From: 187701458@vill.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro
Subject: Re: Playoffs: Philly at NewOrleans
Date: 29 Dec 92 17:41:00 GMT
Organization: Villanova University
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1

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 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. Sunday's game is the moment
of truth. A lackadaisical attitude just won't do. I am a big Eagles fan but
I was especially critical of Cunningham and the offense this game. It is
time he silenced his critics about his playoff game potential. And it is
time for him and the offense to reward Gang Green Defense for its tireless
support the past few years.


>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. He did read the blitzes of the Vikings
well. I know, you are going to remind me about the Seahawks game but I 
would say that was an aberration. The Birds've respond well to challenges and 
lose momentum against teams they are supposed to cream ( Packers, Seahawks ).
The offensive line looked pretty good despite Ron Heller and Mike Schad (?) 
being rested for the game. I thought Randall's 25 yard TD scramble 
was a quick and cool decision. That should help.


>3.  There may not be time in the pocket to throw long.  This takes away the
>	primary threat of Fred Barnett.  This may work to our favor if the
>	coaches are clever enough (ha!).  No one in the entire league expects
>	the Eagles to go up top early.  If they use play action on the first
>	few series, they can potentially burn the Saints secondary early.  If
>	not, look for short outs that have a dangerous INT potential built in 
>	all day.


	The positive part of this aspect is that Randall C. has been finding
Calvin Williams these days instead of just looking for Fred Barnett who is
often double teamed. The  negative aspect is that Freddie seems to have unsure
hands these days. He dropped a certain TD pass in the Skins game and another
easy pass in the game versus the Gaints. Another plus is the beautiful rainbow
passes Randall has been throwing recently.



>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.


>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. :-)


> 
>6.  Coaching.  Give the Saints the edge all the way.  
> 
>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.
> 
>I will definitely have my Maalox handy during this game.  It should be a
>great one.
>--
>Kevin Schnitzius                         Eagles -- Not America's Team, 
>kschnitzius@encore.com                             they're better than that.


	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. ".............


		Jagdeep Sahni
		A Hard Hitting, Trash Talking Philadelphia Eagles Fan
		Joyner, Evans & Thomas. Show the Saints, WHO are really 
		All Pro Linebackers!!!
		Herbert, Watch out. Here'sssssss Gang Green!!!
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro