Did You Know…

That the Philadelphia Eagles have been eliminated from the postseason seven times during coach Andy Reid’s 10 seasons, and all seven games have been played in different stadiums.

The list:

• Giants Stadium in 2001
• Edward Jones Dome in 2002
• Veterans Stadium in 2003
• Lincoln Financial Field in 2004
• Alltel Stadium in 2005
• Louisiana Superdome in 2007
• University of Phoenix Stadium in 2009

Westbrook Out for Sunday’s Game

Big Red released the bad news Friday that three starting offensive players are out for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers: RB  Brian Westbrook (ribs), G Shawn Andrews (back) and WR Reggie Brown (groin).

The availability of wide receiver Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) and defensive end Juqua Parker (knee) are still unkown as they were listed as questionable. Curtis has a decent chance of playing as he had a full practice on Friday.  Juqua sat out Friday’s practice and is very questionable. Tight end L.J. Smith will be available as a starter despite a sore back.

B West Just Rest

Eagles’ coach Andy Reid revealed Monday that superstar running back Brian Westbrook fractured two ribs in the opening quarter of the Eagles loss to the Redskins on Sunday as reported earlier by my cohort, the 215 Sportsguy.  His status for Sunday’s game in San Francisco is uncertain at the moment but dont worry, we expect his little bro Byron Westbrook to release his diagnosis on Wednesday.

If it were my call; Do NOT play him.  We all realize that the Birds have already dug themselves into a hole, but unless they feel they are already in panic mode there is no reason to trot him out there.  And like the Bears match up (which is actually making me rethink this whole train of thought, shit put him out there, we’re already tanking) if the Eagles cannot beat the 49ers WITHOUT Brian why was there all of this Super Bowl or bust talk coming out of Lehigh?

Westbrook Breaks Two Ribs in Loss to Skin’s

Well it appears Brian Westbrook’s return to the Eagles’ lineup may be very short-lived.

Big Red said in his press conference Monday that Westbrook, who was back in the lineup after sitting out last week against Chicago with an ankle injury, broke two ribs on the eighth play of the Eagles’ 23-17 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Westbrook went to the sidenline holding his chest after the play, but after a few stretches and some trainer assistance was back out on the field for the next series.  He managed to finish the game with 12 carries for 33 yards and six catches for 51 yards.

When Andy Reid was asked about Westbrook’s availability for next week against the 49ers, he was his usual “I’m not disclosing anything” – self:

We’ll see how it works out for him.

McNabb and Westbrook Expect to Play Sunday

Big Red said this morning that quarterback Donovan McNabb (chest contusion), running back Brian Westbrook (ankle), tight end L.J. Smith (back), fullback Tony Hunt (concussion) and guard Shawn Andrews (back) would all miss practice this afternoon.

McNabb said was still sore but expected to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears. B West is also holding out hope that he’ll be recovered enough from the injury to his right ankle to play.

I’m optimistic about getting out there and being able to play.  I’ve been rehabbing pretty agressively, doing everything I can to be out there on the field Sunday night.

Brian Westbrook is Officially Day to Day

Andy Reid held a press conference Monday and updated the media as to the severity of Brian Westbrook’s injury, or lack thereof.  Westbrook left the Pittsburgh game after he stepped on his own teammate and landed awkwardly on his other ankle.  Although Westbrook limped off the field, it didn’t look too serious.

During the press conference, Big Red stated that there was no ligament or tendon damage.  Reid stated that Westbrook’s status is day-to-day.  The injury is being listed as a sprain and Westbrook hasn’t been ruled out for this Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Bears.

Personally, I think the Eagles play this one safe and plan for the Chicago Bears without Westbrook in the lineup and let him get back to 100%.  I think we can handle the Bears without him and this will give some key reserves the reps they desperately need.

My Thoughts on Eagles Cowboys Game

First of all, that could have possibly been the most entertaining professional football game I have ever seen.  The first half was incredible, back and forth, score for score, up and down the field, no holds barred, offensive showdown.  It was truly incredible.

Now I have Terrell Owens in my fantasy league and he single handedly won this weeks match for me, which I had already conceded in my mind, hoping for an Eagles victory and some stellar defense on TO.  But a 72 yard TD catch later and I had a fantasy win and my head in my hands.

Sean Considine – What on Earth are you doing out there?

Big Red – Why on Earth do you have Sean Considine in the game?  Why are you running a zone prevent in the first quarter?  Why are you not blitzing Tony Romo?

Anyway after that Brian Westbrook came back and showed Dallas what a real running back is.  B West shook everyone out there shoes and cruised down the field on a screen here, a draw there, and a little screen to the outside to score.  Oh and what the fuck is up with these NFL referees this year?  How many facemask penalties were missed last night?  I counted at least 3, possibly 4.  Basically the only way the Cowboys can tackle #36 is by illegally grabbing the shit out of his grill piece.

And then the Donovan McNabb fumble.  What the hell was that Donnie?  You faked out your own running back and then tried shoving it into his hands and ended up slamming it into his side as B West is already getting hit by the Dallas D.  Come on man, your smarter then that.  And why dont you throw the ball away when your outside of the pocket and about to get sacked.  Instead you take a 7 or 8 yard loss which eventually led to the following situation.

