With the latest rule changes about banning the hip-drop tackle and kickoff changes...both of which either directly or indirectly favor the offense... along with numerous other rules that are slanted towards favoring offenses and the NFL blatantly saying they want more points scored in games, makes me wonder about what would give the Eagles an edge in team building/roster construction.

The NFL wants offenses to score points...more points = more casual viewers = more money.

To take advantage, would it make sense for the Eagles (or any team, really) to put a bigger emphasis on just building a juggernaut offense?  Not saying to disregard defense, just saying that the focus would be a dominant offense and "manageable defense".  Spend the top resources on acquiring the most blue-chip talent on offense as you can while targeting "middle of the pack" on defense.

Every year it seems that most, if not all, changes favor offenses.  One philosophy would be to have a juggernaut O and make it as "unstoppable" as possible.  Another philosophy would be that we'd have to focus even more on finding the best defensive players as possible to counteract the offensive favoritism.  

But, which would give a better return on investment?

They've already been doing this for a long time. Building both lines, loading up on offense and signing free agents or bargain bin shopping on defense. Lurie has wanted an explosive offense that scores points for years. The investments show. They already had weapons for a "juggernaut offense" the last couple years.

Despite how much the league handcuffs the defense, you still need quality players on defense. Last year the LBs and secondary were exposed, as well as the coaching. We'll see if the free agent "dream team light" helps and what they do in the draft but the defense needs attention as well.

You are seeing teams trading, releasing highly paid defenders.  The big money is better spent on the offense.  If that is the trend it's better to draft offense in the 1st round or trade down.  1st round defenders will want huge money after 4 years, a year away from the 2nd contract.  Everything the league does is about promoting more offense so that's where you need to spend the money.  It used to be rare to see teams go for it on 4th down.  Now it happens all the time. Better to retain the ball and keep the other team's star qb on the bench.  So you spend big on offense, draft high on offense, spend cheaply to mid level on D.  That's the winning formula now.

That rule impacts tackling but still need to be able to cover and also get to the QB.  

3 hours ago, NOTW said:

They've already been doing this for a long time. Building both lines, loading up on offense and signing free agents or bargain bin shopping on defense. Lurie has wanted an explosive offense that scores points for years. The investments show. They already had weapons for a "juggernaut offense" the last couple years.

Despite how much the league handcuffs the defense, you still need quality players on defense. Last year the LBs and secondary were exposed, as well as the coaching. We'll see if the free agent "dream team light" helps and what they do in the draft but the defense needs attention as well.

True.  I guess what I'd say could be different would be targeting prime talent every year on the offensive side.  In essence, for several years in a row, just keep drafting O in Round 1.

For example, for this year, instead of targeting a player on D at pick 22, instead pick the BPA on offense at a position we either need, or could benefit from an upgrade, etc.  So this draft, that could mean taking a player like OL Graham Barton to play RG or J. Powers-J to play C.  OR...target Brock Bowers to add to the TE group, get a 1st round WR that can play the slot WR position, etc.

 

1 hour ago, EaglesAddict said:

True.  I guess what I'd say could be different would be targeting prime talent every year on the offensive side.  In essence, for several years in a row, just keep drafting O in Round 1.

For example, for this year, instead of targeting a player on D at pick 22, instead pick the BPA on offense at a position we either need, or could benefit from an upgrade, etc.  So this draft, that could mean taking a player like OL Graham Barton to play RG or J. Powers-J to play C.  OR...target Brock Bowers to add to the TE group, get a 1st round WR that can play the slot WR position, etc.

 

It's possible. They already favor drafting offense. Since Reid left:

1st and 2nd round: 13 offense, 8 defense. The rules change could impact them shifting that balance even more in offense favor. But most of the defensive picks are D line which they will always value as well so that ratio might remain similar.

5 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

get a 1st round WR that can play the slot WR position, etc.

The EMB already declared that to be a big "no-no" when they talked Howie out of drafting Justin Jefferson in 2020. 

10 hours ago, NOTW said:

They've already been doing this for a long time. Building both lines, loading up on offense and signing free agents or bargain bin shopping on defense. Lurie has wanted an explosive offense that scores points for years. The investments show. They already had weapons for a "juggernaut offense" the last couple years.

Despite how much the league handcuffs the defense, you still need quality players on defense. Last year the LBs and secondary were exposed, as well as the coaching. We'll see if the free agent "dream team light" helps and what they do in the draft but the defense needs attention as well.

I can see Eagles defeating Giants in the future 150 to 96. LOL

27 minutes ago, Traveler Vic said:

I can see Eagles defeating Giants in the future 150 to 96. LOL

We don't need Boston Scott the Giant Killer anymore, Saquon is gonna want to go OFF on them 

I think at some point the league is going to move away from the massive QB contract model. It´s just too unbalanced. I think a decent mid-level QB with an excellent offensive line will usually be favoured against a top QB with a poor line (unless that QB is called Mahomes).

As mentioned above, teams will begin to focus more on offense, but I think that leaves space for teams to build a defense focused on pass rush and cover corners. The Eagles are a bit ahead of the trend here, given they have neglected the LB position for so long hehe

The main thing that has changed over the years I´ve been watching and following the game is that it is no longer true to say that a great defense beats a great offense. There´s been too many rule changes in favour of O. I think that balance will eventually go back the other way as a natural correction, because while the league wants high scoring games, they are only exciting if they are close. Too many one-sided games will lose the same casual fans they are after.

PS I meant to add this is a really good idea for a thread and an interesting conversation, thanks OP

That's Chip's philosophy that ended up failing in the league

Ppoint per gam are down about 6 points in the last 10 years. They need to help the offense. Tackles don't make highlights - touchdowns do. 

It's a testament to the defensive coaches and players in the league continually adjusting to the conditions and still finding ways to keep points off the board, and it's a testament to the insidious chicanery of NFL executives continually trying to devise new ways to undermine defensive ingenuity and impede the defensive side of the game. They really do want flag football. 🤮 

this offseason makes a lot more sense with that rule getting passed. i'm all for it. i wanna see someone try to stop Saquon with a full head of steam catching a pass from Hurts. Brown is going to benefit from this too. i like this rule for the league too. i want some exciting games to watch. gonna be fun lol

So you’re saying that the way to win is to get better at both offense and defense?

Well - I think most of the people on this board would agree with you….

That's been the model for the past few years. An amazing offense with an opportunistic defense. The defense doesn't have to be amazing, but they do need to force turnovers and get to the QB. If you can field a defense that gives up a billion yards a game but generates turnovers and can keep teams under 25 points that's about as good as it's gonna get in the league these days.

We already have the offense (talent wise, hopefully coaching fulfills their potential this season), they now need to invest in the defense so they aren't fielding replacement level players. CJGJ isn't enough at safety, and they can't depend solely on Dean and White at LB.

On 3/27/2024 at 8:06 PM, brkmsn said:

The EMB already declared that to be a big "no-no" when they talked Howie out of drafting Justin Jefferson in 2020. 

hahaha yes the EMB has that kind of influence.

On 3/28/2024 at 5:13 AM, kiwinavega said:

I think at some point the league is going to move away from the massive QB contract model. It´s just too unbalanced. I think a decent mid-level QB with an excellent offensive line will usually be favoured against a top QB with a poor line (unless that QB is called Mahomes).

As mentioned above, teams will begin to focus more on offense, but I think that leaves space for teams to build a defense focused on pass rush and cover corners. The Eagles are a bit ahead of the trend here, given they have neglected the LB position for so long hehe

The main thing that has changed over the years I´ve been watching and following the game is that it is no longer true to say that a great defense beats a great offense. There´s been too many rule changes in favour of O. I think that balance will eventually go back the other way as a natural correction, because while the league wants high scoring games, they are only exciting if they are close. Too many one-sided games will lose the same casual fans they are after.

Nah... the NFL is a passing league and absolutely unwatchable when you have poor QB play. They will still be sought after with a premium. Everyone will continue to chase after the next Mahomes and pay them handsomely for even remotely coming close.

I agree with that bit, that people want passing and teams want passers, but at some point the overpaying of mediocre QBs has to end when teams realise how much value they can add elsewhere at the same cost

On 3/28/2024 at 11:40 AM, Mike030270 said:

That's Chip's philosophy that ended up failing in the league

No he acutely got rid of all of our offensive talent for nothing, and then tried to run the world’s fastest 3 and out offense lol. 

36 minutes ago, GoEagles614 said:

No he acutely got rid of all of our offensive talent for nothing, and then tried to run the world’s fastest 3 and out offense lol. 

Jackson was released in 2014

Eagles had a fast paced offense in 2013 with Foles that put him in the record books and canton