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

It’s Alive!!!

The Eagles offense has been the red-headed stepchild to the defense this spring and summer. Compliments have been few and far between. The offense has done little to make anyone feel optimistic about them.

That changed on Saturday night. The defense was still outstanding, but the Eagles offense finally came to life. They controlled the line of scrimmage, which meant time for QBs to throw and holes for the RBs to hit. Things finally clicked. I don’t think the Eagles will be setting any records this year, but the offense finally showed some potential and gave you a sense of some optimism.

Beyond just the players doing their job well, I liked how the coaches called the game. They were creative, in terms of plays and personnel use. There were times when they went with 3 TEs. They ran from that and threw from that. They would bunch them and run to that side. Creates good blocking angles for the TEs. They used a lot of the Ace formation (2 TEs, 2 WRs, RB). I’m a big fan of this. The 2003 Eagles used this a lot and did some great things with it.

One complaint with Doug Pederson. He didn’t call timeouts late in the half. The Eagles got the ball back with just 0:26 left. They didn’t need the ball to go get points, but it would have been nice to see the starting offense in a 2-minute setting.

For an idea of just what a blowout this was, the Eagles led 33-10 in the 4th quarter. The Colts FG came off an INT that put them in scoring territory. The TD came on a blocked punt that was recovered for a score. 2 Eagles mistakes, 10 points.

QB

Sam Bradford – 17-20-167. Threw for 2 TDs and an INT. The pick wasn’t his fault. Tried to hit Agholor over the middle. Nelson couldn’t make the grab and it bounced to a DB. Ideally you’d like that ball out in front of the receiver so he catches it at full speed and can add good RAC yards, but the Eagles used a 1st round pick on Agholor to make tough catches. I don’t know if Bradford threw a bad pass all night. He overthrew DGB in the end zone, but that was from 20 yards out and they’re still working on timing. Did a nice job on early 3rd/17. Rusher came up the middle. Sam stepped to the side and then hit Givens for a 1st down. Solid throw. Loved the fade to DGB for the score. Put the ball up there and let his guy go get it. The quick pass to Huff for the long gain was a good throw. Consistently put the ball where it needed to be so his guys could catch it and make plays.

For some perspective, Bradford threw 15 passes last year in the preseason. He threw 40 this summer. He’s healthy. He looks comfortable on the field and in the offense. Bradford was rusty when the regular season started last year. That won’t be the case this year.

Chase Daniel – 9-12-104. Had one TD. Good game. Once again looked comfortable running the offense. Made adjustments at the LOS. Had some nice throws. Hit Watford for a 28-yard TD. Watford was wide open, but the ball was on the money. Tried to hit Turner for a long TD, but the ball was about a step too far away. Mixed in quick throws as well. Was accurate with his short throws.

RB 

Ryan Mathews – 3-31 on the ground. Ran hard and looked good. Does not run like a back concerned about staying healthy. Fights for yards. Best run came late in the 1st Qtr. Started up the middle and then bounced the run wide left. Turned that into a gain of 16. Good vision and cutting ability, plus burst. Looks ready for the season. I was getting nervous watching him fight for yards. Normally I want a RB to do that. With Mathews, I’m like “Go down dude. We’re good.”

Kenjon Barner – Took over at RB in the 2nd Qtr. 6-39 on the ground. Seeing the field really well right now. Vision and instincts are tremendous right now. Also has the footwork and moves to get to the right spots. In a groove, at RB and as a RS. Best run was a 25-yard gain to the left side. Had really good blocking and didn’t hesitate. Late in the run, Barber popped the defender before going out of bounds. I liked that. Good to see him running hard and playing with a bit of an edge. Good chip block of Cole on 3rd down helped to keep Bradford clean.

Byron Marshall –  Another solid showing. You wouldn’t think he was last a RB early in his career at Oregon. Looks natural in the backfield. I’m really impressed with his inside runs. He’s no Earl Campbell, but he doesn’t dance. Will hit it up in there. Good burst. Still at his best in space. 10-40 on the ground.

Wendell Smallwood – Got the final carry of the 1st half. No room to run. Lined up out wide in the early 3rd and caught a quick out. Good route, smooth catch. Next play he ran up the middle for 9 yards. Good burst on that. Took a big shot to the legs and went down. A defender might have hit Smallwood in the head with his knees as he rolled on the field. Smallwood let go of the ball for a second then grabbed it. Left the game to be checked for concussion. You saw some of his potential, but it is concerning for him to leave after so few touches.   Read the rest of this entry »

Homegrown

D is for defense.

D is also for draft and develop.

It wasn’t all that long ago when the Eagles struggled to draft and develop defensive talent. Picks didn’t pan out for a variety of reasons – injury, attitude, athleticism, scheme fit, alien abductions. You name it. That led to more than a few mercenaries being brought in. Asante Samuel, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Babin, Nnamdi Asomugha, DRC, Darryl Tapp, Ernie Sims and Will Witherspoon were among the many guys brought in between 2008 and 2011. These guys weren’t role players. They were brought in to be impact starters or key players.

Things have changed in a big way. Think about the DL.

DE Vinny Curry … Brandon Graham
DT Bennie Logan … Beau Allen
DT Fletcher Cox …. Taylor Hart
DE Connor Barwin … Smith / Means

Either 6 or 7 of the top 8 on the DL will be homegrown players. That’s pretty darn impressive. And Barwin wasn’t given mega-money to come here. He’s played his best football as an Eagle. Means has bounced around the league, but he’s really been developed by the current Eagles staff. He has played 12 games, but only has 6 career tackles so he is still very raw.

The Eagles best LB is Jordan Hicks. He’s homegrown. Mychal Kendricks can be a very good LB at times and he’s homegrown. Joe Walker looked very promising this summer. We’ll have to see how he comes back from the ACL, but he could still have a bright future.

The secondary is largely built on outside players, but there is even hope out there. Eric Rowe was a 2nd round pick last year and after a slow start this spring/summer, he’s been coming on as of late. Rookie Jalen Mills has potential. He’s been uneven this summer, but looked great in the spring. Fellow rookie C.J. Smith has come from nowhere to battle for a roster spot. None of these guys will be mistaken for Eric Allen anytime soon, but there is hope.

At Safety, Jaylen Watkins has really turned his career around. He’s playing the best football of his young career. Rookie Blake Countess is talented, but needs time to develop. I’m guessing he’ll be on the practice squad this year.

Who gets credit for all of this?

There isn’t one person. Howie Roseman certainly gets some. Eagles scouts have done a good job in the past 5 years of finding defensive talent early and late. You also have to give credit to the assistant coaches. Jerry Azzinaro did a very good job with the DL while here. Rick Minter scouted Jordan Hicks multiple times and then helped develop him last year. Jim Schwartz has done a great job of pushing players this year. He expects success and pushes them to live up to his standards. DL coach Chris Wilson has been a terrific fit with the scheme and players. LB coach Ken Flajole has done good things as well. Cory Undlin has more vets in his group, but he’s gotten some young players to step up.

It will be interesting to look back on this in January and see which players had good seasons, which disappointed and if any guys surprised us. No matter what, it does feel good to see the Eagles getting back to developing serious defensive talent. Let’s see if someone else from this group joins Fletcher Cox in the Pro Bowl this year.

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