1. Donovan McNabb would suffer a season-ending injury in a lopsided home loss to the Titans.
AND
2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16 and take the Eagles into the playoffs.
Holy Lord, I love this farging game.
GO BIRDS!
I didn't think the defense could support going on a run like this like they did in 2002.
Way to turn it around. :yay
Andy Reid = good coach
I called it weeks ago. Look it up.
We were all wrong. Everyone needs a big steaming cup of shut the farg up including me. Hell, ESPECIALLY me.
I concur with Phreak. Garcia is playing amazingly well, but Reid is calling up some great gameplans and these guys look very prepared.
All the Andy haters have to eat some crow. I know I had my doubts, and Andy has risen to the occasion.
Anyone think Garcia could win comeback player of the year? He would have only played in 7 games by the end of the year but he's been awesome after playing for his previous two "teams."
I think Pennington will probably win. He's playing well, the Jets came out of nowhere and control their own destiny. Garcia is a nice story but he's only played in 6 games (started 5) and he's 36 years old. Usually the comeback player of the year goes to someone who plays a whole year like Pennington.
Garcia has definitely been amazing. How about most amazing backup to come in and pick up a team and lead them to the playoffs award? He'd definitely win over Romo.
YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D
DALLAS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
Quote from: Dillen37 on December 25, 2006, 09:26:38 PM
Anyone think Garcia could win comeback player of the year? He would have only played in 7 games by the end of the year but he's been awesome after playing for his previous two "teams."
Even though he's only played in a handful of games, if it wasn't for LT I can't think of someone more deserving of the MVP award right now.
Brees, easily.
Quote from: Zanshin on December 25, 2006, 10:28:32 PM
Brees, easily.
okay maybe...but Brees has cooled off down the stretch
Garcia is playing really well, but he hasn't really even had a stretch.
Quote from: Zanshin on December 25, 2006, 10:34:34 PM
Garcia is playing really well, but he hasn't really even had a stretch.
5 games is a stretch
The real offensive MVP which has been solid all year and downright dominate down the stretch is the O-line. Andrews is a monster.
[/quote]
5 games is a stretch
The real offensive MVP which has been solid all year and downright dominate down the stretch is the O-line. Andrews is a monster.
[/quote]
His block on the last drive when Garcia scrambled had everyone in the room making noise, nasty baby.
Quote from: SD_Eagle on December 25, 2006, 10:21:26 PM
Quote from: Dillen37 on December 25, 2006, 09:26:38 PM
Anyone think Garcia could win comeback player of the year? He would have only played in 7 games by the end of the year but he's been awesome after playing for his previous two "teams."
Even though he's played in limited games, if it wasn't for LT I can't think of someone more deserving of the MVP award right now.
Garcia has played some quality football, but let's not go overboard.
1) There have been debates all year on this board over the offense and their big strike capability and how it hurts the defense. My main complaint was how they couldn't sustain a long drive (10+plays,70+ yards) all year long. There is no doubt in my mind that Garcia is more suited to the short passing game, in that he throws a more catchable ball, and he doesn't hold the ball in the pocket for 6 seconds.
2) The run defense has been horrible most of the year. This may correlate with the offense being unable to sustain a long drive, losing TOP, small defense, or not. But either way, even though DeAngelo Williams made several plays in the screen game, and Ladell Betts ran all over them, they have played better against the run. Don't ask me to explain why.
3) Andy Reid is not committed to the running game. NBC ran a stat tonight- with head coaches with at least 100 games coached, Andy Reid has the highest pass %(59) in NFL history. The Eagles have run the ball more with Garcia at QB. This is not debatable.
He commits to the run when he's without McNabb. He should be roasted for not doing this with McNabb.
Exactly, Phreak. Can you imagine how good McNabb could be with a commitment to the run like they've shown the last 4 weeks? Christ, it isn't like the run offense sucked before McNabb went down. Reid can be such a jackass.
I was thinking the same thing this evening. If they didn't stand around and wait for McNabulous to do it all himself and pounded the ball like they did against the Giants this team would be unstoppable with him in there. That is if they were to get some recievers who could catch his not so limp wristed throws...
