Pretty much been the 'season of discontent' in Philly but there are a few things that have gone under the radar that have been real positives:

- Colt Anderson on special teams coverage

Followed up a solid year last year where he was 2nd on the team in special teams coverage tackles (11 which trailed Fokou's 14 tackles) with an absolutely outstanding year this year on special teams coverage. He has already duplicated his number of tackles (11 in just 9 games) and leads the NFL right now. Also has been just penalized once compared to 3 times last year.

Aren't many players on the Eagles having a Pro Bowl-caliber year but Colt Anderson is and deserves some serious merit at this point for a Pro Bowl for his outstanding work on special teams coverage. He's done Bobby Aprile proud.

via www.csnphilly.com

- Brent Celek's running block ability:

While no one is ever going to confuse Celek's running-block ability with say Mark Bavaro in his prime, it is something he has really worked on the past few years or so with dramatic improvement. I have always appreciated players who work on the parts of their game that are lacking and improve them enough over time to become average or even better. Celek's reached that point this year.

In 2008, Celek was rated the 57th out of 58 TE (-10.3) in run blocking according to PFF. Simply put, he just got blown off the ball most times. In 2009, he showed little improvement rated just 55th out of 61 TE (-10.3). Last year, he was 26th out of 61 TEs (-2.6).

This past offseason he worked with Mudd to improve this running block technique to get better leverage and ability to drive opposing DEs/LBs back and added another 10 pds of muscle mainly in his lower body. He's up to 16th out of 53 TEs (-0.3) this year and really has become a solid asset as a run blocker. While it is not something that will directly show up in the box score, Celek's notable improvement as a run blocker has definitely helped McCoy and this offense to be among the league leader's in a bunch of rushing categories.

via bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com

- 'Lunch Pail' work of Derek Landri

I love watching Landri play because when you talk about 'effort/energy' guys he is probably the best example the Eagles have right now on the DL especially since Cole has been hobbled even since his return. Since Landri has gotten into the lineup in Week 5 vs. Bills, all he has done is make plays by plugging the point of attack especially against the run & even supplying a little pass rush. Besides the Pats game where he had 2 penalties and didn't play that well, he had been the Eagles most consistent performer on the DL the past 6 weeks or so.

Ryan would have loved a guy like Landri who while isn't the most athletically-gifted player or an imposing physical specimen has been giving this defense both consistency and effort. Something that can't be said for a number of other players on this defense this year.

via gcobb.com

There have been other positives too on this team (Peters, Mathis, McCoy) but I tried to focus on some of the things that are somewhat below the radar and not getting much attention.

Any others people would add?

• Vick looked like a guy who had very fresh legs today on those open-field scampers.  Wonder how long that lasts if he keeps taking shots like he did today
• McCoy had several carries today where the Rams penetrated behind the line yet he didn't have a single carry for negative yardage
• Ronnie Brown is going to resent signing here when he realizes he only is going to average 3-4 touches a game because Reid simply doesn't use his backup RB much
• Surprised at much Peters seemed to struggle today especially in the 1st qtr
• Celek stayed in a bunch of plays to block again today
• Schmitt was largely MIA today and that is something I bet you see a ton of this season
• Jarrad Page, your FS for the foreseeable future
• Kurt Coleman is a good tackler when he isn't getting knocked on his a$$
  
• Eagles' LBs are like puppies - over-pursuing on every single running play
• I thought Jamar Chaney was supposed to be good in coverage.  He couldn't even cover C. Williams today in the open field
• Cole is going to like not getting double-teamed every single play
• Wonder how long before Henery is really tested with a crucial 4th-qtr FG

• Play calling twists and plays that should be junked
  

Reid just loves the shovel-pass down near the goal-line.  It has been a staple here since his earliest days.  Hell, I can remember Staley scoring a couple of TDs on it.  Liked the little wrinkle today where Vick pumped fake, threw it overhead to McCoy, and McCoy scampered into the end zone for their 1st TD.   It was a good call & a nice wrinkle.

What I don't understand is why Reid is so enamored with the delayed draw running plays that again have been a long-time staple in the Eagles' playbook under Reid.  Ever since Westbrook became the primary back, they love calling at least 2-3 of them a game.  Usually more. 

I hate them.  They take too long to develop, have too high of a possibility of downside in no gain or even a loss, and don't let McCoy find a hole & just go.  Don't expect the Eagles are going to run many conventional plays with 2 backs or almost every use a traditional running back set such as an I-formation or split backs behind the QB but I wish they would largely scrap this play.  Maybe if they had an experienced line this play would be effective but it seem to just backfire today.  Better to largely junk it until the line has a bit more cohesion together.

• Too many blind-side shots and too many needless chances

Don't understand for the life of me why Vick  goes head-first at times instead of sliding, stays in bounds to get a few more yards instead of going out of bounds, or challenging guys in the open-field.  Needless risk with little upside pay out.  So he gets a few more yards on a carry.  Big deal.  He was better in the 2nd half today about that but man he took a bunch of largely needless risks in the 1st half. 

Shots Vicks took from guys blitzing untouched from his blindside today were tough to watch today.  I counted 3 times today a guy came from his blindside untouched to deliver a really hard hit Vick.  At best, he senses it at the last minute to escape.  At worst, he gets hit & fumbles the ball or winds up getting carted off the field.  If this keeps up, it is inevitable he gets injured and very possibly severely.

This was a real problem last year because McGlynn was poor at calling up protection schemes, MJG and Justice weren't able to protect him, and the Eagles struggled to scheme against it much of the 2nd half especially during the Minnesota game and afterwards. Eagles either fix this soon or Vick will starting do what he did last year which is running prematurely at times because he doesn't feel safe in the pocket.  Can't blame him either.

• Throw at Samuel at your own risk

Rams don't exactly have the weapons nor did Bradford have much time to throw outside today.  Still, I was kind of baffled at how much the Rams were willing to challenge Samuel today.  Only counted 2 attempted passes against Ashmugha while I counted 5? attempted vs. Samuel.  Big mistake. 

Samuel came out to play today with a chip on his shoulder.  It was evident early.  He was on his guy all day.  No 7-yard cushions today from Samuel.  Hell, Samuel even made 2 unassisted, open-field tackles today that made me made think 'WTF, Samuel made that tackle?!'  

I can understand why teams don't want to challenge Ashmugha but teams are really going to try to challenge Samuel at least 5-6 times a game and maybe more.  If that is the case, Samuel is going to finish with a bunch of INTs.  Good change for even double digits and one or two pick-6s.

• Colt Anderson - Special teams coverage kamikaze motherf@cker

Love watching guys on special teams coverage especially on punts who just bust it to get down there to potentially deliver a big hit on the kick/punt returner.  Some people on here questioned why Anderson made the team.  I didn't. 

Clear a guy like April realizes the value in having a guy like Anderson on the roster.  One of the best Eagles' I have ever seen covering punts.  Anderson got away with not having a penalty called on him today but much rather have a penalty that is committed due too much aggression than not enough.  One of the guys on this team who I simply don't question his effort.   He gives you everything on every play he is in there.

• Reid's clock management skills or lack therefor of

My friend bet me that Reid would blow all of the Eagles' timeouts in the 1st half by the end of the 1st quarter and lose at least one challenge during the game.    He was 1 for 2. Eagles lost a challenge on that Gibson catch that they should have know right away that there wasn't enough conclusive evidence to overturn.  Eagles did have a single timeout for the last drive of the 1st half which of course they burned after Vick completed an incomplete pass to stop the clock at 3:34 on 1st down.  

There is a lot of stuff that Reid gets unfairly criticized for and some stuff that is just ridiculous.  His ability to challenge plays and manage the game clock are simply woeful.  Yahoos on WIP are right to lampoon him time-and-time again because he always burnouts timeouts foolishly and loses his share of challenges.  Just have to learn to live with these two shortcomings from Reid.  

Just wanted to put a fan post that records the final score predictions of various folks on here before the game. Just reply with who you will think will win the game, final score, and brief thoughts.  Add your 2 cents and recommend to keep at the top.  Thanks.   

I am saying Packers 31-23.  Eagles move the ball effectively but unfortunately miss some opportunities in the red zone that come back to cost them the game.

Went to the game last night and here are a few observations:

1. It was like a preseason crowd last night.

There was almost no energy in that place from the opening kickoff.  Whatever energy was literally stripped along with football when Winfield stripped Vick.  After that it only got loud again 1-2 times in the 2nd half on a couple of 3rd downs.  Even on that critical 3 & 11 though in the 4th quarter, it wasn't nearly as loud as it I have heard the Linc before. 

People were also somewhat late getting to their seats to the opening kickoff and especially after half-time.  I was stunned at how many empty seats there were around us at the start of the 2nd half.  Most people didn't file back into our section until at least 3-4 minutes into the 3rd quarter.  That's very unlike Eagles fans.  Maybe it was because it was a Tues. night.  Maybe it was the holidays.  Probably a little of both.  Don't miss the Vet for Phils' games one bit but I did miss the Vet last night because the upper levels were almost always loud during important games.  Wasn't the case last night.

2. Worn out Eagles' DL.

Even with the rest, it looks like a DL that simply is running short of bodies and energy.  Losing Graham wasn't critical on the production side as much as it was on helping to keep the DE fresh.  Parker is a guy who simply wears out by Dec if he plays a lot.  It has happened almost every year in an Eagles' uniform.  The same guy who gets to the QB in Sept/Oct simply has lost a half-step.  Parker simply looks spent.  Doubt he is effective the rest of the way. 

Cole also looks worn out too.  He had a sack last night but it was only when he wasn't double-teamed.  Any time he faces a double-team he simply doesn't have the extra gear to get to the QB.  Doesn't even need to be a great block by a TE/RB/FB.  Just a chip or a push.  Hopefully the rest next week gives him some fresher legs because Eagles desperately need him to be more effective vs. Packers in their 1st playoff game.  Tapp hasn't been the answer either this year as their situational pass-rusher.  He makes the occasional play but doesn't bring what Howard did as a situational rusher 2-3 years ago on passing downs.

DL is also getting a bit thin.  Never thought that losing Laws would be a big deal.  It was.  Eagles really missed him on 3rd downs last night after he went out with that shoulder injury in the 1st half.  He is one of their 'energy guys' who has given them a boost at times on 3rd down this year.  Another guy who hopefully will benefit from the rest and be able to play vs. the Packers in 12 days.  Dixon also looks a bit tired too.  Hitting the rookie wall a bit.  Losing Owens last night to a knee injury too didn't help.  

Basically the Eagles are going to be forced to starting relying more upon marginal guys like Burgess and the likely body they will sign to fill Owens spot.  Not a good thing.  All the while, DTO isn't being dressed.  Pretty damning indictment of what a lousy draft pick he was.

3.  Utter confusion on picking up blitzes

This all really started back in the 1st Giants' game at the Linc where the Giants showed the league the first real example on how to slow down the Eagles a bit.  Their front four wasn't that effective at all at getting to Vick but he took some real shots especially from Phillips on plays where the Giants' sent 6 or even 7 blitzers.  Since then, it seems like more and more teams are willing to put their CBs on an island in order to get to Vick with blitzers. 

There are a couple of reasons why this team seems to be struggling with the blitz.  Most of it is due to the offensive line especially McGlynn.  Besides just being too slow with his footwork, McGlynn seems to have to really struggled with calling out assignments/making adjustments at the line before the snap, determining the right man to pick up on bltizing downs, and his terribly inconsistent snaps.  If the Eagles are going shotgun with 4 WRS and nobody in the backfield, you simply need a direct and quality snap to Vick.  Instead, Vick often get a lollipop snap that sails to high and/or is errant in direction.  The snap should hit in the numbers.  Not 2-3 feet to the right nor at his knees.  It costs him a very precious half-second or so.  McGlynn isn't terrible.  His shortcomings though get really exposed though right now when opposing teams blitz. 

Things also aren't helped by the fact that MJG is simply a below average pass blocker and that Justice is playing with a hobbled left knee that his mobility right now.  Limits his ability to push off on run blocking and his ability to pivot to move guys to the outside.  Justice really struggled last night against a generally mediocre DE. 

Running backs aren't helping things either.  McCoy generally has done a much better job this season at identifying which man to pick up and making a quality block.  He didn't do either last night.  Schmitt is hopeless.  Not sure if it is the scheme or just his limited awareness but he flat out stinks at identifying which man to pick up on blitzes.  I cringe when other teams blitz & he is the only back in the backfield.  You almost know Vick is going to take a shot.  

Vick needs to be willing to check down a bit more.  He generally has done a good job of doing that but he didn't do that last night as well as he could have last night.  It would also help if his WRs would actually look back and come back to the ball to help him on those plays.  Maclin does a fair job of doing this.  Jackson flats out stinks at doing this most plays.   

4. Limited awareness of the LBs. 

AP and Webb throwing the ball in the middle of the field did so much damage last night because the Eagles' LBs were often out of position.  People got on Chaney after the game especially for being out of position on that critical 3 & 11 play.  Personally, I didn't think that Chaney played that poorly nor do I understand what Eagles' fans expect of him.  Because the Eagles were struggling vs. run, he played a bit too aggressively up at the line leaving him vulnerable on a couple of passing downs.  The real issues last night were Fokou to a lesser degree and Sims.  Fokou failed to contain a couple of time most notably on Webb's TD run where he looked like a chump because all Fokou had to do was play the man & use the sideline because he had help to the inside.  Not one of his better games this year. 

Sims though has quickly grown to be one of my least favorite Eagles' players along with Patterson.  For a guy who runs his mouth early and often, maybe he should stuff it & concentrate on the damn game.  Time after time last night, he was out of position and over-pursuing only to have AP make a cutback or bounce it outside.  If people criticized Gocong for being too slow to react, Sims is like the ADD kid who overreacts too quickly.  Noticed that he got replaced a bit last night for Jordan.  Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing Sims get benched and Jordan being named the starter next week & the playoff game.  

Given the injuries at the DL and secondary, McDermott faces limited options there.  One area though where he does has some roster flexibility especially if Bradley comes back is at LB.  McDermott has to make some tough choices over the next 2 weeks in terms of who starts/sits and how contributes as role players.  Eagles were supposed to have upgraded the LB position this offseason but more often than not it has been found wanting this season again.  

Overall

Contrary to all of the 'sky is falling' yahoos who got so worked up about this loss, I really didn't see that much that was new.  You kind of got the sense from being there that everyone (including the Eagles' players) expected the Vikings to largely just roll over after the Eagles went up 7-0.  Well, they didn't.  They simply outplayed the Eagles.  That's all.  It happens although it was disappointing to see what happen at home.

The silver lining is now they get a week to rest their starters which is desperately needed.  Vick didn't even jog off the field last night.  Wasn't even limping.  He literally looked like an 75-year old man who had a hip injury and was dragging his leg along.  Simply took a beating last night although some of it was self-inflicted again needlessly. 

Otherwise, I saw the same team I have seen the past month or so.  One that has a below average defense that gives it up like a drunk girl on prom night in the red zone with mediocre at best special teams.  If Vick and the offense don't put up at least 27-28 pts, this team has little shot of winning.  It will be the same in the first round vs. Packers/Giants.  Either Vick and Co. put up 27-28 pts or this team is 1 and done.

- How Nick Cole possibly has the starting job at RG yet. 

I would love to see the season totals for when the Eagles rush to the right-hand side with Cole/Justice because it just seems that neither one of these guys gets a push.  By my count, the Eagles ran the ball 6 times behind Cole and got 17 yds.  He just doesn't generate any real push on running plays.  Eagles had one play all night that really worked running running behind Cole where McCoy picked up 8 yards. 

Cole also really struggled in pass protection too just as he did the week before.  This time it wasn't his inability pick up the blitz as it was his ability to straight up block and pick up the numerous stunts the Chicago defensive line was doing through out the game.  Gave up another sack this week and his inability to pick up a stunt with Justice contributed to another.  In a season where the offensive line has been found more wanting than not, Cole is by far the biggest offender. 

Terrible at C in limited time and not much better at RG.  Team are going to continue to attack the Eagles on the right-hand side largely because of Cole's shitty play.    

- How the Kick/Punt Coverage units continue to be generally awful each week including tonight.

Some of this is due to the short kickoffs with limited hang time that Akers had tonight but the Bears had the ball out past the 40-yd on kickoffs 4 times tonight.  One of those was due to the offside kick to end the game.  On 2 of those drives, the Bears scored TDs.  The worst part - It was freaking Danieal Manning doing most of the damage and not Devin Hester.   That's unacceptable.

This simply isn't a good-enough defense to be counted on to prevent teams from moving the ball against them with a fair amount of  regularity.  Opposing teams also have had their way with this team in the red zone too (can't really figure this year but you figure part of it has to be just luck but there also has to be a scheming component and a ffailure by the players).  Giving opposing teams a really short field just compounds the problem.

At this point, I have given up that the kick/punt coverage units with improve this season.  For a guy who was as highly-touted as Bobby Aprile was, you have to wonder what went wrong for their coverage units to be among the worst 4-5 units in the NFL this year. 

- How for at least the 3rd season in a row this offense which puts up a ton of points and really moves the ball up and down the field is so mediocre in the red zone.

This game was decided in the red zone tonight.  Eagles failed to execute all game long in the red zone and the Bears made the most of their chances.  With McNabb gone, it looks more and more likely that most of the blame here lies with Mornhinweg and Reid.  When Kolb was in there, this red zone attack struggled and it hasn't improved that much with Vick despite Vick's ability to scramble for a TD & to keep plays alive with his legs.  I would love to see a more detailed analysis and breakdown on why this team has struggled to put the ball in the end zone when they are in the red zone the last 3 years.  Another area where I am pretty much not expecting much improve on for the rest of the season.  Good thing is that this offense should still put their share of points up on the board.

- How the offense has to be relied upon to put up 27-28 points every week for this team to have a good chance to win.

There has been really one game all season (the Jags game) where this defense dominated for 4 quarters.  That's it.  They have had some other good overall games (Giants game last week, 'Skins game at the Linc) but overall this is a unit that gives up their share of yardage and points.  Maybe they continue to win with this formula but generally have to rely upon your offense to put up 27-28 points to have a good shot to win is a sure-fire recipe to flame out in the playoffs. 

By this point in the season, you generally have a pretty good take on the season including the team you root for.  This offense is incredibly explosive even if they have a mediocre offensive line at best.  The problem is that this team's defense and special teams haven't shown me that they aren't good enough for this team to sustain a playoff run to get the Super Bowl despite playing in a pretty wide-open NFC this year.  Maybe I am wrong and things change but I see yet another year where this team gets into the playoffs and gets bounced out along the way before the Super Bowl due to defensive and special team deficiencies.