Note to Howie: 

Continue to draft good players from the best college teams.

Stay humble Jalen.  This is why he rubs some the wrong way.  Sure, he has the work ethic and good teammate thing down to a T but this REEKS of Cam Newton.

 

1 hour ago, DeathByEagle said:

It that is true then shame on Hurts. If he reads his progressions it shouldt matter who he throws to. Pick the guy who will be open. It does not matter whos name is on the back of the jersey. 

You are right on.  Follow the process and you will be fine.

8 hours ago, Alphagrand said:

Doesn’t bother me at all.  I didn’t see the game but 6/6 for 80 yards and a TD pass is what every team should hope for from their starting QB in a preseason game.  I was at first encouraged that he didn’t have any runs on his stat line, but he had a TD run negated by penalty and another run he got drilled on for a penalty, so I’m not quite as encouraged with 2 runs against 6 passes.  A huge part of his development will be to eliminate the excessive running and to win with his arm, while augmenting with his legs.

We’ll see if he can get there.

 As you can see, he’s a full 10 yards behind the line before he leaves a clean pocket, then gets trucked out of bounds.  If no one was open then he has to throw the ball away. 
 

btw, Lance looked pretty good last night. 
 

 

19 hours ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

 

I think my favorite part of last night is watching the top 3 rookies play. Davis looks like a grown man playing with kids and Jurgens moves like he's 60 pounds light. Dean playing behind Davis looked like a natural fit for the two. 

Jalen did well, but I worry that he didn't show anything new. We know he can run and escape the pocket. I am hoping to see him work on climbing the pocket instead. Only an observation, not a complaint.  If what he did could be sustained, cool. Just don't see him lasting long.

It was two different offenses ran with Hurts and Minshew and that reflects on the coach. Minshew had a few throws he could of placed better, but the ball was moved. Definitely like him remaining on the roster for this year. 

Watkins played well other than that high ball from Minshew. Should of been placed better, but should of caught it. I am liking him as a #3. 

The defense in general is exciting and what I turned in to watch. White looks great. Can't wait to see what happens with them once the season starts. We may be seeing shorter fields.

 

Mailata on the Guardian Caps.  Don't worry, you only have to wear it for one more week then concussion prevention is over.

 

In "duh" news today

 

 

The blogs first love from last year and the start of this offseason. 

 

 

 

 

Loved watching Jurgens last night. He's starting next year. Unlike previous years, the Eagles won't be begging Kelce to come back. It's obviously Kelce's job for however long he wants it, but the replacement is here.

That said, I just didn't see the power needed for guard. Could he do it for half a game if 2 guards go down in a game? Sure. But you really don't want that. 

9 hours ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

Some random thoughts about the game for people who didn't get to watch it.

QB -- This might bother some, and I'm sure it'll thrill some, but basically Jalen Hurts was excellent. He completed every pass he threw and appeared poised and confident. The only criticism I would have was his decision to try to run for the first down on third and five. He was never going to get there, and he came up short as he went out of bounds. Fortunately for the Eagles (not for Hurts), he was drilled with a late hit and the drive was extended. He later ran for a touchdown but it was called back because of a hold. And he threw a touchdown pass on the next play. Gardner Minshew was inconsistent. He didn't outright suck but he didn't really look all that good either. Reid Sinnett kinda crapped the bed, though he did lead the team to a go-ahead drive in the closing minutes. Carson Strong didn't play. He'll probably get a lot of action in one of the two remaining games. Based on tonight, I'm not keeping Sinnett on my 53.

The criticism for that play is that he appeared to make up his mind that he was going to run for that first down pre-snap.  He left a perfectly good pocket very early on that play.  Did he even look down field?  Just more of what he did a lot last year.  I was hoping to see that not happen.  Yes, he completed his passes.  That's the good.  He still showed extremely limited pocket awareness and a propensity to flush himself out of the pocket much more than was necessary.  That's the bad.   That will work against the bad teams.  But against the good teams... I still don't see it as a long term answer.

There's 2 more PS games.  Hopefully, he'll play in at least one of them, and he'll show some growth in the pocket in that game before the games count for real and the temptation to take on the superman role gets even greater.

9 hours ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Preseason is cool and all but Phillies playing in a playoff like atmosphere and beating the Mets, scherzer without harper and schwarber is peak sports ecstasy 

 

Yeah... too bad it was only on Apple+.

12 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

 

What's sensitive about this content?  I think Jurgens gained a whole new fan base last night.  He was just so impressive.

Also, for some reason, I love 51 on him.  51 is always William Thomas in my eyes but as of late 51 has always been a number they someone on a 1-year deal or a guy like Joe Mays.  Hopefully Jurgens locks center down for the next decade.

1 hour ago, DEagle7 said:

This was nice to see. We already knew Dean is instinctual as hell but size was obviously the question. Also clearly shows the havoc Davis can cause up front. Every gap is affected by his presence 

Dean also knows how to play behind Davis.  

17 minutes ago, RememberTheKoy said:

The blogs first love from last year and the start of this offseason. 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes things are better left unsaid. More often in your case with your Hurts propaganda.

1 hour ago, The Blackfish said:

 As you can see, he’s a full 10 yards behind the line before he leaves a clean pocket, then gets trucked out of bounds.  If no one was open then he has to throw the ball away. 
 

btw, Lance looked pretty good last night. 
 

 

Thank you for posting this video.   This is exactly what I was talking about.  He very much appeared to have made up his mind pre-snap that he was going to run for the first down on this play... just as he made up his mind pre-game to ignore Brown.   It makes zero sense.  But, then again, it makes perfect sense.  It would appear that he's just not really reading the field at all.  He's deciding before the snap what he's going to do on the play.

Watch this play very carefully... he hits the top of his drop... does a tiny little hop, and then immediately drops his eyes to find an escape route.  There's NO reason to leave the pocket.  He didn't even give the play a chance to develop or his receivers to work open for him.  This is horrible QB play, and sadly, it's just more of the same of what we saw last year.  This exact play demonstrates almost zero growth from last year regarding playing from the pocket.  And this was his greatest problem last year.  I want him to improve.  I'm just very wary that he can, when this is what he does against the Jets in a preseason game, rather than actually working on his craft.  And that he declares before the game that he's going to ignore his top WR.  Wouldn't 3rd and 5 deep in opposition territory be a great spot to work with your top WR to get into a rhythm for the season?  Especially since you've never actually played in a live situation with him before?  Especially since this might be the one and only chance you get to before the regular season starts?   Or... was Hurts reading the press about how he was targeting Brown so much, and so he decided to prove everyone wrong by pointedly ignoring him during the game.  

Makes no sense.

11 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

What's sensitive about this content?  I think Jurgens gained a whole new fan base last night.  He was just so impressive.

Also, for some reason, I love 51 on him.  51 is always William Thomas in my eyes but as of late 51 has always been a number they someone on a 1-year deal or a guy like Joe Mays.  Hopefully Jurgens locks center down for the next decade.

Baldy's stuff always shows up as sensitive fir some reason. Maybe something to do with NFL content. 

But yes Jurgens was clearly the star of the night (although the more plays I watch the more I notice Davis' impact even when he's not accumulating stats or getting credit, dude is a force multiplier). Those downfield blocks are not nearly as easy as he was making them look. Incredible start

10 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Dean also knows how to play behind Davis.  

He certainly makes things easier.

4 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Thank you for posting this video.   This is exactly what I was talking about.  He very much appeared to have made up his mind pre-snap that he was going to run for the first down on this play... just as he made up his mind pre-game to ignore Brown.   It makes zero sense.  But, then again, it makes perfect sense.  It would appear that he's just not really reading the field at all.  He's deciding before the snap what he's going to do on the play.

Watch this play very carefully... he hits the top of his drop... does a tiny little hop, and then immediately drops his eyes to find an escape route.  There's NO reason to leave the pocket.  He didn't even give the play a chance to develop or his receivers to work open for him.  This is horrible QB play, and sadly, it's just more of the same of what we saw last year.  This exactly play demonstrates almost zero growth from last year regarding playing from the pocket.  And this was his greatest problem last year.  I want him to improve.  I'm just very wary that he can, when this is what he does against the Jets in a preseason game, rather than actually working on his craft.  And that he declares before the game that he's going to ignore his top WR.  Wouldn't 3rd and 5 deep in opposition territory be a great spot to work with your top WR to get into a rhythm for the season?  Especially since you've never actually played in a live situation with him before?  Especially since this might be the one and only chance you get to before the regular season starts?   Or... was Hurts reading the press about how he was targeting Brown so much, and so he decided to prove everyone wrong by pointedly ignoring him during the game.  

Makes no sense.

Unless it's a designed QB draw.

2 minutes ago, austinfan said:

Unless it's a designed QB draw.

Seriously?   Watch the play again, and tell me you think that's a designed QB draw.  

7 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Dean also knows how to play behind Davis.  

So the LB played great last night and it sounds like they may have extra talent.  The challenge for the Eagles is going to be future cost/potential compared to current impact.

TJ Edwards is hands down their best LB right now.  He turned 26 yesterday and is here on a 1-year deal.

Kyzir White has played up to and maybe over expectations up to this point.  Also 26 on a 1-year deal.

Nakobe Dean looked solid last night.  He's on his rookie deal and is a young one at 21.

Davion Taylor is looking more and more settled going in to year 3.  He's starting caliber now.  He's 24 and I believe eligible for an extension.

Shaun Bradley's best role is a backup and ST player.  Have confidence if he has to start 1-2 games but he's a role player.  25 years old.

 

I think the Eagles would be smart to see what they can get for either Edwards or White before the season starts and extend the other.  Their value might never be higher and Dean, while he might not be as good, currently is looking very capable and offers more potential.  He's a player and will learn best from being on the field.  The Eagles are never going to overpay for a LB so there is a chance they just play out the season and both Edwards and White are gone as FA next year while the Eagles hope for a comp pick.

Either way, the LB play impressed me.   I was worried the TC hype was a bit much just because even the slightest improvement at LB could look good.  

 

3 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Seriously?   Watch the play again, and tell me you think that's a designed QB draw.  

No chance it was called.

Also, why would any coach call it in pre-season?

12 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

The criticism for that play is that he appeared to make up his mind that he was going to run for that first down pre-snap.  He left a perfectly good pocket very early on that play.  Did he even look down field?

This isn't what I saw. At the snap he looks left but doesn't like it. Then he moves to Reagor who should be wide open on the shallow cross, but he ran a crap route and couldn't create any separation from the corner. He then moves to Sanders, but once he released, he was running a route to the marker and wasn't available. 

Plus, Opeta was getting beat initially, but he made a fantastic recovery. So once Hurts can't throw to Sanders, he decides to take off. His mistake was not moving between Lane and Seumalo. That would have given him time and space. So not a great decision by Hurts not to step up and shuffle to his right away from the pressure, but the idea that he decided to run pre snap is ludicrous, especially since they ran almost the exact same play on Goedert's TD. 

The reason he got into trouble is because he kept his eyes downfield. Had he looked to run right away, he would have seen the huge hole between Lane and Seumalo. Ultimately, if Smith is on the field instead of Reagor, it's a big play on the crossing pattern. Brown and Goedert carried the defenders on the left side deep, and all Smith has to do is beat a lb to the edge. 

12 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Watch this play very carefully... he hits the top of his drop... does a tiny little hop, and then immediately drops his eyes to find an escape route.  There's NO reason to leave the pocket.  He didn't even give the play a chance to develop or his receivers to work open for him.  This is horrible QB play, and sadly, it's just more of the same of what we saw last year.  This exactly play demonstrates almost zero growth from last year regarding playing from the pocket.  And this was his greatest problem last year.  I want him to improve.  I'm just very wary that he can, when this is what he does against the Jets in a preseason game, rather than actually working on his craft.  And that he declares before the game that he's going to ignore his top WR.  Wouldn't 3rd and 5 deep in opposition territory be a great spot to work with your top WR to get into a rhythm for the season?  Especially since you've never actually played in a live situation with him before?  Especially since this might be the one and only chance you get to before the regular season starts?   Or... was Hurts reading the press about how he was targeting Brown so much, and so he decided to prove everyone wrong by pointedly ignoring him during the game.  

Makes no sense.

Hurts plays QB in real life the way kids play Madden.  Hell, I did it as a kid. 

70 rated QB with 55 speed but 90 play recognition and 85 accuracy 

or

65 rated QB with 88 speed 75 play recognition and 70 accuracy

9 out 10 take the lower rated QB and you try to throw on 1st and 2nd knowing that on 3rd down you're going to run the ball. 

 

17 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Thank you for posting this video.   This is exactly what I was talking about.  He very much appeared to have made up his mind pre-snap that he was going to run for the first down on this play... just as he made up his mind pre-game to ignore Brown.   It makes zero sense.  But, then again, it makes perfect sense.  It would appear that he's just not really reading the field at all.  He's deciding before the snap what he's going to do on the play.

Watch this play very carefully... he hits the top of his drop... does a tiny little hop, and then immediately drops his eyes to find an escape route.  There's NO reason to leave the pocket.  He didn't even give the play a chance to develop or his receivers to work open for him.  This is horrible QB play, and sadly, it's just more of the same of what we saw last year.  This exactly play demonstrates almost zero growth from last year regarding playing from the pocket.  And this was his greatest problem last year.  I want him to improve.  I'm just very wary that he can, when this is what he does against the Jets in a preseason game, rather than actually working on his craft.  And that he declares before the game that he's going to ignore his top WR.  Wouldn't 3rd and 5 deep in opposition territory be a great spot to work with your top WR to get into a rhythm for the season?  Especially since you've never actually played in a live situation with him before?  Especially since this might be the one and only chance you get to before the regular season starts?   Or... was Hurts reading the press about how he was targeting Brown so much, and so he decided to prove everyone wrong by pointedly ignoring him during the game.  

Makes no sense.

Agreed. I will say however, he dropped back for like 3+ seconds and no one was open. It would’ve peeved me even more seeing a wide open Watkins down the seam.

5 minutes ago, jsb235 said:

This isn't what I saw. At the snap he looks left but doesn't like it. Then he moves to Reagor who should be wide open on the shallow cross, but he ran a crap route and couldn't create any separation from the corner. He then moves to Sanders, but once he released, he was running a route to the marker and wasn't available. 

Plus, Opeta was getting beat initially, but he made a fantastic recovery. So once Hurts can't throw to Sanders, he decides to take off. His mistake was not moving between Lane and Seumalo. That would have given him time and space. So not a great decision by Hurts not to step up and shuffle to his right away from the pressure, but the idea that he decided to run pre snap is ludicrous, especially since they ran almost the exact same play on Goedert's TD. 

The reason he got into trouble is because he kept his eyes downfield. Had he looked to run right away, he would have seen the huge hole between Lane and Seumalo. Ultimately, if Smith is on the field instead of Reagor, it's a big play on the crossing pattern. Brown and Goedert carried the defenders on the left side deep, and all Smith has to do is beat a lb to the edge. 

Let's say what you are saying is accurate... then its still a problem, because the right move is almost always to climb the pocket, because the OTs are going to run their ends around the outside, so escaping out the back of the pocket is the long way to go.  Step up...strafe the LOS and look for someone to break free.   Before he takes a step to escape the pocket, he's already looking at the LDE... and still chooses to run BACKWARDS.  He's done that since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and he used to be a better athlete than everyone else on the field and could get away with that.  That's not the case anymore.  He needs to learn to do things the NFL way... and he's not.