Eagles are.... Soft?
by d-jackfan10 on Jan 13, 2010 10:31 PM EST
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PrintSo... I have finally figured out what I think is wrong with the Eagles. I pondered a lot of things, is it lack of talent? I ruled that out fairly quickly. Is it youth? Perhaps. But what I ultimately decide on was this, the culture surrounding the Eagles is all wrong.
Culture? Yes the behavior and beliefs of this Eagles team is ALL wrong. But how did the culture change so quickly? Well the Eagles lost just about every single meaningful leader they had.
Tra Thomas the, smart, intelligent, wily LT with all world ability thrown aside for Jason Peters who has all world ability but probably isn't as smart and surely isn't as motivated, it seems like he quits when the going gets tough.
Jon Runyan the tough guy, the wily old veteran RT who had seen anything and everything, gone.
"What Jon has brought to the offensive line is that temperament of his," said Andy Reid. "He is going to maul you and beat you up and feel pretty good about doing it. That's been contagious all the way across the line."
That attitude is gone and who replaces him? The original replacement was Shawn Andrews who doesn't have anything that even seems like toughness, attitude or aggressiveness instead he would rather sit around with his pink mohawk talking about how he feels he was forced into football due to his size and sing about Michael Phelps smoking weed in his basement. Then surprise surprise Shawn Andrews is lost for the year (it should be noted that Jon Runyan had started 209 straight games, true iron man) and who replaces him? Winston Justice who 'luckily' for us is now extended! Woo! One might think Winston Justice changed since his complete ass whooping that he was handed by the Giants but he hasn't he is the same ole' Winston except now he is just playing RT.
"If they don't bite when they're puppies, they're not going to bite when they're grown dogs, It just doesn't look like he has any fight in him. If you look at his demeanor, it's like he's not even a football player.''
And he is the same guy, the guy who goes on his blog a few days after getting killed by Anthony Spencer and talks about how he went to McDonalds twice the day after the Cowboys loss and how he might start to look like Max Jean-Giles and Nick Cole. Yeah... Same old Winston, only this time he got his ass whooped by the Cowboys' Anthony Spencer who put up 3 sacks in 2 games against Winston and had even more pressure.
Brian Dawkins, the heart and soul of the Eagles team just walks off and signs with the Broncos. Gone is that soul of the defense, the guy who threw his body around with reckless abandon, gone is the guy who made all the pre-snap adjustments, gone is the great blitzing FS, run stopper, motivator and leader.
"That's what I love so much about this team.We have some warriors here. We have some guys who go out there and fight. That's the best thing about this team. No matter what happens, we just keep fighting. You have to love that."
"It's simple, ... I'm always striving to do more. Whatever I accomplish, it's not enough. I don't get satisfied. That's not my nature."
And who replaces him? A 5th round rookie, a 4th round 2nd year veteran and Sean Jones. Great job there Eagles organization. Macho Harris was a CB playing FS and he played with no discipline at all. Quintin Demps is just an idiot who makes stupid late hits and has no discipline either. Sean Jones can't play the pass to save his life and his tackling had become questionable as well. I still can't believe the Eagles let him walk.
And then Jim Johnson is gone, that guy is irreplaceable, his calm voice, he was always cool and collected, never led guys on, always told it like it was, always was straight forward. He was truly the master of blitz, he was going to hit the offense in the mouth and just overpower an offense.
All of those impactful people gone and in addition, Brian Westbrook and Sheldon Brown two more of the tough guys are fading, Stewart Bradley the guy who is supposed to carry on this legacy of smash mouth football gone in training camp. Who replaces these guys?
Asante "I'm not paid to tackle" Samuel
Donovan McNabb who always does dumb things like this:
I completely agree with Les Bowen when he said this:
Everybody else has weighed in on McNabb's awkward air-guitar routine in the tunnel before the game in Dallas, so why not me? I just wish DMac would worry less about what he thinks he needs to project - looseness, confidence, whatever - and more about just being himself, being comfortable in his own skin. If he ever cleared that hurdle, he might really be the guy who could win the Super Bowl. Try answering a question as Donovan McNabb, instead of as the guy who is ever mindful of the burden he carries as a prominent black quarterback and franchise icon, etc., etc. Also, someone should tell him the "lovable goofball" bit was more appropriate at 23 than at 33.
The Eagles sign Michael Vick straight out of prison to the team.
DeSean Jackson takes a leadership role, and his version of leadership involves dancing in the end-zones after touchdowns and apparently "stingin' dey asses", which he thought would fire up his teammates.
Quintin Mikell is the guy that has to shoulder Dawkins exit and is required to do everything Dawkins did, clearly this affected him. The increased responsibilities clearly took their toll by late in the season. The previous couple years, Q was basically an in-the-box safety asked to play the run and occasionally cover a tight end or back. In ‘09, he was asked to do everything Dawk did. Problem is, he’s not as talented. He’s a hard working player with a good football IQ, but expecting him to make all the secondary calls, play the run, cover tight ends, backs and wide receivers the same way Dawkins did was unrealistic.
All of a sudden the Eagles are led by a bunch of young guys who would probably rather be at home or go to the club than watch film. Example A:
Thats the two young stud receivers catching up with AI and going to the game during the middle of the week before the big playoff game, I dare you to find me a time where Dawkins did this. Example B: Less than two hours after the Dallas game,
DeSean Jackson tweets this to Chris Johnson:
WHERE U AT WIT IT LET'S GET IT IN... ITS OFF SEASON NOW
Yes, less than two hours after the game he is asking Chris Johnson where he is so he can party with him, and apparently Chris Johnson parties a lot, I had to unsubscribe because I was sick of hearing about who he was meeting up and where he was going.
And I end with this from GCOBB: 
The Eagles now play with the same attitude of their biggest players on each side of the ball- DeSean Jackson and Asante Samuel. They are a soft, finesse team that occasionally makes the big play.
The Eagles have changed and even though they're more talented than ever, they lack toughness and mental fortitude, something that used to characterize the Eagles when they were at their best.
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I wish Mcnab would stop worrying about being a pocket passer and run when he has the opportunity
I'd rather be an Eagles fan till the day i die and go 0-16 every year than be a cockroach cowboys fan
by 700 Level on Jan 13, 2010 10:40 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
also
i rewatched the piece on JJ
What a guy
I miss that guy. Not that anything against McDermott, he was just the man
I'd rather be an Eagles fan till the day i die and go 0-16 every year than be a cockroach cowboys fan
I'm pissed at the Eagles FO...
for not signing Brooking this offseason. I admit, that “we’re gonna hit em in the mouth” thing he does gets me riled up. I also loved how he punched another player in the face when he blew an assignment in practice. I wish the Eagles had a guy like that………wait a second…….we do. Andy Reid, but he only does that when he’s in line for a buffet.
Here's hoping for a better 2010...
RIP JJ, Steve, The Rev, and last but not least, Goodbye Dawkins ):
by eaglemaniac814 on Jan 13, 2010 10:43 PM EST reply actions
Some thoughts on leadership from the outside looking in.
If you look at the most successful teams in any sport, you will find a common bond within the team. Often, it is called team chemistry. Sometimes, it is called leadership. However, leadership in team sports is often confused with the team having one selected or anointed leader, but true leadership for high performance teams is most often shared leadership.
Shared leadership is the key driver of long term team success. Every player on the team takes ownership and responsibility for the overall performance of the team. No one panics or becomes negative at the first sign of adversity. In fact, teams with shared leadership strengthen their resolve and focus at the first sign of adversity and unite as one. They are mentally tough. They support each other and take care of their own responsibilities to ensure the success of the team.
You guys are all way closer to your team, and perhaps what I’m about to say is complete bunk, but from the outside looking in, here’s what I see: Perhaps McNabbs recent statements about “youth” contain an uncomfortable nugget of truth – who is sharing leadership on this team with McNabb (who imho has to shoulder way too much of that burden)?
With Dawkins gone, who is the leader on the defense? Who has stepped up this year on offense? Again, as an outsider, I didn’t see anybody. Perhaps the long injury list has a couple of leadership quality players who may have stepped up, but for next season, the Eagles will need to find a way to share more of that leadership responsibility.
by One.Cool.Customer on Jan 14, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I think you're right
I especially think you’re right about the shared mind-set idea.
McNabb is a leader, but he seems to take emotional responsibility on his shoulders more than practical responsibility. He deals with things like being a successful black QB, speaking and acting in a professional manner, and not being candid. He helps young guys grow up to be men, to speak and act in appropriate manners, how to deal with tough games and criticism. He doesn’t seem to take leadership on the field, and often doesn’t show a spark that indicates to the fan that this is anything more than a job that he happens to be better than average at.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
As far as defense
I think it was injuries. Guys were all over the place, and had to focus so much on doing their job and filling their role (that often changed week to week) that no one really settled in comfortably with the playbook and scheme to become a leader. Too much flux.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
wow... sorry for the triple post
but i just saw the mcnabb air guitar piece on tv…
Just like twitter…that air guitar thing is much cooler when you actually back it up
I'd rather be an Eagles fan till the day i die and go 0-16 every year than be a cockroach cowboys fan
You make a good point there
Desean Jackson- Im Number 1, the real deal, The 1(0)ne to Watch.
Interview while at Cal.
We need that attitude back!!
Thats why we should draft either taylor mays or mike iupati to help set the tone.
What about Navarro Bowman?
He seems to have that attitude, too.
Here's hoping for a better 2010...
RIP JJ, Steve, The Rev, and last but not least, Goodbye Dawkins ):
by eaglemaniac814 on Jan 13, 2010 10:48 PM EST up reply actions
I like the idea of drafting players that have a mean streak or are tough, but I see more of an immediate impact coming from a free agent that has already established themselves in the NFL. Who that free agent may be, I have no idea
Representing CANADA eh?
Derrick Johnson...
from the Chiefs. I like him a lot.
Here's hoping for a better 2010...
RIP JJ, Steve, The Rev, and last but not least, Goodbye Dawkins ):
by eaglemaniac814 on Jan 14, 2010 9:46 PM EST up reply actions
NAVARRO BOWMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's hoping for a better 2010...
RIP JJ, Steve, The Rev, and last but not least, Goodbye Dawkins ):
by eaglemaniac814 on Jan 14, 2010 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
I've been trying to say this all season
Granted I’m biased towards the line being I am a lineman, but tenacity is what Jon Runyan brought to the table. He never quit and was voted one of the nastiest players in football. Tell me who on the Eagles team now is going to step up and have the balls to lead the team and get a “Fuck you” attitude back where it belongs, on the field and not over Twitter.
Herremans?
Leonard Weaver?
On Defense, I really hope Stew brings something back. I also hoped Trot might, but I guess not.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
True
Weaver plays with a smash mouth style that I like to see, it’s just that we’re not the same team that people used to respect, people used to talk about the intensity that Bdawk brought to the field, or the constant battles between Strahan and Runyan. No one talked about intensity this year, it was all about finesse, making a big show/score instead of fighting for a win.
We could always pick up Richie Incognito
He’s dirty as hell…and I doubt the Bills will extend him.
ban twitter, every sport has been taken over by it
Desean Jackson- Im Number 1, the real deal, The 1(0)ne to Watch.
Interview while at Cal.
Maclin didn't seem to be soft
Not only was he the only offensive player who showed up, he was scrapping with the entire Cowboy defense.
i like maclin a lot
but i’d say he looked pretty damn soft when he alligator armed that pass the previous game
Considering that in his second career game against the Redskins
Jackson dropped 2 passes (including one that would have went for a TD) and I let him off the hook, I think I can let Maclin get away with one too.
oh i agree i don't hold single plays against players
i don’t consider him soft. but plays like that really characterized the team the last couple weeks.
yeah bro Maclin
maned up big time the last few weeks with a bum foot.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
on a positive note in regards to toughness..
Offensively, losing Runyan was a big knock to the toughness of our offense. But, I think guys like Leonard Weaver and Brent Celek bring a kind of attitude that wasn’t at their positions previously. These are two pretty tough guys. I’d like a little more toughness on the O-line too, but I think maybe the focus was on playing together and knowing responsibilities with all of the injuries this season.
Defensively, in my opinion Stewart Bradley brings a lot of toughness and leadership to the defense. Honestly, when we lost Dawk, I immeadiately thought Stew could fill the void (obviously not the same way Dawk did). If he comes back healthy, I think we’ll be more than okay there. In regards to the cornerback position, sheldon brown is a damn tough player. Sure asante isn’t the toughest by any means, but Bobby Taylor? Lito Sheppard? These aren’t very tough cbs in the past.
I agree we could be a tad tougher, but I don’t think it’s as bad as we may think.
i'm a huge celek fan
but at times he acts like a baby when things don’t go his way. I know this happens with a lot of players, but i’ve noticed it more with him. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he’s a tough player, but he most certainly is tougher than most of the players on this roster.
Representing CANADA eh?
in his defense
most of the time when he acts like a baby it’s justified because the ref blew a call.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
i think complaining to the ref is annoying
but i don’t think it has much to do with a player’s toughness. the way celek approaches defenders is enough to sell me on his toughness. not to mention the way he got popped in the dallas game and was back in the huddle a few plays later.
Sad to say this but...
I agree with this post. I can’t even think of any players on this team that symbolize toughness. Closest I can think of is Trent Cole and Weaver. This is one of the reasons I want Mays. We need to get back to true Eagles football.
by Route36 on Jan 13, 2010 11:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I think
Bunkley is as tough as they come, but I also don’t think he’s the vocal type.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
Problem
He isn’t a leader, if he was a leader then it would be fine but he isn’t even a ‘tough’ guy, if you look at him being mic’d up he is telling opposing players to slow down and take it easy. Not a fault, but certainly not the gritty, mean type of players the old Eagles had. He is probably one of the most mild mannered players on the team.
The rough attitude of this Eagles team went out the window when Todd Pinkston left Philadelphia…(sigh)….Now that was a manly specimen.
"THIS IS NOT COLLEGE NO MORE. THIS IS THE BIG MAN SPORT." ~Crazy Lady on BGN forums
by southjersey89 on Jan 14, 2010 1:18 AM EST up reply actions
haha touche
"THIS IS NOT COLLEGE NO MORE. THIS IS THE BIG MAN SPORT." ~Crazy Lady on BGN forums
by southjersey89 on Jan 14, 2010 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Bunkley talk.
I think I’ve seen/heard every Eagle being interviewed at one time or another… EXCEPT Bunkley.
And good post by the way
Definitely something worth thinking/talking about
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
last time i checked...
That toughness did not get the Eagles a super bowl victory did it? The team has a different style of play maybe, different players, but a lot of talent. Maybe the toughness makes the team more likeable, but it still produced the same results, not winning the big one. I know the defense needs to get better, but the youth of this team is a huge positive going into the offseason, their growth and potential is almost limitless. Leadership on defense next year would be nice though. Pretty sure if stew is all the way back, he can bring that. I could care less what players blog or tweet about. They are entitled to their own lives outside of football too. You have too much time on your hands going to all these tweets and blogs anyways. Also, why call out winston justice when he was the most consistent o-line player all season. He was the only one to play in all the games and performed admirably. Your assumptions and judgments about players kinda irritate me actually. I guess I am done now. Not a fan of most of this post.
Well….this “finesse” team couldn’t beat the Cowboys late in the season where the previous “tough” teams did. This “finesse” team also broke the trend of being undefeated in the first playoff game where the “tough” teams under Reid’s tenure were 7-0 before last week. This post makes a lot of good points. That’s why it got my REC.
No it didn't
But it got them a hell of a lot closer than they are now.
Listen this team is soft and all you need to do is look at the last two games to see this, the Cowboys were more physical, came out and punched the Eagles in the mouth and without these tough leaders the Eagles counter punch wasn’t any good at all.
