From: jmd@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (joseph.m.dakes)
Subject: Re: More Eagles/Cowboys stuff
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1993 15:12:28 GMT

In article <1if33aINNhgb@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu>, skywalke@dino.qci.bioch.bcm.tmc.edu (Timothy B. Reynolds) writes:
> In article <1993Jan6.161112.3256@cbnewsh.cb.att.com> seth@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (peter.r.clark..jr) writes:
>  >You can say what you want about his reputation, the guy may be the
>  >most dominating defensive back since Ronnie Lott. Don't believe me?
>  >Look at the Eagles defensive stats before Andre got hurt and after
>  >Andre got hurt. The EAGLES lost Ben Smith and kept going. They lost
>  >Jerome Brown and kept going. They lost Andre Waters, and something
>  >changed.
> 
> Although I DO think Waters is a cheap-shot artist, he can have a impact
> on the game, also early in the season the D was really playing it for
> Jerome, maybe some of that has faded a bit.

The D is still playing for Jerome and has been throughout the season.
The problem was injuries.  The defensive line was decimated with the
loss of Jerome and the back injury to Mike Pitts.  The Eagles went out
and got Leon Seals to fill in.  Only Seals went out with a knee injury.
The team worked youngsters Andy Harmon, Mike Flores, and Tommy Jeter
into the lineup.  Then there was the knee injury to Seth Joyner.  He
played the entire season, but he wasn't 100%.  Then the injuries to
both hard-hitting safeties Andre Waters and Wes Hopkins.  And of course
the loss of Ben Smith.  The Eagles used three different players until
settling on rookie Mark McMillian at the left cornerback position.
Right now the defense is as healthy (Seals and Hopkins are still out)
and as settled as it has been since the beginning of the season.

> In the early years of Aikmans career he would get happy feet and this
> caused alot of sacks, as every week has gone by he has become more of 
> a sit back and pick them apart QB, and he has done it to some good teams and
> of course some not so good teams. If the Eagles don't presure him he 
> will pick Miano and Booty to pieces.

Miano and Booty are much improved since their last visit to Dallas.
But I do agree that the key is putting pressure on Aikman.  If he
doesn't get pressure he will find his receivers.  If he gets pressured
he will make mistakes.

>  >The EAGLES offense? They'll score points. They have two solid RB's
>  >right now, not just one, they have one of the best deep threats in
>  >the league, and they have Keith Byars. Oh yea, and a decent QB. Any
>  >team that gets to this round of the playoffs can score points.
> 
> Agreed, but the Dallas defense is #1 vs the run, something will have to 
> give here.

Wasn't the Saints' D #2 vs the run?

>  >But back to Andre. It's not just Emmitt. There's also Novacek. In
>  >the first Dallas/Eagles game, I said before hand that Novacek was the
>  >key. That Smith and Irvin would be neutralized, and they were, but
>  >Novacek scared me. Get a film of that game, and you will see Novacek
>  >take a few hits from Waters in the first 1/2, and then in the second
>  >1/2 you'll see him single handedly kill drives by dropping balls in
>  >his hands. Then look at the second game. No more alligator arms. And
>  >Emmitt ran for 160 yards. No Andre Waters.
>  
> The main reason Jay dropped the passes was he had a broken finger, 
> not that Waters didn't have a good game but the finger was the main
> reason. As for Emmitt, by your logic, I guess you better pray Andre
> plays. :-)

Kotite stated yesterday that Andre plays!

>  >So I could be wrong, but if you ask me if Andre Waters plays, Dallas
>  >is in for a long day. If he doesn't play, well, I'm an optimist by
>  >nature...:-)
> 
> Waters is a factor but I dont think the game will be decided on if he plays
> or not. This one probably will come down to turnovers and field position.

I agree that Andre isn't going to be the main factor in the game.  But
he is one of the Eagles team leaders.  So as far as intangibles go,
mark his return as one in favor of the Eagles.

> Also *IF* the Skins upset the 9ers the Cowboys will know it and will host 
> the NFC Title game in Dallas if they win, added incintive for Dallas.

Also *IF* the Skins upset the 9ers the Eagles will know it and will host 
the NFC Title game in Philly if they win, added incintive for Philly.

> Should be a good one.

I agree!


E-A-G-L-E-S

Joe Dakes
AT&T Microelectronics
555 Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA  18103
jmd@aluxpo.att.com

Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro