7 hours ago, mattwill said:

Post-game Wrap-up  The very last prediction received with a score of Eagles 27 Bucs 10 proved to be the closest one.  Congratulations to @Cliftoma 
The correct Bonus predictions were
@WentzFan11 with "Swift over 100 rushing yards"
@Know Life with "O-line doesn't allow a sack" (I don't believe David's sack was charged against the O-Line, but I could be wrong)
@BigEFly with "OZ with a TD"
@LeanMeanGM with "Rachaad White has less than 2.8 YPC"
@Westbrook#36 with "Eagles get a safety"

@Texas Eagle gets an honorable mention with his "Carter + Davis combine for 3 sacks and a FF"
@hputenis gets an honorable mention with "Jalen Carter with a sack"

The final Predictions list was as follows

 

2 hours ago, Mike31mt said:

I love how Covey stared his football mortality in the face and just decided to go balls to the wall, run directly into the hurricane style.  You can tell teams have no idea whats going on, like is this little dude really running straight at us right now?  

He impressed me last night... but he still scares me back there.  That long return started with a bobble.  He let the punt bounce, then chased it and returned it in a precarious spot.  A much simpler play is to charge up and fair catch it.    He just doesn't leave me with a lot of confidence, but he did have a couple of nice returns.

3 minutes ago, Cliftoma said:

 

I really, really underrated our decense. I think it's quite possible they are better this year than they were last year.

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

I wonder if one of the consequences of skipping training camp is player evaluation.

They had no idea that Swift was better than Gainwell or that Morrow might be the best LB on the team.  And why would they?  If the 1s never play and the 2s just go through the motions, it’s probably easier to miss these things.

Im not saying they are doing it wrong.  But with everyone asking how the Eagles didn’t know this sooner, that’s probably why.

They saw something in Morrow to target him right at the start of FA.  Then they buried him.  Makes no sense.  Personally, when Dean comes back, Cunningham would be the odd man out for me.  And I think I'd keep the green dot with Morrow.  Let Dean get used to the speed of the NFL without also being responsible for the calls.  Morrow can handle that.  Dean will likely flash a bit more if he can just concentrate on playing fast.

1 hour ago, bpac55 said:

They really need something from Penny or for Scott to be healthy. Swift playing 54% of the snaps is OK but to have Gainwell getting nearly 50% of the snaps is just too much. If Penny can't give you a snap, he doesn't belong on the team.

I don't want to keep harping on Gainwell but he's played in 2 games now and in each he hasn't even averaged 4 ypc. That just isn't good.

The Eagle defense was only on the field for 47 snaps so it's pretty unbelievable that he's making such an impact on 21 plays.

Derek Barnett should not have double the snaps of Nolan Smith.

 

Barnett is a different kind of player than Smith.  Situationally, Barnett will play more on run downs, Smith more on pass downs.  So, I can't really go by the strict number of snaps, but would be interested to know how the two are being used.  Barnett actually sets a fairly strong edge, I don't think Smith is ready for that yet.

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

I wonder if one of the consequences of skipping training camp is player evaluation.

They had no idea that Swift was better than Gainwell or that Morrow might be the best LB on the team.  And why would they?  If the 1s never play and the 2s just go through the motions, it’s probably easier to miss these things.

Im not saying they are doing it wrong.  But with everyone asking how the Eagles didn’t know this sooner, that’s probably why.

I get Morrow but almost any fan knew that Swift was a much more talented player than Gainwell.

I guess Gainwell just got the  nod for familiarity with the offense. But it was clear after just the first preseason game in Baltimore that Swift is head and shoulders more talented. 

1 hour ago, bpac55 said:

I really think the Eagles need to just cut Penny and bring in a running back that offers something different. The 4th and 2 run to Gainwell was infuriating. I would have rather seen them try to tush push for 2 yards than to give it to Gainwell there.

I would have rather they just kicked the FG to get on the board to start the game.  They gave the Bucs life by coming away with no points, after basically imposing their will on them moving quickly down the field.  Getting zero points after that was a 'loss' for me in that exchange.  Fortunately, the defense stepped up big time, and outside of one drive per half were just completely dominant... amazingly so (which explains in large degree why they played so few snaps total... which I love to see).

36 minutes ago, KINGnabb said:

I love what Swift is doing but let's not run him into the ground.  Keep Kenny in the rotation and Boston once he gets healthy.  

Exactly.  He needs to be carefully monitored and used accordingly.  I see him very much in the BWest 2002-2004 mold.  He can be truly dynamic, but we need to be careful not to overuse him and lose him for the post-season.

29 minutes ago, wussbasket said:

That safety just shows how much teams respect both Carter and Davis. They were both double teamed allowing Morrow with a clear gap to shoot into.

Carter and Davis also seemed to be slanting left on the play to open a gap for the LBs.   That was just a tidal wave of humanity from the defensive front.  Desai seemed to know that the Bucs weren't going to try to pass from there, and so they just sold out 100% for the safety on the run.   That's a spot that a 'tush push' would help the team to get some space for the next down.   

Johnson is morphing from the RO to a more conventional offense, which is good. Don't get Hurts killed. On the ROs, he was basically a decoy.

Hurts did a better job staying in the pocket and moving around to buy time, this is part of his evolution, it's only his 3rd season as a starter, people forget he's not a finished product, especially as a running QB who has less experience as a pocket QB. The ability to run at will has also made play action more effective. They even threw a couple conventional screens.

The DL was ridiculous, to think that Carter and Davis are still learning how to play in the NFL. And Tuo had a fine game, Williams has been steady all season.

As the season progresses, I see Carter's workload gradually increasing, while Cox's snaps are reduced.

 

7 hours ago, mattwill said:

Post-game Wrap-up  The very last prediction received with a score of Eagles 27 Bucs 10 proved to be the closest one.  Congratulations to @Cliftoma 
The correct Bonus predictions were
@WentzFan11 with "Swift over 100 rushing yards"
@Know Life with "O-line doesn't allow a sack" (I don't believe David's sack was charged against the O-Line, but I could be wrong)
@BigEFly with "OZ with a TD"
@LeanMeanGM with "Rachaad White has less than 2.8 YPC"
@Westbrook#36 with "Eagles get a safety"

@Texas Eagle gets an honorable mention with his "Carter + Davis combine for 3 sacks and a FF"
@hputenis gets an honorable mention with "Jalen Carter with a sack"

The final Predictions list was as follows

 

I am claiming a "W" on the bonus.  The Defense forced 3 turnovers as I count them.  Blankenship INT, Carter FF, and the Safety, to me, is a turnover.   On one play the Bucs have the ball. On the next, the Bucs are free kicking the ball back to the Eagles, and the Eagles get to add '2' to their score.  That's a turnover for me.   But, you can put it under 'honorable mention', if you prefer.

16 minutes ago, EricAllenPick6 said:

I really, really underrated our decense. I think it's quite possible they are better this year than they were last year.

The front definitely looks to be that way.  But, I don't think the defense can hold up unless the front is dominating.  But they have more horses to rotate through than last year.   

 

Big question... around mid-season, do you reach out to Suh again and add him for late roster push and move Marlon T. to the practice squad?    Adding fresh legs around that point might be a big deal around November... 

Zaccheaus is better than Quez.  He should be used more as the 3rd WR going forward.

Quez is not that good.  1 trick pony who should be sent out on streaks every once in awhile.  That's all he's good for.

5 minutes ago, 315Eagles said:

Zaccheaus is better than Quez.  He should be used more as the 3rd WR going forward.

Quez is not that good.  1 trick pony who should be sent out on streaks every once in awhile.  That's all he's good for.

I’m not disagreeing that Quez could be upgraded but I’m not going to crown Zaccheaus anything after a two catch game. 

27 minutes ago, EricAllenPick6 said:

I really, really underrated our decense. I think it's quite possible they are better this year than they were last year.

addition by subtraction....     

 

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

I wonder if one of the consequences of skipping training camp is player evaluation.

They had no idea that Swift was better than Gainwell or that Morrow might be the best LB on the team.  And why would they?  If the 1s never play and the 2s just go through the motions, it’s probably easier to miss these things.

Im not saying they are doing it wrong.  But with everyone asking how the Eagles didn’t know this sooner, that’s probably why.

BUT, they have pro scouts who knew enough to pursue Morrow as a free agent. So they shouldnt have been so clueless as to cut him. Its really weird. Your theory probably has some truth to it. But I still think this is inexplicable. Morrow, and Swift/Gainwell.

9 minutes ago, 315Eagles said:

Zaccheaus is better than Quez.  He should be used more as the 3rd WR going forward.

Quez is not that good.  1 trick pony who should be sent out on streaks every once in awhile.  That's all he's good for.

 

3 minutes ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

I’m not disagreeing that Quez could be upgraded but I’m not going to crown Zaccheaus anything after a two catch game. 

I still have concerns about the speed of this offense.  I think Quez and OZ should platoon until one really separates themselves, but OZ isn't really someone who gets behind a defense.  

 

16 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

 

My fav thing he did last night, was once he punched the ball out, at 105, the Rb starts to get up and JC gives him a shoulder nudge to make sure he stays down while the ball is still in play.....  

3 hours ago, rrfierce said:

Didn’t joe buck say we were 3-0 for the first time since 92? Idiot 

Yeah I heard that. He must have been thinking about something else. 

It's interesting to see that Blankenship just might be a legit starting safety in the NFL...and one who is still getting better.

 

1 minute ago, HazletonEagle said:

BUT, they have pro scouts who knew enough to pursue Morrow as a free agent. So they shouldnt have been so clueless as to cut him. Its really weird. Your theory probably has some truth to it. But I still think this is inexplicable. Morrow, and Swift/Gainwell.

Was the Morrow cut just to stash a player on the 53, and not to guarantee his salary?  Elliss seems to have disappeared from the defense in addition to the Nakobe injury.

1 minute ago, eagle45 said:

It's interesting to see that Blankenship just might be a legit starting safety in the NFL...and one who is still getting better.

 

Saw Sydney Brown out there last night - aside from maybe a one-year patch via midseason trade this year the long-term outlook at Safety is good.  

I caught up with the game late last night.   A few observations:

• Brian Johnson needs to continue to grow into the role as an NFL OC.  He's not there yet.  I think he can get there, but I don't see us in danger of losing him after this season... maybe after 2024.  The offense isn't gelled at all, and the only real change of massive significance is him as OC versus Steichen.  They returned 9 of 11 starters, and Jurgens has played just as well as Seumalo did last year.  No dropoff there.  And the RB position is almost a 'plug and play' position in the NFL.  Switching Swift in for Sanders could be looked at as an upgrade.  Johnson is the real x-factor.  
• This defensive front is everything we thought that they could be, and likely more.  They are truly disruptive, and dare I say, they might have the chance to be the best defensive front in team history (maybe league history).  Honestly, I can't think of a better group for this team.  The Gang Green defense of the late 80s with White, Brown, Pitts, Golic and Simmons was great.  But, it was just those 5.  This group is much deeper and so they can roll through these guys and keep them fresher.  The impact of Davis and Carter last night on so few snaps is mind boggling.
• On the subject of Carter... that FF was next level.  That awareness, not just to follow the play downfield, but also to drop a Peanut Tillman punch onto the ball... that's truly special.  Like... really really special.  I can't remember any DT ever making that type of play downfield in a game.  If there was one, I'd love to see it.  It was a thing of beauty.
• Also going a little under the radar is just how good Blankenship is playing.  It seems the team's confidence in him was extremely well founded.  Seems we've found something there.  
• That final drive of the game cannot be overstated.  That's the type of drive that can win you a Super Bowl... because you do NOT want to give the ball back at the end of a playoff game.  We've seen those games where its a matter of last team to possess the ball wins.  The OL took over the last 9+ minutes of the game and destroyed it.   I also loved the play call on the final 4th down play.  Smart play, great time to throw the ball.  Great execution.
• Tush push... Still not a fan of using our QB as a battering ram.  It is effective.  Just not my cup of tea.  Every time they run it, I don't celebrate the first down/touchdown until I see all the players get up from the massive pile of humanity.  
• I heard this morning that Hurts was playing while dealing with flu-like symptoms.  Maybe that's true, maybe it's not.  Either way, he's not been what he was last year.   Some will argue that its due to the DCs he's faced.  Others that the lack of preseason/TC work could be the reason for the rust.  Whatever the reason, they didn't give him the contract they did for him to play like he is currently.   There were a couple of throws that were just bad.  He threw an incompletion to Stoll on the opening drive (I think it was the first drive), that should have been a simple pitch and catch.  Short throw, easy throwing lane... huge window, great target.   He needed to put that between the 8 and the 9 on his chest.  Instead, the throw was way off line to the right and Stoll was lucky to even get a hand on it.   It was a clean pocket.  No excuse for that throw.    There were some others as well, but none stand out as much as that one.  For this team to get back to the Super Bowl, we need the QB playing better than he is right now.  The NFL is still very much, QB driven.  Most teams will only go as far as their QB can take them.   We have a great OL and running game that can help when the QB is struggling, but ultimately, in the playoffs... its the QB's show - which is why they get the crazy money they do.

 

Looking forward to getting a division win this week.  Sam Howell is going to get a real welcome to the NFL moment during that game.

27 minutes ago, Sack that QB said:

 

Stole this

 

what a monster