Staff Blog
Morning Rounds, November 17th
In the ugliest, most depressing way to effectively end a season imaginable - a 13-13 tie to the lowly Bengals - the Eagles had plenty of flubs, errors and mistakes that could be singled out for criticism: 5 turned the ball over four times and famously didn’t know the rules, Sav Rocca looked like a high schooler, Andy Reid faced 18 third downs and called for a pass on all 18 of them, and the Birds called a timeout once to kick a field again and a second time after a failed review, for example. Still, I’m going to ignore these (for now) and instead look at the moment when it ended - the moment the Eagles gave up.
With about a minute thirty left in what Donovan McNabb believed was going to be the first of many overtimes, the Eagles faced a forth and one at their own 22. They had no time-outs; if they went for it and didn’t convert - and given their penchant for not-converting short-yardage situations that certainly wasn’t implausible - the game, and their chances at the postseason would be over. Hell, even if they converted they would be buried in their own zone, having to travel about 50 yards to even give Akers a chance at the last-second win. Of course, if they did give the ball back to the Bengals with 90 seconds on the clock and no timeouts, they’d be playing for a tie anyway. Given the competitive climate of the NFC East, a tie would be pretty equivalent to a loss.
The Eagles punted.
It was a situation where a tie would have the same effect as a loss, and the Eagles played for the tie.
Looking back it’s an indefensible decision - the latest in a long line of them for a Reid-McNabb era. If it’s any consolation, it’ll probably be the last meaningful gaffe the two are allowed to commit.
 |
| philly.com |
“I was looking forward to the next opportunity to get out there and try to drive down and win the game.” - Donovan McNabb
Three lines on their world:
- With Tony Romo back in action the Cowboys held off the Redskins in D.C.
- Tennessee knocked off Jacksonville and improved to 10-0
- and college basketball is starting to really get underway
Three lines on ours:
- The Eagles tied the Bengals
- The Flyers knocked off the Trashers
- and the Sixers continued their recent hot streak with a Saturday win over the Thunder
Phillies, Birds, Sixers, Flyers and what everybody is talking about, after the jump
EAGLES
Ashley Fox thinks that while Banner and Reid will survive the season, McNabb won’t be as lucky. READ
Bob Ford says that the tie throws all the tiebreakers out the window. SKIP
Rich Hofmann believes that this game will go down in history for one reason: McNabb not knowing the rules. READ
Paul Domowitch says short yardage is still the problem. READ
Paul Domowitch grades the team. SKIP
Stu Bykofsky writes about curses. SKIP
Josh Katzowitz reports that the Bengals knew what the Eagles were doing to do. READ
Les Bowen’s notes call out Sav Rocca, get an Antonio Chapman update and more. SKIP
Rich Hofmann calls bullshit on the final roughing-the-passer call. SKIP
Bob Brookover’s notes check in with Quintin Mikell, who injured Antonio Chapman’s spine with a clean hit; says Trent Cole was upset with the officiating and more. READ
Bob Brookover’s up/down drill. READ
Paul Domowitch delievers the talking points. SKIP
Paul Vigna looks at some of the numbers. SKIP
Les Bowen reports that Ocho Cinco jumped in the Birds’ reciever line before the game. READ
Before yesterday’s game Reuben Frank remembered Uncle Cholly and said to give Andy Reid a chance. READ
SIXERS
Phil Jasner thinks Dalembert is getting more comfortable playing with Brand. READ
Kate Fagan breaks down the backup backcourt. SKIP
Kate Fagan looks at the “get-it-in crew.” READ
Phil Jasner explores Willie Green’s new role. READ
PHILLIES
Todd Zolecki breaks down Ryan Howard’s chances at the MVP. The winner will be announced today at 2. SKIP
Zolecki’s notes look at Ruben Amaro’s staff, some reliever’s that interest the Phils and more. READ
Zolecki reports that Ruben Amaro is content to let the market come to him. SKIP
Bob Ford looks at the Phillies’ past patience in free agency. READ
FLYERS
Rick O’Brien’s notes look at Joffrey Lupul’s play, the Brendan Shanahan rumors and more. SKIP
Sam Carchidi focuses on the Flyers’ struggles in shoot-outs. SKIP
TODAY and MORE
Eventually we’ll take a look at the Eagles’ disastrous tie and the Sixers’ weekend win, but first we need to shake the stupid that comes with a great slate of football games out of our eyes with a couple quick hits from the weekend.
As always, feel free to email with any questions, suggestions, comments or complaints.
