Sunday, January 14, 2007

Midnight Reflections

I'm with Jimmy Johhnson - what the heck is the sense in not going for it on 4th and 15? If you get the hold you are hoping for, it is, at worst, a 30-24 game and you have to score a TD. If you get the hold, it might be 27-24. But when you kick it away, with a tired defense that can't stop the run, you are taking a huge risk of not seeing the ball again.

Andy Reid's clock management has been atrocious for his entire tenure. It has never improved, and when McNabb assumes control again next year, the QB will be as bad as the coach in this area. He did it in the Super Bowl, when he huddled as the 4th quarter disappeared. He seems to have no sense of what to do when the clock is not your ally. So once again, his obtuseness when it comes to the clock was a season killer.

Jeff Garcia has left his imprint on this team; I have zero expectation that he will be back. He is too valuable to a team that is close to be a winner (Chicago?) not to turn up as a starter next year. We will be back with Donovan, who seems to impart a fragile ego to the team. Andy will get back to overdependence on McNabb's skills. I hope I am wrong, but that's how I see it going next year. No joy in Philly until, at a minimum, next October, but don't get too excited about that either. Go Predators! (Unfortunately, there is a lot of talk about attendance issues here, so I don't want them to go as in out-of-town, but as in win.)

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Game over

Terrible ending. Andy Reid is an idiot.

Generous spot

Deuce thinks otherwise, but I hope they do review it and mark it at the 30, as they should.

Will someone please explain this?

Two timeouts. End of season staring you in the face. Defense tired. And you punt. Unbelievable.

PUNT??????

WTF!!!!

Agita!

What a disgraceful waste of three downs after the gift turnover.

4th and 10 - I can't bear to watch. Okay, I will.

And there it is!

FUMBLE!!!!

3:41 to go in regulation

I think the score right now is the inverse of the call by TGS. Not dissing Bruce, but the spread really doesn't matter to me right now.

I don't know how the Eagles change anything at this point. Can only hope for a strip of the ball. Payton won't all a pass, even on third and long, should it come to that, I don't think. I hope it comes to that. Back to the game....

No stop coming

Can only hope for a mistake (ie, fumble).

First time out burned. Looking very, very bleak.

Lucky

Saints receiver was open downfield. Clock stops.

Piss poor D on 3rd and 8. Clock ticks away.

Bush for 8. Tick tock.

1st down. Clock runs. Game over.

Run it down our throat

Seems like the Saints figured it out - run until we stop it. Will we stop it? I doubt it.

3rd and short - huge play.

First down and the clock ticks away...

Biggest possession thus far

Allow a TD and the Eagles go down by two scores - that would be fatal. Give up a long drive and lose a lot of clock, and that too could be deadly. We need a turnover in a bad way.

Down 27-24

Don't know if the receiver was as open as he looked on first, but incomplete.

The return of the second and long run for no gain - way to waste a critical down!

Third and long, just like that. They really needed to do something, and they have put themselves in a hole.

That was way too quick - defense will get back on the field and will absolutely need a stop.

Next Saints possession

Sack on first. Why don't the Saints just run the ball down the Eagles' throat?

Gaither knows how to tackle - he needs to teach the rest of the team.

Third and long - better not give up a first here.

Finally, a defensive stand. Need to score six on the next possession.

Big series

Momentum could avalance against them with a 3-and-out.

Simoneau uses his head.

LJ nice catch to get a first.

JG nice scramble, called back.

Another nice downfield pass.

Westie rocks! Nice run for another first.

Gain of 9, but nothing on 2nd. Very big play.

Are you kidding me? You go to Tapeh in that situation? Oh Lord!

27-24 Saints. Agita.

Game over

Sorry to say it, but the Eagles offense can't keep up with this. The defense is awful. They aren't tackling. The pressure is inconsistent. The Saints are going through the Eagles like a knife through butter, and I don't see any way to stop it.

First and (almost) goal

Deuce with the TD. Jim Johnson's defensive calls this half have sucked. This could be ugly.

Screen to Deuce

Rayburn ran upfield and forgot to tackle him as he ran by him. I am very worried.

Nice stop on the next play, but they have to watch playing beyond the whistle.

Am I the only one who thinks the Eagles' right end is being held on every rush?

Nice tackle by Gaither - I was afraid he might overrun the tackle.

No luck Eagles - force fumble, and only end up giving up more yards.

I love the comment "heads up play" - he was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

Dhani Jones - mark this down - with a good play. Enjoy it, doesn't happen often enough.

Another big pass given up. Flag aginst Eagles. Looking very bad for the second half.

Defense can't stop anything. Nine yards on that? Piss poor tackling. Holding penalty is nice.

