Eagles Fourth NFC Title Game In A Row

[Franklinnoble]

Am I the only one who's really, really hoping to see another Eagles loss in the NFC Championship game?

Maybe it's just because I'm a fan of a divisional rival, but I'm practically gleeful over the prospect of Philadelphia blowing another #1 seed in the last game. It would be the mother of all train wrecks in the city of brotherly love.

Oh, and thanks a lot to Jeremiah Trotter, who played great with the Eagles his first time around, signed for big money with the Redskins, stunk out the joint while getting paid through the nose, then went back to Philly for less money, and started playing like an all-pro again. Ass.

[Arles]

An interesting sidenote is that the two teams from Penn are 1-6 in league championship games over the past decade. If history is any indication, the SB will be Atlanta-NE. But, maybe tihis is the year that breaks that trend.

[rkmsuf]

Should be a good game. The Eagles better play smarter tough or it may be 4 in a row.

[Ben E Lou]

Well, of course I am hoping for it. :)

Seriously, though, I'd call it unlikely, but if the Eagles play poorly early, how viciously will those people turn on the Eagles?

[rkmsuf]

Well, of course I am hoping for it. :)

Seriously, though, I'd call it unlikely, but if the Eagles play poorly early, how viciously will those people turn on the Eagles?

The fans probably won't as much as they could since they have the built in TO excuse.

[QuikSand]

Oh, and thanks a lot to Jeremiah Trotter, who played great with the Eagles his first time around, signed for big money with the Redskins, stunk out the joint while getting paid through the nose, then went back to Philly for less money, and started playing like an all-pro again. Ass.

The money certainly could be the explanation for this.

But I wonder if there are "team culture" differences that might explain what happened to Trotter? I always through he was a hard working but over-pursuing MLB... but perhaps there's something about the culture in PHI that helps make him as effective as he has been there? (Rather than just him deciding not to play hard in WAS)

[JAG]

I'd like to see them lose again, but then again, I also root for a division rival. I think the key thing for the Falcons will be to get ahead early and foster a "Oh no, here we go again." mentality for the Eagles and their fans. The interesting thing is the Falcons' defensive coordinator is the same guy who was the DC for the Packers last year in the '4th and 26' game. Green Bay had a lot of success blitzing McNabb in that game (to be fair, the Eagles' offensive line was decimated due to injuries) and I think an aggressive approach by the Falcons' defense would be a good idea.

I'm interested to see how Vick will do this game. This should be one of his toughest games of the year, as the Eagles have speed all over their defense. He's not getting 100 yards rushing this Sunday.

[Suicane75]

Trotter is much better suited to Jim Johnsons schemes than he is a "normal" MLB scheme. I think the reason the Eagles let him walk was because they thought that his success had as much to do with the playcalling and scheming as it did his talent (not that they thought he was untalented, but that they could get near the same results from someone else alot cheaper).

I didn't follow him down in DC but I think it's just a case of right guy, right situation for him in Philly.


Oh, and also, E-A-G-L-E-S :D

I was down all during the playoffs last year just because there was something in the air around here, there was a feeling that the team was not as good as they had been the year before and I think it showed in both playoff games, they really had no right beating the Packers last year and even getting to the NFC title game. This year it feels very different, it just feels right.


Skydog, care to make a sidebet? If the Falcons win i'll put whatever you want in my sig, and if the Eagles win I'll take over mod duties till after the SuperBowl? I keed, I keed.

[Dutch]

Well, of course I am hoping for it. :)

Seriously, though, I'd call it unlikely, but if the Eagles play poorly early, how viciously will those people turn on the Eagles?

I think the Eagles are more physical football players and in the cold that should take the day. But the Falcons are more talented and if anybody makes any magic, it will be Vick & Co..

Should be a classic NFC Championship Game!

[Buccaneer]

Does anyone remember the period from 1967-1982 where nearly every single conference championship game would include the Raiders and/or Cowboys? The Raiders did have a 5 year run in which they finally won in their 4th try.

[Dutch]

Well, I remember the end of that period. :) The classic duel between the Eagles and Cowboys in 1980 was a spectacular defeat of "America's Team". The Eagles of course then lost to....the Raiders in the Super Bowl.

