From: jmd@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (joseph.m.dakes)
Subject: Eagles Report
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 01:00:47 GMT
Keywords: Philadelphia 17, Washington 13


What a game!  Decided on the last play of the game with the Skins
on the Eagles 4-yard line.  And it was even closer than that, a
finger tip closer.  Everybody who saw the highlights saw Eric Allen
knock the ball away at the end.  But the ball was able to be batted
down because one of the members of the GANG GREEN front tipped the
Rypien pass.  It slowed it down just enough for Allen to come over
and make the play.

That was the good news.  The bad news is for the third straight week,
the Eagles have failed to put a team away when it had the chance.  A
couple of missed FGs and an offsides on third and goal from the one
forced the Eagles to settle for three rather than end it with six.

But the team still came up with the BIG 'W' and clinched a playoff
spot after missing out last year.  The Eagles still have a shot at
the NFC East crown if Dallas loses tonight at Atlanta, and next
week against Chicago.  Or the Eagles can host a playoff game if
New Orleans loses at the New York Jets next Saturday.  Philadelphia
can end the regular season the way they started it, with four 
straight wins, against the Giants next Sunday at the Vet.  The Birds
are 7-0 at home this season.

Report Card:
============

Quarterback:  B.  Randall was 13-24 for 149-yards with one TD and
one INT.  He also carried twice for 29-yards.  Nothing exceptional,
but he was in full control out there against a team that usually
gives him alot of trouble.  He did take one foolish sack which cost
the Birds three points.

Running Backs:  A-.  Heath Sherman grounded out 96-yards on 18-tries
including a beautiful 21-yard TD run in the second quarter.  Heath
also caught two balls for 11-yards.  Herschel wasn't as successful.
Walker carried 13-times for 35-yards and failed on a couple of third
down attempts.

Receivers:  A-.  Keith Byars turned in another excellent effort at
TE.  Byars hauled in six ball fors 41-yards.  Fred Barnett caught
three balls for 59-yards and Calvin Williams had two receptions for
38-yards including a 28-yard TD strike.

Offensive Line:  A-.  After allowing ten sacks at Seatlle last week
(although not all of them were the OL's fault) one had to think the
Redskins defense was licking its chops going against Philadelphia.
But the OL did one hell of a job allowing the Eagles to use a
balanced attack against one of the leagues best defenses.  Philly
grounded out 160-yards rushing and 139-yards passing.  Randall was
sacked just twice, but neither was the fault of the OL.  If Heller
didn't jump offsides on a third and goal from the one late in the
game, the OL would have received an A!

Defensive Front:  C+.  The GANG GREEN got to Rypien three times,
but the pressure was inconsistent and the linebackers had a hell
of a time defending the 'Posse' over the middle.  Earnest Byner
was able to run with ease early in the game.  The only saving
grace were the interceptions.  Both outside LBs, William Thomas
and Seth Joyner had a pick.

Secondary:  B.  Eric Allen was burned for a 62-yard strike in the
second quarter, but he more than made up for it at the end.
Rookie corner Mark McMillian had another outstanding game.  But
Rypien had people open underneathe all day long.

Special Teams:  C-.  For, what seems like the hundredth time
this season, the Eagles were flagged on a return which gave the
offense poor starting field position.  Ruzek was 1-3 on FGs and
looked terrible on kickoffs.  The coverage wasn't much better as
the Birds gave up a long 43-yard return on the opening kickoff.
Vai Sikahema did break loose for a 47-yard return which led to
an Eagles FG late in the game.

Overall:  B.  The offense did what it wanted to do.  Use a
balanced attack and control the clock.  The good teams do that
this time of year.  The defense made some BIG plays, but they
need to stiffen up on the rushing defense.  Andre Waters may
not be ready to return this week against the Giants as initially
hoped and there is still no word on the status of Leon Seals.
Both these guys would be exellent Christmas presents with the
playoffs just around the corner.

I may not get a chance to post a report on the Giants game next
week, but I will try.  If not, you can rest assured I'll be back
the following week with a report on the Eagles playoff game.
Unless of course the Birds end up with a bye for winning the NFC
East.  In which case I'll be back to taunt the Dallas fans:-).


E-A-G-L-E-S

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