It’s Time To Move On From Nelson Agholor
Nelson Agholor, once again, cost the Eagles with a horrendous drop.
Towards the end of the second half, Carson Wentz found Agholor open in the middle of the field, delivered a strike, and the former first-round pick let it bounce right off of his hands.
Agholor is completely useless. He’s actively costing the team week to week. It’s time for the team to cut their losses, and move on from Chip Kelly’s former first-round pick. Removing him from the offense would be a case of addition by subtraction.
Agholor is beyond redemption at this point. The second-year wideout entered the game with just 27 catches for 264 yards and one touchdown on the season. In his 23-game career, he has just 50 grabs for 547 yards and two scores. There’s nothing special about his skillset. He doesn’t have size. He doesn’t have elite speed. He certainly doesn’t have good hands.
I refuse to believe that the Eagles wouldn’t be better off with Paul Turner on the 53-man roster. Frankly, I don’t care who it is. Bring up Turner. Sign Jason Avant, or another veteran wideout off of the streets. At this point, its just essential that Agholor not see the field again as a Philadelphia Eagle.
The Cost Of “Finishing Strong” And Winning Meaningless Games
For just a moment, let’s flash back to Week 17 of the 2015 season.
With a 6-9 record and nothing to play for, interim head coach Pat Shurmur and quarterback Sam Bradford put a heavy emphasis on beating the Giants to close out the season. The message at the time was that it was important that the defeated Eagles “finish strong” and end the season with “something to build on” for next year.
Let’s see what that great win over the Giants achieved.
The Eagles finished with a 7-9 record, and the 13th pick in the first round. If they had lost and fallen to 6-10, they would have finished with 8th overall pick in the draft, a pick they ultimately traded up for and later traded to select Carson Wentz. If they didn’t need to exchange picks with Miami to move up to the second overall pick, they could have possibly picked up additional draft picks in the mid rounds by dealing Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso to the Dolphins.
But more importantly, they could have also avoided this road trip to Seattle entirely.
If the Eagles had lost the meaningless finale, it would have been the Giants going out west to play Seattle, while the Birds would have gotten a much cozier matchup in London with the equally offensively inept Rams.
“Illegal Formation” Is The Weakest Penalty In The NFL
The struggling Eagles offense cannot afford to have what few big plays they do produce called back.
In today’s game, the Birds had a 50+ yard score by Zach Ertz wiped out by an illegal formation penalty, a call which apparently is decided by a matter of mere inches.
This is one of the worst penalties in the league. It has very little impact on most plays, and constantly when big plays are wiped out, illegal formation is one of the most common calls against an offense. For a league with declining ratings that wants to find ways to bring fans back, wiping out nitpicky, inconsequential penalties like the illegal formation (or at the very least altering the rule) would probably be to the league’s benefit.
Quick Thoughts
Offense
- The Eagles came out running a number of formations that had Zach Ertz and Trey Burton split out as wide receivers. They had some success moving the ball this way, but strangely went away from it as the game went on.
- Carson Wentz didn’t have a good game. It’s hard to blame him entirely, given the lack of playmakers he has to support him, but he didn’t play well. Wentz was late on several throws, underthrew Bryce Treggs on what could have potentially been a touchdown.
- An Eagles game just wouldn’t be complete without a drive-killing drop from Jordan Matthews, who missed a catchable third-down pass.
- Both Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews were injured before the first hald ended, forcing the struggling offense to rely on even more young players.
Defense
- The Eagles didn’t adjust well to Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense as the game went on. Wilson responded very well to the team’s pass rush throughout the game, and even blitzes were ineffective. The team might have been better off calling off the blitzes and dropping back into more zone coverages.
- Terrible play by Jaylen Watkins on the Jimmy Graham touchdown. Watkins was badly out of position, and gave an even worse effort on the tackle.
- When the Eagles are getting gashed in the running game, why not bring veteran Stephen Tulloch in to try to stop the bleeding a bit?
Final Thoughts
This was not a game that many people expected the Eagles to win.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles’ offense just doesn’t have the firepower to challenge Seattle on their home turf. It was a terrible matchup for a rookie quarterback on a young team with no playmakers at the skill positions.
The Eagles came out with fairly sound gameplans on both sides of the ball, and hung tough through the first half, but as breaks began to fall Seattle’s way, it wasn’t long before the battle-tested veteran team took the inexperienced Eagles to school.
Follow Denny Basens on Twitter, @DennyBasens
Sorry but I’m not buying what you’re selling ..illegal formation is pop warner shit ..it’s all on Agholor ,without getting into the justification ,of it being a bad penalty ..all that’s bad is a bone head committing it..his lack of attention to detail ,on the road and not catching the damn ball (which is why he gets paid) is spiraling week after week ..Add to that his lack of blocking ,he’s bringing nothing’s NG to the table …I said it earlier. ,if he shrunk in the second half ,he was toast ..as a message that finds his play intolerable ,sit him down ..The players know the score here ..what the team needs is to put his ass against a locker…he’s messing. With the big. Picture ..
Oh I agree, and I’m not showing Agholor any mercy…I’m just saying that in general, in a league that calls too many penalties as it is, I think its an annoying, dumb, nitpicky kind of rule.
Aghlohor speaks out. It was the fisrt time I felt bad for Nelson. He stood at his locker and looked like he wanted to cry. He stood up and apologized to his team mates and to the fans. He stood up and said he is better than this. His family his former coaches etc prepared him for the NFL all his life. He stood up and said that this is all mental and he is fighting this mentally. The guy as sincere. Look everybody and there mother had him rated high after torching secondary’s with over 100 catches his last year at USC. He was dynamic. If Agholor could just get one game, just one to get confidence just maybe he could thrive. He still has a chance. I think he has 6 more games to get this straight. Hopefully he can.
Agholor actually cares way more the fans of phiily can understand.As a first rounder ,Eagles will be reluctant to cut him naturally, He will be better off in an nfl city where football is a sport, to the fans, not fans who are participants from the stands in their minds,When he gets out of phila. he just might turn into a very, good receiver,Philly and n.y. are crazy, rabid ,places for a player to be playing at a sub par level A change of cities will probably help his developement,
Agholor is admitting that the pressure is getting to him and that his poor execution and production is mental. He needs to be benched for a game to give him some time to figure things out.
I like that Wentz and Ertz are starting to develop chemistry as Wentz is starting to see Ertz as a reliable go to guy.
Not sure what to make of DGB.
I’m not worried about Wentz at all. Interceptions are frustrating but he is going to take the shots down field. First one was not a good decision though…Kam Chancellor snookered him. The bomb to Treggs..Treggs was looking at Sherman and not looking for the ball. I did not have a problem with that pass…just wish Treggs would have been looking for the ball.
During the off season the Eagles must get at least two WR’s to start on the outside. Matthews is a slot and Agholor is nothing more than a 4-5 receiver. He’s behind DGB.
The Eagles need to make a serious push for Terrelle Pryor this off season.
Draft Corey Davis, DeDe Westbrooks or Bucky Hodges who has moved from TE to WR. The offensive skill position must be fixed as the receivers are a flat out joke.
Nelson assholor,
Laughing
My
Fucking
Ass
Off
He is even in the league.
We were never winning this game but it still sucks seeing this bum rep my city. Seahawaks fans legit felt bad for me for this being my team. But I didn’t Hate the game. Actually loved our effort early. Thought Doug called a good game and are d was inflicting pain early. Big hits everywhere early.
The Nelson assholor drop literally took the wind out of the other 52 players. Dude gotta go far away. He’s trash.
Seattle great city.
Great weed. People were vaping green everywhere.
Getting caught up on comments. Who is this car person? Speaks as if he’s been a gcobber for multiple years yet new Alias. Why ? Who was ur previous name ?
Also pailman “looks like wentz hit the rookie wall!!!” Really? That excites you. The exclamation points for what. Bro ur a bizarre dude.
Now back to that 12th man vaping. Deciding to stay the week, heading to whistlers opening day this week. Keep it real bros.
Ps
Cliff it’s cool u can come back nobody cares u got busted with fake degrees on a blog. If ur waiting for the perfect moment to return I’m pretty much don’t here December 8th. Still pop in from time to time but mostly done, got some major life changes coming in dec and Jan. I won’t have time to ask you for the emails from that school.
PPs
Nelson assholor
Fuck
You
Get
Off
My
Team
And
Out
My
City.
Mhenski I have no alias just a long time fan who decided to post. I guess I should have read the rules I didn’t know that you had to vet all of the posters to become a “gcobber”. Do I get an official badge? Do you have a plastic junior police officer badge for all your investigations too?
You will get a little tin badge, that will make you an official.G Cobber rootin, tootin, member, You will be expected to wear it will with pride and dignity, As I do,If you not adhere to our doctrines you will be given a very unceramonious boot ..I hereby announce carguy a member of The G Cobbers,,We do have rules Our first rule is.. No ne”er do wells are admitted ever.Congrats to you Son .We had to expel a long time member last week, An issue over too many master degrees.So go easy on those masters ok?
Look guys ,the team is in Denny Greens own words ,who we. Thought they were..with 4 running backs by committee ,they have enough to shield the Wrs ,and Wentz from having to do too much ,and rely on its defensive prowess…This brings me to my next observation ..I see a lot of the hawks here in the desert (thanks for nothing Carson ) who handed the Vikings a gift wrapped win ..RW is healthy and ,Graham is playing for the first time ,up to his possibilities ..Imagine if you sprinkled in the beast carrying the rock..This team is built to win at home ,in a hostile environment ,with a similar defensive attitude that Schwartz is trying to infuse …The wide outs are adequate ,not superstars ,and they punish you on every tackle …I see a blue print of our team ,a few years from now …This wasn’t a game that was considered winnable ,under normal circumstances and the way the cards tanked they’re a confident bunch …coming home vs teams in their Divison will be the litmus of who is a keeper and who isn’t ..What howie did with what chip left him ,has transformed a team into one with. Hope and draft picks and money …I along with others second guess giving a Dee tackle a ton of $$ ..The front 7 isn’t all that ,especially on the road ..You add Pryor and draft Westbrook of Oklahoma ,and immediately Carson Wentz becomes that much more confident …sprinkle in some O line help and draft astutely at corner ,and you’re playing with the big boys ..Minny still has issues and will improve our draft stock ,the coach had a great scheme on the road ,and will now be scrutinized ,as to how he handles this Agholor melt down …in my estimation ,sympathy is for mourners ,and he’s paid a ton of $$ to perform ,and have an armor of toughness.I don’t feel an ounce of pity for the guy …sometimes with an athlete ,adversity ,shows you what they’re made of …
We will beat GB in Philly.
Then gotta steal one on the road at Baltimore or cincy. We can afford to lose 1 one of those.
Both are very winnable. And will be very nice to get both and go 8-5. If we steal one of those road games we more then likely make the playoffs as a wild
Card if We go 2-1 in our final
Three division games.
We very well
Could make it at 9-7
I dont see a GB win at all
Cinci win easily tho with no gio or AJ
think we can easily beat baltiomre too
we arent beating the skins but giants and cowboys (pending cowboys sit their stars) will be very winnable
getting in the playoffs would be cool but we aint ready to make any noise.
Monday night green bay is maybe the passing of the torch game …rodgers to Wentzilla…very winnable game ..the birds of the Linc are a different flock..they are full of holes in skill positions,yet make special teams and defensive plays to compensate.we are medical weed and a agholor sighting away from the parade..
i dont see us beating the pack we have no weapons worth a shit in the passing game and matthews against our 3rd string RT?????? packers offense is the weakness of our D – talented WR everywhere and vertical plays… packs d strength is our “strength” (run d/run game). their weakness is passing D and ours is passing game. just have 0 confidence our passing game can succeed against any NFL team right now
Giddy up. Of course they’re winning the GB game. I’ll be there.
GB is falling apart, and the infighting is getting serious. Follow that with a win over the Bengals without Green and who at this point know their statue…I mean coach is going to be fired at the end of the season and its 7-5 going in to the final 4.
I think Eagles can go 3-1 over those 4 and get to 10-6. Not going to be easy, but entirely possible.
You don’t destroy this young team on that illegal formation call and we have a very different ball game. Night and day different to be exact.
It sucked. But this game, along with the Washington one are the only two we really
DeseRved to lose.
Zach Ertz got his 2nd touchdown against Seattle. It was him that scored against Seattle also two years ago with mark Sanchez. He nearly got his third.
I love how there targeting the tight ends wary and depending on the running backs while useing sproles in the passing game.
Rely on those WRs last.
We lost the game when Ryan and sproles got hurt. Especially after they took back that 60 yard touchdown.
Philly isn’t too far off in terms of beating a team like Seattle. Add a defense piece here and there and get wentz some skill positions.
Skill positions are the easiest to draft compared to other positions in the NFL
If u ask me.
Philly will beat cincy, Baltimore and green bay I believe. Lose to akins and beat Giants and cowboys.
Maybe we finally end the losing streak to Washington? Or will it be 5 ina row?
If Washington gets rid of Kirk cousins it will be the worst decision in modern franchise history
Wentz hung in there tho. He shows his rookie signs but also shows why he is gonna lead this franchise for the next 15 years.
Richard Sherman even said “he wasn’t shook, hes just a rookie”
That’s high praise from a very intelligent man.
Remember when the whole Seattle team bashed mark Sanchez? Saying how we’re “more explosive with foles” ?
I love this damn kid. First rain game ever, on the road. And Doug let him sling it 45 times.
Doug trusts this kid. He is learning a lot his first year. Prime time games. On the road at cincy Baltimore Chicago Seattle. He’s been playing in huge spot lights and already has a rainy condition under his belt.
Hopefully we get a snow game in one of those Divison games
Doug had no choice but to let him throw it. 2 hurt rbs and down multiple scores. No hiding in the NFL. U gotta throw, no choice
“Skill positions are the easiest to draft compared to other positions in the NFL
If u ask me.” you better talk to Howie and better yet Lurie. Man weve been drafting WR for decades and missing. We hit on Jaccpot and Maclin but they werent homeruns, more like doubles/triples… Wentz needs a dominant rb and wr…
Peace,Thanksgiving Day kind thoughts, to all of Folks.Past and present,