I thought it was stupid how people tried to downplay the impact Plax's absence would have on this team. This team has weathered some significant absences this season, but they've been at positions where we've developed a tremendous amount of depth the past couple seasons (DE, TE). We have a nice complement of wide receivers, but none of them has yet to establish themselves as a number one receiver or a consistent deep threat. Burress filled that role for this team. And despite his mediocre stats of late, what he brought to this team was absolutely essential and often unmeasurable by statistics. He's a player that demanded two defensive backs on him every play and one who would create some separation every single time. The Cowboys sacked Eli 8 times tonight, but that wasn't necessarily because the O-line played poorly or Eli was holding the ball too long. None of our receivers could get any sort of separation, forcing Eli to either take a sack, throw it away, or force the ball into someplace risky. I'm not sure how we'll address this problem heading into the playoffs. We'll need to incorporate some creativity into our offensive playcalling. Fuck the Cowboys.
I don't think the absence of Plaxico makes a difference. I think it is the absence of Brandon Jacobs that hurt you guys. You've got good RB's, but none of them are as good as Jacobs. Without him pounding away at defenses, your running game isn't as big of a threat.
The impact of Plax has more to do with the opponent then the Giants. I don't know if the Giants miss him, but the other teams are happy he is gone.
The Washington game was the first we played without Plax and its no coincidence that Jacobs produced significantly below his usual output (71 yards, 3.4 ypc). Compare it to the earlier matchup against the 'Skins where Plaxico played (116 yards, 5.5 ypc). Even against the Eagles he didn't play as well as we're used to. I'm not trying to downplay how good a player Jacobs is. But Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw aren't slouches either and this O-line creates big enough holes for any back in the league. Just look at how we were able to weather his absence last season. The only times we've really faltered is when we're without Burress. His absence allows good defenses to play single coverage and blitz more often without consistently getting exploited. That's just a fact this team will have to deal with for the rest of the season and I'm not advocating bringing back Plax. He's a headache and he fucked himself over. But this team needs a number one receiver and a deep threat in the worst way right now. I'd like to see Jerry Reese make a run at Anquan Boldin over the offseason. The Cardinals' inability to pay both him and Fitzgerald is one of the worst kept secrets in the league.
Asante Samuel almost gave away that TD on the pick 6, luckily he picked up his own fumble after the DeSeaness. :[
Man, I'm so happy with the way we're playing right now... Pissed that it took so long and that we're now fighting just to get into the postseason. Asante Samuels is a beast. So is Desean Jackson (I forgive him)
Wow, McNabb throws a pick in the endzone but Westbrook saves the TD by slowing down Brandon McDonald enough to let the other guys catch up to him at about the Philly 10 yard line. Great effort there.
Word. Westy is a beast. Desean Jackson is a badass as well. 63 yards at the half. He always plays well in big games. What a fucking steal.
So the Browns also had the longest interception return that didn't get a td, kind of cool I guess. :O
