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FOUR THINGS: WK 16: EAGLES – GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/12/24
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Fans, Four Things, Front Office (F.O.), NFC East, Offense, Players, playoffs, Rivals. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

IN last week’s loss, we handed the ball off 24 times for 95 yards (3.9ypc). Unless things get out of hand quickly, it’s going to take that sort of commitment to the running the ball, to win this game. While RB Boston Scott has been the boogeyman against the giants, most of the carries need to go to Philly native RB D’Andre Swift.

While this city is famous for its cheesesteaks, hoagies and roast pork sandwiches, we also love a good cutlet. So lets hope that DE Josh Sweat and OLB Haason Reddick bring their appetites, because the giants are known for allowing multiple servings. So mangia! Mangia, boys! Don’t leave anything left.

Grabbing the win would move us to 11 – 4, and end our three game losing streak. Which would make for a great Christmas present. It would also put us a step closer to winning the NFC East, for the second year in a row.

Losing means 10 – 5, and another week of fans acting like the season is over, for a team already guaranteed a playoff spot.

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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 giants.

DE Brandon Graham gets a sack

1) Go Get Some Cutlets: Five sacks in this one should be our minimum goal. In seven games, giants QB Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito has been sacked 35 times. This would indicate that perhaps his offensive line isn’t very good.

We’ve gotten some impressive play as of late, from DT Jalen Carter and DT Fletcher Cox. The hope is that we can get our edge rushers going as well. Both Sweat and Reddick were quiet last week. Reddick has yet to force a fumble all season. Changing both would help the team immensely.

2) Secure the Run: Usually it’s either “set the edges” or “play the ‘A’ gaps”. This week it’s both. We have injuries to our LB’s, so there might be a lot of subbing going on. This is a great opportunity for miscues, because someone isn’t in their run fit. Our D-Line has to set the lanes and boundaries, so everything is easier for back-ups to read.

Bottling up the run on first and second, sets us up for third and long. When we see third and six or longer, we have got to make plays that get us off the field. Making tackles at the sticks won’t cut it. They’ll just play for the markers.

3) Spread and Run: It’s an overly simplistic strategy, but right now the Eagles offensively need a re-set back to fundamentals. Asking the Eagles to play from under Center is out of the question. It would fix a ton of what’s wrong with us, but it won’t happen. So the next best thing, would be to stretch the box laterally.

LT Jordan Mailata and RB Boston Scott

Every week, I chart how many runs we have of 10 yards or more, and at no point have we had more than four in a game. We had four vs the Vikings, Bucs, and Chiefs. Half of these were from our QB. If we can stretch the box laterally, and get Swift to the second level quickly, maybe he can break a couple of these run.

4) Passes On the Rusher: While giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux is listed as a LB, he’s basically a DE. If he’s not going to line-up outside of the Tackle and not drop into coverage, then we need to be about the business of attacking the Flat on his side. Why not take something they’re likely to give us, all game long?

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If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…

This past week, Head Coach Nick Sirianni said this offense (meaning the system), is the same offense from the last two years, and it’s being run the same way. I don’t doubt that the playbook is the same. (Notice that opponents seem to have figured us out.) What is bullshit, is that it’s being run the same way.

It doesn’t matter who gets the blame for fucking up the offense. If Sirianni wants it, hey, I’m happy to give him shit for it. Whether it’s Sirianni or Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson, the play-calling is atrocious to the point of almost being amateurish. Heavy Shotgun; no motion; called QB runs on first down; route concepts that look like they came off of Madden ‘96. All of those are bad things.

And don’t say that we were fine with it when were winning, because TONS of us weren’t. Sirianni and the players, this very season, repeatedly stood at the podium after games, saying the team had yet to play it’s best football, and then seemed confused when fans weren’t thrilled with “a win being a win”.

It was also an issue last year. Not starting fast. Or starting fast and then letting opponents creep back into games. So this year’s issues aren’t new. We want to see an Eagles team consistently give us four quarters of good football. And we want to see a head coach who can get that out of his players.

I think this run of games is more important to Nick Sirianni than many might expect. To go from the one seed, to not winning the division… I’m not sure how team Owner Jeff Lurie would stomach that. So I think this is a must win game for Sirianni.

I have no hard news to back that up. It’s just my gut feeling. That being said, my gut has an extremely good track record, in regards to this team.

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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 Things as 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.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 18: GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/01/09
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFC Championship, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, playoffs, Reviews, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

SHO’ NUFF!

EAGLES 22 – giants 16

EAGLES STATS:

Categories include an EXCLUSIVE weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s (6 points) + 3rd downs converted by handoffs (1 point) + sacks allowed (-2 points) = score); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF – TD).

New Category Ace is for Kick return TD’s, Returners run-down, kicks blocked, etc.

Passing :(S) QB Jalen Hurts (20/35 – 57.1% – 229 – 0 – 1)

Rushing :(B) RB Boston Scott (9 – 54 – 6.0 – 1 – 0)

Receiving :(S) A.J. Brown (10 – 4 – 95 – 23.7 – 0)

Offensive Line Report/Enforcer : (1 (6) + 3 (3) – 3 (6) = 3) C Jason Kelce

Drive Killer : (B) CB Zech McPhearson (0 – 0 – 1 – 0 – 0)

Sack Leader : (S) OLB Kyzir White (12 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)

Ace : K Jake Elliott 5/5 FG (54, 52) 1/1 XP

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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: GIANTS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Give Sanders the Ball: When the game opened with 9 passes to just 1 hand-off, you sort of knew the game would go how it went. As for RB Miles Sanders (11 – 33 – 3 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) he was sprinkled into the game here and there, and at no point did it feel like the Eagles Offense ever achieved real balance or rhythm.

RG Isaac Seumalo and C Jason Kelce create a tiny crease for RB Boston Scott to run through for an 8 yard TD.

The only points scored by the Offense were on Boston Scott’s 8 yard touchdown run behind Jason Kelce and RG Isaac Seumalo. Our remaining 16 points came off the toe of K Jake Elliott, twice connecting from 50-plus. The giants never got on their heels vs the run and Hurts stayed under constant pressure, being sacked 3 times (NOT DONE)

2) Set the Edges: Aside from a couple of runs which broke containment, the giants RB’s spent the day being trapped like mice, in half a bucket of water. Funneling everything towards MLB T.J. Edwards was the idea, and he responded (as always) with 10 tackles.

I also said that LB Nakobe Dean (on-side kick recovery) should start over LB Kyzir White who responded by mailing me a gallon of cherry flavored Shut the Fuck Up. (He didn’t literally, but you get the idea.) However, if he’s going to play like THIS when I challenge him: How about remembering how to intercept a ball, Kyzir?! (I await his response in the next game.) (DONE)

3) Show Dallas Some Love: The idea was to have TE Dallas Goedert (7 – 6 – 46 – 7.6 – 0) catch short passes to the outside of the box, and just slightly down the field to loosen the opposing defense inside. While he did operate to the outside of the box, and was targeted quickly, and often on short passes, some of it was a little goofy.

Using him to stretch the box was done, but the route concepts could have been more straight forward. There were too many TE Screens/Bubble Screen type throws to him. I have no idea what the Birds coaching staff was doing there. They missed a chance to send a message. (DONE)

4) Get Get Ball: Sit down. You don’t want to be standing for this one.

The mission was two takeaways. The result was zero takeaways. We played against a six year, journeyman, third stringer, who’d never attempted an NFL pass; and we didn’t get a single turnover off of him. In fact, he threw a touchdown over CB Darius “No Nickname” Slay (1 tackle), and ran over S Reed Blankenship (4 – 0 – 0 – 0 / and the game sealing on-side recovery) for a touchdown.

The giants had more touchdown drives than me we did. Say that again. Really ROLL the words around in your mouth.

Now remember, they did that behind a six year, journeyman, third stringer, who’d never attempted an NFL pass. We have to figure how to take the ball away again, and not just wait for opponents to hand it to us. It’s not like we can face QB Dak Prescott every week. (NOT DONE)

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So that brings us to 2 of the Four Things this week. We put out a .500 level effort and got a .500 level win. That said, WE GOT THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE, BABY! We’ll take a week to heal, study, and work on our issues. Watch some football next weekend, study, and in two weeks, host one of the two losers of the NFC Divisional Playoff Round.

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On The Whole:

I think we can stop blaming QB Gardner Minshew for last week’s offensive debacle vs the Saints. For the second week in a row, our offensive coaching staff looked lost out there. The Offense is at its best when we run the ball. When we stop, well… Let’s see if you can spot a trend:

DAL: Minshew 2TD/2 Int

NO: Minshew 1TD/1 Int

NYG: Hurts 0 TD/1 Int

Those margins are getting tighter, regardless of who plays QB. That’s an issue. Hurts was 4/10 on pass attempts to A.J. Brown, and the red zone pick he threw while trying to get to WR Devonta Smith (8 – 7 – 67 – 9.5 – 0) was as uncharacteristic a pass as you will see in this sport.

I was hoping to see (especially vs back-ups) offensive dominance out there. To have the starters end on a strong note before getting a week off. Now I have questions about if Hurts shoulder is damaging his delivery; and I’m wondering why Head Coach Nick Sirianni is turning his back on the run. Yeah yeah. I know who calls the plays, but who actually runs the games?

Here’s to a much needed Bye Week.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 12: giants

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/11/29
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, Reviews, Rivals, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

JALEN Hurts Eagles, attempting to play QB.

EAGLES 7 – giants 13

EAGLES STATS:

New categories include an EXCLUSIVE weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s + 3rd and 4th downs converted of 2 yards or less:3rd and 4th downs missed of 2 yards or less – sacks allowed); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF – TD).

Passing: (S) QB Jalen Hurts (14/31 – 45.1% – 129 – 0 – 3)

Rushing: (S) QB Jalen Hurts (8 – 77 – 9.6 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: (R) RB Kenneth Gainwell (4 – 3 – 32 – 10.6 – 0)

Offensive Line Report: (1 + 4:3 – 1)

Drive Killer: No Qualifier

Sack Leader: (S) DT Javon Hargrave (2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)

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I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: Giants did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Make the Passer Rush: We did some really questionable blitzing in this game. First of all we didn’t bring LB Alex Singleton off the strong-side. When Singleton was turned loose, it was from the weak-side. If the QB doesn’t see the rusher, he’s not going to hurry his pass, or launch it from a weird angle. If he sees a clear passing lane, he’s going to throw with confidence. Which is what QB Danny Jones (19/30 – 63.3% – 202 – 1 – 0) did against us today.

Look at that statline! Does that look like Danny Jones to you? We helped him do that. We didn’t rush him today. The only sack we got, Jones GAVE to us. Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon gets the assist on this one. With this game-plan, he threw an absolute dime to Danny. (NOT DONE)

2) Go Deep Off of Play-action: Ever watch someone do a tap dance routine, during a dance competition, while on fire? That’s what our Offense looked like today. Despite running for 1,005 yards in the previous 5 games, we came out passing the ball, and trying to use play-action. From the Shotgun.

I’m not going to say much about Jalen Hurts here, to save you time reading. Besides, last week I promised some folks in a Facebook group that I belong to, that I would write an article about whether Hurts is or can be, a franchise QB. That’s dropping on Wednesday. BE READY.

Our deep passing consisted of throwing interceptions and incompletions in the vicinity of Wide Deceiver Jalen “Hindenburg” Reagor (7 – 2 – 31 – 15.5 – 0)

who is by the way, a total fucking fiasco. Someone should do time for drafting him. (NOT DONE)

3) Play Man Press: We came out playing it, but then we started drifting into off-coverage, or playing Press on just one side… Seriously. There was no cohesion, or plan, or aggression. It was like the Defense was being called by a drunken toddler. (NOT DONE)

4) Running Miles from Boston: Feature RB Miles Sanders (7 – 64 – 7.1 – 0 – 0) instead of splitting the carries evenly with RB Boston Scott (15 – 64 – 4.2 – 1 – 1). The Eagles decided to stick with the hot hand. This was even before Sanders tweaked his ankle in the second half. The hot hand. Look up at the statlines again. (NOT DONE)

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So that’s 0 of the Four Things, and somehow (gasp) we were held to just 7 points, after putting up 40 a week ago. Serves us right! We helped the giants beat our asses, and we deserve this ‘L’ because of that. Next week we go right back to that same stadium, to do battle with the Jets. Let’s not shit the bed again please.

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On The Whole:

Here’s the game in a nutshell. Nearing the end of the first half, Eagles ball, in the red zone, down 0 – 3. Head Coach Nick Sirianni sends in a package that includes WR Jalen Reagor, WR Greg Ward (1 – 0 – 0 – 0.0 – 0), and RB Boston Scott. No Miles Sanders. No WR Devonta Smith (4 – 2 – 22 – 11.0 – 0). Meanwhile C Jason Kelce is on the sidelines

On 3rd and goal from the one, Hurts throws an interception intended for third string RB Scott. Why? At that point Sanders hadn’t tweaked his ankle, so why wasn’t he out there? Why wasn’t our top draft pick and leading receiver Smith, out there? It almost seems like the coaches had an agenda besides winning the game. 

Decisions like this were the norm in this game. Why, on all 3 red zone trips, was Sanders taken out? Why the sudden laser focus on Reagor? Coming into this game he’d caught 23 of 38 passes for 170 yards (7.4 per catch), and for some reason, despite not being reliable, this week he leads all players in targets?!

If you ask me, that’s just Jeff and Howie, muscling Sirianni to make a player out Reagor, and that dog don’t even hunt.

Still, Sirianni tried. We watched him working harder than a cat, trying to bury a turd on a marble floor, but Reagor…  As a player Reagor belongs in a litter box. You can spend the day painting him gold if you like, but in the end, the smell is the smell.

And in the end… 7 – 13. 

FOUR THINGS: WK 9: EAGLES – CHARGERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/11/04
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, playoffs. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

CONTINUE THE WIN STREAK!!! We ran the ball like maniacs last week. Our opponent this week, is weak, against the run. Ben Franklin is no fan of eagles, but he took a break from pimpin’ pimpin’ today to call Head Nick Sirianni and tell him “Bitch, y’all need to run the pig.”

Word, Ben. Even unto thine mother.

A win this week puts us at 4 – 5 , and keeps us just on the outside of the Wild Card picture. (Tomorrow I’m putting out an article that discusses our playoff chances. Don’t miss it!) A loss drops us to 3 – 6, but doesn’t really hurt our playoff chances that much. (Seriously. You need to read that article tomorrow.)

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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics will practically guarantee our Eagles this win. CAUTION: 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 FT as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus the Chargers:

1) Run the ball: The Chargers are dead last in the NFL in run defense. That reason alone suggests running the ball down their throats. Add to that, the fact that it wears down their pass rushers.. Now add to that, the fact that it makes play-action believable. Then add, that it will attract 8-man fronts, thereby opening up the vertical passing game.

We need this game to start with 10 – 15 first half hand-offs. While offensive balance is great, the primary reason we want to run the rock is, to eat up clock, and limit the Chargers opportunity to possess the ball. Especially in the first half. BTW: I don’t want to knock RB Boston Scott, but I’d rather see RB Jordan Howard wearing down their front.

2) Lean, not Press: The Chargers starting WR’s are 6’2” 211 and 6’4” 218. Neither is a burner, but both are very good route runners, who can pull down a 50/50 ball. On one hand, it wouldn’t be smart to give them free releases and let them build a head of steam. On the other hand, having our CB’s get caught up in hand-fighting, will result in easy slants and broken tackles.

The call for the day is re-directing the WR’s. Lining up close and staying tight, without being too handsy. We want to lean into the receiver, not press them. The idea is to get the QB to see them as covered, then move to his next read. That combined with solid pressure, will severely limit the Chargers ability to push the ball downfield.

3) Get them on the ground: They don’t have a rep for it, but physically, the Chargers are a deceptively strong team. RB Austin Ekler is widely regarded as one the NFL’s strongest players, pound for pound. As a result they make a lot of their yardage after contact. Much of that comes from them dragging defenders who are holding up the ball-carrier, trying to strip at the ball.

How often has that worked? In 484 offensive snaps this year, Chargers opponents have made stripping at the ball, pay-off exactly FOUR times, which equals 0.00826% of the time. You will see better odds from a bookie, than from trying strip Chargers players. A few strip attempts are fine, but in general, just make the tackle. Get them on the ground, and don’t give away free yardage.

4) Completions in the middle: Too often QB Jalen Hurts is rifling the ball at or along the sidelines. Targets between the numbers and behind the LB’s, would be easier for him to reach and keep the chains moving. Especially if we can get the Chargers to buy our play-action.

Like this!

If we do these Four Things,

The national media will be telling the world about how the Eagles have turned a corner, and that “Flower Power” must be working. If we do all four of these, the Eagles win this one in a walk. The story you won’t hear is that the Chargers QB isn’t as quite as good vs solid CB’s. He has his hands full this week.

That being said, the Chargers are a feisty team. They have four wins and three of them are 4th quarter comebacks, featuring game winning drives. We have to do things to take them out of this game. After which we have to stand on the gas.

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PREDICTION: EAGLES 27 – Chargers 23

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how it went.

THE EAGLES RUNNING BACKS

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/05/16
Posted in: Conversations, NFC East, Offense, Players, Roster, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

WHEN the Detroit Lions released RB Kerryon Johnson, Eagles fans on social media started asking if we should sign him. I immediately bellowed “NO! That guy gets injured too much! Why should we stick our necks our for blah blah blah, yadda, blah blah blah…”

And I was wrong.

I was ignorant, loud, and wrong. I didn’t know quite as much about Johnson as I thought I did, and initially I didn’t do any further research. I was sloppy. I was lazy. I didn’t give my full effort, which is not who I am. I’m sorry, and I’m ashamed. No excuses.

The national sports media has given the Eagles up for dead. I watched a segment on ‘Undisputed’ where the NFC East was discussed, and only three teams were talked about. Rich Eisen held a similar discussion on the NFL network. Again, apparently just three teams play in the NFC East.

Desperate to read about the Eagles, sheer boredom is what got me looking further into the Eagles roster. Starting with Johnson.

I loved his interview. Especially the part where he discussed his reputation as being one of the league’s best RB’s at pass protection. (Which I didn’t know.) His prowess for pass pro, is extremely important. It makes him a genuine three-down back. It also means whether situationally or due to injury, when Johnson is on the field, the Eagles can use their entire playbook.

There are a couple of things he’ll want to work on here. Things like hitting the hole with more immediacy, and holding the ball tight to his body. That of course ,is why the coaching staff gets paid. While Johnson isn’t a genuine home run hitter, he can gash a defense for serious yards, runs with some pop, and can finish runs falling forward.

Some ask if his presence means that RB Boston Scott is out. Others say that he’s a threat to RB Jordan Howard.

I beg to differ. Having a stable of players like RB Miles Sanders, Howard and Johnson, gives the Eagles loads of high level insurance against injury. When all three are healthy, they can be shuttled in and out, or lined up in different combinations to create horrifying mismatches.

As for Boston Scott, I happen to think his biggest threat, is rookie RB Kenneth Gainswell.

Scott has proven that he can be a quality role player, but Gainswell has way more wiggle in his run, and is also a superior route runner. While I wouldn’t project him as a long-term starter, Gainswell seems to have way more upside than Scott has shown, when pressed into the role.

With Sanders, Howard, Johnson and Gainswell, the Eagles have three, possibly four quality starters on the roster. That’s amazing depth! This was a well-rounded group before the Draft. Since then the Eagles have added just two players, but are exponentially better at this position.

The best part of all this? This sort of commitment to loading up the RB position, indicates that the Eagles are going to lean pretty heavy on the position. Think about it. They haven’t loaded up like this at WR or TE, have they? Nope. Not at all. By the way, this guy is still the starter:

Running the ball more, should really help the starting (Jalen) QB, whomever (Hurts) he turns out (Jalen) to be. After all (Hurts), the coach did say (Jalen) that it would be (Hurts) a completely (Jalen) open competition. I’m excited to see how the competition shakes out. I expect that QB Jalen Hurts and the other one, will make it hard for the coaches to decide on who our Jalen QB will be.

But the RB’s though! Very excited about this group, and I’m happy to be wrong about Kerryon Johnson. As for being lazy, I will give my standard effort in the future.

Flacco! The other QB is named Flacco. Wow. What a weird first name. 

FOUR THINGS: WK 13: EAGLES – PACKERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/12/05
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Special Teams, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

THE Seattle loss was a hard pill to swallow, but our Defense kept us in that game, and kept a very mobile QB, under a fair amount of duress. DT Fletcher Cox and DE Brandon Graham, should make it difficult for Green Bay’s QB to consistently step up into his throws.

Depending on how the week shakes out, a win could put us back at the top of the division. That is, when this weeks spate of games (the Cowboys play on TUESDAY), is over. A loss combined with a giants win (over Seattle), would be a serious blow to the Eagles chances to see the post-season, from anything other than a couch.

The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics will practically guarantee our Eagles this win. CAUTION: 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 FT as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus Green Bay :

1) Run to pass: The Eagles Offense works better when using the run to set up the pass. Running on first down helps open up passing lanes for QB Carson Wentz, and legitimizes play-action.

2) Force their QB left, and hit him: While QB Aaron Rodgers can throw moving to his left, he’s deadly moving to his right. Get him doing things he doesn’t want to do. Take the control and the confidence from him. While getting hit and sacked are part and parcel of the position, he doesn’t shake it off emotionally. So beat him to shit. Take him away from his team mentally. We’ve seen what he looks like when he checks out emotionally. That’s the guy we want to face.

3) Start fast: Beating Green Bay likely means having to win a shootout. Since the Packers are not a team that lets opponents climb back into games, the Eagles need to throw points on the board ASAP.

4) Avoid starting drives inside of our 20: Part of our problem is that we keep losing the hidden yardage/field position battle. Frequently when RB Boston Scott returns a kickoff, he fails to reach the 20. Since we don’t have a dangerous KR man, down kickoffs in the endzone. WR Greg Ward shouldn’t let any puts roll inside the 10. A fair-catch at the 11 sucks ass, but it beats a rolling ball, downed at the 2.

If we do these Four Things, the final score should be:

EAGLES 24 – Packers 21

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how it went.

TWO TRADES I’D LIKE.

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/11/02
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Front Office (F.O.), NFL, Offense, Players, Roster, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

AS the November 3rd trade deadline fast approaches, word around the campfire has it that GM Howie Roseman will be aggressive in acquiring talent, not shedding it.

Understanding that this will likely be one or two small moves, instead of an NBA-style mega deal, here are two trades I’d like to see.

If only one move gets made, it should be bringing back RB Jordan Howard.

The Eagles could use a veteran RB as an insurance policy behind RB Miles Sanders. The team could also use a between the Tackles thumper. Howard is both. Even better, he’s familiar with the scheme. He would be a triple-fold improvement over RB Boston Scott.

Currently Miami has made Howard a healthy scratch for three straight weeks, after giving him all of 18 carries in 4 games. (FYI: He had two games with 18+ carries for us, just last year.) My point is, Miami hasn’t exactly driven up his market price. He should be pretty cheap to pull, should the Eagles go a-courtin’.

Many fans would like to see a CB to pair with CB Darius Slay. Anybody like that, who’s worth having, likely won’t be on the trading block at this stage of the year.

What the Eagles could really use is an OLB who can cover. Not a DB/LB tweener, but an honest to god OLB. That means LB size, strength, and leg length. I like OLB Logan Wilson from Cincinnati.

Wilson is a rookie that they took with a third round pick, who looks like he has a nice future ahead of him. So why would the rebuilding Bengals want to part with talented youth? Because DE Derek Barnett is also young, talented and will immediately help them improve their pass rush.

Understand, we have cap hell coming up, and Barnett will be hard to sign. Makes more sense to get something for him, instead of just letting him walk out the door. DE Josh Sweat is ready for more playing time anyway.

This would be two immediate contributors, who won’t cost much to add. Hard to scoff at that.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 8: COWBOYS

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/11/02
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, Reviews, Rivals, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

THE STREAK CONTINUES!!!!

EAGLES 23 – Cowboys 9 

EAGLES LEADERS:

(S) QB Carson Wentz: (15/27 – 55.5% – 123 – 2 – 2)

(S) RB Boston Scott: (15 – 70 – 4.6 – 0 – 0)

(S) WR Travis Fulgham: (7 – 6 – 78 – 13.0 – 1)

(S) MLB T.J. Edwards: (6 – 1.0 – 0 – 1)

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for the Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in Four Things: Cowboys did the Eagles get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Bait the QB: We had a few chances at interceptions (S Rod McLeod, DB Jalen Mills and LB Alex Singleton, etc.), but Eagles players just couldn’t seal the deal. We sacked their QB 4 times, but we harassed him and forced him consistently into missing needed passes and settling for ineffectual ones. (DONE)

