Just got back from Philly, and I'm forced to remove the homer glasses.

[Fortell]

I lived in Philly for 30 years..Sports talk is much bigger up there..Everything else about Philly sucks.

 

[Philter25]

-Eagles have the opposite strengths and weaknesses on offense. Besides TO, they have no decent receivers. Westbrook is not a stunning RB, although a good receiving back. But they have an awesome O-line and a great starting QB.

-Eagles fans laugh at us about the Feeley trade. No really, one laughed right in my face and asked if we wanted to give a 3rd round pick for their backup punter.

-Eagles fans may be obnoxious, but they are loyal and knowledgeable. They hold the players, coaches and owners accountable.

-Which brings me to the most important observation: they're front office and administration are top-notch. They know how to build and run a team. They handled the TO thing perfectly, and now he's back in camp, quiet and catching TD's. They let Corey Simon go, but he has stated he will always love the Eagles and Andy Reid personally. They treat their fans well and with respect.

Perfect analysis. They, IMO, are a model franchise how how stuff should be done. If you look at their salary cap, it just gets you excited to see their pro bowlers making less than HALF of what some of our players do. Their front office is one of the best in the business.

Im a diehard eagles fan also and I agree with the fans, we are obnoxious but extremely knowledgeable. Anyone who doubts this, I dare you to spend a week reading the eagles message boards. You cant read the boards without a subscription and your account must pass before the admins before you are allowed to register and participate on the boards. In general, I think they are the smartest fans of the game. On their main boards, everyone is VERY knowledgeable about the salary cap. Its insane. They know what every guy makes and their cap implications. You dont get all the moronic "cut this guy" threads there.

As soon as Simon was cut, they were discussing how to properly use the 5 million that was just freed up on the cap this year. You dont see that kind of talk anywhere else...... I am lucky here if I get clumpy and merman and a few other guys in a thread to talk about our salary cap without someone jumping in to "trade zach, JT, madison, or cut howard."

 

[-81- McMichael]

All summer long we had to read morons posting about how great Feeley would be.Well, they are finaly silenced, and next year we will have a real starting QB who can take us places.

"Finally silenced"? After three pre-season games?

You're kidding, right? No offense, but YOUR post (and your logic) is about as moronic as the posts you're trying to criticize.

The fact is that we know NOTHING yet as to who the starter will be, much less how well he will perform... over 16 games, no less.

Look, none of us knows anything about the QB position yet. Not even Saban. Or else he really is a genius and he KNOWS exactly who the started really is and he's just try to screw up Denver for the Sept. 11 game. NOT!

Sheesh. :sleep:

 

[nepaica]

You miss a key point.

Was in Philly/Jersey shore for past 2 weeks. Needless to say, it is all about the Eagles up there. Had to watch 2 pre-season games just to see some football. I had no computer access and got zero Dolphins info while there. But I had a chance to be an impartial observer of a successful franchise, and it forced me to realize we have a long way to go.

My observations:

-Eagles have the opposite strengths and weaknesses on offense. Besides TO, they have no decent receivers. Westbrook is not a stunning RB, although a good receiving back. But they have an awesome O-line and a great starting QB.

-Eagles fans laugh at us about the Feeley trade. No really, one laughed right in my face and asked if we wanted to give a 3rd round pick for their backup punter.

-Eagles fans may be obnoxious, but they are loyal and knowledgeable. They hold the players, coaches and owners accountable.

-McNabb is not a great QB from a passing standpoint. A surprisingly large percentage of his passes are low or behind his targets; his receivers make tough catches that make him look good. But he has what we're lacking. Poise, confidence, and the ability to keep a play alive and make something positive happen, but not out of desperation. His teammates know that and so they work hard for him until the whistle blows.

-Defensively, they are stronger and deeper than us. We like to brag about JT and Zach, but Kearse and Trotter do OK also, plus they've got a lot more talent surrounding them than Zach and JT. They were deep enough at D-line to basically cut Simon.

-Which brings me to the most important observation: they're front office and administration are top-notch. They know how to build and run a team. They handled the TO thing perfectly, and now he's back in camp, quiet and catching TD's. They let Corey Simon go, but he has stated he will always love the Eagles and Andy Reid personally. They treat their fans well and with respect.

