Eagles coaches looking for consistency
Marty Mornhinweg and Sean McDermott each said they want to see consistency from their units. Each had some optimistic assessments of some of their apparent weaknesses.
Eagles coaches looking for consistency
Jonathan Tamari
The Eagles offensive and defensive coordinators each said they need to see the same thing: consistency.
Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said it's needed throughout the offense, and particularly on the offensive line, while defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said his group has not played a full game yet with the required intensity.
Both had some surprisingly optimistic assertions about those short comings, though: Mornhinweg praised an offensive line that has looked shaky to most observers, while McDermott blamed the defensive let downs on his squad's youth, even though most of the defensive starters are veterans.
Start with Mornhinweg, who was asked about an offensive line that has given up a league worst 12 sacks in two games. Second worst, Carolina, has given up eight.
"We didn't do a couple of things right right there," he said when asked about the line. "We did many things very well up front, many things. There were a few that we didn't do very well."
He said if you ignore some plays, the line had a strong game, and in fact, the running game was strong and it is hard to argue with 35 points. But there was significant pressure on the quarterback.
"You take out a big percentage of the plays and I think the offensive line played well. However you can't just do that, those plays were there and we have to be more consistent."
Quarterback Michael Vick was often rushed. At times it was due to blitzes, but in many instances linemen were simply beat one-on-one, and in others the offense had enough blockers to protect against a blitz, but left defenders free to take runs at the quarterback anyway.
Mornhinweg said the blitz should open up big plays.
"Our mentality is, they blitz we score."
McDermott was asked about a defense that is also last in the NFL in a key category: points allowed.
"I think it's overall consistency that we're lacking right now, and that's going to happen with a young defense," he said. "We've been very emotional and physical at times, in particular when our back's against the wall or we've been faced with a great challenge ... from that standpoint, I'm pleased. From a consistency standpoint, we've got to be able to take the same approach and the same fire in your approach throughout 65, 70 plays in the game."
McDermott has evidence when he says the defense has had its moments: it shut out the Packers as the Eagles tried to rally in week one and held firm against Detroit in two key situations: a fourth-and-one in the fourth quarter and on the Lions final drive. But his group is not that young -- instead it has many new parts.
Yes, they have two rookie starters, but seven other starters are in their fourth, fifth or sixth year in the NFL. Two defensive starters are in the eighth years.
Among those veterans, though, four -- Stewart Bradley, Ernie Sims, Akeem Jordan and Ellis Hobbs -- were not with the team, injured, or playing different positions last year. Add in Brandon Graham and Nate Allen and you have six new pieces trying to come together.
We'll see if the Eagles can patch up their line and turn in a complete defensive performance against Jacksonville.
At first blush, Ididn't like Reid's decison to start Vick in place of Kolb. However upon further reflection, I wonder that decison was because of the porous offensive line, the tough schedule ahead,the fact that if anyone is going to last thru the season, the smaller investment in Vick is more acceptable than getting Kolb injured again until either the line improves or next year when the draft will provide some better talent. Watch for the Eagles to either acquire thru free agency or next years draft.— largir- Is Kolb coming in on wildcat plays, as a threat to run?— Don Cornelius
- Get it fixed!!— Ghostface
- Get ready for next week as the D will be said to be "coming together". They can't possibly give up 30 to JAX!— jimmyj
- Vick will cause the defense to step up and protect their lead. No player wants to give up the game on MV7's watch. THIS IS MIKE'S TEAM, and nothing short of winning, even from the living-under the-bridge-low-class Vick hater fan base will be tolerated. If you are not for success, change teams, and join Kolb on your way out..NO haters will be allowed in the 'NEW MV7 LINC'.— hawviongtr
- Is Vick the best choice for QB or like these comments that Kolb is not black?— tulsaphil
- Mornhinwheg: "You take out a big percentage of the plays and I think the offensive line played well". That, Eagles fans, is a classic description of a loser's mentality!
— mjc1 - No HATER-ADE in the "NEW MV7 LINC" right hawviongtr? Only purple drank. Can't wait to see rayray in the press box. You are so transparent. Mike Vick might be better than Kolb, but he is not a Superbowl QB. If Kolb can't play - Reid must go! Paging Jon Gruden....— dragoon6
- He not saying that the defense has young players making mistakes. He's saying that they haven't been playing together for very long. Young as a unit. Lots of new faces. And going with Vick has nothing to do with the line. Kolb is supposed to be the guy that gets the ball out quick and beats the blitz. The problem was that Kolb didn't recognize the blitz and make the right play. Nobody knew how Kolb would do react when he was confronted with defenses that he's never seen before. He didn't do well...like 99.9% of rookie QBs. That's why teams blitz them constantly. And Morningway misspoke. He obviously was saying that the o-line did well except for a few plays.— MikeP
- I love that an O-Line that has given up more sacks than any other team and a defense that has given up more points than any other team is only a few mental breakdowns away from being championship caliber! And Kolb had all of 10 pass plays to "recognize the blitzes and get rid of the ball quickly" in his first and only start. Vick may be a better QB right now, but I thought this was about rebuilding and looking towards the future. This time will go nowhere fast this year with or without Vick at QB. But Reid will get to maybe 8-8 and talk about how he did an amazing job with such adversity...— RJP
- I like the idea of Kolb and Vick and McKoy in the backfield in certain situations. I can envision plays that would keep defenses off balance. Kolb wouldn't be in to run, but I could imagine some plays where he would have a lot of space. In fact, during bored moments in court today...there are many...I was sketching plays on my legal pad. Fun. Might be total bull. But it might be worth a shot. Cause Vick or no Vick the defenses will be charging. If teams interior D's beat up the line continually, there won't be many wrinkles that will move the football.— retzlaff
Mornhinwheg is a 1st class clown. Quoting him outside the form of "Mornhinwheg, the offensive genius whose innovations got him run out of Detroit", is simply bad journalism. His premise seems to be that if you do things correctly 70% of the time, that is praiseworthy. This is the philosophy of a loser. Reid should ditch him and get a real offensive coordinator. I am Oppressed.— Nutron
I like how the Coaches want consistency from the players...how about a little trust or consistency from the Head Coach? How about a little preparation or discipline from the Special Teams Coach? How about a little toughness from the Defensive coordinator? Reid stabbed Kolb in the back, but hopefully KK rebounds here or becomes a star somewhere else just to spite Reid. I have watched and followed the Eagles for such a long time and I have never been so disgusted with the organization's methodology of conducting business, except for when they let Dawkins walk over a measly 1 year contractual difference, which he had earned more so than anybody else in Birds history except for Reggie White.— kjuggs77- For 11 years Reid has been arrogant, a liar and an enabler. Now, he's just another clown.— Bob1
- Offense is clicking even with a not so great O line thanks partially to Vick making some great plays. They will get better during the year and I really hope for the teams sake that the defense gets it together. Can't allow teams to rack up 30+ points and continue to win. I really see this team making the playoffs.— Tonygh12
