"Most of the flaws in Hightower's game can be contributed to one root problem: he isn't very strong. To describe him as "spindly" may be generous and unfortunately, it does show up on tape. He can get pushed around in press-man coverage and has issues winning 50-50 balls as defensive backs just out-muscle him at the catch point.

Despite having the speed to consistently create separation, Hightower doesn't track the deep ball particularly well either and isn't a good enough route-runner to beat tight coverage consistently. He has struggles at times setting up cornerbacks and doesn't always play to his 40-yard dash speed.

Hightower also needs to improve his hands and timing going for the football, as he allows passes to get deep into his body instead of trusting his hands to make the catch for him. While he has an adequate catch radius to make difficult grabs with extension, he dropped too many catchable balls at the college level."

Just now, ManuManu said:

That would have been a pretty savvy move for anyone, let alone a fifth-round rookie. Hopefully Moorehead is teaching that. 

Yea, he also admitted as such, not something you expect a rookie to know or do in the moment. 

Just now, ManuManu said:

That would have been a pretty savvy move for anyone, let alone a fifth-round rookie. Hopefully Moorehead is teaching that. 

He better concentrate on teaching Hightower to get out of bounds.

2 minutes ago, Utebird said:

Lol yeah boston and Clement especially have been bad, having said that so has the run blocking from the O line.

Having said that wouldn't mind seeing huntley get some carries. Couldn't be worse than clement and Scott at this point.

Yeah I don’t think people are talking enough about the run blocking of offensive line over the last two weeks specifically. It’s been bad. We can say a lot of things about Miles Sanders not hitting a hole a couple of times but after watching the all 22 from the last two weeks how many of us would say he had good run blocking for over half of his 24 carries? I’m guessing consensus says it’s been less

1 minute ago, Wentz 2 Ertz said:

"Most of the flaws in Hightower's game can be contributed to one root problem: he isn't very strong. To describe him as "spindly" may be generous and unfortunately, it does show up on tape. He can get pushed around in press-man coverage and has issues winning 50-50 balls as defensive backs just out-muscle him at the catch point.

Despite having the speed to consistently create separation, Hightower doesn't track the deep ball particularly well either and isn't a good enough route-runner to beat tight coverage consistently. He has struggles at times setting up cornerbacks and doesn't always play to his 40-yard dash speed.

Hightower also needs to improve his hands and timing going for the football, as he allows passes to get deep into his body instead of trusting his hands to make the catch for him. While he has an adequate catch radius to make difficult grabs with extension, he dropped too many catchable balls at the college level."

While this is likely true there is one VERY important consideration — Hightower is getting open.  What he does with the ball when it gets there can be taught.

I will say, it looks like Moorehead might be a keeper. I have no faith that if Walch were still here that Reagor, Hightower or Fulgham show as much as they already have. Dissapointing to see that JJAW is still a lost cause, but this looks like the player, not the coach with him.

7 minutes ago, Wentz 2 Ertz said:

"Most of the flaws in Hightower's game can be contributed to one root problem: he isn't very strong. To describe him as "spindly" may be generous and unfortunately, it does show up on tape. He can get pushed around in press-man coverage and has issues winning 50-50 balls as defensive backs just out-muscle him at the catch point.

Despite having the speed to consistently create separation, Hightower doesn't track the deep ball particularly well either and isn't a good enough route-runner to beat tight coverage consistently. He has struggles at times setting up cornerbacks and doesn't always play to his 40-yard dash speed.

Hightower also needs to improve his hands and timing going for the football, as he allows passes to get deep into his body instead of trusting his hands to make the catch for him. While he has an adequate catch radius to make difficult grabs with extension, he dropped too many catchable balls at the college level."

Sounds like Agholor.  Looks a bit like him too.  Agholor had less deep speed and more short area quicks, but the comparison stands.

Agholor in round 5 isn’t so bad, quite good actually...but then again, Agholor, with his development curve, would have been cut after a year or 2 had he not had a first round investment behind him.  

I don't think Hightower should get basted for that bomb. Would have probably landed out of bounds there anyway, as ball was slightly off target. Subtle push by DB to Hightower's buttocks threw the whole play off. DB should get credit there more than anything. This guy needs reps and good coaching and could be straightened out in long run. 5th round pick looks playable here in due time, IMO. He will hit on one of these bombs eventually and the narrative will change. Needs to still get on same page with Wentz overall.

Another thing to note while discussing the Hightower miss is that Wentz doesn't throw a very catchable deep pass. The idea is to throw the ball really high and have it drop in like a rainbow. Wentz's deep passes aren't as pretty. Less touch. Wentz tends to wait too long to throw it, and then doesn't have enough time to throw a rainbow.

 

Just now, downundermike said:

 

I'll be honest... I didn't even know he'd been cut. 

Disappointing after the hype he received in camp. 

18 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I will say, it looks like Moorehead might be a keeper. I have no faith that if Walch were still here that Reagor, Hightower or Fulgham show as much as they already have. Dissapointing to see that JJAW is still a lost cause, but this looks like the player, not the coach with him.

I don't think Hightower has shown much at all:

7 receptions on 15 targets for 57 yards and 0 TDs through 5 games.

He has shown an ability to stay in bounds inappropriately and to get out of bounds inappropriately.

31 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

On that Hightower miss, I will say after seeing it many times while making the gif i noticed he was slightly slanting for some reason and maybe if he took a straighter path to the back line it would have dropped right in to him. 

 

 

Im not sure if you can notice it on the gif since it gets compressed and is a little choppier than live TV. His line isnt perfectly straight. He does seem to agholor this. Not just a bad judgement of hand placement, but was tracking it wrong from earlier in the route and kind of runs past it and has to twist. Shouldnt have had to.

Yep.  That was a really nice pass from Wentz.  

 

5 minutes ago, Desertbirds said:

I don't think Hightower has shown much at all:

7 receptions on 15 targets for 57 yards and 0 TDs through 5 games.

He has shown an ability to stay in bounds inappropriately and to get out of bounds inappropriately.

His stat sheet isn't impressive but he's shown he can get open. Yea, he made an inexcusable mistake. For a 5th round guy in this weird offseason, he's at least shown glimpses. 

In regards to Hightower, I still like him and I would hope he improves with coaching, experience, etc....that said, I think it's time the Eagles gave Quez Watkins more snaps, etc, to see what he can do. 

7 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Disappointing after the hype he received in camp. 

The great eagles spin machine 

31 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Things are trending downward admittedly, but some perspective on the job Schwartz has done here. 

Reuben Frank is a huge Schwartz defender too and posts all kinds of stats.  Statistically, the defense is a top 10 defense but for some reason it doesn't feel like that at al.

Yep. 

12 minutes ago, downundermike said:

 

Sigh. I see an all pro in the making.

1 minute ago, bpac55 said:

Reuben Frank is a huge Schwartz defender too and posts all kinds of stats.  Statistically, the defense is a top 10 defense but for some reason it doesn't feel like that at al.

High variance. Lots of bad games in there. 

11 minutes ago, downundermike said:

 

There it is.  I've been saying it all along.  You don't give away talent.  Not saying he was going to be a game changer but he's an upper echelon athlete.  At least we have Vinny Curry for the rest of 2020 to help us get to 6 wins.

Just now, bpac55 said:

Reuben Frank is a huge Schwartz defender too and posts all kinds of stats.  Statistically, the defense is a top 10 defense but for some reason it doesn't feel like that at al.

I think that has to do with the fact that a lot of "older" Eagles fans are used to "shutdown" defenses of the past and quite frankly, they really don't exist in the NFL anymore.  (Other than maybe 2-3 teams). 

Yup. But maybe he’s been terrible in practice since.