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D�j� vu. I’m starting to get it all the time. If it’s not Barry Bonds, it’s always this guy – Terrell Owens. I defend those two guys like it’s my job, and it costs me a reader or two every week. It just seems that no one likes these guys and I can’t figure it out. These coins have two sides, folks, and usually any time you dig deeper that the surface, whatever you thought you knew, you find out you really didn’t.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Graham Bensinger, Owens covered many hot topics that have been circulating the rumor mill lately. Discussions ranging from the Eagles’ success down to real estate plans were fair game, and Owens held little back. I am not going to go on and on about my opinion about whether or not Owens is getting fair treatment from media outlets or if he really is a good guy, because quite frankly it means nothing.
If anyone actually cares enough to criticize or applaud Owens I would recommend you read the entire interview transcript on ESPN.com. From start to finish it is a very interesting read, and quite frankly Owens says nothing offensive regarding Donovan McNabb or anyone else in the Eagles organization.
Rather than debate Owens’ character, let’s actually look at the problems facing the Eagles. Everyone is pointing the finger at Owens. Most commonly you hear that his lack of respect publicly displayed towards McNabb has caused this team to fall apart. Well I shall respond how I usually do when questions in sport arise – let’s look at the numbers. For purposes of time and effectiveness trust that anything not mentioned in the following paragraph has remained nearly constant between the 13-3 Eagles of 2004 and the 4-3 Eagles of 2005.
The first thing to notice when comparing the offensive statistics of last year’s Eagles and this year’s Eagles is that the 2005 incarnation lacks any kind of running threat. While the Eagles have always been a throwing team with McNabb at the helm, they have still had strong support from their running game. To date the Eagles are getting 24 percent of their non-penalty first downs from the run whereas last season they were getting 46 percent of their first downs on the ground.
Furthermore, in 2004 the Eagles were close to par when for every 100 yards rushing their opponents earned, the Eagles ran for 86. Since they were passing for 123 yards for every 100 passing yards their opponents had in 2004, this showed the Eagles were moving the ball more efficiently than their opponents were. This year however the Eagles are only receiving 49 yards rushing per 100 rush yards by their opponents, meaning their running leverage is barely existent.
So where are these inefficiency’s coming from? This question finds its answer in two parts. First and foremost, the Eagles don’t have Dorsey Levens to help Brian Westbrook run anymore. Without his production the Eagles have lost 410 rushing yards, and an average of 4.4 yards per carry, totals that are not easily replaced. While Westbrook’s rushing numbers have suffered slightly, he is still performing comparably to his 2004 numbers, proving his performance is not the issue.
The loss of Levens coupled with McNabb’s inability to run this season is the real issue. McNabb used to be the quarterback who could create rushing yards if all other options failed. McNabb, however, hasn’t taken many snaps for the Eagles this season. To date, McNabb’s rushing efficiency has dropped off the map completely, almost to the point where it’s not worth mentioning. His average yards per carry are down from 5.4 yards in 2004 to 1.2 yards in 2005, for a grand total of 21 yards.
Furthermore, his passer rating has also fallen, from 104.7 to 87.9 ,due to a drop in accuracy from 64 percent to 54 percent from 2004 to 2005 and a fatal decline in his touchdown to interception ratio. During 2004 McNabb was throwing for nearly four touchdowns for every pick he tossed up, but this year he is just barely eclipsing two touchdown per pick, and this is with higher relative passing attempts.
I know McNabb isn’t the only problem the Eagles have. Quite frankly, their defensive unit is one of the worst performing defenses in the league, and it doesn’t seem to be improving. However it should now be brought to your attention that maybe Owens isn’t that far off during his ESPN interview.
“Well, obviously I think our wins and losses are really predicated on how [McNabb] plays,” Owens said.
As insulting as the media is finding this comment towards McNabb, it seems that no one is really listening. Owens has hit the nail on the head. McNabb is the key to success for the Eagles; essentially, he holds their coin of destiny. One side of the coin shows that McNabb will overcome his injuries, step up his performance, and lead the Eagles back to the playoffs. The less glorious scenario sees McNabb continuing to struggle, causing Owens and Westbrook much unwanted grief that could ultimately drive them out of Philly. Well, Donovan, call it in the air….
