1 hour ago, HazletonEagle said:

Not true but there will be no convincing either of us. Moving on.

You believe you don’t pontificate?

You don’t pontificate during the Offseason, but for some strange reason the Dr. Jekyl you are in the offseason becomes Mr. Hyde during the season and you get up in your pulpit and preach.

41 minutes ago, DaEagles4Life said:

We have seen enough of this guy. He should not be on the field

Where is he going? There's no effort on that block.

34 minutes ago, DawkinsOwnage03 said:

The guy had a bad half against a 3-0 playoff team on the road, chill.

The Internet QB had a terrible game vs the Giants with no Nabers and got cooked. Not a peep.

22 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Haven't they ran a fake before?

Some random thoughts about yesterday's game:

On that final play of the game, it looked like the Bucs knew that the Eagles were going to do precisely what they did and had two guys on a dead run trying to tackle Mann as quickly as possible. Good on them and good on the Eagles for executing the play properly. The thing is, I kinda think there still should have been a second left on the clock after the safety. I put a stopwatch to the play from snap until the instant Mann went out the back of the endzone, and in every attempt I made, it came in short of six seconds. Let's put it this way -- if the pass to Alshon Jeffery on the play prior to Jake Elliott's long field goal against the Giants on the last play of the game left a second on the clock, this play should have too. And it would have forced the Eagles to make a tackle on a kick/punt where there would probably have been a bunch of laterals and wild stuff. 99% chance that it goes our way. But it's that 1% that would have had me frightened. I'm surprised no one (that I know of) has commented on this.

Was anyone else under the impression that Tom Brady's rooting interest in the game was pretty obvious? It sure felt like he wasn't trying to hide the fact that he wanted the Bucs to win. Announcers should be more professional.

I have been singing Latu's praises on special teams for a while now!

Among the many things in the second half that were disturbing, I was troubled by something that I'm not sure anyone noticed. In two instances, the Eagles punted the ball with about fifteen seconds left on a running play clock. When you're up by multiple scores in the second half, it only makes sense to milk as much free time off the clock as you can. I'm not saying take it to the very last second, but you can certainly take it down to about five seconds before snapping the ball. Ultimately they probably cost about twenty seconds of clock time on those plays. That can matter at the end of games.

I've seen some comments about the trade for Tank Bigsby. The point I would like to make is that his acquisition was probably aimed more at NEXT year than this year. A.J. Dillon doesn't figure to be on the team next year so having a "third" back already on your roster is a real positive. Plus as someone else mentioned a little while back, I thought he looked pretty good on one of his kickoff returns. So I think he's going to contribute to the team this year. Basically I have no issues whatsoever with the price the Eagles paid for a known back with definite upside.

Does anyone know which Eagles gunner was the one who flew past the Bucs return man on that big punt return? I can't tell, although I have a feeling it was Sydney Brown. Oh, and I just "knew" they were going to pick up that flag so I didn't exactly celebrate when the announcers said there was a penalty on the play and it was coming back.

3 hours ago, NCiggles said:

I still don't understand why they picked up the flag. His forearm hits Hurt's helmet.

100%. Loved that Brady was talking about it not being a penalty as the replay is showing the forearm to the facemask. It might have touched the shoulder first, but that was a blow to the head 100%

24 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

Another Elephant in the room is the monumental drop in run blocking by the offensive line. Went from tops in the NFL to among the worst.

What the heck is going on with them?

My sense is that defenses know what and where they are running.

3 hours ago, NOTW said:

Re-watched the game highlights, I feel even better about the defense than yesterday. And despite the 2nd half offense struggles, some positives in the offense overall.

We all were upset about the amount of penalties. Part of that is field position and momentum. Had the BS penalties not happened (there were legit ones of course), then the Bucs would have punted and the offense would have more time, which would have given the defense more rest. The 1st half offense that was moving the ball well probably would have scored even more, securing a bigger lead before Hurts apparent concussion and the 2nd half offense issues.

As pointed out, the 2 big pass TDs for them were against rookies. This was the expected growing pains when replacing veterans. Ringo was also making his first start. Baker Mayfield doesn't always get enough credit, he is a pretty solid QB and fights to make plays happen.

On offense, there were some plays that got Barkley going outside from runs and passes to get him the ball and get some 1st downs. The O line injuries are hurting the run game, they need to continue to get Barkley involved in ways that work with what the O line can do right now (also rest Dickerson and Lane they are just liabilities if hurt).

At this time last year everyone was panicking about the defense (coming off the disastrous prior year) despite the new coaches and players. After the bye and inserting DeJean, the defense took off. The defense will only improve this year as Carter gets back into shape, Ojomo continues to get better, the rookies and new starters gel and get more experience.

We've had a 2-3 year long debate nationally now about "what it looks like" with the Eagles offense. They win. They won a Super Bowl. They're 4-0. They have a lot to improve, but there are also positives there. And they're about to hit an easier stretch and then have a bye. They have a lot to learn from and they need to put a full game together on offense. But I think there's a lot of hope and potential for improvement.

Defense has been outstanding all year. Baker is arguably the second best QB in the league right now (was top 5 last year). 2 freak busted plays really changed things. Outside of that they held the Rams, Chiefs and Cowboys in check…which is 4 very very good O’s (on paper).

1 hour ago, T-1000 said:

That was a penalty clear as day based on how they call things now. It doesn't matter that he missed his head. Hurts was sliding and dude dove into him with his forearm up. It was a cheap shot and had he made contact with his head Hurts probably would have been concussed.

The defender leading with his forearm … even extending that arm in a striking motion was all crystal clear at the time and confirmed by the replay. No penalty though. But similar sequences by Carter and Uche quickly got flags. Hopefully the Eagles have sent the videos of those three plays on to the NFL Office.

5 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

Was anyone else under the impression that Tom Brady's rooting interest in the game was pretty obvious? It sure felt like he wasn't trying to hide the fact that he wanted the Bucs to win. Announcers should be more professional.

A lot of commentators will be obvious about who they're rooting for

I still think he's one of the better ones simply because of his knowledge of the sport

18 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Think it’s a couple of things. guys aren’t healthy. Can see it with Dickerson. Lane isn’t finishing games he stats. Jurgens back might be repaired but he still struggling coming back to what he was last year. Mailata also just hasn’t been as good. I’d also say i think teams had an entire offseason to prepare and showing things we may not have seen and just better prepared for what we do. Lastly passing game clunky inconsistencies is beginning to also hurt the run game. I’d add was unrealistic to expect Barkley to do what he did in 2024 in 2025.

Yup…I really believe this is the aftermath of playing in the Super Bowl in the 2nd week of February. It shortens the offseason…their bodies need time to not just rest but heal…and that is not a flexible timetable…having 4 really tough teams who are either divisional opponents or playoff rematches playing their own Super Bowls at the beginning of the season is a big ask. That is why this years depth is so important.

It's Brian Johnson all over again.

We come out flat against the Rams and make major adjustments in the second half to win. Now we come out sharp against Tampa and then go super flat in the second half.

Something major has to be fixed here. Consistency like this shouldn't be a problem, especially when we had it last year and dominated like we did.

2 minutes ago, mattwill said:

The defender leading with his forearm … even extending that arm in a striking motion was all crystal clear at the time and confirmed by the replay. No penalty though. But similar sequences by Carter and Uche quickly got flags. Hopefully the Eagles have sent the videos of those three plays on to the NFL Office.

The difference is that Jalen was a runner, and Baker was a passer. It's a two-tier system.

49 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I rather have an actual calculator out there

2 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

A lot of commentators will be obvious about who they're rooting for

I still think he's one of the better ones simply because of his knowledge of the sport

Yeah there have been other games where the other team's fans think he's favoring the Eagles.