1st-20 - a stop might prevent a FG. Sack by Cole! Another flag - not good. Sh!t. That is the difference between preventing points and almost certainly giving up points. That's our Dhani!

Momentum time

The Eagles gave away what momentum BW gave them with his long TD run by not playing defense, and then not doing anything with great field position. Ad for "300" - I would like Dan Gray to accompany Victor Davis Hanson to a screening (very inside joke).

Defense needs to figure it out and in a hurry.

Going downfield

They tried on first - not a bad call.

Reverse to BW - remember the hand-off in the first half to Correll when BW ran this as a decoy? They ran it for real this time and it worked well.

Why, after two plays like the preceding, do you do a slow developing inside handoff to Correll?

BW picked a bad day to get the drops. That was a huge gain lost.

Squandered opportunity. Bad play call on first. Bad drop on second. Bad execution on third.

Punt - or fake?

Kickoff: Birds 21-20

A little razzle-dazzle! I don't remember the Eagles ever running a reverse on a KO return, and it worked nicely. Good field position - let's do something with it.

On further review

How is that not holding on the Saints? There was an O-lineman who just had his hands on the pile, including an Eagle, and was pulling everything along. Regardless, the Eagles simply must play better on defense.

I was wondering if this was going to end 39-38 earlier this week - it just might.

Side note: Preds win again, record is 31-11-3. How many made the All-Star team? Just one - Captain Kimmo. I guess those goals all just sort of scored themselves. Paul Kariya anyone?

Who made the adjustments?

Doesn't look as if the Saints are having trouble moving the ball. Coach Johnson?

Still running right through the D.

Thanks for throwing on first, Saints! Let's pick it up, defense.

That's not what I had in mind - 28 yards down to the 5.

I guess the most interesting question is, do they go for 2?

Hey, it's $155 million!

I mean, Beckham wouldn't have missed the game to buy a lottery ticket, but I'm not Beckham!

Runs from Deuce and Bush for good yardage. Fortunately, a penalty on the Saints slows their momentum. Defense has to get better.

BW!

Okay, I have to admit: I had decided to buy lottery tickets at halftime, and the stupid reader wouldn't take the slip I had filled in, or the first one I filled in at the place, and finally on the third try, it took.

Unfortunately, I missed the TD run! I heard it on the radio, from some out of town broadcast I pulled in on a static-y AM station. I couldn't find a local station that had the game, believe it or not. From the tone of the announcers, I would guess that if not a NOLA station, it must have been close!

Don't give up points!

Smart move by the Saints to try to get some yardage; thankfully, it didn't work.

No penalties on the Hail Mary pass. And KNOCK IT DOWN!

That was too damned close!

I need to pee.

I don't freaking believe it

A near block, and then they give up a huge run. I don't believe it.

Clock Management, as usual

Sack on second down, but no TO called by the Birds. I can't believe the Saints called TO. I hope the defense realizes that if they make a stop, they MUST call TO!

Third down... SACK! And they called a TO!

I hope BW is back for the return.

Waiting on the review that didn't happen

Why that isn't reviewed is beyond me, but it turns out to be the right call, albeit for a reason other than what Stockton and Moose had offered.

BW over the top for the TD! Akers with the XP.

I was getting the queasy feeling that with the score 13-7 Saints, that we were all set up for the 20-7 lead, as it was under Richie Uptite. I remember the way the momentum shifted to the Eagles in the 4th Q of that game, and it just snowballed. Of course, Randall spent the next week in Dallas throwing balls at his receivers' feet.

Short kick - good return. Here's hoping that they don't give up any points before the half.

First half review at the 2:00 mark

Birds need to punch it in here and go into the half with a lead. At a minimum, they need a FG. Obviously, they need to make some adjustments on defense. Throwing downfield should be their approach until the Saints can stop it.

Back to the game.

JG with a nice scramble to get the first.

With the NO TO: how about that Colts-Ravens' game? No TD's? Rams 9 Bucs 0. Vinnie Ferragamo.

BW drops a TD! Oy vay! Six points lost because he looked upfield too soon.

I don't see how Stockton and Moose can say LJ is down - he is stretching with his legs off the ground, but his right shoulder *might* be down before the stretch. Obvious need to review.

Best Coors Lite commercial ever: Jim Mora - Playoffs!

Great 3rd down play

Nothing on first and second, but nice play on third. I think they have to keep throwing downfield, and save the run for later.

Donte drop on 1st.

Direct snap to BW for a small gain - still not sure Mornhinweg knows what he wants to do.

Baskett Case! Another downfield big gain - I think I detect a trend, here Marty - skip the runs for now!

