Sack Leader: DE Za’Darius Smith (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 3)
Special Teams Ace: N/A
****
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: BRONCOS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Run Fewer Bunch Formations: The Eagles refused to spread their formations. Thus, all the defenders stayed bunched up inside, making it easier to combat our run and run various blitzes. I don’t know which was worse. Hurts inability to get rid of the ball quickly (5 sacks), or the coaching staff not adjusting for his weakness. (NOT DONE)
2) Limit Their Run Game: Hold them under 120 rushing yards. That was the ask. We gave them 130 on some of the least creative, ugliest running I’ve seen since November of 2022, when Washington beat us 21 – 32. After that loss we were still in first place, but we’d been sleepwalking and needed a loss to wake us up.
Sound familiar? Click that link up there, and you’ll shake your head until you feel like a bobblehead doll. Why do Nick Sirianni’s teams KEEP repeating this pattern? (NOT DONE)
3) Don’t Overthink It: The idea was to use our bigger line to run the ball a ton, and overpower their smaller line. Our leading rusher got all of 6 carries. Our 20 million dollar per year, former 2,000 yard rusher, saw just 6 carries. This is not just an oversight. It’s downright unprofessional.
If I’m Owner Jeffrey Lurie, I want a word with Sirianni, not his hired help. I would ask him “Nicholas John, why I’m paying a man 20 million dollars, for 6 carries, in front of our home crowd?” Each time I hear an answer I don’t like, I’m saying, “That’s the wrong answer. Give me the right one.” (Specifically: This won’t happen again.) (NOT DONE)
4) Box Them In: We did a really good job of this, as LB’s Zack Baun (12 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) and Jihaad Campbell (11 tackles) led the team in stops. The scheme did a great job of playing team concept defense. The problem was the silly number of late opportunities the Bronco’s offense got, because the Eagles kept going three and out. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was1 of 4. We get a short week here, as we have to be back at it on Thursday night vs the 1 – 4 giants.
****
Game Hero: N/A
Game goat: Head Coach Nick Sirianni – I’m through blaming the Offensive Coordinator. Sirianni preaches situational football, but in real-time, he seems totally unaware of too many situations on his team.
On The Whole: Like that Washington loss n 2022, this loss was overdue. Lack of offensive clarity is the root of this team’s issues. It’s always trying to do two things passably, instead of one thing at a time, well. For instance: Why an RPO, and not an Off-Guard run? Why so many deep routes that meet in the same area? Why does Hurts hold the ball so damned long?!
On Defense, our line is neither slowing the run, nor getting to the QB. Today CB Kelee Ringo(6 tackles) has been more impactful, than DT Jalen Carter (4 tackles). That’s a fact, and it shouldn’t be.
Drive Killer: DT Jordan Davis (TD: 1/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 1/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: DT Jordan Davis (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 5)
Special Teams Ace: DT Jordan Davis 1FG Block, recovery, scoop and score
****
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: RAMSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Pound the Rock: In the first half, Saquon Barkley had 7 carries for 13 yards (1.8ypc). We didn’t do enough to establish the inside run, and the passes to Saquon, behind the Line of Scrimmage, only served to keep defenders close to the line. We doubled down on beating ourselves here.
WR A.J. Brown breaking the fuck out of a tackle
Things opened up in the second half, as Jalen Hurts just started winging the ball to A.J. Brown, which opened up the box, just enough for Saquon to be legitimate threat on his remaining 11 carries for 33 yards (3.0ypc). If we’d come out with this mindset, there would have never been a 19 point hole to climb out of. (NOT DONE)
2) Make Their QB Run: Right off the bat, I’ll say that we didn’t do this. However, we might have either, just spoiled the Rams entire season, by exposing a tell to their future opponents; or set ourselves up to beat them again in the playoffs.
QB Matt Stafford (19/33 – 57.5% – 196 – 2 – 1) when facing pressure, more often elected to throw off his back foot, or not step into a throw, instead of scramble. The result was that more than a few of his passes were uncharacteristically high or long, of their target. That could be useful information if we face them in the playoffs. (NOT DONE)
3) Involve Goedert Early: It wasn’t until the third quarter when TE Dallas Goedert(2 – 1 – 33 – 33.0 – 1) saw a target. It was an easy 33 yard strike for a touchdown. Right down the hash. He only saw two targets on the day. Not having to cover him, kept the box loaded and neutered our run game. Great job, Kevin! (NOT DONE)
4) Let’s Safety Dance: It was a relatively quiet day for rookie S Andrew Mukuba (3 tackles) who spent much of the day in deep coverage, because CB Adoree Jackson (5 tackles) is a liability. After he went out with an injury, CB Jakorian Bennett(5 tackles) took over as the guy who allows completions. (DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was 1 of 4. Which is exactly how we ended up being down 7 – 26 in the third quarter. The thing is, we’re a team that can push past adversity, and the Rams are a team that unravels when they get punched in the mouth. That won’t be the case next week. Next on the docket are the Buccaneers, and they seem to thrive on getting punched in the mouth. Worse yet, they’ve had our number as of recently.
(Fun Fact: We played away at the Bucs on 9/28/24 and it was 88 degrees. This year we play away at the Bucs on 9/29/25. As of now, the weather forecast calls for 88 degrees.)
****
DT Jordan Davis didn’t just block this field goal, he damned near caught it.
Game Hero: DT Jordan Davis – Our only sack. A fourth down Tackle For Loss. A field goal block to win the game. The scoop and score after the block, was just icing on the cake and a reward for me having started the Eagles DST in my fantasy football league. (If I win tomorrow, Davis’s TD will be a key reason why.)
All game long, the Rams K was getting credit for knuckle-balling his kickoffs, so that they would dribble along the ground, making it hard for our returners to corral them. What I think happened, was too much of the his kickoff mechanics, found their way into his field goal mechanics. Hence the low trajectory and two blocks.
Game goat: Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo – He called the first half of game like he doesn’t know who his players are. Once the decision was made to let our QB throw down the field, the entire game changed complexion. Which proves that the only thing missing initially, was his will to threaten our opponent.
Listen, when Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels is fired, I would love to see him added to this staff as a “consultant” or whatever, and transitioned to OC in 2026. His head coaching run in Miami was so disastrous, that it’ll be years before he gets another nibble. So we’d get to keep an offensive innovator for multiple years.
On The Whole: Once LB Zack Baun (7 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) intercepted Stafford on the Rams first drive, and we scored a touchdown off of it, I just knew that we were about to blowout the Rams. And then, all four of our frickin’ wheels fell off the car.
The Rams beat us deep for six (getting the extra point), and then we surrendered four field goals, while being shutout of the second quarter. At the half it was 7 – 19. After the half, we fumbled our first possession, and the Rams added another touchdown. Now we were down 7 – 26. A deficit of 19 points.
As a teen, I read that a final difference of 20 points, is a blowout. I have used that metric as a guideline for over thirty years now. It’s why I never said that we blew the Chiefs out, in the Super Bowl. Today however, we were in danger of being blown out at home.
WR DeVonta Smith catches the game winning touchdown.
Then, as if flipping a switch, Jalen Hurts threw Geodert a touchdown. The Rams punted, and Hurts throws Brown a touchdown. Suddenly were down by five points. They go out on downs. We go out on downs. Then DT Jalen Carter(3 tackles) blocks a FG! Are you serious!? Hurts throws WR DeVonta Smith (9 – 8 – 60 – 7.5 – 1) a touchdown, and for the first time since the first quarter, we have the lead!
