Tanner McKee

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FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 18: Commanders

Posted by The BEAST on 2026/01/05
Posted in: breakdown, Conspiracy Corner, Defense, Fans, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

MISSED opportunities.

EAGLES 17 – Commanders 24

 

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Tanner McKee (21/40 – 52.5% – 241 – 1 – 1)

Rushing: RB Tank Bigsby (16 – 75 – 4.6 – 1 – 0)

Receiving: WR DeVonta Smith (4 – 3 – 52 – 17.3 – 0)

Drive Killer: OLB Jalyx Hunt (TD: 0/Int:1 / FR: 1/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)

Sack Leader: NA (Sacks: / FF: / Tackles: )

Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 1/1 FG, 2/2 XP

****

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

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

1) Start Tanner McKee: That is precisely what happened, and there is good news and bad news, as a result.

First, the bad news. Had McKee won the game and looked like the phenom that he did last year, we could have used him as trade bait for QB hungry teams. Instead he lost, while displaying little mobility, or improvisational talent, while looking more like a typical back-up.

The good news. If he’s still here when his contract expires, there’s now a decent chance that we can re-sign him ourselves. Make no mistake, this game cost McKee an easy opportunity and likely millions of dollars. Without another chance to prove himself in 2026, he won’t have a body of work that teams can project into being a starter.

I said that we should let QB Sam Howell take the fourth quarter, so we could get a look at our future back-up. However, as I mentioned when discussing McKee, due to the missed opportunity, I’m pretty sure that we did get a look at our back-up. (DONE)

2) Chase the Yards: I wanted the Eagles to play WR DeVonta Smith, so that he could get the 44 yards that he needed, to reach 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He played and he got 52.

I also wanted to see RB Tank Bigsby get a start and maybe get 100 rushing yards. Well, he rushed for 75 with a touchdown, and added a 31 yard catch and run. So he had 106 total yards on the day. I mentioned that a sighting of RB A.J. Dillon (1 – 1 – 3 – 3.0 – 0) would be welcomed, and he caught the only ball thrown to him. (DONE)

3) Get A Long Look: There were certain players that I had my eye on in this game.

On Defense, DT Ty Robinson (3 tackles) got washed around a lot early, but then seemed to find his legs later on. CB Jakorian Bennett (1 tackle) gave up two pass interference penalties. Both were in the endzone, setting the Commanders up at the 1 yard line, and eventually becoming touchdowns. MLB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (12 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) was all over the place. A run stuff, a tackle for loss, a QB knockdown. He’s excellent depth to have

On Offense, WR Darius Cooper (5 – 3 – 33 – 11.0 – 0) got the five targets I’d hoped he get, and he proved reliable as a blocker. He also got flagged on a bullshit taunting call early in the game. TE Cam Latu (no stats) still has yet to see an NFL target in his career. He did help clear space for Bigsby’s touchdown run, though. (DONE)

4) Don’t Shy Away From Kicking: We didn’t, and everything that left K Jake Elliott’s toe, ended up between the uprights. (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score was 4 of 4, mostly because I already was sure that back-ups would play, so I wrote this accordingly. That wraps the season at 11 – 5, as division winners, and the #3 seed in the playoffs. Now we go to start preparing to host the 49ers next week.

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Game Hero: OLB Jalyx Hunt – Intercepted a ball and recovered a bad snap, to earn two turnovers in this game. He ends the season with 6.5 sacks (team leader) and 3 interceptions (team leader). The thing is, though he’s listed at OLB, he’s actually more of a DE, which makes those interceptions all the more impressive.

Game goat: Our CB’s – The Eagles were flagged for 4 pass interference penalties. Three of which set-up first and goals at the one yard line. And don’t get me started on Kelee Ringo (5 – 0 – 0 – 0) running away from the Commanders QB, and he ran into the end zone

On The Whole: Our back-ups went toe-to-toe with starters, and we were in the game until the final incompletion. The only group that I saw out there that worries me, is our CB’s. Or more to the point, our reserve CB’s. Whether they were setting up first and goal situations for the Commanders, or running away from a touchdown scoring ball-carrier, they looked like they didn’t belong on an NFL roster.

Regarding QB Tanner McKee, some of the balls he threw were high, and some were behind the receivers. In all truth, he just seemed like he was doing to much as the game wore on. Given all the career opportunities that were riding on his performance in this game, it’s easy to understand why he might have been pressing. I could have put the

I don’t want to hand-wring about the play-calling this week, for a myriad of different reasons. Suffice it to say, a passing attack that features more than one concept at a time, might apply more stress to the coverages we’ll see, starting next week.

FOUR THINGS: WK 18: EAGLES – COMMANDERS

Posted by The BEAST on 2026/01/02
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Draft, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, playoffs, Rivals, Special Teams, trade. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

WINNING the NFC East last week, clinched at least one home playoff game for us. Now that we’re assured of at least the #3 seed, we are resting some starters and manufacturing a Bye Week for ourselves. This is beyond smart. 

We beat the Commanders two weeks ago, and because after a touchdown, we went for a two point conversion instead of the extra point, they implied that we were running up the score. (Over a point!) Their coach said something like ‘if that’s how they want it, we’ll see them in two weeks.’

I don’t know if that was his way of hinting at putting bounties on our guys, or what. In any case, it’s better that we don’t risk key players, against a team playing for nothing, which also doesn’t have to worry about suspensions that could derail their current season.

With a win, we would finish at 12 – 5 (the record that I predicted in August). Note: Depending on the outcome of the Bears/Lions game we could end up as the #2 seed in the Conference.

With a loss, we stand on 11 – 6, settle for the #3 seed and host at least one playoff 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 Commanders.

QB Tanner McKee contributes to our 41 – 7 win over Dallas.

[pic]

1) Start Tanner McKee: The rookie contract for QB Tanner McKee is up after the 2026 season. He’s talented, he wants to play, and he knows there’s no way we’ll elevate him above Hurts. In a nutshell, he won’t be resigning with us after 2026. So, if we’re smart, we’ll trade him ASAP (before the Draft). Before an injury (or a headline) can lower his trade value.

During the last game of last year, McKee guided back-ups to victory over the giants starters. If he can match that feat again on Sunday…  For teams like the Steelers, Jets, Falcons, and Cardinals, a proven player like McKee, paired with our 2026 first rounder (we don’t need another first round contract, right now), could be worth a lot of future draft capital

Give McKee three quarters, then play QB Sam Howell for the final one. If we trade McKee prior to the Draft, having a veteran, back-up QB already in harness, would be the smartest move. In regards to searching for a back-up, Howell (who is on an expiring contract), is as good a jumping off point as any. If he plays well Sunday, ink him for two to four years, and be able to trade McKee with full confidence in our QB room. 

2) Chase the Yards: He doesn’t have to play the whole game, but let’s get WR DeVonta Smith the 44 yards that he needs to get to 1,000 yards on the season. Just a bunch of routes that let him get out of bounds, or get down quickly. No need for him to be a hero. Just get the yards, and go change into street clothes at the half. 

RB Tank Bigsby rushed for 104 yards vs the giants in this game

It would also be great to see RB Tank Bigsby get a start and another 100 yard rushing day. I would also welcome an appearance from RB A.J. Dillon. I feel like we already have a sense of what RB Will Shipley can be with the ball in his hands, and I’m extremely not impressed.

3) Get A Long Look: There are a handful of defensive back-ups, that I really would like a good look at. Players like rookie DT Ty Robinson, LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and CB Jakorian Bennett finally getting to start a real game, here. Offensively, it’d be great to see WR Darius Cooper get five targets, as well as a couple of balls to TE Cam Latu, who has yet to see a single target in his career. 

We need a sense of how these young players measure up against full-time starters. If we have players instead of just bodies in those spots, we’re less dependent of drafting depth, overspending for free agents, or reaching on old players with baggage or lengthy injury histories.

4) Don’t Shy Away From Kicking: We need to know before the playoffs, just how hard we can lean on K Jake Elliott. He’s again had a shaky season, but if we can show some confidence in him, maybe it will help him past his yips. If it doesn’t, then the coaching staff knows they have to compensate with the play-calling, for not being able to trust his foot.

****

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

Our advancement to the two seed partially depends on the outcome of another game, which we cannot influence in any way. So, while winning this game would be nice, it can’t be our only focus. We should use this game as a tool for inflating the trade value of some of our players, and to discern the difference between quality depth and bodies.

 

****

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 18: giants

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/01/08
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, NFC East, Offense, Players, playoffs, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
So. Guess who won the NFC East.

BACK-UPS handled business.

 

EAGLES 20 – giants 13

 

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Tanner McKee (27/41 – 65.8% – 269 – 2 – 0)

Rushing: RB Will Shipley (10 – 32 – 3.2 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: WR Jahan Dotson (11 – 7 – 94 – 13.4 – 0)

Drive Killer: S Sydney Brown (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops:0 / FF: 0)

Sack Leader: NONE (Sacks: / FF: / Tackles: )

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

TE E.J. Jenkins catches his first NFL pass, and it’s for a touchdown.

1) Two Long Looks: The first look was supposed to be of McKee, and we got that. He looked in control and in command at all times. At no point did he ever seem flustered. Even when he had to corral two high snaps. He put up 269 and 2 scores with back-up receivers, behind a back-up O-line, with no run support, against starters. He has a few things to clean up, but McKee is legit.

The other long look was WR Johnny Wilson (5 – 3 – 24 – 8.0 – 0). He played 65 snaps (96%), but was wholly unremarkable. (DONE)

2) Give Elliott Some Practice: K Jake Elliott was 2/3 kicking field goals. Sadly, his miss was from just 39 yards away. So he got some work, but I don’t know if that helped at all. (DONE)

3) Make It Make Sense: The idea was to get a look at what WR Jahan Dotson would do with 4 or more targets. What he did was lead the team in targets (11), catches (7), and receiving yardage (94). With zero drops.

WR Jahan Dotson.

Dotson did this with a third string QB, versus a starting secondary. This only points out that there’s been no good reason on Earth, why he shouldn’t already be a larger part of this Offense. Someone needs to get their shit together. (DONE)

4) Value Combo Players: I was looking at a few players, but CB Isaiah Rodgers (2 tackles) was the player I’d mentioned in FT. I was hoping to see some value in him as a kick returner. What he showed were two returns, one for 24 yards, the other for 51. That’s an average of 37.5 yards. Not bad. (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score was a perfect 4 of 4, which is a perfect way to close out the regular season. Now, onto the playoffs, to send the Packers, packing up for their offseason!

****

Game Hero: QB Tanner McKee – Given his lack of support from the run game, McKee had to carry the Offense. No fancy runs. No 4th down punt fakes. Just a straight-forward, pocket passer carving up a defense.

Game goat: The Running Backs – Before we come down too hard on our back-up O-Line, consider that our two principle RB’s in this game, have been lackluster runners this entire season. Even behind the starting line. The fact is, we don’t have any depth to take seriously at this position.

On The Whole:

S Sydney Brown seals the game with an interception

We got the sweep, and we got to thoroughly out-class a division rival. That said, our inability to generate even a single sack, was a concern. It also needs to be said that everyone who’s played MLB for us this year has looked pretty good. Oren Burks (17 – 0 – 0 – 0) wore the green dot, and did a good job managing it. It makes me wonder if Zack Baun (DNP) is mostly a product of the system here. Not for nothing, but I think Jeremiah Trotter Jr (11 – 0 – 0 – 0) looked pretty good out there as well.

FOUR THINGS: WK 18: EAGLES – GIANTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/01/04
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Four Things, free agents, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, Rivals. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

WE’VE already locked up the #2 seed in the playoffs! All that’s left to do is get RB Saquon Barkley, the NFL record for Most Rushing Yards In A Season. Which we won’t be doing, in order to protect him from injury. Here, is where I usually try to get you hyped up about the game, but the Eagles from the top-down, have signaled that this game is all about going through the motions. Yay-woohoo. It’s no more than a prese-

THAT’S IT!

Like a preseason game, this game gives us a chance to look at the deeper parts of our roster. UN-like a preseason game, for the players this is a game that counts towards career numbers. For coaches, there will be game-plans implemented. So this game can be used as a real world evaluation tool.

It is not a joint practice, a scrimmage, or a preseason game. This is live fire. The real thing. This is an opportunity to see what we need to draft, or add through Free Agency, and where we’re already solid.

With a win we finish with a regular season record of 14 – 3, and a sweep of the giants.

A loss holds us at 13 wins for the year, but we let the giants escape with some dignity.

****

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.

But not this week. This week the win or loss has absolutely zero functional value to us. So as I said before, we should use it as an evaluation tool. That doesn’t mean that fundamental don’t still count though!

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 giants.

QB Tanner McKee

1) Two Long Looks: Getting his first NFL start is QB Tanner McKee. When QB Kenny Pickett went to the bench, I said “You’re fucking up, Kenny!”. Giving your back-up an opportunity to shine? Just ask former #1 overall draft pick QB Drew Bledsoe, how that worked out for him. If the Eagles see potential, Pickett could become trade fodder in the off-season.

We also need to see a larger sample of WR Johnny Wilson. Specifically, we need to see him get a few targets. Against the Rams he played 51 snaps (70%), yet only saw one target. This is not how to develop a receiver. Throw him some passes. Let him do some good things and some bad things; that he can get on tape and study before OTA’s.

2) Give Elliott Some Practice: Just two weeks ago K Jake Elliott made his first 50 yard Field Goal of the season. That is terrifying, but we can’t undo it. Pinheads want to replace him, but at this point in the year, there are no better K’s out there on their couches. So maybe we can help Elliott out of his funk.

Try to get his confidence going, as well as letting him work on his mechanics. In the playoffs, we get at least two games at home. Make this game about practicing for the playoff run.

Let’s get THIS guy going again

3) Make It Make Sense: This off-season we traded for WR Jahan Dotson, to be our #3/Slot receiver. To this point, he has five starts, played 601 offensive snaps (56%), seeing only 22 targets for 12 catches. If he were unreliable, the low number of targets might be seen as a trust issue. Thing is, he has zero drops. So what gives!?

Dotson saw a season-high 4 targets for 2 catches and 11 yards, in Week 4 vs Tampa Bay. This is ridiculous. I’m eager to see what he would do with 4 or more targets on Sunday.

4) Combo Value Players: Last season we traded for, and stashed CB Isaiah Rodgers away for a year; while he was suspended for the season, over gambling. We were all expecting him to eventually push for starting spot. Enter rookie CB’s Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

Along with an excellent starting trio, we have young Eli Ricks and Kelee Ringo. So Rodgers is in a tight spot, with regard to next season. If he can offer value as a kick returner, it improves his chances of staying here next season.

****

If the Eagles do these Four Things, blah blah blahblahblah That being said…

Honestly, the only thing that could offer the this game any air of excitement, would be to cheer on Barkley. However, the coaching staff took that off the board. Wouldn’t it be great if they had a change of heart.

****

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: WK 17: Cowboys

Posted by The BEAST on 2025/01/01
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Fans, Four Things, NFC East, NFL, Offense, Players, Rivals, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
DT Jordan Davis holds up fumble recovery. S Reed Blankenship and DT Jalen Carter, cheer him on.

2024 NFC EAST WINNERS

EAGLES 41 – Cowboys 7

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Kenny Pickett (10/15– 66.6% – 143 – 1 – 0)

Rushing: RB Saquon Barkley (31 – 167 – 5.3 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: WR DeVonta Smith (7 – 6 – 120 – 20 – 2)

Drive Killer: S C.J. Gardner-Johnson(TD: 1/Int: 2/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)

Sack Leader: DT Thomas Booker/LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Sacks: 0.5 / FF: 0/ Tackles: 5/3)

Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 2/2 FG, 5/5 XP

****

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

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

1) Establish the Pass Immediately: Luckily we started the game with a defensive score, because it took three possessions for the Offense to find some traction. By that time it was already the second quarter. (NOT DONE)

RB Saquon Barkley is now one of only nine men, to ever rush for 2000 yards, in an NFL regular season.

2) Lean On the Run: We absolutely nailed this one. Barkley had a season high 31 carries in this one, and they were enough to make him one of just nine men in NFL HISTORY, to rush for 2000 yards in a single season.

Those rushes weren’t just to chase a record. We needed this win to clinch the #2 seed in the playoffs, and ensure that the NFC East, didn’t somehow fall to Washington. We started a back-up QB (Pickett), and when he went down, we played third string QB Tanner Mckee (3/4 – 75.0 – 54 – 2 – 0). So Barkley’s 31 carries were essential. (DONE)

3) Take Away Anything Simple: We did a great job of forcing Dallas QB Cooper Rush (15/28 – 53.7% – 147 – 1 – 2) into uncomfortable situations, and making him air out passes, instead of sticking to the dink and dunk, that got him picked off on the first drive of the game!

