Ron Glover’s NFL Week 11 Recap
Anquan Boldin is playing like a man possessed, in yesterday’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks Boldin recorded 13 receptions for 186 yards. The Arizona Cardinals were able to hold off a late rally from the Seahawks to win 26-20 and keep their division title hopes alive.
Eagles 13 – Bengals 13: The low point of the season and possibly Andy Reid’s tenure in Philadelphia. As much as I have defended Donovan McNabb over the years, his play yesterday was inexcusable.
Cowboys 14 – Redskins 10: Marion Barber helped close the Redskins out in the last five minutes, the return of Tony Romo gave them a boost despite unimpressive numbers.
Steelers 11 – Chargers 10: The Steelers nearly cost themselves the game due to so many penalties. One of the few teams in the league that can will themselves to a victory.
Titans 24 – Jaguars 14: The Titans spotted the Jags an 11-point lead before Kerry Collins and Justin Gage connected twice to improve to 10-0.
Cardinals 26 – Seahawks 20: The Cardinals progression has become one of the better stories of this season.
Niners 35 – Rams 16: Maybe the Niners can carry some momentum into Dallas next week.
Packers 37 – Bears 3: I expected a closer contest than this.
Dolphins 17 – Raiders 15: The ‘Phins can now focus on sweeping the Patriots next week.
Buccaneers 19 – Vikings 13: Even with a loss the Vikings are still in the division hunt, but the blew a big opportunity yesterday.
Giants 30 – Ravens 10: Is Brandon Jacobs a reincarnate of Bo Jackson???
Saints 30 – Chiefs 20: The Saints gain a game on the Falcons, their December 7th meeting will be huge.
Colts 33 - Texans 27: I believe the Colts are back.
Panthers 31 – Lions 22: Let’s see if the Panthers can put the division away in next three weeks against Green Bay, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
Broncos 24 – Falcons 20: No excuse for the Falcons to drop this one at home.
Jets 34 – Patriots 31: Just when I say this team hasn’t beaten anyone, they beat the Bills and Pats within three weeks.
Ron Mcnabbs play was horrible (even though I didn’t see the game)
I don’t remember any QB that has thrown the ball 60 times and didn’t have a poor percentage and about 3 or more picks.
58 passes and 18 runs is just ignorant. And just confirms my thoughts the last few years that Andy and Lurie are trying to set Mcnabb up for failure.
Rememeber when the giants kept sacking Mcnabb last year. Yet Andy kept passing and passing. I am sure this game was the same.
We all know that Mcnabb will be the scapegoat at the end of this season. All I want is the brotha to still be alive after the season. Because no freaking QB can live in this league passing 70% and no team can win running th eball 30%. This ain’t the Fing CFL or Arena football.
One more thing just to show how they are setting Mcnabb up for failure. Realize as the season goes on and it gets older, teams run the ball more. Yet whne Mcnabb is in and the season gets into the colder months Reid passes more and more.
Now ask yourself if feely or Kolb were the QBs starting yesterday…..do you think Reid throws the ball 58 times???????
I’m out of answers with this team, McNabb s/b in a position by now where I’m sure he has some say so into what they run. If he doesn’t he’s a fool.
Fifty-Eight passes THREE went to Brian Westbrook. McNabb wasn’t sacked once and could’ve written a novel back there with the time that he had. He chose not to run and even worse with the time he had still found a way to throw behind receivers and get the ball tipped at the line. He stood back there with all the protection in the world, saw recievers covered and still tried to force the ball instead of running. What’s that about?
If no one in that locker room questions the playcalling of this staff they’re nuts. I’m all but done with this team.
I hear you thebrother but like I said to all eagle fans at the begining of the year its the same old same old. True mcnabb struggled, but wouldn’t a fing coach choose to run th eball if the QB is off???
Why would you throw 58 times against one of the worst rushing teams in the league.
Last I mean how is Mcnabb suppose to run and take over the game. I have explained this to Philly fans on that dumb eagles forum. The dude is 32 with a bad knee and has had leg injuries. Ain’t no running taking over games anymore those days are done.
Man I bet Mcnabb doesn’t even run a 4.9, 40. Those leg injuries and father time have taken his speed and quickness away.
Mcnair, Brunnel nor Cunningham ran that much once they got that age. That was due to the toll the injuries took. Only Steve Young, is a QB who I remember that ran alot at this late of age. But one he never had leg injuries and 2 he really didn’t play in SF so that helped extend his playing career.
Oh well like I said before just don’t get hurt Mcnabb. You will be in Chicago or with the vikings next year.