And my judgements of players? Justice just got whooped 2 weeks in a row and the first thing he does is he blogs about getting fat off of fast food? DeSean Jackson can party his life away for all I care but less than 2 hours after the game is over you’re looking for a party? And while supposedly preparing like no other the two young guns who needed to step up DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin were out watching basketball games. And you aren’t going to tell me Asante is tough are you? The guy flat said that he isn’t paid to tackle, not exactly tough.
Don’t get me wrong I think that the players are very talented I just think they lack the toughness and mental fortitude the old Eagles had.
And Todd Herramens and Jamaal Jackson were worlds better than Justice.
by d-jackfan10 on Jan 14, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
I think Twitter puts these players under a larger microscope than ever. Desean Jackson’s behaviour is maybe immature but nothing awful or out of the ordinary. it just looks bad when we see it out in the open like that. I wish they would just avoid tweeting but they are only human after all.
overall though you do make a point. Footballwise this team lacks physicality on both sides of the ball. This can be improved by upgrading the offensives and defensive lines. They are our biggest needs this off-season.
As far as mental toughness goes, This team did lack that this year. absolutely no excuse for laying two consecutive eggs in dallas. I Think this lack of mental toughness had to do with youth and uncertainty from injuries. Mental toughness ultimately stems from the head coach and I believe that Andy Reid has developed a culture of Winning and mental toughness on this team. As these players (Maclin, jackson, mccoy, celek, Kolb?) mature they will buy into Reids ideals and they will develop that necessary toughness. If not, they will be replaced by players who can.
I do think we are the least physical team in the NFC East, we do need to be a little nastier. Celek, Herremans, Weave, Trent, Sheldon, those are the only “tough” players on this team, we need some rugged players on the defensive end.
"Season tickets for the Lakers? How is that economically possible?"
"Bye, Mac"
Good post
Attitude is important and I agree that it was missing at times this year.
I'm a Cowgirls Cockroach Troll - Beware
Great Post
I thought about writing a post about this a couple days ago, but I didn’t think I had enough material to support it.
I’m glad I didn’t write it though because you brought up some great points. I completely agree with you.
Andy has brought in some all-around great guys to this team. Guys that are well-mannered and good-hearted (for the most part), but I feel like a lot of the guys are missing the other “tough factor.” I’m not saying you can’t be good-hearted, well-mannered and tough on the field. But guys like that are rare. (i.e. Dawk and Runyan).
Bottom line is we missed Dawkins a whole hell of a lot.
Everybody else has weighed in on McNabb’s awkward air-guitar routine in the tunnel before the game in Dallas, so why not me? I just wish DMac would worry less about what he thinks he needs to project – looseness, confidence, whatever – and more about just being himself, being comfortable in his own skin. If he ever cleared that hurdle, he might really be the guy who could win the Super Bowl.
Uh, you know what that looked like to me? And this is just my own opinion, I’m not speaking for anyone else… it looked to me like he was being himself and being comfortable in his own skin. He hasn’t cared about what people think about him in Philly since the TO saga. That whole experience made him OUR QB, the thickskinned one who could put up with all the bullshit the media and the fans and even his own teammates could throw at him.
I don’t think there’s many people who could handle being the QB in Philly. He has. He’s not the only damned player on this team so not everything is his fault nor does he receive all the credit. He’s overcome a ton of obstacles and I think he’ll be back next year. Maybe we win the Super Bowl next year, maybe we don’t. However, I’m convinced he’s the best one to lead us into at least this year.
I am the people's troll :3™
by yomjoseki on Jan 14, 2010 10:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
i feel ya ......
but arent u open a lil bit at least 2 the possibility of trading donavan if we can get 1st rounder for him?? Ok say we let him finish his contract out next year with no SB and then we just let him sign sumwhere else??? then we get nuttin, i say we trade him NOW while he still has sum value!!!!!!
by goldenbird09 on Jan 14, 2010 11:24 AM EST up reply actions
It all depends on what the offers are
and who they’re from
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
Yea.
