Friday, September 19, 2008

Some random observations

Giants are a different defense from last year. Last year they were centered purely on their front 7. Actually, it was their front 4 with a little help from A Pierce at MLB. Their CB's were pretty good and their safeties were not awful, but this was clearly the weakest part of the defense. This year, with Corey Webster continuing his superior play from the playoffs last year, with Dockery much improved and Ross showing more speed, I actually think the CBs are a strength of the defense. The top cover guy for most of last year was Sam Madison and he can't even get on the field.

Safety is a particular improvement. Michael Johnson is getting more playing time replacing Gibril Wilson. (Anybody notice Gibril getting posterized by Denver WR in week 1), Sammy Knight is a solid pro and James Butler looks a little quicker than he did last year. Of course the big addition to the D-backs is Phillips at S who is a star waiting for some playing time.

Anybody notice that Kehl is getting lots of snaps at LB and the job was not simply handed over to Wilkinson? I like Wilkinson, he has great speed, but Kehl is almost as fast and quiite a bit bigger. It looks like the coaches really like him. Kehl looked to me like he got lost on the almost-TD by Stephen Jackson in week 2 vs. Rams, but I think that was a rookie mistake. He's a keeper.

I heard Jimmy Johnson on radio on Thursday. He likes Cowboys #1, Eagles # 2 and Giants # 3 in our division. I don't get it. McNabb is healthier now, I understand that, but he's not as good a passer as everyone gives him credit for. Ever notice that he really stinks in the 2 minute offense? That's because in that part of the game the defense doesn't take chances, blitzes conservatively and stays in their rush lanes to keep the qb in the pocket. Most important, the defense plays conservatively in the DB-field so as not to give up a long play that will beat them. To beat this kind of defense the qb has to be patient, have an accurate and strong throwing arm and read the defenses well. In other words, he must be a classsic pocket passer. Eli - yes. McNabb - not so much.

Speaking of NFC East - I was underwhelmed by the both teams in that Eagles-Cowboys game. Both teams were very sloppy. Was it big time offense or no defense? And how exactly did the Eagles lose that game when the Cowboys gave them 14 points, 1 TD on the Romo fumble in the end zone and 1 TD with the Romo INT which gave them the ball on the 'Boys 20. I guess they also gave 7 points back with the TD on kickoff return. And they did fumble once themselves which kind of equalizes things. I'm just saying -I think both teams looked sloppy and played no defense. Eagles Dawkins is slowing down. You never used to be able to beat him deep in the middle of the field like TO and Witten did on several occasions.

McNabb, when he still had TO to throw to, loses to Brady and a very good Patriots team in Superbowl XXXIX after the 2004 season. Then 3 years later, Eli with his best receiver hobbled with a bad ankle beats the same Brady and a far, far better Patriots team that has Moss at WR for them. But .... McNabb is better than Eli. Go figure.

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