Jalen Drama
Posted: December 16th, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »Jalen Hurts might win the MVP award this season. He’s Top 3 at worst and a lot of people think he should win it. Not everyone, of course. Let’s talk about some of the criticism.
Everyone agrees the Eagles are having an amazing season. Everyone appreciates how good the offense is and all the plays that Hurts is making. He is having a great year. The point of contention from some is how much of this is Hurts and how much is all the pieces around him. That is a fair point to bring up, in regard to Hurts or anyone. Jerry Rice is the greatest WR of all-time. It helps that he had Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing him the ball. If he had played with Bubby Brister and Ty Detmer, Rice wouldn’t have been the same guy. He still would have been a star and done great things, but he was able to have an all-time great career by playing in a great offense, for a great coach and with great QBs.
Hurts isn’t just having a good year. The Eagles offense isn’t just playing well. This is a special season for both. The Eagles lead the NFL in scoring. Hurts leads the NFL in passer rating. The Eagles are 2nd in rushing. Hurts has a big impact on that. He’s run for 686 yards (4.9 ypc), but you also have to factor in the way defenses watch him. Miles Sanders has some easy runs because defenders are staring at Hurts, looking for the ball. It sure feels like the Eagles lead the NFL in making defenders confused.
The Eagles are making all kinds of plays and doing some amazing things on offense. They are also protecting the ball. Hurts has only thrown 3 INTs this year. Patrick Mahomes had 3 picks last week. Josh Allen has thrown at least 3 red zone picks this year. Hurts runs a lot of RPOs. He handles the ball a lot. Amazingly, Hurts has only lost 2 fumbles all year.
The biggest playmaker is rarely the guy who is also best at protecting the football.
Think about Hurts value on QB sneaks. That is a weapon for the Eagles. He converts almost 90 percent of them. Nick Sirianni is comfortable going for it on 4th downs because he knows how good Hurts is. The Eagles are 6th in the league in 4th down attempts. Only one team ahead of them has a winning record. The others are going for it somewhat out of desparation. The Eagles embrace 4th down as a tool, another chance to move the chains.
If you put Gardner Minshew in at QB, the Eagles aren’t going to be as good at passing, running or short yardage situations. There would be a drop-off. The offense has enough talent that they would still be good, even great at times. But this team wouldn’t be 12-1 and leading the league in points. Hurts has helped the Eagles play great football this year. That’s special.
I’m fine with people questioning if Hurts should be MVP. That award has always been tricky. Is it for the most “valuable” player or the most outstanding? Mahomes might be the most valuable right now. He’s doing some great things with a different supporting cast. But Hurts is the best player on the best team. You can say he’s the most outstanding. There is a case to be made for both guys.
What about some referring to Hurts as a system QB? A year ago that might have been a fair criticism. The Eagles run game was great, but the passing attack was erratic. Hurts couldn’t consistently win from the pocket. This year is a completely different story.
https://twitter.com/fboutsiders/status/1602705682163453955
Jalen Hurts has 10 TD passes that traveled for 25+ air yards this season.
Only Drew Brees has more in a season since air yards were first tracked in 2006. Brees had 14 that season. #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly
— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) December 16, 2022
Jalen Hurts 3rd Down improvements aren't to be understated.
From the reduced/focused playbook, to the man coverage weapons, to Hurts personal growth as a dropback passer. Incredible…
2021: 53.7% Comp, 81.3 Rating
2022: 64.8% Comp, 104.3 Rating https://t.co/DjhcG9yLT7— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 13, 2022
Hurts has improved as a passer more than any QB I’ve ever seen….Can pick a lot of plays to highlight Hurts’ incredible growth as a QB but this one sticks out #NFLLIVE pic.twitter.com/zd0Om2wf2d
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 12, 2022
A system QB is someone who is limited in some way and needs a specific system to thrive. Hurts could play in any system right now and get the job done. The Eagles creative offensive scheme allows him to maximize his talents. Minshew is much closer to the definition of a system QB.
Don’t get too lost in the weeds on this. Hurts is having a great year. Enj0y that. Don’t let Chris Simms or Micah Parsons tick you off with their comments. Simms is a jackass. Parsons is a Dallas Cowboy (which means he’s also a jackass).
The funniest part of all this is that Hurts doesn’t care. He wants to win on Sunday and keep winning games. Awards and media arguments don’t mean a darn thing to him.
*****
Now for the other side of the ball.
My top LB pairs for 2022… I can’t think of any other duos playing better than these ⤵️
Warner/Greenlaw – SF
Wilson/Pratt – CIN
Edwards/White – PHI— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 16, 2022
T.J. Edwards looked up to Bears LBs as a kid. He'll play in Soldier Field for the 1st time as a starting LB.
Good thing it's in December — that's when the Eagles tend to turn to Edwards.
On Edwards' emergence, his return home, and his future in Philly: https://t.co/WoUVdeDO3J
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 16, 2022
Good article by Zach.
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[…] Jalen Drama – Iggles BlitzThe largest playmaker isn’t the man who can be greatest at defending the soccer. Take into consideration Hurts worth on QB sneaks. That could be a weapon for the Eagles. He converts nearly 90 % of them. Nick Sirianni is comfy going for it on 4th downs as a result of he is aware of how good Hurts is. The Eagles are sixth within the league in 4th down makes an attempt. Just one crew forward of them has a profitable file. The others are going for it considerably out of desparation. The Eagles embrace 4th down as a instrument, one other probability to maneuver the chains. In the event you put Gardner Minshew in at QB, the Eagles aren’t going to be nearly as good at passing, operating or quick yardage conditions. There could be a drop-off. The offense has sufficient expertise that they’d nonetheless be good, even nice at occasions. However this crew wouldn’t be 12-1 and main the league in factors. Hurts has helped the Eagles play nice soccer this yr. That’s particular. I’m tremendous with folks questioning if Hurts must be MVP. That award has at all times been tough. Is it for probably the most “precious” participant or probably the most excellent? Mahomes may be probably the most precious proper now. He’s performing some nice issues with a unique supporting solid. However Hurts is the most effective participant on the most effective crew. You possibly can say he’s probably the most excellent. There’s a case to be made for each guys. What about some referring to Hurts as a system QB? A yr in the past which may have been a good criticism. The Eagles run sport was nice, however the passing assault was erratic. Hurts couldn’t constantly win from the pocket. This yr is a totally completely different story. […]