1 minute ago, BDawk_ASamuel said:

They still wouldn’t have covered if they got the FG. 

Doh, you're right. Brain fart.

19 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Where the F did you want him to throw it?  If the defense intercepts, it’s a first down on a touchback or worse, a run ack, as opposed to where the ball was on a turnover on downs.  Run it, also likely better field position for the 49ers.  Ward did the right thing. Now if there was a RB that went up the middle that could have broken right and given a second option?  That is where I fault that play. 

Your devotion to Ward is comical...and I would argue that the right decision in that situation is to force the ball into traffic; the risk/benefit of forcing the ball into tight coverage on 4th and goal favors that decision.  It's a congested space; the odds of a runback are small and a 20 yard touchback risk is fine for the chance of 7 points.  But regardless, there's enough in play that that I'm not going to bash a WR for the decision to throw it away.  It's not as egregious as I think many have made it out to be.  That's not the reason it failed.

3 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Your devotion to Ward is comical...and I would argue that the right decision in that situation is to force the ball into traffic; the risk/benefit of forcing the ball into tight coverage on 4th and goal favors that decision.  It's a congested space; the odds of a runback are small and a 20 yard touchback risk is fine for the chance of 7 points.  But regardless, there's enough in play that that I'm not going to bash a WR for the decision to throw it away.  It's not as egregious as I think many have made it out to be.  That's not the reason it failed.

Watch the play again. The defender’s back is turned. The risk was practically nil. 

10 minutes ago, schuy7 said:

Chiefs -2.5 just didn't make sense for this game, and there you go. Vegas knew something.

Of course they did. However NFL fans don’t want to believe it. 

Got too pretty.

Pound the rock or sneak 4 times with 1st and goal at the 1.

And I'm just some ahole with a beer in my hand.

How do the coaches not see it??

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

Watch the play again. The defender’s back is turned. The risk was practically nil. 

I agree that it was a bad decision, but reflexively making a decision to protect the football when you are doing something you are never asked to do isn't that awful; it's still consistent with what is in the lifelong instructional DNA of every ball-carrying football player.

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

Watch the play again. The defender’s back is turned. The risk was practically nil. 

I still can’t believe there wasn’t another option besides Hurts. Trying to pull this off in zone coverage is a guarantee fail 

Thoughts on today's game...

Hurts left a lot of throws on the field today. Extremely disappointing performance.

It's unbelievable how raw Jalen Reagor was coming into the league. It's like all he did at TCU was run fast and jump high. He's starting to look more comfortable and that's encouraging. Still, his stepping out of bounds on that would-be TD was infuriating. There's a really good WR in there somewhere, and I trust that Sirianni can get him there if anybody can.

Injuries to Graham and Brooks are tough all-around. On a big contract, Graham going into his age-34 season coming off an achilles tear could be an ugly situation. If the Brooks injury is a pec tear, really sad way for him to go out.

Next guys up are young guys expected to be future stars of this team. Can Sweat and Dickerson hold up? I thought Dickerson got thrown into a brutal situation, practicing only 1 week and then getting thrown out there to replace an All-Pro.

Derek Barnett's penalty was disgraceful. How does a 5th year player do something so stupid?! Don't know what you do with him.

Interesting to track Kenny Gainwell's role this season. Thought he looked more assertive running the ball today. His value in the pass game is obvious. Could majorly cut into Sanders' touches.

Edit: How could I forget, Sirianni's playcalling was horrendous. Running on 3rd and 6 early in the game. The dollar store Philly Special. Not getting Goedert involved more. He has to get better, or we're in for another year of ugly offense.

For all that I criticize Hurts, I do sense that he has the makings of a very good goal line QB.  There's no downfield to worry about seeing or reaching, he makes good decisions up front and underneath, and his mobility becomes a much bigger asset to defend in short yardage.  They should have given him the opportunity to get the ball in the end zone on that 4th down.

5 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I agree that it was a bad decision, but reflexively making a decision to protect the football when you are doing something you are never asked to do isn't that awful; it's still consistent with what is in the lifelong instructional DNA of every ball-carrying football player.

He’s a former QB and it was fourth down!

5 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I still can’t believe there wasn’t another option besides Hurts. Trying to pull this off in zone coverage is a guarantee fail 

Did we not announce the first row as eligible?

Pretty sure Boston Scott went another game without a snap. At least I didn’t notice or see him at all. 

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

He’s a former QB and it was fourth down!

Well, I've already exceeded my lifetime allotment of effort in defending Ward.  So you can have the last word on that.

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

Did we not announce the first row as eligible?

Mike Trout got his game ball 

Just now, LeanMeanGM said:

Pretty sure Boston Scott went another game without a snap. At least I didn’t notice or see him at all. 

He's on the roster for 2 NYG games and 1 NYJ.

29 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

I’m sorry, do the Eagles get awarded points if the fans catch a TD?  You’re worried about field position on a possible touchback instead of trying to score 7 points??

