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.”
All you crybabies. Morningwheg's analysis of the run/pass distribution is spot-on. The pass premium is between 60-65%. What we should be asking instead is whether he plans to remedy both Vick and McCoy struggles with the secondary blitz. And given the line's struggles why not try running a little more in the red zone. It seems we struggle to take advantage of our offense's quickness.— HeelYes- LoneWolf, you've got it right! Don't let the Andy Apologists grind you down!
- Marty needs a blind fold and cigarette. He's been putting forth a horrible game plan.— Dexter
- After reading the lame excuse Marty gave for not calling a balanced offensive game, I am not picking the Eagles in anymore games this season. I dont trust the play calling.— Realtor in Orlando
- “If we have to run the ball 50 times to win the game, that’s what we’ll do". This guy should do Standup! That's a riot!
— cooperhawk - Eagles pass so much that they're predictable.....some teams remain in cover-2 or nickel defense.....very little thought required for opposing defenses when we pass every down.— Big Jeff
- The saying "the chain is only as strong as its weakest link " comes to mind.....— Mike Boryla
- Marty has a picture of Kotite on his ceiling. He needs to replace it with a portrait of Lonewolf.— NewMick314
- If you cannot look at the stats and see that passing exclusively is not a winning strategy, then let's whimsically play football...perhaps street ball is what Marty wants to play. I cansee that ratios need to move somewhat, but not when the other team KNOWS exactly what you are doing. I thought making good play decisions are based on sound thinking, accurate facts, and reality. MM....it appears that none of those three factors go into our game plan....and evolving game plan.— 5thstrretpast
- Don't they script the first 15 plays? 11 pass plays(includes Vick running for his life) and 4 runs. How's that for balance? Marty said they only had 9 first quarter plays(actually 11). Do you think they didn't have more plays because they opposition knew what they were going to do?— Sheriff Bart
- It's also about running the ball to give your O line a break from pass blocking and to let them punish the d-line. Running wears the D-line down.— mknphotos
