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