3 minutes ago, justrelax said:

You just can’t relax and enjoy even for a minute, can you?

Haha, the first half was the most fun I've had watching this team over the last 2 years or so, it was really great.

The second half stunk until Slay did his thing. 

11 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

It seems to me the Broncos were playing a lot of man in the first half for some reason, and then switched to mainly zone in the 2nd half. I haven't rewatched the game so that's just my from my memory. I think Hurts is not very good against zone D. 

He also didn't have receivers who know how to find the soft spots in zones - that's an art (Celek was great at it, so was Lewis).

With Goedert out, his TEs were two UDFAs (Stoll and Jackson), one a rookie, 3 WRs with little experience, and only one RB remotely a threat as a receiver (Scott). Denver bracketed Smith and dared Hurts to throw it elsewhere.

Learning curve for everyone.

46 minutes ago, jsb235 said:

Because you're wrong?

He had a bad throw in the second half. The INT was not on him. After the Slay TD, throwing the ball would have been stupid because the only way the Broncos were going have any chance of winning was for the Eagles to help them by throwing the ball.

Since you are having trouble understanding, let me make it simple for you by putting it in hockey terms. If the other team pulls its goalie and outshoots you in the last two minutes of the third period, you don't criticize your team for not pulling your goalie just so you can register as many shots as the other team, right? Well, what you are doing is the equivalent in football. 

He played an amazing first half and protected the ball for the most part when asked to, but throwing into bracket coverage is not on him? Lol

10 hours 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.

Not a huge fan of Football Outsiders but this is what Bo Wulf had in his half season offense evaluation last Thursday on Scott, meanwhile Howard is on a record setting pace for RBs not being targeted in the receiving game. Can’t understand the lack of love for Scott.

Boston Scott 

Among the part-time running backs who have between 14 and 71 carries, Scott has been the third best (according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA) behind D’Ernest Johnson and Devonta Freeman. Jordan Howard is sixth on the list. Sanders is 22nd. Gainwell is 32nd.

20 minutes ago, jsb235 said:

I don't think this is remotely true. Look at the posting after a bad Hurts game (Panthers, Cowboys, Bucs) as opposed to one where he plays well (Lions, right now.) More importantly look at the volume of posts from certain members. They are virtually non-existent after Hurts plays well, but on here like a flock of vultures when he doesn't.

Many have put themselves in a position where they are more miserable after a win than a loss, because the Eagles playing well makes them wrong about the team. It's almost a certainty that very few of the board members who have spent the past year bashing him want him to succeed.

I'm not a proponent of the dual threat QB; I'd much rather have a QB who excels at making decisions, getting the ball out and distributing the football to others to make plays -- I make that bias known.  

Having said that, Hurts doesn't cost the Eagles football games at this point.  He's not prone to turning the ball over a lot, he doesn't get injured, and he counts less than $5M against the salary cap over the next 3 years combined.  He's an inexpensive asset who allows the franchise to spend money and draft capital in other areas for now -- which is valuable.  As fans, we have to hope the organization spends those resources wisely over the next 1-2 years.

I have concerns about what his ceiling is -- is Hurts a QB who will win playoff games against Wilson, Rodgers, Dak, and other top QBs?  I'm skeptical.  He'll need a really strong roster on both offense and defense for the Eagles to become a true contender.  That question isn't the most important criteria for now, though.    

5 minutes ago, austinfan said:

He also didn't have receivers who know how to find the soft spots in zones - that's an art (Celek was great at it, so was Lewis).

With Goedert out, his TEs were two UDFAs (Stoll and Jackson), one a rookie, 3 WRs with little experience, and only one RB remotely a threat as a receiver (Scott). Denver bracketed Smith and dared Hurts to throw it elsewhere.

Learning curve for everyone.

I'm certainly more bullish on Hurts than I was going into yesterday's game, overall it was good progress, he made some great throws. And Sirianni called a good game. It was nice to see the defense and ST come up with big plays too. But the game wasn't without its warts, which I think is fair to discuss is all. 

39 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I still believe that the almost INT was more a great play by Surtain than a bad play by Hurts.  The throw was accurate.  Surtain made a good read and a nice athletic play.

Think of the fumble.  We are calling it a big play by Taylor.  I'm sure Bronco fans are putting it all on Gordon.

Plays like that are why i said Surtain is a better S prospect than a CB.  He's solid at CB don't get me wrong, but when he can read the play and react he's at his best.  He's a solid tackler to boot too.

13 minutes ago, TorontoEagle said:

Haha, the first half was the most fun I've had watching this team over the last 2 years or so, it was really great.

The second half stunk until Slay did his thing. 

Second half could’ve started much worse than it did if not for a great ST field goal block and a penalty that negated a Williams td. The ball bounced our way and especially with Slay’s return. But after that int it felt like the broncos were really seizing control. Taylor forcing the fumble and slay’s ability to return it for a td makes you overlook that for the first 14:30 of the third quarter was easy to move the ball on the defense (130 yards for Denver and 25 for the eagles up until the fumble in the third) and offense lost its rhythm. 

7 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Not a huge fan of Football Outsiders but this is what Bo Wulf had in his half season offense evaluation last Thursday on Scott, meanwhile Howard is on a record setting pace for RBs not being targeted in the receiving game. Can’t understand the lack of love for Scott.

Boston Scott 

Among the part-time running backs who have between 14 and 71 carries, Scott has been the third best (according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA) behind D’Ernest Johnson and Devonta Freeman. Jordan Howard is sixth on the list. Sanders is 22nd. Gainwell is 32nd.

I know not a browns message board but Johnson has been great for the browns every time he’s gotten a chance to be the guy. Awesome story for that kid. It’s pretty crazy the browns have chubb, hunt and Johnson all of whom could likely be starting running backs somewhere else in the league. 

Anyone notice the attempt by Teddy Bridgewater to make the tackle on the Slay TD?  Bad look for mediocre QB

 

Also this may have been mentioned before but Eagles do not have to get on a plane for the rest of the regular season 

Home vs Saints
At NYG
At NYJ
Home vs Wash
Home vs NYG
At Wash
Home vs Cowboys

1 hour ago, UK Eagle said:

Interesting point on Smith

 

What is amazing is how close he came to catching that ball.  Just as Surtain is touching the ball, Smith gets a hand on it to catch it, not swat it away.  Bobbles and tries again before swatting to the ground. Amazing body control, hand coordination and awareness. 

35 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

Just because one guy does it more doesnt make him better. (not to mention he does it more when he shouldnt). 

Fields is quicker and more allusive. 

Yes, Hurts is quicker than Dak but again, I feel Dak is more allusive. 

Morally of the story, Jalen isnt an elite runner, not even close to be honest

Fields is not more elusive just faster. I can tell you from watching bears games from the local market that kids gonna be lucky to be running in another 2 years he gets smoked constantly 

2 minutes ago, garingovt2000 said:

Anyone notice the attempt by Teddy Bridgewater to make the tackle on the Slay TD?  Bad look for mediocre QB

 

Also this may have been mentioned before but Eagles do not have to get on a plane for the rest of the regular season 

Home vs Saints
At NYG
At NYJ
Home vs Wash
Home vs NYG
At Wash
Home vs Cowboys

They beat the Saints and they have a chance to finish 9-8 or 10-7.  They could also end up only winning 2 more games as anything can happen, but the way they've played the last few games and how that schedule shakes out 'on paper' then things seem more in their favour than not.

 

Just now, tuffstuff07 said:

Fields is not more elusive just faster. I can tell you from watching bears games from the local market that kids gonna be lucky to be running in another 2 years he gets smoked constantly 

His run against the niners was pretty ridiculous though. I agree with you but that play was one for the highlight reels. 

45 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

ELITEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! 

Lamar is elite, and thats it

The next group is Kyler, Allen, Mahomes, Fields, Dak, Russ

Then you have better then average. Hurts is here, Rodgers, Daniel Jones, maybe 

😒

Dude you straight up trolling now.

 Come on now.

Lamar I agree, he's an elite runner but to group Hurts with Rodgers and Daniel Jones 🤔

Come on now...

1 minute ago, Utebird said:

😒

Dude you straight up trolling now.

 Come on now.

Lamar I agree, he's an elite runner but to group Hurts with Rodgers and Daniel Jones 🤔

Come on now...

Don't even bother when he starts with his nonsense. 

For all the knocks against Hurts, he is an excellent runner. Currently 10th in the league in rushing yards too. 

1 minute ago, Utebird said:

😒

Dude you straight up trolling now.

 Come on now.

Lamar I agree, he's an elite runner but to group Hurts with Rodgers and Daniel Jones 🤔

Come on now...

Only thing that can stop Daniel jones is the random shooter at the linc

 

53 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

ELITEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! 

Lamar is elite, and thats it

The next group is Kyler, Allen, Mahomes, Fields, Dak, Russ

Then you have better then average. Hurts is here, Rodgers, Daniel Jones, maybe 

 

Not sure how Hurts is just better than average when it comes from running at the QB position. 

I saw that Jordan Howard has only had 9 rushes that went for negative yards as an Eagle. He's probably not going to bust a 30+ yard run too often, but all this guy does is go forward.

 

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/eagles-observations-one-area-jalen-hurts-has-made-remarkable-progress

 

Quote

4. There’s a perception that Jordan Howard is a straight-ahead no-nonsense runner and Miles Sanders is more of an all-or-nothing guy who can bust a huge gain but is also prone to losing yardage. The stats say that’s true. During their 2 1/2 seasons together with the Eagles, Sanders has been stopped for a loss twice as often. Howard has lost yards on 5.8 percent of his carries (9 of 155) and Sanders on 11.8 percent of his carries (45 of 406). On 3rd-and-1 and 4th-and-1? Sanders is 13-for-24 (1.9 yards per attempt) with 8 conversions and Howard is 4-for-21 (5.3 ypc) with three conversions. Sanders has a much higher average – 4.9 to 4.4 – because he hits a lot more long gainers. But if you just want to move the chains, Howard brings terrific value to the offense. He should have been on the roster all year.

 

23 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

Not a huge fan of Football Outsiders but this is what Bo Wulf had in his half season offense evaluation last Thursday on Scott, meanwhile Howard is on a record setting pace for RBs not being targeted in the receiving game. Can’t understand the lack of love for Scott.

Boston Scott 

Among the part-time running backs who have between 14 and 71 carries, Scott has been the third best (according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA) behind D’Ernest Johnson and Devonta Freeman. Jordan Howard is sixth on the list. Sanders is 22nd. Gainwell is 32nd.

Yup, I couldn't get why Scott was riding the bench first few weeks after reportedly having a really good camp.

He finally gets a shot with sanders going down and has done nothing but produce.

I'm not sure why the hate on the board for Scott.

Is he all pro? No, but he's a hard runner, he fights for extra yards, his lack of height gives him an advantage as he can hide behind his line and hes good in the screen game as well.

I think he's been a good lightning to Howard's thunder and they make a good 1 two punch.

Sanders this year to me hasnt shown much, his vision has been pretty bad he's been indecisive and he doesn't offer much as a receiver, going forward I'd much rather see Howard and Scott continue to get carries rather see Howard and s itt pick up 3 yards at a time than watch Sanders lose a yard or go for no gain hoping that he might break one, thats not sustainable.

 

4 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

He;s a good runner, better then average is bad word use. 

But I dont think he's the 2nd best runner, and you could argue he's not top 5. 

I think thats why they didnt give the ball to Miles Sanders as much.

Seems like NS would rather have the 2-3 yards on "bad runs" with a hopes of getting a 10 yarder here and there while Sanders is a -4, -3, -5 and then a 40 yarder type guy

I actually think using Sanders in the 2nd half of games would be the ideal. Use Howard/Hurts to wear down the D in the first half, then start feeding Sanders in the 2nd to mix it up and let him have a better chance of hitting a home run. 

47 minutes ago, E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles said:

It's not worth arguing about either way.  It was close to a turnover whether it was a great play by Surtain or an almost pick by Hurts.  Splitting hairs.

Not sure.  Hurts has done a good job protecting the ball this year.  Maybe too good.  Taking too long to throw and verifying the receiver is open.  I wonder if they have been working towards trusting the WR.  It is why I suggested giving some Reagor snaps to Ward.  Say what you will about Ward’s limitations (I agree on most but he does run good routes and has reliable hands), but both Wentz and Hurts seemed to trust him.  Well, now we have a better route runner, with possibly even better hands that is faster and high points better.  I wonder if they are getting to the point where they are telling Hurts to throw in tighter coverage and trust Smith. I also think that was a spot route and Surtain’s shove of Smith threw off the timing a tad.  Frankly, Smith had a better chance of catching that ball than Surtain. It clearly is going off of Surtain’s hands and Smith had two shots at it.  Surtain was the 9th pick of the draft for a reason. He is an excellent CB.

6 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

He;s a good runner, better then average is bad word use. 

But I dont think he's the 2nd best runner, and you could argue he's not top 5. 

I think thats why they didnt give the ball to Miles Sanders as much.

Seems like NS would rather have the 2-3 yards on "bad runs" with a hopes of getting a 10 yarder here and there while Sanders is a -4, -3, -5 and then a 40 yarder type guy

I think you need both. I'm not a fan of relying on a single RB for your run game. Both Howard and Sanders bring something different to the table. Would I commit to either of them long term? No, but they compliment each other well.

7 minutes ago, Bacarty2 said:

He;s a good runner, better then average is bad word use. 

But I dont think he's the 2nd best runner, and you could argue he's not top 5. 

I think thats why they didnt give the ball to Miles Sanders as much.

Seems like NS would rather have the 2-3 yards on "bad runs" with a hopes of getting a 10 yarder here and there while Sanders is a -4, -3, -5 and then a 40 yarder type guy

 

 

How can you argue he isn't top 5 in the NFL right now when it comes to a QBs rushing ability?  He is in pace for what would be the 6th best rushing season in league history for a QB. 

I finally found this, interesting that this didn't get a lot of play in the Philly media, and credit Howie for not blaming Pederson:

"Doug Pederson convinced them they needed the speed on the field of Jalen Reagor.”

Hindsight is 20/20, but the player Roseman and the front office coveted went after with the 22nd pick. Eagles fans, local and national media alike look back at the decision made on April 23, 2020, and scratch their collective heads. And all of that confusion occurred before the player the Eagles passed on, LSU’s Justin Jefferson, became an All-Pro as a rookie.

Allbright said heads have to roll when there is such a difference of opinion between the two parties. The way the season played out didn’t help Doug Pederson’s case.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/after-firing-doug-pederson-whats-next-for-the-eagles/

For a guy who complained about interference, Pederson got his way on a key decision - the last vestige of the Superbowl hangover.

And it may explain why Howie targeted Smith, he was going for the polished WR that Pederson had convinced him to pass over the season before.

Pederson certainly liked the move:

"Any receiver that has this kind of skill set, much like DeSean [Jackson], with the speed he has — you find ways to put the ball in their hands,” Pederson explained.

Roseman then spoke about how they were also looking for complimenting skill sets with the other wide receivers they already have on roster. Plus, he noted that Carson Wentz likes to throw the deep pass and likes having a vertical threat, and explained that they use RIFD data to evaluate how Reagor runs in-game, and it’s fast.

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2020/4/24/21233939/philadelphia-eagles-howie-roseman-doug-pederson-2020-nfl-draft-jalen-reagor-reaction-explanation

There was a revealing moment in Howie Roseman's presser Wednesday when he was asked about siding with his coaches over his scouts to make the Jalen Reagor and Jalen Hurts picks, and he answered the question matter-of-factly, without denying that that's exactly what happened.

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/nfl-draft-2021-eagles-howie-roseman-has-revealing-press-conference-moment

 

This is the SB hangover effect, Pederson and Schwartz got more pull within the organization (same with Reid toward the end of his run here) because they were "certified geniuses." If Howie overrides his top coaches on a regular basis - time to fire the coaches (that is, the coaches aren't listening to the personnel guys and trying to end run around them).

Howie's problem isn't that he thinks he's a personnel maven, the opposite, he's probably too deferral to his coaches at times, with Stoutland that made sense, he's a hands on coach who knows what works. Sirianni and Gannon have been position coaches, scouts and are just growing into their next jobs - so they should have a better feel for prospects - and lack the ring that lets them override scouts.