YESTERDAY on one of the pre-game shows someone said that the last time Philly went 3-0 was 2004. He followed it up with “and you know what happened that year.” Five hours later after a hard fought win, we were indeed 3-0. The pride in that record was unmistakable.
The funny thing about being undefeated is that people stop talking about your flaws. It’s as if a perfect record somehow places a team above criticism of any sort. The moment anyone brings any flaw up, it’s “Aw man! Why can’t you just be happy with the wins?!”
To be clear, I am happy with the wins. However I also know exactly what they are.
We’ve beaten 3 teams, who’ve played a combined 9 games, and have all of 2 combined wins. Both against Jacksonville. In every game we’ve played so far we’ve had to stage comebacks against teams that can’t get big leads against other opponents.
All of our 3 sacks have come against Jacksonville. 145 of our 326 rushing yards came against Jacksonville. Last year’s Rushing Leader LeSean McCoy is averaging 2.9 yards a carry, and has 1 touchdown on 70 touches (60 carries, 10 catches) so far.
Next week we get a San Francisco team that is no longer elite (far from it actually), but they aren’t the barely warm stiffs we’ve been pounding on so far in 2014. While it’s been nice to see our guys battle back and never give up like they did HERE, we have yet to see them impose their will in regard to doing the grunt work that is at the heart of the game of football.
Despite our domination of bad teams, there has been nothing to indicate yet that this team can hang with a playoff caliber team. That is unless you want to say that Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Washington are your idea of playoff caliber teams. (Well maybe Indy.)
Understand, my point isn’t to bash or point fingers (notice how I didn’t place ANY blame), my point is only to say there is plenty here that we need to work on before we start with the “You know what happened the last time we were 3-0?” type of talk. Let me be the first to say it: A division win coupled with another one and done playoff run, would be hollow. If that’s the best we can do, I’d rather have a better Draft pick.
If we’re gonna make a REAL run, we need to make some REAL improvements.
If you’re implying the Colts and Skins are bad teams I would disagree. The Eagles are wounded right now, but all of their starting lineman can return this season. The Skins are the second best team in this division. People are going to minimize victories for the Eagles (just like last season) but overvalue any of their losses. You can only play who’s in front of you, and they have knocked down everyone of them so far. Be happy 3-0.
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LOL! “Aw man! Why can’t you just be happy with the wins?!”
Of the issues I mentioned up there (defense and run game), how many of them are imagined?
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Major blow to this offensive line with Kelce out for two months this team is going to have to show a lot of character to make it to the playoffs. Still I think there’s time for problems to be righted. There’s no such thing as the perfect team so it’s to not like there’s a team out there I don’t think they can defeat. LOL I remember in 2012 you were telling me to be happy with some wins. I’m not ignoring the Eagles flaws. I just think they can overcome them. SB? Time will tell.
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Is McCoy not roiding or something. He looks small and slow. Something is missing this year. No exploion. Is he pulling a ChrisJohnson.
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Every since I knew they were moving DJax, (back when people kept telling me it wouldn’t happen), I’ve been saying that running the ball this year would a LOT harder for Shady.
Last year in Fantasy Football I rode him to 2 Championships. This year I steered WELL clear of him. I took Sproles instead.
I think it was 20Dawk who said he thinks Shady will get hurt this year and I don’t doubt it one bit.
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I think that that is a valid point but when i see Demarco Murray running like McCoy did last year and McCoy looking pedestrian I have to wonder. He cant even beat lineman to turn the corner. Sproles looks better than I thought he would. I dont think he has lost a step. Im not sold on Foles and this game is exactly why I think he is limited. He has good skill players around him but one hiccup anywhere and he will be average real quick. Ill wait to see how he rebounds vs Rams.
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