NFC

All posts tagged NFC

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 18: GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/01/09
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFC Championship, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, playoffs, Reviews, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

SHO’ NUFF!

EAGLES 22 – giants 16

EAGLES STATS:

Categories include an EXCLUSIVE weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s (6 points) + 3rd downs converted by handoffs (1 point) + sacks allowed (-2 points) = score); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF – TD).

New Category Ace is for Kick return TD’s, Returners run-down, kicks blocked, etc.

Passing :(S) QB Jalen Hurts (20/35 – 57.1% – 229 – 0 – 1)

Rushing :(B) RB Boston Scott (9 – 54 – 6.0 – 1 – 0)

Receiving :(S) A.J. Brown (10 – 4 – 95 – 23.7 – 0)

Offensive Line Report/Enforcer : (1 (6) + 3 (3) – 3 (6) = 3) C Jason Kelce

Drive Killer : (B) CB Zech McPhearson (0 – 0 – 1 – 0 – 0)

Sack Leader : (S) OLB Kyzir White (12 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)

Ace : K Jake Elliott 5/5 FG (54, 52) 1/1 XP

****

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Give Sanders the Ball: When the game opened with 9 passes to just 1 hand-off, you sort of knew the game would go how it went. As for RB Miles Sanders (11 – 33 – 3 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) he was sprinkled into the game here and there, and at no point did it feel like the Eagles Offense ever achieved real balance or rhythm.

RG Isaac Seumalo and C Jason Kelce create a tiny crease for RB Boston Scott to run through for an 8 yard TD.

The only points scored by the Offense were on Boston Scott’s 8 yard touchdown run behind Jason Kelce and RG Isaac Seumalo. Our remaining 16 points came off the toe of K Jake Elliott, twice connecting from 50-plus. The giants never got on their heels vs the run and Hurts stayed under constant pressure, being sacked 3 times (NOT DONE)

2) Set the Edges: Aside from a couple of runs which broke containment, the giants RB’s spent the day being trapped like mice, in half a bucket of water. Funneling everything towards MLB T.J. Edwards was the idea, and he responded (as always) with 10 tackles.

I also said that LB Nakobe Dean (on-side kick recovery) should start over LB Kyzir White who responded by mailing me a gallon of cherry flavored Shut the Fuck Up. (He didn’t literally, but you get the idea.) However, if he’s going to play like THIS when I challenge him: How about remembering how to intercept a ball, Kyzir?! (I await his response in the next game.) (DONE)

3) Show Dallas Some Love: The idea was to have TE Dallas Goedert (7 – 6 – 46 – 7.6 – 0) catch short passes to the outside of the box, and just slightly down the field to loosen the opposing defense inside. While he did operate to the outside of the box, and was targeted quickly, and often on short passes, some of it was a little goofy.

Using him to stretch the box was done, but the route concepts could have been more straight forward. There were too many TE Screens/Bubble Screen type throws to him. I have no idea what the Birds coaching staff was doing there. They missed a chance to send a message. (DONE)

4) Get Get Ball: Sit down. You don’t want to be standing for this one.

The mission was two takeaways. The result was zero takeaways. We played against a six year, journeyman, third stringer, who’d never attempted an NFL pass; and we didn’t get a single turnover off of him. In fact, he threw a touchdown over CB Darius “No Nickname” Slay (1 tackle), and ran over S Reed Blankenship (4 – 0 – 0 – 0 / and the game sealing on-side recovery) for a touchdown.

The giants had more touchdown drives than me we did. Say that again. Really ROLL the words around in your mouth.

Now remember, they did that behind a six year, journeyman, third stringer, who’d never attempted an NFL pass. We have to figure how to take the ball away again, and not just wait for opponents to hand it to us. It’s not like we can face QB Dak Prescott every week. (NOT DONE)

****

So that brings us to 2 of the Four Things this week. We put out a .500 level effort and got a .500 level win. That said, WE GOT THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE, BABY! We’ll take a week to heal, study, and work on our issues. Watch some football next weekend, study, and in two weeks, host one of the two losers of the NFC Divisional Playoff Round.

****

On The Whole:

I think we can stop blaming QB Gardner Minshew for last week’s offensive debacle vs the Saints. For the second week in a row, our offensive coaching staff looked lost out there. The Offense is at its best when we run the ball. When we stop, well… Let’s see if you can spot a trend:

DAL: Minshew 2TD/2 Int

NO: Minshew 1TD/1 Int

NYG: Hurts 0 TD/1 Int

Those margins are getting tighter, regardless of who plays QB. That’s an issue. Hurts was 4/10 on pass attempts to A.J. Brown, and the red zone pick he threw while trying to get to WR Devonta Smith (8 – 7 – 67 – 9.5 – 0) was as uncharacteristic a pass as you will see in this sport.

I was hoping to see (especially vs back-ups) offensive dominance out there. To have the starters end on a strong note before getting a week off. Now I have questions about if Hurts shoulder is damaging his delivery; and I’m wondering why Head Coach Nick Sirianni is turning his back on the run. Yeah yeah. I know who calls the plays, but who actually runs the games?

Here’s to a much needed Bye Week.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 14: GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/12/12
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, playoffs, Reviews, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

QB Jalen Hurts celebrates clinching a playoff berth

PLAYOFFS, here we come!

EAGLES 48 – giants 22

EAGLES STATS:

Categories include an EXCLUSIVE weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s (6 points) + 3rd downs converted by handoffs (1 point) + sacks allowed (-2 points) = score); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF – TD).

New Category Ace is for Kick return TD’s, Returners run-down, kicks blocked, etc.

Passing : (S) QB Jalen Hurts (21/31– 67.7% – 217 – 2 – 0)

Rushing : (S) RB Miles Sanders (17 – 144 – 8.4 – 2 – 0)

Receiving : (S) WR A.J. Brown (6 – 4 – 70 – 17.5 – 1)

Offensive Line Report/Enforcer : (4 (24) + 2 (2) – 4 (-8) = 18) C Jason Kelce

Drive Killer : (B) DE Patrick Johnson (0 – 1 – 0 – 0 – 0)

Sack Leader : (S) DE Brandon Graham (4 – 3.0 – 0 – 1)

Ace : K Jake Elliott: 6/6 XP, 2/2 FG, 35 yd punt (no return)

****

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

DE Brandon Graham collecting one of his THREE sacks in this game.

1) The T.J. and Nakobe Show: This section was given this title because I figured MLB T.J. Edwards (6 – 0 – 0 – 0) and LB Nakobe Dean (1 – 0 – 0 – 0) would be best suited to carrying out the strategy of holding RB Saquon Barkley (9 – 28 – 3.1 – 0 – 0) to under 4 yards per carry, to shift the game onto the shoulders of QB Daniel Jones (18/27 – 66.6% – 169 – 1 – 0).

The strategy worked like a charm! Only thing is, the LB’s didn’t need to be who pulled it off. Once again the Defensive Line stepped up and made the day easy for Edwards, by getting their own mitts on Barkley. I could call it “half done”, but I won’t. The TACTIC is what is important, not who gets the snaps. (DONE)

2) Run Miles Run: Miles Sanders 17 carries were more than everyone else’s on the team, combined. As a result, the Offense flowed smoothly ALL GAME LONG. Their defense was never able to key solely on Hurts, and they also fell much harder for play-action. What you saw today, is a formula for winning playoff games. (Although a big RB would be a nice addition, right about now!) (DONE)

3) Use A Release Valve: We came out doing this, as TE Grant Calcaterra (4 – 2 – 24 – 12.0 – 0) caught both of his passes on the opening drive. I mentioned getting TE Jack Stoll (2 – 2 – 20 – 10.0 – 0) involved and it led to them having to respect him. It was a simple, simple thing, yet it helped open up all kinds of room for the run game. (DONE)

This 41 yard TD grab by WR Devonta Smith was NASTY. Just nasty.

4) Don’t Collapse: “We need to keep scoring in the second half. Stalling out on points is not an option this week”. Those were my exact words. The result was scoring 24 points in BOTH halves of the game. We even managed a touchdown drive with our second unit out there. (DONE)

****

This week we did a 4 of the Four Things, in a game that was nowhere as close as the score indicates. While their playoff hopes aren’t completely dead yet, the contract is down on them. “The guys. The guns. The lime pit’s already dug.” Next week we travel to Chicago, to help them move up in the 2023 Draft.

****

On The Whole:

FINALLY! This was the best game the Eagles have played all season. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams, all played well. We played two halves of football. We got stops without having to rely on multiple turnovers. It wasn’t a flashy, splashy win. It was quiet domination.

RB Miles Sanders setting a career high for the second time in three weeks

Along the way, RB Miles Sanders secured his first 1,000 yard rushing season, and WR A.J. Brown eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving, in his first year as an Eagle. In the next 4 games WR Devonta Smith needs 225 to reach 1,000. The Eagles have never had two 1,000 yard receivers in the same season. Time for “a new page when they go look in the notebook.”

(I’m out of control. I’m on here using NY based quotes, after we dismantled their team. The irony resulting from showing our mettle at winning high stakes. Not everyone is Mary Lou Retton behind the eyes. So for some, that may take days to get, but don’t flip out. It’s just true craftsmanship. Words from the mind of a Master.)

I don’t know if you noticed this, but this was the third game where we rested our starters, once we got a big lead. It says something about a coach when he doesn’t risk his starters, just to run up the score vs a bad team. Nice to root for a team with some class.

If the playoffs were to start now, they’d have to hand us the Lombardi, because we’re the only team with a guaranteed berth. Even better, Minnesota fell to 10 – 3, giving us a two game margin of error in the race for the #1 seed in the NFC.

Time to close the book on New York, and see Chicago.

2019’s IDEAL 53 MAN ROSTER

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/06/05
Posted in: Conversations, Defense, Front Office (F.O.), Offense, Players, Roster, Special Teams, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

THIS isn’t a prediction. With injuries and contract situations, lord only knows how things will look in September. This is my take on who I think gives us the best balance, and chance to win week in and week out, on our journey to retake first the NFC East, then the NFC, then the NFL.

Players inside the angle brackets <player>, are likely weekly inactives to get the team down to the 46 man game day roster.

(Offense 25)

Wentz Monster.jpg

QB: Carson Wentz / Nate Sudfeld / <Clayton Thorson> – Wentz is the Starter. Sudfeld has experience in this system, is young and isn’t expensive. Thorson looks like a poor man’s Wentz, which might be a boon with Wentz as his mentor. Cody Kessler isn’t the Eagles type and likely won’t make he cut. However, in the event of an injury, he can be pulled in to fill out the roster.

Corey Clement 2018.jpeg

RB: Jordan Howard / Miles Sanders / Corey Clement / Josh Adams – Howard is the Starter, and should be a MACHINE against 6 and 7 man boxes. Clement is the 3rd down back and right now, the first guy off the bench. Sanders is intriguing. Hopefully his hamstring injury during OTA’s got the staff thinking about depth, opening door for Adams, and killing Donnell Pumphrey or Boston Scott’s chance to make it as utility/return men.

Alshon scores 1.jpg

WR: Alshon Jeffery / DeSean Jackson / Nelson Agholor / J.J. Arcega-Whiteside / Mack Hollins – Jeffery is open even when he’s covered one on one. Now with Jackson blowing the lid off of defenses, Agholor should have plenty of room to turn lots of 5 yard throws, into 12 yard pick-ups. A&W is a red zone option for when teams double Jeffery. Then there’s Hollins. Two years ago, deep speed (Torrey Smith) helped this team run the ball inside. We lost our deep speed (Hollins, Mike Wallace) early last year, and we couldn’t run inside. Jackson gives us that again, but his hamstrings have a history of being balky. That means depth is needed. That’s where Hollins comes in. That is, if he comes in. You can’t make the club in the tub. In which case Charles Johnson might steal the spot. While generally there is no sense in agonizing over a 5th receiver, the Eagles need someone who can fill Djax’s role if need be, and they apparently don’t think Shelton Gibson is up to the task.

Dallas Goedert 2018.jpg

TE: Zach Ertz / Dallas Goedert / <Richard Rodgers> – Ertz is the Starter. Goedert would start here if we didn’t have Ertz. Rodgers has been a starter, and offers us a crazy amount of 3rd string depth, experience, and athleticism.

wentz in pocket.jpg

OT: Jason Peters / Lane Johnson / Andre Dillard / Jordan Mailata / <Matt Pryor> – Peters and Johnson are the bookends. While Dillard is the future at LT, you don’t hand the blindside of a QB coming off of a broken back, to a rookie when you have a Hall Of Fame caliber LT in the building. Peters might be shifted inside to LG later in the season, but expect him to open the year at LT. Mailata is being trained at both OT spots.

halapoulivaati vaitai.JPG

G: Brandon Brooks / Isaac Seumalo / Stefen Wisniewski / <Halapoulivaati Vaitai> – Brooks and Seumalo are the Starters. Wisniewski will hold down Brooks spot until, he comes back from the PUP list. Matt Pryor may also see time here. Vaitai may salvage his career playing inside, but he’s a bust at OT. The team managed to go on a magic playoff run with him starting, but the amount of smoke and mirrors it took, prompted them to add a slew of OT’s over the last two years. For what it’s worth, he has a natural tendency to play high, so his effectiveness as a run blocker inside doesn’t forecast well. Maybe he’ll surprise us?

C: Jason Kelce – The Eagles need depth and an heir apparent to Kelce. This year Wisniewski can fill in at this spot if needed. So can Seumalo. In fact, this might be where Seumalo is best suited. However, neither of the two back-ups currently behind Kelce can generate forward push in the run game, so they should have a short stay in Philly.

(Defense: 25)

GRAHAM AND CURRY.jpg

DE: Brandon Graham / Derek Barnett / Vinny Curry / <Joe Ostman> – Graham and Barnett are the Starters, but expect Curry to play plenty, especially on early downs and inside on 3rd and long. Beyond those three, the position is a toss-up. I listed Ostman because the team loves his high motor, but he’s a chaser who frequently plays pass first. Shareef Miller is a more natural edge setter, but he seems destined for this year’s Practice Squad.

fletcher.jpg

DT: Fletcher Cox / Malik Jackson / Tim Jernigan / Hassan Ridgeway – Cox and Jackson are the Starters, with Jernigan playing heavy minutes, if his back allows. The team is excited to have Ridgeway and if he’s half as good as advertised, we are going to be an absolute nightmare inside, regardless of which two guys are out there. (As a big body in the middle, don’t be surprised if the Birds find a way to keep 6’5 350lb Anthony Rush.)

backups.jpg

OLB: Nigel Bradham / Kamu Grugier-Hill / Nate Gerry / B.J. Bello – No great depth here. Gerry is more of a bulked up DB than a true LB. He’s started 2 games at MLB last year, but isn’t really built for playing inside. Odds are that both Gerry and Bello stick around, because they already know the system, and contribute on Special Teams.

MLB: Zach Brown / L.J. Fort – Brown is the Starter. With availability being the best ability, Fort being able to actually participate in minicamp (unlike Paul Worrilow), is a major leg up in terms of learning the system, and how to play off of the guys around him. That’s not to say that there’s no chance for Worrilow. But again, you can’t make the club, in the tub.

tre.jpg

SS: Malcolm Jenkins / Tre Sullivan  – Jenkins is the Starter. Sullivan has played well at FS this system, and even shined in a playoff win last year. He’s probably the first guy off the bench at either S spot. Andrew Sendejo is 31, not a Special Teamer, coming off of an injury, and two or three years of up and down football. He’s hardly a lock to make the team.

