Sack Leader: DEBrandon Graham (Sacks:2.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 0)
Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott1/1 FG, 4/4 XP
****
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: RAIDERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Try to Pick It:The call was to kill QB Kenny Pickett (15/25 – 60.0% – 64 – 0 – 1). To set the dogs on him. Well, we hit him 9 times with 4 of those being sacks, and two of those belonging to Brandon Graham. We got an interception off of Pickett, and OLB Jalean Phillips (no stats) also hit his arm on one throw, and deflected a pass at the line. We put the heat on my man. (DONE)
2) Win On Third Down:The Raiders came out aggressive and went for it on their very first fourth down. They didn’t convert and didn’t try that shit again. They ended the day converting just 3 of 12 third downs, meaning that we stopped them from converting, 75% of the time. Seems like a win to me! (DONE)
3) Fewer Comeback Routes:The Eagles ran just 19 passing plays on the day, and only 16 before the starters were pulled. Many of the routes involved clearing space for Dallas Goedert, instead of bringing routes back into his area. Nailed it! (DONE)
4) Second Half Run Game:The call was for 12 carries in the second half. We had 17. Ten of those were by RB Tank Bigsby (17 – 57 – 3.3 – 0 – 0), after the starters were pulled. However, 7 of those did go to Barkley, including some grind out yardage right up the middle. (DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 4 of 4. Same as last week. However, without 160 turnovers, a 4 of 4 score results in the blowout that it should be. We have sort of a short week coming up, then a 2 – 3 hour drive down 95, to go visit the Washington Commanders. (I still find myself almost typing Redskins.) A win down there, and the NFC East belongs to us, for the second year in a row.
****
Game Hero: Offensive Co-ordinator Kevin Patullo – It was 31 degrees outside. Instead of trying to throw the ball all over the field, Patullo called 39 hand-offs to just 18 pass attempts (and 1 sack). Like someone got him some common sense as an early Christmas present. There were also 8 QB runs, some of which were designed, some of which were scrambles. I’m not interested in picking gnat shit out of pepper, so I’ll call it 39 to 19.
Game goat: Reality – Sometimes reality fucking blows. In this game, QB Tanner McKee(3/3 – 100% – 33 – 0 – 0) continued to put out great tape, and he might have been auditioning for a starting spot in Vegas next year.
Each time he gets meaningful reps, he looks like the real deal. Even yesterday running our back-ups against the Raiders starters, you couldn’t help but notice his presence. His rookie contract ends next season, and he’s made it no secret that he wants to play. We won’t be replacing Hurts with McKee, so there’s no way McKee re-signs here.
If we’re smart, we package him with something to move up in the Draft. (Maybe even with Vegas.) Kenny Pickett will be a free agent, but he’s looking at a back-up role. Seeing how much love the Eagles players showed him after the game, and his 86 rating as an Eagles back-up, he might be a solid locker room re-addition.
On The Whole:
One of the best parts of this shutout, was how we kept the clock running, running, running. It kept the Raiders coaching staff unable to plot a comeback, because we’d weaponized time itself. As a result, the game was over nearly an hour before the one that followed it.
DE Brandon Graham after one of his two sacks in the game.
The best part however, might have escaped all but the most cagey of observers.
In the playoffs, the expression is to pack your defense and your run game. Yesterday’s game was a clinic of defense and running the ball. It was a master class in clock management. We held the ball for 39 minute to their 20. We kept them from an opportunity to be dangerous. The Eagles are getting into a playoffs mindset already.
YET another supposed Super Bowl favorite, falls under the treads of the mighty Eaglesmachine. Defensively, we shutdown all recognizable aspects of a Lions team that publicly said that, they had been looking forward to the game for months. We made them look unprepared. Damned near unprofessional.
Now the schedule presents to us, a Cowboys team that we’d already beaten this year, without DT Jalen Carter. Beat them before we added OLB Jaelan Phillips. Before the return of LB Nakobe Dean. Before DE Brandon Graham came out of retirement. How many defenses can claim to be stronger at mid-season, than they were on open day? It’s amazing Howie do it. Meanwhile, their star QB is nursing a hip injury.
Aww.
Winning moves us up to 9 – 2. Our grip on the NFC East would tighten, and the top seed in the conference would still lean our way. (Plus, we’d have the pleasure of sending the Cowboys into battle with the Chiefs, on just four days rest.)
A loss would hold us at 8 – 3, but still firmly in charge of division. We’d still hold the top seed if the Rams lose to Tampa Bay, on Sunday.
****
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. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus:
[pic]
DE Brandon Graham sacks QB Dak Prescott in 2023
1) QB Hits Are Hip:Get their QB on the ground! Shut their passing game down at the tap. No specific number of sacks is the benchmark. However, with their QB nursing a hip injury, if we can put him on it hard and aggravate it, it may affect his delivery of the football. Consider his pain an investment in our win.
