DRAFT Day is April 25th. Well actually it’s three days 25th, 26th and 27th, but you get the idea. Over the coming days, I’m going to do a position by position breakdown, of each team in the division. Just to compare known players apples to apples, and get everyone on the same page, before we start adding rookies, which can include anything from 1st round busts, to 6th round sure-fire Hall Of Famers.
Today we breakdown (cities are in alphabetical order): The Engines
G Zack Martin, handling his business.
DALLAS: The Cowboys lost LT Tyron Smith and C Tyler Biadasz in Free Agency. Brock Hoffman is now the starting C. Ideas for protecting their QB’s blindside, include either moving All-Pro LG Tyler Smith to LT, or drafting one and hoping the rookie is a star. At RT Terrence Steele is essentially a turnstile. Depth at this position is Matt Waletko (2 years, 4 games, no starts.)
On the inside they still have RG Zack Martin, one of the best in the game. However, moving LG Tyler Smith to LT, would leave a two player hole, right next to Martin. So the Cowboys recently overpaid to retain FA journeyman G Chuma Edoga, who already knows the offense. Anyway you cut it, 40% of this line is about to be just a couple of guys.
RT Jermaine Eluemunor is back on the East Coast.
NEW YORK: The giants loaded up on linemen in FA. They lost one, but signed five. Of what they already had, C John Michael Schmitz and G Ben Bredeson, as well as T Andrew Thomas are likely to be starters in 2024. Beyond that, this room is loaded with journeymen and draft busts. Of the five guys they signed, not one of them has been to the Pro Bowl. Even as an alternate.
The biggest o-line addition was probably oft-traveled RT/RG Jermaine Eluemunor, who gets to play near his native Scranton; followed by G Jon Runyan Jr. Both started elsewhere last year. Which brings up the question of where LT Evan Neal fits in. He was a 2022 #7 overall pick, but so far he’s been an injury prone disaster. Does adding Eleumunor close the book on Neal?
Everyone else ranges from shrug-worthy vet, to just some guy in a jersey.
C Jason Kelce passing on pearls of wisdom to future C Cam “Beef” Jurgens.
PHILADELPHIA: Future Hall of Fame C Jason Kelce retired this offseason. Normally that would seem like a huge blow, but honestly, Kelce’s wisdom and energy may be missed more than his on-field play. Kelce helped the Eagles scout his replacement, C Cam Jurgens. Jurgens spent 2023 at RG in Kelce’s hip, learning when, how, and why certain things need to happen.
As for the rest of the line, LT Jordan Mailata and RT Lane Johnson might be the top pair of bookends in the entire league. On the inside, LG Landon Dickerson is the true engine of the Brotherly Shove play. With Jurgens sliding over, RG is now a question mark. The top candidate for the job is Tyler Steen, but he’s been underwhelming in the run game, so far.
Coming over from the Falcons is C Matt Hennessy, so he could man the pivot, and allow Jurgens to stay at RG. The loss of T/G Jack Driscoll, opens the door for T/G Brett Toth, who spent last year with Carolina, but has 17 starts under his belt as an Eagle. The rest of the depth is unremarkable and may have an uphill climb just making the roster.
Washington’s GM during a trip to Dallas.
WASHINGTON: One way to improve your strength in a division, is to steal talent from rivals. The Commanders did exactly that when they added C Tyler Biadasz. He’s not great, but he’s better than what they had. It’s to be assumed that Sam Cosmi is starting at RG, and LG will probably be Nick Allegretti. He was a career back-up in Kansas City, but Washington gave him 16M over 3 years (5M+ per year), so they probably don’t expect him to ride pine.
On the ends, RT Andrew Wylie is another KC defector, who quietly started 15 games for Washington last year. The LT spot however, was a nightmare last year. The Commanders outright released Charles Leno, and dragged their feet re-signing Cornelius Lucas to a 1 year deal. Without a legit blindside protector, their QB will be in for a rough year in this division.
They have a number of bodies as depth, but no one who won’t be a liability if they have to start a game. To be honest, even their starting line-up is shrug-worthy on paper. Unless the coaching staff can find enough magic to make this group more than the sum of its parts, this might be one of worst lines in football.
SO WHO’S THE BEST?
Even though Washington should be better than last year, they will likely still be awful. Dallas has clearly taken a couple of steps backward. That part can’t even be disputed. Both have question marks at LT, which is the last place on the o-line that a team needs questions. New York is unremarkable, but they do have parts they can move around, and possibly turn out a decent unit.
Philadelphia had a great line last year, and are bringing back 60 percent of it in place, and that could be as high as 80 percent if they so choose. They have a question that needs an answer at RG; but they even have depth whose starting experience is with their team, in the system they currently run.
There is no question that Philadelphia has the most complete, and deepest offensive line in the NFC East, at this point. And it’s not even close. You’d have to be an idiot, with your certificate hanging in a frame on your wall, to even argue.
DRAFT Day is April 25th. Well actually it’s three days 25th, 26th and 27th, but you get the idea. Over the coming month, I’m going to do a position by position breakdown, of each team in the division. Just to compare known players apples to apples, and get everyone on the same page, before we start adding rookies, which can include anything from 1st round busts, to 6th round sure-fire Hall Of Famers.
Today we breakdown (cities are in alphabetical order): The Last Line of Defense
DALLAS: With Jayron Kearse still an unsigned Free Agent, the top of the ladder is Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker. Neither man made many plays on the ball last year. In fact, both combined for just 3 interceptions and 6 passes defensed. Up front they totaled just 3 TFL (tackles for losses).
Behind them is Markquese Bell who’s a more “in the box” type. Same for Juanyeh Thomas, who is more like a small Linebacker than a legit NFL Safety. Israel Mukuamu will likely have to battle to keep his spot in camp.
NEW YORK: After losing Xavier McKinney to FA, Jason Pinnock is the guy they are building this position around. He had a pretty solid 2023 campaign, posting 2 picks, 6 passes defensed, 2 sacks, and 4 TFL. So he can be moved throughout the scheme.
DB Jalen Mills celebrates Super Bowl win. As an Eagle.
Dane Belton and Gervarrius Owens are very inexperienced. Which was likely the reason that Jalen Mills was signed. Mills is listed as a Corner, but he lacks deep speed, so he’s played mostly NCB in the NFL. Here, he’ll likely be transitioned to the FS role and rotated to allow the young pups some hands-on training, with (ahem) a safety net.
PHILADELPHIA: Reed Blankenship led the Eagles in tackles (113) and interceptions (3) in 2023. He also had 11 passes defensed. Joining him in the Secondary, or rather re-joining him, is C.J. Gardner-Johnson (a.k.a CJGJ). Two years ago, as an Eagle, CJGJ had his best year as a pro, and went to a Super Bowl. Last year he went to Detroit as a FA, and had his worst year as a pro.
S Chauncey “CJGJ” Gardner-Johnson, steals a pass from the Washington whatever they were that week.
Returning from Injured Reserve (I.R.), is Sydney Brown. He was having an up and down rookie year, when he suffered a torn ACL in the season finale. Tristin McCollum plays fast, but he’s likely going to need a very strong camp to stay on the roster.
WASHINGTON: Losing Kamren Curl to FA, was a blow. While Percy Butler had 13 starts last year, he turned it into just 64 tackles, 8 passes defensed (led team), and zero interceptions. In fact, no Commander at this position, recorded an interception last year. Darrick Forrest played just 5 games in 2023, due to a season-ending shoulder injury
Jeremy Reaves returns as a reserve player. The story of this position is Jeremy Chinn. He’s been a bust so far, after 4 years in Carolina. The trouble is, his 6’3 220 pound frame, is too small for every down LB, but he’s a liability in coverage. So he can’t be trusted back deep.
SO WHO’S THE BEST?
FS Reed Blankenship steals a pass from Washington
This is a clear cut, indisputable determination. Philadelphia is the strongest team in the division at this position. Every team here except Philadelphia, lost it’s top play-maker at this position. Philadelphia not only added talent, they also gave their best player at this position last year, a contract extension. (Motivation for the rest of the roster!)
Safety was shaky for Philly in 2023. There were never very high expectations for the position last year. However, due to late signings, injuries, trades, more injuries, inept coordinating, the thing went off the rails, and it just stayed that way. Expect this position to look better in 2024 than it was ever expected to look in 2023.
DRAFT Day is April 25th. Well actually it’s three days 25th, 26th and 27th, but you get the idea. Over the coming month, I’m going to do a position by position breakdown, of each team in the division. Just to compare known players apples to apples, and get everyone on the same page, before we start adding rookies, which can include anything from 1st round busts, to 6th round sure-fire Hall Of Famers.
Today we breakdown (cities are in alphabetical order): The Triggermen
DALLAS: Dak Prescott started every game last year and went 12 – 5 in the process. His 36 touchdown passes led the NFL last year, contrasted against just 9 picks. Many would call it a bounce back year, but I said last year, that the media was over-blowing the 15 picks he threw in 2022.
Judging his abilities, and not weighing any pieces around him, Prescott can make every NFL throw, and has the experience to diagnose coverages. He doesn’t have dangerous mobility, but he can get himself out of most trouble, and make a play here and there. His arm however, doesn’t always react to his eyes in real-time, resulting in picks that seem like head scratchers.
Cooper Rush will someday own a bar, where his regulars extrapolate his limited career stats, into a HOF career “if only he got to play more”. He’s a cerebral back-up, with a mid-level arm. Two season’s ago vs the Eagles, he missed his only shot at stardom.
Now, Rush will be making room for Trey Lance, who is trying to resurrect his career, after just two years as a pro. Lance is seen as a reclamation project with high upside; and with Dallas electing to not extend Prescott, Lance could end up becoming the Cowboys starter in 2025.
NEW YORK: It’s been said that when he’s healed from his 2023 ACL tear, that Daniel Jones is the starter. His entire tenure as a giant, has been a dumpster fire that keeps re-igniting itself. BUT, he’s a personal favorite of the owner. He played 6 games last year, lost five and ended the season on I.R. (Injured Reserve), for the second time in his short career.
QB Daniel Jones on an 80 yard run, being tackled by the grass.
In five seasons, he’s thrown 20+ touchdowns, just once (24 as a rookie). His remaining 48 career scoring strikes, are spread out over four years! (Read that last sentence again.) His mobility and moxie helps him make plays with his legs, but it’s also costing him chunks of seasons. If his mobility is any way diminished, he becomes a statue who’s passing is an outright liability.
If not for Jones’s bloated and over-guaranteed contract, Tommy DeVito would probably open up this season as the guy. He plays like a guy who’s trying to get noticed and earn something. Which is more than can be said for a quarter of the players in the league. But again, Jones’s 40M per year contract, cannot be ignored.
At the third string, somehow, Drew Lock is still drawing NFL paychecks. What his role is expected to be, is anybody’s guess. If the idea was to sign a veteran player, the giants nailed it. If they were hoping for a special player that they could turn into a project… Swing and a miss! So much mediocrity here.
PHILADELPHIA:Jalen Hurts started every game last season, went 11 – 6, threw for career-highs in both yardage (3858), and TD’s (23). He also rushed for a career-high 15 scores. Yet, it was easy to see, that he regressed badly last year. Did I mention that he also threw a career-high 15 interceptions? I didn’t? My bad. He also threw a career-high 15 interceptions.
Some of that is likely due to a lingering lower leg injury that he suffered early last season. It robbed him of his explosiveness as a runner. So opponents stopped regarding his running as dangerous, and played to limit his passing options. His reads and inability to handle the blitz (as 3rd year starter!) were exposed, and the Eagles Achilles Heel became front page news.
Kenny Pickett was recently added, via a trade with the Steelers. He was the 20th overall pick in the 2022 Draft, but nothing in his pro game, says that he should have been. From everything I’ve seen so far, he looks like an average QB. A very average QB. Tanner McKee is the third stringer, at the moment.
WASHINGTON: At this moment in time, this position has only two quarterbacks and Jake Fromm, on the Commanders roster. The best one of them, is Marcus Mariota; and he doesn’t even have a picture on the roster page of their website.
So yeah. The level of that team’s commitment to him, is apparent. The other placeholders are the oft traveled Jake Driskel, and Fromm, who hasn’t been on an active roster since 2021.
This is it! No joke. If the season started tomorrow, this is their QB room. So you can bet your ass, that this team is drafting a QB on the 25th of April. If he turns out to suck, the NFL might be morally obligated to black-out Washington’s games, until a messiah is born unto them. This is bad. I cannot recall seeing a worse QB situation, and that includes the expansion teams.
SO WHO’S THE BEST?
Right now, the nod has to go to DALLAS. Their starter has a clear command of his system, his weapons, and the same Offensive Coordinator as last year. Hurts is close, but he going to have a new OC, and his inability to handle the blitz is an outright liability. Until he shows that he’s gotten that problem solved, Hurts can’t be said to be elite, or even possess all the tools of a pro.
Dallas also has a proven back-up who can win them games. That gives them the deepest QB room going into 2024. In addition to that, they may have their next long-term starting QB already on the roster. The Eagles might also claim this, but Pickett doesn’t have nearly Lance’s upside.
NOW with contracts and everything being official, let’s have a REAL dialogue. I’ve refrained from participation in the fascination with, and the spreading of, rumors. As a result, I’ve been largely silent on all things football.
Just to maintain that consistency, I was even mum on Jason Kelce(see what I did there?), and Fletcher Coxretiring. I also remained silent when DE Brandon Graham resigned for a final year. Instead, I elected to address that stuff and the first week of Free Agency, all at once.
Signing Our Own:
This is always the most important part, but no one ever mentions why that is. Well, the reason is continuity. When you have a good thing going (close locker room, solid culture, etc.) the best guys to teach it to new guys, are the guys who are already there. Hemorrhaging players every year depletes that, and sends the message that you don’t reward your own.
In addition to Graham, we locked down a few of our key guys, including LG Landon Dickerson, P Braden Mann, LS Rick Lovato, and K Jake Elliott. Those moves may seem shrug-worthy, but they are indicative of a team with a strong nucleus. Letting TEJack Stoll walk, and re-signing TE Albert Okwuegbunam, signals that we may have gotten more dangerous at TE2.
Adding Firepower:
Our opening move of the FA period brought us DE Bryce Huff. Huff is a 6’3 255 pound pass rusher, who made his bones lining up in the Wide Nine. While he gets lots of pressure vs the pass, his ability to defend the run is compromised by him being lightweight, and lining up in a fashion that creates running lanes. Our scheme must compensate for that.
RB Saquon Barkley looks to finally defeat the Cowboys. He’s 0 – 10 lifetime against them.
Our splashiest move, was adding RB Saquon Barkley. He’s a 230 pound guy, but he doesn’t play up to that weight. Often his runs are angled directly to the sideline, and he makes lots of “business decisions”. To his credit, he’s a true three-down back, as he is an explosive runner, a gifted route runner, and is solid at blitz pick-up. Skill-wise, he’s the whole package.
Better still, in three of his six seasons, he’s posted 1,400+ all-purpose yards. This is despite never having a QB, or a quality offensive line, or receivers (besides OBJ) who scared anyone. Now he’s being added to a roster that has all of those things. We’re loaded with killers!
Our most significant move (so far), is probably bringing back NCB/S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. He wanted too much money last year, so we let him fuck off to Detroit. The move turned out to be… Let’s say, less than great for him, or us. So both sides kissed and made up. This move allows us to shore-up a Secondary that became a glaring weakness last year.
Less Obvious Moves:
ILB Devin White could be in for a career year.
Other defensive additions include ILB Devin White. Sadly, we’ll likely be moving back to a 3-4 base, meaning that the Eagles have to prioritize LB now. White spent last last year as an OLB and had his worst year as a pro. On a 1 year deal, he’ll be looking to ball out. (Incidentally, going to a 3-4 may have hastened Cox’s retirement. He didn’t enjoy being a 3-4 DE under Chip Kelly, and probably wasn’t interested in doing it again, at his age.)
We added LB Zach Baum, but I’m not sure what he’s supposed to be. LBJulian Okwara was technically added before the FA period, but I didn’t weigh in on him. He plays at 100mph, understands that his long arms can keep him free of blockers, and can even drop into space. The Lions played the IR stash game with him (off and on), but the Eagles might let him play.
On offense, C Matt Hennessy is likely here to be depth. While he’s listed often as a C/G, he played very little there, before going on IR with a knee injury in 2022 and missing all of 2023. Expecting him (307 pounds) to be ready to win the RG spot, might be asking too much.
The addition that I think could be sneaky good, is WR DeVante Parker. Long have I been caterwauling for the Eagles to get another big bodied Slot, with a big catch radius, in the mold ofJordan Matthews (not retired). Parker spent a couple years as the #1 in Miami, but he’s really more of a #2. So the Slot role should be cake for a guy like him.
Finally, we come to QB Kenny Pickett, whom the Steelers practically gave away. The early speculation is that either he has an attitude problem, or that he flat-out can’t play. Both are hilarious suppositions. During Pickett’s two seasons (26 starts, 14 – 12), he has shared a QB room with both Mason Rudolphand Mitch Trubisky. All were let go after 2023.
Sounds to me, like Pittsy has a QB coaching issue. Which is why they brought in a veteran QB (Russell Wilson), who doesn’t need developing. In the meantime, Pickett (if he wants), can develop here for a year or two, and maybe become trade bait. This lets me segue to my final point.
Coaching. It’s why we fell apart last year. No one has said that officially. However, we have all these pundits who want a stated reason, and Head Coach Nick Sirianni to dispense mea culpas like goldfish food, and then promise that it won’t happen again. Those pundits are idiots. That won’t happen. The reason we fell apart was coaching. We all watched it.
We didn’t fall apart because of bad coaching. We fell apart due to inexperienced coaching. The problem with a roomful of young guys, is no one has “Been There, Done That” on their resume. So the trust just cannot be there. So everyone tightens up, and the whole thing limbos into Shitsville. Even if you like and respect a guy, you need something to hang your faith on.
The team likes and respects Nick, but when the wheels fell off the Defense, he didn’t have any answers, and neither did young guys Sean Desai or Matt Patricia, so the team went into a spiral. This year, the Eagles have a BTDT guy in Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. He is (for my money), the single biggest acquisition of this offseason, and the clearest sign of us being all in.
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after games 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 11 – 6, 2nd in the NFC East, 5th seed in the playoffs
OPPONENTS:
L – Seattle
W – New York giants
L – Arizona
L – New York giants
OVERVIEW:
Two fourth quarter collapses vs the Seahawks and the Cardinals, ended any talk of the Eagles stealing the 1st seed back from San Francisco, and left the Birds needing Washington to beat Dallas, for the 2nd seed to tumble to us. We hardly seemed interested vs the giants in the season finale.
GRADES:
QB:Jalen Hurts (66/108 – 61.1% – 666 – 4 – 5) has been inconsistent in terms of production and decision making, as of recent. You almost wonder if, (beyond all the press conference speak), he truly understands what’s at stake. We’ve spent years hearing about his leadership, yet neither his sideline demeanor, nor his production, are indicative of someone worth following during tough times.
Marcus Mariota (15/23 – 65.2% – 164 – 1 – 1) showed enough understanding of the system, to warrant consideration as next year’s back-up. Even better, he showed enough mobility for the coaching staff to know that, in the even that he has to start any games, they don’t have to revamp the Offense for him. (Grade:D)
RB D’Andre Swift scores TD
RB:D’Andre Swift (51 – 227 – 4.4 – 1 – 0/ 4 – 3 – 6 – 2.0 – 0) has been effective as a runner, but a joke as a pass catcher. In fact, overall he hasn’t done a thing that RB Miles Sanders didn’t do better last year. Swift was supposed to be an upgrade at RB receiver. Instead, his production proved that the issue is the system, and not the player that we replaced.
Kenneth Gainwell(21 – 129 – 6.1 – 0 – 0/ 8 – 7 – 53 – 7.5 – 0) has great looking numbers for a back-up, but watching him play tells a different story. Repeatedly getting 4 yards, when the team needs 5, or getting 5 when we need 6, is still coming up short, even though a 4.5 per carry average, looks nice on paper. Boston Scott(4 – 8 – 2.0 – 0 – 0/ 1 – 0 – 0 – 0.0 – 0) likely won’t be back next year. (Grade: C)
TE:Dallas Goedert (27 – 17 – 152 – 8.9 – 1) is being wasted out there. Instead of making him a downfield threat, he’s used on TE Screens and as a release valve. Not a checkdown, a release valve. Jack Stoll (1 – 1 – 11 – 11.0 – 0) is almost exclusively a undersized offensive linemen. Grant Calcaterra (4 – 4 – 39 – 9.7 – 0) saw his first targets of the season, during this quarter, and he caught all four of them. This position is woefully thin.(Grade: D)
WR:A.J. Brown(27 – 16 – 198 – 12.3 – 0). Fewer than 200 yards in four weeks. Add the knee sprain suffered in the finale, anyone want to guess at why he’s been so frustrated? Devonta Smith (15 – 12 – 159 – 13.2 – 1) didn’t play in the finale due to an ankle injury.
Quez Watkins (12 – 8 – 93 – 11.6 – 1) entire season’s production was pretty much just the last game of the year. That said, he didn’t look bad. Julio Jones (11 – 6 – 58 – 9.6 – 2) is still a hard read. The Eagles don’t seem to have a dedicated role for him, but he answers the bell when called. Olamide Zaccheaus (5 – 2 – 20 – 10.0 – 0) is still vastly underutilized.
All told, as a position the Slot/#3 (28 – 16 – 171 – 10.6 – 3) was productive this quarter, contributing 42 yards per game. Splitting it up among three players, who don’t strictly line-up in the Slot, makes it harder to notice, than if we used one as our version of Wes Welker, Hunter Renfrow, etc. (Grade: D)
OT: LT Jordan Mailata completed the season, having played every snap of every game. Penalty-wise it was his worst quarter of the season. On Christmas he gifted the giants with 2 penalties for 15 yards, and then gave up another 1 for 10 to the Cardinals.
RT Lane Johnson comes back into the game
RT Lane Johnsongave up 1 penalty for 10 yards, on Christmas day. He started the season finale, but was pulled early, with other key veterans, in prep for the playoffs. Swingman Jack Driscoll closed the game out for Johnson, and completed the season committing ZEE-RO penalties on the entire season. (Grade: B)
OG: LG Landon Dickerson missed the giants game on Christmas, which was his only miss of the season. His false start penalty vs the Seattle was his only penalty of the quarter. He logged some reps at C in the season finale.
RG Cam Jurgens missed the Seahawks game, and as pulled early with other key starters in the season finale. He wrapped up his second season without being called for a single penalty in his career.
Swingman Sua Opetastarted game 14 at RG and game 15 at LG, then was back in the line-up at LG for the season finale, when Dickerson slid over to C. Despite all the switching, he committed no penalties. Back-up G Fred Johnsonplayed half the season finale, also committing zero penalties. (Grade: B)
C:Jason Kelce was pulled in the season finale with other key veterans, but otherwise played every snap. He was hit twice this quarter for false starts, giving him a total of 6 on the season, which is the only category of penalty called on him. (Grade:B)
DE:Josh Sweat (8 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) (1 Tackle For Loss) only git two hits on QB’s this quarter. Technically he’s doing everything right as a pass rusher, but the ball is coming far too quickly for it to matter. As a run defender, his edge containment leaves much to be desired and is frustrating to see on a player with his experience.
Brandon Graham(5 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) (1TFL) is just a part-timer at this position, and had zero QB hits for the quarter. Having just two legit players at this position is foolish and stupid, but it is what it is, until the offseason. (Grade: F)
Gotta be honest here…
DT:Jordan Davis (8 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has far too many skills and physical tools to be as under-productive as he is. Stats don’t tell the whole story, (like how much time he spends being doubled), but having no stats, tells the story of someone who will have no leverage at the contract table.
Fletcher Cox(9 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) had 2TFL’s and 2 QB hits this quarter, despite sitting out the season finale. Milton Williams (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 1FF) notched a TFL, and a QB hit. Jalen Carter(6 – 2.0 – 0 – 0) added 2 TFL and 2 QB hits this quarter. Marlon Tuipulotu (3 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) 2 TFL and 1 QB hit all happened in the season finale.
In addition to not getting much pressure, the middle of the Defense has been soft vs the run, as teams are winning the numbers game in the box against us. This is a coaching error that is showing up as a player problem. (Grade: C)
OLB: Haason Reddick(6 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) 2TFL, 4 QB hits this quarter. Despite this being his position, he’s too often deployed at End on a 4 man line, in a four mn rush with the second level dropping into Zone. The pass rush stands no chance as the coaching is sabotaging it.
Zach Cunningham(5 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) only played in the finale, after missing the previous three games with injury. Nolan Smith(9 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) still isn’t being used with any sort of a discernible plan for his development. Patrick Johnson (4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is Special Teamer who is also used situationally at End. (Grade: F)
MLB: Nicholas Morrow (33 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) at 216 pounds is far too undersized to play this spot and it shows up in the run game. He should be used outside as a cover and chase guy.
Shaquille Leonard (21 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) 2TFL and 1 QB hit, just played in his 5th game as an Eagle, and is still acclimating probably more to his teammates than the system itself.Ben VanSumeren (11 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) got to start in the Christmas day win over the giants, and made 6 stops that day. (Grade: D)
S:Kevin Byard(28 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) never seems close enough to the ball to make a play of any sort. Reed Blankenship (29 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) picked off a pass in the season finale, but often seems to be too far away from receivers in coverage.
Sydney Brown(12 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) snagged an interception,and returned it 99 yards for a score, then tore his ACL the following week. Tristin McCollum (6 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) brings both of his arms to a tackle. Maybe he should teach it to the rest of the Secondary. (Grade: D)
CB: Darius Slay (no stats) missed the last 4 weeks with a knee issue. James Bradberry (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) also had a tipped pass in the finale that led to Blankenship’s pick. Otherwise he’s been getting abused out there. Some of it is definitely scheme, but at some point a man just has to handle his business, and demonstrate that it’s dangerous to try him.
CB Kelee Ringo celebrates win
Kelee Ringo(16 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) started all four games that Slay missed and had a game sealing interception in the endzone, during the Christmas day win over the giants. He’s acquitted himself well for a rookie. Bradley Roby (10 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) missed the Arizona game. Avonte Maddox (4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) played in the last two games. Eli Ricks (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) and Josh Jobe (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) are deep reserves. (Grade: F)
LS: Rick Lovato, the Man, the Myth, THE LEGEND! Forced a fumble in the Christmas day win over the giants and recorded a tackle in each of the final three games. Like a fucking BOSS! (Grade:A)
P:Braden Mann(13 – 674 – 51.8) is doing a great job of kicking the ball, but still outkicking his coverage leading to (9 – 75 – 8.3) the opponent feeling bold about attempting returns and carving into that 51.8 yard average and lowering it to just 46 of changed field position. (Grade: B)
K: Jake Elliott (7/7 FG, 10/10 XP) continues to be perfect. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey(6 – 113 – 18.8 – 0) has had himself a great quarter, ending the season as the league leader in return yardage (417). (Grade: A)
WR Britain Covey 54 yard punt return
SINCE LAST QUARTER:
The Mission was to win the East and we didn’t do it. Arizona was the must-win game, and we lost it. The team lost three of the four games in the quarter. Many are not confident that we will survive the first round of the playoffs.
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after games 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 10 – 3, 2nd place in the NFC East
[pic]
OPPONENTS:
W – Kansas City
W – Buffalo (OT)
L – San Francisco
L – Dallas
OVERVIEW:
We played K.C., Buffalo, and San Fran, all in the span of thirteen days. Both the K.C. and Buffalo games were played in driving, cold rain. The San Fran and Dallas games were blowout losses, with both opponents coming off of ten days rest. Not an excuse, but fatigue plays major a factor in an NFL season.
In the San Fran game, we started well but then… we just looked gassed. Then we came out flat against Dallas, and lost three fumbles. Two in the red zone (Hurts and Smith), and one (Brown) on the opening possession of the second half, when we were down 6 – 24. Uncharacteristic, and highly unlikely to be repeated.
There is reason for concern, but the Eagles still control their own fate with regard to winning the NFC East. So the sky is not falling, despite what the Panic Party keeps shouting from the clock-towers. We have however, lost the number one seeding. That however, could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
GRADES:
QB Jalen Hurts after walk-off TD vs Bufffalo
QB: Not a great quarter.Jalen Hurts(76/125 – 60.8% – 845 – 4 – 2) threw 3 touchdowns against Buffalo, but just 1 total in the other three games. Play-calling gets lots of blame, but Hurts is on he field, selecting which receiver to go to with the ball. Also, coaches are not who is holding the ball too long.
As ineffective as he’s been as a passer, his rushing (38 – 144 – 3.7 – 5 – 2) has also diminished greatly. He’s still shows the ability to pick up a first down, but he no longer deserves the respect afforded to dangerous runners. This last quarter, he justified every team who passed on him in the first round of the 2020 Draft.
RB:Why get a player and not use him?D’Andre Swift(43 – 208 – 4.8 – 1 – 0/10 – 6 – 42 – 7.0 – 0) averaged under 11 carries per game last quarter. In our two losses, Swift ran for 39 and 13 yards. In our two wins, he ran for 80 and 76. Those look like clues, to me! Let’s give a couple to the coaching staff.
Kenneth Gainwell (9 – 60 – 6.6 – 0 – 0/ 10 – 8 – 56 – 7.0 – 0) continues to whelm. Of those 60 yards, 23 came on one run. The remaining 8 carries produced 37 yards (4.6ypc).Boston Scott (8 – 33 – 4.1 – 0 – 0 / 2 – 1 – 27 – 27.0 – 0) worked more than last quarter, but for an average of just two carries per game.
TE: He missed all but one game last quarter with a broken arm, but Dallas Goedert(4 – 4 – 30 – 7.5 – 0) looked decent in his one game back. Let’s hope for no setbacks.
Jack Stoll(4 – 2 – 17 – 8.5 – 0) looked good on a 14 yard catch and rumble vs Buffalo. He however, doesn’t have his QB’s trust, as even when wide open, passes didn’t come his way. The Eagles have other players at this position and someone should remind them of that.
WR: After going on a tear earlier this year, things have slowed for A.J. Brown (39 – 23 – 253 – 11.0 – 1). Opponents have begun more aggressively bracket covering him, which has opened things up forDevonta Smith(37 – 27 – 374 – 13.8 – 2), who has posted his strongest quarter so far.
WR Olamide Zaccheaus with the 29 yard score.
Olamide Zacchaeus (3 – 2 – 57 – 28.5 – 1) has seen all of 15 targets this season. It’s insulting given the results that he provides. Quez Watkins(4 – 3 – 28 – 9.3 – 0) returned from a hamstring injury, and posted all of this quarters numbers vs San Fran. Help me understand this, Julio Jones (5 – 3 – 5 – 1.6 – 0). Why did we sign him, if we have no plans for him?
OT: I’m kind of glad that RT Lane Johnson has allowed a sack. Now it can stop being a mandatory mention. Even better, I can say that even though he’s allowed a sack, we still have the best RT in the game. He was hit for a false start vs both San Fran and Dallas, so that’s 10 free yards on Lane.
I feel I owe LT Jordan Mialata, not really an apology, but an acknowledgement that I was judging him too harshly. A lot of the pressure he gives up, is a result of the QB holding the ball too long, and dropping beyond the pocket. Jordan picked up a holding call and a false start last quarter, giving away 15 yards.
Swingman Jack Driscoll stepped in for us during Lane’s absence in the Buffalo game, and battled well enough to help us earn the win. Despite playing 66 snaps in a soaker, that went into overtime, Jack yielded no free yardage.
OG: It will come as no surprise that LG Landon Dickerson was hit with another bullshit offsides when executing the Brotherly Shove, last week. He was also hit with a false start vs Buffalo. Landon is THE GUY who makes that play work.
The return of RG Cam “Beef” Jurgens, didn’t revive the run game as many expected. Then again, you have to actually hand the ball off, to have a run game. At times Cam can be susceptible to bullrush, which only makes it worse when the QB takes forever to throw the ball, either to a receiver or away.
C: Sort of a weird quarter for Jason Kelce. He had 3 false start penalties (2 Buffalo, 1 San Fran), and a bad snap vs Dallas, putting 15 yards on his tab. I often wonder about the expiration date on his deal with Father Time. Jason throws the ‘R’ word around pretty liberally, and talks easily about it these days.
DE: The release of Derek Barnett, leaves starter Josh Sweat(11 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) and part-timer Brandon Graham(4 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) as the only two legit players at this position. Everyone else who lines up here, is just part of a package. This has severely impacted the effectiveness of everyone at the position. This position will require help via the Draft.
DT: Fallout on the ends has also stymied the interior. Fletcher Cox (7 – 2.5 – 0 – 1) continued to make his presence felt, despite missing a game last quarter. Jordan Davis (16 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is no longer living in opponent’s backfields. That has to get corrected.
DT Jalen Carter’s first NFL touchdown.
Jalen Carter (11 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) returned a FR for a 42 yard score, but otherwise has been on milk cartons. Milton Williams(9 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) missed the Buffalo game, and Marlon Tuipulotu(11 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is getting far too much work for someone that far down the depth chart. This is due to all the sub-packages.
OLB: Sadly, because he gets moved to End so much, Haason Reddick (13 – 3.5 – 0 – 0) doesn’t really line up here. It’s part of what’s crippling our pass rush. Zach Cunningham (26 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) missed the San Fran game, and his secure tackling was missed.
Nolan Smith (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) we’re told, is about to receive an uptick in playing time. Idiotically, they pay him opposite Reddick, instead of in rotation with.Patrick Johnson and Ben VanSumeren are Special Teams players and emergency depth.
MLB: At less than 220 pounds, Nicholas Morrow(31 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) doesn’t have the interior presence for this position, over a 17 game schedule. Morrow shows quick hands in coverage, but the fatigue is showing up in his tackling. This may be part of why Darius “Shaq” Leonard (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) was brought in.
S:This position will also see an early Draft pick. Reed Blankenship (29 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) will likely still be on next year’s roster, but last quarter he essentially played himself out of a starting role next year. Sydney Brown(15 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) hasn’t played great, but he’s a draft pick. So the Eagles will give him every chance to beat out undrafted Blankenship next year.
New acquisition S Kevin Byard denies QB Pat Mahomes
Kevin Byard(31 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) picked off Patrick Mahomes in the endzone, to contribute to a win. Also, Byard convinced coaches to let the DB’s scout opposing WR’s for the next game. Usually coaches handle that. Is Byard making a cultural impact?
CB: The eyeball test says that he’s struggling. The analytics say that Darius Slay (17 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) over this last quarter has been targeted 22 times for 10 completions (45.4%), 112 yards and zero scores. And Dallas completed none of the four passes they threw at him. James Bradberry (10 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) has been targeted 30 times, for 17 completions (56.6%) for 187 yards, and touchdowns in three of the four games last quarter.
Bradley Roby(17 – 0.0 – 0 – 1) hasn’t given up any scores, but his 64% completion rate, isn’t helping on third down. Neither Eli Ricks nor Kelee Ringo played enough to factor much this quarter.
LS:Yet again, Rick Lovato has been solid, steady, and uneventful. (Grade: A)
P: I thoroughly dig Braden Mann(16 – 794 – 49.6) kicking the ball half the field on average. We are allowing 8.0 yards per return, so he may be out kicking his coverage a bit. His 28 yard pass on a punt fake, was beautiful (Grade: A)
K: Not exactly news here, but Jake Elliott was 5/5 on Field Goals, and 9/9 on Extra Points. Shocker, right? Especially after that collar pop in Buffalo. Driving rain, against the wind, 59 yards out? For Jake the Make, it’s a gimme. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey (6 – 89 – 14.8 – 0) He has a great average, but he has never had a return, where I thought he might break it open. (Grade: B)
SINCE LAST QUARTER:
We went 2 – 2 over this last stretch and Dallas was not one of the wins. As a result, we are no longer in the lead for the #1 seed. Instead, we are currently, one of three 10 – 3 teams, but are behind San Francisco, and also behind Dallas by virtue of a tie-breaker. Up and down the Offensive roster, there is rampant under-utilization of players. That speaks to a lack of creativity and not understanding as a coach, how to use each players gifts.
It doesn’t always go our way.
Defensively, we essentially are just jogging alongside our opponents, on their way to a score. The pass rush that got us 70 sacks last year, just got us 6 over the last four games.
This is ridiculous! It’s egregious. It’s outrageous! This is simply inexcusable and unforgivable, and it has to get fixed. I’m going to say something I have never said in nine years of writing these articles. I don’t care how it gets fixed. Just fix it!
MISSION FOR THIS QUARTER:
It will take some help to regain the #1 seed, so that shouldn’t be the focus. The focus should be doing what we can to bring about the ending that we want.
If we win out, we win the NFC East. Due to Dallas’s loss to Arizona earlier this year, if we beat Arizona, then we win the tie-breaker with Dallas. So the mission is to win out. The Arizona game is a MUST win situation.
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after Weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 8 – 1, 1st place in the NFC East, 1st place in the NFC, best record in the NFL.
Darius really slays ’em
OPPONENTS:
L – New York Jets
W – Miami
W – Washington*
W – Dallas*
OVERVIEW:
We’re 8 – 1, with a 2 game lead and the head-to-head tie-breaker over 5 – 3 Dallas. After we swept 4 – 5 Washington, they immediately hung up their season, and traded away their two starting DE’s. Our Defense held Miami’s 37 point per game offense, to a single scoring drive, on national television, as we donned our Kelly Green uniforms for the first time in over twenty years. Amid a four turnover game, we earned a loss vs an oddly scrappy Jets team.
What’s crazy is that the Eagles have struggled with turnovers and penalties, but keep finding ways to claw back and claim wins. This team has yet to play the sort of game befitting an 8 – 1 record. The mantra this year has been: “Just you wait ‘til we put it all together!” The thing is, we’re 9 games into a 17 game season. Real talk? This is starting to look like who we are.
GRADES:
QB:Jalen Hurts (97/137 – 70.8% – 1,085 – 9 – 2) has stepped up his game in every regard as a passer. Much of that has to do with the reported bone bruise in his left knee, limiting his effectiveness as a runner (33 – 110 – 3.3 – 3). He still runs, but he’s clearly not as dangerous right now. Still, 50% of Hurts as a runner, is still more of a problem than half the QB’s in the league right now. His per carry average is also deceptively low, as it includes both kneel downs and Brotherly Shoves. (Grade: A)
RB:D’Andre Swift (59 – 180 – 3.0 – 1 – 3) was abysmal as a rusher last quarter. Don’t hand me the “injuries to the O-line” excuse. We were down ONE guy! Added to that, his receiving (18 – 15 – 91 – 6.0 – 1) isn’t lighting the world on fire, either. He’s helping to get the ball out of his QB;s hand and move the sticks, but it’s not the sort of performance that ends in a long term deal. Neither are his three fumbles this quarter.
Kenny Gainwell remains underwhelming whether rushing (15 – 47 – 3.1 – 2 – 1), or receiving (8 – 7 – 35 – 5.0 – 0); but the coaching staff seems to love him. Head Coach Nick Sirianniraves about him. Remember when this team was all about competition? Sirianni was paying rock-paper-scissors, and shooting hoops… You wonder how much competition Swift feels with Gainwell behind him. My guess is, he seems to feel pretty safe. Boston Scottand Rashaad Pennyeach logged just 2 carries during the quarter. (Grade: F)
Goedert finds paydirt.
TE:Dallas Goedert (24 – 17 – 205 – 12.0 – 1) was the only player at this position to touch the ball last quarter. His production had been consistent with 205 yards per quarter. However, the broken arm that he suffered vs Dallas, will shelve him for at least four games. His receiving will be missed, but where his absence will most be felt, is in the run game. Both in terms of blocking, and ability to draw defenders out of the box. Jack Stoll (no stats) is a very good blocker. Not developing depth here was stupid of us. (Grade: C)
WR:A.J. Brown (41 – 32 – 464 – 14.5 – 4) has been an outright menace. Despite frequent double coverage, he’s operated as volume receiver, while still catching 78% of the passes thrown to him. Oh, and he set an all-time NFL record, with six consecutive games of 125 or more receiving yards. Not Jerry. Not Megatron. Not T.O., Fitz, or even Julio. Just A.J. Alone.
I said before, that Devonta Smith (26 – 19 – 243 – 12.7 – 2) needs to be involved more. Instead, he saw a drop-off in targets, despite a 73.0% catch rate. Speaking of usage drop, start checking milk cartons for Olamide Zaccheaus (7 – 3 – 18 – 6.0 – 0). Quez Watkinshas been out with injury since Week Five. Julio Jones (3 – 2 – 11 – 5.5 – 1) may see more time next quarter, due to injury at TE. The ball needs to be spread around more, but there are loads of production coming from here. (Grade: A)
OT:Lane Johnson is the premier RT in the sport. Due to an injury beside him, he’s had to help compensate, and yet the Eagles are still 8 – 1, while averaging 27.7 points, last quarter. On the other hand, LT Jordan Mailata hasn’t been quite as smooth recently. He drew a false start against Washington, and allowed a sack vs Dallas. Nothing to cry about, but to this point Mailata has spoiled us. So it’s easy to notice when he’s not perfect. (Grade: B)
That blue line is where their defense lined up. So much for that shit!
OG: LG Landon Dickerson has shown improvement since last report, by drawing zero flags. He’s also a huge reason why the Brotherly Shove works as well as it does, as the left side of the line is far more dominant at generating a new line of scrimmage. At RG Sua Opeta filled in while Cam Jurgens was on I.R. Opeta is a gamer, but his lack of physicality is likely what led to him being benched for rookie Tyler Steen. With Steen’s first start being against Dallas, he acquitted himself well, recovering a fumble that could have changed the flow of the game. We still weren’t able to run the football the way we like, and that is an area for concern. (Grade: B)
C: Finalist for People magazine’s 2023 World’s Sexiest Man award, Jason Kelce has been burning so hot, that it’s starting to concern me, about how much he’ll have left in January/February. Nice worry to have, right? (Grade: A)
DE:Josh Sweat(9 – 4.0 – 0 – 0) has indeed stepped up his game as a pass rusher, with 4 sacks in four games to go with 5 tackles for losses (TFL). Now if he can start to get the ball out of opposing QB’s hands, that would be faaaaantastic. Brandon Graham (4 – 2.0 – 0 – 0) made a cameo in the Dallas game, getting to the QB on two consecutive downs. It was a moment of absolute fucking cool. Very much on the order of David Bowie’s cameo in Zoolander.
How Brandon Graham showed up vs Dallas.
Derek Barnett (1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) played 27 snaps over three games, and was inactive vs Dallas. He’s healthy and has had no penalties, but the window to trade him has passed, so I have no clue what the plan for him is. This position is one player deep, and then staffed with part-timers. That allows us to surprise teams, but not to know what we can count on from down to down. (Grade: C)
DT:Fletcher Cox (7 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) is still a very disruptive force inside, but more and more, he’s gimping to the sideline during games. (Playing him as an End would mitigate some the abuse that he takes fighting through traffic.) Jordan Davis (7 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) isn’t making as many plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage. In fact, neither man has a TFL last quarter.