Also it should be clear to every eagles fan that Reid has always been a poor play caller and talent evaluator. Mcnabbs arm and legs have won games for this team for years. Yet when father time has taken Mcnabb’s legs away a smart coach would then put talent around his QB. But nooooo lets throw it even more.
But ain’t this the story with most starting black QBs in the NFL????
Isn’t that what Denver did (get better players for Elway) when injuries and father time took away Elway’s legs????
Yeap.
You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know. I realize he’s 32 and doesn’t run like he used to. he was holding the ball 6-7 seconds.
Now I’m not the smartest guy in the world but I know if he’s got that much time that means 1. EVERYBODY’S COVERED! and 2. He can take off and get yardage. I’m not confusing him with Vick or anyone else, he can still move and he chose to sit back there yesterday and roll the dice, hence the three picks and a fumble.
The Steeler game was all about the officials. Tomlinson never should have been anywhere near the goal line to score that touchdown. Vincent Jackson clearly pushed off and was never interfered with on his route.
Polamalu clearly scored what should have been a touchdown.
Funny how the Bengals took the Giants and Eagles to overtime.
I told you the Falcons were going to come back to earth. They’re simply not that good. By the way, if Vick had a receiver like Roddy White, I’m sure he’d have done much better than he did. That’s not to mention a back like Michael Turner. The Falcons are mediocre, but they’ve been lucky. Turner’s versatility and White’s skill have been the unspoken keys to this team.
Don’t you feel better about the Packers now? I bet they won’t be ranked #23 next week.
How ’bout those Niners?
The Titans are going to be a tough out. Somehow people have forgotten that Kerry Collins’ problem wasn’t talent — it was alcohol. When he was at Penn State, he lit it up. He’s always been able to throw the deep ball. He took a team to the Super Bowl. It’s not like he’s a scrub or ever was a scrub. He had off the field issues that undermined his performance. If those are squarely behind him, this team will be very difficult to beat.
I remember when folks pronounced the Colts dead before the Patriot game — not you. But, it was like they forgot the schedule has 16 games — and that this team has won 12 or 13 games in a row, has won a Super Bowl, and has solid coaching, but was just really banged up. If the playoffs started today, they’d be in and some other pre-season favorites (San Diego, New England) would be home watching Donovan’s soup commercials.
Did Andy get high with his kids? Otherwise, the play calling makes no sense whatsoever. I can’t anything more than has already been said. I feel your pain — I just wish the Steelers had an O-line, then you could add Pittsburgh to your head scratching roll call. Playoffs look like a LONG SHOT.
I’m ready to find out where the Reid kids get their supply, thanks to their old man, I’m at that point.
Clean house and bring Bill Cowher in, I don’t care who goes.
That would be terrible. I’d hate to see Cowher coaching the Eagles.
Changes gotta be made, I can’t bail on the franchise but damn.
That’s one of those things that is simply mind boggling. There is no good reason for it. Reid spent enough time with the Packers to know that Edgar Bennett was as much a part of those SB contending teams as Favre. The Eagles almost always look out of sync to me. They don’t run the ball often enough to maintain offensive rhythm and get defenses off balance. Aside from the Dallas game at the beginning of the year (that seems like eons ago), I can’t recall a quality offensive performance against a good team. I suppose the Giants game wasn’t so bad…
“That’s one of those things that is simply mind boggling. There is no good reason for it. Reid spent enough time with the Packers to know that Edgar Bennett was as much a part of those SB contending teams as Favre. The Eagles almost always look out of sync to me. They don’t run the ball often enough to maintain offensive rhythm and get defenses off balance. Aside from the Dallas game at the beginning of the year (that seems like eons ago), I can’t recall a quality offensive performance against a good team. I suppose the Giants game wasn’t so bad…”
Couldn’t agree more. Also don’t forget about Dorsey Levens too when he was in green bay.
Thats why I say this is fishy, when Garcia, feely or any other QB comes in all of a sudden the passes go from 70% to 75% to like 50%.
So it seems as though reid is trying to protect the backup QB with the run.
Any fing fool knows you can’t pass 70% plus and expect defenses to play honest. Especially when you have absolute garbage at WR.
Its common freaking sense.
Can forget Dorse of course ’cause he was the Work Horse.
LOL.
I feel your pain.
Can’t add too much than what’s already been said about what’s going down with the Eagles this season and yesterday’s game was the lowest point of the season. McNabb played horribly yesterday but over a ten year career if this is the first 3 INT game I can live with it. My gripe is that Reid should know how to call a better game and McNabb, going back to his decade in the same system, should know how manage a game better.
D’Nabb looked lost yesterday which is puzzling at the least and unacceptable at the worst. I don’t know if he’s playing out the string but he owes it to his team, forget the fans and the front office, to come out ready to lead with his play and example as a professional.
I still wear my black Eagles #5 proudly because my loyalty isn’t built on a single game but to see a team with this much talent on both sides of the ball struggle is sad. Sad because McNabb is in the prime of his career and will be gone before Reid. He will be the one scapegoated once this team goes to a smashmouth mindset and everything he accomplished will be greeted with a sneer by fans who won’t bother to look deeper into the situation. He’ll be looked at as another Philly loser who didn’t have the guts, the savvy, or the intelligence to win a championship and that will be the true shame in all this.
So yeah, I’m angry about what happened yesterday and my anger is aimed at Reid, McNabb, and the Eagles but I’ll get over it. It’s still a game and I’ll still root for my team no matter who prowls the sideline or lines up behind center but when I see McNabb in the future lead another team to the heights he was never ALLOWED to reach in Philly then I’ll grit my teeth a little bit more.
I have no energy for this conversation. I’m numb regarding the Eagles. I will say that if Reid gets fired, you can bank on Cowher coaching Philly. He’d be a natural choice.
I think the Eagles need an offensive-minded coach. It doesn’t seem to me that Cowher’s greatest strengths (defense, motivation, risk-taking) are contributing factors to the Eagles’ failure to win a Super Bowl.
From where I’m sitting, the Eagles have not won a Super Bowl because they really have a tough game against the Patriots — a game they could have won. If they’d won that game, no one would really care about all this stuff. It’s all about perspective. With that said, the team was unable to climb the ladder before or since because they’ve lacked reliable receivers who were end zone threats.
The Eagle GM appears not to understand the game. If you use an undersized back like Westbrook, you have to have taller, sturdier receivers once you get in the Red Zone or teams will simply key on the little guy — and with less room to operate, your team will have difficulty scoring. Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are NOT scoring threats in the red zone. Hank Baskett is like a broken clock – no matter what else is going on, he’ll be right twice a day. The Eagles desperately need a player like Anquan Boldin or Dwayne Bowe who has the strength and attitude to score when the game is tight.
Until that happens, QBs who force passes will throw interceptions especially off of tipped passes that receivers miss because they’ve been fired in from close range.
McNabb isn’t the problem. The problem is that the hiring team and the marketing team refuse to talk to the engineers. Sad, sad.
I am an ‘outsider’ of Philly sports, but as a Falcon fan who experienced the Vick years, I see some similarities.
The lack of balance ,playmakers, or poor coaching paradigms usually follow most black QBs into the NFL… and a lot of it revolves around trying to turn black QBs into the next Joe Montana. And just because a black Qb plays the game a little differently– style wise– doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to have the same weapons someone like a ELI or Peyton or Brady has had over the years.
Vick and McNabb used their mobility and they were very successful in their early years, but the pressure from the old school media and haters to do things the ‘right way’ was always an underlining factor.
Vick was more determined to define the new era of dual threat Qbs, while McNabb was slowly conforming to the old school way of thinking.
Vick’s career was derailed first by poor coaching and supbar personnel thanks to Rich McKay and coaches like Greg Knapp (who lost his duties in Oakland)..and then the law ..With McNabb, his career slowly begun to crumble with that vicious hit from the Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson nearly four years ago when McNabb was ‘in the pocket’ like a REAL QB.
Brady appreciated the Patriots getting Corey Dillion and Randy Moss.
Peyton appreciated the Colts getting Edge and McNabb’s former teammate Marvin Harrison along with Reggie Wayne.
Big Ben appreciated the Steelers keeping Bettis and using Willie Parker.
Coach Reid has been successful in turning McNabb into an immobile West Coast QB and McNabb has limited himself by suppressing his ability to run. However, if you are going to do that, then you have to have a power running game to support McNabb, not a finesse running game and offensive scheme. Brian Westbrook has had some nice stats over the years and he is very versatile, but he is not in the same category as a more sturdy and productive Jerome Bettis, Eddie George, Earl Campbell or Emmitt Smith.
McNabb’s four consecutive NFC Championship appearances which started at the beginning of the decade was fueled by McNabb’s ability to get big yards when he really needed it, but the lack of a power running game was a detriment against the more stingier defenses–especially along the goal lone.
Vick had Warrick Dunn, an injury prone, smallish runner who wasn’t the answer, but management was determined to make it work. Dunn is very similar to Westbrook, but they have limitations and management continues to overlook it and keep taking for granted that their mobile, black superstar QB will cover any weaknesses.
In the 1980′s, Randall Cunningham was NFL MVP calibur QB , but he was a one man show because he was the chief playmaker… Keith Byars was a system RB who was more of a pass catcher. See the similarities? Randall Cunningham could have used a William Andrews or Gerald Riggs back in the day and would have been a better option for Cunningham than Byars.
