Oh, when the Saints, come marchin' in

by number5 on Sep 17, 2009 1:47 AM EDT Comment 58 comments

The Eagles looked very impressive this first game, against a team that made it to the playoffs. We should be very content with the win except for the outcome for our franchise QB Donovan McNabb. So here's some key matchups for week 2, and this is the scenario if McNabb DOESN'T play. Enjoy!

Matchup 1

Kevin Kolb vs Saints Defense

A lot of Eagles fans hate this dude, some on this blog love him still. So riddle me this. Isn't being a pro about making big plays on short notice? Or what about being called on in difficult situations? Johnny Unitas played off the bench in Superbowl III for Earl Morrall and won. Sure he would be better if he practiced a full week with the starters. I bet that would have helped out the other two Panther quarterbacks. But that's when as a back up you should be paying attention to everything the starters do so when something like this happens, you won't drag down your team. Honestly, I see him as a bust, and I think the Eagles signed Vick to add something now and after McNabb. That's right I'm saying Vick is our guy after McNabb retires. But Kolb has another opportunity to prove the haters wrong. Seriously, I WANT TO BE WRONG. We'll see how effective Kolb is against a poor defense.

Matchup 2

Brian Westbrookvs Saints Defense (LB's and DL)

And Reid wont admit he feels unconformable with Kolb. But I think he acknowledges that he may need to run a different style of attack for this week against the Saints. I am predicting and saying the smartest way to win this game is to let Brian Westbrook attempt to run for 30 times or more. Yeah Andy might not like it but Kolb doesn't have the same vertical game as McNabb and we can win like the Vikings did against the Browns. Let the running backs carry the load and let Kolb make the 3rd and 5's passes. Brian Westbrook can pull record breaking performance against this poor defense.

Matchup 3

Reggie Bush vs Eagles Defense and Special Teams

Reggie isnt the normal up their middle running back. Thats why he's good and why also he isn't starting. Every play he is a potential threat. We need to purse to the football every play otherwise he's gonna break it deep. I'm watching Sheldon Brownthis game (hehehe).

Matchup 4

Drew Breesvs Secondary and Pass Rush

Yead it was the Lions, but he threw 6 TD's (and 1 INT). It was the first time a QB threw 6 TD's in week 1. He should have split the MVP title last year and broke Dan Marino's record. This year he'll be on a vengeance. It will be more important the DB's can hold against this machine than Kolb scoring. Hopefully we can hold our own.

EXTRA: FANTASY STARTS AND SITS

START'EM

Drew Brees- He'll rack up the stats, hopefully not the win.

Eagles D- They got me 23 points last game, (yahoo) they will get some turnovers to help out the offense.

Brian Westbrook- The D will get worked, he got me 12 points last week aganist a ok Defense. Plus I see a ground game this week to replace the production of a pass attack.

SIT'EM

Reggie Bush- If the Eagles can stop Deangleo Williams, then they can stop this guy

ANY EAGLES WR's- If Donovan doesn't play, I see less TD's plus more of a ground game without McNabb

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Comments

dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb...

comment in about vick taking over after Don retires. That’ll be in like 5 yrs.

by NJEagle on Sep 17, 2009 2:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not Dumb. Good post.

But let’s hope:
1. Kolb pulls through
2. McNabb retires as a SB winning Eagle in ‘like 5 years’, not moves on without a SB in 1-2.
3. Vick doesn’t have to get the call, at all. (He will start slowing down soon, and his speed seems to be his biggest benefit unless he can learn to play from a pocket.)

I prefer when D.McNabb runs to any Wildcat option. It works. Why do you have to go and get all fancy about it with WackyCat options? Eagles are a great team but they have always sucked with trick plays.

I just hope McNabb still wants to run this season after cracking his rib in game 1.

by IggleGrrrreen(F-da-rest!) on Sep 17, 2009 6:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vick

will be nothing more than trade bait for the Eagles. He’s NOT our future QB, he is an athletic weapon, but he’s not a spectacular QB.