So my conclusions:

-We're moving in the right direction, but we've got a lot further to go than any of us would like to admit. Best and most important thing we did was can the old regime and hire Saban. I think Saban can get us there, just not this year. After years of bozos, I think we finally have a front office that can be on par with the Eagles.

-We can argue all we want about Gus vs AJ, but we're not going anywhere with either of theses stiffs and Saban knows it.

-O-line will take at least a year or two to develop, but could actually become a strength long term. They are young and have a great line coach.

-I fear we've wasted the JT and Zach years; this defense has aged before our eyes and the youth movement has already started (Poole, Crowder, Daniels, etc). I expect to lose Zach and Jt within the next 2 years.

- Overall, big picture is good, but this year will be a bit frustrating as we won't see the results we want fast enough to suit the fickle South Florida fan base.

Anyway, just wanted to report after stepping out of our backyard and taking off my aqua and teal shades!

The Eagles play in a minor league division and are guranteed 6 wins just by showing up. They only have to win 3 more games to make the playoffs. If they played in the AFC East they would be lucky to go 3-3.

 

[-81- McMichael]

The Eagles play in a minor league division and are guranteed 6 wins just by showing up. They only have to win 3 more games to make the playoffs. If they played in the AFC East they would be lucky to go 3-3.

Thank you!

Good point.

Cowboys/Deadskins/Giants
do NOT =
Patriots/Jets/Bills

Would be nice if everyone would get off Phili's jock. What's come over this board today?

 

[Jerseyphinfan]

In your opinon who out there is a franchise QB that can help this team.

 

[-81- McMichael]

In your opinon who out there is a franchise QB that can help this team.

Seems this was addressed to me, so here goes.

First off, you're specifically asking me to point out a franchise QB. Immediately you have to ask, "Who'd give up their franchise or, even, a "potential" franchise QB?"

The first and most likely answer is the guy I wished we would have had the smarts to draft in the first place... Drew Brees. But oh well.

Still, like so many other people, you have to ask: What is San Diego going to do at the end of the year with Rivers AND Brees?

And so much of that depends on what happens during the season. I mean, what happens if either of them suffers a serious injury? What happens if Brees takes them to the SB and wins MVP? What happens if Brees is playing great but is then injured and Rivers comes in like the second-coming of Marino? What if Brees stinks it up this year (do we still want him then)? What if? What if?

As to other players... I don't really see any other even remotely AVAILABLE franshise QBs out there. I do know that I would have loved to see what Charlie Frye could do in a Dolphin's uniform. But, again, oh well. I'm not the GM or director of personnel, much less head coach.

I do know that I trust Saban, and I have enjoyed watching the moves he's made so far.

AJ or Gus? Man, I don't know. I've seen some good play from both. And I've seen some poor play from both. What can you really draw from what we've seen so far after only three pre-season games?

I will say this, however, Omar Jacobs next year is not a bad idea. Obviously, Leinart is highly touted, though I think he could end up as the next Ryan Leaf (maturity issues). Chris Leak is laughed off by a lot of people that may one day really find themselves wondering how they could have been so wrong.

Finally, this year - like it or not - we are stuck with what we've got. Just remember, there are 16 (count them) games for AJ to get it straight (if he can - he might impress... and he might not - again, who knows!?!?). Gus, sorry, is simply too old to be more than a stop gap now. And I'd bet anyone that he's not with the team to start the 2007 season.

Sorry for the long response.

 

[nepaica]

In your opinon who out there is a franchise QB that can help this team.

At this point I think we should go with Feely. He has the most potential upside. If he doesn't work out then we should reassess the draft/free agency next year. We invested a 2nd in him lets see what he can do with more weapons and a better o line. I just don't think Gus will do better and he definitely isn't a long-term answer.

 

[nikeair497]

Eh don't listen to south jersey people, they are just hicks and know nothing about football :) in the northern part of the state well mainly around nyc area, it's filled with dolphin jet and giant fans. Basically anything below exit 6 on the turnpike is eagles country tho

 

[InMyChambers]

this is the part of the country where i am from and where i live. the best analogy of our team's offense is a car with a shiney new paint job without the motor and transmission. that is, we have a lot of nice skill players but lack the guts (the o-line) to make the whole thing work right.

