| Tom Morris. 6th November, 2005 - 6:45 pm
 Terrell Owens has done it again. He's opened his mouth as wide as only Terrell can, let rip with more words of defensive antagonism, but this time Philadelphia ownership has opened theirs even wider. As a result of this most recent T.O. P.R. M.P.B.(Massive Public Blunder) the Eagles, whose offensive survival all season has literally depended on moving the ball through the air, have been grounded --no, emergency crash-landed-- as they prepare for a big road game against the Redskins Sunday night on national television. I can't help but think of something about nails and straws and the breaking of camels' backs, and so on. And as a 'Skins fan I also cannot yet think of the appropriate way to celebrate.
As so many of us know by now, Mr. Owens, in an interview with ESPN's Michael Irvin earlier this week, opined on the state of Philly's quarterback scenario. To be more specific, he reckoned the Eagles would be much better off so far this season if they had Green Bay Packer icon Brett Favre, not McNabb, at the helm of the team. To throw salt on that cupcake, Terrell also openly complained how the Eagles organization didn't do anything reverent after he scored the 100th TD of his NFL career.
My God, Terrell, I just don't know what goes on in that head of yours to come up with such rubbish! Right, so that much we know. If you even flick past the most local of sports reports you also know he followed up with an apology just 2 days ago, a press conference to try to take back what he was "told" were offensive remarks! A pedestrian effort at damage control, to be sure, it held little water, and so today, just over 24 hours away from a "Who's In Last Place in The NFC EAST" Division Rivalry Game at FedEx Field, Philly's sat T.O.'s ass down on the pine. Not just for this week, mind you... indefinitely!
So we take the time to swallow that football-sized pill. Now the facts remain: due to McNabb's pestilent hernia injury, as well as Brian Westbrook's absence, the Eagles' running game has been almost nonexistent from game 1. The leadership, toughness, and arm of Donovan has kept the team competitive, while Philly's defense has picked up as much slack as it could. After last week's crumbling at the hands of the steady Broncos, they stand at 4 -3, still very much in it to be sure. And Terrell Owens, who was averaging almost 7 catches a game for an average of well over 100 yards, was no small ingredient in the gumbo. This leaves the team where?
Good question. The main question had been how effective McNabb/Owens and Co. (near the top of the NFL in yards, completions and passing TDs) would be against a Washington pass "D" ranked 5th in the NFL for yards allowed. Now it's not a matter of how effective they will be, it's a matter of how much clock-management and ball-control the Philadelphia offense can execute in their repeated 3-and -outs! The issue has been forced for Philly; how long were they going to be able to use their passing game as their life-support system, having all but completely abandoned the run? With the plug having been officially pulled, we have our answer.
Now, let's take a look at the Redskins, who, like the Eagles have spent the past seven days nursing fragile egos after a shatteringly shameful drubbing. The NY Giants stood tall at home against the 'Skins, who had their rush-defense exposed in convincing fashion, Tike Barber hustling for 57 yards on the first play from scrimmage. It was like that all day for a defensive line which had been showing its inexperience and vulnerabilities, in games against Denver and KC especially. In the D.C. press this week talk continued of the LaVar Arrington situaion (would he be starting? had he earned it? is LaVar being a good practice boy for Gregg Williams? ) There was talk of Clinton Portis and the offensive line, both of whom were shut-up and shut-down last Sunday at the Meadowlands.
But many an eye was on the defensive line, and whether or not Philly would finally take this opportunity to step into New York's giant footsteps and try to beat up on Washington as well. What better time to learn how to run the ball, than against a team which allowed around 250 yards on the ground only 7 days earlier?
And that's finally going to happen this week. We will see a Philadelphia running back. Terrell Owens has made another bed, slept in it, left it unmade for weeks to come, and now it's starting to stink. And without him, unless one of the Eagles rookie wide-outs comes up big, the run may now be their only chance at survival. And it's not just wishful thinking for this Washington fan when I say the Redskins will be ready for it. Well, I can't say for sure, but I have a prety strong feeling the Redskins tackles, DE's and LB's (LaVar in particular) are waiting --and drooling-- for the chance to see Donovan hand that ball off tomorrow night. The Eagles airplane has been grounded , and this new vehicle of theirs will move a lot slower than the one they had before. For Philadelphia to win this Division Battle, they are going to need another blocked field goal or two. And you know, having won 7 of 8 against the Redskins since 2001, they just might find a way to do that tomorrow. Even without McNabb's Love-Hate target du Jour. Let's see, shall we? 5:30 pm PST, on ESPN... |
