From: jmd@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (joseph.m.dakes)
Subject: Eagles Report
Organization: AT&T
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 15:23:05 GMT
Keywords: Eagles 31 Cards 17


Randall has given up endorsing his "I'll Be Back Scrambling" cap
and took to the airways leading the Eagles to a 31-17 victory at
Phoenix.  Cunningham completed 17-22 for 267 yards and 3TDs.  He
was assisted on offense by Fred Barnett who grabbed 8 balls for
a career high 193-yards and the ever-consistent [here's a :-) for
you tormented Vikings fans out there] Herschel Walker's 115-yards
on 28 carries.  The Eagles defense even got into the offensive
heroics with Reggie White scoring on a 37-yard fumble recovery.

Randall gets an A- for his performance.  He did everything.  He
scrambled for a first down when needed, hit the long bombs, put
touch on the short passes, and read the defense almost perfectly.
The thing that impressed me the most was how cool he was leading
the Birds on a 90-yard drive after Phoenix jumped to a 14-10 lead
and had the momentum.  After the score he was on the sidelines
just styling waiting for the half to end like it was no big deal.
The only problem again was with the fumbles.  The swarming Cards
LBs got to Randall and he failed to protect the ball.  He has got
to learn to put the ball away when the rush comes.

Herschel Walker gets an A- for his performance, too.  Herschel,
like Randall, coughed the ball up again.  But he made some good
runs and allowed the Eagles to dominate the time of possession.
Herschel was the first Eagles back since Heath Sherman in 1990
to rush for 100-yards in back-to-back games.  As in 1990, the
Eagles won both games.

The offensive line did a good job blowing the Cards off the line
on the running plays.  They even did an adequate job with the
pass protection despite allowing four sacks.  But they still have
trouble with the quick, hard rushing LBs that both the Cards and
Saints have.  Antone Davis had another good game and really played
with tenacity as anyone who saw the play of him clubbing Eric
Swann could see.  Rate the OL a solid B with the potential to get
better as the season progresses.

The Eagles receiving corps get an A for their effort.  Fred
Barnett, IMO, is becoming one of the best WRs in the game.  Nobody
in the Cards secondary could stick with him.  The Eagles punishing
rushing attack forced the Cards to move their safeties up which
allowed Barnett to draw single coverage.  And he just ate 'em up.
If the Eagles continue to establish a running game with Walker,
one of Barnett/Williams/Dixon is going to be going one-on-one.
Add in Byars and Randall has alot of weapons to work with.  As an
Eagles fan, I can only imagine how potent this offense would be if
TE Keith Jackson signs.  I say, "only imagine", because KJ and the
Eagles aren't even close in contract negotiations.

For the second week in a row the Eagles special teams did a very
good job.  Great coverage, good returns, and no missed PATs!  Give
them an A-!

The Eagles defense did an excellent job against the run, but looked
bad at times against the pass, despite six sacks.  Izel Jenkins was
burned repeatedly on the corner.  The only saving grace is that Wes
Hopkins sat out due to injury.  I would like to think that the veteran
would have been able to help out on 'zel's coverages.  Jenkins is
without a doubt the weakest link on the Eagles defense and he will be
severely tested next week when Elway comes to town.  'Zel gets a big
F for his performance with the rest of the defense getting a B.

For the first time last night the Eagles defense missed Jerome Brown.
In years gone bye, the Eagles would collapse the pocket around the QB,
but not last night.  Reggie White and Clyde Simmons are a given with
the outside pressure, but there was no push up front which allowed
Chandler (sp?) to step up and throw.  Jerome would have pushed the
line backwards, maybe not getting the sack, but at the very least not
giving the QB that step forward to get accuracy on the ball.  It wan't
a dismal performance, but nothing resembling the GANG GREEN I grew to
know and love.  DT Leon Seals sat out the second half with an injury,
believed not to be severe, so that may explain some of it.  But he,
Golic, Jeter, and Harmon have got to step it up a notch.

Next week the Broncos visit Philadelphia.  The Eagles have got to
establish a running game against the Broncos defense.  On the other
side of the football, they have to contain Elway.  They can't let
him out of the pocket and get creative.  It should be one hell of
a football game.


E-A-G-L-E-S

Joe Dakes
AT&T Microelectronics
555 Union Boulevard
Allentown, PA  18103
alux2!jmd