We go for two, and miss it. Our lead is one point, and the Rams have ball.
The Rams only need a field goal and have 1:48 to get it. They play to ensure that our Offense will not see the ball again. With three seconds left in the game, the Rams attempt a 44 yard field goal.
IT’S BLOCKED! The Eagles have w- Wait! Did Jordan Davis recover the football! He did! He’s running with it! There’s a convoy behind him! Look at the big man go, look at- Oh my god, he’s going to score! There are no flags! HE’S IN THE ENDZONE!
DT Jordan Davis returns a field goal that he blocked and recovered, 61 yards for a touchdown
This game was one for the books. But it still doesn’t get Patullo off the hook! Mike McDaniels in Philadelphia? Think about it.
So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: BROWNSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
RB Montrell Johnson leading the ground game
1) Get Our Run Game On Track:We ran for 33 yards. For four quarters, all we could muster was (19 – 33 – 1.7 – 0) less than what RB Will Shipley(No stats – DNP) ran for last week. For posterity, RB Montrell Johnson (6 – 20 – 3.3 – 0) led the Eagles rushing attack.
When a rushing attack is this anemic, usually the culprit is an offensive line getting whipped in the trenches, but that wasn’t the issue here. The problem was a dink and dunk passing attack, that kept everyone within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. (NOT DONE.)
2) A Sack By A DE: This week the Eagles managed 3 sacks, and yes, one was by a DE. At least it was by a guy lined up at the position. During the second quarter “DE” Azeez Ojulari(3 – 1.0 – 0 – 0), who had been getting pressure consistently, finally got home and brought the QB down.
I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of an OLB lining up at DE, with his hand in the dirt. For example, Ojulari is 240 pounds. so I don’t want him squared up against 300+ pound RT’s. Listen, when Ojulari got his sack, it was on 2nd and 5. That could have easily been an audible to a run, and then Ojulari is overmatched. But he got it here. (DONE)
3) Win the Nod:The idea here was that the second CB spot would be decided by the play of CB Kelee Ringo(1 tackle) and CB Adoree Jackson (3 tackles). The truth is, neither distinguished themselves. So we head into the final week of the preseason, still not having even a foundation to make an argument for one over the other. (NOT DONE)
QB Kyle McCord throwing a 9 yard TD strike
4) Bench Our Back-up:We sat Tanner McKee (DNP)! It was the logical thing to do, which is why I was absolutely certain he’d play. We already know what we have in him. Why play him, and risk him getting injured? Then I saw him in pads, and my stomach knotted up. But then he sat on the sideline and I began to relax.
As for the third spot between QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (5/8 – 62.5% – 17 – 0 – 1) and rookie QB Kyle McCord(8/16 – 50.0% – 47 – 1 – 0), we should flip a coin and then just pick McCord anyway. He’s a rookie 6th round pick, so it makes sense for him to suck right now. (Besides, he’s a local kid, who went to St. Joe’s Prep, on Girard Avenue here.) DTR just looked so… flustered and shitty out there. Against back-ups! Hard pass! (DONE)
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This week’sFour Thingsscore was 2 of 4. This Friday we close out the preseason with a trip up to the Big Apple! There, we’ll face the Jets, in a game where the main objective is to leave with a healthy roster.
****
S Andrew Mukuba returning an interception 75 yards to paydirt.
Game Hero: S Andrew Mukuba (1 – 0.0 – 1 – 1) – All 13 of our points in this game were owed to Mukuba’s amazing 2nd quarter. First, he intercepts a ball and returns it 75 yards to paydirt. Then when the Browns botched a hand-off exchange, Mukuba was there for the fumble recovery. Which helped set up a 9 yard touchdown strike.
Game goat: Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo – He had no kind of plan for the Offense, and made no discernible adjustments.
On The Whole: Whether it was the miss opportunity for the CB battle to be decided. The missed opportunity for the third QB spot to be decided. Or the in ability of any of the WR’s to establish themselves as a consistent factor. This was a game where players should have come to impress. The only ones who seemed to make an impact, were the guys who are already locks to make the team.
OPERATION Bounceback begins, as Dallas looks to pick themselves up after they finished 2024 with a record of 7-10, 3rd in the NFC East, 20.6 pspg (21st), 27.5 papg (31st).
Injuries derailed this team last season. They managed to tread water for a while, going 3-3 until their Week Seven Bye. They came back and lost four straight games, dropping them to 3-7, behind two division rivals that were ho,t and refusing to cool off. Missing the playoffs became almost a mercy killing. Head coach Mike McCarthy was fired, and replaced with Brian Schottenheimer. Brian is the son of a personal favorite of mine, the late, great Marty Schottenheimer.
Heading into the pre-season, this is how things look today:
QB: Much is expected of Dak Prescott (185 – 286 – 64.7 – 1978 – 11 – 8) but at 31 years old, coming back from a second major lower body surgery, those expectations may now be unfair. Even before his 2024 season ended, his record was 3 – 5, including 3 straight losses. He’d also thrown 5 TD’s against 6 interceptions in his last four starts. It’s too early to declare him washed, but he no longer belongs anywhere near discussions of being elite.
Gone is back-up Cooper Rush. Enter Joe Milton. He’s huge (6’5, 246), with good mobility and an extremely live arm. In fact, his high throwing velocity is the biggest knock against him. He lacks touch, so he rockets every throw, which can make him wildly inaccurate on short passes. That being said, the lad has some tools. (+)
RB: Free agent Javonte Williams is a reclamation project from the Broncos. He’s never rushed for 1,000 yards, and hasn’t broken a 25 yard run since 2021. Former Eagle Miles Sandersstill showed the ability to be explosive in 2024, but will he see enough work in 2025, to make a contribution? Hunter Luepke (12 – 38 – 3.2 – 0) is the unofficial FB.
Deuce Vaughn (17 – 70 – 4.1 – 0 – 0) hasn’t seen much action in two years, and at 176 pounds, it’s doubtful that he ever will. Rumor has it, that Dallas wants a thunder and lightning duo, between rookies Jaydon Blue a 5th rounder, and 7th rounder Phil Mafah. Both are one dimensional players. Dallas has five question marks and no answers here yet. (-)
WR: Ceedee Lamb (101 – 1194 – 11.8 – 6) was clearly hurt by the loss of his QB last year. Another thing that hurt him was a shoulder injury that worsened as the season went on, causing the Cowboys to shut him down, with two weeks left in the season. There’s been no indication of any further difficulty with the shoulder.
George Pickens (59 – 900 – 15.3 – 3) was traded from Pittsburgh. He’ll loosen coverage on Lamb and help clear out the box. The threat of him alone, upgrades the entire offense. Jalen Tolbert (49 – 610 – 12.4 – 7) will likely see his role reduced, with the addition of Pickens, but he’s a quality third. KaVontae Turpin (31 – 420 – 13.5 – 2) insists on being a real receiver, but his true value to Dallas is returning kicks (27 – 904 – 33.5 – 1). Jonathan Mingo (5 – 46 – 9.2 – 0) will likely round out the roster. (+)
TE: Jake Ferguson (59 – 494 – 8.4 – 0) should be able to produce more on the field, since opponents are usually focused on defending other players. Despite 59 catches, he produced no scores and just 18 first downs, in 2024. Luke Schoonmaker (27 – 241 – 8.9 – 1) was a 2nd round selection in 2023, but so far, has not been able to take the top spot from Ferguson.
