What A Difference
Posted: October 24th, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 9 Comments »A year ago, the Eagles were a mess. The team got off to a 2-5 start, but the games went beyond just losses. There was a lot of bad football being played. There were serious questions about Nick Sirianni, Jonathan Gannon and Jalen Hurts. To say things didn’t look good would be a major understatement.
Here is something I wrote last October.
With Sirianni, I’m not sure what we know. The run game comes and goes. The over-reliance on RPOs seems to be an issue. Defenses have figured them out more than any time in the past. The passing game is a mixture of screens and deep balls. Jonathan Gannon’s defense is extremely conservative. Scheme aside, the team is sloppy. We see dropped passes and missed tackles. We see dumb penalties and mental mistakes.
What’s the foundation Sirianni is laying?
If the team was playing smart football and competing, but simply overmatched on talent, his analogy would make a ton of sense. I just don’t see that as the case. This isn’t a championship roster, but they should be better than they are. This isn’t just about winning and losing. This is about competing. Look at some of the deficits.
vs SF trailed 17-3
vs DAL trailed 41-14
vs KC trailed 42-23
vs CAR trailed 15-3
vs TB trailed 28-7
vs LVR trailed 30-7
That’s not good. The Eagles scored late to close the gap and make some of those games competitive. Give Sirianni credit for having his team keep battling, but that’s hardly a foundation to build upon.
“We’re going to own the fourth quarter when trailing by multiple touchdowns! We won’t give up!”
I understand why the Eagles took a chance on Sirianni. They wanted a young coach who might become the next big thing. And let’s be honest. The Doug Pederson situation scared some candidates. Howie Roseman is not seen as an asset by the best coaching candidates. The Eagles coaching job isn’t what it once was. They wanted someone who would be happy to have the job, who wouldn’t rock the boat and who might blossom when given the opportunity.
Right now the hire doesn’t look so good. It doesn’t look like he was ready to be an NFL head coach.
That could change. Reid started 0-4 and looked in over his head before things started to click for his team. Kelly had a 2-5 stretch in his first year and the team failed to score an offensive TD in consecutive losses. Pederson had a 2-9 stretch where there were serious questions about him as a coach.
All of those guys were able to right the ship and show progress as the year went along.
The Eagles have a favorable schedule the rest of the way. It will be critical for them to show progress for Sirianni to show that he should keep his job. That means fixing offensive and defensive problems.
Yikes. I had forgotten how bad things looked.
Sirianni did fix a lot of those offensive and defensive problems. The Eagles became more of a running team. That got the offense going and took pressure off Jalen Hurts. It put the defense in more favorable situations. The schedule also got easier. That helped the Eagles to have some success.
I think having the success helped the players to buy into Sirianni’s messages and his core principles. When you’re losing, it can be hard to listen to a new boss talking to you about his ideas and beliefs. All that talk can seem meaningless if the coach doesn’t have answers that help you get better right now.
And you know the players had to be frustrated. If you go back to the 2020 season, the Eagles had a 6-16-1 stretch. That is a lot of losing.
You have to give Sirianni a lot of credit for sticking with his message, but also making changes. It boggles the mind that some coaches are so stubborn. As great as Andy Reid is now, there used to be times when he made you want to jump off a cliff. Nathaniel Hackett has been a disaster in Denver and doesn’t seem to be learning from his mistakes. Urban Meyer is one of the greatest college coaches ever, but he got to the NFL and showed no ability to learn.
One of the keys for Sirianni was figuring out how to get the most out of Hurts. Focusing on the run game took pressure off Hurts and that helped him to play better. We saw Hurts limitations even after the team started winning, but he was a better QB. There was real improvement. That made you feel better about the coach and QB right away, but also long term. If Sirianni is getting Hurts to play better in a matter of months, let’s see what he can do with a full offseason and some better weapons.
It was easy to like Sirianni right away because he seemed so genuine. At the same time, you wondered if he was in over his head. Was he too nice? Did he understand how to run a team? Did he have the answers his players and coaches needed?
I’m happy to say Sirianni has proven to be a terrific coach. I can’t promise you he’ll deliver a Super Bowl or be here for 10 years. Andy Reid never could bring a Lombardi Trophy to Philly. Doug Pederson did, but only lasted five years as the coach. Winning in the NFL is hard. Winning it all is really hard. Even harder, winning on a regular basis.
Gannon and Hurts also deserve a lot of credit. Gannon got an influx of talent in the offseason and he’s used them well. He’s letting his players play and the Eagles defense is 4th in yards and points allowed. Even with a week off, they still lead the league in takeaways.
Hurts might be the most improved player in the NFL. We knew he had all the intangibles to be a great leader and key presence in the locker room. We just didn’t know if he was good enough on the field to play at a high level and help his team compete for a Super Bowl. Hurts has played very well this year and has answered every challenge put in front of him.
His big test for the rest of the regular season is to continue playing at this level and to get even better. I’m sure he’ll have a bad game or two. All QBs do. Just don’t let that turn into a bad month. I don’t see that happening. Hurts is too driven and too coachable to struggle for long. The true test for Hurts will be the postseason. That’s the test for all QBs. We’ll talk more about that down the road, as he would want. For now, focus on going 1-0 every week and then we’ll see what happens.
