preseason

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FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK P3: Dolphins

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/08/28
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

NAH see, what ha’ happened was, right…

EAGLES 10 – Dolphins I don’t wanna talk about it (48)

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

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

Passing:(B) QB Reid Sinnett (12/22 – 54.5% – 104 – “0” – 1)

Rushing:(B) Jason Huntley (11 – 93 – 8.4 – 1 – 0)

Receiving:(B) WR John Hightower (6 – 5 – 52 – 10.4 – 0)

Offensive Line Report/Enforcer: (1 + 2 – 2 = 1) / (S) C Cameron Tom (FR)

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

Sack Leader: (S) LB Patrick Johnson (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)

Ace: WR Devon Hall (Forced muff)

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

1) Pass Rush: “Someone get a sack”. We didn’t have one all preseason, and LB/DE Patrick Johnson gets one on the opening drive. Good under any circumstances, but given that Miami put out their starters vs our second string, it was doubly impressive. Johnson already has a spot on the active roster, so he didn’t play much after that. (DONE)

2) Some TE involvement: Rookie TE Grant Calcaterra (3 – 2 – 30 – 15.0 – 0) finally wore pads to a preseason game. He made a couple of grabs, including a holding call that wiped out a TD run by RB Kennedy Brooks (9 – 33 – 3.6 – 0 – 0). TE Noah Togiai (2 – 1 – 8 – 8.0 – 0) dropped an easy ball, and failed again to be a difference maker vs back-ups. Still, it was five passes thrown to the TE position, which is involvement. (DONE)

Allen doesn’t make the stop, but he holds him until the cavalry arrives.

3) Kick Return Impact: What was asked for was a big return or two. Instead, the impact we got in the kicking game was WR Devon Allen playing Gunner of Special Teams. On punt coverage, he got downfield so fast that that returner wasn’t even able to take a second step, before Allen was on him. Allen didn’t make the tackle, but he held the guy there and others did. On Allen’s next trip, his proximity made the returner muff the punt. Eagles recovered and we got 3 points out of the deal. This is not what I specified, but I NEEDED a place to praise Allen, and say that he needs a roster spot. (NOT DONE)

4) Flash from a DE: We got the sack from Patrick Johnson, but it was LB Kyron Johnson (5 – 0 – 0 – 0) that had my attention. Damn his 5 tackles! Most of them came with him crossing to the opposite side of the field, to make the stop. While others saw the stops, I saw something else. On almost every snap he played, he crashed down the line, instead of setting the edge. That resulted in miles of open real estate on his side of the line, and at least one score for the Fish. And no one! No one! Not himself, not his teammates, nor the coaches, bade him do anything different. (NOT DONE)

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Of the Four Things we put up 2 of 4. It wasn’t nearly enough, but there are mitigating circumstances. In any case it hardly matters now. It’s time to focus on Week One and defeating the Lions on 9/11.

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On The Whole:

We put out our Defensive back-ups playing a 3-3-5 alignment. Clearly our coaching staff wanted to further evaluate some of the DB’s, so they gave more of them an opportunity to play and shine. Miami came out with their offensive starters, and nature took its course. Lions ate sheep.

Former Dolphins QB Reid Sinnett, finally figures out how to throw a touchdown to Miami’s players.

With the Eagles looking to evaluate, and Miami balling out to win an exhibition game, I knew immediately it was going to be a long night at the office. Still the Eagles gave us a few bright spots.

We know that WR Devon Allen can play Gunner as effectively as any player I’ve ever read about, in addition to being able to rotate in as a deep threat on Offense. We saw WR John Hightower use his speed to uncover quickly, and more importantly, he was sure-handed. We should be able to sneak him onto the Practice Squad. We saw S Reed Blankenship (3 – 0 – 0 – 0) bring the attitude and wood tonight. I hope he makes the PS.

FOUR THINGS: WK P3: EAGLES – DOLPHINS

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/08/26
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Roster, Special Teams. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

OUR Offensive Line kept our QB’s upright, and kept our ground game churning out yards and scores. When the dust settled it was Eagles 21, Browns 20. We’ll look to improve on that dominance this week, against the Miami Dolphins.

A win would be cute, but it’s neither here nor there. The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. We have seventeen, possibly twenty, very long weeks coming up, and injuries are part of the game. This week isn’t about the opponent. It’s about picking the best depth possible, from the men battling to keep their dreams alive.

