Eagles Vs. Cowboys: Gold Stars And Demerits
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Well, look at the bright side, we won't be lulled into believing the Eagles can make a playoff run this season.
The Eagles opening drive of yesterday's ugly 38-23 loss to the Cowboys was a thing of beauty. The Eagles first opening drive touchdown of the season, and a sign that maybe, just maybe, they had some life left in them. Not so much. 13 plays and 80 yards later, the game was tied, and hope was lost.
I'm stretching on the gold stars, but give me a break. I never thought it would get this bad.
Gold Star #1 - Fletcher Cox
A lot of attention has been given to the Eagles' defensive ends for the lack of pressure the team has gotten on the quarterback this year, but the push up the middle has been lacking as well. Cox played pretty well yesterday, save for a missed sack on Tony Romo that may have been one of the game's turning points.
Demerit #1 - King Dunlap
After Demetress Bell's game against the Saints, I thought I had seen the worst game an offensive lineman would ever have in an Eagles uniform. Not to be outdone, King Dunlap put together an all-timer against the Cowboys.
Gold Star #2 - Nick Foles
Foles' regular season debut was up and down for sure, but he gets the gold star just for being on the field. This is not an indictment on Michael Vick, who surely doesn't shoulder any more blame than anyone else this season, but an indictment on the season, and a need to start evaluating Foles and whether he's a part of the team's future.
Demerit #2 - Demetress Bell
Bell was clearly upset that Dunlap was trying to steal his "horrible offensive line" performance, and upped (lowered) his game.
Gold Star #3 - Michael Vick
Only giving this to Vick because it might be my last chance to give him one as a member of the Eagles. He's not as good as he used to be, and nowhere near the top ten as far as quarterbacks go in the NFL, but he's taken a real beating this year, and until yesterday kept getting up for more.
Demerit #3 - Bobby April
Bobby April is the luckiest man in Philadelphia. Lucky that every single aspect of the Philadelphia Eagles has been terrible this season, thereby removing some of the focus from the worst special teams I've seen in at least a decade.
Dishonorable mentions: everyone else, besides LeSean McCoy and Brandon Graham.
