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one-leaf-grimoire · 4 years

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“Illusion” ch 7!

Link to the full Ao3 work

Warnings: hangover, mentions of drinking/drugs

Also MC has a moment where she literally does this:

Uh oh... a hint of romance? Perhaps...

"Hey... you okay?"

Someone's voice softly pervades my mind, finally stirring it enough for consciousness to take hold. The first thing I do is wince, scrunching up my face. Ow ow ow! Fuck... My stomach feels like it's full of fire ants, crawling their way up my esophagus and into my throat. I splutter out a weak cough, someone pressing something cold onto my forehead. I can feel liquid dripping; whether it's from a wet cloth or my own sweat, I don't know. It feels good, though, on my burning skin.

"Hey, can you speak? I'm so scared..."

I open my mouth in an attempt to speak, but end up coughing instead. Ouch! It rips through my throat like barbed wire, but I manage to crack open my eyes. I see a familiar (albeit fuzzy) face peering down at me, her eyes full of worry and fear. "...Alice?"

She manages to smile, smoothing down my hair as she crouches next to my bed. "Thank god... I was worried you weren't going to wake up!"

I nod slowly, a little confused as to what's going on. Last night... we went out... and... That's where my memory runs out. "What happen- OUCH!" I cry out a small exclamation of pain as I sit up, my head throbbing. "Ow, ow, ow... Am I hungover?!"

Alice nods slowly, rubbing my shoulder. "Probably... geez, you really don't hold your liquor well, do you? I leave for one second and you wander off and collapse drunkenly in an alley!"

"You left?" I blink slowly, putting the puzzle pieces together with much difficulty. "I-I didn't go with you?"

"No, I asked if you wanted to, but you said no," Alice explains. "I don't blame you, Margery puke is something I don't want to see, either."

Right... Wren came in... he told us Margery was sick... and then...

Did I drink anything after that? I suppose I wouldn't remember...

"Come on, you need a shower. You probably have alcohol poisoning or something." With some difficulty, Alice pries me out of bed, wraps me up in a blanket when I start shivering, and leads me out into the hallway. "Everyone else is out and about, I managed to get the Captain to give you the day off.

"Oh..." I say softly, for some reason feeling very upset by this news. My eyes even start to water a little. "That's... good, I guess."

Something doesn't add up. I was in an alley? Drunk? Wouldn't I have just stayed at the bar if I passed out? Unless someone dragged me out-

"Oh, good morning, you two! I'm glad to see you awake~"

...huh? That voice...

I look up and have to squint, but finally the face of the taller man grows into focus. OH... FUCK!

"J-J-Julius?!" I stutter out, a lot louder than I mean to. I feel my face heating up for some reason. Ah! Get a grip! Why am I reacting this way... he literally just said good morning! "I mean... uh, good morning to you, too?" I wish I could shrink down and disappear into the blanket that's wrapped around me.

Despite the fact that I'm definitely blushing an embarrassingly dark shade of pink right now, Julius just smiles and lets out a relieved sigh, but the corners of his eyes crinkle with worry. "Ah, you're probably exhausted, I'll leave you to nurse that... hangover." He pats me on the shoulder, his hand lingering for a few moments longer than normal before letting go to brush past me. I stand there, still kind of stunned, before my senses hit me again. "Oh-" I turn around to see him glancing back at me. "Let me know if you need anything. You know where to find me!"

He finally disappears around the corner, and I let out a heaving sigh. Jesus, I must be really out of it... I hear a giggle and look over to see Alice smirking at me. "What was that?"

I suck in a breath through my nose and look away. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"You're red as a beet! And you basically moaned his name!"

"What?! And I'm sick, of course I'm red! There was no moaning whatsoever!!"

"Hmm, whatever you say~"

"Alice!"

Eventually she stops teasing me, and I start to feel better after taking a shower. However, my stomach still feels all wonky and I end up throwing up into a toilet for about seven minutes straight. "I was wondering when this was going to happen," Alice says sadly as she hands me a glass of water after the "tide" has retreated. "You didn't throw up at all last night, and Julius said you hadn't when you were in the alley. I guess it has to happen sometime."

I nearly choke on my water. "H-Huh?! Julius... he was the one who found me?!"

"Yeah, actually. I guess you were lucky, he always knows what to do-" Alice freezes up as I suddenly clap my hands over my face and shamelessly burst into tears. "What? Hey, hey, it's not a big deal!"

I shake my head a little as I feel her arms wrap around me.

"Everyone has this happen... it's not something to be embarrassed about! Julius doesn't care, he's seen it all, I'm sure!"

Her embrace doesn't melt the growing icicle of fear away.

I'm not embarrassed... I'm happy.

Because... I can't put my finger on it, but I think something bad happened last night, I was in danger. But Julius...

I don't know why I can't shake that uneasy feeling throughout the day. A nagging suspicion in the back of my mind keeps kicking me, trying to force me to face the very real chance that I wasn't drunk.

If I wasn't drunk, then what was I?

At about five in the evening, Alice gets dressed to leave our room. "I have a patrol, it's going to go until tomorrow morning," she groans, even though this kind of mission is usual for her. "Are you going to be okay? I know you said that you don't think you have to worry about anyone here anymore-"

"I'll be fine!" I give her a smile from my bed, still sipping water. "See you later!"

Alice bids me farewell before leaving me alone once again. I sigh and flop back on my bed, closing my eyes and scraping the corners of my mind to find an explanation for these badly-fitting puzzle pieces. The dread won't go away, so it must mean something, right?

My friends... they wouldn't hurt me...

But the last thing I remember drinking, the Cinnamon Whiskey, it was bitter, not sweet or spicy.

I open my eyes again to stare at the ceiling blankly.

Did I really drink after that? I don't remember at all...

Suddenly, I get an idea. Without hesitation, I get up and pull on some clothes before running off towards Captain Hervey's office. Luckily, he's inside, working on some papers. "Oh, it's you," he greets sternly, getting up out of his chair as I close the door behind me. "I was wondering when you were going to show up... how are you feeling?"

"Er, good, sir," I reply, feeling my face heat up. "I'm really sorry about being a nuisance... I didn't mean to get so drunk or anything, to be honest, I don't really remember drinking very much, but it happens, I suppose."

Hervey eyes me curiously before letting out a hearty laugh. "It happens! You've got to work up your tolerance somehow, I suppose!" He suddenly grabs my head and shakes me around playfully, a little more rough than my stomach can bear right now. "Just don't embarrass the squad, that's all I ask!"

"Ah! Y-Yes sir!" He finally releases me and I straighten up. "I was wondering... do you still have last night's bar tab somewhere? I'd like to see it."

"Huh? Why?" I shrug, earning a sigh from the captain as he turns to rummage through the trash. "You're lucky... I just paid the tab, and was about to take out the trash." Hervey always pays for our nights out, which is why he has our tab. "Here, now scram!"

I catch the crumpled up paper he tosses me, squeak out a thank you then run back to my room. This should tell me something...

Once in my room, I uncrumple the tab and start skimming through it. There, that's the inn... and there's the drinks we got...

My blood runs cold.

According to the tab, we were served just five cinnamon whiskeys.

Just... five.

Wait... if we just had five... then what the Hell did I drink later?!

I loosen my grip, and the paper wafts down to the floor at my feet.

I... I can't have been... drugged?

The cinnamon whiskey was bitter.

No... I-

But, who would have done it? Some random guy at the bar? I didn't notice anyone else come close to us... then, the bartender? No, that would be too easy to trace! Then...

It was one of them... Giles, Elia, Nigel, Alice...

Maybe not Alice, but right now the dark cloud of paranoia won't let me let go of that option.

So... it wasn't just one of my squadmates. It was one of my very own friends...

The hope I started to feel is gone, leaving nothing but an empty, taunting shell. Because, it's not over. Once again, someone is trying to intimidate me, to harm me, to make me fear the people around me. They've succeeded.

Thank goodness Julius found me... who knows what would have happened, then? It explains the severity of my illness this morning. This isn't a hangover, it's the product of some potent, poisonous drug. My hands tremble where they rest on my bare knees, and suddenly my nightgown is not nearly enough to shield me from the chill of this room.

I'm... still in danger... but why?! I ball up my fists, feeling hot tears on my cheeks again. At this point, I'm feeling more frustrated than afraid. Why would someone target me like this? What did I do?! How do I make it stop...

Suddenly, I've been sitting there in silence for a long time, longer than I meant to. I look up sharply at my door, faint light from the hallway spilling under the crack.

I... I'm alone... Alice... she's going to be gone all night...

The frustration decidedly turns into fear. Visceral fear. I could die tonight. Someone could kill me in my sleep.

So... I won't sleep!

I move mechanically, slipping off my bed and turning on a light. My fingers are shaking, fumbling at the lamp.

I...I'll be fine! I can do this alone... and in the morning, I'll tell Alice, and we'll tell the captain-

No. I won't be fine.

I...I can fight them off... I have magic!

My hands clutch my Grimoire as I sit cross-legged on the floor, staring with wide eyes at the door. There's no strength in my gaze.

They haven't even gotten here... but they've already defeated me...

My blood freezes in my veins as I hear a footstep.

Then another.

I-it's coming closer...

I can it so clearly. They're getting closer.

Okay... get ready...

I hold up my hand.

You can do it... if you cast Fear Landscape now...

The footsteps slow as they near my door. I squeeze my eyes shut.

Do it... please...

My body refuses to move. My magic refuses to move. I'm completely petrified with fear.

I... don't want to die... please...

The footsteps speed up, and disappear down the hall.

I stay sitting there for a moment, before my eyes snap back open, blinking away tears.

I'm pathetic... I'm right, they've already defeated me...

My Grimoire thunks to the ground as I drop it, and I stare at the pair of useless hands I've been cursed with.

There's an escape... maybe I should just leave now... I'll be to the castle by morning. Lawrence will protect me, right?

No. A life with Lawrence would be worse than anything I have to face tonight. No matter how nice or comforting he tries to be, he can't erase the past. He'll never bring me the same warmth from his smile as...

...

That's right... there's someone still here that I can trust!

The realization fills my limbs with purpose, and before I know it, I throw open my door and sprint away as quietly as I can. I turn a few corners, climb one set of stairs, and there it is, that room, his room!

I skid to a stop before I slam into the door and knock on the wood urgently, glancing behind me. Please be here! Please- I feel like a rabbit, being chased down by a ravenous pack of wolves, ready to tear me apart the moment I falter. Please... please!-

Mid-knock, the door opens, and Julius pokes his head out. "Oh! Good- evening-"

He doesn't get to finish as I push my way inside, bursting right past him, and slam the door shut with a loud bang. I gasp in a breath, adrenaline still filling my veins as I lean against the closed door. I did it! I escaped... I should be safe now... now that I'm...

I suddenly go pale.

...oops. I just broke into Julius's room, didn't I?

I turn around slowly to look back up at Julius, who is speechless, his mouth open wordlessly. Finally, he blinks a few times. "Er... to what do I owe the pleasure of this late-night-visit?" He closes his eyes as he smiles, still emanating that comforting aura that I was seeking out.

He looks... so warm... so... safe...

Safe.

It's something I desperately want to feel right now, but even here in this room, locked away from the danger outside, I can't relax.

"...what's wrong?"

I get snapped from my thoughts as Julius gently touches my shoulder. I slowly look up at him, at his concerned face. He knows something is wrong...

"Hey, whatever it is, you can tell me, alright? Even if it's something, er- girly, although I'm sure Malota is better suited for that kind of- Ah! Why are you crying? Did I say something?"

I shake my head, and without another moment of thought I let the tears fall, and fling myself into his warm, safe chest.

OooooOooooOo ;.; Nice! Please comment and lmk what you think 0.0

I’m having so much fun writing this rn I hope ya’ll like it too <3

#grey deer fic #fic #illusion #julius novachrono #julius novachrono x reader #black clover

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emmathompsonsmartini · 5 years

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Ok so this idea wouldn’t leave me alone but I couldn’t figure out how to end it. 😭 So I’m not as proud of this as some of my other works. Rip. I hope you like my entry, Mirandy fic. Lol.

"Everybody wants to be us."

Miranda plastered a smile on her face before opening the car door and stepping out. Andy absentmindedly watched her go, frozen in place. Her heart was beating a million beats per minute and her breath was caught in her throat.

She meant what she said. She couldn't do that to someone--at least not again--and she didn't necessarily want to be Miranda. Andy finally gets out of the car and bolts in the other direction. Away from the crowd, away from Miranda. She couldn't think. She didn't know what to think.

