| I felt the Eagles-Saints matchup last week was more | | | | with Considine subbing in for passing situations. The |
| of a "trap" game then a "letdown" game. After | | | | only thing we can hope for is a fire lighting under Lewis, |
| defeating the Dallas Cowboys in a game that grabbed | | | | who was a pro bowler two seasons ago and that he |
| Super Bowl-like attention the Birds would have to be | | | | can regain his confidence that has taken a major blow. |
| on their game 2 weeks in a row as they faced a new | | | | As for Considine who I've watched closely since the |
| and definitely improved New Orleans Saints team. The | | | | pre-season, I hope the playing time he's being given |
| Saints are leading the NFC South, and for good | | | | pays some long term game dividends. He's earned a |
| reason, they have a legitimate NFL quarterback in | | | | place in the defense we just didn't expect it to be at |
| Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Deuce McCallister | | | | Lewis' expense.I thought time management was a |
| provide outside the tackle speed as well as power up | | | | subject we would not have to touch this season |
| the middle in the running game. Their defense can be | | | | because the Eagles had done such a decent job of |
| tricked as you saw on Sunday but for the most part | | | | doing so, until it cost them a chance at winning the |
| they play hard and get after you. Sean Payton is a | | | | game Sunday. Reid says he has to do a better job at |
| fresh-faced head coach who has yet to be figured | | | | managing the clock but he's been saying that since he |
| out. Most importantly, the Saints are the sentimental | | | | showed up 8 seasons ago. Taking a timeout after a |
| favorites of the league as they return to a | | | | sack is useless, if his first 10-15 plays are scripted and |
| post-Katrina New Orleans. This is a focused and | | | | you're mixing it up after that, Reid & Co. should not be |
| united team playing for a city and a region. Pushovers | | | | burning a time out until well into the second quarter. I'm |
| no longer, the Eagles found themselves in a dogfight | | | | almost resolved to taking a delay of game penalty in |
| instead of a cakewalk. Give credit to the Saints they | | | | the first and third quarters just to hold onto the timeout. |
| did come back late in the game but everything the | | | | If there was a timeout available late in the game |
| Eagles are feeling this week was self-inflicted.No unit in | | | | Sunday maybe rookie linebacker Omar Gaither gets |
| football requires more focus than special teams; this | | | | off the field before the fatal 12-man on the field |
| unit can change the complexion of a game and break | | | | penalty is called and we're not having this discussion. |
| the spirit of the opposition. Sunday lack of focus | | | | Nevertheless, Andy continues to buck common sense |
| possibly cost the Eagles the game when late in the | | | | at times and says that he will continue to call timeouts |
| first half Ryan Moats backed into return man Dexter | | | | when the play clock is running down, Donovan |
| Wynn causing a muffed punt deep in Eagle territory | | | | McNabb agrees. The argument here is why continue |
| leading to a Saints touchdown late in the first half giving | | | | to push yourself back by taking 5 yard penalties |
| them a 17-3 lead. Head coach Andy Reid argued that | | | | constantly. That's why the timeout is there. No. How |
| Moats was blocked into Wynn. At any rate, Moats | | | | about getting to the line of scrimmage with a sense of |
| should have held his block and known where he was | | | | urgency and getting the play into McNabb on time. |
| in relation to Wynn.I like Michael Lewis as a person and | | | | Better yet, send him in with three plays to call, similar to |
| as a player, but he has slowly become a liability in the | | | | what the Indianapolis Colts do with Peyton Manning. |
| Eagles pass defense. Opposing quarterbacks from | | | | McNabb has the liberty to call his own plays, which |
| David Carr to Drew Brees have gone deep at some | | | | makes this all even more baffling.No need in crying |
| point or another finding Lewis out of position to help | | | | over spilled Mint Juleps, the Birds are 4-2, with a |
| over the top. He is not the primary culprit in the Eagles | | | | Tampa Bay Buccaneer squad on life support and the |
| having the 27th rated pass defense, but his fingerprints | | | | suddenly not so scary Jacksonville Jaguars up. The |
| are on several deep passing plays this season. Insert | | | | Eagles have two winnable road games before the |
| second year safety Sean Considine who has been | | | | bye week, finishing at the midway point 6-2 or even |
| playing in the dime package and has held his own. In | | | | 5-3 is more than any of us could've expected. Looking |
| yesterday's press conference, Reid acknowledged | | | | at the way things are panning out around the league |
| that Lewis and Considine would platoon the strong | | | | this season, that December from hell isn't looking too |
| safety position. Lewis would be in for running situations | | | | bad. |