Packers v. Eagles: The Aftermath

Here come the post-game bullet points!

• The Eagles proved scrappy as they almost came back to tie a game that looked out of hand by halftime. It's good to see this team showing some mental toughness, because they are going to need to make it through a grueling season.
• Michael Vick is, right now, a better quarterback than Kevin Kolb. Before he got a concussion and went woozy, Kolb looked exactly the same as he did in the preseason: awful. Kolb is throwing into double coverage, misreading coverage, not going through his progressions, and NEVER looking off his intended receiver. Vick, meanwhile, is back to Pro Bowl form, running for over 100 yards and throwing the ball moderately well. I assure you that a quarterback controversy is about to erupt in Philadelphia. Dave Spadaro's assertion that "there is no quarterback controversy" means that the Eagles, for whom Dave is a mouthpiece, are worried that there will be one.
• Despite the above bullet point, Kolb will probably remain the starting QB after his brain stops rattling. Benching Kolb is tantamount to admitting that the Eagles should have kept McNabb, and management is not going to do that. And, frankly, Kolb may yet be the Birds' quarterback of the future with more development.
• If the Eagles escaped the preseason without serious injuries, their luck has certainly turned now. Looks like starting fullback Leonard Weaver and starting center Jamaal Jackson are going to be out for the season. With the rest of the offensive line spinning like turnstiles, losing these two players will have tremendous implications on the uprightness of Eagles' quarterbacks. Yet another reason to field Vick, who can at least scramble for his life.
• In the same vein, if OT Jason Peters can't get back onto the field... whoo boy.
• Rookie safety Nate Allen had a nice game- have the Eagles finally filled the void left by Brian Dawkins? Maybe. But don't get too carried away by Allen's interception of Aaron Rodgers, because that pass looked like it was intended for Nate rather than a Packers receiver.
• I have some bones to pick with whoever on the Eagles' staff made these decisions:

1. Calling a play using an illegal formation on the first offensive snap of 2010. Pardon? You had the entire offseason to script the first offensive play of the season, and you decided on something that results in a 5 yard penalty? Do you know the rules of football?
2. Letting Stewart Bradley back into the game after he clearly suffered brain trauma. After Bradley smacked his head, he wobbled on the ground, wobbled around aimlessly, and then keeled over in a wobbling heap. None of the trainers who proceeded to commiserate over Bradley's crumpled body suspected that he might have a concussion? Bradley eventually left the game, but not after someone on the Eagles' staff put his life in danger.
3. Letting Kevin Kolb back in the game after he suffered a concussion. Granted, Kolb didn't unfurl a mile-long red flag to signal his concussion as did Bradley. But upon viewing the pothole Kolb's helmet made in the turf, somebody should have taken a closer look at his dome. He was rubbing his jaw gingerly after the tackle, which was a clear sign that his head had sustained a substantial bump. Football players always want to go back into the game because their job is up for grabs every time they leave with an injury. It should be up to medical staff to decide if a player can go back into a game after an injury, not the player.

• The Eagles special teams is horrendous at covering kick returns. This was why I advocated keeping special teams standouts like Kelley Washington on the roster.
• Shady McCoy had a much better game than I thought he would against one of the better defensive fronts in football. He hasn't proven himself as a Westbrook-esque gamebreaker, but he is definitely an above average back.