Eagles Vs. Giants: Gold Stars And Demerits
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Three wins by a total of four points. A pessimist will tell you that the Eagles are playing with fire, and likely to get burned. An optimist will tell you the Eagles have been ... efficient. As usual, I'll stay in between the two somewhere.
A big win on national television over a division opponent that happens to be the reigning Super Bowl champion and considered to be one of the best teams in the NFL? I'll take it.
Think about this; the Eagles have beaten what could be the best team in both the AFC and the NFC just four games into the season. Their one loss is to a team who is undefeated. Always look at the bright side of life.
Gold Star #1 - Andy Reid
The Eagles did not run the ball well in the first half, but they did run the ball. Much to the surprise of many, they continued to do it in the second half, with the key difference being that it worked. LeSean McCoy only had six carries in the first two quarters, but had 23 for the game for 123 yards. All in all, the Eagles rushed for 191 yards on 36 carries, while the Giants ended up with 57 yards on 19 carries. Combine that with a successful challenge, and a kicker icing that happened to work, and I'd say Andy's a winner today.
Demerit #1 - Nnamdi Asomugha, Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen
I always say in football, there's a lot more going on than we understand. That said, it sure doesn't seem that these three guys are on the same page very often does it? Let's huddle up this week and figure out when Asomugha has help so he knows for sure, and we can finally figure out why it seems like he's always chasing someone who has the ball.
Gold Star #2 - Michael Vick
For the second straight game, Michael Vick didn't throw an interception. The biggest difference between the Giants game and the Arizona game is that Vick actually did some positive things along with the interception-free play. The most promising thing Vick did was on two occasions, he took a sack and didn't throw the ball across is body into coverage like I think we all expected him to. Maybe, just maybe, he's starting to get it.
Demerit #2 - The Special Teams
As if Damaris Johnson heard every single fan yelling at him from the stands and from their living rooms, he finally decided not to catch punts inside the 10 yard line. It took three and a half games, but finally he seemed to figure it out. But his poor decision making on punt receptions for at least a half, and the Eagles dreadful coverage on punts and kicks mean the Eagles have some work to do. I know Colt Anderson didn't play, but still, work to do.
And about those punt returns, doesn't DeSean Jackson do that pretty well?
Gold Star #3 - LeSean McCoy
You know McCoy is really something when a player on an opposing team is literally injured because of the move McCoy put on him. If there was a coin smaller than a dime, I'm sure Shady could cut on that. If LeSean McCoy stays healthy, he ends up one of the all-time Eagles greats.
Demerit #3 - Victor Cruz Salsa Music
NBC decided to treat us to a special salsa interlude while Victor Cruz danced in the end zone. The negative here is that I almost lifted up my television and threw it through my living room window. The positive is it reminded me to turn on Merrill and Mike.
Honorable mentions: Peyton Manning's sad face, Brian Dawkins during pre-game intros, DRC's interception.
Dishonorable mentions: DRC's decision to run the ball out of the end zone, Giants fans who talk about Super Bowls after they lose regular season games.
