You have to change every year.

[FRESH]

Just an idle thought, but pondering the losses of certain players, and especialy coaches such as Spags to the Gints this year, I was just thinking about how much you need to be able to change from year to year, not to be predicatable. So you're not telegraphing what you're going to do. Just how much of a disadvantage is it when your oponent has a book on you? Spagnuolo must have a damned good familiarity with what we like to do on offense and defense. Childress should have a strong feel for Andy, JJ's and even Marty's tendencies. It's thinking about things like this that makes me hapy we are changing over as much of the roster as we are. It will create change in how we play. New options and strengths for Marty and Andy to find in the offense, and some new schemes JJ can try in the D.

To a certain extent, it's simply "beat the man in front of you". But just how much advantage are you losing when you are lining up against someone who knows you so well?

[Jukin]

This is part of the game I really don't like. I worry that former coaches like Spags and Childress will recognize tendencies and situations they can exploit. Maybe I'm still seeing Manning throw Pinkston to the ground or Gruden out coach us in the NFCC games but I feel like Andy has been out coached enough in big games that giving the other guys someone who knows us so well is almost an unfair advantage.

[Flying Dutchman]

All we have heard for years is how lousy the Eagles were at drafting and developing LBs. They have been arguably, the concistently, weakest link in our D. So now the Chief Honcho in Charge of this debacle leaves and we should start worrying about the damage he will cause to us with his knowledge. Was Spags really the sharpest tack in JJ's box? I'm sorry, didn't we just improve our position vis a vis the Vagiants because he went there?

[leifdawg]

I don't know that it's that huge of an advantage because of 2 things.

1. The amount of film that is available from each team. This isn't like high school, they have every play you've run from several angles, including the full field angle. Plus I'm sure each team has several people whom have the sole job of analyzing film for tendencies.

[NoDakIggle]

I also don't think it is a great advantage because of the amount of tape and the fact that it also gives you an insight into their tendencies. I also am a believer that some turnover each and every year is a good thing. Everyone stagnates--players and coaches alike. A little new blood always gives a little change in what you do.

As for Spags being the chief honcho of the LB corps. I could be wrong but it seems to me he was in charge of the DBs up until 2 years ago. Then he moved to LBs to broaden his career (and eventually get a DC job). As I said I could be wrong but I think he has been a highly regarded coach in the team's eyes and in the league for a few years.

[Eaglebreath]

I think Nodak is correct, but you also have to consider that the coaches have to play the hand they are dealt as far as players are concerned sometimes. I don't know that I can fault the guy because McCoy is a smurf, Trot can't run more than 3 feet without getting beat, and Jones just flat out sucks. Gaither looked pretty good for a rook, and someone was coaching him up.

[Vote for Kalas]

I doubt it has much impact....

The Eagles have been at or near the top of the NFC for, what, 6 years now and teams have had plenty of time/chances to figure out our philosophy and tendencies etc.

As many have pointed out, film of every play of every game is available to everyone and somehow we, and some other teams, keep winning consistently...

As many know, I am a big believer in game planning and then the player's executing it well being the keys...getting "outcoached" is a concept I have never really understood since on game day IMO it is very difficult for the coach to have a great impact...it is on the players on game day IMO. If they execute well, the team wins generally unless they suffer major injuries etc.

[FRESH]

Glad to see you guys feel this way. I just figured there might some subtleties and nuances not so obvious on tape that a coach from the system might be privy to.

[Eaglebreath]

I do think you have to be creative, and remain flexible. You have to scheme well, and it helps to have someone who's a good play caller.

The thing that concerns me, is not so much Reid being outcoached on gameday, but that teams have really adjusted to the fact that our defense is vulnerable to a power running game. They're loading up on us, going jumbo, and smashmouthing us. They have got to get that figured out. Look for teams like the Giants to rotate the big backs, and just pound the defense right up the gut. Maybe the tackles and ends play better this season, but it's been a problem for a while, and they need to get it fixed, because teams know that's the way to beat us.

[leifdawg]

Shit I forgot to post my second point.


It was basically that I've heard several times that JJ and Reid put more new plays in on a week-to-week basis then most, if not all the other teams.

[FRESH]

Don't feel bad LD, I don't have the mental cpacity to even TRY to come up with more than one point at a time.

As for your point, I guess it's a good think Andy has his encyclopedia-sixed playbook to pick from.