieted the controversy over McNabb's opinion over the black quarterback's being scrutinized more?
Ashley Fox: I think that that issue has run its course, yes. All right folks, thanks for the questions. We'll do it again next Monday after the Giants game. Have a great week. Peace.
Peter: Any update on Westbrook's injuries? Plus how the heck did Curtis get so wide open?
Ashley Fox: Andy Reid is addressing the media down at the NovaCare Complex now, so I'm sure he'll have an update on Westbrook. I heard last night that it wasn't particularly serious, but we'll see. As for Curtis, the Lions' secondary was abysmal. Even Curtis said it on one of those touchdowns, he couldn't believe he was wide open.
Peter: Do you think not wearing the brace made a big difference for McNabb?
Ashley Fox: Well, it certainly looked that way. McNabb looked more comfortable, more mobile. He was able to scurry around more than we had seen in the first two games. In short, he looked like the McNabb of old, pre-injury. Was it all because he shed the brace? Probably not. But he looked totally different, so you've got to think there's something to it.
Ashley Fox: I was at FedEx Field last night, watching the Giants D finally show up for a game. They made an impressive goal-line stand, keeping the Redskins out of the end zone, from the one-yard line, three times (plus a spike to stop the clock). So the Giants, like the Birds, have a little momentum heading into Sunday night's game at the Meadowlands. Any thoughts on that?
Jersey Boy: Think the fans will get off McNabb's back now? Or will it be like, "Hey, trade him while he's hot?"
Ashley Fox: This league is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. So, Don gets a pass for the next week. Beyond that? If he struggles against the Giants and the Eagles lose heading into the bye week, it'll start up again. Did you hear the boos when he was introduced?
Jersey Boy: is this division better than we thought? Dallas sure smoked the Bears last night.
Ashley Fox: That's a good question. I certainly have been surprised by how the Redskins have played. And Dallas has been unstoppable. I couldn't believe how they carved up Chicago last night. So yes, I think the division is better. It's going to be a tough one to win. The Eagles are going to have to steal at least one division game on the road to have a chance.
Smedley Dooright: What's your take on McNabb's claim that black QBs have it tougher from fans and media?
Ashley Fox: I think there's something to it. Obviously, McNabb feels that way, so there must be something to it. Look, I have it tougher than my white male colleagues because I'm a female. I'm judged differently, have to work harder, get criticized simply because I'm a female. I get a lot of "get back in the kitchen" comments. I certainly don't dwell on it, nor do I really talk about it, but I feel it. I'm sure McNabb feels it from a different standpoint. So yes, I'm sure there's something to it.
Rahsaan: Finally a strong win! (Granted it was against a team we were expected to beat, but...) Do you think this win is enough to get people focused on FOOOTBALL issues and not on D'Mac the Black Quarterback?
Ashley Fox: I hope so. And yes, I think so, too.
Jersey Boy: I was at the game, heard the boos and was surprised. Westbrook practically got a standing O. I thought maybe fans would get off McNabb's back. I mean, right or wrong, good or bad as a QB, he'd been through a lot last week.
AJ: those eagle uniforms look pretty bad. are they permanent? who makes these sad fashion statements?
Ashley Fox: You know what? I kind of liked them. They were the throwbacks to the Eagles' first season. I think they're going to wear them one more time, although I can't swear to it. The Redskins wore throwbacks last night too. They weren't as jarring as the Eagles, but they were very cool. Colorful socks. Old-school helmets. I like it.
Timbo: Many times on ESPN and other nationally syndicated sports programs, I heard the commentators say, "Well, Philly is tough" or "The fans are brutal", when they spoke about McNabb's Real Sports interview. My question is this: do you think that amount of criticism actually helped McNabb/Eagles snap out of their funk?
Ashley Fox: I'm not sure it did, but Westbrook did say the team rallied around McNabb after the week he had. So it's quite possible. More likely, they were fired up because their proverbial backs were against the wall. They could not lose yesterday. Only three times in the last 17 years have teams started 0-3 and made the playoffs. Those aren't good odds. McNabb, Westbrook, et al knew they had to win that game. And they got it done.
Ashley Fox: And one thing on the "Philly is a tough town" comments. That's true. It's certainly tougher than, say, Indy or San Diego or Jacksonville. But every NFL team is under scrutiny/pressure from fans. It's the nature of the business. And I don't think the media here is any more vicious than Chicago or New York or even Atlanta. That's the nature of the business, too.
G.V. Sappi: Can the Eagles beat Dallas in Dallas?
Ashley Fox: That game is a long way off. Dec. 16, to be exact. So I'm not ready to make that call. There's a lot of football to be played between now and then. I will say that Dallas is looking tough. Real tough.
jrpaso1: WAS THE DEFENSE THAT GOOD OR THE LIONS THAT BAD?
Ashley Fox: I think it was a combination of both. I thought the Lions wide receivers would give the Eagles secondary more of a problem, espcially with Dawkins and Sheppard out. But apparently not.
Timbo: How much of yesterday's passing performance by McNabb do you attribute to the O line, the receivers, and the lions D, respectively?
Ashley Fox: The credit, and blame, gets spread all the way around. The line gave McNabb time to find his receivers, who ran good routes. And the Lions D couldn't tackle me walking down Broad Street. But McNabb was sharp. There's no taking that away from 5.
YM: Any word on Lito being back for next week? Also, is next week another must win game to stay away from the basement in the division?
Ashley Fox: I'm not at the NovaCare Complex today, and I didn't hear Andy's press conference. I heard last night, however, that Lito could be back this week. If there's any lingering effects, however, they're going to hold him out so he can get the bye week to get right. And on this week's game being a must-win, yes, I think it is. The Eagles certainly don't want to be 1-3 heading into the bye week. And 0-2 is a tough way to start the division. They're going to have to snag one, probably two division games on the road, and this will be the "easiest" of the three.
Timbo: Any info on the Giants injuries? If Burress and Steve Smith are out, it should limit the Giants to the ground. How well do you think the Eagles linebackers will do in stopping the Giants ground attack?
Ashley Fox: Not sure yet on the wideouts. I will say I was impressed by the Giants backup running back, Derrick Ward, who has been starting for Brandon Jacobs. He did a nice job yesterday. Made some good cuts, almost ran for 100 yards. He's certainly not LaDainian Tomlinson, but he should be a decent test for the Eagles. I haven't settled on a score, but I'm probably going to pick the Eagles again this week. So that should tell you something.
Ashley Fox: Alright folks, anything else?
Timbo: Yeah, I hope they clean Shockey's clock. Go Birds!
Ashley Fox: Thanks for playing, Timbo.
Ashley Fox: Last call...
Scott: Do you think this win, quieted the controversy over McNabb's opinion over the black quarterback's being scrutinized more?
Ashley Fox: I think that that issue has run its course, yes. All right folks, thanks for the questions. We'll do it again next Monday after the Giants game. Have a great week. Peace.
JERRY LODRIGUSS / Inquirer staff photographer
Jumping for joy is Correll Buckhalter after scoring a touchdown. His mood echoed that of many fans.
