Kelee Ringo

All posts tagged Kelee Ringo

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 5: Broncos

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/10/06
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Crazy Talk, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Fail Mary full of grace, see this egg upon my face…

STUPIDITY earns Eagles a loss.

EAGLES 17 – Broncos 21

 

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (23/38 – 60.5% – 280 – 2 – 0)

Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (6 – 30 – 5.0 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: WR DeVonta Smith (10 – 8 – 114 – 14.3 – 0)

Drive Killer: N/A (TD: /Int: / FR: / 4th down stops: / FF: )

Sack Leader: DE Za’Darius Smith (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 3)

Special Teams Ace: N/A

****

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: BRONCOS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Run Fewer Bunch Formations: The Eagles refused to spread their formations. Thus, all the defenders stayed bunched up inside, making it easier to combat our run and run various blitzes. I don’t know which was worse. Hurts inability to get rid of the ball quickly (5 sacks), or the coaching staff not adjusting for his weakness. (NOT DONE)

2) Limit Their Run Game: Hold them under 120 rushing yards. That was the ask. We gave them 130 on some of the least creative, ugliest running I’ve seen since November of 2022, when Washington beat us 21 – 32. After that loss we were still in first place, but we’d been sleepwalking and needed a loss to wake us up.

Sound familiar? Click that link up there, and you’ll shake your head until you feel like a bobblehead doll. Why do Nick Sirianni’s teams KEEP repeating this pattern? (NOT DONE)

3) Don’t Overthink It: The idea was to use our bigger line to run the ball a ton, and overpower their smaller line. Our leading rusher got all of 6 carries. Our 20 million dollar per year, former 2,000 yard rusher, saw just 6 carries. This is not just an oversight. It’s downright unprofessional.

If I’m Owner Jeffrey Lurie, I want a word with Sirianni, not his hired help. I would ask him “Nicholas John, why I’m paying a man 20 million dollars, for 6 carries, in front of our home crowd?” Each time I hear an answer I don’t like, I’m saying, “That’s the wrong answer. Give me the right one.” (Specifically: This won’t happen again.) (NOT DONE)

4) Box Them In: We did a really good job of this, as LB’s Zack Baun (12 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) and Jihaad Campbell (11 tackles) led the team in stops. The scheme did a great job of playing team concept defense. The problem was the silly number of late opportunities the Bronco’s offense got, because the Eagles kept going three and out. (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score was 1 of 4. We get a short week here, as we have to be back at it on Thursday night vs the 1 – 4 giants.

****

Game Hero: N/A

 

Game goat: Head Coach Nick Sirianni – I’m through blaming the Offensive Coordinator. Sirianni preaches situational football, but in real-time, he seems totally unaware of too many situations on his team.

On The Whole: Like that Washington loss n 2022, this loss was overdue. Lack of offensive clarity is the root of this team’s issues. It’s always trying to do two things passably, instead of one thing at a time, well. For instance: Why an RPO, and not an Off-Guard run? Why so many deep routes that meet in the same area? Why does Hurts hold the ball so damned long?!

On Defense, our line is neither slowing the run, nor getting to the QB. Today CB Kelee Ringo (6 tackles) has been more impactful, than DT Jalen Carter (4 tackles). That’s a fact, and it shouldn’t be.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK PS2: Browns

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/08/18
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, preseason, report, Reviews, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

MISSED opportunities, everywhere.

EAGLES 13 – Browns 23

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

RB Montrell Johnson leading the ground game

1) Get Our Run Game On Track: We ran for 33 yards. For four quarters, all we could muster was (19 – 33 – 1.7 – 0) less than what RB Will Shipley (No stats – DNP) ran for last week. For posterity, RB Montrell Johnson (6 – 20 – 3.3 – 0) led the Eagles rushing attack.

When a rushing attack is this anemic, usually the culprit is an offensive line getting whipped in the trenches, but that wasn’t the issue here. The problem was a dink and dunk passing attack, that kept everyone within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. (NOT DONE.)

2) A Sack By A DE: This week the Eagles managed 3 sacks, and yes, one was by a DE. At least it was by a guy lined up at the position. During the second quarter “DE” Azeez Ojulari (3 – 1.0 – 0 – 0), who had been getting pressure consistently, finally got home and brought the QB down.

I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of an OLB lining up at DE, with his hand in the dirt. For example, Ojulari is 240 pounds. so I don’t want him squared up against 300+ pound RT’s. Listen, when Ojulari got his sack, it was on 2nd and 5. That could have easily been an audible to a run, and then Ojulari is overmatched. But he got it here. (DONE)

3) Win the Nod: The idea here was that the second CB spot would be decided by the play of CB Kelee Ringo (1 tackle) and CB Adoree Jackson (3 tackles). The truth is, neither distinguished themselves. So we head into the final week of the preseason, still not having even a foundation to make an argument for one over the other. (NOT DONE)

QB Kyle McCord throwing a 9 yard TD strike

4) Bench Our Back-up: We sat Tanner McKee (DNP)! It was the logical thing to do, which is why I was absolutely certain he’d play. We already know what we have in him. Why play him, and risk him getting injured? Then I saw him in pads, and my stomach knotted up. But then he sat on the sideline and I began to relax.

As for the third spot between QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (5/8 – 62.5% – 17 – 0 – 1) and rookie QB Kyle McCord (8/16 – 50.0% – 47 – 1 – 0), we should flip a coin and then just pick McCord anyway. He’s a rookie 6th round pick, so it makes sense for him to suck right now. (Besides, he’s a local kid, who went to St. Joe’s Prep, on Girard Avenue here.) DTR just looked so… flustered and shitty out there. Against back-ups! Hard pass! (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4. This Friday we close out the preseason with a trip up to the Big Apple! There, we’ll face the Jets, in a game where the main objective is to leave with a healthy roster.

****

S Andrew Mukuba returning an interception 75 yards to paydirt.

Game Hero: S Andrew Mukuba (1 – 0.0 – 1 – 1) – All 13 of our points in this game were owed to Mukuba’s amazing 2nd quarter. First, he intercepts a ball and returns it 75 yards to paydirt. Then when the Browns botched a hand-off exchange, Mukuba was there for the fumble recovery. Which helped set up a 9 yard touchdown strike.

Game goat: Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo – He had no kind of plan for the Offense, and made no discernible adjustments.

On The Whole: Whether it was the miss opportunity for the CB battle to be decided. The missed opportunity for the third QB spot to be decided. Or the in ability of any of the WR’s to establish themselves as a consistent factor. This was a game where players should have come to impress. The only ones who seemed to make an impact, were the guys who are already locks to make the team.

FOUR THINGS: WK PS2: EAGLES – BROWNS

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/08/15
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

BEATING the Bengals was nice but not amazing, given that their starting defense already sucks so badly. So our back-ups, scoring at will on their back-ups, was a foredrawn conclusion. The Browns should be more of a challenge defensively, so this would be a great chance to set some goals, and see if we can reach them.

Wins and losses mean nothing to the team at this point. All the stakes are with the players. Who can stack a second good week, and almost assure themselves of a roster spot? Who stumbles for the second week in a row, and will be applying for a 9 to 5 by the second week of September. Expect to see some spirited football in this one.

****

Now let’s talk about those goals!

RB A.J. Dillon gets loose for few yards.

1) Get Our Run Game On Track: Last week the running was easy. The Bengals were allowing just about anyone in an Eagles jersey to average five or more yards per carry. That kind of success would be nice to see this week as well. RB Will Shipley had 7 carries for 48 yards (6.8ypc). A stat line of 11 – 50 – 4.5 would be nice vs this team.

2) A Sack By A DE: Last week’s sole sack came courtesy of rookie DT Ty Robinson. Glad to see it, but sack production by our DE’s has been relatively low for years now. (The Super Bowl featured a Chiefs o-line that was beyond banged up.) We shouldn’t have to rely heavily on OLB’s to bring down a QB. It limits what we can do defensively.

3) Win the Nod: Someone between CB Kelee Ringo and CB Adoree Jackson, has to pull ahead and at least get the nod as the starter. Having two potential starters has left us with zero potential starter. Corner is a confidence position. No being shown any confidence isn’t giving either man anything to feed off of. That must change.

4) Bench Our Back-up: We know what we have in QB Tanner McKee. Why let him play and risk injury? After all, we do have to decide that third spot, between QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and QB Kyle McCord.

****

It’s preseason, so I didn’t bother to do any kind of scouting report. Many of the guys playing Saturday, will soon be getting visits from the Turk. So no team is going to roll out their full package, especially if none of the starters are going to play anyway. AS with last week, I expect the Eagles to use this game as an evaluation tool, while the Browns will prioritize winning it.

Prediction: Eagles 17 – Browns 21

****

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: BENGALS

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/08/09
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, report, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
QB Tanner McKee launches a pass from behind RT Matt Pryor.

WOW. I expected us to lose that game. The Bengals were playing starters; their ownership needed something to bring to their fans; and the Eagles use preseason games strictly as an evaluation tool. Yet, the Bengals are so shitty, none of those things mattered.

Keeping in mind how bad the Bengals are, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself . Especially in regards to QB Tanner McKee (20/25 – 80.0% – 252 – 2 – 0). That being said, DAT BOY GOOD! DAT BOY GOOOOD! Oh! He also scored a rushing touchdown on a 4th down Brotherly Shove. So I in no way, fear handing the keys to this guy, if we have to.

The format of this Four Things Reviewed is different, from the ones that will come out during the season. Keep in mind, this is preseason for me too. So I’m not rolling out the full playbook.

That said, let’s get into it.

The Brotherly Shove is the opening score of the year.

1) Who Plays: There was a question about whether or not any or all of our starters would play. The answer was that the only starter to play, was RG Tyler Steen. While he looked better than the guys around him, I’m not so sure that he has the starting job as sewed up as some people seem to think. No sense in debating about it though. We’ll just see how things play out.

2) Which WR Stands Out: That nod has to go to rookie Darius Cooper (7 – 6 – 82 – 13.6 – 1) he consistently created separation to allow his QB’s to deliver the ball safely, and he kept showing a little wiggle after the catch. I’d be remiss if I didn’t tip my cap to Johnny Wilson (6 – 3 – 73 – 24.3 – 0). I don’t speak very favorably of him in tomorrow’s Eagles evaluation (completed days ago), but in this game, he put his potential on display. If he makes me eat my words, I’ll even spring for a nice wine to pair with them.

3) Who is Patullo On 4th Down: I wanted to see how aggressive Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo was on 4th down. Just to get a sense of who he might be, once these games count. Well folks, we faced 4th down a total of 9 times. We went for it on 3 tries (failing once); we kicked 2 field goals; and we punted 4 times. So 5 times he called for the points, and 4 times he called for field position. FYI: Those punts were on 4th and 5, 6, 9, and 13.

DT Ty Robinson on the hunt

4) Defensive Line Pressure: Our back-ups did not get much pressure as a unit, nor did they do a good job of keeping blockers off of the Linebackers. It often looked like the entire Line was trying to rush through a single point in the offensive line. As a result they ended up clumping and doing half of the offensive lines job, for them. More emphasis must be paid to them winning their gap. After that, things will fall in line.

Rookie DT Ty Robinson (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0) recorded a sack and applied some heat on a couple of plays, but he lacks the speed to chase down QB’s from the inside out. Veteran LB/DE Patrick Johnson (0 – 0.0 – 1 – 0) had a sack that was negated by a penalty, but on the very next play, he tipped a pass to himself and turned it into an interception.

***

We looked good out there. Especially given that we started out with our back-ups in against their starters. Yet we still went toe-to-toe with them. That’s the sign of a well built team right there. GM Howie Roseman is Jewish Jesus! Oh… wait….

I want to take a moment to discuss the CB competition between Kelee Ringo (3 tackles) and Adore Jackson (3 tackles). Neither played great, but one is coming over to a brand new scheme for him; and the other was juiced for a touchdown with no Safety help in his vicinity, by one of the best WR’s in the sport. Let’s not oversell Tanner, or undersell our Corners. At least not yet.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 4: Buccaneers

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/09/30
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

OUR Eagles deserved that.

 

EAGLES 16 – Buccaneers 33

 

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (18/30 – 60.0% – 158 – 1 – 0)

Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (10 – 84 – 8.4 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: TE Dallas Goedert (8 – 7 – 62 – 8.8 – 0)

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 (CB Isaiah 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 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: 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 Shove plays, 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 is 0 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.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK PS1: RAVENS

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/08/12
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

EAGLES clutch gene kicks in.

EAGLES 16 – Ravens 13

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Kenny Pickett (14/22 – 63.6% – 89 – 1 – 0)

Rushing: RB Kendall Milton (9 – 39 – 4.3 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: WR John Ross (5 – 3 – 28 – 9.3 – 0)

Drive Killer: LB Patrick Johnson (TD: 0/Int: 0/ FR:1 / 4th down stops: 0 / FF: 1)

Sack Leader: LB Patrick Johnson (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: 1/ Tackles: 4)

Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 1/ 2 XP, 1/2 FG, with 49yd game winner

****

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: RAVENS did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

RB Kendall Milton

1) Running the Ball Inside: None of what I was looking for mattered, because the starters didn’t play. RB Kendall Milton did get to play, and he led the team in rushing. Sadly it was later, against fellow third stringers. I wanted to see him vs players above his level. Meh, maybe next week. (NOT DONE)

2) Stopping the Run: We were better in the second half at stopping the run. Neither the D-Line, nor ILB’s Devin White (1 tackle) or Zach Baun (1 tackle), seemed to be out there imposing their will. In fact, the only ILB that seemed to remember how to slip a block, was ILB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (you have no idea how much my chest just swelled when I typed that) (6 tackles, 1 sack).

During the season I would make this a passing grade, because finishing strong matters more than starting fast. However, in preseason games, the stronger competition comes out early, and leaves before it’s late. So the model is upside down right now. Thus I have to say… (NOT DONE)

3) Dynamic Slot Play: There was no dynamic WR play of any kind. The routes were super-vanilla, and the passes were short and quick, rarely going 10 yards down the field. It was Dink-And-Dunk mania. Somewhere out there, Sam Bradford was watching, and wondering when he would get a statue.

On a more positive note, WR John Ross (one of the guys I’m rooting for), led the team in catches and receiving yards. He did it playing against type, and acting as a possession receiver, instead of a downfield threat. Not bad but, (NOT DONE)

4) Contested Routes: Initially, it seemed we were in for a long night of easily surrendered completions. Next thing you know, CB Quinyon Mitchell (dropped interception), and CB Kelee Ringo (2 passes knocked down) were making it clear that throwing the ball in their direction, could prove costly.

In the end, the Ravens were held to 99 yards on 10/22 pass attempts (45.5%). The sticky coverage helped the Eagles notch 3 sacks on the night. That final sack by LB/DE Patrick Johnson, helped the Birds pull out a last second victory. Without good coverage, that’s a quick attempt instead of a turnover. (DONE)

++++

So going 1 of 4 in this one, was enough to eek out a 3 point win, on the road. I’ll take it! Next week, we travel up to New England, where maybe we see a starter next week.

****

Game Hero: LB Patrick Johnson – I know some people will give it to K Jake Elliott, because he had to actually make the field goal to break the 13 – 13 tie. However, he had already missed his chance to be the hero. It was only Johnson’s sack/forced fumble/fumble recovery that led to Elliott getting that second opportunity.

Game goat: K Jake Elliott – Don’t look so surprised! Had he not missed an early extra point, we wouldn’t have needed him to make the field goal that he missed. Luckily, thanks to LB Patrick Johnson, Elliott got another shot at a game winner, and he nailed it.

On The Whole: I still wanted to see the starters. There is too much new on this team (co-ordinators, players, systems, etc.), to assume that the starters will be ready to go Week One, without any preseason reps. Especially given how they were blown out and humiliated, in the last game we played that mattered.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 16: giants

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/12/27
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
WR Britain Covey opens up with a 54 yard punt return.

