Well, that didn’t take long.
Even before watching Michael Vick run for his life – and for the most part escape – during a Week 1 win over the Rams, I was convinced that he would wind up missing some time because of the way he plays the game.
The Eagles quarterback was forced to the sidelines in the third quarter of last night’s come-from-behind, then come-from-ahead loss to the Falcons. Vick was getting banged around as usual, but it was a collision with one of his own offensive linemen that left him on the sidelines, nursing a sore neck and concussion.
Vick’s absence didn’t offer any excuses for the Eagles’ defense, which allowed Exton native Matt Ryan to rally the Falcons to the win.
It also didn’t stop a lot of the same nagging questions about this Eagles team.
Such as:
* Why is it exactly Andy Reid feels compelled to always resort to some sort of gadget play instead of just lining up and beating a team at the line of scrimmage. It was just such a play that led to a huge Vick fumble as the Birds looked ready to cash in a big 2nd quarter score and instead set up the Falcons.
* The Eagles simply will not – or maybe can’t – line up and play smash-mouth football every time they’re faced with a key third and short situation. It’s either gadgetry, trickery or another Andy Reid pass call. Too often it blows up in the Birds’ faces. Hey, Andy, that flanker reverse is getting old. It hasn’t worked in awhile.
* Why is it that the Eagles simply cannot defend the tight end. Did it come as a surprise to this team that Atlanta would bank on guaranteed Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. He tortured the Eagles all night. Anyone think it might be a good idea to bump him off the line of scrimmage?
* Is Casey Matthews on this team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his picture on a milk carton this morning. The rookie middle linebacker is a non-factor, something the Eagles “9-wide” defense with those yawning gaps can’t afford. Juan Castillo needs to rethink his linebackers. Oh, that’s right, the Eagles never think about linebackers.
* Even before he was injured, Vick was a little bit like what we saw in Week 1, flashes of brilliance marred by turnovers. Vick needs to protect the ball better. His turnovers are the unfortunate downside of his electric play-making abilities.
* Will Andy Reid ever master the challenge? Replays showed that an interception by the Falcons that led to a score likely would have been overturned because the ball clearly hit the turf. Reid never reached for his hankie.
The Eagles are now 1-1. Andy Reid will tell us that he needs to do a better job of putting players in position to make plays. If he can figure out how to do that with Casey Matthews, he should be coach of the year.
We’ve all watched this game a million times. Things don’t change.
Time’s yours, Andy.
Even before watching Michael Vick run for his life – and for the most part escape – during a Week 1 win over the Rams, I was convinced that he would wind up missing some time because of the way he plays the game.
The Eagles quarterback was forced to the sidelines in the third quarter of last night’s come-from-behind, then come-from-ahead loss to the Falcons. Vick was getting banged around as usual, but it was a collision with one of his own offensive linemen that left him on the sidelines, nursing a sore neck and concussion.
Vick’s absence didn’t offer any excuses for the Eagles’ defense, which allowed Exton native Matt Ryan to rally the Falcons to the win.
It also didn’t stop a lot of the same nagging questions about this Eagles team.
Such as:
* Why is it exactly Andy Reid feels compelled to always resort to some sort of gadget play instead of just lining up and beating a team at the line of scrimmage. It was just such a play that led to a huge Vick fumble as the Birds looked ready to cash in a big 2nd quarter score and instead set up the Falcons.
* The Eagles simply will not – or maybe can’t – line up and play smash-mouth football every time they’re faced with a key third and short situation. It’s either gadgetry, trickery or another Andy Reid pass call. Too often it blows up in the Birds’ faces. Hey, Andy, that flanker reverse is getting old. It hasn’t worked in awhile.
* Why is it that the Eagles simply cannot defend the tight end. Did it come as a surprise to this team that Atlanta would bank on guaranteed Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. He tortured the Eagles all night. Anyone think it might be a good idea to bump him off the line of scrimmage?
* Is Casey Matthews on this team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see his picture on a milk carton this morning. The rookie middle linebacker is a non-factor, something the Eagles “9-wide” defense with those yawning gaps can’t afford. Juan Castillo needs to rethink his linebackers. Oh, that’s right, the Eagles never think about linebackers.
* Even before he was injured, Vick was a little bit like what we saw in Week 1, flashes of brilliance marred by turnovers. Vick needs to protect the ball better. His turnovers are the unfortunate downside of his electric play-making abilities.
* Will Andy Reid ever master the challenge? Replays showed that an interception by the Falcons that led to a score likely would have been overturned because the ball clearly hit the turf. Reid never reached for his hankie.
The Eagles are now 1-1. Andy Reid will tell us that he needs to do a better job of putting players in position to make plays. If he can figure out how to do that with Casey Matthews, he should be coach of the year.
We’ve all watched this game a million times. Things don’t change.
Time’s yours, Andy.
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