"What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."- Sheldon Brown on his pounding of Reggie Bush in the '06 Playoffs

by jalarsen1 on Sep 17, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Smitty2K3 on Sep 17, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+7

for your sig

by Manoovi on Sep 17, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kolb

Is a different QB than McNabb with a different skill set. He’ll be a great West Coast QB, short, quick, accurate passing…probably similar to Jeff Garcia, but Kolb has a stronger arm.

he may need to run a different style of attack for this week against the Saints

Of course this is true. Garcia was successful b/c the game-plan was changed (after he was named starter) to fit his skill set. Kolb is not going to go out there and be McNabb…NOBODY is saying that. But we don’t think he’s going to lose the game for us, and Andy is pretty good about “putting his players in the best position to win”.

by jalarsen1 on Sep 17, 2009 8:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hated that

we ran the ball so well that season after mcnabb went down, and then the next season we abandon the run! the run works, go with it!

RIP JJ & HK
Let the future judge Michael Vick

by BadCo'09 on Sep 17, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That drove me crazy too

That game-plan with the short, quick pass, and the heavy dose of running that Garcia ran worked SO well, I wanted them to use it when McNabb came back…I kept thinking…if we’re playing this well w/ Garcia, imagine if McNabb runs this…

Next season…pass, pass, pass

by jalarsen1 on Sep 17, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Overall...

Good take…I would expect a strong running game this week.

by jalarsen1 on Sep 17, 2009 8:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's how I see it.

1. I am looking to our O-Line to be more consistent and get a better push inthe run game. The more we can control the clock and leave less time on the board for Breesus and Co. the better.
2. Kolb has to get into a rythm early, not go 3 and out on the first drive. Confidence, confidence, confidence.
3. Brees has to be rattled. I think getting a strong pass rush with just the front four is important. Maybe using Nickel package on second downs since Pierre Thomas is still out.
4. Special Teams needs to be special. The ‘Aints aren’t known for dominant ST under Payton(unless R. Bush PR) and they aren’t too hot this year either. If we can win the field position battle and leave a long field for Brees and Co and contnue to rotate our D line, QB penetration could really pick up if his O-line tires.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OK, correction. Now Pierre Thomas is set to return. The thing that bothers me the most is if we don’t disguise our blitzes well enough Brees can dissect anyone with a wicked Hot Read.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kolb will light it up this weekend. There, I said it. Someone had to.

"THIS IS NOT COLLEGE NO MORE. THIS IS THE BIG MAN SPORT." ~Crazy Lady on BGN forums

by southjersey89 on Sep 17, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rather see our defense continue to light it up...but that would be a nice surprise!

by 5 plus 10 equals 6 on Sep 17, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kind of agree. I don’t know if he will light it up in the sense that he’s going to throw for 350 yards and 5 TDs but I think he will have a good game.

Kevin Kolb is no McNabb, we’ve been spoiled but the kid will do well, having Westbrook and McCoy behind him will definitely make life easier.

Jim Johnson 1941-2009

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Sep 18, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Things to consistently drive home against the Saints

1) Our pass rush is much better then their blocking. Expect a wide array of hurries, knockdowns, and sacks.
2) Drew Brees might be the best in the NFL at picking apart defenses in the pocket. That’s where it ends – he’s very easily flustered, and that’s what separates Manning and Brady from him. He gets his stats against bad defenses, and plays down to mid-league level against the really tenacious ones. Expect to see a wide-eyed Brees as long as McDermott keeps his foot on the pedal.
3) Their running game consists of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. This could not make me happier.
4) Their defense is really not good. Our slated starting quarterback is really not good. Our running game, both with the back’s skillsets and the offensive line’s run blocking prowess, is really very good. Kolb shouldn’t drop back to pass any more than 20 times this game.
5) Expect to watch the Leonard Weaver show.

by cwel87 on Sep 17, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope we utilize Buckley this week too. I think his north/south style would be great agianst the Saints.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn’t Pierre Thomas hurt? Aren’t they running with Mike Bell?

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Sep 17, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Thomas will be back.

But expect to see Bell. He played well last week and I’m guessing Payton doesn’t want to work Thomas too hard this week.

by NOLACuse on Sep 17, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Love that clip!

