FanPost

The Two Plays That Really Got Me

The loss doesn't get any easier as the week goes along. I've come to the conclusion that third down defense is what did us in. Whether it was blitzes with lost containment as discussed by Collin, throwback jerseys as proposed by bluecoltsfan, a couple of poor draft classes over the last few years or the MASH unit that is our injury list, it was a tough game all around. What makes this all the more unbearable is that now we have to listen to segments from sports pundits about how great the Eagles played. I will admit, that Michael Vick looked better than I have EVER seen him. Props to his new found QB method. I will be watching to see how long it lasts.

What really gets under my skin is something that Devil's Reject touched on in this week's Devil's Take. While we all complain about the officiating in the NFL from time to time. He has mentioned for a few weeks how bad things seem to have gotten. I went back and looked at the game film there were two plays that REALLY turned the tide of the game.

We all remember when Patty Mac pinned the Iggles at the one early in the game and the defense forced them into a third and 7 situation. Francisco gets caught flat footed as Jackson even and is then leavin'. Vick throws a great pass about 60 yards in the air to hit Jackson. Mike Mayock on the early week Playbook pointed to this play as an example of the GREAT Eagles pass protection. He applauded the scheme for getting Mathis wide and chipped and making Freeney take a long route on the inside loop. Truth. Good scheme. Want to see the real reason Vick had enough time to throw. Let's look at Eric Foster on the play.

This first picture of the alignment for the play.

Snapshot8_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Foster gets a good jump of the line.

Snapshot2-1_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

The block starts out clean.

Snapshot9_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Watch the RG grab Fosters outside shoulder and hold on to it. You can see the arm extended across Foster's jersery.

Foster3_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Here's another look at it from the high angle. See the shoulder grab that stopped Foster in his tracks?

Snapshot10_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Would Foster have gotten the sack? I doubt it. But that IS a penalty! AND it's in the END ZONE! That means a Safety and 2 points Colts. MORE IMPORTANT than that, the Eagles would be punting from their 20 yard line, into a wind that would later cause a 19 yard punt. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Colts would have gotten the ball back at the 40 or 50 yard line. Think about the MOMENTUM that would have changed hands there!

The other play that really killed me was much later in the game. Fast forward with me to the end of the third quarter. The Eagles are ahead 19 to 17 and driving. The defense forces a 3rd and 4 at the 50 yard line. A stop here would make for a tough decision for Reid and Gang Green. Vick ends up getting loose for a 32 yard run down to the Colts 18. This leads to a TD for the Eagles that makes it very tough for the Colts to have a chance to win the game. How did Vick get free you ask? Let's watch Keunta Dawson on this play. Mathis had beaten Justice one on one a couple of times in this drive already and once drawn a holding penalty.

Dawson in for Mathis on the left end of the line and gets off the ball well looking to school Justice again.

Snapshot4_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Push upfield...

Snapshot5_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Turn the corner!

Snapshot7_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Here's a good look at Dawson with Justice's arm across his face. You can see him bent backward with an arm around his neck. This is the hold we see ALL THE TIME against the Colts DEs.

Snapshot6_medium

via i1201.photobucket.com

Again, can I guarantee that Dawson gets him if he's not held? No I can't, but I can guarantee that he WON'T get him if he's being held. If there is a hold called there what does that do to the game? If the hold is marked from the spot of the foul, it becomes 3rd and 24 at the Eagles 36 instead of 1st and 10 at the Colts 18. Again, one play...HUGE swing.

Are these plays the reason why we lost the game? No, that was our inability to get off the field on third down. These are just two third downs where we were put at a an unfair disadvantage. My point is that the officials have not been calling the rules as they are written for a long time now. What is a holding on one play or for one team, is not one for the other. Are these always against the Colts? Of course not, but with the speed of our DEs, there are many more times that the offensive player is given so much leeway that the playing field is not level. I'm sick of yelling about it, but I can't stop myself. On both of the plays highlighted, there is an official staring at the play. These people are professionals, the best in their field, and are as inconsistent as any Friday night HS ref in Indiana! UNACCEPTABLE. PERIOD.

I hope to use the new capture method to break down something other than the officials in the future. I just couldn't get over these during this week.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.