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this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; hey everyone. i'm a big eagles' fan, from philly, and i stumbled across this website just looking for some saints' fans takes on the game this weeked. I have to say that you guys have made some good insights - ...

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Old 10-11-2006, 02:12 PM   #21
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hey everyone. i'm a big eagles' fan, from philly, and i stumbled across this website just looking for some saints' fans takes on the game this weeked.

I have to say that you guys have made some good insights - nice to see intelligent posts, rather than the "rah-rah-rah our team is great your team stinks routine."

Anyway, a couple of comments:

The notion that the Saints need to stop McNabb from running is not valid. McNabb rarely runs anymore. He uses his feet to buy time for himself and his receivers, yes. But in 5 games this year, he has rushed 17 times for 87 yards. That's 17.4 yds/game. And 47 of those yards came against GB (28 of which came on one drive). McNabb led the Eagles in rushing in 2000 with 629 yds. Since then, his rushing totals have dropped every year. This has coincided with the improvement of his passing game. My point is that someone made the comparison with how the Saints stopped Vick, and I cringed. Vick is the most overrated QB in the NFL, and you stop him by taking away his running lanes - most good teams can do that, as the Saints showed. McNabb is one of the top passing QBs in the league, an MVP candidate, and he will burn a team from the pocket just as easily as when he bounces out.

The notion that the Eagles haven't beaten anyone isn't valid either (in my eyes, anyway). First of all, you play the teams on your schedule. The Eagles have routed bad teams (HOU, SF & GB), and beaten DAL. Before the season, the Cowboys were picked by some to win the NFC East and even go to the SB. The Eagles outplayed the Cowboys, and it was only a handful of plays that kept the 'boys in it until the end. Dallas also has one of the best defenses in the NFL - anyone who says differently doesn't really know football - and McNabb and the offense torched them for 31 pts. As far as the Giants game, the Eagles destroyed them for 3 qtrs, were winning 24-7 going into the 4th, and just sat back and mailed it in. The Giants made them pay for that, and granted it was a horrible 4th qtr, but the Eagles are far and away a better team than the Giants. They should easily be 5-0. They have had double digit leads in all 5 of their games.

How can you give the Saints credit for a 7 point win against GB (albeit on the road), and then not give the Eagles' credit for thumping them 31-9, in a game where their #1 RB didn't play and their #1 WR left with an injury?

Now, the last thing in my "Pro-Eagles" rant is this - Reid and McNabb almost always win games they are "supposed" to win. They beat teams when they are favored. McNabb has the highest winning percentage of any active QB with at least 90 starts. Before last year's injury-TO debacle, the Eagles put together 5 straight playoff seasons - 11-5, 11-5, 12-4, 12-4 & 13-3. Most of those key players are still here. They know how to win (in the regular season at least).

Ok, now for the things working in the Saints favor:

The Eagles are coming off such an emotional high last week, and now they're going on the road to play a tough team: that's a lethal combination. Intangible-wise, the Saints have a big advantage there. Of course, the Saints are coming off of their own emotional, tight win over a division foe. But the Eagles have a lot to overcome this weekend, emotionally speaking. I am praying that they don't come out so flat that the Saints jump all over them early.

the Eagles appear to be susceptible to the run, but they actually are pretty good at stopping it when they have to. Case in point, Tiki Barber did nothing against them, because they were geared up to stop him. Their worry against DAL was stopping the pass, and they rarely brought an 8th man up. The result was that Jones had over 100 yds (3.7 yards per), but the D didn't let up a big play. The Saints combo of Bush and Deuce is more potent right now than Jones or Barber, esp. with Bush out of the backfield. I think the Eagles' D is good enough to slow them down, but my worry is that it will be at the expense of the pass D. They'll bring Dawkins up to stop the run, and leave the corners and (gulp) Michael Lewis in pass coverage. Anyone who saw Dallas get the pass interference call on the 4th and 16 play will understand why I am worried about Lewis - he's a liability in coverage. I can see the Saints running play action, and Brees (who is great) picking the Eagles' apart through the air.

Also, Payton knows the Eagles, and has had success against them when he coached for DAL and esp. the NYG.

One quick bettor's stat - Home dogs, when the visiting favorite is changing playing surfaces, cover over 80% of the time. The Saints are getting 3, hosting the Eagles on their NextTurf field, and the Eagles played on grass last week.

Ok, my prediction is that the Eagles squeak out a high-scoring game, 31-28. High passing stats for both teams. Tight till the end. Brees play great, as does McNabb.

one last thing - to the guys who is a Saints fan living (and whining) in the Philly area - I hope that you hail from the New Orleans area. It is a person of low character who abandons his hometown team to root for someone else. Also, if you do not like living in the area, in this "anal void" as you call it, then get out.
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Old 10-11-2006, 02:20 PM   #22
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Reggie Bush = X factor.
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Old 10-11-2006, 02:57 PM   #23
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... Eaglesfly, to quickly touch on a couple points:

First, congrats in your win last Sunday. Didn't get to see Brian Dawkins anihilate Owens on a crossing route like I expected, but hey, still, great game.

Now let's move on to the unpleasentries

... the Saints have a brand new coaching staff with a first year coach, a brand new playbook, new QB fresh off a shoulder injury whose never played with any of his new teammates, an o-line whose 5 components never played a down together before August, 3 of them starting for the first time, one of them moved from RT to LT, not to mention 3 new LBs, a rookie playing SS, etc etc etc...
... in contrast, the Eagles have been under the same coaching staff for 6-7 years now?, using the same playbook (obviously with modifications/additions every so often, and established plays get new wrinkles, etc, but the base system/terminology is there), with a nucleus of players who have played together for years.

So, when you look at beating a bad team like Green Bay, there can be no excuse for a team like the Eagles not crushing them, let alone losing against them. A team like the Saints, you just wouldn't know if they could beat a team like Green Bay, because not even the Saints know what they have with 100% certainty. BTW, you beat GB at home, the Saints on the road

... and the Eagles haven't beaten anyone The 1-4 Texans, the 1-4 whiners, the 1-4 Packers, and the 2-2 Cowboys. And the Cowboys aren't that hot. It doesn't matter that the "experts" picked Dallas to win anything, they did it so on Parcells' reputation and their man-love for Owens, but the Cowboys are going to struggle, especially if Tuna keeps Bledsoe at QB. Compound that with the Eagles letting a 20 point lead slip at home against the Giants, and it really doesn't impress.

But you are right, teams have no say on who they play. A win is a win, no matter how pretty or ugly. You have beaten the teams you are supposed to beat. You guys are 4-1 and in the driver's seat in the NFC East, just beat the Cowboys, and all's good. As for this Sunday, I haven't checked the line, but I'm sure you guys are the favorites and are supposed to beat us, so the pressure is on you guys to beat the Saints.

'Cause the simple man pays the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill
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Old 10-11-2006, 03:27 PM   #24
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Found this on the Eagles website http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/default.jsp
Looks like they respect us!

What Is Your Opinion Of Saints?
Good team that deserves respect
50.3%
Dangerous team in dangerous spot
21.7%
Playing over their heads right now
14.1%
I only focus on Eagles, not opponent
7%
Totally overrated
6.9%

Total Votes: 12379
My concerns are not just centered on McNabb (No 1 passer in the league) but on their defense. A little suspect in the amount of yards they surrender per game (Avg 335 http://www.nfl.com/stats) but the pass rush OMG!!! Cole, Walker, Howard & Freak Kearse. They are avg almost 4 sacks a game between just those 4! Bow up O line eat yer Wheatys!!!
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Old 10-11-2006, 04:13 PM   #25
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FYI - Kearse is out for the season. Blew out his knee week 2.

However, i believe the Eagles still lead the NFL in sacks, and Trent Cole is tied for the individual lead with 6.
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Old 10-11-2006, 04:25 PM   #26
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Originally Posted by flyeaglesfly
hey everyone. i'm a big eagles' fan, from philly, and i stumbled across this website just looking for some saints' fans takes on the game this weeked.

I have to say that you guys have made some good insights - nice to see intelligent posts, rather than the "rah-rah-rah our team is great your team stinks routine."

Anyway, a couple of comments:

The notion that the Saints need to stop McNabb from running is not valid. McNabb rarely runs anymore. He uses his feet to buy time for himself and his receivers, yes. But in 5 games this year, he has rushed 17 times for 87 yards. That's 17.4 yds/game. And 47 of those yards came against GB (28 of which came on one drive). McNabb led the Eagles in rushing in 2000 with 629 yds. Since then, his rushing totals have dropped every year. This has coincided with the improvement of his passing game. My point is that someone made the comparison with how the Saints stopped Vick, and I cringed. Vick is the most overrated QB in the NFL, and you stop him by taking away his running lanes - most good teams can do that, as the Saints showed. McNabb is one of the top passing QBs in the league, an MVP candidate, and he will burn a team from the pocket just as easily as when he bounces out.

The notion that the Eagles haven't beaten anyone isn't valid either (in my eyes, anyway). First of all, you play the teams on your schedule. The Eagles have routed bad teams (HOU, SF & GB), and beaten DAL. Before the season, the Cowboys were picked by some to win the NFC East and even go to the SB. The Eagles outplayed the Cowboys, and it was only a handful of plays that kept the 'boys in it until the end. Dallas also has one of the best defenses in the NFL - anyone who says differently doesn't really know football - and McNabb and the offense torched them for 31 pts. As far as the Giants game, the Eagles destroyed them for 3 qtrs, were winning 24-7 going into the 4th, and just sat back and mailed it in. The Giants made them pay for that, and granted it was a horrible 4th qtr, but the Eagles are far and away a better team than the Giants. They should easily be 5-0. They have had double digit leads in all 5 of their games.

How can you give the Saints credit for a 7 point win against GB (albeit on the road), and then not give the Eagles' credit for thumping them 31-9, in a game where their #1 RB didn't play and their #1 WR left with an injury?

Now, the last thing in my "Pro-Eagles" rant is this - Reid and McNabb almost always win games they are "supposed" to win. They beat teams when they are favored. McNabb has the highest winning percentage of any active QB with at least 90 starts. Before last year's injury-TO debacle, the Eagles put together 5 straight playoff seasons - 11-5, 11-5, 12-4, 12-4 & 13-3. Most of those key players are still here. They know how to win (in the regular season at least).

Ok, now for the things working in the Saints favor:

The Eagles are coming off such an emotional high last week, and now they're going on the road to play a tough team: that's a lethal combination. Intangible-wise, the Saints have a big advantage there. Of course, the Saints are coming off of their own emotional, tight win over a division foe. But the Eagles have a lot to overcome this weekend, emotionally speaking. I am praying that they don't come out so flat that the Saints jump all over them early.

the Eagles appear to be susceptible to the run, but they actually are pretty good at stopping it when they have to. Case in point, Tiki Barber did nothing against them, because they were geared up to stop him. Their worry against DAL was stopping the pass, and they rarely brought an 8th man up. The result was that Jones had over 100 yds (3.7 yards per), but the D didn't let up a big play. The Saints combo of Bush and Deuce is more potent right now than Jones or Barber, esp. with Bush out of the backfield. I think the Eagles' D is good enough to slow them down, but my worry is that it will be at the expense of the pass D. They'll bring Dawkins up to stop the run, and leave the corners and (gulp) Michael Lewis in pass coverage. Anyone who saw Dallas get the pass interference call on the 4th and 16 play will understand why I am worried about Lewis - he's a liability in coverage. I can see the Saints running play action, and Brees (who is great) picking the Eagles' apart through the air.

Also, Payton knows the Eagles, and has had success against them when he coached for DAL and esp. the NYG.

One quick bettor's stat - Home dogs, when the visiting favorite is changing playing surfaces, cover over 80% of the time. The Saints are getting 3, hosting the Eagles on their NextTurf field, and the Eagles played on grass last week.

Ok, my prediction is that the Eagles squeak out a high-scoring game, 31-28. High passing stats for both teams. Tight till the end. Brees play great, as does McNabb.

one last thing - to the guys who is a Saints fan living (and whining) in the Philly area - I hope that you hail from the New Orleans area. It is a person of low character who abandons his hometown team to root for someone else. Also, if you do not like living in the area, in this "anal void" as you call it, then get out.
I was vague about McNabb running. He's not Vick. What I meant was to contain him in the pocket using a similar style of D. Everybody knows D. Nabb can throw the pickle. What I'm referring to by running is what you said about him using his feet to buy time. We can't let that happen. He's too good to let him have time. Having him throw from the pocket is much better than having him throw from wherever he feels comfortable.

The Eagles have a stout D so we're going to have to take advantage of opportunities and create points. We can't go toe-to-toe and try and punch with the Eagles. We have to use our offensive weapons to slash and gash.

Also, we haven't beaten the Eagles for like 10 years so we're due for one. The emotions and home field are against the Eagles, and the coaching staff is not "used" to what we're doing...heck neither are we for that matter.

Brown on Howard will be a great match up.
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Old 10-11-2006, 07:47 PM   #27
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This will be a Drew against McNabb. just like in Carolina and GB. 350 yards and 3 TDs.
Key to the game is going to be ball control by the saints. keep donte of the field. short yardage passing game. yards on the ground will be hard. 1 or 2 big plays on the ground and that will be it. the rest will be through the air. special teams are key
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Old 10-12-2006, 08:46 PM   #28
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looks like Donte will help out his homeboys and not even make it onto the field to start. No practices this week yet anyway.

I visited some Eagles boards and found much as our visitor said here-- good insights, not a lot of rah-rah, and a lot more respect for the new saints than I expected. I don't think a lot of Philly fans are writing this off as an easy win. One thread even said this could be a playoff preview game... pretty impressive for winghead fans. One comment I thought was very insightful was-

Lets not forget that Sean Payton is the Head Coach of the Saints and has given JJ hell with his max protection scheme. The O Cordinator for dallas last year and he also was the O Cordinator for giants some time ago.
If there is any team Payton should be up to snuff on how to attack it should be Philly. The season is still shaking out to me so I don't give much creedence to the points or spread. I will count it as an upset if the Saints can pull it off. Let the magic continue to unfold!
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Old 10-13-2006, 08:38 AM   #29
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My future brother-in-law is an Eagles fan...Lives in Northern California though...weird...my wife is there visiting this week....If I call and taunt too much he may hold her hostage...better not, well maybe just a little...
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Old 10-13-2006, 09:51 AM   #30
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Fly/fly -

Great analysis, very thoughtful and circumspect. Having lived up here almost 25 years after having to move from NO for economic reasons, only once did I encounter an Eagles fan who could match a verb and subject. Save for Pine Valley and my Alma Mater, there's really not much here that satisfies the soul.
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