FS: Rodney McLeod / <Deiondre Hall> – McLeod should be ready to resume his Starting role with no hitch in his giddy-up. Hall is a S with CB on his resume. However, at 6’2 206, with VERY long arms, his presence in the middle of the field could pay huge dividends in close-out situations later in games. Especially later in the season when it’s cold and the ball is harder to push, or be surgical with.

DEFENSE.jpg

CB: Ronald Darby / Sidney Jones / Jalen Mills / Rasul Douglas / Avonte Maddox / <Cre’Von LeBlanc>/ Blake Countess – Darby and Jones will probably get the nod, but the smarter move would be to let Douglas and Maddox build off of their 2018 finishes. Jones needs to prove in 2019 that he isn’t a bust. Mills is a little sketchy on the outside, but he’s a problem for offenses at Nickel. Since he got here, LeBlanc has done nothing except earn constant praise from DC Jim Schwartz. Countess is a Special Teams contributor both as a kick coverage guy and as a KR. Oh and he can make plays on defense.

Sean-McVay-Shocked-Face-Rams-Memes.jpg
(Special Teams: 3)

Jake Elliott 9.24.2017.JPG

K: Jake Elliott – This is a no-brainer.

P: Cameron Johnston – They didn’t even bring in a camp leg.

LS: Rick Lovato – Automatic. No other LS on the roster.

KR: Blake Countess / Corey Clement – The Eagles don’t return many kickoffs, so the real focus is on having a steady hand here, as opposed to holding a spot for a dangerous player.

card.darren.sproles.jpg

PR: Corey Clement – Hidden yardage was a problem in 2018, so we need to improve here. From what we have here, Clement looks to be the guy. Maybe we need to add a combo KR/PR specialist. Maybe Darren Sproles? Aside from DeSean Jackson, Clement (with a whopping 6 career punt returns) is the most polished punt returner on the entire team. It makes no sense to routinely use Djax in that spot, given his age and with maintenance of his hamstrings having to be a real concern. (I’d like to see Jordan Mailata get a punt return in the preseason. Just for shits and giggles.)

WHERE MY DOGS AT?

Posted by The BEAST on 2018/11/14
Posted in: Conversations, Fans, NFC East, playoffs, Rants, Rivals, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

eaglesdogmasks-f8361ad3d513c5ad.jpg

I’M fucking disgusted. Last year, we ran away with the NFC. Not just the NFC East, the entire NFC. East, West, North, the other part. The whole damned conference. We owned half of professional football. The playoffs were a mere formality, on our way to setting up the showdown that would conquer and take the OTHER half of pro football.

And all the time, Eagles fans embraced that whole “underdog” thing. Eagles fans couldn’t get enough of the underdog imagery and talk. Which I thought was stupid.

I even said as much, starting in Week 7 last year, and continuing to mock it throughout the playoffs. Not just once, or twice, but three times.

So we weren’t getting respect from pundits. Who cares?! They were just fans of teams they grew up being told were already winners. You know the type. Steelers, Cowboys, the hoards of New England fans that didn’t exist in 1992. Not getting respect from a bunch of dick riders was no big deal. Them not rooting for us couldn’t make us underdogs. You can’t be an actual underdog with the best record in the sport, and being favored (often heavily), by Vegas to win almost every week. You just can’t be. So yeah. I mocked it.

Fast forward to TODAY. New Orleans is 8 – 1. The Eagles are 4 – 5. We’re the away team. We have a ton of key players on Injured Reserve, and we just lost to a shitty division rival. Dear Eagles Fans: THIS is what an underdog actually looks like. Care to buy a mask, now that it really counts?

Half a season left, just two games behind our division leader, and some fans already want to tank. You heard me. TANK. You tank when you’re completely, mathematically eliminated from even a wild card spot. For example, right now, the 2 – 7 giants have no right to tank.

Where is that fighting spirit now? This is when you need heart! This is where backbone counts! Then those same fans turn right around, and call Cowboys fans “front-runners”? Fuck man! Do you even OWN a mirror?

Good times and bad. THAT is a fan. Get OFF your asses, get ON your feet, and go find that “Hungry Dogs” t-shirt you bought at the parade, scarcely 9 months ago. Go circle both Redskins games on your calendar. Because unless you were just a front-runner, you should be about STARVING now.

hungry dogs.jpg

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WEEK 6: PANTHERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2017/10/13
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

SIX weeks in and we’ve gone from the bottom of the NFC East, to the top of the entire NFC. There are still 10 more games to play before the division is officially awarded to anyone, and no one has forgotten that. However, since the Eagles don’t play for another 11 days, it’s cool if we take two or three days to celebrate our milestone.

Zach Ertz,Daryl Worley

EAGLES 28 – Panthers 23

QB Carson Wentz (16/30 – 53.3% – 222 – 3 – 0) did his thing again. Despite being under constant pressure last night, Carson went sprinkling touchdowns like flakes in a goldfish bowl. TE Zach Ertz (2 – 18 – 9.0 – 2) didn’t catch a lot of balls, but each one he caught drew blood. The much maligned Eagles Secondary picked off Carolina’s QB three times and allowed him zero touchdown passes. (The Panthers one TD pass was against a back-up LB.) We also limited them to 80 yards rushing, 71 by their QB, and the other NINE yards were on 14 carries.

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these “Four Things” articles. We introduce an idea of what needs addressing BEFORE the game, so that fans have to honestly answer questions about those things, AFTER the game. This helps to get us, and keep us, all on the same page.

So, of the Four Things we were looking for in this last game, what exactly did we see?

1) Dictate the action: My exact words were: “keep the Panthers offense in front of us, and tackle well.” Well, “RB” Christian McCaffrey (10rec – 56 – 5.6 – 1) and WR Kelvin Benjamin (9 – 99 – 11.0 – 0) were allowed routes in front of defenders and then tackled or pushed out of bounds quickly. We took away any chance for the Panthers to be explosive. (DONE)

2) Get pressure early: We did this not just early, but all game long. Fletcher Cox (0 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) with pressure up the middle, got a hand on a pass in the second quarter that resulted in an interception by rookie CB Rasul Douglas (2 – 0 – 1 – 0). It was one of three on the night. (A fourth was called back due to a penalty away from the ball.) (DONE)

3) Rip up the seams: Instead of Carolina going into their Nickel whenever WR Nelson Agholor (4 – 55 – 13.7 – 1) came on the field, they stayed in their base and were torched along the seams for all three of our touchdowns. Even Rookie WR Mack Hollins (2 – 38 – 19.0 – 0) had the biggest game of his young career so far. (DONE)

4) Send a message: It had to be proven that we could run against a top ranked run defense and we did. We use a balanced attack featuring 30 passes to 21 called rushes. RB LeGarrette Blount (14 – 67 – 4.7 – 0 – 0) getting the bulk of that work and doing it between the Tackles. Future opponents will see the way we did that against a stout Carolina defense, and think “Oh shit.” Overall we ran for 101 yards (3.7 per tote) against a team that had only given up 100 yards this year once before (against the Saints, who blew them out). Speaking of sending a message, did you see LB Nigel Bradham (7 – 0 – 0 – 0) out there? He was playing like someone owed him money. If we see the Panthers again in the playoffs, we now know how to tranq that kitty. (DONE)

Sweet bubbly Studebaker! That’s back-to-back weeks of 4 out of 4 scores. That brings the seasons running total to 21 of 24. Either I’m psychic or I really know my shit. Either way, when they do what I write, they win. So let’s hope they keep reading these articles. Especially next week, as we prepare to sweep the Redskins.

cam jammed

On The Whole:

As you can see, this was more or less the game I was expecting. I was momentarily thrown by the announcement that RT Lane Johnson would be out. However, after taking another look, I was sure of my pick, and reassured my friends and readers thusly.

On that note, something has to be done about protecting Wentz. I kept waiting to see Ertz moved in-line beside RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai. If only to help by chip blocking. There were some instances of it, but not nearly enough of them, especially early on, when RB’s were being asked to pick up blitzes. And can we PLEASE never ask RB Kenjon Barner (5 – 7 – 1.4 – 0 – 0/ 1rec – 9 – 9.0 – 0), to pick up anymore blitzes? Getting Wentz murdered because we trusted an undersized fill-in, to protect his blindside, will seem silly in hindsight. How about we just not go there?

Speaking of Barner, I have no idea why has to get so many touches on Offense. Last week it was 5 touches, this week it was 6. If he was really that great with the ball in his hands, he wouldn’t have been at home to answer his phone, after Darren Sproles was injured. Stop letting him steal touches from RB Corey Clement (2 – 2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)!

Shit. Almost forgot to talk about the Panthers. People make a big deal out of their QB running, but when he does, he stops thinking about his team. As I said, “Old intel says that you don’t want Newton running, but that is very old intel, indeed.” You saw where he ran for a score and celebrated by showboating on a victory lap? Aside from that, when asked to be a leader, it was all slumped shoulders and interceptions.

The sad part is that now people will say that we’ve finally played someone respectable, even though we just faced the worst QB we’ve seen so far (in regards to leadership and intangibles). Whatever dude! Turn up the music and pass me an Angry Orchard. I’m celebrating my team’s climb from the bottom to the top. And will be doing so until at least Sunday.

NUMBER ONE SEED

2015 NFC EAST PRE-DRAFT PREDICTION

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/04/18
Posted in: Defense, Draft, NFL, Offense, Preview, Reviews, Special Teams, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

NFC EAST

YOU’VE read the reviews. Nothing left to do but make pick and tell you why. 

Last year’s pick: PHILADELPHIA —– Last year’s WINNER: DALLAS —–  My Record: 0-1

NOTE: Rookies don’t usually shake up this division, so there’s a pretty good chance that what you see here will be how it shakes out for the year.

 

Strongest Offense: DALLAS

Like the Giants they tick 3/5 boxes as far as positions being strong. However, unlike the Giants the Cowboys have an offensive line.

Weakest Offense: PHILADELPHIA

I know! I know! But we’re an offensive team! We’ve set records! Yeah, yeah, yeah. We’re also remodeling our Offensive Line, our QB situation is a toss-up, and we have ZERO explosive players at WR.

 

Strongest Defense: WASHINGTON

They have a nice front seven up there, but the secondary is an issue, However Secondary is a problem for every team in the division right now, so this was a pretty easy pick.

Weakest Defense: DALLAS

Greg Hardy may help this team, but there is a real lack of playmakers on this side of the ball.

 

Strongest Special Teams: PHILADELPHIA

Everyone has a decent Punter, and while I gave everyone but Philadelphia a passing grade at Kicker, it was by a razor thin margin and mostly on a technicality. On the other hand Philadelphia has a much better return game, and kick/punt coverage than any of our rivals

Weakest Special Teams: DALLAS

This was a toss-up between Washington and Dallas, but Dallas has lost their KR to New York, so they risk having some of their ST tenets stolen by a division rival.

  

Projected Winner: WASHINGTON

Bottom Line: While they still have offensive line issues, so do 3 out of 4 teams in the division. They also had issues in their Secondary, but so does every other team in the division. When you look at the parts that actually do work among the four teams, Washington can play defense as well as any team in the division right now. They can also run the ball, which is something that a couple teams in this division may have trouble doing themselves, given their offensive line issues and/or lackluster RB’s.

Philadelphia continues (so far) to hemorrhage more talent than we bring in, and Dallas has thrown away the straw that stirred their drink. As a result, both of these teams stand as weaker today than they were when their seasons ended. While New York has a downright scary looking offense returning, they’re doing it without an offensive line they can trust and a run game that’s more rumor than reality.

Heads up:

Philadelphia is rumored to be about to make some moves regarding not just the Draft, but the roster in general. If someone is to take the division from Washington, Philly is the team.