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Well, since I did this every other week, here are my takeaways after the 2nd greatest night of my life (yeah, getting married stays in first place). Taking dad to the game, seeing it with him, my brother and niece and my buddy and his 2 kids was epic. Watched the replay on the flight home. OFFENSE - That was another A+ game from Jalen -- no doubt about it. The interception sucked, but he was under duress and couldn't get the ball out far enough. The TD to Smitty was the most beautiful thing I have seen from this team in a while (both the play call and the execution), but the thing that really stood out was his decision making, particularly about when to escape the pocket. He didn't bail prematurely, and when he ran he committed and generally went up the middle. When he did escape the pocket to the sidelines, he kept his eyes downfield to make plays (did have the one great scramble down the sideline in the 2nd half) - pass to Smitty, 22 yards to Barkley. He looked like SB 57 Jalen. 22 attempts with a 10.0 YPA, and only 2 sacks for -11 yards. Hell, he even threw to Dotson...when he plays like that, we are a juggernaut. - The Chiefs committed to stopping Barkley and forced Hurts to beat them, but it was huge that Kellen stuck with the running game despite the lack of success. 25 for 57 seems like a debacle, but sticking with the run kept the passing game open for Jalen. The throws to Saquon were somewhat an extension of the run game (other than the 22 yarder) as well. Saquon took a beating to open up the offense. And Jalen gashed them for huge runs as well. Still getting 135 on the ground was amazing given the Chiefs sold out to stop it. - The offensive line, despite the lack of rushing from Barkley, played an unreal game. Jalen trusted the protection and the pockets were immaculate. The pocket on the deep shot to Smitty - just absurd. Chris Jones had no impact at all in this game, and he's supposed to be the best DT in the league. Dickerson and Jurgens gutted it out, Becton came back in, and Mailata and Lane made Karlaftis disappear - OK, they didn't show a replay in the stadium, but feels like that OPI call on AJ was crap (the unnecessary roughness call on the Goedert hit felt like a makeup call). But AJ, Smitty and Dotson got 1 on 1 opportunities and made them pay. The back shoulder throw to AJ was amazing, as was the bomb to Smitty. The Chiefs left their DBs on islands and got torched. - Speaking of the OPI on AJ, going for the 4th down was when I realized Nick wasn't messing around. The punt on 4th and 2 in SB 57 when down 28-27 was Nick being scared of the Chiefs, and then they get the big punt return. First drive, Nick decided we aren't playing scared and they throw a go ball on 4th down. Nick clearly had beaten into these guys' heads not to be intimated by the Chiefs' aura, not to be scared, and that we were better. And first chance he got, he bet on his guys. Was a HUGE call for the team's confidence and attitude. The team wasn't scared or in awe of the Chiefs; they treated them like little brothers. DEFENSE - I'm not sure what more can be said about the DL. Sweat and Williams likely played themselves out of our price range this offseason, but what a way to go out. But I thought Hunt and Ojomo played out of their mind. Hunt was a safety a couple years ago and was bull rushing a pro bowl OL (playing out of position) -- the sky is the limit for this guy. And Ojomo seems to be ready to take over for Milton next year. - Nolan Smith is the most violent edge player we've had in forever. Honestly, he's like BG but potentially with more skills. - Thank you Andy for being Andy...the Chiefs utter refusal to run the ball was huge for us. 7 carries by RBs all game...out of 49 plays. This was the 2006 game against Jacksonville when he threw 85% of the time in tropical storm winds. They had 3 called runs in the 1st half, so it wasn't just a function of being down multiple scores. Orlovsky pointed this out, but since Vic knew Andy wouldn't run (and the Chiefs aren't a good running team), he put the ends way outside and the DL rushed hard but in control to keep Mahomes from escaping to the side. All he could do was step up into the DTs. Perfect gameplan and execution. - I have been saying we won't do it, but...please, pay Baun what it takes. Whatever it takes. He's a monster and can do anything (blitz, cover, stop the run, etc.) - Coop's pick 6 was the 1st time I realized we were gonna blow these guys out. - I never noticed Slay all game, which means he must have been excellent. - Way to pad stats against McCollum and Sydney Brown, Pat. OK, here's 3 generations during the confetti. And before anyone goes there, my niece is only 17.

I just wanna say thank you to @VaBeach_Eagle for setting up this board and allowing us all to be able to talk with each other. We might not always agree and get into arguments, but we are always wanting the it’s to win and a place where we can discuss anything. this Super Bowl was awesome and it was amazing to experience ups and downs with everybody on this board for the last six months. Hopefully we can continue doing it for the foreseeable future and have more Super Bowls during that time. Board and blog made this run more fun and without VA we wouldn’t have that.

BOOM

The Dickerson/Jurgens tag team job at center will probably be forgotten over time, but was one of the most memorably gutsy things we’ve seen in Philly sports.

Newest Eagles fan came this morning at 4am…I’m tired AF. I’ll make sure to post some photos this weekend of her in her baby Eagles gear! Despite my sleep deprived wishes, she is not named Saquon and we settled on Natalie.

The issue with Milton Williams, and the reason to let someone else overpay him, is that it seems highly possible/likely that his success is due to playing next to Jalen Carter. And the best evidence of that is that Moro Ojomo, a 7th round pick, put up basically the same pass rush win rate as Williams thanks to Carter. Williams had a pass rush win rate of 18.5%. Ojomo was 16.6% and got better as the season went on, peaking at 26.3% in the Super Bowl. It's why you let someone else overpay Alvin Harper, because he's seeing single coverage due to Michael Irvin. Add on, this draft class is super deep at DT, and you look for another cost controlled guy to play next to Carter. Carter is the unicorn you need to pay.

Our new emoji is now available...

The EMB (the old EMB), had been such a big part of my daily online life since around 2000 or 2001 that when Dave made the announcement that they were shutting it down, I hadn't even finished his statement when I had already begun planning what would need to be done to move/save the board for whoever wanted it saved. No way was I going to just let it fade away with a whimper without even trying to do something about it. It's for moments like last night (and really, every gameday, every training camp, every draft, every CVON argument) that I (and many others here), wanted to save what could be saved. So after last night's victory, I want to announce now that I'm hiring someone to make the board even better, his name is Edwin ... err... never mind. If anyone that went to the game or had a Super Bowl party (or whatever) has video that you'd like to donate to the board's YouTube channel and you're ok with giving the board copyright permission to use it, I'll be happy to upload it (as long as there isn't any NFL or other copyrighted material in there). That could help the boards channel get monetized and help keep funding going to keep the board online, it costs between $2,000 and $2,500 per year (right this moment, we have somewhere around $800 to $1,000 in the boards checking account).

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING SAQUON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Met Ike!

Still can’t get over Dickerson and Jurgens today. That was some legendary stuff. They deserve to be remembered for that for a long time. Both of them are tough as nails.

I am just beyond words livid that I was offline yesterday in a deposition and missed all the fun.

This was the play I was waiting for. So satisfying.

BRANDON GRAHAM

I’m here! I’m in Philly. I’m in heaven.

IT'S HAPPENING

Devonta an emotional guy, love it. Dude has worked his ass off to be great.

My daughter is in Disney World for a cheerleading competition. She just sent me this.

Best Eagles team of our lives

It can’t be said enough… Rookie cornerbacks, even high picks, usually suck. Mitchell and DeJean aren’t just good player for rookies, they’re among the very best at their positions. And Baun, there aren’t enough words to express how he has helped transform the defense. It’s like winning a million dollars on a scratch off.

The greatest three play defensive stretch in franchise history. Frame it.

How about Jordan Davis getting sacks in back to back weeks?

If you remove the bad games you are only left with good games.

What’s up, guys? I’ve been quiet on here lately. The truth is, I’ve been going through a rough stretch with my mental health. I wasn’t sure whether to say anything, but with June being Men’s Mental Health Month, it felt like the right moment to speak up. Mental health can feel like something we’re supposed to keep to ourselves, especially as men. But the numbers tell a different story. Around 1 in 10 men deal with depression or anxiety each year, yet far fewer reach out for help. Even more alarming: men account for nearly 75% of suicide deaths, despite being less likely to talk about what they’re going through. That silence is heavy. I’ve carried it myself. But what I’ve learned—slowly and honestly, the hard way—is that opening up matters. Getting support matters. You don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom to ask for help. You don’t have to go through it alone. So if any of this resonates with you—if you’re struggling in your own way—I just want to say: you’re not alone, and it’s okay to reach out. To a friend, a therapist, a hotline—whatever feels doable. Just don’t keep it all inside. Please take care of yourselves, and check in on the people around you. You never know who might be carrying more than they’re showing.

Side note I’m really enjoying how much worse SF has got this offseason

LOL

The whole "prevent Commanders from getting him" smells like BS. Since when has Howie made moves just to prevent another team? That's like one of the first lessons learned of how not to be a bad GM.

Nice touch..

