Posts Tagged ‘Robert Griffin III’
Thursday, September 12th, 2013
by Devin McMillan
It was a rough return for Robert Griffin III on Monday night.
(Photo via WashingtonPost.com)
Having lived in the Washington, DC area for the past 18 years and interacting with droves of fans, radio personalities, and other folks that cover the Washington Redskins, I would say that I have a pretty good finger on the pulse of this franchise and its fan base. Monday night’s season-opening 33-27 loss to the rival Philadelphia Eagles has raised some questions amongst the optimism that has surrounded this team since their 7-game winning streak to end the 2012 regular season with the team’s first division title in the new millennium and first playoff appearance since 2007. But for some, the second half performance of the team on Monday night, especially by its young, stud quarterback, eased the blow from an unexpected loss and has allowed them to remain confident and retain their optimistic views about what this season may yield for the burgundy and gold.
Personally, I wouldn’t place too much stock into the second half of Monday’s game if I were a Redskins fan. It is no different than what we often see in the NFL. One of the oldest sports clichés in the book lends that “the hardest thing to do is play with a big lead”. Teams fall behind, then begin running a desperate, pass-heavy offense against soft nickel coverage, with the defense’s main objective being to keep everything in front of them and the offense’s main objective being to milk the clock; usually by running conservative rushing plays. More times than not, a team trailing big and facing these conservative methods of offense and defense suddenly look like world-beaters in the passing game and brick walls on defense, and this is usually fools gold. Fools gold reminiscent of the aforementioned SPECTACULAR 7-game winning streak that earned the Redskins a rare playoff berth last season. These are the types of things you cannot hang your hat on as a fan of an organization because they are fluke occurrences. In my experiences with Redskins Nation, many folks seem to only dwell on the positive and choose to carry on as if the negative never took place. It is the age-old battle of norms vs exceptions. Because they finished the way they did last season, all of Redskins Nation now KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that a run like that couldn’t possibly mean anything less than the Skins are a great team and NFC East foes should settle in for burgundy & gold dominance for the foreseeable future. In their minds, there’s nothing more to it.
The only problem however, is that NO ONE has stopped to wonder why they started Monday’s game down 33-7 or why they began last season 3-6 in the first place. Most fans assume that the 2013 Redskins are more representative of the team that went 7-0 down the stretch in 2012 more so than the team who started 3-6. Many pundits outside of the DC area believe they may fall somewhere in between. Since NONE of us REALLY know, wouldn’t this season be the proving ground for whichever of those teams they really are? Judging by my interactions with one of the most loyal fan bases in sports, I’d say the answer to that question is a resounding NO. They certainly saw enough last year, and because of it, many think this season will feature the Super Bowl run that has alluded them since the early 90’s.
The Skins had no first round pick in this year’s draft due to the RG3 deal. Considering they weren’t able to snag any perceived “franchise-changing” talent as they did in the first round last year, I would say that they had a fair to pretty good draft. They also couldn’t add much in the way of free agency due to the penalties levied upon them and the Cowboys by the NFL. So besides getting some injured players back, how did this team improve itself over the offseason? Despite the issues mentioned above, along with shaky depth along the offensive line, a fairly weak secondary, and uncertainty about the franchise quarterback’s knee and/or mental health surrounding that knee, the team has garnered the confidence of its fans that it has stepped into the realm of the NFL’s elite. I’m glad they see it. I may need to clean off my eyeglasses to get a better view.
In my preseason predictions, I had the Washington Redskins fighting it out with the Philadelphia Eagles to stay out of the NFC East basement this season. Nothing about the opener has told me that my prediction will turn out wrong. However, it has only been one game and even I think the Redskins are a better team than they showed on Monday night. “How much better” is the question. I guess we’ll all have to sit back and wait for that answer.
Devin McMillan of The War Room, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Devin McMillan, Football, Monday Night Football, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2013
by Ricky O’Neil
(Photo courtesy of HeavyInTheGames.com)
Week 1 of the NFL is behind us and there can be alot of things to be excited about. Rookies finally getting starts, players coming back from injuries, and one of the most outstanding single game performances we have ever seen. These are some of the important things that I learned while watching.
1. Peyton Manning is not human
Manning decided to open the season with an outstanding performance. SEVEN passing touchdowns against the Baltimore Ravens. The addition of Wes Welker helped, Demaryius Thomas is still catching TDs, and also the Ravens not having Ed Reed or Ray Lewis could have played a role.
2. Adrian Peterson could very well break the single season rushing TD record
We all know what type of running back AP is, but did we really think his very first carry would go for a touchdown? 78 yards straight to the house on the first play from scrimmage for the Vikings. Even though he only had 93 yards, he also had 3 TDs. 25 more in 15 games is possible.
3. The Steelers defense is not what it once was
This being my favorite team, it saddens me to say this, but the years of the Steelers ruling the defensive side of the ball are over. James Harrison gone, rush defense not as good, but at least they’re still making some type of effort, only losing by 7.
4. Geno Smith Prospering???
Even though playing the Bucs, Geno Smith and the NY Jets got a victory in Week 1. Smith threw for 256 yards and one TD, and also rushed six times for 47 yards. Now let’s not look too far into it because they play New England this week.
5. Tom Brady is still Tom Brady
They played the Bills…The game should not have been close at all in my opinion, but it became interesting late in the game. Tom Brady put together a game-winning drive (like usual) and the Patriots won by 2 with a late FG. Brady threw for 288 yards with 2 TDs. “Brady being Brady.”
6. Chip Kelly’s offense is very exciting
The Eagles got a W to start the season off and Chip Kelly got the game ball afterwards. The fast-pace offense had a total of 77 offensive plays. It was great to see the “Oregon Style” offense in the NFL. Plus Mike Vick is the PERFECT guy to be running it.
7. RG3 was nervous stepping back onto the field
Even though the Redskins put up a fight late in the game, RG3 did not look like himself in the first half of his game Monday night. Scared to take a hit of any kind. But as he got back into the groove of the game, he started stepping up and rushing a little bit. The Redskins still lost by 6.
8. Philip Rivers can’t close a game out
The Chargers were winning ALL GAME… Philip Rivers was having a great game. The Chargers defense was stepping up, making all the big stops needed. Houston started a comeback, and all Rivers needed to do was hold on to the football. Of course, deep in his own endzone, throws a pick 6 and Houston tied the game up. After that, Houston ends up kicking a FG to win the game. SMH… Same Ole Rivers.
9. Carson is on his way back!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying he is going to win MVP, but Arizona could be the best place for him. Not a bad defense, plus Larry Fitzgerald to throw to…not bad. Losing by 3 to the Rams isn’t a good start with a new team though.
10. Colin Kaepernick can throw the ball just a well as he can run
Playing the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick stayed in the pocket more often than not. Throwing for 412 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, becoming the only 49ers QB (other than Joe Montana) to throw for 400 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INTs.
Week 1 was very exciting and we have 15 more regular season weeks to go… And as for my Fantasy leagues, I went 4-1 so I’m a happy NFL fan
FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!!!
Ricky O’Neil of ITMORO, for War Room Sports
Tags:Adrian Peterson, All's Fair in Sports and War, Carson Palmer, Chip Kelly, Colin Kaepernick, Football, Geno Smith, Inside the Mind of Ricky O'Neil, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFL, Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Ricky O'Neil, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, Tom Brady, War Room Sports
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Monday, September 9th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
Philadelphia Eagles football is back. It’s a celebration!
It’s finally here. Game day for the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s like Christmas in September.
It’s a great matchup to launch the season’s Monday night games. Chip Kelly’s NFL debut versus the unveiling of Robert Griffin III following 8 months of rehab. Is he truly healthy? Who will prevail?
The innumerable questions about the Birds from the offseason finally begin to get answered tonight. How will Kelly’s offense transition to the NFL? Will the transition to a 3-4 defense serve to address some of the challenges the D has had the past several seasons?
Both the Eagles and Redskins had the other’s number last season when playing with a healthy starting quarterback. Will Mike Vick and RG3 make the difference this game or will Philadelphia need to rely on the yet-to-be proven defense?
Both team’s defenses will face significant threats from the air and the ground. LeSean McCoy remains one of the most significant weapons on offense in Philadelphia’s arsenal. And Washington has the talents of 2nd year breakout Alfred Morris.
One of the biggest questions that remains for the Birds is how Philadelphia’s secondary–underwhelming in 2012 and the 2013 preseason–will perform. Is the unit still a work in progress or will they begin to make a turnaround?
To be sure, one game won’t answer every question definitively. But it’s a start, and closer than we’ve ever been before.
A new era begins today in Philadelphia Eagles football. That’s no small fact. A new coach, new players, new philosophy.
Let’s get this party started.
Follow Philly Sports Muse on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Brandyn Campbell, Chip Kelly, ESPN, Football, LeSean McCoy, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, RG3, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
The Philadelphia Eagles will reportedly face a healthy and recovered Robert Griffin III during their season opener at FedEx Field.
The Philadelphia Eagles have one final preseason game to put behind them before the 2013 season begins, but news about their season opener against the Washington Redskins is already making headlines.
Why? Because the dynamic Robert Griffin III, who will be entering his second year in the league and is recovering from an ACL injury, has been cleared to play and will be the starting quarterback for Washington come September 9, according to a report. Since we are talking regular season play, the test might as well be as challenging as possible in order to truly gauge where this Eagles team lies this season in terms of talent. The defense has much to prove overall this season, and it will be put to the test early on as it tries to contain the multiple threats that RGIII provides.
Griffin proved to be more than the 2012 Eagles defense could handle, as he led Washington past Philadelphia and into a playoff spot in two commanding performances in Andy Reid’s final season as head coach. Will he and the Redskins once again have their way with the Birds, this time in front of a Monday Night Football audience?
With Mike Vick named the starting quarterback for the Eagles, defenses of both NFC East teams will have their hands full with offenses lead by standouts who are proven threats on the ground as well as in the air.
Will Griffin face a sophomore year slump, and if so will it begin at the hands of the Eagles? That question is just one of many, many reasons why the 2013 NFL season can’t get here soon enough.
Follow Philly Sports Muse on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Brandyn Campbell, Football, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Monday, March 25th, 2013
by Brandyn Campbell
As March draws to a close, football’s focus turns increasingly to the upcoming 2013 NFL draft, which is exactly one month away. The Philadelphia Eagles will get the spotlight early, selecting fourth due to their abysmal 4-12 2012 season. With the stakes so high, Philadelphia cannot afford to miss with their draft choice.
This year’s draft will be different from that of 2012, including the fact that the first and second choice picks are not known. In fact, there is not a clear consensus as to which prospect will be drafted first. There isn’t the killer crop of quarterbacks that we saw last year. But the draft is always a different animal from year to year. The Eagles need to make the most of the talent present in 2013 and choose wisely. So who might they choose?
There is a lot of buzz surrounding Alabama corner Dee Milliner (6’0, 201), particularly after the deficiencies of Philadelphia’s secondary in the past few seasons. The corner is known for a remarkable combination of athleticism and size. Milliner appears on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft as the second-best overall player in the draft, saying
“Nnamdi Asomugha won’t be wearing an Eagles uniform in 2013, and in a division with Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Robert Griffin III, the Eagles can’t simply attempt to piece together the secondary. They need talent, and Milliner offers the best cornerback talent in the draft. Not a tough pick.”
Can the Birds get him?
Mike Mayock ranks 6’2, 311 pound Star Lotulelei of Utah as the top defensive end for a 3-4 system, which certainly has to make him of possible interest to the Birds, particularly after racking up 42 tackles, 11 for loss, 5 sacks in his senior year.
Chip Kelly is plenty familiar with 3-4 outside linebacker Dion Jordan (6’6, 248), also ranked as the top in his position in the draft. His height allows him to quickly cover a lot of ground and get to tight ends and slot receivers in the open field.
Philadelphia could also use some help on the offensive line, with Jason Peters and Jason Kelce coming off of ACL injuries and former first rounder Danny Watkins showing repeatedly that he cannot provide what the line needs. Texas A&M OT Luke Joeckel (6’6, 306) is considered by many to be the top overall talent in the draft. However, if he still around when the Eagles are on the clock it will be a pick that will be hard to refuse. If Joeckel is not available, perhaps the Birds will consider Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher (6’7, 306), who NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks describes as, “adding an athletic edge blocker with tremendous potential.”
Half of the fun of the draft is the anticipation. The waiting, the wondering, the storylines that may unfold leading up to draft day that may change a player’s standing. But the Eagles have got to hit their pick out of the park and pick up a player that will add immediate impact to team. Who will that player be? Only 31 days left to find out.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Brandyn Campbell, Bucky Brooks, Chip Kelly, Dee Milliner, Dion Jordan, Eli Manning, Eric Fisher, Football, Jason Kelce, Jason Peters, Luke Joeckel, Mel Kiper Jr, Mike Mayock, NFL, NFL Draft, Nnamdi Asomugha, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, Star Lotulelei, The War Room, Tony Romo, War Room Sports
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Monday, December 24th, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
(Image via the Philadelphia Eagles)
The ending of Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins, the final home game of an awful season for the Birds, was a good analogy for the frustration of the entire year.
Nick Foles, trying to orchestrate a game-tying drive, found new tight end Evan Moore near the goal line only for Moore to drop the pass with 11 seconds left in the game. For what would be the final play, Foles threw an incompletion that was ruled an illegal forward pass, thereby ending the game.
And so it went, with the Redskins winning 27-20 and on the cusp of winning the NFC East. Which left the Eagles to sink even further into meaninglessness, falling to 4-11.
If the Eagles were trying to put on a good show for Andy Reid’s final home game or attempting to play the spoiler, they failed at both tasks. But sadly, while we may have hoped for a different outcome, we didn’t really expect it.
There were some high points, certainly. Foles’ 27-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin in the first quarter was a beauty. And Dion Lewis notched the second touchdown of his career with a run into the endzone in the fourth. Brandon Graham was fierce, leading the defense with 6 tackles and showing that his 2012 “I’m not a bust” campaign will be a success. And Shady contributed his talents to the running and passing game, accruing 77 yards from 9 passes and getting 45 yards on the ground from 13 carries.
One of the highlights from the game only served to point out how bad this team has been this season. Colt Anderson got an interception, the first time the Eagles have done so since Week 5. That’s just pathetic.
Not surprisingly, there was a whole lot of bad. Philadelphia converted on just 5 of 15 3rd downs. The Redskins’ horrible defense did a number on Foles and the offensive line, sacking Nick five times. And once again, as was the case when the Eagles and Redskins met up in Week 11, RG3, returning from an injury and visibly limping early in the game, put in another strong performance, going 16/24 for 198 yards for 2 touchdowns and 1 pick.
Foles’ numbers for the day were 32-of-48 for 345 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble. He sustained an injury to his throwing hand but neither he nor Reid pointed to that as the reason the team couldn’t get it done this time – as has been the case so many times this season.
The final test for Philadelphia comes next week when they play the Giants at 1 pm at the Meadowlands. This painful chapter of Eagles history will soon draw to a close, with a report this morning from ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio on Mike and Mike saying that Reid will be fired on December 31, a day after the team’s final game.
We’ll see. But it would be fitting to ring in 2013 Reid-free to show that we are truly entering a new era.
The end is almost near. I can’t remember ever wanting to see the end of the football season come to a conclusion but this season warrants that exception. And then will be an offseason of a lot of uncertainty and change. But it’s time.
And, in case you’re wondering, if the draft were held today the Eagles would have the fourth overall pick.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Colt Anderson, Dion Lewis, Football, LeSean McCoy, New York Giants, NFL, NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, RG3, Robert Griffin III, Sal Paolantonio, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports
Posted in General, NFL | 2 Comments »
Sunday, December 23rd, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
A lot has changed since the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins first met in Week 11. That game was Nick Foles’ first career start in the NFL. Both teams were 3-6.
But that’s where the fortunes of the teams took divergent paths.
Since then, Washington has won 5 games in a row and the Eagles….haven’t. The Skins have found that they are more blessed at the quarterback position than anyone knew, after Kirk Cousins stood in for RG3 last week and led the team to victory on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
This week, Griffin III will be back to face the Eagles at what is very likely Andy Reid’s final game at the Linc. While the team undoubtedly welcomes his return and leadership, RG3 faces some challenges on his offense, particularly from Washington’s offensive line. They’ve been hit with a rash of issues, both injuries and suspensions. Against a Philadelphia d-line that is finally bringing pressure to the quarterback, it could be a rough game for RG3. But he’s more than adept at finding ways to escape danger and Washington will try to bring rookie gem RB Alfred Morris into the fold as much as possible.
Eagles fans will see the return of LeSean McCoy to the field, his first time in action since that Week 11 meeting with the Redskins when he left late in the game with a concussion. Will he have a limited role while the Birds try to give Bryce Brown more playing time to work on securing the freaking ball and affording Dion Lewis some opportunities to take the field? It seems silly to needlessly risk Shady sustaining further injury but we’ll see how it goes.
The Redskins come into this game with everything in the world to play for — if they win this week and next, they will have won the NFC East for the first time since 1999. The Eagles as spoilers? Is it really that fun or interesting playing “spoiler” when every team in your division has a chance but you? I think the motivation for Philadelphia will be more to put in a strong showing for the final home game of their head coach. But will that be enough to propel them past Washington’s playoff aspirations?
After the mess we saw against the Bengals, I don’t think it will be.
More things to watch:
- Will special teams suffer yet another epic meltdown?
- How will the crowd at the Linc greet Reid?
- After almost a full season, the Birds are still trying to figure out this safety situation. Nate Allen was benched, Kurt Coleman is back at free safety and Colt Anderson remains, switching to strong safety. We’ll see how it goes.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:Alfred Morris, All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Football, LeSean McCoy, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Monday, November 19th, 2012
By Brandyn Campbell
The Eagles were anything but a picture of confidence as they prepared to walk onto FedEx Field on Sunday.
(Image via the Philadelphia Eagles)
The Philadelphia Eagles may not win another game in 2012.
It’s not a statement made to be alarmist. It’s one that may well be the reality. I’ll still be watching/suffering through every single game. But there are no longer any expectations from this Eagles team.
Nary a touchdown scored by the Birds in the 31-6 throttling by the Washington Redskins, who advance to 4-6 while the Eagles fall to 3-7. Philadelphia is all alone at the basement of the NFC East.
Sunday was indeed about the quarterbacks, and the show was put on by the one not named Nick Foles. Foles struggled, which wasn’t a surprise. 21/46 for 204 yards and no touchdowns and 2 interceptions for a 40.5 passer rating. No one expected Foles to be a picture of polished precision after not taking reps for most of the season. But you did hope to see some of the flashes of poise that impressed us so much during the preseason.
That’s probably hard to do when you’re in the midst of being sacked 4 times and hit many more with an offensive line who racked up penalty on top of penalty to add to their pitiful play.
Will there be cries for Trent Edwards to be the starting quarterback if Foles continues to struggle? Perhaps. But it would be foolish to think that a replacement at quarterback would matter at this point. Philadelphia has to see what it has in Foles, for better or for worse. And why not, as any hope for a meaningful run at the postseason for this Eagles team is gone.
We were treated to seeing RGIII notch a perfect 158.3 passer rating against the Eagles defense, completing 14 for 15 passes for 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, Griffin III also averaged 7 yards per carry on the ground, totaling 84 rushing yards.
By contrast, LeSean McCoy averaged only 3 yards per carry getting 45 rushing yards, while Bryce Brown had 35, averaging 7 a carry.
For his troubles on Sunday, McCoy, who has for two seasons been the only consistent light for a struggling Eagles team, sustained an ugly concussion with just under two minutes left in the game. Asked why on earth he or any of the starters were still on the field, Andy Reid stated, “Because we were trying to catch up and win the game”.
What?
A baffling remark for a confounding season. Anyone interested in contributing to Philly Sports Muse out there? Drop me a line. Because I’ve run out of words. It doesn’t just stay the same each week. It somehow keeps getting worse.
Even Reid must realize that there is no option for him other than to leave at the end of the season. Change is needed. But don’t be fooled. With regime change in our midst and no clear franchise quarterback waiting in the wings, the struggle of the past two seasons will not end when Big Red goes. We’re in for a rough ride, but at this stage there is no other option.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, Football, LeSean McCoy, NFL, Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Sunday, November 18th, 2012
by Brandyn Campbell
All eyes will be on Nick Foles today at FedEx Field.
(Photo via New York Daily News)
We all know that football is a team sport and that to get a win, all phases of the game must come together to propel a group to victory. But come Sunday, it’s going to be all about the quarterbacks.
When the Philadelphia Eagles face the Washington Redskins at FedEx field on Sunday afternoon, the storylines and excitement overwhelmingly surround the two young quarterbacks who will lead their teams.