We rattled him early with a pick six, and he got totally away from who he is as an athlete. He tried to do too much, and it only helped his team sink faster. He was smart enough to get the ball out and avoid sacks, but he just doesn’t have any playmaker in his DNA. He’s a closer (pitcher) forced into starting. He never stood a chance. (DONE)

4) Use Five Man Fronts: We did some of this, but not a huge amount of it. It might have been wise not to, with LB Oren Burks (8 – 0.0 – 0 – 1) starting in place of injured LB Nakobe Dean. As a second level defender, rotating with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (3 – 0.5 – 0 – 0) the Eagles may have wanted to keep help close to them. (NOT DONE)

Jordan Davis after his fumble recovery

++++

This week’s Four Things score was 2 of 4, but it was more than enough. Next week we host the giants, in a game that will have either a ton of significance, or absolutely none at all. At least we now know it’s Sunday at 1:00

****

S C.J. Gardner-Johnson scoring a pick six, with S Reed Blankenship providing an escort.

Game Hero: C.J. Gardner-Johnson – He killed two drives, with interceptions. One he returned for a score, which equaled Dallas’s output for the entire game. He could also be seen calming fellow players down, as Cowboys players kept trying to bait Eagles into penalties, after the play. Given that he was ejected and fined $45,000 last week, this was some fast maturing on his part

Game goat: Defensive Line – We got just one sack, and allowed their mutt of a RB, to get 100 rushing yards.

On The Whole: It was a domination from start to finish. Offense, Defense and Special Teams all showed up and took care of business. We wrapped up a division crown; putting two players into the record books (Barkley’s 2000 rushing yards, and McKee becoming the only QB in NFL history to debut with more than one TD pass, on fewer than five attempts); or choking out a rival in front of a deserving fan base.

Nearly lost in all of this, is the huge day that DeVonta Smith put up. He had three plays where he reached into the Cowboys chest and extracted a still beating heart. A 22 yard score; a 49 yard bomb, that set-up first and goal from the one; and a 25 yard score, just to add battery acid to the wound. Just when an opponent thinks they have A.J. Brown under wraps:

WR DeVonta Smith on his second TD

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK PS3: Vikings

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/08/26
Posted in: breakdown, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, Roster, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
WR Joseph Ngata has a ball bounce off his hands, into the waiting arms of a Vikings player. It was that kind of day.

NO silver linings in this one, folks.

EAGLES 3 – Vikings 26

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: QB Tanner McKee (13/21 – 61.9% – 115 – 0 – 1)

Rushing: RB Tyrion Davis-Price (12 – 56 – 4.6 – 0 – 1)

Receiving: WR Griffin Herbert (3 – 3 – 48 – 16.0 – 0)

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

Sack Leader: Four players (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: / Tackles: )

Special Teams Ace: K Jake Elliott 1/1 FG

****

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

1) Starters Must Play: Not only did most starters not play, they and key back-ups, didn’t even dress. For example, WR Britain Covey didn’t dress. Rookies Jalyx Hunt (LB) and Will Shipley (RB) didn’t dress. Interestingly enough, LB Nolan Smith started and played quite a bit. But hey! This is okay. It’s allllll okay! Right?

The Eagles, particularly the Offense, better not come out stale, or loaded with miscues in Brazil, during the season opener. If they do, expect to hear from many of us fans, about how not playing our starters even a single snap in the preseason, was wrong-head and dumb. (NOT DONE)

2) Offensive Line Must Deliver: This was rendered meaningless, because many of the players who were out there, will be cut before close of business on Tuesday. This essentially gives us nothing of substance, to judge. (NOT DONE)

3) Make A Defensive Statement: If the Eagles Defense made any statement on Saturday, it’s that we can’t stop anyone. However, as I said, most of the people who played later into the game yesterday, won’t be around come dawn on Wednesday. (NOT DONE)

4) No Contributors Play the Second Half: Well this one was certainly a freebie! (DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score is 1 of 3, with a corresponding 3 – 26 score for our troubles. Thus endeth the preseason. When next we see this team, the games, the results, will count.

****

Game Hero: Nobody. The closest thing we have there, is McKee attempting a 4th and goal touchdown pass, with a guy pulling on his leg. A completion would have made it a boss moment. Instead it was a turnover on downs.

