AZ 40 PHI 17 Thoughts

Mitch

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Like many of you, I am running on 2-3 hours of restless sleep, so I will try to be as coherent as possible.

I am so smitten by these Cardinals---what a genuine and lovable band of brothers they are, led so tenaciously by a mix of football codgers, former players turned coaches and one of the youngest coordinators in the NFL.

This game was a treat and an absolute love fest in the City of Brotherly Love.

Guess that Chip Kelly hadn't been paying attention to the Cardinals' formula for success which begins with wanting the ball on offense first, seeing as he chose to defer and kick the ball to the Cardinals hungry offense.

The night began with a bang---as Carson Palmer threw a perfect bomb to Smokey Brown who may have lost the ball for a second in the lights and dropped what would have been an electrifying TD. Instead, Palmer calmly evaded pressure and found Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald on key pass plays and then started handing the ball off to rookie David Johnson who pounded and slashed and grinded through any and every crack in the Liberty Bell to ring the bell on the other end.

Johnson's TD to cap off the first drive was the result of the left side of the Cardinals' line manhandling the Eagles' defensive front. LG Mike Iupati drove his man three yards into the end zone while LT Jared Veldheer and TE Darren Fells delivered punishing down blocks and while the Eagles' safety and ILB converged on Johnson, he lowered his shoulder and plowed right through.

The Cardinals' defense was not quite as effective early on, partly because the leader of the calls, Rashad Johnson, was on the sidelines and the Cardinals' CBs were giving up too much cushion---and---James Bettcher tried to disguise some mock blitzes which resulted in 3 man rushes, zones behind and subsequent Eagle conversions. When it was clear on one play that the Cardinals had rushed their 11th man on defense off the field---all 6'8" of Calais Campbell was calling for a timeout that the refs mistook for some form of American Sign Language or exotic hand signals, and the result was a TD pass over the middle to the TE where FS Tony Jefferson slipped on the TE's break.

And then answered Palmer and David Johnson, as Johnson pulled off one of the most memorable TD runs in Cardinals' history, ducking under would-be tackles, then breaking through the proverbial gauntlet and then stiff arming his way to the pylon.

Right before the half, Chip Kelly goes for it on 4th and 1 and Jerraud Powers, back from injury this week, stuffs Mathews in his tracks with Tony Jefferson finishing him off. Wow.

While the defense continued to give up yards in the passing game in the second half---it was able to create turnovers, thanks to yet another forced fumble by a hard-chasing Josh Mauro and a strip sack of Bradford by Markus Golden.

Plus, the defense kept 2 of the Eagles top playmakers in their big win the week before, dynamic speed RB Darren Sproles and 1st round pick WR Nelson Agholor, totally in check. That was huge---as was not letting the Eagles' get their running game on track.

Then just when the Cardinals had taken a 20 point lead in the 3rd quarter, thanks to yet another Johnson power-drive TD and followed by Chandler Catanzaro's 4th missed extra point of the season---Deone Bucannon happened.

The pass rush got Bradford to hurry a short pass to the TE which sailed wide right into the waiting arms of hybrid speed ILB Deone Bucannon who raced it to house and, bang, the Cardinals were up 30-10.

But, we fans nor the team could not relax just yet because the defense bit inside on under routes and allowed Jordan Matthews to catch a wide open uncontested bomb and now the worry about a, epic Philly comeback and potential 1 point victory because of the missed extra point was back in play---and then Palmer dislocates his index finger, Drew Stanton throws wide of an open Michael Floyd---Drew Butler punts it down inside the 5 yard yard line where Ed Stinson, on a loop stunt, nearly sacks Bradford for a safety, but Bradford bails the team out by throwing a laser out pass before his WR even made his cut and Matthews makes a great diving catch and suddenly the Eagles are marching to pull the game within 6 points---only bang---Mauro, in chase mode, knocks the ball loose from Ryan Mathews, Tony Jefferson surrounds the ball and D.J. Swearing recovers it.

Then the Cardinals offensive line (who has now worn out the Eagles' top defensive linemen), David Johnson (who has been fighting off some hard contact and a slight knee injury) and Carson Palmer (who has resocketed his finger and taped it up) reappear---and they promptly drive the ball down the field where Palmer finished it off on an out pass to Smokey Brown who deeks the defender and scoots up the sideline for the TD. 37-17 Cardinals.

Sadly on the last defensive snap of the game, Honey Badger---who was having a typically busy as a bee, Johnny-on-the Spot game---intercepts Bradford and hurts his right knee trying to twist his body into return mode. Every Cardinals' fan was holding his or her breath and praying for the best. Many of us could not sleep---not in Philly again for the Badger. Not again.

Happily the game ended with Drew Stanton at QB and Stepfan Taylor running hard for first downs.

Yes----some mistakes were made---but zero turnovers and only 2 penalties---and a team brimming with poise and confidence was prevailing as the equipment managers were readying the NFC West Champion hats and shirts in the locker room.

But, the celebrations were subdued---one could see it in the face of Carson Palmer---it was looking like a pyrrhic victory with the fear that the Cardinals' Achilles on defense had gone down for what will be the remaining battles of the team's pursuit of victory.

But, knowing BA and knowing the veteran leadership on this team, they will use Honey Badger's superb season and sudden injury as an inspiration.

There is no "next Badger" up. Badger is one of a kind.

Badger hopefully will reach out to Gronk---who tore his ACL in his other knee two years ago and returned last year to help lead the Patriots win the Super Bowl. Plus, Badger can go on Carson Palmer's rehab regimen. Badger could be back better than ever next year.

However, for now, Jerraud Powers moves back to the slot where he is best. Justin Bethel now gets more PT on the outside. Aggressive safeties Tony Jefferson and newly added D.J. Swearinger (both 3rd year players with solid experience) will have to step up. Plus, Rashad Johnson, the glue and puppeteer of the secondary, is on his way back. And oh, there's the green elf on the other side---St. Patrick Peterson---who is playing inspired football.

Unsung players this week: A.Q. Shipley, Bobby Massie, Darren Fells (man, don't you just love this guy?), Jaron Brown (key first down conversion on first drive), Ed Stinson (near safety), Josh Mauro (key FF), Kevin Minter (he was around the ball all night and helping to stuff that running game and the RB passing game with Deone Bucannon, who was matched up on Sproles and Matthews!), Markus Golden (key sack, FF), D.J. Swearinger (made his presence felt---great break on ball and hit on Ertz over the middle for key 3rd down stop) and Jerraud Powers (best tackle of the night). Oh and on STs Troy Niklas, who made a key tackle and recovered the Peterson fumble, yes, after knocking into Peterson, but still, Niklas was being aggressive in his role as blocker and misjudged Peterson's plant and cut.
 
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NJCardFan

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Great write up as usual Mitch. The great thing was that the boo birds were heard early and often and right from the jump it seemed as though the crowd just wasn't into it. It never really got loud and they really had little to root for. There were times when the crowd was deathly silent almost in awe of our offense. 2 guys sitting behind my wife and I couldn't stop marveling at our offense. They were probably the 2 only classy Eagle fans in the stadium.

newly added D.J. Swearinger (both 3rd year players with solid experience) will have to step up.
Swearinger had a pretty good game last night.
 

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Fells is becoming a very critical contributor, both in blocking and receiving. And man, when he does catch the ball it takes an army to wrestle him to the ground!

I think the Shipley/Sendlein situation could be very interesting to watch... Was Sendlein really hurting last night, or, did he actually lose his starting role?? Shipley certainly played more than well enough to earn another start!

Just can't say enough about the chemistry and the depth on this entire team, including the coaches. They are indeed a special group. What about Tom Pratt, who coached in Super Bow I and now has a legit shot at coaching in Super Bowl 50!!!
BASK have put together one of the most special collections of characters I can ever recall...The likeability factor is off the charts!

