2016 Eagles: Nothing But the Second Best

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Pederson felt that giving the Cowboys 85+ yards of field to cover to tie the game had a higher probability of victory than going for the kick and risking giving them only 60-odd yards given how well the defense was playing. In truth, I was feeling the same way at the time. But with that said, I do agree that the swing pass was a bad playcall. He wanted to get Sproles into space and one of the receivers basically missed the block on Lee, which had been happening all night. Had the block been made Sproles probably could have gotten the ball to at least the 25, maybe more, with a fresh set of downs. But it wasn't and the play looks crappy....and deservedly so because the Eagles couldn't make the swing pass work all night.

The play that drove me insane was him not going for it on 4th and 1 when they were on the Cowboys' 7 yard line. He mentioned it today during his presser, but they absolutely should have gone for it there. The worst case scenario is the Cowboys have the ball on their 7, and the best case is 4 more points than they got. It struck me as "old school" football thinking getting in the way of newer, better thinking.

We now have two games where stupid fumbles have cost us big, which drives me nuts, but it is what it is. As for all the drops......Oof. I'm sick of it.

 

[LondonSox]

I'm just only annoyed as it was right there.
They are a 500 team. This is who they are.

The only thing that mattered this season was Wentz plus maybe sneaking into the playoffs if the division sucked. It isn't going round be a 9 win team at this point.
So it's about Wentz. And I'm sold. There is not enough talent. The receivers are bad, ex Matthews, the running backs fumble in the 4th and now even the tight ends can't catch.

Big v did well at tackle which is good news. I think that's his long term role. Johnson to lt post Peters.

Sucked balls but for the first time since Donnie we have a qb.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

So apparently Huff was caught not only speeding over the Walt Whitman, but he had pot, an unregistered gun and hollow point bullets in his car, possibly on the front seat. This story is spinning out of control a bit and a lot of the local media are getting pretty frantic, but in fairness, per my lawyer friend here in the Jerz (which was where he was caught), non-NFL players who are caught with this stuff end up in jail pretty much 100% of the time.

Thank goodness we traded away a bad human like DeSean Jackson so that we could draft a guy like this.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Released. The Chipper released him. Yeaaaaaah.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Released. The Chipper released him. Yeaaaaaah.

I am literally so angry about this I can't think straight.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

So......

More context on the Huff stuff. Apparently the reason why Huff openly shared the gun and the ammo with the officer was that he thought it was completely legal. Which, had he been on the Pennsylvania side, other than the speeding and pot...it looks like it would have been. PA has reciprocal with TX, NJ does not.

I guess, nowhere in the process does the team speak to players about the gun laws in the different states, which strikes me as a significant miss seeing as you have players living in at least 3 states during the season, one of which is basically Alabama, the other two being more like Europe in terms of gun laws.

A lot of misses here and a dumb Wide Receiver.

 

[mauf]

I guess, nowhere in the process does the team speak to players about the gun laws in the different states, which strikes me as a significant miss seeing as you have players living in at least 3 states during the season, one of which is basically Alabama, the other two being more like Europe in terms of gun laws.

I think this is more on the agent than the club.

I mean, young men are generally knuckleheads; heaven knows I was at that age. That's doubly true when they've got money burning a hole in their pocket. And let's face it, a young black man driving a nice car is a virtual lock to get pulled over by the cops a couple times a year. How does an agent fail to give his clients some common-sense life advice about letting his hanger-on buddies handle the contraband, or failing that keeping anything you wouldn't want a cop to see locked out of sight in the trunk?

 

[OCST]

I think this is more on the agent than the club.

I mean, young men are generally knuckleheads; heaven knows I was at that age. That's doubly true when they've got money burning a hole in their pocket. And let's face it, a young black man driving a nice car is a virtual lock to get pulled over by the cops a couple times a year. How does an agent fail to give his clients some common-sense life advice about letting his hanger-on buddies handle the contraband, or failing that keeping anything you wouldn't want a cop to see locked out of sight in the trunk?

I was (am) pretty stupid, but I was never drive around with a hot gun on the front seat stupid.

I get that young men from modest backgrounds who have been sheltered from consequence due to their status as commodities, and who suddenly have money and fame, are at risk of stupid shit, but there are many NFL players fitting that description who know better and don't self immolate like this.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

I was (am) pretty stupid, but I was never drive around with a hot gun on the front seat stupid.

I get that young men from modest backgrounds who have been sheltered from consequence due to their status as commodities, and who suddenly have money and fame, are at risk of stupid shit, but there are many NFL players fitting that description who know better and don't self immolate like this.

I can't believe I am defending Josh Huff given that he was smoking pot and driving, but he wasn't carrying a hot gun. He had the magazine and the weapon separate. While this is certainly not the recommended method of transporting a firearm, I know at least a handful of normal humans who have done the same.

Which brings up Maufman'a point; one of the things I was surprised by was that he was pulled over doing 65 on the Betsy Ross. I have gone 65 on the Betsy Ross probably 20+ times, I never realized the speed limit was only 45. But I am not an African American in a nice car.

Huff was stupid, but there do seem to be a few mitigating items here.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

I think this is more on the agent than the club.

I mean, young men are generally knuckleheads; heaven knows I was at that age. That's doubly true when they've got money burning a hole in their pocket. And let's face it, a young black man driving a nice car is a virtual lock to get pulled over by the cops a couple times a year. How does an agent fail to give his clients some common-sense life advice about letting his hanger-on buddies handle the contraband, or failing that keeping anything you wouldn't want a cop to see locked out of sight in the trunk?

Very good point. There are a handful of clubs that play within 20 miles of state lines or international boundaries (Giants/Jets, Eagles, Redskins, Patriots, Bills, Lions, Chargers(?)), you would think that agents, the league and clubs would focus on this stuff.

 

[Dan Murfman]

Christie pardoned a Philly woman back in 2014. Charged with firearm that was licensed in Pennsylvania but not in Jersey.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20150403_Christie_pardons_Phila__mom_snagged_by_N_J__gun_law.html

 

[DanoooME]

Too bad Christie is a Cowboys fan. If Dez Bryant did this, he'd have been pardoned before he was convicted.

 

[Bosoxen]

How does an agent fail to give his clients some common-sense life advice about letting his hanger-on buddies handle the contraband

Didn't SoSH have a collective shitfit when Cris Carter suggested basically this same thing?

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

And with that, Josh Huff is no longer a Philadelphia Eagle.

 

[mauf]

Didn't SoSH have a collective shitfit when Cris Carter suggested basically this same thing?

ESPN and the NFL have brands to protect, so I understand why they freaked out. I can't speak to the reaction on SoSH.

That incident perfectly illustrates why clubs can't take the lead in giving young men this kind of life advice. I doubt there would be the same outrage if players got that counsel from their agents (and as a practical matter, we wouldn't know it was happening).

 

[dcmissle]

ESPN and the NFL have brands to protect, so I understand why they freaked out. I can't speak to the reaction on SoSH.

That incident perfectly illustrates why clubs can't take the lead in giving young men this kind of life advice. I doubt there would be the same outrage if players got that counsel from their agents (and as a practical matter, we wouldn't know it was happening).

This is a League whose network just suspended Brian Baldinger 6 months without pay for suggesting on another outlet -- an unaffiliated radio station -- that the Eagles rough up Elliot.

The way this stuff is policed, you can't afford to have an at-risk player on your team. Or at least you cannot count on him to be available to play. If he is an elite talent, maybe you decide to bear the financial burden of around-the-clock babysitters.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

This is a League whose network just suspended Brian Baldinger 6 months without pay for suggesting on another outlet -- an unaffiliated radio station -- that the Eagles rough up Elliot.

I'm not sure I understand how that is a bad thing (I personally think they should have fired him as the comment was hideous and he is terrible to begin with), nor how it points to not having at risk players on the team.

 

[dcmissle]

I'm not sure I understand how that is a bad thing (I personally think they should have fired him as the comment was hideous and he is terrible to begin with), nor how it points to not having at risk players on the team.

It's probably a prelude for firing, which may well be a good thing on the merits. But PR and legal strategy drive all of their moves. From the snippets I heard, he talked about bounties. Discipline, fine. 6 months?

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

It's probably a prelude for firing, which may well be a good thing on the merits. But PR and legal strategy drive all of their moves. From the snippets I heard, he talked about bounties. Discipline, fine. 6 months?

He is a voice of the game and he does a lot of radio and tv as "from the NFL Network, former player....". Bounties have been heavily disciplined - the saints were penalized for them far more than anything any other team has ever been penalized. When an "official"-ish voice of the league is acting like they are/should still be around, it is a terrible spot for the league and gives people the wrong impression of what football is about.

I wish they had terminated Baldinger in truth. But they didn't. They took away his badge and made him ride the pine. I guess I don't see that is unfair. If you say dumb shit then they take away your microphone.

 

[Bosoxen]

I'm with Yammer here. That was an incredibly stupid thing to say and the fact that he wasn't fired is rather eye-opening. But in a world where bragging on camera about sexually assaulting women doesn't disqualify one from being a candidate for President, I suppose this shouldn't really be surprising.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

I can't believe I am defending Josh Huff given that he was smoking pot and driving, but he wasn't carrying a hot gun. He had the magazine and the weapon separate. While this is certainly not the recommended method of transporting a firearm, I know at least a handful of normal humans who have done the same.

Which brings up Maufman'a point; one of the things I was surprised by was that he was pulled over doing 65 on the Betsy Ross. I have gone 65 on the Betsy Ross probably 20+ times, I never realized the speed limit was only 45. But I am not an African American in a nice car.