Game goat: DB Cooper DeJean (2 – 0 – 0 – 0) He got a little better as the game wore on, but that first drive saw him commit an illegal contact penalty that erased an interception by S Tristin McCollum (9 – 0 – 0 – 0), who played well. Instead of a taking away the ball and ending that drive, we allowed a touchdown.

On The Whole: All the Eagles coaching staff wanted out of this one, was to get a deep look at the back-end of the roster. Good thing too, because a couple of those guys popped. For example, LB Oren Burks (6 – 1.0 – 0 – 0). He also nearly added an interception to his stats. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t end up on the Practice Squad.

LB Oren Burks nearly picks off a pass

It’s hard to get too concerned about the way this went down. Most of the guys we saw playing in this game will be looking for regular jobs in less than a month. However, in two weeks, our best guys will be playing an away game, in a game that counts, without even one dress rehearsal. If you’re a a little bit worried, you aren’t a whiner. It just means you’re sane.

QB Tanner McKee fumbles while being sacked.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK PS2: Patriots

Posted by The BEAST on 2024/08/18
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
RB Kendall Milton punches in a short touchdown

YET another thrilla, not in Phila!

EAGLES 14 – Patriots 13

EAGLES STATS:

Passing: (B) QB Tanner McKee (15/19 – 78.9% – 140 – 0 – 0)

Rushing: (B) RB Tyrion Davis-Price (4 – 28 – 7.0 – 0 – 0)

Receiving: (B) WR Joseph Ngata (5 – 5 – 88 – 17.6 – 0)

Drive Killer: FS Avonte Maddox (TD: 0/Int: 1/ FR: 0/ 4th down stops: 0/ FF: 0)

Sack Leader: OLB Nolan Smith (Sacks: 1.0/ FF: 0/ Tackles: 1)

Special Teams Ace: WR John Ross 2KR, 68 yards, 34.0 avg

****

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

1) Starters Must Play: Nope! Yet again Head Coach Nick Sirianni teased the possibility of playing his starters, and then decided not to. If the Eagles come out firing on all cylinders Week One, then he was right. However, if they come out looking at all out of sync, then he’ll have some ‘splaining to do. (NOT DONE)

2) Stop the Inside Run: With the starters not out there, this is tough to gauge. Statistically, our back-ups did a decent job vs starters. So that’s something to hang our hats on. The guys we put out there, did the job, in this game. ILB Zack Baun made a couple nice plays vs the run. (DONE)

QB Tanner McKee in a pretty pocket

3) Open Up the Offense: Yes. This happened. When third stringer Tanner McKee came in, he ran the exact same system that back-up QB Kenny Pickett (11/13 – 67 – 84.6 – 0 – 0) had been running. The difference was that McKee had time to air out more passes. (DONE)

4) Show Up: We didn’t come out and play down to a less talented team. What we did was worse. Our coaching staff, removed any sense of urgency from this game, by not even dressing most of our starters. The result was a close win, sealed by a fluke fumbled snap, instead of an outright blowout. (NOT DONE)

++++

This week’s Four Things score is 2 of 4. Understandably, that 50/50 score, produced a coin flip of a win. Maybe we’ll be better next week, when the Vikings visit South Philly.

****

Let’s go Brandon Smith! His fumble recovery sealed the win.

Game Hero: QB Tanner McKee – Led the team’s only touchdown drive, and looked very in command of the playbook out there. I almost wanted to give this to LB Brandon Smith for sealing the victory, but he only recovered the fumble. He in no way forced that final turnover.

Game goat: “Starting” Offensive Line – Yes, I know that our back-up O-line was out there against the Patriots starters, but they put Pickett in a no-win situation. Due to sloppy protection, Pickett was forced to rely on short passes. Trying to get the ball downfield, he was sacked 4 times. Some are saying that he’s afraid to open up the offense. Still others say, that he’s holding the ball too long.

Just a note. Both the pass protection and run game production picked up once RG Tyler Steen left with an injury, and giants cast-off Nick Gates came in. I’m not saying that Steen was the problem. I’m saying that Gates was a stabilizer. I’m on record already, saying that I don’t think much of Steen. He has yet to prove me wrong.

On The Whole: It’s hard to say, given how much of this roster will be looking for real jobs in two weeks. Did our back-ups produce an uneven game? Or did a number of future burger flippers, personal trainers, and UPS deliverymen, just give themselves stories that will be passed down like heirlooms?

In any case, until we see our actual starters take the field, these games will be hard to truly evaluate.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: PS3 : COLTS

Posted by The BEAST on 2023/08/25
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Reviews, Roster, Special Teams, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment
WR Devon Allen on his 73 yard opening kick return

NOT a bad showing.

EAGLES 13 – Colts 27

Passing: QB Tanner McKee (19/34 – 55.8) – 158 – 0 – 0)

Rushing: RB Trey Sermon (16 – 30 – 1.8 – 1 – 0)

Receiving: WR Deon Cain (6 – 62 – 10.3 – 0)

Defensive Leader: LB Tyree Maddox-Williams (7 – 0.0 – 1 – 0)

****

The broad strokes are usually covered by lots of other publications and podcasts. You can go a hundred places and read the same four or five bullet points, mentioned in ninety-seven of those places. Stats aside, what about the Four Things you came here to review, right? Let’s see if we scored a HIT or a MISS on the areas I discussed.

1) Do The Starters Play?: Nope. Not a single solitary down. In fact, a number of Eagles didn’t even dress for this one. AGAIN! Third string RB Rashaan Penny, WR Olamide Zaccheaus (I actually spelled that right, on my first attempt), are examples of new players who didn’t dress.

And hey, for those who are still out there debating about who starts alongside FS Reed Blankenship: It’s SS Terrelle Edmunds. He didn’t even dress, but rookie Sydney Brown played; and K’Von Wallace was still out there in the fourth quarter. Glad I could settle that for you. MISS

2) Tanner vs Their Twos: The Colts went one better for us, and left their starters out there for the entire first half. While McKee’s accuracy stayed right around 50% again, the game didn’t look too big for him. So mentally there’s something to work with there.

As far as his actual play, he had trouble connecting on intermediate and long throws. The ball often seems to leave the palm and heel of his hand, instead of his fingertips. The result is, instead of a spiral, it seems to travel more like a shot put. Better secondaries will feast on that, if we don’t fix that. HIT

3) Play Ian Book: QB Ian Book went 11/15 – 73.3% – 80 – 0 – 0, with the ball coming out quickly and sharply. He looked nothing like the gun-shy player from the Browns game. Like McKee, Book wasn’t successful throwing the ball downfield. Still, the player we saw tonight, looked like he’d be worth a Practice Squad/developmental spot. HIT

4) Something Special: On the opening kick of the game, WR Devon Allen bobbled the ball, then recovered it and tore off a 73 yard return to set-up the game’s opening touchdown. He also had a big tackle for no gain on a punt. HIT

****

Who Looked Good:

LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams – (See above) We just signed this guy yesterday, but like VISA, the Philadelphia native, was everywhere you wanted to be. Once he got in the game in the second half, he seemed to constantly be flashing. We need to find spot for him. LB Ben VanSumeren (17 – 0.0 – 0 – 0) had many more tackles than TMW, but he didn’t flash as much potential, or generate a takeaway.

QB Ian Book – He seemed to find his poise and his pocket presence. Whether diving for the needed yardage on a scramble, or spiking the ball on first down to stop the clock, his command of the moment was beyond reproach.

TE Tyree Jackson – Showed a MUCH better awareness of presenting as a target for his QB. His stats (3 – 31 – 10.3 – 0) were modest, but they also indicate that he could be a very QB friendly target this season.

Who Looked Bad:

RB Kennedy Brooks – His day (2 – 16 – 8.0 – 0 – 0) was punctuated by being wide open, and dropping what would have been a walk-in touchdown. At no point this preseason, did he demonstrate a reason for another team to want him.

The Offensive Line – They allowed 3 sacks in this game, three tackles for a loss, and showed no ability open holes consistently.

WR Joseph Ngata – While he did do some good things out there (2 – 32 – 16.0 – 0), his fumble killed a promising drive.

****

On The Whole:

Given that we had a bunch of twos and threes, going against the Colts starters for a half, it’s hard not to give the Eagles a ton of credit. That’s not an attempt at finding a moral victory. It’s a preseason game. Nobody cares about the “W” or the “L”. What counts here is how hard our guys competed. It contributes to the ongoing culture.