Jason Peters has been the one healthy, productive offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, plus he's not afraid to stick up for his quarterback.
Turns out, Peters has been known to freestyle from time to time as well.
Eagles-Rams Sunday at 1. Foles is definitely going to need Peters and company to be better this week.
Showing posts with label jason peters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jason peters. Show all posts
Friday, October 3, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The Eagles Are Dead But Marcus Vick Is Alive
Coming out of the bye week, the Philadelphia Eagles still had a chance to get back into the NFC East race and potentially put things together, even after firing their defensive coordinator in a clear panic move. After all, Andy Reid teams were 13-0 following the bye week in the regular season during his tenure, the Eagles were just a game behind the Giants in the loss column, and the Eagles tend to play their best football in November and December under the current regime.
But my friends and I were discussing that possibility and ultimately came to the conclusion, as most Eagles fans did too I suspect, that that scenario wasn't go to play out this time for one simple reason: This team is shitty. Really shitty.
We can say that unequivocally following last night's incredibly difficult to watch 28-13 loss to the Saints down in New Orleans, which came on the heels of the Eagles getting absolutely embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons. This team is 3-5, which certainly doesn't eliminate them mathematically from the playoffs given there are five division games remaining and a half of season left to play, but for all intents and purposes the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles are dead.
This is a team that cannot block a sole, quite literally playing a rotation of offensive linemen that simply cannot play. They aren't good enough players to even be backups in the NFL, let alone guys you have to rely on week in and week out. The loss of Jason Peters was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to this team, and its trickle-down effect has been disastrous.
Already struggling, the Eagles then lost their center Jason Kelce, the one guy who actually was playing competently. Danny Watkins sucks and then got hurt. Evan Mathis is terrible. And Tood Herremans was playing his worst football of his career, then got injured last night as well. Now the Eagles are forced to play stiffs like King Dunlap, Dallas Reynolds, Dennis Kelly and Demetress Bell. You can't lose four offensive linemen and compete, and truthfully, the Eagles couldn't even keep it together when everyone besides Jason Peters was healthy. They simply have five offensive linemen out there who can't play, which renders the entire offense useless.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line has been the biggest underachievers on the team. Trent Cole has disappeared. Jason Babin has been exposed as a fraud. And this line that was supposed to be the deepest and most talented group of pass rushers in the league cannot generate pressure. Sure, they got a few sacks last night, but for the most part they were ineffective yet again.
YEAH! WE SUCK!
You can't win the NFL, or any level of football for that matter, if you can't win the battle in the trenches. The game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles simply are atrocious on both sides of that line. The offensive line is a joke, quite literally full of players not worthy of the NFL contracts they have, while the defensive is all flash and no substance.
When you combine that with poor fundamentals, bad tackling, horrid coverage, boneheaded penalties, turnovers and ignoring the running game even when it's quite literally dominating, you have yourself a disaster. That's the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles. They are a just a shitty team with no hope, and they are dead in the water.
But hey, at least we learned that Marcus Vick, yes that Marcus Vick, is alive and well on Twitter:
I am really exciting to be following Marcus Vick now.
But my friends and I were discussing that possibility and ultimately came to the conclusion, as most Eagles fans did too I suspect, that that scenario wasn't go to play out this time for one simple reason: This team is shitty. Really shitty.
We can say that unequivocally following last night's incredibly difficult to watch 28-13 loss to the Saints down in New Orleans, which came on the heels of the Eagles getting absolutely embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons. This team is 3-5, which certainly doesn't eliminate them mathematically from the playoffs given there are five division games remaining and a half of season left to play, but for all intents and purposes the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles are dead.
This is a team that cannot block a sole, quite literally playing a rotation of offensive linemen that simply cannot play. They aren't good enough players to even be backups in the NFL, let alone guys you have to rely on week in and week out. The loss of Jason Peters was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to this team, and its trickle-down effect has been disastrous.
Already struggling, the Eagles then lost their center Jason Kelce, the one guy who actually was playing competently. Danny Watkins sucks and then got hurt. Evan Mathis is terrible. And Tood Herremans was playing his worst football of his career, then got injured last night as well. Now the Eagles are forced to play stiffs like King Dunlap, Dallas Reynolds, Dennis Kelly and Demetress Bell. You can't lose four offensive linemen and compete, and truthfully, the Eagles couldn't even keep it together when everyone besides Jason Peters was healthy. They simply have five offensive linemen out there who can't play, which renders the entire offense useless.
On the other side of the ball, the defensive line has been the biggest underachievers on the team. Trent Cole has disappeared. Jason Babin has been exposed as a fraud. And this line that was supposed to be the deepest and most talented group of pass rushers in the league cannot generate pressure. Sure, they got a few sacks last night, but for the most part they were ineffective yet again.
