Posted on 02/07/2005 8:56:25 AM PST by bikepacker67
Brady, unfazed by pressure, picks apart Pro Bowlers
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - The Eagles figured they could use man coverage on the New England receivers and blitz quarterback Tom Brady from every angle.
With three Pro Bowl selections — cornerback Lito Sheppard and safeties Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis — Philadelphia thought its defense matched up well with New England's offense.
Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is regarded as one of the most creative in his profession. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Patriots pick up the blitz as well as anyone.
Quarterback Tom Brady threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Deion Branch, voted Most Valuable Player, had 11 catches for 133 yards.
"They (blitzes) were effective, but sometimes, they (Patriots) blocked them and protected well," Dawkins said. "That's when they'd get Deion open on deep crossing patterns.
"They did a good job of getting him in the open zone and sitting him down on the crossing patterns. We had some misses (interceptions). They adjusted, and then we adjusted back. By that time, though, the damage had been done."
Dawkins and Lewis are fierce hitters who like to intimidate receivers, but Patriots receivers aren't easily intimidated. Because Brady had time to throw, the receivers had time to get open.
"Brady was his typical self," defensive end Jevon Kearse said. "He was getting rid of the ball quick. Not taking anything away from the offensive line, but Brady just knew how to get rid of the ball. He seems to know exactly how much time he has to unload the ball."
This was Kearse's second close Super Bowl defeat. When he played for Tennessee, the Titans came up a yard short on the last play of the game in losing to St. Louis 23-16.
"It's good to get the Super Bowl experience, but losing doesn't sit well with me," he said. "The difference is that the Eagles had too much down time."
Kearse meant the two-week layoff before this game compared to one week for the Titans' loss to the Rams.
"We had too much time to hype it up," Kearse said. "I'd rather play the next week and knock it out."
Did anybody else notice that the Eagles basically gave up a field goal by letting the clock run down when they had 1 minute before the half? They got into feild goal range but didnt have time to kick a field goal because they had let the clock run down earlier in the drive. What was the point of that? Was the coach watching the game? Was Mcnabb paying attention?
It looked to me like a chess match in which one of the players(the Eagles) wasn't looking at the board before they moved.
I think chances are excellent that there will be a re-match in Detroit next February.
No question. Two-week delay is so annoying for fans too. Although seems doubtful Owens could have played last weekend.
They did that in a previous playoff game against the Vikings too. They had 10 seconds left at 5 yard line, and instead of kicking for 3 points, McNabb ran a play and the half expired.
Their "2-minute" drill of hurry up offense was the worst I had ever seen in an NFL game.
Someone better teach these million-dollar players what a no-huddle offense is, or at least teach them to call 2 plays at once during a huddle.
I think that's the coach's responsibilty. Andy Reid was "schooled" yesterday by Bellicheck.
It was like a chess match where one of the players wasn't looking at the board.
Yes. My father-in-law was going crazy over the Eagles' timing during the last few minutes. He couldn't understand the waste of time.
McNabb,3 INT`s,4 sacks.Yeah he threw wobblers for 300+ yards only because the run game was shut down.
Rush was right.McNabb just ain`t that good and the press gives him a pass.
It wasn't just Mcnabb though. The Eagles seemed to have no game clock management whatsoever. It's almost as if they had no game plan at all.
AMEN!!!! and I think that McNabb should tell Rush "sorry, you were right, I'm not a good q-back!" GOOOOOOO PATS and BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
No clock management capabilities.
Almost like they were less a team of players and more like ego-centric individuals barely capapble of playing as a team.
Again, Rush never said McNabb wasn't a good QB. He took the media to task for its reluctance to criticize him (McNabb).
Excuses, excuses.
If RUSH criticised the press for not criticising McNabb for being an average BQ then one can imply Rush believes said same.
When McNabb can throw a spiral get back to me.
*QB not BQ . Was that a freudian slip or hunt and peck typing?
Uhhh... what pressure? He only got sacked 1 time!Brady did NOTHING SPECIAL! HIS DEFENSE WON THE GAME! 4 turnovers! They only won by 3 points!
I'm a lifelong Broncos fan. I'd trade QBs with the Eagles any day.
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