Die Hard Eagles Fan

As you can see by the lack of posts, Vedder resigned as a Eagles Blogger on Die Hard Eagles Fan. I wish that was not the case, but it is what it is. Even if he were still with us, we would be looking for more Eagles Bloggers to improve upon what he started. With him not here anymore, we need to start all over.

Die Hard Eagles Fan is looking to add two more Eagles Bloggers. Die Hard Sports Fan is trying to create the world’s greatest Philadelphia Eagles Blog/Fansite, and we need more creative Eagles Bloggers to join Die Hard Eagles Fan to achieve our objective. We are looking for one Lead Blogger to ensure that everything is covered and nothing is duplicated and one Eagles Blogger. For a more extensive overview of the position, click on the “Write for Us” link in the “Menu” section of the left sidebar. If you have any questions then feel free to contact me by clicking on the “Contact Us” link in the “Menu” section of the left sidebar.

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I hate to use the cliché that Sunday is a must win game, but after losing last week at home to the Washington Redskins, falling 0-2 in our division, and 2-3 overall, it is.  The Philadelphia Eagles head into week 6 where they have a chance to even things up at 3-3 and head into their bye week to heal and to prepare for the final 10 games of the season.

On Sunday, The Eagles travel across the nation to San Francisco, to face the 49ers.  This could be a tricky game.  Is this a “trap game” for the Eagles?  Do the Eagles look past the 49ers towards their bye week?  The Eagles need to win this game for a ton of reasons and need to avoid falling into an abyss where they would enter the bye week at 2-4 and have 2 weeks to not be able to do anything about it.

The Eagles need to be 3-3 after this Sunday.  3-3 is the minimum this team needs to be.  The NFC East is loaded and every game means something.  When there are only 16 games, and 11 remaining, the Eagles can no longer afford losing games that they should win.  With the Giants, Redskins, and Cowboys all looking like they will make the playoffs, this game is most critical for the Eagles to attempt to tread water and keep themselves in a position to make the playoffs. 

This Sunday against the 49ers is one of those games.  The 49ers are improved, but they are not yet a team that can be taken seriously each week.  Looking ahead at the schedule, the Eagles have a chance to start making a name for them selves again before facing the Giants week 10.  After the bye week next week, the Eagles get a break and face the Falcons at home and then the Seahawks in Seattle.  This is a huge test for Head Coach Andy Reid.  It could be used as a good barometer to further measure Reid’s ability to coach this team.  Lose this game and the doubt grows.  Lose this game and the calls for Reid to be let go will ever increase as he will have squandered yet another season and opportunity to bring us a championship.  Win this game and our season lives on to see another week.  Win this game and instill hope back into the hearts of Die Hard Eagles Fans everywhere.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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For years, Eagles Insider Writer Dave Spadaro has been, let’s say, given a hard time for being more of an Eagles cheerleader and not pressing the Eagles on things.  He is an employee of the Eagles and sometimes his actions can be understood.  In the past, when there were times that the Eagles should be scrutinized or when their play and coaching should be questioned, often he looked the other way and fans have become used to such behavior but here is a surprising (and nicely articulated) article where “Spads” gets my thumb’s up for taking an active role in diving deep into the thought process where even he proposes some kind of paradigm shift with the Eagles before it is too late….check it out (click here).

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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On Sunday, by 12 PM, I had my three televisions in the living room set up.  With the two extra co-axel cables running through my living room, down through the garage roof, and through the wall, and the bedroom DirecTV receivers out in the living room and successfully connected to everything, I was pumped and ready to go for the 1 PM games with of course the Redskins-Eagles game on the 40 inch High Definition TV with the sound blasting.  The other televisions would be muted but there for me to enjoy the rest of what the NFL had in store for the day.  Yes indeed, the NFL Ticket on DTV is better than sliced bread.

Then the door rang and it was my Dad.  After all these years, he and I still watch each and every Eagles game together.  Our weekly tradition was only temporarily interrupted when I was away to college (WE ARE!!  PENN STATE!!) and didn’t make it home on Eagles game day weekends.  He walked in, said hello to the dog, put his stuff down, and sat in his spot.  He looked up and said “good you have the Eagles game on the big screen, but can you put one of the other tv’s to the Phils game?”

