When you’re building a good football team, you have to be able to exert your will on your opponent when the chips are down. That’s especially true on the goalline and on short yardage.
When the Eagles get in the red zone, they don’t have anything that they can rely that they can do to exert their will on their opposing defense. It was ridiculous for them to having Ronnie Brown doing a jump throw on the goalline. They tried the gimmick of having Michael Vick throw the ball back to tight end Brent Celek, but Pro Bowl middle linebacker Pat Willis was all over it.
The Eagles don’t have a powerful running back or a 6’5″ receiver like Detroit’s Calvin Johnson, who can’t be stopped on the goalline. Johnson has been the key to Detroit’s success because he can go up and take the ball away from defenders.
Thanks to new offensive line coach Howard Mudd, their offensive line is so small that it can’t push opposing defensive lines off the line of scrimmage. We are getting dominated at the line of scrimmage.
Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg don’t have the answer to this problem and Mudd’s little offensive linemen have made things worse. They didn’t have the answer a year ago and they don’t have the answer now. The Birds should have acquired Plaxico Burress because he would have helped to solved some of their red zone problems.
Most teams have a powerful running game which they can use to get a yard or two at any time. The Eagles need to put their two best offensive linemen side to side, so that they can run the football in those situations.
The Eagles offense was two for five in the red zone in the first half and they failed to improve on it in the second half by going zero for two. They scored two touchdowns out of seven trips into the red zone.
If I were the offensive coordinator for the Eagles I would move Todd Herremans back to the left guard position on the goalline. I would put him right next to left tackle jason Peters and I would put Jamaal Jackson back in the lineup at center on the goalline.
I would put Owen Schmitt in there at the fullback spot and I would put King Dunlap or Winston Justice in at one of the tight end positions. I would develop the ability to run the football on short yardage and goalline.
The Eagles must prove to defenses that they can run the football on short yardage and on the goalline or they won’t be able to throw it either. You must be able to run the football on the goalline in order to force teams to respect your run fakes when you go play action pass.
As things stand right now, they’re not strong enough upfront. Center Jason Kelce, left guard Evan Mathis and right guard Kyle DeVan are not big powerful blockers. They’re undersized and on those short yardage and goalline plays, they’re getting their butts kicked.
The only solutions for this situation is to switch things up.
G,
It’s too late now! They don’t have the personnel! 2 horrific, wasted drafts in a row! You have to hit on good players rounds 1-3 & get solid backups & special teamers 4-7! Square peg in round hole Reid & Rosebuds are terrible & unable, to evaluate talent! They would rather play musical draft picks & treat quantity, more highly than quality! They need to go! There is no way around it, Reid is not a good coach, not a good at in game adjustments, is stubborn & can’t evaluate talent, period! HE NEEDS TO BE FIRED!!!
You’re right on target with this G. The giants game was embarrassing..couldn’t punch it in. I definitely think they should put Jackson back in at the goalline…he’s 330 and can push. They better do something because at this rate they are not going to make the playoffs. How many more games do you think they can afford to lose? 3 more? ‘can’t believe the season is unfolding like this.
G, I was telling my son the same thing… This line is too small, and will get dominated all year. The Redskins have 2 OLBs who are like 260 and 270. That’s the size of our DEs. But anyway I’m sick of Andy and his little team. I’m with Jenkins, I need to see some fire and a take your head off mentality. Players come across the middle not expecting to get hit in the mouth. Defense has no identity… We are straight up getting bullied…
This all goes to philosophy.
You can’t suddenly decide to run the ball. It’s a style of offense that needs to be practiced during living drills in training camp. Vermeil used to say that it took more time to develop a running game, than it took to develop a passing game. Of course, that was a different league, then. The point is that the run requires practice, and Reid spends his time on 80% passing attack.
Give Andy Reid a raise. Give Obama and Andy Reid 4 more years. We no longer live in a sane world. We live in a world where you reward stupidity time and again.
and let Vladimir Putin run for President again in Russia… Good Grief, RTB…
There are now 10 Teams in the NFL who have better Records than than Eagles
Only 6 Teams will make the Playoffs and very unlikely the Eagles can leap-frog 3 other teams in the NFC East to win the Division outright for the WIldcard Teamsa will mst liklely come from the North (Packers,Lions & Bears)
or the South (Saints, TB Bucs and Falcons)
Eagles have 3 NFC Conference Losses already and in reality will need to run the table and win all remaining 8 NFC Conference games left (which include NFC East Teams) to finish with a 9-3 NFC Conference record which is not impossible, but very unlikely that they can do…
4 of their AFC East Games will be difficult wins and the Eagles will have a tough time matching up with the Bills,Patriots and Jets…They also will struggle vs the Bears,Redskins,Cowboys, & Giants
List of Potential Wins on the Schedule
Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, 1 vs Redskins,
1 vs Cowboys… (1 win vs the Rams makes a total 6 Victories in 2011)
6-10 will be their final Record, Eagles finish 3-5 at home bringing a 2 year Home record of 7-10 which is not worthy of 100% fan support in my opinion..
The Bright side is that the Eagles should have the #8th – #10 Draft Pick but will probably end up screwing it up and select a Long Snapper instead of a Defensive playmaker…
Should have began that there are 10 Teams in the NFC Conference with better records and about , (21 teams Total in the NFL) but I am only concetrating on the NFC
LMAO paulman. You think Putin “runs” ?
For as big as Andy Reid is maybe 400 pounds he loves midgets and little hobit guys. Must be a throw back to when he was in the punt pass and kick competition and he was three times the size of the other kids. Practical things that work escape such creative minds as the Eagles brain trust. Their whole philosophy lacks common sense.
I love the color of their uniforms and the fact that they have so many sacks. See the glass is half full
Big E – you are being a tool and a jackass – have you never been somewhat correct in your life? Try to act with a just tiny bit of class –
You do realize you are being a total jackass gloating that the eagles are not doing well right? Yes, the team we all profess to love and cheer for and you seem to think it is cute, funny or some other perverted form of entertainement to dog pile on –
Why don’t you give it a rest – we are 1-3 and things look really bad right now, you being a total douche isn’t going to make the team play any better or any worse –
team really, really sucked this weekend – what else really needs to be said?
dion lewis is a good short yardage back .. brown isnt a short yardage back.. and after last week..worst thing ive ever seen..
Yes I do RTB,
I think Putin Wins and remains and consolidates his power (which is pretty strong to begin with) …
Navy I am sorry I haven’t followed you lead in the class category. Many of you posts were the classiest I’ve ever read. You just have a gift. I admire your use of such elooquent words such as tool, jackass,douche and the insulting of peoples mothers and fathers.You are the epotime of class. I salute you! You always seem to be right. You jitbag.
Navy- your Navy team lost by one point this past weekend. You got a double whammy!
BigE, that’s cold! LMFAO!!!!
Big – I got triple B@@@ F@@@@@@ – Phillies, Eagles and Navy all lost leades, all lost by a point – I am still miserable – and Navy losing to AirForce is – not as bad as losing to Army… but it still blows.
Quit busting on the Eagles – they have sucked for the last 3 weeks – let them get back up off the turf and give it a shot –
Navy …why do you think the Eagles defense sucks so hard in the 4th quarter?
Also, Why do you think the offense sucks hard in the 4th quarter?
Why you think on those….also give an account why Reid and Marty have sucked on short yardage situation well since Mcnabb was here up until now.
Your analysis would be greatly appreciate it.
And here’s one if “the schill” would like to chime in.
Schill? What qualifiications did Juan Castillo have to be promoted into the defensive coordinators position?
Thanks in advance guys!
Songs – are you being serious?
I dont know why D sucks in 4rth Qtr – no clue and with no film I have no way of knowing where the problem is – bottom lin eis they had sucked in the 4rth qtr the last 3 games
as for the O – I disagree they ‘suc’ in the 4rth qtr – they make mistakes, costly, costly mistakes in the 4rth qtr – I am less concerned for the O then for the D – if Maclin cathces/holds the ball in the 4rth Qtr perhaps (maybe) 2 games end differently – I don’t know –
ON short yardage – last time I checked Marty and Andy are not actually in on the field in short yardage…. have you seen them put jersey’s on and come on the field – I haven’t – its a team game – if McCoy LISTENS to Ried and MArty and runs off tackle instead of cuttin gback on 4rth and one he scores.. if Vick sees the wide open FB instead of forcing the middle pass on the goal line… you get the point
See a little free football insight – as a coach – you always blame yourself – you didn’t prepare, you got outchoached, yur boys weren’t ready – as a player – you also blame yourself – did I make that block, did I let the penetrate, did I let them push me back into the pocket, did I let him get his hands up…
that’s why it is a TEAM game…
one last note – you do realize the WORST defense in the NFL right now is the NE Patriots right – we are ranked 16th… (YPG according to NFL.COM)
Chicago, Green Bay and Oakland all have worse defenses….)
Thanks navy for your in depth analysis. So Eagles defense is better than New Englands..thanks I needed that.
Well why do we suck?
and why is new Endland sitting pretty with 3 wins?
Really songs – you are that much of a freakin idiot – becuase the offense is the #1 offense in the league and they outscore everyone else – do you follow any football at all? Any – really – Tom Brady – ever heard of him, hot looking wife – pretty good QB – got this guy named Welker he passes to (he doesn’t drop or fumble it that I know of) Maybe you should like read up on him a little, he’s been around a couple years – Brady – not Mike Brady – tha’s an old TV show Tom Brady B-R-A-D-Y QB for New England – might be the reason New England has 3 wins. Let me know if you need more help there sport
See songs – you missed my suttle digs at you so here ya go – Ried sucks – But Bellicheck is the gold standard – But bellichecks defense sucks even worse then Rieds – What is Bellichecks D Corodniators background how many years has he had the job? Bellicheck uses an aerial attack and doesn’t run that much (same as Ried). Now you complain about or LBs (specifcally you ragged brutally on Matthews) Well Well – ake a look at Chicago with Urlacher – they have a worse Defense then the Eagles hmmmmm.m.m.m.
You see me – I was th eone that always said all the BS you constantly spout is just that BS, I was the one saying results are what mattered – now suddenly when faced with the fact that you really don’t know what you are talking about you still keep talking – you are a walking talking bloggin example of the old adage even a broken clock is right twice a day.. the same shit you dog the eagles for (passing and soft defense) and being 1-3 you proudly support Bellicheck and the patriots – could it be that BRady and Welker are better then Vick and DJax????? But it sure is hell isn’t a ground and pound solid D gold standard youu always babble about.
And the ‘we need a stud LB – well… Oakland and Chocago have stud LBs and oops – Eagles are ranked ahead of them D wise.
So I provided no in depth analysis becasue I have no film – and niether do you, you just seem to be a person that wants the eagles to suck, where as I want the eagles to win.
Who cares where the Defense is ranked ahead of or behind of.. The bottom line is the Eagels Defense blew the last 3 games and are 1-3 because of it..
(the Raiders & Bears I believe are both 2-2 and still have shot at the playoffs while the Eagles are in the basement of a weak NFC East and are almost out of the Playoff hunt with 3 NFC Conference Losses so far and this was supposed to be their easy part of their Schedule..)
Thanks Navy…so what you’re saying is our Eagles sucks ass right now….correct?
I’m not navy Songs, but our Eagles sure have sucked ass for the last 3 games. That doesn’t mean they’ll continue to, but recently, yep! Any other obvious questions you’d like to ask?
As for Juan Castillo’s qualifications – you know the answer to this too, it was his success as a position coach (yes, other side of the ball and not a coordinator – duh, we all know that) but he was a successful coach for an NFL unit in the past (if you try to argue otherwise I’d like proof other than the anti-spadaro – albeit valid- point that he wasn’t “THE BEST Oline coach”….
other qualification is his extensive experience collaborating and working with Jim Johnson.
Those are the qualifications and you know it. It was an unorthodox risky move and so far the evidence says it was a bad move. And also, so far the evidence said more evidence is needed to make a sensible accurate assessment.
Songs – are you retarded – and comparing you to retards is an insut to retards – I think today alone I have used the phrase – the Eagles suck right now at least 5 times – if they air sucing beer, wine, gas or ass, I have no clue – they are not playing good football. Congratulations on the ‘broken record and broken watch awards’
Pman – that’s EXACTLY the god dam point! WHo freakin cares who plays what position, who drafts where, who scores what, the who why what where or whatever other BS – all that matters is wins –
I know for a fact I have been saying that all pre-season and up to and including now… I am not interested in blaming, firing, cutting, getting rid of or worrying about why Johhny was drafted in the first round and only started once and why Timmy played RCB in collge and now is playing in slot – don’t give a shit.
It doesn’t matter if Juan castillo has 2 games, 2 SBs or 2 decades – what matters is how the team is doing the TEAM… the TEAM..
so coming on here and saying fire Castillo and hire a more experinced DC – bullshit – I can show you ten doing worse – Trade for a stud LB – really – Urlacher – his D is worse then ours – Get a great Coach – unless you are bringing Tom BRady with you – again – your comment is horseshit
the TEAM suks – the guys droppin gthe ball, the guys getting penalities, the guys blocking and getting blocke – we SUCK. You want to blame AR – the day he runs 50 yards down the field wide open and drops the ball it will be ALL his fault – want to blame castillo – next time Cruz goes up and takes the ball from him – then it will be all his fault –
the TEAM, the organization and the FANS need to get this things going