The Philadelphia Eagles Top 10 Free Agent Signings—No. 7

Part 4 of 10

No. 7 Asante Samuel

After a lackluster 2007 season that was marked by an uncharacteristically poor defensive unit under the direction of Jim Johnson, the Eagles acted quickly to lock up All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel when he became a free agent. A major factor in signing Samuel was to increase the number of takeaways that had disappeared despite their attacking defensive style.

In his two seasons in Philadelphia, including the postseason, Samuel has intercepted 15 passes and returned two for touchdowns. During that period, the Eagles have returned to the top of league rankings in both takeaways and total defense.

Eagles fans often are frustrated by the smallish cornerback's lack of run support and soft tackling, but Samuel has clearly made a difference with his coverage ability and great anticipation. He has been selected to represent the NFC in the Pro Bowl both seasons in an Eagles uniform.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys Playoff Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles arrived in Dallas yesterday for Saturday night's prime time rematch after being dominated by the Cowboys in a battle for the NFC Eastern Division crown. Sunday night's loss afforded coaches and players precious little time to figure out what went wrong and then to formulate a new plan aimed at gaining a different outcome.

Eagles fans hope that Andy Reid and crew are a quick study as just about everything went wrong last weekend. They also hope to see a radically different game plan because more of the same would not seem to have any shot at getting it done.

This is true, but Reid will also bank on getting much better execution from the players. The most glaring tactical errors and likely changes will be on defense where the Eagles turned soft in the previous game. Contrary to the trademark approach of his mentor, the late Jim Johnson, rookie Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott chose to back off blitzing and press coverage.

Although every Cowboy, football analyst and schooled fan anticipates a major reversal with the Eagles returning to the attacking style that has made them one of the top defensive units in the NFL over the past decade, predictability is okay. This presents the team's best chance at shutting down the potent Cowboys offense. McDermott learned last week that its not about trying to outsmart your opponent, but rather staying true to the personality of your team.

Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo is playing some of the best football of his career, but still has yet to prove himself in the post season. McDermott and Reid know that keeping pressure on him with a full array of stunts and blitzes forces him to get the ball out quickly, creates the opportunity for mistakes, wears him down and potentially preys on that little voice of self doubt.

Last week, Marion Barber and Felix Jones alternated running through gaping holes blown open by their offensive line. And, Jason Witten continuously found wide open spaces in the middle of the field by exploiting seams in zone coverage and getting free breaks off the line. Better execution and intensity, including linebackers better fulfilling their assignments and jamming Witten at the line will be essential.

Once Dallas got the running game and Witten going, it opened things up for Miles Austin. He did the most damage when Asante Samuel tried to jump a route and did not quite get there. McDermott does not want reckless gambling, but creating turnovers is Samuel's forte and the team hopes for him to snare a Romo pass or two tonight. Another key to limiting Austin will be wrapping him up when he has the ball as he is one of the NFL's best at gaining yardage after the catch.

A goose egg in the last meeting suggests substantial changes may be in order for the Eagles offense, but that is not likely. The team lit up the scoreboard over the first 15 weeks, so the focus will be more on fundamentals such as blocking, making proper adjustments and receivers looking balls into their hands.

The Cowboys defense has been one of the best in the NFL at stopping the run, so expect the Eagles to rely heavily on the passing game as usual, but give some more carries to Brian Westbrook. Michael Vick and the Wildcat will likely make their return to give Dallas something else to think about.

Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg knows the Eagles' bread and butter is its passing game. Like McDermott, he will chose to play the team's strengths versus do something out of character. Look for them to do a better job with their signature screen game, spread the ball around to its talented arsenal of receivers and connect on a couple shots down the field.

Keys to the Game

Cowboys

1. Contain Jackson again
2. Heavy pass rush to limit McNabb's ability to get the ball down field
3. Romo avoids turnovers and keeps composure
4. Win the battle of field position
5. Play away from strengths of Eagles defensive personnel on field
6. Do not lose turnover battle

Eagles

1. Good start
2. Maintain positive body language and attitude
3. Offensive line needs to better protect McNabb
4. Westbrook ignites the running game and screen game
5. Jackson breaks out after being shut down in first 2 games
6. Defense limits Dallas rushing attack
7. Pressure Romo into misfires and to wear him down
8. Jam Witten to disrupt timing and limit production
9. McNabb needs to forget about the added pressure from media

Prediction

The Eagles will return to the style of play on defense that has helped make them a perennial winner over the past decade and the offense will get back on track. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are filled with confidence and will continue to play well. Expect the Eagles to disrupt Romo and pick off a couple passes. Also, the offense will resume rolling up yards and points through a diversified air attack. I am going against the nagging memory of Eagles seasons ending in disappointment and the overwhelming consensus after last week's blowout for one reason. The Eagles have more playmakers on both sides of the ball and this will show through the third time around.

Eagles 27

Cowboys 24

Maybe the Glass is Half Full for the Eagles

Philadelphia fans had high hopes for the 2009-2010 Eagles team. There was good reason for optimism considering the team's run to the NFC Championship game where they narrowly lost to a red hot Arizona Cardinals team. They struggled throughout the first two thirds of last season and then pulled together to play well in phases of the game over the balance of the season. Then, in the off season, they seemingly continued their on the field run, off the field with free agent signings and a draft that was lauded by fans and football pundits.

On paper, the Eagles appeared to have bolstered their weaknesses and made a promising team, even better. For once in the Jeffrey Lurie/Andy Reid era, the Eagles took action that aligned with public sentiment, particularly by adding more playmakers to an offense that had historically lacked explosiveness. Logic suggested that a team that came within a couple completed passes of the 2009 Super Bowl, with some young players maturing into difference making performers, and further strengthened  with a brilliant  cadre of moves, would be at least the NFC Super Bowl favorite.

This was solid reasoning, and if everything had fallen into place as they hoped, the Eagles had a legitimate shot at a great season. Unfortunately, life, and particularly NFL life, can quickly veer off course. For the Eagles, that started to happen from the outset of training camp and continued into the regular season. In particular, injuries took a steep toll on both sides of the ball.

Stewart Bradley and Akeem Jordan, two of their young linebackers, were rapidly evolving into the strong playmakers the defense needed to compliment their secondary and defensive line. As they matured and gained confidence a year ago, the defense gained momentum. Regrettably, Bradley tore his ACL early in camp and was lost for the season. Jordan was a strong presence early in the season, but then, he too hyperextended his knee and missed several weeks. Additionally, CB Ellis Hobbs was lost for the season with a neck injury and emerging nickel back, Joselio Hanson, was suddenly suspended for taking a weight loss pill.

On the offense, the line was hit hard with injuries throughout the preseason and into the regular season. What appeared to be a strength with the signings of tackles  Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews, along with the return of former pro bowler Shawn Andrews, turned into a patch work unit. Shawn was placed on IR before the season due to lingering back problems and Stacy has not been able to recover from off season knee surgery. Peters has been hurt off and on, while Todd Herremans missed a large chunk of time with a knee injury.

Along the way to the Eagles rolling to an opening game blowout in Charlotte, a Panthers defensive lineman piled onto Donovan McNabb in the end zone and took some luster off the win when it was determined that his ribs were broken. McNabb would have to sit out a couple games. And, starting running back Brian Westbrook and starting wide receiver Kevin Curtis have been largely unavailable or limited due to injuries.

This is the NFL and things happen. But, the pre-season prognostications were based on the team assembled on paper, not the patch work team that Andy Reid has had to piece together for much of the season. Clearly, these events have negatively impacted the Eagles and played a significant role in the team getting off to a 5-4 start. Although the team has had a penchant for starting out slowly and finishing strong, many fans figured that another promising season would end in disappointment.

Since a depleted Eagles team lost to the surging San Diego Chargers to start the second half of the season, they have weathered the storm and gained momentum each week. Donovan McNabb issued his much debated "must win" proclamation for the next week's game in Chicago in an attempt to instill a sense of urgency amongst his young teammates. Commingled with that statement was his own recognition of a void left by departing veterans and transformation into a more overt leader on the team. This has been a big part of the current 5-game winning streak that began in that "must win" contest in Chicago.

When the run began, the team was starting to come together on the offensive line, but the defense was largely in disarray. Key players were missing, meaning that inexperienced teammates needed to be put onto the field while others shifted into other unaccustomed roles. McNabb realized and accepted added responsibility on the offensive side of the ball to out score opponents while the defense struggled. Veterans like Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel played through injuries, and although at times limited, found ways to make plays.