YEAH! WE SUCK!
You can't win the NFL, or any level of football for that matter, if you can't win the battle in the trenches. The game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and the Eagles simply are atrocious on both sides of that line. The offensive line is a joke, quite literally full of players not worthy of the NFL contracts they have, while the defensive is all flash and no substance.
When you combine that with poor fundamentals, bad tackling, horrid coverage, boneheaded penalties, turnovers and ignoring the running game even when it's quite literally dominating, you have yourself a disaster. That's the 2012 Philadelphia Eagles. They are a just a shitty team with no hope, and they are dead in the water.
But hey, at least we learned that Marcus Vick, yes that Marcus Vick, is alive and well on Twitter:
Fucking line shitty!!! I never seen a Qb get pressured so fast.....
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
This not even an NFL type of O-line. What happen to the hogs the Eagles had last year and year before? Call Winston Justice back n Jamal J
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Finally a long run. Damn!! That's the best hole the line opened up all year..... Wtf
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Super bad decision!!!! Mistake after mistake after mistake!! @mvfive changing the channel
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Who want to take shots to the head over and over when all the other qbs don't. Look at Eli Manning he only been knockdown a few times.
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Look what happen when he got protection..... I'm not hearing y'all people forreal. I don't even read my @'s.
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
I don't want to see brother with brain problems by the time he 45. Everybody have a job to do so do it. They all professionals
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Besides the O-line the Eagles team way to talented to be playing like the way they been playing. So what's the problem? #letmekno
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
What happen from 2010 till now. How u sign better players but record get worst? #helpmeunderstand
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Where the sacks at? Can we get a turnover? What's really good?
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Look at the holes in that Defense. Damn I can rush for a buck behind that line lmao...... 😂😂😂
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
I never seen a Qb get hit every time he drop back. Lol crazy!!!
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
Why the Eagles let Ashanti Samuel go? He's a ball hawk. More career INT's then every active player except Ed Reed. #letmekno
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) November 6, 2012
I am really exciting to be following Marcus Vick now.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
Dropping the Ball on the Weekend
To be perfectly honest with you, my weekend was a whole lot like Jeremy Maclin's game in Atlanta last night. On paper, the weekend looked great: Relaxing and drinking some beers on Friday night, tailgating and taking in the Penn State-Temple game at the Linc on Saturday followed by a wedding and then watching the Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight, and wrapping it all up with football all day Sunday leading up to the Eagles-Falcons game for the nightcap. Oh, and the Phillies had the opportunity to clinch their fifth straight NL East title, not to mention playing under the bright lights of Sunday Night Baseball.
Likewise, Maclin's statistics — 13 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns — were outstanding on paper. But just like my fun-filled weekend hit some hiccups along the way, no amount of catches, yards and even touchdowns can wipe away the memory of Maclin's critical drop on 4th-and-4 last night that sealed the Eagles' fate in Atlanta's 35-31 victory.
It really is a shame for both of us, because had just one or two more things gone right, this weekend could have been glorious for both Jeremy Maclin and me. But in the end, someone dropped the ball and prevented it from being all that it could have been.
Things started out on the wrong foot with the Phillies dropping the series opener to the Cardinals Friday, but at least we had Saturday to look forward to. We headed down to FDR Park around 9 a.m. to set up for a daylong tailgate for the Penn State-Temple game, though I could only partake in the morning portion because I had to leave after the game to go to a wedding.
There, things started great. We got a prime spot right at a group of picnic tables, had plenty of food and beer, and a crowd gathered before the game. We were drinking and eating and having a great time in anticipation for the game. Now, as much as people were talking about this being Temple's best shot ever at knocking off the Nittany Lions, I personally didn't see it. Undoubtedly my bias as a Penn State alum played a hand in that, but I honestly thought that with the talent disparity as far as depth is concerned, Penn State would win by two touchdowns.
I couldn't have been more wrong. The game was an absolute debacle. Penn State looked more incompetent on offense than I've ever seen. For starters, it's become abundantly clear now that neither Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin are any good. In fact, they're terrible. Really terrible. To the point that you wonder how a Big Ten team with the tradition Penn State has is in the position where these two guys are the best option at quarterback.
It doesn't even matter who starts, to be honest with you. Neither one is good, but playing both of them makes them both worse. The offense can get no rhythm because the QBs are being shuffled in and out at random, regardless of performance. Against Alabama, Bolden was playing much better than McGloin, yet the carousel continued. Saturday, McGloin was having a much better game than Bolden, yet the merry-go-round pressed on. Honestly, I don't think the coaching staff has any idea what the hell it's doing, and I don't mean just with the quarterback.