2) Run the ball: The mark was 25+ handoffs. We managed just 22. On those handoffs we produced 102 yards for an average of 4.6 per tote. The only reason we didn’t run the ball more, was because yet again, the coaching staff elected to get cute with the play-calling. On a night when the wind was taking no prisoners. This was the height of stupidity and stupid arrogance. (NOT DONE)

3) Shark Tank!: Early on, the ball wasn’t thrown much into the middle of the field. So the Eagles never got the chance to set this up. They didn’t get this done, but this is more on me, for setting up a marker that was dependent on what our opponent dictated. The mark was missed, but the error is mine. I will do better in the future. (NOT DONE)

A mis-STAKE!!!??

4) Put on a clinic: We didn’t follow the blueprint for beating this team. In fact, we looked most of the time, like a headhunting boxer, searching for a knockout blow, instead of doing the work to set one up. The result was sloppy and uneven. (NOT DONE)

So this weeks Four Things score is 1 out of 4. Here at the team’s Bye week, we stand at 11 of 32. (That one miss being my fault.) Next week we get a Bye to rest up, and for the coaching staff to assess how to get some discipline out of this group.

The week after that, we look to extend our win streak and complete a sweep of the giants.

On The Whole: We looked bad. Let’s get that out of the way, right off. Now that that has been acknowledged, we apparently did enough to win the damned game. So obviously everything we did, wasn’t wrong.

We made the Cowboys RB-based run game look downright pedestrian, with 103 yards on 26 carries. They had a couple of WR reverses and some QB scramble yards, but nothing that they could hang their hats on.

The mission was to put the offense squarely on the shoulders of their trash talking QB, and he was clearly not up to the task. His stat line (21/40 – 52.5% – 180 – 0 – 0) doesn’t look so good when you consider that our CB’s play on deep cushions, which gives away free short completions, by design.

Lost in all of this is that this was A) The first game this year where we didn’t give up 20 points, B) A game in which we held an opponent to a single digit score, C) A game in which we allowed zero touchdowns, and D) A game in which Wentz managed to move the ball despite only having one receiver with more than 16 yards on the night.

Also, (shades of the Redskins game), Carson again threw two picks while trying to hook up with rookie WR’s Jalen Reagor and John Hightower. With WR DeSean Jackson on IR, Hightower is our home-run hitter. That said, Wentz and Hightower need to spend this Bye week playing catch somewhere, so they can finally get on the same page.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 7: GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/10/23
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, Rivals, Roster, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

DAMMIT, take the win!

EAGLES 22 – giants 21 

EAGLES LEADERS:

(S) QB Carson Wentz: (25/43 – 58.1% – 359 – 2 – 1)

(S) RB Boston Scott: (12 – 46 – 3.8 – 0 – 0)

(S) TE Richard Rodgers: (8 – 6 – 85 – 14.1 – 0)

(S) DE Brandon Graham: (3 – 1.0 – 0 – 1)

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for the Four Things articles. It’s to point out what we need to address BEFORE the game. Then AFTER the game, there’s a no-bullshit assessment of whether or not the Eagles did any of what they needed to do, to ensure the win.

So how much of what I mentioned in  Four Things: giants did the Eagles get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Hand it off 20 times: While the Eagles ran the ball 26 times, 7 were by Wentz. Aside from Wentz, the team amassed 19 actual handoffs, for 82 yards (4.3ypc). Mathematically, it looks more productive than it actually was. (NOT DONE)

DE Brandon Graham kills the giants last minute hopes, with this sack/fumble.

2) Be sack religious: We got three sacks and generally had their QB under pressure for a good percentage of the night. The result was two turnovers from him, including the kill-shot fumble, forced by Graham in the fourth quarter. (DONE)

3) Spread them out!: We came out doing this, and then became less consistent with it, when we started with those bunch formations. The result was that we kept the giants base defense off the field, and were able to scrape together enough room to run the ball. (DONE)

4) No 50 yard field goal attempts: This was done, but technically no opportunity to attempt a 50 yarder, ever came up. However, with the way the K Jake Elliott is kicking, maybe we need to abandon kicking altogether this season. (Ugh!) Never mind. That’s just frustration talking. (DONE)

Heyyyyy! That’s a Four Things score of 3 out of 4 for the week! On the season we’re now 10 of 28. Now we get a Sunday where none of our players get hurt, for the first time since… Uhhhh… Um… Wait no, he broke his thumb peeling an egg this Easter. Okay, so it’s been a while! The point is, we get 10 days to rest up for our home match-up vs the Dallas Cowboys.