Huh, what?!  It’s October.  The leaves are changing colors.  The weather is getting cooler.  Its week 5 of the NFL and he wants me to reduce my NFL intake by 33% for baseball?!  I am a Die Hard Eagles Fan.  It didn’t even occur to me that yes the Philadelphia Phillies are in the playoffs, but to watch the game while Eagles football was on?

I gave in.  This way, we didn’t have to flip back and forth between the two channels on the big screen and risk missing an Eagles play or two as the channels takes forever to flash back.  However, it turns out I am not the only one that feels this way.

The Eagles had a week 5 regular season game the same time the Phillies played for the winning game of their first playoff series.  It turns out that the Eagles blew the Phillies away television viewing ratings wise.  The Eagles drew a rating of 22.7 while the Phillies, again in a playoff game, drew a rating of 13.8.

My first thought was wow.  But that quickly dissipated and my true feelings are shining through.  I knew it.  This place is Eagles country and will always be.  Even if we are 2-3 and the Phillies are now in the NCLS.  Yes, it is definitely Eagles country!

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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Over the years, I have learned that certain things just weren’t meant to be.  As a kid, I always wanted a brand new baseball glove.  I played every season for years and always used one my parents bought at a yard sale.  It had to be 40 years old at the minimum.  My little sister played softball one year with a brand new glove.  A new glove for me to be proud of just wasn’t meant to be.  In college, I spent a majority of my one class daydreaming about a believably good-looking girl that sat a row ahead of me, wondering what she looked like without all those annoying and frustrating clothes on but never found out.  It just wasn’t meant to be.  Life’s lessons never end because on Monday, I just realized another thing in my life that is not meant to be.

After suffering through a painful, horrific, and humiliating loss to the Washington Redskins Sunday, and trying to recoup from the loss, the hits just keep coming.  Philadelphia Eagles RB Brian Westbrook now has two fractured ribs.  I don’t know who is in more pain; Westbrook or us Die Hard Eagles Fans.

Brian Westbrook is the heart and soul of the Eagles offense.  No offense to QB Donovan McNabb but Westbrook is anything and everything to our offense.  He instills fear in the minds of opposing defenses.  Other teams have to account for him on every play.  They have to spend all week game planning for how to stop him as a multi-level threat. 

We know what the Eagles can do with and without “Westy”.  We saw that for the 2^nd half of the Steelers game and unfortunately the entire Bears game.  With a current record of 2-3 and a 0-2 NFC East division record, can there be any worse time for this injury?  My hopes and dreams of an Eagles Super bowl are fading by the second.  Maybe it is just one more thing in our lives that is not meant to be.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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Well, unfortunately for The Philadelphia Eagles, The Washington Redskins were exactly who the Die Hard Redskins Fans bloggers thought they were; and that is a tough, physical team that plays as one, making smart decisions and not turning over the ball.

Yesterday’s loss to the Redskins was painful and frustrating.  It was frustrating because I know how The Redskins needed to be us.  I hinted at it during last week’s blog posts.  On Offense, the Redskins were more physical than we were.  They took the ball and kept it, ramming it down our throats with RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts.  They moved the ball in the air with clean, careful, and short passes, mostly to TE Chris Cooley.  As I had warned last week and throughout the first 5 weeks of this season; one of the Eagles’ biggest weaknesses is covering the opponent’s Tight End.  Yesterday was a clear example of that as Cooley rumbled through the Eagles defense for 109 yards and 1 TD.  QB Jason Campbell continues his most impressive journey to mastering Head Coach Zorn’s offense.  Despite dropped balls by WR Randle El and a disappearing act by WR Santana Moss, Campbell was steady and careful with the ball and went yet another game in this season with no turnovers.  He pulled the ball down and ran or threw the ball away when something wasn’t there.  He didn’t force things and kept his offense on the field and worse, kept the Eagles defense there with him.  By being successful at that game plan, it kept #5 QB Donovan McNabb and his offense watching like me, from afar.

