I remember back in the late 80’s playing for Buddy Ryan’s 46 defense and going up against Joe Gibbs and the Washington Redskins. Gibbs was one of the few coaches who got the best of Buddy and it was because he was willing to go maximum protection all game long, if that’s what it took to protect his quarterback.
Gibbs would send out two receivers and keep two tight ends and a big fullback in to help pass block.
That was a conservative approach. An offensive coordinator can decide to take chances going for the big play by sending out all his receivers or go maximum protection. They can limit the offense they run against a blitzing team, or be stubborn and refuse to omit any of their offensive plays.
We’ll have to wait and see what Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg are going to do against a defense which they know very well. Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo learned how to be an NFL defensive coach from former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. You know what that means.
Spagnuolo is going to start blitzing the Eagles offense as they coming off the plane and are walking down the stairs at the airport. Not only will they face the blitz, but the Rams have a couple of decent pass rushing defensive ends in James Hall, who had 10.5 sacks a year ago and former number one pick Chris Long, who registered 8.5 sacks a year ago.
They could probably get pressure on Vick with the pass rush, but Spags like his mentor Johnson can’t resist a good blitz. Johnson loved those zone blitzes and so does his protege. They’re hard to read for the quarterback and they sap all the confidence out of him when he gets tricked and throws an interception or gets hit from his blindside.
Mornhinweg had a little smile in the corner of his mouth when he answered the question about whether the Rams defense reminded him of Jim Johnson’s defenses. “the scheme, very similar, very similar. [Rams Head Coach] Steve [Spagnuolo], and then [Rams Defensive Coordinator] Ken Flajole who, shoot he coached me way back, and then we’ve coached together”, Mornhinweg said. “He’s an excellent defensive coordinator, they’re very well coached, the
scheme looks like and smells like Jim. Everybody takes it and evolves just a little bit, which they have done, but yeah, it’s got Jim Johnson all over it, sure.”
Do you think Andy and Marty thought what they would do against a Jim Johnson defense during the time when they were working with him? Sure they did, it’s a natural thing. Spags put a beating on the Birds a couple of times when he was in New York.
You and I know the Birds are not going to abandon the deep game with DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick. They could roll him out, or go to play action pass, but play action would mean running the ball first, so that’s not going to happen.
I think there’s going to run their big play down the field offense regardless of who they play. Mornhinweg made it clear that he relies on Vick’s ability to escape the pass rush with his tremendous speed.
“I’ve got great confidence that he’ll use all that great athletic ability when he’s forced to use it, otherwise staying with the play and running the offense”, Mornhinweg said. “I do find myself, on occasion, relying on that just a little bit, you know, and taking more calculated risks. I do do that. That could be a strength, could be a weakness, for me. I think Mike relies on it, but I’ll tell you what, he’s come so far, as far as playing the quarterback position, that he really is trusting the big offensive line, and the backs and tight ends protection-wise, and he’s done a heck of job, up to date, staying with the play and using that great athletic ability if forced. We can use it in other ways as well.”
You know the Eagles have always got their screen game. LeSean McCoy did an excellent job on draw plays a year ago, so some of them need to be in the game plan, as well.
Remember that Andy and Marty have been game planning this game the entire off season, so they could pull anything out from under their hats. Whatever they pull out had better work.
The Eagles are only 5-7 in season openers under Andy Reid.
Andy Reid said he hired Jim Johnson as Def Coor, because he had a hard time coaching against him.
Spags kicked the Eagles but with the Giants.
Eagles have poor field position all game, Vick knocked silly.
Rams upset Eagles in the opener.
Andy Reid vows to put his players in a better position to win.
would a spread offence with quick throws offset a blitz? just wondering
There is now a generation of younger eagles fans, lead by the likes of one Schiller, who have been brainwashed by the current Eagles regime, that getting to conference championships is enough, to never question or doubt the wisdom of a coach and front office that has never won anything, that upon years and years of questionable drafts, play calling, and personnel decisions, if you question the wisdom and or the record of this adminsitration you are, in the venacular of this younger and uninspired group of so-called ultimate fans, a “hater”, a word created by the propaganda machine, that if you do not fall in line and accept as gospel the decisions of the front office, their head coach, or if you dare question the ability of any player, you are just a deranged lunatic, racist, or some other pejorative label they arbitrarily call you, but the truly enlightened fan, led by the leadership of the Mr. bsmvideos, a seasoned, older gentleman, Mr.rcp, another older man with much wisdom, and the younger enlightened like ddcar, less his impulsive nature and foul language, paulman, who on occasion shines light and statistical analysis on this troubled franchise, and last but not least, the most reverend songs, a revolutionairy, insight beyond what appears to be his tender years, these are the real fans, the patriots of what will be a revolution, when the likes of andy reid will never roam the sidelines as the coach of our most beloved franchise, the Philadelphia Eagles
Jake
Shut the hell up.
Thank you CT
If those guys are so old then they should remember those piss poor years, and Vermeil did about as much, no more than Reid and he ran the ball a lot more than Reid could ever dream of, so there thing on that while we are all going down memory lane.
Jakedog..that eloquent piece should be framed.
We’ll cheer our Eagles this year and make it to the playoffs.
the imcompetent promotion of a pathetic offensive line coach to defensive coordinator will be our demise in the playoffs.
Not addressing the continual ills of the offensive line will have Vivk limping into the playoffs again.
Then, the spin machine starts again.
It’s ashame because this regime have even taken the excitement of the draft from us too.
I used to be hyped for draft day now i wait until the draft is done to look over picks…that 27 year old fireman was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Jake i’m 41 & no one is perfect. 🙂 But thanks for the somewhat, kind words. I’ve been trying to cut back with the foul words, but some of the unnamed bozos on here, pi$$ me off, with their delusional & condescending comments & attitudes! BTW, best post of the month, my man! LMBO!
Spagnoulo coached 2 years with the Giants–aside from the first meeting, which heralded the 6 sacks given up by a woefully overmatched Winston Justice, the Eagles lost 16-3 and 16-13 (OT) in 07; they put 31 points on their defense in a game they lost 36-31, and then they beat the Giants 20-14 and 23-11 in the divisional playoffs both in the Meadowlands–so I don’t know about rewriting history about Spags kicking the Eagles butts.
Jake – I take issue with the idea that you think ANYONE AT ALL thinks that a conference championship “is enough”. I disagree that anybody thinks that or ever stated so. Prove me wrong if you can.
And this part just cracks me up “hater”, a word created by the propaganda machine”. I don’t know what you specifically mena by “propaganda machine” – if you mean the Eagles team or their PR department/personel….that’s hilarious becuase the term ‘hater’ wasn’t invented or first used after the NFL or even professional football in America was created/began. That’s ludicrous if you actually believe that. You really think the term “hater” wasn’t around before 1999? REALLY? Ha…
Spags gave us a couple fits with the Giants…..but those were the Giants….and they had the talent to play out his scheme. I apologize to any Rams fans, but St. Louis just doesn’t have the talent right now to effectively play the way Spags wants his defense to play. Maybe in a year or two, not now.
This past off season indicates that the eagles can no longer be satisfied with playoff appearances, there is a loud, disgruntled fan base, and a neighbor wearing pinstripes, that make being good every year no longer good enough, but notwithstanding this apparent change, they neglected the biggest reason for what may be continued failure, the head coach, until they make this change, I fear more of the same futility, just watch
I am 48 years Young and can still kick ass, so I don’t consider myself old just yet… though I do admit that my reaction to my meds are a little more volatile than they used to be… ha
Back on topic on how to beat a blitzing,over-agressive Defense which the Eagles will most likley see versus the Rams..
Some qucik Slants, Bubble Routes and Screens would work well..Hitting the TE on quick strikes in the middle of the field could go for some big gains. I think the Eagles are the only team in the NFL who doesn’t run the Bubble Routes or at lteast doesn’t run them that effectively..
What doesn’t work… and this has killed me for years.. The Play-Action Pass has never worked in recent years for the Eagles simply bvecause they
don’t run the ball enough to give the element of surprise.. Teams Defenese’s strictly play for the pass when playing the Eagles and will take the chance of a couple of nice runs here and there, but the %’s are that they Eagles will pass,pass and pass and whenever the Eagle attempt a Play-Action Pass, it fools no one and actually allows the Pass Rushers a couple extra seconds to come in after the QB who is not looking while faking a handoff and then by the time the QB turns around to look for recievers, VIck will have 3-4 guys in on him (same thing happened to McNabb) I wish Coach AR/MM would rip that Play-Action call right out of the handbook for it doesn’t work against prepared teams..
Eagles coaches before Reid faced multiple SB champions in their division. In Reid 13 or 14 yr’s here. He faced 1 (giants)
i like to see alot of short passes. slants to WR’s, short passes to te or mcCoy….is it me or hasn’t Andy utilized rb and te position. i watch other teams for years with a TE or RB blocking for a second and then bam wide open for a pass…..i just don’t know