6 Eagles Make Pro Bowl

Six Philadelphia Eagles players were selected to the Pro Bowl, which may be the most since 2004-2005. The players selected were Leonard Weaver, DeSean Jackson, Jason Peters, Trent Cole, Asante Samuel, and David Akers. Most are also starters.

Since only 1 fullback is chosen, Leonard Weaver is the starter there. DeSean Jackson also is a starter, and will start opposite Larry Fitzgerald. Jason Peters will be the starting tackle, along with Bryant McKinnie. That is 3 starters on the offensive side of the football.

On defense, Asante Samuel will be starting at the one corner, opposite Charles Woodson. Trent Cole will back up Julius Peppers and Jared Allen at the defensive end spot. David Akers is the lone kicker.

Hopefully the Eagles actually send 0 players to the Pro Bowl. The Pro Bowl this season is the weekend before the Super Bowl, so both Super Bowl teams obviously will not be sending anyone to the Pro Bowl, so the alternates are important. Donovan McNabb is a 1st alternate at QB.

Also, 3 Pitt Panthers made the pro bowl - Larry Fitzgerald, and Darrelle Revis, who were basically locks before the season, and punter Andy Lee of the San Francisco 49ers.

Eagles Dodge Bullet, Beat Redskins

The Eagles just picked up a much needed win in a game that they very much needed to win, and a game that looked like they could easily let slip away. The Eagles outscored the Redskins 11-3 in the 4th quarter in order to win the game 27-24.

The Eagles started out the game shooting themselves in the foot and spotting the Redskins 7 points by attempting a failed onsides kick. The Eagles quickly bounced back, and put up a field goal and a touchdown reception by DeSean Jackson to take a 10-7. After a Redskins touchdown, 2 Asante Samuel interceptions led to 2 David Akers field goals and allowed the Eagles to take a 16-14 halftime lead.

The 3rd quarter was brutal for the Eagles, as they couldn't even get a first down. The Redskins scored a touchdown and kicked a field goal to take a 24-16 lead. McNabb however led the Eagles on a 90 yard drive capped off by an Eldra Buckley 1 yard touchdown run with 7:24 left on the clock. LeSean McCoy added the 2 point conversion to tie the game at 24. The defense held up, and the Eagles got the ball back, and drove down for the game winning 32 yard field goal with 1:48 remaining to give the Eagles the 27-24 win.

If you look at the balance, which will always be a problem under Andy Reid, the Eagles threw the ball 36 times, and called 27 runs. Shady McCoy and Leonard Weaver both ran the ball well. McCoy ended up with 17 carries for 76 yards, which is 4.5 yards a carry. Weaver carried 6 times for 44 yards, which is 7.3 yards per carry.

Donovan McNabb played well for the most part. He ended the game 21-35 for 260 yards with 1 TD, and 1 INT. McNabb, who is oft criticized for not being able to lead the team from behind in the 4th quarter, led 2 long drives in the 4th quarter - the game tying, and game winning drives. I'm sure the McNabb haters will find something to complain about though tomorrow. Maybe McNabb spend too much time on the field talking to Jason Campbell after the game.

The receivers dropped a lot of balls, included what seemed like about 5 for Celek. DeSean Jackson left the game in the 3rd quarter with concussion like symptoms. The defense really didn't seem to blitz a lot in my opinion, but unlike Andy Reid, I will actually trust that Sean McDermott knows what he is doing. This was only the 2nd time all season the Redskins scored above 20 points this season, so the defense did not play great, despite stepping it up at the end of the game.

Eagles Back in NFC Championship

The Eagles beat the Giants 23-11 to advance to the NFC Championship game... again. The Eagles were in the NFC Championship game in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and now 2009, which makes five times in the past eight seasons. Impressive? Very. Unfortunately, this team and the players on it will not be judged by how many NFC Championship games this team plays in. The fans are also not interested. We want a Super Bowl, and the Eagles trophy case is currently devoid of this hardware.

As far as the game goes, it was a nerve racking, intense, back and forth game, in which the Eagles finally pulled away in the 2nd half. The Eagles went into halftime with a 10-8 lead, and actually showed signs on a successful two-minute drill at the end of the first half, which resulted in a field goal as time expired. Both teams exchanged field goals in the 3rd quarter, but then the Eagles finally launched a 10 play, 63 yard drive, which resulted in a touchdown to Brent Celek on the first play of the 4th quarter.

The Eagles offense was average, but the Giants defense really played well. McNabb again had a lot of pressure on him throughout the game, and even though he threw 2 INT's, he moved around well which allowed him to convert some big plays, and ultimately played a good game on the road in cold weather, and a hostile environment. McNabb had a touchdown pass, and also rushed for a touchdown. Brian Westbrook, who the Giants were obviously keying on, only ended up with 36 yards rushing on 18 carries. The Eagles did a good job however of continuing to rush the ball even when it wasn't working, just like they did against the Vikings. DeSean Jackson led the receiving corps with 81 yards receiving, and a huge 48 yard reception down the sideline late in the 4th quarter to ultimately put the game away.

The story of this game on the Eagles side of the ball was the defense. The defense has really been playing well all season, and continued to do so in this game. If you look at the Giants 4th quarter possessions you will see, Turnover on Downs, Turnover on Downs, INT, Fumble Lost. That's four possessions in the 4th quarter, and four times the Eagles defense gave the ball back to the offense. And that doesn't count the 1st quarter INT by Asante Samuel, which he returned back to the Giants 2-yard line. That is exactly why they brought Samuel in this offseason. We saw him make a big play against the Vikings, and he did it again this game. The Eagles had not one, but two four down stands in the 4th quarter on defense. They stuffed Eli on 4th and inches, and then stuffed Jacobs on 4th and 2. To keep the Giants offense out of the end zone in their own stadium in a huge playoff game is amazing.

To certain veterans, getting this far in the playoffs is nothing new. McNabb, Westbrook, Runyan, Tra Thomas, Dawkins, Sheldon Brown, Akers and others have been this far before. Let's hope that the Eagles, and the entire city of Philadelphia can keep this sports momentum we have going.

McNabb booking his trip to Arizona

Eagles Advance to Divisional Round

The Eagles beat the Vikings in the wild card round to advance to the divisional round of the playoffs to face their division rival New York Giants.

Back to the game at hand, the Eagles pulled away in the 4th quarter in a close game throughout. It felt like the game was 16-14 for most of the 2nd half, and the Vikings were just a field goal away from taking the lead, but the Eagles defense held strong. The Vikings were everything they were advertised to be, a very good defensive line that didn't give the Eagles much room to operate on the offensive end. Correll Buckhalter's 27 yard run was really the only long run the Eagles had all game. The Eagles ended up with only 67 yards total on 23 carries. The Vikings defense was also constantly pressuring Donovan McNabb on passing plays. The Eagles only offensive touchdown came in the 4th quarter, and essentially won the game, a 71 yard screen pass touchdown by Brian Westbrook.

Donovan McNabb played great in this game. He ended the game with exactly 300 yards passing and a touchdown and an INT. He was constantly pressured, and escaped the Vikings pressure well, and was able to hit his check downs a lot, and take what the Vikings gave him. Brent Celek and Jason Avant had some big catches, a lot on 3rd down.

The Eagles defense was also solid, and made sure the Eagles would not give this game up in the 2nd half. The Vikings had two long scoring drives, which both resulted in Adrian Peterson touchdowns runs, but that was all the Eagles would give the Vikings. Overall, the Vikings only ended up with 301 total yards, and Asante Samuel scored on an interception return for a touchdown. We knew coming into this game how good the Vikings rushing attack was, with Peterson, who was the league's leading rusher, and also Chester Taylor. The Eagles did a decent job on both of them, but more importantly, did not let Tarvaris Jackson beat them. Trent Cole, Brian Dawkins, and Quintin Mikell were beasts on the defensive side of the football.

Also, DeSean Jackson's punt returns were solid, and always seemed to give the Eagles good field position. Jackson had over 100 yards on punt returns including a 62 yarder. Also on special teams, David Akers was 4-4 on field goal tries, including a 51-yarder. For a guy who couldn't make a 40+ yard field goal halfway through the season, Akers has really stepped it up in this playoff run. Hopefully it will continue at New York.

It was definitely a nerve racking game, and the Vikings game it their all, but in the end, the Eagles prevailed, and advance to play the Giants next weekend.

Eagles Fall in Chicago

The Eagles came out flat in their game against the Chicago Bears, and drop to 2-2 on the season. Here are some "Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down" grades on how the Eagles played in their disappointing loss.

Andy Reid (Thumbs Down) - Andy Reid continues to come up small in big spots. He's not a good play-caller, he can't manage the clock, he doesn't challenge plays, and he doesn't make halftime adjustments. There were a couple plays that Reid should have challenged which may have turned the game around. Also, to not do a QB sneak from the one-yard line is ridiculous, and try to throw us some lame excuse about McNabb not being healthy enough to QB sneak, Funny how McNabb is apparently healthy enough for Reid to call 500 passes a game. Two short 4th downs in Chicago territory, and Reid runs out David Akers to miss 2 long field goals. Speaking of David Akers......

David Akers (2 Thumbs Down) - Akers gets 2 thumbs down for his 2 missed field goals. Half of the blame goes to Reid for kicking long field goals in a night game at Chicago, but let's be honest; Akers hasn't been in top of his game since around 2005-2006, and his best days appear to be behind him.

Offensive Line (Thumbs Down) - Had a couple false start penalties, and seemed confused when Chicago brought pressure from their linebackers. McNabb was sacked 3 times, and pressured numerous others.

DeSean Jackson (Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down) - Looked great at times, and looked like a rookie on others. Finally scored his first touchdown of the season on a great play down the middle in the back of the end zone. Unfortunately, also dropped a few passes, and fumbled a costly punt return deep in the Eagles territory.

Tight Ends (Thumbs Down) - L.J. Smith sat out, which wouldn't have mattered anyways, since he is a bum, but Matt Schoebel, and Brent Celek didn't do too much. The most memorable play from the tight ends came when Schoebel blocked no one on the 4th and goal play, and let the defensive end come right in and make the stop on Buckhalter.

Turnover Ratio (Thumbs Up) - The Eagles won the turnover battle (again), and with the defense flying around creating turnovers, it looks like the Eagles should win most of their turnover battles this season, which will be a good thing in the long run.

Points Off Turnovers (Thumbs Down) - 6 points off of 4 Chicago turnovers is embarrassing. The defense was constantly put back out on the field, especially in the 2nd half, and came up with turnover after turnover. The offense just couldn't turn them into points.

Rory Segrest (Thumbs Down) - This is for one simple reason. The Eagles defense was shutting down the Chicago offense, and the Eagles had just kicked a field goal to make it 21-20. Segrest, the special teams coach, orders a short kick from Akers, which comes down at the 30, and the Bears run it to the 40. Only 2 first downs later, and the Bears are already in field goal range, and kick a field goal to make it 24-20. I understand the Bears have Devin Hester, but you can't play a game scared, and instead of being a girl and ordering a short kick, you should be firing your special teams unit up to actually go down field and make a freakin tackle.

Eagles Defensive Front 7 (Thumbs Up) - Probably the biggest thumbs up of the game goes to the Eagles defensive line, and linebackers. Just like Pittsburgh, the Eagles front 7 was in the backfield constantly. They never let Forte get going on the run, and they were constantly pressuring Orton. After a shaky first half, Jim Johnson make the necessary adjustments, and the defense played great in the 2nd half. Omar Gaither seemed like he was in the Bears backfield on almost every play. Same goes for Stewart Bradley. After getting burned for an early touchdown, Chris Gocong showed what he does best rushing the passer, and had a sack. Up front, Bunkley and Patterson did a great job stuffing the middle on run plays. Juqua Parker and Trent Cole were beating the offensive line around the edges, and each ended up with a sack a piece. The Eagles front 7 was the only reason the Eagles stayed close in this game in the 2nd half.

Asante Samuel (Thumbs Down) - Didn't play horribly, but unfortunately, when you signed as big a contract as he did, and you play on a team that is supposed to have a great secondary, you can't get burned on a touchdown pass, which Samuel did late in the first half. Samuel seemed to have good position on the play, but Hester simply ran by him, and Samuel stumbled slightly, and couldn't recover.

All in all, you can see more thumbs down than thumbs up, which is why the Eagles came out on the short end of a 24-20 decision. Bottom line, you just can't lose games like this when you have to play the Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins 6 times this year.

Start Lito?

We all know what has transpired this off season. The Eagles sign the top defensive free-agent Asante Samuel. In doing so, the Eagles pissed off their best, but often injured corner back, Lito Sheppard. I believe Lito has handled this whole situation well, even when owner Jeff Lurie brought up the random stat of YPA (yards per attempt). Lito hired Drew "next question" Rosenhaus, and as a Eagles fan I was sure he would not be on this team for the beginning of the season. Sure enough he is and we are the deepest team in the league at corner, with Lito coming off the bench. Before I make the claim I am about to make, I would like all the readers to know, I am a huge Sheldon Brown fan. Lito Sheppard should start Monday night and line-up against Terrell Owens. Lito has always matched up well against TO. I compare this to the time we had Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor as our starting corners. Troy Vincent was the better corner, but for some reason Bobby Taylor had Michael Irvin's number so they would always match up. Samuel and Brown should be our starting cornerbacks every game except the two times we play Dallas, then our starters should be Sheppard and Samuel.