We're only half-way through the first quarter and already the Dolphins/Eagles game is scaring the hell out of me. We've seen 3, 3-and-outs, a long TD from McNabb to Reggie Brown called back for an LJ Smith holding penalty and an interception of another McNabb pass on the five-yard line. Not a good start, and not what you want to see from the Eagles at the beginning of this game against the 0-9 Dolphins.
I'll be updating throughout. One very positive note: McNabb had a 26-yard scramble on a 2nd and 22 play. By far, the best he's looked on the run this season.
- 3rd and 12 for the Dolphins with 4:00 to go, Beck completes to Ted Ginn for a conversion. The Eagles put no pressure on the rookie.
- 2 plays later the Phins are on the 28 and making the Eagles D look bad.
- Jay Feeley misses a 47-yard FG attempt, still 0-0 with 11 seconds to go in the first. The Eagles need to put some points on the board soon, the longer you let the Dolphins think they have a chance, the more confidence the rookie QB is going to gain.
- McNabb bounces his first pass of the game on 1st and 10.
- I'm really questioning the Eagles play calling in the first quarter. The Dolphins are putrid against the run and they've thrown the ball on first down all but once. Westbrook has 3 rushes for 4 yards, two of those runs came out of the shotgun formation. Just lineup and pound the ball. The o-line should have a huge advantage here.
- 87-yard punt return for a TD by Ted Ginn. 7-0, Dolphins.
- The Eagles finally line one up and run it right at the Dolphins, 36 yards for Westbrook. KEEP DOING IT!
- The Boo Birds have officially arrived after McNabb throws another pick near the end zone. The blitz was coming and he basically just threw one up for grabs. It looked like the receiver broke off his route. Ugly, ugly start to this game. McNabb is 3/9 for 34 yards with 2 picks.
- The D came up huge, pinning the Phins on the goal line. After a horrible punt, the offense will get the ball on the 36.
- A heavy dose of Westbrook gets them into FG range, Akers converts with a 34-yarder. 7-3, Dolphins.
- McNabb hobbled off the field after that series, they're looking at him on the sidelines.
- McNabb just walked into the locker room. Better get warmed up, A.J.
- X-rays on McNabb's ankle.
- Feeley throws an interception inside the 5-yard line. That's three interceptions in the red zone so far. Unbelievable.
- The defense holds, again. Eagles get the ball at the 50.
- Three and out, a holding penalty to boot. At least the Dolphins didn't bring the punt back for a TD.
- Still no word on McNabb's ankle, halftime is just about over. The Eagles get the ball to start the third.
- Even if McNabb doesn't come back, the Eagles must, and absolutely should win this game. Brian Westbrook can carry the offense the rest of the way, the defense has been playing great, and Miami is legitimately the worst team in the league. There are no excuses here, a loss would be a failure of epic proportions.
- The x-rays were negative, but Feeley is still in there. McNabb is on the sidelines, but not playing. He looks like he wants to get in there, I'm not sure what's going on.
- The Birds catch a huge break. Feeley was sacked, fumbled and the Dolphins recovered, but the defense was offsides.
- TD for Buckhalter on a nice run right up the middle for 8 yards. 10-7, Eagles.
- 10 minutes of forgettable football later, no change to report.
- TD, Feeley to Avant after Westbrook just tore the Miami defense to shreds. He's up around 140 yards on the ground now, a career high. 17-7, Eagles.
- 1st and goal from 1 for Miami lead to a 4th and goal from the 1 for Miami leads to Juqua Thomas making a HUGE play for a 12-yard loss and another spectacular goal-line stand for this defense. Great work by Thomas in his debut as a starter.
- That's all she wrote. Ugly start, decent finish, and a win.
The Eagles are now 5-5 with a trip to New England on the schedule next week. This is where I said they needed to be if we were going to talk about the playoffs. This is also where I said they would be before last week's win. Is it a tease, or do they have a shot? Who knows.
GOOD GOD! If the Eagles lose to this pathetic bunch, they oughta just pack in the season.
I think McNabb's problem is more in his head than his body. He's lost his MoJo.
What do you think of Feeley so far?
It's odd. The way he came out of the locker room, it looked like he was coming back in, then they put a jacket on him. I guess Reid said take the rest of the day off, they don't want him to really get hurt. Feeley is looking equally pathetic out there, so I guess they aren't missing much. The D is playing awesome.
I don't think Reid wants the fans gettin' into McNabb's head. They were already calling for the kid. Now's not the time for the kid, unless you're planning on getting rid of McNabb. Once Kolb goes in, McNabb will forever be looking over his shoulder and second guessed. This is a hard town to play in.
That ball was RIGHT IN SPIKE's HANDS. Gotta make those plays, LBs.
A nice return by Reno 911.
Time for Westbrook.
A few series ago, Curtis got sandwiched. I haven't seen a ball thrown to him since. Is he OK?
Oh there's Curtis....That's a relief.
Why don't they use Tony Hunt? He's even more invisible than Greg Lewis. Didn't they get him for short yardage situations?
Avant looks like he's hurt....
Curtis disappears for long stretches, just like the rest of the receivers. I'm glad Andy finally figured out the Dolphins can't stop the run.
I went on a fridge run... what was the penalty to be assessed on the kickoff? Any word on what is wrong with Avant?
No word on Avant yet. L.J. Smith w/ the penalty and it looks like the Dolphins are going to cash in. Nothing's ever easy.
Supposedly Javon Kearse was deactivated today, and not for injury but because of his play.... is this true?
Westbrook looks slow to get up on his last few carries. Time to take him out before he gets hurt.
I know he was benched in favor of Juqua, I hadn't heard he was deactivated. I thought being benched might've actually motivate him, I guess not.
I haven't seen Kearse all day or heard his name... have you?
Juqua earned that starting position.
BRING ON THE PATS!
I must not be in my right mind. I think the Eagles have a chance at handing the Pats their only loss of the season. That doesn't mean I think the Eagles are going anywhere, I just think they could sneak up on them.
That is if the pathetic Nills don't beat the Eagles to the punch.
I checked on the Eagles website... Jevon Kearse was inactive for the game. He wasn't listed on the injury report, but it might have been because the the knee he had surgically repaired.
Could Kearse be the next high profile Eagle to be released at the end of the season?
Here's an article that makes it seem like the Eagles are going to part ways w/ the freak after this season. In all honestly, his signing and Darren Howard's signing were both huge wastes of money. Trent Cole is the man right now, and Juqua is a definite upgrade over Kearse.