SBLII: Patriots vs. Eagles, the Build-Up
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Yup. I was at Eagles/Pats #1 and it was interesting. Lots of vitriol based on my experience. In fairness, I did chat up several Eagles fans who were pleasant. I did have one guy tell me I was supporting a criminal (referencing the Gronk suspension play). Those are the types I won’t be engaging.
You are correct in that it’s not all bad. I had some friendly chats pre-game last time. But...I saw and heard some stuff that was pretty out of bounds, including an Eagles fan launching himself with punches flying into a convertible filled with Pats fans. Unprovoked. Have fun and bring back the Win please.
oh god. And was it just paperclipped? Did he wear a tan suit?
This is so dumb:
I mean, seriously. "Brady isn't doing anything unusual, but"...
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- Here we go again.
Speaking at the Eagles' last availability before Super Bowl LII on Thursday, wide out Alshon Jeffrey guaranteed a win over the Patriots Sunday night.
“Ain’t no ‘if,’ man,” Jeffery said, via Pro Football Talk. “When we win on Sunday, ain’t no telling what we’re going to do. But we’re probably going to celebrate, have some fun.”
He added: “We’re bringing that trophy back to Philly.”
http://www.weei.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/eagles-wr-alshon-jeffrey-guarantees-win-over-patriots-super-bowl-lii
Speaking at the Eagles' last availability before Super Bowl LII on Thursday, wide out Alshon Jeffrey guaranteed a win over the Patriots Sunday night.
“Ain’t no ‘if,’ man,” Jeffery said, via Pro Football Talk. “When we win on Sunday, ain’t no telling what we’re going to do. But we’re probably going to celebrate, have some fun.”
He added: “We’re bringing that trophy back to Philly.”
http://www.weei.com/blogs/ryan-hannable/eagles-wr-alshon-jeffrey-guarantees-win-over-patriots-super-bowl-lii
It's not dumb that they filmed it--that's right in my post. It's dumb that it possibly slipped out like that.
Sorry, I meant that what was written in the article is dumb. I was having trouble with my editing.
On a plane, I'd go with some version of "Hey, is it true Donovan McNabb endorsed the barf bags here on (airline name)?"
One of the baristas I'm friendly with at the coffeeshop I frequent is a Philly native and an avid Eagles/ Phillies fan. We've had some light banter back and forth over the Superbowl. To his credit, after he tried the cheater shit with me on Monday he did actually look into it more and saw it wasn't quite what he had thought it was and said so to me yesterday.
Of course the other kid working at the time, also from the Philly area and an uber leftist, tried to chastise me and couldn't understand how I could root for such terrible people, for Trump-related reasons. Pointing out that Kraft is one of the more Democratic-friendly NFL owners didn't sway her, so I just simply said, 'Name three Patriot players.'
Her indignation quickly withered away.
Of course the other kid working at the time, also from the Philly area and an uber leftist, tried to chastise me and couldn't understand how I could root for such terrible people, for Trump-related reasons. Pointing out that Kraft is one of the more Democratic-friendly NFL owners didn't sway her, so I just simply said, 'Name three Patriot players.'
Her indignation quickly withered away.
What does that even mean? I mean, I don't care that much, but he is definitely a Trump guy, right?
Somewhere? Here's where (although math says he's somewhere else now):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ex-eagles-wr-freddie-mitchell-sentenced-to-37-months-in-prison/
I was under the impression that Kraft supports Trump because they are friends but that he leans left politically.
From some of the quotes I've seen, Kraft may be friends with Trump, but he gives him advice on how to be a human occasionally. He was pushing for him to forget about the super rich and worry about the middle class more, etc.
The world will be a better place when people aren't reduced to the the you (the public "you", not you personally) like least about them. We're complicated animals.
Please just start the Super Bowl so we don’t get shit like this
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/02/02/detroit-lions-trade-stafford-brady/300834002/
Why the Detroit Lions must trade Matthew Stafford for Tom Brady
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/02/02/detroit-lions-trade-stafford-brady/300834002/
Why the Detroit Lions must trade Matthew Stafford for Tom Brady
He sounds exactly like the New Yorkers who would call into Mike and the Mad Dog 15 years ago and suggest ridiculous trades that teams would agree to because “the Yankees always get their man” or some such nonsense.
Friendship with Trump aside, Kraft has given more to Democratic-leaning causes and candidates than I believe any other NFL owner in the last decade. Which is not exactly a high bar.
Honestly I don't care much about it either. Unless a player makes their politics an issue publicly, I don't care what any of these guys think about politics any more than I care whether Joe Kennedy can handle offspeed stuff from a LHP.
Can you fucking idiots stop going political in every fucking unreleated thread for one goddamn weekend?
I don't think that's asking too much.
I don't think that's asking too much.
Amen.
The next time I care who an athlete/actor/comedian/performer votes for will be the first.
That article is amazing. The best is that he ultimately dismisses the possibility of this deal happening, because the Lions won't propose it.
Will this happen? I doubt it because there are too many complications and details that can kill the trade at several junctures. But mostly I doubt it because I don't think Quinn and Patricia would be willing to be bold and take a big risk.
His kid's a shitty artist, and he has his collar tucked into his crappy Eagles sweater. Would not screw.
I actually broke the first rule and looked a the comments to that article. They are pretty much all trashing the author, who apparently has an unsavory reputation.
I know he's a member of the media and all, but he should take a cue from Bill Belichick about not getting too excited about things.
Gillislee, Britt, Harris, Reedy, Hollister would be the 5 I'd say are fairly obvious. Then it comes down to whether Waddle and Branch are truly ready to go. If Waddle is ready, then Croston is inactive. If Branch is ready, then maybe Grissom or Bademosi is inactive.
I agree. Branch has been a healthy scratch the last few weeks but they may place a priority on DT depth given the length of the game, Eagles running game, etc
This has been an underreported story but it does appear that Branch has been ready for some time and his deactivations are for reasons beyond health. This tweet from Mike Giardi was before the Jags game:
One would think the "come to Jesus" meeting with Branch happened long ago. I mean, you don't wait until Super Bowl week to tell the player "what you're doing ain't cutting it." But it is certainly a curious decline from the player Belichick notably called their most consistent D-lineman last season.
I'd be surprised if Branch is active. I don't know if he Foulke'd himself last season or he just doesn't care anymore or what... but if he truly has been a healthy scratch for weeks, I can't imagine they suddenly think they can rely on him in the biggest game of the year.
If he's healthy and is still being deactivated, then he either isn't putting in the work or he simply doesn't have it anymore. And neither of those cases are something that can be magically cured in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.
If he's healthy and is still being deactivated, then he either isn't putting in the work or he simply doesn't have it anymore. And neither of those cases are something that can be magically cured in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.
David Zirin wrote two good articles in the Nation on the "progressive case" for both the pats, and the eagles.
Basic conclusin is that given the politics of nfl, both teams are tolerlable. And he makes a case for hating the Pats cause they win too much, rather than bs politics or cheatings. I can live with that!
Inactive: Branch, Harris, Hollister, Britt, Croston, Reedy, Gillislee--same as AFCCG, except Waddle's knee seems better.
Branch has slipped behind Brown, Guy, RJF, and Butler--or they have excelled, or both.
Bademosi is now the fourth CB with Jones on IR.
Branch has slipped behind Brown, Guy, RJF, and Butler--or they have excelled, or both.
Bademosi is now the fourth CB with Jones on IR.
I'm pretty sure it was Zolak on Sports radio last week that said he saw Branch walking around and he looked HUGE. Not in a muscle huge way, but in a "I don't give a shit anymore" way. His exact words were something along the lines of "there isn't a chance in hell that Branch is active..."
If it wasn't Zolak, it was Fauria. I'm positive it was one of the former players, and Pats supporters, so there was clearly no ax to grind. And apparently, they were right. Wouldn't be surprised if we've seen Branch play his last game as a Patriot.
If it wasn't Zolak, it was Fauria. I'm positive it was one of the former players, and Pats supporters, so there was clearly no ax to grind. And apparently, they were right. Wouldn't be surprised if we've seen Branch play his last game as a Patriot.
Zolak basically said Branch retired but didn't tell anyone and that he is so fat. He isn't going to play on Sunday. Be shocked if he did.
In neurotic anticipation for the game this weekend, I looked through defensive team rankings in Super Bowl history. Suffce it to say, I'm very nervous about our defense, even though I've read all of the substantive posts pointing out that the unit has improved since week 4.
In any case, small sample sizes definitely apply, so I'm not sure we can draw any definitive conclusions, but I thought I'd share what I found nonetheless:
In any case, small sample sizes definitely apply, so I'm not sure we can draw any definitive conclusions, but I thought I'd share what I found nonetheless:
- Patriots have the 2nd worst rushing YPC allowed rank in SB history (behind the 2006 Colts)
- Patriots have the 2nd worst turnover created rank in SB history (behind the 1976 Raiders)
- Patriots have the tied-for-3rd worst passing NY/A allowed rank in SB history (behind the 2011 Patriots and 2008 Cardinals, tied with the 2011 Giants, 2009 Saints, 1999 Titans and 1976 Raiders)
- Teams like the 2017 Patriots whose defenses are lower ranked than their opponents across-the-board in points allowed (Pats 5 / Eagles 4), passing NY/A allowed (Pats 20 / Eagles 7), rushing YPC allowed (Pats 31 / Eagles 6), and turnovers created (Pats 25 / Eagles 4) are 5-12 in the SB (2016 Falcons, 2013 Broncos, 2012 Ravens, 2011 Packers, 2006 Colts, 2005 Seahawks, 2003 Panthers, 2000 Giants, 1997 Broncos, 1994 Chargers, 1991 Bills, 1989 49ers, 1988 Bengals, 1986 Broncos, 1979 Rams, 1974 Vikings, 1972 Redskins)
- Teams like the 2017 Patriots whose defenses are lower ranked than their opponents across-the-board in points allowed, passing NY/A allowed, rushing YPC allowed and turnovers created AND who boast top 10 offenses in EACH of passing NY/A (5), turnovers (2) and points (2), while their opponents do not (Eagles are 14, 11 and 3, respectively) are 4-1 in the SB (2011 Packers, 2006 Colts, 1997 Broncos, 1989 49ers, 1974 Vikings)
- Surprisingly, irrespective of defensive rankings, teams who boast top 10 offenses in EACH of passing NY/A, turnovers and points, while their opponents do not are essentially a little better than a coin flip to win the SB.
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I think it's hard to judge the defense by statistics, as it's been even more than usual a work in progress: Gilmore, Van Noy, Guy are new; Butler, Wise,Flowers
are rookies; and Lee, Harrison, and Jean-Francois joined midseason--that's eight of the eleven in the front seven rotation, excepting only Brown, T Flowers, and Roberts. Their functioning as a unit is probably vastly different from the Kansas City game, as Giselle predicted.
are rookies; and Lee, Harrison, and Jean-Francois joined midseason--that's eight of the eleven in the front seven rotation, excepting only Brown, T Flowers, and Roberts. Their functioning as a unit is probably vastly different from the Kansas City game, as Giselle predicted.
Branch is almost exactly 3 years younger than Vince. The Pats moved on from Vince 3 years ago when he clearly wasn’t the same player. This isn’t a surprise.
Even if he was playing ok, I think he would be gone next year anyways. They have younger and better options.
Watching the Atlanta Super Bowl on NFLN right now. In the spirit of all the charity donations after playoff games, should we all be donating to some Mo Lewis foundation if we are fortunate enough to win tomorrow?
I was talking to a moderately knowledgeable NYJ fan the other day. He knew it was a NYJ LB that knocked out Bledsoe, but couldn't remember his name off the top of his head. I told him it was Mo Lewis, and he nodded, "Yeah, that's right. Mo Lewis. Fuck that guy."
Mo Lewis is more famous with Patriots fans than Jets fans.
Given Philadelphia's defensive overaggressiveness, have to think the gameplan involves a fair share of rub routes and double moves. I look no further than the most recent Giants(!) game and Rams game for evidence that this can be a successful plan offensively. It honestly is why Atlanta lost badly, as Sarkisian choose consistently slow developing plays, with obvious dino stems, making it one of THE worst gameplans I've seen.
Defensively, RPOs specifically: In the NFCCG only 14.3% (9/63) of offensive snaps were RPOs for the Eagles, with a 5:4 rush to pass ratio within those (gaining 3:2:8.3 yards within each respective option), within six formations, none attempted within either 20-yard line, and notably most on an early down. Hopefully, the nickel can come up big (Flowers, Brown, etc.); got to stop Blount and Ajayi (Clement concerns me on wheel routes, so while he applies, it's a different aspect of their offense, hence a separate mention) so that an extra (seventh) man won't have to be committed to the run. It's why I believe the Eagles get a fair share of scoring, but not quite enough given the CRITICALLY important increase in rush defense quality of late.
Defensively, RPOs specifically: In the NFCCG only 14.3% (9/63) of offensive snaps were RPOs for the Eagles, with a 5:4 rush to pass ratio within those (gaining 3:2:8.3 yards within each respective option), within six formations, none attempted within either 20-yard line, and notably most on an early down. Hopefully, the nickel can come up big (Flowers, Brown, etc.); got to stop Blount and Ajayi (Clement concerns me on wheel routes, so while he applies, it's a different aspect of their offense, hence a separate mention) so that an extra (seventh) man won't have to be committed to the run. It's why I believe the Eagles get a fair share of scoring, but not quite enough given the CRITICALLY important increase in rush defense quality of late.
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