This game hurts.  It was at Lincoln Financial Field.  We let the Washington Redskins walk into our home, be down by 14 points, and then walk out with our hearts squashed in their hands.  At this point, everyone and everything has to be questioned.  Can this team execute well enough to win big games?  Can this coaching staff adapt and adjust during the games?  Many questions loom and by the time we have our answers, it may be too late.  The competive nature of the NFC East doesn’t allow for teams and coaches to perform this way.  It is only week 5 and the NFL season has a long way to go, but one cannot help feeling a sense of doubt.  Here’s hoping the ship can get turned around this week…

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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The Redskins came into Lincoln Financial Field and out muscled the Eagles to walk out of Philadelphia with another big NFC East victory.

1^st Quarter

The Eagles received the ball first to open the game.  The Eagles took the ball and marched down the field, with authority.  The Eagles set the tone early, equally mixing up the run and the pass.  The Eagles capped of the 80-yard drive with a Brian Westbrook Touchdown run putting the score at 7-0, Eagles. 

The Redskins took their first possession and right away were pressured by the Eagles swarming defense.  The Redskins were forced to punt and rookie sensation WR DeSean Jackson fielded the punt, starting his return to the right, and then turned direction, headed back left and was gone, a 68-yard Touchdown punt return.  The Eagles now led 14-0.
Being down 14-0, Washington took their 2^nd possession and after a few plays, were forced to punt again.  This time, DeSean Jackson waived his hand in the air and took the fair catch.  For the 3^rd Eagles possession, they were on the move yet again.

The Eagles 3^rd possession stalled though and David Akers missed a 50-yard field goal that was just shy to the right.  The score remained 14-0, Eagles.

2^nd Quarter

The Redskins opened up the 2^nd quarter with a few big pass plays to TE Chris Cooley who for the day would kill the Eagles.  The Redskins were forced to settle for a Shaun Suisham field goal, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 14-3.

The Eagles went three and out and Punter Sav Rocca boomed the ball to the Redskins where the Eagles downed the ball inside the 5-yard line.  The Redskins’ running game go things into gear with RBs Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts taking charge, moving the ball down the field.  The Redskins were finally stopped and settled for another Suisham field goal.  The Eagles now led 14-6. 

After a poor kickoff by Suisham where he sent the ball out of bounds, the Eagles started at their own 40.  The Eagles blew the opportunity to move the ball and went three and out.

The Skins took over at their own 18 with less than 1 minute left in the half.  The Skins moved the ball quickly down the field and got into field goal range as time in the half ran out.  Suisham kicked his 3^rd FG of the game and the score was 14-9 at the half.

3^rd Quarter

The Eagles and Redskins exchanged a few possessions until the Redskins struck for the first time with a Touchdown, where Redskins WR Antwaan Randle El took a reverse from Campbell but then fired a strike to a wide open Chris Cooley who walked into the end-zone for the TD.  For the first time of the game, the Redskins took the lead with the score now 16-14.

4^th Quarter

The Redskins moved the ball again on the Eagles defense, taking the ball to the 4-yard line where RB Clinton Portis scooted in for the score.  The Redskins increased their lead to 23-14.

The Eagles got the ball back inside their own 10 after a blocking in the back penalty by WR Jason Avant.  The Eagles went to work right away moving the ball down the field, mostly thanks to a head’s up play by WR Reggie Brown.  Brown caught a pass from QB Donovan McNabb, was on the ground but still untouched.  He smartly got up and rumbled for 40 yards down into Skins’ territory.  Later, Brown caught another McNabb ball down to the Skins’ 2-yard line.  The Eagles Red Zone offense failed again where Westbrook was stuffed two straight times and the Eagles settled for a David Akers field goal, cutting their deficit to 23-16.

With 7:18 remaining in the game, the Redskins received the ball and ran out the clock.  The Redskins won 23-16.

Wrap-Up

• Redskins QB Jason Campbell had zero turnovers. 
• Eagles WR DeSean Jackson was held to 1 catch for 8 yards.
• Redskins TE Chris Cooley had 109 yards and 1 Touchdown.
• The Redskins were without starting CB Shawn Springs, LB Marcus Washington, and T Stephon Heyer.

NFL.com Game Center post game is attached.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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The Washington Redskins will face the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
TV & Radio Info:
Game: Redskins (3-1) at Eagles (2-2)
TV: FOX (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman)
Radio: 610 AM WIP All Sports Radio (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick)

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Game Notes:

• Last Regular Season Meeting: The Eagles beat the Redskins in Washington, 33-25.
• The Eagles have not allowed a touchdown at home in over 3 games.
• The Redskins have yet to turn the ball over on offense this season.
• OG Max Jean-Gilles will replace injured OG Shawn Andrews.
• Current Eagles players K David Akers and DE Chris Clemons started their NFL careers with The Redskins.
• Eagles QB Donovan McNabb is 10-5 all time against The Redskins.
• The Eagles are 12-5 when RB Brian Westbrook rushes for over 100 yards.
• RB Brian Westbrook grew up as a Washington Redskins fan.
• Eagles Punter Sav Rocca currently ranks 1^st in the NFL with a 44.1 net punting average.
• Eagles Head Coach Andy Reid is 2 wins shy of 100 career wins.
• Eagles Safety Brian Dawkins is 1 interception short to tie Eric Allen and Bill Bradley for the franchise lead in career interceptions of 34
• The Eagles lead the NFL in sacks (17)
• The Line: The Eagles are favored by 6.  Over/Under is 42

Injury Report:

Redskins - Out of Game: DE Jason Taylor (Calf). Doubtful: T Stephon Heyer (Shoulder). Questionable: LB Marcus Washington (Hamstring), CB Sean Springs (Calf). Probable: DE Andre Carter(Non-injury related), OG Randy Thomas (Toe).

Eagles - Doubtful: WR Kevin Curtis (hernia), DE Victor Abiamiri (wrist). Questionable: RB Brian Westbrook (ankle), TE L.J. Smith (back). Probable: QB Donovan McNabb (chest), S Quintin Demps (knee), RDT Dan Klecko (hand). 

Quote of the Week:

 ”The last few days have made me more optimistic.  I can feel myself getting better.  That’s what counts.  I am feeling very motivated right now.” - Eagles OG Shawn Andrews
Please feel free to comment below or in the tag board in the sidebar to chat with Eagles fans from around the world.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!

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The Washington Redskins offense we saw that Thursday night that opened up the 2008 NFL Season against the New York Giants is forgotten and long gone.  After that week, out of no where, QB Jason Campbell and the rest of the Skins offense has gone through a metamorphosis, if you will, and has evolved into one of the NFL’s most consistent and steady offenses. 

Week 1, Campbell looked lost.  Campbell came into the season with a lot of pressure, due to learning yet another system in his young career.  However, this time, after 4 weeks, it looks like he has mastered the beginning stages of his journey into his new offensive education.  In 4 games, he has yet to turn the ball over.  He looks cool and collective; progressing through his reads and calmly getting rid of the ball or dumping it off to a short receiver when being hurried.  It looks as if the game has slowed down for him and he can see things before they happen.

With that said, the Eagles defense will bring an entire new test to his journey of learning Redskins Head Coach Zorn’s offense.  The Eagles rotate an almost an infinite amount of Defensive Ends and Tackles to wear down opposing Offensive Lines and get constant pressure on the other team’s Quarterback.  If the Redskins focus too much on pass rusher DE Trent Cole, then it will free up a Juqua Parker or even a Darren Howard.

The Redskins offensive weapons could present dangerous challenges to the Eagles defense.  If TE Chris Cooley is allowed to run free, underneath, and around the line of scrimmage, he could become Campbell’s safety valve, and help the Skins keep McNabb and company off the field.  To date, the Eagles have not been the greatest at shutting down the other team’s Tight End.  Cooley has the advantage as I don’t believe anyone on the Eagles can consistently cover him and effectively make him a non-threat.