2) Feed Our Big Dawgs: With playoffs approaching, we can’t give potential opponents the confidence of thinking we’re a passive team. This game can’t be about taking what we’re given. We need to show that we can take what we need. We need a 100 yard day, or a 2 touchdown day, from one of our Big Four (Barkley, Brown, Smith, Goedert).
3) Make ‘em Run:The Cowboys have spent this season building the interior of their defensive line. It would be silly to run right at it. Instead, we should make those big guys chase our RB’s (and maybe WR Jahan Dotson on a Jet Sweep). Get those defensive linemen winded, so they don’t have as much juice to pass rush with. We brawled for rushing yards last time. Let’s finesse them this time.
4) Take Away Quick Passes: The Cowboys QB and WR1 have been together for a few years now. They have a chemistry which allows the QB to get the ball out quickly. Nothing we can do will change that. What we can do, is make any quick catches expensive, with LB’s sitting seven or eight yards deep in zone coverage.
WR Ceedee Lamb hearing the footsteps, fearing the footsteps, making his FOURTH drop in the game.
The idea is, to either force their QB to hold the ball long enough for him to meet our pass rush; or get his receivers jacked up catching quick passes. Either way, we’re adding pain to the equation.
****
If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
The Cowboys have a defense that just gave up 16 points, to a Raiders team that had already been held to 9 points or fewer, in half of their games this year. The Cowboys defense can only hang with our Offense if they’re allowed to by our coaching staff. We should be about to blow the doors off that team.
****
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.
TOP team in the NFC, and we didn’t even play Week 9! The Eagles took a week off and came back deeper, healthier, and playing from the high ground.
We made a couple of low risk/high reward trades to strengthen our defense; we’re getting back OLB Nolan Smith from IR; and the cherry on top: DE Brandon Graham has come out of retirement! While no one expects him to play like he did in his prime, his leadership in the locker room is the definition of the word ‘invaluable’.
It’s a good thing we have all of this going for us, because this week we do battle on Lambeau Field. At night. With a low of 25, and 15% chance of precipitation, (read: snow). Lambeau when the mercury dips below 30, is probably the toughest place to play in American sports.
I love it! This is a champion’s challenge, and a fitting welcome back! We already head the division. Now we’re playing to keep the number one seed, and home-field advantage through out the playoffs. Now QB Jalen Hurts and RB Saquon Barkleyneed to tighten those chinstraps, as we prepare, to push on.
With a win, we move to 7 – 2 and hold our position as the top team in the NFC.
With a loss, we’d be 6 – 3, but still be at the head of the NFC East.
****
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 week. Often I list fundamentals, as some of the four things. BUT NO MORE! Unless something specific is needed, fundamentals like Running the ball; playing lots of Man Press; and Tackling instead of going for the strip, will be automatically included. (Like the five consonants and a vowel that Wheel Of Fortune automatically spots you.) So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Packers.
RB Saqoun Barkley with a 12 yard scoring run.
1) Over A Buck Rushing:The Packers haven’t beaten any team that has reached 96 rushing yards, this season. They also have an undersized defensive line that’s built around pass rushing. The approach here is simple. Spend the night pounding on them. Then when they’re tired and their will is broken, pound on them some more.
2) Deal Out Aerial Hurts:Getting the ball to WR A.J. Brown and WR DeVonta Smith is absolutely critical to getting this win. If we get the ball outside with the passing game, we can run inside. We have to use our WR’s down the field, in order to give Barkley room to navigate.
3) Our DT’s Must Penetrate: We need a big night from DT Jordan Davis and DT Jalen Carter.
DT’s Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter.
Carter in particular, because with their QB being right-handed, when Carter gets penetration, it’ll make it more difficult for their QB to step into his throws. On a night as cold as Monday, the ball will be as hard and slick as marble. Since their QB doesn’t really wear gloves, the more awkward we can make his releases, the better.
4) Take Away Anything Easy: Their QB is going into what he thinks is a game, without his security blanket. He’s already going to have to do more reading, so turn that up a notch. Get LB’s dropping slowly into zones, and Safeties not immediately dropping deep, but running with their assignments upon approach.
This will put more stress on our CB’s to not get beat deep, but the idea is to force the ball into their areas. Think about it, a stressed QB to throwing a slippery brick, deep downfield, without being able to step into it. They may hit on some of those passes, but the chances of a turnover are so much greater.
****
If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This is two teams potentially vying for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This win has to make a statement. This is not a time to prove how clever we can be. We’re the bigger team. We’re more physical, and we have the deeper roster.
LB Zach Baun with a sack
On Monday night, that all needs to be on display. Don’t get cute. Just go up, and take the other kid’s lunch money. Get under Center and run the god-damned football. Their QB doesn’t handle pressure well. So we need to set the dawgs on him. This isn’t a game. It’s a hunt. Run ‘em down, grab ‘em, drag ‘em into the shadows, and… Bon appetite.
On a side note: It would really be great if we ran the Brotherly Shove, on our first snap of the night. I’ll be at home wearing my “PUSH ON.” t-shirt. I hope you will be too.
****
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 forFour Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.
Sack Leader: DT Milton Williams (Sacks:2.0/ FF: 1/ Tackles: 2)
Special Teams Ace: TE Dallas Goedertonside kick recovery
****
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: RAMS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Don’t Get Cute:As the second part of this key, I said that TE Dallas Goedert (5 – 4 – 19 – 4.7 – 0) should see eight targets in this game. He didn’t, because we were already killing them with the first part of this key. My exact words were: “We are a running team, and our rushing attack is led by RB Saquon Barkley. Stick to that.”
SHEESH! Did we ever! We ran for 314 yards and 3 TD’s. Our Offensive Line cut off backside pursuits, while providing holes big enough for a motorcycle. Saquon had a 70 yard touchdown run, on the first play of the second half; and a 72 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. He was hardly touched for either. This is unfair. I love it!(DONE)
2) Send the Dawgs:The Rams tried to scare us early, with their rushing attack. On their first drive, they notched 47 of the 92 rushing yards that they’d get all night. Then we forced a fumble and recovered it, ending that drive. As I said in FT, they can’t make a living on their run game, so they must lean on the pass (17 runs, 38 dropbacks).
DT Milton Williams gets one of his his two sacks here
So the call in FT, was to beat up on the opposing QB. Well, we sacked him four times, and knocked him down a bunch more. He didn’t turn the ball over, but we did get him to fumble, and kept him rattled to the tune of 0 for 8 on third down. (DONE)
3) Get An Early Touchdown:We got just one drive in the first quarter, and it became a field goal. (NOT DONE)
4) Blitz Over Their Right Tackle:I don’t recall a single edge blitz in this game. When we did blitz, it was through the middle. We didn’t really need to bring extra bodies, since our Front Four were doing such an effective job. (NOT DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4. We need to solve our first quarter scoring issue. We can’t have a serious discussion about a deep playoff run, if we don’t. Playoff caliber teams will make short work of us.
Speaking of playoff caliber teams, our next match-up is a measuring stick against one. Specifically the Baltimore Ravens, who come in with the NFL’s #2 rusher. Take a guess at who’s #1.
****
Game Hero: RB Saquon Barkley – (Admit it. That segue was Hall Of Fame worthy.) He piled up 255 rushing yards, on 26 carries, vs Hurts 22 pass attempts. He set an Eagles all-time rushing record for a single game, and he even showed off as a receiver (4 – 4 – 47 – 11.7 – 0), bringing his individual yardage total to 302 yards.
Game goat: Injuries – It was bad enough to lose CB Darius Slay (3 tackles) to a concussion; but losing DE Brandon Graham(2 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) to a torn tricep for the remainder of the season, was a stab in the belly. Finding out that the injury could be the epitaph of his career, was just twisting the knife.
On The Whole: Except for a few big plays by the Eagles, this game was largely a fist-fight in a phone-booth. The Rams seemed like they wanted to go toe-to-toe with us on that, but in the end, they simply didn’t have the stamina for it. Once a few of the LB’s were thrown out the club, they seemed to lose the desire to play tough.
Funny thing is, the Eagles were shorthanded with WR DeVonta Smith, out with a hammy. And it didn’t seem to disrupt much. We largely didn’t do anything fancy, and honestly, it felt like we were trying to milk the clock, from the moment we first got the ball.
Drive Killer: NA (TD: /Int: / FR: / 4th down stops: / FF: )
Sack Leader: DE Brandon Graham (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 2)
Special Teams Ace: CB Kelee Ringo returns blocked XP (CBIsaiah Rodgers) for 2pts
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Thingsarticles. 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: BUCCANEERS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
WR Parris Campbell looks in a touchdown pass
1) Our Reserves Must Gainwell: Aside from WR Parris Campbell(4 – 4 – 17 – 4.2 – 1) no other reserve Offensive player made a difference, or even a noticeable contribution in this game. Part of is it because some of these guys are actual trash, and part of it is because our Offense is routed through the not-so-swift brain, of QB Jalen Hurts.
This was the back-ups week to step up and demand the ball. To signal that they could be relied on. None of their body language or sideline activity, indicated that. The spotlight was on them and nearly all of them shrank from it. (NOT DONE)
2) Get to Baker: We sacked QB Baker Mayfield (30/47 – 63.8 – 347 – 2 – 0) all of twice. We played soft coverage nearly all game long, so Mayfield just sat back and played catch with his receivers. Especially in the first half. Things tightened up a little in the second half, but mostly it was Busc receivers running free, and making uncontested catches. They had four players with 50+ yards receiving. (NOT DONE)
DE Brandon Graham collection one of the Eagles two sacks
3) Run the Ball:AHEM!!! Twelve million dollar RB Saquon Barkley, had 10 carries in this game. Jalen Hurts had 8 for 20 whole yards. A couple of those were Brotherly Shoveplays, but most of them were designed keepers. As long as the play-callers think Hurts is our second RB, our Offense is going to keep finding itself sputtering, just like it keeps doing. (NOT DONE)
4) Own the GCG Box: Our DT’s were somewhat disruptive, but at no point did they take over the interior of the offensive line. They did a great job of occupying blocks, which allowed MLB Nakobe Dean (6 – 0 – 0 – 0) to whiff on tackle after tackle. Or to be an inch too short to get a deflection. We didn’t allow a lot of rushing yards (111), but they did seem to be able to run it at will, which complemented their short, quick passing game. (NOT DONE)
++++
This week’s Four Things score is0 of 4, which is precisely why we, got shit beat down our leg. Next week we get to stay home and lick our wounds. It’ll be nice to see a weekend without a Jalen Hurts turnover.
****
Game Hero: Whoever fired the gun at the end of the game.
Game goat: QB Jalen Hurts – This was a week, where Hurts should have taken the team on his back. Instead, there was no sense of urgency, no fire to him. Just that same look of boredom that he always displays on the sideline. Others call it “stoic”. I call it, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. I’ve seen players excited to play. I’ve been one. That’s never the vibe that our leader transmits.
In 2021, I wrote an article, where I said that Jalen Hurts would never become a true franchise QB, and I have never moved off of that assessment. How has that 2021 assessment aged? Well, Hurts, despite being in his FIFTH year, still can’t punish a blitz, and has become a turnover machine, hasn’t he? He’s regressed badly from 2022 hasn’t he?
In fact, check out my 2021 article and tell me if you aren’t seeing the exact same things today, that you were seeing in 2021. Granted, today he uses his TE better, and no longer avoids throwing over the middle. Otherwise, his failure to grow or to evolve, doesn’t indicate much future success for the lad. Or us.
On The Whole: There is a ton of blame that can be handed out for this match. But the truth is, on top of all the things the coaches didn’t get right; and the QB did wrong; and the tackles that got missed; are the facts that 1)we were playing shorthanded, 2) on the road, and 3) in 100 degree weather.
CB Kelee Ringo recovers blocked extra point and returns it for two points
It was a damned tough assignment, and we quickly wound up on the wrong end, of a 0 – 24 score. But did we quit? Hell no! We got it as close as 16 – 30. Even hustling on Special Teams for a blocked extra point, that was returned for 2 points. While we didn’t walk away with the “W”, it’s efforts like this, that help forge a team’s identity.
LOST in the Wild Card round, 11 – 6, second in the NFC East, 25.5 pspg / 25.2 papg
The Eagles ripped out the gate to a 10 – 0 start. However, they aand may of us writers, never quite seemed comfortable, because the Eagles allowed the games to be more difficult than they should have been. Then the wheels fell of, the team utterly collapsed, and no explanation has yet to be given. (Good. I wouldn’t want to hear it anyway.)
The Eagles responded by replacing the offensive and defensive coordinators. They also allowed General Manager Howie Roseman, to go all Tanya Harding on the entire city of New York, by taking RB Barkley from one team, and trading OLB Hasson Reddick to the other.
OFFENSE:
QB Jalen Hurts
QB: Jalen Hurts experienced a little problem with turnovers last year. Whether it was an anomaly, or it’s because teams have figured him out, remains to be seen. He still has trouble punishing the blitz, but his 99 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter (despite four missed games) makes you wonder what he could be, if he fixed that glaring flaw.
Kenny Pickett has plenty of arm talent and moxie. Half of his 12 career wins, are comeback victories. Which is a heck of a feat, given the lack of protection he was working with in Pittsburgh. Tanner McKee is a big, strong, tough player, and his teammates like playing for him. He is however, the definition of a pocket passer. (+)
RB: Saquon Barkley. Seeing how good he’s been with trash players and coaching surrounding him, only makes you wonder how good he can be now. However, it’s him being over 230 pounds that most excites me. No knock on all-time leading rusher LeSean McCoy, but the Eagles have had a lot of success here, with guys 220 pounds and up.
Kenneth Gainwell is a man without a real role. He isn’t special at anything. Will Shipley is a 4th round rookie, who seems like a big effort, hard nosed type. Neither backup is built to be an NFC East style workhorse. Which raises the question of: Who carries the load if Barkley gets hurt? Barkley is a great starter to have, but the depth is a question. (+)
TE: Given some of the other names on this team, it can be too easy to overlook Dallas Goedert. However, even as a third option, he’s been quietly putting up around 600 yards per season, for the last five seasons. There doesn’t seem to be a plan for third year man, Grant Calcaterra, as his blocking never wowed anyone. Again, this is a case of excellent starter, no real depth. With just two active, the position is also thin. (-)
WR: A.J. Brownis flat-out uncoverable. Hands, speed, size, vertical leap, route running… He owns every tool in the hardware store. On the opposite sideline, is DeVonta Smith, who puts on a clinic with every route that he runs. He posted a 72% catch rate last year. As a BOUNDARY receiver, with over 100 targets. Those are star receiver numbers, and he’s the #2.
Jahan Dotsonwas traded for, to give the Eagles a legit slot receiver and real depth. Rookie 6th rounder Johnny Wilsonis the #4 receiver. He’s 6’6” 228 pounds, but he has slow feet for this position. Having played at 245, if his blocking improves, a position switch might suit him. Britain Covey is primarily a return man. (+)
LT Jordan Mialata
OT: LT Jordan Mialatahas become a team captain. It still feels a little premature to call him ‘elite’, but his name does keep coming up in the national conversation. RT Lane Johnson is elite. There is no media outlet that refers to him, without calling him a future Hall Of Famer, somewhere in the conversation. It can be debated who the best OT in the league is, but there is no debate that the Eagles have the best starting pair.
LT Fred Johnsonhas been with the team since last year, and even saw a little bit of action. While RT Darian Kinnard played a lot during the preseason, you could tell he was a lock to make the team. I think coaches just wanted to be sure he was really as good a he seemed out there. (+)
OG: While LG Landon Dickersondoesn’t get the credit, he’s the real reason that the Brotherly Shove works as well as it does, as consistently as it does. As if to acknowledge this, the Eagles low-key made a point of giving him a four year extension, in March.
At the RG position is Mekhi Becton. He was a 2020, #11 overall draft pick, who the Jets had at RT, until he suffered two right knee injuries. At 6’7” 363 pounds, he’s an absolute monster of a man. So instead of playing him at RT, the Eagles chose to kick him inside, where he can wrestle with opponents in a phonebooth. He was good enough in camp to take the starting spot.
Tyler Steen is the second year man, who was supposed to start. Until Becton came along. I wasn’t big on Steen last year, but word is he’s improved noticeably. Rookie Trevor Keegan was selected in the 5th round this season. Not much is expected of him yet. (+)
C: Cam “Beef” Jurgensis taking over for the retired future Hall Of Famer Jason Kelce. Jurgens has 28 career starts at G, although the pivot is his natural spot. Not only did Kelce helped hand-pick Jurgens in the 2022 Draft, he mentored him. Groomed him to be a ready when the moment comes. This is that moment. Oh and there is no back-up. (+)
In A Nutshell: This roster is so stacked it’s ridiculous. And there may be even more help on the way.
DEFENSE:
DE: Brandon Graham is returning for his 15th and final ride, with the only NFL roster that was ever lucky enough, to have him grace it. He’s no longer a starter, but his snaps are impactful, as he plays the position classically. By which I mean, he plays the run on the way to the pass. Most modern players at this position, just play pass first, and so often fail to contain the edge.
Free agent Bryce Huff, comes over from the Jets, and will likely be the starter that Graham rotates with. He didn’t start a game last year and still led that team with 10 sacks. So of course, instead of starting him, the Jets let him walk. (+)
DT: I won’t keep you in suspense. The Eagles are literally SIX players deep at this position. Every guy here could start on a team somewhere in this league. Jordan Davis is a mountain of a man and the centerpiece of the Defensive Line. By his own admission he wore down in 2023, and has dedicated himself to his conditioning in 2024. Stay tuned. Jalen Carter grabbed 6 sacks and finished in second place for rookie of the year, last year. Milton Williams is a tweener, who gets moved around, to create and enhance mismatches along the line.
Moro Ojomo has made plenty of noise in preseason games. Now it’s time to translate that to games that count. Byron Young was a 3rd rounder last year, but was a victim of a 2024 numbers crunch in Las Vegas. Thomas Booker was an End in Houston last year. All three of these guys are tweeners, in that they’re Big End/high motor Nickel Tackle, types. Too much depth here. (+)
OLB: Josh Sweaton paper, changes position from DE, but in no way will that change how the Eagles utilize him. He gets lots of pressure and hits on passers (23 in 2023). The Eagles are just trying find a way to turn those into sacks (just 6.5 last year.) Nolan Smithwas supposed to be a steal in the 1st round of last year’s Draft, but he can’t produce from the sideline.
Jalyx Hunt is a 3rd round rookie, who had no business still being on the board when the Eagles got there. Patrick Johnson’s value lies in his flexibility (LB/DE), and his Special Teams play. While Eagles have parts here, getting production from them has proven to be challenge. (-)
ILB: Free Agent Devin White came over from Tampa. His resume shows that he can be a playmaker, but with most Eagles starters playing no preseason snaps, it’s impossible to judge how he fits. Zach Baun comes over from New Orleans, having been a spot starter and situational player. When the Eagles go to their 5 – 2 alignment, these two head the depth chart.
Nakobe Dean has so far not panned out as planned, but this new defensive coaching staff, seems excited about him. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. will initially get stuck on Special Teams, but his heads-up style of play, suggests that coaches will find defensive snaps for him. Oren Burks was a late preseason acquisition who has starting experience, and has made some plays. Ben VanSumeren is a born Special Teamer.
The position is stable and solid up top. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that the free agents we added, are stunting the growth of the young guys we have (who seem to have more upside), by keeping them off the field. (+)
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (CJGJ) intercepts a pass
S: C.J. Gardner-Johnson returns, after a year in Detroit that he’d probably like to forget. His 2022 season here, saw him lead the NFL in interceptions and play in the Super Bowl. He’s back to get a taste of that again. Reed Blankenship isn’t a burner, but he possesses pretty much any other trait you’d want at this position. If the communication between these two is good, the middle of the field will be a dangerous place to venture.
Rookie 2nd rounder Cooper DeJean, fist best at this position. Yes, the coaches love his schematic flexibility, but ultimately, player play best where they play best. Tristin McCollumwas a longshot to make this roster, but here he is. (+)
CB:Darius “Big Play” Slaydoesn’t get the respect that he deserves. Even playing in a heavy cushion cover scheme, he’s picked off 8 passes in three seasons. Isaiah Rodgers was brought in a year ago while on suspension. We have yet to see him play. Quinyon Mitchell is a 1st rounder from this year. While he’s well thought of, he’s still a rookie. There’s an education coming.
Kelee Ringo is a big guy, who plays with an aggression and swagger that will either make him a star pr run him out of the league eventually. Eli Ricks is another tall one, who made a few clutch plays as a reserve in 2023. Fact is, Slay is great, but there’s no way to vouch for the other side yet. (-)
In A Nutshell: This unit should be strong down the middle. The edges of the defense is where the question marks are.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
LS: Rick Lovato notched 3 tackles and forced a fumble, in 2023. (+)
P: Braden Mann posted a punt average of 49.8, and a net of 43.8. Both of which were career bests for him. (+)
K: Jake “The Make” Elliottmade a career-high 93.8% of his field goals, and even made 7 of 8 from 50 or more. (+)
In A Nutshell: The Eagles have long understood the battle of hidden yardage, and it continues to show.
BOTTOM LINE:
This is team went on a 10 – 0 start last year, while never looking like a dominant team. I personally am getting the vibe that they won’t get out to a long undefeated streak, but they will absolutely land on a few teams this year.
As for 2024: A record of 12 – 5 seems to fit like Cinderella’s glass slipper. Let’s go with that.
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.
Sack Leader: DE Brandon Graham(Sacks:1.5/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 2)
Special Teams Ace: RBRashaad Penny downed KO out of bounds to induce a penalty.
****
I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these Four Thingsarticles. 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: COWBOYSdid the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) Be Physical About Running the Ball: We had 23 hand-offs to 23 pass attempts. Also, most of the runs were between the Tackles. So it cannot be said that the runs weren’t called, or that we didn’t try to thump in the middle. We clearly did the things we needed to do. We just weren’t very productive at them. (DONE)
2) Win the Turnover Battle: This one speaks for itself. The Eagles didn’t turn the ball over at all, meanwhile Dallas fumbled on the game’s final play. It was recovered by Blankenship (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0). It could be argued that Blankenship had two turnovers in this game. One being the fumble recovery, the other being the 4th and goal tackle, which rendered Dallas about 3 inches short of a touchdown. (DONE)
DE Brandon Graham sacks QB Dak Prescott
3) Alter Their QB’s Launch Points: We did a lot of this, but some of it looked like Dallas had planned to move him around anyway. Whatever. It played into what we needed to do, and held his completion percentage to 65.9, instead of the 71.0 that he’s been averaging this season. We did not not get a repeat of last week, where we allowed 75% to a lesser player. (DONE)
4) Bait the ‘Boys:Nope. Our run game did nothing clever in this game. It was all hand it off, and get out of the way. Look I get it. We’re trying to protect Jalen’s hurt knee; as well as not tip our full hand, to a team we have to face again, in a few weeks. Still, it would have been nice to see them playing with no confidence in the 4th quarter, as opposed to the nail-biter that we had to endure. (NOT DONE)
++++
So that’s 3 of theFour Things done in this one. It would have been nice to see things done more effectively. However, I’m not going to bitch about a division win, that makes us the NFL’s top team. Coming up next week, we get our Bye. Following that, we get a Chiefs team also coming off a bye. (Great! Andy Reid with two weeks to prepare is practically Batman.)
****
With the touch of a knee, FS Reed Blankenship brings down the TE, short of the goal line on 4th down,
Game Hero: FS Reed Blankenship – For my money it was Reed Blankenship. True, he got beaten quite a bit when covering WR Ceedee Lamb (16 – 11 – 191 – 17.3 – 0), but Defensive Coordinator Sean Desaihad no business putting Blankenship on Lamb. To Blankenship’s credit, he didn’t focus on his failures, kept his head in the game, and snuffed out two drives inside the 5 yard line. Take away either play and this game is a 28 – 29 loss.
Game goat: TheOffensive Line – Eeking out a paltry 3.3 yards per run was bad enough; but allowing our gimpy QB to be sacked 3 times, and hit 4 more??? It was primarily this unit that stalled out in the 4th quarter, precipitating two punts which gave Dallas hope. If the line had done it’s job late in the game, this would have been a double digit win. The play-calling was dreck, but the execution was also shitty.
On The Whole:
It was a divisional game for high stakes, so you had to know that Dallas was coming here to play. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that we played down to Dallas. Their roster has so many obvious holes. Their defensive system has so many blatant deficiencies. Seems like we should have been able to exploit these, and turn this game into a route.
Instead, once we got a double digit lead, the play-calling became very questionable. We had three drives stall, none of which lasted two minutes (1:31, 1:40, 0:31). Instead of leaning on the run game, and chewing up clock (like we usually do), we put the first two drives on the shoulders and legs of Hurts.
You know, for all the talk of what Hurts is “going through”, the coaching staff doesn’t seem to mind dangling him out there, like steak in front of tigers. At this rate, I hope Foles stays by his phone once the playoffs roll around.
While any idiot can say “Hey let’s sign every high-priced Free Agent on the market”. THE 12 focuses on what we can do with what we already have, to fix or improve our team.
WE’RE all itching to see DT’s Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter on the field at the same time. That however, can only happen if either DT Fletcher Cox is sitting, or has been flexed outside to LDE. Actually, the move to End would help out not only Cox, but the entire Defense. It would make a second Super Bowl appearance much easier to pull off.
Let’s get into why.
The Eagles featured pass rusher is LOLB/LDE Haason Reddick. When he plays LOLB, he’s outside of the LDE, and when he rushes from LOLB, so does the DE on that side. That’s usually as either part of a five man rush; OR a four man, where the RDE drops into shallow zone, with the ROLB and MLB shifting to their left, to balance out the underneath coverage.
That’s all simple principle. You saw it here last year, and you’ll see it every year, on every team, which has a dominant pass rusher at OLB. Can’t be avoided. But scheme isn’t the issue. Every team sees this coming, and nobody is ever caught off-guard by it. Ever.
Fletcher Cox may not be the 2018 version of Fletcher Cox, but moving him (primarily)to DE (with Reddick at OLB), puts Cox in a position where he can’t really ever see a double-team. Instead he gets to engage just the outer edge of a RG, because the RT has to create a wider gap to engage Reddick.
So wait! Doesn’t that leave Jordan Davis one-on-one with a Center? Because opponents can’t use their LG to help out on Davis, since that LG has Carter, right? Which leaves RDE Josh Sweatdancing alone with the LT.
So opponents can’t double-team anyone on our line. The only way to do it, would be to keep a TE or a RB, as blocking help. That gives our LB’s and Secondary fewer people to cover. Of course the Achilles Heel of this, is when our Front Five gets tired, right?
At which point we roll in LOLB Nolan Smith, LDE Brandon Graham, LDT Kentavius Street, RDT Milton Williams, and RDE Derek Barnett. Folks, there is no breather for opposing offensive lines. Imagine, after a few downs fighting against Fletcher Cox, the guy who lines up across from you now, is a fresh Brandon Graham. Did you catch a break? No. You didn’t.
Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox. FEASTING.
Eagles fans, we don’t have to add anybody to do this. We already have these guys! It’s just a matter of how we (LOL, I said Howie) deploy them. Did I mention that we have guys like DE Janarius Robinson and (rookie) DTMoro Ojomo, waiting in the wings?
So yeah. Let’s move Cox mostly to DE, making the season easier on both him and the team, on our way to Paradise, Nevada on February 11th, where we will finish the job this time.
LAST week DTFletcher Cox, DE Brandon Graham, DE Josh Sweat and OLB Hasaan Reddickcombined to knock QB Aaron Rodgers from the game, and setting up the end of his era in Green Bay. This week we turn our gaze to deposing the supposed “king”. Now is not a good time to be considered NFL royalty. Because we’re hunting for another crown.
DT Fletcher Cox on the hunt
A win makes us 11 – 1, and keeps us at the top of the NFL food chain. There are seven seats at the playoff table. That means we have to be better than NINE teams in the conference. Winning an 11th game would mean that we can’t lose more than 6 games this season. EIGHT teams already have 7 or more losses. We’d be two Washington or Seattle losses away, from clinching a playoff spot.
A loss would make us 10 – 2. However, both we and the number two team, are playing non-conference games this week. So no mater how this weekend works out, we’ll keep the top seed. For at least one more week, the NFC belongs to us, and no one can do a goddamn thing but genuflect, and kiss the motherfucking ring.
So let’s go get this win, and kill any hope that the peasants may be harboring.
****
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: Titans
1) Pick The Fight:The Titans style isn’t one of being particularly clever, but of being physical. The Titans, almost to a man, will be looking to punch us in the mouth. As a team, the Eagles have faced adversity vs weather, on the scoreboard, and with calls by officials. This time, as individual men, they will be tested physically.
As Philadelphians we pride ourselves on being ready to drop the gloves faster than anyone else. Sunday we get to see if our team is as tough as the fans. (It’s RARELY the case though. See: Gang Green Defense, Buddy Ryan) The Titans however, are about that life! Instead of accepting their invitation to a fight, we need to start it, and finish it.
Winning at the line of scrimmage. Tackles that put men on the ground. Hits that draw flags, and send their players to the blue tent. These are the things we need to see Sunday. No finessing our way through this one. We need our toes to tickle their tonsils the hard way.
2) Keep Him Clean:Keeping blockers off of MLB T.J. Edwards will allow him to flow to the Titans 247 pound RB, and meet him in the hole before he can gather any momentum. That means our Defensive Linemen can’t allow Titans offensive linemen to have quick, clean releases off the line of scrimmage.
With their RB being so large, he needs holes, not creases. If we can delay their linemen even half a second, it malforms the hole that the RB needs to run through. If the Defense can trap the RB between the linemen, it’ll be easier to slow their run game. Look, they’re going to run the ball a lot. So we don’t need to shut down their run game, just make it unreliable.
3) Rush for 100 yards: The Titans are 0 – 3 this season when they allow 100 yards rushing. They’re 1 – 4 when their opponent rushes for 75 or more. That said, this one is more about us, and less about them.
Running the ball successfully, is about being able to impose will on someone who is giving their all, not to let it happen. If we can do that against a team as physical as the Titans, we will have sent a POWERFUL message to the entire the NFL. If we cannot, it’s best to know it (and fix it), before we find ourselves in the playoffs.
4) Tight Man Coverage:When I say Titans WR, who’s the first person you think of? Nope, he plays for us now. Think of someone else… Can’t? Neither can anyone else, since their WR’s have COMBINED for just 3 of the Titans 11 receiving scores. No one is afraid of these guys.
Making things worse for them, is QB Ryan Tannehill, the Neapolitan ice cream of NFL QB’s. His 36 – 16 record as a Titan says reliable, but his limitations…
Imagine a slab of this, melting on a styrofoam plate, next to a square of sheet cake. Yum. Tannehill.
Watching Tannehill try to force passes to sub-par receivers, wearing CB’s Darius “Big Play” Slay and James Bradberry, like shadows, should buy enough time for our deep and talented Defensive Line, to shred their lackluster offensive line.
****
If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…
This is the game on the schedule that scares me. For many it’s the Dallas re-match, but I’m neither here nor there with that one. That’s a division game. Division games (like footballs) can take funny bounces. See the difference between our Washington games? Yeah. So I’ll see how I feel about Dallas, when that game gets here.
The 7 – 4 Titans score an average of 19.0 points per game, vs allowing 18.6. They don’t have the firepower to reach 30 points, and haven’t all season so far. So this game like many of their other games, they’re going to try and turn into a low scoring brawl. Usually I don’t suggest playing down to an opponent, but we need a good fist fight.
Talent-wise, the Eagles are head and shoulders above the Titans, in most areas. If we bring the same level of physicality to this game as they do, we should win this game in a walk. However, this is a different type of opponent than we’ve faced all year, and we need to be ready to meet that type of challenge in the playoffs.
****
Prediction: EAGLES 26 – Titans 17
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, you are 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.
EAGLEMANIACAL.com 