The Eagles had a big advantage over the Rams offensive line by platooning their defensive linemen. When they got to the fourth quarter, the Birds defensive line was fresh and the St. Louis Rams offensive line was sucking fumes.
Atlanta doesn’t want to put their offensive line in the same circumstance, so you can almost guarantee that the Falcons will run some no-huddle offense. It will allow them to prevent the Eagles from sending in substitutions and give them the power to dictate the pace of the game.
It’s not something the Falcons would have to install because they’ve have had Matt Ryan run the offense in the past. Every team in the league has it within their arsenal of weapons, but most of them don’t use unless it’s near the end of the half or the end of a game.
Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was asked about how it would affect his defensive line and their platooning.
“Well, I think it doesn’t matter whose no huddle”, Castillo said. “No huddle, I think for defenses is something that you have to prepare and do a good job during the week preparing for; we’ve had some work during training camp on that situation. You know, coach [Reid] always sets up periods where we work on certain things and that’s one of the things that we’ve worked on a few times so we should be prepared for anything.”
The No-Huddle also tires out defensive lines because they don’t have as much time to rest in between plays and I said before, they don’t allow the defense to substitute.
This is part of the chess game which will be going on between the Eagles coaches and Atlanta’s staff.
I think the no-huddle is a hugh problem. It completely nullifies platooning. Did anyone watch the New England-Miami game? Miami’s defense was dead tired by the end of the game. Not every QB can run it like Brady..but it will still be effective.
3 and out – who cares if they don’t huddle between there three plays – just give our O more time wth the ball
Yeah Navy, 3 and out is what we should be shooting for; I agree. Plus, that would be a good time for Reid to use a legitimate timeout.
Rocko,
I think what you just said is an oxymoron!
EricT,
I’ve actually dissected my statement and am looking for the “incongruous-conflicting” element to it. Is it the “shooting for vs good time”? Seriously I’m trying to find it; though It is a possibility I could be wrong, Tell me what you think buddy. I’ve been up since 1 am studying for 2 tests I had earlier today. Thanks man.