Labor pains in Eagles 24-14 win over Jets...but the new baby is beautiful...
The commentary from the smart Eagles fans was encouraging here... I have no reason to hold back on the positive forecast for the Eagles Final 53...
Not a paid advertisement... you can own this little porcelain Eagles fan for $39 and $8 shipping fee by contacting Ashton-Drake.com...
I was enthused by the Jets game...and I'm more convinced than ever that our "baby" is healthy...
Vince Young's hamstring pull is not a big deal...
Young led the Eagles on a pair of long touchdown drives, completing 15 of 23 passes for 193 yards and a TD before leaving with his injury. It happened on a fourth-and-1 play from the Jets' 9-yard line, following a botched field goal that resulted in a Jets interception being erased by an offsides call. Young was rolling to his right while waiting for Chad Hall to come open in the end zone when he suddenly pulled up lame and pushed a weak pass that fell incomplete as he collapsed to the turf, clutching the back of his knee. His prognosis is unknown at this writing... but I'm guessing a week off will do the trick.
Then, just to add extra definition to the pecking order, Kafka, who entered for the second half, tossed a pick-six to Jets cornerback Ellis Lankster, who took it 67 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown. Ironically, Kafka could wind up as the backup anyway for opening day if Young's injury forces him to miss any time. Kafka finished 7-of-11 for 76 yards.
The Eagles 2's and 3's dominated the Jets every which way, especially on the line of scrimmage. That showed in the staggering 42:01 to 17:59 advantage they finished with in time of possession. The Eagles defense held the Jets to 116 yards and just eight first downs.
A healthy 40-yard kickoff return by rookie running back Dion Lewis set the Eagles up with decent field position to open the game, and Young responded by taking the team to the Jets' 25-yard line, where rookie kicker Alex Henery pulled a field-goal attempt wide left from 43 yards.
Aside from being forced to call a timeout before the first play, Young was very efficient on the series. He hit tight end Clay Harbor with a completion for one first down and masterfully eluded Jets linebacker Aaron Maybin in the backfield to buy time for a completion to Chad Hall---that play turned what probably would have been a punt into Henery's first field-goal attempt.
Young was even better on the next series, leading the Eagles on a nine-play, 81-yard march to the end zone. Along the way, Sinorice Moss contributed a 23-yard catch and run to convert a third-and-8, and the Jets contributed an unnecessary roughness penalty on wide receiver Riley Cooper to set the Eagles up with another first down. Young then capitalized, hitting Hall in stride cutting across the middle of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead. The series came after a superb defensive stop led by linebacker Brian Rolle's sack of Greg McElroy on third down.
Young went to halftime having completed 15 of 23 passes for 193 yards. Lewis was equally productive, rushing for 62 yards on 15 carries and catching three passes for 38 yards.
The defense, in the meantime, enjoyed equal success — until Hall lost a fumble on a punt return deep in Eagles territory in the second quarter. Even then, it almost held. But Jets quarterback Drew Willy, on the first play after being inserted to replace McElroy, tossed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Scott McKnight on third-and-long. McElroy had been forced out with a thumb injury.
Young helped the Eagles get the lead right back, driving them 79 yards on 12 plays and finishing it by handing off to Lewis for a 1-yard TD plunge.
Young was 4-for-5 in that series, including a 22-yard completion to Moss on third-and-6 and a 15-yarder to tight end Donald Lee, who caught it well short of the marker on third-and-14 but made a sensational stretch as he was pushed out of bounds to get the first down.
From there, Lee caught another pass that took them to the goal line, and Lewis punched it in two plays later.
Young was rarely pressured before his injury, and operated the offense as if on a seven-on-seven drill, standing calmly in the pocket and making his deliveries on time. Nobody was really even close to him on his final play.
It wasn't all peaches and cream. Kafka took a beating in the second half behind a makeshift wanna-be offensive line. One shot nearly forced him to the sideline, but he convinced Reid to allow him to stay in. Since there was no chance Vick was going to play, WR Jason Avant was warming up to play quarterback in the event Kafka was unable to continue.
But I digress. Overall, the combined efforts of the Eagles 2's, 3's and 4's was outstanding and inspirational. No doubt that Vince Young is a capable backup to Vick as soon as his hammy perks up. That could happen as early as the opener against St. Louis. No big deal...
It looks worse than it really was... 
Brandon Hughes makes a play to stay in final roster consideration in the 1st quarter...
And now, with a 3-day sabbatical ahead of me, and no administrative backup yet to fill in for my table-setting blurb duties over the Labor Day holiday weekend, it is left to you, the smart troop remnants of Brizer's Brigade, to fill in the dots here with your projections and reporting of the Final 53... Official results will probably be released on Saturday, September 3... I am confident the great posters here can maintain coverage of the situation. I am certainly open and receptive to the concept of roster surprises. I can't wait to get back here on September 5 and digest what shakes out...
But I'm definitely optimistic in the Eagles' ability to put together a great orchestra of worthy talent after watching what just went down in New Jersey...
And in the words of the Ashton-Drake baby... "Is it Sunday (September 11th) yet?"
1 Like
Wonder what MJD will say. He had earlier said Garrard was the man for the team for a long time.......only a few weeks of McCown then it's Gabbert time
1 Like
The Cuz/Prof got moved to afternoon time ? I don't likey. I know afternoon drive is more important,....but I like hearing them during the mid-day. That should tell them sumptin'.
1 Like
After going through the whole season week by week, I correct my earlier predictions with this:
Eagles 14-2
Gnats 9-7
Cowpies 8-8
Redskins 1-15
1 Like
My question is why wait this late to cut the guy. He's got no chance to catch on elsewhere. Isn't this what they did Leftwich some years ago?
3 Like
@Spiffo @Demappulls! HA ! Moonyo isn't allowed into any of my <insert large number here>-Step Programs,.....and if he was, the Steps would just lead him into oncoming traffic.
2 Like
I officially revoke my offer to sunnymoonbeambutterbuns...sorry to all in the league that may have taken offense to inviting dat dik to converse and matriculate wiff the greatest fans on earf
2 Like
I thought smh was scratch my head but then again I might have made that up when i didn't know what it was.
F it....never mind....you would never risk the public humility we would dish you....when your "knowledge" was exposed....what was I thinkin...
I'll be traveling and really have not time for FF. I always get invigorated up North. Couldn't keep up! Thanks for the chance to take your money, though.
2 Like
come on Sunnymoonbeambutterbuns...put you rep on the line here...puy yourn $$$ where your yapper is...
I don't care either way. How many spots are still open? He said he is gonna be on vaca for a few months or some shit though. Probably not a good idea.
DDD--my pick for NFCE"
Giants/Cowboys tied--Giants win tie braker.
Eagles(dream team) tied with Skins.
