@mattwill

Meeting went well and AJ told Hurts how he can beat zone coverage. Saquon said run me right at their edges. I will help Campbell beat Carter in DROY voting.

Birds 41 terrible turf gnats 9

Bonus: Ojulari welcomes Dart to the NFL with a sack

Bonus, Bonus: Saquon and Hurts both out gain their counterparts, Skater and Jackson Dart.

Bonus, Bonus, Bonus. Inspired by the Birds, Phillies offense comes alive and play defense, Flyers display some offense as well, but defense????

For the baseball fans this is great. Vlad jr and Big Papi roasting Jeter and Arod postgame

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19s6i7euoR/

@just relax

As I'm starting this reply I'm thinking it's going to be long and at times seem like TMI but please bare with me.

I was having a similar conversation with my son recently. He's 33, not a kid. We've literally been watching Eagles football together since he was an infant. He was born at the end of June and I watched Eagles games that season from my recliner with him sleeping on my chest. Watching the games together became a tradition like it does for most families - nothing special there. But for most of his childhood he didn't care much about the Eagles or sports in general. He would never say it, or admit it, but always knew he watched with me to appease me. He knew I loved the Eagles and it would disappoint me if he wasn't there with me. It wasn't until he discovered that his friends were die hard fans like me that he started to take a real interest in the Eagles and other sports. I'm telling you this so you'll understand that he's only been paying attention for about a decade. He's still learning.

So we're having a conversation about Patullo and OC's in general and I was wondering out loud why coaches didn't treat old games and game plans like chess masters study the games of other champions. I confessed that maybe they do and that I'm just unaware but you never hear about it. I mean we all know they break down film of their opponents but never hear about how it's "football 101" to study Sid Gilman, Paul Brown, Bill Walsh etc. Pick a defense in history that reminds you of the one your playing against and then pick one of the great OCs that played against it and see how they attacked. When the Eagles acquired TO, they didn't just tell him "you're a great receiver, go run some routes and we'll throw you the ball". No, Andy Reid was thrilled to have a new toy. TO's talent made it look easy but there was purpose and design. You want to know how to get AJ more involved? Que some Eagles games from 2004 and watch how Andy Reid schemed TO open. My sons reply was that he couldn't imagine a world where they wouldn't do that. My response was: then why does it so often look like Patullo learned about football last week?

You asked why Hurts isn't involved in the game plan. My response: I can't imagine a world in which the entire QB room isn't intimately involved in the gameplan.

3 minutes ago, Aerolithe_Lion said:

Mcnabb isn’t close to a HoF caliber player. He was a sometimes pro bowler who won a lot of games with an incredible defense.

It's a shame McNabb had so many years with terrible receivers.

1 hour ago, NCiggles said:

I feel like this is McNabb shade. He was a borderline HOF QB that was a dynamic playmaker. Arguably, Reid did not take advantage of his best traits because of his commitment to a pass first approach. Most of Belichick's bad seasons were with Cleveland and Vinny Testaverde. He also struggled when they replaced Brady with a washed up Cam Newton and Mac Jones. Reid's reputation is helped by how he re-shaped Vick. It's not like Vick had a blown out shoulder and couldn't throw the ball anymore. He also was able to pair Vick with an all-time great at RB and great WRs. I am not saying Reid isn't better. The comparison should be more than just Mahomes vs. Brady. He's totally ignoring McNabb.

McNabb is the one time blame for neglecting his physical abilities as a runner. He was open about that snd how he wanted to be seen as a pocket passer. He was also a choke artist.

Just now, shlo said:

It's a shame McNabb had so many years with terrible receivers.

A lot of players are remembered fondly or negatively based on their circumstances.

Imagine if a team took Tom Brady in 2000 before the Patriots and didn’t have their starter get injured: maybe The Packers or the Colts. We likely never hear about him

Imagine if the 1989 Saints drafted Troy Aikman and not the Cowboys. He probably has a 5-6 year, ugly career.

Imagine if Archie was okay with Eli going to San Diego. It’s possible neither QB has as successful a career.

If Mcnabb got drafted to a team that had both Andy Reid and super star WRs, he’s probably remembered better. Conversely, if Andy didn’t retain Jim Johnson from the previous regime, he’s probably remembered worse.

I'm surprised there isn't any update about Jalen Carter. Is it just the expectation he plays?

Some have suggested it's not play design, but Patullo's play calling during games. Could that be it? We've seen this offense perform great at times. Returning 10 of 11 starters - and Steen is not the issue on the O line. Patullo has never called plays before so maybe he's just not good at that part. Neither is Siri, so he shouldn't have chosen someone who's never called plays. If there was a succession plan for that, should've had Patullo take over play calling last year during times when they are resting starters to give him experience and try him out.

If this offense had an experienced OC who won't be plucked for a HC because he's failed at that before (the way the defense has Fangio), they could stay for multiple years and run the same offense the same way. There is too much talent, the offense should be much more dominant. The players have complained over multiple seasons now because they know they are capable of more. They all repeat the idea that winning is the most important and it is, but I think they get frustrated because as individuals they aren't reaching their potential.

Gotta open things up somehow.

6 minutes ago, RememberTheKoy said:

McNabb is the one time blame for neglecting his physical abilities as a runner. He was open about that snd how he wanted to be seen as a pocket passer. He was also a choke artist.

There is no question that McNabb wanted to be seen as a pocket passer. He also just wasn't the same sort of runner after his ACL injury. Imagine, however, if early in his career, McNabb had played in a system that utilized more designed QB runs and RPOs. Again, my point was that Breer overlooks the type of talent Reid had in McNabb vs. what Belichick had outside of Brady. He doesn't even consider McNabb's career in the comparison.

35 minutes ago, Aerolithe_Lion said:

I couldn’t agree more. But none of those guys are close to the hall either. I think we’re biased as fans of the team he was the best QB in its history, but if you compare his career to anyone in the hall of fame, it’s pretty rough. Check this out:

1. 0 Super Bowls / NFL Championships

2. 0 League MVPs

3. 0 All-Pros

4. Pro Bowler in fewer than half their seasons

5. 0 4000 yard seasons (drafted 1985 or later

6. Does not have multiple 30 TDs seasons

7. Did not retire top 20 in yards or TDs

Find anybody in the modern era that made tha HoF who checks even half these boxes. Maybe Aikman. Mcnabb checks every single one

He fell off much earlier than QBs of his era, what we’re seeing about Russell Wilson being worse after he left Seattle was what happened to Mcnabb x 10, had some of the most disappointing playoff performances in team history, he missed a lot of time to injury, and in the second half of his eagles tenure he was overshadowed by another non-HoF in his division.

Mcnabb was fun to watch, but when held up against the greatest QBs who ever lived… he was never close

I am not making an argument that McNabb should be in the HOF. I am saying that his talent and success at QB should not be ignored when comparing Beilcihick to Reid.

8 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

There is no question that McNabb wanted to be seen as a pocket passer. He also just wasn't the same sort of runner after his ACL injury. Imagine, however, if early in his career, McNabb had played in a system that utilized more designed QB runs and RPOs. Again, my point was that Breer overlooks the type of talent Reid had in McNabb vs. what Belichick had outside of Brady. He doesn't even consider McNabb's career in the comparison.

Through that lens it supports my position that Joe Gibbs was better than both. He won Super Bowls coaching Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien.

25 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I'm surprised there isn't any update about Jalen Carter. Is it just the expectation he plays?

I suspect he sits a game.

The Eagles did this last year against NYG, sat several guys that I thought would play against other teams.

9 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Through that lens it supports my position that Joe Gibbs was better than both. He won Super Bowls coaching Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien.

The longer time goes on, the more I feel the pre-salary cap era and the salary cap era should be separated. Back then 5-6 teams were really hogging all the talent. Redskin rosters were insane compared to Eagle rosters, Cardinal rosters, Saints rosters. It was a different sport

26 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I'm surprised there isn't any update about Jalen Carter. Is it just the expectation he plays?

I don't think it's released until 2.

1 minute ago, NCiggles said:

I don't think it's released until 2.

? What's released at 2?

He's questionable, it could come out with the inactives 90 mins before the game or we might find out he's a GTD.

With someone of his caliber and the nature of his injury randomly happening, I would think the Shefters or Rapoports or the beats would say he's trending towards playing or sitting. There's been zero talk around it.

39 minutes ago, NOTW said:

Some have suggested it's not play design, but Patullo's play calling during games. Could that be it? We've seen this offense perform great at times. Returning 10 of 11 starters - and Steen is not the issue on the O line. Patullo has never called plays before so maybe he's just not good at that part. Neither is Siri, so he shouldn't have chosen someone who's never called plays. If there was a succession plan for that, should've had Patullo take over play calling last year during times when they are resting starters to give him experience and try him out.

If this offense had an experienced OC who won't be plucked for a HC because he's failed at that before (the way the defense has Fangio), they could stay for multiple years and run the same offense the same way. There is too much talent, the offense should be much more dominant. The players have complained over multiple seasons now because they know they are capable of more. They all repeat the idea that winning is the most important and it is, but I think they get frustrated because as individuals they aren't reaching their potential.

Gotta open things up somehow.

Gotta have the plays to beat a defense to be successful with "sequencing" (the word of the week on here). He doesn't have the plays to sequence successfully

1 minute ago, NOTW said:

Some have suggested it's not play design, but Patullo's play calling during games. Could that be it? We've seen this offense perform great at times. Returning 10 of 11 starters - and Steen is not the issue on the O line. Patullo has never called plays before so maybe he's just not good at that part. Neither is Siri, so he shouldn't have chosen someone who's never called plays. If there was a succession plan for that, should've had Patullo take over play calling last year during times when they are resting starters to give him experience and try him out.

If this offense had an experienced OC who won't be plucked for a HC because he's failed at that before (the way the defense has Fangio), they could stay for multiple years and run the same offense the same way. There is too much talent, the offense should be much more dominant. The players have complained over multiple seasons now because they know they are capable of more. They all repeat the idea that winning is the most important and it is, but I think they get frustrated because as individuals they aren't reaching their potential.

Gotta open things up somehow.

I had typed up some things that I think are happening earlier this week but decided not post them...I'll try to be brief.

I think the vanilla approach deliberate and is simply because what the Eagles did last year worked well and they basically out-athleted everyone else for the most part (20-2 stretch). They didn't have to get cute or show too much. Maybe that is by design idk. If not these are some questions I would be asking:

1. How often do the Eagles use motion to determine man or zone in the secondary? This definitely matters as it can create lesser chance of success on the initial play call if the defense has an advantage with whatever coverage they are in. I watch the Eagles, but not every game, I don't seem to recall a lot of motion, I may be wrong.

2. How often does Jalen audible? Again, I don't see a lot of it but I don't watch every game. If the intial play call is called to work against a certain zone/man look, and you get that look, fine, run it. You have to be able to audible out to a more effective play if you aren't getting the defensive alignment the play was designed to run against. Typically blocking assignments change based on the look, not necessarily the play itself, but sometimes you need to change the play.

3. Does Jalen get the correct read of the defense alignment pre-snap? If he is then I would expect more audibles being called, especially when coverages are more disguised than they were say 10 years ago and even further back. It seems to me a lot of veteran QBs audible more frequently than the Eagles do, again I may be wrong.

4. Do they have tendencies in the play calling? Absolutley yes. I posted yesterday or the day before about the under center vs shotgun/run vs pass tendencies. I actually found an estimated stat (admitted limited data from the source article publisher) that said the Eagles run 85% of the time when under center this year. Last year the percentage was 84%. That alone can make running the ball very difficult. If I were the D coordinator I am loading the box every time they are under center, and likely bringing a run blitz, with two deep safeties to prevent the home run ball.

At the same time, a healthier O-Line might just allow the Eagles to out-athlete everyone again this year. This might sound crazy but I have even considered the fact that the Eagles may simply be holding back putting anything on tape before they really need to (they are 4-1 with an inside track at HFA), maybe saving some formations/plays/looks for the play-offs/SB run. I am sure when we all played (not NFL I know 😁) plays were added each week as the season went along, maybe some of that is happening as well.

22 hours ago, aptosbird said:

I am not sure, but Romo on Sunday showed an example on a typical running play how defenses are showing no respect. When the offball OG pulls across the formation to lead the runner, the unblocked DL is completely crashing through the open gap and pursuing the play from behind. The offensive brain trust should see this and run a counter with a misdirection or reverse to keep them honest...there is absolutely no counter...again which suggests either a failure in real time play calling or no sequencing...I am sure that this is just one example of the myopia and stupidity.

I said the same thing to myself as Romo later said. The opposing DCs have clearly watched the film and are using the pulling ... especially the pulling Tackles ... against the Eagles.

4 hours ago, Waiting4Someday said:

@mattwill Spoon fight on Thursday night, 24-16 Birds. Jaxson Dart is the leading rusher.

Spoon fight?

2 hours ago, just relax said:

I understand why coaches call the plays and how that evolved. My question remains, however: do you think Patullo knows better ( than Hurts)?

At this point the Magic Eight Ball says ...

"No"

2 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Do it Howie!

31 minutes ago, Alphagrand said:

Through that lens it supports my position that Joe Gibbs was better than both. He won Super Bowls coaching Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark Rypien.

Gibbs is underrated. Those Washington rosters were similar to the Eagles today. They had a dominant o-line and very talented skill players.

1 hour ago, BigEFly said:

Curious, did they talk about the humongous fungi underneath the forests in Michigan and Oregon (been there, saw neither because they are underground).

No. It was more West Coast oriented in its examples.

@mattwill

PHI - 23

Runts - 17

Dart takes a clean hard, hard hit trying to run the ball, Eagles get flagged because refs suck.

Smith goes for 100+ & a TD

SB has more receiving yards than rushing yards