Posted on 01/23/2005 8:59:45 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture
ATL at PHI, Sat, 3:00 p.m. EST
NE at PIT, Sat, 6:30 p.m. EST
The Steelers seemed just as determined to stop Dillon on first down as the Pats were to stop Bettis or Staley. The Pats caught them blitzing a few times and made them pay.
You're thinking of Doug Flutie.
I know, we're dead in the water. We probably shouldn't even show up.
Todd Pinkston will take a Rodney Harrison hit over the middle and wont catch another pass. Thats exactly how Carolina beat the Eagles last year, they kept hitting the receivers hard off the line and by the 3rd quarter they were just too worn out to play well.
Actually, Carolina beat the Eagles last year by spearing the quarterback in the ribs while he was lying on his back after a busted play. It also helped that the Panthers secondary got away with all kinds of contact ten yards downfield (it was so bad that the league felt the need to address the issue during the off-season). Also helpful to the Panther cause was the fact that Brian Westbrook was out, as was 3/4 of our starting defensive front.
But I'm really not sure what last year has to do with this year. We're a better team up and down the ball, and we're getting the best receiver in the game back for the Super Bowl.
The Pats are still the clear favorite, deservedly so, but the Eagles are much tougher than any of the Pats fans are going to give them credit for. Which is just fine by me.
But they do give out dollars.
It doesn't matter what the Pats fans think. All that matters is what the Patriot players think. Belichick won't allow them to be overconfident.
It's all about the route, if the run is going outside and the blitz is coming from the other outside then the non-blitzing LBs will be shifting to cover and get caught shifting away from the run. That's how Dillon got that 25 yarder, outside of that one run though they held Dillon down (even with that run he only got 73 yards, but that TD run was huge, and a great display of why you shouldn't abandon the run even when the other team is shutting it down). Screens, crossing routes, and hooks are the way to kill a team that's blitzing, and the Pats are solid at all three.
Yeah, how many times has Belichick already called the Eagles a great team? The guy knows team psychology and there's no way his boys will be overconfident when he's praising the opposition.
Weis called a masterful game. You have to stay with the run even when it's not working just to keep the defense honest. Dillon was a back the Steelers couldn't ignore which opened up the passing game for Brady.
You'll hear nothing but praise for the Eagles from every single member of the Patriots organization. I think one of the reasons the media doesn't like the Pats is that they never give them any good sound bites. The Eagles will dominate media day.
Thank you for correcting me.
As far as the outcome of the game is concerned, you're right. It doesn't matter what the media and the fans think.
It will be fun to see the look on their faces after it's over, though.
And remember folks: the Eagles don't have a prayer.
He sat as a guest of Laura Bush at a State of the Union Speech
THIS SUCKED.
THIS IS WHY COWHER ALWAYS LOSES THE BIG GAME..... AND I AM A STEELER FAN!!!!! a GUTLESS CALL. YOU DON'T GET DOWN TO THE TWO YARD LINE VERY OFTEN. Show some balls, show some respect for your offense, try to score the TD from here. The game was lost RIGHT HERE!
Cowher and his staff blew it again!
BALLESS!
Weis is intense. Expect him back in the pros after one contract in Notre Dame. The Belichick alumns are going to be to the league around 2008 what the Walsh alumn were to the 90s.
I think you're right about that. The press likes guys that give them a storyline. I watched a little bit of the NFL channel last off season, and they acted like Warren Sapp was the only player in the NFL. I probably saw more interviews of him than all the other players combined. Talking smack gets you presee coverage.
"The Eagles just arent that good-NE 44 PHL 14"
There is NO WAY new england will score 44!!!
A few Dawkins hits on the Pats wide receivers and they won't want to run a route in the middle of the field.
The game will be closer than most people think with each defense setting the tone.
My guess 24-21 Pats...
The modern coaching trees:
Walsh and then Sieffert
Parcells
Jimmy Johnson
Holmgren
Billeck
The best part of the Pats past two wins is how they've embarassed the "experts" especially at ESPN. I really despise that Patriot hater Merril Hoge.
Wouldn't have mattered. The Steeler defense couldn't make a stop when they had to.
Im not a Pats fan, Im a Redskin fan. Which explains my animosity! McNabb was my fantasy QB on my work league. On paper, he was one of the best. The jury is still out, however, on weather he is really good enough to win against a real team. As for TO coming back, Mr Showboat hasnt played against a secondary like NEs all year. Like Pinkston, a couple of shots from a NE dback, who love hitting prettyboy receivers, and he will be done. It will fall on Donovan shoulders again, and that wont be enough. The Defence is the best part of the Eagles. If the Eagles want to keep it close, the D must remain healthy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.