Momentum

Posted: September 26th, 2015 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 84 Comments »

The Eagles offense is predicated on stringing together good plays. Go get a 1st down. Then get another one. Tempo starts to affect the defense, physically and mentally. Players with tired legs are more likely to make a mistake, whether mental or physical. The offense then gets a score.

The offense then gets the ball back and tries to do the same thing. When it is really working, the tempo can start to take a real toll on the opponent.

That hasn’t happened in the 1st half of the previous two games.

So far, the Eagles have 7 1st downs and 3 points in the 1st half. That isn’t bad. That is shockingly bad. And it better change or this team could easily find itself 0-3.

Obviously a huge reason for the slow starts is the lack of a functional running game. If there is one bit of good news, it is that the Falcons and Cowboys both played a similar style of defense. They’re 1-gap, attacking 4-3 schemes. The Jets have bigger guys. They operate out of a 3-4 base.

That’s great, but the Jets will run a lot of 4-man line looks in the Nickel. If the Eagles come out with 3 WRs, they’ll get that look. The Jets scheme will still be somewhat different than the previous two teams, but they will have seen some possible areas to exploit in the Eagles offense.

Chip Kelly might make some schematic adjustments, but the real key is for the players to execute better. Blockers must do their job if the runners are going to have any chance for success. I don’t care if you go I-formation, pro set or shotgun, the blockers have to block well. Jason Peters needs to look like a stud LT. Jason Kelce needs to play up to his ability. Lane Johnson wanted to have a breakout year. Sunday would be a good time to start. Everyone loves to focus on the OGs, but the three returning starters have to set the tone. They have not done that and the run game has been awful.

I don’t care how the run game gets fixed. It just needs to be better.

If the Eagles can run the ball effectively, maybe they can start putting together some good drives and start building some momentum. That might actually lead to some confidence. And maybe even…dare I say it…points.

What a novel idea.

*****

The Eagles have never lost to the Jets. The series is 9-0 all time.

You might call that a useless stat since this game doesn’t feature Joe Namath, Richard Todd, Ron Jaworski or Randall Cunningham. Still, trends like that do seem to mean something.

You want a useless stat?

Ah, the heck with it. We’re desperate enough I’ll embrace anything.

Why even bother playing the game, right?

_

84 Comments on “Momentum”

  1. 1 mrkaplan said at 10:44 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    I believe we still have yet to lose to the jets. So I say we win.

  2. 2 TheTazmanianDevil said at 10:45 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    In 2012, after the Pagano’s situation, the Colts started to play with more heart, and that made me watch more their games. Every snap they play as if it were they last.
    This Chip’s team play with big effort, but when things don’t go the way we want, we must win in the hard way.
    Sure, the run game must click, but man, don’t matter how, we have to win NOW!

    Let’s GO EAGLES

    (Ok, Eagles videos with Dawkins always pumped me up)

  3. 3 Joe Minx said at 10:47 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    Ivory’s playing now.

  4. 4 Media Mike said at 6:35 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I was, and remain, more worried about Brandon Marshall. If we don’t generate any pass rush, I expect Marshall to wear Maxwell out this week for 9/153/2 or something horrible like that.

  5. 5 Gary Barnes said at 9:15 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Hopefully Chip/Davis will not have the CB playing outside technique again and will give them some help over the top on Marshall

  6. 6 Greg Tulino said at 10:49 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    After watching our offense and then watching the Jets defense play against the Colts I would be amazed if we score more than 10 points. After all the changes and the optimism thru the pre-season the real games have already proven that we let go of too much talent on the O-line and at receiver. In addition, even if Bradford remains upright he has not shown himself to be a good enough decision maker nor has he shown the ability to battle thru adversity and bring our team back from a late deficit. I recognize it has only been two games, but teams will copy the game plan to stymie the birds up tempo offense make it really difficult for us to march 80 yards downfield to get a TD w/out beating ourselves with stupid penalties, turnovers and bad decisions. Bradford also does not take enough shots downfield to make defenses uncomfortable. I hope I am completely wrong and that the Eagles find a way to win tomorrow and turn the season around, but I can only go off of what I have seen and that is this team just isn’t good enough. I do not blame Kelly for trying to change to be great, but I am very disappointed that the 2015 season is basically over less than one month into the season.

  7. 7 Gary Barnes said at 9:16 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    You’re right, Chip should not be blamed for daring to be great – he should be blamed for executing it very poorly

  8. 8 laeagle said at 11:04 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    One thing I’ve been wondering is the effect penalties have had on us. Obviously they’re bad, but with our tempo-based offense, they can really throw off momentum. Part of that is on us, but I also think that part of that is on the current state of officiating. We’re hitting ridiculous record levels of penalties being called across the entire NFL. I think there was a stat shown during Thursday’s game that showed the ridiculous penalty rate through 2 games. Something like over 20 penalties per game. Whatever the officials are doing, and whatever actual penalties we’re committing, it’s not helping sustain momentum.

  9. 9 TommyLawlor said at 11:07 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    Penalties are double trouble for the Eagles. They cost the team yards, but also slow the game down. Worst of both worlds.

  10. 10 Gary Barnes said at 9:19 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    According to several reports, the number of called penalties and accepted penalties are on a record pace so far this season. The NFL adding the extra referee is making a bad situation even worse, NFL football is nearly unwatchable unless the Eagles are playing for me

  11. 11 TheTazmanianDevil said at 12:00 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    And besides that,it is clear that Bradford ins’t usual to the Eagles tempo yet. Foles always get the ball with +-25 seconds left on the clock. With Bradford the feeling is about 12 seconds left.
    Hope he improves that against the Jets.

  12. 12 anon said at 3:20 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    sanchez is the fastest, i wish chip didn’t hate him just b/c he throws 2 tds a game and has a clear ceiling against good defenses.

  13. 13 TheTazmanianDevil said at 9:44 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Sanchez can’t throw regularly well outside.
    Put him always in the shotgun and he will expose sometimes.
    He’s a good QB in the hands of the right coach.
    Maybe Kubiak next year with Denver.

  14. 14 FairOaks said at 1:12 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Well in the second half against the Falcons… I think we had a drive with four 10-yard penalties and overcame them all and got the touchdown. So when we are rolling, the offense can overcome some of those. But you’ve got to get rolling to begin with, and penalties definitely don’t help there.

  15. 15 EagleNebula said at 2:19 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    That drive started on the Eagles 5 or something like that too.

  16. 16 myartz04 said at 11:18 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    One thing I wish Chip Kelly would change is building a drive in a crescendo of tempo. For example if you come out and run for a negative play, instead of hurrying to the line for another play, taking the time to regroup to put together a successful play. Once a play is successful, that’s when you use tempo and get then on their heels. Tempo needs to be a tool in the toolbox, not the toolbox itself.

  17. 17 johhnyblaze said at 2:08 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I totally agree

  18. 18 D3FB said at 5:41 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    They actually do this though.

  19. 19 TheTazmanianDevil said at 9:47 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    One time during the end of the 4th quarter against Dallas, the Eagles has 19 minutes of time of possession. It’s too low. Can’t happen.

    I would like the tempo being reduced in the ends of the first and second half, To succeed, we most score first and finish each half with the ball with our offense.

  20. 20 ian_no_2 said at 11:51 PM on September 26th, 2015:

    I run into an amusing Cowboys fan who gave me “how’s DeMarco” after the opening and after the second game, he was so polite I had to bring it up. He said if you keep running DeMarco through the tackles he will eventually break a few. He didn’t say the line play was that crucial, but it is what it is. The other side isn’t relieved so much when he goes down for a loss as when he goes out for the series or they run a pass play.

    Last time they played Fitzpatrick, it seemed he spent so much time practicing a move to juke out Brandon Graham in the backfield he had forgotten how to throw a forward pass. Hope Graham gets to him this time in case the passes stay in the air.

  21. 21 Michael Winter Cho said at 12:55 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Big game, guys. Essentially a must-win.

    I played a gig tonight for some corporate big-wigs visiting Arizona from Philly. The event planners were in a tizzy because the big-wigs wanted to rearrange their schedule tomorrow to watch the game. I told the planners to be prepared for the worst, since the Eagles could easily lose this game!

  22. 22 EaglesFANqq said at 1:46 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    It is going to be very difficult to win this game. Todd is a smart man. He know philly. The eagles are going to be 0-3 no

  23. 23 Tumtum said at 10:40 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    The Jets will probably win but if you think it has anything to with Bowles being here in ARs last year, you are on crack.

  24. 24 EaglesFANqq said at 12:10 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    I’m glad we agree. You don’t believe in Chip Kelly nor this team. I got you to lose hope. Thank you my missions is complete

  25. 25 James said at 7:23 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Where are you now??? Eagles win and you disappear? how bout dem cowgirls. FAG.

  26. 26 EaglesFANqq said at 7:56 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    You are proud of that crap. You can have that team. They are horrible

  27. 27 Tumtum said at 8:27 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Haha, you think you actually have any bearing on anyone’s thought process reading here? That my friend is coo coo

  28. 28 anon said at 3:16 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Interesting to see Oregon looking very average chip gone, mariota gone their D giving up tons of points.

    problem is Chips D is made to play with a lead. When you’re outscoring a team and stopping the run that’s how you generate turnovers.

  29. 29 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 5:19 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    The team has lost of bunch of guys over the years. I think the secondary is inexperienced.

    Its really tough to replace what Marcus Mariota brought. That offense is swimming right now

  30. 30 JoeBlow said at 10:31 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    yup that team has lost a nice amount of talent, especially at QB, I have been very unimpressed with Vernon Adams, I don’t know if he even played last night, but he’s just been l”ook at first read, take off” kinda guy that i can’t stand

  31. 31 Media Mike said at 6:38 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    “Everyone loves to focus on the OGs, but the three returning starters have to set the tone.”

    Kelce has been terrible, Peters has been up and down, Lane has been mostly good, but those guards are turnstiles. Until the characters occupying (I was going to say “players manning” but Barbre and Garnder are neither players or men) those guard spots improve, I can’t imagine it’ll be much easier for Kelce, Peters, and Johnson.

  32. 32 A_T_G said at 7:26 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Excellent word play. Hopefully our guard play rises to the same level.

  33. 33 Media Mike said at 7:41 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Westbrook found that to be a highly doubtful proposition. If those two (and the other guys on the roster) are unable to improve their level of play this year, it’ll be a very long season.

    But the money and early in rounds draft picks will exist to quickly remedy those spots for next year if need be.

  34. 34 Tumtum said at 10:37 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Then there is talk of over drafting for need, and Kelly the GM is even more questioned.

  35. 35 Media Mike said at 11:27 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    If we’re not reaching for guys, I don’t mind drafting for need. The trick is managing your trade up / trade down process to get a guy at his true value.

    And I’d also argue that everybody “needs” o-line help.

  36. 36 Tumtum said at 10:36 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Harsh.

  37. 37 Media Mike said at 11:28 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    True, but necessary.

  38. 38 Media Mike said at 6:44 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Mo Wilkerson – Damon Harrison – Leonard Williams vs.
    Andrew Gardner – Jason Kelce – Allen Barbre

    I can’t imagine this winds up being anything less than a disaster for us. And imagine if Sheldon Richardson was playing for the Jets.

  39. 39 GermanEagle said at 7:08 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    So, Decker out but Revis in.

    Rather would have preferred the opposite but it is what it is.

    In other personal opinion I don’t think Murray will play today. Let’s hope Chip will still run the ball and give Matthews some [early] carries…!

  40. 40 Media Mike said at 7:20 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I’d also like to see some 2 back sets with Sproles and Mathews on the field at the same time to see if we can get the Jets LBs isolated on one of our RBs in the pass game.

    And some blocking would be helpful.

  41. 41 Media Mike said at 7:50 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    So if today degenerates into another loss where we can’t get anything going on offense due to poor blocking and Billy Davis allows the other team’s WR1 to yet another above average game, I’ll have to resign myself to seeing this team put together some type of pitiful 4 to 6 win season…….or worse.

    Seeing as Kelly won’t be going anywhere in that scenario (and that the Lions are going to continue to suck) the Eagles should be drafting in the top 6 to 10 picks in the first round as well as twice in the 3rd round with Kelly having the opportunity to make an aggressive run into 2016 season.

    Can the Eagles be extra sucky this year and make a run at getting Goff?
    Do they find another first round level talent thrower, tag Bradford, and spend a bunch of money/picks on the O-line?

    In either case my level of lividity at Chip’s foolishness with our O-line doesn’t cancel out the fact that he’s not stupid enough to leave that unfixed in 2016. I don’t see this as Ray Rhodes rehashed, I see it as a potentially really down year that can be a springboard to adding some better talent in a few key spots.

  42. 42 HawaiianEagle said at 7:54 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    But if they win…

  43. 43 Media Mike said at 7:54 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Then there is hope they can grind to a division title vs. three clown cars full of opponents in this putrid division.

  44. 44 eagleyankfan said at 10:47 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    so your saying — either they’ll stink or they’ll be good. Good call :).

  45. 45 Media Mike said at 11:28 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I wouldn’t call getting back to 9-7 for the year and winning this division “good.”

  46. 46 eagleyankfan said at 12:38 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    true…lol…I think the fans AND the team are on the same tight rope walk…not sure which way we’re going…

  47. 47 fran35 said at 10:05 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I agree with everything that you wrote. I also would like to add something that has been gnawing at me. I know everyone wants a franchise QB. More important to me is the solace that I get in knowing we have a good coach who can make the right choices and provide stability. Andy Reid was that guy for many years. I thought Chip Kelly was that guy until last year’s swoon and this year’s debacle. He shredded our team to create a team that matched what he believed he needed and this team looks really bad. But more important than that, Chip is showing signs of not being able/too stubborn to adapt his game plan. Last year was absolutely maddening with his refusal to change CB or scheming despite Fletcher ‘s struggles. I really could not believe that he would not even give Nolan a shot to play out there last year, but this year he is our starter?? Wtf.

    I think Chip has at least this year and next to really suck before Lurie looks to ax him. But for me, the next few weeks will show me all I need to know about Chip.

  48. 48 Media Mike said at 11:29 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I hear your “gnaw”, but I want to see another 30 regular season games first.

  49. 49 Michael Winter Cho said at 11:10 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    No, if the Eagles take a dive under Kelly it’s the direct result of his FO incompetence and proves his culture obsession and talent evaluation are failures. I have also read analyses that show the contracts that he has given out are bad, Redskins-bad kind of things. It’s clear that OL and WR have declined and the early results are not good on the QB situation. If the Eagles tank, Kelly will get another year, but that’s not a good thing.

  50. 50 Media Mike said at 11:29 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    That’s one way of looking at things, but I still think he’d get to the end of 2016 to prove it either way.

  51. 51 anon said at 8:28 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    ESPN said that cowboys had an oregon player on the practice squad that broke down the offense for the cowboys.

  52. 52 Corry said at 8:47 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    i do believe that the offense is predictable, but I don’t know if that player could have helped them that much. Both Huff and Maehl have said that the offense is different from what it was in Oregon. I think Barner also said it was different from what they ran.

    Also if the Cowboys wanted to what was coming, they probably just had to do film study of the past 2 years….

  53. 53 HawaiianEagle said at 8:59 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Thats an easy excuse for dallas to avoid a potential signgate…

  54. 54 ACViking said at 11:03 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    If a “Sign-gate” occurred, then shame on Kelly for not changing the signals.

  55. 55 GEAGLE said at 12:05 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Lol you think chip hasn’t changed signals since Oregon days? Get real

  56. 56 A_T_G said at 12:11 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Also, shame on the media for not being more creative in their naming of scandals.

    Also, shame on the DNC for not having the forethought to stay at Grundenschidt instead of the Watergate. These things would be more fun if it was the Spyenschidt, Deflatenschidt, and Signenschidt.

  57. 57 Tumtum said at 9:07 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Brian Dawkins:” Mo is my favorite team mate!”
    Eagles player: “Who’s Mo?”
    Brian Dawkins: “Momentum!”

  58. 58 Media Mike said at 11:34 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    And I’m sure Mo Wilkerson will look like a teammate of the Eagles considering how much time he’ll spend in the backfield after being “blocked” by Gardner.

  59. 59 Ark87 said at 9:49 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    We got to win this game, I think being all alone on the bottom of what is probably the worst division in football would be a bit much.

  60. 60 eagleyankfan said at 10:45 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Huff out too? All that talk of MS2 being a bust — wow, has been, well — why over drafted. Said then and still say it…never liked the pick…
    ….
    need the run game – period.

  61. 61 Media Mike said at 11:33 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I have Huff on permanent side by side status with John Brown.

  62. 62 anon said at 10:55 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    The key to this game isgoing to be our defense and special teams. Hopefully we can get some points and force RF to throw the ball and Vinny Curry can get to work. If we can get some pressure on the QB good things will happen. Jenkins also needs to know any fumble recovery has to go to the house.

  63. 63 BobSmith77 said at 11:39 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Really hope Ryans is rarely on the field & they go with Goode. You can question a ton of moves made this offseason that Kelly made but bringing back Ryans & then playing him frequently the first 2 weeks might be the most baffling.

  64. 64 HawaiianEagle said at 11:22 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Murray out. Per BLG.

  65. 65 BobSmith77 said at 11:36 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Murray with a hamstring injury? Shocking. He has had a bunch of legs injuries and hamstring injuries are nothing new for him. Missed time at OU with them and in Dallas in ’11 missing most of the preseason & in ’12 missing OTAs.

  66. 66 BobSmith77 said at 11:37 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Spadaro hasn’t quite reached ‘Baghdad Bob’ levels on the Eagles pregame show today on WIP but his homerism is more glaring than normal today.

  67. 67 tomw said at 11:44 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I think he may hit the ‘crack’ when the birds are slumping.

  68. 68 Dragon_Eagle said at 11:39 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    For those of us who rarely watch the college game… someone please explain who “Goff” is and whether he’s worth tanking for. Thank you in advance.

  69. 69 holeplug said at 11:55 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    qb for cal

  70. 70 Dragon_Eagle said at 11:59 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Any good?

  71. 71 D3FB said at 4:27 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Very Very good.

    Morons will ding him because he plays an Air Raid but he’s a stud.

  72. 72 BobSmith77 said at 11:45 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/sports/football/new-york-jets-tight-ends-have-a-job-to-do-but-few-passes-to-catch.html?_r=0

    Gailey almost never targets his TEs & keeps them in to block instead. I have to think that will change a bit today with Alonso & Kendricks out, Ryans likely to get his share of PT, and the injuries the Jets have on offense.

  73. 73 HawaiianEagle said at 12:00 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Thats ok. Ince Billy D sees the change from the TE position he will immediately make the in game change to cover it.

  74. 74 BobSmith77 said at 11:46 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Eagles’ defense wins or losses this game today. No reason this team gives more than 20 pts to the already diluted Jets’ offense or that Marshall isn’t doubled early and often.

  75. 75 Iskar36 said at 11:52 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Before the season, I would agree with you. But frankly, this offense has yet to establish itself this season. We have had 2 quarters of decent offense out of 8 and the other 6 quarters were incredibly hard to watch. While I certainly don’t hope for it to be the case, and want to believe it will not be, I can easily see this defense playing very well and the offense still unable to score enough point on the Jets to win.

  76. 76 BobSmith77 said at 11:56 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    That’s true. If the Eagles’ offense can’t score at least 16-17 pts, they deserve to lose too.

    As much as this may be a defensive struggle, I can’t imagine it will be a more watchable game to watch than last week’s game.

    Between the endless stream of penalties, injury to Romo & conservative play-calling by the Boys, and the poor execution by both teams, it was one of the worst NFL names I have watched in a long-time.

  77. 77 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 11:56 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Its our offense that’s killing us and the reason we are o-2

  78. 78 BobSmith77 said at 12:00 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Defense didn’t play well in the first game and gave the Eagles the game late.

    Didn’t think this was a Top 10 defense before the season started and with all of the injuries today it is hard to see them being any more than a mediocre unit.

    Gailey has to be licking his chops to get Smith deep on Maxwell or even Caroll on a fly route at least 2-3 times today. I’d also go right at Maxwell again early and often. Make him make some plays one-on-one on shorter and immediate routes. Maxwell didn’t sound confident at all this week & I’d put him on the ropes early in the 1st half & go with a bomb at the appropriate time.

  79. 79 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 12:16 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    Offense could barley get a first down… you keep putting any defense on the field over and over; they are going to give stuff up.

    The D gave up some plays, but offense was non existent in the first half

  80. 80 Dragon_Eagle said at 11:54 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    Does anyone think we’re going to win today?

  81. 81 Will:↑↑↓↓←→←→BA said at 11:57 AM on September 27th, 2015:

    I wouldn’t bet on it, but there’s a chance

  82. 82 A_T_G said at 12:15 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    …

  83. 83 JoeBlow said at 12:12 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    i do, can’t explain it any other way other than it’s the way of the NFL….Nobody other than Jets fans expect us to win

  84. 84 JoeBlow said at 12:34 PM on September 27th, 2015:

    I have Ryan Matthews starting for my fantasy team…..