And I'm literally sick to my stomach of Tyrann... Just can't believe we lost him for the remainder of the season... on the last damn defensive play of the game! But as you pointed out Mitch, he has Carson right there for him, to guide him through his rehab in a way that has produced amazing results for Palmer!
 
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Mitch

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Fells is becoming a very critical contributor, both in blocking and receiving. And man, when he does catch the ball it takes an army to wrestle him to the ground!

I think the Shipley/Sendlein situation could be very interesting to watch... Was Sendlein really hurting last night, or, did he actually lose his starting role?? Shipley certainly played more than well enough to earn another start!

Just can't say enough about the chemistry and the depth on this entire team, including the coaches. They are indeed a special group. What about Tom Pratt, who coached in Super Bow I and now has a legit shot at coaching in Super Bowl 50!!!
BASK have put together one of the most special collections of characters I can ever recall...The likeability factor is off the charts!

And I'm literally sick to my stomach of Tyrann... Just can't believe we lost him for the remainder of the season... on the last damn defensive play of the game! But as you pointed out Mitch, he has Carson right there for him, to guide him through his rehab in a way that has produced amazing results for Palmer!

I am going to predict, 82, that Honey Badger will be starting game one next year. Gronk did it and so did Carson Palmer.
 

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I am going to predict, 82, that Honey Badger will be starting game one next year. Gronk did it and so did Carson Palmer.

Neither one has to run backwards, then laterally, then backwards, then swivel, then into a full sprint. I think an ACL is much worse for DB's.
 

82CardsGrad

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Neither one has to run backwards, then laterally, then backwards, then swivel, then into a full sprint. I think an ACL is much worse for DB's.

It's worse... but "much" worse? Guess we'll see... I would not for one second, sell the Badger short on this one. If anyone can get himself back for the opener next season, it's The Honey Badger! Cuz, you know... The Badger DON'T CARE!!!!!!! ;)
 
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Mitch

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Neither one has to run backwards, then laterally, then backwards, then swivel, then into a full sprint. I think an ACL is much worse for DB's.

Good point---but my money is on the Badger.
 
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Mitch

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Great write up as usual Mitch. The great thing was that the boo birds were heard early and often and right from the jump it seemed as though the crowd just wasn't into it. It never really got loud and they really had little to root for. There were times when the crowd was deathly silent almost in awe of our offense. 2 guys sitting behind my wife and I couldn't stop marveling at our offense. They were probably the 2 only classy Eagle fans in the stadium.


Swearinger had a pretty good game last night.

Did Santa get booed?
 

MrYeahBut

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BASK have put together one of the most special collections of characters I can ever recall...The likeability factor is off the charts!


I'm not so sure PP21 is all that likable to Philly fan... the way he was mugging and taunting them. :)
 

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Yeah...I wasn't a big fan of that either, to speak the truth.

Eagles fan of 20 years until Chip came and destroyed the team. The Eagles do that crap any chance they get. I was laughing as PP was rubbing it in. I mean, did you see how Jordan Matthews reacts to every first down? let alone that garbage broken coverage TD.
 

conraddobler

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I always hated it when we used to defer the kick.

There is a reason it's done and what I really love is BA's take on it he knows exactly why you would defer, teams like to score before the half ends then score on the first drive of the second half. 90% of the teams that do this double score win and that's one big reason why coaches like Belichick defer the kickoffs.

Defensive minded coaches like to defer to get a read on the other team earlier. There are advantages to it.

Knowing all that BA just wants the ball which to me is ultimately how the game is to be played.

You ALWAYS want the ball first by getting the ball first you accept the pressure you accept everything you just play the damn game and anyone with that mentality is always going to take the ball first.
 
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Token

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I always hated it when we used to defer the kick.