Not sure how that routine wasn’t him being himself. He has proven to be a goofy guy. The saying, “You get older, but you don’t have to grow up” comes to mind (and I don’t mean that insultingly). It seems to me Les is projecting who he wants McNabb to be, not who McNabb actually is. I agree with the general argument of the post, this team is lacking an overall toughness. But I do think McNabb is tough. I don’t know how you can survive in this town as he has, without winning the Big One, and not be tough. A guy like Cutler never would make it here. I hope Kolb is up to snuff in that sense.
Kolb's at least learned from McNabb the last several years
Kolb’s been here for an 8-8 run, a 9-6-1 NFCCG season, and an 11-5 wildcard loss.
In those three years he’s seen us miss the playoffs completely.
He’s seen us be mediocre in the regular season, but play well in the playoffs.
He’s seen us drum up a good record in the regular season and go one and done in the playoffs.
That’s about all a QB can see as far as expectations and meeting/not meeting them.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I agree.
I think he must know what will be expected and what he can expect to deal with when the team (and/or he) struggles. But seeing expectations from a distance and dealing with them up close are very different. I hope one of two things: a) he has the mental toughness to put up with this town when the detractors get going or b) he wins a Superbowl in his first year (and then again in his 2nd year, 3rd year, 4th year, etc) and doesn’t have to worry too much about detractors.
Good ol days.......
ahh man i guess were in for a period of remembering these great players., Man i remember bashing Tra after the NFCCG last year and now i would give anything 2 hav him back. The guy when he came out of FSU was afukin animal, he was able 2 knock people down while back peddling!!!!!!!! Dont get me wrong i like Jason Peters but i was a lil disappointed i guess just because of the hype that came with him from buffalo. One thing u can say about the guy is that hes tuff, he played through injuries all year. Winston showed sum really good things this year but he still has a long way 2 go.
Even with all the holes on defense i still think O-line has 2 be one of the positions address the most. Thats how were gonna get back 2 the top of the NFC, all those years we were winning the division we had a ROCK SOLID O-line.
We have several holes
but the defense is the biggest one.
A lot of times the line was fine, but McNabb simply held the ball too long. Other times they were bad…but not terrible. I expect we’ll add some depth to tackle or interior line, but it won’t be a focus of the offseason like it was last year.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
tell u wat J...........
one off those depth issues we address better be at center because who knows if Jamal is gonna be ready for next year or if he will have any setbacks rehabbing, i def feel ya on upgrading the defense because i was sick 2 my stomach watchin Harris and Jones attempt 2 play safety. I guess Harris could get a pass being that he was playing out of his natural position. Wat was the thinking in moving him 2 safety?? Could he have been better playing nickelback?? Hanson after playing well earlier in the year really disappointed me the last couple weeks. Wat do u think the chances are we go after Nick Collins?/
by goldenbird09 on Jan 14, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
Jackson
won’t be ready for the season, but I’m fine with Cole. I actually was hoping last off season that Cole would get a chance to challenge Jackson for the Center spot, but with all our Guard issues, that never happened. Some mishaps occurred from being thrown into the position late in the season, but those issues won’t plague us next year.
Guard is an issue, but I’m still holding my breath for Stacy. I think he’ll come around, and he is a BIG boy.
Harris was going to be too slow to be a true NFL CB; and Hanson had just gotten his extension. There was no reason really to even try him there (until our depth got tested half way through the season anyway)…I’d like to see Harris mature, he’s young, and might pan out. Hell, Demps still might pan out (he’s fast as hell, and we could really use the speed back there)…but I hate the guesswork, I want a guy that I’m confident will work out.
Nick Collins would be an AWESOME acquisition…BUT, I don’t think it happens. GB’s not gonna let him walk as a RFA, they’ll either extend him or slap the tag on him.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I remember us all calling the cowboys soft
Back in training camp when they announced there wasn’t going to be hitting while we have a rough ass training camp. Now they’re one of the healthiest teams out there and we got killed. Sucks how that worked out.