Cunningham’s ability to run shouldn’t have been seen as a bad thing or a source of contempt by old school coaches. However, unfortunately it was and it still goes on today?
Why not draft a Adrian Peterson to go along with a McNabb? Or why not draft a Brandon Jacobs?
Eli had Tiki Barber for awhile, but Manning’s breakthrough in 2007 and the into 2008 is derived around a power running game led by the 6’4 264 Brandon Jacobs.
People are speculating about McNabb’s declining career in Philly, but until he gets a true franchise power running back in the mold of a Larry Johnson, Brandon Jacobs or a Jerome Bettis to take the pressure off McNabb, you are going to see 50 or 60 attempt pass games which won’t usually bode very well.
Coach Reid needs to go if he can’t or won’t change.
Why is ESPN keep holding on to McNabb’s ‘tie’ comments? Enough already..
To be honest, I think McNabb was being sarcastic about the tie, but he looked serious. The Eagles need to win that game and they didn’t. And they took a comment and trying to hit him over the head with it.
If Hasselback had said something like that or Trent Edwards would ESPN and the press continue to make an issue of this?
Patrick —
I agree with a great deal of what you’ve said. I certainly agree that McNabb needs a power back and a power scheme to complement his skills. I don’t believe, though, that he is capable of leading this team to the promised land (intentional lower case) with his legs. When the weather changes, teams need to be able to score touchdowns in the Red Zone in inclement weather. A QB running the ball is one of the worst ways to do that. I’d rather have a QB that is mobile, but who runs after passing options break down.
I think there are a lot of nuances to that conversation. Montana was supremely mobile, but he didn’t run much. Young was mobile and he often ran. Elway was mobile and ran less once the power scheme of Alex Gibbs and Terrell Davis changed that teams’ fortunes. Vick would have benefitted from Gibb’s approach, but he still needed that Big Receiver. The Falcons made a celebrated run after Peerless Price and they even featured TJ Duckett in the goal line offense. The Falcons even had Alge Crumpler as a great goal line option. That team had a ton of weapons. Remember the 34-34 tie game in Pittsburgh back in ’02? Price never panned out. Dunn was not injury prone to the extent that he missed games. He usually plays in every single game. Duckett was/is/will always be a one-dimensional player, but he had 2 TDs last week.
The problem with Atlanta, it seems to me, is that the team didn’t have a FEATURE power back. Duckett was not a feature back, but he was on the roster. Price probably spent too much time at Magic City or wherever else he may have been — but he had the table set for him to succeed in Atlanta. The Falcons, and I said this when Vick was still there, should have gone to the old Redskin scheme — two TE’s, lots of motion, play action and deep passing routes off of manipulations of the D-line. Dunn was a very good runner between the tackles. It just seems like teams always thought he’d get banged up. I can only recall 1 significant injury in his career.
Black QB’s have not played in a Classic Triplet scheme for the most part. When they have, they’ve shattered records. Exhibit A: Randall in Minnesota with Robert Smith, Moss and Cris Carter. To me, a classic triplet structure features a big-armed QB who can get the ball downfield to a dominant receiver. That receiver should have at least 75 catches, 1200 yards, 10 TDs and be able to consistently beat any coverage defenses throw their way. That means that player is going to have 5 or 6 100-yd games and maybe even a 200 yard game. The structure also features a back who can break tackles, move the pile and score in the Red Zone. That means 300 carries, 1250 yards and 10+ TDs.
Not too many Black QBs have ever played with complementary players like that. McNabb has never played in that situation. Carson Palmer has for years. You noted Manning. Romo is in essentially that position. It’s working wonders for Kurt Warner. It makes a huge difference — but with that said, I don’t believe a QB that is McNabb’s age (and with his health) would have been wise to continue running.
Black QBs have played both styles and succeeded. You don’t have to run to be a “black QB.” If Byron Leftwich were starting in Pittsburgh with a healthy Willie Parker and deep threats like Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, it would be ON! I like the guy we have now, and he can get it downfield, but not like Leftwich…not even close. Oddly enough, it seems like what Darren McFadden did on the fields of Fayetteville may do more to redefine the position than anything Michael Vick did.
Patrick —
One other thing…I think you have to take Brady off that list of yours. He won 2 Super Bowls without Corey Dillon and could have won a third were it not for the Tyree Miracle.
Charlie Weis, for all his failings at ND, came up with a very creative way to move the ball and score points while he was there. The Pats used Antowain Smith for their power running game and they still have Kevin Faulk who has converted more 3rd and 8 plays than any human being alive or dead.
Maybe it was the videotape.