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Young Guns

Posted: November 20th, 2021 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

The Eagles are the top running team in the NFC. Generally that means the team has a stud running back like Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb. The Eagles have a slightly different formula.

Jordan Howard and Boston Scott have been a terrific duo for the past month. Neither will be mistaken for a stud RB or anything special. The Eagles have a dominant O-line and a good running QB in Jalen Hurts. Combine that with Howard and Scott and you’ve got a red hot run game.

And it could get even better on Sunday.

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It will be interesting to see how the return of Sanders affects the offense. Nick Sirianni has made it clear that Sanders is the starting RB. What we don’t know is what his return means for the rotation.

Howard has been  the workhorse in recent weeks. Does Sanders simply take that role and then Howard is the backup? Does Sirianni want to keep Howard and Scott involved and mixes in Sanders with them?

The return of Sanders could make the run game even better because of his big play ability. Howard and Scott can give you 10 to 15 yard runs. Sanders can give you 50-yard runs. He is a big play RB.

There is a potential downside. Howard and Scott are downhill runners, which works really well with the OL. Those guys look for a hole and then hit it. Sanders will sometimes outsmart himself. He will have room to run and instead of attacking will try to find more space, hoping for a big play. When Sanders is at his best, he runs downhill decisively. If there is some space, that’s when the big plays come.

If the coaches can get the most out of this group (and Kenny Gainwell), the offense could be really good. Of course, that will be tough to do against the Saints and their #1 run defense.

I hope the coaches keep feeding Howard. I think his physical run style has added some juice to the offense and they seem to play with some attitude. Watching a RB drag tacklers down the field or push the pile tends to fire up blockers. Howard has been that guy since coming back.

*****

The Eagles locked up a couple of young players.

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https://twitter.com/JeffSkversky/status/1462096402012639232

Good news.

Goedert is a talented TE and has good chemistry with Hurts. That’s a guy you want to keep around. Goedert is a good blocker and receiver. Most TEs do one or the other, but it is tough to find someone who excels in both areas. The price seems fair for a player with his production and potential. Goedert can flourish now that he is the key TE.

Maddox has played FS, CB and NB in his time with the Eagles. He is having a good year and seems at home in the slot. The previous staff moved him around too much and I think that slowed his progress. Maddox is ideally suited for playing in the slot. The team has 237 other young corners to play outside so there is no need to move Maddox out there.

It is funny that Goedert and Maddox are roommates and get extensions a day apart. I hope they celebrated by buying a large bag of Funyuns and a case of PBR. They can afford the good stuff now.

*****

I am happy to see how much the team has embraced young players.

The days of stringing out the careers of Jason Peters and Darren Sproles…ugh. I don’t miss that. Bringing back DeSean Jackson and Vinny Curry. Giving more money to Alshon Jeffery. Andrew Sendejo? I am glad those days are over.

I know they added Ryan Kerrigan and some other vets this year, but they already cut Eric Wilson and this staff clearly is comfortable with developing and playing young players.

http://igglesblitz.com/2021/11/young-guns-2/

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