I'd rather have a car that gets me to point a and b regardless of what it looks like than a nice looking car that you have to drive like fred flinstone.

 

[Philter25]

The first and most likely answer is the guy I wished we would have had the smarts to draft in the first place... Drew Brees. But oh well.

Where were you 2 years ago when Brees was considered a bust? I dont remember hearing that then.

I rather have Rivers than Brees.

 

[FinsNCanes]

We could make the playoffs with ease if we were in the NFC. The NFC is really a joke right now for the most part. We literally have 3 teams tougher then half the teams in the NFC in our own division.

 

[-81- McMichael]

this is the part of the country where i am from and where i live. the best analogy of our team's offense is a car with a shiney new paint job without the motor and transmission. that is, we have a lot of nice skill players but lack the guts (the o-line) to make the whole thing work right.

motor = line
transmission = qb

if so, i like the analogy. however, i will try pointing out for the 5th million time... much as barfallo got progressively better last year and then went on a tear for the second half of the season... so could we.

contrary to popular belief, teams CAN have major offensive short-comings at the start of the season and still make a run for the playoffs (or more). case in point, baltimore is remembered for having one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history their super bowl year. but few remember that at one point early in that year i believe they broke the record for most consecutive quarters without an offensive touchdown. they're offense sucked. AND they switched qbs by mid-season, people.

tampa bay is a team whose offensive line sucked BIG TIME the year they won the superbowl. but they KEPT WORKING AT IT... and they got better. not great. but significantly, competitively, better.

listen, what is it saban is trying to tell everybody? compete. every down, every drive, every game... and you will get better.

you don't go into the season saying, "here we are! the 2005 'fins! we're a 10-6 team!" or whatever record you like.

look, they could be a 2-14 team thru week 5, i don't care. so long as that by season's end they've gotten to playing like a winning team... that's 9-7 or better. does that mean they'll finish 9-7 or better? man, again, i don't know. so much can happen. injuries, trades, lucky bounces, goof mistakes by our opponents (leon lett, anyone?), etc.

let's just relax and see what happens, satisfied that we at least do not have a dunce at the helm of the whole ship (wanny).

 

[-81- McMichael]

Where were you 2 years ago when Brees was considered a bust? I dont remember hearing that then.

I rather have Rivers than Brees.

i was here. just like i am now, again, saying about AJ... just chill... jury's still out... all evidence has NOT been reported. give it some time. i swear, some people on this board would never be able to own a winery. you simply don't have the patience for things to develop in their due time.

joey harrington is an excellent example of this whole arguement. so many people are ready to write him off as a bust. but who knows what he'll do this year with all the talent around him. he could totally rip it up and even go to a pro bowl. who knows!?!? now, i will say this. if harrington doesn't show MARKED improvement with THREE 1st round receivers and a 1000 yard back, then that's enough evidence for me to support the arguement that he's a total bust.

now let me ask you. how does the above compare to AJ last year. yeah, right... it DOESN'T. AJ had NOTHING like what harrington has this year.

so, now that the 'fins have RB at full strength again and WR/TE in pretty damn good shape, let's see how AJ/Gus/whomever performs. only NOW... can you judge. last year was a freak'n wash, people. and thank God. it gave us a clean slate, i.e. saban.

 

[yankeehillbilly]

Wow I Haven't seen this much eagles butt kissing since i was over at ESPN.com, what's going on over here? I agree they are overrated. Their coaching and FO Is solid but they have benefited from a weak NFC for several years now. And they still only made one super bowl.

Whats going on? I guess you missed the 2004 season, huh. One team made it to the Superbowl last year, and made it to the NFC Championship game the 3 years before that. The other team went 4-12 last year missed the playoffs entirely the 2 years before that. The Eagles have earned some respect, if not from the entire NFL then certainly from those teams that failed to even make the playoffs.

And yeah, they only made 1 SB.......how many have we made in the past 10 years?