Game Review – PS3 – PHI 33, IND 23 – The Defense

Posted: August 31st, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 139 Comments »

Another week, another incredibly good performance by the Eagles defense. They are getting it done every way you can imagine this summer. They are #1 in scoring defense, run defense, and INTs. They are sacking the QB on a regular basis. The defense is tackling well. They are limiting big plays. This is good team defense without a lot of exotic blitzes.

The DL dominated the Colts front. Andrew Luck was sacked 3 times, but hit several others. I think the Colts were wise to pull him at halftime. He’s too valuable to leave in there taking shot after shot. And it isn’t like the Colts could run the ball. The Eagles stuffed those plays. The Colts like to use a lot of 2 and 3 TE sets. Jumbo looks. The Eagles matched that by loading the box and daring them to throw. Indy didn’t have luck with either option.

BY THE NUMBERS

  • Gave up 372 yards, but only 129 in the 1st half
  • 3 sacks
  • 1 interception, but it did come in the end zone
  • Gave up 39 rushing yards on 18 carries

DE

Brandon Graham – Good game. Disruptive vs the run and pass. Came off the edge in the early 2nd and went hard inside. Clubbed the RT and almost knocked the guy to the ground. Luck got the ball out quickly or he would have taken a big hit. Went inside on another play and flushed Luck, setting up Barwin for sack. Got by the OT later and chased Luck down from behind to tackle him. Gave up a couple of yards, but got to hit the QB. Has been terrific vs the run all summer.

Vinny Curry – Played DE and some DT. Tackled RB for minimal gain in early 2nd Qtr. Later on that drive, helped to blow up 3rd/1 run with penetration off the edge. Colts tried to block him with a TE late in the half. If not held, Curry would have had an easy sack. Almost got to Luck anyway. Drove RT backward on next play and affected Luck. Helped to force errant throw. Flew off the edge on the next play and got a hand on Luck. Forced him up in the pocket, right to Logan for a sack.

Connor Barwin – Hustle sack. Chased Luck down from the backside after Graham flushed him. Active game. Around the ball a lot, whether on runs, screens or even completed passes. Jim Schwartz will love his motor. Exploded into the backfield to open the 3rd Qtr. Just missed getting RB for TFL.

Steven Means – Blew by the RT and got a big hit on the QB in the early 3rd. Dropped into coverage on 3rd down play. Thought he might have a chance to pick off tipped ball, but it was a step or two too far away. Flew by the LT late in the game to disrupt the timing on a screen. Played late in the game.

Marcus Smith – Backup DE. Didn’t impress me when I watched the game live, but was better when I studied the tape. Got on the field at LDE in the late 1st. Was right by Luck when Allen got his sack. Had really good play in late 2nd Qtr. Lined up at RDE and looped inside at snap. Used arm to push LG away and stay unblocked. Then had free run at Luck and hit him as he threw. Shocked that was Smith doing that. Tackled RB on play up the middle. Solid vs the run. Wasn’t exploding off the ball. Played under control.  Read the rest of this entry »

Bodies Needed

Posted: August 30th, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 144 Comments »

The Eagles have made some moves in recent days.

What’s going on?

The Eagles needed bodies for the preseason finale. Starters will sit.. Some key backups. With Wendell Smallwood out, the Eagles needed a RB. O’Neal fills that role. With DE Alex McCalister out, the Eagles needed a DE. Metz gets his shot. With Taylor Hart out, the Eagles needed a DT. Gaston gets another chance with another team.

These players know they are being used. But they want the chance to put some game tape out there. You never know when a player is going to catch someone’s eyes. I can see where D-linemen really want to play in this scheme. Just about everyone has looked good this summer. This is a huge chance for Getz. Gaston has been around the block, but maybe this will be a good fit for him.

It will be interesting to see if any of the three play well.

*****

The Vikings were a playoff team last year and they had high hopes for this year. They’re saying backup Shaun Hill will take over, but there has been some speculation about them making a trade. Would they look at Sam Bradford?

Maybe.

Would the Eagles listen to an offer? I think they would…if the price was right. I’m just not sure the Vikings would go hard after anyone. They aren’t a team that feels desperate. I think they would love to make a deal for the right player at the right price, but giving away a high pick to take on a big salary doesn’t feel like a move the Vikings would make.

For now…

*****

The Eagles are thin at OLB right now. I don’t see this happening. It does feel like Kendricks is frustrated with the Eagles and that they are frustrated with him. We’ll see what happens in the regular season. Maybe that gets him going. Or maybe we find out things just aren’t working, for whatever reason. Kendrick was good in 2014. He wasn’t last year. He needs to bounce back this season.

*****

A reader had a question about the phrase “pad level”, as in “he plays with good pad level”. What does that mean exactly?

You don’t want a player to stand up. That makes him too high and gives him a weak base. An OL or DL needs to bend his knees. That brings his upper body down (and his shoulder pads), giving him good pad level.

A RB might play with good pad level. That means he is staying low when he’s got the ball and not being too upright.

The old saying in football is “low man wins”. You want to get your pads under the pads of the man you are blocking, tackling, or trying to fight off. The player with better pad level is going to win many of those battles. Stay low.

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