Missing football already? I got you covered. Here on the latest Rich Sports Talk podcast we are breaking down the big game and how the Philadelphia Eagles went from underdogs to the top dog in the NFL.
What’s next for the Patriots? How did the Eagles pull it off? You’ll have to listen to find out.
According to NFL.com the Denver Broncos have traded for Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez sending a 2017 conditional draft pick to Philadelphia. While it still appears that the Broncos are still actively pursuing San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but have at least added depth with the addition on Sanchez whose cap hit for 2015 will be $4.5 Million.
The fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Sanchez has had an up
Sanchez is most remembered for the infamous “Butt Fumble”
and down career. His most famous moment on the field was the infamous “Butt Fumble” when he ran in Brandon Moore’s backside. In his NFL career Sanchez has started in 72 games throwing for over 15,000 yards with 86 touchdowns and 84 interceptions. In those 72 starts Sanchez is 37-35 but has a 4 -2 career playoff record.
While Sanchez may not be the best answer at the quarterback position for the Broncos, he at least provides an option for the moment and could be a reliable backup if the Broncos do add another signal caller.
The Eagles have landed. In a year where the NFC East was ripe for the taking, the Philadelphia Eagles 2015 season has been a disaster. After
After two 10 win seasons, Kelly’s Eagles are 4-6 in 2015
back-to-back 10 win seasons Chip Kelly was the toast in the city of brotherly love. Now, those same fans who once praised Kelly are sharpening their pitchforks to run the third year coach out of town.
At 4-6 the Eagles are still in the NFC East, but after rookie quarterback Jameis Winston threw five touchdowns and Doug Martin ran for over 200 yards, the Eagles playoff chances are fading fast. This tension has been building in Philadelphia since Kelly took over football operations. In that time Kelly has let successful players such as Lesean McCoy, Desean Jackson, Nick Foles, and Jeremy Maclin go while bringing in players that made the Philly faithful scratch their heads. While Nick Foles played at a pro-bowl level, Kelly brought in the extremely fragile and unproved Sam Bradford who shockingly couldn’t make it through another NFL season.
The main problem? Kelly’s once dominant and playmaking offense is
Desean Jackson (left) and Lesean McCoy (right) were shipped out of town and since their departure the Eagles offense hasn’t recovered.
staler then a two week old cheesesteak. Chip’s confidence that his system was greater then the players has come back to haunt him as the Eagles have struggled to move the ball all season while his former players are making splashes in their new NFL homes. Fans have to wonder what kind of team the Eagles would be if those players still donned the green.
So what now? It would shock me if the Eagles fired Chip Kelly especially one year into giving him complete control. However, I predict that Chip Kelly will leave Philly at the end of this season. Why? He’s always been an opportunist, and their are just too many great opportunities out there. Don’t believe me?
Consider this. Chip Kelly was dying to get Marcus Mariota in this past draft and couldn’t pull off a deal. The Titans need a new coach and would probably give Chip full control if he became the coach. Also given the state of the AFC South, Kelly could see an easier road to the playoffs as well.
Still, there’s always college. With so many great college jobs that are available, or may become available he may go back to college football and
Could Kelly return to the PAC 12 as the Head Coach at USC? (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
look to win a National Championship. Possible jobs that could open include Texas and LSU while jobs that are already enticing include USC and the University of Miami. We know that Kelly can coach in college, and in recent years coaches like Saban and Harbaugh have thrived in their returns to the NCAA.
Could the Eagles make the playoffs? Sure. Could Kelly return next season? Of course. Still the way this season has gone and how the team has appeared to quit on Kelly, or at least the defense in the game against Tampa Bay, all eyes will been on Philadelphia as the soap opera plays itself out. Once thing is for certain, it certainly isn’t sunny in Philadelphia right now.
Vick’s career is over because of his health
At the age of 33, Michael Vick’s career is coming to an abrupt end. The 2013 season has been a disaster for number seven. Despite a good start, Vick’s turnover problem and more specifically his injuries are pushing him out of football. Unlike most quarterbacks, Vick’s most valuable asset is his leg’s not his arm. When Vick looks back at his career his biggest regret will be not developing his passing game. Instead, Vick focused on breaking breathtaking runs in Atlanta rather than learning the playbook and throwing mechanics. After the dog-fighting incident the Eagles brought in Vick to back up Mcnabb. One year later, he led the Eagles to the playoffs. Now, in 2013, the Eagles realize that instead of investing in a quarterback that could run, they invested in a running back who could throw. Unlike many quarterbacks who can play late into their 30’s, Vick is unique in the sense that he has the mileage of an NFL running back, while other quarterbacks stay in the pocket and not risk injury by running. Whenever you rush for over 5,000 yards in your career, your legs are going to take a beating. The infamous 30 year old wall where NFL running backs start to decline seems to have smacked Vick in the face. With the injuries and turnovers piling up, it only makes sense for the Eagles to move on from Vick after the 2013 season. The Eagles have finally learned it’s almost impossible to build a team around a quarterback who is injury prone and not on the field. Vick hasn’t started in more than 13 games in a single season since joining Philadelphia and has only started 16 games in the past two seasons combined. Let’s face it, he’s not the long-term answer in Philly. Come to think of it, the Eagles aren’t better off with Vick right now. He’s been turning the ball over too much and he is not healthy. When healthy, Vick can be a dynamic player but he hasn’t been completely healthy for a longtime. At this point, Vick can never be truly healthy. Even if he can play a few games, it’s now when not if he’ll get hurt. If Chip Kelly wants to get the Eagles going forward not only this year, but beyond, he needs to bench Michael Vick. Instead, Kelly needs to see if Barkley or Foles have the potential to be the Eagles starting quarterback for the next five years. If not, the 2014 Draft offers a deep quarterback class that could have the quarterback that’s the best fit for Kelly’s offense. Despite the trend of very athletic quarterbacks in the NFL today, I don’t see any team offering Vick a starting position next season. At best, he’s a sold backup that if need be can start for a few games. That maybe Vick’s only choice next season. At this point in his career, like most running backs, a secondary role is the best fit moving forward. Looking back at Vick’s potential, it’s unfortunate that we never got to see a fully developed player. Had he developed throwing the ball to go with his explosive legs, Vick could have been one of the most unstoppable quarterbacks in NFL history. I guess now we can only wonder what could have been?
New York Giants
Coach Tom Coughlin
Offense Defense
QB ELI MANNING DE JUSTIN TUCK
RB DAVID WILSON DT LINVAL JOESPH
FB HENRY HYNOSKI DT CULLEN JENKINS
WR VICTOR CRUZ DE JASON PIERRE-PAUL
WR HAKEEM NICKS OLB KEITH RIVERS
TE BRANDON MYERS MLB MARK HERZLICH
RT DAVID DIEHL OLB SPENCER PAYSINGER
RG CHRIS SNEE CB COREY WEBSTER
C DAVID BAAS CB PRINCE AMUKAMARA
LG KEVIN BOOTHE FS RYAN MUNDY
LT WILL BEATY SS ANTREL ROLLE
Strengths: Whenever you have a Manning under center, you’re going to have a very good year. With great outside weapons with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks the Giants will put points on the board. Running back David Wilson has shown his explosiveness in the preseason and is poised for a big breakout year at running back. The Giants front four is their bread and butter on defense. When healthy Tuck and JPP provide a nightmare for offensive lines. With great depth at the defensive end position, with
With Manning, The Giants always have a chance
Mathius Kiwanuka and rookie Damontre Moore, and Joesph and Jenkins filling up the middle, the Giants defense could be poised to create havoc ion 2013.
Weaknesses: On offense the Giants are going to need to find consistency at the running back position. The G-men also need to keep Manning upright. Last season the offensive line showed many holes that at the moment don’t look to have been filled since the end of last season. If the Giants can’t keep Manning upright, then the offense will sputter. On defense the Giants need to stay healthy and get pressure on the quarterback. With a weak safety, and an even weaker line-backing core, the Giants need a big season out of the front four. If they can’t stay healthy or get to the quarterback, then the Giants defense will once again be a revolving door for the opposing offense.
Overall Prediction: 9-7 1st place NFC East:
With a difficult schedule this season a 9-7 record would be where the Giants finish. Considering all the question marks on defense, the offensive line, and health, the Giants should be able to make the playoffs despite not winning ten games. With the best quarterback situation in the talented NFC East. The Cowboys haven’t proven to be serious contenders in years, the Eagles are rebuilding, and the Redskins need to see if RGIII can get through a full season at quarterback. Either way it looks like the Giants will be back in the playoffs in 2013 and will try to make another run to the Super Bowl, which will be in their own stadium this year.
New York Jets
Coach Rex Ryan
Offense Defense
QB GENO SMITH(R)/ MARK SANCHEZ DE MUHAMMAD WILKERSON
RB BILAL POWELL NT KENRICK ELLIS
FB TOMMY BOHANON (R) DE SHELDON RICHARDSON (R)
WR JEREMY KERLEY OLB QUINTON COPLES
WR STEPHEN HILL ILB DAVIS HARRIS
TE JEFF CUMBERLAND ILB DEMARIO DAVIS
RT AUSTIN HOWARD OLB CALVIN PACE
RG WILLIE COLON CB ANTONIO CROMARTIE
C NICK MANGOLD CB DEE MILLINER (R )
LG VLADIMIR DUCASSE FS ANTONIO ALLEN
LT D’BRICKASHAW FERGUSON SS DAWAN LANDRY
Strengths: Rex Ryan team, think we know the answer to this one. If the Jets want to be competitive at all this season the defense must be a top unit in the NFL. While the deep secondary may have some holes, especially with Darrelle Revis leaving, the Jets still have a strong secondary with pro bowler Antonio Cromartie and rookie Dee Milliner. With Muhammad Wilkerson establishing himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, the Jets also added first rounder Sheldon Richardson to the pass rush. While it remains to see if Quinton Coples will remain at outside linebacker, with more athleticism and a stronger emphasis on the blitz, the Jets defense will get to the
It’s official, the Jets are now Geno’s team
quarterback. On offense the Jets have added more depth to the running game as they will emphasis running the football more. Plus with pro bowlers Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson on the line, the Jets may once again be one of the best at running the ball in 2013.
Weaknesses: Hmm other than quarterback? While it remains uncertain who will be the signal caller for the Jets in 2013, one can only hope it’s not Mr. Buttfumble Mark Sanchez. While it does look like it will be Geno time sooner than later, the fact is the Jets quarterback situation is terrible. Add in the lack of a star running back, a weak receiving core that’s still unsure when Santonio Holmes will return, and arguably the leagues weakest crop of tight ends, yeah the Jets offense isn’r looking too good right now. On the defensive side the two questions are can the safeties be solid starters and can Quinton Coples effectively transition to the rush 3-4 outside linebacking position.
Overall: 8-8 2nd AFC East: If Geno can be a solid quarterback, which isn’t too hard given Mark Sanchez’s recent history, the Jets can be a 500 team. Personally I’m not buying into the Dolphins or Bills until the finally can prove themselves as contenders this season. Rex Ryan is coaching to save his life and knows that he has to give a great performance this year. This defense is vastly underrated and has the potential to be a great defense. If the offense can run the ball, and not turn the ball over, then the Jets could surprise a lot of people in 2013. One things for sure, there is never a dull moment with this team.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach Chip Kelly
Offense Defense
QB MICHAEL VICK DE FLETCHER COX
RB LESHEAN McCOY NT ISSAC SOPOAGA
WR DESEAN JACKSON DE CLIFTON GEATHERS
WR RILEY COOPER OLB TRENT COLE
TE BRENT CELEK ILB DEMECO RYANS
TE ZACH ERTZ ( R) ILB MYCHAL KENDRICKS
RT LANE JOHNSON (R ) OLB CONNOR BARWIN
RG TODD HEREMANS CB CARY WILLIAMS
C JASON KELCE CB BRADLEY FLETCHER
LG EVAN MATHIS FS PATRICK CHUNG
LT JASON PETERS SS NATE ALLEN
Strengths: Given Chip Kelly’s prolific offense in Oregon, this could be a year where the Eagles light up the scoreboard. When healthy Vick still has big play capability and a big arm to stretch the field. Whoever the quarterback is, he’ll have a vast arsenal of weaponry at his disposal. Jackson, Avant, Celek, Ertz, McCoy are all playmakers that create nightmare matchups for opposing defenses. With an improvement along the
Can Vick and Jackson stay healthy enough to give Kelly’s offense it’s explosiveness?
offensive line it could be a lot easier for Eagles quarterbacks this season. If the quarterbacks can remain upright, this offense will score some points.
Weaknesses: On offense there are only two. First who will be the quarterback by the end of the season, and second can this offensive line protects whoever that quarterback will be. Michael Vick hasn’t played a full season in years, and it’s likely that the Eagles will turn to Matt Barkley or Nick Foles by the end of the season. The biggest problem for this team is the defense. Last year it was one of the worst units in the NFL, but now many starters from last season have been replaced with general unknowns. While the Eagles have lost many defensive starters, the biggest problem is that they are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. The problem? The Eagles personal fits a 4-3 defense better. Trent Cole, the Eagles best defender is a great 4-3, but moving him to a standing up 3-4 linebacker could make him less effective.
Overall: 6-10 4th NFC east Sorry Eagles fan. In the difficult NFC East, questions at the quarterback position, and a terrible defense, it’s going to be a rebuilding year in Philadelphia. While the will score points, I think we will see games where they will score 30 points but loss because their defense is so bad. Chip Kelly may begin righting the ship in Philly and being his high-powered offense to the pros, but unfortunately you need to play defense to. 2013 will be a step in the right direction, especially with Kelly at the helm, but it just won’t be a step back into the playoffs.
Rich Sports Talk 