It’s finally hitting me. This is the second time I’ve watched us win a Super Bowl without my mom. I was a wreck in 2017, and tonight feels almost as bad. She’s the one who made me love this team, who watched the games with me, who felt every high and low just as deeply as I did. I know she would have been overjoyed to see them win it all—twice—but while I celebrate, I can’t help but wish she were here to experience it with me. It breaks my heart knowing she never got to see what we’ve both dreamed of for so long. Love you, Mom. We’re 2x Super Bowl champs! 💚

Didn't get to post this before the old blog closed -- was flying home yesterday after having a blast with dad at the game on Sunday. So here are my thoughts on another NFC Championship Game beatdown - 3rd in a row, and I flew in for each of them! I did watch the replay on the flight home to get a sense of what I missed. OFFENSE - Super Bowl Jalen showed up a game early -- that was a solid A performance. As we discussed in the blog last week, my biggest concern the 1st 2 playoff games was his low YPA (6.2 against GB, 6.4 against the LAR). Low yardage totals overall don't bother me so long as we are efficient when we do throw -- 8.8 YPA on 28 passes, 246 yards and only 2 sacks for 16 yards with no interceptions...we can't ask for much more. He was decisive and did a good job throwing it away when he had nothing there. He did get more conservative with the lead in the 2nd half, but I get it -- only a turnover would have let Washington back into the game. The 4th and 5 go ball to AJ was perfect...my heart sank when he threw it deep, then I saw AJ had a step and Jalen dropped it in perfectly. But my favorite plays were when they moved the pocket and hit AJ or Goedert. When Jalen plays like that, we are unstoppable. 8 TDs, 1 missed FG and 2 punts. Also, he checked to many of the big plays it seemed. - Did Kellen basically sit on his offense and save everything for the last 2 games?? End arounds to Goedert. Pop passes to Smitty. Moving the pocket. A lot of the passing concepts looked like RPO type stuff from 2022, with new wrinkles thrown in. I feel like we have been begging for this all year, and in the biggest game, Kellen brought it out. I haven't seen that offense since the 2022 divisional round blowout of the Giants. - Landon and Cam gutted that out and were awesome. And huge kudos to Steen as well. They introduced both Steen and Cam as starters before the game, so it wasn't super obvious at first that Landon was playing center. To have all that change in the middle of the line and still dominate like that was amazing. - Seeing Barkley in person is simple breathtaking. I saw it in LA, and yesterday was the same -- every play, when he gets through the line, you catch your breath and think he might be gone. That 1st play TD...the Linc reaction was the same as the Patrick Robinson INT against the Vikings. We were all dumfounded he took that to the house. I just ever appreciated how fast he is until I saw him in person. He's a freak of nature. - How did Will Shipley get caught from behind...oh right, he ain't Saquon. - Nice to see AJ show back up. The Commanders were really in a bind, trying to stop Barkley, and just giving AJ tons of space. And then they press him, and he goes deep on 4th and 5. Smitty's catch on the sideline on the 2nd TD drive...not sure he was really inbounds, nice job to snap it fast. - I know his injuries mean this is likely his last year, but damn...a healthy Goedert is such a weapon. Ridiculous hot take -- the Chiefs advantage at TE isn't as big as people think. When he gets going downhill, it's a sight to behold. And he's so good on those boots and roll outs. He also should be the main target on screens. DEFENSE - Jalen Carter isn't human. The man hurdled a cut block. It seemed like he was wrecking every play. Was terrified when he went down, but he came back. And he might not play many snaps, but Jordan Davis is also just a freak. He was destroying the interior of their line. 19 carries for 51 yards from their RBs is absurd. - Overall, it is funny to see what Daniels looked like with actual pressure in his face. We were 30 rows up at like the 30-ish yard line (closer to end zone where AJ caught the TD). You could see that Fangio basically dictated to him all game -- pressure with 4, stay back, force him to throw underneath. 5.3 YPA...all the national writers are screaming he played well, but he really didn't. - Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are fun to watch because they are relentless, and they are getting better. Smith smoked the LT on his sack, and Hunt ran the LT over on another snap. To completely whiff on our biggest FA and still have a great 3 man end rotation is amazing. Sweat didn't stand out as much. - Everyone rightly will praise Baun, but Oren Burks seemed to be everywhere. Both those guys run to the ball so well and can knock it out. I was very worried when we lost Dean, but Burks has been excellent. I wouldn't mind bringing him back next year. His sack on Daniels was pretty amazing. - Watching the coverage...Q, Slay and Coop really give QBs no chance to push it vertical at all. Q in particular seemed to lock everyone down. Slay is probably the "worst" among the group, and that is saying something. - CJGJ hits everything that moves, and Reed is a solid tackler. SPECIAL TEAMS - Jake scares the hell out of me.

What. A. Fing. Game. And on top of it I won a ridiculous "say a prayer” $5 8-leg parlay.