The Ground Game

[time2rock]

The Ground Game

Posted: July 21st, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

The Eagles led the NFL in rushing yards in 2021 despite not having a star runner. There was no Wilbert Montgomery, Brian Westbrook or Shady McCoy to pile up 100-yard games and make highlight plays.

So how did the Eagles do it?

• Great OL
• Running QB
• Group of talented runners
• Great play design by Jeff Stoutland

There is also the simple fact that the Eagles committed to the run. This wasn’t an attempt to get back to the old days. It just so happened to be the best way for the Eagles to move the ball and score points.

Check out this video to get an idea how creative and effective the run game was.

CLICK ON LINK TO ARTICLE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO

Most of the pieces are back so the Eagles should be a very good running team this year as well.

One of the stars of the video is RB Jordan Howard, who is currently unsigned. The Eagles could add him in the lead up to the season. For now, the Eagles are going to focus on their returning RBs and UDFA Kennedy Brooks.

Miles Sanders played in 12 games last year. He ran for 754 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Amazingly, he didn’t score a TD. Sanders is a gifted player who can deliver big plays. He also is highly frustrating. Sanders can fall in love with the big play and leave yards on the field. Instead of hitting the hole that is right there he will look for the home run and gain minimal yards. He also has some mental lapses. Still, he is a weapon when he’s got the ball in his hands. Sanders has good speed and legit big play ability.

Boston Scott was the #3 RB last year. He has a shot to be the top backup this season. Scott is compact at 5-6, 203. He’s coming off a good season, where he set career highs in carries and TDs. Scott averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He didn’t have a carry until late October, then Scott came alive and helped the Eagles get hot and finish with a winning record. Scott will never be a feature back but he has developed into a solid role player. He runs hard, can break tackles and has some wiggle. He is an effective receiver and has experience as a returner.

Kenny Gainwell had a good rookie season, running for 291 yards and catching 33 passes. I think he’s just scratching the surface of how good he can be. Gainwell looked like a natural receiver. He was a better inside runner than I anticipated. Gainwell is only 5-9, 201 so he’s never going to be mistaken for Earl Campbell, but he does run hard and doesn’t go down on first contact.

It certainly is possible Gainwell could be the primary backup this season. He will battle Scott this summer.

Jason Huntley is in his third season with the Eagles. He’s got 19 offensive touches in his career so it is hard to say much about him. He hasn’t shown enough in practice for the coaches to get him into games. Huntley lacks ideal size at 5-9, 193. He’s more of a specialty player (returner/receiver).

Let’s talk about Kennedy Brooks, the UDFA. Here is what I wrote back in May.

Ran for 1,000 or more yards each of his last three seasons. Averaged 7.0 yards per carry and had 31 TDs. Went undrafted because he’s not special athletically and also isn’t special in terms of size or skill. Just a good RB. Those guys tend to go undrafted, but they can still carve out an NFL career. Brooks is an interesting runner. He doesn’t make hard lateral cuts. He goes slow, reads blocks and then fires upfield. Brooks runs behind his pads and goes through contact. He breaks a lot of tackles. Brooks doesn’t have breakaway speed. He ran 4.59 at the Combine and that’s what you see on the field. He needs work as a receiver and a blocker.

Brooks is a good fit for the Eagles running scheme. He can take advantage of good blocking and get up to the second level. It will be interesting to see if he can deliver big plays in the NFL. The lack of speed wasn’t as big a deal in the Big 12. Brooks also isn’t meant to be an NFL workhorse. His best shot is being part of RB by committee.

Brooks was 209 pounds at his Pro Day. That’s okay size, but not big. He isn’t a battering ram like Jordan Howard was, but Brooks is physical and does regularly break tackles.

The thing I loved most about watching Jordan Howard is what a North-South runner he was. No dancing. No hesitation. He hit the hole and fought his way through/past anyone in his way.

Brooks will be interesting to watch. The Eagles could use his skill set. He has NFL talent and he’ll have a legit opportunity to make the roster. Beyond just making the team, Brooks could challenge for playing time. That will all be up to him and how well he plays this summer. There should be plenty of practice reps for the RBs to show what they can do.

Hopefully the Eagles will not lead the NFL in rushing this year. We want to see the passing game open up and become a bigger part of the offense. Running the ball can win you games. Throwing the ball can win you titles.

*****

Here is a good piece on Jalen Hurts and expectations by some crusty old sportswriter…I mean the venerable Les Bowen.

Thankfully he’s better at writing than he is retiring.

http://igglesblitz.com/2022/07/the-ground-game/

[Rob331]

I think th estring is palyed out for Huntley. No room at RB and kick returners have completely been deemphasized. Brooks is a likely practice squad member unles the Eagles pick up a better option form other teams cuts. 

Zach Charbonnet RB UCLA in the 2nd round next April. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I think Howard is going to be missed this year. We don't have a RB with the size who can just get those hard important yards. 

[time2rock]

Quote

Hopefully the Eagles will not lead the NFL in rushing this year. We want to see the passing game open up and become a bigger part of the offense. Running the ball can win you games. Throwing the ball can win you titles.

I am in complete agreement with this.  I've been on record all offseason saying I really hope Sirianni does not ditch whatever offense he really wants to install and go run heavy just to cover up the deficiencies of the QB (like he did last year).  As we saw January 16, 2022, that gets you no where.  In order to have any chance at postseason success (when going up against the better teams), we need to be able to pass the ball effectively.  I'd much rather we force Hurts to try to work through whatever issues he is experiencing (even if he ultimately fails at it) than shift gears to a run heavy approach, even if it means ending the season 5-12 and missing the playoffs vs backing into the postseason with a 9-8 record and getting smoked.  If we continue to put pressure on him to make improvements in his passing game and he fails, then you grab another QB in 2023 and restart the evaluation process.  

[brkmsn]

11 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I think Howard is going to be missed this year. We don't have a RB with the size who can just get those hard important yards. 

As long as the Eagles are willing to "run with Hurts," we really don't need to use a roster spot on a "big back." He can do the short yardage runs. If you are looking for a "wear a defense down" type of guy than he needs to get 20+ carries a game. So you're basically looking for Sanders' replacement. 

7 hours ago, time2rock said:

I am in complete agreement with this.  I've been on record all offseason saying I really hope Sirianni does not ditch whatever offense he really wants to install and go run heavy just to cover up the deficiencies of the QB (like he did last year).  As we saw January 16, 2022, that gets you no where.  In order to have any chance at postseason success (when going up against the better teams), we need to be able to pass the ball effectively.  I'd much rather we force Hurts to try to work through whatever issues he is experiencing (and fail at it) than shift gears to a run heavy approach, even if it means ending the season 5-12 and missing the playoffs vs backing into the postseason with a 9-8 record and getting smoked.  If we continue to put pressure on him to make improvements in his passing game and he fails, then you grab another QB in 2023 and restart the evaluation process.  

In 2017, we were 3rd in rushing yards/game (13th in passing yards/game) and led the NFL in Time of Possession. We had 473 rushing attempts and 564 passing attempts. We ran about 46% of the time. Last year, we ran almost 53% of the time. I don't expect that number to continue. In theory, if we improve in passing and are more efficient there, teams won't be able to bring guys up to stop the run. That should make our running game more efficient. So we can easily still lead the NFL in rushing without it being a negative thing. Effective use of play action should make the passing game more efficient if we strive for balance. 

Ideally, we want to be able to move the ball consistently through the air and on the ground. Then if we can get leads early like the Denver game last year, we can use our strength running the ball to close games. I really expect our defense to be much better this year. Without getting many sacks or creating many turnovers last year, we needed to be run heavy to keep our defense off the field as much as possible. People rarely bring this up (not even this article acknowledges how the changes on offense helped the defense last season). 

[Procus]

In 2017, the Eagles had not one, but two bruisers in the backfield rotation.  LaGarrette Blount was a beast, but adding Jay Ajayi midseason took the running game to a whole new level.

Anyone else notice how much more effective the Eagles entire team has been when Jordan Howard has been healthy?

[time2rock]

16 minutes ago, Procus said:

In 2017, the Eagles had not one, but two bruisers in the backfield rotation.  LaGarrette Blount was a beast, but adding Jay Ajayi midseason took the running game to a whole new level.

Anyone else notice how much more effective the Eagles entire team has been when Jordan Howard has been healthy?

Yep.  You don't need a 60:40 run-to-pass ratio to have an effective ground game.  You just need for it to work consistently.  And obviously being able to couple it with an effective passing attack is optimal.  Hopefully we can get there this year.  **fingers crossed**

[eagle45]

17 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I think Howard is going to be missed this year. We don't have a RB with the size who can just get those hard important yards. 

Jalen Hurts…

[eagle45]

6 hours ago, brkmsn said:

As long as the Eagles are willing to "run with Hurts," we really don't need to use a roster spot on a "big back." He can do the short yardage runs. If you are looking for a "wear a defense down" type of guy than he needs to get 20+ carries a game. So you're basically looking for Sanders' replacement. 

 

I think the model for using your qb as your big back for tough yards is really going to catch on in the nfl as the way to win titles.

[brkmsn]

8 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I think the model for using your qb as your big back for tough yards is really going to catch on in the nfl as the way to win titles.

A lot of teams don't even use a "big back" these days. But when your QB runs 10 times a game regardless, and can squat more than most offensive linemen, he can handle the tough, short yardage carries.

In the old days, nobody would have said, "ignore the defensive side of the ball and pass 70% of the time and you can win a championship." But once somebody did it, they proved it can work. 

Then there's always this little reminder that passing isn't always the best idea:

• 1st & Goal at NE 5

  (1:06 - 4th) M.Lynch left tackle to NE 1 for 4 yards (D.Hightower).

• 2nd & Goal at NE 1

  (0:26 - 4th) (Shotgun) R.Wilson pass short right intended for R.Lockette INTERCEPTED by M.Butler at NE -1. M.Butler to NE 2 for 3 yards (R.Lockette). PENALTY on NE, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 1 yard, enforced at NE 2.

•  

  (0:20 - 4th) Timeout #2 by NE at 00:20.

•  

• 1st & 10 at NE 1

  (0:20 - 4th) PENALTY on SEA-M.Bennett, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at NE 1 - No Play.

• 1st & 5 at NE 6

  (0:20 - 4th) T.Brady kneels to NE 5 for -1 yards. PENALTY on SEA-B.Irvin, Disqualification, 15 yards, enforced at NE 5.

•  

  (0:18 - 4th) Timeout #3 by SEA at 00:18.

• 1st & 10 at NE 20

  (0:18 - 4th) T.Brady kneels to NE 18 for -2 yards.

• END GAME

[Procus]

54 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I think the model for using your qb as your big back for tough yards is really going to catch on in the nfl as the way to win titles.

I'm still waiting for the first title with that model

[PoconoDon]

On 7/24/2022 at 8:44 PM, eagle45 said:

I think the model for using your qb as your big back for tough yards is really going to catch on in the nfl as the way to win titles.

Yet the pocket passer has ruled the day since the forward pass was made legal. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

On 7/24/2022 at 7:38 PM, brkmsn said:

As long as the Eagles are willing to "run with Hurts," we really don't need to use a roster spot on a "big back." He can do the short yardage runs. If you are looking for a "wear a defense down" type of guy than he needs to get 20+ carries a game. So you're basically looking for Sanders' replacement. 

I still think you need that bigger back who can help control games and run down the clock in certain situations. 

[brkmsn]

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I still think you need that bigger back who can help control games and run down the clock in certain situations. 

So ... if we were to find that guy, who loses his roster spot so we can keep him? If this person can beat out one of current HBs for a job, then he'd better be able to catch and block as well. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

7 hours ago, brkmsn said:

So ... if we were to find that guy, who loses his roster spot so we can keep him? If this person can beat out one of current HBs for a job, then he'd better be able to catch and block as well. 

I mean I'd have that kind of guy over say Scott. I'd have him other a depth CB or WR. Go with 4 RBs. Howard added real value last year. 

[brkmsn]

So you would choose Howard over Scott? 

 

I don't think I would. I like what a healthy Howard adds as a runner, but he hasn't been a healthy player all that much. Dependability needs to be a consideration for the backup HBs. If your starter gets dinged a lot and your backup is often a game time decision because of a recurring health problem, then you have to have one more HB on the active roster than you would normally carry. Scott is a proven, dependable backup that produces whenever he has had to fill in. He has also proven to not be a liability catching the football. 

[rrfierce]

I've always liked Howard and do think he is/was important to our run game. But he's also injured a lot, like sanders. Scott is a great backup and i'm interested to see what gainwell can do this year.

Brooks is obviously untried and huntley the same.

Its a tricky situation, with a lot of variables. Would be nice to have a solid, reliable RB, but i guess they are pretty hard to find.