14 minutes ago, Ace Nova said:

I totally forgot they called a timeout before the 3rd and 20.  So the best they came up with is a screen pass after calling a timeout for a 3rd and 20 play?  They really thought a screen pass would go for 20 yards there - to Gainwell, out of all players - who has yet to have a play over 20 yards all season?  Unbelievable.

 

Seems like they’re trying to play 4D chess but in reality, they’re not even playing checkers. 

They weren't trying to get 20 yards, they were hoping for 10 for an easier FG.  They gave up on getting a 1st down after the penalty to Mailata.

10 minutes ago, Freshmilk said:

They weren't trying to get 20 yards, they were hoping for 10 for an easier FG.  They gave up on getting a 1st down after the penalty to Mailata.

That might be even worse, considering the fact that our defense was getting rolled over the entire 2nd half. 
 

Elliott is solid from 55+ yards, so they try to get him an extra 4-5 yards when either way it’s under a 47 yard FG?  Instead of taking 3 shots at a 1st down?  Wow wow wow 

 

Like I said, trying to play 4D chess and they’re not even playing checkers.

29 minutes ago, Texas Eagle said:

Are you serious with this stuff or are you a troll?

He's a troll. He wanted multiple QBs on the field at one point. Best just to ignore him.

8 hours ago, The Blackfish said:

It was sarcasm, I've been under the impression that Hurts doesn't like playing under Center. 

Boo hoo.

8 hours ago, devpool said:

If Howie builds the defense through the draft he can use FA money on swift, a 3rd WR, a backup TE. 

What's his track record at trying to do that?  I'd say at least below average, all the way up to atrocious.

3 hours ago, Frankfurteagle89 said:

they are holding back a barrage of stuff to implement during the playoffs?

yes   -  but I'm not sure how big a barrage there would be, and I'm not saying for sure, but much of what we've seen all year is a simpler version of something that they already figured out last year.   Hurts to Brown Smith and Goedert was probably a slightly smaller part of last years offense than this year, but it was certainly the main part this year.   And, usually, teams that develop over time add more things,  not remove them.  So,  it's been weird that the Eagles chose to lead the league in top wr duo snaps, and for Smith to lead the league in wr snaps.   When they should be good enough at those things that they could be practicing other elements of their offense and incorporating them into the game.  But they're not incorporating them.   What are they spending their time doing? So,  I'm assuming that they're spending their time on things they're going to use in the playoffs.  

They should find a big back against the Giants. They need a big back. This game doesn't matter,  but finding a big back does matter.  A big back would have been very useful in the 4th Q of many games.  Try out any number of players as big backs,  players who can fight for tough yards in the 4th Q to get first downs and run out the clock.  Ben VanSumeren was a Fullback for Michigan,  VanSumeren probably could have been playing in this game if he had stayed put.  I could be off by a year, but there have been a lot of players playing 6 years. Nolan Smith - both have size and speed.    Carter and Davis could do this, possibly.  Speedsters like Sydney Brown and Kelee Ringo.

Lets figure out what we've got (if we haven't already) and find that big back for the playoffs. 

Find big back
Outside rusher
motion to under center
old school mass plays w/ laterals
OL to backfield, motion to under center
Kelce and Lane rushing TDs.

defense - cover zero blitz - try players on offense as lb blitzers.
oh, look, there's Mailata blitzing between Davis and Carter. Or is that AJ Brown blitzing or Swift?  Running backs practice getting through holes in the line,  short, solidly built,  moves, one of the running backs might have a knack for sacks.   otherwise, if not including a player on offense, for additional confusion and difficulty,   Nolan Smith and Ben VanSumeren as run stopping LBs who blitz a lot.   the Eagles could either do 4-2-5 with the LBs blitzing or 3-2-6 and you have a safety.

AJ Brown - The Missing Big Back is found.  I expected to see some carries by Brown at Ole Miss.  There were none.   But with the Titans, there was a 49 yard TD run,  a pitch,  running outside.   So,  more of that.  When the Eagles need a big back, in the 4th, to run out the clock,  AJ Brown can do that.  Or he's an additional run option with good size and speed for a big back.

The Eagles seem to like to do innovations without involving other new players.  Gainwell plays,  he throws passes.  Quite a good running QB in high school. 
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6445385/582dd8f65b3cda166c5bc2b2

You have AJ Brown who is the size, speed, measures of a big back, and Gainwell, whose high school highlights as a hs QB are almost all taking snaps and running.   AJ Brown could be "outside back,"  Gainwell could be "motion to under center back" which is almost like front QB. 

Gainwell goes into motion,  gets under center, takes the snap and then one of three (or more) things happen.  1) Gainwell runs between Kelce and Jurgens, both are very quick and can open a hole really fast  2) Gainwell pitches outside to AJ Brown who is running outside like McCaffrey.  3) Gainwell pitches back to Hurts, and Brown and Gainwell pass protect or run routes.

Belicheck SzN

29 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

What's his track record at trying to do that?  I'd say at least below average, all the way up to atrocious.

Absolutely agree. The more I think about it, the more I blame the people in charge of personnel. They’re the main reason that this defense and the philosophy is so abysmal. If you look at teams like Baltimore and even the Steelers to a certain degree, they have a physical identity on defense and it’s been a constant for years. You know you’re going to take some hits and punishment when you play those teams, even in years when they’re not that great. 

Back in the old days of Eagles football (80’s 90’s) teams knew that going to Philly, or against Philly, was going to be painful. Even the vaunted Cboys didn’t enjoy the trips to the Vet. Those defenses weren’t always great, but they usually (surely) didn’t just get run over completely. 
Our defensive philosophy seems soft, even with the outlier last year. We don’t put any stock into the linebacker position, whereas good teams value LB play (Ravens, 49ers etc.). You could say the same about the safely position. I would like to see some sort of mean streak characteristic in each level of the D. Even with all the rules favoring the offense these days, you have to bring a physical philosophy on that side of the ball. Make them earn it and when there is an opportunity, hit them hard so they have something to think about next time. I’m not saying to go head hunting, but don’t let them walz all over you like last Sunday. 

59 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

What's his track record at trying to do that?  I'd say at least below average, all the way up to atrocious.

It’s down right atrocious:

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/phi/draft.htm

Howie is to blame for most of the woes on defense IMO. His drafting on defense since taking over from Chip has produced little to nothing.

7 minutes ago, Frankfurteagle89 said:

Absolutely agree. The more I think about it, the more I blame the people in charge of personnel. They’re the main reason that this defense and the philosophy is so abysmal. If you look at teams like Baltimore and even the Steelers to a certain degree, they have a physical identity on defense and it’s been a constant for years. You know you’re going to take some hits and punishment when you play those teams, even in years when they’re not that great. 

Back in the old days of Eagles football (80’s 90’s) teams knew that going to Philly, or against Philly, was going to be painful. Even the vaunted Cboys didn’t enjoy the trips to the Vet. Those defenses weren’t always great, but they usually (surely) didn’t just get run over completely. 
Our defensive philosophy seems soft, even with the outlier last year. We don’t put any stock into the linebacker position, whereas good teams value LB play (Ravens, 49ers etc.). You could say the same about the safely position. I would like to see some sort of mean streak characteristic in each level of the D. Even with all the rules favoring the offense these days, you have to bring a physical philosophy on that side of the ball. Make them earn it and when there is an opportunity, hit them hard so they have something to think about next time. I’m not saying to go head hunting, but don’t let them walz all over you like last Sunday. 

The feared defenses have good LBs. Those are the guys who beat an offense up. Those are the big guys who can run through you with 4.4 speed and land 230+ pounds on you at the end of the tackle. 

Those guys also improve tackling on a defense, when you have good ones. Weak LBs arent good tacklers. Suddenly youre missing tackles all over the field. 

49ers have 2 feared LBs. Steelers like you said are another one. Baltimore has Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen in the middle. Clowney is a gigantic rush LB for Baltimore known for cheap shots.

If you want to be serious about your defense, you just need LBs. I never agreed with the philosophy of devaluing that position. Its a major impact position. Elite LBs take over games on a regular basis. 

 

1 hour ago, Swoop said:

He's a troll. He wanted multiple QBs on the field at one point. Best just to ignore him.

At one point is - Now.  And there's nothing trollish about it.

There are a lot of innovative things the Eagles could do.

Hey, Gainwell,  high school running QB,  just completed a pass.  What I want is largely more of what they're doing in small amounts.  More of it,  different of it.

When a high school running QB completes a pass in an NFL game,  it kinda is like "multiple QBs on the field".   Multiple players who can throw passes.   The Eagles have a tremendous number of players who have QB on their resume somewhere.  It's very hard to keep track of all the ex QBs the Eagles could have back there taking snaps or throwing passes or both.  Gainwell is one, he completed a pass.  Covey could be back there. 2x state champ, undefeated as a running QB.  Greg Ward could come up from practice squad. He was great at Houston as a QB. 

It would not be too weird at all to have, on the field at the same time, present or former QBs,  Hurts, Gainwell, Covey, Ward.   QB, RB, WR, WR.   That's not weird,  but they're all QBs and should all be capable of taking a snap.  And one might be able to pitch outside really well, really quickly.   That's not taking players from defense or anything.   I'll put Mariota on the field, too.  That's 5.  Mariota can presumably run a go route, and he has great measures,  is tall 6'4 which is rare for Eagles wrs.  He could clear the way Watkins does.  You could put Mariota in Hurts place,  giving Mariota, Gainwell, Covey, Ward.   You want to rest players so they can be healthy for the playoffs. It shouldn't be implausible, especially with a somewhat hurt Smith, and a general desire to rest players, to see Covey and Ward on the field with Hurts/Mariota and Gainwell.  I would like to see Covey and Ward complete passes.  Gainwell just did and that was a good thing and there should be more of that.

2 hours ago, Ace Nova said:

That might be even worse, considering the fact that our defense was getting rolled over the entire 2nd half. 
 

Elliott is solid from 55+ yards, so they try to get him an extra 4-5 yards when either way it’s under a 47 yard FG?  Instead of taking 3 shots at a 1st down?  Wow wow wow 

 

Like I said, trying to play 4D chess and they’re not even playing checkers.

The questions need to be directed toward the $255M QB who decided to run QB draw on both first and second down, leaving them in 3rd and 20.

6 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

The feared defenses have good LBs. Those are the guys who beat an offense up. Those are the big guys who can run through you with 4.4 speed and land 230+ pounds on you at the end of the tackle. 

Those guys also improve tackling on a defense, when you have good ones. Weak LBs arent good tacklers. Suddenly youre missing tackles all over the field. 

49ers have 2 feared LBs. Steelers like you said are another one. Baltimore has Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen in the middle. Clowney is a gigantic rush LB for Baltimore known for cheap shots.

If you want to be serious about your defense, you just need LBs. I never agreed with the philosophy of devaluing that position. Its a major impact position. Elite LBs take over games on a regular basis. 

 

Yes, I see that the same way. LB’s may not have that huge role as in the old days, but they are still very important when it comes to stopping the run and tackling in general. Of course teams are passing way more and it’s a lot harder to find quality linebackers against the pass, but if you have neither, then you look like our defense. 
 

We emphasize so much on the d-line that we have forgotten all about linebackers. They are so important in stopping the run. We have one somewhat competent linebacker against the run and that’s Cunningham. He’s actually a good tackler and will tackle with force. All the rest pretty much suck. The d-line cannot stop the run on its own, so these 5 d-lineman formations are worthless. They are being blocked and try arm tackling to at least slow up the RB, but then there is no LB capable of clogging the right hole and bringing the ball carrier down for only a short gain. 

This coaching staff needs to go

11 minutes ago, Swoop said:

This coaching staff needs to go

Again only 2 passes in the middle of the field. QB is a big problem too. 

2 hours ago, Freshmilk said:

They weren't trying to get 20 yards, they were hoping for 10 for an easier FG.  They gave up on getting a 1st down after the penalty to Mailata.

1st and 20? Eh we’ll get em next time 

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

1st and 20? Eh we’ll get em next time 

That’s the equivalent of the tush push against our defense. 1st and 20 is almost automatic against our D. Other teams don’t need our "special play”. They just run their normal offense and gain yard after yard until they get to celebrate in the end zone.

17 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

The questions need to be directed toward the $255M QB who decided to run QB draw on both first and second down, leaving them in 3rd and 20.

I don't blame the QB for those two plays.  The first was a QB lead, and the other a Read Option.  That's on the play caller, Brian Johnson.  But, he's made bonehead decisions like that throughout the year from time to time where he'll just bail immediately.

2 hours ago, Freshmilk said:

They weren't trying to get 20 yards, they were hoping for 10 for an easier FG.  They gave up on getting a 1st down after the penalty to Mailata.

Against one of the worst defenses this year they decide to go conservative. 
idiotic! That’s why people want to see some of these coaches removed.

34 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

At one point is - Now.  And there's nothing trollish about it.

There are a lot of innovative things the Eagles could do.

Hey, Gainwell,  high school running QB,  just completed a pass.  What I want is largely more of what they're doing in small amounts.  More of it,  different of it.

When a high school running QB completes a pass in an NFL game,  it kinda is like "multiple QBs on the field".   Multiple players who can throw passes.   The Eagles have a tremendous number of players who have QB on their resume somewhere.  It's very hard to keep track of all the ex QBs the Eagles could have back there taking snaps or throwing passes or both.  Gainwell is one, he completed a pass.  Covey could be back there. 2x state champ, undefeated as a running QB.  Greg Ward could come up from practice squad. He was great at Houston as a QB. 

It would not be too weird at all to have, on the field at the same time, present or former QBs,  Hurts, Gainwell, Covey, Ward.   QB, RB, WR, WR.   That's not weird,  but they're all QBs and should all be capable of taking a snap.  And one might be able to pitch outside really well, really quickly.   That's not taking players from defense or anything.   I'll put Mariota on the field, too.  That's 5.  Mariota can presumably run a go route, and he has great measures,  is tall 6'4 which is rare for Eagles wrs.  He could clear the way Watkins does.  You could put Mariota in Hurts place,  giving Mariota, Gainwell, Covey, Ward.   You want to rest players so they can be healthy for the playoffs. It shouldn't be implausible, especially with a somewhat hurt Smith, and a general desire to rest players, to see Covey and Ward on the field with Hurts/Mariota and Gainwell.  I would like to see Covey and Ward complete passes.  Gainwell just did and that was a good thing and there should be more of that.

Wait, wait, wait...you want Mariota running go routes?   

17 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Again only 2 passes in the middle of the field. QB is a big problem too. 

Yes and no. He was very good over the middle last season. I agree the offense in part is dumbed down because of him.

He's at the very least capable of hitting slants over the middle and Brown is excellent at them, but they just won't do it.

2 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

Wait, wait, wait...you want Mariota running go routes?   

I’ve thought about reaming Random Regular a number of times about how incompetent some of his views are. But he is consistent with them, doesn’t seem to be vitriolic to other posters, and just wants to get this stuff of his chest. He already knows pretty much everyone here disagrees with his way of thinking, yet he continues anyway. What would being a dick to him actually accomplish, other than adding back the negativity we worked so hard to sift out of this board last year?

Let him have his Dunning Kruger moment if it makes him feel good, and then we move on.

3 minutes ago, Swoop said:

Yes and no. He was very good over the middle last season. I agree the offense in part is dumbed down because of him.

He's at the very least capable of hitting slants over the middle and Brown is excellent at them, but they just won't do it.

Trade Hurts and draft Penix?

5 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

Wait, wait, wait...you want Mariota running go routes?   

You missed the "make AJ Brown an edge rusher and get him a sack”

Asking a guy visibly frustrated every week because of dumb coaching decisions who doesn’t even play all that physical at times to get out there against an OT. What could go wrong? 

Our intermediate passing game sucks. I blame all of them - Hurts, Siri, and Johnson.