On offense, this team has some truly good playmakers — Silas Redd, Derek Moye, Justin Brown. Yet none of those guys are given the opportunity to get in a rhythm either. Every other play on offense, Penn State rotates in different sets of wide receivers and running backs, and it just makes no sense. Brown, Moye and Redd should be on the field for the large majority, I'm talking 70-80 percent, of the offensive snaps. But they aren't. Instead, in come true freshmen or backups to cut into that playing time, meaning the more talented players are on the sidelines when they could be making plays and developing chemistry with whatever quarterback is in the game. It simultaneously stunts the quarterbacks, those players and the offense as a whole. And it's why this team looks completely inept when it has the ball. More than anything, it's the coaching.
I never thought I'd say this, but the time has come. Clean house. Get rid of every coach in the program except for Larry Johnson, and maybe Tom Bradley and Mike McQueary. At least the receivers get open, and the defense is good.
That's really the shame of it. This defense is really good. Devon Still is one of the best defensive tackles in the nation. Mike Mauti played tremendously on Saturday. As did Chaz Powell and D'Anton Lynn. But their efforts are going to be wasted all season behind a terrible offense that his being horribly coached. It's really not fun being a Penn State fan right now, and I'm saying this after a victory.
I can say without hesitation that that disgusting 14-10 win was the most miserable I have ever been at game in which the team I was rooting for won. I have nothing more to say about this, because honestly this game wasn't worth anyone's time.
Also, Evan Lewis should never be allowed on the field ever again. I know at least 15 people personally who could kick a football better than him.
After that sorry disgrace for a game, my cousin and I hopped in my car, made a quick getaway and changed at my house before heading to a wedding for our other cousin.
That was just the appetizer to the Mayweather-Ortiz fight, which I watched at my other cousin's house after the wedding.
The fight started off with plenty of promise. Floyd was clearly outclassing Ortiz through three rounds, especially dominating in the third by picking apart the 24-year-old, but Ortiz wasn't backing down, was taking it to Mayweather in the 4th and it looked like we were in for a good fight. But then Victor dropped the ball, inexplicably heading Floyd when he had him pinned against the ropes, then kissing him on the cheek to make Money even more angry, then trying to apologize 15 damn times before getting knocked the fuck out when he lost focus and forgot he was in a boxing match.
Hands down, man down. Say what you want about Floyd, the dude did his job. Ortiz is a moron. He dropped the ball.
At least the Phils won and clinched the NL East behind Raul Ibanez's grand slam and Roy Oswalt's gem.
Then last night took place. The Phils lost yet again, putting it on Doc's shoulders to clinch home field tonight. While I never want to see the Phils lose, the silver lining is that I'll be in attendance tonight as Roy Halladay takes the ball to clinch home field. Should be good.
What was not good was the Eagles. We all know what happened last night, because everyone was watching. Mike Vick was playing extremely well until he fumbled in the red zone, leading to a Falcons touchdown and a 14-point swing. Then the game went on the see-saw, Maclin dominated, Vick got knocked out and the Eagles looked be in control. Until they weren't.
Mike Kafka did all he could, playing extremely well and putting the Eagles in position to go ahead late, until Maclin, who had been the hero to that point, dropped a ball that anyone in the world with hands could have caught. With the way Maclin played, you want to give him the benefit of the doubt there, but you really just can't. That's not just a ball that should be caught or could be caught, it's a ball that has to be caught, 100 times out of 100. To be frank, it's absolutely ridiculous that any player in the NFL would drop that pass. But shit happens, unfortunately, and a whole lot of shit happened in that game — the turnovers, Vick getting concussed by his own guy, and the dropped ball. Ugly.
A few other notes on the game:
-LeSean McCoy is an absolute stud. Seriously, this guy needs to get the ball a ton and should be on his way to perennial Pro Bowl status. The things he does out there are amazing, and he was great last night.
-Jason Peters is a man's man. It's really frustrating watching him commit a false start, but all you need to do is watch him maul everyone in his path to forgive him. That guy is insanely good.
-Nnamdi and Asante are everything everyone expected them to be. Asomugha played practically a flawless game, blanketing Roddy White and holding him to 3 catches for 23 yards, while Julio Jones only had 2 catches for 29 yards. Meanwhile, both Asante and Nnamdi came up with a pick, and no one is going to be able to throw to their receivers against this defense.
-Unfortunately, they will be able to throw to the tight end all day. While the linebackers improved against the run this week, even Casey Matthews, they showed they cannot cover the tight end at all. Tony Gonzalez went bonkers, routinely burning the linebackers and safeties.
-And that's why the Eagles gave up 35 points, mainly because of the linebackers and safeties in the passing game. Honestly, the defensive line played well, with Trent Cole playing beastlike as the best defensive player on the field all night, and Cullen Jenkins impressing even more. But Matt Ryan just kept going over the middle, exploiting the linebackers and safeties in coverage, and it worked. It's frustrating when so many players on defense are playing well yet the Falcons still scored 35 and went 5-for-5 in the red zone.