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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus the: Dolphins

1) Pass Rush: Someone get a sack. Doesn’t matter who. Two games and not one sack so far. That’s not Eagles football. Wait, let me amend my statement! It does matter who gets it. The sack has to come from a player who isn’t a DB. Also, it has to be a tackle in the backfield. None of that QB run out of bounds for a loss, bullshit. A real sack.

2) Some TE involvement: The passing game is all WR right now, and that doesn’t work. WR’s help keep S’s out of the box, but it’s a TE who’s a receiving threat, which loosens the box for the RB. No one is asking for a 50 yard bomb to a TE, but TE Noah Togiai’s 6 catches for 35 yards (5.8 ypr) represents the team’s best, through two games. 

3) Kick Return Impact: If someone can break a couple of big returns, they will make this team. This team needs a return threat. Period!

4) Flash from a DE: Even if a DE doesn’t get a sack, something has to pop out there. For both of these games, we’ve been gashed for rushing yardage on the boundaries. If not dominant pass rush, we need to see a DE show real run contain. That means make, or cause a tackle for a loss, on his side of the line.

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

This is just a preseason game. Winning doesn’t mean the final score, it means finding the right pieces to help us build our roster. If they’re smart, our guys will compete against each other, and not the Fish.

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Prediction: EAGLES 21 – Dolphins 18

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.

FOUR THINGS: WK P2: EAGLES – BROWNS

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/08/20
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Crazy Talk, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Preview, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

LAST week’s narrow loss to the Jets, saw our starters basically put us up 14 – 0; before calling it a night, in the second quarter. Don’t expect to see starters at all in this one. Instead, get ready to find out which Eagles back-ups are ready to break through, and put the world on notice.

While the wins and losses mean nothing to us fans, they mean a great deal to the lower draft picks, the undrafted, and aging back-ups. Understand this, almost no one who plays in this game, is guaranteed a roster spot. You will see players this Sunday, who will be gone next Sunday.

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The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week versus: the Browns

1) Don’t Get Gashed: Given the players that we have at DT, we have no business giving up a ton of rushing yards up the middle. It’s preseason ball, so there’s bound to be some miscues. So a long run broken to the outside, isn’t a big deal, right now. It’s all the routine runs.

LB Nakobe Dean and DT Jordan Davis.

Setting aside any 30 yard runs (Pitches, Tosses, Sweeps) directly to the outside, keeping the Browns under 80 rushing yards and 4.0 yards per carry, is a decent goal for back-ups.

2) Cut the Engine: Wrap the thighs, to kill forward progress at the point of the tackle. That’s the tackle technique I’m looking to see. Hard to get helmet to helmet penalties when a player is aiming for thighs

3) Clean Interior Pocket: Guard, Center, Guard. They have to keep defenders out of the gaps and away from the passer. The QB needs to be able to step into his throws, and those three players especially, make that happen. Also, when a defender jumps to bat down a ball, that interior pocket (G-C-G), needs to make his landing a rough one.

4) Solid Team Culture: Every player you see out there, is likely playing for his football life. Despite the inherent competition for survival, it will be interesting to see which players offer each other encouragement, and cheer for their competitors. We will get a taste of just how strong the team culture, really is.

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

The win or loss only means something to players. Some of whom will suit up for the last time on Sunday. For the rest of us, it’s being billed as lesser than the joint practices, which the teams conducted this week. Let me tell you what it really is.

2010: Rookie, 7th round, S Kurt Coleman enters game four of the preseason as a player “On The Bubble”. This is a do-or-die game. Not for the team, but for Kurt. His dream is on life-support. During the game he recovers not one, but two fumbles, and he returns them both for scores.

The Eagle lose the game, but Kurt makes the team. He goes from 7th rounder with barely a chance in 2010, to being a starter in 2011. He plays 10 seasons. Intercepts 7 balls in 2015 (the NFL leader had 8). And all of it hinged… on a single game like this. If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll see the next Kurt Coleman in this game.

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Prediction: EAGLES 17 – Browns 13

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.

PRESEASON: EAGLES/JETS DIGEST

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/08/13
Posted in: breakdown, Defense, NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, Roster, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

EAGLES QB Jalen Hurts (6/6 – 100% – 80 – 1 – 0), came out and did his thing. I said that I was going to focus on four other players, and I’ll get to them shortly. However, first there’s some housekeeping to be done. In that same article, I said that I would also be watching the Jalens. Here’s what I saw.

On the surface, Hurts stats look great. What they don’t tell you, is that he was decisive with the ball, threw over the middle, and threw a scoring strike to his left, from the pocket. His first passing attempt was a carbon copy of 2021, but after that, he used the whole field. His feet still dance a little after his drop, but the ball is coming out quicker. Progress is apparent.

Seeing action with the second string, I have to admit that WR Jalen Reagor (4 – 3 – 26 – 8.6 – 0), was reliable. I’m by no means a fan of his, and was hoping he’d get a chance to make an eye-popping play, to increase trade interest. Sadly, he never really had a chance to stand out, as the play-calling was milquetoast. Screens and shallow dump-offs, were pretty much all that was on tonight’s menu.

+++++

Now to the meat!

I said I wanted to get a look at J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s transition to TE from WR. I specifically wanted to see his in-line blocking. Didn’t happen. Though he played Special Teams all night, I only noticed him on a couple of Offensive plays in the fourth quarter. One was a pass that was thrown behind him. The other was on the Eagles final play.

How it looks: The Eagles know, just like LB Shaun Bradley (1 – 0 – 0 – 0), JJAW is a core Special Teamer who has upside on regular downs. When they did deploy him, it wasn’t as a blocker, but as a receiver. Even on the “Hail Mary” (that was never thrown), the coaching staff had him out there.

On Defense, I wanted to see if the Eagles used LB Patrick Johnson more like a LB or a DE. They did neither. He played a great deal of that game, coming out with the second unit. He primarily lined up as a 4 – 3 DE, but never put his hand in the dirt. Instead he played in a crouch that had his center of gravity far too high, on every snap.

How it looks: Tonight I guess they wanted to see him at rush DE, but he really didn’t generate much pressure, or influence any plays. In fact, he frequently got washed up-field, past QB’s when pass rushing, and he didn’t set the edge well, vs the run. If the Eagles want him to be a rusher, the coaching staff needs to teach him some counters.

My third subject was WR Britain Covey. His only chance to make this roster, is as a KR/PR. For all the buzz he’s been generating during Training Camp, he looked downright ordinary in his debut. He was even shown-up by RB Jason Huntley (16 – 48 – 3.0 – 1 – 1 / 5 – 4 – 39 – 9.7 – 0), who cracked off a 43 yard return in the 3rd quarter.

How it looks: There is no way a 5’8” 173lb WR without blazing speed, makes this roster. Or even the Practice Squad. Covey has two more games to show that he’s an extraordinary returner. Otherwise, he’s toast.

Finally we come to TE Jack Stoll (1 – 1 – 6 – 6.0 – 0). I wanted to see if the Eagles would go to him as a receiving option. Well, he caught a 6 yarder, less than a minute into the game. Then… Nothing after that. Wasn’t even targeted again.

How it looks: TE Noah Togiai (4 – 4 – 29 – 7.2 – 0) caught all of his targets and even ripped one away from a defender. That said, he looked slow against third stringers, and doesn’t offer much as a blocker. Stoll’s 2022 roster spot and role, are all but etched in stone. That is unless another TE can suddenly become a better in-line blocker.

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I didn’t talk about most of the names that everyone else is talking about, because everyone is talking about those. You’ve already read/watched/heard/been tweeted at about those. You don’t come to me for common, so I never give it to you. You come to me, specifically for what you can’t get anywhere else. And I’m glad that you do. (I just wish you would COMMENT more.)

Listen, even with as terrible as announcer Ross Tucker was tonight, he did (ad nauseum) get one thing correct: Some of those second and third string guys, will help determine the outcome of games this year. He mentioned the ascension of RB Boston Scott and WR Greg Ward from the Practice Squad a few years ago.

That had me looking for this year’s eye-catching third stringer.

The Eagles coaches did everything they could to sell us Jason Huntley, but I was far more impressed by RB Kennedy Brooks (7 – 26 – 3.7 – 0 – 0 / 1 – 1 – 2 – 2.0 – 1). He was not easily stopped, and fell forward at the end of his runs. Even his touchdown catch involved him lowering his shoulder to get into the end zone.

I’ve been talking up DT Renell Wren (2 – 0 – 0 – 0) since we picked him up this Spring. He’s a big (6’5, 320), strong, feisty presence. The problem has been injuries, which is why Cincinnati gave up on him. Tonight, he got in on a tackle, and made a stop on a play ran away from him. Wren’s biggest problem now, is who’s ahead of him at DT: Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Javon Hargarve, and Fletcher Cox.

So far, I’m rooting for these two. They likely won’t make the 47 man, so I’m hoping that we they aren’t stolen (especially by a rival) before we can put them on the PS. I hope to see them pop again next week at Cleveland.

PRESEASON GAME 1: EAGLES vs JETS

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/08/11
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Roster, Special Teams, The 12, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

NORMALLY I would do a Four Things article here. Just to get in a little “Live” practice. Like the players will be doing. Or should be doing. Instead, since the starters will play less than a quarter, I’m going to focus more on players, than on tactics this week. Besides, no one is game-planning for this game anyway. Why should I outwork the coaches?

Yes. For the 7 downs that he plays, I will be looking for how fast the ball comes out of QB Jalen Hurts hand, after his dropback. Yes. I will have an eye on WR Jalen Reagor as the team showcases him as trade bait. Yes, I will watch the Jalens. That said, my real focus Friday night, will be elsewhere.

There are certain players that have piqued my interest over the offseason. Some players that I’m flat-out rooting for: FS Marcus Epps, WR Britain Covey, TE Jack Stoll, (all of whom I wrote articles about in THE 12 ), and CB Zech MacPhearson.

WR Britain Covey

Then there are players with stories that have intrigued me: WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside’s transition to TE; WR Quez Watkins usage in the Slot; LB Patrick Johnson in his second year; and the rejuvenation of CB James Bradberry, whom I erroneously referred to in May , as a “fading star”.

There won’t be any deep strategizing– (isn’t it weird when you have to add a word to Word’s dictionary?) –so instead of trying to separate gnat shit from pepper, I’ll have my eye on a few of these guys tomorrow night. Namely, Covey (during kick returns), Stoll (as a receiving option), JJAW (specifically his in-line blocking); and Johnson (getting snaps at DE vs true LB).

Preseason games have always been watered down events, but ever since this latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, coaches are more concerned with making sure their starters are available Week One, than making sure that the team is any good for Week One.

So, during this game, we’ll get one or two series of the players we paid to see, then an hour of back-ups, followed by Practice Squaders and guys who’ll be at your job, filling out applications in three weeks. (Wow. I almost said something waaaaay depressing here. Something about euthanizing a dream. Quick! Here’s a picture of a cute piglet.)

In the meantime, tomorrow we’ll get to see the sausage get made, and hear every chop and squeal. So I don’t think I really need to roll out a full-on, Four Things article for this game. I’m just going to keep an eye on FOUR GUYS, while I eat Five Guys. Then I’ll write about them, so we can start to build a working picture of how deep, multi-faceted, and resilient this team really is.

I still hate this new logo.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK P3: NEW YORK JETS

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/08/29
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Crazy Talk, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Rants, Reviews, Roster, Special Teams, stats, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!

WHAT could be better than a tie!?

 

EAGLES 31 – Jets 31

EAGLES STATS:

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

Passing: (S) QB Joe Flacco – (13/16 – 81.2 – 188 – 2 – 0)

Rushing: (B) RB Elijah Holyfield – (16 – 60 – 3.7 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: (B) WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside – (2 – 2 – 57 – 28.5 – 1)

Offensive Line Report: (1 + 2 – 2)

Drive Killer: (B) CB Michael Jacquet – (0 – 1 – 0 – 1 – 1)

Sack Leader: (S) DT T.Y. McGill – (3– 2.0 – 0 – 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: Jets did the Eagles actually get around to doing? Well let’s see:

1) Coach for the Win: Instead of trying to guide his starters to a form of victory to get the taste of a win in their mouths, head coach Nick Sirianni decided to continue to evaluate his bench. Maybe that will pay off, if we get hammered with another injury bug. (Not Done)

2) Play the Starters for a Half: Nope! The starters didn’t even wear jerseys without pads. They were on the sidelines in black t-shirts, like Batman henchmen. (Not Done)

3) Death Row Just Watches: Plenty of guys who are going to be cut, stole reps from guys that we may need to contribute if injuries become an issue. This may be viewed as me over-reacting after a third preseason game, but you can’t fake the adrenalin of a real game. Families, friends, and old coaches don’t tune into joint practices. Sirianni had a chance to give that to high level back-ups, and he blew it. (Not Done)

4) Shuffle the Ends: We got the same thing served to us as the last two games. We saw a lot of DE’s Matt Leo and Tarron Jackson. We saw little outside pass rush, and nearly zero run contain. Asking to see OLB’s Genard Avery and Patrick Johnson get reps at DE remained an ungranted wish. (Not Done)

Again, that’s 0 for 4. Two straight weeks of goose egg, and 2 of 12 this preseason. The result being zero wins. Two weeks from now, I wonder if the Starters will get to play Week One; or if Sirianni will elect to save them for the playoffs. Rock, paper, motherfu-

 

On The Whole:

Some will see our 31 – 31 tie, and mention this silver lining. We put our bench out against many of the Jets starters, and we didn’t lose. The problem with that is, we got up 24 – 10 and then fell apart 7 – 21, to finish the second half. Not rolling out our best stuff is one thing. Being out-hustled on Special Teams, run over on Defense, and uninspired on Offense, is quite another.

Practice? Sirianni talkin’ ’bout Dual PRACTICE.

At this stage I have no idea where any spirit of competition is supposed to come from. The Starters know that they’re sacred cows, because the back-ups hardly showed anything, across three straight weeks. In fact, the only player looking over his shoulder at this point, might be QB Jalen Hurts. Is he the starter yet? I’m kidding! I’m KIDDING! It’s not like the Eagles are going to go out and trade for QB Gardner Minshew. (sigh)

FOUR THINGS: WK P3: EAGLES – Jets

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/08/25
Posted in: Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

SHOULD we even give a shit?! Sloshing wet behind the ears, rookie head coach Nick Sirianni is under the impression that joint practices are as good as a game. You know who disagrees with that philosophy? Bill Belichick. The same Bill Belichick with six Super Bowl rings, who walked into Lincoln Financial stadium, and waxed Sirianni’s baby-soft ass, 35 to couldn’t even get on the board. Oh, Belichick played his starters, BTW.

A win. A loss. There really doesn’t seem like there’d be any carry-over from this game if the starters sit again. We’ve seen more than enough from the back-ups. What we don’t know, is whether the 22 men who’ll be doing most of the playing, can be better than last year’s 4 wins. Outside of a good showing from those 22, this game will only serve to highlight how badly squandered last week was. Prove us wrong Nick! I dare you.

The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics will practically guarantee our Eagles this win. CAUTION: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use FT as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

 

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

1) Coach for the Win: We have yet to see what it looks like when Sirianni is trying to coach his team to a win. As a matter of fact, he has yet to see it either. A dry run would give him a base-line of what he wants to work on within himself, over the course of his rookie season.

As a rookie coach, he’s allowed to suck. This year. So he needs to be about the business of figuring out his evolutionary path, as a head coach. Treat this game like a game. Let’s see if we have a coach.

2) Play the Starters for a half: Chemistry isn’t built by wishing. It’s built by reps. While practice time is valuable, ANY additional reps only help. How often do we talk about players who stick around after everyone else has gone home? Meanwhile we have a head coach who downplays the value of game time.

3) Death Row Watches: Guys who we know aren’t going to make the team, shouldn’t steal reps from those who will. RB Jason Huntley, WR’s J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Marken Michel, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, and S Blake Countess, are examples of guys who have no business getting any snaps. At least not while the game can still be won.

The guys who are going to make this roster, need those snaps. Don’t let them be stolen by dead men walking.

4) Shuffle the Ends: I get it. The Eagles are looking to rely on DE’s Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Josh Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan. So between the four DE’s of Tarron Jackson, Milton Williams, JaQuan Bailey and Matt Leo, there’s probably only one spot left. The team wanted to get a long look at them. Okay. Got plenty of looks. Now let’s see if we can find another actual pass rusher.

We need to get a look at OLB Patrick Johnson or SLB Genard Avery, lined up at DE on a few third downs. Aside from Johnson, I was not a fan of the Eagles defensive line additions, during the 2021 Draft. I made that abundantly clear in my Draft Report. It’s about time we got a look at him vs the top half of an opposing roster.

If we do these Four Things, win or lose, the coach will have sent the message that it’s time to focus on competing, and getting better as a team. That said, I don’t know how much faith I have in Sirianni doing what needs to be done. It’s why I’ve predicted an Eagles loss in both of the previous games. What I absolutely have faith in, is owner Jeff Lurie putting an arm around young Nick, and telling him “Nick, you’d better win back my %$@#ing fan base. Because wins move merch!”

 

PREDICTION: EAGLES 20 – Jets 17

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

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK P2: Patriots

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/08/21
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

THIS game was somewhat lopsided.

 

EAGLES 0 – Patriots 35

EAGLES STATS:

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

Passing: (S) QB Joe Flacco – (10/17 – 58.8% – 83 – 0 – 1)

Rushing: (B) RB Elijah Holyfield – (4 – 31 – 7.7 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: (B) TE Jack Stoll – (7 – 4 – 33 – 8.2 – 0)

Offensive Line Report: (0 – 1 – 4)

Drive Killer: (B) CB Kevon Seymour – (0 – 1 – 0 – 0)

Sack Leader: No Qualifier 

 

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

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

1) Run the ball: The play selection this week was 27 passes to 17 non-QB runs. That play-calling is 61.3% pass to 38.7% run. The hope was for 43% at least. The result is that we didn’t keep the defense honest. As a result they pinned their ears back, and hunted our QBs to the tune of 4 sacks.

The idea was that the extra running would loosen the focus on QB Jalen Hurts. It would allow him room to operate, and thus make him more dangerous. However, with him going to a hospital with a case of the shits, no amount of running would have helped him in this game. (NOT DONE)

2) Rotate, rotate, rotate: The rotation of the Defensive Line was better this week, but it still wasn’t great. Also, at one point, LB Alex Singleton repeatedly looked to the sideline and patted his helmet, to let them know he needed a breather. This is unacceptable. Gassed players will not/cannot, reliably make plays. This inattention to defensive player stamina, has to get fixed. If not, we’re going to give up a lot of cheap touchdowns. It will get us destroyed this year.

Like it did in this game. (NOT DONE)

3) Sit the Flacco Down: Flacco started. Even worse, he got more passing plays called for him, than QB Nick Mullens did. This is despite Mullens coming into the game, already down three scores. (NOT DONE)

4) Unleash the blitz: The only way we could have gotten less pressure on Patriot QB’s, would have been to help block for them. No one on our D-line was able to get within a $20 cab ride of the opposing passers. So of course we dialed up clever blitzes, right? RIGHT?! Not at all. (NOT DONE)

 

So that’s us, doing goose egg out of Four Things this week. Next week we get the Jets, in their house, and I’m afraid.

I’m not afraid of the Jets. I’m afraid of watching another exhibition game devolve into another shit show, because this coaching staff has it in for the fans here.

 

On The Whole:

To eloquently quote Steve Coogan in ‘Hamlet2’:

Remember when I told you that Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s talk about “competition” was a lie? Well it’s pretty hard for players to compete, when they don’t even have to play a single snap. Or for fuck’s sake, even put on their pads! Like I said, Siranni’s line about competition… It was total bullshit, wasn’t it? 

When a team finishes 4 – 11 – 1, nobody on the roster is good enough to sit out a preseason game. Especially when breaking in new systems. At this point I don’t know which I’m more displeased by, the players inability to win downs, or the coaching staff appearing clueless, over-matched and inept at every turn.

FOUR THINGS: WK P2: EAGLES – PATRIOTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/08/17
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

WHILE our Offensive Starters didn’t get in the end zone, our Defensive Starters didn’t allow a trip to the end zone. In fact, our first half play looked very good considering that it was Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s debut, and Pittsburgh wasn’t playing in their first game of the preseason.

Hopefully in this game, we’ll work on a rushing attack that we left largely explored, last week. The play selection was 29 passes to 10 non-QB rushes. That’s 74.3% pass, for those who want an early read on Sirianni’s attack philosophy.

In year’s past, there were four preseason games. Now there are just three. In the past, Starters played the most in Game Three. Now it’ll likely be in Game Two. That means if we’re going to win one of these, this next one is the one that will have the most “meaning”, because it’ll give us the largest glimpse of our best vs an opponent’s best. Like this!

Even though preseason games are meaningless, I want this game. I didn’t care what happened last week, and I won’t care how next week shakes out. But this one? I want this one. I’m putting that out there, right now.

The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics will practically guarantee our Eagles this win. CAUTION: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use FT as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

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

1) Run the ball: QB Jalen Hurts looked solid last week. Not great. Not stellar. Solid. To really unleash him and make him dangerous, the Eagles ground game has to come alive. We need to give the opposing defense an entire offense to worry about. While 60/40 run pass split would be ideal, even a 43/57 split would show that the Eagles brain trust is as least as dialed in as I am.

2) Rotate, rotate, rotate: For fuck’s sake, rotate our goddamned line! Last week Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Gannon essentially gave away the game, by refusing to rotate his obviously gassed, defensive linemen in the second half. The result was that our defense got run over.

If Gannon owns a pair of balls, he’ll be embarrassed by what his coaching put on tape. At the very least, linemen should be subbed out two at a time. For example: Rotate in a DT along with a DE. We have 7 DT’s, and we only start 2. That’s 5 subs. We have 6 healthy DE’s. We only start 2. That’s 4 subs. We have the manpower. Get this done!

3) Sit the Flacco Down: We already know what QB Joe Flacco is. He doesn’t need extensive work to be a #2. Hurts on the other hand needs a half, since he likely won’t play next week. Third string QB Nick Mullen however, needs to show that last week (1 – 5 – 20.0% – 4 – 0 – 2) was an aberration. If he bombs this week, the Eagles are almost guaranteed not to carry three QB’s on the active roster; and they may even look elsewhere for a Practice Squader.

4) Unleash the Blitz: The Eagles refrained from blitzing last week. So much so that the announcer kept bringing it up. That can’t happen this week. Our players need to get a feel for how the gaps develop, how long they last, or if any of them have a “tell”, etc. Those things only come with reps against top-shelf talent.

Guys like OLB Genard Avery and rookie OLB Patrick Johnson, are known for rushing passers. Let’s turn these guys loose.

If we do these Four Things, this game will show the NFL that the Eagles are scary underdogs this year. REALLY scary underdogs.

Mike Tomlin last week, and now Patriots coach Bill Belichik. While Belichik is more than a match for our rookie head man, I feel fortunate that Sirianni is getting this baptism by fire, this early in his career. That said, neither Bill nor Nick, will line up on Thursday night.

Talent for talent, I don’t see that New England is better than we are. In fact, I think we hold decisive advantages along both of our lines. We also have more explosive skill players. Especially given the fact that the Patriots feel that adding CB Jalen Mills to their secondary made them stronger.

If the Eagles do what they should, we win this in a walk.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 20 – Patriots 17

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

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK P1: Steelers

Posted by The BEAST on 2021/08/14
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Preview, Reviews, Rivals, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

RATHER encouraging debut for Head Coach Nick Sirianni.

EAGLES 16 – Steelers 24 

EAGLES STATS:

New categories include a weekly Offensive Line Report (Rushing TD’s – 3rd downs converted of 2 yards or less on the ground – sacks allowed); as well as Drive Killer (Int – FR – 4th down Tackles – FF).

Passing: (B) QB Joe Flacco – (10/17– 58.8% – 178 – 1 – 0)

Rushing: (B) RB Jason Huntley – (4 – 15 – 3.7 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: (B) WR Quez Watkins – (2 – 1 – 79 – 79.0 – 1)

O-Line Report: (0 – 0 – 2)

Drive Killer: (B) S Elijah Riley – (1 – 0 – 0 – 0)

Sacks: (B) DT T.Y. McGill – (1 – 1.0 – 0 – 0)

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

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

1) Simple Communication: At no point did the Eagles starters, seem out of sync with each other. There were points where there were lapses in execution, but given how new the systems are, it’s far too early to make that into a real complaint. (DONE)

2) Bring the Violence: OLB Alex Singleton and S Anthony Harris came to lay the lumber! Everyone else…not so much. Maybe we’ll see more ill will next week. (NOT DONE)

3) Have a Ball: We managed just one take-away all game long. Worse yet, the time of possession, felt like we had the ball for just 10 of the 60 minutes in the game. (NOT DONE)

4) Shelve the cute shit: The play-calling was very vanilla. Playing the game straight-up, allowed us to take a real assessment of our big men in the trenches. (DONE)

So we did 2 of the 4, and it clearly wasn’t enough. Next week we should get a longer look at our starters, vs a 1 – 0 New England team that just handed Washington one of these:

On The Whole:

Our starters looked much sharper than I was anticipating. Especially given that Pittsburgh had already played a preseason game. As the game wore on, our Defensive Line wore out visibly. Why there wasn’t any substitution, is totally beyond me. That said, instead of harping on negatives, using this game to emphasize positives, would likely go much much farther, in terms of player development.