In striking contrast to a year ago when a confluence of events allowed the Eagles to slip into the playoffs in the season's final week, this year Andy Reid's team has already clinched a spot, but two important games remain. A win in Dallas to end the regular season would give them the NFC Eastern Division title. A Cowboys loss and Eagles win this week would accomplish the same thing, but expecting the Redskins to knock them off after their melt down against the Giants on Monday night would seem to defy the odds.

Tomorrow's meeting with the Broncos, though, has added importance due to the recent decline of the Minnesota Vikings. Another loss opens the door for the Eagles to seize the second seed in the NFC playoffs, which of course, comes replete with a bye and home field advantage in the second round. A few weeks ago, this possibility would seem almost unreachable, but seems reasonable considering the Brett Favre, Brad Childress bickering and the team's overall diminished performance.

So, the promising team that seemed headed for another year of disappointment finds itself surging at the right time and in an enviable position. The offense has averaged 31 points in the current streak, and more importantly, is demonstrating both the type of explosiveness and consistency that will strike fear in any post season opponent.  Adding a healthy Brian Westbrook to an offense led by McNabb, DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek and others could be a juggernaut. Although their struggles in the Meadowlands two weeks ago raised many concerns, the defensive unit's performances around that have been much more encouraging. A return to similar form from a year ago as the defense gets healthier, would surely make the Eagles a formidable playoff team and bring them full circle to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. After an unforeseen and bumpy path, the glass may just be half full.

Eagles Use Late Rally to Win Again

Donovan McNabb engineered another late game rally to lead the Eagles to a second consecutive comeback win against an inferior team. And, once again, the team overcame adversity, some of which was their own doing and other simply being sometimes how things go in the NFL. The victory allowed the Eagles to keep pace with both the Cowboys in the NFC East and the Packers in the Wildcard race, who both won on Thanksgiving Day.

Yesterday's game followed a similar script to the previous game, as the Eagles rallied from a 24-16 fourth quarter deficit to prevail 27-24. Seemingly shaking off growing criticism about his inability to lead the team back late in games, McNabb showed poise and precision on two scoring drives in the games final minutes. First he led the team on a 90-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown with 7:24 remaining and then took them 66 yards to a game winning field goal at the 1:48 mark.

Although the Redskins fell to 3-8, they came into the game with the 4th rated defense in the NFL, so these long drives were not easy and are clearly a good sign. McNabb had the added challenge of being without DeSean Jackson (who left earlier with a concussion) and having an ineffective Brent Celek (who later divulged that he may have torn thumb ligaments.) No matter- he simply leaned on Jason Avant, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy and they came through in a big way.

The big plays on the touchdown drive were consecutive tremendous catches by Avant for 46 and 20 yards, respectively, who is emerging as yet another weapon on the Eagles offense. Over the past two seasons, he has demonstrated a growing ability as a sure handed possession receiver, but now is displaying the ability to get separation and make catches down the field. The drive almost stalled at the one yard line, but Eldra Buckley finally was able to punch it in on the fourth play. McCoy then showed great determination and balance on a shuttle pass to get a two point conversion, tying the score.

After the Eagles defense held the Redskins, the offense took possession again on their own 20. This time McNabb used a pair of passes to Maclin (including a 35-yard connection) and a heavy dose of McCoy's running to move to the Redskins 14. David Akers came on to kick his fourth field goal of the game to make it 27-24. The defense then stepped up again, forcing the Redskins to the turn the ball over on downs.

One thing that was different from last week, though, was that the Eagles fell behind early. For some inexplicable reason the Eagles chose to open the game with an on sides kick that back fired into a quick 7-0 Redskins lead. Considering that the Redskins have one of the least effective offensive units and one of the better defensive units in the NFL, and were further hindered by injuries, electing to gamble at the outset seemed totally nonsensical. The last thing that the Eagles would want is to give them a short field or easy points.

Nevertheless, the Eagles did work back from the many adversities they faced, such as the absence of players and injury limitations, as well as the self inflicted variety such as penalties, ill advised gambles and the Mildcat. Once again, McNabb maintained composure and his young teammates around him responded well. The depleted defense was uneven throughout the contest as expected, but they came up big when needed in the end. Surprisingly, they struggled to get pressure on Jason Campbell, but forced the Redskins to work underneath all day.

