Eagles flop in opener
Packers 27, Eagles 20
Eagles flop in opener
Rich Hofmann, Daily News Sports Columnist
Put it this way: the Eagles could not have written a darker, more wretched start to their 2010 season -- not without a pharmaceutical assist, anyway.
Quarterback Kevin Kolb played a bad first half and then suffered a concussion. Middle linebacker Stewart Bradley also suffured a concussion. Fullback Leonard Weaver reportedly tore his ACL, which would end his season. Center Jamaal Jackson, whose knee was worrying everybody, instead messed up his elbow and was forced out of the game.
And on and on it went, in a 27-20 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Even if Michael Vick made things interesting/entertaining by running for more than 100 yards and leading the Eagles to 17 second-half points, there is no way to spin this one in a positive way. It was awful.
Questions outnumbered answers by an incaculable number.
How could the offense have been so bad with Kolb in there? His numbers in two quarters: 5-for-10 for 24 yards, and with only a field goal to show for his time -- and, to be fair, that was set up by a big Vick scramble.
How could Kolb and Bradley both talk their way back onto the field after suffering their concussions? Bradley tried to stand up after hitting his helmet against teammate Ernie Simms' knee and then fell again like the Flyers' Sami Kapanen in that Flyers player game several years ago against Toronto. Yet he missed only three plays before returning. As for Kolb, he was driven into the turf by the Packers' Clay Matthews, looked woozy, and was described as having a jaw injury -- but he also returned for a three-and-out series near the end of the second quarter. It was only after halftime that the concussions were announced in the press box.
How could the defense, which really played pretty well in the first half, go so completely soft at times in the second half without Bradley?
What will they do at fullback without Weaver -- assuming the ominous reports are true? There isn't another true fullback on the roster, after all.
And what about Vick? He was anything but efficient or consistent -- but he rambled and rollicked the Eagles back into the ballgame against the Packers, and there is no denying that.
When might Kolb be back?
And Bradley?
And can they keep this mess from carrying over into next week against the Lions?
Questions.
Freewheelin' Mike Vick.— road515
Comment removed.
What drives me nuts is the fact we could not get a 4th and 1 when that has KILLED us the last few years. I knew Kolb would struggle, that was going to happen, I just can't believe we could not get a one yarde. Totally on Reid.— zonaindie2- Vick showed he deserves to start over Klod...wow, a mobile QB with a strong arm ,been to 3 pro bowls, wish the eagles had a QB like him...oh wait...they did...he was exiled to DC. Brilliant!— mebphila
- Morningsickness does it again at the end of the game. Bad call on the most important play.. Where is Harry Schmeckel when we need him?— stoky
- even with mcnabb, this team would not be playoff caliber. they're in a rebuilding phase, clearly.— PYW
- This might have been the worst regular season coaching job of Andy's career, certainly in the top 5!— jimmyj
- Before the 4th and 1 disaster, it was 2nd and 1 and Vick ran. Why not throw it far down the field? If he misses, it is 3rd and 1. And the clock stops. And on another play, why did Andy call the timeout when it became a first down for GB? He still doesn't know how to use the timeouts.— P Even
- once again offensive coaching weakness is shown in the last 6-7 minutes of the game with play calling and time management. vick looked real good and ready.— escapedcamden4monterey
Wow, just heard JJ is out for the season. Whatta tough break...Eagles have their work cut out for them. Hope Kolb and Bradley are OK.- Comment removed.
- The Eagles did pretty well against an elite team. I thought it would be worse. I still go with 6-10 for the season.— 4thand10
- ragaje......that was last years rant.......you notice you are the only one still on this rant.......there are several ofther teams you can root for if the Eagles really offend your sensibilities that much....let it go, move on.— philligrl
- The Weaver play should have never happened. It was a throw away first down and now he's gone. Reid is a bad game day coach. Bradley isn't that good anyway and never has been. He is Mr. Almost, great heart, can't finish. Kolb, a great looking practice quarterback, looks better than Jeff George in practice. He can't or doesn't know how to take the heat. Vick; played hard, but if Randall couldn't have done it Vick won't be able to do either. He'll just wind up getting hurt. Defense quit on team in second half. It's gonna be a long year!
- Seriously, where are all the Kolb lovers?? Lonewolf, you know Im talking to you. The man looked as mobile as a lead statue and forced more moves than a desperate virgin in a brothel. He was ridden hard and wet, like agony, into the diet and honest, I hope he has fallen and can't get up. What a wortless pick that cost the team McNabb. Vick at least makes this horror show watchable.— mebphila