The Eagles are off to a great start this year and it looks like this could be a special season. Enjoy the ride.
And make sure to appreciate how far this team has come in the last year.
*****
Can you imagine?
https://twitter.com/FO_ASchatz/status/1584558772084539392
That would be amazing. The Football Gods aren’t likely to let it happen, but it would make for a fun few months.
_
[…] What A Difference – Iggles BlitzHurts is likely to be essentially the most improved participant within the NFL. We knew he had all of the intangibles to be an excellent chief and key presence within the locker room. We simply didn’t know if he was ok on the sector to play at a excessive stage and assist his crew compete for a Super Bowl. Hurts has performed very nicely this yr and has answered each problem put in entrance of him. His massive take a look at for the remainder of the common season is to proceed taking part in at this stage and to get even higher. I’m certain he’ll have a foul sport or two. All QBs do. Simply don’t let that flip into a foul month. I don’t see that occuring. Hurts is just too pushed and too coachable to battle for lengthy. The true take a look at for Hurts would be the postseason. That’s the take a look at for all QBs. We’ll discuss extra about that down the highway, as he would need. For now, give attention to going 1-0 each week after which we’ll see what occurs. The Eagles are off to an excellent begin this yr and it appears to be like like this could possibly be a particular season. Benefit from the trip. […]
[…] What A Difference – Iggles BlitzHurts might be the most improved player in the NFL. We knew he had all the intangibles to be a great leader and key presence in the locker room. We just didn’t know if he was good enough on the field to play at a high level and help his team compete for a Super Bowl. Hurts has played very well this year and has answered every challenge put in front of him. His big test for the rest of the regular season is to continue playing at this level and to get even better. I’m sure he’ll have a bad game or two. All QBs do. Just don’t let that turn into a bad month. I don’t see that happening. Hurts is too driven and too coachable to struggle for long. The true test for Hurts will be the postseason. That’s the test for all QBs. We’ll talk more about that down the road, as he would want. For now, focus on going 1-0 every week and then we’ll see what happens. The Eagles are off to a great start this year and it looks like this could be a special season. Enjoy the ride. […]
[…] Ինչ տարբերություն – Iggles BlitzHurts-ը կարող է լինել NFL-ի ամենալավ խաղացողը: Մենք գիտեինք, որ նա ուներ բոլոր ոչ նյութական հատկությունները հիանալի առաջատար և առանցքային ներկայություն հանդերձարանում: Մենք պարզապես չգիտեինք, թե արդյոք նա բավական լավն է խաղադաշտում, որպեսզի խաղա բարձր մակարդակով և օգնի իր թիմին պայքարել Սուպեր գավաթ. Հերթսը շատ լավ խաղաց այս տարի և պատասխանեց իր առջեւ դրված բոլոր մարտահրավերներին: Կանոնավոր մրցաշրջանի մնացած հատվածում նրա մեծ փորձությունն է շարունակել խաղալ այս մակարդակով և էլ ավելի լավ դառնալ: Համոզված եմ, որ նրան վատ խաղ է սպասվում կամ երկուսը: Բոլոր QB-ները անում են: Պարզապես թույլ մի տվեք, որ դա վերածվի վատ ամսվա: Ես դա չեմ տեսնում: Hurts-ը չափազանց դրդված է և չափազանց մարզչական՝ երկար պայքարելու համար: Hurts-ի իսկական փորձությունը կլինի հետսեզոնը: Դա բոլոր QB-ների թեստն է: Մենք այդ մասին ավելի շատ կխոսենք ճանապարհին, ինչպես նա կցանկանա: Առայժմ կենտրոնացեք ամեն շաբաթ 1-0 հաշվով խաղալու վրա, և հետո կտեսնենք, թե ինչ կլինի: «Արծիվները» հիանալի են սկսել այս տարի, և թվում է, որ սա կարող է հատուկ սեզոն լինել: Վայելեք զբոսանքը: […]
[…] What A Difference – Iggles BlitzHurts might be the most improved player in the NFL. We knew he had all the intangibles to be a great leader and key presence in the locker room. We just didn’t know if he was good enough on the field to play at a high level and help his team compete for a super-bowl. Hurts has played very well this year and has answered every challenge put in front of him. His big test for the rest of the regular season is to continue playing at this level and to get even better. I’m sure he’ll have a bad game or two. All QBs do. Just don’t let that turn into a bad month. I don’t see that happening. Hurts is too driven and too coachable to struggle for long. The true test for Hurts will be the postseason. That’s the test for all QBs. We’ll talk more about that down the road, as he would want. For now, focus on going 1-0 every week and then we’ll see what happens. The Eagles are off to a great start this year and it looks like this could be a special season. Enjoy the ride. […]