Andy Reid down 4, needs to score a touchdown, 4th and 12 and he throws the ole hook and ladder short of the first down hopping to catch the Dallas D sleeping.  Not quite Andy.  Piss poor play call at the end.  It makes me pretty nervous knowing that Andy Reid has to rely on trick plays to stay in a close game at the end.  Blows my mind.

All in all, a positive effort from the Eagles minus the a-fore-mentioned.  We proved we are top dawgs in the NFL alongside Dallas and our offense is back with a healthy Donovan and we look pretty damn unstoppable.  I cannot wait to see what happens when we get Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown back.  Oh and DeSean Jackson, your the man, but SCORE THE fucking TOUCHDOWN before you start to celebrate.  Jesus Christ man.

Green Thoughts

The Eagles jumped right in on Friday’s free agency when they signed the biggest name on the first day. Asante Samuel is a great CB who can press, play off coverage, blitz, and most of all make big plays. Samuel’s biggest strengths are being able to drop back and get in and out of his breaks while keeping an eye on the quarterback. This allows him to make big jumps on passes and create turnovers. He also is a very smart cornerback. He reads routes well and understands offensive concepts so he can see one route develop and know the complimentary route that goes along with it.  To sum it up Asante is smart and aggressive which should bode well in Double J’s style of defense. 

Chris Clemons’ signing was made out to be a bigger deal then it really is.  Clemons is way too small to be an every down DE. At 245 lbs he will see time on 3rd and long and other obvious passing situations. In my opinion he may see about 10 snaps a game. In those 10 snaps this high motor DE can create serious havoc with Trent Cole and maybe another DE (Howard, Abiamiri, etc) moving to DT on those plays. This guy is a role player, which we all know have importance, but he is not the answer to finding a DE that can play with Cole.

So what now? Did the storm pass? Let me throw a couple of “indicators” that tells me they have something else up their sleeves. I don’t think anyone can argue that Big Red seems to think he has his shit together and borderlines arrogant in the way he continually does the same thing, thinking it will work now when it has fallen short in the past. I think when you understand that, along with listening to Jeff Lurie during the Samuel press conference talk about how he does not want to be the type of owner who steers clear of certain positions when mistakes have been made with those positions in the past (aka WR and T.O. or drafting a DE high in round 1, Jerome McDougle).

So the question remains, is there a second part to signing Samuel. I am not part of the small group who thinks that Lito can/will play with Samuel. First of all, Lito wants more loot and playing with someone making a boatload more just will not work. Second of all, Sheldon COULD play FS, but I don’t think he is best suited for FS and he is not big enough to play SS. So Lito has to go, sell high, and understand he is undersized and injury prone. We simply cannot have him missing 4-6 games a year.

I am going to throw out the bottom 9 teams in pass defense and see if they have a player who might match Lito’s skill and could be a potential match.

1. Vikings – With the worst pass defense giving up 264 passing yards per game. Childress and Reid remain in open dialogue and I am sure the Vikings would like Lito, but for what price? I don’t think the Vikings would give up the #17 pick for Lito and I don’t think they have anything else we want.

2. Lions – Yes, they are hurting for a CB and their pass defense has been bad for YEARS. Roy Williams is someone every Eagles fan would love on this roster. Would you do Lito and our 2nd or 3rd for Roy Williams? I would certainly consider it heavily.

3. Saints – They just signed Randall Gay so in their minds they are probably set now. I would trade Lito for Colston,but I’m not so sure Saints would be down.

4. Bills – How about Lito for Lee Evans? Maybe the Bills sign Bryant Johnson and trade Evans before he is an UFA next year. We would need to work out an extension first, but this works well for both teams.

5. Cardinals – Whatever it takes for Larry Fitzgerald. I repeat, WHATEVER it TAKES! Boldin is a perfect fit for our offense so if Larry is not available, is Quan?

6. Bears – They have no talent (Period).

7. Bengals – Ocho Cinco for Lito in a package deal. You want a deep threat, he is one of the best.

8. Texans – I would love Andre Johnson, but they would need to be unbelievably stupid to want to trade ‘Dre.  So maybe, it is Houston, and they did just resign Andre Davis.

9. Falcons – Roddy White was pretty impressive last year with no real QB. Raise your hand if you are an Eagles fan and Roddy White is the #1 WR you were looking for.

Free Agents :

Randy Moss – Resigned with the Pats – 3 yr, $27 million. Apparently Samuel told Banner and Big Red how great of a teammate Randy is and how much he has matured. This would be right in line with Kearse/TO in 2004. Biggest defensive FA on day one, followed by the top WR available.

Bryant Johnson – He was the Cardinal’s #3, so he could be signed to be our #1….that seems about right.

Draft:

Six of the top seven teams need help at CB. I could see the Eagles packaging up Lito and their #1 to make a big jump on draft day for their future LT or a stud DE. Chris Long, Jake Long, Vernon Gholston, Ryan Clady could all be targets to make a big move on draft day. Chris Long and Jake Long are flat out studs. Gholston is a freak athletically and played very well at OSU. Clady could be a reach, but OT talent always seems to go early.

What will the Eagles do next?               1) Bring in a WR       2) Package Lito       3) Another FA pickup       4) Add via the Draft       5) Stand Pat                View Results