Zone
Blitz:
A
KC-Philly preview
11/29/2001
by
CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
The Eagles have an aggressive defense that will not hesitate
to load eight or nine players near the line of scrimmage
to thwart Priest Holmes. Their defensive coordinator has
put a bulls-eye on TE Tony Gonzalez and will switch coverage
on him.
The Eagles' offense was anemic last week
only producing 3 points and less than 200 yards of total
offense. Combine that with the Chiefs offensive struggles
and a forecast of 20 degrees for game time and this has
low scoring smash mouth football written all over it.
******
-One wrench in that plan will be the Eagles attempts
to exploit the Chiefs’ corners. They plan to go at
Bartee and Warfield early.
-Also sensing the slump, the Eagles offensive coordinator
Rod Dowhower has told Eagles QB Donovan McNabb to “loosen
up” and have more fun during the games.
-McNabb agreed, “The past couple of weeks, we’ve
been too tight, we’re trying to be too precise.”
This could spell trouble for the Chiefs defense, as McNabb
is more effective in space and on the run.
-Eagles’ LB Carlos Emmons will draw the majority
of coverage on Chiefs’ TE Tony Gonzalez. They know
each other well as Emmons faced TG three straight years
when he was with the Steelers, although he didn‘t
cover the Chiefs All-Pro much in those Steelers schemes.
-Gonzo claims to not remember much about Emmons, but
Emmons admitted he remembered Gonzo, “I feel he’s
the best tight end in the game.”
-WR Snoop Minnis is back at practice and appears ready
to start Thursday night after missing last week’s
win over Seattle with an ankle injury.
-Brian Watters will get his second straight start at
left guard and the Chiefs want to see him succeed, as
they want to cement him in the starting line up.
-The Eagles are 19th against the run and can be dominated
by a good RB. Expect Priest Holmes early and often, combined
with play action.
-The Chiefs must get some production from at least one
wide receiver or the Eagles defense will lock on Holmes
and Gonzalez.
-Scary stat——The Eagles are 4-0 on the road
and the Chiefs are 1-4 at home.
|