[…] What A Distinction – Iggles BlitzHurts may well be essentially the most stepped forward participant within the NFL. We knew he had all of the intangibles to be an excellent chief and key presence within the locker room. We simply didn’t know if he was once excellent sufficient at the box to play at a excessive stage and lend a hand his staff compete for a Tremendous Bowl. Hurts has performed rather well this yr and has responded each problem installed entrance of him. His giant check for the remainder of the common season is to proceed taking part in at this stage and to get even higher. I’m positive he’ll have a nasty recreation or two. All QBs do. Simply don’t let that become a nasty month. I don’t see that going down. Hurts is simply too pushed and too coachable to combat for lengthy. The real check for Hurts would be the postseason. That’s the check for all QBs. We’ll communicate extra about that down the street, as he would wish. For now, center of attention on going 1-0 each week after which we’ll see what occurs. The Eagles are off to an excellent get started this yr and it seems like this generally is a particular season. Benefit from the journey. […]
[…] What A Distinction – Iggles BlitzHurts is perhaps probably the most improved participant within the NFL. We knew he had all of the intangibles to be an incredible chief and key presence within the locker room. We simply didn’t know if he was ok on the sector to play at a excessive stage and assist his workforce compete for a Tremendous Bowl. Hurts has performed very effectively this yr and has answered each problem put in entrance of him. His large take a look at for the remainder of the common season is to proceed enjoying at this stage and to get even higher. I’m certain he’ll have a nasty recreation or two. All QBs do. Simply don’t let that flip into a nasty month. I don’t see that occuring. Hurts is simply too pushed and too coachable to wrestle for lengthy. The true take a look at for Hurts would be the postseason. That’s the take a look at for all QBs. We’ll speak extra about that down the highway, as he would need. For now, give attention to going 1-0 each week after which we’ll see what occurs. The Eagles are off to an incredible begin this yr and it seems like this might be a particular season. Benefit from the journey. […]
[…] Kakšna je razlika – Igles BlitzHarts je morda najbolj napreden igralec v ligi NFL. Vedeli smo, da ima vse nematerialne lastnosti, da je odličen vodja in pomembno prisoten v slačilnici. Nismo vedeli, da je dovolj dober na igrišču, da igra na visoki ravni in tekmuje za pomoč svoji ekipi. velika skleda. Hurts je letos igral zelo dobro in se je odzval na vsak izziv, ki je bil pred njim. Njegova velika preizkušnja za preostanek redne sezone je nadaljevati igranje na tej ravni in postati še boljši. Prepričan sem, da bo imel slabo igro ali dve. Vsi QB-ji to počnejo. Samo ne dovolite, da se spremeni v slab mesec. Ne vidim, da se to dogaja. Bolečina traja dolgo časa in se lahko prenaša tudi na dolga obdobja boja. Pravi preizkus za Hearts bo po sezoni. To je test za vse QB. O tem se bova več pogovarjala kasneje, kot bo želel. Zdaj se osredotočite na to, da vsak teden dosežete rezultat 1-0, potem pa bomo videli, kaj se bo zgodilo. Eagles so letos začeli odlično in zdi se, da bi to lahko bila posebna sezona. Uživaj v vožnji. […]
[…] What A Distinction – Iggles BlitzHurts may well be probably the most stepped forward participant within the NFL. We knew he had the entire intangibles to be an excellent chief and key presence within the locker room. We simply didn’t know if he used to be just right sufficient at the box to play at a excessive stage and lend a hand his crew compete for a Tremendous Bowl. Hurts has performed rather well this yr and has responded each problem installed entrance of him. His giant check for the remainder of the common season is to proceed enjoying at this stage and to get even higher. I’m positive he’ll have a nasty sport or two. All QBs do. Simply don’t let that change into a nasty month. I don’t see that taking place. Hurts is simply too pushed and too coachable to battle for lengthy. The actual check for Hurts would be the postseason. That’s the check for all QBs. We’ll communicate extra about that down the street, as he would need. For now, center of attention on going 1-0 each week after which we’ll see what occurs. The Eagles are off to an excellent get started this yr and it looks as if this is usually a particular season. Benefit from the experience. […]
[…] Quina diferència – Iggles BlitzHurts podria ser el jugador més millorat de la NFL. Sabíem que tenia tots els intangibles per ser un gran líder i presència clau al vestidor. No sabíem si era prou bo al camp per jugar a un alt nivell i ajudar el seu equip a competir per un super Bowl. Hurts ha jugat molt bé aquest any i ha respost tots els reptes que se li plantejaven. La seva gran prova per a la resta de la temporada regular és seguir jugant a aquest nivell i millorar encara més. Estic segur que farà un mal partit o dos. Tots els QB ho fan. No deixis que això es converteixi en un mal mes. No veig que això passi. Hurts és massa impulsat i massa entrenable per lluitar durant molt de temps. La veritable prova per als Hurts serà la postemporada. Aquesta és la prova per a tots els QB. D’això en parlarem més endavant, com ell voldria. De moment, centra’t en anar 1-0 cada setmana i després veurem què passa. Els Eagles han començat molt bé aquest any i sembla que pot ser una temporada especial. Gaudeix el viatge. […]