[Qwikshot]

Am I the only one who's really, really hoping to see another Eagles loss in the NFC Championship game?

Maybe it's just because I'm a fan of a divisional rival, but I'm practically gleeful over the prospect of Philadelphia blowing another #1 seed in the last game. It would be the mother of all train wrecks in the city of brotherly love.

Oh, and thanks a lot to Jeremiah Trotter, who played great with the Eagles his first time around, signed for big money with the Redskins, stunk out the joint while getting paid through the nose, then went back to Philly for less money, and started playing like an all-pro again. Ass.
I was thinking about it, and as nervewracking as it is to see the Eagles playing in the Championship game, at least they've been a model of consistency in getting there unlike many other poorly managed teams. Even if they lose to the Falcons, I'll still be proud of the achievement, and I'll know they'll be doing it again in being competitive next year.

As for Trotter, he took the money to support his family. Then he realized that money isn't everything, and came back to a winner. When people can admit their mistakes, have a little humility, get paid the minimum, and work hard to get their starting spot back, and then become a dominant force, they deserve kudos...so welcome back woodchopper!

[JimboJ]

As for Trotter, he took the money to support his family. Then he realized that money isn't everything, and came back to a winner. When people can admit their mistakes, have a little humility, get paid the minimum, and work hard to get their starting spot back, and then become a dominant force, they deserve kudos...so welcome back woodchopper!

Sure he took the minimum to sign with the Eagles, but that big signing bonus the Redskins gave him should more than make up for it. :)

BTW, Joe Gibbs is the ass for letting him go.

[Radii]

I'd be rooting pretty hard for an Eagles loss if they weren't playing the Falcons. I don't know what to do now. I can't stand the Falcons, yet I really don't want to see the Eagles win either.

The AFC is similar, I'm really sick of the Patriots, but i've been telling anyone who will listen for 2 months that a rookie QB will not lead his team to the super bowl.

[Yossarian]

The idea for a player like trotter (money wise) would be to start of like he did, get the big bonus to move to washington, piss off the coach or preferably the owner with no cred,

get fired

then sign on somewhere else for a decent bonus (i know that wasnt the case here). If you could convince the new team that the reason you got the boot was because the owner / coach was such a fool, then you could come out OK, and get two big bonuses which would put you in top tier category for earnings despite being a 'good' player.

[Cringer]

I would love to see the Eagles lose yet another NFC Championship game, looooove it.

[Qwikshot]

Sure he took the minimum to sign with the Eagles, but that big signing bonus the Redskins gave him should more than make up for it. :)

BTW, Joe Gibbs is the ass for letting him go.
Well that was what it was all about...his dad died, and Trotter had to support his entire family, which was one of the reasons for the split prior. It was an ugly situation, but when he got hurt, Andy Reid called him up to wish him well, and after he got released, he talked to Reid about joining the Eagles. I think that shows a great deal of respect.

I know a lot of naysayers said the same thing when Hugh Douglas was released, but the Eagles brass is very strict (it's not personal, it's just business). When Hugh got released, the Eagles welcomed him back for minimum, and he happily took it. I think the organization knows some players are in their twilight, but it doesn't compromise it's overall strategy.

Now I know some people will say that overall strategy has failed because they haven't made it to the big game yet (since 1980), but they've certainly been a model organization. Constantly contending, and this year they grabbed two key players in Kearse and Owens. What team wouldn't want those two players? But I think this plan (much like the Moneyball strategy that Oakland A's use), everything goes out the window with playoffs, you have no control over what can happen (we all did see and watch in wonder as FredEx caught that fumble from L.J.?)

The playoffs, all bets are off, and anything can happen.

[JimboJ]

So why all the Eagles hating?? I could understand if you're a Giants or Cowboys or Redskins fan. Otherwise, don't you want to see the most talented team in the NFC make it to the Super Bowl? Whether you're a fan or not, you have to admit that Andy Reid has done a damn good job of putting together a team that should be competetive for the next few years at least.

