From: jmd@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (joseph.m.dakes)
Subject: Re: Playoffs: Philly at NewOrleans
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 01:54:40 GMT

In article <29DEC199212415133@vill.edu>, 187701458@vill.edu writes:
> In article <C00FB5.18y@encore.com>, kschnitz@encore.com (Kevin Schnitzius) writes...
> >corleone@mintir.new-orleans.la.us (Daniel Marsalone) writes:
> >>     From what I've seen today (Eagles vs. Giants), the Eagles look 
> >>pretty weak. 

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I'm curious as to what
you found so weak about the Eagles performance this past Sunday.  Was it
the GANG GREEN not allowing the Giants any first downs in the first half?
Or allowing the Giants to rush for only 67-yards?  Could it have been the
offense's 198-yards rushing with the entire left side of the line manned
by second-stringers?  Or was it the Eagle's 17-0 halftime lead?

> >You can't really judge the Eagles by this essentially meaningless game.
> >Hershel got his 1000 yards and in the first half, the Eagles got 17 points 
> >and the Giants got about 45 yards total before they went to Eagles went
> >to sleep.
> 
> 	Ah, but it wasn't supposed to be meaningless. It was played to
> gain momentum going into the playoffs. Eagles went to sleep during the 
> second half? That is what I am most afraid off.

And the Eagles did just that in the first half.  They jumped out to the
big lead and expected the Giants to roll over.  After all, New York had
nothing to play for.  But to the Giants' credit they came out and played
a fine second half.  Philadelphia, on the other hand, was more intent on
staying injury-free for the playoffs.

> >2.  Blitzing linebackers can seriously disrupt the Eagles offense.  Derrick
> >	Thomas from KC killed us and the Saints have the backers to bring
> >	that kind of pressure again.  Hopefully, there were specific plays
> >	put in place to counteract this kind of this play.
> 
> 	I don't know. The positive part of Cunningham's play the past few
> games has been his confidence.

Yeah, ever since Randall has become engaged to be wed, he's been turning in
solid efforts.  And that's all the Eagles need against the Saints.  As you
said, their LBs come after you.  But that could work to the Eagles advantage.
Keith Byars can have a HUGE game if the LBs don't hold him up at the line.
And the quick screens to either Heath Sherman or Herschel have accounted for
big gains the past few weeks.  But the decisions have to come quickly against
the Saints.

> >4.  As someone else mentioned, the Eagles secondary likes to hit the holes 
> >	during runs so they've been burned early by play action.  However,
> >	the secondary is a lot more cautious with the loss of Hopkins and
> >	Waters.  And, with the benching of Jenkins, McMillan adds a ton of
> >	speed the corner opposite Eric Allen.  Everybody has seen the KC
> >	game tapes so I don't see them biting on the play action early.  I
> >	think Bud Carson is just too good a coach to burned like that again.
> 
> 	I agree. Although Miano got burned in the game versus the Niners,
> where Dexter Carter had time to wave to Young for the ball. Ouch. But even
> Miano looked good in the game versus the Gaints. And isn't Andre Waters
> going to be back for the playoffs? Dimunitive Mcmillan has been a big plus
> for the secondary. Eric Allen is a great cornerback, should have been the
> starter in the Pro Bowl instead of Deion but that is another story.

Eric Allen is one of the best corners in the league.  No doubt about it.
And you just can't say enough about rookie Mark McMillian.  It isn't just a
coincidence that the Eagles have won 5 of their last 6 (the lone loss being
at San Francisco) since he has been getting PT.  He has really solidified
the Birds secondary.  And it isn't being done with mirrors.  He's been going
against the some of the league's best, i.e. John Taylor, Anthony Carter, and
the 'Posse.  I'm still not confident with Miano at strong safety, but he's
getting better.

> >5.  Special teams.  Hot and cold all year.  But, unlike the blocked FG during
> >	the NYG game, the Eagles special teams can really perform when 
> >	motivated.  Don't expect any stupid or motivational errors during 
> >	this game.  Look for the number 1 kick returner Sicahema to give
> >	the Eagles better that average field position all day.
> 
> 	Just as long as there isn't a flag downfield for an illegal block
> by Siran Stacy et al. :-)

The key to the game, IMO.  The Eagles can not afford to start drives deep
in their own territory.  The crowd noise would be unbearable and the
failure to pick up at least one first down would play right into the hands
of the Saints and Morten Anderson.  The Saints could FG the Eagles to death.

> >6.  Coaching.  Give the Saints the edge all the way.  

Philadelphia head coach Rich Kotite isn't going to win any awards for his
abilities and his decision making.  But if there is any coach in the league
more conservative than Kotite, it's Jim Mora.  The Saints game plan is the
same week in and week out.  Rely on the great defense and play for the sure
FG anytime they cross midfield.

> >To me at least, it seems that the Eagles are a more balanced team than
> >the Saints.  While the Saints defense is slightly better that the Eagles
> >defense (gasp!), the Eagle offense is much better than the Saints offense
> >and is extremely versatile and hard to shut down completely.  However, it
> >is prone to mistakes.  My prediction: 17-10 Eagles if there are no turn-
> >overs.  After that, all bets are off, the winner will have caused the most
> >turnovers.  The overtime edge has to go to the home team.  Overall, I would
> >say the Saints by 3 probably based on the coaching and home field advantage.

When you compare two teams you can't compare the offenses against each other
and then the defenses.  You have to compare the matchups that are on the
field together.

First, the Eagles offense against the Saints defense.  The Saints are going
to get to Randall.  The question is whether Cunningham has the ball or not.
He has to make quick decsions.  Byars should be able to get open all day
with the way the Saints LBs pin their ears back and go after the QB.  The
Eagles have to be able to run the ball, too.  They did it very well against
the Saints in Week-1.  Herschel rambled for 114-yards in his Philadelphia
debut.  And now Heath Sherman is another weapon in the the Birds backfield.
The Eagles have moved the ball extremely well the past six weeks with a
balanced attack.  I see them moving the ball against the Saints defense, but
can they score TDs or will they have to settle for FGs?

The Saints offense vs the Eagles defense.  The Eagles secondary is greatly
improved since the middle of the season.  Hebert is going to need time for
his receivers to get open.  If the Saints can run the football, he'll get
time.  If they can't, the GANG GREEN will be swarming all over him.  I
don't see the Saints moving the ball as effectively as the Eagles, but with
Morten Andersen they don't have to.  All they need is decent field position.

> 	It should be great. I don't know how I will bring myself to watch it.
> I know, I'll keep repeating to myself. " It's only a game ". " It's only a 
> game. ".............

My wife is constantly reminding me of that, but it doesn't help:-).

It's going to be a great game, but I have to go with my heart.  Call it
Philadelphia 20, New Orleans 16.


E-A-G-L-E-S

Joe Dakes
AT&T Microelectronics
555 Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA  18103
alux1!jmd

Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro