Thoughts on the game...

-- Hurts looked in command in the first half. The placement on the Quez drop was immaculate. Trusting Devonta on the big TD. The pocket movement and the throw downfield to Goedert. Credit to Hurts for the best half of his career. Credit to Sirianni for coaching to the strengths of his players and allowing Hurts to get comfortable. Credit to Devonta Smith for being an absolute stud.

-- Regardless of Sanders coming back, Howard's role should not change. He's not getting enough credit for the way he's allowing this team to pick up momentum on these drives.

-- I like Landon Dickerson as a player, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't say "there it is" when he was down on the field today. Total wait and see when evaluating this pick. My gut telling me he's recent Brandon Brooks all over again.

-- Seems like the Eagles STs block kicks and punts at a team record rate. Seems like it happens every other game. Credit to Michael Clay.

Look, I’m not pretending to be some infallible WR evaluator... I’ve been way wrong many times about guys. Certainly as much as I’ve been right.. 

But Devonta Smith was a no-brainer pick. He had everything except size. His football IQ and route running were as good as has ever come out of college. And size matters at lots of positions. Pretty much every position except the one where the rules are designed to negate the physicality of the position defending him. 
 

The fragility thing, I can understand. But Devonta was the best WR from Team with a three year crop of first round WRs. His skill set is just unmatched. The way he understands leverage, sets up defenders, runs his routes and catches the ball.. he was a sure thing. If he had more consistent QB play this season, he’d be one of the top producers in the league. He’s always open. Thank God he’s not a NY Giant.

36 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

I was expecting him to celebrate a TD and drop the ball at the 1 again... but what was that?!   Lol

Some Agholor ish

9 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

Thoughts on the game...

-- Hurts looked in command in the first half. The placement on the Quez drop was immaculate. Trusting Devonta on the big TD. The pocket movement and the throw downfield to Goedert. Credit to Hurts for the best half of his career. Credit to Sirianni for coaching to the strengths of his players and allowing Hurts to get comfortable. Credit to Devonta Smith for being an absolute stud.

-- Regardless of Sanders coming back, Howard's role should not change. He's not getting enough credit for the way he's allowing this team to pick up momentum on these drives.

-- I like Landon Dickerson as a player, but I'd be lying if I say I didn't say "there it is" when he was down on the field today. Total wait and see when evaluating this pick. My gut telling me he's recent Brandon Brooks all over again.

-- Seems like the Eagles STs block kicks and punts at a team record rate. Seems like it happens every other game. Credit to Michael Clay.

I think back to some of the ridicule the FO received over the spring for signing Howard.  He looks just like he did in 2019 before the shoulder injury.

When Miles returns, I'd prefer he takes Scott's touches.  Sanders may miss a gap once in a while, but he is the only one of the three that can take one to the house.

7 hours ago, Mike030270 said:

It's a shame that Smith didn't have a better QB for his rookie year. I think his numbers would have been a lot better

It’s not all on the QB though. I mean, a lot of it is, but the playcalling being bad most of the season ended up with a lot of three and outs. Without sustained drives, there’s less chances to catch the ball. WRs can’t produce if the defense is on the field all game. He’s done pretty well for having so much stacked against him as a rookie

8 minutes ago, blindside said:

It’s not all on the QB though. I mean, a lot of it is, but the playcalling being bad most of the season…

The play calling hasn’t been bad. It’s been good. People have been running wide open all year.

 

And their four victories were against said opponents.

2 hours ago, 315Eagles said:

I know I saw some people earlier saying they didn't like the combo.  I thought it looked good.

I didn’t like it in the mock-up pic on the website but I did like it "in person” today. 

2 hours ago, D-Shiznit said:

But he's too little...

Better than our new TE, JJAW??!!

36 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I think back to some of the ridicule the FO received over the spring for signing Howard.  He looks just like he did in 2019 before the shoulder injury.

When Miles returns, I'd prefer he takes Scott's touches.  Sanders may miss a gap once in a while, but he is the only one of the three that can take one to the house.

I agree. I want Howard/Sanders with Scott spelling, and Gainwell for obvious passing downs/motion to slot. 

That was Hurts' 14th NFL start, he still hasn't gotten through his "rookie" season.

And no, it's not like he was being groomed to start last year, Wentz got the reps with the "1s" through TC and during the season, then Hurts had to learn a new scheme(s) under SIri.

So it's not surprising he gets caught off guard like the switch from man to zone in the second half. Still learning to see defenses.

Siri said the wide open offense was what they worked on in TC, where it looked great - then the season started. Part of a rookie HC's learning curve. As Mike Tyson used to say, "everyone has a plan until they're hit in the mouth."

But give him credit for adjusting, but it also helped that the OL is now Mailata - Dickerson - Lane, three of the most physical OL in the NFL. You have to scheme around the players you have, the OL early in the season couldn't move people out the way the current one can.

2 hours ago, Saltpeter said:

So essentially, "God has a plan for me." Does God plan on teaching Reagor how to run routes?

Good to get a win.  Good to see Howard continues on his contribution on running the ball.  Scott also contributed.  A nice change to see Hurts as a passing QB and not a leading rusher. 

This begs for a question: why the coaches did not run the ball more in early games.  They might be forced into using Howard when Sanders went down.  Hope they will continue to run the ball even when Sanders returns from injury. 

 

Taylor had two forced fumbles yesterday. One was the Slay TD, but what was the other? I’m drawing a blank. 

jerry jeudy fumbled - was that it?

1 minute ago, rrfierce said:

jerry jeudy fumbled - was that it?

Yeah, when was it? Late?

If you ever questioned OBJ being a diva/headache or whatever you want to call him.  Apparently, his jersey number was actually holding up his signing with the team.  Can you imagine not signing with a team because of the number you want to wear?  I'm a number guy so I understand the importance and significance of a number but to not sign because of it....sheesh

 

One of the only holdups, according to sources, came when the sides discussed which jersey number Beckham would wear. Beckham discussed wearing Nos. 1, 3 and 13, but there were issues with each.

No. 1 was recently worn by DeSean Jackson and isn’t currently occupied. Cam Akers plans to switch from No. 23 to 3 next year, "and Beckham and the Rams would like their relationship to go beyond this year,” Schefter wrote. Wolford is wearing 13, so Beckham agreed to wear No. 3 this season before switching to 13 if he re-signs with the Rams in 2022.

Akers’ tweet on Saturday seems to suggest Beckham will indeed only wear 3 temporarily.

Eagles defense now 14th in PPA/G, 19th in net yards per attempt, 7th in yards per rush.

Significantly better than last year, even though they faced a tougher group of QBs the first 10 games, will get to pad their stats down the stretch run.

Hurts, 20th in QBR, 17th in NY/A, 17th in ANY/A. 11th in the NFL in rushing yardage among all RBs and L Jackson (7th).

That Detroit game no longer looks like a fluke, Siri has found something.

Seems like we're gonna have an RB "problem"...a good one though.

If Sanders is activated this week, how does the roster shuffle? Do you keep Gainwell/Howard/Scott/Sanders all dressed on gameday? Plus Hurts, that's essentially 5 RBs. 

1 minute ago, TorontoEagle said:

Seems like we're gonna have an RB "problem"...a good one though.

If Sanders is activated this week, how does the roster shuffle? Do you keep Gainwell/Howard/Scott/Sanders all dressed on gameday? Plus Hurts, that's essentially 5 RBs. 

I anticipate that all four will dress and Sanders will get a nice share of the runs. 

But because the Saints have a very good run defense, any decline in overall run productivity this week will be pinned on Miles.

Just now, Connecticut Eagle said:

I anticipate that all four will dress and Sanders will get a nice share of the runs. 

But because the Saints have a very good run defense, any decline in overall run productivity this week will be pinned on Miles.

This is the way. 

Siri is learning. Hurts not so much and reagor not at all…

it also helps we started playing some bad teams

The last two drafts, Hurts, Taylor, Driscoll, Watkins, Smith, Dickerson, are starting, Williams is a key reserve, Bradley a top ST guy, the rest are on the roster except Stevens (PS), Prince (cut) and Toohill (claimed and playing for WFT).

Maybe there's hope for the 2022 draft?

As far as drafting QBs for instant success, only QBs drafted the last four seasons to play better than Hurts this season:

Herbert (5), Allen (7), and Murray (1).

Burrow (1) and M Jones (15) are even [Burrow has higher NY/A, lower QBR due to Ints]

Mayfield (1), Darnold (3), Tua (6), D Jones (6) are worse, Haskins (15) and Rosen (10) don't even start, and this year's names, Lawrence (1), Wilson (2), Lance (3), Fields (11) have been atrocious, even by the standards of rookie QBs.

Eagles offense is now 13th in PPG at 23.6 (21 points off defensive plays).

14 minutes ago, austinfan said:

Eagles defense now 14th in PPA/G, 19th in net yards per attempt, 7th in yards per rush.

Significantly better than last year, even though they faced a tougher group of QBs the first 10 games, will get to pad their stats down the stretch run.

Hurts, 20th in QBR, 17th in NY/A, 17th in ANY/A. 11th in the NFL in rushing yardage among all RBs and L Jackson (7th).

That Detroit game no longer looks like a fluke, Siri has found something.

Just now, ToastJenkins said:

Siri is learning. Hurts not so much and reagor not at all…

it also helps we started playing some bad teams

Hurts looked as good as he ever has in the first half yesterday, and his own career aside, he looked really good. If Quez hauls in that pass at the end of the half, he would have had a perfect QB rating and his numbers would have looked that much better. I was on the Hurts is too dumb to play QB train, and maybe he still is. But he has shown that he can take coaching and learn, so maybe there is still some hope for him yet. 

4 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

up by 7 points for almost 15 minutes is garbage time? man this forum surprises me daily

They were up 14 going into the 4th q? The hell are you talking about. 

3 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Hurts looked as good as he ever has in the first half yesterday, and his own career aside, he looked really good. If Quez hauls in that pass at the end of the half, he would have had a perfect QB rating and his numbers would have looked that much better. I was on the Hurts is too dumb to play QB train, and maybe he still is. But he has shown that he can take coaching and learn, so maybe there is still some hope for him yet. 

Coaching...