Maybe they should have done a bit more of this, huh?


This is usually the place on the article where I introduce the whole thing, summarize last week's game, and move on to the actual grades.

Well, I'm too depressed for any of that. After that awful display by the Eagles it's taking all I have not to throw my laptop out the window. The fact that I'm actually discussing them is an accomplishment in itself.

I haven't watched ESPN or NFL Network all week long, and won't do it again until the next Eagles victory. Hopefully, they'll prove that last game was an aberration and I'll be able to watch my favorite football-oriented TV programs Tuesday morning.

Here's to hoping. On to the grades.


Quarterback | Grade: C

Okay, so McNabb didn't play all that well. He missed some open receivers and maybe took some sacks that he shouldn't have. However, it was definitely not all his fault.

The line was dreadful, the receivers and tight ends dropped nearly as many passes as they caught, and on several occasions the receivers continued to run their route when McNabb was flushed rather than coming back to bail him out.

McNabb said he's coming back more intense and ready to go this week, so hopefully the loss to the Raiders will launch the team to a winning streak rather than sinking their entire season.


Running Backs | Grade: Incomplete

As was the case last week, the running backs didn't get enough carries to warrant a real grade. Westbrook ran well, but only six carries is not enough to gauge a full game's work.

Reid said that he should have run the ball more (really?!), so hopefully he'll do that this Monday against the 'Skins. If not, the grade will remain incomplete.

I would much prefer to see the running backs carry the ball 30 times for 30 yards rather than the 12 or 13 times they ran against the Raiders. Running the ball sets a mentality for the offensive line, and it shows the defense that you're going to smack them in the mouth.


Receivers/Tight Ends | Grade: C-

DeSean Jackson had one big play on Chris Johnson, but outside of that it was embarrassing to see what the receivers and tight ends did against the Raiders. Even putting the dropped balls aside, the receivers and tight ends didn't block, and they made mental mistakes all game long.

Brent Celek was probably the biggest disappointment of this game. He's been talked up all season long about taking the next step towards becoming a premier tight end in this league, but he took a few steps back Sunday in Oakland.

He couldn't catch a cold, and his blocking was worse than it's ever been. His blocking has always been his downfall, but Sunday was just sad to watch.


Offensive Line | Grade: D-

The line didn't allow McNabb to get sacked every single play, so I guess they didn't absolutely fail, but they did come close.

They couldn't run block, they couldn't pass block, they couldn't even just hold the defensive line in order to stop McNabb from getting hit every single time he dropped back. It was sad the way King Dunlap and Nick Cole got manhandled by Richard Seymour, and even worse to see Max Jean-Gilles and Stacy Andrews get crushed by a bunch of role players along the line.

Hopefully the return of Jason Peters and Todd Herremans will light a spark under this line. They need to fight just to keep their pride at this point as a unit that was expected to be one of the best is quickly becoming a huge question mark for this team.


Defensive Line | Grade: C+

They did a fairly decent job of getting pressure on JaMarcus Russell, and even sacking him a few times, but they were killed in the running game as Justin Fargas was able to pick up key first downs all game long.

Trevor Laws and Victor Abiamiri are looking like they may just be two more second-round misses by Andy Reid, which doesn't bode well for the long-term future of this defensive line.

Antonio Dixon has been a bright spot along the line all season long, but it's yet to be seen if he can keep it up for an entire year. If he can, he was a major steal and if he can't, the Eagles picked him up off the waiver a week before the season, so they certainly aren't banking on his progression.

Brodrick Bunkley was banged up, but should be okay. Even though Trent Cole is the best talent on this line, Bunkley is the keystone and they will need him at 100 percent if they hope to win games on defense as the season progresses.


Linebackers | Grade: D+

The linebackers were pretty decent stopping the run, but couldn't cover the tight end to save their lives. It's not even like it was just one guy; Everyone took their turn messing it up in pass coverage as Zach Miller had a career day.

Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, and most notably Jeremiah Trotter, had their jocks handed to them just about every time Russell targeted Miller.

With the addition of Witherspoon, the Eagles should improve against the tight end, but should still run a bracket coverage whenever they play a good tight end.


Secondary | Grade: B

Quintin Mikell and Asante Samuel each came down with an interception, and Samuel should have had at least one more, but it still wasn't enough. Most of Russell's passing yards came from the tight end, and the receivers were, for the most part, shut out of the game.

However, like the rest of the team, they didn't do enough in run support. Samuel missed several tackles, as well as Macho Harris, and Sheldon Brown wasn't heard of all game long. He needs to make bigger plays in pass and run support in order for this team to win.


Special Teams | Grade: C+

Were it not for David Akers missing what could have been game-winning field goals, this grade would be a whole lot higher. The coverage units were very good, reaching the return man nearly immediately. Eldra Buckley is showing why he's on the team instead of Lorenzo Booker, and it's because of his fantastic special teams play.

On top of that, Sav Rocca had another good game, booting the ball down the field and pinning the Raiders deep in their own territory. Perhaps he won't be losing his job after all.

Quintin Demps looked uninspired returning kicks. For a guy who's been inactive for a couple weeks, he should have come out fired up just to be dressed, much less on the field. Instead he was timid, didn't hit the holes, and left the Eagles offense in bad field position all game long.

Akers will get it together, but there's a lot of worry dedicated to the kick return game.


Coaching | Grade: D-

The play-calling was absolutely awful. Terrible. Pathetic. I'd need a thesaurus to fully describe how bad the play-calling was on Sunday, and how much it cost the Eagles a game they could have easily won, even with sub-par play from the entire offense.

There's not much to say other than that.

Andy, you're killing me, man. We love ya, just run the damn ball.