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TJB Scout: Philadelphia Eagles

by R_in_CT on October 12th, 2007 at 11:30 am

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This week, the Jets welcome in their second straight NFC East opponent as the Philadelphia Eagles journey up the turnpike to the Meadowlands. Fresh off their bye week, the Eagles are looking to regroup after a 16-3 shellacking at the hands of the Giants, an ignominious defeat which included them giving up 12 sacks.

Sound like a good matchup for the Jets, who maybe need a win against a team as wounded as themselves for a confidence boost? Temper your enthusiasm with these two nuggets: The Jets have never beaten the Iggles in the regular season (0-7), and Andy Reid’s teams have never lost a game following a bye week (8-0).

If that’s not enough, there will be added confusion this week as Jets fans will be rooting against the team in green-and-white — the Jets will be in their spiffy blue-and-yellow Titans of New York throwback uniforms.

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Cheerleader check: Hell yeah!

Record: 1-3, last place in the NFC East, however, the team has been competitive even in its losses.

Barometer: Steady, as Reid is an excellent coach who has full control of his team and always has them prepared, especially after bye weeks.

Questions: Is Andy Reid’s tenure with the Eagles coming to a close? Has Donovan McNabb fully recovered from his knee injury yet? Will running back Brian Westbrook be healthy? Will the struggling Eagle offensive line be able to stop the ferocious Jets pass rush? Who will win the battle of the Australian punters?

Injuries: Many of the starters that were out against the Giants return. Westbrook (abdomen), cornerback Lito Sheppard (knee), tight end L.J. Smith (groin) and left tackle William Thomas (knee) are all probable. Safety Brian Dawkins (neck) and left guard Todd Herremans (knee) are out.

Old friends: Legendary defensive end Kimo von Oehlhoffen returns — which after being ineffective as a Jet means on Sunday he’ll have six sacks, 10 individual tackles and his way with multiple members of the Flight Crew.

What to expect from the Eagles offense: Like everyone else against the Jets, the Eagles and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will look to keep the ground game going with always-dangerous Westbrook — they have gained over 100 yards on the ground in every game this season. The return of Thomas and Smith should give the offensive line a boost and McNabb some time to throw — despite his struggles with his knee, McNabb is only two weeks removed from a 381-yard, 4 TD passing day and can get as hot as any passer in the league. McNabb dumps off to Westbrook regularly (look for a number of screens), and has favored wideout Kevin Curtis (19 catches, 323 yards). Second-year pro Jason Avant and Reggie Brown are the other receivers McNabb looks to, as is tight end Smith (when healthy), especially around the goal line, where historically, Reid has preferred the pass; given the struggles of the Jets linebackers, look for the short pass to a back or end coming out of the backfield around the red zone. If Westbrook can’t go, or tires, Correll Buckhalter will step in.

Jerseys watch (offense): #36 (Westbrook) as he looks to get the Eagle offense back on track against the Jets defense, pretty much as every other running back has done this season.

What to expect from the Eagles defense: Lots of pressure, as coordinator Jim Johnson’s 4-3 defense is only two weeks removed from a 9-sack performance (against the Lions). The young and talented front line — featuring ends Trent Cole and Jevon Kearse, Juqua Thomas and tackle Brodrick Bunkley — can bring the rush even without having to rely on blitzing, although the Eagles are one of the most blitz-happy teams in the NFL. Linebacker Omar Gaither has taken over for Jeremiah Trotter in the middle and has been solid, along with Takeo Spikes and Chris Gocong on either side. Sheppard returns to a sagging secondary that is sorely missing Dawkins. Sheldon Brown is the other corner, while Sean Considine and J.R. Reed fill in at safety. After struggling the past few years, the team has been very stout against the run this year (6th overall).

Jersey watch (defense): #58 (Cole) will test the Jets pass protection. #97 (Bunkley) will look to clog up running lanes.

What to expect from the Eagles special teams, especially since they don’t have Mike Westhoff: David Akers has been one of the most consistent kickers in the league, and is 7 of 8 this season. Australian Saverio Rocca took over punting duties this season and has been okay thus far (41.9 average, 37.7 net). After the Opening Day disaster where a fumbled punt cost the Eagles the game versus the Packers, the team has brought back the steady-if-unspectacular Reno Mahe to return punts. Correll Buckhalter and J.R. Reed have returned kicks, averaging about 27 yards between them.

What to expect from the broadcast booth: An overly intrusive look at Andy Reid’s family issues and how they affect the team. Also, some inane commentary on McNabb’s recent comments about his struggles as a black quarterback.

What’s being said in the Eagle blogosphere:

The pressure is on: (Hypothetically) the Eagle offensive line to fend off the Jets pass rush and keep McNa — heck, I can’t even type that with a straight face! Okay, it’s on the Eagle secondary to stop Pennington from beating — nope, can’t type that either! I guess it’s on the Eagles special teams to stop Leon Washington from scoring again.

Bottom line: Good Eagle running game + Good Eagle run-stopping defense + Key Eagle starters returning healthy = Bad news for the Titans of New York.

Philadelphia Eagles Quick NFL Ranks:
Overall offense – 14th (337.3 yards/game)
Passing – 18th (211.3 yards/game)
Rushing – 11th (126.0h yards/game)
Scoring – 11th (22.2 points/game)

Overall defense – 9th (299.0 yards/game)
Passing – 21st (224.5 yards/game)
Rushing – 6th (74.5 yards/game)
Scoring – 11th (18.3 points/game)

Turnovers (2006): +1
6 giveaways (1 interception, 5 fumbles)
7 takaways (4 interceptions, 3 fumbles)

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