Let the 2005 season begin. GAME THREAD!

[TexasEagle]

Pressure wasn't the real problem, the offense just played like shtein. What's it been, twice in the last six years that the offense came out in game one and played like a pro offense? Actually, that should be one and a half given the choke job against the Titans a few years back.

That said, it's too early to think about how or what the team will do, so there's no point in freaking out right now. Even as zesty as they played (and they played like shtein sans the D for 3 quarters) they still had a chance to win the game at the end... twice. If they're still pulling this crap around the bye week games, then that's a different story. Would have been nice if the O wasn't so Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde at times.

[Sgt PSN]

If they're pulling this crap next week against San Fran it's a different story.  San Fran's win this week is a "feel good" story but they are far inferior to the Eagles.  If the Eagles don't win this game in a laugher I might be concerned. 

[pinoyboy2pt0]

C'mon, nobody that wasn't here for the whole thing read that. It's 31 pages now.

Just saying he missed some. 

[General_Failure]

The good news is nobody is really crying over Trotter. Yeah the defense got run all over, but they managed to keep the game close.

[pinoyboy2pt0]

yeah, thank god Simoneau wasn't starting at MLB. 

[TexasEagle]

Even without Trotter the D did what they needed to do (got turnovers, kept the score low, kept the Falcons out of the endzone after the first Q) but the Offense didn't do enough to capitalize on the opportunities they got. The D got run on, but not up the gut.

[General_Failure]

I'm still not sold on this 3 WR set 70% of the time crap.

[WEST is GOD]

Did Mcnabb have his x-rays yet or no?

I'd assume they would take them after the game.

If not, and they get them done tomorrow, and he has a cracked sternum, how much time is that out? Or does he just play through it?

[pinoyboy2pt0]

I'm still not sold on this 3 WR set 70% of the time crap.

...and it looks like teams won't be buying our "play-action" anymore either.

Andy's thinking: Throw ball more!

[satoshi]

Haven't seen the game yet, but I hope it's not as bad as the 2003 opener with the bucs.

[ice grillin you]

If anyone thinks they're done b/c of this they're nuts

who would possibly think they are done...problem now is as i mentioned a couple days ago they will be 2-2 coming out of kc...dallas will be 4-0...

which makes @ dallas oct 9th a must win...not a comfy situation to be in

[Zanshin]

Also something of note:

Ed Donatell always seems to get good pressure on Mcnabb. He did in the playoff game with the Packers 2 years ago(even though we won) and he did today. He didn't really get much last year in the NFCCG, but for the most part he seems to do well getting pressure against the Eagles.

Yeah, his D really shut down the Eagles last year in the Championship game, and the year before that on that 4th and 26 play.

[Zanshin]

Did Mcnabb have his x-rays yet or no?

I'd assume they would take them after the game.

If not, and they get them done tomorrow, and he has a cracked sternum, how much time is that out? Or does he just play through it?

I'm not sure why you're so hung up on it.  After that initial hit, he didn't wince once because of that, and his throwing motion looked the same.  I'd be shocked if it was anything more than a bruise.

[ice grillin you]

I'd be shocked if it was anything more than a bruise

if it was just a bruise he should be ashamed of himself....not only was he pathetically inaccurate...but he pouted the whole game...just didnt seem to wanna be there...how that could be after the pre game emotions is beyond me...thats why i gotta think he was hurting more than is being let on

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I know all of this was probably mentioned by now, but here's my $0.02:

Pros:

1. Defense got better as the game went on, and provided turnovers.  Dawkins is all kinds of ill.  They adjusted and bottled up the run, and Vick proved to be ineffective down the stretch while throwing on the run.  Pitched a shutout for the last 3 quarters.
2. Kick/punt coverage was stellar.  Rossum was not a threat whatsoever.
3. Shawn Andrews and Mike Patterson both played excellently.  Andrews was definitely the best OL on the field, and Patterson was much more involved in the game than either DE.
4. Westbrook did an admirable job in blitz pickups when he was in the backfield.
5. Receivers seemed to be running good routes and made plays when given the chance, for the most part.  Donovan was erratic last night, but they stuck with it.  Greg Lewis' catch on 3rd and 3 on that final drive was huge, and it was a laser with a DB all over him.

Cons:

1. Runyan looks old and slow.  Neither he nor Thomas could deal with speed blitzers at all last night.
2. Hicks and Fraley are obviously very average.  The Falcons were smart to make sure Rod Coleman was up against that side of the interior line, and he wreaked havoc early and often, both in the running game and the passing game.
3. McNabb let either the hit to the chest or the pressure from the constant blitzes get to him, and he never got in the groove.  He looked like the Donovan from 2002, not the Donovan from 2004.  I also noticed he had a nice lane to run for 10 yards on the ill-advised backwards loft pass to Westbrook.  He's infuriating when he won't take what the defense gives him.
4. Penalties.  Are you kidding me with some of this crap?  This team is supposed to be an elite, experienced team.  They were having enough problems getting 10 yards in 3 downs, but making it 15, 20, or 25 made it impossible.
5. Running game?  Awful blocking by the left side of the line.  Not much better on the right.  Got lucky on some long runs, but mostly left Westbrook out to dry.
6. Jevon Kearse didn't earn his paycheck last night.  He was often single-teamed by a TE successfully.  Pathetic.
7. I know they're 49 yarders, but Akers missing two kicks in a dome?  If he makes the first one, the tone and mentality of the game changes immensely from the first drive.  If he makes them both, the Eagles win.

That's about it for now.  Sucked to lose, because it means the team will probably be 2-2 at the bye week.