Derek Sarley has shown new life this week with the release of the Eagles Almanac. He’s releasing a few tidbits of new stats analysis that he didn’t finish in time for the book. Deleted scenes, let’s call them.
Ask Us Anything
Jimmy Kempski (Blogging the bEast), Derek Sarley (IgglesBlog), and myself will be on Reddit at noon eastern to answer any questions you might have about the Almanac, or anything else Eagles-related. You can leave questions in advance or enter the fray during the free-for-all at noon.
Join us!
Is LeSean McCoy Better Than Brian Westbrook?
Thank you everyone who has already bought the Eagles Almanac 2012! I’m really proud of the work we’ve done on this book, and I hope you all enjoy it.
This week, I’m going to share a series of smaller graphics and other posts based on the work in the Eagles Almanac. For those of you who bought it, hopefully this will provide an opportunity to discuss some of the findings (since that’s difficult on an ebook). And for those who haven’t, you’ll see what you’re missing.
Below is a simple chart from my article, which was a detailed examination of LeSean McCoy’s running style and the areas he can still improve. The question this chart poses, as the title suggests, is whether Shady is a better back than Westbrook, using Football Outsiders’ year-by-year rushing plus receiving DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement). Your answer probably varies from “so far” to “not yet.”
Introducing The Eagles Almanac 2012
Today I’m proud to introduce Eagles Almanac 2012.
This is a project that that has been in the works secretly for months, a collaboration between 10 of your favorite writers, bloggers, and reporters to create the single best, most comprehensive guide to the 2012 Philadelpha Eagles season. The book, which you can download now as a PDF, is more than 80 ad-free pages of absolutely wall-to-wall Eagles content. There’s statistics, analysis, opinion, predictions, and even a dash of personal reflection thrown in for good measure.
The Eagles Almanac features long articles and in-depth essays on all the biggest offseason questions, and provides insight into a whole host of topics. And it does it all in a beautiful, magazine-quality layout:
I’ve personally taken on the task of editing and publishing the Eagles Almanac, but all together it was a collaborative effort between myself and a bunch of fabulous authors:
Mike Tanier (Football Outsiders and The New York Times), broke down the failings of Juan Castillo’s defensive play calling.
Tommy Lawlor (Iggles Blitz) penned a comprehensive draft review, as well as a personal recollection of the 1992 Eagles season.
Sheil Kapadia (Moving the Chains) analyzed what exactly happened to Michael Vick last year.
Jason Brewer (Bleeding Green Nation) looked at how 2012 is shaping up to be make-or-break season for Andy Reid, after 13 years on the job.
Jimmy Kempski (Blogging the bEast) put together the only NFC East preview you will ever need to read.
Tom McAllister (Bury Me In My Jersey) discussed the fragility of rabid Eagles fandom at age 30.
Derek Sarley (IgglesBlog) asked if Nnamdi Asomugha is on his last legs, and wondered what’s going on with Evan Mathis.
Sam Lynch (IgglesBlitz) looked ahead to the team’s problems and potential in 2013 and beyond.
Gabe Bevilacqua (IgglesBlog) gives advice for living in a (cruel) world where the Giants have won two of the last five Super Bowls.
And your truly examined LeSean McCoy’s breakout 2011 season and how he can actually improve from here.
Plus so much more! Given the hard work that’s gone into this book from all of us, I think it’s a steal at our price of $4.99, and I hope you think so too. At the end of the day, it’s a chance to get more top-notch Eagles content and support your favorite writers at the same time.
Buy the Eagles Almanac 2012 today!
(And while you’re at it, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.)
No Excuses
I meant to write about this a couple weeks ago, but it got lost in the shuffle of next week’s big news (teaser). From Dave Spadaro:
“There should be no excuses at all,” said Jenkins… “With as many veterans as we have on this team, if there any grey areas, they have to be resolved. It can’t be something that carries over into the season. We have the pieces here.
“It was good to get back out here with the team. It’s good energy out there coming off the season last year. There’s a lot of determination this year. You can just see it in everybody, where it’s a different feel from last year. We weren’t out here this year because of the lockout, but you can just see the difference in everybody.
“I know the second I got here and I heard the phrase ‘Dream Team’ going around, that was just something like, ‘No, no, no.’ Hopefully, we don’t have anything like going around this year,” said Jenkins. “We can just work for it and know we have to work for it.”
I think last year’s team came into the season with the expectation that they were going to be good. Based on comments by Cullen Jenkins and others, this year’s team seems to know that they better be good, or else. That should be positive.
Furthermore, a veteran like Jenkins really couldn’t have a significant impact, leadership-wise, last season — both because of the lockout and the simple fact that he was new to the locker room. I expect that to change this year.
The Most Ridiculous Rumor You'll Read, Ever
There is no name attached to this authoritative report:
A rumor has started circulating deep (extremely deep) inside the Eagles organization that talks with the Vikings about the availability of Percy Harvin is picking up.
The Eagles have been working out punter Brad Maynard just in case the Vikings ask for the services of Chas Henry in return, which is highly expected. The Vikings have had an eye on Henry for the past couple hours, but have yet to see tapes. But, from what they’ve heard and seen on league message boards, they can’t go wrong.
Eagles Sign OJ Atogwe; Whither Jaiquawn Jarrett?
According to reports, the Eagles have signed safety OJ Atogwe to what is likely a one-year, veteran minimum deal. Having some veteran insurance is something I’ve advocated this offseason, so I’m glad the Eagles are willing to make a low risk deal in that direction.
However, this again brings up questions about Jaiquawn Jarrett. It was just last week that I wondered if Jarrett might actually be in danger of being cut this year, and adding Atogwe doesn’t help him. Again, I don’t mean to write off a player based only on his rookie season, but I’ve been surprised at how little the Eagles have talked him up as a potential starter or even contributor. Other players like Danny Watkins and Curtis Marsh have gotten much more press as to a potential sophomore bump.
Jarrett needs to either win the third safety job — a true backup role — or find a way to contribute on special teams. Otherwise you’re just keeping him around to save face.
How to Get DeSean Jackson Wide Open
Jimmy Kempski has a great breakdown of a cool formation the Eagles put together last year that worked at least a few times with big results. It’s also a testament to how quickly these innovations can be figured out by the defense.
Assuming you’ve all gone and read his piece (I’ll wait), it’s worth noting that this is the type of play that works really well for the Eagles when they have plenty of space to execute. Defenders have to respect the speed of the Eagles receivers up the field, opening up space in the middle. Unfortunately, that advantage breaks down in the red zone.