Reasons for Optimism (Pessimism) at the Bye
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Reasons for Optimism (Pessimism) at the Bye
As disappointing as the Eagles' 3-3 mark is at the bye, there are still a few reasons for optimism with ten games left to play. Of course, on the flip side, there are plenty of reasons to worry about this team. We take a quick look at both sides:
THREE REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
1. Schedule gets easier
Some of the opponents that appeared daunting before the season should be less worrisome now. Specifically, the Carolina Panthers have not taken a step up after quarterback Cam Newton’s spectacular rookie season, and none of the Cincinnati Bengals’ three wins have come against teams with winning records. The New Orleans Saints have also struggled after the season-long suspension of head coach Sean Payton. In the first six games, the Eagles played three teams with winning records. In the next 10 games, they play only two teams that presently have winning records.
2. Todd Bowles’ defensive experience
Even though Todd Bowles has never been a defensive coordinator, he at least has experience as a defensive coach. That could be an advantage when making in-game adjustments, because Bowles has coached during the different scenarios he’s bound to encounter as the season progresses. One issue that the Eagles struggled with in all three of their losses was confusion about different coverages. Bowles’ specialty is with the secondary and he should be able to determine the best way to deploy Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie when the Eagles play against top quarterbacks.
3. Offense’s yards can turn into points
The Eagles’ offense is somewhat of a statistical anomaly. They average the 11th most yards per game in the NFL (379), yet the 31st most points per game (17.2). Of the 10 teams ahead of the Eagles in yards per game, nine are scoring at least 24.8 points per game and five exceed 28 points per game. The Eagles’ average scoring is affected by all their turnovers, particularly the ones that occur in the red zone. Those are a variable that likely will not continue, so the Eagles’ yardage should eventually turn into points.
THREE REASONS TO WORRY
1. The offensive line is a disaster area
There have been glimpses of steadiness, mostly in the second half of games, but Howard Mudd’s line has been the No. 1 reason why the Eagles offense has been ineffective. The loss of left tackle Jason Peters can’t be overstated. But when center Jason Kelce went down in Week 2, the line lost its quarterback. Reid could call on the reserves – King Dunlap to replace Demetress Bell, Steve Vallos for Dallas Reynolds – or shuffle things up – Todd Herremans to left guard, Evan Mathis to center – but that may be the equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
2. Defense can’t generate enough pressure on the quarterback
Whether offenses are countering the Eagles’ four man pass rush with more blockers and quicker throws or not, Bowles must find a way to increase pressure. The Birds haven’t recorded a sack since Week 3 in Arizona. No one got the ball out quicker than Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb, and yet, the defensive line sacked him three times. So the quick throws excuse doesn’t quite cut it. Defensive ends Trent Cole and Jason Babindo appear to be facing more double teams this season. Still, they’ve looked ordinary in one-one-ones. Bowles may be forced to dial up more blitzes. It was difficult to ascertain whether the Eagles’ unproductive blitzing had more to do with Juan Castillo’s calls or personnel, but the innovation seemed to be lacking.
3. Special teams
The Eagles return units are 31st in punts and 26th in kicks, their cover units are 27th in punts and 28th in kicks, and they’ve done little to inspire confidence going forward. Reid tried to shake things up by benching rookie Damaris Johnson and having Mardy Gilyard return punts against the Lions. It did not work. He even put DeSean Jackson back for a punt, but he had zero room to run. If the problems were just related to the returners it might be easier to fix. But the units collectively just aren’t very good. They’ve given their offense, on many occasions, poor starting field positions, and they’ve placed the defense in some difficult spots. Bobby April’s special teams don’t have to be game-changers, however. They just need to be competent for the Eagles to thrive. It’s possible.
Hire Bill O'Brian away from PSU for head coach, not a re-tread like Gruden.— wally18- Cowher Power (CAWR PAWR)!!!
Not any knock against BOB - he's done a GREAT job at PSU!— bburgk11 - Hey Wally, believe it or not, I posted on these very boards back when O'Brien was hired by PSU, that the Eagles should have been the team that hired him. I said it was a natural for Lurie. Coached up in New England under Belichek his favorite team. Would have been a new face, and someone with new ideas to move forward. People may scoff at the idea, but what was Reid before he got to Philadelphia? — watsonmr
- I am optimistic that we only have to watch the Andy and Marty clown show for ten more games.
— ANDY-IS-FAT - Schedule gets better? Atlanta and New Orleans regularly 35 points a game.
Todd Bowles has to be at least as good as Castillo who led the defense to the 9th ranked defense and the Eagles are the 31st rankewd offense.
When Cusrer came upon Little Big Horn, he took off his hay and waved it in the air, shouting, "We got them boys."— mario1239 - Mario needs to learn to type or spell or BOTH! And Wally is off the wall!— SkipinWV
- Mike Vick will getthe job done— elijah29
- I think that the problem with the special teams is an indicator of one of the really bug problems with this team: depth. As usual, the Eagles cheap out on getting good backups. So, you have the problems with the O-line and the problems with the secondary when the starting safety goes down. Backups are the special teams. Good backups = good special teams. The Eagles don't have good backups, so they don't have good special teams.— mknphotos
- I think that the problem with the special teams is an indicator of one of the really bug problems with this team: depth. As usual, the Eagles cheap out on getting good backups. So, you have the problems with the O-line and the problems with the secondary when the starting safety goes down. Backups are the special teams. Good backups = good special teams. The Eagles don't have good backups, so they don't have good special teams.— mknphotos
- better play calling and better pocket awareness is all that is needed! As long as Vick doesn't have to hold the ball too long or take off and scramble vs. move within the pocket that should cut out the turnovers and our drives turn into TD's! We're hard to beat with good good play calling and a Vick that isn't taking off and running (often running into the rush vs. avoiding the rush). Vick's pocket awareness has been very poor so start games with quick slants, quick outs, screens, draws and that keeps the D on their heels vs. ears pinned back. Marty is the problem!— connorjr
- Note to connorjr: You might want to consider sending your resume to Andy. If they lose to the Falcons and Saints, Reid should finally throw Mornhinweg under the bus. You're really not qualified to do the OC job but neither is Marty. — 1republican
- My vote is Coach Riggendorf from Texas State. Some of the best quotes of all time...
Don't throw it to Stonehands!!
Who missed the assignment...EVERYONE missed the goddam assignment!
Now let's...ANALYZE...what's been WORKING for us...
And the all-time favorite...
You go out there, you tear their f***in heads off and you sh*t down their necks! Let us pray...— bburgk11 - In my opinion, the biggest Eagles news this year is the stash of drugs and paraphernalia right under Coach Reid's nose at Lehigh. Sounds to me like the "drug emporium" at the Reid home simply relocated to training camp. How in God's name you could allow a heroin-addled drug dealer to set up a beachhead right in the midst of an NFL facility is more than I can comprehend. Mr. Lurie, please end this ongoing nightmare once and for all at the end of the season.— dasher
- Not a bad point, dasher.
Drug addicts die daily and the world couldn't care less. Somehow because it's Reid's son, he's been honored. If that were a player, would he have received the same treatment?
Make things even more ridiculous is that a heroin addict was our "Strength and Conditioning Coach." How absurd. - Absolutely right. The drugs-in-camp thing will be the straw that breaks any remaining desire Lurie may have to retain Andy. The owner may put up with average performance year after year, but I'd be very, very surprised if he will put up with drug-related behavior that tarnishes his entire organization. This kind of event smells of "fin de regime" -- the end of a long, autocratic reign that has gone rotten just beneath the surface.