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:04:40 AM
Exactly, Phreak. Can you imagine how good McNabb could be with a commitment to the run like they've shown the last 4 weeks? Christ, it isn't like the run offense sucked before McNabb went down. Reid can be such a jackass.
Yep, its sad. I don't understand it. And I am a Reid fan. I think the adjustments he has made to turn this around have shown that he is a good coach. But he gets so damn throw-happy with McNabb that it has hurt this team. We can only hope that this glimpse of a real live functioning NFL balanced offense being called by Morningwood will force him to keep that status quo. Or if he ever does take back the duties when McNabb is back he needs to balance it.
Notice how much he has been smoking Westbrook's pipe these last few weeks? He's finally realized that 36 is the guy who this offense should be focused around.
Also - Westbrook's more vocal approach is something I like. He has come out of his shell so to speak.
In this crazy NFC who knows what can happen. But this team has ignited at the right time.
It's funny. It is obvious that McNabb is the better player than Garcia, but even if McNabb was 100% right now I'd rather start Garcia over him because if McNabb was QBing the Eagles right now you know damn well Andy would go back to bombs away offense.
Well, shtein there's a simple answer to that. Fire Reid and promote Morningweg.
I thought that they were dead in the water. I was way off base and will take a big glass of STFU
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:04:40 AM
Exactly, Phreak. Can you imagine how good McNabb could be with a commitment to the run like they've shown the last 4 weeks? Christ, it isn't like the run offense sucked before McNabb went down. Reid can be such a jackass.
And that right there is why my crow is on hold in the kitchen. If the Eagles, by some miracle, win the Super Bowl this year, then I'll eat my socks. Until then, I continue to marvel how different the offense is run when McNabb isn't the QB. Just the fact that they can pound the rock but instead wing it all over creation when McNabb's under center irks me. How different would things be if they took this approach every game, every year with McNabb QBing? One can only wonder...
Quote from: FFatPatt on December 25, 2006, 08:05:17 PM
1. Donovan McNabb would suffer a season-ending injury in a lopsided home loss to the Titans.
AND
2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16 and take the Eagles into the playoffs.
farg off, I called this exactly back in July.
OK, I was already getting ready for the draft, and no-one is happier than I am that I was wrong.
Quote from: TexasEagle on December 26, 2006, 03:51:21 AM
How different would things be if they took this approach every game, every year with McNabb QBing? One can only wonder...
He'd finish more seasons, for starters. I'd like to think he'd be more likely to throw a pass away knowing the running game was there to support him.
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:51:47 AM
Well, shtein there's a simple answer to that. Fire Reid and promote Morningweg.
omg, dude, hell no. Marty? pffft...trust me on this, he'd make Reid look like Bill Walsh. He's straight ga'bage.
Quote from: FFatPatt on December 25, 2006, 08:05:17 PM2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16
i didn't think they could do it when they had a healthy mcnabb.
Quote from: TRUCK RATHMAN on December 26, 2006, 06:28:10 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:51:47 AM
Well, shtein there's a simple answer to that. Fire Reid and promote Morningweg.
omg, dude, hell no. Marty? pffft...trust me on this, he'd make Reid look like Bill Walsh. He's straight ga'bage.
Dude, you're kidding me with this right? Christ. If SF wasn't enough, Detroit cured me of Marty-itis. It's called sarcasm.
Quote from: T_Section224 on December 26, 2006, 07:06:52 AM
Quote from: FFatPatt on December 25, 2006, 08:05:17 PM2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16
i didn't think they could do it when they had a healthy mcnabb.
Three straight divisional wins on the road in December is a near miracle. I thought they'd be lucky to squeak out 1 out of 3. 2 of 3 was a dream and a clean sweep was a flat-out impossibility. Who knew?
I never saw this happening after the Jville game/Don going down. All i can say the team is playing as a team and starting to really peak at the right time.
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on December 26, 2006, 08:17:18 AM
Quote from: T_Section224 on December 26, 2006, 07:06:52 AM
Quote from: FFatPatt on December 25, 2006, 08:05:17 PM2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16
i didn't think they could do it when they had a healthy mcnabb.