Nice play by Correll - why do I always think he's about to fumble?

Taking it down to the 2:00 warning...

First and goal, again

Deuce is tough to bring down - I hope they don't give it to him again.

I would like to see a throw to the sideline and a pick.

Saints weren't dumb enough to throw - #44 held, which helped. It looks like it's going to go over the total.

Kickoff

Nice coverage, albeit with a missed tackle. This is a big series - shut them down and score, make it a 2-score game, and it's a big deal.

Give the Saints credit - they have made two nice gains, first to Colston, then Deuce. First down signal on this run is curious - TV showed it barely at the yellow line, but the ref just called it without a measurement.

Run D still not good. Okay, on that play it was pretty good (!) - loss of 6.

Good call by the Saints against that blitz - lucky not to have been burned for worse.

D needs to make a turnover.

Omar Gaither makes a nice tackle on Colston (how does a guy like that go that far down in the draft? Where was Mel Kiper on that one?). Cole nice stop on Bush, setting up another 3rd down. Come on, defense!

Bad job tackling. Disappointing that they gave up the first on a run.

Saints' drive is what they needed. They don't seem the least bit deflated by the Eagles TD.

Here we go with another 3rd down. A stop now, with a loss, could take away the FG.

Brees is tough if you don't get to him quickly. Bad job tackling, Brownie.

7-6

The really nice thing about that play is that it has to change the Saints' thinking about what to do on defense. If that guy can be burned deep, they are going to have to defend that, and that could leave open more of the short, West Coast-type stuff to BW and LJ Smith. I wouldn't want to be the Saints' defensive coordinator, trying to figure out how to cover Donte, who can extend the defense, with that CB. Reason to hope, Birds' fans!

Kickoff to the Birds

A decent return to get the offense started outside the 35 would be nice. Instead, it's only to the 24.

15 plays, 28 yards - not a nice start. Moose notes the similarities to last week.

Correll deep in the I? Weird. Why is BW on the sideline?

He's back, but that didn't help. Neither did LJ being held.

Another 3rd and long. OH MY!!! Maybe they were right about testing that CB
(Fred Thomas). Go DONTE!!!

3rd and goal

Defense good so far at the goal line, but need a stop here desperately...

Here we go: looked like a drop - thank goodness!

Yes, that was a drop, and I don't think (contrary to the Moose) that that was all that difficult a catch.

Saints 6-0. So far, it's a repeat of last week's game with the Giants. I hope that we get a 10-point lead in this one, but don't blow it, if we are going to follow that script.

First Q thoughts

Not a good start. The defense made some plays, but gave up some big ones, which is the NO MO on offense. The Eagles offense again looks to be searching for a formula. I think they need to run more. Now back to the game - 2nd and goal at the 5.

Getting bad

Deep pass complete inside the 5 - things are getting dark for the Eagles. I really don't want a replay of the last playoff game down there, with the Birds falling behind 20-7. Of course, they won, so maybe I do want a replay. Sort of.

Need a momentum changer

Saints will develop greater and greater comfort level the longer they play with a lead. Eagles need to make a play to change that.

Instead, they let Reggie Bush make a run on them. Oy.

I guess I am live-blogging

It keeps me sane - although JG's pass on 1st undoes that a bit.

His 3rd down pass isn't too good for my sanity either.

Playing. With. Fire.

Saints ball

First down - big play - second big gainer of the game.

Injured TE? Could be good for the Birds.


3rd and long... good defense - good pressure, forcing a short pass.

Probably not good field position for the Birds after the punt. Reno made a nice return, but was one step short of a possible big return.

Back on O....

Thoughts at 4:35 of the first

This isn't the kind of start the Eagles would have liked - not much offense, not much time of possession. The defense is going to have to make another stop and hope that the offense can at least hold onto the ball for a few minutes. I like Jim Johnson's scheme so far. However, they can't play with fire for too much longer.

Birds' second possession

At least they have a little more field with which to work.

I liked the call on first down, with BW serving as a decoy, except, well, it didn't work very well, now didn't it?

The throw into double coverage doesn't make much sense, except, as Moose claims, as a probe.

Bullet on third down and nice job of wresting the ball away from the defender by Reggie Brown.


First first down - they are trying to run, which I think is a good thing.

Wasted second down - Garcia drops the snap and recovers it.

Saved by a facemask penalty!

BW didn't use his blockers very well on the screen - looked as if he had room to the outside.

Seocnd down run - sets up 3rd and short.

Bad decision by JG not to run - 4th down.

Another thought

Why is it that the crappy local and state government, that the people of New Orleans are responsible for, is overlooked in all this tear-jerker coverage of the place post-Katrina? It's not that I don't feel sorry for them, and want them to come back, etc., but it's a bit much. If Philadelphia suffered a similar natural disaster, the outcome would probably be similar, save possibly for a better response from the Commonwealth government.

But what fun is wallowing in misery if you can't score anti-GOP points?

Bad tackling on the Deuce run

Considine got leveled by the Deuce. Two runs later and it's 3rd down, but with the Saints in FG position, it looks like we will be starting in a hole.

The pass on 3rd down was weak, but that was because of good pressure. The defense, except for one run, has looked good.

Saints 3-0.

3rd and long

A better throw would have gotten the first down.

The punt and the coverage were good.

Catching up a bit: Sheldon Brown's hit on Reggie Bush on the first Saints' possession was a thing of beauty. W was heard to say: "Nice job, Brownie". The Saints' fans were not amused.

Also, at Muzz's urging, I purchased "Fly Like an Eagle" from iTunes today and played it for her on her answering machine. It was a staple of game day in the Vermeil Era in our home.

Second observation

Holding call on Eagles deep in own end is ominous sign - how much does the NFL want the Saints to win?

Sort of live blogging the Eagles-Saints

Not sure if I am up to live-blogging the whole game. I will throw out some observations and impressions. First impression of the TV coverage: Moose Johnston is irritating.

Monday, January 08, 2007

Alphabet Soup

From a funny ESPN column about the weekend games (a sample):


NFC
Knock the NFC if you want to, but the conference posted two playoff wins this weekend. I didn't think it would get that many.

Oxygen
Jeremy Shockey was shown taking oxygen several times during the Giants-Eagles game. So apparently he does, in fact, take in oxygen and -- presumably -- some must make its way to his brain. Who knew?

Playbook
Winning in the postseason forces teams to go deep into their playbooks so they can give opponents different looks. The Eagles did the best job of this in the wild-card round, somehow finding some plays never-before-seen in Philadelphia in which the quarterback takes the snap and, instead of passing the ball, turns and hands it to a running back. Weird.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

23-20

Well, that was torture! On to New Orleans.

End of game strategy

I guess I don't know whether it's right or wrong to take this down to 4th down rather than try on 3rd, but I wouldn't like leaving time on the clock, as would happen if they made the kick on 3rd. Here we go.........

IT'S GOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD!!!!!!

Luca and Gabe are just happy that I am no longer so tense!

FG coming

It looks as if they are going to settle for a 38 yard attempt. I don't like this - would prefer trying to make a play. But here we are - time out on third down, and two chances to make the kick if the snap is bad. Glad I don't have money on this one - I thought the Eagles would win by 10 or more.

2:00 Warning

Not the kind of game I expected. I thought that the Eagles had moved to another level with the Dallas game, but they look ordinary today. Not bad, not especially good, either. I know it's the playoffs and all, but they never seemed to develop a clear attack plan, and even now, they don't seem to know what will work and what won't, except that giving it to BW is rarely a bad idea.

I hope that they give JG the opportunity to make a play.

Okay, giving it to BW is a smart thing! NYG burn their last TO, and the Eagles have the ball at the 19. Please don't screw it up, guys!

Okay, Reno didn't fumble

How about a 4:52 drive culminating in a FG? I would like that very much.

BW almost made a weirdly great play, diving down without being tackled. I think the refs were quick on the whistle, but he was down with incidental contact.

Short pass to Schobel. Nice run to get the first by BW.

Reggie Brown again. BW again. I hope they aren't playing for a real long FG on a bad field in bad weather. They need to keep moving the ball - don't settle for a 50-yard FG attempt.

BTW, Angela just called - oh, the game's still going on? YES!

Now the rain is a detriment

I am worried about a turnover on the kick return. Here's hoping that's not prophetic.

Burned by Plaxico

They got pressure, but Eli got lucky in that Plaxico made a fine play on the ball. They burned their 2nd TO - here's hoping that's a footnote, and not an issue that is discussed as they drive for a winning or tying score.

Piss poor defense. Blitz call was okay, but tackling was lousy. Now they pay for it with a TD surrendered. 2nd and 30 and they give up a score - not looking good for the home team.

Big play time

How did Tiki get through? They had him stood up. Bad spot - good challenge by teh NYG, which they should have done.

The challenge yesterday was perhaps the most game changing call that didn't involve a score that I can remember. The difference between the spot before and after the challenge was the difference in the game. Aikman is talking about it now, but I disagree with him: there was conclusive evidence of an overly generous spot. Not that I hate the Cowboys or anything, but that was an easy reversal ;-)

First down NYG - that was the right call, sadly.

Yet another false start on the NYG - third on the same guy, I think.

And yet another!

Holding! (Side note: bad Feng Shui on the hall bathroom - I had to pee but couldn't see the TV, even with the door open).

Overthrown on 1st - big deal with the penalties, in addition to the lost field position, is the need to let Eli throw. Could be a big play brewing for the Birds.

Bad defense

Ineffective blitz - Giants still have life.

Ouch - dislocated elbow for Lito.

Third and short - another big down. The fat guy is in at QB. I didn't understand the Giants thinking there - he is only good for one thing, and once you stack the line, what is he good for but calling a timeout?

BTW, the Coors fake post-game interview commercials are so-so, except for the Jim Mora one, which I think is hilarious. Playoffs? Playoffs?

Good medicine

Live blogging helps keep my nervousness in check, but it's a lot of work.

Fans are making noise. But Tiki is running the ball for a first down. Given the choice, I would take quiet fans and better defense.

Defensive holding on running plays? Not only is that a weird call, there was no holding on that particular play either. Ridiculous call.

Rain might be good for Eagles, as turnover potential increases. However, that applies to the team with a lead, and the way they are playing on this series, it may be tied shortly.

Nice hard tackle by Trotter. Lito is down - not good. The secondary used to be a strength, but now it's not so much a liability as a question mark. Dawk certainly picked it up as the year went on, but Micheal Lewis went backward. Lito is one of the better players back there - I guess Mikell will get some PT.

Here we go...

"Speaking of comb-overs, it's Tape" - not bad for an on-the-fly pun by Joe Buck.

BW running right for 3 - 3rd and 2, interesting play call coming up. I vote run.

I got the run, BW got a nice spot, and the Birds have a 1st down. I think he had it without the generous spot, but we'll take the extra foot.

First down was weird - was he going for the near receiver or the one further downfield? Guess it doesn't matter as a practical thing.

Nice blitz pickup by Correll (or a dumb move by McQ), but incomplete.

NO CALL! Was there no contact??? Aikman is right - there should have been a call. Even just illegal contact if not interference.

Gut rumble time again...

20-13

It could have been worse - Eli could have run (as he should have), or could have made a better throw. Yet it is a one score game again. This would be a real nice time for a clock-eating drive ending with a TD.

Gut check time

Well, Sheldon should have known to turn the other way and look for the ball. Now it's nervous time.

Cut down Tiki on 2nd after 7 on first down. A play action pass would be deadly, I think. Here's hoping the Giants don't have the guts to give Eli the ball and a chance to make a play. Here's also hoping that they bring some pressure, which has been inconsistent at best.

2nd and long - again

They might as well have run up the middle - short dump to Buckhalter with a LB draped on his back. At least the massage feels nice.

3rd and 7 - run? Weird call. Akers need to make this one to make sense of that last call.

Akers is good - I remember reading this week that his FG % is "well below his career average". He was 18 of 23, or 78%, compared to a career mark of 82%. I wanted to ask the moron who wrote that whether he understood math - one miss is the difference between "well below" and 83%, and they got a new holder because the last miss was blamed on the holder. Innumeracy is rampant.

Back to the game - two Tiki runs and it's 3rd down - it's Eli Error Time!

Oh well - the yellow TV line never lies. This game is on the brink right now - another Eagles score and it's over. A Giants score and it's nervous time.

Sheldon Brown needs to turn around - stupid penalty.

Predictable

Why do the Eagles always run on 2nd and long? I mean, every flippin' time - and without success. Reggie Brown with a nice 3rd down grab - and he went down to the sticks before looking for the ball!

Nice reverse on first down - I was hoping for the run. Donte works on his downfield blocks - good to see.

I don't understand the kind of runs they are trying - too much inside the tackles, which by itself isn't so bad, if it's quick hitter-type stuff.

Nice play by Reggie Brown, coming back to the QB. JG bought time and made the throw.

Is the field made of sand? Injury TO - I am turning the massager back on and will be back with more on the other side.

Defense needs to make something happen

Pinned down at their own 1 - D needs to make points out of this.

Two Tiki runs - Giants are afraid to let Eli turn the ball over.

Nice stop on 3rd - decent pass rush, but not enough pressure for my taste. Omar Gaither has been a find.

As usual, with a big return come the flags - I want to see the replay.

Having seen the replay, I think it was ticky tacky - the kind of thing where there wasn't a block made, just contact of the kind that can't be avoided. I hate flags on returns - they seem to occur about 50% of the time.

Back on O

I liked the first call - too bad it wasn't there. I didn't like the 2nd down call - deep pitch between the tackles. Baskett has been a revelation, but you don't get first downs when you need 11 and you run 5 yards downfield. This game has a reverse of the first quarter feel.

TURNOVER! Leon Lett lives! The ball is live until it is downed, right? What is this "illegal touch" stuff? I don't see how, if the kicking team is trying to down the ball, and the receiving team comes in and touches the ball, that it's not simply a turnover. Bruce - I need your help.

Great defensive series

Very hopeful signs: pass rush on 1st that caused Eli to take a 2-yard run. Shut down Tiki on 2nd. Sack by Juqua Thomas on third (why does he pronounce it Joo-KWAY?). He wasn't Frenchy Foo-KWAY after all!

Punt return was nice - they clearly set up a return, and although it wasn't anything fantastic, it was 9 yards, and it gives us great field position. Need to turn this into points.

I'm back

Third and long - JG should have delivered sooner.

Near turnover on the punt. Now it's on the defense to establish itself this half.

Prediction: turnover return for TD. I can dream, can't I?

Second half

First possession is key - score and make it a 2 TD game, and the complexion changes. Turnover and the Giants are in the game for the duration. Would like to see, at a minimum, movement down the field.

Nice run by BW - facemask was a good penalty for the Giants, as it caused BW to knock the ball out of his own hand, short-circuiting what might have been a bigger run. Injury timeout - I am eating a salad now, so I will be posting less frequently.

Second half

First possession is key - score and make it a 2 TD game, and the complexion changes. Turnover and the Giants are in the game for the duration. Would like to see, at a minimum, movement down the field.

Nice run by BW - facemask was a good penalty for the Giants, as it caused BW to knock the ball out of his own hand, short-circuiting what might have been a bigger run. Injury timeout - I am eating a salad now, so I will be posting less frequently.

Half time thoughts

Giants blew a huge opportunity to put points on the board in the first quarter. Eagles were better in the second, obviously, but I am still disappointed with the weak pass rush. Not that Eli has shown much ability to make reads and deliver the ball, even with the benefit of time to do so, but I wouldn't want to continue doing this in the second half. Tiki is good, but we have to do better at stopping him, period. If we take him away, then relying on Eli gives us a huge advantage.

Offense seems not so much to have jelled as to have found a few things that might work. BW on the edge - wide pitchouts, please - would be nice. Garcia hasn't impressed, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt in terms of getting past the playoff jitters and warming to the task as the 2nd quarter rolled on. But I don't sense a clear idea of what they are trying to do offensively. I get the feeling that they are making it up as they go, and will hope to open up a 2-score lead before going to a clock-eating approach.

I would take 2 more replays of the 2nd quarter - I had predicted a 34-14 Eagles win in an e-mail this morning, and would love to see that come to fruition.

Giants live in fear

You knew they wouldn't let Eli throw. But now they have :22 instead of :42 - a wasted opportunity for points. It is so frustrating watching them mismanage the clock, over and over and over.

Good to see BW on punt return, but again, too little too late.

With :11 to go, I don't think Reid would have the guts to try a 15 yard out followed by a Hail Mary. I would.

My gosh! Inside handoff to BW - yeah, let's risk injury to our best offensive player on a meaningless down. If you are going to do that, give it to Correll.

Anyway, half time thoughts coming up...

Call time out!

Whatthehell!!!

The crappy time management of Andy Reid is exposed yet again. 3rd and long, Eli could make a mistake - use the flippin' time out! Yes, yes, pray for me, kids!

1:57 to go in the half

2nd and 7 - now 2nd and 12. That's more false starts in a half than you usually get in two games.

Short pass to Brown - why did the ref stop the clock? We'll take it, I guess. 3rd and 5 - big play. Wow! Reggie Brown in heavy traffic! Could have called interference on NYG, but it doesn't matter.

Wasted first down. Why isn't that roughing? I have seen cheaper calls than that made.

TD Donte! Inferno! Divinely comical! Six! XP and it's 17-10. Fly Eagles Fly in the background. Donte almost didn't make the catch - rolled around on his shoulder pads a bit. Great protection - Shawn Andrews made a great block off the snap, burying the left end and giving JG all the time in the world.

Teeth-rattling hit on the kickoff return. Looks like a game break and then back to the action. Angela and the twins went to church - hope they pray for my forgiveness!

Kickoff

The Eagles only ever make me nervous returning kicks - never much of a chance for a big return, but always the possibility of a TO.

Reggie Brown - nice catch and run on 1st. 14 yards. I gotta pee but I don't want to!

Saw Correll's run and then had to go - missed the LJ catch. Why does Runyan do sh!t like that? So unnecessary. He got lucky that the Giants guy responded by knocking him into a ref. Eagles got lucky on that exchange.

