Day After – Hurting ‘Em

Posted: December 5th, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor 

Jalen Hurts played great on Sunday. His offensive line gave him outstanding protection and his receivers got open, making his job a lot easier. Still, re-watching the game, you can see him sitting in the pocket and making good throw after good throw. He went left and right. He attacked the middle of the field. There were short throws and deep balls. That is the best I’ve seen Hurts this year.

Hurts is third in passer rating. He is fourth in QBR. He’s first in QB wins. This is the kind of season that just might get him the MVP. Hurts isn’t focused on awards, though. He just wants to keep winning games.

I can’t stress enough how different Hurts looks from last year. There was a lot of skepticism about how good he could be. And that was fair. Hurts showed potential last year, but also showed a lot of flaws. He is playing out of his mind right now. If he’s not the most improved player in the league, I don’t know who is.

*****

Nakobe Dean has been a bit of a mystery. He slid down to the third round in the draft, which shocked all of us on the outside. We thought he might come to Philly and light it up. He’s not been able to get on the field, but that’s because TJ Edwards and Kyzir White have played well. Still, Dean hadn’t even come in during blowouts. And he hadn’t stood out on STs. I wondered what was going on with him.

Dean answered questions on Sunday when he finally got on the field in the middle of a game. White got banged up and left the game. Dean came in and made his presence known right away. He drew a holding call while still making a tackle of Derrick Henry. Dean then got out wide to make a tackle in space. He finished with 5 tackles and a TFL.

I liked what I saw from Dean. He was physical on inside plays. He looked good when he had to run outside. He was decisive and played at full-speed. Some guys who get on the field with little experience look nervous or unsure of themselves. Dean looked like he knew what he was doing.

My only hesitation is that the Titans aren’t exactly loaded with athletes. The big question on Dean coming out was if he was athletic enough. We need to see him go up against some speedy guys to get a good feel for where he really is. But that was a good showing against the Titans.

*****

Jack Stoll had his best game of the year, going 3-41. His long catch went for 26 yards. Stoll has developed into a solid blocker. If he can become a consistently effective receiver, the Eagles might have a good backup TE.

*****

Haason Reddick had one sack on Sunday. If that’s all you pay attention to, you’re selling him short. Reddick was disruptive throughout the game. He was credited with 4 QB hits. Javon Hargrave got his sack when Reddick got into the backfield and moved Ryan Tannehill off his spot.

Reddick has been what the Eagles hoped when they signed him back in April. He leads the team with 9 sacks. He is second on the team with 16 QB hits. Reddick has been disruptive all year long. He doesn’t always make the play, but he affects the QB a lot. He’s been solid against the run and leads the team with 3 FF.

I like the fact Jonathan Gannon has been creative with Reddick. He’s lined him up left and right. He’s used Reddick on stunts. He’s had him rush upright and with his hand in the ground.

*****

This is a good team, in case you hadn’t noticed.

Wow.

*****

AJ Brown is so big and strong and physical.

It is funny to watch a player like Brown when you think about the Eagles having so many small or finesse receivers over the years. James Thrash and Todd Pinkston weren’t physical at all. Greg Lewis was scrappy, but small. Freddie Mitchell was small. Kevin Curtis was small. DeSean Jackson was explosive, but rail thin. Jeremy Maclin had okay size, but was more of a finesse player.

Brown is almost like a RB playing receiver. He can just overwhelm DBs.

And boy is he fun to watch.

http://igglesblitz.com/2022/12/day-after-hurting-em/

Hurts is the franchise QB we've all been waiting and hoping for. He's outstanding both on the field and off it.