-I really hope Mike Vick is all right. Having said that, Kafka played really well.
Seriously Maclin, how the hell did you drop that ball?
Likewise, Maclin's statistics — 13 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns — were outstanding on paper. But just like my fun-filled weekend hit some hiccups along the way, no amount of catches, yards and even touchdowns can wipe away the memory of Maclin's critical drop on 4th-and-4 last night that sealed the Eagles' fate in Atlanta's 35-31 victory.
It really is a shame for both of us, because had just one or two more things gone right, this weekend could have been glorious for both Jeremy Maclin and me. But in the end, someone dropped the ball and prevented it from being all that it could have been.
Things started out on the wrong foot with the Phillies dropping the series opener to the Cardinals Friday, but at least we had Saturday to look forward to. We headed down to FDR Park around 9 a.m. to set up for a daylong tailgate for the Penn State-Temple game, though I could only partake in the morning portion because I had to leave after the game to go to a wedding.
There, things started great. We got a prime spot right at a group of picnic tables, had plenty of food and beer, and a crowd gathered before the game. We were drinking and eating and having a great time in anticipation for the game. Now, as much as people were talking about this being Temple's best shot ever at knocking off the Nittany Lions, I personally didn't see it. Undoubtedly my bias as a Penn State alum played a hand in that, but I honestly thought that with the talent disparity as far as depth is concerned, Penn State would win by two touchdowns.
I couldn't have been more wrong. The game was an absolute debacle. Penn State looked more incompetent on offense than I've ever seen. For starters, it's become abundantly clear now that neither Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin are any good. In fact, they're terrible. Really terrible. To the point that you wonder how a Big Ten team with the tradition Penn State has is in the position where these two guys are the best option at quarterback.
It doesn't even matter who starts, to be honest with you. Neither one is good, but playing both of them makes them both worse. The offense can get no rhythm because the QBs are being shuffled in and out at random, regardless of performance. Against Alabama, Bolden was playing much better than McGloin, yet the carousel continued. Saturday, McGloin was having a much better game than Bolden, yet the merry-go-round pressed on. Honestly, I don't think the coaching staff has any idea what the hell it's doing, and I don't mean just with the quarterback.
On offense, this team has some truly good playmakers — Silas Redd, Derek Moye, Justin Brown. Yet none of those guys are given the opportunity to get in a rhythm either. Every other play on offense, Penn State rotates in different sets of wide receivers and running backs, and it just makes no sense. Brown, Moye and Redd should be on the field for the large majority, I'm talking 70-80 percent, of the offensive snaps. But they aren't. Instead, in come true freshmen or backups to cut into that playing time, meaning the more talented players are on the sidelines when they could be making plays and developing chemistry with whatever quarterback is in the game. It simultaneously stunts the quarterbacks, those players and the offense as a whole. And it's why this team looks completely inept when it has the ball. More than anything, it's the coaching.
I never thought I'd say this, but the time has come. Clean house. Get rid of every coach in the program except for Larry Johnson, and maybe Tom Bradley and Mike McQueary. At least the receivers get open, and the defense is good.
That's really the shame of it. This defense is really good. Devon Still is one of the best defensive tackles in the nation. Mike Mauti played tremendously on Saturday. As did Chaz Powell and D'Anton Lynn. But their efforts are going to be wasted all season behind a terrible offense that his being horribly coached. It's really not fun being a Penn State fan right now, and I'm saying this after a victory.
I can say without hesitation that that disgusting 14-10 win was the most miserable I have ever been at game in which the team I was rooting for won. I have nothing more to say about this, because honestly this game wasn't worth anyone's time.
Also, Evan Lewis should never be allowed on the field ever again. I know at least 15 people personally who could kick a football better than him.
After that sorry disgrace for a game, my cousin and I hopped in my car, made a quick getaway and changed at my house before heading to a wedding for our other cousin.
That was just the appetizer to the Mayweather-Ortiz fight, which I watched at my other cousin's house after the wedding.
The fight started off with plenty of promise. Floyd was clearly outclassing Ortiz through three rounds, especially dominating in the third by picking apart the 24-year-old, but Ortiz wasn't backing down, was taking it to Mayweather in the 4th and it looked like we were in for a good fight. But then Victor dropped the ball, inexplicably heading Floyd when he had him pinned against the ropes, then kissing him on the cheek to make Money even more angry, then trying to apologize 15 damn times before getting knocked the fuck out when he lost focus and forgot he was in a boxing match.
Hands down, man down. Say what you want about Floyd, the dude did his job. Ortiz is a moron. He dropped the ball.
At least the Phils won and clinched the NL East behind Raul Ibanez's grand slam and Roy Oswalt's gem.
