NFL OC highlights 1 big area Hurts still needs to fix

[time2rock]

NFL OC highlights 1 big area Hurts still needs to fix

 

Jalen Hurts made some strides last year in his first full season as a starting quarterback, but he finished the 2021 season with plenty of question marks still intact - which is why 2022 is going to be such a gigantic year for the soon-to-be-24-year-old.

We know the guy is patient in the pocket, we know he can extend plays with his legs, and we know he excels against the blitz.

But can he routinely make third down throws?

That's the question one current NFL offensive coordinator asked recently in Mike Sando's annual poll at The Athletic of NFL execs, coaches, coordinators, and scouts. Sando asked important folks around the league for their takes on quarterbacks - specifically, where each QB ranks in terms of tiers - and the Hurts answers were interesting.

The one quote that really stuck out, though, was this one from the aforementioned OC:

"The prevailing thought on Hurts is that he's doing an excellent job running an offense that the Eagles’ coaching staff has effectively tailored to his strengths, and that he’ll need to grow considerably as a passer for Philly to contend.

"'If the guy can't stand there and win on third down with his arm, you don't have a chance,' an offensive coordinator said."

You never want to hear "you don't have a chance", even if it's just one person's opinion and it's also mildly hypothetical.

The coordinator might have a point, though: Hurts could stand to beef up his third down productivity through the air.

Like most QBs around the league (except for 2017 Carson Wentz), Hurts' worst down last year was third down. Here were his passing and rushing splits by down:

• 1st down: 60.0%, 6 TD, 3 INT | 4.5 Y/R, 3 TD
• 2nd down: 70.9%, 5 TD, 3 INT | 6.3 Y/R, 4 TD
• 3rd down: 53.7%, 5 TD, 3 INT | 6.8 Y/R, 2 TD

That considerable drop-off in completion percentage is not ideal. (Also: dang, Hurts was fantastic on second downs last year!)

Now let's look at where Hurts ranked among QBs with at least 80 third-down pass attempts last season in a few categories:

• T-13th (tied with Tom Brady) in yards/attempt
• T-13th (with Sam Darnold) in INT%
• T-22nd (with Russell Wilson) in first downs
• 22nd (behind Taylor Heinicke) in TD%
• 26th (behind Taylor Heinicke) in COMP%

Interesting. Being tied with Tom Brady in one stat, tied with Sam Darnold in another, and being behind Taylor Heinicke in two others is... quite a spectrum. 

And, frankly, I think it paints an accurate portrait of Hurts as a quarterback who is still coming along in terms of his effectiveness in high-leverage passing situations.

That's totally fine considering last year was just his first as a starter, and he has just 19 starts to his name as a pro. He's still so young. 

But the NFL is evaluating QBs faster than ever, and the Eagles generally have a pretty strong roster. So if Hurts wants to prove he can be the guy to start, and get paid, after this season it's clearly time to take another few steps forward.

And third down is a perfect place to start.

https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/eagles-jalen-hurts-needs-fix-1-big-area-2022-coordinator-says

[PoconoDon]

On time and on target beats everything on any down, as long as the receiver can catch that is.

[time2rock]

Easy fix ... play Hurts on 1st and 2nd down then bring in the stash on 3rd down!! 

OK all kidding aside, that OC is spot on.  Time will tell if he makes enough improvement in his passing game to earn the right to be named starting QB beyond 2022.  

[Guest]

Yep.  When the offense is obviously going to pass, it is easier to stop Hurts.

[CouchKing]

23 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Easy fix ... play Hurts on 1st and 2nd down then bring in the stash on 3rd down!! 

OK all kidding aside, that OC is spot on.  Time will tell if he makes enough improvement in his passing game to earn the right to be named starting QB beyond 2022.  

Bringing in another QB on 3rd down is the beginning of the end.

I remember Cunningham coming in on 3rd downs for Jaworski.

[brkmsn]

On 7/29/2022 at 9:22 AM, CouchKing said:

Bringing in another QB on 3rd down is the beginning of the end.

I remember Cunningham coming in on 3rd downs for Jaworski.

That probably extended Jaworski's life span by 45 years.