Air Attack
Posted: October 7th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 52 Comments »The Eagles secondary better be ready on Sunday. Carson Palmer has thrown 183 passes this year. He’s been sacked 17 times. That is 200 called pass plays in four games. 50 called passes per game.
The Cardinals have no run game right now so they have to rely on Carson Palmer and the air attack to move the ball. This is going to make for one heck of a challenge for the secondary.
One bit of good news is that it sounds like Jaylen Watkins and Corey Graham will return to action. Those guys aren’t great DBs, but they are veterans and they give Jim Schwartz options. He can put together a gameplan that uses the various DBs.
Schwartz can have Graham play and then put Malcolm Jenkins on Larry Fitzgerald if he wants. Schwartz could put Watkins at CB and then move Rasul Douglas into the slot to play Fitzgerald. I don’t think that is likely, but Douglas has the size to match up well.
Schwartz can mix and match his DBs. He can rotate them if he wants. When you don’t have clear cut stud CBs, you have to be creative with your players.
Arizona presents a serious challenge because they have speedy WRs on the outside and Fitzgerald over the middle. The Eagles corners lack ideal speed so they almost have to play off and give cushion to the receivers. That can work, but requires the CBs to tackle well.
They also become susceptible to double moves. Eagles corners like to break on the ball. That’s what Schwartz wants them to do, but a well executed double move can leave the CB flying up while the receiver goes deep.
This game is going to require discipline from the DBs.
Last week there were breakdowns by multiple players in the back seven. Those mistakes have to be fixed. The Safeties must keep things in front of them. Players must take good angles to the ball. The Cardinals will struggle to score points if you force them to move the ball methodically. They need big plays.
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If there was one of those with a baby cardinal in its talon, that would make a nice Christmas ornament.
Or a charm bracelet. .add each one as we march along …
This looks like a much more critical game for Arizona than for Philly. If I was DP, I’d be reminding his defense that that offense is desperate, and that their will is fragile. I wouldn’t be surprised if Schwartz went with a nickel or dime package most of the game. Dare Bruce to run the ball, and then pick-off Palmer when he throws into coverage.
The article already stated that Arizona has no run game right now. How do you “dare ” someone to do an action that is barely possible?
Play 7 DBs?
Well the game is now history, but my point was that the only weapon being aerial, have 6 or 7 defenders playing outside the box. Ludicrous perhaps, but it would serve as a path of least resistance for the OC/HC.
The CB vs WR battle is a lost cause at this point (until Darby gets back). If they can get a pick then that’s more than what we can expect. Luckily for us, Palmer is a statue, tends to force passes and their OL isn’t good. Sounds great for us right? We’ve said the same thing for the last two weeks but ended up having to win close games since we’re very prone to big plays. Our battered defense isn’t good enough to carry a slow start so the offense has to be efficient.
Keep the ball out of the other teams hand, be opportunistic, and grind it out. No game feels like a gimme game right now with Cox/Darby injured.
I’m not sure any game is a gimmie in the NFL, but I do get your point. In my opinion the Eagles are 3-1 at this point in the season, and we should grow/win to make us competitive for the next quarter of the season and that is all I can want moving forward.
I hear you but,
– they’re another week healthier with more DBs back from injury except for Darby
– Arizona’s offense isn’t set up to switch up to the quick throw game; Arians doesn’t coach that way
– Arizona is banged up as well at WR, doucher John Brown is stealing money again this year.
Arizona’s a pretty mediocre team right now, if not bad. They’re ranked #26 in DVOA, offense is ranked #27, defense #12.
For reference, Chargers #24, the Giants are #27, SF #28, KC #1, WAS #4. We barely beat the Chargers and the Giants, we took out WAS, and we were in it against KC.
I guess the standard Eagles 2017 game would be that we get a lead, look like we’re going to grind them down, and they get back in the game and it ends up too close!
As Tommy pointed out, Palmer has been sacked 17 times. And that’s in only four games. I can’t find the stats quickly, but I remembered reading he is also regularly getting knocked down and hurried. The other qbs who have been sacked a lot — Brady (16), Smith (16), and Rodgers (15) — all have qb ratings of over 100. Carson’s is 78.2.
I think what we’re seeing is a qb getting pounded in the pocket and it’s impacting his play significantly. Sooner or later, his nearly AARP body is going to break (hopefully this Sunday), making his speedster wrs and Fitz irrelevant.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we give up an 80 yard TD or something, but should still pull out the win.
I’m good with that. One long td and hold Fitz to 70-8o yds = Win.
So basically it doesn’t matter how good our opponents are we’re going to play them close. First or last, it’s down to the wire for us.
At least it’s entertaining.
Did Doug make a mistake in creating roster?
Seems like when you have Maragos in the backfield in third game three injuries to get there. Maybe should have carried another db or safety. Rather than third te and four rb.
Solution is that 53 is too small. Playing fourth string player in third game is awful television.
Yeah but now we are down to 2 Rbs. We were able to overcome Maragos at safety, somehow.
You never know how injuries will play out, just look at the RB situation for the Vikings the last 2 years.
Unless your Sean Lee or Sam Bradford. Those guys are made of glass
I’m fine with Blount and Clement being the RBs. Football played the right way has a feature back getting 90%+ of the touches anyway.
I’m more than ok with it too. Thats good football. I was just making the point about the unpredictability of injuries (unless your made of glass)
Thats playing hindsight. When you have multiple injuries at one position, you will get to tbe bottom of your depth. Period. We are in first place.
When we have multiple injuries at one position I get to the bottom my tolerance for that position group all deciding to be hurt at the same time.
Expanding the roster only means there will be 5th sting guys, which doesn’t really improve things.
Other than keeping Jaylin Watkins on the final 53; no.
Game has cover your eyes disaster written all over it, because we should win. Comfortably. Cards 40 Eagles 13. Ugh.
Booo!
I think Doug will hang in the game and pull out another close one.
If Doug’s playing QB, I’m doubling AZ’s score.
Trying this tactic again? 😉
Seriously, I feel confident we’re going to win, therefore as an Eagles fan I am certain we will be decimated and embarrassed.
Seriously, I feel confident we’re going to win, therefore as an Eagles fan I am worried.
Do you go to maternity wards and tell new parents that their kids are all going to die eventually?
Thanks for the idea!
While you’re there you can go full Ben Franklin and tell them they’re also certain to be taxed.
Carson doesn’t make it past the 1st quarter. Who is their backup?
Phrasing!
Never heard of him.
Foles? Or did you mean another Carson? 😉
Palmer
Just like the Chargers game I do not have a good feel for this. Not having Smallwood may be a big deal. At least we are home for this one, but I feel as though Wentz is going to throw a non tipped pick (it’s just a matter of time), and that it will hurt us because AZ will complete some long passes on us that will just be too much to overcome.
We need to pound the rock this game, but not having Smallwood is going to hurt. AZ will game plan for Blount. Smith needs to step up with Peterson on AJ. Let’s get Ags involved again, and I really want to see Hollins involved more.
Not having Small wood is definitely a big deal.
Glad that small wood has become an important component
Yes, but unfortunately one that is unreliable due to injury. Hope this doesn’t become a persistent issue throughout his career. With him healthy RB may not be as big of a need as previously thought during next off season. That is if he can stay healthy.
The talent is there to be a good starting every down back, and I don’t think we have seen the finished product with him yet. However if he is getting injured with the amount of touches he is receiving now then he cannot be counted on for that role.
Run between tackles? Check.
Physical and finishes runs going forward? Yes.
Can run outside? Yes.
Good receiving back? Yes.
Pass protection? Continuing to progress at a healthy rate.
Explosive? Yes.
Breakaway speed? Yes.
Vision? Yes, with some room to progress.
Ball security? Has had one devastating fumble, but that has been one so far in rookie year. With amount of touches he has had I think that is yet to be determined.
Durability? Not showing it so far. Let’s hope it is just bad luck early in career.
No it’s not
Sorry bro. Big wood is how i roll.
I’m picking up what you’re putting down, but I’m expecting a more clear win than vs. NYG and SD.
I hope.
Yeah…. I would say you were right on that one.
If they have to use Barner a bit in Smallwood’s absence I don’t think it’s a big deal. Other than superstitious reasons, the Eagles should have a dominant showing against the Cards.
Think again
You think again!
I’m in the mood for a clear beatdown of Arizona today. We’re in for a really tough road game next Thursday night at Carolina, so I’d like to see the Eagles go into that game and then come out of it with two clear wins against dog poop teams in this stretch like Arizona and San Fran while also beating Washington and Denver. I think I’m locked into needing 7-2 going into the bye.