The only reason I can think of is jelousy. Or maybe its because we booed Santa Claus 100 years ago. :)

[Franklinnoble]

Sure he took the minimum to sign with the Eagles, but that big signing bonus the Redskins gave him should more than make up for it. :)

BTW, Joe Gibbs is the ass for letting him go.

Yeah, because giving his money to Marcus Washington turned out so bad for the Redskins. :rolleyes:

[MacroGuru]

Another thing you have to look at with Trotter are the schemes. Urlacher in Chicago was a victim of this.

If you have good enought DT's that force a double team, it leaves your LB to not have to worry about a blocker, and he has a tendency to be able to play the field.

If your inter DL sucks ass, you are looking at one to two linemen coming down on your LB and he has little to no chance at times.

This was the difference between Washington and Philly. The blue collar DL at Philly forced Double teams and Zone Man blocking, leaving the ILB open to make the plays, hence Trotter looks solid again.

[Qwikshot]

So why all the Eagles hating?? I could understand if you're a Giants or Cowboys or Redskins fan. Otherwise, don't you want to see the most talented team in the NFC make it to the Super Bowl? Whether you're a fan or not, you have to admit that Andy Reid has done a damn good job of putting together a team that should be competetive for the next few years at least.

The only reason I can think of is jelousy. Or maybe its because we booed Santa Claus 100 years ago. :)
I was wondering the same thing, I don't think people hate the Eagles (with exception of T.O.) but I think a lot of people hate Philly fans.

[Suicane75]

I would love to see the Eagles lose yet another NFC Championship game, looooove it.

:mad:

[Franklinnoble]

I hate the Eagles because I'm a Redskins fan.

I'd be saying the same thing if it were the Giants or Cowpies (ESPECIALLY the Cowpies) in this situation.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

[Cringer]

I don't HATE the Eagles. I just think losing four straight conference title games would be funny as hell, and makes a decent 'story.' Like the Bills and their Superbowl loses, only better.....

[cthomer5000]

Does anyone remember the period from 1967-1982 where nearly every single conference championship game would include the Raiders and/or Cowboys? The Raiders did have a 5 year run in which they finally won in their 4th try.
I don't personally remember it, but every time I look back I think that must have been a great, but frustrating, run for the Raiders. I think they played in the conference title game 7 out of 10 years at one point....amazing.

If the Falcons score early, I think the Eagles may be in trouble.

[miami_fan]

I can't see Philly losing this game. I expect Jim Johnson to review most of the tapes from Falcons-Bucs matchups and come up with a gameplan to stop that running game. I am still not sure Michael Vick or that offense is ready to win this game via the passing game.

[Desnudo]

I want the Falcons to win so I have more opportunities to watch the Mike Vic Experience.

[GrantDawg]

I think the Eagles are more physical football players and in the cold that should take the day. But the Falcons are more talented and if anybody makes any magic, it will be Vick & Co..

Should be a classic NFC Championship Game!I wish, but sadly I predict a blowout. The Falcons line just plain and simply sucks. They get running yards thanks to zone blocking and the fact the D-line has to stay spread to stop Vick. The Eagles will not have to spread their line because of their speed at the corners. They will have someone in the backfield at the snap, and Vick will have no where to go because there will not be enough time for the defense to spread out enough for him to find a hole. I predict it is going to be ugly.

The only way it stays close if the defense plays lights-out ball, but I predict McNabb will look more like Vick than Vick, run for 100 yards, and the Eagles win by more than two touchdowns.

[korme]

If the Eagles win, what's the word on TO's availability for the SB?

[rkmsuf]

If the Eagles win, what's the word on TO's availability for the SB?

Out

[Qwikshot]

I don't HATE the Eagles. I just think losing four straight conference title games would be funny as hell, and makes a decent 'story.' Like the Bills and their Superbowl loses, only better.....
I don't think it's as bad as the Bills, they at least made it to the Superbowl.

[cthomer5000]

If the Eagles win, what's the word on TO's availability for the SB?
from all accounts there is no chance, but he's just a bit delusional and thinks he has a chance.

[Franklinnoble]

T.O. better go have some soup in a bowl, because that's the only Super Bowl he'll be seeing.