Brevyn Spann-Ford (9 – 88 – 9.8 – 0) is a big target, but he’s a slow, lumbering runner. He won’t run many crisp routes, and offers little after the catch. There are also a couple of Special Teamers/camp bodies here. This position is practically a liability. (-)
OT: Last year LT Tyler Guyton struggled to the point of being benched. Instead of leaving him in the doghouse, the Dallas coaching staff worked with him in the offseason and they are so far pleased with what they’ve seen in OTA’s and early training camp. Terence Steele has started the last 34 games at RT. Though he’s not the greatest, he provides stability that can be built around.
Matt Waletzko, Dakoda Shepley, are experienced Cowboys back-ups, but that’s all they will ever be, barring injury. They are joined by free agent Hakeem Adeniji, who hasn’t been a starter since 2023 when he had 4 starts with the Vikings. There are a couple of late round picks down here, but no one on this bench, will ever develop into a regular starter anywhere. (+)
Rookie Guard Tyler Booker
G: With the retirement of perennial All-Pro Zack Martin, LG Tyler Smith takes over as the leader of the Cowboys offensive line. He’s been worlds better since he was moved inside in 2023. Even before OTA’s, 1st round pick Tyler Booker, was basically anointed the starter at RG. He’s a 1st rounder, but the NFL has a steep learning curve.
Depth is interesting. Saahdiq Charles comes over from division rival Washingtion, where he played OT. Not only has he changed teams, but also positions. Robert Jones comes over from Miami, where he started every game last year at LG. Both T.J. Bass and Asim Richards were Cowboys last year. Bass with three starts and Richards with one. So if Booker doesn’t pan out, there are plenty of veteran options. (+)
C: Cooper Beebe started 16 games as a rookie last year, which is an endorsement in itself. He leapfrogged Brock Hoffman, who has been with the team since 2022. There is nothing broken with this position, so the Cowboys made no move to fix it. (+)
In A Nutshell: There’s a line, some weapons, and QB who’s familiar with his supporting cast. They have the ingredients for a top ten unit. (+)
DEFENSE
Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs address the media during Cowboys training camp activities.
DE: If you go to the Cowboys website, Micah Parsons (43 – 12.0 – 0 – 0) is listed under this position. Some will want to argue that, but with Matt Eberflus hired to be the new defensive coordinator, we can’t be certain of what changes he has planned. Parsons has requested a trade over his contract situation, but as of when I hit ‘publish’, he was still on this roster.
Dante Fowler returns from Washington, where he had 10.5 sacks last year. Fowler hasn’t started double digit games since 2020, and Parsons’ could possibly end up sitting out games. So it’s a pretty strong bet that Dallas will have to lean heavily on their depth here.
Sam Williams is a 2022 2nd rounder, is coming back from an ACL tear, which robbed him of his 2024 season. Marshawn Kneeland a 2024 2nd rounder, is seen more as a run defender than a pass rusher. Payton Turner, a 2021 1st rounder, comes over from the Saints, with no career starts, but two long I.R. stints on his resume. Right now, there are no committed starters, and no back-up has any meaningful experience. (-)
DT: Mazi Smith (41 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) started every game last year and anchored the NFL’s 29th ranked run defense in yards allowed. He’s huge, but he tires quickly, and then gets pushed around easily. Osa Odighizuwa (47 – 4.5 – 0 – 0) posted career-highs in tackles and sacks, while starting every game for the third straight year. He’s disruptive, but undersized for the inside.
Solomon Jones comes over from the Jets. He’s played End most of his career, but he’s apparently being moved inside, because the Cowboys are paper thin there. Of his career 18.5 sacks, 8.5 have come in the last two years. They also have two rookie 7th rounders in Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote. Like I said. Paper thin. (-)
OLB: Donovan Ezeiruaku, rookie 1st rounder, was the 12th pick overall. So getting him on the field early, may be the reason why “others”, find themselves changing positions. Honestly, with Ezeiruaku’s body type, he might still line up with his hand in the dirt, quite a bit. Marist Liufau (50 – 1.5 – 0 – 1) will likely be the second starter, but with the new DC, it’s impossible to be sure.
DeMarvion Overshown (90 – 5.0 – 1 – 1) tore his ACL, PCL and MCL late last season, and will miss part of 2025. If he were healthy, he’d start over Liufau. James Houston is a recent signing, as pass rush insurance for the Parsons situation. The other three players at this position, probably won’t even make the Practice Squad. (-)
MLB: Kenneth Murray comes over from the Titans, in a bid to salvage his career as a starter. Already labeled as a 1st round bust for the Chargers, the Titans gave him a two year deal. Then they traded him for peanuts, after just one season. He’s athletic, and a hard hitter, and decent guy… The issue is his poor instincts when diagnosing plays. Yikes!
MLB Jack Sanborn in coverage
Jack Sanborn was a Bear for three years, and has played in Eberflus’s system. So it’s not a stretch that he could win the starting gig. But if he doesn’t, he’s great depth to have. Damone Clark started every game in 2023, but was demoted in 2024, with just two starts in fourteen games. Don’t be surprised if he’s the first ‘backer off the bench, inside or outside. (+)
S: Both Donovan Wilson (82 – 4.5 – 1 – 1) and Malik Hooker (81 – 0.0 – 2 – 0) started every game last season, and they’ll return as a tandem in 2025. Even with a new system being installed this should be an area of strength, because their communication will make it easier for them to digest the changes.
Markquese Bell (6 tackles), Juanyeh Thomas (14 tackles), and Israel Mukuamu (19 – 0.0 – 2 – 0) have all been Cowboys for at least two years. So all five of these players have been in two systems with each other, and can discuss where the similarities and differences are, in the incoming system. So they should be able to teach each other and adapt to it quickly. (+)
CB: Trevon Diggs (42 – 0.0 – 2 – 0) is coming back from 2024 cartilage damage in the same knee that he tore his ACL in, back in 2023. In the last two seasons, he’s played just 13 of a possible 34 games. Questions about his durability, and how much his athleticism is impacted, are legitimate at this point.
After losing Jourdan Lewis (Jaguars), DaRon Bland (41 – 0.0 – 0 – 1) will be the new starter. Can he regain the form he had before a stress fracture in his foot, took the first half of 2024 from him? Currently engaged in what will be expensive contract talks with him, the Cowboys will soon literally be banking (gambling) on it.
Josh Butler (21 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) started three games with the Cowboys, as a 28 year old rookie last year. He’s currently on their PUP list, as he’s rehabbing a torn ACL. In the 3rd round of the 2025 Draft, the Cowboys selected Shavon Revel. He is currently rehabbing a torn ACL and will not be available during Training Camp. Or for the start of the season. Oh, and Caelen Carson (27 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) the 2024 5th rounder who had five starts last year, is out for weeks with a hyperextended knee.
I am making NONE of this up.
So, just who is healthy? Kaiir Elam a former 1st round pick that Buffalo gave up on and traded to Dallas for basically a handful of pocket lint. (Actually, it was him and a 6th round pick, in exchange for a 5th and a 7th round pick.) The remaining six bodies at this position have a total of 1 career interception between them, and a combined 3 starts since 2023. (-)
In A Nutshell: How do you not bring in ANY serious help, for the 31st ranked defense?
SPECIAL TEAMS:
K: Brandon Aubrey (40/47 (85.1%), 30/30 (100%)) hit a 65 yarder to let NFL teams know, that if his team reaches the 50, he’s gonna be a problem. (+)
P: After boasting a 51.4 yard per punt average in 2023, Bryan Anger came back down to Earth with a 48.5 yard average in 2024. That number is almost perfectly in line with the 48.4 that he posted in his first two years as a Cowboy. His net punt however was down to 41.7 yards, his lowest as a Cowboy. Not awesome, but serviceable. (+)
In A Nutshell: The legs are reliable, and aren’t losing the field position game for this team.
The Cowboys GM be like…
BOTTOM LINE: The Cowboys are going to have to use the same formula as the Bengals to win. Every game will have to be a shoot-out, because defensively this team is trash. And that’s regardless of how the Parsons situation turns out. They went 3-3 in the division last season, this year will probably be 1-5, repeating their 7-10 mark from last year. If they stay healthy.
Sisyphus- (Oops!) Washington, now that Dan Snyder is gone.
LOST NFC Championship Game, 12 – 5, 2nd place in NFC East, pspg 28.5 (5th) papg 23.0 (18th)
Washington was by far the surprise team of the 2024 season. Capitalizing on a last place schedule, and a rookie QB playing better than anyone could have anticipated; the Commanders made a deep run in the playoffs. They even out-dueled the #1 seeded Detroit, 45 – 31. A week later, the eventual Super Bowl Champions the Philadelphia Eagles, would annihilate Washington 55 – 23, and give them much to consider in the off-season.
Heading into the pre-season, this is how things look today:
QB: Jayden Daniels (331 – 480 – 69.0 – 3568 – 25 – 9) started all 17 games, while battling through broken ribs, suffered in Week 7. He ran for 891 yards and 6 scores, with a win/loss record of 12-5. But pump the brakes. That record could have just as easily been 8-9. His four game winning drives (Bears, giants, Eagles, and Cowboys) look good on paper, but the circumstances in each of those games will tell a very different story.
But that still leaves eight clear wins over the Bengals, Saints, Panthers, Titans, giants, Cardinals, Falcons, and Browns, right? Well, none of those teams made the playoffs. In fact, Daniels generally ceased to be a difference maker, whenever the opponent had a playoff caliber QB on the field. All early indications are positive, but demonstrated consistency is needed here.
Marcus Mariota returns as the back-up. The role looks to fit him well. He’s not asked to do too much when he’s asked to play, and he still has good mobility even at 31. Sam Hartman was an undrafted rookie, added to the roster last year; and for some reason, the well-traveled Josh Johnson was added to the roster, this year. (+)
RB: Brian Robinson (187 – 799 – 4.3 – 8) scares absolutely nobody. In three seasons he has never run for 800 yards in any one of them. He is not a game-breaker. He’s a big, “pound the ball between the Tackles” type. For explosive plays, the team is counting on Austin Ekeler (77 – 367 – 4.8 – 4 / 35 – 366 – 10.5 – 0). Surely, they’ll be looking to get him more than just 112 touches this season.
Providing depth is Jeremy McNichols (55 – 261 – 4.7 – 4) who is coming off a career year in 2024, having finally had his first career start after seven years, and four prior rosters. The Commanders also have third year man Chris Rodriguez (35 – 173 – 4.9 – 2). Putting together 354 – 1,600 – 4.5 – 18 between four guys, with their front line in a state of flux, may be the most slept-on story in the division. (+)
WR: Terry McLaurin (82 – 1096 – 13.4 – 13) saw a career-highs in both touchdown catches, and catch percentage (70.1). More importantly, he seems to have developed a real rapport with the guy throwing him the ball. So his current contract hold-out/hold-in/trade request isn’t too surprising. He’s currently still under contract, so I’m including him here.
WT Terry McLaurin being shown the money.
Meanwhile, when San Fran showed Deebo Samuel (51 – 670 – 13.1 – 3) the door, Washington couldn’t simp and give him a truckload of money fast enough. Even though his game is more suited to the slot, they want him to be a #2. Partly because overpaying a slot would be silly. Right Dallas?
Speaking of not showing up in the playoffs, Noah Brown (35 – 453 – 12.9 – 1) is back from the kidney injury that ended his 2024 campaign, in Week 13. Michael Gallup (no stats) is back from retirement. Further depth includes Luke McCaffery (18 – 168 – 9.3 – 0) and a handful of camp bodies and rookies, like 4th rounder Jaylin Lane.
There isn’t a legit #2 here, and the group is built as if the focus, is to capitalize on yards after the catch. That portends a lot of receivers taking big hits from Linebackers and Safeties. Which brings into question how healthy they’ll be, by the time we start with the Fall family gatherings. Once again, it’s basically McLaurin and then a big drop-off. (-)
TE:Zach Ertz(66 – 654 – 9.9 – 7) found the fountain of youth in 2024, while playing security blanket with his rookie passer. That said, with him being 34, the time to pivot to second year Ben Sinnott (5 – 28 – 5.6 – 1) should be this season. Nobody spends a 2nd round pick on a TE, without plans for him, and while John Bates is a tough sumbitch, he’s not a receiving threat. At the bottom of the barrel are Cole Turner and Tyree Jackson. (-)
OT: In order to keep the Broken Rib fairy away from their QB, Washington traded with Houston for LT Laremy Tunsil. He’s been a perennial Pro Bowler (for whatever that’s worth anymore), while dominating in the AFC South against the Colts, Jags, and Titans. All while playing in a dome. In a warm climate. The NFC East will offer him none of that.
Taking snaps (so far) at RT, is 1st rounder Josh Conerly. This makes for a brand new pair of starters on the ends. In 2024 it was RT Andrew Wylie, and (rookie) LT Brandon Coleman. Wylie took a pay cut in March, just to keep a job. Coleman is looking for an open seat anywhere on the line. Behind them, are a couple of career back-ups, and undrafted rookie Timothy McKay.
Nice bed. Be a shame if someone…
While the new starters may be talented, how they adapt to a new team, and system, are all question marks. Last year’s starters shit the bed hard enough to cause the team to wipe the slate and start all over. If the reserves have to step in, there can’t be a ton of confidence there. So until they prove otherwise… (-)
OG: Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, may have as many as four new starters up front, going into this season. Last year it was LG Nick Allegretti and RG Sam Cosmi. This year Brandon Coleman is getting a look at LG, and Andrew Wylie seems to have been demoted to utility player.
Allegretti and Cosmi are still in the mix to start, but it’s a mix. Especially with Cosmi still rehabbing a blown ACL. Johnson completely re-tooling the line that he assembled last year, tells you how deeply disappointed he was. The real question here is, is this position any more talented than it was a year ago? The flat answer is, no. (-)
C: Tyler Biadasz is the anchor of this line, and he’s clearly the player that it’s being built around. He isn’t flashy, but he’s a consistent and stabilizing presence. He’s also the only player listed at this position. Michael Dieter is listed at G, but he’s got eight career starts in the pivot. So depth here is a mild concern. (+)
In A Nutshell: If the line doesn’t gel quickly, this offense is cooked.
DEFENSE
DE: Finally a starter (fifteen starts) Dorance Armstrong (39 – 5.0 – 0 – 0) was supposed to take a major leap forward. What happened is, he was less productive than when he was a back-up. Clellin Ferrell(26 – 3.5 – 0 – 0) also failed to be a game-changer despite his ten starts. Seeing low production from their starters (8.5 sacks), Washington decided to make a major move...
They gave a roster spot to what’s left of Von Miller. He’s collected 6 sacks in the last two years, as a situational player. Further depth looks like second year Jacob Martin (15 – 3.0 – 0 – 0); Javonte Jean-Baptiste (13 – 1.0 – 0 – 0); Andre Jones (1 tackle); and Viliami Fehoko, who was drafted in the 4th round in 2023, but has bounced around practice squads since then. (-)
DT: Jonathan Allen (Minnesota) was allowed to walk, breaking up the dynamic duo that was he and Daron Payne (42 – 4.0 – 0 – 0). Stepping up to be Payne’s new running mate, is Jer’Zhan Newton (44 – 2.0 – 0 – 1) who had eleven starts in 2024, due to Allen being injured. Newton was drafted last year to give Washington more interior pass rush and be a disruptor, but so far he’s “less of an asset” against the run.
Adding Javon Kinlaw (40 – 4.5 – 0 – 1) from the Jets, could be a good move, depending on which version of him shows up most of the time. NT Eddie Goldman came over from the Falcons, (probably as bulk vs the Brotherly Shove). He can anchor against the run, but no one is worried about his pass rush. Maybe that’s whyDeatrich Wise (20 – 5.0 – 0 – 0) was added from the Patriots? Lots of experience, but there’s a lot of high mileage, new parts to blend. (-)
I/MLB: In 2024, Bobby Wagner (132 – 2.0 – 0 – 2) recorded his lowest tackle total since 2015. That’s despite starting all seventeen games. Whether it was because it was his first year in the system, or because he was 34, is the question. Given the lack of clear depth behind him, that’s not a good question to have.
Right now, second year man Jordan Magee (9 tackles), would be the first man off the bench in case of injury to Wagner. However, he only saw 15 snaps in 2024. Further depth looks like possibly 6th rounder Kain Medrano, or undrafted rookies Kam Arnold and Ale Kaho. Nick Bellore is a Special Teamer who also plays FB. (-)
LB Frankie Luvu jumps offsides, trying to stop the Eagles Brotherly Shove play.
OLB: Frankie Luvu (99 – 8.0 – 1 – 2) had career-highs in sacks (8), and passes defensed (7). Despite Dante Fowler and his 10.5 sacks going back to Dallas, there doesn’t seem to be a hard set plan for re-stocking the other starting spot.
Instead, Washington is hoping that Dominique Hampton, a 5th roundtweener from last year’s Draft, can replace Jeremy Chinn (Las Vegas), who played a hybrid role, as a box FS/LB. You didn’t read that wrong. This is what’s happening. This is who they have, and they’re serious about rolling this out. (-)
S: Quan Martin (87 – 0.0 – 1 – 0 ) also added 3 forced fumbles last year, during his sixteen starts. They added free agent Will Harris from the Saints. With 3 career interceptions in six years, Harris isn’t exactly a ball-hawk or a game changer. He does however, bring a much needed veteran presence to a very inexperienced group.
Percy Butler (47 tackles) had five starts last year, but he had thirteen the year before. Instead of relying on him, Washingtonadded a veteran. Below Butler are undrafted Tyler Owens (who doesn’t believe in Space or other planets); undrafted college special teamer Ben Nikkel; and undrafted rookie Robert McDaniel. (-)
CB: Mike Sainristil (93 – 0.0 – 2 – 1) saw sixteen starts as a rookie last year. It started out rough, but he played through, and by season’s end, the improvement was apparent. Marshon Lattimore (4 tackles) came over in a midseason trade. He only played two games due to a hamstring injury, which he blamed for his poor performance. BUT! If we’re going to keep it 100, he’s been a shell of himself since 2022.
Noah Igbinoghene (55 tackles) having defected from Dallas last year, now has two years of this system under his belt. Jonathan Jones (Patriots) is very experienced, especially in the slot. Add a handful of young guys, which include two undrafted rookies, and you have the makings of… A mess. This is a mess. It’s one decent player, a guy who’s washed, an old slot guy, a bench warmer, and camp bodies. This is a mess. (-)
In A Nutshell : Aside from possibly Kinlaw, no clear move was made to improve this unit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Free agent signee Matt Gay has no competition on the roster. The gig is obviously his, despite him being 11/22 from 50+ yards, over the last two seasons. Did I mention he played the last two seasons in Indianapolis? Yes, a place with a dome. In fact, 8 of those 11 misses were in a dome. However, he was 28/28 from 49 yards or less. So he’s solid, but not clutch. (+)
P: Tress Way only had to punt 50 times last season, which helped keep his leg fresh enough to raise his average punt to 46.9 from 46.0 the previous year. He won’t set the world on fire, but he’s solid. (+)
In a Nutshell: Washington is solidly going the Gay Way in 2025.
BOTTOM LINE: At the end of January, no one was expecting this team to shell out 60M$ to two WR’s, but by Week One, that is precisely what has to happen. (Right?) As a result, there wasn’t big money to spend on improving a defense which allowed 55 points in the last game they played in. Add to that, a harder schedule, and a season’s worth of tape on their QB. This team won’t sneak up on anyone this year.
Everywhere I turn, the national media has this team back in the NFC Championship game or beyond, but I just don’t see it. They just don’t have the firepower to make up for a poor defense. Let’s call it 9 – 8 and a Wild-card exit.
REBUILDING continues! In 2024 New York finished 3 – 14, 4th place in the NFC East, pspg 16.1 (31st), papg 24.4 (21st)
Their pass defense was top ten in yardage last year, but that stat is extremely deceptive. Last season they had an even split of 503 passing attempts and 503 rushing attempts, against them. They gave up 6.5 yards per pass, but 4.6 yards per rush! As an opposing offense, why would you ever throw the ball? As a result, the 503 pass attempts they faced, were third fewest in the league, thus the low yardage.
Heading into the pre-season, this is how things look today:
OFFENSE
QB:Tommy “Cutlets” Devito is the only player currently at this position. He has a career record of 3 – 5 in 8 starts for the g-men, throwing 8 TD’s and 3 picks, thus far. He’s also shown some ability to leg plays out. He doesn’t have elite tools, but he’s a competitor. A better organization might take an offseason to see what they have here, but…
Then just like that, the giants sign Jameis Winston for enough money and incentives to make him the odds-on favorite to win the starting job. He was the #1 overall pick in the 2015 Draft, but it’s hard to know what he is. Is he a talented guy who’s simply bounced from one bad team/situation to another and another? Or is he fool’s gold, that assures mediocrity?
Then BOOM! They signed Russell Wilson to an even larger contract, and in his introductory speech, he all but declared himself the Day One starter. The question is: What do the giants have in him? At this point in his career, it seems like he’s become enamored with making the smart decision, not necessarily the right one. With football being a game of moments, that aversion to risk, means he misses out on those most important moments.
Then, with the 25th overall pick in the Draft, the giants selected Jaxson Dart! With him being a first round pick, you know they want him on the field. And soon. Which then raises the question: What happens with Wilson, now? There are now four quarterbacks on this team, and the only one who’s ever won a game for it, is the one least likely to ever see another start for it. (-)
RB: Looking at his overall numbers would make you think that Tyrone Tracy (192 – 839 – 4.4 – 5) had a pretty good rookie year. Until you notice the 5 fumbles and how he only eclipsed 60 rushing yards just 4 times in 17 games. Free agent addition Devin Singletary (113 – 437 – 3.9 – 4) went from 2023 career-highs in carries and rushing yardage (216 – 898) with the Texans, to career lows as a giant. He also suffered career-lows in receptions and receiving yardage. Eric Gray has 6 fumbles on 31 career attempts, for 79 yards, no scores and a long run of 12 yards. If he makes their 2025 practice squad, I’ll be shocked. In the 4th round of the Draft, the giants selected Cam Skattebo. He’s a hard-running, high effort type. While he has the attitude to succeed, the question is: At this level, does he have enough talent? (-)
WR: Their best is Malik Nabers (109 – 1204 – 11.0 – 7). He’s coming off a productive rookie season, but much of that was from dealing in high volume, as he saw 170 targets in 15 games (11.3 tpg). Oh, and his 9 drops outnumbered his 7 scores. For comparison, EaglesA.J. Brown, on just 97 targets, also had 7 scores. With zero drops. That’s not a typo. Zero drops.
WR Malik Nabers competes for a pass.
Their number two, is Wan’Dale Robinson (93 – 699 – 7.5 – 3) who was targeted a career-high 140 times last year. Funny thing is, the more passes he sees, the more his yards per catch drops (9.9 in 2022, 8.8 in 2023, 7.5 in 2024). They re-signed deep threat Darius Slayton (39 – 573 – 14.7 – 2), but he’s already spent six years being under-utilized there. The last three were under current Offensive Co-Ordinator and former Eagles QB,Mike Kafka. Don’t expect much to change.
Speaking of former Eagles, Zach Pascal is also there. Combined since 2022, he has all of 19 catches, for 169 yards and 1 score. If they don’t draft a playmaker here, their passing attack will need their QB to be an absolute savior. (Update: They didn’t draft a playmaker here.) (-)
TE:Theo Johnson (29 – 331 – 11.4 – 1) is the headliner of this group. Um, okay? Daniel Bellinger (14 – 125 – 8.9 – 0) has seen his snap percentage decrease in each of the last two seasons, and he’s only played three. Chris Manhertz (3 – 30 – 10.0 – 1) played even less than Bellinger last year.
It would be easier to stomach these guys if their blocking led to huge improvement in the run game. Now say, if they helped some guy rush for 2,000 yards, then yeah, it wouldn’t matter that they suck as receivers. If they draft a player here, it had better be earlier than the fourth round. (Update: They added Thomas Fidone in the 7th round. (-)
OT: LT Andrew Thomas returns from a Lisfranc injury in his right foot, that cost him the final eleven games of last season. When he went down, the giants were forced to patch that position on the fly. RT Jermaine Eleumunor became the primary fill-in for Thomas at LT. Eleumunor didn’t exactly set the world on fire, and will face a 2025 challenge at RT from Evan Neal, who has yet to justify being the 7th overall Draft pick in 2022.
For depth, Stone Forsythe (Seahawks) and James Hudson (Browns) were added. Both are four year vets, who have never spent a season as a primary starter. Depth is scarce and the starters are “Meh.” at best. (-)
G: In his first season as a giant, LG Jon Runyan Jr. struggled until he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve (I.R.) due to an ankle injury. RG Greg Van Roten (also in his first year as a giant), played better than Runyan, but neither was great. Perhaps a year of familiarity will improve them in 2025.
Behind them are Aaron Stinne and Jake Kubas. Plucking 5th rounder, Marcus Mbow from the Draft, already seems like a project. Their plan seems to be, moving him from college RT to professional G. (-)
C: They say the best ability is availability, and John Michael Schmitz made 15 starts in 17 games, anchoring an interior which started the first 13 games together. While not spectacular, he at least provides the kind of stability (another great ability) to build upon. Behind him is Jimmy Morrissey, who saw 4 starts as a rookie in 2021, and none since. (+)
In A Nutshell: Iffy offensive line, nothing but question marks at QB, and last year’s weapons, playing in last year’s system, which averaged 16.1 points, for 31st in the league. (-)
DEFENSE
DE:Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Roy Robertson-Harris are just a guys and both are 32 years old. So the giants swiped Chauncey Gholston from Dallas, with plans to deploy him on the line and as a ‘backer. Whether this means a transition to true 4-3, instead of the weird 2-4-5 thing they ran in 2024, remains to be seen. The personnel here however, would suggest a 3-4 or that 2-4-5 again. (-)
DT Dexter Lawrence doing Dexter Lawrence things
DT:Dexter Lawrence is one of the most disruptive linemen in the league, and he posted a career-high 9 sacks in 2024, to drive that point home. Tweener Elijah Chatman made the roster as an undrafted rookie last year, and logged three starts. He plays with hustle and passion, but he is a bit undersized at 278 pounds.
D.J. Davidson made two starts with 2 sacks, but the giants see him as a back-up. Jordon Riley made five starts, and was totally unremarkable, for the second year in a row. Which is probably why the giants drafted Darius Alexander in the third round. He’s heavy-footed and doesn’t make plays unless they’re run right at him. They have 1.5 out of 5 players here. (-)
OLB: Last year, I asked if Kayvon Thibodeaux (5.5 sacks) was a difference maker, or an over-drafted, situational player who gets too many snaps. Well, after three seasons, I think we have our answer. Then there’s Brian Burns who started every game last year, posting 8.5 sacks and a career-high 71 tackles? At least the outsides are secure, right?
So of course, the giants drafted Abdul Carter #3 overall in this year’s Draft, to take the starting spot from Burns. So Burns will shortly be depth, along with…maybe Tomon Fox? This is situation is just goofy. (-)
MLB/ILB:Micah McFadden posted career-highs in tackles (107) and sacks (3.0) in 2024, showing continued improvement for a second straight year. Bobby Okereke on the other hand seemed to have regressed, with fewer stops and big plays made. Behind him is Darius Mausau, who was an undrafted rookie last year, but played hungry when he got opportunities.
There are a number of other players at this position, but they’re all career back-ups, who even look like camp bodies in their photographs. This team, with a straight face, did nothing to address the interior run issues of the 27th ranked run defense. Not. A. Thing. (-)
S:Tyler Nubin started thirteen games as a rookie last season, but he defensed exactly 1 pass over the course of all of those games. Free agent Jevon Holland was added from Miami, but he also doesn’t get his hands on the pigskin very often. Dane Belton started six games last season, and intercepted a pass. These three are the top of the mountain for this team. Undrafted rookie Makari Paige, at 6’4” could prevent problems for opposing passing games. If he plays?
The giants have taken an unfortunate step backwards here. None of their players at this position, have a history of being a play-maker, nor show the potential to become one. Which is likely to turn into a brutal ordeal, in this division. (-)
CB:Deonte Banks started all fourteen games that he played last season, and got his hand on 12 passes, without intercepting any of them, while allowing a 70% completion rate. Across from him, for ten starts was Cor’Dale Flott (1 interception), who surrendered a 66% completion rate. Both look to have the inside track on returning as starters this season.
CB Paulson Adebo
Andru Phillips (1 interception) chipped in six starts as a rookie, but allowing a 75% completion rate won’t earn him more playing time. Perhaps that’s why the team shelled out 54M$ over three years, for free agent Paulson Adebo from the Saints. He intercepted 3 passes in just seven games last season, before breaking his thigh bone. After a lengthy rehab, he’s looking good so far in camp. (Grain of salt: He’s also going against giants receivers, here.)
There’s 7th round rookie Korie Black, and a bunch of guys who were already back-ups on the roster when he was selected. Overall they have Adebo as their #1 and two starters from last year fighting for the second spot. Which makes them at least three deep. (+)
In A Nutshell: This defense may be a better pass rush unit, but vs the run and covering people it’s hard to say that there’s been any meaningful improvement. (-)
SPECIAL TEAMS
K/P: K Graham Gano (11/9 – 15/15) returns after a year struggling with injury. Two guys had a shot a replacing him, but well, Graham is still here. K Jude McAtamney (1/1 – 1/1) and Gano may battle it out this Summer for the gig.
P Jamie Gillian (43.7ypp – 40.5 net) was yet again remarkably unremarkable. He’s like that thing in the fridge that you keep meaning to toss, but keep forgetting about until the day after trash day. ( I gotta get rid of that mustard.)
In A Nutshell: Given all this teams issues, it’s silly to nit-pick unremarkable kicking. (+)
BOTTOM LINE: Are they trying to get Daboll fired? It took me MONTHS to write this up, because I was absolutely certain that I was reading this all wrong. There was just no way the giants were serious about the way they looked on April 27th.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, not yet touching his forehead, but getting there. (Seinfeld reference.)
So I decided to sit back and let the June 1st cuts happen. To wait for that second shoe to drop, and see a move or two get made, which would tie it all together. But here we are (now mid-JuneJuly beginnging of August), and nothing looks objectively better. Even as a rival fan I’m disgusted! If you’re an actual giants fan, take the gun out of your mouth, and just sit this season out.
Let’s call it 6 – 11 because the QB play in 2025 has to be better than 2024’s.
WE’RE back on our Brotherly Shove again! In the 2024 Wild Card game, we defeated the Packers by putting up 22 points to their 10. In the 2025 offseason, we defeated their proposal to ban the Shove, by getting only 10 votes to their 22. They had more points but still lost! We Bugs Bunny’d them!
That level of fail has to hurt. There is no possible way, that it doesn’t hurt in the deepest, darkest, most ouchiest places.
Green Bay is all about holding onto the past. Frozen tundra, Vince Lombardi, the Packer Sweep, and all that crap. So you KNOW that Packer fans will hold onto both losses. Why not rub some salt in, and squeeze some lemon juice on those wounds? I swear, when we visit Lambeau in November, the first play we run, should be the Shove. Just make a point.
I woke up Wednesday, fully expecting the NFL to ban the play. I’d already made peace with it, and discussed why and how I did, in my last article. Back in April when the owners voted on it, the vote was tied 16 to 16. Instead of accepting that vote, the NFL moved the goal post on the issue, so that Green Bay could re-word the proposal, to pick up 8 more votes in May.
Well, their new rule proposal only picked up an additional 6 votes. Likely because the new language in the proposal, would have banned any pushing, of any runner. For ALL teams. For owners trying to turn the NFL into flag football, that change is just an evolutionary step. For owners who want football to stay football, that change is a seventy degree slope, coated in oil.
I’ll be interested in seeing how often Green Bay and Buffalo still runs the Tush Push, since they are “so opposed” to it. In fact, any team running the play besides the Ravens, Browns, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, Patriots, Saints, Jets, or Titans, is full of shit if they attempt it even once.
I didn’t name the Eagles in that group, because the Eagles don’t run the Tush Push. We run the Brotherly Shove. That is not a semantic, or just a matter of nomenclature. It’s the distance between why we’re so successful at what we do, and other teams are not as successful at what they do. We simply aren’t doing the same thing!
When talking about why we’re so good at the Shove, announcers, as well as opposing players and coaches, frequently cite how QB Jalen Hurts can squat 600 pounds. Meanwhile, often during the play, his feet aren’t even on the ground! They mention the pushing of the butt. Yet Hurts frequently makes the distance without needing that push.
Teams are making incorrect assumptions about the play, and therefore aren’t studying or approaching executing it properly. They’re trying to imitate what they think it is, instead of what it truly is. Which is why they both keep getting it wrong, AND failing to stop it. The biggest secret of the Shove, is us never pointing out what opponents are misunderstanding.
It’ll be interesting to see what new basis they’ll try to ban it on, next year; as well as how often opponents fake a short-term injury, in order to create injury data that heretofore hasn’t existed. I doubt however, that the next charge will be led by Green Bay. Because we keep proving, on or off the field, the slack-jawed Packers are simply no match for us.
Look at how offsides he is. THAT my dear reader, is called FEAR.
BROTHERLY Shove, forever! I’m a huge fan of the play, but I’m an even bigger fan of the fact that, opposing teams can rarely stop us when we run it. So when I first heard that the NFL was seriously taking a vote to ban the play, I was understandably…upset.
Once again it was a professional sports league, targeting Philadelphia for innovating and perfecting something. Like when the NBA outlawed Allen Iverson’s Crossover dribble , then later outlawed his Spin Cross dribble (sometimes called the El Nino).
This push to ban the Shove, felt unfair and I was very pissed over it. Until recently. Now the more I think about it, the more I find myself, sort of looking forward to the Brotherly Shove being banned. This is because I’m a student of the game. I see its history everywhere, and I can’t wait to see the fallout from this.
Consider Air Coryell. One aspect of that offensive system, was to put receivers into motion, to read if a defense was playing Man or Zone. It was hard to stop when that first came out, but teams caught on, and now you see it as part of every offensive system, on nearly every play.
Consider the original West Coast Offense. Joe Montana and the Forty-Niners virtually owned the 1980’s with that system. Then other teams began to copy it and mutate it. Now almost every team either runs a version of the WCO, or their own system is heavily impacted with basic tenets of the WCO.
(sigh)
Buddy Ryan and Bud Carson invented the 46 Defense, which made legends of Eagles and Bears defenders, from the mid 1980’s through early 1990’s, Then teams caught up to it, and no one runs the 46 any more.
The history of the NFL is innovation, domination, transformation, repeat. Innovation, domination, transformation, repeat.
Except here, no one is figuring out the Brotherly Shove. Teams are just dropping to the floor, going fetal, and screaming “No Mas!” They ran to mommy Goodell, hid behind her skirt, and cried for her to stop the big, bad Eagles. And she said “Roger that.”
If the Shove is banned, it will mean that at least a two-thirds majority of the league’s owners, realized we can’t be stopped on the field, so they ambushed us, off of it. Unlike Air Coryell and the WCO, and the 46, our innovation will go down as having never been solved. With a ban, our ownership of all those teams, will be written indelibly into NFL history itself.
