RockyMountainSaint

http://philadelphia.about.com/b/a/257596.htm

Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey

From John Fischer,
Your Guide to Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey.

Philadelphia Eagles Collapse to New Orleans Saints 27-24
Yesterday's Eagles-New Orleans game started off horribly and ended horribly. In between the Eagles played some good football with Donovan McNabb putting on another passing show and the Eagles defense holding New Orleans scoreless for the third quarters while the offense caught up and actually took a 24-17 lead.

In many ways, the game highlighted many of the same weaknesses that have been shown throughout almost all 2006 Eagles games - the only difference being a loss instead of a win.

While McNabb's passing has kept the team in all of their games, the teams ability or unwillingness to build a running game hurts them. They have no ability to control the clock when the majority of their scoring drives take so few plays. This allows the opponents to get the ball back quickly. As good as Hank Baskett was last week, he was just as bad this week. That's not unexpected from a rookie and shows how desperately the Eagles need Dante Stallworth back on the field.

Special teams play was inconsistent as it has been all year. The muffed punt which resulted in a quick New Orleans touchdown was inexplicable. Overall Eagles punt coverage was terrible and their punt return ability was just as bad.

The most serious problem that resurfaced was the inability of the Eagles defense to stop a team from marching down the field and scoring at the end of the game. In this way, this game was so reminiscent of the loss to the Giants. The Eagles defense allowed New Orleans to hold the ball the final 8:26 of the game, never allowing the Eagles offense to get back on the field. Meanwhile, poor clock management by Eagles coaches left the team with no time outs left during the Saints final drive.

I expected the Eagles to lose this game, but once they grabbed the lead at the start of the fourth quarter, the team should have found a way to keep it and go 5-1. Meanwhile the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants both won and are close on the heels of the Eagles for first place.

Boo Hoo!
Sour Grapes.
The Saints didn't win. The Iggles Collapsed.

I'm no one.
Who are you?