From: epc1@quads.uchicago.edu (Merlin)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Analysis of Eagles vs Cowboys
Date: 5 Jan 93 16:04:20 GMT
Article-I.D.: midway.1993Jan5.160420.20034
Reply-To: epc1@midway.uchicago.edu
Organization: University of Chicago


Well, I haven't posted any insights in a long time due to other concerns.
However, this matchup begs to be over-analyzed.  I just wish I were in 
Philly so I could hear some of the WIP analyses.  WIP is interesting
because the people who call in are 3 out of 4 times idiots saying the
same things over and over again.  However, some of the commentaters
are truly insightful and have fresh perspectives instead of reaching into
a bag of hackneyed banalities such as "the Saints played for 30 minutes
while the Eagles played for 60".  I can't stand meaningless cliches
like this.  I can understand why players do it but when commentaters
can't lend more than such phrases then they deserve to be fired.

I've seen almost all of the Eagles games on TV this year and have followed
them very closely.  I was also fortunate enough to see them against
the Giants in Week16 at the Vet.  Despite talk by contrarians to lose the
game and play the 3rd wildcard team, the Eagles really needed to win the
game convincingly.  The Eagles haven't played up to expectations this year;
most people expected them to win the NFC East and even host the NFC
championship game.  In addition, late into the season, they had close games
against the Seahawks and Redskins.  On top of this were the controversies
surrounding Randall, Seth, and Reggie - Randall because of his inconsistency,
Seth because of his mouth, and Reggie because he might leave next year.
If the Eagles were like the 49ers and played at a consistent, playoff
like level throughout the entire season, then they could think about losing to
the Giants.  However, the Eagles did not obviously play at such a level.
Hence, the Eagles needed to prove to themselves and to everyone else
that they could play at such a level and build up momentum going into the 
playoffs.  The Eagles did do this by dominating the Giants for 2.5 quarters 
before the eased up because of imminent victory.

Against the Saints, the Eagles looked pathetic for the first 2.5 quarters.
Needless to say, the defense made adjustments.  I'm still not
sure what happened to the offense in the first half.  The second
half of the game was incredible for the Eagles.  The looked as fantastic
as the Eagles did in the first 4 games of the season.  While the Saints
coaches, offense, and defense deserve some of the game, the Eagles
looked like they were in great form and virtually dominant.  In addition,
despite Kotite's mediocrity as a coach and a team leader (he brought in
Pat Ryan, he never made contingency plans before Jacksons departure, he
had to be TOLD by Byars to use him as a tight end), Kotite showed a small
bit of intelligence and he did have a plan going into the game.  The Eagles
rushed to the left at Pat Swilling.  This is the first hint of an offensive
scheme by Kotite which has worked to my knowledge.


Now, what can we conclude about the Eagles vs Dallas game going into this
game?  
	- The Eagles are close to achieving an incredible form and consistency.
While not quite as dominating as they were in the first 4 games of the season,
the Eagles are close to such a level.  

	- Randall, even when down in the last 5 games or so, never had the
panicked look about him as if he believed himself as the savior of the Eagles.
Randall's numbers have been mostly average.  To be winning with such numbers
makes me feel very good because it shows that the Eagles have multiple
offensive threats which are being used.  It also shows that Randall is
using sound judgement in not taking everything into his own hands.

	- The defense is damn good.  Certainly playing as if it were in the
top 3 in the league over the past several weeks.  Maino and Booty might
even be average as safeties now.

	- Walker and Sherman have both had 100+ yard rushing days in the last
2 weeks.

	- The Eagles field goal unit looks very weak, not because of Ruzek
but because of his surrounding support players.


With this in mind, the Eagles have several weaknesses.  Their field goal
attempts can be blocked.  The two corners are excellent.  However, if Dallas
starts sending sending another one or two people as intermediate and deep 
threats, the Eagles might have real problems.  Randall can still fumble
the ball because he cannot feel pressure as easily as everyone would want
him to.  I don't believe Randall can be mentally rattled but turning over
the ball twice will really hurt the team.  I still feel Sherman will
fumble the ball once in a game.

Despite these weaknesses, the Eagles have many more things in their favor.
Vai is a constant threat.  The Eagles linebackers are excellent.  The offensive
line has been very good over the last several weeks.  One of the Eagles 
rushers is likely to get a 100 yards against Dallas.  Having given up 160 yards
to Emmit last game, the Eagles are almost sure to contain him this time.  I
don't think people realize that Emmit has never done well against the Eagles
until the last game.  Finally, one has to wonder,
if the Eagles are this good with average numbers by Cunningham, what can 
happen if he has a good day?  

I feel very good about this game.  In fact, I think the spread is ridiculous.
The Eagles have alot of strengths coming into this game.  In addition, I still
feel that the Eagles have the Cowboys' number.  Alot of people have forgotten
the bane of the Eagles.  In addition, they feel that huge wins over Atlanta
and Chicago indicates how great the team is.  While I am an Eagles
fan, I am being very objective in my analysis and my statement when I say
to Cowboys' fans, "Be very afraid".
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro