kas

Hey patsfanken, where are you buddy? I look forward to your postgame thoughts, but in your absence, I'll try to do you justice. Some of these ideas have already been brought up, and I encourage everyone to add their own.

1) It's amazing how spoiled we have become as fans. During our back-to-back SB seasons we routinely played down to the competition and squeaked by against terrible teams. Anybody else remember coming back from 21 down in the 4th against the Bears, or needing a last second TD from Graham, a Willie Mac sack to knock them out of FG range in OT, and a clutch Vinatieri kick to beat a terrible Houston team. There are countless other examples. We prided ourselves as a team that didn't care how the job got done as long as we came out with the W. The blowouts this year have certainly spoiled us. One team has gone undefeated and they had close games against inferior opponents. Every 1/2 loss team lost to a garbage opponent and eeked out a few other close wins. The fact that you can execute and come out on top with the game on the line when you bring your B- game says a lot about the quality of a team.

2) As for the game, the Eagles surprised us all but they do have many of the assets that BB teams struggle to beat. First, they have an elusive back who is a threat out of the backfield as a pass receiver. It was obvious that this is what BB schemed to take away. For all the criticism he was getting, Thomas was very helpful in this regard. Also, they have speed at DE and speed rushers are the primary weakness of both our OT's. They have DB's who can play aggressively and still have the speed to recover. Most importantly, however, they had a QB who can hurt us. Anyone can move the ball against the Pats if they consistently make good reads and get the ball out quickly and accurately. BB gambles that eventually you will make a mistake and he'll make you pay. Feely screwed up on his first drive and last two, but was nearly flawless in between. He was patient, took what was given to him, and was accurate. Don't forget that he led the Dolphins to a huge upset against us a few years ago playing largely the same type of game. IMO he's a much better QB than McNabb.

3) Also don't discount the motivation factor. As much as they try to ignore it, there's no way the reports of that huge spread didn't go to Pats' heads and motivate the Eagles. Nothing brings up a great game from an NFL player like an attack on his ego.

4) I do agree that the gameplans seemed a little below par. I will give them, though, that the Eagles have one of the few coaching staffs that can match wits with BB's crew. I don't know why they kept Maroney on the sidelines. If I had to guess it would either be a discipline issue or, more likely, wanting to keep him relatively fresh for when the weather turns and we really need him. Basically, rather than using Morris, we are using short quick passes. I thought that Pees got relatively little criticism for a weak gameplan though. IMO, we played way too vanilla against a QB who was obviously on his game. We blitzed way too much and put way too much pressure on our DB's. Everyone wants to crap all over Hobbs, but how tight should he be when he has no help over the top against a speed receiver. Samuel is a great playmaker, but he matches up every weak against the opponents slower receiver. This allows him to aggressively jump out routes and hooks with his great instincts. In that sense, he and Ellis are great compliments to each other.

5) I'd love to see Meriweather get more time. However, I do understand that the coaching staff wants to bring him along slowly and he's probably not doing much to wow them in practice. I'm not that worried. First, he's coming from a notoriously simple Miami defense and coming to one of the more complicated defensive schemes. Second, is that he still hasn't had a full season or two in the pros. Tons of rookies look like JAGs for a year or two before having the switch go off. Hopefully this is the case with Meriweather, as we could really use his playmaking skills at safety.

6) I thought the OL play was great considering most of the game there was zero threat of run. When you throw that much pressures will always happen. Aside from a few misses, I thought pass pro was pretty good.

7) For the first time in a long time, our DL was outplayed by an OL. We learned how the other side lives tonight, and, especially given our system, I realized how vital great (not just good) DL play is for us to succeed. I will never frown with a high pick or high salary to a defensive lineman. That being said, Seymour needs to get himself back into playing shape ASAP and make some plays.

8) Sucks to hear about Colvin. Regardless of what you think of him, our depth will definitely suffer. Expect to see more of Adalius outside, and the biggest beneficiary will be Pierre Woods, who looked great in TC and the preseason. Let's hope he's ready to bring it. If BB insists on not drafting LB's early (which I sort of understand), then it is imperative that he develops late round picks and UDFA's. Woods has the talent, I'm hoping for the best with him. Let's also hope that Alexander is ready to go soon. He's not only a great STer but can provide at least some solid play inside as part of a rotation to allow Thomas to shift outside a bit more often.

9) Welcome back Troy. Not sure where you will fit in, but I'm always glad to have you aboard.

NEGoldenAge

Troy is an excellent special teamer.

pats1

Apparently you didn't look hard enough! He posted them at 1:25 AM after the game:

First impressions...

Mike the Brit

Which is all to the good if it brought kas to the keyboard.

My own two cents backs you up. The Eagles put some things that we've already had a bit of trouble with this season (quick-tempo short passing, running backs catching out of the backfield or running to the outside, speed rushing DLs) together with DBs who really hit receivers hard.

Great game plan, great commitment, great game.

__________________
My prized possessions: Our family pictures; my dad and me getting doused by Bruschi in Super Bowl XXXIX [Shalize Manza Young Up Close with ... Bill Belichick]


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They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, Pats fans should be invincible by now. [Fitzy, 16 November 2009]

Still here to learn

kas

Oh, thanks for the link pats1. Guess I have to look more carefully.

kas

Thanks Mike, don't get to the computer too much this time of year. I have more free time now so I can post more. I agree that if anyone is to beat the Patriots, this is the style they have to emulate (in that sense that is the blueprint). However, not enough credit is being given to the Eagles team as whole for their excellent execution all game long.

BelichickFan

As Football Outsiders said this week :

"The Eagles actually have an above-average offense this year, so the Pats’ defensive performance gets a small boost in DVOA."

They have the Eagles' offense ranked 6th in the NFL.

NYPatsFan

I made this same point during the game. I still don't understand why they kept blitzing time after time. From what I've seen this season, when the Pats blitz they often don't get to the QB in time and the play results in a completion. I was very surprised that they didn't play the Eagles straight up on defense in the 2nd half.

Mike the Brit

I completely agree. I've been a sceptic about Andy Reid (I still am about Donovan McNabb) but that game did him and the team a lot of credit.

Someone in another thread remarked how poor a lot of the NFL seems to be at present and I have to say I agree. At this stage of the season, you expect teams to have well thought out game plans and not make stupid mistakes of execution but in the few non-Pats games I've watched it's amazing how badly played many of the games seem to be. I don't want to jinx us, but the Ravens were a case in point. They couldn't do the simplest things right against the Steelers on MNF. And then there's the Steelers themselves. I watched five minutes of their play against Miami and switched off after Roethlisberger threw an interception ten yards straight to a Miami defender with no one near him. And these are not the dregs of the league.

Anyway, the Eagles reminded us what NFL teams can do if they go out and do what they have planned and don't make stupid mistakes.

__________________
My prized possessions: Our family pictures; my dad and me getting doused by Bruschi in Super Bowl XXXIX [Shalize Manza Young Up Close with ... Bill Belichick]


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They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, Pats fans should be invincible by now. [Fitzy, 16 November 2009]

Still here to learn

PATSNUTme

And don't forget they had the totally awesome A.J. Feeley who was masterful, except for a couple of boo-boo's.