Three straight divisional wins on the road in December is a near miracle. I thought they'd be lucky to squeak out 1 out of 3. 2 of 3 was a dream and a clean sweep was a flat-out impossibility. Who knew?
Alright now. I thought before this run started that they would have trouble beating the taterskins. They didn't just win those game either, they went into the other division rival house and opened a jumbo can of asswhippin'!! They beat them down hard!!
I farging love it!! A sweep of the Skins and Dallas! Life is good!! Merry Christmas!!
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on December 26, 2006, 12:22:08 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:04:40 AM
Exactly, Phreak. Can you imagine how good McNabb could be with a commitment to the run like they've shown the last 4 weeks? Christ, it isn't like the run offense sucked before McNabb went down. Reid can be such a jackass.
Yep, its sad. I don't understand it. And I am a Reid fan. I think the adjustments he has made to turn this around have shown that he is a good coach. But he gets so damn throw-happy with McNabb that it has hurt this team. We can only hope that this glimpse of a real live functioning NFL balanced offense being called by Morningwood will force him to keep that status quo. Or if he ever does take back the duties when McNabb is back he needs to balance it.
Notice how much he has been smoking Westbrook's pipe these last few weeks? He's finally realized that 36 is the guy who this offense should be focused around.
Also - Westbrook's more vocal approach is something I like. He has come out of his shell so to speak.
In this crazy NFC who knows what can happen. But this team has ignited at the right time.
It hurts the team AND McNabb.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on December 26, 2006, 12:22:08 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 12:04:40 AM
Exactly, Phreak. Can you imagine how good McNabb could be with a commitment to the run like they've shown the last 4 weeks? Christ, it isn't like the run offense sucked before McNabb went down. Reid can be such a jackass.
Yep, its sad. I don't understand it. And I am a Reid fan. I think the adjustments he has made to turn this around have shown that he is a good coach. But he gets so damn throw-happy with McNabb that it has hurt this team. We can only hope that this glimpse of a real live functioning NFL balanced offense being called by Morningwood will force him to keep that status quo. Or if he ever does take back the duties when McNabb is back he needs to balance it.
Notice how much he has been smoking Westbrook's pipe these last few weeks? He's finally realized that 36 is the guy who this offense should be focused around.
Also - Westbrook's more vocal approach is something I like. He has come out of his shell so to speak.
In this crazy NFC who knows what can happen. But this team has ignited at the right time.
McNabb needs a run game. All great QBs need a run game. I hope this will carry over to next season. The attitude this team has right now is great. They are playing with an intensity we haven't seen all year. Simply awesome.
He doesn't NEED a run game; he has a very good one. The bone-headed icehole with the playcard needs to use it more often.
so reid is a good coach now because he gave up calling plays?
That or, winning makes people stupid in the head.
Put me down for the latter.
Andy has always been able to put together a pretty good gameplan for a game, it's when adjustments are needed in game where he becomes brain dead. Their gameplans the past few weeks have worked well and not many adjustments were needed, it remains to be seen if Marty is any better at adjusting mid-game than Reid.
hopefully this helps Reid realize that he cant do it all himself. I think he and Marty make a good tandem for game calling. Nothing wrong with letting an O coordinator earn his paycheck.
After 11 days in solitude and a whole lot of disbelief about the last two games, I can finally say this... I have never been happier to be wrong about something.
This team in general and the defense in particular looks completely different over the past few weeks. Not even remotely similar to the way they were playing for the first 11 weeks. Reid's decision to let the play-calling be done by someone else might be the best thing he's ever done as a head coach. Brian Dawkins looks like he's 26 again.
Having said that, this little run shows two very important and troubling things:
It shows without a shadow of a doubt how awful Reid is at in-game coaching. Morninweg isn't exactly regarded as an offensive or tactical genius and he has done infinitely better with this offense than Reid did.
It reflects poorly on McNabb's ability to motivate his fellow players. Garcia isn't half the QB that McNabb is, but he's getting the job done and his emotion on the field has obviously been contageous.
But jesus am I enjoying this.
Quote from: T_Section224 on December 26, 2006, 07:06:52 AM
Quote from: FFatPatt on December 25, 2006, 08:05:17 PM2. Jeff Garcia would go 3-0 on the road against the NFC East in weeks 14-16
i didn't think they could do it when they had a healthy mcnabb.
I think the point is that this TEAM is playing better with Garcia.
team football!
I think SunMo made a good observation about Reid being horrible at in-game adjustments. However, Reid's overall gameplans have been pretty good throughout his tenure. Reid had his fair share of blowout wins; everyone seems to forget that when Reid puts together a bad gameplan and/or fails to make adjustments.
Obviously Reid still has some input on how the gameplan on offense is handled. Morningwig doesn't have complete reign over the gameplan on offense like JJ does on D. I just think that Reid is listening more and letting Marty have more leeway than before. I just hope this type of mentality lasts into next year with McNabb having a balanced offense to run and an O-line that just absolutely mauls people. It was nice to see the O-line kick the crap out of a pretty good front 7 for the Cowboys.
But I also share the concern that rjs has about Garcia actually being able to light a fire under this team and sparking them to perform at such a high level. You know the media is going to try and get some interviews with McNabb going into the post-season on what he thinks of this transformation and someone will eventually ask the question as to why the team seems to be responding to Jeff more than they do to McNabb.
Also, the only blemish from last night is that the Eagles need to put it in the end zone more on those extremely long drives. Have 12 play 80 yard drives need to be punched in against teams that are also performing at a high level (i.e. the playoffs). Other than that, it was a great game to watch.
Quote from: rjs246 on December 26, 2006, 11:43:56 AM
It reflects poorly on McNabb's ability to motivate his fellow players. Garcia isn't half the QB that McNabb is, but he's getting the job done and his emotion on the field has obviously been contageous.
The team's playing better because:
1) They realize that Garcia isn't as good as McNabb
B) They are running the ball quite a bit more
I don't think the difference between the emotion displayed by either QB matters.
I don't see this as a long standing issue (although the media will pimp it) UNLESS Garcia actually manages to win the SuperBowl. Then I think it becomes a big out of control freight train. You can already predict the headlines - why is Reid using a WCO when McNabb clearly isn't suited for it? Did we miss multiple SBs because McNabb can't run the offense? Is he a choker?
Of course, I'll take all that if the win the big one.
Quote from: Eaglez on December 26, 2006, 12:59:57 PM
Also, the only blemish from last night is that the Eagles need to put it in the end zone more on those extremely long drives. Have 12 play 80 yard drives need to be punched in against teams that are also performing at a high level (i.e. the playoffs).
Agreed. The Cowboys were supposed to have a very good defense that the Eagles were not supposed to do anything against, so for me to nit pick at this would be premature.
That being said, this team has gotten better on both sides of the ball every single week since the Indy game, and I hope they will continue to do so until February. :-X
Another plus is Garcia'a playoff experience. Not many backup qbs have that. Especially winning them. I remember Garcia leading us in that come from behind win against the Giants a few years ago.
Quote from: MadMarchHare on December 26, 2006, 02:01:39 PM
I don't see this as a long standing issue (although the media will pimp it) UNLESS Garcia actually manages to win the SuperBowl. Then I think it becomes a big out of control freight train. You can already predict the headlines - why is Reid using a WCO when McNabb clearly isn't suited for it? Did we miss multiple SBs because McNabb can't run the offense? Is he a choker?
Of course, I'll take all that if the win the big one.
Mcnabbs a PUKER not a CHOKER
Its sickening to think people actually think Garcia would be a better suit than McNabb. Its sickening. Like some said before, put McNabb into the same game plan the Eagles are running now and watch it go. I've been screaming it all year. Run the damn ball. This team can be smash mouth. This team can run the ball, they just have to try. Now some fans think Garcia is the best evar! I'm not taking credit away from Garcia because he has earned his paycheck and surprised the hell out of everyone. He helped lift the team up from near catastrophy, but to think the team would be better of with Garcia at the helm than McNabb is foolish.
The defense is playing the way it is designed now because the offense can sustain drives for more than 1 minute. Westbrook has been our most important weapon all year and should deserve just as much credit if not more of saving our season than Garcia and those coaches who adjusted. Reid should not be let off the hook until McNabb gets back into the saddle and the plays he decides to call. He(Reid) is still valuable to the team but I think the philosophy needs to change from big play to smash mouth.
Regardless of the people calling for McNabbs head, I am damn proud of this team and the adjustments that were made. They humbled down and started to play real football. I cannot wait for next weeks game. I want them to beat the ever living shtein out of the Falcons.
farg Dallas and Happy Holidays! E-A-G-L-E-S....EAGLES!
Quote from: mussa on December 26, 2006, 02:29:34 PM
Its sickening to think people actually think Garcia would be a better suit than McNabb. Its sickening. Like some said before, put McNabb into the same game plan the Eagles are running now and watch it go. I've been screaming it all year. Run the damn ball. This team can be smash mouth. This team can run the ball, they just have to try. Now some fans think Garcia is the best evar! I'm not taking credit away from Garcia because he has earned his paycheck and surprised the hell out of everyone. He helped lift the team up from near catastrophy, but to think the team would be better of with Garcia at the helm than McNabb is foolish.
The defense is playing the way it is designed now because the offense can sustain drives for more than 1 minute. Westbrook has been our most important weapon all year and should deserve just as much credit if not more of saving our season than Garcia and those coaches who adjusted. Reid should not be let off the hook until McNabb gets back into the saddle and the plays he decides to call. He(Reid) is still valuable to the team but I think the philosophy needs to change from big play to smash mouth.
Regardless of the people calling for McNabbs head, I am damn proud of this team and the adjustments that were made. They humbled down and started to play real football. I cannot wait for next weeks game. I want them to beat the ever living shtein out of the Falcons.
farg Dallas and Happy Holidays! E-A-G-L-E-S....EAGLES!
QFT
mcnabb>garcia any day of the week and esp on sunday
QFT=Quite farging True? Quit farging Talking?
???
Quilts For Timmy?
quick, fondle tina
It is just somewhat frustrating that it took so long for the Eagles to create a balanced offense and actually run the football considering how well the offensive line has jelled. It is even more frustrating that players seemingly expected McNabb to make all the plays by himself and it took McNabb's injury to finally have the team wake up and 'rally' around Garcia.
Don't get me wrong, it's great to see. But at the same time it is frustrating that it took these circumstances to finally display the capability of our O-line and RBs.
BTW, The o-line has only given up 6 sacks in 6 games that Garcia has played (5 started). I have to think it is partly due to the run game wearing down the opposing D's line. I would say that Garcia getting the ball out quicker is also a factor, but from watching the game it is pretty apparent that Garcia has all day to throw back there.
Hey... I won't lie to anyone here. When McNabb went down, I figured 2006 was a wrap. We fell to 5-4 in the game he went out and I figured we'd end up something like 6-10.
Like rjs... I'm not sure I've ever been so happy to be wrong about something in my entire life. Even with a healthy McNabb, I figured if we could go 2-1 on those 3 road division games, I'd call that a success. Never did it even cross my mind that we'd sweep all 3 of them... each game looking better than the last.
The playcalling has been EXCELLENT... the defense has done a complete 180... and the whole team is playing with a confidence that you can just feel. I only pray that it's not just a flash in the pan and that this is the team we'll see the rest of the way.
When McNabb went down I thought the season was over. I actually missed the game he went down in, but I remember hearing that they got beat pretty bad and McNabb was out for the season. If you would've told me then that they'd make the playoffs I woulda laughed in your face.... ooops.
My pops didn't predict it, but he did say that the injury was a blessing in disguise because they'll be forced to run the ball. I remember thinking "yeah right, you watching the same Andy Reid coached team that I am?" He was right, and I've been dead wrong about everything involving the Eagles this year (except for the fact that running the ball = good for the O and D, but we all knew that). I couldn't be happier that I was wrong. ;D
I keep arguing with a Giants fan who always instant messages me after every win saying something like ... "see what happens when you have a real quarterback??" It's so irritating. This whole run, as great as its been, has the Mcnabb haters coming out of the woodworks...
I just remind him how his team traded Merriman and Rivers for Eli... and that usually shuts him up.
Wait, a Giants fan messages you and says the Eagles don't have a real QB?
ok
After McNabb went down, I beleive I said the only game they'd probably win the rest of the way was the taterskins game.
I also said that if they decided to run the ball now with McNabb out, and the defense played a little better, it'd actually give them a shot at the playoffs because of how terrible the NFC is. I'm not sure how much I actually believed it, but I did say it, mostly after the Panthers game.
Soooo....Eagles vs. Packers in first round would be nice.
I may have predicted 10-6, but nothing like this!... I gave up looking at my W-L Schedule after Tennesee. I figured they would have won a couple more of those middle of the year games and lost a couple of these road games I'm sure. Who knew 8-8 could get you in the Playoffs this year?
I did say that Garcia was a "chicken w/his head cut off" and would gladly eat crow if he won these games, beat Dallas, and got us to the playoffs. There shouldn't be any controversy when McNabb comes back. Garcia is lucky to be a back-up on the Eagles sideline. He came from trying to be a starter in Detroit and Cleveland right? Why would he want to try that venture again with another team? and at 37, how long could he be a starter again. Steve Mariucci had his back from the start. Deion Sanders said the Eagles were through and Marriucci butted in and said "wait a minute now...Jeff Garcia is a good veteran and tough QB w/3 Probowls under his belt!"
Time to go eat my Crow! mmmmm Crow!
This team would have done quite well all year long had anyone on the offense showed some kind of emotion. McNabb's never been that guy, and the offense has never needed him to be. It had those guys before, and the offense worked, even without great players. Duce. Owens. Even motherfarging Freddie. Farg these players if they decided to step up after McNabb got hurt. Again. Step the farg up in the first place, maybe do your job before your QB gets hurt.
I thought this team would get their ass beat. This is the best crow I've ever tasted.
Why the hell do you I think I bought my #7 jersey the second his gay ass signed here? Come on.
Quote from: General_Failure on December 27, 2006, 01:44:28 AM
This team would have done quite well all year long had anyone on the offense showed some kind of emotion. McNabb's never been that guy, and the offense has never needed him to be. It had those guys before, and the offense worked, even without great players. Duce. Owens. Even motherfarging Freddie. Farg these players if they decided to step up after McNabb got hurt. Again. Step the farg up in the first place, maybe do your job before your QB gets hurt.
Amen.
GF -- right on point.
I can't wait to get McNabb back under center, but I just hope and pray that people took notice of what happened while he was gone.
1) Running the ball in a football game works. And works well. With McNabb throwing strong, deep, short, outside, and scrambling and Westbrook running the ball hard during a game, this could be a great team.
2) Emotion. McNabb's personality is great for locker room, press conferences, and commercials, but I want to see him get in some players faces during the game like we saw outta Garcia.
3) Defense playing with fire under their asses.
There... a simple 3-pronged approach to getting to the Superbowl and continuing to dominate the NFC East (and the NFC) for 2007 and 2008.
Dominating the NFC is pretty simple right now.
Step 1: Show up.
Quote from: General_Failure on December 27, 2006, 01:27:28 PM
Dominating the NFC is pretty simple right now.
Step 1: Show up.
When the Eagles do that on a regular basis,
then I'll say dominating the NFC is easy right now.
I was talking about the Bears and Saints.
One thing separates Garcia from McNabb: leadership. If the Eagles still had any leaders on offense, then McNabb would be the better choice. This offense was playing with no heart until Garcia came in here and started kicking some ass.
I was calling for Feely too. Guess I'm not the only one picking black feathers out of my teeth.
Or it is the offense felt that McNabb could do everything by themselves and played uninspired football for a few weeks -- especially on the defensive side. Now that they know they can't just rely on McNabb making plays they have to pick up the slack and are playing better football.
I think both arguments (McNabb didn't provide that 'fire' and the Eagles expected McNabb to do everything) have some merit. But, since everyone sees Garcia jumping up and down and displaying emotion we like to think that explanation is the only feasible one.
Garcia's play has been great. But I don't think anyone would seriously choose Garcia as a replacement in the long term over McNabb. Also, I think the unsung hero of the turnaround is the offensive line. They are just mauling people and opening up the run game and giving great protection in the passing game.
The two major factors, IMO, for the turn-around on offense is (1) the offensive line play (2) the commitment to the run
For the defense, they have just been making more plays and turnovers. Up until last week they still couldn't really stop the run, but the difference was that they were helping to keep teams out of the end zone and making critical turnovers at the right time.
If Garcia had an arm, I dont think there would still be such a commitment to run the last couple of games. Alot of his picks in Frisco were just cuz he couldnt hit open WRs in stride downfield.
More insight: The last time I saw Garcia play like this was his first or second year(cant remember) with the 9ers. After having some success, Garcia went into a little slump, throwing picks and losing a couple of games. Bill Walsh then went public and told our local media Garcia was at his "limit" or at his "maximum level of play" or something just like that. Man, after that, that boy went on a rampage. Awhile afterwards, TO started mouthing off......
I agree with demon about mcnabb being good for media and public relations. As a leader on the field, I have serious doubts. Especially with the way he handled the TO debacle last year when he needed to punch him in the mouth and take control of the lockerroom.
Anyways, I havent ever seen Garcia like this. That boy is so possessed right now. He does not care what anyone thinks or says. He is taking control of that offense whether you like it or not and he's playing to win it all.
Garcia is playing like a man on fire, like he sees his last shot at the Superbowl and he's going for it 150%. I have loved McNabb and never would want to start next season without him starting, but if he had come back and was ready to play right now, who in their right mind would sit Garcia with the way he's playing?
Let me comment on that last comment. It would be an interesting situation if Dmac came back for the playoffs. I wouldn't want to have to make that decision.
What I would like to see is McNabb at the helm with the same commitment to the run.
No... it's not interesting at all. If McNabb were to be healthy for the playoffs... he plays.
People have some short ass memories. McNabb was an MVP candidate and was tied for the league lead in TD passes leading the #1 offense in the NFL when he went down. He was far from the problem this year.
Garcia is playing great ball... not taking that away from him at all... but the difference is the playcalling, not his "intensity". Andy has switched from passing 65% of the time to 50% of the time and that has benefitted him greatly. If he were to lean on Garcia the same way he leans on McNabb... he would have buckled hard and we'd be nowhere near the playoffs.
The simple solution is to keep this same balanced, agressive playcalling when McNabb comes back because as good as Garcia has been, McNabb gives us a better chance to win.
It just seems like the offense is more consistent now. With McNabb in there is was big play or bust. Now, the Eagles have a balanced attack and sustain more long drives and eat up more clock and wear out the opposing D.
I would love to see McNabb in a balanced approach next season. The team can immensely benefit from it both offensively and defensively.
I'd trade 3 play 60 yard drive for a 12 play 80 yard drive that eats 7-8 minutes off the clock any day of the week.
What's even better is that with a balanced attack the Eagles still always have the opportunity for the big play with McNabb's arm, and it should be more wide open than ever with the defense having to respect the running game and the underneath stuff.
I feel like I'm sounding like a broken record, or that all this stuff has been repeated ad infinitum, but it is a winning formula.
Feely's numbers with the backups should put a lid on Garthiamania. It won't, but it should. Clearly, any half-decent backup can come in and win with these players if both the offense and defense show up to play.
Also, cut Moats.
I dunno, putting McNabb back in during the playoffs reminds me of Wade Phillips benching Flutie for Rob Johnson after Flutie led em there. Not sayin Mcnabb is Johnson, juss sayin'
Already been done here with McNabb.
Quote from: TRUCK RATHMAN on December 31, 2006, 10:07:12 PM
I dunno, putting McNabb back in during the playoffs reminds me of Wade Phillips benching Flutie for Rob Johnson after Flutie led em there. Not sayin Mcnabb is Johnson, juss sayin'
McNabb can't play in the playoffs, even if he's healthy. He's on IR and thus ineligible.
Quote from: Eaglez on December 31, 2006, 09:23:58 PM
It just seems like the offense is more consistent now. With McNabb in there is was big play or bust. Now, the Eagles have a balanced attack and sustain more long drives and eat up more clock and wear out the opposing D.
That's because the pass/run ratio went from 65/35 with McNabb to what is now 50/50 with Garcia.
A whole lot more managable 3rd down situations when you run the ball consistently. If McNabb didn't make a big play for a score... more often than not... the drive is destined to stall because we're bound to get into a tough 3rd and long.
Quote from: EagleFeva on December 31, 2006, 11:06:15 PM
If McNabb didn't make a big play for a score... more often than not... the drive is destined to stall because we're bound to get into a tough 3rd and short, forcing Reid to call a pass.
They never saw it coming!
Quote from: EagleFeva on December 31, 2006, 11:06:15 PM
Quote from: Eaglez on December 31, 2006, 09:23:58 PM
It just seems like the offense is more consistent now. With McNabb in there is was big play or bust. Now, the Eagles have a balanced attack and sustain more long drives and eat up more clock and wear out the opposing D.
That's because the pass/run ratio went from 65/35 with McNabb to what is now 50/50 with Garcia.
A whole lot more managable 3rd down situations when you run the ball consistently. If McNabb didn't make a big play for a score... more often than not... the drive is destined to stall because we're bound to get into a tough 3rd and long.
Absolutely, Feva. That's why I would love to see McNabb run a balanced offense next year. Him having a reliable run game and getting this massive O-line mauling people early could lead to some great games.
Quote from: Eaglez on January 01, 2007, 12:56:03 AM
Quote from: EagleFeva on December 31, 2006, 11:06:15 PM
Quote from: Eaglez on December 31, 2006, 09:23:58 PM
It just seems like the offense is more consistent now. With McNabb in there is was big play or bust. Now, the Eagles have a balanced attack and sustain more long drives and eat up more clock and wear out the opposing D.
That's because the pass/run ratio went from 65/35 with McNabb to what is now 50/50 with Garcia.
A whole lot more managable 3rd down situations when you run the ball consistently. If McNabb didn't make a big play for a score... more often than not... the drive is destined to stall because we're bound to get into a tough 3rd and long.
Absolutely, Feva. That's why I would love to see McNabb run a balanced offense next year. Him having a reliable run game and getting this massive O-line mauling people early could lead to some great games.
You two are exactly right, sometimes McNabb could make those third and longs, but no qb can do it on a consistant basis. You have to make teams respect the run game.
The Eagles threw the ball 36 times yesterday and ran it 17 times.
Yay balance.
That works against broken, worthless teams. Reid's record shows that.
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on January 01, 2007, 10:36:28 AM
The Eagles threw the ball 36 times yesterday and ran it 17 times.
Yay balance.
Yeah, but they had a whole new interior line and Herremans and Andrews playing out of their regular positions. Plus, they had Ryan Moats hitting the holes when nothing was there.
I'm guessing Marty changed up the gameplan a little when AJ got into the game to give him more reps and get the WRs and TEs more involved going into the playoffs.
I wasn't too concerned about not being 'balanced' this game because of the circumstances they were playing under.
I was kidding, fellas.
;)
They could have thrown the ball every down yesterday and I wouldn't have cared in the least.
BTW: Ryan Moats looked super-duper, huh? Discounting the one 13 yard run he had, he got 9 yards on 10 carries. :-D
Quote from: Jerome99RIP on January 01, 2007, 12:23:25 PM
I was kidding, fellas.
;)
They could have thrown the ball every down yesterday and I wouldn't have cared in the least.
BTW: Ryan Moats looked super-duper, huh? Discounting the one 13 yard run he had, he got 9 yards on 10 carries. :-D
In his defense he hasn't played all season and was running behind a backup O-line vs. a decent front 7.
there is no defense for moats
Quote from: ice grillin you on January 01, 2007, 12:50:51 PM
there is no defense for moats
you're right, he's the ultimate weapon