Did the Eagles close their quarterback deficit in the NFC East by trading Nick Foles to the St. Louis Rams and acquiring Sam Bradford? That’s the question that Phil Sheridan of ESPN.com asks. Of course there are a variety of ways to answer that question.
Last year the combination of Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez threw for 4581 yards with 27 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Foles threw for 2163 yards, 13 of those touchdowns and 10 of the interceptions. He had a 62.2 quarterback rating. Sanchez on the other hand threw for 2418 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating was 88.4.
Both quarterbacks showed production, but they each turned the ball over much too much. As a duo they’re the reasons the Birds led the league in interceptions. Now with Bradford as the number one guy and Sanchez as his backup, the Birds hope things will change. Clearly the change needs to be in the turnover area.
Last year Tony Romo was the best quarterback in the division. Romo had a Pro Bowl season where he threw for 3705 yards with 34 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. His quarterback rating was an astonishing 113.2.
Will Bradford or Mark Sanchez get near those types of numbers? I think there’s a chance of it, if DeMarco Murray helps the Birds running game to dominate the way he and his Cowboys teammates did a year in Dallas.
A year ago Eli Manning benefitted from the presence of Odell Beckham Jr., who was an amazing target. Manning threw for 4410 yards with 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, which isn’t a bad year. His quarterback rating was 92.1. Victor Cruz missed most of the season a year ago, but he will return this in 2015 and team up with Beckham to form one of the most outstanding wide receiver groups in the NFl. It should improve Manning’s numbers.
Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins aren’t really in the conversation. In the 2014 season, RGIII threw for only 1694 yards with four touchdown passes with six interceptions. His quarterback rating was 86.9.
I do think the Eagles can close the gap on the Cowboys and the Giants at the quarterback position because I think both Bradord and Sanchez can reduce the team’s interceptions. The key will be the running game because it will keep the pressure off the quarterbacks by greatly reducing the number of must passing situations.
I am not so sure to answer the Question posed by G-Man..
I do expect better Production for the QB Position (Bradford/Sanchez) and probably more Rushing from the Murray/Matthews RB Tandem but the bottom line to me is those 2-3 Tough games a Season when playing against good Teams with good QB, can a Bradford/Sanchez make enough big plays in the Passing Game to Win?
Dink and Dunking down the field works until you get into the Red-Zone,
Can Bradford/Sanchez beat Teams over the Top like a Romo can with Dez Bryant, or Eli with Beckham, or a Rodgers with Nelson or a Big Ben with A Brown or a Joe Flacco with Smith…
The RB Corps of the Eagles is deeper and stronger but their OL has ? On the Interior which is crucial for a good Rushing attack and especially without the big play capability of McCoy now gone which would bail out the OL on occasions.
Let’s hope so.
I think Bradford has the talent to rip it up most games. He’ll be great against the Jets and Skins and Bills…. Just not sure he has the balls to compete against the Pats, Saints or in the playoffs. We’ll see.
It’s the $64k question . I said all winter that LLCB doesn’t need a runner per se , he needs his version of Brady, quick and accurate throws etc. I thought it was foles, Kelly thinks it’s Sam …. I contend he knows more about it than I
Completely dependant on Bradford’s health. Most people that balked at trading for him didn’t do so because of his skills, it was due to his being perpetually injured. Bradford healthy, yes. Bradford hurt, no.
I do think that Bradford also has to outplay Mark Sanchez to get the Starters Job.. Kelly stated that he’s just not going to give the Stsrters Spot without earning it first which has to be done on the Field in the Practices and Pre-Season Games which makes this Pre-Season with 10-11 New Starters and many back-up Positions up for battle probably one of the most important and exciting in a very long time…
Not even pinnochipio knows for certain..G ..he isn’t even hedging his bets ,and at the moment the china doll syndrome looms like a damaclese sword over the franchises head.Nobody is delusional Pman to assume if healthy, Sam I am wouldn’t be tossed the keys to the chip mobile.He will have to remain upright , and defy his injury history and turnover rate ,when harried.His lack of mobility ,will force quick decisive routes. Which will require synchronicity ,only accomplished by repetition.With so many new moving parts the chip mobile won’t one off the assembly line purring like a Maserati ,it will be a transformative process .The one observation if the answer is affirmed ,will be better field position for the defense ,as percentages of turnovers and better results in the red zone can alleviate the rope being wound too tight ,lessening the pressures the offense asserts on its defense.In my mind Bill Davis will have the assets of the offseason ,and a quarterback that will by his own accord ,will minimize the stress placed upon the defense .lastly efficient downfield running will avoid the shady dance lateral moves creating more manageable 2nd and 3rd downs ,extending the times of possession ,also a rest it for a stressed defense in the past ..In many ways the QB and the efficiency of the offense will effectively resuscitate the defense..
P-man, a healthy Bradford in our starting QB. Chip can talk about competition all he wants, but he didn’t give up Foles and a two for competition sake. Bradford is Chips guy. Sanchez is a reliable back-up in the (likely) event Bradford gets hurt again.
Yes that’s the Plan for Bradford, but he needs to be able to practice at a 100% yet, which he most likely won’t be at the Start of Training Camp which means
Sanchez gets the #1 Reps out of the Gate..
.
You man WHEN Bradford gets hurt again.
NO WAY Bradford was Kelly’s plan all along. Even the ole’; ball coach admits Bradford is a question mark especially when asked in comparing Foles to Bradford… No way the Eagles are better at the QB position with Sanchez and Bradford Sanchez? Sanchez? Mark Sanchez? STOP! Any fan with a brain who isn’t a brainwashed homer knows this… You don’t think D’s are gonna line up EVERYONE in the box to stop Murray and make these jokers beat you?
Of course Bradford is the #1 Plan, But Coach Kelly may have to go to Plan B
since Bradford has been slower to recover than expected which would mean
Sanchez… Coach Kelly cannot put a 85% Healthy Bradford out there and expect to Win…