I can't sleep, gents, and it has nothing to do with 1) the oppressive heat in Andrea's apartment, 2) the fact that I leave for Abu Dhabi in 3 days, or 3) my concerns that Willie Parker will score 4 TDs and rush for 160 yards tomorrow night. No, the source of my insomnia is none other than a rotund, mustachioed football coach who shall remain nameless. This genius, in the middle of a late-game drive that could result in one of the greatest and most unexpected upsets in NFL history, elects to have his backup QB (who has been pretty smart up to this point) heave a ball 40 yards into the end zone perfectly on target to the opposing team's DB (who has already had one pick on the night).
So why's my beef with the coach and not the QB, you might ask? Two words: time management. At the moment of this errant throw, there were at least 3 minutes left in the game. So even if this play works and results in a go-ahead TD (and I'm assuming that was the point of calling it), you end up giving the ball back to the best team in football, lead by arguably the best under-pressure QB in football, with the best receiver in football, and if not the best than at least the most evil coach in football, with plenty of time to march down the field for a TD (which is exactly what the Pats did the previous time they had the ball). I swear that about 3 seconds before the interception occurred, Madden and Michaels said that the Eagles should think about slowing it down and not giving New England the ball back with too much time left. And prior to that, all the commentators were talking about was how effective the Eagles' short interior passing game had been all night.
I know hindsight is 20:20 and I could never make the calls that these coaches are making every play, but can someone please explain to me the rationale behind calling for that pass? Why go away from what's been working for you? Why not do everything in your power to maximize the chances that, worst case scenario, you kick a game-tying field goal and give the other team a short clock? And let's not forget that a few years ago this same coach, with this same team, against this same opponent, had some late-game clock management issues that may have cost him and his team a Super Bowl win.
I suppose I should be proud of the Eagles for putting up such a good fight and sticking it to the Vegas oddsmakers in the process, but part of me almost wishes they lost by 40 rather than by 3.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thoughts of a heartbroken insomniac
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6 comments:
Ah, the life of Eagles' fans. Where would you be without your woe?
Is that all I need? Four TDs and 160 yds from Steamboat Willie? And here I was thinking that my defeat was assured!
I felt the same way after the interception, but I can't blame Andy too much. They didn't get as far as they did by being conservative. Andy often goes counter-intuitive. Everybody thinks we are going to grind it out? Hit them with a deep pass when they aren't expecting it. I suppose he thought a touchdown would be harder, the closer they got to the endzone. But darn, if only AJ had checked down the way he did earlier with the flea flicker.
Did the Eagles D do anything in particular to limit the Terrorists offense, specifically Moss? Or did they just have a bad day? I didn't hear any commentary on this, but I wasn't paying very close attention either. If they had an innovative scheme, then why did it take until week 11 to figure it out? Can other teams capitalize on the Eagles defensive success?
From around the league... Why can't Stephen Jackson score from the 1 yard line? And why does Breed only play in the second half? His pathetic day was getting my hopes up. Now I need at least 3 TD passes to guys not named Ward.
Blogged from my iPhone.
The Eagles "shut down" Moss by putting a decent-to-good cover corner on him like glue with constant safety help over the top. However, this resulted in Welker being open on virtually every play. From the perspective of someone who'd like to see the Pats beaten (and not just a Welker owner) that's probably the best poison to pick - I'd rather get beat by Welker and Gaffney than by Moss. Unfortunately the Pats are just good enough (or the Eagles just bad enough) that they CAN beat you with Welker and Gaffney.
In terms of other teams using this approach to beat the Pats, I wouldn't get your hopes up. Madden did say that Philly had found a "blueprint" for beating the Pats, but the chances that A)the Headbandie won't make necessary adjustments to counter the type of attack Philly used and/or B)another coach will actually be ballsy enough to have the "what have we got to lose, we're 22-point underdogs, let's call on-side kicks and flea flickers" attitude that the Eagles' staff had last night are very unlikely.
Brian M. - As much as I like going counterintuitive, I'm also a big proponent of the if it ain't broke don't fix it school. Feeley lead them on 4 TD-scoring drives made up mostly of short, over the middle passes, and as good as he was most of the game, he does not have the long ball accuracy Donovan usually has. I still think that throw was both ill-timed and a bit too much to ask from AJ.
Chris - Maybe Jackson can't score from the 1 yard line because the Rams are altogether terrible. Just a thought.
Grafton - I'm still picking you to win our game tonight. Fast Willie is gonna have a big game.
Ben - You're a Niners fan this year and talking about others' woes?
I am talking about Eagles' fans and their woes, because when it gets cold and dark and winless in the NFC West, I simply look to the trophy case and take comfort from the five Lombardi trophies adorning the shelves.
Plus the 49ers did manage a win this week. How does a QB who throws for 480 yards become the goat of a game? Oh yeah, your name has to be Kurt Warner.
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