If Hurts can play at this level, or possibly better, for the rest of the year I'm all for him getting another shot. We all know the QB draft class this year is kind of underwhelming plus I REALLY want them to load up on defense.

53 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said:

Hurts 2nd TD to Smith was one of his best throws. He got a lot of pressure from all parts of the pocket and it broke down usually he just runs under that pressure but this time he just rolled to his left to get more time and a clean look and hit him right on a dime. Good stuff. 

The dropped one on Watkins was killer, too.

2 minutes ago, Infam said:

The dropped one on Watkins was killer, too.

Yeah I wasn’t saying it wasn’t a good pass, rather just commenting how we wanted to see progression from Hurts and he processed in the pocket well and was accurate with the football. Clearly the tools are there. He just needs to become more consistent. With that being the case it was his 14th start. Many of us have been saying/writing it for sometime now. We need to be patient with Hurts. It’s way to early to proclaim he’s the next great quarterback, but it’s also to early to claim he can’t play in this league. It’s a growing and learning process. 

52 minutes ago, ManchesterEagle said:

Great game today from Hurts. Second half throws weren't great, but we never really had to throw it.

Apart from that though he showed exactly what we needed. The Broncos were disciplined in not letting him just escape to the right every play. He moved well in the pocket, made good decisions and made a lot of good throws. That pass to Watkins was a thing of beauty. Can't believe he dropped that. This is what we needed to see from Hurts. Now we just need for him to build off it.

Hurts could be our QB and certainly it's looking more and more like he could be at least for next year. It makes no sense to overpay for a veteran in a trade or reach for an average college QB. Build the team and if Hurts is the guy then all the better.

I know I am nitpicking here but I would say we again saw the best of Hurts and the worst of Hurts in this game. There was a lot more good than bad - absolutely great first half. In fact, the best half of Hurts career. Some of his throws were absolute gems - the two TDs to Smith, the back foot lop to Goedert. Always said we needed to let the season play out and give him time even if the signs earlier in the year weren't positive. This was the first time this season I thought he looked like a possible long-term QB solution for the franchise.

But his 3rd quarter really bugged me - two drives and on both he had plays which could have / should have easily swung the game's momentum the other way. The dropped INT by Surtain was a horrific decision and terrible throw in that situation. Then following that up horrible play which did end up INT - yes his arm got hit slightly but no reason to throw it into double coverage with the safety just sitting back there. Luckily that fumble and return from Slay bailed him out big time. Between that fumble score and the run game, we closed it out so he never got the chance to come back from his mistakes. But those two back to back drives coming out of his best half were quite disappointing. Hopefully he learns and grows from it 

17 minutes ago, ShutDownDB said:

If Hurts can play at this level, or possibly better, for the rest of the year I'm all for him getting another shot. We all know the QB draft class this year is kind of underwhelming plus I REALLY want them to load up on defense.

The season needs to play itself out but regardless I am entirely OK with rolling with Hurts (or another short-term solution if he totally bombs) next year for a multitude of factors, including a weak QB class. But unless Hurts shows significant improvement the rest of the way, the one thing I do want Howie to do is to buy some insurance i.e. flip one of those picks for a 1st next year. You probably get something else in return as well (say a late 2 or early 3rd). That's still plenty to add talent to the D.

6 minutes ago, kiwieagle said:

The season needs to play itself out but regardless I am entirely OK with rolling with Hurts (or another short-term solution if he totally bombs) next year for a multitude of factors, including a weak QB class. But unless Hurts shows significant improvement the rest of the way, the one thing I do want Howie to do is to buy some insurance i.e. flip one of those picks for a 1st next year. You probably get something else in return as well (say a late 2 or early 3rd). That's still plenty to add talent to the D.

I agree that Howie should try and flip a pick or two (or all of them) into next year by trading down and trying to make some moves like they did with Miami. The problem is of these three teams keep winning those picks won’t have the value to make those types of moves. It also seems like all three teams have some pretty favorable schedules from here on out so all three picks could end up in the teens or worse.

10 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said:

I agree that Howie should try and flip a pick or two (or all of them) into next year by trading down and trying to make some moves like they did with Miami. The problem is of these three teams keep winning those picks won’t have the value to make those types of moves. It also seems like all three teams have some pretty favorable schedules from here on out so all three picks could end up in the teens or worse.

I don't think it should be all. We should use 2 and flip 1. The D needs help bad!

But even with say picks in teens, you can still swing trades for a first next year. Think something along the lines of Packers / Saints trade (Marcus Davenport). Packers got a late first + fifth + first next year.

1 minute ago, kiwieagle said:

I don't think it should be all. We should use 2 and flip 1. The D needs help bad!

But even with say picks in teens, you can still swing trades for a first next year. Think something along the lines of Packers / Saints trade (Marcus Davenport). Packers got a late first + fifth + first next year.

I’d like to see at least one playmaking level defensive player out of this coming draft. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Eagles pull seven firsts over the next two drafts too though. I’m greedy I guess. 😂

3 minutes ago, EazyEaglez said:

I’d like to see at least one playmaking level defensive player out of this coming draft. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Eagles pull seven firsts over the next two drafts too though. I’m greedy I guess. 😂

Yeah man - thats the biggest thing the D lacks. A real playmaker at any level who causes bunches of turnovers.

My very slim hopes of Kavyon via the Dolphins pick are all but dashed now....

2 minutes ago, kiwieagle said:

Yeah man - thats the biggest thing the D lacks. A real playmaker at any level who causes bunches of turnovers.

My very slim hopes of Kavyon via the Dolphins pick are all but dashed now....

All three teams are winning too much unfortunately. It’s still possible Howie packages the picks to move up in the draft too. He does have a lot of picks to work with. Not just the firsts. 

On 11/12/2021 at 7:27 PM, EagleVA said:

I agree with you about the defense, that's why I wanted Christian Barmore and CB's in the last draft, but no, dumbarse selected the broomstick WR at #1 and a crippled Center/Guard at #2.

As far as paying a top of the line QB, the rookie pay scale helped a lot but if he turns out to be a true franchise QB you're gonna have to pay him the going rate or he's gonna leave.     

I'm anticipating that the QB will leave,  but you want to keep him and play him when you have him.

He's always going to be one of those players you need to assemble a great supporting cast around because he's not going to carry this team on his own. But that's okay if the game plan is balanced and he's not solely relied upon to win games. The version of Hurts we saw today is very serviceable.

On 11/13/2021 at 4:31 AM, Swoop said:

I've also tried to explain that the season is half over and the Eagles could just as easily drop from 11 to 17 after this Sunday, given the 5/6 teams right behind them are literally right behind them.

I appreciate you practicing your arguments in hopes that at some time, they'll be true.

But before this game today,  the Eagles were at 11.  Who knows after scoring 30?   Their points per game is now 25.7. 

We are assessing Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, up to this point.  And up to this point the Eagles are 11 (or a slight change).  Above average.  Better than most of the first round picks from the last 4 years.

2 minutes ago, Random Reglar said:

I appreciate you practicing your arguments in hopes that at some time, they'll be true.

But before this game today,  the Eagles were at 11.  Who knows after scoring 30?   Their points per game is now 25.7. 

We are assessing Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense, up to this point.  And up to this point the Eagles are 11 (or a slight change).  Above average.  Better than most of the first round picks from the last 4 years.

I understand that.

I was pointing out that at this point, it's not the end all be all.

But whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.

On 11/13/2021 at 11:57 AM, Thing3 said:

I think we should keep Hurtz but don't understand why you think we should wait until after 2023 to bring in a new QB? I agree, we need to improve the D this off season. Even using your philosophy I think it makes sense to bring in a young QB after next season then waiting until after Hurts' contract is expired.

Did I say the Eagles shouldn't change the QB room?   I'd replace Minshew.   I like Tyree Jackson and/or Greg Ward Jr as QB3.

The Minshew replace might be someone like D'eriq King or Emory Jones,  a day 3 type of guy.  Perhaps they could spend a 2nd on Willis from Liberty, and have him sit behind Hurts, or put him in the backfield with Hurts at QB. 

I'm saying the Eagles should keep Hurts the starter through 2023.  But the QB room could have the future starter, after Hurts, in it.   And it should be a running QB. 

Brian Johnson has coached both D'eriq King (with Houston) and Emory Jones (with Florida), so he has extensive personal knowledge of their attributes.  I kind of expect the Eagles to get at least one of them. If Willis is 2nd round or later,  he might be a good pick.

A couple of weeks ago, there would’ve been a meaty joke in here about KC’s punter being more accurate than Hurts…

…but he gets a pass after this week 😁

3 hours ago, brkmsn said:

This is what we want to see from him. The INT may not have been a great decision, but his arm was hit and that caused it to be way short (and off). But his accuracy was very good overall. I'd like to see him put together a stretch of games like this. I'd also like to see him get a couple more receivers involved each game to help keep defenses from zeroing in on 2 or 3 guys on passing downs. 

Today it was the vet (Bridgewater) that made the stupid "throw away" on 4th down. It's much more enjoyable when the other team does it. 

Anyway, fans are what they are. Everybody wants an elite QB, but some guys need to grow into such a player and that takes time. It can be frustrating to sit through the bumps. But it helps immensely when you see flashes of what could be --- and today we saw that. A lot of people that cover or work in the NFL are higher on Hurts lately than many of the Eagles fans. IMO, we should be happy with what we saw today and understand that Hurts isn't a finished product, but that his ceiling may be higher than some fans want to believe. 

"Everybody wants an elite QB"

False.   I do not. 

Is that "elite" QB going to play 40 or 50 Million dollars a year better than the QB on the 2nd round rookie deal?

If your team is built around that "elite" QB,  what happens when he's hurt?  You're screwed.  If you're paying him a ton, there's no way whatever backup you have is going to be anywhere near good enough.

I'll take Jalen Hurts, and I'll bring in 2nd round or later running QB whenever I see one I like.  The Eagles have Greg Ward Jr, who got Heisman votes as a QB for Houston, he's playing WR, and has played well, despite not having the 4.4 speed.   Tyree Jackson was with the Bills  in the preseason as a QB in 2019.  He's being called a TE.   Both of those players could be QBs.  D'eriq King is shorter than most QBs,  but it's said he runs a 4.4 40.   He might be a position convert to wr/rb/qb weapon.  jet sweeper guy, but can throw. 

42 minutes ago, Swoop said:

I understand that.

I was pointing out that at this point, it's not the end all be all.

But whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess.

You were arguing with me.  Your argument was "but if the Eagles do worse,  their stats will be worse, let's pretend that happened."

That is always the case.  If the Eagles number changes,  you change the number in the argument.  If the Eagles are 10 or 12, the argument is the same,  this is above average, more first round picks from the last 4 years aren't doing better than are. 

 

6 hours ago, EazyEaglez said:

I just didn’t like anything they did with much of their second half offense. Just too much RPO cuteness. 

Agreed. Didn't feel like the offense was on the field much... I'd be interested to know how many minutes in the second half?

3 hours ago, Random Reglar said:

You were arguing with me.  Your argument was "but if the Eagles do worse,  their stats will be worse, let's pretend that happened."

That is always the case.  If the Eagles number changes,  you change the number in the argument.  If the Eagles are 10 or 12, the argument is the same,  this is above average, more first round picks from the last 4 years aren't doing better than are. 

 

You keep using that specific number, alone, to try and say how great the Eagles offense has been. At times it has been. At others (several), it's been really dreadful and a lot of points have come at meaningless times. You know, the thing that Dak used to get made fun of for years, those "empty stats". Cousins gets killed for it, too. When it's our own, it's apparently okay though. 

That's why I keep saying that it's misleading and can rapidly change and have admitted that said change can also be good, as in yesterday.

50 minutes ago, Swoop said:

That's why I keep saying that it's misleading and can rapidly change and have admitted that said change can also be good, as in yesterday.

Haha yeah right..

34 minutes ago, Infam said:

Haha yeah right..

When talking about the Eagles offense: 

On 11/9/2021 at 12:19 PM, Swoop said:

Right.

But the year is only half over and this could wildly change between now and then (good or bad).

I don't think it's unreasonable to feel that way.

Took me all of ten seconds to go find.

Haha you were saying..

Hurts is definitely showing improvement, which is a very important aspect.

Seems like the run game is taking some pressure off, which is exactly what we all said would happen!

18 minutes ago, rrfierce said:

Hurts is definitely showing improvement, which is a very important aspect.

Seems like the run game is taking some pressure off, which is exactly what we all said would happen!

Yeah I don't know why they didn't do this sooner! I mean we all knew they needed to take the pressure off Hurts with a solid consistent run game. 

9 hours ago, kiwieagle said:

I know I am nitpicking here but I would say we again saw the best of Hurts and the worst of Hurts in this game. There was a lot more good than bad - absolutely great first half. In fact, the best half of Hurts career. Some of his throws were absolute gems - the two TDs to Smith, the back foot lop to Goedert. Always said we needed to let the season play out and give him time even if the signs earlier in the year weren't positive. This was the first time this season I thought he looked like a possible long-term QB solution for the franchise.

But his 3rd quarter really bugged me - two drives and on both he had plays which could have / should have easily swung the game's momentum the other way. The dropped INT by Surtain was a horrific decision and terrible throw in that situation. Then following that up horrible play which did end up INT - yes his arm got hit slightly but no reason to throw it into double coverage with the safety just sitting back there. Luckily that fumble and return from Slay bailed him out big time. Between that fumble score and the run game, we closed it out so he never got the chance to come back from his mistakes. But those two back to back drives coming out of his best half were quite disappointing. Hopefully he learns and grows from it 

No doubt he was disappointing in the 3rd quarter, but turnovers haven’t been an issue for him this year and it was a small sample size as we didn’t have to throw due to the running game/Slay return.

He’s still going to have ups and downs for sure, but the first half was extremely encouraging progress.