@Iggles_Phan baby girl is good!  Looking like minor to no impact on quality of life if anything comes back from genetics.  We should be going home today.  She enjoyed her first game this Sunday (slept through most of it).

59 minutes ago, RLC said:

Kellen wanting that job shows a significant lack of judgement. 

Kellen taking the interview shows that he's building his resume and getting ready for another job.   Going for an interview doesn't necessarily mean that you are super interested in the job, just that there's something to be said for not burning bridges, building up your resume, and getting your name out there.  It could be a situation where he just wants the taste of the process and getting more reps at the process means he might be better suited for the process when a better job opens up.

 

That said, there's only 32 of these jobs in the world.  And, getting the first one seems to be much harder than getting a second, especially with his age working in his favor.  

17 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

I say we just jerk each other off and settle this once and for all

10 minutes ago, Wentz_Era said:

@Iggles_Phan baby girl is good!  Looking like minor to no impact on quality of life if anything comes back from genetics.  We should be going home today.  She enjoyed her first game this Sunday (slept through most of it).

 

2 minutes ago, DaEagles4Life said:

Almost forgot about this play.  I don't know if they would have overturned it, but I still can't believe Quinn didn't throw the challenge flag.  

 

Johnny does a good job articulating this. Wish Reed was a better coverage S.

53 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

I don't think he is lighter, but definitely in better shape/lower body fat. Fangio pushing for harder practices seems to have worked wonders.

Push Fangio has. He successfully lobbied coach Nick Sirianni to increase the number and length of practices. The sessions were described by one defensive player as "a lot more excruciating" compared to seasons past. That's part of the formula that sparked a dramatic turnaround as the Eagles finished the regular season No. 1 in both total defense and passing defense, second in points per game and fourth in the red zone.

"I remember with the D-line when [Fangio] first came in he was like, 'I know you guys rotated a lot last year, but I'm going to need you guys to play a lot more reps,'" Ricks said. "That was like the first or second day he came in. When we heard that we realized, 'OK, this guy really wants to work hard.'

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43508406/philadelphia-eagles-vic-fangio-defensive-coordinator-created-force-philly-cusp-super-bowl

Woohoo! First pag…

 

 

 

Aw crap!

40 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

A coordinator should be interviewing for every head coaching opportunity.  Interviewing for a job does not equal accepting a job offer.  Moore has been on the head coaching candidate list for a few years now; there are only 32 NFL head coaching jobs in the world.  Every worthwhile candidate should have the confidence and belief that he can turn a program around if given enough time.

The question of whether he'd be given adequate time is a separate question.  Most first time head coaches don't get the time that's often required ...... and that's why he would push for a 5-year contract.  Even if you get fired, you get some financial award to go with the experience.  

I'd imagine if we have a very successful run next year he would be offered a much better job than what the Saints have to offer as that job is no bueno IMO

32 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

Yeah…kind of like this….

1 hour ago, vikas83 said:

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.

Great summary. I got Eagles with the edge at starting TE with Goedert and how he's playing. Kelce lost a solid step and is dropping some easy passes as well. Not close to same Kelce from 2 years ago. I'll give them a small advantage with Gray over Calcaterra.

I think Hunt's snap count will be increasing some and Sweat's decreasing. Hope we see BG. We may see more of Jordan Davis next game with Hunt's physical running style.

I do think Moore is saving some of the offense for the last 2 games. And maybe even showcasing more for a new headcoaching gig. All good!

Agree on Burks. Give him a nice bump and keep him around. Especially with Dean being a question mark with health.

Had Hurts as an A as well. Close to an A plus. Hopefully in Superbowl. 😉 See a relatively close game, but Eagles pull away in 2nd half. 35-24 victory.

14 minutes ago, RLC said:

 

Johnny does a good job articulating this. Wish Reed was a better coverage S.

How much could he improve if he gives up outside leverage for inside (cheat a step) and make the throw tougher inside and perhaps driving them to break outside?  Limits YAC that way.  Tougher throw too or nah?

1 hour ago, Mike030270 said:

It's more insulting to Hurts because they're trying to compare him to someone that's just not in his league. Mahomes had a down year and had better stats than a lot of QBs. Using total stats to make it seem like they're the same is laughable. It's not being a hater because it's the same for the other QBs

No one is suggesting Hurts is as good as Mahomes.

I expect Andy to target Burks, Blankenship, and even DeJean in coverage. Surprisingly, no team has tried to attack DeJean after Thielen cooked him - thinking Andy does.

Doesn't sound like Graham will be playing based on the Sirianni answers and how much he wanted to move past that question. 

Anyone have a strong opinion on when to pull the trigger on tickets? Prices are starting to soften a little already. Few brokers said it is best to wait until the Thursday before the game. Last time we bought too early for sure.

Flights and hotel booked already for me and dad. Game on. I took him to the NFC Championship game. Gotta try and repeat the mojo.

I hope we come out in hurry up the whole damn game.  Gets QB1 in rhythm. 

I have dreams of this offense just flying down the field.  

1 hour ago, Ace Nova said:

Meh. Nighttime primetime game usually gets better ratings.

 Plus, it was an "East Coast” NFC Championship game - pretty much ignoring the rest of the country 

 

Article said a 13.2 million drop in viewers from the 3:30 Championship Game last year.

1 minute ago, vikas83 said:

Anyone have a strong opinion on when to pull the trigger on tickets? Prices are starting to soften a little already. Few brokers said it is best to wait until the Thursday before the game. Last time we bought too early for sure.

Flights and hotel booked already for me and dad. Game on. I took him to the NFC Championship game. Gotta try and repeat the mojo.

Prices were so crazy you had to fly commercial. Such a cool thing you did for him. Lucky guy.

1 minute ago, vikas83 said:

Anyone have a strong opinion on when to pull the trigger on tickets? Prices are starting to soften a little already. Few brokers said it is best to wait until the Thursday before the game. Last time we bought too early for sure.

Flights and hotel booked already for me and dad. Game on. I took him to the NFC Championship game. Gotta try and repeat the mojo.

I like the cut of your jib, mister. Spoiling Pops is the way to roll. Well done. 

No idea on tickets but there is something to be said to find the best deal today and just say the hell with it, I am done.  It's only money. Make it rain!

26 minutes ago, RLC said:

 

Johnny does a good job articulating this. Wish Reed was a better coverage S.

He may be not great in coverage, but he gets some really clutch interceptions and is just smart with anticipation which makes up for lack of speed.

5 minutes ago, RememberTheKoy said:

Doesn't sound like Graham will be playing based on the Sirianni answers and how much he wanted to move past that question. 

It doesn't seem feasible.  To have 300 pound guys putting their weight against your tricep?  Nah. He isn't playing.  Cool story and all, but he will have to just keep doing the support from the sidelines gig.

1 hour ago, just relax said:

Has he? I didn't know. Enjoy them both.

Just went back to a tweet from 2020 where he was congratulating Agar on her spot on Sunday Countdown and one of his followers was upset because he'd been doing it for years before that. Not saying I agree with the premise of the person complaining's tweet. He's all class, though.

 

Just now, jojodancer said:

He may be not great in coverage, but he gets some really clutch interceptions and is just smart with anticipation which makes up for lack of speed.

I suspect Vic will be working on spacing in the middle and squeeze from the outside in both on the rush and in coverage. 

One possible alternative to stop Kelce from all the YAC would be to do the opposite for Reed and Burks and work inside out while everyone else is doing the converse. Make that middle a bit tighter to start. Force them to the edges where you can limit the ball carrier more after catch.