Then last night took place. The Phils lost yet again, putting it on Doc's shoulders to clinch home field tonight. While I never want to see the Phils lose, the silver lining is that I'll be in attendance tonight as Roy Halladay takes the ball to clinch home field. Should be good.
What was not good was the Eagles. We all know what happened last night, because everyone was watching. Mike Vick was playing extremely well until he fumbled in the red zone, leading to a Falcons touchdown and a 14-point swing. Then the game went on the see-saw, Maclin dominated, Vick got knocked out and the Eagles looked be in control. Until they weren't.
Mike Kafka did all he could, playing extremely well and putting the Eagles in position to go ahead late, until Maclin, who had been the hero to that point, dropped a ball that anyone in the world with hands could have caught. With the way Maclin played, you want to give him the benefit of the doubt there, but you really just can't. That's not just a ball that should be caught or could be caught, it's a ball that has to be caught, 100 times out of 100. To be frank, it's absolutely ridiculous that any player in the NFL would drop that pass. But shit happens, unfortunately, and a whole lot of shit happened in that game — the turnovers, Vick getting concussed by his own guy, and the dropped ball. Ugly.
A few other notes on the game:
-LeSean McCoy is an absolute stud. Seriously, this guy needs to get the ball a ton and should be on his way to perennial Pro Bowl status. The things he does out there are amazing, and he was great last night.
-Jason Peters is a man's man. It's really frustrating watching him commit a false start, but all you need to do is watch him maul everyone in his path to forgive him. That guy is insanely good.
-Nnamdi and Asante are everything everyone expected them to be. Asomugha played practically a flawless game, blanketing Roddy White and holding him to 3 catches for 23 yards, while Julio Jones only had 2 catches for 29 yards. Meanwhile, both Asante and Nnamdi came up with a pick, and no one is going to be able to throw to their receivers against this defense.
-Unfortunately, they will be able to throw to the tight end all day. While the linebackers improved against the run this week, even Casey Matthews, they showed they cannot cover the tight end at all. Tony Gonzalez went bonkers, routinely burning the linebackers and safeties.
-And that's why the Eagles gave up 35 points, mainly because of the linebackers and safeties in the passing game. Honestly, the defensive line played well, with Trent Cole playing beastlike as the best defensive player on the field all night, and Cullen Jenkins impressing even more. But Matt Ryan just kept going over the middle, exploiting the linebackers and safeties in coverage, and it worked. It's frustrating when so many players on defense are playing well yet the Falcons still scored 35 and went 5-for-5 in the red zone.
-I really hope Mike Vick is all right. Having said that, Kafka played really well.
Seriously Maclin, how the hell did you drop that ball?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Pro Bowling
Well, the list of the NFL's Pro Bowlers are in, and the Eagles did quite well for themselves. Six Eagles in all were named to the team. Yesterday, before the teams were announced, I told Adam EatShit that four would definitely make it and potentially six could. True story. That doesn't mean I got all the guys right. Let's take a look.
Defense: Asante Samuel, Trent Cole
Asante was one of my four locks to make the team. He's tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with nine (along with Jarius Byrd and Darren Sharper), and he has a reputation of being a big-play corner, which he is. No surprise in him making it. However, truth be told, I don't think Asante Samuel necessarily deserves to be on the team. Don't get me wrong, he's a fine player and just about every one of his 9 interceptions have been huge, but you watch the guy play week in and week out and he's certainly no shutdown guy. Very good, yes. Great, great playmaker. But he offsets that with the worst tackling in the NFL. As good as he's been taking the ball away, he's been just as bad giving up big plays by horribly missing tackles. Still, the guy has 9 interceptions, leading the league, so of course he was going to make it. Hard to argue.
As far as Cole goes, he was on my could make it list. Not a lock, but a guy I thought had a good shot. The reason I didn't have him as a lock? I had no idea that he was third in the NFC in sacks and fifth in the entire NFL. Had I known that, I would have definitely called him a lock. His 12.5 sacks are even more impressive if you get to watch this team every week. This is not exactly the Eagles defense we've grown accustomed to over the years, the one that punishes opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles struggle at times to get any pass rush from anyone not named Trent Cole, and the blitzes seem to have lost their luster with the passing of Jim Johnson. That leaves opposing offenses with one guy and one guy only to key on in passing situations, yet every week, Trent Cole has wreaked havoc on quarterbacks, running backs and every single offensive lineman he's lined up against. I used to be a guy who knocked Cole a bit early in his career, saying he was a bit overrated and nothing more than rush specialist. Over the past few years, he's proven that sentiment wrong, becoming one of the most dominant ends in the NFC. He's been a master this season both against the pass and the run, snuffing out screens, running down plays … basically, Trent Cole has been a beast. He most definitely earned this bid.
Offense: DeSean Jackson, Jason Peters, Leonard Weaver
DeSean and Weaver were two more of my locks. Let's face the facts, DeSean Jackson is the best wide receiver in the NFC East, and frankly, he's every bit as dangerous as any player in the entire league. His 8 touchdown plays of 50 yards or more this year are tied for the NFL record, and he still has the game against Dallas to make that record all his own. He more than any other player has made this offense impossible to stop, because his speed and big-play threat demand attention, opening up the rest of the field. And sometimes, DeSean simply can't be stopped. He's just too damn good. His selection was a no-brainer.
As was Leonard Weaver's, which I'm sure no one would have ever guessed heading into the season. Now, the Eagles' fullback woes from a season ago were well-documented, so it was no surprise when they went out and got themselves a true fullback this offseason. And by all accounts, Leonard Weaver was the best available one out there. When the Birds signed him, everyone was happy, but everyone also sort of questioned how big of a deal it would be. After all, the Eagles run a ton of empty or one-back sets, meaning a fullback can only have a minimal impact. Yes, as last season showed, that minimal impact is still very important, but chances were Weaver wouldn't be a key cog on most downs. Boy did that change in a hurry. Of course Weaver is an excellent blocker who has created holes for Brian Westbrook and LeSean McCoy all season long, not to mention done a great job helping keep Donovan McNabb clean. That alone doesn't get you to the Pro Bowl though, unless you're the lead blocking back for a 1,500-yard rusher. Weaver was not. No, what he became was the most versatile fullback in the entire NFL. The former college tight end showcased his sick hands throughout the season, making clutch catches and huge plays. When Westbrook went down, he displayed his deceptive speed and running skills, lightening the load of the passing game. He has arguably been one of the most valuable players on this explosive offense, and he certainly has been the most dynamic, most versatile fullback in the entire NFL. Again, no-brainer.
Jason Peters on the other hand was a bit of a shocker to me. In the first few games, Peters was less than stellar, committing a slew of false start and holding penalties. He looked a bit slow and a bit out of shape. He's certainly progressed as the season has gone on, and frankly, he's been damn good. Well worth the big contract, and making everyone forget about Tra Thomas. But Pro Bowl good? I don't think so. He wasn't especially good on Sunday, and he's had more moments where he's gotten beat than you'd expect from one of the best tackles in the game. In the run game, he's a complete mauler, a truly dominant force, and he's good as a pass blocker, but honestly, he didn't completely wow me. Again, he's very good, and he's been great in a good number of games as well, but I was a bit surprised at his inclusion.
Special teams: David Akers, DeSean Jackson
Akers was my fourth and final lock. The guy is leading the NFL in scoring with 139 points, has made an NFL-best 32 field goals and has missed just four kicks all season, going 32 of 36. He's shown he still has it from long distance, making a 52-yarder and having no trouble getting the ball there, he's a perfect 11-11 from 20-29 yards, 8-9 from 30-39 and 11-13 from 40-49. Basically, David Akers has been brilliant this year. Rumors of his demise the past few seasons were grossly exaggerated, including by yours truly. Most points and field goals gets you to the Pro Bowl every time. And rightfully so.
DeSean was also named as the punt returner, which was another lock. He leads the NFL in punt return average at 16 yards per return, has the longest punt return in the league at 85 yards, and is tied with Patrick Crayton with two returns for scores. Basically, he's the best punt returner in the league.
Who should have made it: Sheldon Brown and Brent Celek
In the words of Matt Mosley:
For the Eagles, I think cornerback Sheldon Brown and tight end Brent Celek should have been on the team. They're both alternates, but that doesn't cut it. Brown has played through injuries and been excellent this season. Celek simply had to overcome too many big names. Vernon Davis had an excellent season for the 49ers and Witten finished strong for the Cowboys. I could make an argument that Celek should've made it in front of Witten. Just look at the huge discrepancy in touchdowns.
In my humble opinion, Sheldon has been the best player on the entire Eagles defense. Better than Asante. Better than Cole. Better than anyone. As Mosley pointed out, he's played through injury, and it hasn't slowed him down one bit. The guy has five interceptions, a forced fumble, a recovered fumble and two touchdowns — one an interception return and one a fumble return. He's third in the NFL in interception return yards with 152, and more importantly, he's one of the few Eagles who rarely misses a tackle. He's a big hitter, sure tackler and excellent player. He's been so good that Asante has been able to get his 9 picks because a lot of teams have been throwing Asante's way more than Sheldon's. It's not the first time Brown should have made the Pro Bowl. For years, he was the better corner while Lito Sheppard was getting the picks and return touchdowns, thus going to Pro Bowls. But this may have been Sheldon's finest season. I thought he had a shot to make it, and I really thought he should have. With the loss of Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins, not to mention the injuries in the secondary and the poor play at the safety position, Sheldon has been the guy back there that has held everything together. He really deserved a trip to the Pro Bowl this year. He really did. It's a shame that he doesn't seem to get the acknowledgment he deserves across the league.
