Lost in the offseason drama at the quarterback position was the departure of another all-time Eagles great: running back Brian Westbrook.
As the season has gone on it has been easy to forget about Westbrook’s absence. LeSean McCoy has been better than pretty much anyone expected, gaining 779 yards on the ground and another 448 in the air to go with 7 touchdowns through just 11 games.
Plus, Westbrook has been practically invisible since signing with San Francisco. At least, until last night, when the former #36 (now #20) rushed 23 times for 136 yards, including a shifty 8-yard touchdown run, in relief of an injured Frank Gore to help the 49ers beat the Cardinals in Monday Night Football…
From Chicago, With (No) Love
Hey Chicago,
After this weekend, we’re pretty sure you won’t be thankful for anything other than the imminent dismissal of Lovie Smith.
Sure, on paper both teams come into the game 7-3 and on three game winning streaks. But the Bears have only beaten one team with a winning record all season. The Eagles, on the other hand, have four quality wins against playoff-bound teams. Can you handle it? …
Vick Describes Transformation in Sports Illustrated Cover Story
In the cover story, Vick recounted to writer S.L. Price how his mother wanted to “disown” him after the shooting at his 30th birthday party over the summer. According to Vick, she said, “You went to prison for 19 months, and you come out and you still ain’t listening.”
“Right then and there,” Vick said, “I told myself, I am changing my life. I’m going to do everything they ask me to do. I’m getting myself away from this madness.” Why this revelation didn’t occur over a year after he left prison and was reinstated into the NFL is unclear.
Additionally, Vick described that he was “ashamed” to call NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and face the consequences for this actions. He didn’t talk to Goodell for three weeks after the incident…
Vick & Reid: Building NFL History
Way back in August, I discussed my interest in seeing Michael Vick start a game this season for the Eagles. Although hopeful, my assumption was that results wouldn’t be particularly pretty. Obviously, after Sunday’s scary-good performance, we know that was wrong.
But I still go back to my initial curiosity to see the “Vick offense”:
“Someday a quarterback will come along who can throw accurately out of the spread and also pose a significant running threat. Such a Vince Young/Drew Brees mash-up would be a dangerous offensive weapon. However, until that time Michael Vick (if he has truly made strides with his throwing mechanics and watching film) is the closest the NFL has come to this ideal — an ideal both myself and Andy Reid seem anxious to witness.” …
A Ludicrous Extension: Redskins Throw Money at Declining McNabb
If before the first Eagles-Redskins meeting this season Washington had rewarded Donovan McNabb with a 5-year extension totalling $78 million, I would have been shocked at the money — but not the sentiment. Before that Week 4 showdown, McNabb was playing as well, if not better, in 2010 than he did in 2009.
Turns out though, as we go into the second McNabb Bowl tonight, things haven’t exactly gone as well since that fast beginning. Leading up to his late game benching two weeks ago, No. 5 has been having his worst season since, at best, his rookie year. Look at the numbers…
Michael Vick is Donovan McNabb 2.0
With the Eagles traveling to Washington to face the Donovan McNabb-led (for now) Redskins on Monday, it was ironic to see such a McNabb-esque performance yesterday from Michael Vick.
The quarterback threw almost 30 times, completing just below 60 percent of his passes, executing in the short game and launching deep bombs like few other players can. He took a few sacks, but also was masterful at evading the rush in the backfield to extend the play and find receivers downfield. He refused to make a big interception mistake, and even broke free of the containment a few times to get big first downs with his legs.
In a game where Andy Reid largely abandoned the Wildcat package and option running plays due to concerns about Vick re-injuring his ribs, we saw what a few years back would have been a typical great game from McNabb — only now we’re getting it from #7 rather than #5…
Maybe Bobby April Isn't a Genius
In the offseason Eagles fans were excited by the addition of a new special teams coach Bobby April. He was hailed as perhaps the best special teams coordinator in the league, an upgrade from Ted Daisher — even after the Eagles had the number two unit in the league last year, according to Football Outsiders.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone quite so swimmingly and people are starting to question April’s coaching skills. But could we just have expected too much in his first year?
Let’s check out the Football Outsiders DVOA rating for special teams at each of the organizations April has coached at since 1994: …
Why Not Randy Moss in Midnight Green?
Some decisions, according to Andy Reid, are simple. For example, when you’re “in a situation where [you’ve] got an ex-superstar that now has regained his abilities,” that’s pretty obvious that you have to go out on a limb and have him start for your football team. Even if that guy isn’t the best public face, or is the best option long term — winning right now is the priority.
That’s what Reid said just a few weeks back when he promoted Michael Vick to starting quarterback over Kevin Kolb. Locker room schism, please. Future be damned. Public relations people too. Reid laughs in the face of danger, especially when he can win with someone who the rest of the NFL has written off.
So, by that same logic, why not claim Randy Moss off of waivers? …