Holy F

That’s not at all what I said nor did you answer my question.  Hurts was never open. Not sure how Ward was to throw it through the defender. Is that what you wanted?  Ward throwing it into the defender and likely getting an interception and a touchback.  No advantage to taking a loss of field position.   The play was designed poorly because there was no outlet receiver.  Do you disagree with that?  

5 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

Thoughts on today's game...

Hurts left a lot of throws on the field today. Extremely disappointing performance.

It's unbelievable how raw Jalen Reagor was coming into the league. It's like all he did at TCU was run fast and jump high. He's starting to look more comfortable and that's encouraging. Still, his stepping out of bounds on that would-be TD was infuriating. There's a really good WR in there somewhere, and I trust that Sirianni can get him there if anybody can.

Injuries to Graham and Brooks are tough all-around. On a big contract, Graham going into his age-34 season coming off an achilles tear could be an ugly situation. If the Brooks injury is a pec tear, really sad way for him to go out.

Next guys up are young guys expected to be future stars of this team. Can Sweat and Dickerson hold up? I thought Dickerson got thrown into a brutal situation, practicing only 1 week and then getting thrown out there to replace an All-Pro.

Derek Barnett's penalty was disgraceful. How does a 5th year player do something so stupid?! Don't know what you do with him.

Interesting to track Kenny Gainwell's role this season. Thought he looked more assertive running the ball today. His value in the pass game is obvious. Could majorly cut into Sanders' touches.

Gainwell's progress should have an impact on whether they give Sanders a second contract.

 

After watching Mahomes and Jackson, I can't see Hurts in the same conversation.  Maybe he gets close to the Wilson and Prescott level.  Until he can show competence throwing the ball between the hashes, I'm looking at other options in 2022.  I'd hate to be one of those teams good enough to make playoffs most seasons, yet not good enough at QB to win a playoff game on the road.

1 minute ago, BigEFly said:

That’s not at all what I said nor did you answer my question.  Hurts was never open. Not sure how Ward was to throw it through the defender. Is that what you wanted?  Ward throwing it into the defender and likely getting an interception and a touchback.  No advantage to taking a loss of field position.   The play was designed poorly because there was no outlet receiver.  Do you disagree with that?  

Who was the second receiver in SB LII?

You throw the ball towards Hurts.  With the defender's back to the ball, if Hurts moves towards the pass and is impeded, you get a PI flag.  Not likely, but still a possibility.

32 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

The defender’s back was turned. You throw that pass every single time. He is a former QB. He should know better. 

Where?  The defender has Hurts screened.  So where does he throw it?  Hurts was blanketed.  There is no outlet receiver.  Bad design. 

1 minute ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Who was the second receiver in SB LII?

You throw the ball towards Hurts.  With the defender's back to the ball, if Hurts moves towards the pass and is impeded, you get a PI flag.  Not likely, but still a possibility.

DPI is far more likely than an interception in that instance. 

I really want to be wrong on Hurts. He seems like a very likable, humble guy that is also a natural leader. He’s not flipping in the endzone like crackhead Lamar 

3 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Where?  The defender has Hurts screened.  So where does he throw it?  Hurts was blanketed.  There is no outlet receiver.  Bad design. 

You throw it directly in Hurts’ direction. This isn’t difficult. There’s about a 98 percent chance it’s either incomplete or a DPI. The other two percent is split between a great catch by Hurts and the ball somehow taking a crazy ricochet that leads to a pick. 

5 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Gainwell's progress should have an impact on whether they give Sanders a second contract.

 

After watching Mahomes and Jackson, I can't see Hurts in the same conversation.  Maybe he gets close to the Wilson and Prescott level.  Until he can show competence throwing the ball between the hashes, I'm looking at other options in 2022.  I'd hate to be one of those teams good enough to make playoffs most seasons, yet not good enough at QB to win a playoff game on the road.

I don't think anything should have an impact on giving Sanders a second contract...IMO, it shouldn't be considered unless Sanders is willing to sign so far below market value that the NFLPA files a grievance.  

Nothing against Sanders.  Not hating the player, hating the position.  Churn and burn.  The one exception being a RB with a sterling health record who impacts the offense a la Westbrook/Faulk in the passing game.  

17 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

Gainwell's progress should have an impact on whether they give Sanders a second contract.

 

After watching Mahomes and Jackson, I can't see Hurts in the same conversation.  Maybe he gets close to the Wilson and Prescott level.  Until he can show competence throwing the ball between the hashes, I'm looking at other options in 2022.  I'd hate to be one of those teams good enough to make playoffs most seasons, yet not good enough at QB to win a playoff game on the road.

Agree on both. I like the idea of a Westbrook-lite RB who excels both out of the backfield and out wide. Sanders showed some of that year 1, but somehow his receiving skills have fallen off a cliff. I wouldn't re-sign Sanders; I don't think he can add much value if he ever loses his elite burst.

I never understood the Hurts/Jackson comparisons and always looked more toward Wilson and Prescott. Those 2 leaned on the run game for a while, and I think Hurts might have to as well. He'll have missed reads here and there, but he just cannot keep missing those downfield throws.

Gainwell looks pretty nice, but he looks like a classic change of pace passing down back. He tops out as a 1B, and that’s just fine considering his body type.