Although favoring a sore neck, Asante Samuel jumped a couple routes to pick off two Campbell passes in the second quarter. The Eagles turned both of those into Akers field goals and grab a slim 16-14 lead at half.

McNabb finished the day 21-35-1 for 260 yards. Before Jackson got injured, McNabb connected with him on yet another long scoring strike. Late in the first quarter, Jackson slipped behind coverage and McNabb found him in the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown. McCoy and Weaver both ran the ball well all day, combining for 120 yards on only 23 carries. For the second time in three weeks, Avant led the team in receiving, accumulating 94 yards on 5 receptions.

This was another game that the Eagles both should have and needed to win. They now find themselves at 7-4, one game behind the Cowboys and in the top Wildcat spot. They found ways to win each of the past two games which is good, but their challenge may have increased further with the injuries to their leading receivers, Jackson and Celek.

Fortunately, the Eagles are showing some excellent depth and quickly growing maturity on offense. It appears they are still a few weeks away from shoring up the defense, so if they hope to win next week's big game in Atlanta, it appears that it is going to require McNabb to rally his young mates again. The Falcons pulled out a comeback win themselves yesterday and lurk just one game behind the Eagles.

Eagles Crush Giants in Twin Bill Opener

The Eagles continue to establish their personality as a big play team on both sides of the ball as they hit on multiple long scoring strikes and forced Eli Manning into turnovers. They seized control of the game on the third play from scrimmage when Leonard Weaver burst through the middle on a 41-yard touchdown gallop and never let up on the way to crushing their NFC East rivals by a score of 40-17.

The final score might actually make the game seem closer than it really was, as the Birds dominated the Giants in all phases of the game. If not for a fumble, an onside kick and the Eagles playing conservatively to eat up the clock, it could have been much worse. The Eagles moved the ball easily, seemingly scoring at will while pressuring Manning into erratic throws and mistakes.

Donovan McNabb had his strongest game of the season, completing 17 of 23 passes for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns. And, true to 2009 form, all were from longer range as he hit on a 54-yard strike to DeSean Jackson, a 23-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin and a 17-yard throw to Brent Celek. Adding to their long ball array, were Weaver's run and a 66-yard touchdown sprint by LeSean McCoy.

On defense, the Eagles rotated linemen and used a variety of stunts and blitzes to put pressure on Manning. Similar to last season's playoff game, the tactic exploited Manning's poise and average arm strength. On the Giants third play from scrimmage, Asante Samuel jumped a route to intercept a pass and returned it 37 yards to set up the Eagles second touchdown.

The Giants had many experts singing their praises as they beat up weak opponents in the early part of the season. Yesterday's thorough domination at the hands of the Eagles, along with losses the previous two weeks, has knocked the Giants out of first place and has them questioning their abilities. The soft part of their schedule is behind them and they face a tough slate of games ahead.

Meanwhile, besides their lapse in Oakland, the Eagles reinforced that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, possessing possibly the most explosive offense in the NFL. Jackson, Maclin and Celek give McNabb the best array of play making receivers that he has ever had around him. The team has largely been without the services of Brian Westbrook, so his return adds an elusive runner and pass catcher to a running corps that has been bolstered by McCoy and Weaver. Jason Avant and injured Kevin Curtis are nice accessories. This is clearly the greatest set of offensive skill position players the team has ever assembled.

Despite still in a learning mode, Will Witherspoon looks like a considerable upgrade for the defense as he flashes around the field making plays. The pre-season loss of promising Stewart Bradley left a big hole that now seems closed. This allows the defense to be aggressive with their pass rush and re-enage their secondary to concentrate on pass coverage rather than helping with run support.

Next week is the third leg of the NFC East round robin as the Eagles host the Cowboys, who also improved their record to 5-2 with a convincing win yesterday over Seattle. Dallas seems to have found their mojo as QB Tony Romo has gained confidence with the emergence of wide receiver Miles Austin. Marion Barber and Felix Jones have returned from injury, so the Cowboys are feeling like they have their own explosive array of weapons. Next Sunday night's game should prove to worthy of the prime time spot light.