There is a reason it's done and what I really love is BA's take on it he knows exactly why you would defer, teams like to score before the half ends then score on the first drive of the second half. 90% of the teams that do this double score win and that's one big reason why coaches like Belichick defer the kickoffs.

Defensive minded coaches like to defer to get a read on the other team earlier. There are advantages to it.

Knowing all that BA just wants the ball which to me is ultimately how the game is to be played.

You ALWAYS want the ball first by getting the ball first you accept the pressure you accept everything you just play the damn game and anyone with that mentality is always going to take the ball first.


Its another thing Kelly just doesnt learn from. I mean its bad enough that hes a offensive guy who doesnt ever want the ball first. But the Eagles get scored on during that first drive ALOT over the past few years. And he continues to do it. Putting the team in terrible positions to start games.
 

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Eagles fan of 20 years until Chip came and destroyed the team. The Eagles do that crap any chance they get. I was laughing as PP was rubbing it in. I mean, did you see how Jordan Matthews reacts to every first down? let alone that garbage broken coverage TD.

I have to give the Eagles credit in allowing the Chip experiment to be 100% by allowing him to do whatever he wants with the roster although things like that can and do go south.

Trust me after Buddy ball we were left with a ton of players who did not fit other systems.

Still you kinda have to go all in on something like that yet as it was going on as an objective observer watching the moves with interest I was thinking to myself that this was either going to work spectacularly because Chip knew something I didn't or go down in a pile of rubble.

I actually like some of his concepts but there is no way I'd have signed onto letting a new NFL coach fresh from college gut my roster like he did it was just way too much too fast for me.

I think he's onto something personally but it'd be better if he came into a team and was forced to show what he could do with the players he had first because let's face it at the NFL level this is all new and there are things to work out that you couldn't know prior to implementing it. I still think there is a lot of merit in what he does it's just tough to go live in the NFL with something that radical and not have it have a high chance of failure even though it might work with more tweaking.

I'll put it this way I'd hire the guy as an OC if I had players I thought generally fit well into his system but I wouldn't go past that until he proved more to me.

What would be epic is seeing Buddy Ryan as the DC for that offense you'd need to put Ryan into a cage to avoid him sneaking up on Chip and doing harm to him on a minute by minute basis.

DC's have to hate the idea of that system it puts a ton of pressure on the defense as they're always out on the field a ton more than most defenses.
 
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I think one thing that people are overlooking is the fact that DJ's big TD run came on a run to the right - which means the line on that side is made some massive improvements.
 

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I have to give the Eagles credit in allowing the Chip experiment to be 100% by allowing him to do whatever he wants with the roster although things like that can and do go south.

Trust me after Buddy ball we were left with a ton of players who did not fit other systems.

Still you kinda have to go all in on something like that yet as it was going on as an objective observer watching the moves with interest I was thinking to myself that this was either going to work spectacularly because Chip knew something I didn't or go down in a pile of rubble.

I actually like some of his concepts but there is no way I'd have signed onto letting a new NFL coach fresh from college gut my roster like he did it was just way too much too fast for me.


Was able to beat up mostly lower level teams year 1 with Andy Reid leftover talent on offense and a scheme teams werent used to. Last year was a farce with 10 wins, since they collapsed when it mattered. And the wheels came off this year. All while Chip consistently does about as badly as possible with the roster.

My hope was that he would be gone this offseason. But Jeff Lurie cares only about that NE win. That bought Kelly more time even tho he doesnt deserve it. I wont continue to support a owner and team that obviously isnt 100% committed to winning a Super Bowl. Lurie just does not want to look bad with this Kelly thing, because he REALLY wanted the guy. So it seems he will give him years longer then he deserves to fix it. And the roster will continue to get worse and worse.

And really, Tempo just isnt a big deal at this level when you are running such a simplistic playbook. Defenses are much smarter and faster at this level with hash marks that dont play into his edge rushing offense very well.
 

