How Hurts changed Sirianni’s outlook on QB position

 

We spend so much time talking about what Jalen Hurts can’t do that sometimes we forget about what he can do.

That’s not lost on Nick Sirianni.

The Eagles’ second-year head coach spent the 2021 season coaching Hurts and that experience has altered the way he thinks about the quarterback position. Sirianni previously put in order the necessary qualities for a successful quarterback:

1. Accuracy
2. Decision making
3. Ability to create
4. Arm strength

But based on coaching Hurts in 2021, Sirianni thinks that ability to create might be just as important as decision making … at least for Hurts.

"He has qualities that, I think, first of all, you saw the abilities to create,” Sirianni said in June. "If I’m ranking what’s important for a quarterback, it’s always going to be accuracy as No. 1. And then No. 2, I went back and forth on whether I thought that would be decision making or ability to create. And the reason I went back and forth with that was because of the dynamic playmaking ability Jalen has.

"Sometimes you don’t know what you have until you got it. You don’t know what’s important until you got it, right? And so, it’s like, ‘Wow, how many we made because of his athleticism.’ So whether it’s 2A or 2B with the decision-making. You saw that last year – how much ability he had to create plays for the offense when something wasn’t there. And so, you saw that last year, a very important part with the ability of making plays for the quarterback and to be the guy.”

That’s not to say that decision making isn’t important. It is absolutely important. And so is accuracy and arm strength. Those are the things every quarterback needs to have. But what became apparent in 2021 was that Hurts’ ability to create as a playmaker matters too. And it’s what makes him special.

Of course, Hurts needs to get better in other areas. He needs to improve as a passer if he ever wants to be considered the long-term franchise quarterback and one of the top QBs in the NFL. He completed 61.3% of his passes in 2021 and even if that metric isn’t the be-all and end-all, it still needs to get better along with a list of other categories in the pass game. Everyone knows that.

But if he can develop in those areas, he’ll add that to his special playmaking ability.

Sure, any quarterback’s prowess as a passer matters more, but that rushing ability matters too.

In addition to throwing for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, Hurts also ran for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hurts was able to pick up big yards without taking a beating. Hurts actually led the NFL in rushing yards before contact last season, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. The next closest players were Josh Allen (3.9) and Lamar Jackson (3.6).

Hurts also rushed for 57 first downs, tied for 8th in the NFL and second among quarterbacks. Those are big plays that extend drives.

And Hurts’ legs aren’t just used when he takes off running. He has the skill of extending plays to buy time for his receivers to get open. There’s a fine line of knowing when a play is dead but whenever a QB can extend plays, it can really help an offense.

Sirianni also learned how to better coach Hurts in 2021. Typically, Sirianni said, he goes easy on quarterbacks. But he learned that tough coaching seems to get through to Hurts — probably a product of Hurts’ growing up with a coach as a father. In any case, the two forged a tight bond last year.

Sirianni is expecting bigger and better things from Hurts in 2022. The Eagles had the NFL’s 25th-ranked passing attack last season and that’s not good enough. But there are reasons Sirianni expects it to improve. A big one is the expected growth from Hurts.

Despite a report about one poor day of practice from Hurts this spring, Sirianni seemed impressed by what he saw from Hurts during the Eagles’ abbreviated OTAs. For what it’s worth, Hurts performed well in the two OTA practices open to reporters.

"I’m not BS-ing you guys,” Sirianni said in June. "I’ve been really impressed with the ability to process the plays that we’re going through, and to get it out on time. He’s making good, accurate decisions, and he’s doing them on time.”

Of course, Sirianni allowed that the Eagles were running 7-on-7 drills in OTAs without real pressure, a setup that lends itself to quarterback success. But he thought Hurts’ processing speed had really improved and he said he saw improved fundamentals from his young quarterback too.

"So, it’s just gotta continue on the uprise, or else it’s just talk, right?” Sirianni said. "We just have to continue that little bit of get better every day, and I think we’ve seen that with Jalen. He’s gotten better throughout his entire career.”

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/eagles-jalen-hurts-changed-nick-siriannis-view-qb-position

At least he didn't fool himself into thinking accuracy was anything other than #1. I'll be watching Hurts' accuracy most.

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Of course, Hurts needs to get better in other areas. He needs to improve as a passer if he ever wants to be considered the long-term franchise quarterback and one of the top QBs in the NFL. He completed 61.3% of his passes in 2021 and even if that metric isn’t the be-all and end-all, it still needs to get better along with a list of other categories in the pass game. Everyone knows that.

Yes, we do.  That entire paragraph is spot on.

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But if he can develop in those areas, he’ll add that to his special playmaking ability.

Some of us are just hopeful that he CAN develop enough (by "enough" I don't mean marginal improvement) to be a much more effective passer to add to his playmaking ability (his ability to create).  Big if, I know ... but certainly not impossible.  IMO he needs to show that this upcoming season ... if he doesn't - if he regresses (doubtful but possible) or shows only slight improvement - then we need to address QB next April and start the evaluation process over with someone new.  

Adjusting his list because what hurts does well is create but not so great at decision making. And that's not to say his decision making is bad either. He doesn't turn the ball over a lot so his decision making isn't terrible. But does he always make the right throw? No I don't think he does. I know no QB makes the right throw every time but I think Hurts is about average in that area. 

Marginal improvement with these weapons and O-line is NOT enough.. this is basically a contract year and with QB salaries going through the roof for marginal doesn't cut it. 

No way do I want us to get trapped into a Kyler Murray situation where wee severely overpay for a marginal QB

Wait, I was told Minshew is god. He is the answer. "Trade Hurts."

Others think gimp Strong is the answer.

No matter who is the starter in Philly, there will be those calling for the backup.

#JalenIsBetterThanMinsheworStrong

I’m glad that Jalen freaking Hurts is making our HC reorganize his priorities at the qb position.  This should end well.

We're screwed. He's average to below average on all four. 

On 7/23/2022 at 5:45 PM, eagle45 said:

I’m glad that Jalen freaking Hurts is making our HC reorganize his priorities at the qb position.  This should end well.

It is a bit disconcerting that our HC is revamping his views on the QB position after just one season with Jalen.

But maybe we should look on the bright side— maybe Jalen is just that good!

I wonder what percentage of Hurts' "ability to create" is a direct result of poor decision making?  If he can't process the play/read the defense and go to the proper read  therefore holding the ball too long, he ends up having to create.  And last year he sometimes fled the pocket when it wasn't necessary...which again falls under decision-making. 

Accuracy is easier to improve than decision making, seeing the field, anticipating the defense and the WR. Hey, maybe we get a 3rd and a 5th for him.

1 hour ago, matchew88 said:

Accuracy is easier to improve than decision making, seeing the field, anticipating the defense and the WR. Hey, maybe we get a 3rd and a 5th for him.

I believe the opposite to be true. Repetition teaches what to see and where to go with the ball. Consistently hitting a WR in stride on every route (unfettered and adjusted routes) is something you have or you don't.  

6 hours ago, PoconoDon said:

I believe the opposite to be true. Repetition teaches what to see and where to go with the ball. Consistently hitting a WR in stride on every route (unfettered and adjusted routes) is something you have or you don't.  

Accuracy is the repetition of tightening up the area around a target. Meanwhile, there will always be novel situations presented to a QB that can't be repeated away.

Not a very good first day for Hurts

17 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

I wonder what percentage of Hurts' "ability to create" is a direct result of poor decision making?  If he can't process the play/read the defense and go to the proper read  therefore holding the ball too long, he ends up having to create.  And last year he sometimes fled the pocket when it wasn't necessary...which again falls under decision-making. 

Good analysis.  First he has to recognize, then process, then quickly read thru progressions and make an accurate throw.  Hurts had a bad first day of practice.  Let's see how he does going forward, but working hard and being in great shape only gets you to the starting line.  In and of itself that means nothing if you can't do it on the field.  We'll see. Maybe he can

6 hours ago, weko said:

Not a very good first day for Hurts

12/15, 4 TDs, 1 INT ... how is that not a good day?

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

12/15, 4 TDs, 1 INT ... how is that not a good day?

Forget the soft stats.  He missed a wide open receiver in the end zone so badly it was picked off.  He had a wide open receiver in the end zone, saw him and couldn't throw it.  What's that about?  And he bobbled the ball in the air at the line right into the DL's hands and Lane knocked it out so it wasn't picked off.  You wouldn't want your top QB to do either of those 3 one time the entire season and Hurts did all 3 the first soft practice.  He has to recognize the play, process the information QUICKLY and make a good strong throw.  That's what good NFL QBs do.  College QBs can't.  It's year 3 and I give him absolutely no slack at all with his dismal performance last year reading the D pre snap, reading thru ALL his progressions when necessary and seeing the ENTIRE field and making a strong ACCURATE throw.  Yes he's a great guy with excellent character who works hard and who all the guys like.  But that doesn't mean crap if he can't perform in the passing game.  It's just day 1 but I'm already sick of the PR crap on how good a guy he is and how hard he works.  He has to see the field, read progressions, make the right decision and deliver a strong accurate throw.  That's all that matters.  I went to the Tampa playoff game and it was dismal.  No slack at all for him this year with me.

8 hours ago, weko said:

Forget the soft stats.  He missed a wide open receiver in the end zone so badly it was picked off.  He had a wide open receiver in the end zone, saw him and couldn't throw it.  What's that about?  And he bobbled the ball in the air at the line right into the DL's hands and Lane knocked it out so it wasn't picked off.  You wouldn't want your top QB to do either of those 3 one time the entire season and Hurts did all 3 the first soft practice.  He has to recognize the play, process the information QUICKLY and make a good strong throw.  That's what good NFL QBs do.  College QBs can't.  It's year 3 and I give him absolutely no slack at all with his dismal performance last year reading the D pre snap, reading thru ALL his progressions when necessary and seeing the ENTIRE field and making a strong ACCURATE throw.  Yes he's a great guy with excellent character who works hard and who all the guys like.  But that doesn't mean crap if he can't perform in the passing game.  It's just day 1 but I'm already sick of the PR crap on how good a guy he is and how hard he works.  He has to see the field, read progressions, make the right decision and deliver a strong accurate throw.  That's all that matters.  I went to the Tampa playoff game and it was dismal.  No slack at all for him this year with me.

You wanted him to throw 15/15 with 6 touchdowns in a RZ practice to not have a bad day? 
By comparison, he went 5/14 last year in a similar setting.

Relax and enjoy this process. He just needs to keep getting better and keep winning.