Hi Friends!
Well, this past Sunday's game wasn't what I would call a pretty game by any means, but as they say, a win is a win and I'll take it. I saw a lot of good things from the Eagles, but also some things that need to be cleaned up. I thought that the lack of playing time for the starters in the preseason really showed as the rhythm and the timing seemed to be off on some potential big plays. We have to hope that they get it in sync because the next game up is a really tough test against former Eagles coach Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs.
It will be very difficult going into Arrowhead Stadium and trying to steal a victory as it is one of the loudest stadiums in the entire NFL. Factor in how the Chiefs embarrassed the world champion New England Patriots in Foxborough last week (with the entire nation watching) and the Chiefs fans are going to be ready for our Eagles.
The injury bug reared its ugly head last week with an injury to newly acquired corner back Ronald Darby who the Eagles were really counting on after trading Jordan Matthews for him. The injury turned out to be not as bad as originally thought, and he's anticipated to be back within 4 to 6 weeks. Also injured in the second quarter was all-pro left tackle Jason Peters, who the team cannot afford to lose as he's still one of the league’s best. His is a groin injury and Peters said he'll be ready to go this Sunday, but this bears watching. I must say that second-year tackle Vatai did an admirable job taking Peters’ place, but he's no Jason Peters. Also, placekicker Caleb Sturgis hurt something in his foot and is expected to miss a few weeks, which could spell trouble. The team has some kickers in for tryouts, and we can only hope they can find someone to hold down the fort until Sturgis returns.
My observation after the first game is that the Eagles are head and shoulders above where they were last season offensively. Wideouts Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith are the real deal and once they get their timing down with Carson Wentz, the sky’s the limit. Zach Ertz looks like he's ready to take that leap into the upper echelon of NFL'S tight ends, which I've been predicting for the past few years. Carson Wentz is as good as advertised and looks like a reincarnation of Aaron Rodgers with the way he can move to escape trouble and has a cannon of an arm. It's hard to believe that this is only his second year! The running game was so-so last week, but I do think that it will develop as the year goes along. The offensive line graded out pretty well, although there's room for improvement. If there's one thing I see from Wentz that could be corrected, it is that he tends to hold onto the ball a little too long. Again, I think it's going to take a few weeks until they are all on the same page with their timing, but when they get that down it's gonna be fun to watch.
Defensively, I think that the Eagles are a Top 10 defense right now and are only going to get better. Of course we'll have to see how the loss of Darby impacts the defense and who's gonna step up to fill in, but as long as the front four and the linebackers keep playing like last week, we should be alright.
"Hatchet's" Locker Room Happenings...
This past Sunday was a record-breaking day for openers as the room was packed and electric with excitement from opening kickoff to the final seconds of the game clock. Our outside deck and field were also packed as the overflow watched on the outdoor TVs, and I apologize to our neighbors if it got a little too loud Hee! Hee! Our food table would have received a five-star rating if the Food Network would have been in attendance as the entrees included buffalo wings by the Wingman, steak sandwiches, sweet sausage and peppers, homemade beef vegetable soup, hamburgers, hot dogs, filled peppers, Caesar salad, ham with potatoes, hot sausage, pasta salad, pierogies and much more. I can't even think of all the tasty desserts and I’ll hate to see what the scale says when I see Dr. Leif Christiansen this week for my yearly physical. I want to thank all of our wonderful family and friends for making it such a fun day!
What To Look For In This Week’s Game
- Let’s increase the run. Hopefully our running game gets going to help take the burden off of Wentz. It will be hard to win on a consistent basis when you're heaving the ball over and over without even trying to establish the run. We have a very big O line and I know that they would love to just grind it out, which will make our passing game with Carson Wentz even more explosive. I know that the league has become a passing league, but you still need some balance. Former Eagle Bennie Logan is now a Chief as he replaces Dontari Poe who was a beast for Kansas City. The Chiefs also have Chris Jones, David King and Jarvis Jenkins to round out the D line. The Chiefs suffered a major blow when their defensive best player Eric Berry was injured in their win at New England and is on IR and lost for the year. Their secondary still has the great Marcus Peters at cornerback, but I think with the loss of Berry, Carson Wentz can burn them with some big plays. Look for a big game from Alshon Jeffrey as he didn't have the kind of game last week that he would have liked. I also am excited and happy for Nelson Agholar who struggled his first two years but last week looked like he's reborn, I look for him to be a factor in the slot once again this week, very impressive!
- Don’t underestimate Alex Smith. The Chiefs traded two first round draft picks to move up in this year’s draft to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of Texas Tech as their QB of the future. Well, clearly someone forgot to tell quarterback Alex Smith as he looked like superman against the New England Patriots in the opener. If someone would have told me that Alex Smith would be better than the G.O.A.T. Tom Brady in that game I would have thought they were out of their mind, but he was way better that night. Alex Smith is very good and our defense will be tested for sure. The Eagles front four need to get after him and put pressure on him from the jump or he'll pick our secondary apart. The Chiefs no longer have Jeremy Maclin, but they do have Tyreek Hill, Chris Connely and Demarcus Robinson at wideout, along with the very good Travis Kelce at tight end to give Smith some fine weapons. At running back, rookie Kareem Hunt absolutely destroyed the Patriots and our linebackers will have their hands full trying to contain him. Spencer Ware is also a respectable running back for the Birds to deal with. Again, if our front four plays like they did last week, and if Jim Schwartz calls some more blitzes, we should fare pretty well.
- It Could Come Down to Special Teams. Special teams play will really be tested this week. As I stated earlier, our kicker Caleb Sturgis is out and they have yet to name a replacement, so this is worrisome. It will be a task to keep Tyreek Hill in check on punt returns as he's as fast as they come, prompting the Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub to compare Hill to the great Devin Hester. I look for Darren Sproles and rookie Corey Clement to make an impact for our Eagles on the return units. I really like Clement and would love to see him bust one! Both teams have very good special team units and it would not surprise me if this game would come down to a special teams play. Speaking of special teams units, I was shocked and really upset to hear that my friend and former Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos was diagnosed with a very serious heart problem last week. In fact, at this very moment as I am typing this blog, Jon is undergoing open heart surgery and it's tough for me to concentrate as he's on my mind. I am patiently waiting on word of his condition. As I said last week, Jon is a truly wonderful person and I am praying that all goes well for him this morning and with his recovery. I had a quadruple bypass back in 2006 and I know that it was all my friends prayers along with Dr. Louis Borgata and Dr. Wooley of Berks Cardiology along with my family physician Dr. Leif Christiansen that pulled me through and I know Jon will come through his surgery as well. We love you "Magic Man" and I'll see you in the Locker Room.
That will do it for me this week, and I invite you all to check in with me next week as I look ahead to our next opponent the New York Giants. Till then...
Love, Luck, Lollipops & Linguini,
Barry "The Hatchet" Vagnoni
Fly Eagles, Fly!
