Just a couple of observations..........

[MDFAN]

0 three and outs by the O-------------- very good sign!

Another RB held in check by the D ------ very good sign!

4 sacks by the D ------------ another very good sign!

Sav Rocca booms a few----- another very good sign!

No ST's gaffes --- a good sign!

Mcnabb some very good, well timed throws --- another good sign!

Scored some TD's after being in the Red Zone--- while better, still a ways to go here!

385 net yards for the O --- another good sign!

46% 3rd down conversion while holding Minny to a 25% conversion-- improvement but still a ways to go.

O/L play was more solid today--- good sign!

Wr's that seemed to be into the game today--- another good sign.


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Still allowed the opposing team to march down the field on their first drive --- needs to improve!

Still too many stupid, boneheaded mistakes, 2 of which in my opinion led to the Vikes 1st and only TD-- Needs to get much better.

ST's coverage units still scare me a bit-- needs to improve.

While #5 threw some real nice balls, as mentioned above, he still held onto the ball a couple of times way too long-- he needs to learn that he can't out run these D-linemen, at least right now-- needs to still improve there.

#5 was better in the red zone today--- but he also stunk in the red zone today, missed on 2 TD's-- LJ in the back of the EZ and Greg Lewis on the slant were 2 balls that if thrown better were TD's.

Just some random thoughts......................... but the biggest thought is -------------------------




A W makes for much nicer night and week than an L does............................................

[NoDakIggle]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

Very valid observations. The thing I also like is that it is against a pretty stout run D. Certainly their pass D leaves a lot to be desired but they do get good pressure and the birds seemed to hold up OK against that while making a number of plays. Agree that they left a few on the field but they also made some work.
Penalties continue to haunt them and that is something they need to figure out. I don't buy Baldinger's words about the D being embarassed last week so they were trying too hard to make plays and that is why they were getting penalized.

[FRESH]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

I will add that, although not always successful, McNabb threw more timing throws today, and seemed a bit looser with his big gun. Made some improvisational throws/plays...just seemed...loser. Not sure how else to say it.

[balto-eaglefan]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

The Eagles perenially have bucked the you-need-to-win-the-TOP trend by having a playoff-caliber team even though being among the league's 10-worst in TOP. Eagles right now are 8th-best in TOP.

Eagles offense in the run game is still in the top 10 in ypc. Not good ypc today, but the Minny defense is all about stuffing the run, and the Eagles' coaches still did more than play lip service to the run -- Westy had over 20 carries (though C-Buck only had 2).

Eagles' scoring defense is tied for 7th best in the NFL.

Eagles are 3rd in the NFL in sacks. Let's ring up Tony Romo next week.

Eagles' run defense is 8th-best in ypg, and held Minny to its lowest total this year. Time for Marion Barber to get reacquainted with our DE's and LB's.

Yes, McNabb's passing looked respectable the last two weeks. He faces a really tough challenge next week, Demarcus Ware is fast as hell.

Nice 53 yard punt average for Rocca!! THAT's why we picked him up.

[Vote for Kalas]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

I think you can call it healthier...and thus more confident. I barely saw a limp today, saw more quickness and speed in his runs and movements in the pocket and really enjoyed seeing him making a defense sweat again. Many will poo-poo again especially since he did not catch a ball, but I think part of today was having LJ back and being able to force a defense to account for all our weapons.

[section 736]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

Production from the tight end was still lacking today, but the Eagles ran a lot of spread formation with mulitple reciever sets. It's hard to complain about the gameplan, though they should have won by more than 7 points.

[RipRap]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

0 three and outs by the O-------------- very good sign!

Another RB held in check by the D ------ very good sign!

4 sacks by the D ------------ another very good sign!

Sav Rocca booms a few----- another very good sign!

No ST's gaffes --- a good sign!

Mcnabb some very good, well timed throws --- another good sign!

Scored some TD's after being in the Red Zone--- while better, still a ways to go here!

385 net yards for the O --- another good sign!

46% 3rd down conversion while holding Minny to a 25% conversion-- improvement but still a ways to go.

O/L play was more solid today--- good sign!

Wr's that seemed to be into the game today--- another good sign.


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Still allowed the opposing team to march down the field on their first drive --- needs to improve!

Still too many stupid, boneheaded mistakes, 2 of which in my opinion led to the Vikes 1st and only TD-- Needs to get much better.

ST's coverage units still scare me a bit-- needs to improve.

While #5 threw some real nice balls, as mentioned above, he still held onto the ball a couple of times way too long-- he needs to learn that he can't out run these D-linemen, at least right now-- needs to still improve there.

#5 was better in the red zone today--- but he also stunk in the red zone today, missed on 2 TD's-- LJ in the back of the EZ and Greg Lewis on the slant were 2 balls that if thrown better were TD's.

Just some random thoughts......................... but the biggest thought is -------------------------




A W makes for much nicer night and week than an L does............................................

Great post. I agree with everything here.

But watch out about saying anything negative about McNabb, or Mrs. McNabb will be on you.

[stevemc]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

Good observations by all. An encouraging game with a lot of room for improvement.

MD - the only one I'd take exception to (although you alluded to it in the boneheaded comment) is that you said no ST gaffe's because if I had the ability to choke through the TV set, Matt McCoy might be dead right now.

[MDFAN]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

Good observations by all. An encouraging game with a lot of room for improvement.

MD - the only one I'd take exception to (although you alluded to it in the boneheaded comment) is that you said no ST gaffe's because if I had the ability to choke through the TV set, Matt McCoy might be dead right now.

LOL,, Yeah Steve, I forgot about those 15 yards.............

[Foles4SB]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

I've been a Mcnabb basher this year, but I have to admit, he looked better to me in this game. Quicker decision making, didn't take as many sacks, and allowed the WR's to make plays, as Curtis and Brown did.

As for the Greg Lewis slant, who the heck called that play anyway? If you run a slant like that, use Avant, Baskett, or LJ. You use guys like Lewis or Curtis you are going to get them killed. Earlier in the game, Baskett was lined up all alone in the red zone on the left outside position with only a short corner on him. You could have thrown a fade or an inside slant, but Mcnabb never looked his way. A little disappointed and I think it was a mistake not to activate Tony Hunt.

I thought GoCong and the run defense played particularily well, and Considine and Mikell played well and tackled well with Peterson. I didn't think Mikell was as sharp in coverage as I have seen him in past weeks. Cole was great. Kearse had a big sack late, although the rest of the game it appeared to me he got thrown around.

[MDFAN]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

"As for the Greg Lewis slant, who the heck called that play anyway?"

The play call wasn't the problem, the play was there for a td, just a pass thrown behind Lewis. Baskett might not have gotten open, he isn't as quick as Lewis.



"I think it was a mistake not to activate Tony Hunt."


Hunt wasn't activated for a very good reason.... this was the number 1 DL at stopping the run--- they weren't going to"make a living" running against them. They ran enough to make them play honest and respect the play action occasionally. They left 2 TD's on the field due to errant passes, not because they deactivated Tony hunt.

[j-bird]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

I saw some good things yesterday starting with McNabb.He looked more comfortable back there(nice job by the OL)and was more decisive when he had to tun.A couple of GREAT catches by Brown & Curtis also helped and for the most part the WR's played well.LJ was invisible & I like to see him more involved vs the cowpukes(health permitting).
Most importantly the D tackled well all day,better than I've seen all year.Mikell has a nice game & Cole was a frickin beast.If this guy doesn't make the Pro Bowl somethings really wrong.
Bring on the cowpukes! I'll be there,starting out with a nice dinner at Dante & Luigis,followed by tailgating & let 'em rip!4-4 sounds alot better than 3-5.

[bullwinkle]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

Rocca has really started to come on the last two games. I'm glad Reid was more patient with Rocca than I would have been.

[Vote for Kalas]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

0 three and outs by the O-------------- very good sign!

Another RB held in check by the D ------ very good sign!

4 sacks by the D ------------ another very good sign!

Sav Rocca booms a few----- another very good sign!

No ST's gaffes --- a good sign!

Mcnabb some very good, well timed throws --- another good sign!

Scored some TD's after being in the Red Zone--- while better, still a ways to go here!

385 net yards for the O --- another good sign!

46% 3rd down conversion while holding Minny to a 25% conversion-- improvement but still a ways to go.

O/L play was more solid today--- good sign!

Wr's that seemed to be into the game today--- another good sign.


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Still allowed the opposing team to march down the field on their first drive --- needs to improve!

Still too many stupid, boneheaded mistakes, 2 of which in my opinion led to the Vikes 1st and only TD-- Needs to get much better.

ST's coverage units still scare me a bit-- needs to improve.

While #5 threw some real nice balls, as mentioned above, he still held onto the ball a couple of times way too long-- he needs to learn that he can't out run these D-linemen, at least right now-- needs to still improve there.

#5 was better in the red zone today--- but he also stunk in the red zone today, missed on 2 TD's-- LJ in the back of the EZ and Greg Lewis on the slant were 2 balls that if thrown better were TD's.

Just some random thoughts......................... but the biggest thought is -------------------------




A W makes for much nicer night and week than an L does............................................

Great post. I agree with everything here.

But watch out about saying anything negative about McNabb, or Mrs. McNabb will be on you.

RipRap-

If you have got something to say to me, say it directly like I do to you....I asked you to explain why you were bashing McNabb after he played well in this game. You did not reply.

Calling me Mrs McNabb is really silly and childish IMO.

[Eaglebreath]

Re: Just a couple of observations..........

MD, I totally agree with everything you said. I really liked the fact that, even though the Vikes are really good at stopping the run, and suck against the pass, we still ran the ball enough to keep them honest. I wish we had attacked the edges a bit more with it, but that's splitting hairs. They've got a couple of monster DTs, I'll give them that.

I also think we came out of the game pretty healthy, which is huge with Dallas coming in next week after the bye. They should be well rested, and well prepared.

This Dallas game is beyond huge. If we lose this one, we'll be 0-3 in the division, along with another conference loss. Don't think we can dig out of that, but if we win this game, we're still in it.