Huff was stupid, but there do seem to be a few mitigating items here.

Unless they all had a license to carry concealed weapons, you know a bunch of people who broke the law and should have their weapons taken from them.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Unless they all had a license to carry concealed weapons, you know a bunch of people who broke the law and should have their weapons taken from them.

You are not correct on this matter sir. You can transport an unloaded handgun to and from a range or firearms dealer (as long as they are federally licensed) in the state of PA without having to conceal it in your car. You can have unloaded long guns in the state of PA sitting on your dash with "I HAVE A GUN!!!!" as your bumper sticker should you so desire. You can have the ammo sitting right next to it.

Pennsylvania is absolutely hillbilly, and the area where I used to live across from - NEPA (North Eastern PA) is particularly so. 6106 is a gun law crafted with the sound of banjos in the background.

 

[Marciano490]

You are not correct on this matter sir. You can transport an unloaded handgun to and from a range or firearms dealer (as long as they are federally licensed) in the state of PA without having to conceal it in your car. You can have unloaded long guns in the state of PA sitting on your dash with "I HAVE A GUN!!!!" as your bumper sticker should you so desire. You can have the ammo sitting right next to it.

Pennsylvania is absolutely hillbilly, and the area where I used to live across from - NEPA (North Eastern PA) is particularly so. 6106 is a gun law crafted with the sound of banjos in the background.

Yet, you want to buy some alcohol in Philly and you have to go on a damn quest.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Yet, you want to buy some alcohol in Philly and you have to go on a damn quest.

Hence the liberal gun laws. You know, in case you encounter some trolls.

 

[Hector Salamanca]

Hence the liberal gun laws. You know, in case you encounter some trolls.

Well, there you have it. Huff didn't want to pay the troll toll. Everyone knows that's an issue in Philly.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Yet, you want to buy some alcohol in Philly and you have to go on a damn quest.

Beer is easy. Everything else not so much.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

Well, there you have it. Huff didn't want to pay the troll toll. Everyone knows that's an issue in Philly.

NJ definitely qualifies as a hole.

 

[dbn]

You are not correct on this matter sir. You can transport an unloaded handgun to and from a range or firearms dealer (as long as they are federally licensed) in the state of PA without having to conceal it in your car. You can have unloaded long guns in the state of PA sitting on your dash with "I HAVE A GUN!!!!" as your bumper sticker should you so desire. You can have the ammo sitting right next to it.

Pennsylvania is absolutely hillbilly, and the area where I used to live across from - NEPA (North Eastern PA) is particularly so. 6106 is a gun law crafted with the sound of banjos in the background.

I'm not sure about the rest of the state, but when I lived in Pittsburgh I learned that the first day of buck season was a school holiday in many parts of western PA.

Well, there you have it. Huff didn't want to pay the troll toll. Everyone knows that's an issue in Philly.

Bravo!

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

I'm not sure about the rest of the state, but when I lived in Pittsburgh I learned that the first day of buck season was a school holiday in many parts of western PA.

On the other side of the river all the schools were closed. On the Jersey side of the river all the schools saw record absenteeism that day every year.

 

[Marciano490]

I did two tours of Philly and still can't pronounce that damn river's name.

 

[DanoooME]

The Sure Kill?

Actually, it's skoo-kill.

 

[Marciano490]

I thought Skoy-kill. Even when I relearn it, I always default to saying the wrong pronounciation. It's like when I was dating a girl named Corina and couldn't remember how to pronounce it so I'd psyche myself out and invariable guess wrong.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

I did two tours of Philly and still can't pronounce that damn river's name.

Two tours of Philly? What drugs are you using to manage your PTSD?

 

[Marciano490]

Two tours of Philly? What drugs are you using to manage your PTSD?

That's been chronicled in other threads.

It's actually a pretty great city. Lots of good restaurants, and the BYOB thing is great. Just gets a little claustrophobic after awhile when you realize that for as large a city as it is, there aren't a ton of different neighborhoods to hang out in. Also, I never lived anywhere where I would so often randomly run into the same people over and over again.

 

[OCST]

I did two tours of Philly and still can't pronounce that damn river's name.

The correct answer is to travel 90 minutes to the northeast and pronounce it Hudson.

 

[LondonSox]

Well another winnable game thrown away. But this is about what I expected to be honest.

Good news.
The Eagles found a qb. 100% sold.
Lane Johnson and brooks are good. Peters has a year or two left and big v looks at least decent depth, maybe more. Need to review the game.
Kelce is a concern but not a disaster. They need some more youth but the line has building great blocks.
The d line has Cox, Graham and curry locked up and I hope Logan too this year. Beast
Hicks is a total stud at linebacker and Braham is fine for a while.
The safeties are very good.

Bad news.
The corners suck. . . Again. They are neither young nor great. I like Carroll but he can't be a top starter if you are good.
The running backs are eh. Sproles is the best right now
The wide receivers . . . Jesus. One good (not great) and a lot of crap
The tight ends are the biggest disappointment on you team. Ertz has no broken tackles the whole year!

But you know what to void around. Kendricks is gone. Need lb depth, corners and offensive talent.

For now they are a . 500 team and it turns out the division is fine (the league is bad this year overall imo) so they likely aren't going anywhere. But there's a future to build here now.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Well put.

I can't believe that Jordan Matthews looked over his inside shoulder when he was facing the coverage he was. Obviously you never know, but in 98 percent of playbills that throw is going to the outside shoulder in that coverage. He turns his god damn head the right way and suddenly Wentz looks like captain comeback. The throw was perfect IMO.

 

[Oil Can Dan]

Kelce is an absolute disaster. He's terrible. I can't stop watching him anymore. He's 'I used to love her but I had to kill her' bad. I actually can't decide which drives me crazier, him or the ridiculous WRs. Thank God DJax and Maclin (and Shady) aren't here anymore!

This team is like a baby giraffe all wobbly and shit. I feel really confident that one day it's going to be all elegant and stable but for now it's almost comical watching it try to get its legs under it. But regardless of how frustrating it can be at times, it's amazing having a for-real QB again.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

What the fuck was with the coaching decisions? Going for it twice on 4th and 2 in the red zone early in the game? Hate it, but, fine. Be aggressive. 4th and 9 from the 30 with 4 minutes left...and kick the FG? Be consistent and you probably win this game, even with the INTs, blocked kicks, dropped balls...

Just a poor showing from coaching staff down.

 

[LondonSox]

Well it was one 4th and 3 around the 20 (which I thought was a bad decision driven by the start) and one 4th and 1 inside the 10 which imo is a go for it decision, even easier given the score (and basic analysis supports) .

The rest of them were more situational decisions.

I don't have any great issues with any decisions, the play calling sure not the decision.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

What the fuck was with the coaching decisions? Going for it twice on 4th and 2 in the red zone early in the game? Hate it, but, fine. Be aggressive. 4th and 9 from the 30 with 4 minutes left...and kick the FG? Be consistent and you probably win this game, even with the INTs, blocked kicks, dropped balls...

Just a poor showing from coaching staff down.

My understanding is that both of those circumstances - especially the 4th and 1, but also the 4th and 2 - are supported by the analystics. It has been a bit of time since I have seen any refereshed perspective on this, and if there have been my apologies, but the Takeaway from simulation analysis has been, if i remember correctly, outside of extreme cases like 4th and 10+ in the opponent's half, or 4th and 6+ in FG range, a team is almost always better to go for it.

As LondonSox noted, the play calls were not great, and the execution was even worse.

It's hard for me to question any of the go for it/FG/punt decisions given that so much went wrong for them and they were still a fairly simple catch or a Darren Sproles not going OB on his punt return away from a win on the road.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Please keep in mind that my perspective on all of this is greatly skewed by the fact that I bet on the Eagles and they were getting 3 points.

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

Please keep in mind that my perspective on all of this is greatly skewed by the fact that I bet on the Eagles and they were getting 3 points.

Oh. Yeah. I would have fucking punched Pederson through my tv.

 

[Marciano490]

What's the scoop with Green-Beckham? I was hoping he'd pan out after putting his college shenanigans behind him. He has the Mike Evans build, with even more muscle seemingly, but every time I watch an Eagles game it looks like he disappears or has stone hands. Are the physical tools not translating or is it a question of motivation? I assume he'll get more looks with Huff gone, but will he make anything of the opportunity?

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

He has been a red zone target to a fault, but he can't get separation. I'm not thinking that DBG is going to be the man.

 

[LondonSox]

His route running is a fucking joke

 

[Oil Can Dan]

He soft. Can't get off the line. Or catch balls that hit him in the hands. And I don't think he can block too well either. Other than that he's great.

 

[joe dokes]

I thought Skoy-kill. Even when I relearn it, I always default to saying the wrong pronounciation. It's like when I was dating a girl named Corina and couldn't remember how to pronounce it so I'd psyche myself out and invariable guess wrong.

Mulva

 

[Rick Burlesons Yam Bag]

He soft. Can't get off the line. Or catch balls that hit him in the hands. And I don't think he can block too well either. Other than that he's great.

There is nothing in this post to criticize. He has been awful.

 

[Otis Foster]

I thought Skoy-kill. Even when I relearn it, I always default to saying the wrong pronounciation. It's like when I was dating a girl named Corina and couldn't remember how to pronounce it so I'd psyche myself out and invariable guess wrong.

How about addressing Girlfriend 1 with Girlfriend 2's name?

Funny.

Not.