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Eagles fan of 20 years until Chip came and destroyed the team. The Eagles do that crap any chance they get. I was laughing as PP was rubbing it in. I mean, did you see how Jordan Matthews reacts to every first down? let alone that garbage broken coverage TD.

You should have heard the fans getting on Matthews after that. Even Eagle fans hated what he did.
 

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I think one thing that people are overlooking is the fact that DJ's big TD run came on a run to the right - which means the line on that side is made some massive improvements.

Actually, it was Veldheer who sprung him loose. Look at the replay and you see #68 hit someone and break DJ free.
 

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Was able to beat up mostly lower level teams year 1 with Andy Reid leftover talent on offense and a scheme teams werent used to. Last year was a farce with 10 wins, since they collapsed when it mattered. And the wheels came off this year. All while Chip consistently does about as badly as possible with the roster.

My hope was that he would be gone this offseason. But Jeff Lurie cares only about that NE win. That bought Kelly more time even tho he doesnt deserve it. I wont continue to support a owner and team that obviously isnt 100% committed to winning a Super Bowl. Lurie just does not want to look bad with this Kelly thing, because he REALLY wanted the guy. So it seems he will give him years longer then he deserves to fix it. And the roster will continue to get worse and worse.

And really, Tempo just isnt a big deal at this level when you are running such a simplistic playbook. Defenses are much smarter and faster at this level with hash marks that dont play into his edge rushing offense very well.

Watching an interview with PP21 he said, "After the first 15 plays you know that's the plays they are going to use the rest of the game."
If Chip Kelly doesn't learn how to adapt he will be gone and the Eagles will be left for dead. The uptempo thing is cool and can be effective but not ALL the time.
 

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You should have heard the fans getting on Matthews after that. Even Eagle fans hated what he did.

And Jordan is supposed to be one of the "culture" guys. "high character". Hes a mediocre player that acts like an idiot over every 3 yard gain.

When good corners are on him he is invisible.
 

slanidrac16

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And Jordan is supposed to be one of the "culture" guys. "high character". Hes a mediocre player that acts like an idiot over every 3 yard gain.

When good corners are on him he is invisible.

I learned that this year. He was on my fantasy team and sucked ALL year.
 

conraddobler

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Was able to beat up mostly lower level teams year 1 with Andy Reid leftover talent on offense and a scheme teams werent used to. Last year was a farce with 10 wins, since they collapsed when it mattered. And the wheels came off this year. All while Chip consistently does about as badly as possible with the roster.

My hope was that he would be gone this offseason. But Jeff Lurie cares only about that NE win. That bought Kelly more time even tho he doesnt deserve it. I wont continue to support a owner and team that obviously isnt 100% committed to winning a Super Bowl. Lurie just does not want to look bad with this Kelly thing, because he REALLY wanted the guy. So it seems he will give him years longer then he deserves to fix it. And the roster will continue to get worse and worse.

And really, Tempo just isnt a big deal at this level when you are running such a simplistic playbook. Defenses are much smarter and faster at this level with hash marks that dont play into his edge rushing offense very well.

The offensive minded coach I'd look for in the right spot would be Martz as an OC and if a HC told me he was going to bring in Martz I'd be all over that.

I don't think Martz is a HC type but as an OC with the right QB and roster he's the most innovative one out there for the NFL IMO.

People forget Trent Green was having the pre-season of his life when he went down with an injury and Warner took over.

Winning a Super Bowl with Warner is a feat yet to be duplicated ever. The defense on that team was better than it got credit for.

To me if I was looking for innovation in the NFL that's where I'd look for it.
 
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Mitch

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What struck me very profoundly about this game was how deeper the Cardinals are than the Eagles---especially on the defensive and offensive lines----their starting DEs and DTs are very talented, but they play them into the ground. Fletcher Cox even said he gets gassed by the third quarter, and that man can play. Meanwhile, with all the money they invested in DeMarco Murray, he rode the pine most of the game. Have to give supreme credit to Steve Keim for building the depth of the team and for the coaches to grooming that depth.
 

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