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.”
I'm sorry tired of hearing and seeing the same thing over and over.— Phila26- @evolutionary. Seriously, Are you really trying to make logic a part of the Eagles game plan. What is wrong with you. I agree with @Wilco We don't need no stinking logic!— CAPhilsfan
- Blah, blah, blah!
GOOD GRIEF!— BEMiller - does anyone know buddy ryans phone number? Maybe losing Kelce and Peters was bigger than you can imagine. Still doesn't explain the ridiculous play calling.— 46 and 2
- Eagles fans RELAX!! Good grief, we are only THREE games into the season and you're already pushing a the panic button. The team will be fine.......They will win their 10 games and make the playoffs. I know some of you don't want to hear this, but Mike Vick will be playing solid football and things will be fine.— idolovegolf
- It's not the panic button. It's taking a realistic look at the team and seeing - as basically everyone else around the league sees - that despite a lot of talent, the Eagles have glaring weaknesses (esp. QB and OL) which cast a lot of doubt on the team's chances of winning enough games to get into the playbook. If you want to throw a party for everybody who thinks those 2 wins are signs of a 10-win team, feel free; you can probably throw it in a phone booth. Vick has had 3 really bad games in a row now; so, to you, that's evidence that he's about to start playing well? Your reasoning is a mystery to me.
— 1980 - You said 3 games? Really, 3 games? It's been 14 years! where the hell have you been. I think 100+ games is plenty to push a panic button if people so choose. It be one thing if these problems were knew, but they happen several times every year where these coaches leave you feeling dumbfounded, and then have the balls to act like they're smarter than everybody who's criticizing them. BTW, Mike Vick hasn't played solid football since peewee, when he was better than everybody else and didn't have to know anything other than run really fast or throw it really far. Funny thing happens when you play with people who are really really good, you have to work really really hard just to keep up. He can thank god all he wants for his natural abilities, but at this level, just your natural abilities isn't even close to being good enough. I wish they would send him and his natural abilities to cleveland, and take Andy n Marty with him. — The Pink Floyd
- everybody in this organization takes blame, but nothing gets done what a bunch of clowns,,,,,,,,,,,,,— tjwin23
- I love it when people say "I was wrong," then spend the next hour telling you how, actually, they were right, and everything they tried was good, it just didn't work. Marty needs to go, now.— Joeknows
- I for one am sooooooo TIRED of andy and marty taking the blame in loses. Going into the season unprepared and costing us games. I have ZERO faith in the fact that IF we did ever get to another Super Bowl...these two clowns would no way we could pull off the win. NOT A CHANCE. Please make the change Jeff...you gave Reid enough time to try to get us there. Time to move on.— RealizticFan
- Also, Andy's and Marty's approach shortened McNabb's effective career by allowing him to reap too much punishment, and the same can be said for what's currently happening to Mike Vick. If Brady or Manning had been the recipients of this kind of punishment, on a continuous basis, they would be out of the league by now. Granted, these two guys know when and how to get rid of the ball, but, also, their coaches knew/know how to truly help them succeed, and stay upright.— Joeknows
- These clowns say they all take responsibility for failing...yet they all keep their jobs....where is that sissy owner Lurie, he should fire this whole bunch of losers.— phil500
- Enough of this BS from the coaching staff: "I take full responsibility, I need to do a better job of getting the players in position, I need to improve there" has worn through. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Your responsibility is to win games not make excuses. Watch the films, develop a plan and ensure that it is executed, practice the plan. For God's sake stop the ridiculous apologies.— billtfla
