That is fairly surprising and significantly higher than over the past two years. 

I can’t recommend either article enough. The top one is about the Patriots, but just read it from an Eagles’ perspective (I provided a blurb from Sheil’s article to show why it’s important). You’ll learn a lot about the benefits of Cover 1 and why Schwartz (a Belichick disciple) runs it so much.

”The Eagles were much better in man coverage than zone. They played man at the seventh-highest rate of any team. Cover-3 (a three-deep zone with four underneath defenders) was their most popular coverage, but they ranked 21st in EPA per dropback when they played it. Cover-1 was their second most popular coverage. They ranked fourth in EPA per dropback when playing Cover-1. Overall, only three teams played single-high safety coverages (Cover-1, Cover-3) at a higher rate than the Eagles.”

 

34 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

That is fairly surprising and significantly higher than over the past two years. 

Past two years is after they changed the rules on kickoffs and having to have 5 on each side of the ball.   So... that's not surprising.  I'd be more interested in terms of the previous 10 & 20 years.   The basic rules of onside kick have gone back a long way.  The years before the rule was put in place to not overload one side, and the no-run up rule as well... 

39 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

 

I guess since Warren is still really an unknown, it makes sense that they want a N-S type runner.   McCoy isn’t that though.  If he still has gas left in the tank, he would be a decent backup to Sanders but he isn’t the North-South runner they are missing with Howard leaving.  If Warren is who we think he is, he should be that guy moving forward. 

4 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Past two years is after they changed the rules on kickoffs and having to have 5 on each side of the ball.   So... that's not surprising.  I'd be more interested in terms of the previous 10 & 20 years.   The basic rules of onside kick have gone back a long way.  The years before the rule was put in place to not overload one side, and the no-run up rule as well... 

The fourth and 15 conversions being at 26 percent is surprising. The past two years it was around 8-10 percent if memory serves, which was in line with successful onside kicks. 

1 hour ago, RLC said:

I found it interesting that Tra Thomas criticized Stoutland's pass protection, particularly in regarding to protecting against stunts. Thomas coached as an intern behind Stoutland.

Maybe thats why Tra was let go

Just read a stat that Jim Johnson’s defense lead the NFL in sacks (Tied for 1st) during his tenure here.   It would be nice to see our current sack totals increase.  

With the new additions to the secondary and a healthy D-Line, I would think Schwartz will be more willing to pull the trigger on a more aggressive defense.  Thoughts? 
 

Just now, Ace Nova said:

Just saw a stat that Jim Johnson’s defense lead the NFL in sacks (Tied for 1st) during his tenure here.   It would be nice to see our current sack totals increase.  

With the new additions to the secondary and a healthy D-Line, I would think Schwartz will be more willing to pull the trigger on a more aggressive defense.  Thoughts? 
 

They need to get more consistent getting to the QB from the edge. Being able to get to the QB with consistently just rushing 4 is what great defenses are made of. IMO, blitzing a lot means your probably have average at best edge rushers. 

Reub just posted a piece about the 10 best Eagles under 25.  Kind of a gross list.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/best-eagles-under-25-eagles-roster-miles-sanders-derek-barnett-avonte-maddox-andre-dillard

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

And then the Eagles chose to not keep him around... Seems he and Stoutland see things differently, and the Eagles prefer Stoutland's eye and methods.  

Interesting output.  The absolute best punch I have ever seen is Peters.  I remember going to Lehigh with my son and getting as close as we could along the fence to watch Juan Castillo teaching hand placement and movement.  Both catch and punch can achieve results.  Lane is so fast with his feet and strong enough to direct where the DL will go.  JP varies.  Sometimes a two handed punch.  Again, quick feet.  Watch Jason punch and step.  Rarely gives ground and often takes it.  He is directing where he wants the DL to go.  JP catches some too.  But listen to what Stout says about combination blocks where they use the same in the pass and the run.  Tra wasn’t good at that and was a poor run blocker.  One problem with Juan’s techniques was he tended to either pass block or run block and with knuckle awareness by the DE, there were tells as to what the O was running.   

7 minutes ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

They need to get more consistent getting to the QB from the edge. Being able to get to the QB with consistently just rushing 4 is what great defenses are made of. IMO, blitzing a lot means your probably have average at best edge rushers. 

Yes and no.  We had a pretty good front 4 with Jim Johnson but he was able to give offenses fits by bringing the additional heat during specific schemes.   We don't need to blitz every-other down but I wouldn't mind seeing some additional pressure with certain schemes, etc.

 

1 minute ago, Ace Nova said:

Yes and no.  We had a pretty good front 4 with Jim Johnson but he was able to give offenses fits by bringing the additional heat during specific schemes.   We don't need to blitz every-other down but I wouldn't mind seeing some additional pressure with certain schemes, etc.

 

JJ had some pretty darn good secondaries during his tenure. When you have good corners and safeties you can blitz more. If coverage is poor you every body you can scrape up back there.

1 hour ago, ManuManu said:

That is fairly surprising and significantly higher than over the past two years. 

Situational aspects makes this stat a bit questionable in value. Basically six plays a year.  Think about groaning about prevent defenses where the single high safety is thirty yards back and it is desperation for the offense and where preventing the score is more important than the first down.  Now think about how Schwartz defends 3rd and 10 or more with the Sticks D.  On 4 & 15 it matters not at all if the O gets 7 or even 12.  I doubt teams will defend the onside option with the prevent defense. 

1 minute ago, justrelax said:

JJ had some pretty darn good secondaries during his tenure. When you have good corners and safeties you can blitz more. If coverage is poor you every body you can scrape up back there.

I agree.  That’s why I said with the additions to the secondary (Slay, etc) I would think Schwartz will have a little more confidence in terms of getting more aggressive, no?

 

2 hours ago, Green Dog said:

That would be the smart thing to do. 

But the NFL might mandate they be there so NFLN has something to show other than old SBs.

FWIW someone asked Jimmy Kempski in his live chat what type of access they will have for OTA/TC and if beat reporters will be able to observe practice. His answer was he has no idea, but hopes to have something. 

15 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Reub just posted a piece about the 10 best Eagles under 25.  Kind of a gross list.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/best-eagles-under-25-eagles-roster-miles-sanders-derek-barnett-avonte-maddox-andre-dillard

I think we should wait until next month to rehash this discussion. 

6 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

I think we should wait until next month to rehash this discussion. 

Agreed.  Rookies will take up over half that list come opening kickoff.

 

3 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Situational aspects makes this stat a bit questionable in value. Basically six plays a year.  Think about groaning about prevent defenses where the single high safety is thirty yards back and it is desperation for the offense and where preventing the score is more important than the first down.  Now think about how Schwartz defends 3rd and 10 or more with the Sticks D.  On 4 & 15 it matters not at all if the O gets 7 or even 12.  I doubt teams will defend the onside option with the prevent defense. 

Exactly, I wonder if it is better to look at conversion rates of 4th down and goal to go in the 4th quarter for the losing team.  

1 hour ago, ManuManu said:

I can’t recommend either article enough. The top one is about the Patriots, but just read it from an Eagles’ perspective (I provided a blurb from Sheil’s article to show why it’s important). You’ll learn a lot about the benefits of Cover 1 and why Schwartz (a Belichick disciple) runs it so much.

”The Eagles were much better in man coverage than zone. They played man at the seventh-highest rate of any team. Cover-3 (a three-deep zone with four underneath defenders) was their most popular coverage, but they ranked 21st in EPA per dropback when they played it. Cover-1 was their second most popular coverage. They ranked fourth in EPA per dropback when playing Cover-1. Overall, only three teams played single-high safety coverages (Cover-1, Cover-3) at a higher rate than the Eagles.”

I expect to see more Cover 1 and less Cover 3 with Slay playing.  They have three outside CBs that are best in Man, Slay, Jones and Williams.  Maddox can bite on double moves but plays well in Man. So does NRC and LeBlanc. I think with our SSs potentially interchangeable with our Dime LBs, we can move to more Cover 1.  I wonder if in Cover 1, Schwartz has the CB follow the WR more but not completely.  Shadowing one WR makes it easier to diagnose the D. 

48 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Reub just posted a piece about the 10 best Eagles under 25.  Kind of a gross list.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/best-eagles-under-25-eagles-roster-miles-sanders-derek-barnett-avonte-maddox-andre-dillard

Stupid list, stupid cutoff.   Here's the list for those uninterested in clicking it.

Miles Sanders 
Derek Barnett
Avonte Maddox
Andre Dillard
Josh Sweat
T.J. Edwards
Sidney Jones
Anthony Rush
Craig James
JJ Arcega-Whiteside

He forgot about Greg Ward (who is 24).  Oops... but made sure to get JJAW in there.  Nice work Reub.

 

And why not 25 AND under?  
That adds: 
Dallas Goedert
Nathan Gerry
Corey Clement
Jake Elliott
Cre'Von LeBlanc
Will Parks
Hassan Ridgeway
Boston Scott
 

6 hours ago, justrelax said:

I highly recommend Ron Chernow's biography as well.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/311248/grant-by-ron-chernow/

Fyi it's 1.99 on kindle.  I'll be giving it a read. As well as Grant's personal memoirs.  Thanks again 

9 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Stupid list, stupid cutoff.   Here's the list for those uninterested in clicking it.

Miles Sanders 
Derek Barnett
Avonte Maddox
Andre Dillard
Josh Sweat
T.J. Edwards
Sidney Jones
Anthony Rush
Craig James
JJ Arcega-Whiteside

He forgot about Greg Ward (who is 24).  Oops... but made sure to get JJAW in there.  Nice work Reub.

 

And why not 25 AND under?  
That adds: 
Dallas Goedert
Nathan Gerry
Corey Clement
Jake Elliott
Cre'Von LeBlanc
Will Parks
Hassan Ridgeway
Boston Scott
 

What's the difference? Not that impressive. 

Just now, greend said:

Fyi it's 1.99 on kindle.  I'll be giving it a read. As well as Grant's personal memoirs.  Thanks again 

For those who are unfamiliar with Grant's autobiography, it only covers the war years. Nothing of the presidency. He wrote it while he was dying of cancer and finished it only a couple of weeks before his death. The prose is clean and clear. It is surprisingly low on self-serving excuses, Shiloh perhaps being the exception.