SB Nation User Blog: yophillybro

Eagles should attend World series after Giants win

yophillybro — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:33:28 -0000

I think it would be appropriate for the Eagles to show up to the world series and support the Phillies after a win vs the Giants.

I think this would stir up the crowd and have them in a frenzy. The heroes from earlier in the day show up wearing game jerseys and catching a ball game. They don't even need to stay the whole game, just show up for a few innings. Can you imagine the fan reaction to this? Its would be crazy!!!

I don't think the entire teams should go, just a selected few. Its nice to see that you support your brother in Philly sports. Like I said, it would be nice to see a game jersey or two. I know they would be hurting and some will have other plans, but this would be a shot in the arms in what is already a date in destiny for Philadelphia sports. Granted, this would only be appreciated if they won. If they lose, it wouldn't make a different.

I think the Phillies should extend an invitation to the Eagles to watch this game. Would make for the ultimate finish to an ultimate weekend. What do you think?

Evaluation of McNabbs recent performance

yophillybro — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:37:54 -0000

I know its ta-bu to discuss anything anti McNabb to some people. So I will do my best to be as fair as possible in this Post.

Let me start by saying, I don't want to be the voice of the Anti McNabb crowd. As I am still a strong supporter of McNabb. And I want nothing more than to see him succeed. But his performances vs the Raiders and now the Redskins have become a cause of concern to me.

Last week, most will agree that Andy's pass heavy play calling was mostly the result of his observations of wide receivers being WIDE OPEN all game. I know that they blitz was coming, but to be honest, they didn't blitz as much as you think. Our offense line really struggled with the front four alone, but with that given. You should be able to hang in the pocket, and deliver a quick strike to a spot to wide open receiver. McNabb couldn't, he tends to hold the ball long, and he still refuses to throw the ball unless receivers are a mile open. That's why we lost last week, Andy trusted his QB can make at least 1 quick slant or out. But he couldn't

That brings us to the Redskins game. Some will say, "Well he did hit Jackson". But lets be honest, the ball was under thrown and off target, and that was a blown coverage play. 99% NFL QBs hit that pass, even Jake Delhomme hits that pass with no problem. But I do recall McNabb rolling out on one play and trying to throw off the run to Maclin who was sitting beyond the sticks, and he threw it into the floor. There were times that Maclin was wide open, and McNabb just missed him, I think he missed him over the middle, and even missed Jackson for an easy completion up the middle. I recall at least 5-7 easy passes that were missed. The defense gave the Offense the ball in Redskin territory like 3 time. Only to get FGs. Five really could not sustain a drive.

Lets examine the Panthers game, where he thew 2 TDs but under 100 yards. He didn't sustain drives in that game, and he really struggle vs the Buccaneers. Granted, he has made some big place for scores. But he hasn't be able to move the sticks consistently and just get first downs and sustain drives for long periods of time. He hasn't done it all year.

Now McNabb faced some bad teams in Panthers, Raiders, Buccaneers, all have horrible defense. But McNabb did not play that good in any of these games. And while the Redskins defense is decent, he didn't fair to well. We scored on big plays, mostly great execution by the WR or RB. But not really attributed to any sustained drives. But Kolb played vs a better team in NO who has a better defense than most teams McNabb faced and played very good. And he got the job done vs a bad Chiefs team. He did what he was supposed to do, that is embarrass the bad teams. Donovan should have killed those bad defenses like Kolb did, but he didn't. So lets be fair when we examine our QBs of the future. Don't say, well Donovan has one us so many games, and Kolb hasn't done anything. Kolb hasn't done anything because he hasn't had the opportunity to do it. But in his short live chance, he has done a better job than McNabb in sustaining drives and moving the ball and putting his team in position to score, also our time of possession is higher with Kolb. So its up to you guys to debate if McNabbs poor play is just rust, or if Kolb is starting to become a better option.

Bring on the Bronx!!!

yophillybro — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:15:38 -0000

via a.espncdn.com

We can't Wait to host the pinstripes down here in Philly. We are foaming at the mouth at the ideas of playing a World Series vs your beloved Yankees.

I want to fist start with the fact that I am not a troll trying to fling turds at New York. As I have been to your city a number of times, and love visiting. Its tons of fun in my book. And I have a lot of respect for the Yankees, its history and an organization who will try to win at any cost. It must be cool knowing your owner is got your back and will pay what ever price to get his man.

That said, we won a championship last year. And it was great, because its been such a long time. But lets be real, we got Tampa last year. This year things are different, and after we clinched, we wanted nothing to do with the Angels. Trust me, every person in Philly want the Yankees. Yes, why would the Phillies fans root for the a more difficult opponent? Because theres a saying, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man". In many people opinion New York is "The Man". So guess what, although we are "The Champs", to many you are "The Man". We want to be "The Man", so its time to man up or go home!

So don't expect any love driving down to Philly during halloween, or during the same day we host your Giantsfor first place earlier that day. There is a storm coming New York, its a storm of ready, hungry, angry, ready to attack Phillies fans, as Citezens Park is not a place for blue this week end. As the chants have already began, "Bring on the Bronx", we are waiting, the question is, Are you ready for this?

In all seriousness, we are excited for the game. And want to show the world who we are. How do you guys feel about the game? Dont' let your homerism show, would you have rathered the Dodgers of ther Phillies? Whats your take on this series? Are you loving it like we are loving it? Heck, in my opinion, We are the man, and like I wrote earlier, "To be the man, you got the beat the man", we are the champs, and you have something to prove, not us. Whats your honest take, I live this stuff, so lets have fun with this.

Poll

Who was your honest preferred NL opponet?

Phillies

25 votes

Dodgers

62 votes

87 votes | Poll has closed

How long to Djax flips?

yophillybro — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:37:38 -0000

Lets keep it real for a minute. I think its ~~becoming clear~~ possible that Jackson is not impressed with McNabb's return. Just in the same way Reggie Brown wasn't happy with McNabbs return, after having career games with backup QBs.

So the question is, how long will it be until DJax throws McNabb under the bus. We all know the boy has a big mouth, and likes to pad his stats. I recall a preseason game where someone asked him what was the difference McNabbs passess and Kolbs. He said Kolb throws pillows and McNabb throws lazers. And last week he stomped off the field and was complaining. I wonder if he prefers Kolb of McNabb. I will think that he would say he preferes Kolb. So do you think that if McNabb doesn't get the ball to Jackson in the future, he may mouth off publicly and cause a "Chism" between McNabb and his receivers in favor of Kolb. Just want your input on this, maybe I'm reading to deep into this, but I think eventually somebodies gonna open their mouth and cause problems, maybe I'm wrong.

Goat milk anyone?

yophillybro — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:52:46 -0000

I was a little confused as to what title I should use for this post. I was gonna call it "Men who stare at goates" or something else with a "Goat" reference. That because we have plenty of goats to go around.

Lets start with the biggest goat of yesterday.

Andy Reid: I love Andy, and its well documented how my love for this man has been manifested in past post. But yesterdays game plan reiked of suckdom. It was as sucky as possibly suckable can be. First off, we only ran the ball 14 times, we used hardly any wildcats, most pass patterns seemed to be designed for deeper routes. No screens, no quick TE hitches, little bootlegs or even shot gun. Or even the use of a quick pitch out to the RB to slow up the rush. Some thing. How bout a quick 1,2,3 and out pass pattern. You know quick drops stuff. But no, we got long developing plays, with a QB known for taking his time on those passes.

We could have used some sucker screens to soften those blitzes, you know, where you let them rush to dink the ball behind the rush. Something. But Andy of course dropped the ball on that.

Offensive line: Max, you sucked horribly yesterday. King Dunlap should be ashamed of himself for getting bullrushed to the ground like he did. Nick Cole looked Horrible. And where was Stacey? I didn't even see him. Was he injured? I saw MJG and Nick alot, and it was unflattering to say the least.

News flash everyone, the Raiders didn't blitz as much as it seemed. Our offensive line couldn't block the front for alone. Time to time you saw a blitz here and there. But most times I was just 4 or 5 defenders coming in. And we just could block them.

Donovan McNabb. Dude, as a NFL QB, you gotta be able to make a quick read and pass. Something for 4-5 yards. Every pass doesn't have to be a bomb. I don't want to remind you that your backup is great at quick short stuff, but you on the other hand think this is Madden '10 and try to throw bombs on every play. Hit the sticking short man from time to time. Are you capable of it? If not, just step aside already. If your weakness is short passes, then maybe all McNabb apoligist should just come to a realization that you can only throw deep. We needed short yesterday!

Trotter looked bad, but how bout Mikel missing a tackle and Asante getting thrown around like a rag doll by Louis Murphy.

Overall, I would have to admit, I would rather lose against the Raiders than the Redskins. So I hope they are humbled and stay hungry and take apart those Redskins.

Is Kevin Kolb the future of our franchise?

yophillybro — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:11:40 -0000

Over the pas two weeks we got a good look at what may be the future of our franchise. With Kolb, Jackson, Maclin all playing, and the great play by TE Celek. Philly fans have got to be giddy about the prospects of our future. I know there were some Nay sayers who doubted Andy Reid for his strategy in drafting and releasing players, but just look at yesterday, McNabb, Westbrook were both injured, we have no Runyan and Tra and the only from yesterday that started opening game last year was Jamal Jackson and DeSean Jackson, everyone else was brand new, and this team still looked good, that was a completely different team yesterday than the team we saw in the playoffs. I think I am excited from what I saw.

But lets try this poll again, I want to rate what our confidence in Kolb is. Be honest in your voting, I want to gage the pulse of the fans.

Poll

What is your oppinion of Kolb?

Uber impressed, most definately our QB of the future

117 votes

kinda caught my eye, but not blown away, Still beleive McNabb is the QB for Philly, but Kolb deserves to start for an NFL team

111 votes

So So, not good enough to start in the NFL, but would love him to stay and backup McNabb

18 votes

Not at all impressed, he is a journey man QB and a career backup , but must admit he is an NFL QB at least

9 votes

He is garbage, not at all impressed, is not an NFL QB at all. He should consider the UFL

1 votes

I am like GCobb, and am a Kolb Hater! Nothing he can do will convince me he is a good QB, I just hat him

0 votes

Lets not get to carried away, just 2 games. Still undecided, need to see more.

85 votes

341 votes | Poll has closed

GCobb aggrees with our Wildcat Explanation. (Maybe he reads our blog)

yophillybro — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:32:42 -0000

Today I went over to GCobb, and found the story below. Please keep in mind that he writes this post when most of the media is calling for Andy's head, saying the "Wildcat" is a "Gimmick" or a "Trick Play".

We had a post earlier this week dispelling that myth, explaining how the wildcat affords an extra blocker, and gives the Eagles running back some space to run. The Wildcat is in essence a running formation, not a "Gimmick". We ran that post when everyone else was killing the formation and asking for less of it. Please consider how most NFL defenses have taken away our screen passes, as that was Andy's way of running the ball, but now the Wildcat is its replacement.

We basically went against popular opinion is accepting the true essence of the wildcat for what is was, a running play. Now GCobb is asking his fans to change their mindsets on the Wildcat. Sounds fishy to me.

So GCobb, if you are reading this, I aint mad at you brother. Thanks for spreading the word.

Wildcat Formation Is A Replacement For Running Game

I think we all have to change our thinking about the Eagles use of the Wildcat offense. It is nothing but a replacement of their running game which is struggling. It's simple. The Wildcat gives you an extra blocker, which can make a big difference.

Andy Reid said they averaged 5.7 yards per carry out of the Wildcat but I know they didn't do anything trying to run the ball from regular formations.

They sidelined the Wildcat in the second half of the New Orleans game because the two turnovers to begin the second half forced them into a throwing mode.

This week they will let Michael Vick throw abit out of the formation but it's mainly a running formation.

With a banged up Brian Westbrook and an offensive line that is hurting, Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg are happy to get that production on the ground.

The offensive line they're playing with is a second-string line. Winston Justice, Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole aren't really starters.

On regular formations, the quarterback hands the ball off and stands there and watches the play. He is virtually useless in regular formations on running plays.

The Wildcat formation gives an offense an extra blocker with the quarterback running with the football.

You can believe that the Birds are going to use it in the red zone. Those running backs can be utilized as extra blockers and that's a big deal any where on the field but especially on short yardage or in the red zone.

I can see what they're thinking because if Donovan McNabb was playing quarterback and he handed the ball off, what's the big deal whether he's handing the ball off, lined up outside or standing on the sideline.

They're still running with the football.. I think it makes sense when you look at it that way.

Why would the quarterback care whether he is handing the ball off or not if it's a running play?

Written by Garry Cobb Wednesday, 23 September 2009 04:42

Quick explanation of the wildcat

yophillybro — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:37:26 -0000

I keep reading all day that people are calling Andy a moron for running so many wild cats, and other tricky formations. Saying that Andy did not have a good game plan, and should have ran the ball more.

While I agree that Andy should have ran the ball more, but people keep referring to the wildcat as a trick play. The truth is that the wildcat is not a trick play. Its just a formation. Just because a runningback lines up behind center instead of a QB doest make it a wildcat. Lets get that straight. A triditional wildcat has one WR spread wide on one, but he is off the line on the slot on one side while lining up the TE as a T on that side. Now on the other side of the formation you put an extra T on the other side to cause an overload to that side. This is because this side will have 2 Tackles. You line up a good blocking WR on the slot here, and the QB is line up wide on this side. The QB lines up wide to keep the Safeties honest, with out the QB, the safeties will just run down hill once the ball is snapped. You usually have 2 RB in the backfield, 1 in shot gun, and 1 next to him.

The whole purpose of the wildcat is just to provide another blocker for the running game, while giving the RB the ball directly. This formation opens up the defense a bit, and afford you an extra blocker where needed. Granted, its nice to throw from this, but its not its design. Its designed to run the ball, not really throw.

Yesterday, the Eagles ran the wild cat effectively, and seemed to moved the ball for over 5 yards a pop. But the media keeps trashing it as a gimmick play. Lets settle this right now. IT IS NOT A GIMMICK PLAY. Just a formation no different than I formation, Aces, split queens etc. Its sole purpose is to run the ball behind that extra tackle. Granted, having a guy like Mike Vick back there causes problems, because he can throw. Lets say the safeties get greedy and attack the line, you can easly get a 1 on one with a CB on either side of the field. This formation will kill the cover 2 that a lot of teams run, only if you have a RB who can throw, which is exactly what Mike Vick is.

I made a diagram before of the wildcat, I will look for it after this post, but lets get off the whole Andy Reid is a moron for using wildcat thing. Who ever says that is a moron because they don't know what the wild cat is and what its designed to do. Its a very high percentage running play, not quite the defination for a trick play.

Lets talk Kolb

yophillybro — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:34:26 -0000

I know there are other post today about Kolb. But I don't want to go into a who post either defending him of killing him. There are soo many polarizing oppinions on this guy that its really confusing to know if the Eagles fans like him or don't.

Tell me what did you think of his performance? Is he the QB of the future? Was yesterday his fault? Where you excited by his performance or dissappointed?

I prefer to debate my opinion via comments, but not through the actual post. So please post your oppinions below.

Poll

How do I feel about Kolbs performance?

excited, he shows a lot of promise, maybe our QB of the future

63 votes

He was OK, should start some where, but I prefer McNabb for us

75 votes

Not impressed, although I am OK with him as our Backup

44 votes

Not impressed, but he may be a journey man backup in the league

25 votes

Not an NFL player, absolutely horrible player.

2 votes

I agree with GCobb, and am a Kolb hater, and am admitting it. And will hate on him even if he performs well because I hate him.

2 votes

211 votes | Poll has closed

Broken ribs = Perfect scenario for the Eagles.

yophillybro — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:50:56 -0000

Beleive it of not, I am soo excited about next week. Not that I'm happy about McNabbs injury. But ironically his short term injury provides the Eagles with an opportunity to truely gage the future.

Now Kevin Kolb is afforded an entire week of practice as the starter and will be out there with the ones to compete. If he sucks, there is no excuse for him, we know to resign McNabb ASAP. And if he is good, then maybe we can count on him as the QB of the future. Either way, the Eagles benefit, if Kolb is good, maybe you move on from McNabb in the future, if Kolb sucks, than you can move on from Kolb, of he just stays as a backup for the rest of his career.

I am very interested to see how he performes with the starters. Last week was hard to determine if he was good or not, Andy already called off the dogs and Kolb wasn't gonna make any plays by that time. Regardless to Kolbs performance, McNabb can still return and be the starter afterwards. This is a win, win situation for us. I will be watching this one closely for sure.