The reasons for the QB focus are manifold. The playoff chances for both teams are grim, as today’s game represents a fight for the very bottom of the NFC East. That’s not very fun.
The Washington Redskins have found their franchise quarterback in Robert Griffin III. The hopes and dreams of a team who has been crap for years rides on the shoulders of this young man. Is he the piece that’s been needed all along to start to turn things around for Skins? It certainly looks that way.
As an added bit of intrigue, RG3 spoke about his meeting with Andy Reid at February’s scouting combine in Indianapolis this week. While Reid portrayed the meeting as routine, Griffin stated that the Eagles head coach said that the Birds were “very interested” in him. We know that the chances of Philadelphia actually getting this year’s #2 overall pick were slim. But still, there will be an element of wistfulness at what could have been as we watch Griffin III go to work on today.
And then we have the Eagles. Rather than being on the upswing of the curve like Washington, this is a team in decline. If 8-8 was unacceptable to owner Jeffery Lurie in 2011, the team’s current 3-6 record is an abomination. Two straight years of hope and hype and talent and the team has fallen apart. It’s likely the last stand for Reid and Vick. So that means all eyes are on third-round draft selection Nick Foles.
There is a lot riding on Foles’ young shoulders. He will be fighting behind an offensive line that has performed so poorly that I’ve run out of adjectives to describe them. Will Foles’ play be solid enough to give us hope that he could be the future for Philadelphia? Or do you let him ride out the remainder of the season regardless of how he performs to better assess what you have in the rookie?
Updates on Mike Vick’s concussion reveal that, at least in the short-term, there may be no option other than to play Foles. According to Rick Buckholder, the team’s trainer, Vick is not at all himself after sustaining a concussion last week against the Cowboys.
“He’s not very alert right now in terms of he just doesn’t have that energy. He’s tired all the time, he’s slept a lot, and he’s not getting rid of that fatigue. When I talk to him, he’s just not the Michael Vick I know when he’s healthy.”
At this point, Eagles fans are simply rooting for Foles to largely stay on his feet, put in a solid performance and prevent Philadelphia from falling to the very bottom of the division.
Foles, of course, will need a lot of help from his friends. Thankfully, his first start in the NFL will be against a team that has the 29th overall defense in the league (30th in pass defense and a respectable 7th against the run). But New Orleans was ranked dead last and we saw what happened there. The Birds must utilize the incredible asset they have in LeSean McCoy and commit to the run to help Foles. Defense has got get the Redskins off the field on third downs, a particular problem for the Eagles as of late. In the last three games, opponents have converted on 17 out of 35 third down opportunities in the Bowles era of Philadelphia’s defense. And Bobby April knows that special teams has done the Eagles no favors, this week taking full blame for the poor performance of the unit that led to a heart-stomping 78-yard punt return for a touchdown by Cowboy Dwayne Harris.
Football is a team sport, and at 1pm ET we will watch to see how — or if — the Philadelphia Eagles support Foles in his NFL debut by putting in strong performances during each phase of the game to help him succeed. Vick certainly couldn’t do it by himself and there is no way Philadelphia’s rookie can, either.
Want more Philly Sports Muse? You can find me on Twitter at @sports_muse and on Facebook.
Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andy Reid, Brandyn Campbell, FedEx Field, LeSean McCoy, Michael Vick, Mike Vick, NFL, NFL Football, Philadelphia Eagles, Philly Sports Muse, RG3, Robert Griffin III, Sports Talk Radio, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
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Monday, November 5th, 2012
by Ron Glover
From left to right: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Robert Griffin III (Redskins), Andrew Luck (Colts), Brandon Weeden (Browns), and Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins).
(Photo courtesy of NBCSports.com)
What will we be saying about the 2012 Rookie quarterback class in 5-7 years? (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Tannehill, Russell Wilson, and Nick Foles)?
(Photo courtesy of Philly.com)
Ron Glover of The Starting Five, for War Room Sports
Tags:All's Fair in Sports and War, Andrew Luck, Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns, Football, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Football, Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles, Robert Griffin III, Ron Glover, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill, Seattle Seahawks, Sports Talk Radio, The Starting Five, The War Room, War Room Sports, Washington Redskins
Posted in General, NFL | No Comments »
