Clearly Better

Posted: October 2nd, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

Last year the Eagles scored 30 or more points three times. The Eagles have already done that twice in the opening month of the 2019 season. The offensive struggles of last year are not completely gone, but this year’s offense is clearly better.

What makes that so impressive is that DeSean Jackson has only really played in one game. Alshon Jeffery has only been 100 percent for one game. Dallas Goedert missed one game and barely played in the other. The Eagles used three LTs in the loss to Detroit. Isaac Seumalo had a nightmare game in Atlanta. Rookie Miles Sanders is still adjusting to the NFL. Dropped passes have been an issue for multiple players.

I think you get the point. Things are not going perfectly. This isn’t a well-oiled machine. But that’s kind of scary. If they’re this good now, how good can they become?

Back to where they are now.

https://twitter.com/JClarkNBCS/status/1179097312070717440

Third down efficiency is excellent.

Red Zone play is strong as well.

The running game is much improved over last year. Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders make an excellent 1-2 punch.

And Carson Wentz is healthy. He’s playing at a high level. Amazing how all of that makes a difference.

A year ago, a recovering Wentz was handing the ball off to Josh Adams and the team’s deep threat was…Jordan Matthews? Nelson Agholor? Once Mike Wallace went down, so did the vertical passing game.

We discussed ad nauseam how Frank Reich was the key. Mike Groh was the problem. Sure, Reich is missed and Groh had some adjusting to do, but the issue was way more about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s than the gameplan.

Groh has grown into his position. Doug Pederson remains the key offensive mind on the staff. This is his offense more than anyone else’s.

There is one lingering problem from last year and that is the slow starts. I’m curious to see if they’ll go away once the Eagles are at full strength. The team didn’t start fast in the opener when they were healthy, but I think part of that can be attributed to the lack of preseason activity by the starters and key players.

If we’re still talking about slow starts in a month, then clearly that is a problem that Pederson must solve.

It does feel good to see the Eagles moving the ball and scoring points. I’m excited to see how the return of Jackson can help things. I’m also excited to see this offense grow. Sanders should get better. Howard is showing he’s more versatile than we anticipated. Dallas Goedert is emerging as an outstanding player.

The sky is the limit.

*****

The Eagles added another CB, but not the one you wanted.

The Jalen Ramsey talk hasn’t gone away.

Here is Brandon Lee Gowton with your best update.

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One Comment on “Clearly Better”

  1. 1 The Linc - Three Eagles players make PFF’s 2019 first quarter All-Pro team - Philly's Top Five said at 6:08 AM on October 3rd, 2019:

    […] Clearly Better – Iggles BlitzLast year the Eagles scored 30 or more points three times. The Eagles have already done that twice in the opening month of the 2019 season. The offensive struggles of last year are not completely gone, but this year’s offense is clearly better. What makes that so impressive is that DeSean Jackson has only really played in one game. Alshon Jeffery has only been 100 percent for one game. Dallas Goedert missed one game and barely played in the other. The Eagles used three LTs in the loss to Detroit. Isaac Seumalo had a nightmare game in Atlanta. Rookie Miles Sanders is still adjusting to the NFL. Dropped passes have been an issue for multiple players. I think you get the point. Things are not going perfectly. This isn’t a well-oiled machine. But that’s kind of scary. If they’re this good now, how good can they become? […]