Jalen Carter (4 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) missed the Jets game (back pain), and therefore is undefeated as a pro. Milton Williams (8 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) has decreased in effectiveness with each game last quarter. This position was money for the Defense in the first quarter, but has taken a nose-dive since. Get it together! (Grade: D)
Once again… HAASON, CHOP!
OLB:Haason Reddick(14 – 4.5 – 0 – 0) also has 5 TFL last quarter, as if to underscore what a nightmare he is for opposing offensive lines. Zach Cunningham (21 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has stepped up in coverage, breaking up 3 passes over the last two games. While his numbers aren’t flashy, his play has been rock solid. Rookie Nolan Smith (5 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) so far, has never seen more than NINE snaps in a game. That’s too few. The guy can’t be productive without a chance to produce. Patrick Johnson(1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is a Special Teamer who was drafted as a DE/LB hybrid. He’s since been rendered pointless by the additions of Reddick and Smith. Unless he can be a stop-gap for Barnett, he’s entering his last half season here. (Grade: B)
MLB:Nakobe Dean (23 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) makes tackles, with 2 for losses. What he doesn’t do (right now) is make plays. What he also doesn’t do, is stay on the field. He’s looking at a second I.R. stint this season. He’s also a bit of a liability in pass coverage. Some of it, (by the eyeball test) seems to be related to his height and short arms. Neither of which can be coached up. He’s got good instincts for the run, but until he becomes a factor in either underneath coverage or pass rushing, he’s running a serious JAG risk. (Just A Guy)
When Dean returned from I.R, Nick Morrow(10 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) saw a steep drop in his snaps. However, with Dean going out again, Morrow returns to the starting line-up. I think Morrow is the better option anyway, as he has a better feel for underneath coverage. (I’m already interested to see what our Front Seven’s production will look like, at the end of this next quarter.) Christian Elliss (3 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) hasn’t logged a defensive snap since Week Three. All of his quarterly production has been on Special Teams. That should change shortly. (Grade: C)
S: Before I get into this, I want to tip my cap to traded STerrell Edmunds (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 0). He deserved better than going from a 6 – 1 team that he helped build, to a Tennessee team with no shot this year. That being acknowledged, let’s dig in.
Reed Blankenship (21 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) missed the game vs Miami, but still managed to break up 4 passes and recover a fumble. He’s been up and down this year, but I have to keep reminding myself that he’s in just his second year. In all honesty, he’s probably playing way more than coaches planned for, when they didn’t draft him at all last year.
This is how you Reed a QB!
Who we did draft, was Sydney Brown (15 – 0.0 – 0 – 1). Lots of energy and wants to hit, but he seems slow to process routes, and ends up late to the play. Fans end up cheering a tackle, when they could have been cheering an interception. We traded to get Philly native Kevin Byard(16 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) only to handcuff him to a system that doesn’t let him challenge routes, and reduces him to a tackler only. Which is what we had with Edmunds. Meaning that we’re getting the same thing, but with higher expectations now, which is why the disappointment feels sharper. Hopefully the Bye will help our coaches realize their error.
Justin Evans (no stats) has been on I.R. since Week Four. Injuries have been the 2023 story of this position, so far. After the Bye, there should be a full stable to work from, but so far this position hasn’t been our strength. (Grade: D)
CB:Darius Slay(19 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) was out vs the Jets, but made a huge, possibly game saving interception vs Miami. He also has broken up 3 passes this quarter. James Bradberry (17 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has 4 pass break-ups, but the completions and the FOUR touchdowns he allowed last quarter, are reason for alarm.
For comparison, while Slay has given up two this season, Bradberry has given up seven. Much of that can be laid at the feet of Bradberry being a Man-press player, forced to play off-coverage, thus exposing his lack of top-end speed. Put simply, the defensive coaches are hanging him out to dry.
Bradley Roby (1 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) returns from I.R. soon, and will almost certainly take over the Nickel spot. Refresher: We added Roby after Josh Jobe(4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) proved to be an easy mark for QB’s to throw on, through the first quarter of the season.
Eli Ricks (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) took over the Nickel job, after Roby went on I.R. and Jobe still seemed to struggle. Respectively, Ricks and Jobe have broken up 1 and 2 passes this quarter. However, until the Dallas game, where he was frequently matched up with WR Ceedee Lamb, Ricks was seeing little traffic. He’s generally done a good job of making QB’s look off of his man.
Kelee Ringo (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) hasn’t seen a defensive snap since Week Two. Last quarter’s tackles are from Special Teams. According to Sports Illustrated, the Eagles want to develop him into a S, which makes sense when you see his body type and see him move. If that’s the case, unbury him from this depth pile, and move him to where he’ll see actual snaps. Another unforced coaching error! (Grade: D)
LS:Rick Lovato has been solid, steady, and uneventful. (Grade: A)
P:Braden Mann (10 – 514 – 51.4) is kicking the ball over half the field, which is a 10 yard improvement over the first quarter. Only 1 of those 10 punts has been a touchback, and 2 have been inside the 20. Over that same period, we’ve given up just 50 return yards on only 4 returns (12.5 ypr). Meaning that, generally Mann shifts the field position by half the field, and then you stay where he puts you. This is all awesome sauce! (Grade: A)
K:Jake Elliott (2/3 FG 66.6% – 15/15 XP 100%) Four games, just three field goal attempts. Should we get mad at the Offense? The miss was in the Jets game. Everything went wrong that day. Just shake it off and throw the game tape away. Elliotts is balling. Shows up in the clutch like a G when we call him. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey (5 – 38 – 7.6 – 0 / none) missed the game vs Miami, but otherwise is doing little to deserve a roster spot, if he’s not going to be more aggressive about helping with field position. No other Eagles has attempted a punt return season. RB Boston Scott had a 38 yard kickoff return vs Miami, but that’s really the highlight of the return game this quarter. It’s one thing to have poor results. It’s quite another to make no effort. (Grade: F)
SINCE LAST QUARTER:
We went 3 – 1, beating BOTH the Dolphins and Cowboys. Getting the sweep of the Redsk- Commanders, was big. Coupled with the win over the Cowboys, that sweep puts us up 3 – 0 in the division, holding a tie-breaker. Right after the sweep, the Commanders hung up their season at 4 – 5, and traded away both starting DE’s.
So that’s a kill.
MISSION FOR THIS QUARTER:
This is the tough part of the schedule. By “tough” I mean all the teams we face, are playoff caliber. Then again, so are we. Everyone in this arena is a killer, but every one of these teams has more losses than we do. So let’s not forget, they have to play US too. And no one is covered in more blood than we are.
I’m on record predicting a loss to the 49ers. I said as recently asJuly, that I expect to lose a close one to them.On December 3rd, we will be playing in that team’s Super Bowl. Meanwhile to us, it’ll just be a game. They’re not just going to want that game, psychologically they already NEED it. If we win that one, it could cause that whole roster to emotionally spiral out.
I want that game!
Getting out of this stretch 2 – 2 is fine, as long as one of the wins is over Dallas. That would put us at 10 – 3 and them at 9 – 4, even if they win their next three. The Eagles going 3 – 1 over this stretch puts us at 11 – 2. So if we go 3 – 1 or better, it won’t matter what Dallas does. If we go 4 – 0 it would break the NFL.
Guess which one I want!
(I gotta simmer down. Simmer down! Don’t burn up before the games get here!) So the mission is 2 – 2, with a win over Dallas at minimum. More than two wins removes conditions.
WE not only beat a 5 – 1 team on national television, but we looked damned good while doing it, in our throwback Kelly green uniforms. We also looked good converting red zone trips. On six trips, we posted four touchdowns and one field goal. On the last trip QB Jalen Hurtsknelt three times to run out the final two minutes. So that trip should hardly count.
This week we head down to D.C. (brooms in hand), to handle the trash and start buttoning up the NFC East. A few weeks ago it took overtime to put the Commanders away. It won’t go that way a second time.
A win and we move to 7 – 1, and remain the top team in the conference. It would also mean a divisional sweep, and turn down the volume on needing overtime, in that last game.
A loss would drop us to 6 – 2. We however, would still lead the division, by virtue of win percentage, over opponents who this week can’t finish better than 5 – 2.
****
The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Commanders.
Around 15 carries (or more) for RB D’Andre Swift would be great
1) Run the Ball: It’s silly that I should have to say this, but when I don’t, they forget what a hand-off is. Not only should we run for all the regular reasons (balance, sets up play-action, chews clock, physically wears down pass rushers, breaks defenders will, prevents big momentum swings, etc.), but it would also limit the number of hits Hurts (and his knee) would have to take.
In fact, on the Brotherly Shove play, we should send someone else in to run it. Not QB Marcus Mariota. We may need him soon, so we don’t need to lose him over something dumb. My pick would be RB Rashaad Penny, but he won’t be active. Aside from him, maybe TE Dallas Goedert? Or maybe LS Rick Lovato?
(Hey, wouldn’t RB Derrick Henry look great in Kelly green? I’m just saying…)
2) Run Swift to Brown: Back in Week 4, WR A.J. Brownoutright torched the Commanders for 9 catches, 175 yards (19.4ypc), and 2 touchdowns (from 59 and 28). He hit them with the all-night, electric freak show, and there was nothing they could do, but watch and get clowned on.
WR A.J. Brown chased by groupies during a 59 yard score
They will NOT be looking to let him romp and frolic in their wilderness, for a second time in five weeks. Especially since he would set the all-time record for most consecutive 125 yard receiving games, essentially on their backs. So expect heavy bracket coverage from a Cover Two shell, this time. That’s where our advantage lies.
If they have to keep a Safety back deep on Brown’s side, then “the box” is light and soft there. Getting RB D’Andre Swift around 15 carries, mostly to Brown’s side, will either pull the Safety off of Brown, or force the Commanders to weaken another area of their defense to compensate. Paging WR Devonta Smith. Paging Devonta Smith…
3) Get At Least One Turnover:The Commanders are 2 – 1 when they don’t turn the ball over. Their only loss, was our overtime victory. So that should paint you a picture of how hard it is to beat them without a turnover. Of course, it’s real hard to pick a ball off, when the receivers are always granted five yard cushions and free releases.
Our coverages are going to have to be tighter, than they were a few weeks ago. If not, we won’t be in a position to create turnovers; and we’ll just give up another 70% completion day, to a mediocre QB.
It’d be nice to get one. Or two. Or four.
4) Lock Up Their Run: The last two times we played this team, they were tough to beat, partly because they committed to the run. They weren’t any good at it, but they kept doing it. They used it to control the pace of the first half of both games, and were up at the half, in both games.
Nothing fancy here. Just wrap-up the ball-carriers, and throw points on the board. Their run game can’t get them out of trouble, and their QB isn’t suited for comebacks. Even if he was, he lacks the tools to make it happen. Lock up the run, put the ball in their QB’s hand, and feed sheep to lion.
****
If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This is a division game, and the Commanders are trying to avoid being swept, in their own home. So expect a fight.
It’ll be interesting to see the evolution (if any), of Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai, over these last few weeks. What he has learned (and hasn’t), will be on display. As this is the first rival he’s coached against twice, we will see how fast he learns and utilizes new information. Can he grow over weeks, or does he need an entire offseason?
Offensively, unless Head Coach Nick Sirianniis a fool, he will have Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson protect Hurts from himself. If Hurts has to scramble, that’s one thing. However, there should be no called runs for him, this week.
Two things. Devonta Smith’s focus seems to have slackened since he became a father. That’s fine. Totally acceptable and to be expected. Before the baby was born, his expectation was probably with him as the breadwinner, the mother would tend to baby.
That all ends abruptly, when mama becomes willing to bulldoze a neighborhood, for an hour of uninterrupted sleep. So believe me, Devonta is pulling long nights too now. So his focus isn’t going to be razor sharp this season. It just isn’t. Don’t bother expecting it.
After about four days, that “I’m the breadwinner!” argument goes out the window, and you become just some dude that “HAD BETTER look after this damned baby, so I can get some mother$%^&*^# SLEEP!!!”
What he can do, is wet and rub his hands down, before he puts his gloves on. Nothing fancy. Just regular H2O. It’ll keep his gloves from shifting against his skin, and cut down on the double clutching and drops. (That’s some way old school stuff right there!)
****
WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four Thingsas a gambling tool, then you are a fool trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.
Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after Weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 5 – 0, 1st place in the NFC East
DT Jordan Davis meeting QB Kirk Cousins
OPPONENTS:
W – New England
W – Minnesota
W – Tampa Bay
W – Washington*
W – Los Angeles Rams
OVERVIEW: So it’s 5 – 0, but with some issues. Chief among them being our inability to convert red zone trips into touchdowns (19 trips, 8 TD, 42.1%). We are not converting those into touchdowns at enough of a clip to expect to be a championship team. Moreover, we have surrendered to opponents 12 touchdowns, in 16 red zone trips (75%).
Injuries have robbed our Secondary of the kind of stability that a new Defensive Coordinator needs, to steady himself and find his method. All in all, it is a 5 – 0 team, but with many not so small cracks in the foundation.
GRADES:
QB:Jalen Hurts (113/168 – 67.3% – 1262 – 6 – 4) Had sort of a rough start, but that was to be expected. I bitched and moaned about him (and the other starters) not taking a single snap in the preseason, so Hurts (and everyone else) was predictably rusty. Couple that with working in a new Offensive Coordinator, in Brian Johnson, and you have the makings of six touchdowns and (already) 4 interceptions. As for his running (55 – 206 – 3.7 – 4), he’s averaging 11 rushes per game, which is too many. His low yards per carry is largely due to short, successful conversions while running the Brotherly Shove. (Grade: C)
RB D’Andre Swift scores at home.
RB:D’Andre Swift(76 – 434 – 5.7 – 2 – 0) Had one touch in Week One, then in Weeks Two and Three, exploded for 305 rushing yards on 44 carries (6.9 ypc). He’s so far caught 88% (17 – 15 – 75 – 5.0 – 0) of the passes thrown to him, but they’ve just been checkdowns thus far. Still, a couple more scores would look better with 76 carries.
Kenneth Gainwell (39 – 128 – 3.2 – 0 – 0) has been running the same plays, behind the same offensive line, but isn’t nearly as effective or threatening as Swift has been, and seems to have lost his starting gig because of it. Boston Scott (6 – 43 – 7.2 – 0 – 0) missed a week while in concussion protocol. (Grade: B)
TE:Dallas Goedert(28 – 21 – 205 – 9.8 – 1) The Eagles suddenly remembered that he starts, and so he had a big game (9 – 8 – 117 – 14.6 – 1) in Week Five. Until then, to call him underutilized would be a massive understatement. He still contributed as a blocker in the run game, but the Eagles coaching staff has to run more plays for him. Jack Stoll is a great blocker. (Grade: C)
WR A.J. Brown’s 59 yard TD catch and run. OZ gave him a block.
WR:A.J. Brown (51 – 3 5 – 541 – 15.5 – 2) had a to a slow first two games. Then he put the word in his QB’s ear, and has posted 433 yards over the last three games. Maybe we should all chip in and get him a chef’s hat, because he’s been out there just cooking secondaries. Devonta Smith(34 – 23 – 290 – 12.6 – 2) has three games this season of just 5 targets. That can’t keep happening. He’s too reliable and he needs to be more involved.
Quez Watkins (5 – 4 – 21 – 5.3 – 0) isn’t wowing anybody, but then again, he’s not being put in a position to be successful. He’s making his catches (80%), but as his 5.3 average is testament to the shallow routes they have him running. He’s a downfield threat, not a guy who catches short and makes defenders miss in space. Olamide “OZ” Zaccheaus(5 – 3 – 69 – 23.0 – 1) is the guy that catches short and makes defenders miss in space. However it was his 34 yard TD catch that probably has put Watkins on the hot seat. (Grade: B)
OT: RT Lane Johnson continues to be arguably the best OT in the NFL. (San Francisco’s LT Trent Williams is the other side of that argument.) During the Eagles overtime victory over Washington, it was Johnson’s fourth quarter recovery of a Gainwell fumble, that saved an Eagles drive, resulting in a field goal. Without that field goal, there is no overtime. LT Jordan Mialata has absolutely no right to be as good as he is. He’s reliable as a pass protector, but an outright mauler in the run game. (Grade: A)
OG: LG Landon Dickerson is a bear in the run game, but he has to get the penalties under control. He’s been flagged 5 times (4 accepted for 24 yards). One of those however, was that bullshit offsides he was hit with against Washington, as the officials have joined in the hunt for finding a way to stop the Brotherly Shove. RG Cam Jurgenwas great for three weeks, then suffered a foot injury and is currently on Injured Reserve. Filling in for Jurgens is Sua Opeta. He has not drawn any flags, but more importantly, this year he just looks more comfortable, and seems like a more physical presence. (Grade: B)
The Brotherly Shove formation. See how the Washington player’s hand is UNDER the ball. Yeah well, Dickerson was called for being offsides here, and the hand beside the ball, belongs to Kelce.
C:Jason Kelcebrings the passion, the vocal leadership, and the ability to get to the second level in the run game, that makes the Eagles Offense almost impossible to duplicate. He is also the tip of the spear on the Brotherly Shove. (Grade: A)
DE: At the beginnings of games Brandon Graham (3 tackles) is listed as a starter, but he’s not who lines up at the LDE spot. (More on that later.) Over the last five games, Graham has only played 72 of the defense’s 318 snaps (22.6%). So his low production makes sense. Josh Sweat(15 – 2.5 – 0 – 0) has also contributed 2 Forced Fumbles, but we need to see more out of him as a pass rusher. Derek Barnett (2 tackles) has also played just 72 snaps. My gut tells me that the Eagles are going to try to move him by the trade deadline, and they don’t want him hurt, or to put out more tape of him getting flagged for stupid shit. In his career, of his 26 penalties, 11 are for some form of roughing. We just can’t have that. (Grade: D)
DT:Fletcher Cox (10 – 0.5 – 0 – 1) missed the last game with back problems. Still, his numbers do not suggest just how much of a game wrecker he’s been out there. Jordan Davis (14 – 1.5 – 0 – 0) is clearly coming into his own as a controlling force on the inside. Jalen Carter(12 – 3.5 – 0 – 0) has also chipped in 2 FF, and seems to be the odds on favorite to be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. (I still can’t believe that he fell to us!)
MLB Nick Morrow and DT Jalen Carter force a fumble.
Milton Williams (12 – 0 – 0 – 0) is off to a stronger start than at this point, last season. Marlon Tuipuluto (5 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) looks far better than he did last year, when he seemed to be an outright liability vs the run. Rookie Moro Ojomo (no stats) got to play 4 snaps in the last game, due to Cox being out with the back injury. (Grade: A)
OLB:Haason Reddick (5 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) is the player who actually lines up at LDE. He started out slowed by his hand in a cast. He didn’t make excuses, he just produced when the cast came off, racking up all of his sacks in the last two weeks. I’m not a fan of using his 240 pound frame against OT’s without the benefit of speed inside, but we’ll see how it shakes out over 17 games.
Zach Cunningham(33 – 0 – 0 – 1) doesn’t have the flashy stats, but he’s been solid vs the run. Rookie Nolan Smith (2 tackles) has played in all five games, and needs to step up his production unless he wants to keep watching from the bench. (Grade: B)
MLB: During Week One, Nakobe Dean (7 – 0 – 0 – 0) was lost for four weeks with a foot injury. Since then Nicholas Morrow (21 – 3.0 – 0 – 1) has been lights out. Adding a FF and a safety, to 7 tackles for losses, he has shown up EVERY SINGLE WEEK, in all four games that he’s played, since he was activated from the Practice Squad, as a fill-in for Dean.Christian Ellis(5 tackles) looks more than just solid when he’s out there. Especially against the pass. His numbers don’t signal that, but he’s also only played 46 snaps. (Grade: A)
MLB Nick Morrow collecting one of his THREE sacks in this game.
S: With injuries changing the make-up of this group weekly, it’s unfair to give them a low grade. Reed Blankenship (34 – 0 – 1 – 0) already has as many tackles and interceptions, as he had in 2022 when he came out of nowhere and made us take notice of him. Terrell Edmunds(15 – 0 – 0 – 0) played every defensive snap in Week Four, and not a single one in Week Five. Justin Evans (15 – 0 – 0 – 1) still seemed to be ironing out his role, when a knee injury put him on I.R. for at least four weeks. Rookie Sydney Brown(3 tackles) has caught the imagination of fans, but he’s also missed then last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and those have a way of lingering when a player rushes back. (Grade: C)
CB:Darius Slay (25 – 0 – 1 – 0) has already had a pick six and knocked down 4 passes. He’ll miss Week Six with a knee injury. James Bradberry(14 – 0 – 0 – 1) had to sit out Week Two, and when he returned, he spent time filling in at NCB. Avonte Maddox(6 tackles) was lost for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. When Bradberry filled in for Maddox, Josh Jobe (13 – 0 – 0 – 0) started in Bradberry’s place, and didn’t fare to well with the extended snaps. Mario Goodrich(5 tackles) has allowed QB’s to go 10/10 for 118 yards and TD. He started Week Five, but only saw 18 snaps in that game. Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks have 2 tackles each, in limited action. Bradley Roby(1 tackle) was just signed last week. (Grade: C)
LS:Rick Lovato has been solid, steady, and uneventful. (Grade: A)
P: Braden Mann (5 – 208 – 41.6) so far there have only been 14 return yards against him, with zero touchbacks. That means in the three games he’s punted for us, opponents generally stay where he puts them. (Grade: B)
K:Jake Elliott (16/17 FG – 94.1% – 11/12 XP – 91.6%) Those numbers include four makes from over 50 yards (4/5). His foot is a big part of the team’s 5 – 0 record. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey punt returning (11 – 186 – 16.9 – 0) has been a plus. He leads the NFL in yards, returns of 20 yards or more (4), and average (16.9) for those with 10 or more returns. No Eagles player has more than 1 kickoff return. (Grade: C)
KC: On the season, opponents have returned 6 punts for 54 yards (9ypr), and 3 kickoffs for 91 yards (30.3ypr). Neither average is good, but the low number of attempts is a testament to player hustle. (Grade: C)
SINCE LAST QUARTER: N/A
MISSION FOR THIS QUARTER: Go at least 2 – 2, and beat either the Dolphins or the Cowboys, if not both. We need a win over a team that isn’t seen as a bottom feeder. If only for our players own psyches. No one will be impressed by wins over the Jets and Commanders.
The broad strokes are usually covered by lots of other publications and podcasts. You can go a hundred places and read the same four or five bullet points, mentioned in ninety-seven of those places. Stats aside, what about the Four Things you came here to review, right? Let’s see if we scored aHITor a MISS on the areas I discussed.
1) Do The Starters Play?:Nope. Not a single solitary down. In fact, a number of Eagles didn’t even dress for this one. AGAIN! Third string RB Rashaan Penny, WR Olamide Zaccheaus (I actually spelled that right, on my first attempt), are examples of new players who didn’t dress.
And hey, for those who are still out there debating about who starts alongside FSReed Blankenship: It’s SS Terrelle Edmunds. He didn’t even dress, but rookie Sydney Brownplayed; and K’Von Wallace was still out there in the fourth quarter. Glad I could settle that for you. MISS
2) Tanner vs Their Twos:The Colts went one better for us, and left their starters out there for the entire first half. While McKee’s accuracy stayed right around 50% again, the game didn’t look too big for him. So mentally there’s something to work with there.
As far as his actual play, he had trouble connecting on intermediate and long throws. The ball often seems to leave the palm and heel of his hand, instead of his fingertips. The result is, instead of a spiral, it seems to travel more like a shot put. Better secondaries will feast on that, if we don’t fix that. HIT
3) Play Ian Book: QBIan Bookwent 11/15 – 73.3% – 80 – 0 – 0, with the ball coming out quickly and sharply. He looked nothing like the gun-shy player from the Browns game. Like McKee, Book wasn’t successful throwing the ball downfield. Still, the player we saw tonight, looked like he’d be worth a Practice Squad/developmental spot. HIT
4) Something Special:On the opening kick of the game, WR Devon Allenbobbled the ball, then recovered it and tore off a 73 yard return to set-up the game’s opening touchdown. He also had a big tackle for no gain on a punt. HIT
****
Who Looked Good:
LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams – (See above) We just signed this guy yesterday, but like VISA, the Philadelphia native, was everywhere you wanted to be. Once he got in the game in the second half, he seemed to constantly be flashing. We need to find spot for him. LB Ben VanSumeren (17 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) had many more tackles than TMW, but he didn’t flash as much potential, or generate a takeaway.
QB Ian Book– He seemed to find his poise and his pocket presence. Whether diving for the needed yardage on a scramble, or spiking the ball on first down to stop the clock, his command of the moment was beyond reproach.
TE Tyree Jackson – Showed a MUCH better awareness of presenting as a target for his QB. His stats (3 – 31 – 10.3 – 0) were modest, but they also indicate that he could be a very QB friendly target this season.
Who Looked Bad:
RB Kennedy Brooks– His day (2 – 16 – 8.0 – 0 – 0) was punctuated by being wide open, and dropping what would have been a walk-in touchdown. At no point this preseason, did he demonstrate a reason for another team to want him.
The Offensive Line – They allowed 3 sacks in this game, three tackles for a loss, and showed no ability open holes consistently.
WR Joseph Ngata– While he did do some good things out there (2 – 32 – 16.0 – 0), his fumble killed a promising drive.
****
On The Whole:
Given that we had a bunch of twos and threes, going against the Colts starters for a half, it’s hard not to give the Eagles a ton of credit. That’s not an attempt at finding a moral victory. It’s a preseason game. Nobody cares about the “W” or the “L”. What counts here is how hard our guys competed. It contributes to the ongoing culture.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 