I tend to think he doesn't care, he just says his opinion. I agree, he shares a lot of helpful knowledge. Too many guys are trying to be a "personality."

46 minutes ago, DaEagles4Life said:

You have to wonder if he's overthinking things now. Was it Adrian Peterson who reached out to him about turning his head and how it gives plays away. He doesn't even look to the right (at least with his head) when Hurts points out the blitz coming. He may have used his eyes, we don't know, but from this angle, it looks like he doesn't even acknowledge or see what Hurts is pointing out.

1 hour ago, just relax said:

Strongly disagree. Barkley’s yards before contact last season were 3.8. This year it’s 2.0. He’s been hit in the backfield on more than 40% of his carries. That’s bad blocking, compounded by bad play calling.

It's all three - blocking, play calling, and a back that isn't as fresh as he was last year. His vision is likely just as good, but he doesn't have the same burst. He's also getting to the stage in his career when running backs usually fall off.

6 minutes ago, Waiting4Someday said:

The difference is that Jalen was a runner, and Baker was a passer. It's a two-tier system.

Both should have been no calls.

1 hour ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

I like his analysis but I wish he’d improve how he presents it. Filming a screen on your phone is very amateurish

1 minute ago, jmac+djaxallday said:

Both should have been no calls.

Agreed.

10 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

Yup…I really believe this is the aftermath of playing in the Super Bowl in the 2nd week of February. It shortens the offseason…their bodies need time to not just rest but heal…and that is not a flexible timetable…having 4 really tough teams who are either divisional opponents or playoff rematches playing their own Super Bowls at the beginning of the season is a big ask. That is why this years depth is so important.

I’m not having that. They’ve had 5 months off

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Whoa... slow down a bit. I think he's a great guy to have around for ST and for this FB role they are using. But, that's a far cry from moving him to TE1. Blocking as a FB is dramatically different from blocking as a TE as well. I just don't see it with him as a future TE1 for this team. He's a nice role player and could become a nice TE2, maybe. But... TE1? That's a stretch. This team demands far too much from their TE to expect that he could fill that void.

If … what is it about that word that is so hard to process? It is a word that has particular resonance for me because of one of the greatest poems ever written.

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting. Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies. Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating, and yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster; and treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build ’em up with worn out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings, and never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them: "Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings — nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; if all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run — yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it — and which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!

35 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

Another Elephant in the room is the monumental drop in run blocking by the offensive line. Went from tops in the NFL to among the worst.

What the heck is going on with them?

I think we've been discussing it in bits and pieces but let's look at it as a whole from further away.

Mailata- Had a mystery injury during TC and the beats reported often that he didn't look like himself.

Dickerson- Knee surgery a few weeks before the season and then a back injury. I'd be shocked if he wasn't even at 70%

Jurgens- Had back surgery after the SB. Is he completely healed? He has a new RG and an injured LG. Both those positions impact his play as well.

Steen- Until yesterday, relatively healthy and while playing well, he's not the road grader that Becton was.

Johnson- Hate to say it, but age might be catching up with him. Not in the level of his play, but just the way the body heals. Two straight weeks he didn't finish a game.

Your LG and RT are playing through known injuries and your LT and C might be doing the same.

The smart move here is to at the very least sit Landon and Lane for a game or two, if not IR at least Dickerson. I'd love to see Fred Johnson against a weaker team play a full 60 at RT. If Pryor is at LG, so be it. Give me a healthy Pryor for a few weeks so we can have a healthy Dickerson for the stretch run.

They didn't get bad overnight. They just aren't healthy and it's impacting the entire team.

36 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Agreeing with the folks that want to rest Dickerson next Thursday at NYG.

Their turf is a season-ending injury waiting to happen.

I didn't realize it was a Thursday game. Yes, 100% sit him. Short rest, Met-Life's turf. Take a break big fella.