Eagles vs Saints Studs & Duds

And we thought it couldn't get worse than last week against Atlanta. Or the Arizona loss earlier in the season.

Apparently, we're underestimating the ineptitude of these Eagles. They can dip to levels we never thought possible. They put forth an exhibition of unique red zone incompetence on Monday night in a 28-13 loss in New Orleans. Congrats, fellas.

As I wrote last week, these BGN readers are your 2012 Philadelphia Eagles. Hate them or hate them. Duds and more duds. This is what we're subjected to and it's only the midway point of the season. No studs. Only duds. Again, thanks for the votes.

People's Dud #1

Demetress Bell - This was a no-brainer. Bell stepped in at right tackle for the injured Todd Herremans late in the first quarter and was a total disaster. He committed a pair of penalties and couldn't block anybody in both the run and pass games. Bell was beat with inside moves, speed rushes and bull rushes. Even worse, this wasn't King Dunlap against DeMarcus Ware of Winston Justice against Osi Umenyiora. This was Demetress Bell against the previously average Cameron Jordan and Junior Galette. The bottom line is that Bell's been a terrible desperation free agent signing this offseason.

Raanan's Dud #1

Mychal Kendricks - The rookie gets my nod for the second straight week. And I like Kendricks as a player! That's not a good sign for the Eagles strongside linebacker. The bottom line is that Kendricks seems to have wore down as the season's progressed. (Maybe he's best served as a weakside LB?) He had trouble guarding tight ends and running backs on Monday night in New Orleans and was flagged for a crucial - and obvious - holding penalty late in the third quarter. Kendricks' tackling, much like the entire Eagles team, was also suspect. He failed to bring down Jimmy Graham on a touchdown reception late in the third quarter as well and didn't get off blocks often on running plays. It was another rough game for the rookie linebacker.

People's Dud #2

Howard Mudd - Another real solid choice by the people. Mudd came to the Eagles last year with impeccable credentials when Juan Castillo moved to the defensive side of the ball. The line was average last season despite considerable talent and has been terrible this year. But Monday night was a completely new level of incompetence as 4/5ths of the projected starting offensive line for 2012 was out of commission. Still, Mudd's expected to do better than this. He's supposed to be able to coach up Bell, Dennis Kelly, Dallas Reynolds and King Dunlap to at least give Michael Vick a chance. It got to the point on Monday night where I almost felt bad for Vick. That's how poor the pass protection was on most plays. Brutal to the max.

Raanan's Dud #2

Marty Mornhinweg - Let's stick with the coaching angle here. The Eagles had over 100 yards rushing the first quarter, finished with 156 yards in the first half. They were running well, often, and were keeping the Saints explosive offense off the field. It looked like the perfect game plan. The problem was they didn't score points, and almost never threw the ball into the end zone despite 19 red zone plays. In addition, only two of those 19 plays in the red zone were called runs to the Eagles' best player LeSean McCoy. Completely inexcusable and unexplainable. The Eagles offense has serious problems and the finger pointing has to begin with the man in charge of the unit.

Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, on Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.