Miranda turned expecting to see Andy behind her and her heart dropped when she wasn't. She whipped her head around frantically before giving in to the pressure of the guards urging her forward. Once inside, she darted to the side and punched in Andy's number. What the hell was she doing? After two rings, the call went to voicemail. Miranda hung up angrily. Her jaw set and she took several deep breaths, inwardly cursing herself. She puts on a happy facade, looking over her shoulder one more time.

Andy shoved her phone in her pocket after ignoring Miranda's call. She sighed and started walking in no particular direction. She finds a small park with a bench that's partly hidden. She sits down and thinks. About Runway, Paris, Emily, Nigel and... Miranda. (No matter how hard she tries she always ends up thinking about Miranda.) "Just in case you were wondering... the person whose calls you always take, that's the relationship you're in."

"I don't know this Andy."

She's going to leave Paris, she decides. She hails a taxi and heads back to her suite. Once inside she kicks her shoes off and throws her purse in a chair. She rolls her suitcase from the closet and starts randomly throws her clothes in. She doesn't need this job, not really, right?

In the middle of her unorganized packing the hotel phone rings. She prays it's not Miranda when she picks up. "Hello?"

"Hey, Andy."

She's both relieved and disappointed. "Nate. Hi."

"How's Paris?"

She breathes a mirthless chuckle. "Ah, it's you know..."

"Well, I have some news."

"Oh," If Andy was going to finish her sentence, she wasn't going to get the chance. "Okay."

"I flew up to Boston. And uh...Interviewed at the Oakroom."

"And?"

"And you're talking to their new sous chef."

"Nate! That's great!"

"Ah...thanks."

"That's really..." Andy sunk into her bed, a realization dawning on her. "Really exciting for you. You'll be great."

"I know Boston is 4 hours away but if you still want to make it work...I'm willing to try."

Andy looks at the mess on her bed. Ten minutes ago she would've jumped at the chance. (And still that small part of her wondered why she was hesitating.)

"Uh Nate," She ran a hand down her face. "I don't think it's gonna work. With my job in New York, now yours in Boston...I think we should just go our separate ways."

The was a moment of silence on the other end and Andy chewed at her cheek. "Yeah," he finally replied. "Yeah, maybe you’re right."

"Goodbye, Nate"

"Bye, Andy."

He hung up first, rather quickly, and she continued to hold the phone to her ear. She sighed and put the phone back before putting her head in her hands.

She realized just how imbalanced her relationship with Nate was. She was excited for him and his career and the steps he was taking but when it came to her? He didn't seem as enthusiastic. Yes, she had changed. But it wasn't a bad change, and she liked herself now. She worked all the time because she was determined. She only had to be there for a year. A year. It wasn't that long. Andrea laughed to herself as she felt tears fall from her eyes.

She didn't want to leave Runway. Not yet.

The memories of her decision to run away this afternoon hit her like a truck. She just left, without warning, without a clear reason. The time on the clock read 7:02 pm. She pulled out her phone. No more calls from Miranda. Surely she was back from the event...

Andy raised her hand to knock on Miranda's door but paused. What was she going to do? Or say? What was she doing here? Did she really think she was going to get her job back? Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she closed her eyes and knocked.

"Don't answer, don't answer."

Miranda was pouring her third drink since she's been back at the hotel. She sat on the small couch staring endlessly at nothing. Her stomach ached and she didn't know why.

As she put the glass to her lips, there was a knock at the door. She paused before taking a drink, deciding to ignore it. Something, however, was pulling her to open it. She quickly wiped the tear tracks from her cheeks and set the glass on the coffee table.

The door finally opened. Miranda gives Andy the once over before saying, "What do you want?" In her usual soft way. It was a little hoarse but still cold as ice. Andy fought off a shiver.

Her eyes were red-rimmed like she'd been crying. Andy's heart lurched. Her white hair no longer held the iconic style she's known for. She wasn’t wearing any makeup. Her pink lips were pressed in a thin line as she waited for Andy's response.

"C-" She stopped and cleared her throat. "Can I come in?"

The muscles in her jaw ticked as she weighed her options. (Or lack thereof.)

She sighed and opened the door some more so Andy could slip in. Miranda brushed past Andy and picked her drink back up. "Help yourself."

Andy shook her head at first but decided that she could definitely use it. She took the chair across from her boss just as she did the night before. The sat in silence for a moment.

"Miranda—" Miranda looked up at her sharply. Her eyes were steely and she looked tense. "I am so, so sorry for running off like that. It was uncalled for and I was...overwhelmed and I panicked."

Miranda slowly licked her lips and nodded her head. She dropped her gaze from Andy but still didn't say anything.

"I was stressed about my personal life and I let it interfere with my work. And these are lousy excuses. And I'm just...so sorry. I understand if...if you want to fire me. It was very unprofessional of me."

It was Andy's turn to avert her gaze as she fidgeted with her glass.

"You disappointed me, Andrea. Again." Andy winced as she nodded. There was a long silence as she waited for her to fire her. "But I'm not going to fire you."

Andy's head rose in shock and mild confusion. "W-What? Why?"

I don’t know, she thought to herself. Miranda leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Because, as cliche as it is...you're the best assistant I've had. You've got drive, an aspiration to be better. And you've got some nerve."

Andy didn't know what to say. "I—thank you...I...was not expecting that."

Miranda arched her brow like she herself was surprised. She downed the rest of her drink. Neither woman was sure what to do next.

"You scared me, Andy." Miranda finally said. Somehow it was softer than her usual tone. "I thought...well, I didn't know. Don't ever do that again...at least not without some warning."

"I know. I'm sorry, truly. Believe me, it won't happen again." Miranda nodded, her eyes less steely, and they fell silent again.

"Well, um," Andy set her glass with the drinks and stood up. Miranda stood with her. "I just wanted to...apologize so I guess, I'll go, now." She clears her throat and backs towards the door.

Miranda walks with her. Miranda opens the door but grabs Andy's forearm before she can dart out. She kisses Andy's cheek, lingering for a minute. She pulls away and smirks ever so slightly. “Goodnight, Andrea."

Andy's cheeks flushed and she stuttered her own "goodnight" before stepping out the door.

When she was gonna Miranda leaned against the door and sighed deeply. And a small smile slowly made its way upon her lips.

Andrea made it to her room and flopped down in her bed. Relief spread throughout her but her stomach was still filled with butterflies.

They both went to bed with a certain excitement of the future.

#the devil wears prada #devil wears prada #tdwp #dwp #mirandy #miranda priestly #meryl streep #andy sachs #andrea sachs #anne hathaway #my writing

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flauntpage · 6 years

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A Win Is a Win: Ten Takeaways from Eagles 34, Giants 29

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People seem surprised that a divisional road game was way too close for comfort.

It’s almost like they forgot that the Giants were 0-2 when the Eagles need a 61-yard field goal to win the first matchup back in September.

That doesn’t excuse Sunday’s atrocious defensive performance, but we should all know better than to expect mid-December blowouts and we should probably just stay off of Twitter until the second half begins.

They came from behind to get the job done, just like last week. There’s a cornball saying about teams that find a way to win even when they don’t play well, and this squad fits the bill.

It was 20-7 Giants when LeGarrette Blount failed to convert a 4th and 1 and it looked like the Eagles were headed for a bitterly disappointing, dog shit loss. Then the defense came up with a key interception, the special teams unit blocked a punt, and the offense converted twice to make it a 21-20 game. What followed, then, was a back-and-forth second half where the Eagles simply made a few more plays than the Giants.

What now? It’s home against the Raiders, home against the Cowboys, home in the playoffs. If the Birds get it done on Jesus Christ’s birthday, they shouldn’t have to travel again until you know what game.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Stop being a whiner and celebrate your 12-2 football team.

1) Nick “The Franchise” Foles

24 for 28, 237 yards, four touchdowns, zero turnovers.

Yea, he misfired and double-clutched on a couple of looks, but that’s to be expected when starting your FIRST GAME OF THE YEAR ON THE ROAD AGAINST A DIVISION RIVAL WHILE BEING UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR RECEIVERS.

They came out passing the ball to get him going early, which we all knew would happen. Any thoughts of going run heavy, which I doubt Pederson was going to do anyway, went right out the door when the Birds quickly found themselves playing from behind.

The offense really did not change at all with Foles in there.

They ran the run/pass option, sometimes effectively…

…and sometimes ineffectively:

The biggest positive, in my mind, is that Nick showed off a lot of the traits that make Carson Wentz effective. He shrugged off a defender with a head fake and step-through. He took hits in the pocket. He connected a few times while rolling right. He went through his progressions and picked out a variety of targets for scores, just like Carson. All four touchdowns were caught by a different player.

Sure, it’s only one game against a 2-11 team, but that performance should significantly assuage the concerns of fans who were ready to throw in the towel.

2) Giving credit where it’s actually due

I thought we might be in for a hell of a ride when Stefen Wisniewski was ruled out for this game, meaning that the Eagles were rolling out a backup quarterback playing behind a backup left tackle and backup left guard.

They went with Isaac Seumalo over Chance Warmack, which I think was the right call. Anybody who studied the film of Wis vs. Warmack earlier this year saw the limitations in the latter’s game.

Now, take a deep breath and ask yourself, how many times did you hear Seumalo’s name on the broadcast? How many times did you hear Big V’s name called?

The one that jumped out was this play, where Eagles’ Twitter was quick to pounce:

Big V looking like a NYC turnstile #FlyEaglesFly http://pic.twitter.com/Skj5Npn0fy

— Don Bell (@DonBellonCBS3) December 17, 2017

We’re always ready to jump on Vaitai when he does something wrong, as if the guy is gonna be perfect in every single game. He rightfully deserves criticism for that sequence.

But I didn’t see a lot of people giving him credit for this textbook block:

And I didn’t see a lot of people give him credit here either:

In fairness, they were probably focused on Jason Kelce pancaking a guy 20 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Yeah, Vaitai he got beat badly on the strip, but he was mostly sound otherwise, especially in the running game. And you have to consider that, when Jason Peters went out, they initially gave him help in the form of a tight end or RB to help on the left side. That’s been slowly drawn back every game since, to the point where he’s on his own for a lot of these plays.

The thing that annoys me is the bullshit cherry picking of negative plays because the guy is a backup. Then, when it comes to giving credit where it’s due, you don’t hear much at all, do you?

3) The screen game

Have we seen a lot of this in recent games? No, we really haven’t.

But Pederson used it effectively a few times in this game, with Kelce just putting on a clinic in the downfield blocking department, which you saw in the clip above.

This was another look, with acres of space and more linemen rumbling:

One of Wentz’s limitations, at least early in the year, was his touch on these types of plays. Foles wasn’t perfect on his screen deliveries yesterday, but he put the ball in the right spot and allowed his skill players to take it from there. They gashed the Giants a few times with well-timed and well-executed screens.

4) Adventures on special teams

The Birds’ special teams played a massive, monstrous, monumental role in the win.

About 85% of it was good and the other 15% was nerve-wracking:

blocked field goal

blocked punt

blocked extra point

2/2 on field goals

neutral zone infraction on a punt

double-clutch on a Donnie Jones punt

line drive Donnie J special on the final punt of the game

The neutral zone infraction was a killer, but special teams accounted for a four-point swing with the blocked FG and XP. The blocked punt led to a touchdown for the offense, so you could legitimately say the ST unit was responsible for a net of +11 points on the day.

When’s the last time a team ripped off a hat trick of blocks in one game?

Eagles PR, that’s your cue:

The @Eagles are the first @NFL team to block a punt, field goal and PAT in the same game since the Buffalo Bills on 11/24/91 at New England (blocked 2 FGs, 1 PAT and 1 punt). (@EliasSports)#FlyEaglesFly

— John Gonoude (@john_gonoude) December 17, 2017

5) The defense…

This requires its own 2,000 word video breakdown, and maybe we’ll do that Tuesday, or just say “fuck it” and move on.

The energy was lacking, the game-plan was kind of crappy, and the tackling was again subpar.

If you go back to the first Giants/Eagles game, you probably recall that the Eagles played soft and allowed easy underneath routes, since Chris Maragos and Rasul Douglas were forced into starts because of the absences of Ronald Darby, Corey Graham, and Rodney McLeod.

The game plan was to allow those short passes while not letting yourself get beat deep by Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall.

In this game, you saw a lot of the same, with Eli Manning throwing early, the Giants running up-tempo offense, and the Eagles playing with a big cushion:

You see Mills and Darby playing almost 10-yards off there, with McLeod as a single-high safety and Malcolm Jenkins assigned to the tight end inside.

And because of that, they were getting killed underneath, or biting on those slant-and-go (sluggo) routes for huge gains:

Manning finished with 434 passing yards.

434!

He only has two 300+ yards this season and both are against the Eagles.

With the Giants banged up and missing a bunch of key players offensively, they should have pressed these scrubs into oblivion. Instead they played soft coverage and got burned all over the field.

There were some positives, however, and Brandon Graham had a huge tackle for loss to complement a Darby first-half interception. They got enough stops to win the game, but hardly inspired in a woeful defensive performance.

6) Ref, you suck?

I didn’t spy a ton of bogus crapola from this crew, but the Giants clearly got away with a pick play on the second touchdown. Not like it matters, since the Eagles’ tackling was shambolic after the catch.

The other one that jumped out at me was the Nigel Bradham/Shane Vereen dust-up, where Bradham got the ole’ retaliation flag. That stuff drives me crazy. If you see two guys engaging in handbags like that, just flag ’em both, let the penalties offset, and get on with life.

At the end of the game, I think the refs got the two holding calls on Darby correct, and on Manning’s final pass of the game, I don’t think it was a catchable ball anyway, was it? Either way, there really wasn’t a ton of contact.

7) Run me sideways

Without writing down the actual number, I felt like we saw more east/west runs in this game.

I hated the outside zone and shotgun sweep plays earlier in the year because the line wasn’t great at creating seams and Blount wasn’t great at getting through them. Darren Sproles, however, was another story. Corey Clement did okay on those looks and Wendell Smallwood was decent, too.

But I feel like they can feature that play again because Jay Ajayi does a much nicer job of staying low, finding the gap, and turning up the field:

If they insist on running those east/west designs, he’s the guy that should be handling the rock. Blount would have turned that play into a one-yard loss.

8) Doug’s worst call?

It was probably the decision to challenge the incomplete pass in the second quarter. That’s a low upside play and wasn’t exactly critical at that point in the game.

As far as play-calling, I didn’t like the fade on 3rd and 5 in the end zone. I might be alright with Wentz throwing that ball, but I’m not a fade guy in general, whether it’s football or hair cuts.

9) Doug’s best call?

They didn’t convert, but going for it on 4th and 1 in the second quarter still made sense. You were 12 for 12 at that point, now you’re 12 for 13. So instead of 100% conversion rate, you fall to 92.3% on the year. Big deal. Blount up the middle is fine there. They would have ran a sneak if Wentz was in the game and did try it with Foles a little bit later.

Blount gets stuffed on 4th-and-1, Eagles had been 12/12 on 4th-and-1 this season before that play. http://pic.twitter.com/40bSJYWX7a

— The Bitter Birds (@AdrianFedkiw) December 17, 2017

I also agreed with the decision to kick field goal in the fourth quarter to force the Giants to drive the length of the field for a touchdown. Take the points there. No need for a possibly killer momentum swing.

Overall, I think Doug did a nice job of establishing Foles’ passing ability early and put him in a position to be successful.

10) Alshon Jefferies and Wayne Gall

We got Thom Brennaman and Chris Speilman for this game.

I’m pretty sure I heard Brennamen say that Evan Engram went to college at Alabama. He did it once in the first quarter and once in the second, but Engram didn’t go there, he went to Ole Miss. He also referred to Wayne Gallman as “Gall” on one play:

“Swings it out of the backfield to Gall..”

Huh?

We also got an Alshon “Jefferies” from Speilman, which I think happens every other game.

Also, a lot of talk about Dean Blandino on Twitter. Obviously the guy is relatively new to TV and looks somewhat uncomfortable on camera, but I think the issue is that they shouldn’t be double-boxing him anyway. He needs to be looking at a monitor at the same time his shot is up, so I think the better way to do it is just place his audio over the live picture and let him talk while checking different replay angles. It’s goofy when the broadcast team is saying, “yea you can see here on the replay…” while Blandino is looking at the camera. He should be looking down at the same replay the booth has, so he can reference what they’re talking about.

A Win Is a Win: Ten Takeaways from Eagles 34, Giants 29 published first on http://ift.tt/2pLTmlv

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