Good read
I don’t think soft equates with anything that is Philly ( in a good way). One thing that stands out from watching you all this year was a certain player not there anymore.
Brian Dawkins, the heart and soul of the Eagles team just walks off and signs with the Broncos. Gone is that soul of the defense, the guy who threw his body around with reckless abandon, gone is the guy who made all the pre-snap adjustments, gone is the great blitzing FS, run stopper, motivator and leader.
We lost Darren Woodson to injuries and while he didn’t show as much emotion on the field as Dawkins , they were the same type of player as you described. They made the defense better, they were the brains that made the body( the defense) work in concert. I remember the years after he retired , and how different everythign became with just one guy missing ……our leader! Its just hard in the NFL to replace guys like this and luckily for us we found a guy in this magnitude in Brookings. As a Cowboy fan , that was the biggest thing I noticed missing from your team this year. This is just an opinion from the outside looking in :)
"When people talk about Super Bowl dynasties they mention the 1970's Steelers, 1980's 49ers, 1990's Cowboys and the current New England Patriots, but nobody has dominated the Super Bowl like Anheuser-Busch. In recent years, Budweiser has been the MVP of Super Bowl advertising -- making another company the favorite to win the Ad Meter poll was never an option."
Simon Noble
by dubious on Jan 14, 2010 1:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I don't think what DeSean is doing has anything wrong with it
Also, of course his game is finesse, do you expect him to be trucking people at 5’10’’ 175?
There may not be anything particularly wrong with it.
But many fans don’t get that they might take these losses harder than some of the players and seeing that on Twitter pisses them off. For many people the correct response to an Eagles playoff loss is sulking and anger for at the very least the remainder of the day. I know that tends to be my response. That doesn’t mean the players feel the same way though.
Perhaps it is just modern times, but I just don’t see Jerry Rice saying “WHERE U AT WIT IT LET’S GET IT IN… ITS OFF SEASON NOW” several hours after a 1st round playoff exit. I see him not talking to a soul, running sprints up a steep dirt hill, thinking about next season.
by captain nodar on Jan 14, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
It really is the youth
DeSean doesn’t yet understand what he’s doing. He doesn’t understand that the playoffs are not a given, and that some guys never even get a chance the post-season. He’s still a kid playing football for beer money on the weekends like it’s a hobby.
"EFF YOU, WE'RE WINNING ANYWAY!!!!!!" (Bye, Dawk)
I wouldnt blame Asante
for any of that. He’s the best player on the defense. who cares if he can tackle. he wouldnt have to tackle if anyone else on the defense did their job.
Seriously?
WHO CARES IF HE CAN TACKLE?? The dude is a professional football player, whom, the last time I checked, plays on DEFENSE. You actually have the audacity to make that statement
by captain nodar on Jan 15, 2010 6:44 PM EST up reply actions
he did get better as the year progressed
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
Jason Peters...
…very soft. But hey, since our strength coach got fired, maybe now someone can get there and whip the milkmaid into shape.
...But if he pulls the rug on his quarterback, Reid must do it knowing that he let McNabb down more than McNabb ever let him down.
Phil Sheridan--Philadelphia Inquirer
Dawkins
Yes we see how missing a player can make a difference in your Defense( Dawkins) and yea somebody step up and show them how to tackle something that is taught by your first coach when your 6 lol Wrap him up and throw him down ..dont always try to be the hero and get the pick …..Dawkins we miss you and whos to blame for you going should be fired and have there head pulled out of there ass..
I would Rather Eat Sht and Die then ever be a Cow Girl Fan
And Us Saying Dallas is soft Coment
That’s right I still think they are…. Dallas Defense THE BIG POWER HOUSE THEY ARE>…gave up like 40 something points and cry about how Min ran up the points on them…Well then stop em then ..Classic bunch of COW GIRLS .. I was really Impressed how the Def stopped Min …The best though is how Tony Homo choked again and had u dallas fans thinking you had a shot this year HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA RIght..
I would Rather Eat Sht and Die then ever be a Cow Girl Fan
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