THE win beats losing.

EAGLES 33 – giants 25

.

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (24/38– 63.1% – 301 – 1 – 1)

Rushing: RB D’Andre Swift (20 – 92 – 4.6 – 1 – 0)

Receiving: WR A.J. Brown (11 – 6 – 80 – 13.3 – 0)

Offensive Line Report: (TFL: 6/ Sacks:1 / Scrums Won: 3/ Scrums Lost: 0)

Drive Killer: CB Kelee Ringo (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)

Sack Leader: LB Shaquille Leonard (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 7)

Special Teams Ace: PR Britain Covey (3 – 66 – 22.0 – 0) 54 yd return set up TD

****

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:

CB Kelee Ringo will wins some, will lose some.

1) Go Get Some Cutlets: The goal was five sacks on QB Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito (9 – 16 – 56.2% – 55 – 0 – 0), but he was pulled at the half, for poor performance. Still, we only collected 1 sack all game long, as our linemen no longer remember how to disengage from blockers. (NOT DONE)

2) Secure the Run: We were better here than we’ve been in weeks. Especially at setting the edges. The “A” gaps still require some work. RB Saquon Barkley (23 – 80 – 3.4 – 1 – 0) piled up 80 on the ground, but it took a lot of touches, and at no point did it ever look like he would break a long one. (DONE).

3) Spread and Run: In this game, I counted FIVE runs of 10 yards or more. One from Hurts, one from RB Kenneth Gainwell (6 – 41 – 6.8 – 0 – 0), and three from Swift. Opening up the formation helped greatly. Even more helpful, were the NINE targets to TE Dallas Goedert (9 – 7 – 71 – 10.1 – 0), which forced the giants defense to honor him as a receiving threat, not just as a blocker. (DONE)

4) Passes On the Rusher: Playing a 4 – 2 – 5 alignment, allowed the giants to move OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (no stats) around. Assigning a receiver to settle into his rush wake, was the hope. That was rarely possible. Still, when given the opportunity, the Eagles did not shift to take advantage of this. (NOT DONE)

++++

So we did 2 of the Four Things, and as a result, we got the win. A close win. An ugly win. But a win, nonetheless. Next Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals, come to town. With a record of 3 – 12, they would currently draft #2 overall; and I don’t imagine their coaching staff is eager to jeopardize that position.

****

RB D’Andre Swift dart through the middle for a TD

Game Hero: D’Andre Swift – The guy ran with a purpose all day. Trying to wrestle his way into the endzone; reversing field and scoring (called back); making two guys miss him in a phonebooth while scoring. All with zero turnovers, or personal foul penalties, which led directly to eight points, Jalen.

Swift even showed some situational awareness. At the end of one run, Swift slid to stay in bounds, and keep the clock running out on the giants. As opposed to not running out of bounds at the end of the half, to stop the clock and give the Eagles an extra shot at a touchdown. Right, Jalen?

Game goat: S Reed Blankenship (6 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) – That 70 yard touchdown he gave up was just bad recognition and technique. Knowing that he’s the last line of defense, he had to read pre-snap, that he didn’t have the depth to challenge a Go, Post, or Fade route. So why he didn’t drop farther back or turn and run sooner, is beyond me.

On The Whole:

CB Kelee Ringo wins this one. His interception seals our victory.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but would you rather we lost? So stop complaining, folks. Take the “W”! All of the issues you want to complain about today, are the issues that you’ve been complaining about all season.

The issues, were turnovers. First, RB Boston Scott (1 – 3 – 3.0 – 0 – 0) fumbling a kickoff return, by running into his own man. Then Jalen Hurts throwing a pick six, and horse-collaring the player as he scored, thus making the two-point conversion almost automatic. These turnovers led directly to 15 of the giants 25 points. This game is potentially 47 – 10 otherwise.

Yes, we want the issues fixed, but Head Coach Nick Sirianni is a typical NFL head coach, in that, he’d rather lose his way, than win somebody else’s. As long as Sirianni doesn’t believe there’s a problem, there won’t be a serious attempt at fixing it. Unless team Owner Jeff Lurie tells him there’s a problem.

Defensively, I can’t complain about the way Matt Patricia is calling things. Aside from the 70 yard pass, our Defense kept a pretty tight lid on the giants offense. However, we might be keeping the pass rushing too vanilla, and making things too easy on opposing linemen.

CB Kelee Ringo celebrates as WE, win this one

FOUR THINGS: WK P1: EAGLES – RAVENS

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/08/10
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

LAST time we took the field the result was a 35 – 38 loss, in the Super Bowl. Horseshoes and hand grenades, right? So this preseason game is the beginning of the tune-up, prior to the race to go back and finish the job this time.

As is the norm for preseason games, most starters will likely sit this one out. It’s primarily to prevent injury, though some think the lack of conditioning actually leads to more injuries. Still, the new players and rookies need to be folded in. So expect to see a half or so from them.

I also want to see how some new concepts are settling in.

If a win happens, great; but there is no merit in chasing a “W”. Getting a deep look at these guys, to make sure that we aren’t about to cut a potential star, is far more important. We need to know who our roster depth, and Practice Squad should be.

Also, before you put too much stock in watching WR Quez Watkins, let me just say Don’t. We already know that Quez can make the roster. Where he has to prove himself, is in games that count. That’s where he shit the bed last year, so that’s the mess he has to clean up in 2023.

****

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. Except in the preseason. At which point the wins are usually less valuable than the losses.

There are more than four things to watch for this week, but I’ll try to narrow the focus so that you don’t get burned out, trying to watch too much football, all at one time.

1) Throwing to the RB’s: We already know that Screens and Wheel routes will feature for us in 2023. I’m looking to see what else looks promising. I’m interested in seeing the QB hit the RB’s in stride. Dump-offs to stationary targets gives advantage to the opposing defense. I want to see as little of that as possible.

2) Getting Defensive: New Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai, wants to impact opposing offenses both physically and mentally. That means hitting to intimidate. Translation: We need to cause some flags to get thrown. We need to.

Two or three ‘unnecessary roughness’ calls on non-QB players, sounds like healthy number. Nothing dirty or with intent to injure, but a couple of borderline hits. A full launch, instead of a shove out of bounds. A ‘pick-up and plant’ tackle. Laying out receivers on crossing routes. That sort of thing.

3) Who’s On First: Most starters will likely sit this one out, but I think RG Cam “Beef” Jurgens absolutely has to play. At least a series. The real question is, will he see any reps at C?

Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland says that Jurgens hasn’t locked up the starting RG gig, (but he has). Stoutland has been downright effusive in praising Jurgens’ feet, his confidence, his understanding of concepts, and even says he asks great questions. As for rookie RG Tyler Steen, Stout says “I like what he’s doing.”

Personally, I think the Eagles added free agent G Josh Andrews, because Steen and Brett Toth haven’t really been setting the world on fire. The Birds getting back G Josh Sills, isn’t going to make life easier for Steen either.

4) Listening for a POP!: I’ll be disappointed if MLB Nakobe Dean doesn’t start. Doesn’t matter how he looks in camp. We need to see him run a pro defense, under the lights, with pros to be accountable to. I want to see him shine. I want to see him pop. I want to see him make at least one play for negative yards. Two would be amazing.

Who is going to pop at second string DE? I don’t want to see hurries. I want to see the QB on the ground. I want to see the ball come out. I don’t care about the recoveries. Yet.

I also want to see where CB Kelee Ringo lines up. And I don’t mean which spot. I mean which spots. Spot with and ‘S’ on both ends. Both of two of them. Where do they move Ringo to, and how often? How does the kid respond? He held out longer than any other rookie here, over his contract. Based on that, he must feel he’s special. So let’s see it!

****

We have two new coordinators, and new concepts that come with them. To hell with how physical joint practices can be. Saturday is the first time many of our players, will don a pro helmet. They will have stakes to play for. There will be nervous stomachs. It will important to see how these players respond to THAT pressure.

****

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 few days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.