Here Come The Sixers

Spencer Hawes Swatted Away the Nuggets
Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

And with that, the Philadelphia 76ers Andrew Bynum era is underway!

Even though Bynum didn’t play this evening, it’s still clear that this team has a new identity without Andre Iguodala. This team is clearly a more cohesive unit, there’s generally more ball movement on offense and even from my crappy feed on my laptop in London, I could still observe excellent communication on the floor amongst the Sixers players.

Now, let’s dive into tonight’s positives and negatives

Positives

3 Wings

Besides big Drew, the Sixers’ biggest additions this offseason were their new trio of wing players, Jason Richardson, Dorrell Wright and Nick Young. Tonight, while they weren’t the devastatingly knockdown shooters that they were in the preseason, the trio still combined for 33 points and contributed 5 of the team’s 7 three-pointers. Naturally, as the team settles down, they won’t be as shot-happy and their shooting percentages will all go up, but you also have to be especially pleased by their defensive efforts as well. The three wingmen totaled 7 steals, 4 blocks and 14 rebounds. You have to like what they will bring to the team this season.

Jrue’s Passing

The biggest storyline of the Sixers season this year besides Bynum is Jrue Holiday’s progression. As the team just inked Holiday to a multi-year contract extension (terms not undisclosed), fans and members of the media are looking for Jrue to improve in three areas: Attacking the basket to score and get to the line, three-point shooting and distribution. Tonight, Holiday shot made four of five free throw attempts and dished out 11 assists. He still needs to look for his drive more often, especially off pick and rolls, but you have to be absolutely pleased with how easily and efficiently Jrue involved his teammates against the Nuggets.

Team Defense

Living in a quad-dorm with three Celtics fans currently, I was a broken record last night during the Celtics-Heat contest about how thin the Celtics interior defense is. Without Bynum, the Sixers D obviously suffers from that weakness as well. However, against Denver, in the second half and particularly the third quarter, it was very clear how cohesively the Sixers were playing on the defensive end. They rotated terrifically, jumped out into passing lanes and tipped the ball almost every time a Nuggets player even set a toe inside the paint. The 76ers forced 15 turnovers tonight, including two impressive shot clock violations.

Spencer Hawes

Ever since Spencer’s first game off the bench last season, after he returned from his first injury, I’ve said that Hawes is most effective when playing off the bench. While watching the starters open the game, you can see that big Spence is just itching to play, listening to Collins bark and “teach” and that obviously pays dividends on the court. As a reserve, its evident that Hawes plays with a mindset that he needs to make the most of his minutes. If he does, he’ll finish the game like tonight. If he doesn’t, he’ll sit during crunch time. But he’s also shown physical improvements during the preseason and against Nuggets. He is in great shape, allowing him to be more agile, especially defensively (FIVE BLOCKS), and play more minutes. Hawes also is sporting a more fluid shooting motion, which he proudly showed off on his two three pointers tonight, and an awesome mullet. It will still remain imperative that Collins doesn’t react the wrong way to his performance tonight and insert him in the starting lineup.

Negatives

Opponent Offensive Rebounding

Just like last season, the Sixers showed that they are very susceptible to opponent offensive rebounding tonight. Obviously, Bynum will drastically help that cause. But the team needs to overall work on defensive rebounding as a unit . On multiple occasions tonight, the 76ers did a great job collapsing on the ball and forcing a missed shot with great team rotations, but then forget about going after that missed shot. Hopefully, this is something Collins will “teach” in practice.

Too Shot-Happy-

As the Sixers have been publicizing all preseason, the team now boasts a bevy of three point weapons. They were straight lethal from beyond the arc in the first quarter, but following that hot shooting, the team as a whole got a little too shot-happy, especially in the beginning of possessions. When Denver made their 17-3 run in the fourth quarter, it came largely do to the long rebounds of Sixer three-point misses that started Nugget fast breaks. When the game slows down in fourth quarters, and when Bynum is back, the team will have to look to get the ball inside more and attack the basket in order to maintain late-game leads.  You can’t fall totally in love with the three ball for all 48 minutes.

4^th Quarter Stagnant Offense

As previously mentioned above, the Sixers offense in the fourth quarter did not consistently get inside the paint and to the rim late in the game. In a typical Doug Collins-coached team fashion, the 76ers relied on midrange jumpers in the half court instead of ball movement that created layups. Playing against the best teams in the league, and when opponents are in mid-season offensive form, a stagnant late-game offense can be the death of this young and energetic team.

Collins play-calling

While Doug Collins is largely praised as one of the greatest “teachers” of the game, I’m still consistently amazed at how poor of a play-caller he is. Doc Rivers is revered for his ability to always design an effective play out of timeouts, and that helps the Celtics score anywhere from 6-10 points a night. I don’t think Collins knows how to draw up a successful and effective play out of a timeout. Frankly, I’ve never seen it. He showed it again tonight when a high pick and roll between Hawes and Holiday turned into a turnover and layup for Denver. Let’s hope Bynum can change all that.

But, the team looked tremendous even in the absence of Bynum, so let’s end on a very positive note. Besides Spencer, Jrue, three-point shooting and the victory, these Sixers guys look like they really love playing together. There was A LOT of chemistry on the Wells Fargo Center court tonight for a team that really just came together a few months ago. The average age of this team is 26.2. They’re young, excited, full of energy and ready to make a statement this season. Maybe they’ll be able to pull off a top-4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

And, as always…

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6ers!!

Was The Right Man Forced From The Nest?

Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
It was Andy Reid's "decision alone" to fire Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo.

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles fired Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo. Not Defensive Line Coach, Jim Washburn. Not Offensive Coordinator and play-caller, Marty Mornhinweg. Not Quarterbacks Coach, Doug Pederson. Juan Castillo.

Juan Castillo’s time as the Defensive Coordinator for the Eagles has been nothing short of controversial. Right from the get go, Andy Reid’s confusing decision to promote a longtime offensive line coach to Defensive Coordinator was criticized. It, frankly, didn’t make any sense at all. As the Eagles started 4-8 in 2011, everyone, including myself, rooting for the team that inhabits Lincoln Financial Field was calling for Reid and Castillo’s head. But, it seemed as if the defense truly clicked during the teams four-game win streak to close out the season. Then, the defense looked to continue that dominance over their four preseason games, and the team’s first two regular season wins over the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.

Then, the Eagles were 2-0, essentially on a 10-game winning streak including preseason and the last four games in 2011. Since then, the team is now 3-3, after losing the last two games on fourth quarter inefficiency. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, the Birds defense allowed Ben Roethlisberger to march his squad down the field for Suan Suisham to kick a game-winning field goal after the offensive took a 16-14 lead. Then, the following week, the Eagles held a 23-13 lead in the fourth quarter after a 70-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Jeremy Maclin. But then, the defense failed to hold onto lead, ultimately collapsing at the hands of Matthew Stafford’s fourth quarter and overtime and falling 26-23.

At least that’s what Andy Reid wants you to think.

That paragraph is a load of crap.

Jaun Castillo is not the reason for the Eagles’ current two-game losing streak they take with them into the bye week. It’s the offense’s inconsistency and turnovers.

The Eagles have only had one truly well balanced offensive play-calling game this entire season. And, that was only during the second half of their home game vs. the New York Giants in Week 4 that only resulted in a win because of Lawrence Tyne’s baby foot. But, if you look very closely at the game, the Eagles’ offense should have put up 34 points, not 19. The Red Zone deficiencies are still there on offense. The overall offensive scoring is weak. The productivity of the offense is awful. And they’re setting up the defense to fail; allowing opponent’s to have the best starting field position in the league.

Despite all this, the Eagles defense is still the 13^th best overall defense in the league. Despite the offense being the 31^st ranked scoring offense in the NFL, the defense is still the 13^th best in the league. Despite the offense ranking 25^th in Red Zone scoring percentage, the defense is still the 13^th best overall in the league.

This team’s main problems are offensive turnovers and a recent failure of the defensive line getting to the quarterback. Michael Vick has lost 13 of the team’s 17 turnovers. But the Quarterback’s coach hasn’t been reprimanded. The Wide-9 technique struggled last season because of poor linebacking and secondary play. Now, the Eagles have a bolstered linebacker corps and a stronger and more cohesive secondaru. But the Wide-9 is no longer getting to the quarterback. But the Defensive Line coach wasn’t reprimanded. The Eagles have criminally underused LeSean McCoy on offense. Yet the player-calling Offensive Coordinator wasn’t reprimanded. Andy Reid is the face of all these problems, and while I’m never a fan of a head-coaching midseason change, he wasn’t reprimanded.

I’m in now way Juan Castillo’s biggest fan. But, I am a believer in his motivational talents and ability to command respect of a group of players. And I do believe this defense’s problem is the Wide-9 attack.

On paper and to the casual fan, firing Castillo makes total sense. He’s the man in charge of a defense that gave away the team’s last two wins. But, taking a closer look, he’s the man in charge of a defense that’s also inherited the worst starting field position and that’s had to go out and defend following 17 turnovers through 5 games. That’s honestly annoying!

When you fire someone, you hope things change for the better. The only way things change for the better is if the Eagles eliminate turnovers and get to the quarterback. Juan Castillo wasn’t in charge of either of those things.

I’m looking at you Washburn, Mornhinweg, Pederson and Reid. The writing is on the wall if things don’t improve.

Soaring, Efficient and Effective Eagles Beat Giants in Wild Fashion

Eli Manning: a dejected, historically lucky, piece of crap
Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

After a suffering a shellacking at the hands of KEVIN KOLB (Really???) and the suddenly tenacious Arizona Cardinals Defense in Week 3, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Michael Vick in particular, were scrutinized by everyone, including their own grandmothers, during this past week leading up to their triumphant victory over the New York Giants last night.

Skip Bayless refused to call Vick anything less than a basket case on multiple First Take airings. NFL Countdown, NFL Live, NFL Network, along with everyone else, criticized the play-calling and turnovers committed by the Eagles through their first 3 games.

But, with 12 team turnovers, 9 coming from Vick himself, the Eagles were still 2-1, with two 4^th Quarter comebacks, and a chance to belly up the Giants and claim a nice lead in the NFC East.

Well… That. Just. Happened!

On Brian Dawkins number-retirement night (And seriously, did you actually think the Eagles would lose on Brian Dawkins night??), the Birds did what was necessary to win football games. They had ZERO turnovers. They gave up 57 yards rushing. They forced the Giants to go 2-10 on 3^rd Down conversions. But, most importantly, they actually featured tremendous play calling in the final 5 minutes of the first half and almost all of the second.

So far this season, the Birds have been very reluctant to establish their ground game first and develop their aerial attack second. That norm still occurred in the first quarter, but, suddenly with the clock winding down on the first half, Marty Mornhinweg actually started calling effective, diverse plays. Here’s LeSean McCoy for a run up the middle, Vick three-step drop to Brent Celek for 7, then back to McCoy! Overall, the Brids racked up 422 total yards on 30 pass plays and 36 rush attempts. That’s a textbook balanced offense that hasn’t been seen under Andy Reid’s regime too often. Michael Vick also looked masterful at times, carving up the Giants linebackers and secondary with three-step drops and 7-15 yard passes instead of an array of attempts at 20-25 yard passes. The Offensive Line wasn’t dominant, but was very serviceable in the second half as well. If the Eagles offense continues to play the way the ended last night’s contest, the Steelers have their hands full next week.

But, of course there has to be some criticism dished out. Offensively, the Eagles reverted to last season’s style and struggled to turn Red Zone opportunities into seven points. However, you can’t be too nervous about these difficulties because they haven’t really had much of them thus far this season.

The main problems with the team last night were none other than gaping holes in Special Teams coverage and slot-pass coverage. With Special Teams, there must have been just endless amounts miscommunication. That’s the only way to speculate how the holes in the team’s coverage were so wide open, Shaquille O’Neal in his oversized Buick sedan could’ve drove through them. After fumbling a crucial possession David Wilson cried during his team’s season opener earlier this season. He then was benched behind Andre Brown in Week 3, who started in place of Ahmad Bradshaw. Brown was waived 8 TIMES in his career prior to this season. Yet, the rookie Wilson was still able to torch the Special Teams? Make some open field tackles guys!

However, most importantly, the Eagles severely struggled covering slot receivers. Under secondary coach, Todd Bowles, the Eagles’ cornerbacks have been playing a bump-and-run style of one-on-one pass coverage that has worked wonders on the outside of the field. The corners and safeties have been working together excellently on the majority of pass plays this season, only allowing 206.8 opponent pass yards per game, which ranks 8^th in the NFL. But man, Bowles needs to call up is friends, Linebackers Coach, Mike Caldwell, and Defensive Coordinator, Juan Castillo, to discuss how the linebackers need to help the third corners in the slot. Brandon Boykin, DRC and even Brandon Hughes busted their butts all night trying to defend Victor Cruz and a few tight ends. But, I have to say, the linebackers, especially Demeco Ryans truly let them down. Ryans has been an excellent defensive quarterback, pass rusher and pretty efficient covering tight ends one on one this season, but he showed a major flaw last night. His inefficient help on slot receivers directly resulted in the only two Giants touchdowns of the evening. It was Ryans who read the tight end option incorrectly, leading to a Bear Pascoe TD and it was Ryans who failed to cover Victor Cruz underneath (a ball he should’ve picked off and taken to the house), leading to his touchdown and annoying salsa dance. I still can’t believe NBC played salsa music during its broadcast. How flipping ridiculous!

With an outstanding pass rush and run-stopping front seven, the Eagles defense looks to be in great shape. Most offenses don’t have such dynamic slot receivers as the Giants do in Cruz, but if the Birds can fix this problem, they might be able to be called the best defense in football later on this season.

Now, For the sake of my cholesterol, we’re not even going to discuss the icing the kicker fiasco… Let’s just say, with the struggling Steelers are up next, who gave up 34 to the Raiders, can you smell 4-1?

#Eagles baby!