As far as Brent Celek is concerned, he was the other Eagle I though had a chance but probably wouldn't make it. Vernon Davis scored a league-high 12 touchdowns from the tight end spot, more than anyone, so he was a lock. Then you had to assume Jason Witten would be named on name recognition alone. Plus, he is a damn good player. But as Mosely pointed out, Celek probably deserved it over Witten. Just look at the TDs. Celek has 8, Witten just one. Yes, Witten is a better blocker, but Celek vastly improved on that this season, turning it from a weakness to becoming more than adequate. And yes, Witten caught 88 balls to Celek's 69, but even with 19 fewer catches, Celek has just 79 less yards. Celek's 12.7 yards per catch is nearly two full yards more than Witten's. And those eight touchdowns to just one are hard to ignore. Throw in the fact that I had Jason Witten on one of my fantasy teams and Brent Celek on the other, and I can attest to the fact that Celek has been far more valuable this season than Witten. By all accounts, Celek has had a more productive year than Jason Witten. But Witten has the rep. Those are the breaks. I'm just glad Tony Gonzalez didn't make it over him, because Celek definitely had a better year than him.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bogged Down with Links
I know the Eagles first preseason game was last Thursday, which in Internet-land is an eternity ago, but there's something I wanted to address that the Michael Vick bombshell distracted me from at the time. That would be Jason Peters.
Now, Peters comes in with a reputation as one of the better left tackles in football who was hindered by sitting out training camp last season and having a down year. By all accounts, two years ago he was one of the very best in the league. Last year, he was not, and struggled the entire season.
Well, in his first action as an Eagle, he looked like a fat piece of crap to me. Maybe it was just the first-game jitters, but for a left tackle tasked with protecting Donovan McNabb's blind side, he looked like he couldn't pass protect worth a shit.
Now, he did only give up two sacks, and one of those was clearly miscommunication with Nick Cole, but to me, Peters routinely looked entirely too slow and seemed to get beat off the snap routinely on passing downs. Maybe my eyes were deceiving me, but I don't think so.
On a bright note, he did look very good in run blocking, so there's that. Too bad the Eagles pass about 3,000 times a game. I certainly hope that changes, especially with Westbrook getting healthy and Leonard Wever and LeSean McCoy looking all sorts of awesome Thursday. But I have my doubts. This is still Andy Reid's team after all.
Either way, Peters better shape up here before the season starts, or the Birds just may need all four quarterbacks they have in camp.
Links …
-As you would expect, Big Daddy Drew is just thrilled with the Vikings' signing of Brett Favre:
YOU MASSIVE SHITBURGLAR. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND A WHOLE GODDAMN YEAR PRETENDING TO WISH YOU WELL WHEN, IN FACT, I HOPE YOU FALL OFF YOUR PORCH AND HAVE YOUR THROAT SLASHED BY A BEER BOTTLE. I FUCKING HATE YOU, YOU FUCK.
-With his hopes and dreams shattered by the Mets, RomanWarHelmet overcompensates by practically declaring the Giants the best team ever after beating, of all people, Jake Delhomme.
In all honesty, the Giants' defensive line scares the bejesus out of me, and Jake Delhomme, for those of you wondering, still sucks horribly.
-Shawn Andrews is goin back to Cali to see a back specialist.
Great.
-Allen Iverson is waiting on either the Knicks, Heat or Bobcats. I wish the Sixers were on there.
-Greg Paulus is is starting at quarterback for Syracuse this season. No, not this guy:
This guy:
You know, the one who hasn't played football since high school and is in his fifth year of college. Yes, expect Syracuse to continue to suck complete and utter balls.
-Gilbert Arenas still plays basketball, at least until he gets hurt again.
-Incredibly brilliant piece on Philadelphia native Eddie Griffin and his tragic ending.
Sad tale.
-Who doesn't like sick dunks?
-More Drew on Favre:
Obviously, I'd be elated to see my favorite team win it all (not that they will with Favre at the helm). I've waited my whole life for that. But for them to win it thanks to THAT ASSHOLE? I'm sorry, but that's just fucking weird. Nothing anyone says will change that fact. If there are Viking fans who can put aside history and welcome Favre with open arms, more power to them. I don't know how they can do it, because I can't. It would be like hugging your rapist, and I'm no Jezebel writer.
-My favorite catcher of all time is headed home.
That's right, Pudge is a Ranger once again.
-Not sports-related, but if you haven't noticed the new addition in the Stuff and Stuff links, check out Snacks and Shit if you like hip-hop and hilarity. It's brilliant.
Oh, and Pedro makes his first home start as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Sounds like a good thing to watch tonight.
