SB Nation Philly - Andy Reid Press Conference: Eagles Coach Talks Defensive Improvement

Andy Reid Press Conference: Eagles Coach Talks Defensive Improvement

2011-12-19T22:19:19Z

Andy Reid met the media today after the Eagles recorded their biggest blowout of the season with a 45-19 win over the New York Jets. It also marked the second straight game that the Eagles defense turned in a dominating performance. Over the two games, the Eagles D has forced 7 turnovers and racked up 13 sacks. Reid was asked whether he sees it as an improvement in the players or has rookie defensive coordinator Juan Castillo growing into the job?

“I think it’s a combination,” said Reid "I don’t think it’s the players, I don’t think it’s the coaches, I think it’s everybody doing a better job, and it’s important to do that. We’ve got a good football team that we’re playing this week, so we’ve got to make sure we continue to work and do the right things and execute and put the players in position to execute.”

There’s been a lot of shuffling on the defense as the team has tried to find a combination of guys that work, most notably at the LB position. Reid addressed whether he thinks he’s finally got the right combo?

“I think they’re all challenging each other. That’s kind of the fun thing. You mentioned the linebackers. They’re all having a chance to play. I think they’re all young guys, they want to see who does better when given the opportunity. I think that’s a healthy competition. They have fun with it. When one of them makes a play they’re excited for him. I think it’s a nice little challenge for all of them.”

The Eagles improvement has kept them in the playoff hunt, but they still need help to stay alive. Mostly notably, they need the Giants to lose to the Jets next week. Reid says that that’s out of their control at the moment and all they can do is focus on the upcoming game against Dallas.

“Well listen, you can’t control all that. The thing you can control is going out there tomorrow and practicing, and Wednesday practicing, and Thursday practicing, and Friday, and playing the game. Those are the things that you can control. So take care of that business, I tell myself the same thing, take care of that business, don’t worry about the other thing, there’s nothing you can do about that game. Take care of what you can control.”

Eagles Vs Jets: LeSean McCoy Scores 3 TDs As Eagles Rout

2011-12-19T00:44:50Z

The Philadelphia Eagles blew out the New York Jets 45-19 Sunday evening at Lincoln Financial in a game that was pretty much never in doubt. After going just 1-5 at home prior to this game, the Eagles handed the season ticket holders a pretty nice Christmas present with this one.

The Eagles jumped out to a 28-0 lead before the game was even halfway through the second quarter. The Jets would score 13 unanswered to end the first half, but the Eagles put up another 17 in the second half to erase what little doubt there may have been. The big story from the game will be the record breaking effort from LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 102 yards and three TDs. His second TD broke the Eagles single season records for both rushing TDs and total TDs, both of which have stood for 66 years. McCoy's 20 total TDs leads the NFL.

Shady has another Eagles record within his sights as well, with another 239 yards over the next two weeks, he'll surpass Wilbert Montgomery's franchise record of 1,512. Even if he doesn't reach that one however, this has to go down as arguably the greatest single season by an Eagles back. Just to put McCoy's season into perspective, he is one of just four players in NFL history to record 19 TDs in a season before their 24th birthday. The others are Eric Dickerson, Gale Sayers and Emmit Smith... all hall of famers.

Speaking of other NFL leaders, Jason Babin collected three more sacks to put his total at 18, which also leads the NFL. He's a half sack ahead of Jared Allen, who was shut out today against the Saints. Babin is also just 3 sacks shy of Reggie White's single season franchise record. Granted, Reggie got his 21 sacks in a strike shortened, 12 game season, but the pass rushing effort we've seen from Babin this year is something special.

It was a great effort all around by an inspired Eagles team. You can only wonder what may have been if they had started playing like this earlier. Still, their playoff hopes are certainly more alive than they were when the day began. They were eliminated from the wildcard today, but the NFC East became that much tighter. The Giants blowout loss to the Redskins means that the Eagles path to the postseason is pretty clear.

They need to beat both the Cowboys and Redskins to finish the year. They need the Jets to beat the Giants next week and they need the Giants to beat Dallas the following week. In that scenario, the Eagles would finish 8-8 and win all tiebreakers. It's a longshot for sure, but it's a shot.

LeSean McCoy Sets New Eagles Record With 19th TD

2011-12-18T23:36:08Z

LeSean McCoy has scored his second TD of the day, giving him 19 on the season and setting an Eagles franchise record in the process. The previous record of 18 was set by Steve Van Buren and has stood for 66 years.

Actually, McCoy broke two franchise records on the play. It was also his 16th rushing TD of the year, which is also a record that had been set in the 1945 season by Van Buren. Although, in Van Buren's defense, he scored his 18 TDs in just a 12 game season.

For a 23 year old, the season put together by McCoy is one of the ages and argubly the greatest single season performance by an Eagles back in franchise history. Ruben Frank put McCoy’s historic season in perspective pointing out that McCoy is one of just four players in NFL history to record 19 TDs in a season before their 24th birthday. The others are Eric Dickerson, Gale Sayers and Emmit Smith.. all hall of famers.

Enjoy this kid Eagles fans, he’s special.

DeSean Jackson Injury: Eagles WR Questionable With Elbow Injury

2011-12-18T23:27:17Z

The Eagles have announced that DeSean Jackson’s return is questionable to return with an elbow injury. Jackson was taken to the locker room after he appeared to hurt himself running down and tackling a Jets’ defender who had just scooped up LeSean McCoy’s first fumble of the season.

That happened in the first half and Jackson never came out for the third quarter. The Eagles are also without Asante Samuel, who also was taken to the locker room in the first half and has yet to return. The Eagles say he has a hamstring and his return is questionable.

The Eagles now lead 35-13 with just under 9 minutes left in the third quarter. Moments ago, Michael Vick hit Brent Celek for a 38 yard gain that took the Eagles down to the one yard line. LeSean McCoy punched it in for his 19th TD of the year, a new Eagles single season record.

[Note by JasonB, 12/18/11 6:40 PM EST ] DeSean Jackson has just returned to the game.

For more on the Eagles check out Bleeding Green Nation. For more updates on Eagles vs Jets, check out our week 15 storystream.

Video: Michael Vick Dives For TD As Eagles Go Up 21-0

2011-12-18T22:30:17Z

It may have taken 15 weeks, but the Philadelphia Eagles are finally showing the promise of the team many expected them to be prior to the season. Their defense has held the Jets to just 38 yards and has forced three turnovers while offense has been the Michael Vick experience. Vick hit Brent Celek from 26 yards for his first TD of the day, but his second will be the one on all the highlight reels.

You'll see on the play below that from the 11 yard line, Vick gains the edge on a run and pulls a full stretch dive to the pylon to put the Eagles up 21-0. It was just Vick's first rushing TD of the season and certainly has been a part of the Eagles red zone offense that's been missing this year.

For more on the Eagles check out Bleeding Green Nation. For more updates on Eagles vs Jets, check out our week 15 storystream.

Video: Brent Celek's Incredible Catch Gives Eagles 14-0 Lead

2011-12-18T22:02:54Z

The Eagles are off to a flying start in a must win game against the New York Jets this afternoon. After a Juqua Parker fumble return opened the scoring, the Eagles once again capitalized on a Santonio Holmes turnover as Michael Vick found Brent Celek for a 26 yard TD to put the Eagles up 14-0.

Just two plays after the Eagles had turned the ball over on a botched punt return by rookie Curtis Marsh, Santonio Holmes let a Mark Sanchez pass go right off his hands into the waiting paws of Asante Samuel. The Eagles then drove 77 yards on 7 plays culminating in a fantastic TD pass from Vick to Celek. For Vick, it was a gutty throw knowing he was about to blasted by the Jets' Calvin Pace, who drew a personal foul on the play for hitting Vick in the head.

Then Celek had to stretch out, tip the ball back to himself, make the catch and then run over both Darrelle Revis and Brodney Poole to cross the goal line. Great effort from both guys on the play.

Eagles Vs Jets: Defensive TD Puts Eagles Up 7-0

2011-12-18T21:45:20Z

The Eagles needed a hot start today against the Jets and they got one thanks to their defense. Kurt Coleman put a huge hit on Jets WR Santonio Holmes, knocking the ball loose. As Casey Matthews held Holmes down, preventing him from recovering the ball, Juqua Parker picked up the fumble and returned it 47 yards for a TD.

It is Parker's second fumble return for a TD this season making him only the second Eagles defender to do so. The first was Seth Joyner in 1991.

As of this writing, Santonio Holmes has just turned the ball over again. A Mark Sanchez pass near the goal line went right off his hands and into those of Asante Samuel. It was a big turn of events for the Eagles, who had just turned the ball over on a botched punt return. Rookie Curtis Marsh wasn't paying attention and let a bouncing punt hit him, making it a live ball and leading to a Jets recovery inside the Eagles 10 yard line.

Right now it's 7-0 Eagles as Philly is driving.

NFL Playoff Scenarios: Giants Loss Keeps Eagles Alive

2011-12-18T21:09:40Z

The Eagles slim playoff hopes, while still farfetched, aren’t looking quite as slim as they were when the day started. As with all scenarios, the Eagles still need to win out. However, here’s what the Giants loss means.

For the Eagles to win the NFC East and make the playoffs they need the Giants to lose to the Jets next weekend and then they need the Giants to beat the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in week 17.

Again, they also need to win out themselves. In doing so, the Eagles will have beaten the Cowboys next week. There’s also an odd scenario that could see them win out and actually still get in via the wildcard. For that to happen, they would need the Lions, Seahawks (not including their win today) and Bears to lose out while having the Cardinals lose two more times.

It all has to start with a win today against the Jets however.