First Down
Okay, Philadelphia, it’s time to have a chat.
As one of the many Eagles fans at Goingfor2 it really pains me to do this; I love the birds but maybe it’s time to accept the fact that this team might not be as good as we originally thought. After getting mollywhopped by DALLAS OF ALL PEOPLE on Sunday night the Eagles sit a 3-4 and are in the middle of the hardest part of their schedule. It’s been tough sledding but it’s about to get a lot tougher.
- Week 8: @Buffalo
- Week 9: Chicago
- Week 10: Bye
- Week 11: Patriots
- Week 12: Seahawks
Three of those four games are at home but the opponents are nothing to sneeze at. Throw in the fact that Dallas has a two game lead in the division and it’s a hard hill to climb. Yes, the Eagles have been dealing with major injuries, again (by the way, maybe it’s time to start talking about this medical staff) but at some point and time you have to overcome those things. They did in 2018 and it led to a Super Bowl.
So, outside of that, what do the Eagles have to fix to turn the ship around? Put the kids to bed because this could take some time.
First: let’s talk about coaching. Doug Pederson has not been the same this year. One could even say that since Frank Reich and John DeFilippo left the offense has looked average at best. The creativity is not there. Getting this team in a rhythm seemed to be easier in 2017/2018 but since then it just seems to be a grind to score touchdowns. Doug Pederson is still a great coach but it’s clear he has some work to do on the X’s and O’s side of things. Since their Super Bowl victory the Eagles have done a horrendous job at the beginning of games.
Slow starts are just killing the Eagles. Have trailed by 10-plus points in 6 of 7 games early, including 14-0 to Dallas right out of the gates. Were able to cut deficit in half by end of first quarter, but always an uphill climb with this team.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) October 21, 2019
This all points to coaching.
While we’re on the topic of Doug, let’s get to his second problem. The team seems to be falling apart internally. Sunday after the game Lane Johnson claimed that it was time to start calling people out.
Lane Johnson on next team meeting
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“Really its gonna probably be a callout session. Everybody will be held accountable. Little stuff that slides during the week, late to practice, late to meetings. Stuff will be held accountable for. I think that will maybe creep into the games” pic.twitter.com/TveM5JCXC1
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 21, 2019
The next day Malcolm Jenkins made an appearance on a local radio station and addressed Lane’s comments.
Malcolm Jenkins responds to Lane Johnson saying that players have been "late to practices and meetings." #Eagles | #On94WIP🎙️ pic.twitter.com/LQmDiGPh8t
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 21, 2019
Wait, there’s more!
Last week Josina Anderson claimed that someone in the Eagles’ locker room contacted her with some tea on Carson Wentz, the Eagles not landing Jalen Ramsey, and the offense in general.
#Eagles player to me on Jalen Ramsey going to the #Rams: "We dropped the ball. I don't even want to talk about that (!@#^). Everybody knew what it was going to take to get him. I could've told you that."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 17, 2019
Many believe that the mole is Alshon since he and Josina have a close relationship. Honestly, it doesn’t matter who spoke to her. The point is the ship is taking on too much water and Doug isn’t patching them fast enough. When he was hired the main selling point was his “emotional intelligence” and his ability to manage a locker room. That’s not happening right now and it needs to be fixed, now.
On the other side of the ball Jim Schwartz, with all the injuries to defense, refuses to adjust and help his secondary. He consistently leaves corners on islands and the results are always the same: big plays for opposing offenses.
The second issue with this team is simple: personnel.
The team’s inability to draft well has come home to roost. Sidney Jones can’t stay healthy and when he is the only time he’s on TV it’s because another receiver has torched him for a big play. Rasul Douglas has had bright moments but he, too, gets burned a lot.
Well, all the corners get burned pretty regularly.
Since 2016 the Eagles have drafted 27 players. Of those players only one has made a pro-bowl (Carson) and only 9 of those 27 players are starters. That’s not even close to good enough.
That blame goes to the feet of Howie Roseman.
This team is a mess at the moment but that doesn’t mean it’s over. A win against Buffalo puts the Eagles at 4-4 with a very easy schedule after the Seahawks.
Let’s hope the locker room doesn’t crumble before then.
Second Down
Jalen Ramsey came out like a bandit.
After demanding a trade and being out for a few weeks with back issues Ramsey got his wish and was traded to the Rams.
Breaking: Jaguars trade CB Jalen Ramsey to Rams for two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/N9CcrZR1e7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 15, 2019
A lot of people are saying that’s too high of a price but for one of, if not the best, corner in the game.
After the trade Ramsey sat down with Ryan Clark to give some insight on how things went south in Jacksonville.
It’s a great watch if you have the time. The main takeaway is that Ramsey felt disrespected by the front office (i.e. Tom Coughlin) and there was no coming back from that. On some level I think all of us can understand where he’s coming from.
How many of us would love to not only stick up to our boss but leverage our talent to get into a better situation?
Granted, in order for that to work you have to be one of the best at what you do so think twice before dropping WWE promos in your boss’ office.
Third Down
The only interesting story from Monday night was NFL Films letting this gem hit the airwaves.
#Jets Sam Darnold: “I’m seeing ghosts.”pic.twitter.com/l2qetCKdyw
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 22, 2019
As one can imagine, the Jets, and Sam‘s teammates didn’t take too kindly to that.
Adam Gase was not happy the Monday Night Football broadcast allowed Sam Darnold’s "seeing ghosts" comment to be heard on the air: “We’’ll be looking into that pretty hard."
(via @SNYtv) pic.twitter.com/C20IgWxTw7
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 22, 2019
The NFL screwed Sammy over…there’s not one player in the NFL who’s cool with having every sideline convo broadcasted to millions…there’s a reason we’ve never heard other QB’s frustrated on the sideline like that before…that’s crazy, @NFL did Sam dirty as hell https://t.co/2XmYXNTNoL
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) October 22, 2019
So you’re probably asking; what’s the big deal?
Being mic’d up during and NFL game is a privilege players have given NFL Films for decades. It gives fans a deeper look into the game and the chess match as it happens in real time. The rule, unwritten or not, is that NFL Films never release footage of teams talking about strategy, language not suitable for children, and things that may paint players in an unfavorable light.
Now should Sam be ashamed that Bill Belichick confused him? Absolutely not. Bill has made many a young, and old, quarterback look foolish with his defense.
It’s the principle, and that’s one thing we all can cheer the Jets on.
Fourth Down
Let’s pick these winners and possibly earn you some money, cool? Last week I posted a 9-5 record and that brings me up to 33-22 since week 3. Winners are in red.
Thursday Night
Washington @ Minnesota
Sunday Afternoon
Seattle @ Atlanta
Los Angeles Charges @ Chicago
New York Giants @ Detroit
New York Jets @ Jacksonville
Cincinnati @ Los Angeles Rams
Tampa Bay @ Tennessee
Philadelphia @ Buffalo
Denver @ Indianapolis
Arizona @ New Orleans
Carolina @ San Francisco
Oakland @ Houston
Cleveland @ New England
Sunday Night
Green Bay @ KC
Monday Night
Miami @ Pittsburgh
Extra Points
Antonio Brown has lost his everloving mind.
Antonio Brown's grievance to recoup some his $30 million in guaranteed money took a hit in discovery when the @Raiders submitted multiple text messages from Brown to owner Mark Davis, asking for his release, per sources. The Raiders obliged Sept. 7.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 20, 2019
The Chargers just keep finding the most heartbreaking ways to lose.
Watch the impact @GrindSimmons94 (9️⃣8️⃣) made on the @Titans final defensive snap (vs 7️⃣5️⃣) vs @Chargers, which resulted in fumble caused by @WoodDro52, and @Jurrellc’s recovery. @616evans4 was also physical in meeting Melvin Gordon at goal-line. pic.twitter.com/F2BqZYcZLw
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) October 21, 2019
THE DISRESPECT (MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS, PLEASE)
Dirty Bird in ATL… Gerald Everett didn't have to do that 🤭
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/hc8zJytC0K
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 20, 2019
As always, thanks for reading.
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