2 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

As for the penalties on San Fran, its possible that a playoff ref crew has meetings and discusses things specific to each team to focus on.

To me it seems like SF did a TON of holding on all WRs/TEs. The old Seattle tactic to interfere on every play because the refs cant call it all.

Highly effective all season long. But if they met before the game and said watch for SF getting handsy with receivers- well- tough luck. You couldnt cheat and get away with it in the NFC Championship game.

 

One of the biggest plays in 28-3 was Chris Long telling the ref that the Falcons OT was blatantly hooking him on the edge.

The OT did it on the next play and the Falcons lost 10 yards towards not being in FG range to go up 11 and end the game.

 

If you don't want to get called for a penalty, I suggest you don't cheat. If you can't do it without cheating then too bad.

3 hours ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I don't have that same "magical" feeling of 2017 when there was no doubt in mind they were winning the SB. It's hard to replicate everything that led up to that moment though. Being a favorite the entire run feels different and a little bit odd. 

 

5 minutes ago, Doc S. said:

Me too.

Is it possible we just power through this time, as Favorites , and complete the job?

No Dog Masks, here's our Team, I dare you to beat us?

Doesn't scream Philly Underdog mentality but to quote the Great Philosopher Bob Dylan...

"Oh the times they are a changin...". This Team IS formidable. Andy knows. He's worried.

Hate that they are calling us a powerhouse or juggernaut or whatever, but sometimes one must embrace the truth.

Smoked our way to Arizona, by all accounts. Wreckage in our rear view. Disposed of the "Best D " in the NFL...Hung 31 on em.

Our Lines beat Their Lines all day.

This is gonna be FUN!

That is the next step, if possible, for the evolution of Eagles fandom.  

Decades of embarrassment, then better teams that provided choking and heartache, then...at long last...an underdog, miraculous title that defied all odds.  If there's one last upgrade, it's winning a title while not defying the odds.  

2 hours ago, downundermike said:

Agreed.  Even at 75%, Mahomes is by far the best QB we are going to face this year.

Fine. Bring it. We don't suck.

We can play against anybody left standing.

14 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

As for the penalties on San Fran, its possible that a playoff ref crew has meetings and discusses things specific to each team to focus on.

To me it seems like SF did a TON of holding on all WRs/TEs. The old Seattle tactic to interfere on every play because the refs cant call it all.

Highly effective all season long. But if they met before the game and said watch for SF getting handsy with receivers- well- tough luck. You couldnt cheat and get away with it in the NFC Championship game.

 

I seriously doubt that this is the case. There are no strategic discussions of any kind....that would be highly unprofessional.

I wonder if Nick Wright’s face will make more people root for the Eagles in the Super Bowl

Interesting view on the game from Slay. Didn’t know about the Kittle angle but pretty clear all week that our defense wanted to show just how physical they were.

 they 

The Bucs pass rush (probably combined with some extracurricular team distractions) ruined Mahomes in that SB.  While their pass rush wasn't nearly as good as ours, they also did it against a desperately short-handed OL.  It would probably be slightly optimistic to call it even.  

I think the entire game will come down to Mahomes ability to elude the rush.  I've seem him laugh off ferocious pass rushes while dancing in circles and throwing the ball between his legs for TDs.  If he is able to neutralize our pass rush while skipping around and contorting himself into 30 yard completions, then our elite pass rush isn't going to be more impactful than an average one.  If either the ankle won't allow it or he just isn't up to that challenge for the day, then that'll be the difference.  

3 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

I seriously doubt that this is the case. There are no strategic discussions of any kind....that would be highly unprofessional.

They put together an all-star reffing crew. And thats it? They just tell the guys to show up and wing it?

Id expect for such big games the refs are better prepared than that. Team tendencies, points of emphasis, etc.

And theres absolutely nothing unprofessional about that.

20 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

As for the penalties on San Fran, its possible that a playoff ref crew has meetings and discusses things specific to each team to focus on.

To me it seems like SF did a TON of holding on all WRs/TEs. The old Seattle tactic to interfere on every play because the refs cant call it all.

Highly effective all season long. But if they met before the game and said watch for SF getting handsy with receivers- well- tough luck. You couldnt cheat and get away with it in the NFC Championship game.

 

One of the differences is that we have a top tier OL. They could probably get away with it because their front 7 was so dominant so there wasn't a lot of time to call penalties in the secondary. When they finally met a team that could hold up to their pass rush they got exposed.

1 minute ago, HazletonEagle said:

They put together an all-star reffing crew. And thats it? They just tell the guys to show up and wing it?

Id expect for such big games the refs are better prepared than that. Team tendencies, points of emphasis, etc.

And theres absolutely nothing unprofessional about that.

They are not looking at teams and discussing what kinds of infractions may be called. Which is what you suggested.

5 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

They are not looking at teams and discussing what kinds of infractions may be called. Which is what you suggested.

If its noted that SF has been really handsy in the secondary all season long, it should be a point of emphasis in the game.

If its noted that Lane Johnson leaves early on every play, or the eagles often have an illegal man down field, that should be a point of emphasis in the game.

An officiating crew should discuss that stuff. Its just being prepared.

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

If its noted that SF has been really handsy in the secondary all season long, it should be a point of emphasis in the game.

If its noted that Lane Johnson leaves early on every play, or the eagles often have an illegal man down field, that should be a point of emphasis in the game.

An officiating crew should discuss that stuff. Its just being prepared.

How is it unprofessional to discuss the game and tendencies ??

5 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

If its noted that SF has been really handsy in the secondary all season long, it should be a point of emphasis in the game.

If its noted that Lane Johnson leaves early on every play, or the eagles often have an illegal man down field, that should be a point of emphasis in the game.

An officiating crew should discuss that stuff. Its just being prepared.

Teams talk to refs/league office about things like this leading up to a game. 

12 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

They are not looking at teams and discussing what kinds of infractions may be called. Which is what you suggested.

how do you know that?

https://operations.nfl.com/officiating/nfl-officials-preparing-for-success/

Partially correct. 

 

"

Each crew chief uses game footage to scout the two teams that the crew will see in their next assignment. That information helps each official effectively prepare by identifying the formations, defenses and tendencies they can expect to see in the matchup. 

Crews may even be notified about an unusual play one of the teams plans to run. Coaches occasionally send the officiating department video of a play they designed to make sure the formation or some other aspect of the play is legal. If it is, the officiating department will share the video and explanation with the game referee, so the officiating crew will not be caught unaware."

9 minutes ago, downundermike said:

How is it unprofessional to discuss the game and tendencies ??

no idea. that was a surprising take. 

Aptos talking out his anus again…

 

man this two weeks is going to draaaaag

I get both sides of this.  It's a complicated line to straddle.

You've got to prepare.  You have review meetings to optimize performance.  And I'm sure teams reach out ahead of big games with an irritating laundry list of illegal tendencies they think their opposition features.  

But it crosses a line when you say hey...the colts have a physical secondary.  Let's wash that out with some yellow laundry early.  The Bears have had a lot of late hits this year, so let's be on the lookout.  Bengals have a lousy RT who holds a lot, so pay extra attention.  You've got to watch the game and call the same strike zone.

7 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

https://operations.nfl.com/officiating/nfl-officials-preparing-for-success/

Partially correct. 

 

"

Each crew chief uses game footage to scout the two teams that the crew will see in their next assignment. That information helps each official effectively prepare by identifying the formations, defenses and tendencies they can expect to see in the matchup. 

Crews may even be notified about an unusual play one of the teams plans to run. Coaches occasionally send the officiating department video of a play they designed to make sure the formation or some other aspect of the play is legal. If it is, the officiating department will share the video and explanation with the game referee, so the officiating crew will not be caught unaware."

Actually, @HazletonEagle was 100% correct

9 minutes ago, aptosbird said:

https://operations.nfl.com/officiating/nfl-officials-preparing-for-success/

Partially correct. 

 

"

Each crew chief uses game footage to scout the two teams that the crew will see in their next assignment. That information helps each official effectively prepare by identifying the formations, defenses and tendencies they can expect to see in the matchup. 

Crews may even be notified about an unusual play one of the teams plans to run. Coaches occasionally send the officiating department video of a play they designed to make sure the formation or some other aspect of the play is legal. If it is, the officiating department will share the video and explanation with the game referee, so the officiating crew will not be caught unaware."

you should just stop

 They gotta sign a new punter this week.  

2 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I get both sides of this.  It's a complicated line to straddle.

You've got to prepare.  You have review meetings to optimize performance.  And I'm sure teams reach out ahead of big games with an irritating laundry list of illegal tendencies they think their opposition features.  

But it crosses a line when you sayh ey...the colts have a physical secondary.  Let's wash that out with some yellow laundry early.  The Bears have had a lot of late hits this year, so let's be on the lookout.  Bengals have a lousy RT who holds a lot, so pay extra attention.  You've got to watch the game and call the same strike zone.

No, I dont think it crosses a line at all. It levels the playing field by making those teams follow the rules.

25 minutes ago, Thrive said:

Interesting view on the game from Slay. Didn’t know about the Kittle angle but pretty clear all week that our defense wanted to show just how physical they were.

 they 

Kittle has a great public persona but he's got some Carson Wentz in him.

After the SB loss he was miked up and went on this rant about I'm coming back here. Me Me Me Me!!!!! No we, no team, it was just about him.

It was as bad as priority A01 crying about not getting to play in the SB on the America's Team video.

3 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

no idea. that was a surprising take. 

his link says he’s FOS 🤣

Just now, eagle45 said:

I get both sides of this.  It's a complicated line to straddle.

You've got to prepare.  You have review meetings to optimize performance.  And I'm sure teams reach out ahead of big games with an irritating laundry list of illegal tendencies they think their opposition features.  

But it crosses a line when you say hey...the colts have a physical secondary.  Let's wash that out with some yellow laundry early.  The Bears have had a lot of late hits this year, so let's be on the lookout.  Bengals have a lousy RT who holds a lot, so pay extra attention.  You've got to watch the game and call the same strike zone.

Yup...there is a difference between discussing defenses, formations and tendencies to prepare for such as a hurry up offense....compared to looking at individual tendencies to focus penalties on. That has to be in real time and unbiased. It is not that complicated.