Cornelius Ingram Is Out: Torn ACL

The word has just been released that tight end Cornelius Ingram has suffered an ACL tear and is presumably heading for the injured reserve list and thereby out for the season.  

Ingram underwent an MRI this morning and the news is not good.  Fortunately, rookie free agent Eugene Bright has looked very good in camp as a big, imposing player who can catch.

He lacks experience at tight end, having played defensive end at Purdue, so what to expect from him is a big unknown.

What does seem apparent is the preservation of employment for Matt Schobel.  For better or worse.

Ingram was a very exciting prospective weapon for 2009.  He played very well in training camp and now he can only hope to rebound better than Jack Ikegwuonu and hopefully in the form of Correll Buckhalter, who came off of multiple knee surgeries much like Ingram will have to do.

The news coming out of camp has been disheartening to say the least.  The Eagles have been a team that has played at their best when expected to fail and although no one would be expecting that, there is plenty of reason to downgrade hopes.

Everything can still be overcome, but the disappointment is very real. 

Another Eagles Injury: DeSean Jackson’s Knee

DeSean Jackson had to be carted off of the field during Saturday’s practice. The initial report is a hyper-extension of the knee, although no official statement has been issued to clarify the extent of the injury.

The Eagles are deep at receiver and in general, but not deep enough to sustain more preseason casualties at any position when dealing with starters like Jackson and Bradley.

Cornelius Ingram also underwent an MRI on his knee this morning with results not having been declared.  The good news is that Eugene Bright will continue to gain experience, but that good news comes with too heavy a price.

This training camp is turning into a nightmare.  The Eagles still have a great team, but the injuries are becoming very troublesome.  What once looked like an elite team, is now starting to look like it needs some rest and is quickly slipping from the their top tier position.

They still have all of the players to rebound from the loss of Bradley and Dawkins and even Jackson and Ingram if they must, but the task at hand is becoming more formidable and much less exciting.  

It’s becoming a struggle to keep our heads up as Eagles fans.

Jim Johnson Is Gone But Not Forgotten

With the most regret I can offer, Jimmy Johnson, our beloved defensive coordinator, has lost his battle with cancer.

Aside from the spectacular adjustments and play calls that he made as a football coach, Johnson was a model man.

Humble and accomplished.

We will miss J.J. and with a very sad heart I wish his family everything that I can.

The city of Philadelphia hurts right now, but J.J. will never be forgotten. Not by his team, the players, the entire NFL and sports community.

The man is a legend, an immortal, a revolutionary thinker and an example of what all men should aspire to be.

Why Victor Abiamiri Will Complete the Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Line

In the second round (57th overall) of the 2007 draft, the Eagles selected the stand out defensive end from Notre Dame, Victor Abiamiri.  He would seem to be heading for the starting job in 2009 opposite of elite right defensive end, Trent Cole. 

With the 2005 and 2006 first round draft picks of Mike Patterson (31st overall) and Broderick Bunkley (14th overall) having solidified their starting positions on the interior line, Abiamiri is expected to be the last missing piece to complete the defensive line puzzle.

 

Abiamiri’s Stats and Measurables

Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 267-pounds, Abiamiri is a long armed physical presence that should be able to fill all of the duties of an NFL defensive end as both a run stopper and effective pass rusher.

A few extra pounds wouldn’t hurt, but Abiamiri is a physical specimen that is stronger than his weight might indicate and his combination of explosiveness and power should work well for him assuming he wins the starting job.

In his junior and senior years at Notre Dame, Abiamiri recorded 90 tackles, 30 for losses and 18 sacks.  He ran a 4.77 second 40 yard dash at his pro day workout and bench pressed 225-pounds 26 times.  His explosion is evidenced in his impressive broad jump of 10′ 4″.

Abiamiri started one game in his rookie season and none last year.  He suited up 10 times in 2008 and was fairly productive with limited opportunity recording two sacks, a forced fumble and three passes defensed.  More importantly, he just looked the part and appeared ready to make a bigger contribution.

 

Abiamiri’s 2009 Outlook

The Eagles coaching staff is ready to see Abiamiri step up and be another big time player on the line.  They have declared on open competition between him and returning starter Juqua Parker.  All logic points to the coach’s desire to see young Abiamiri winning the job.

Chris Clemons will be making a push for the position as well, but he will more than likely be fighting to retain his role as a pass rushing specialist on third and long situations.

Jim Johnson may be passing the torch to Sean McDermott, but his philosophy of keeping the legs fresh in the trenches and on the edges, particularly on pass rushing downs will not likely change.  Players like Darren Howard, Dan Klecko, and Chris Clemons have all had success getting after the passer and will certainly get some game time.

Bryan Smith is a name that should be in the mix in 2009 as well.  He didn’t play a down in the 2008 regular season after looking good in his preseason game repetitions.

Still, Abiamiri has the prospects of being an every down defensive end and should see the majority of the time on the field.  I would expect him to rack up around 40 or 50 tackles with a dozen or more stuffs in the backfield as well as lingering in the neighborhood of 10 sacks.

Most importantly, Abiamiri can balance the presence of Trent Cole and take full advantage of the double teams on that side of the line.  With two complete ends and the interior line of Bunkley and Patterson continuing to emerge, the Eagles will have a formidable and potentially elite front four.

While Juqua Parker has been solid, Abiamiri has the prospect of being a dominant player.  Look for Abiamiri to have a breakout season and be an X-factor for the 2009 Eagles defense. 

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net.

Current features: Unsung Eagles from the Buddy Ryan/Rich Kotite era and more.

An Eagles’ Fan Perspective on the Giants Rivalry Games of 2009

The Giants were not the same in the final quarter of 2008 as they finished their season without Plaxico Burress, but in fairness, his sudden long term departure left Tom Coughlin little opportunity to adjust his game plan.

While the Eagles now match up better against the Giants without Plaxico, the remainder of the team is in tact, improved and still a major force to be reckoned with.  Coughlin has also had plenty of time to derive a new strategy to compensate for a Plaxico-less 2009 season.

 

Defending the Giants Running Attack

Despite my passion for the Eagles, I felt it was an undeniable truth, in that we had no answer for the Giants offensive machine when trying to cover Burress and stop Brandon Jacobs.  It was a painful realization.

When Plaxico went down, I immediately smelled the vulnerability of the division rivals from the great City of New York who call New Jersey home.  That was an unfortunate turn of events for the Giants that justifiably gave many Eagles’ fans new hope.

One of our keys to stopping the Giants ground game was our defensive hero, Brian Dawkins.  When he crowded the box he was very effective in playing smash-mouth football with the bruising Brandon Jacobs throughout his career.

Even in Dawkins absence, I expect the safeties to do a solid job against Jacobs.  Both Sean Jones and Quintin Mikell are players that are proven run stoppers from the safety position.  Although no player can replace Dawkins, these guys can step up in the box and lay a hit on a player of Brandon Jacobs stature. 

They will need to fill that role for the Eagles to consistently stop the big man when it matters most.

The young defensive line and linebacking group should also be expected to step up with another seasons worth of experience and maturity under their belts.  They will be even stingier against the run and in coverage than they were in the second half of the 2008 season.  That should take some pressure off of the safeties need to step up in run stop situations.

The Eagles do have the tools to stop Brandon Jacobs.  That statement remains easier said than done.  The Giants dominant offensive line and aggressive fullback, Madison Hedgecock, will do their best to clear the way for Jacobs, but the Eagles were very effective in controlling the line of scrimmage against the G-men in their last two contests of 2008.

 

Defending the Giants Passing Attack

Eli Manning may not be an elite NFL quarterback, but he can clearly get the job done and has a history of rising to the ocassion.  Even without his best weapon, the Giants remain an aerial threat with the addition of some nice NFL ready talent at wide receiver.

By way of the 2009 draft, the Giants acquired receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramsees Barden. 

Nicks may not have the same skill set as Plaxico, but nonetheless, he is a viable weapon for Eli Manning in 2009.  He’s a hard runner with good size, hands and quickness and is just an overall impressive receiver.

Ramsees Barden is a very tall receiver that could replace Burress in the dreaded jump ball scenario that Eli Manning and the Giants used to burn the Eagles in several clutch moments over the years.

Aside from the rookies, returning veteran receivers, Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon also deserve respect.  Both of these players made solid 2008 contributions. 

Smith is a very nice possession receiver and Hixon showed great vision and speed getting behind the elite defensive backs of the Eagles on several occasions.  Fortunately for the Eagles, he let a big opportunity slip through his fingers in the very close playoff contest at a clutch moment. 

The Eagles can’t afford to depend on that.

The Giants offense may no longer seem indefensible, but the Eagles can ill-afford to take the loss of Plaxico Burress as a compensatory indictment of ineptitude regarding the New York passing attack. 

Eli still has weapons.

In the end, the Eagles should be able to effectively defend the Giants attack and give the offense the opportunity to win the game.  Nothing will come easy, but the Eagles defense will be impressive and more effective against what appears to be a slightly diminshed Giants’ offensive unit in 2009.

 

Putting Up Points Against an Elite Giants’ Defense.

The only way to have consistent offensive success against the Giants is to get them off balance and exploit their only perceivable weakness which is their secondary and arguably the linebackers.

Corey Webster is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL yielding one of the lowest average-per-catch statistics.  Still, the secondary is suspect, sustaining some key losses including R.W. McQuarters.

If Donovan McNabb can work his way into the game slowly with some run support and high percentage passing, he should be able to find success in connecting with his talented receivers, tight ends and running backs.

McNabb will need time to get the ball to his targets and that is no easy task against one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.

With the acclaimed enhancements to the offensive line and blocking back positions, the Eagles are expected to do a better job in pass protection and in opening up running room for a presumably rehabilitated Brian Westbrook who figures to be in elite game shape by the start of the season.

Jason Peters and Shawn Andrews should match-up well against the best defensive end tandem in the NFL in Jason Tuck and returning superstar, Osi Umenyiora.  The Giants ends will make their plays, but the stout offensive line of the Eagles should do a better job than most in containing the aforementioned stand out players.

The addition of Chris Canty to the interior line will once again make the Giants the most imposing front four in the NFL.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they have five pro-bowl prospects on their offensive line and great depth to go along with the starters.  Nobody will have a field day running against the Giants, but if Westbrook can stay healthy, he will be running behind fullback Leonard Weaver as opposed to Dan Klecko–expect much better production from the running game even against the mighty Giants.

The Eagles have the right mix of weapons to have success against the Giants and moreover fill the duties and prerequisites of running a complete Andy Reid playbook more than ever before.

 

Game, Division, Conference and Season Predictions

The games will be too close to call from analyzing the rosters on paper alone, but based on the 2008 contests, the Eagles finally have an answer for the Giants on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. 

I think it’s fair to give the edge to the Eagles at this point.  That conclusion remains less than scientific, but the Eagles addressed their shortcomings from 2008 in a very big way after squeaking out two close wins in crunch time games against the favored rivals.

The games will be exciting and worthy of the rivalry in 2009 with a finality that can’t unequivocally be rendered.  The Giants and Eagles look to challenge each other for the division and conference on the road to a superbowl run. 

The Cowboys and Redskins remain division challengers not to be overlooked either and they will attempt to play the role of spoiler for the highly touted favorites.

I invite all appropriate discussion and disagreement with an eager ear and open mind.

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net.

Current features: Unsung Eagles from the Buddy Ryan/Rich Kotite era and more.

An Eagles’ Fan Perspective on the Giants Rivalry Games of 2009

The Giants were not the same in the final quarter of 2008 as they finished their season without Plaxico Burress, but in fairness, his sudden long term departure left Tom Coughlin little opportunity to adjust his game plan.

While the Eagles now match up better against the Giants without Plaxico, the remainder of the team is in tact, improved and still a major force to be reckoned with.  Coughlin has also had plenty of time to derive a new strategy to compensate for a Plaxico-less 2009 season.

 

Defending the Giants Running Attack

Despite my passion for the Eagles, I felt it was an undeniable truth, in that we had no answer for the Giants offensive machine when trying to cover Burress and stop Brandon Jacobs.  It was a painful realization.

When Plaxico went down, I immediately smelled the vulnerability of the division rivals from the great City of New York who call New Jersey home.  That was an unfortunate turn of events for the Giants that justifiably gave many Eagles’ fans new hope.

One of our keys to stopping the Giants ground game was our defensive hero, Brian Dawkins.  When he crowded the box he was very effective in playing smash-mouth football with the bruising Brandon Jacobs throughout his career.

Even in Dawkins absence, I expect the safeties to do a solid job against Jacobs.  Both Sean Jones and Quintin Mikell are players that are proven run stoppers from the safety position.  Although no player can replace Dawkins, these guys can step up in the box and lay a hit on a player of Brandon Jacobs stature. 

They will need to fill that role for the Eagles to consistently stop the big man when it matters most.

The young defensive line and linebacking group should also be expected to step up with another seasons worth of experience and maturity under their belts.  They will be even stingier against the run and in coverage than they were in the second half of the 2008 season.  That should take some pressure off of the safeties need to step up in run stop situations.

The Eagles do have the tools to stop Brandon Jacobs.  That statement remains easier said than done.  The Giants dominant offensive line and aggressive fullback, Madison Hedgecock, will do their best to clear the way for Jacobs, but the Eagles were very effective in controlling the line of scrimmage against the G-men in their last two contests of 2008.

 

Defending the Giants Passing Attack

Eli Manning may not be an elite NFL quarterback, but he can clearly get the job done and has a history of rising to the ocassion.  Even without his best weapon, the Giants remain an aerial threat with the addition of some nice NFL ready talent at wide receiver.

By way of the 2009 draft, the Giants acquired receivers Hakeem Nicks and Ramsees Barden. 

Nicks may not have the same skill set as Plaxico, but nonetheless, he is a viable weapon for Eli Manning in 2009.  He’s a hard runner with good size, hands and quickness and is just an overall impressive receiver.

Ramsees Barden is a very tall receiver that could replace Burress in the dreaded jump ball scenario that Eli Manning and the Giants used to burn the Eagles in several clutch moments over the years.

Aside from the rookies, returning veteran receivers, Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon also deserve respect.  Both of these players made solid 2008 contributions. 

Smith is a very nice possession receiver and Hixon showed great vision and speed getting behind the elite defensive backs of the Eagles on several occasions.  Fortunately for the Eagles, he let a big opportunity slip through his fingers in the very close playoff contest at a clutch moment. 

The Eagles can’t afford to depend on that.

The Giants offense may no longer seem indefensible, but the Eagles can ill-afford to take the loss of Plaxico Burress as a compensatory indictment of ineptitude regarding the New York passing attack. 

Eli still has weapons.

In the end, the Eagles should be able to effectively defend the Giants attack and give the offense the opportunity to win the game.  Nothing will come easy, but the Eagles defense will be impressive and more effective against what appears to be a slightly diminshed Giants’ offensive unit in 2009.

 

Putting Up Points Against an Elite Giants’ Defense.

The only way to have consistent offensive success against the Giants is to get them off balance and exploit their only perceivable weakness which is their secondary and arguably the linebackers.

Corey Webster is one of the most underrated cornerbacks in the NFL yielding one of the lowest average-per-catch statistics.  Still, the secondary is suspect, sustaining some key losses including R.W. McQuarters.

If Donovan McNabb can work his way into the game slowly with some run support and high percentage passing, he should be able to find success in connecting with his talented receivers, tight ends and running backs.

McNabb will need time to get the ball to his targets and that is no easy task against one of the best pass rushes in the NFL.

With the acclaimed enhancements to the offensive line and blocking back positions, the Eagles are expected to do a better job in pass protection and in opening up running room for a presumably rehabilitated Brian Westbrook who figures to be in elite game shape by the start of the season.

Jason Peters and Shawn Andrews should match-up well against the best defensive end tandem in the NFL in Jason Tuck and returning superstar, Osi Umenyiora.  The Giants ends will make their plays, but the stout offensive line of the Eagles should do a better job than most in containing the aforementioned stand out players.

The addition of Chris Canty to the interior line will once again make the Giants the most imposing front four in the NFL.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they have five pro-bowl prospects on their offensive line and great depth to go along with the starters.  Nobody will have a field day running against the Giants, but if Westbrook can stay healthy, he will be running behind fullback Leonard Weaver as opposed to Dan Klecko–expect much better production from the running game even against the mighty Giants.

The Eagles have the right mix of weapons to have success against the Giants and moreover fill the duties and prerequisites of running a complete Andy Reid playbook more than ever before.

 

Game, Division, Conference and Season Predictions

The games will be too close to call from analyzing the rosters on paper alone, but based on the 2008 contests, the Eagles finally have an answer for the Giants on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. 

I think it’s fair to give the edge to the Eagles at this point.  That conclusion remains less than scientific, but the Eagles addressed their shortcomings from 2008 in a very big way after squeaking out two close wins in crunch time games against the favored rivals.

The games will be exciting and worthy of the rivalry in 2009 with a finality that can’t unequivocally be rendered.  The Giants and Eagles look to challenge each other for the division and conference on the road to a superbowl run. 

The Cowboys and Redskins remain division challengers not to be overlooked either and they will attempt to play the role of spoiler for the highly touted favorites.

I invite all appropriate discussion and disagreement with an eager ear and open mind.

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net.

Current features: Unsung Eagles from the Buddy Ryan/Rich Kotite era and more.

Jeremy Jarmon Is a Washington Redskin

The Washington Redskins scored the only player selected in the 2009 supplemental draft, Jeremy Jarmon, a defensive end from Kentucky. 

At 6’3″ and 276 pounds, Jarmon is a big physical presence that might be able to step in and produce at the NFL level.

He was not allowed to return for his senior reason in one of the most unfair rulings regarding the NCAA’s banned substance policy. He denied any intent to use the supplement to “cheat” and has never before had trouble with legal or NCAA policies.

Jarmon should provide even more value to the already enhanced defensive line of the Washington Redskins, as he joins newcomers Brian Orakpo and Albert Haynesworth.

The Eagles were also interested in Jarmon and it is unclear if the Redskins trumped their blind bid and if so to what degree, but the Skins surrendered a 2010 third round draft choice for his services.  Both teams held private workouts with him.

In his pro day, Jarmon ran a 4.76 second 40 yard dash and benched 225 pounds 19 times. He was impressive in his positional exercises and overall agility measures. 

Jarmon is anticipated to play defensive end as he did at Kentucky, with the ability to slide inside to a tackle position.

At Kentucky, he racked up 17 sacks in three seasons and was an imposing player. He was thought to be a high round draft pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

Linebacker Byron Evans: One of the Eagles’ All-Time Greats

Part of a long tradition of great Eagles’ inside linebackers, Byron Evans, is unquestionably the most underrated Eagle at that position ever.  Chuck Bednarik, Bill Bergey, Jeremiah Trotter and Stewart Bradley all deserve their high praise, but so does Evans so here it comes.

Byron should be known at least for his all-time great touchdown celebration, known as the “Beanie-Wiggle.”  If you have never seen him shake his stuff, click here.

More seriously, Evans was a key member of the vaunted “Gang Green Defense” of the late ’80s and early ’90s.  It was the play of the defensive line that really stole the thunder.  Guys like Reggie White, Jerome Brown and Clyde Simmons are some of the greatest to ever play their positions.

Seth Joyner and William Thomas were great linebackers in that era as well but Byron Evans locked down the middle linebacker position and is deserving of more credit than he received.

Evans embodied Eagles’ football of that era and played his entire eight year career in Kelly Green, never earning a pro-bowl berth although he easily deserved a few.  

YEAR	TCK	SCK	INT	TD	FF	FR	TD
1987	25	0	1	0	0	1	0
1988	47	0	0	0	0	2	0
1989	184	2	3	0	0	3	0
1990	112	1	1	1	0	0	0
1991	111	0	2	0	0	2	0
1992	175	0	4	0	0	0	0
1993	109	0	1	0	3	3	1
1994	43	0.5	1	0	1	1	0
Career	806	3.5	13	1	4	12	1

His 184 tackles, three interceptions, and three fumble recoveries in 1989 seem pro-bowl caliber as does his 1992 production of 175 tackles and 4 interceptions.  Plus, the guy was just fun to watch.  He made great plays, had a nose for the ball and really anchored the linebackers on one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.

Evans did earn second team all-NFL honors in 1990 and 1992.

As his statistics indicate, Evans was a great tackler.  Tommy Lawlor of Fan-demonium commented on his memory of Byron Evans which I thought really summed up the kind of player he was:

“The thing that pops in my mind with Evans is his long arms. I can always see him in his stance with his arms dangling … He was an outstanding wrap-up tackler, but the arms also helped in pass defense. “

He was unquestionably a leader on the field and became the Eagles defensive signal caller in 1988 and the defensive captain the following season.  Considering the defense he played for, those are pretty high accolades.

Evans told Jim Gehman of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, “To be named one of the captains, you had to trust the person and really believe in what they were doing. They believed that you were a leader and that made me feel real good.”

One of the most challenging defensive systems in NFL history was Buddy Ryan’s 46 Bear and Byron Evans was the master of the most dynamic role in the system which demonstrates his versatile athleticism and intelligence.

In a 2008 interview with Jim Gehman of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Evans commented on Ryan’s defensive system.

“It was very complicated, probably one of the most complex defenses of all time, but it wasn’t intimidating. I think more than anything, I was surrounded by a good bunch of guys who were willing to go the extra mile and help me out and really give me the confidence boost that I needed. If I studied, I could make it happen.”

His career was unfortunately cut short in a devastating injury that occurred during a tackle of the Cleveland Brown’s bruising running back Leroy Hoard.  Evans broke his leg and tore his MCL in one play.  When Evans went down, it kind of felt like the end of an era to me.

For those who never experienced the gang green defense, I recall it as one of the most incredible things I can remember in Philadelphia sports history.  In the middle of it all was another unsung Eagle, 6’2″ and 235 pounds of Byron Evans, one of the all-time Philadelphia Eagles’ great players.

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net.

Current features: Brian Westbrook, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, Cornelius Ingram, Victor Harris, Brent Celek and Hank Baskett…next up…unsung Eagles from the Buddy Ryan/Rich Kotite era.

Eight Offensive Play-Calling Changes Andy Reid Should Consider for 2009

In general, Andy Reid does a great job managing all of his duties as the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach and Head of Football Operations. He designs fantastic plays that underline his offensive creativity and has been outstanding in roster management. 

Eagles fans would still be very excited to see more back-to-basics fundamentals mixed in with the exotic play calling. The players on the roster should be expected to carry a heavy load with talent alone, and dominate by just playing hard-nosed football.

Here are eight things that Eagles fans just didn’t get enough of in 2008.

8. Less Rotation and More Rhythm with the Receivers

McNabb has been regarded as a streaky quarterback, and to a large extent there is truth in that analysis. However, his consistency (like that of all quarterbacks) is predicated on the common understanding of expectation and improvisation between himself and the receivers.

In the darkest hours of the Eagles 2008 season (Baltimore and Cincinnati), Andy was feeling out his options at receiver and rotated receiving packages almost every drive.  McNabb was left with a less instinctual passing reaction, as he was not fully intonated with the offensive sets. 

Accordingly, he forced plays and suffered the consequences.

7. More Split-Backs

The Eagles have two backs with receiver-quality skills that can pick up blitzes, run routes under the coverage, and perform standard running back duties. They’re the perfect compliment to the deep-threat receivers DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin, Hank Baskett and Reggie Brown.

Split-back sets provided some of the best repeatable offensive plays in 2008. In Andy’s scheme it’s a perfect fit. 

6. Work McNabb into the Game Slowly

McNabb is a phenomenal quarterback, but he needs time to find his groove and Andy oftentimes just throws him to the wolves. He needs to get his feet comfortable and set in the pocket before he finds his touch.

Shorter quick passes to start the game and first-down running will help McNabb relax, find his rhythm, and then dissect the secondary.

5. More Pump-and-Go Option Routes

Every cornerback bites on a pump-and-go after getting drawn in on short curl routes and screen passes. If the corners and safeties don’t start tightening their coverage on the short routes, the Eagles receivers are explosive enough to eventually break one of those plays or just systematically drive the field with quick short passes. 

A little more sandlot football will go a long way. McNabb plays his best when he is having fun. 

 

4. More Five-Yard Quick Slants and Short Curls

For a west coast offense, the Eagles don’t run enough short plays to the receivers. I’ve seen too many first down pass attempts in the 15 to 20 yard range. The idea is to draw the coverage forward so McNabb can catch them playing tight, then go up top.

With the addition of Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles have three legitimate receivers that can take a five-yard completion and break it for a long score. Defenses can cover them long or short, but they can’t do both.

3. Play Action Passing

This is a must. Opposing defenses don’t fear the play action because the Eagles don’t run enough on traditional running downs. Setting up play action with solid running behind their new mauling offensive line will draw the safeties forward and open up big play opportunities in the secondary.

McNabb executes a fantastic and under-utilized play action that could set up a quick dump-off pass out from the pocket, a roll-out pass, or a designed scramble to the sideline.

2. Give McNabb the Reigns in the Two-Minute Offense

With two minutes left, the offense needs to flow. Andy needs to trust his franchise quarterback to move the ball and pick apart the defense. With the knowledge he has acquired of the defense over the course of the game, and the experience he has amassed during his long career, McNabb has the tools to get the job done.

The greatest teams have had exceptional two-minute offenses that were led on the field by the quarterback. Any two-minute concepts that Andy wants to see executed should be installed in practice, not game time, with very limited exception.

1. Running on First Down from I-Form

This is a no-brainer. The offense finds its consistency when they run on first down. Whether it works or not, opposing defenses must respect the threat of Brian Westbrook, and when they do, it’s time to change it up with play action, a short, quick play to the receivers, or for the coupe-de-gras, an outright fly or pump-and-go.

 

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net/

Current features: Brian Westbrook, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, Cornelius Ingram, Victor Harris, Brent Celek and Hank Baskett.

Eagles Split-Back Case Study: No Need to Platoon Running Backs

Brian Westbrook is one of the most dangerous players that could ever be on a football field.  LeSean McCoy figures to be a second coming of the same basic skill set. 

How can the Eagles utilize both players? 

NFL teams have recently migrated to a very logical two-back system to preserve the health and minimize injury to their star backs.  Every team is working with a “two-headed monster” of some sort, but does the contemporary model work out?

An injury doesn’t care about anything.  It doesn’t require more than one play.  It doesn’t require player fatigue.  Injuries have no prerequisites.

All of the practice repetitions combine with playing time and age to wear a player down.  Reps are reps.  Some guys are tougher than others and play with more pain while others are unfortunate in taking the hit that ends their career.

If I’m playing, I don’t want to be taken out because of injury worries.  Coaches can’t tell when a player is about to do something great or suffer an injury. 

In fact, I want to play out an entire drive.  The most exploitable opportunities are recognized after working through a series of plays, sometimes after recurring failures.

While Westbrook may be wearing down, a career-ending injury could happen on any play.  That doesn’t mean play him less.  He can still play right now, maybe not tomorrow and maybe not with a football play as a career-ending cause.

You can only bake a cake when the oven is hot and Westbrook’s element will only produce heat for a few more years.

I don’t suggest pounding Westbrook with 30 carries per game and running him until his wheels fall off as that would be irresponsible.  I have an alternate suggestion for a two-back system that the Eagles have used with great success in the past.

Split-backs are the answer.

With the stable of receiver-quality running backs on the Eagles roster, a base split-back formation would enable the Birds endless motion-based formation shifts that would completely keep defenses off balance.

In 2008, one of the Eagles’ best plays was a fake hand-off to the left or right and a pitch to the other back in the other direction from a split-back formation.  Against a team like the Cardinals, whose linebackers attack almost exclusively downhill, that type of misdirection will destroy the defensive scheme.

Split-backs with LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook would increase the sale of ibuprofen to opposing defenses and coordinators. 

How do you cover both of those guys in the flats with speedy game breaking receivers like DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Jeremy Maclin, and even Hank Baskett or Reggie Brown who can get down the field with a quickness?

Leonard Weaver is another split-back option who could lead block on a sweep, break a pass play from the flats, motion to tight end (his high school position), or do any of a myriad of creative things for the offense.

The Eagles in a split-back formation offer rushing opportunities with misdirection, power sweeps, quick-pitches outside, draws inside, additional pass blocking, better check down options, and dynamic motion formation shifts. 

All of this while keeping the backs on the field and in the rhythm of the game without irresponsibly compromising their running back’s health.  The star backs can stay on the field as a decoy, ball carrier, receiver, or blocker.

I was somewhat stunned to see the success of the split-back formation with Buckhalter and Westbrook under-utilized in Andy Reid’s 2008 offensive play calling.  In almost every instance, the misdirection plays opened up great running opportunities for the backs.

LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook in the backfield as a base formation with the occasional rotation of Leonard Weaver or Lorenzo Booker will be a nearly unstoppable dynamic that Andy Reid should embrace more often in 2009.

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More Analysis from Leo Pizzini at: http://eagles.sportsscribes.net/

Current features: Brian Westbrook, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, Cornelius Ingram, Victor Harris, Brent Celek and Hank Baskett.

 

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