On The Whole:

For the last two weeks we’ve talked about how valiantly the Eagles have played, but always ended with: “BUT THEY STILL LOST.” This week we looked as good as a 90 year old hooker: “BUT WE STILL WON.” So take the damned win, Eagles fans. We may not see many of these in 2020.

I want to talk about how much good we did, in this game. The truth however, is that we barely squeaked by an awful team.

giants QB Daniel Jones forgot his luggage before going on his 80 yard trip.

For the second week in a row, the Eagles gave up a long QB run. Again it was vs a look that featured no Safeties. The only way a guy like QB Daniel Jones can break an 80 yard run, is if a defensive coordinator schemes for it.

Then there was that film-study TD, where WR Sterling Shepard knew the Eagles DB’s (who weren’t pressing), would switch… This was a case of our Defense drawing up the opponent’s scoring play. A change is needed. I cannot express how badly it’s needed.

QB Carson Wentz unleashed a DIME, and RB Boston Scott caught the game-winning score.

Boston Scott did catch the game-winning touchdown. Yes. Kudos. That said, his production at RB isn’t reliable. In 4 starts as an Eagle, his rushing totals (26, 59, 35 and 46) are the sort of numbers that require Wentz to carry the Offense. Something has to change.

NOTE: For the last two weeks, the fill-ins at Guard, (Jamon Brown and Sua Opeta, respectively) have had their lunch eaten by whomever lined up across from them. However, there may be a simple, and highly effective solution, waiting in the wings.

The local sports media is trying to jinn up a controversy about whether or not LT Jason Peters can reclaim his starting role from LT Jordan Mailata, once Peters returns from injury. My suggestion would be to move Peters to that RG spot that he was initially supposed to occupy this season, and move OG Nate Herbig to LG.

Okay. Just one more for the road:

FOUR THINGS: WK 7: EAGLES – GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2020/10/20
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Rivals, Special Teams, X's and O's. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

THIS week’s opponent is garbage. They are 1 – 5 trash, and they play like 1 – 5 trash. The last two weeks saw us nearly snatch two games, from teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. This year’s giants could never do that. So we need to got out there, and not play down to them. Injuries be damned.

With Dallas (2 – 4) losing to Arizona on Monday, a win over the giants on Thursday would put us at 2 – 4 – 1. Our winning percentage would be .357 to their .333. Pathetic? Sure. But it would still be the division lead? You bet! (Of course until Sunday, when Dallas shit cans Washington.)

The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics will practically guarantee our Eagles this win. CAUTION: 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 FT as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus the giants :

1) Hand it off 20 times: The handoffs aren’t about making yards. The giants are stout inside, and we’ll be leaning in RB Boston Scott. So no one expects miracles. The handoffs are to set-up play-action, keep pass rushers off of QB Carson Wentz, and not have our Defense on the field all game long.

2) Be sack religious: Go get the QB! In recent weeks he hasn’t shared the ball as much with opponents, because he hasn’t seen serious pass rush. Pass rush is what our defense does best! So go get him!

3) Spread them out!: The giants run a base 3-4 defense. Being that we we’re down to 3rd and 4th string TE’s, we should run less 12 personnel, and more 11 and 10. Use a Slot WRs to force them out of their base, make them smaller and give ourselves the corners to run the ball. WR’s J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Travis Fulgham, match-up well as blockers vs the giants Nickel and Dime DB’s.

4) No 50 yard field goal attempts: This is not an indictment on K Jake Elliott’s ability to kick from distance. It’s to put the pressure on the Offense. This is Cortez burning the ships. Let’s be honest, the schedule only gets harder after the Bye. This game is an opportunity to work on and tighten things up. We should be able to win while doing so. If not… then the remainder of the season probably doesn’t matter.

If we do these Four Things, the final score should be:

PREDICTION: EAGLES 24 – giants 16

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how it went.