Now, Peters comes in with a reputation as one of the better left tackles in football who was hindered by sitting out training camp last season and having a down year. By all accounts, two years ago he was one of the very best in the league. Last year, he was not, and struggled the entire season.
Well, in his first action as an Eagle, he looked like a fat piece of crap to me. Maybe it was just the first-game jitters, but for a left tackle tasked with protecting Donovan McNabb's blind side, he looked like he couldn't pass protect worth a shit.
Now, he did only give up two sacks, and one of those was clearly miscommunication with Nick Cole, but to me, Peters routinely looked entirely too slow and seemed to get beat off the snap routinely on passing downs. Maybe my eyes were deceiving me, but I don't think so.
On a bright note, he did look very good in run blocking, so there's that. Too bad the Eagles pass about 3,000 times a game. I certainly hope that changes, especially with Westbrook getting healthy and Leonard Wever and LeSean McCoy looking all sorts of awesome Thursday. But I have my doubts. This is still Andy Reid's team after all.
Either way, Peters better shape up here before the season starts, or the Birds just may need all four quarterbacks they have in camp.
Links …
-As you would expect, Big Daddy Drew is just thrilled with the Vikings' signing of Brett Favre:
YOU MASSIVE SHITBURGLAR. NOW I HAVE TO SPEND A WHOLE GODDAMN YEAR PRETENDING TO WISH YOU WELL WHEN, IN FACT, I HOPE YOU FALL OFF YOUR PORCH AND HAVE YOUR THROAT SLASHED BY A BEER BOTTLE. I FUCKING HATE YOU, YOU FUCK.
-With his hopes and dreams shattered by the Mets, RomanWarHelmet overcompensates by practically declaring the Giants the best team ever after beating, of all people, Jake Delhomme.
In all honesty, the Giants' defensive line scares the bejesus out of me, and Jake Delhomme, for those of you wondering, still sucks horribly.
-Shawn Andrews is goin back to Cali to see a back specialist.
Great.
-Allen Iverson is waiting on either the Knicks, Heat or Bobcats. I wish the Sixers were on there.
-Greg Paulus is is starting at quarterback for Syracuse this season. No, not this guy:
This guy:
You know, the one who hasn't played football since high school and is in his fifth year of college. Yes, expect Syracuse to continue to suck complete and utter balls.
-Gilbert Arenas still plays basketball, at least until he gets hurt again.
-Incredibly brilliant piece on Philadelphia native Eddie Griffin and his tragic ending.
Sad tale.
-Who doesn't like sick dunks?
-More Drew on Favre:
Obviously, I'd be elated to see my favorite team win it all (not that they will with Favre at the helm). I've waited my whole life for that. But for them to win it thanks to THAT ASSHOLE? I'm sorry, but that's just fucking weird. Nothing anyone says will change that fact. If there are Viking fans who can put aside history and welcome Favre with open arms, more power to them. I don't know how they can do it, because I can't. It would be like hugging your rapist, and I'm no Jezebel writer.
-My favorite catcher of all time is headed home.
That's right, Pudge is a Ranger once again.
-Not sports-related, but if you haven't noticed the new addition in the Stuff and Stuff links, check out Snacks and Shit if you like hip-hop and hilarity. It's brilliant.
Oh, and Pedro makes his first home start as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Sounds like a good thing to watch tonight.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Jason Peters, Welcome
So Arkansas Fred just called me to let me know he heard the Eagles traded for Jason Peters. During the call, I logged onto ESPN.com and confirmed it: The Eagles did, in fact, trade their first round pick (28) and a fourth-rounder in this year's draft, along with an undisclosed pick in the 2010 draft.
I am insanely thrilled with this move. The Eagles absolutely needed a left tackle, and they went out and got the best one available. Peters is 27 years old, 6'4" and 340 lbs., and he developed into one of the better tackles in football the past couple of years. Seriously, I'm all sorts of pumped about this.
Now the Eagles can focus their attention on running back in the first round of the draft, or, dare I say, trade their first and a third for Anquan Boldin, thus not drafting in the first round yet again, and get a running back in the second round. Either way, I'd be fine with it. Nice to see the Eagles making moves in the right direction after a pretty awful start to the offseason.
I am insanely thrilled with this move. The Eagles absolutely needed a left tackle, and they went out and got the best one available. Peters is 27 years old, 6'4" and 340 lbs., and he developed into one of the better tackles in football the past couple of years. Seriously, I'm all sorts of pumped about this.
Now the Eagles can focus their attention on running back in the first round of the draft, or, dare I say, trade their first and a third for Anquan Boldin, thus not drafting in the first round yet again, and get a running back in the second round. Either way, I'd be fine with it. Nice to see the Eagles making moves in the right direction after a pretty awful start to the offseason.
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