First down call is mystifying - even joe Buck is noting that running inside has been futile. Dante makes a nice catch and run for the first.

What in the HALE is JG calling a time out for? He is channeling McNabb on clock management at the end of the half. What a dumb, dumb move.

In other news: I plugged in the chair massager that I got for Christmas - at least I am getting a massage while watching!

A delay to BW - I can't fathom the thought process there. Why aren't they trying to get the ball to him on the edge, where he can beat the LB & secondary instead of first having to get through the line? I guess that's why Marty Mornhinweg (I am nearly certain I misspelled that) gets the big bucks and I sit here blogging.

Side note

Tradition has it that we keep the tree up until my birthday (1/6). That's why it came down today. I am 43 years and 1 day old!

First down - could have used a better bounce. Incomplete, but could have been a game-changing INT with some luck.

Second down and little for Tiki. Big third down.

Sheldon is back and making the play! Nice defense. 10-10.

Quick recap

Bruce is a football savant - remembers scores of multiple games, factoids such as the game in which the Chiefs first wore red pants. Unbelievable! One of the smartest guys I know. A smart sports station would have him on board already.

KO: Akers through the end zone? Doesn't happen often.

Eli and Gilbride are arguing - nice. I liked that the Giants ran Tiki - shows lack of confidence in Eli. However, don't like the defensive response.

Again, on second and one, that's a down that an offense could use to try for the big play, but the Giants ran. First down.

White Trash loses his helmet but keeps on moving forward - I don't like him, but he's a good player. Pass out to the flat. Nice play by Sheldon Brown on second down to stop Tiki - a stop would be nice on third.

Nice hold by Tiki. That's an effective way to pick up the blitz. Defense needs to stop this now.

Not a pretty play, allowing Tiki to run down the sideline.

Time out for the Giants - defense doesn't look good, and losing Sheldon Brown could be a big loss. More after the commercials.

Back to the game

I am looking for #18 - instead, it's a reverse to BW, who takes it 20 yards. Go Westie!

Nine more from Correll - one of the great stories of this season. Good guy from all I have read, and before his injuries one of the best at delivering a hit to the defense even as he was being tackled.

Sorry, Angela picks now to have the tree pulled out to the front of the house. Wives are great! So I saw the plays in the green zone, but can't give you a run down. At least Koy can hold the ball - unlike Romo (hah!).

10-7 - I really wanted the TD, but a lead is nice.

7-7 - it's a new game

Good KO and coverage.

Gabey's last message was all his own.

Tiki's short run is what we need. The gang tackle on 2nd down was a thing of beauty.

And Eli comes through! All the time in the world (I was cursing the pass rush under my breath) and he makes that throw. Thanks, Eli!

BTW, I received a missive from Bruce that starts out with a Bengals-Broncos score - I will have to check it out during the stoppage in play.

I say go for the jugular: play action to BW, throw downfield to Dante.

Gabey wants to type

vtvggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggabe

Quarter Two

Well, the first quarter was pretty dismal. Let's hope the Birds can take some momentum into the second quarter from JG's first down and turn it into points.

Fox ads for their upcoming shows make me cringe - who watches them? I used to be a consumer of pop culture, but I don't know anyone who is considered a "star" anymore. While we waited for "Night at the Museum" to start, there were a bunch of quotes from people I guess are "movie stars" - neither Angela nor I could identify 90% of them.

OK, football - Giants offside, Stallworth short catch.

WESTBROOK!!! He did that almost on his own - at least the downfield stuff. He should cross the goal before celebrating though - almost cost himself the TD.

Catch my breath: that it's 7-7 after the dismal start is a good sign. A better sign would be a mistake by Eli - once things start going against him, he collapses. Now would be a nice time for the avalanche to begin.

Eagles offensive

Gain of 9 on first - biggest play of the day!

Aikman is right about this: Giants have had field position all day, Eagles have done squat on offense, yet they only have 7 points.

Garcia to BW for a first. First first down - much quicker than the Chiefs yesterday (that's called damning with faint praise).

BW decent first down run.

JG underthrew his receiver - lucky not to have been int'd.

JG running for the first - that's a good sign, in that the Giants might be rocked back on their heels a bit. God knows, nothing else has made them have to rethink what they are doing, as nothing the Birds have done have been worth a tinker's dam.

Giants fourth series

Nice throw again, Eli!

Dhani Jones makes a nice play and does his ridiculous celebration.

Third and long: catch and fumble. Not sure that's the right call in real time. At least Eli didn't throw to Plaxico downfield, who looked wide open. Poor field position again. Shockey is hurt, which is good - one less guy to worry about too much.

