Drive Killer: S Reed Blankenship (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)
Sack Leader: LB Nakobe Dean (Sacks:1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 5)
Special Teams Ace: NA
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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: COWBOYS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:
1) QB Hits Are Hip: All game long we got just 6 hits and 1 sack on the Cowboys QB. SO we didn’t affect his delivery of the ball much at all (NOT DONE)
2) Feed Our Big Dawgs:WR A.J. Brown had 110 receiving yards, and WR DeVonta Smith (11 – 6 – 89 – 14.8 – 0) got close to the century mark as well. However, the offensive approach was passive, and the run game was essentially shelved for this game. RB Saquon Barkley (10 – 22 – 2.2 – 0 – 1 / 8 – 7 – 52 – 7.4 – 0) was targeted 8 times as a receiver, but the play-calling abandoned the run, while holding a 21 point lead. (DONE)
3) Make ‘em Run:Idea was to to get their defensive line to chase our run game laterally. However with us abandoning the run, there was never a real opportunity for this. (NOT DONE)
4) Take Away Quick Passes:We didn’t manage to do this either, as the Cowboys kept the chains moving with timely passes, which also deprived the Eagles pass rush. (NOT DONE)
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This week’s Four Things score was1 of 4. We come back to the Linc on Friday for a pivotal match-up with the Chicago Bears.
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Game Hero: Not Applicable
Game goat: Head CoachNick Sirianni – I’m done blaming Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullofor his ineptitude. I’m not even going to give a list of his failings for this game. By now, Sirianni should have done something about Patullo’s bungling, foolish, predictable, and flat-out unimaginative play-calling. But he hasn’t.
We are still at the head of the NFC East. We have however, fallen behind the Rams for the number one seed in the Conference. This means that this game, and the collapse vs Denver, may rob us of home-field advantage and more importantly, the first round Bye. This is despite beating the Rams, and Lions, and Packers, even with the handicap of Patullo’s… coaching.
On The Whole: We had the Cowboys down 21 – 0 at the half, and couldn’t mount any kind of a scoring drive for the second half of the game. This is after Dallas made their adjustments, of course. To which we apparently made none.
Our Defense battled valiantly, but our Offense kept going three-and-out, and giving the Cowboys opportunity, after opportunity, after opportunity. We had six possessions in the second half, and only managed to get into field goal position ONCE. Which we then missed and set Dallas up with a short field. Three plays later they scored a touchdown.
CB Cooper DeJean should not play on the boundary.
Once we started losing players in the Secondary (CB Adoree Jackson (three tackles); S Reed Blankenship (8 – 0.0 – 1 – 0); and SAndrew Makuba(3 tackles) we had to move NCB Cooper DeJean(7 tackles) to actual CB, and the Cowboys proceeded to roast him alive. If you’ve been wondering why DeJean is a Nickel and doesn’t start on the boundary, it’s because of what I told you in August. For anyone who disagreed with me then, what did you think of Coop tonight?
SEASON Reviews are usually done at the end of the season. A few are also done at the halfway mark. Starting in 2017, Eaglemaniacal.com began treating the season like a game, and breaking it into four quarters.
In 2021, the NFL expanded the season to 17 games, which makes for an uneven split. So this year (at least), these Quarterly Reports will come after games 5, 9, 13, and 17. (Ugh. I hate even looking at that format.)
Since football is a hard sport, we’ll take a hard look at where our team currently stands, in relation to where it started. Then we can discuss where it needs to go next.
STATUS: 11 – 6, 2nd in the NFC East, 5th seed in the playoffs
OPPONENTS:
L – Seattle
W – New York giants
L – Arizona
L – New York giants
OVERVIEW:
Two fourth quarter collapses vs the Seahawks and the Cardinals, ended any talk of the Eagles stealing the 1st seed back from San Francisco, and left the Birds needing Washington to beat Dallas, for the 2nd seed to tumble to us. We hardly seemed interested vs the giants in the season finale.
GRADES:
QB:Jalen Hurts (66/108 – 61.1% – 666 – 4 – 5) has been inconsistent in terms of production and decision making, as of recent. You almost wonder if, (beyond all the press conference speak), he truly understands what’s at stake. We’ve spent years hearing about his leadership, yet neither his sideline demeanor, nor his production, are indicative of someone worth following during tough times.
Marcus Mariota (15/23 – 65.2% – 164 – 1 – 1) showed enough understanding of the system, to warrant consideration as next year’s back-up. Even better, he showed enough mobility for the coaching staff to know that, in the even that he has to start any games, they don’t have to revamp the Offense for him. (Grade:D)
RB D’Andre Swift scores TD
RB:D’Andre Swift (51 – 227 – 4.4 – 1 – 0/ 4 – 3 – 6 – 2.0 – 0) has been effective as a runner, but a joke as a pass catcher. In fact, overall he hasn’t done a thing that RB Miles Sanders didn’t do better last year. Swift was supposed to be an upgrade at RB receiver. Instead, his production proved that the issue is the system, and not the player that we replaced.
Kenneth Gainwell(21 – 129 – 6.1 – 0 – 0/ 8 – 7 – 53 – 7.5 – 0) has great looking numbers for a back-up, but watching him play tells a different story. Repeatedly getting 4 yards, when the team needs 5, or getting 5 when we need 6, is still coming up short, even though a 4.5 per carry average, looks nice on paper. Boston Scott(4 – 8 – 2.0 – 0 – 0/ 1 – 0 – 0 – 0.0 – 0) likely won’t be back next year. (Grade: C)
TE:Dallas Goedert (27 – 17 – 152 – 8.9 – 1) is being wasted out there. Instead of making him a downfield threat, he’s used on TE Screens and as a release valve. Not a checkdown, a release valve. Jack Stoll (1 – 1 – 11 – 11.0 – 0) is almost exclusively a undersized offensive linemen. Grant Calcaterra (4 – 4 – 39 – 9.7 – 0) saw his first targets of the season, during this quarter, and he caught all four of them. This position is woefully thin.(Grade: D)
WR:A.J. Brown(27 – 16 – 198 – 12.3 – 0). Fewer than 200 yards in four weeks. Add the knee sprain suffered in the finale, anyone want to guess at why he’s been so frustrated? Devonta Smith (15 – 12 – 159 – 13.2 – 1) didn’t play in the finale due to an ankle injury.
Quez Watkins (12 – 8 – 93 – 11.6 – 1) entire season’s production was pretty much just the last game of the year. That said, he didn’t look bad. Julio Jones (11 – 6 – 58 – 9.6 – 2) is still a hard read. The Eagles don’t seem to have a dedicated role for him, but he answers the bell when called. Olamide Zaccheaus (5 – 2 – 20 – 10.0 – 0) is still vastly underutilized.
All told, as a position the Slot/#3 (28 – 16 – 171 – 10.6 – 3) was productive this quarter, contributing 42 yards per game. Splitting it up among three players, who don’t strictly line-up in the Slot, makes it harder to notice, than if we used one as our version of Wes Welker, Hunter Renfrow, etc. (Grade: D)
OT: LT Jordan Mailata completed the season, having played every snap of every game. Penalty-wise it was his worst quarter of the season. On Christmas he gifted the giants with 2 penalties for 15 yards, and then gave up another 1 for 10 to the Cardinals.
RT Lane Johnson comes back into the game
RT Lane Johnsongave up 1 penalty for 10 yards, on Christmas day. He started the season finale, but was pulled early, with other key veterans, in prep for the playoffs. Swingman Jack Driscoll closed the game out for Johnson, and completed the season committing ZEE-RO penalties on the entire season. (Grade: B)
OG: LG Landon Dickerson missed the giants game on Christmas, which was his only miss of the season. His false start penalty vs the Seattle was his only penalty of the quarter. He logged some reps at C in the season finale.
RG Cam Jurgens missed the Seahawks game, and as pulled early with other key starters in the season finale. He wrapped up his second season without being called for a single penalty in his career.
Swingman Sua Opetastarted game 14 at RG and game 15 at LG, then was back in the line-up at LG for the season finale, when Dickerson slid over to C. Despite all the switching, he committed no penalties. Back-up G Fred Johnsonplayed half the season finale, also committing zero penalties. (Grade: B)
C:Jason Kelce was pulled in the season finale with other key veterans, but otherwise played every snap. He was hit twice this quarter for false starts, giving him a total of 6 on the season, which is the only category of penalty called on him. (Grade:B)
DE:Josh Sweat (8 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) (1 Tackle For Loss) only git two hits on QB’s this quarter. Technically he’s doing everything right as a pass rusher, but the ball is coming far too quickly for it to matter. As a run defender, his edge containment leaves much to be desired and is frustrating to see on a player with his experience.
Brandon Graham(5 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) (1TFL) is just a part-timer at this position, and had zero QB hits for the quarter. Having just two legit players at this position is foolish and stupid, but it is what it is, until the offseason. (Grade: F)
Gotta be honest here…
DT:Jordan Davis (8 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) has far too many skills and physical tools to be as under-productive as he is. Stats don’t tell the whole story, (like how much time he spends being doubled), but having no stats, tells the story of someone who will have no leverage at the contract table.
Fletcher Cox(9 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) had 2TFL’s and 2 QB hits this quarter, despite sitting out the season finale. Milton Williams (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 1FF) notched a TFL, and a QB hit. Jalen Carter(6 – 2.0 – 0 – 0) added 2 TFL and 2 QB hits this quarter. Marlon Tuipulotu (3 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) 2 TFL and 1 QB hit all happened in the season finale.
In addition to not getting much pressure, the middle of the Defense has been soft vs the run, as teams are winning the numbers game in the box against us. This is a coaching error that is showing up as a player problem. (Grade: C)
OLB: Haason Reddick(6 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) 2TFL, 4 QB hits this quarter. Despite this being his position, he’s too often deployed at End on a 4 man line, in a four mn rush with the second level dropping into Zone. The pass rush stands no chance as the coaching is sabotaging it.
Zach Cunningham(5 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) only played in the finale, after missing the previous three games with injury. Nolan Smith(9 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) still isn’t being used with any sort of a discernible plan for his development. Patrick Johnson (4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) is Special Teamer who is also used situationally at End. (Grade: F)
MLB: Nicholas Morrow (33 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) at 216 pounds is far too undersized to play this spot and it shows up in the run game. He should be used outside as a cover and chase guy.
Shaquille Leonard (21 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) 2TFL and 1 QB hit, just played in his 5th game as an Eagle, and is still acclimating probably more to his teammates than the system itself.Ben VanSumeren (11 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) got to start in the Christmas day win over the giants, and made 6 stops that day. (Grade: D)
S:Kevin Byard(28 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) never seems close enough to the ball to make a play of any sort. Reed Blankenship (29 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) picked off a pass in the season finale, but often seems to be too far away from receivers in coverage.
Sydney Brown(12 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) snagged an interception,and returned it 99 yards for a score, then tore his ACL the following week. Tristin McCollum (6 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) brings both of his arms to a tackle. Maybe he should teach it to the rest of the Secondary. (Grade: D)
CB: Darius Slay (no stats) missed the last 4 weeks with a knee issue. James Bradberry (13 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) also had a tipped pass in the finale that led to Blankenship’s pick. Otherwise he’s been getting abused out there. Some of it is definitely scheme, but at some point a man just has to handle his business, and demonstrate that it’s dangerous to try him.
CB Kelee Ringo celebrates win
Kelee Ringo(16 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) started all four games that Slay missed and had a game sealing interception in the endzone, during the Christmas day win over the giants. He’s acquitted himself well for a rookie. Bradley Roby (10 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) missed the Arizona game. Avonte Maddox (4 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) played in the last two games. Eli Ricks (7 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) and Josh Jobe (2 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) are deep reserves. (Grade: F)
LS: Rick Lovato, the Man, the Myth, THE LEGEND! Forced a fumble in the Christmas day win over the giants and recorded a tackle in each of the final three games. Like a fucking BOSS! (Grade:A)
P:Braden Mann(13 – 674 – 51.8) is doing a great job of kicking the ball, but still outkicking his coverage leading to (9 – 75 – 8.3) the opponent feeling bold about attempting returns and carving into that 51.8 yard average and lowering it to just 46 of changed field position. (Grade: B)
K: Jake Elliott (7/7 FG, 10/10 XP) continues to be perfect. (Grade: A)
PR/KR: WR Britain Covey(6 – 113 – 18.8 – 0) has had himself a great quarter, ending the season as the league leader in return yardage (417). (Grade: A)
WR Britain Covey 54 yard punt return
SINCE LAST QUARTER:
The Mission was to win the East and we didn’t do it. Arizona was the must-win game, and we lost it. The team lost three of the four games in the quarter. Many are not confident that we will survive the first round of the playoffs.
SO I go down to my favorite bar, hoping to have a talk with the Mickey Goldmill of football, my friendRhodie, about what went wrong this year. No sooner than I walk through the door, Danny is up and ushering me to the back. “Where the hell have you been?” he asks me.
Rhodie is not on his perch at the bar. A sick feeling hits my gut, and in a flash I wish I’d stayed home. My first thought is that something happened to Rhodie, and that the bar wants to break it to me gently. Instead, seated at a table like some guest, is Rhodie. He doesn’t say hello, he just points to the chair. Grateful that the old fuck is still with us (still with me), I sat my ass down.
“They could still go 10-6” he cackles. “That what you want?”
I could have been smug about basic math and said that 10-6 or 9-7 is better than the 7-9 he predicted. Except that if you don’t make the playoffs, 10-6 or 9-7 isn’t better than 7-9. It’s worse. It’s a lower pick in every round. We screwed ourselves as badly as we could have this year. So I didn’t get all smug about how 9 or 10 wins is more than 7. Truth to tell, in this situation he was right, we would have been lucky to go 7-9. Total case of irony.
So I sat and waited to learn something from someone who had CLEARLY demonstrated (yet again) that he knows more than all of us. Or at least knows something we don’t. I turned on the recorder as he wiped his tongue with his napkin and raise his glass in a silent toast.
“What do you think of the Defense? Don’t bother. I get to read what you write on ######’s computer when he brings it in. You think it’s the scheme, but I think it’s that we don’t have any tough guys. And when (DeMeco) Ryanswent out, it only got worse.”
I asked him if it was the Defense that he pinned this collapse on, and not Mark Sanchez.
He chuckled. “What you’re really askin’ me is, if I agree with you. Like I said, I read what you write. So relax. The answer is, yeah I agree with you. When you can score like the EAGLESdo and still miss the playoffs, that ain’t nobody but the Defense. Look, you know a lot more about schemes and crap than I do, but I know football, and these EAGLESare missing a ticker. Who’s the heart and soul of that Defense? Nobody that’s who.”
I asked him what he thought about Nick Foles. That discussion became a whole other article. Or two, depending on how I split it. I’ll just sum up and say that compared to Rhodie, I look like a Foles cheerleader.
I mentioned that I still don’t think Chip Kelly is leveling with the fans, and at that point Rhodie hooted and asked what I was drinking. I said I wanted a Cosmo and he responded with “Are you fuckin’ serious?” I was. I wanted a Cosmo. So I got a Cosmo. Then I asked him where he thought it all came apart. I drank while he talked.
“He’s in over his head. Last year he was good against shit teams. This year he’s good against shit teams. Last year was10-6 with a playoff loss, this year is 9 wins and no playoffs. That look like progress to you? And this arrogant prick don’t think he needs to change nothin’! He insists on running a pro team like a college one. I told you how 2013 would go. I told you how this year would go.”
“Here’s the thing. Kelly wasn’t a great finisher in college and now he can’t finish in the pros. He doesn’t build sound offensive players, just guys who play well in that style he coaches. His deal is, don’t worry about the Defense, just outscore the other guy. Don’t worry if players are tired, just keep going fast. Don’t worry about tryin’ to coach players to understand the game, just make sure they understand their assignment at that moment. (Jeff) Luriereplaced the EAGLESall-time winningest coach with an imposter. He traded in a workhorse for a show pony. A show That’s what the EAGLEShave become now. Just a good show. Now we gotta watch that fa***t Cowboys team parade around like they did something, besides watch us collapse. They didn’t win the division, we dropped it on the ground and walked away from it. You ask me why we came apart?! You ask me?! I coulda told you in the fall.” (He did in the summer actually) “We didn’t come apart. We were never together. This guy is (Joe) Kuharichall over again.” Then he yelled for the Primo’s menu.
I ordered a Big T Diablo (a whole on a Sarcone’s roll), and resolved to take a much closer look at the 2014 season than I did the 2013 season. Just a total deconstruction, start to finish. Break it down by the first round of Free Agency, and bounce it off my readers as I go, to see what you have to say about it.
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