Nolan Smith

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FOUR THINGS: WK 11: EAGLES – LIONS

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/11/15
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Fans, Four Things, Offense, Players, playoffs, Special Teams. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

WE defeated Lambeau Field, while the Packers were running around on it. It was a defensive slugfest, where our guys went out and took the ball away for us. Twice. We scored when we needed to, as our K Jake Elliott made a FG, even when their kicker missed. (On both tries.) It wasn’t flamboyant, but we notched all of the Four Thing markers

Now with reinforcements joining our front seven, we’ll have the muscle to contain run games and finish at the QB. Like the raw meat being thrown to us this week. There is no way that this Lions QB can outrun DE Jaylx Hunt, or OLB Nolan Smith.

With a win, we move up to 8 – 2. We’d have at least a share of the best record in the conference.

With a loss, we’d be 7 – 3, still atop the NFC East, with a few games cushion.

****

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: the Lions

DT Jalen Carter slows down former Raider RB Josh Jacobs.

1) Play the Run First: When the Lions have run for 100 yards or more this season, they are 6 – 0. When they run for fewer than 100 yards, they are 0 – 3. This one seems obvious. Until it’s time to pin our ears back and rush the passer, this defensive front has to be keyed to stop the Lions run game.

Setting the edges and boxing in the runners, has to be the approach that we start out with. If we get a big lead, we can alter that approach. But we have to start out by boxing them in, first. If we let these guys get to the edges of our Defense, it’s going to be a very long evening.

2) Gotta Feed the Dawgs: Not hits. Sacks. At least three of them in this game. The Lions QB is a statue. He’s not a guy who’s going to run away from a defense. If we can get him moving and consistently throwing from off-platform, he will likely share the football with us, at least once.

3) Use our Wide Receivers: the Lions don’t have anything remotely like an answer for WR A.J. Brown or WR DeVonta Smith. Odds are, their coach is going to spend his currency on stopping our run game. So the only thing that would keep our receivers from at least 12 total catches between them, would be our play-calling.

4) Run Hurts More: In every game where the Lions faced a mobile QB, that team scored in the area of 30 points. Again, the Lions QB is a statue, so their defense doesn’t see that aspect in practice. Stands to reason that they are not very well versed in stopping it. And that’s where QB Jalen Hurts gives us a huge boost.

We don’t need a specific number of yards, but when the pocket breaks down, don’t scramble, just run. Maybe have one or two designed runs early, to open the threat, and help clear space for RB Saquon Barkley. This is probably something we’d like to save for the playoffs, but this kind of is a playoff game. A win will give us a tie-breaker, and seriously strengthen the Eagles bid for home-field advantage.

****

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

The Lions players circled this game when the schedule came out, and we’re playing for playoff level stakes. So have no doubt about it; we will be getting the best punch that the Lions can muster, on Sunday night. This can’t be another game where our coaching staff inexplicably handicaps us, by not using our big guns. We must come out firing.

The Lions (especially their head coach), are always talking like they want a fight, and preaching toughness. This is Philadelphia. We own the market on those two things! Meanwhile, the Lions are just playing at it. Well Sunday, they have an appointment to exchange an ounce of Fuck Around, for a ton of Find Out. Here, kitty kitty….

Because not only will our players be there, but so will many of you. The Lions circled the game, so now we’ll circle the wagons. We rally ‘round the family…

****

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: SUPER BOWL LIX: EAGLES – CHIEFS

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/02/07
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, playoffs, Special Teams, Super Bowl. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

DISMANTLING Washington 55 – 23, has led us back to the Super Bowl! We got key contributions from QB Jalen Hurts (Offense), LB Zack Baun (Defense) and RB Will Shipley (Special Teams). It was a total team effort. It’s brought us this far, and it will continue to see us through, until we complete our mission this Sunday.

Our opponents are not quite as complete a team, as they live and die on the ability of their QB to bail them out. Which is exactly the sort of team that we just faced. And then faced down! I’ll take our active 48 vs their 1, any day. Especially when our 48 includes RB Saquon Barkley and DT Jalen Carter

With a win, Philadelphia will be the champions. We will have completed the mission, by getting what we came for.

If we were to lose, it would mean disappointment.

Here is to completing our mission.

****

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: the Chiefs.

RB Saquon Barkley thunders through the snow.

1) Don’t Get Cute: Do what got us here. Run the ball with Saquon, while we let our Offensive Line be physical, and tee off on the opponent. Wear down their defense. We’ll take big plays, but we don’t need them. A bunch of mauling, clock-eating drives that end in touchdowns, is probably better anyway. Especially in the first half.

2) Bait Their QB Into Bad Throws: The opposing QB prides himself on getting the ball out of his hands, after about 2.6 seconds. WE CAN EXPLOIT THAT! Against Pittsburgh, commentator Tom Brady described our short coverage as “muddy”, because our defenders didn’t rush into their drops. We used this again, last week.

This week we could turn that up a notch, by presenting a hole underneath, and then immediately closing on it. Of course the first couple of holes, need to be free completions. Just to bait the hook. THEN we start jumping every hole we present. That would make their QB stop trusting early openings, and hold the ball longer.

DT Jalen Carter with his first sack of this game.

3) Give Our Pass Rush Time: We have to keep their receivers covered long enough, for our pass rush to get to their QB, or at least get him to move his feet. Getting him on the ground is ideal, but failing that, we want him throwing from a moving platform, to moving receivers, navigating moving defenders.

OLB Nolan Smith helps DT Jordan Davis notch a sack

Getting OLB Nolan Smith to set a hard edge outside of the RT, would help our interior pass rush, and generate a few holding calls to boot.

4) Motion Our Hot Read: The Chiefs like to use exotic blitzes. WE CAN EXPLOIT THAT! You’ve seen it in games, when a man is put into motion to determine if a coverage is Man or Zone? Here’s a variation on that. When possible blitzers approach the line, motion our hot read player, completely away from the blitzer(s).

That right there presents a dilemma. Does the defense come out of the blitz to cover, or do they leave the “hot” open for a quick pass? By the way, I like the idea of using Saquon or RB Kenneth Gainwell in this role.

TE Dallas Goedert also provides an excellent option

****

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

QB Jalen Hurts. All he does is win.

Check the field for slipperiness! Bring every kind of cleat that money can buy. Every player should bring three pairs of shoes! Am I traumatized by what happened in Arizona? You’re damned right I am. No repeating that shit, this Sunday.

****

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: CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP : Commanders

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/01/27
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC Championship, NFC East, Offense, Players, playoffs, Rivals, Special Teams, stats, Super Bowl. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

 

PHILADELPHIA is going to the Super Bowl.

EAGLES 55 – Commanders 23

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (20/28 – 71.4% – 246 – 1 – 0 / 10 – 16 – 1.6 – 3 – 0)

Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (15 – 118 – 7.8 – 3 – 0)

Receiving: WR A.J. Brown (8 – 6 – 96 – 16.0 – 1)

Drive Killer: MLB Zack Baun (TD: 0/Int: 0/ FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 1)

Sack Leader: OLB Nolan Smith (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 4)

Special Teams Ace: RB Will Shipley KR: 3 – 87 – 29.3 – 0 (36L)) / KC: FF/ Rush: (4 – 77 – 19.2 – 1 – 0)

****

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

RB Saquon Barkley rips a 60 yard TD run on the Eagles first offensive play. LB’s Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are reminded of why teams keep letting them walk.

1) Torment Single-high Coverage: We didn’t take advantage or refine many opportunities to do this at all. Many of our passes thrown, absolutely challenged one-on-one coverage of the outsides; but many of those were out-breaking routes that started from bunch formations.

We have to find ways to capitalize on loaded boxes, designed to slow down our run game. One of those would be to play with few WR bunches. The earlier Hurts can identify an open man, the faster he can get the ball out. (NOT DONE)

2) Limit the Scrambling: The Commanders QB finished the game with 48 rushing yards, but he only ran the ball 6 times in this game. In the prior two games he ran 16 and 13 times respectively. While he didn’t have a bunch of yards in any of the games, those runs help extend plays and mine opportunities for big plays.

We limited his chances to run and in that way made him play straight-up. The result was that he looked like a rookie who couldn’t match the pace of the game. (DONE)

3) Muddy the Coverage: We did an excellent job of this, especially in the first half. They got a single big passing play on a 36 yard catch and run, but most of what their QB Jayden Daniels (29/48 – 60.4 – 255 – 1 – 1) was forced into, was dumping off to his security blanket, TE Zach Ertz (16 – 11 – 104 – 9.4 – 0).

Just to illustrate how limited we kept Daniels, Ertz saw a full one-third of his QB’s attempts. Once we took away Daniels legs as an x-factor, it exposed how limited his supporting cast was, forced him to read more, and form there the hunt was on. (DONE)

4) Goedert As Hot Read: This one makes me grumble a bit, because instead of discussing general use of TE Dallas Goedert (8 – 7 – 85 – 12.4 – 0), I got hung up on discussing his third down use. While the Eagles put him to excellent use today, most of it was not as a receiver on third down. So we used him like an outlet, but not on the specific down that I wrote about. We did this, but it’s a technical: (NOT DONE)

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This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4, but it we did enough to post a blowout.

Now we get a week’s rest, and then we travel down to the Big Easy, for a Super Bowl win that won’t be. Bring on the challenge. Our guys wouldn’t have it any other way.

****

LG Landon Dickerson started the game at C, but had to leave with a knee injury. But he kept rooting for his guys!

Game Hero: The Offensive Line – The hidden story of the day is 29 rushes for 229 yards (6.3ypc) and 7 rushing touchdowns. That’s not a typo. We ran for SEVEN MOTHERFUCKING TOUCHDOWNS, in one game. And we did it behind a line featuring two injured Centers, tag-teaming the spot.

Game goat: K Jake Elliott (0/1 FG 7/7/XP) – I’m going to go with Elliott here, despite the fact that I didn’t care about the 54 yard field goal miss. Part of that has to do with the fact, that he’s been ass from 50+ this year; but I also wasn’t feeling the vibe in that moment. We’d unraveled on that drive, and were essentially hoping that a struggling guy might save us. So when he missed, it almost seemed like what needed to happen.

On The Whole: The 55 points that we put up in this game were the most point EVER put up in a Conference Championship Game, NFC or AFC. The Eagles own that record. Period. We scored 8 touchdowns in this game. All on Offense.

I made it clear in Four Things, that I wasn’t the least bit worried about Washington, and now you see why. We collected three Defensive turnovers, and one on Special Teams (by a RB who also ran for 77 yards and TD), along with ending two drives on unconverted fourth downs. One being a sack by Nolan Smith.

DT Jordan Davis makes his presence felt during a sack.

How bad was this blowout? If you doubled Washington’s score, and spotted them an extra touchdown and a two point conversion, they would have still lost by a point. So spare me all of that “Super Rookie” garbage. We just dragged his team’s face across stucco, in front of the nation, and he was helpless to stop it. Because what can one man do, against a superior team of superior men? The scoreboard is the answer.

And now onto New Orleans, to add to this poster.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WILD CARD: Packers

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/01/14
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, playoffs, Reviews, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
TE Dallas Goedert belittles this poor packer defender, en route to 24yard TD

EAGLES again outclass Packers

 

EAGLES 22 – Packers 10

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Jalen Hurts (13/21– 61.9% – 131 – 2 – 0)

Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (25 – 119 – 4.7 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: WR DeVonta Smith (4 – 4 – 55 – 13.7 – 0)

Drive Killer: CB Quinyon Mitchell (TD: 0 /Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops:* / FF: 0)

Sack Leader: OLB Nolan Smith (Sacks: 2.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 8)

Special Teams Ace: OLB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. kept fumble alive and made FR

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. with the postseason takeaway. Somewhere out there, is a proud papa!

****

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

1) Use Lots of Play-Action, Early: Not only did the Eagles not do this early. They didn’t use much of it all game long. Considering the weakness of the Packers pass rush, and Hurts just getting back from concussion protocol; it seems like a no-brainer that play-action would make the Offense run so much smoother. Oh well. (NOT DONE)

2) Bottle Up Their Inside Run: We did a great job of this. With the exception of a 31 yard run (which was almost a tackle for loss), Packers RB Josh Jacobs (18 – 81 – 4.5 – 1 – 0) was held in check all day. In fact, his day was nearly identical to the (16 – 84 – 5.2 – 0 – 0) game that he had, in their first loss against us this season.

Vince watching these Packers struggle to run the ball.

The idea wasn’t to shut down the run, but make it an unreliable aspect of their offense. We did that, and it put all the weight on QB Jordan Love (20/33 – 60.6% – 212 – 0 – 3). He was clearly not up to the task of shouldering the load and carrying his teammates. Mission accomplished. (DONE)

3) Get Hits On Their QB: We got just two sacks of their QB. However, after that first one, where he landed on his previously injured throwing elbow, he was clearly rushing his mechanics. He also scrambled out of danger few times, but that just altered his practiced launch points. Couple that with rushed mechanics, and you get 3 interceptions to 0 touchdowns. (DONE)

4) No Weird Shit: We had just one missed extra point, which was well inside of the tolerance limit established for this game. There were no goofy play calls. No head-scratching timeout usage. We didn’t do anything weird to shoot ourselves in the foot. I’m proud. (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score was 3 of 4. With a margin like that, you expect a comfortable victory, and this was that. Next week we host the Rams, a team that we beat in their home this season. And last season.

****

Game Hero: The Defense – On a day when the Offense was not at all sharp, our Defense forced 3 of our 4 takeaways. (Special Teams forced the first.) We contained their run game, and harassed their QB into three interceptions. Even after LB Nakobe Dean (6 – 0 – 0 – 0) went down with a torn patella tendon, LB Oren Burks (5 – 0 – 0 – 1) who forced the fumble on the opening kickoff, stepped right in and played at a high level.

Game goat: DE Josh Sweat (1 – 0 – 0 – 0) – His presence seems greatly diminished down the stretch of the season, and into the playoffs. For this game he was almost invisible. We can’t have that next week.

On The Whole: Despite us not firing on all cylinders, there were a few CHOICE moments in this game. In fact, both of Jalen Hurts touchdown passes were memorialized. The first one came from the cleanest pocket that you’ve ever seen. Hurts riffled the ball 11 yards to WR Jahan Dotson (2 – 1 – 11 – 11.0 – 1).

The second, was a 24 yard catch and run to TE Dallas Goedert (6 – 4 – 47 – 11.75 – 1). He clearly brought his violence to the game, as he repeatedly stiff-armed the trailing defender, who had zero chance of making the stop.

One of the best parts of the game, was after Packer defensive lineman threw Saquon to the ground after whistle had blown the play dead. Though the Eagles were getting the first down, it didn’t stop the Offense, including Hurts, from getting into the face of the offending player. Good to see.

FOUR THINGS: WK 16: EAGLES – COMMANDERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/12/21
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, Rivals, Special Teams, Super Bowl. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

ONCE again we had a very strong outing, vs a playoff caliber team. Offensively, we showed the world, that we can hurt a team any way we choose. In our Week 11 meeting, RB Saquon Barkley posted 146 and two house calls. With that, I expect the Eagles to choose running over the Commander’s 25th ranked run defense.

A win raises us to 13 – 2, and sees us clinch the 2024 NFC East division crown.

A loss stalls us at 12 – 3, and just about ends any chance of us earning the One Seed in the playoffs.

****

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: the Commanders

RB Saquon Barkley making a 23 yard house call.

1) Gas Their Defensive Line: The 2024 Commanders haven’t been very stout up front, against the run. They had trouble with us during our Week 11 match-up, as we ran 40 times for 228 yards, and three scores. Now it’s later in the year. Now it’s colder. Now is the time to get sadistic vs a smallish front four.

Their head coach favors a 4-3 defense, even though he doesn’t have the players or depth to run it correctly. We need to lean heavy on the run, early. Even if it seems to not be working! It’s not about how we start. It’s about how we finish. The idea is to erode their undersized line that was assembled more for pass rushing.

2) Don’t Miss Seven Points On Kicks: Last time, K Jake Elliott missed two field goals before we managed to get on the board, with a field goal. It would be foolish to think we’ll get that lucky twice in one season, vs the same team. Let’s get our shit together and not leave a trail of breadcrumbs, for a lesser opponent to find their way to a lead at any point.
This isn’t one of the Four Things; but this week would REALLY be a great time, to finally see Elliott stroke one from 50 yards or better.

3) Take Away Quick Reads: Last week, commentator and Super Bowl LII victim, Tom Brady described our underneath coverage against the Steelers as “muddy”. That is precisely the thing we want the opposing QB to think, as he watches our coverage start unfolding.
The Commander’s QB is completing 70.5 percentage of his passes, despite a stint where he played through broken ribs. A lot of that is based on TE Zach Ertz, and RB Austin Ekeler, getting open quickly underneath and acting as security blankets.

Ekeler is on I.R. after a Week 12 concussion, and Ertz is questionable this week, despite suffering a concussion on Sunday. So there may be no security blankets. We need to force their QB to read and hold the ball longer, giving our players like OLB Nolan Smith, enough time to pile up sacks.

4) Jump A Couple First Half Passes: As I said before, their QB likes to get rid of the ball quickly. We however, want him to hold the ball longer. So how do we influence that? By jumping a couple of first half pass routes. Bat downs, interception attempts… Just need a big play or two, to help slay this rival.

S Reed Blankenship with a pivotal pick in one of last year’s games

If we get hands on the football early, later on (to avoid turnovers) their QB will hold it longer, while searching for more ideal openings. This increases our chances of getting sacks. (And hey, maybe one or two could be a sack/fumble! Dream big right, DE Josh Sweat?) So, yeah. Let’s jump some pass routes.

****

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

It’s a question of hunger. We played a playoff team last week, and this week we’re playing a team that is hanging on for it’s very playoff hopes. We’re playing for seeding. They’re playing for their season.

WHO. WANTS. IT. MORE.

That’s the question that has to be asked and answered on Sunday. Let me say this in advance. We should run the table here. BUT, if there is going to be a loss in any of these next three division games, let it be this one.

Think back to the Monday night game on 11/14/22. We lost 21 – 32 to an inferior Commanders team, and at first, we were a little pissed about it. But the we thought about it, talked about it, and as fans we came to call it “a good loss” because we felt it humbled us, and taught us valuable lessons. Turns out we were right, and we rode those lessons to a Super Bowl appearance.

I don’t think we need any lessons, but this is the only game in the next three, that has any form of possible lesson embedded in it. Specifically, I’m talking about hunger. This is a playoff game for the Commanders. So that in itself, makes it one for us.

WHO. WANTS. IT. MORE.

****

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: WK 10: EAGLES – COWBOYS

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/11/08
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, free agents, NFC East, Offense, Players, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

LAST week’s victory over the Jaguars, saw contributions from all three phases (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams). Our guys are motivated. They’re bringing energy and enthusiasm to the field, and it’s yielding results. They’re demonstrating faith in Head Coach Nick Sirianni, and in field general, QB Jalen Hurts.

This week’s opponent, the Cowboys, are well… somewhat less enthused. They started the season with head full of expectations, a chestful of hype, and a roster that was razor thin on depth. And now, a rash of injuries is exposing that.

A win over the Cowboys, would raise us to 7 – 2, and one of the four best records in the NFC. Coupled with a possible Washington loss to Pittsburgh, the Eagles would move into first place in the East.

A loss would freeze us at 6 – 3, but we’d still be in second place in the division, regardless of the outcome of any division game.

****

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: the Cowboys

LB Zack Baun gets interception vs the Jaguars

1) Take Away Anything Simple: Back-up QB Cooper Rush doesn’t have a cannon for an arm. It’s part of what kept him undrafted. Also, in seven seasons, on 35 rushing attempts he has 11 yards. That is not a typo. That’s an average of 0.3 yards per carry, over his career. So he’s not going to beat us with his legs. Cooper can’t rush.

Where he does make his money, is on quick reads, from short to intermediate range. Last week we clouded the short area, with Man Coverage or delayed Zone drops. Time for a second helping of that. We need to take away anything easy, and force him to read. Make him risk the ball on deep throws, or eat sacks.

2) Play-action Should Be Deadly: With RB Saquon Barkley just 75 yards away from hitting 1,000 rushing yards in half a season; expect the Cowboys to place stopping him, high on their to-do list. Since their defensive line can be pushed around, it won’t take much to get their LB’s to overcommit to fakes hand-offs, opening up chunk passing plays behind them.

Instead of running our top two guys through a shark tank, this would be a great place to see our TE’s and third and fourth receivers get heavily involved. Still, regardless of who does it, there should be plenty of easy yardage between the numbers, if we employ play-action properly.

3) Blitz From the Defense’s Left: This is can be used for Rush, but it’s being dropped in here, just in-case the Cowboys trot out QB Trey Lance. The coverage key should be enough to help out vs the run, but another wrinkle will be needed to deal with Lance, because he can be a dangerous runner.

LB Nolan Smith ending the march of Danny Dimes.

Rush likes to bootleg, and Lance just likes to run. Both are right-handed, so we should bring OLB Nolan Smith right up the path that they’re running themselves into. Neither is an effective passer going to his left. So their natural tendency to go right, will make them help us, to put them in harm’s way.

4) Take the Points, Nick!: We’re going against a one-dimensional offense, being led by a low ceiling QB. Said another way, Jalen Hurts has more TD passes (10) this season, than Rush has in his entire seven year career (9). So Rush likely won’t light up the scoreboard.

That means every point we add, is extra weight on their already sputtering offense. This means points are at a premium, Nick. Points. So fourth and two, from the twenty-two, is not “Go for it”, Nick. Not this week. It’s a field goal. Say it with me, Nick: IT’S A FIELD GOAL.

That’s not to say that we shouldn’t be aggressive, but the Brotherly Shove hasn’t been nearly as effective with LT Lafoga Mialata on the shelf. I commend the job that LT Fred Johnson has done, but “Next Man Up!” doesn’t mean “next man equal”. Gamble accordingly.

****

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

RB Saquon Barkley houses another one.

You know what would be great this week? If Saquon gets 16 carries or less, and RB Kenneth Gainwell gets 10 and makes at least 40 yards off of them. Saquon is at 22 touches per game this year, putting him on pace for 374. Twice in his career he’s hit a ceiling of 352. Might be smart to ease up on his workload.

Going to Dallas and getting the win, while Saquon hits 1,000 rushing yards at the halfway mark…That would be like winning against the giants too. The only way it could be sweeter, is if Washington loses. Like it did on Tuesday. (Sorry, had to get a shot in there.)

****

WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know FOOTBALL and that’s it. If you use Four 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.

BEST OF THE NFC EAST: LINEBACKERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/04/25
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Draft, free agents, Front Office (F.O.), NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, report, Reviews, Rivals, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

DRAFT Day is today. Well actually it’s three days, the 25th, 26th and 27th, but you get the idea. Over the coming days, I’m going to do a position-by-position breakdown, of each team in the division. Just to compare known players apples to apples, and get everyone on the same page, before we start talking about the rookies, who haven’t actually even been to OTA’s yet.

Today we breakdown (cities are in alphabetical order): The Hunters

NOTE: This article won’t be doing the OLB/ILB/MLB thing. Too many teams like to move their Linebackers around these days. What I will do, is throw players listed as “Edge” into this category. It’s a weak designation, and I personally hate it. However, since teams use it, it must be taken into account.

DALLAS: Micah Parsons posted a career-high 14 sacks last year. After early career struggles vs the pass, the Cowboys severely limited his exposure in coverage. From 36 targets as a rookie, 11 in his second year, to just 5 in 2023. If he isn’t listed at DE next year, I’ll be surprised. Damone Clark is a secure tackler, but he’s an outright liability vs the pass.

Damone Clark

With the looming (now confirmed) retirement of Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas signed Eric Kendricks, hoping to bolster their interior run defense. DeMarvion Overshown is an oversized Safety, who has the sort of speed Dallas loves, but who doesn’t have enough thump to be a true in-the-box player. Buddy Johnson is still on the roster.

NEW YORK: Kayvon Thibodeaux posted 11.5 sacks last year. He’s a dangerous passrusher, but brings little else consistently to his position. He’d probably make his unit more dangerous if he played with his hand in the dirt. The other passrusher on this defense is Brian Burns, who averages 9 sacks per year, but he doesn’t do much else.

Bobby Okereke joined the giants last season, and had his best year as a pro. He’ll be looking to build on that. Micah McFadden is coming along nicely as a 5th rounder who has become a starter. He will of course have to get his 18% missed tackle rate, down considerably.

Azeez Ojulari will likely get first crack as the top back-up, but he’s been largely inconsistent thus far. Allow me to mention Boogie Basham, mostly because his name tickles me. He’s 274, but still listed at this position. The giants coaching staff just doesn’t get it.

PHILADELPHIA: On the surface, losing Haason Reddick was bad. However, judging from his statistical decline, slowness to recover from injury, his age, and his size; I have more than once wondered publicly, if the Eagles know something about his health that they aren’t disclosing. It would explain why they dug their heels in so hard, and so early, over his contract talks.

Nolan Smith gets Tua the QB, for his first career sack.

Entering his third season, Nakobe Dean is flirting with going from Draft steal to bust. Second year player Nolan Smith will almost definitely be a starter. Free Agent Devin White was added, possibly to have a seasoned vet’s voice to the meetings. These three almost definitely comprise the guts of this position. After this, it’s a lot of spare parts and longshots.

Julian Okwara is a situational passrusher who may find more snaps here, than he did in Detroit. Terrell Lewis may be getting a look there as well. Veterans Oren Burks and Zack Baun were also added, but aside from NFL experience, the reason why is unclear. Neither seems to offer more upside than second year man, Ben VanSumeren.

This position is in the dark, groping along the wall for a light switch. It’s got tons of youth going for it, but that can also be used against the Eagles as well. Coaching will be key to seeing how it turns out.

WASHINGTON: Talk about a makeover! Jamin Davis is the returning starter from last year, but with the players Washington has added, him starting in 2024, is no guarantee. While he hasn’t really been a playmaker, he’s a solid tackler, and stable player to build off of.

Free agent addition Bobby Wagner will be 34 by the time the season starts. People keep saying that he’s not what he used to be, but last year he started 16 o f 17 games and put up a career-high 183 tackles. Frankie Luvu didn’t miss a start last year and posted 125 stops. Mykal Walker has been a starter, but wasn’t last year. So there is some depth here.

SO WHO’S THE BEST? A solid group of Linebackers, playing behind (what seems right now), the best line in the division, with a defensive head coach. The nod here goes to Washington, and they have everyone else beat by a mile.

Bobby Wagner is a can’t miss addition.

Based on the players, Washington may be exploitable in underneath pass coverage, but they’ll be a problem vs the run and dialing up blitzes.