A couple of nagging elements remain in the euphoria of the Eagles’
Miracle in the Meadowlands II thrilling win on Sunday.
One is the fact that had the Eagles come up short, and either not tied the game or lost in overtime, we likely would be barbecuing Andy Reid for two brutal gaffes in the game.
I actually at the time thought Reid may have cost his team the game at the end of the first half, when with his team already down 17-3 and the ball deep in his own territory, Reid did not simply run out the 30 or so ticks left on the clock. At that point you take your team into the locker room and regroup. Not Reid. He continued to throw the ball, one of which landed in the hands of Jeremy Maclin, who promptly coughed it up, at least that was the ruling on the field. The Giants recovered and quickly cashed in another touchdown. At that point it appeared to be game, set and match.
Then in the second half Reid failed to challenge what appeared to be a clearly questionable call on the fumble by DeSean Jackson. Again the Giants went on to score.
Of course at this point none of this matters. But don’t be surprised if the same kind of thing happens again down the road, maybe in a crucial playoff game. We likely won’t be so forgiving at that point.
Speaking of things bound to happen again, you can book this one. Sooner or later, DeSean Jackson’s antics are going to cost the Eagles a game.
I love Jackson. He is one of the most electric players in the game. But I’m not completely sold on his explanation of just what he was doing at the end of his thrilling punt return. Jackson says he ran along the goal line – without actually going into the end zone – as a way of making sure all the time was used up off the clock. I’ll take him at his word, but I still have my doubts.
There was a Giant in the vicinity. Can you imagine the uproar had he managed to tackle Jackson or knock the ball out of his hand, negating the sure TD and forcing the game into overtime.
Jackson is a ticking time bomb, both for opposition defenses, and for his team. You’re never quite sure when he’s going to explode, or possibly blow up in the Eagles’ faces.
Miracle in the Meadowlands II thrilling win on Sunday.
One is the fact that had the Eagles come up short, and either not tied the game or lost in overtime, we likely would be barbecuing Andy Reid for two brutal gaffes in the game.
I actually at the time thought Reid may have cost his team the game at the end of the first half, when with his team already down 17-3 and the ball deep in his own territory, Reid did not simply run out the 30 or so ticks left on the clock. At that point you take your team into the locker room and regroup. Not Reid. He continued to throw the ball, one of which landed in the hands of Jeremy Maclin, who promptly coughed it up, at least that was the ruling on the field. The Giants recovered and quickly cashed in another touchdown. At that point it appeared to be game, set and match.
Then in the second half Reid failed to challenge what appeared to be a clearly questionable call on the fumble by DeSean Jackson. Again the Giants went on to score.
Of course at this point none of this matters. But don’t be surprised if the same kind of thing happens again down the road, maybe in a crucial playoff game. We likely won’t be so forgiving at that point.
Speaking of things bound to happen again, you can book this one. Sooner or later, DeSean Jackson’s antics are going to cost the Eagles a game.
I love Jackson. He is one of the most electric players in the game. But I’m not completely sold on his explanation of just what he was doing at the end of his thrilling punt return. Jackson says he ran along the goal line – without actually going into the end zone – as a way of making sure all the time was used up off the clock. I’ll take him at his word, but I still have my doubts.
There was a Giant in the vicinity. Can you imagine the uproar had he managed to tackle Jackson or knock the ball out of his hand, negating the sure TD and forcing the game into overtime.
Jackson is a ticking time bomb, both for opposition defenses, and for his team. You’re never quite sure when he’s going to explode, or possibly blow up in the Eagles’ faces.
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