1 minute ago, NCiggles said:

I don't feel as bad about Mailata after Lane struggled with Hughes too. He looked bad on those back to back plays but I think he was otherwise good the rest of the game.  

The great part of having 5 OL that you feel can just line up and dominate their opponent across from them is that you can get more creative in the passing game and send out more receivers.    The bad part of having that same level of trust in your OL is that you struggle to adjust quickly when one or more of them start to struggle with an opponent.  And frankly, I don't know what Lovie was thinking...  Mailata was struggling mightily with Hughes lined up over him, and then they flipped him to the other side.  WHY?   Makes no sense to me.    Hughes single handedly ended the Eagles first drive of the second half with 2 sacks on 3 plays...

2 minutes ago, DawkinsOwnage03 said:

Not worried about the offense at all

We have a top 3 offense.

11 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Snap counts

-Smith leading all WR with snaps and still just the 2 catches.  I've voiced my opinion on this and he needs more catches.  Yes, he snapped back to the fantasy owners but that doesn't change the fact that the Eagles are totally underutilizing how good he is.  Great for Brown and Goedert but damn shame they can't figure out how to get him involved outside of a WR screen.  Smith had fewer catches than Kenny Gainwell and the same amount as Quez Watkins.  Something has to change.

-12 snaps for K'Vonn Wallace?  Sure seemed like he was on the field a lot more than that.  Maybe it's because every snap he's on the field he's getting burnt and you see 42 chasing/missing a play.

-I think Miles Sanders is showing that he can carry the load.  65% seems low for what he can do.  I would much rather see Sanders/Sermon duo with Gainwell mixed in once in a while.  Boston Scott can go on ice.   Give Sanders 75% of the snaps, Sermon 20% and Gainwell the remaining 5%.

-Has Marcus Epps missed a snap yet this year?  

-Hasson Reddick playing less than 70% of defensive snaps isn't ideal.  With his contract and the impact he can make on the game, he needs to be out there more than that. 

-It was only by a few snaps but Tuipulotu had more snaps than BG and Milton Williams.  Why in the world is that?  BG is older but he needs to be on the field for more than 23 snaps.

-Quinn with 7 snaps.  Let's see how much that increases after a mini bye week.

 

Smith would be more concerning if the other receiving options were also struggling. But it’s hard to argue when Brown is torching DBs last week, and this week it looked like Houston didn’t want the WRs to beat them. So that left Goedert to be the guy and he stepped up. It’s actually a nice thing to have, where if one/two guys are targeted by the D, the third option is still elite 

2 minutes ago, Iggles_Phan said:

The great part of having 5 OL that you feel can just line up and dominate their opponent across from them is that you can get more creative in the passing game and send out more receivers.    The bad part of having that same level of trust in your OL is that you struggle to adjust quickly when one or more of them start to struggle with an opponent.  And frankly, I don't know what Lovie was thinking...  Mailata was struggling mightily with Hughes lined up over him, and then they flipped him to the other side.  WHY?   Makes no sense to me.    Hughes single handedly ended the Eagles first drive of the second half with 2 sacks on 3 plays...

What bothered me a bit last night was continuing to run read options at Hughes. He was fantastic last night not only rushing the passer but playing those options beautifully. Eventually we went away from him and the other DE completely mis played it

At 8-0, now is a perfect time for an E45 post about how we can be better and top concerns.  I bet my list is a bit different than what most would have.  In order:

1. Mailata.  He has never been good in pass protection against pure speed on his outside shoulder.  That deficit has been covered by our identity has a running team and Hurts' tendency to prematurely break from the pocket and roll right.  As we pass more and Hurts is getting better sitting in the pocket, this problem with Mailata is getting more spotlight.  Many will blame it on an injury, but this has always been an issue.  It's just more obvious now that Hurts is sitting in the pocket and dealing...when there is a pocket.

2.  Watkins and Devonta Smith.  They aren't exactly a problem, but I see them as the most underutilized resources on the team.  Smith is being used as a screen/LOS/underneath WR.  Let him fly.  And Watkins deserves more downfield targets.  

3.  Hurts on the move.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think Hurts has been more dangerous from the pocket lately than going off script.  His decision-making, reads, accuracy, and overall passing have been great.  When he steps into a pass, the arm strength is fine.  When he's off balance and on the move, he doesn't have the arm strength to put the ball on someone like certain other QBs.  It floats.  The off balance non-foot setting throws are the only time things don't look right with him.  He just doesn't have the arm to reliably deliver those too far beyond the sticks.  Hurts and the coaches need insight into that with the playcalling...and that feeds back to concern #1...give him better pockets.

4. Screen game.  The offense has enough things going right that this isn't mission critical...but why is it that screens to Dallas Goedert are the only ones that are remotely successful in this offense?  Anything around the LOS with the WRs is a failure.  And screens with the RBs are generally very ineffective as well.  

5. ST.  This eeks lower on the list because Covey has looked more secure catching punts and because non-FG kicker ST is getting phased out of the NFL in its importance.  We've already established that this unit will not help the Eagles win games.  They just need to avoid losing them.

Things I'm not worried about:

1. Run defense.  Hargrave and Cox can stop the run.  They may not be elite at it and may struggle at times, but they are "fine there" and Davis will be back.  The best way to neutralize the run is to have an elite offense get you leads.  We've had that all year, had it in the second half last night, and didn't have it in the first half.  And when did we primarily get gashed on the ground?  Go figure.

2.  Defense as a whole.  They gave up 17 points last night.  Yes, they were helpless, at times, last night.  But let's not forget that this is a league where the offense sets the tone, not the other way around.  When our offense started sustaining drives and started putting pressure on the Texans to score every time they had the ball, it was all over.

Impressed with hurts last night from the pocket .

He didn't have eye popping stats but was first game I've seen him actually sit in the pocket and stand and deliver in the face of a blitz and take a hit.

Hurts and co knew they'd see a lot of cover 2 and they consistently attacked the area between the corner and safety and hurts was patient waiting for his guys to clear where in the past I feel he'd see the pressure and just bail and take off 

Definitive progress for hurts.

He still made a few mistakes, the fumble was ugly but so was the whole play, early snap half the online didn't move, doomed play.

4th qtr he evaded a sack and instead of just running forward for a gain he pulled a Wentz and spun around into a sack, bad pocket awareness.

He had a couple high throws but over all as said was first time I've seen him actually stay in the pocket consistently and deliver the ball in the face of the blitz I stead of taking off.👍

 

16 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Snap counts

-Smith leading all WR with snaps and still just the 2 catches.  I've voiced my opinion on this and he needs more catches.  Yes, he snapped back to the fantasy owners but that doesn't change the fact that the Eagles are totally underutilizing how good he is.  Great for Brown and Goedert but damn shame they can't figure out how to get him involved outside of a WR screen.  Smith had fewer catches than Kenny Gainwell and the same amount as Quez Watkins.  Something has to change.

-12 snaps for K'Vonn Wallace?  Sure seemed like he was on the field a lot more than that.  Maybe it's because every snap he's on the field he's getting burnt and you see 42 chasing/missing a play.

-I think Miles Sanders is showing that he can carry the load.  65% seems low for what he can do.  I would much rather see Sanders/Sermon duo with Gainwell mixed in once in a while.  Boston Scott can go on ice.   Give Sanders 75% of the snaps, Sermon 20% and Gainwell the remaining 5%.

-Has Marcus Epps missed a snap yet this year?  

-Hasson Reddick playing less than 70% of defensive snaps isn't ideal.  With his contract and the impact he can make on the game, he needs to be out there more than that. 

-It was only by a few snaps but Tuipulotu had more snaps than BG and Milton Williams.  Why in the world is that?  BG is older but he needs to be on the field for more than 23 snaps.

-Quinn with 7 snaps.  Let's see how much that increases after a mini bye week.

 

He has not. Has played every single snap. 

Other than the DL not being good against the run and some tackling issues, this is so well coached, it's kind of ridiculous.  Considering how little they practice they get at TC, it's very crisp from game to game.  But the really do need to sort the DL out against the run; teams are going to make it a point of emphasis until they prove they can stop it consistently.

As for the Phillies, it's a different mindset now; the one that got them into the World Series in the first place.  No one thinks they can win, etc.  A whole lot less pressure on them.

2 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

At 8-0, now is a perfect time for an E45 post about how we can be better and top concerns.  I bet my list is a bit different than what most would have.  In order:

1. Mailata.  He has never been good in pass protection against pure speed on his outside shoulder.  That deficit has been covered by our identity has a running team and Hurts' tendency to prematurely break from the pocket and roll right.  As we pass more and Hurts is getting better sitting in the pocket, this problem with Mailata is getting more spotlight.  Many will blame it on an injury, but this has always been an issue.  It's just more obvious now that Hurts is sitting in the pocket and dealing...when there is a pocket.

2.  Watkins and Devonta Smith.  They aren't exactly a problem, but I see them as the most underutilized resources on the team.  Smith is being used as a screen/LOS/underneath WR.  Let him fly.  And Watkins deserves more downfield targets.  

3.  Hurts on the move.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think Hurts has been more dangerous from the pocket lately than going off script.  His decision-making, reads, accuracy, and overall passing have been great.  When he steps into a pass, the arm strength is fine.  When he's off balance and on the move, he doesn't have the arm strength to put the ball on someone like certain other QBs.  It floats.  The off balance non-foot setting throws are the only time things don't look right with him.  He just doesn't have the arm to reliably deliver those too far beyond the sticks.  Hurts and the coaches need insight into that with the playcalling...and that feeds back to concern #1...give him better pockets.

4. Screen game.  The offense has enough things going right that this isn't mission critical...but why is it that screens to Dallas Goedert are the only ones that are remotely successful in this offense?  Anything around the LOS with the WRs is a failure.  And screens with the RBs are generally very ineffective as well.  

5. ST.  This eeks lower on the list because Covey has looked more secure catching punts and because non-FG kicker ST is getting phased out of the NFL in its importance.  We've already established that this unit will not help the Eagles win games.  They just need to avoid losing them.

Things I'm not worried about:

1. Run defense.  Hargrave and Cox can stop the run.  They may not be elite at it and may struggle at times, but they are "fine there" and Davis will be back.  The best way to neutralize the run is to have an elite offense get you leads.  We've had that all year, had it in the second half last night, and didn't have it in the first half.  And when did we primarily get gashed on the ground?  Go figure.

2.  Defense as a whole.  They gave up 17 points last night.  Yes, they were helpless, at times, last night.  But let's not forget that this is a league where the offense sets the tone, not the other way around.  When our offense started sustaining drives and started putting pressure on the Texans to score every time they had the ball, it was all over.

This was a very good synopsis.

8 hours ago, Outlaw said:

F it. Try it. 

1- Stott

2- Hoskins

3- Harper

4- Schwarber

5- Realmuto

6- Bohm

7- Castellanos

8- Segura

9- Marsh

Honestly, what does he (Thompson) have to lose at this point? I have no issues with your lineup. 

Just now, eagle45 said:

3.  Hurts on the move.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually think Hurts has been more dangerous from the pocket lately than going off script.  His decision-making, reads, accuracy, and overall passing have been great.  When he steps into a pass, the arm strength is fine.  When he's off balance and on the move, he doesn't have the arm strength to put the ball on someone like certain other QBs.  It floats.  The off balance non-foot setting throws are the only time things don't look right with him.  He just doesn't have the arm to reliably deliver those too far beyond the sticks.  Hurts and the coaches need insight into that with the playcalling...and that feeds back to concern #1...give him better pockets.

 

I think that's always been the case, but he was so highly motivated to wheel out of the pocket.  He just A. never gave it a chance and B. didn't have the dominant WR1 to fall back on.  So many people were begging him to stand tall in the pocket.  Thankfully, that development is happening. 

2 minutes ago, E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles said:

I think that's always been the case, but he was so highly motivated to wheel out of the pocket.  He just A. never gave it a chance and B. didn't have the dominant WR1 to fall back on.  So many people were begging him to stand tall in the pocket.  Thankfully, that development is happening. 

That's because that's what has staying power in the NFL.  

Oversimplifying, but among these four areas of football, the most important thing is whether you can pass the ball and the least important thing is whether you can stop the run. 

Pass Offense

Pass Defense

Run Offense

Run Defense

Not worried about run defense. If that's what teams have to do to beat the Eagles, they will have a very small margin of error to pull it off. One adjustment from Nick and Shane might be to play more up-tempo stuff to lengthen the game and give the offense more snaps. If you are better than the other team you want more plays. 

20 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I think the Wallace/Reddick/Quinn mix was a result of Houston running successfully.

Tuipulotu was taking some of Davis' reps.

Does Sermon know how to pass protect?

Last week was a Brown game.  Yesterday was a Goedert game.  If you remember, the first WAS game was a Smith game.

I posted the stat last night.  Smith had 169 yards against Washington.  He's had 172 in the 5 games since, 35 yards per game.  I get that one of their guys is going to have the majority of the targets and yards every game, but Smith is being used like he's Greg Ward.  He's a top 10 pick they traded up for with a division rival (giving them Michael Parsons) and he's being thrown the ball behind the line of scrimmage nearly every play.  Sorry, 35 yards per game for him is NOT good nor is it a good use of resources.  Again, might as well be Greg Ward out there the way they are using him.

Since his huge Washington game, Smith has averaged 5.7, 8.7, 8.8, 4.6 and 11 YPC.  This isn't about targets because clearly the ball is being spread between the top 3 targets but it's about how he's being used.  That was the only game they threw him the ball down field. Take out the Washington game and Smith has 32 catches for 275 yards for 8.5 YPC.  Again, that's Greg Ward territory and people wanted to run him out of town, rightly so.

AJ Brown- 43 catches 718 yards 16.7 YPC

Dallas Goedert- 40 catches 521 yards 13YPC

DeVonta Smith- 40 cathes 442 yards 11.1 YPC

Both Brown and Goedert are being fed the ball steadily.  They are clearly drawing up plays to take advantage of what both of those guys do best.  I'm just extremely confused with how they are using Smith.  Again, it's not a targets thing, it's a plan on how to use him thing. 

2 hours ago, Waiting4Someday said:

HOU made a big deal about Kelce dragging Kenny G towards the end zone and how it should’ve been a penalty. Is that illegal, but two guys pushing Hurts forward on the sneak OK (as I haven’t seen us do that regularly for a game or 2)?

You can push a runner but cant pull.  It definitely should have been a penalty.  

13 minutes ago, RLC said:

We have a top 3 offense.

Yeah, that’s why I have a hard time caring about Smith’s level of production. He has two better weapons ahead of him, and the offense is playing really well. 

There are only so many passes to go around, especially when playing from ahead. 

3 hours ago, EaglePhan1986 said:

Eagles had a great run D in 17. That’s definitely the biggest difference between this team and that team. Come playoff time that could really be a problem. 

My memory of our run D back then was similar to how it is now.   It wasnt that we were amazing at it, its just that teams hardly ran against us.

1 minute ago, Mike31mt said:

You can push a runner but cant pull.  It definitely should have been a penalty.  

Saving grace that Gainwell's knee went down before Kelce started pulling on him. That's probably why he didn't get a penalty.

1 minute ago, Mike31mt said:

You can push a runner but cant pull.  It definitely should have been a penalty.  

I don't think he pulled him, he did hold his head up while moving backwards though. Regardless, the refs yesterday were not good. I saw at least two uncalled holds on whomever was blocking Graham. 

54 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

I'm still hesitant to give Hargrave an extension.  We've seen him get hot before but he's incredibly streaky.  Add in his age and giving him big money could handcuff this team.  We have the perfect example in Fletcher Cox.  While he's still an above average DT, he's not worth the money he's making.  

Then again, maybe I'm looking at this wrong.  His original contract was 3-years $39 million with cap hits of $3.5, $5.8 and $18 million per year.  This is his highest paid year in his contract to date.  Maybe an extension that looks very similar wouldn't be terrible.  I wouldn't give him any more.  Maybe like a 2-year $24 million contract would be OK?

As much as I want edge rush help, I think Jalen Carter needs to be a serious consideration with the Saints pick, assuming it's still relatively high. Carter is a STUD.

Carter, Davis, Williams, Tuipulotu and a veteran FA would be a seriously stacked IDL group built for the present and future. 

The reason the Georgia D was so successful with a smaller LB like Dean at MIKE was because their DL was dominant. It wasnt dominant in pass rush all the time, because they played the run on the way to the pass most of the time. But it was dominant in its physical style, to keep the LBs clean. And then, they could get after the QB if the decided they were really going to rush.

They were able to stop the run with just their 4-5 guys up front so the rest could be in coverage and make plays on the back end.

 

Our DL has the key cog in all of that, but Davis is just 1 player. And even with him in, the run D is not that great on this team. We need more dominant 2 way guys who can play stout against the run, and then turn up the heat on passing downs. Its not easy to find a DL full of guys who can do both. But thats why we need to take 2 DL with our first 3 picks. If they can snag another player off of that Georgia DL, thats perfect because that defense is playing exactly the way we want ours to play. Its a perfect scheme match.

Who exactly do you want to target less for more Smith touches? We ran the ball more than we passed last night...which we should have done. Brown is our #1 WR and Goedert was killing their zone coverage. Quez was 2 for 2 on targets. Pascal had 1 target. The entire backfield combined for 3 targets.

It's not an actual problem.

1 minute ago, ManuManu said:

Yeah, that’s why I have a hard time caring about Smith’s level of production. He has two better weapons ahead of him, and the offense is playing really well. 

There are only so many passes to go around, especially when playing from ahead. 

See my post though.  There top 3 targets have nearly identical number of catches.  43, 40 and 40.  Brown and Goedert are having great plays drawn up for them.  Smith is being thrown screen passes.  The plays they are targeting Smith on are behind the line of scrimmage.  His production is a result of the plays being called for him.  Instead of dialing up a WR screen for him, dial up a quick slant, a post, a corner.  Let him use his elite route running skills to get open and feed him the ball that way.  Stop throwing screens to him when none of them work and it takes away his best skillset. 

It's not about the so many passes to go around, it's what they are doing when they call those pass plays.

5 minutes ago, Mike31mt said:

My memory of our run D back then was similar to how it is now.   It wasnt that we were amazing at it, its just that teams hardly ran against us.

We were No. 1 in rush yards per game and sixth in YPC against. 

2 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

See my post though.  There top 3 targets have nearly identical number of catches.  43, 40 and 40.  Brown and Goedert are having great plays drawn up for them.  Smith is being thrown screen passes.  The plays they are targeting Smith on are behind the line of scrimmage.  His production is a result of the plays being called for him.  Instead of dialing up a WR screen for him, dial up a quick slant, a post, a corner.  Let him use his elite route running skills to get open and feed him the ball that way.  Stop throwing screens to him when none of them work and it takes away his best skillset. 

It's not about the so many passes to go around, it's what they are doing when they call those pass plays.

His second target was a 22 yard square in I thought last night 

Just now, RLC said:

Who exactly do you want to target less for more Smith touches? We ran the ball more than we passed last night...which we should have done. Brown is our #1 WR and Goedert was killing their zone coverage. Quez was 2 for 2 on targets. Pascal had 1 target. The entire backfield combined for 3 targets.

It's not an actual problem.

Read my posts again.  It isn't about touches.  I've said it multiple times.  I've posted their receptions.  It's a great problem to have 3 top targets.  That's not my complaint.  It's about how they use him and what plays they call for Smith.

However, if we want to talk about targets, Gainwell had 3 catches to Smith's 2.  Sorry, give those to Smith or someone else.