So yeah. I’m kinda looking forward to that silver lining.
MOST sportswriters looked at the Eagles 2025 schedule, and ran to write their predictions. Mostly, using the exact same formula (wild guesses) as fans, to determine those outcomes. I on the other hand, am far more interested in telling you what the schedule means, than offering any sort of predictions.
Those comes in July.
From what I’ve been reading, almost everyone hates the schedule, and feels that the NFL has it in for us. To be honest, at first, I thought more or less the same thing. Then I did my deep look thing, and saw that this schedule isn’t nearly as bad as we think. Let’s weigh the cons, pros, and then we’ll see what’s under the soot.
CONS: Not only don’t we have any extended home stands, we don’t even have any back to back home games. We get short turnarounds on weeks 6, 11, and 13. Each of those leading us into a nationally televised game. Neither divisional game versus Washington has a set day and time. (But that might not be so bad. Keep reading.)
PROS: The week 9 Bye is in a good place. Midseason or later is where you want that. We get long rest periods going into weeks 2, 7, 10, and 14. Each of those games versus a 2024 playoff team. We go to Lambeau in early November, instead of later in the year. Then, after week 14, we have no games outside of our time zone.
DEEP DIVE: Week 6 is a short week, but we face a giants team also on a short week. (Sauce for the goose.) Week 12 has Dallas on a short turnaround. It however, is Washington that may just be our ticket to winning the East again. The best part is that Washington gets screwed by, and because of Christmas.
Washington’s last four games are against division rivals. Their first game against us, has to either be Thursday 12/18, (on a short week for both of us); or on Sunday 12/21. Since Washington has a game on Christmas Day versus Dallas, they can’t be put on Monday 12/22. That would only give them 3 days to recuperate. The NFL won’t do that.
So when we face Washington, we’re either on a short week, playing against a division rival on a short week. After they’d played a division game. Which are emotional, physical games. That would give us 9 days rest, before going to Buffalo on 12/28. Or we could play Washington on Sunday 12/21, and get normal rest before Buffalo. Either works for the Eagles.
Washington has to play a short week somewhere between 12/14 and 12/25. Can’t be avoided. They have to cram three games into eleven days, with us being one of those teams.
So the team that people think can unseat us, closes out the year with that eleven day run, followed by us, in the season finale. It’s almost not fair. Almost.
WINNING the Super Bowl with what people have repeated called “the best roster in the NFL” and/or “the deepest roster in the NFL”, says that when the final game of the season was over, your Philadelphia Eagles, had few if any, holes to fill.
Then came free agency, with opposing teams driving truckloads of money up to some of our players. Like back-up DT Milton Williams, netting a four year 104M$ deal from the Patriots. Then after free agency, trades like the one that sent FS C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. Then releases, like CB Darius Slaybeing allowed to take I-76 over to Pittsburgh.
Personnel losses (especially on Defense), left us with questions about depth. We also face possible starting holes, if our announced heir-apparent players, aren’t able to step up. Players like DT Moro Ojomo, FS Sydney Brown, and CB Kelee Ringo.
This is where the annual NFL Draft comes in. In a few days, General Manager Howie Roseman gets to load up on young, cheap talent, to help patch some of the holes. Our ammunition? We enter this year’s draft with eight picks in the first five rounds.
Word is that our biggest need is at Safety. WRONG! That’s not a factual statement. At DE we currently have Bryce Huff(whom we want to trade) andK.J. Henry, on his fourth team in four years. So we have no starting DE’s. This is a massive hole. Luckily this draft is loaded with defensive line talent, so we’d be idiots not to load up on two or three of them.
Time to look at this draft!
Round 1 #32: (Trade up to 15) RDE Shemar Stewart (6’5, 267) – Everyone is talking about us replacing back-up DT Milton Williams. How about we replace starting DE Josh Sweat first? Make sense? I thought so too. Stewart gives us a more sudden, more violent version of Sweat. If he can add his hands to his explosiveness, he’ll require frequent double teaming.
ALTERNATE CHOICE: (Trade up to 15) DT Walter Nolen(6’4, 296) If Stewart is gone, and Nolen is still there, he’s too good to pass up. Better yet, he’s too good to have to face twice a year. He has the tweener body type to move to LDE, with DT Jalen Carter eating double teams beside him.
Round 2 #64: (Trade up to 40, possibly for TE Dallas Goedertand a pick) DE Nic Scourton (6’3, 257) – What I like most about Scourton, is his size. He looks bigger than he’s listed, and he’s played as heavy as 285. I have long thought that we could use bigger DE. By “bigger” I mean 270-plus. Brandon Graham was effective at 6’2 265, but he was never overpowering in the sense of a Reggie White(6’5/305) or a Clyde Simmons (6’6/292). Scourton could give us that size.
This is 6’2 265 pound Brandon Graham, with prospect Nick Scouton. Does Scouton look 6’3 257 pounds to you?
Thing is, he’s projected as a late 1st early 2nd round pick, so he won’t be there at 64. We’ll have to move up to get him as well, but if we could pull it off, our defensive line would be the stuff of nightmares. ALTERNATE CHOICE: (Don’t trade up) LDE Sai’vion Jones – (6’5 280) He has a 3rd round grade on him, so picking him 64th is only slightly over-drafting him. However, if he gets lined up at LDE next to Jalen Carter, by November you won’t care about the pick, because you’ll love the fit.
Round 3 #96: Likely gone in a trade up along with some 2026 Draft capital
Round 4 #134: RB Cam Skattebo (5’9, 219) – Seems weird to you doesn’t it? True or False. RB Saquon Barkley comes with an injury history, and is coming off a 378 touch season? His current back-up, A.J. Dillon, is hopefully recovered from a neck injury. (A stinger. Remember FB Kevin Turner?) Behind Dillon is Will Shipley, who had a nice couple of runs in the playoffs, but looked sluggish all last regular season. So we need some insurance.
Skattebo is a no nonsense sparkplug. He runs hard, bounces off contact, and can also catch the ball. While he lacks the speed to score from anywhere, he has more than enough speed and power, to break of yardage in large chunks.
Round 5 #161: OT Caleb Etienne (6’6, 329) – He has a 6th – 7th round grade on him, but I don’t trust that. He has every tool in the box, he just needs some refinement. I’d love to see Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutlandget a couple years to develop him, before RT Lane Johnsonretires.
Round 5 #164: TE Jackson Hawes (6’4, 253) – He’s an actual TE. He’s not a heavy WR. He’s not a piece that coaches “will be excited to move around”. He’s a TE. He plays at the end of the O-Line. He blocks his ass off. He catches dump-offs, and short passes. Period. He’s not out there to threaten anyone deep. In fact, with 51 catches in 4 years, he rarely saw the ball.
Round 5 #165: CB Marcus Harris (5’11, 189) – More of a zone corner than man, but he’s aggressive towards the ball, and shoots his gun versus the run.
Round 5 #168: Likely gone in a trade up along with some 2026 Draft capital
Notice how I did not select a Safety? That was quite on purpose. If Sydney Brown is getting a shot at the job, then give him the shot. Drafting a rookie early, to stare over Brown’s shoulder, sends a message of no confidence. If there are going to be questions over the starting spot, then just sign a veteran as insurance. Preferably one with knowledge of our defensive system. HINT!
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