Defenses are going to play two-safeties deep the rest of the season in order to stop Michael Vick from throwing bombs to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. The defense hasn’t stopped the Eagles but it has slowed them down, so teams will utilize it the rest of the way.
They will be in either a double zone coverage or what’s call a two-man coverage.
On both of those coverages there are two safeties deep. One coverage is a zone with five players in the short zones and two-safeties deep. On the other coverage, the cornerbacks and linebackers are in man-to-man coverage with the safeties deep to help on any long passes.
These are the defenses which have frustrated Jackson.
The vulnerability in these coverages are the tight ends and running backs down the middle. You send the wide receivers deep to simply occupy the safeties and the tight end primarily should be able to kill the defense down the middle.
I know Eagles tight end Brent Celek made a big play late in the Houston game, but the Birds are going to need big games out of him the rest of the way. Vick must look for him and get the ball to him because he’s the best weapon versus two deep.
This will also require the tackles to handle opposing defensive ends by themselves, so that Celek doesn’t have to help them block. If Celek is forced to stay in, it will create problems for the Birds.
The tight end needs to have big numbers the rest of the way for the Birds offense to continue to explode.
When the Birds go to three wide receivers, the middle wide out is playing the tight end or slot position and he can destroy the coverage by getting deep down the middle. The Eagles put Jackson in the slot versus the Falcons and he caught a touchdown pass down the middle.
The other weakness in the two deep safeties coverages concern stopping the run. The safeties can’t help stop the run if they’re lined up ten to fifteen yards deep. The Birds must punish these defenses with the run. They’ve got two outstanding ball carriers in LeSean McCoy and Jerome Harrison, so they have to make defenses pay for putting their safeties so deep.
I Jackson and Maclin won’t be thrilled about throws to Celek and running plays, but if the Birds hurt teams with passes to the tight end and the running game, it will force defenses to bring the safeties up there to help and before you know it,
No doubt that the opposing Defenses will have the Safeties back and the middle of the field open in pass coverage against the speed and big play capability of D-Jax/Maclin.
The TE’s/Slot Receiver (Avant and hopefully Cooper) will have 5-10 yards open in the middle of the field most of the game.. I expect big games frome Celek (who has had big games versus the Cowboys) and Avant.. I also think we will see TE Harbor and WR Cooper/Hall figure in the game plan as well, Harbor seems to have his legs and confidence under him and could be a real secret weapon coming down the stretch..
Good Post……. I just hope AR and MM reads this one LMAO!! To tell you the truth I want to see more of TE Mills on the field……. Maybe if we run a 3 te set with Harbor, Celek, and Mills……. With Maclin or D-Jac on the field Celek can be more involved in this offense…….. Play action game could be deadly with Schmitt in the back field and McCoy or Harrison it would open up so much more for these safeties to play up more…… We have to make them pay…….. But thats all up to AR and MM to be more balanced!!!
jroc, yeah because G knows more about offensive scheming than Andy and Marty. Right.
Time to start dinking and dunking just like the pats do. Routes for yards after the catch
I dont know about putting Jackson in the slot tho!!!!! We do need big games from Celek during this stretch of the season……..
is this a post about the eagles running the ball
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha
y waste a web page on this
JROC, what has Garrett Mills shown you that proves he should be on the field? I swear, some of you come up with some of the most asinine comments known to man.
I know PW. We will only run the ball in situations that were aren’t supposed to or when we have a lead.
You know whats funny about all this scheming for our offense….it’s not even at 100 percent….imagine if Leonard was still healthy. Wow.
You know what’s interesting in that the entire week after the game against the bears when Desean didn’t do too much all we heard was how unhappy he is and people “writers” talking about who he’s texting. But after Houston when he still doesn’t do much but we win, all the talk is gone. What’s the deal with that? Media trying to create something?
Scorp — I just think the spotlight is brighter on it when we lose. I mean, nearly 100 yds is still producing, he didn’t score, but he had some big catches.
In the Chicago game he dropped a crucial first down and then short-armed a TD, so it was definitely something to talk about at the time.
Dawk, that sounds good in theory but I’m not sure if we have the personnel for that. Besides Avant and Cooper our WR aren’t willing to make their living between the hashes. Not going to be able to dink and dunk all day on the outside. But I do think we need to work the shorter routes with Celek and Avant to bring those safeties up some. We will see what happens because unlike some other teams, Dallas has more confidence in their CB to play man coverage more than most teams. So I think we will have some opportunities for some big plays.
BirdoBeamen…… He is a great blocker…… Alot better than Celek….. As a matter of fact Birdobeamen he is the best blocking Te that we have on this team……. Look and watch the game when he is in……. He plays physical……. And he contributed alot with minnesota run game when he was with the Vikings……… Thats why the Birdz picked him up for…..His blocking abilities…….. and ST…….
Birdo, I agree but I think it was overblown then. That’s my point. I don’t think Desean is any more happy or unhappy than he was last week. I don’t think it had as much to do with his contract as the media wanted it to be and more about Andy chewing his butt out. Sure he thinks about the contract but I think it was way overblown.
jroc, he can be a great blocker….thats fine….put him in at the goalline if we have to…..but this is not a time to start experimenting with schemes and who should play what. Every play matters. Every snap matters. This is the time where the superstars must shine.
We need to go at Mike Jenkins……… Test him….. And test him often……… He’s going to crack one way or the other……. I
The entire Dallas secondary is trash….including Newman. I see none of them.
Birdo I feel you…….. But he has played a few games this season…. Not much but when he is in the run game is more effective……… Superstars yes we do have but look at what the Saints have been successful at……. Role players……… A vet like him can help a young team in these key situations……. Thats all im saying….. We need that experience on offense……. A six year pro can help………
jroc, yeah I agree about Jenkins. He’s a fraud. Eventually he’ll give up the big play by a long TD or penalty. Newman the same. He’s the more physical one but both can be beat because of their aggressiveness. Our problem last year, besides McNabb not playing well was the o-line being terrible. Vick should be able to move around to buy time to hit some nice plays against their secondary.
To JRoc757
TE Mills has been inavtice the last few weeks with C Harbor taking his place on the active game day roster. Coach AR’s history is that it’s very unlikely that Eagles have 3 TE’s Active for a game so don’t expect Mills to play much down the stretch, I think Coach AR/MM feel that Harbor has finally comfortable with the Offense after a slow start , and now have the have confidence in him to make some plays.
If the Eagles did have 3 TE’s active for a game, who would you de-activate from the active game day roster from the RB/WR positions to make room for the 3rd TE (MIlls)
RB Buckley or WR Cooper .. I don’t think so…
A guy that I hated on dallas which he is no longer there was Ken Hamlin………. he got maclin frustrated last year…….. He did his job by getting into a young players head to get him out of his game……. Yes we were down big……. But we do lack experience with some players……. Vick has proven to be a great leader…….. I miss guys like B. Dawk who got this team together to get things done right!!!!! Picking up guys like shaun Jones last season proved that we really did make a mistake on not giving B. Dawk the deal he was seeking……… But now I think with this group of young talent we have to show what we are made of……… I just feel it that this team can shock the world!!!!!!! WE are like the Utah Jazz of the NFL……. A great coach……… With young talent…… Alot of successful years……. But not Superbowl Championship……… THis is it……. I cant stand no more!!!!!!
@Paulman…… We have seen the Eagles do things differently during the late stretch of the season……. Sometimes we’ll play games like we invented the west coast offense…….. and some games we play like we play run and gun…….. I just have a feeling that AR and MM will play a Phil Jackson type deal during the stretch of this 4th half of the season……….. Why not scheme differently…….. make teams think……. you know what pissed me off last season when “Keith Brooking” said “The eagles were so predictable on offense”! on radio……. I think that sent a message to the coaching staff (of the Eagles) that was a slap in the face…………. I just hope the Eagles do things differently by putting a WR in the back field or run plays to have defenses guessing!!!
paulman says:
December 7, 2010 at 3:41 pm
For whatever it’s worth
The Eagles have a great Turnover ratio of + 15 but it has not been as strong as it was earlier when Vick was playing Error-Free ball (which is impossible to sustain) and the Eagles Secondary hasn’t had as many INT’s with Samuel outt that will
Paul
There you go again. How many turnovers has Vick had, 2? How many has he had in the red zone, 0? How many TD passes have the receivers dropped, 7?
Why do you always find a way to lay blame on Vick. It’s people like you who gave McNabb a bad name.
LMAO drummer!!!!!
he still keeps ripping mcnabb every week drum
its all mcnabbs fault blah blah but he’s throwing to guys i never heard of
his num 1 wr is like some guy named armstrong
yet when some1 says something nice about 5 he’s not our qb y r we talking about him blah blah
yet when 5 has a bad game or skins get blown its 5 this and 5 that ur a funny guy pman
i guarantee u if kolb was in washington it would be they have no line they r playing with a 5th string rb they have practice squad level wr the defense stinks it would be so many excuses well some of us see right thru ya
pman r u eskin ?
When Manning throws 11 picks in 3 games, it’s because he has no one, totally disregarding Reggie Wayne’s best season. W
hen McNabb was throwing to receivers who couldn’t even get off the line of scrimmage, he was a “bad QB,” “scared to let go of the football,” etc.”
Even Tom Brady was unable to complete passes to Hank Baskett, and the Patriots let him go after one year. Yet, he was good for McNabb for 3-4 years. Go figure.
That should have been “good enough” for McNabb.
Paul
Like I said before, your words betray you. You try to hide your true feelings, but you can’t. Your bias comes through loud and clear.
Just admit that you and Vinnie are kindred spirits. At least he admits who he is. There’s no shame in being Paul.
Yeah drummer. I was so disgusted at the excuses they made for Manning when he was throwing picks all over the place. They would say crap that puts the blame on the “young receiver” even if Manning threw the ball straight to the defender. Last time I checked, Reggie Wayne is still on the field. Now we see what Peyton looks like with no running game and average-at-best defense and no weapons other than Wayne. Brady will forever be better then that fraud. And when McNabb loses and throws INTs people want to come highlight it like he’s out there playing with the best o-line and set of skilled players in the league. We know how they really felt. They claimed to support the team and they don’t. Those same people feel the same way about Vick. It’s ok right now but when he struggles a little they can’t wait to say something bad EVEN IF WE WIN. It’s truly pathetic.
Phillywill — McNabb’s number one receivers are former pro bowler Santana Moss and pro bowl tight end Chris Cooley. Don’t act like McNabb has no weapons. The guy is toast. Stop coming up with excuses for him. He’s been getting excused his whole career.
santanna moss was a pro bowler when he had speed (about 3 or 4 yrs ago)
he’s a freaking 5-9 possesion wr now ( u act like u know so much football u should know this then)
go to ur madden and look at his rating since thats how u rate every1
cooley aint bad still but when ur number 1 option is a solid te u have a problem
i dont plan on changing ur opinion u just hate mcnabb and thats fine idc
I can say earlier in Mcnabbs career he had no weapons with guys like Pinkston, Thrash, and Freddie Mitchell……. he had only Westbrook and Chad Lewis as reliable weapons…….. That game last week against the Giants made me think has Mcnabb lost it…….. He had a chance to scramble for yards and hesitated and caused a TO by a fumble that killed them…….. I am a Big big Mcnabb fan…….. But some of his reads to deliver the ball have be suspect…….. Cooley has been up and down as far as injuries and Fred Davis was suppose to be a big weapon but he hasn’t proven so……. Portis is done I believe and Wr like one player (Joey Galloway) who is passed his prime and is no longer a redskin!!!!!! Mcnabb played the hand that was dealt to him…….. He had his choice and on paper people said they were a favor to go to the SB…….. This season with his presense!!!!! That was proven wrong………. I still think Mcnabb is a good Qb but he just thinks too much while he is playing on the field……… Thats my opinion!!!
Birdo, please stop it with Santana Moss. He hasn’t been good for years. And Cooley is good but when the TE is your #1 receiver then the team has problems. And no one is making excuses for him. We are merely pointing out the fact that some of these schmucks are not consistent in their criticism of QBs. So if they want to criticize him, they have every right to do so because he’s playing bad. But then don’t come on here or anywhere else and make excuse for guys like Peyton Manning and say “all his weapons are injured and he has no one to throw the ball to”. That’s not consistent and being a hypocrite.
jroc, anyone who thought the Redskins were Super bowl favorites or even said that before the season doesn’t even deserve to talk about football.
The whole Mcnabb issue should be dead now!!! IDK why Paulman brings it up………. Some people like to rise from the grave and cause pain to the living LOL!!!!! But I think If mcnabb had some weapons he’ll be fine…….. But I just hope that he doesn’t be too successful….. Not in our division…….. Will he be there next season with the Redskins????? Or will he be in Arizona next year who have been successful with older Qb’s!!!!!!
@Scorp……. I’m serious John Clayton and the writers of ESPN said that the redskins on paper have a better chance to battle Dallas for the top spot in the NFC East and possibly win the superbowl……. They said with the addition of Shanahan and mcnabb as Qb that this makes them a Superbowl Team…… I swear on Everything…….. Google it……… Scorp I’m serious on that!!!!!!!
They said with Hanynesworth at center and a very “Stingy” WSH defense that this offense will get better…… I remember that early Sunday morning when the ESPN writers visiting teams training Camps!!!!
BirdoBeamen
What’s Manning’s excuse?
They did say on paper…….. They had Portis, Willie Parker, and Larry johnson…… Wr….. Santana Moss, Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, Joey Galloway,…….. Te Fred Davis, Chris Cooley…….. And with the addition of Rookie OT Williams and a few other key offensive linemen returning that they will be better on offense!!!!
Let’s not forget that Manning wore the “can’t win the big one” tag for year.
He won one, and suddenly, he was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Of course, he threw a pick to lose last year’s Superbowl, and now he seems to be chasing “The Great Brett Favre’s” turnover record.
Please, don’t get me started on Favre, the most overrated, hyped-up, media-created QB of all time.
Who cares about how bad McNabb is struggling along with the entire Redksins team and Coaching staff, I know I don’t ..but back to turnovers..
Vick was Flawless with the ball up to 2 weeks ago..
In the last 3 games – Vick has thrown only 2 Int’s but has 7 Fumbles in which only 1 was recovered by the opposing team so a few unlucky bounces either way, and this turnover Margin could look a lot different. I am concerned that Vick is takking too many hits that he’s begining to fumble more which eventually will catch up to you and fall into the hands of the opposing team.
Hopefully with a healthy A Samuel back on the field, the Eagles can get back to getting a couple of INT’s. I think CB Dmitri Patterson & Q Mickell will get a couple of good chances to pick off Kinta
and they need to take advantage of it.. Kinta will throw some up for grabs if you can pressure him
jroc exactly
u think alot when running a new o
when ur not confident in ur wr
when ur not confident in ur o line
thats exactly what happens u end up thinking instead of playing and reacting and i agree thats what he is doing
im not excusing him he’s been bad but i doubt to many qb’s even the almighty vick would fair to much better there in that position .
I don’t know guys, there were a few guys this summer who seemed to feel that the Redskins with McNabb & Shanahan were much better than the Birds. They said that the Eagles would regretthe day they made the trade and that the Redskins would be in the playoff’s while the birds wouldn’t win…what was it…4 games? Just trying to “keep it REAL”….but there were some posters who even declared that they would be supporting the skins over the birds this year.
20/20 hindsight is great..and I know that much of the talk was the result of many posters seeing their favorite player traded…but can anyone with an honest opinion say that McNabb has had a “good” season, or that the birds are not better to have moved on?? You can debate if in fact the FO just got lucky, seeing how the qb they anointed is still the backup, but they are clearly a different team with a different attitude.
Bird
Why would McNabb even need excuses. He went to 6 pro bowls, 5 division championships and a Superbowl. What’s there to excuse?
If you want to blame him for the Superbowl loss, please tell me what Westbrook did, or what Jim Johnson’s defense did, or what Hank Fraley did.
McNabb had pressure up the middle from the very first play. Anyone who “understands” football knows that a QB can’t have pressure come directly from the middle.
Yeah, the Redskins have revereted to George Allen’s “Over The Hill Gang.”
Green
Those same fans thought Kolb would be the QB. Do you think, we would be where we are with Kolb starting?
u do pman ur the 1 who keeps talikn about him
paulman says:
December 7, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Just checked the NFL Stats page and found QB D McNabb rated the 27th QB in the NFL as far as
overall QB ratings go.. That’s right Ranked 27th and he’s paired with Offensive Genius HC M
Shanahan..They both need to retire before the embarrass themselves any further…
Has anyone dropped so far, so fast in recent memory… Maybe Duante Culpepper.. What a shame
Green
Reid tried very hard to trade Vick. So, how could ANYONE predict what this season would be like?
drummer…read my entire comment..I talked about the “luck” of the FO…I am talking results, not plans.