Reggie is still rubbing dirt in that wond

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the NFL, son.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on Sep 17, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Favorite Hit EVER

2. Trotter laying a cheap shot nearly killing Jeff Feagles on a Punt Return.
3. Dawkins crushing Crumpler in the NFC title game which pretty much made him ineffective the rest of the game.

If only that Bush hit would have knocked him out for the entire game…Probably would have helped our cause in that game considering he bounced back and had a decent game afterwards. I love the fact that he was still spitting and on all fours for like a minute after…awesome.

by 5 plus 10 equals 6 on Sep 17, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Favorite hits continued

4 Dawkins Suplex of Redskins reciever
5 Dawkins smashing Vick at the goal line, before the game BDawk told reporters “Vick isnt going to score on me”
6 Hugh Doublas sacks Shaun King during Playoff game agaisnt Bucks forceing a fumble- Mike Mamulas recoverd on the 15

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn you all!

I had to go youtube these hits and wound up watching Dawk highlights for 1/2 an hour. Man do I miss that guy.

by captain nodar on Sep 17, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude Im there with you

I put the weapon X highlight tape on the Denver blog
… Bastards

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

O B-Dawk...we MISS you!!!!!

He just absolutely epitomizes what every eagle fan loves about football…and yes…his highlight reel is Filthy Awesome…

by 5 plus 10 equals 6 on Sep 17, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Dawkins-on-Crumpler hit actually made Alge ineffective for the rest of his career.

by cwel87 on Sep 17, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA...guess your right on that one...dude got scared..then he got fat lol

by 5 plus 10 equals 6 on Sep 17, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Broke a rib

Didnt he devastate Ttoomer on MNF? Broke his ribs..

by SFCEAGFAN on Sep 17, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he got his taint ripped off

i think he was fined for that one too

RIP JJ & HK
Let the future judge Michael Vick

by BadCo'09 on Sep 17, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

toomer

he ended toomers season. got flagged/fined for hitting a defenseless wr, but was the most awesome hit i think ive ever seen by dawk. He put his helmet into toomers chest. He was pretty wobbly after the hit and came out for a series. I live in north jersey and had to hear them cry bout that one.

"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."

by greenbean#twoOH on Sep 18, 2009 3:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who all is going to the game this week?

Im heading up for it from maryland for some pregame festivities!

by ssean2266 on Sep 17, 2009 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'll be at the game...

this is my first post, i’ve been reading the site since the beginning of training camp and loving it….. i’m hoping to get to the stadium by 10 or so to have some quality pregame festivities!

by DannyL on Sep 17, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’re there around 7:30 behind Jetro.

I'm not drunk I'm just drinking.

by no1pipelayer on Sep 17, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i have a feeling its going to be really crowded considering its the home opener

by ssean2266 on Sep 17, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GOOD POST..............

for the most part, i hate to admit it but i kinda agree with you about KOLB being a potential bust. I really , really hope he proves me wrong and shows somtin worth seein this weekend. I think he still has a couple more chances to prove hes not a bust. However , and correct me if im wrong but i think he put up huge numbers in college but wasnt Houston like a all pass offense??
NOW to the Westbrook part, i agree we have to run run run and run somemore if we are going to win. But 30 carries for Westy?? Are u tryin to get him hurt already this early in the season ???? I would think more along the lines of like maybe him and Mccoy splittin the carries with like anywhere between 18-20 apiece, and then maybe 3-5 carries each for buck and the Weave-man.
ALL-IN ALL i see this being a very tough game and even if we had a healthy #5 i still would think that.
MY PREDICTION : EAGLES 34 – SAINTS 27

by goldenbird09 on Sep 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

be prepared for a lot of dual rb sets

"Leave Michael Alone!" - said like that Brittany Spears fan on youtube

by sports00fan00 on Sep 17, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weaver – Buckley up the Gut!!! Westy in the Slot Jackson and Maclin out Wide…..

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

exciting

RIP JJ

by MeanGreen5 on Sep 17, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I would have used McCoy inthe backfiel but Buckley’s North South running would be good in this game

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you kiddin' me?

Westy can handle and he would LOVE 30 carries

R.I.P, Air McNair & JJ

by number5 on Sep 18, 2009 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s really funny how you guys keep talking about Kolb and Vick having any future with the team when neither is signed beyond next year.

