After doing a whole lot of nothing in his first game as a professional (despite much of three quarters qualifying as garbage time), first-round pick Jeremy Maclin hopes to be a bigger part of the offense this week against the Saints.“I should be,” he said, per Jeff McLane of Philly.com.¬† “I’m excited to go out there and play a bigger role.”
I’m really curious to see if and how the Eagles use Maclin and the other weapons this week.¬† Since I don’t think much of Kevin Kolb, yet I do think a lot of Drew Brees, I’m all for trying to manage the game and keep Brees off the field.¬† If that means a healthy dose of Westbrook and McCoy along with high-percentage passes to DeSean and Maclin, I’m all about it.¬†
The latter pair has a ton of speed to burn and are a threat to go to the house every time they touch the ball.¬† Just get the ball in their hands and don’t get too fancy.¬† The Saints will still have to respect the deep ball, even though Kolb doesn’t throw it very well.¬† Use DeSean’s deep speed to open up the underneath for Maclin (just don’t throw it deep to DeSean, Kevin.¬† I don’t trust you).
I keep hearing about the Saints improved defense, but I don’t care.¬† Their defense was putrid last year.¬† You can put new tires on a 1984 Ford Tempo and that definitely makes it better.¬† But it’s still a 1984 Ford Tempo (and my apologies to all of those out there driving one.¬† My mom had one when I was a kid….they are brutal).¬† Yes, I’d feel a lot better if Jason “modern day Izel Jenkins” David was still a corner for them, but he got waived this offseason so that bag of nothing won’t be in Philly tomorrow (It’s a shame, he could have been Kolb’s biggest weapon).¬† But how can you have a QB throw for 5,000+ yards and your team still doesn’t make the playoffs?¬† Simple:¬† your defense stinks.¬†
But I digress.¬† My original point was that I’d like to see the Eagles use Maclin more often.¬† I’m not terribly high on him right now, but he is fast and could help to create a lot of confusion on the part of the Saints.¬† How can a sub-par defense possibly account for him, Jackson, Curtis, Avant, Westbrook, McCoy and Celek, even if they are used in high-percentage routes?¬† Maclin’s lack of route-running skills are a perfect complement to Kolb’s lack of passing skills and that should be used to the Birds’ advantage (I can’t wait for the comments on that one. My response in advance: Lighten up).¬†
But seriously, underneath routes to guys like Maclin still give you the big-play threat, while not asking Kolb to do too much.¬† Get Maclin in space, do what you have to.¬† Just try getting the ball in his hands without getting too cute.¬† The Eagles can’t afford interceptions, incomplete passes and short drives.¬† Drew Brees will kill them and the game will be in the hands of Jeff Garcia by the early second quarter.¬†
Basically, save Kolb from himself and get the ball in the hands of burners like Maclin to keep the clock moving while still having a chance for a big play. 
