Darren Sharper

[MJZiggy]

I still blame the 4th and 26 on coaching. How can you NOT call a timeout to make sure everything is in place when shutting down that play means you don't need your timeouts for any other purpose. Sherman always played not to lose, he never played to win.

Except at the end of the first half, when he went for it on fourth and goal from the one or two or whatever it was, and Green tripped on an offensive lineman's heels and came up short.

So after that failed, later in the game his team was chewing up yardage on the ground and had a fourth and one or two at Philly's 35 or so, I believe. He punted, and of course Bidwell, I think it was, knocked it into the end zone and Philly got it only 15 yards further away. Had Shermy gone for it, a first down would have sealed the deal. And Philly's line was gassed.

I always felt that was a turning point as well. Heck, I would've preferred to see the FG team trot out than a punt.

At least with the field goal team you have a shot at the points and if you miss, you're not that much worse off than what you ended up with anyway.

[pbmax]

I still blame the 4th and 26 on coaching. How can you NOT call a timeout to make sure everything is in place when shutting down that play means you don't need your timeouts for any other purpose. Sherman always played not to lose, he never played to win.

Everything was in place, but a rookie MLB (Barnett) became fascinated by the TE (the only true Eagle receiving threat) and got into his drop late and was short. This gave Donovan a good window to throw into. We got no pass rush and as happened regularly with him, Sharper was late to the ball from deep.

Sharper is a route jumper. He doesn't fight the ball away from receivers or hit them to cause a tip drill or find a clever way to knock them off course in their route. In quarters coverage, I am still not sure how he didn't get there to make a play on the ball. At least versus Owens and the 49ers, he was a single deep safety I think.

[esoxx]

I still blame the 4th and 26 on coaching. How can you NOT call a timeout to make sure everything is in place when shutting down that play means you don't need your timeouts for any other purpose. Sherman always played not to lose, he never played to win.

Everything was in place, but a rookie MLB (Barnett) became fascinated by the TE (the only true Eagle receiving threat) and got into his drop late and was short. This gave Donovan a good window to throw into. We got no pass rush and as happened regularly with him, Sharper was late to the ball from deep.

Hawthorne also allowed Freddie Mitchell a free release instead of jamming him at the line as he should have. Barnett's error was most egregious on the play. Sharper drifted too far back.
Like any great disaster, there's a serious of events that lead to infamy versus a single factor. The 4th and 26 play illustrates that.

[esoxx]

I still blame the 4th and 26 on coaching. How can you NOT call a timeout to make sure everything is in place when shutting down that play means you don't need your timeouts for any other purpose. Sherman always played not to lose, he never played to win.

Sharper is a route jumper. He doesn't fight the ball away from receivers or hit them to cause a tip drill or find a clever way to knock them off course in their route. In quarters coverage, I am still not sure how he didn't get there to make a play on the ball. At least versus Owens and the 49ers, he was a single deep safety I think.

Against the 49er's, they had a three man rush with quarters coverage.