WR Santana Moss is a speedster but a quality possession receiver as well who can take a 3-yard underneath pass and turn it up field for bigger gains.  Although he is dangerous, and will have his moments, I think CBs Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and Lito Sheppard will be able to keep his involvement and productivity relatively low.  If the Eagles pass rush and blitz packages can get to Campbell often, it will help limit Moss’s effectiveness.  Moss isn’t the big, strong, and physical receiver that causes more issues for this core of CBs.  However I do expect him to come up with one or two big plays, even one for a long TD if he sneaks by a CB, deep down field.  I can’t expect the Eagles trio of CBs to completely take him out of the game.

The goal for the Eagles should be a steady list of the following combination:  Stay true to their position and hold their gaps to frustrate RB Clinton Portis.  Send the world and blitz to try to confuse Campbell on third and long passing plays.  Be mindful of the underneath routes run by TE Chris Cooley and WR Santana Moss.  The Eagles need to force the Skins into 3^rd and longs, by taking away the run and the short passing game.  If they are successful in the aforementioned, I like their odds, more times than not.

Tomorrow- Die Hard Sports Fan’s version of the Redskins-Eagles Pre Game notes and comments.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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In what looks like a must win game for The Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field; let’s take a look at how they match-up offensively versus the defense of The Washington Redskins:

The Eagles offense will have to be ready to go physically with the Redskins defense.  The Redskins play a physical, team defense that is stingy but can give up yardage.  Part of their team philosophy is to keep their defense off the field with a ball possession attack on offense which keeps their defense fresh and hungry when they return to the field.  Although the Redskins defense is not full of star, pro-bowler type players, they play well as a team defense, complimenting each other, knowing their roles and how each person’s responsibility and performance helps the others on the defense.

The Eagles have one advantage where Redskins starting DE Jason Taylor will most likely be out another game.  Over his career, he has been a special player, able to rush the quarterback as well as being strong against the run.  With him out, the Eagles have one less thing to game plan.

The Redskins front four is solid but not spectacular.  DT Cornelius Griffin may cause match-up problems for Eagles Center Jamaal Jackson.  DE Andre Carter is a speed guy who could cause problems going against the Eagles aging and slowing Tackles.  The Eagles would be wise to put a Tight End on Carter’s side to chip him on important passing plays. 

Against the run, they are nicely supported by their Linebacking core, where LB’s Marcus Washington, London Fletcher, and Rocky McIntosh are tackling machines.  The Redskins also benefit from these 3 LB’s being skillful in the art of dropping back into pass coverage.  The play of the Redskins Secondary will probably determine how well the Eagles do or do not do on Offense.  When CBs Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, and Fred Smoot play as one unit with Safeties LaRon Laundry, Reed Doughty, and “The Predator” Chris Horton, the Redskins defense is very successful at limiting opposing offenses to scoring chances.  However, this unit can be taken advantage of as Springs is a bit long in the tooth, Rogers is still trying to recover from a knee injury, and Smoot can be inconsistent. 

I look for the Eagles to come out spreading the field with WR’s DeSean Jackson, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant, and Hank Baskett.  The Redskins defense does best when they work together, swarming the ball, in numbers.  The Eagles will have the advantage if the field is spread and thus opening up things on the ground and in the air for RB Brian Westbrook (assuming he plays).  Westbrook is the wild card here.  If the Redskins have to focus on him, it will free up everyone else and take pressure off Eagles QB Donovan McNabb.  If the Redskins don’t worry about Westbrook, he very well may repeat his performance against them as he did last year where he single-handedly destroyed them with 183 total yards and 3 TDs.

The conclusion here is that although the Redskins defense is solid, they can be exploited.  They were only on the field a small portion of the game last week against Dallas but still gave up some yardage and big plays.  The Eagles need to be smart with the ball, create mismatches in open space, and keep the Redskins defense on the field as long as possible.  The Eagles know what to do; it is just a matter of how successful they will be at doing it. 

Tomorrow, we will take a peak at how the Eagles defense matches up against QB Jason Campbell, RB Clinton Portis, and the rest of the Redskins offense.

With that said, “E-A-G-L-E-S!!  EAGLES!!”

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