Eagles Blog

Eagles are 2.5 or 3 point favorites over the Lions, depending on where you look. Cowboys-Bears is most commonly a pick 'em.

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) December 4, 2013

Interesting.

Sports On Earth had Dave Caldwell write about Nick Foles after Sunday’s game. There really isn’t any new info, but if you like Foles stories, have at it.

But they like their quarterback, no matter how he got the job. Mathis said, “He’s not just coming out and playing on talent. He’s coming out and playing as a student of the game.”

Couple of good nuggets in the story, but nothing groundbreaking.

First time in team history that the #Eagles have a 1000 yard rusher and receiver after 12 games. @DeseanJackson10 @CutonDime25

— Derek Boyko (@derek_boyko) December 2, 2013

Nick Foles can become just the 4th QB since the merger to lead the NFL in both INT rate and TD rate. Pre-merger: Unitas, Lamonica, Dawsonx2

— Chase Stuart (@fbgchase) December 2, 2013

Last year when the whole Vick vs Foles thing got going, someone brilliantly created a Twitter account for Marcus Foles, Nick’s imaginary brother. Vick has his real brother Marcus saying crazy things on Twitter so someone figured Nick needed that as well.

After today’s joke by Chip Kelly that Foles would be the QB for the next “1,000 years”, Marcus Foles shared his thoughts.

I am the starting QBs brother for the next 1,000 years! #Eagles

— Marcus Foles (@MarcusFoles) December 2, 2013

Kudos to whoever does this posting.

2001 "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams had 96 plays of 20+ yards. 2013 Eagles are on pace for exactly 96 as well.

— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) December 2, 2013

Only problem…those Rams lost the Super Bowl.

Donnie Jones has been great in the last two games. Heck, he’s been good all year.

Because punters are people too, Donnie Jones is first in the league using our grading metric.

— John Breitenbach (@PFF_John) December 2, 2013

Big difference from the days of Sav Rocca, Chas Henry and Matt McBriar.

NFL.com has posted their take on Sunday’s games. Here is what they had to say about the Eagles and Cardinals.

Philadelphia Eagles 24, Arizona Cardinals 21

1. Defensive coordinator Billy Davis deserves a lot of credit for improving this Eagles‘ defensive unit. He confused Carson Palmer with a number of creative blitzes. The Eaglessacked Palmer five times, including two apiece by Brandon Graham and Trent Cole. Philly had 11 passes defensed. When the Cardinals had a chance to win late, they couldn’t pick up a first down.

2. It was a strange game for Nick Foles (237 yards and 3 scores on 37 attempts) and the Eagles‘ offense. They had just five first downs in their first four drives. Sitting on a 24-7 lead, the Eagles put up just 30 yards combined in their last four drives. Foles was sensational in between those stretches, but he was bailed out after making an awful decision on an interception that was overturned by penalty late in the fourth quarter.

3. Despite the loss, the Cardinals‘ offense continues to look more dangerous by the week. Michael Floyd (99 yards) made a number of ridiculous plays again. Rashard Mendenhall has looked like a new man the last two weeks.

A few weeks back, Nick Foles was playing great, but wasn’t on the Pro Bowl ballot. That has changed.

#Eagles QB Nick Foles has been added to the Pro Bowl ballot. #abouttime #vote http://t.co/gAnkvdD2id

— Ryan Nissan (@nissaneagles) November 30, 2013

Doing my part to help the Eagles win on Sunday.

#AZvsPHI who's ready?

— Larry Fitzgerald (@LarryFitzgerald) December 1, 2013

@LarryFitzgerald Larry the game was moved to Sunday at 425pm. Don't bother showing up at the stadium til about 4pm. Sleep in & get some rest

— Tommy Lawlor (@lawlornfl) December 1, 2013

Jeff McLane’s Eagles Insights column has some good nuggets this week.

Remember the flyswatters from the spring / summer?

Foles has had only one of 162 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. Kelly said that he thought the low number could be correlated, in part, to the giant “flyswatters” he used at practices during the spring and training camp.

Kelly had members of his staff during 7-on-7 drills wear equipment on their shoulders that looked like giant flyswatters and were used to emulate defensive linemen with raised arms.

“I think it helps because it just gets them to understand throwing lanes and that you just can’t let it rip no matter what,” Kelly said.

Michael Vick said that he didn’t initially like the flyswatters and argued with Kelly to get rid of them.

“I went back and forth with Coach Kelly in spring,” Vick said, “but I don’t think I had one batted ball when I was playing.”

Vick had five of his 141 passes batted at the line, according to Pro Football Focus.

Some backup OL talk.

Last game, tackle Matt Tobin was active for the first time. He dressed ahead of Dennis Kelly. Neither said they knew why, but Tobin has been playing on the left and Kelly on the right, and Jason Peters entered to game with a few minor injuries. Allen Barbre is technically the backup left tackle, though. Tobin said the coaches want him “to put some weight on . . . and get little stronger.” The 295-pound undrafted rookie said the Eagles want him somewhere between 305 and 310 pounds.

Go check out the whole column. Lots of good info in there.