Birds offense, hoping not to be offensive

Gutsy call to throw from the end zone, but not much yardage - buys them some space for 2nd down. Six plays two yars before this drive - ouch!

Correll for 2 - I was thinking about Ryan Moats this week - why has he disappeared?

They need this first down. And now the Eagles get motion-itis. Troy Aikman with the insightful comment "The Eagles have not looked sharp". No kidding.

Jeff tried to ruin the game again, but the gift INT was defended well by Stallworth.

I read the McQuarters has fumble-itis, but why doesn't it seem to happen when we play the Giants? The defense is put in another bad position.

Next up, the Giants at the Birds' 47.

Giants' third series

Two yards by Tiki is okay on first. I hope they wear him out running between the tackles.

Eight yards is not so good. Of course, the holding that should have been called is a problem.

Where was the offensive pass interference call? I guess on replay there was less there there than I thought at first. But there was a hold on that last play that should have been called.

Short Tiki run. 3rd and 7.

Blitz - not great pressure, but they tipped the pass. If you are getting beaten on the rush, at least get your arms up.

Terrific punt and coverage, and here we go again with bad field position.

Second offensive series

Starting deep in your own end is not conducive to trying trickery. The 1st down run on the first series didn't do much, but I would like to see a wide pitch.

Um, Jeff? Well set-up screen, easy pass, and he Donovan's it to the feet of the receiver.

I don't like running on 2nd and long - I think that the success rate is low, and that Reid gets away from the run because of it later in the game. Maybe MM won't be so shy about running even if it isn't a great call on 2 and long.

Well, at least JG didn't fumble - I was worried that the hit from behind would cause him to lose the ball. Still, not an impressive start.

Can't even get a break on the punt - bounces back 10 yards. Something's gotta change - need a Dawkins play on the defensive side of the ball to change the character of the game.

Campbell's Soup

Donovan can still sell soup while on IR, so he isn't completely without effect on this game. Or at least TV presentation of it.

Defense needs to make a stand in a bad way. Another false start. At least someone is helping the Birds. Shockey, Mr. White Trash his own self, for 8, but another false start. What's the deal? Actually, who cares what the deal is, keep doing it Giants!

Nice throw, Eli! Third down - cannot give up a first.

Another great throw from Eli - maybe if he hadn't split the difference between the near and the far receiver, he might have completed a pass.

Punt and return to the 19. So let's get it STARTED!

Balanced offensive approach needed

I hope that they don't deviate from the plan, which should be about 40-45% run, because of one TD. A random thought about the Jets-Pats game: why do they run stupod lateral plays like the one that led to the Jets turnover? And when running them, aren't the guys on offense aware of the fact that it's a designed lateral, and that they should react appropriately?

First two downs are not encouraging. Garcia overthrew the receiver on 2nd down. Trap draw on this down is my call.

Instead, no protection and a sack. Good punt, good coverage.

Kickoff stupidity

What the hell is Mahe thinking? He should have shielded the ball with his body and let it go out of bounds. If it stopped going to the sideline, he could have knocked it out with his hands. Instead, he fields it without a chance of a return. Stupid on stilts.

Thoughts

Defense looked clueless. Tiki running wide isn't anything new, but the way they reacted made it seem as if this was a novelty. The pass rush is non-existent, and they can't cover Plaxico Burress near the goal line with the height disparity going against them while allowing Manning time to set his feet.

3rd and short...

Do the Giants go play-fake? No, QB sneak for the first. Who is Lorenzen?

Another easy run for Tiki - bad sign.

That was way too easy. I never thought that the defense would be so outclassed on the opening drive. They look like the mid-season Eagles.

First down

Good coverage, poor execution. Blitzed, but no pressure. Lito let himself be beaten.

Hope that flag is on the Giants - not a good start for the Birds' defense. Hold on the Giants - pretty obvious - could have been a face mask call almost.

Maybe Bruce can help me on spotting the ball after a penalty. If it's a spot of the foul penalty, would the offense still get major yardage if it occurs far downfield?

Bad omen: good run by Tiki on 1st-11 for 8 yards.

Short run - third and short. A "play" on defense would be a nice way to stymie the mounting momentum.

First Giants series

Well, the Giants gave back the 5 they got on the offsides call, and even better, it creates a 1st and 15.

Opening kick-off

The Eagles will kick it away. Short kick, good coverage. Do they blitz on first down?

Live blogging the Eagles-Giants

Okay, I did this last year for the Super Bowl, and I found it relaxing in terms of watching the game. Maybe this will help me relax as I watch this game, which has a little more emotional investment for me than last year's Steelers-Seahawks matchup. I might quit if I find it too nerve-wracking or if it interferes with my enjoyment of the game. Here we go....