The Linc - Can Andy Turn It Around Again?

by JasonB on Sep 28, 2011 6:00 AM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Reid always seems to fix what bug Eagles fans | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/27/2011
Whenever Andy Reid seems as if he's pushed to the brink, he almost always finds a way to whip the Eagles into shape and have them do a 180-degree turnaround.

Eagles by the Numbers: Gashed on the ground
In this edition of Eagles By the Numbers, Reuben Frank breaks down the inability of Nate Allen and the Birds to slow down opposing rushers and much more.

10 Reasons why Vince Young should start for the Eagles on Sunday. | Tracking Vince Young
If Vick can't go this week, is Young the guy? (Hint, yes he should be)

Iggles Blitz " Blog Archive " Andy Wanted Irkutsk
The key moment in Sunday’s game came at the 12 minute mark of the 4th quarter. We had a 2 point lead, 16-14. We had the ball at the Giants 43. It was 4th and 1. Time to punt and play defense. Except…Big Red decided it was time to roll the dice and go for it.

How did Jacobs beat the Eagles on the 'rail' route? | National Football Post

Anytime we can take a look at the Xs and Os of the game, we can learn something from the NFL. Today, let’s go back to Sunday’s Giants-Eagles matchup, check out the Eli Manning’s TD pass to Brandon Jacobs and breakdown the "Rail" route.

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Uh

Reuben Frank breaks down the inability of Nate Allen and the Birds to slow down opposing rushers and much more.

Why is he saying Nate Allen and the Birds?

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 7:59 AM EDT reply actions

Great safetues

Can cover up inefficiencies of bad LBs by coming up to stuff the run.

by TheDtrain on Sep 28, 2011 8:34 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

But he hasn't been on the field...

The safeties have primarily been Page and Coleman. So does his “breaks down” mean he is evaluating numbers or did he bother to look at any film?

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Allen was actually on the field quite a bit last week.

Formerly DeSean10
36-5-20-JJ -- Forever Bleeding Green

I should have know we were going to lose. We will always be the second class citizens behind the better and historically superior New York Giants. We have no chance of a Superbowl and never will.

Maybe things would have been different if we had Eli Manning. He’s an actual Superbowl winner.

by AnthroEagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Right...

…but still not the starter, still not taking the majority of the snaps, and definitely should not be listed as the name when talking about our deficiencies stopping the run.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I’m with you. Stopping the run doesn’t start with the safeties.

by groot on Sep 28, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually don't have a problem..

…with naming a safety when talking about stopping the run. My problem with this article was the particular safety he chose. Why choose Allen when he isn’t the current starter?

As for what you are talking about, I semi-agree. However, in the Wide 9’s system more than maybe any other one in the league, run support is a huge requirement from the safeties. Play recognition must be crisp and on time and gap responsibilities must be recognized and upheld. The reason is because you can pretty much assume that the DEnds are going upfield at the snap of the ball, so the opposing offense can design plays off tackle to take advantage of that. In those plays, the middle linebacker and linebacker on that side are of course, responsible for the initial 0-4 yards of the play. However, oftentimes they are going to see an OL on the next level, so we can’t put the blame totally on them. In that case, the safety has to be willing and able to come into the box and make the play.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

You’re right. If he’s going to name a safety, Allen doesn’t make sense. It’d be like saying Dion Lewis has to do a better job at the goal line, or Mike Kafka has to stop throwing interceptions.

I agree that safeties have to be willing and able to get up in the box and bring down the running back if he gets by the linebackers, especially in the Wide 9. But I still think it would make more sense to name a linebacker, whose main job it is to contain the run and who are the guys that seem to be failing the most. It seems like on running plays either a defensive lineman is making the tackle or the runner is into the secondary while the linebackers can’t get off a block.

by groot on Sep 28, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

Except with Karka’s last performance, he might be excused for naming him, seeing as though he now has the same number of INT’s as Vick and one of Vick’s was off of a dropped pass by Smith. lol

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

On short yardage plays...

On every short yardage play, the entire defense is bunched in the middle of the field. There’s always a safety on either side to to guard against the sweep, but as soon as the RB hits the line, they bite. Why not just play action and run the naked QB bootleg? The TE can block down on the safety, just to be sure, and w/ the fastest QB in the league, it’s a much higher % then stuffing it into a line filled with several thousand pounds of humanity.

Run that once or twice and defenses will have to be wary of it, thus softening the interior a bit.

Jamie Dukes- First name is a girl’s, last name is a dog’s. That would make him Michael Vick’s BITCH.

by oldasquick on Sep 28, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions

Good way to lose Vick permanently

This might work once in the season. But then … Most teams now put a shadow on Vick, usually their fastest linebacker or a safety. They would love to tackle a naked, fragile QB in space.

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will do.

by Bob Collins on Sep 28, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

from a Bruise hand? lol stop your crying

" I don't know if I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by stopyourcrying on Sep 28, 2011 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

a lot of people would love to tackle Vick, but apparently that isnt very easy to do. If the angle is so short that the play can be turned into a footrace down the goalline to the pylon, my money is on Vick getting across .

by ATLeagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

What he said^^^

Jamie Dukes- First name is a girl’s, last name is a dog’s. That would make him Michael Vick’s BITCH.

by oldasquick on Sep 28, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Bare with me guys

Im gonna be worse than a female werewolf transforming on the rag when it comes to negativity. Gimmie a W and things might change.

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."-Bill Shankly

Dont mind my typos, trying to be sneaky at work like the rest of you

by theaction on Sep 28, 2011 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

yeah, Im still pissed too.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Sep 28, 2011 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Is there such thing as a 4-4-3 defense?

I think we should try this. Play 3 LB and a 4th man there.. either a speedy DE OR extra linebacker.. or safety dedicated to run coverage and covering zone in the middle of the field.

have assante and nmandi play man coverage

Improves our Run D. Minimizes short passes over the middle.

Risk is we are more susceptible to long passes and esepcially long passes over the middle. But if we limit runs and TE passes.. should help a lot.. no?

by orangeeater on Sep 28, 2011 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

Until they come at us with a 3 WR or, god forbid, 4 WR set and we’ve got either a speedy DE or a LB covering them.

Formerly DeSean10
36-5-20-JJ -- Forever Bleeding Green

I should have know we were going to lose. We will always be the second class citizens behind the better and historically superior New York Giants. We have no chance of a Superbowl and never will.

Maybe things would have been different if we had Eli Manning. He’s an actual Superbowl winner.

by AnthroEagle on Sep 28, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

but wouldnt we just switch to Nickel or Dime when the extra WR goes on the field?

just 4-4-3 as the base D especially against teams with a RB or TE

by orangeeater on Sep 28, 2011 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Those hybrid defenses...

…get shredded in the pros. That’s why you don’t see much of the 46 defense or college hybrid defenses like 1-5-5’s and 4-4-3’s. There is probably one safety in the league (Ed Reed) with the physical and mental ability to cover the whole back half of the field by himself. And even he will get beat. Plus you take away Asante’s biggest positive which is his zone coverage ability.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions

So how many of you REALLY think Vince Young will start?

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Sep 28, 2011 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

I hope he does

Last name Ever
First name Greatest

Pay DeSean Jackson

by Djax10 on Sep 28, 2011 9:54 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

You play your best if they are available to play.

Vick over young is a no brainer.

" I don't know if I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by stopyourcrying on Sep 28, 2011 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Vick is fine starting

Honestly he hasn’t been that bad. However his fumble issue really is becoming annoying.
But look, the eagles are 6th in the league in offensive yards and 10th in points so Vick really isn’t a problem though too many red zone turnover which are worst than kicking FG in the red zone.

The defense is ranked 12th. Yeah surprise huh. Too many red zone TD’s given up. Thats not on Vick. Though our -4 turnover differential is horrible.

by Bleeding_Green_Eagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions

interesting talk on morning radio

they said Vick’s demeanor now is similar to when he was in Atlanta.. complaining about hits and not taking blame.. as they described him it almost sounded like McNabb when he was here. I guess I never focused on what Vick said as a Falcon. Something to watch

by orangeeater on Sep 28, 2011 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

Why isn't there more desean talk?

I’ve heard Nnamdi talk, Vick talk, Casey talk lol, about Desean? He’s been terrible. Btw how did the other two LB play last week? Chaney and Fokou? Was too angry watching Casey.

by Bleeding_Green_Eagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

I am wondering if DeSean is not being utilized as leverage in the contract talks, or if the league is just over-worried about his quick hit threat. If it is the latter, why arent Andy and Marty taking advantage of the opposing D sending 2 or 3 back deep out of paranoia.

by ATLeagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

i really can not believe the middle of the field is not open more with d.jackson going up over the top all the time. i just dont get why the screen game and slant routes are not being used more. we really cant do a screen to celek or avant at the goal line?

by Stuk on Sep 28, 2011 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont think is DeSean's fault at all...

The Giants played their safeties VERY deep, there just wasnt anthing deep open. By doing so, it should make the screens and slants very productive, but we are then back to AR not calling those plays.

I said it before, I will say it again, what they were doing on defense to us was so transparent, there should have been some adjustment at halftime and there wasnt. No one else to blame but the playcaller (Marty) and AR.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Sep 28, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

exactly. This is a mirror image to the Oakland loss where AR just had McNabb do the same failing things all game long.

The running game did take advantage of the deep safeties, but there have to be ways for all the receiving talent to get open when the defensive focus is all 30-50 yards downfield.

by ATLeagle on Sep 28, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm done with all this Giants shit

Can we move on to the 49er’s please. My heart was broken, now butter me back up birds.

Stats won't get you in the playoffs. Winning will get you in the playoffs
-Michael Vick-

by the-vet on Sep 28, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Trying to have a positive outlook on things but...

I know that Andy Reid has been a good coach during his tenure with the Eagles and I respect his ability to put a competitive team year after year…. but when you see the same mistakes year after year e.g. our inability to cover TEs, draft misses on LBs (Matt McCoy, Bradley, Gocong, Quintin Caver come to mind).

Also, I think that Castillo’s defensive scheme has been too predictable. The beauty of JJ’s defense was that everyone knew that the blitz was coming, but just didn’t know where. The screen pass TD pass was a perfect example. The Giants knew we were coming with an all out blitz and made an easy call.

I see the physicality and toughness from our D-line, but I see nothing from our LBs and safeties so far… hopefully, Castillo can make the proper changes and toughen up the defense.

by ringordietryin on Sep 28, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone rooting for VY to start over (a healthy) Vick is insane!

Vick needs to get us back to 2-2. The game vs. the Niners is huge, especially from a conference record point of view. Another loss would be almost too big of a hole to climb out again..

Speaking of the NFC record: I rather win against the Niners AND the Redskins, while losing away to the Bills.

by GermanEagle on Sep 28, 2011 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

all I know is

If asomugha isnt on vernon… it ain’t gonna be a pretty game

by BleedinGreen116 on Sep 28, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm with you!

I’d put Aso over Vernon’s ass ALL DAY LONG!

by GermanEagle on Sep 28, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

We might think that...

…but seriously, they underuse Vernon so much that it wouldn’t be as big a problem as say, Aso not being on Tony Gonzalez.

Why do people always think I'm playing the Race Card???
Is it because I'm black???

by Qwest on Sep 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s a fansite for Vince they aren’t really Eagles fans so what do you expect?

Follow @kjbrophy

by The Legend on Sep 28, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Dream Team..

by GermanEagle on Sep 28, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

No one is rooting for VY over vick

More like you’re insane If you think Vick Will actually be healthy for the this weeks game. He has been knocked out of the game two weeks in a row, 2 out of the last three. Any doctor will tell you he will not be healthy for the game… Except the team doctor, of course.

by Saidrick on Sep 28, 2011 12:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Regarding the title

Heres the problem: Reid doesnt have JJ to bail his ass out once again. In 2008, the Eagles could have ended up 5-11 if notfor the stellar play of B Dawk and having JJ there.

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Sep 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

bradley played well that year too

so we had a very solid middle lb and punishing safety.

by Stuk on Sep 28, 2011 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

reply fail

by Stuk on Sep 28, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Yup he did!

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Sep 28, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

You know we praise Reid for his great record

in his 11+ years with the Eagles…. What do you think it would be had he not had JJ there for a big part of those years? Is all but a smokescreen?

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Sep 28, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Notice since JJ death(R.I.P.)

Andy Reid (0-2) in the playoffs.

by Bleeding_Green_Eagle on Sep 28, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

WHAT!?!?!?!

You arent serious are you?? Reid is, IMO, a “great” coach. In the same class as Bill Beli-jerkoff, Parcells, Holmgren, and Cowher. I cant stand it when people want the coach to be fired because of one game. He doesnt do the play calling, Marty does.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Sep 28, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you not remember how many games we won because of our Defense over the last 10 years?

Im not sure if youre being serious or you;re just ignorant…but not giving JJ some of the credit for Reid’s success is just plain dumb. Reid may know his offenses…but he’s NOT a good evaluator on Defense and obviously doesnt value it at all.

Formerly BWestFactor
FLY #7 FLY !

by ShadyMcVickFactor on Sep 28, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

C'mon ...

Reid has to be one of the BEST offensive coaches in the league. As far as defense, you may be right as far as being a poor evaluator of defensive schemes, but to say he doesnt value it is just wrong. If he didnt value it, he would not have brought in Asante, Aso, DRC, Babin, Jenkins, etc … Most of his offseason pick ups were on Defense. BTW, he also replaced EVERY position coach on defense this past offseason as well! To say he doesnt value it is wrong. He knows its a weakness and is trying like hell to make it better. Unfortunately, he picked a guy with little experience as DC. Juan was a linebacker when he played and was a GREAT motivator as the O-line coach. Yes, JJ deserves a lot of credit, a brilliant defensive mind. But give Andy the credit for hiring him.

"Obviously, I lobbied for him to be here. But what a difference a year makes." -- Donovan McNabb

by thePurpleLion on Sep 28, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions