5’s Game

Ladies and Gentlemen:

If there was ever any doubt who the most valuable player is for this Eagles team, it was made crystal clear to all who witnessed Monday night’s drubbing of the Green Bay Packers. With the absence of Brian Westbrook, in a move that many have argued was taken to ensure his health for this Sundays game against Dallas, Donovan McNabb once again proved that the fortunes of this team rest squarely on his shoulders. After watching a first half in which we endured two goal line Correl Buckhalter fumbles and a McNabb who did not seem himself, there was a legitimate concern among the Eagles faithful. After the first two drives of the second half, those concerns were quickly put to rest. McNabb is of to a start that hearkens back to 2004. He seems to has regained his confidence and more. Whether it is the addition of Marty Morningwheg as head coach or by his own insistence, McNabb is calling more audibles, taking the check downs to second and third looks and making much better decisions overall. He even ran well in both designed and improvised plays. This was definitely number 5’s game. The Honorable, Omnipotent, Reverent, Dynamic, Impeccably Hygienic Michael Howard Smith has sent me a correspondence regarding the reasons behind McNabbs excellent start. I would like to share that with the entire RT and welcome back a man who truly bleeds Eagle Green.

….”What I’m very surprised about is the fact that no one in the Philadelphia sports media or national media has started telling one of the most important stories of the season thus far for the Eagles: McNabb’s emergence as a field general. For the first time in his career, he is consistently being given time to read the defense and make adjustments if he wants. The 60-yd pass to Schobel (against San Francisco) is Exhibit A — that was McNabb’s call. When they ran the no-huddle against the Giants in the first half, again McNabb came to the line with plenty of time to make adjustments, and he showed what he can do when given that opportunity. This guy will never be an in-your-face, outspoken leader. He doesn’t need to be, in my view. He needs to be an effective field general, given the opportunity to provide that on-field leadership. I think for the first time in his career, he is being given that opportunity. That HAS to continue. For me, it will be one of the most important trends to watch. Note that in the second half against the Giants, they fell back into coming to the line with the seconds ticking down on the play clock, and with McNabb having no chance to audible out of bad calls. That’s on Reid and Morningweig, not McNabb. If he is given the chance to truly lead, this team will be very difficult to stop. I have been waiting to see him get that opportunity for 7 years, and it appears that he’s finally getting it.”
– Michael Howard Smith.

I found it interesting that the packers completely changed their game plan to combat the Eagles defensive line. Favre spent the whole day taking quick drops and operating out of the no huddle. This practice is ineffective when you get deep into your opponents territory because the closer you get to the end zone the shorter the field gets leaving less space for your receivers to operate. It was effective in keeping the NFL leading Eagles from recording a sack but it resulted in 4 field goal attempts. I find this strategy a bit confusing. I know that you have to respect the Eagles defensive front but the secondary is where the Birds are weakest. Green Bay has some young receivers but Sunday against Dallas will be a real test. Even with Lito Sheppard and Roderick Hood potentially back from injury, neither will be 100% and they each still give a lot of size to the Cowboys receivers. T.O, and Terry Glenn in particular. I think that this area has to be addressed. The Eagles are emerging as a real contender, even if they haven’t played a team with a winning record yet. They are in a position to make a run with no clear favorite emerging yet in the NFC. Don’t say Chicago. They do not have the pedigree on offense that this Eagles team does. Therefore, I believe that the Eagles should consider possibly trading for a bigger corner back who has starting experience. It is very tough to make mid-season trades and most teams would ask a lot but a higher round draft pick might be worth it. I throw this topic out to The RT as I have not done enough research to make any definitive suggestions on which players to target. Food for thought, though.

Many of you have asked me who the new “Balls” player should be. With “Balls” Grasmanis retired and “Balls” Rayburn demoted to third team we really need a new “Balls” player to root for. I think there is no doubt who should wear the “Balls” Crown. Ladies and Gentlemen of the RT, I give you “Balls” Schobel. May his reign be a fruitful and noble.

The Eagles are a 2 point favorite over the Cowboys. As I mentioned above, this will be a real test for the Eagles secondary. Dallas also has the best defense that the Eagles have faced all year. The whole T.O. thing? It’s got absolutely nothing to do with football. This is the media’s creation and nothing more. It has no place in any serious handicapping and I don’t believe that it will be a factor. What will be a factor is T.O.’s amazing ability and strength. Because of this and the factors mentioned above I am going to reluctantly beg off of betting this game.

Let me leave you with the link below sent to me by RTer Tim Holt. Funny salute to the best fans in all of sports.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGKHeXWggM0

Go Birds!