They’re going to draft a QB this year or next and this time they’ll make the right call. They’ll make it a priority to scout the college talent. They’ll look at LeFevour, McCoy, Snead, Pike, etc. And then that QB will be given an opportunity to compete for a starting job in 2011.

Vick is not capable of being a starting QB anymore, and Kolb is yet another addition to the long list of 2nd round QBs who have been absolute failures in the NFL stretching back nearly 2 decades. Of those taken in the last decade, only Drew Brees has been a long term starting QB, and he was drafted at #34; practically a first round pick.

I’m just bracing you guys for what’s to come so you don’t get up in an uproar when they take a QB instead of an OT, WR, FS, or RB with their first pick.

by ZorkNemesis on Sep 17, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

dont forget

Brett Favre was taken in the early second round (i think #34) by the Falcons way back when….

by birds'n'raiders on Sep 17, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. He didn’t finish his career with the Falcons because he was an asshole and the organization couldn’t tolerate him. I don’t understand the implication. Kolb is not some fucking superquarterback in waiting. David Carr is a better Houston QB than he is.

by ZorkNemesis on Sep 17, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know ill get slammed for this but...

What about Tebow? i dont watch florida so i dont know how he is but is he going to be a good QB at the pro level? He kinda reminds me of #5

Im sure ill get chewed up and spit out by you guys but in my fantasy world he would look nice in a eagles uniform

by ssean2266 on Sep 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As an H-Back

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 17, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking

if the Michael Vick Experiment works out, and Big Red falls in love with Option/wildcat/spread, then it is a real possibility to see Vick traded and someone us drafting Tebow, LeFevour, or Terrell Pryor (2 years).

by birds'n'raiders on Sep 17, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pryor will be a top 5… we will NOT be in position to draft him.

Or at least we had better not be.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on Sep 17, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pryor was overhyped going into college

I don’t need his idiocy on my team anyway. Let’s just continue to avoid stupid players altogether please.

by cwel87 on Sep 17, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

pryor reminds me of russell

and i dont want him for it

RIP JJ & HK
Let the future judge Michael Vick

by BadCo'09 on Sep 17, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think you’d get chewed out for asking a question about Tebow. I’ve actually seen a lot of debate on this very question. Right now, the side that seems to be “winning” (best term i could think of) is that Tebow won’t really be an NFL quarterback but could be converted to something like a TE or an H-Back and then used on trick plays and what-have you. I know I’m very curious to see where Tebow gets drafted and if he can hack it as an NFL qb.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Sep 17, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tebow is a slow running quarterback who can’t throw. There are plenty of running quarterbacks who can’t throw coming out of college who are faster and stronger. The reason why Tebow is successful in college is because half of the defensive players on college teams at the collegiate level are planning on becoming accountants or biologists after they graduate. All that his success illustrates is how easy it is for a player under the right coaching to be successful in the FBS. Look at all the great USC offensive players who disappeared once they entered the NFL. All that bullshit about intangibles and leadership doesn’t mean a fucking thing if you don’t have the physical tools to compete against NFL players. Tebow is best served in the NFL by converting to TE or FB. Which is hardly first day draft material.

by ZorkNemesis on Sep 17, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His throwing motion is complete shit

by cwel87 on Sep 17, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kolb

I am not a “Kolb lover” as you point out but I think calling him a bust is not a vaild assessment until he gets at least one chance. The comparisons to Johnny Unitas are not valid since, well, he was Johnny Unitas. Just because a guy is not Johnny Unitas does not qualify as a bust. And using the Baltimore game is absurd since Kolb’s stats were actually better than McNabb’s. Yes, he looked like crap in the Carolina game. i will give you that. But as others have pointed out, you have to run your offense differently for Kolb than you do for McNabb. McNabb, as great as he is, is not really a West Coast QB. Kolb supposedly is.

Kolb will not supplant McNabb but let’s get behind this guy and support him until he REALLY proves he is a bust. If he sucks it up on Sunday, I’ll be right there with you on Monday calling him a bust. Until then, I am going to have faith he can play at this level and play well enough to lead this team to a victory.

by Dawk on Sep 17, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs