Marty Mornhinweg explains Eagles' run/pass ratio
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Marty Mornhinweg explains Eagles' run/pass ratio
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles' offensive playcalling has come under scrutiny this week after there were only four called rushing plays in the first half of the Eagles' 27-6 loss to Arizona. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg defended the play calling on Thursday, noting that the Eagles only had nine first-quarter plays, which limited the sample size. Then, in the second quarter, the Eagles called 11 passing plays in the two-minute offense, which is typical.
In the second half, when the Eagles ran the ball more, they were playing catch-up and could not dedicate themselves to the run.
"On paper, it looks really odd," Mornhinweg said. "But if you go through the situational part of it, it balances out a little bit.”
Mornhinweg said he's reviewed the play-calling several times and took responsibility for the offense's inability to score points. He also said he would call the game differently if they could play it again.
"In hindsight, I would have done it a little differently," Mornhinweg said. "I certainly thought going in we had a heck of a game plan.”
Still, don't expect many widespread changes. Mornhinweg emphasized the offense's philosophy to be aggressive. He said the way the Eagles called the game against Arizona was "not unusual for us," and that there were, in fact, opportunities down field. Those opportunities were hindered by communication and blocking issues.
The run/pass questions were present in past weeks, too. Mornhinweg defends it each week, and he said the Eagles are following their season script so far.
“We’re right to where I want to be overall; we’re 62 percent overall,” Mornhinweg said. “We’re somewhere around 50/50 on first down, run and pass.”
The statistics may be skewed each week, and the Eagles will run more if they're holding a lead and pass more when they're coming from behind. Plus, the game plans change depending on the defense. That's why Mornhinweg said he judges the season stats more than the game-by-game stats.
"Philosophically, I don’t care as much about balance in any particular game,” Mornhinweg said. “If we have to run the ball 50 times to win the game, that’s what we’ll do. If we have to pass the ball 50 times, that’s what we’ll do. Now, if you take the whole season, you’d rather somewhere around 60/40 – you’re usually going to be a little higher, 60 to 65 percent passing.”
This is why Mornhinweg needs to go. He doesn't get that you set up the pass by keeping defenses honest with the run.— cous76- Center starting his first EVER NFL game, check.
Demoted Left Tackle forced to start, check.
Starting receiver out, check.
Aggressive pass rush, that just beat Brady, check.
Above-Average cover corners, check.
Began season with too many turnovers, check.
What's the plan, Marty? "Philosophically, I don’t care about balance in any particular game.”
"We're going to throw until Vick either can't pick himself off the turf or he breaks the turnover record."
Check-Mate!
Good-Bye, Andy! - Outstanding post Lonewolf11!!! Just beautiful and couldn't have put it any better! — BMan
- Don't let the fact that this isn't the 1990s and the entire league is pass-first keep your from your pontification.
- I did not see the game. How many of the 9 in the 1st qtr were passes ??— CDR Little
- Marty, do you think Whisenhunt may have had some concern about the Eagles' pass-rush which helped to determine his play-calling?
Marty, you do understand that you have the mind of a daffodil, right? - CDR - You can download the game at the following link, but you must first download "bittorent." Just Google it.
http://thepiratebay.se/torrent/7668368/NFL.2012.RS.Week03.(23_sep).PHI.Eagles.v.ARI.Cardinals.720p - It is not about ratios. You dont have to use the run to set up the pass it is about the formations that are called and the play calling in those respective formations. The Eagles on sunday lacked the ability to block the cardinals Defensive line to allow Vick to tak 5-7 step drops. Therefore they played significantly out of the shotgun and that is where the eagles need to run more draws and screen passes because that will begin to prevent other teams from putting all out blitz's and causing vick to question his decision making.— templefan617
- I don't understand how he can acknowledge we have serious blocking and communication issues hindering the passing game, yet still call such a pass-heavy gameplan! Doesn't logic dictate that you adjust your gameplan based on the strengths/weaknesses of your team!?
What an utterly mind-numbing article.— evolutionary - Adjusting game plans? The guy went 5-27 as a head coach. I'm not sure he knows what a game plan is. — The Pink Floyd
- Logic! Logic? We don't need no stinking Logic!!!— Wilco
- This is why the EAGLES will not win with Marty and Andy running this offense. No excuses...— UGHROLF
I'm really sick of Reid, Morninhweg, Vick, Castillo et al. "taking responsibility" for the team's shoddy performance. What exactly do they mean by "responsibility"? If my company fails because of my lousy performance, "taking responsibility" means "cleaning out my desk".— 1980
