It seems like the Eagles are the little boy who cried wolf. Nobody wants to here about how they’re focusing on the red zone for the sixth of seventh time in the last couple of years.
Just like numerous times last year and this season, it’s all about the red zone for the Eagles on both sides of the ball. It can’t be overemphasized that games are won and lost on the scoreboard and not based on how much yardage you gain. You can go up and down the field all game long, but if you fail to get into the end zone or miss field goals, you can wind up with zeros on the scoreboard.
This was a major problem a year ago and it remains a major problem for this Eagles football team. They can’t get into the end zone and they’re not stopping other teams from getting into the end zone.
“Red zone, red zone for the offense and the defense. I think, minus some of the turnovers, minus some of the penalties, the defense tightening up a little bit in the red zone, things will be a lot easier and will be a lot better”, Vick told a group of reporters in front of his locker yesterday. “You know, on offense we struggle in the red zone and on defense we struggle in the red zone and we just have to get better in those areas, and if you don’t you’ll be at the bottom of the totem pole, and right now we’re in that position.”
Wide receiver Jason Avant believes the problem with the red zone offense is being able to make adjustments during the game.
“You know, when you get into the fire I don’t necessarily think they’re always physical things; I think that we have the talent. I think sometimes that we have, when bullets are flying it’s different from practice. And some guys sometimes on other teams and coaching schemes, they force you to do some things that are kind of out of your character as far as their scheme, and sometimes they don’t give you a perfect practice look, and those types of things, so you have to adjust on the fly.”
After looking at the tape of the Niners game, I think they’ve got to start utilizing the skills of tight end Brent Celek much more. The referees allow tight ends to push off and be physical with linebackers, that’s one of the reasons tight ends have been so successful as red zone targets.
Celek and Vick must establish a chemistry because defenses will only able to put one linebacker on the tight end. Vick seems to be more comfortable throwing the ball to backup tight end Clay Harbor than Celek. I wanted the Birds to develop this part of their offense during training camp. Obviously that hasn’t happened.
I don’t have great confidence in Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg being able to create a game plan which will get them into the end zone. Remember that this was a problem a year ago. What were Andy and Marty doing during the lockout? They had plenty of time to put together a game plan for the red zone, but all they could come up with was the Ronnie Brown pass attempt after diving into the line of scrimmage.
I remember when all the redzone problems was McNabb’s fault. Redzone problems are both the players and coaches fault. They take turns blowing it. Some of the play calling down there is just crazy sometimes and then on the most basic play calls that make sense, the players don’t/can’t execute. Oline can’t move anyone, defense can’t stop the run, LB and Safeties can’t cover. All of that is the reason for bad redzone play. Let’s hope they can fix it. Not just week but be more consistent throughout the rest of the season.
Bootlegs & Waggle ALL DAY until the D stops it
Only way to fix it is to fire Reid. It is evident now because all the scapegoats are gone. No where to hide anymore. We need to bring in a physical minded coach. someone who values the running game and smash mouth type football. This chuck and duck offense and midget D stuff does not work.
Thats why andy reid is 0-2 in the playoffs since jim johnson is gone.Andy does not have a defense that can bailout his boneheaded playcalling.
G we use be using Riley Cooper and Steve Smith in the Red Zone. Roll Vick our right or left and let him make a play. We can also use two tight ends and three wide receivers. Reid and MM sometimes make this to complicated. Just make it simple and lets get touchdowns. I feel since we are desperate we will beat the Bills. We need to win these next two games to get back in the playoff hunt!!!!!
My question is if it’s so hard for offenses to score in the red zone…..why can’t our defense stop anyone in the red zone.
I think the problem is internal.
We have a offense practicing against an defense that’s horrible in the red zone.
So any success in practice is really a farce.
Our team needs to scrimmage against other teams in the offseason like we did in buddy ryan days.
It does our team no justice going up against each other in practice.
because both are horrible in the red zone.
The Eagles don’t have the beef up front to stop teams in the red zone. They don’t have the beef up front to maul teams and score in the red zone.
The truth is this team is not built to have success in the red zone area….This offense is built to use the field in space and out run opponents with the big play.
Reality…it’s a philosophical flaw.
Teams see it and punch our team in the mouth once we get in that red zone. Speed means nothing when you’re within the 20 because teams know we’re not built to physically challenge their beef up front and our recievers really don’t like contact..Celek is Stewart (Almost) Bradley on offense..So our answer is to get a top pedigree at tight end next year.
This team is not built to contend so we might as well lookforward to the change.
Sources inside the Beltway have told me that the Eagles Red-Zone Efficeincy has gotten so bad that President Obama is about to appoint a “Red Zone Czar” to help the Eagles. … Good Grief….
It’s been stated on the record many times by myself and others that Coach AR & MM Offensive Philosophy is flawed and will not win games in crunch time, versus good Defenses and is definitely not built to be Succesful come Playoff time to the point that I am tired of posting and readign about it..
It’s beyond ridiculous… Coach AR & MM are amatuers who rely on gimmicks,gadget plays.. when playing versus solid to good Defenses or experience good Defensive COordinators, they whittle awy.. I think I mentioned this last week a couple of time,, Can anyone tell me when was the last time the Eagles actually beat a good Team (not counting the Miracle at the Meadowland last year which was a complete choke by th Giants)… but can anyone tell me… A win at home versus the Houston Texans…A win at home versus an injury riddled COlts team… The Falcons at home with Kolb at QB… The overall Eagle’s team is average becase their coaching is below average, so forget about all the talent amassed on this years squad, it’s the Coaching in my opinion and a pure lack of talent at the LB position …
I agree 100% Songs.. It’s an offense that flourishes from the 30 yard line to the opponents 20 yard line where you have lots of field,space and play-calling options..But without a running game and the physical smash mouth of football mentality that is required deep in your Zone or down in the Red-Zone has been so painfully obvious during the Coach AR & MM era..
Coach AR belongs at BYU in the College Ranks and I bet $100 to anyone that he will end up there within the next 3 Years…
THE REDZONE PROBLEMS ARE REIDS FAULT BECAUSE OF HIS INABILITY TO CALL THE CORRECT PLAYS, TIME MANAGEMENT AND BECAUSE “HE’S NOT PUTTING HIS PLAYERS IN POSITION TO WIN GAMES”. (DIRECTLY FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH). SURE THE PLAYERS HAVE TO EXECUTE THE PLAYS, BUT IT ULTIMATELY FALLS ON THE COACH’S PLAY CALLING. PAULMAN, ARE YOU KINDA HAVING A CHANGE OF HEART BUDDY? IT’S GOOD TO SEE THAT EVEN YOU ARE STARTING TO LOOK THROUGH OUR COACHING BS AND ARE MAKING GOOD SENSE WITH YOUR POSTS…GOOD STUFF.
1ST DOWN SHUFFLE TO MCCOY
2ND DOWN ROLL VICK RIGHT
3RD DOWN ROLL VICK LEFT
USE DION LEWIS AS OPTION RONNIE BROWN IS NOT A GOAL LINE BACK
AND MIX UP A QUICK SLANT IN THERE..
THIS IS ALL IT TAKES.. THEYRE ARE ALWASY TRYING TO BE EXTRA SNEAKY AND I ALMSOT NEVER WORKS.. DO WHAT YOU DO BEST.. DO IT AT THE RIGHT TIME.. AND DO IT BETTER THAN THE OTHER TEAM…SIMPLIFICATION IS THE GREATEST FOR OF MASTERY
Fire the Fat Man.
The National Debt – Reid’s Fault
War in Iraq – Reid’s Fault
9/11 – a gimmic by Reid to distract from his failures
Lack of MidEast peace deal – Reid’s fault – he brought nachos to the meeting with pork on them to offend the Arabs – non kosher nachos at that
El Nino – Reid caused the last one – Andy tried to work out and was breathing heavy
Earth Quake in Virginia – Reid again – jumping up and down at being questioned about Juan Castillo hiring
Global warming, polar caps melting, decline of the polar bear – Reid again….
Drought in Texas – started after Jimmy Johnson died – Reid cause that as well
wildfires in the southwest, war in Southern Sudan, increase in shark attacks –
ALL BECAUSE OF ANDY REID – if we just fire Reid everything in the whole world will be better…………. all problmes solved, never again will a coach make a bad call in the red zone, throw a bad challenege flag, draft a player that doens’t work out, mismanage a two minute drill, and never again go into a season with a week spot – we will have a coach that will tlak to the media for hours and hours and the coach will read this and take all of our advice – and most importantly – he will not be arrogant. or think he is smart………
I have seen the light –
Thanx Rocko,
I have been critical of AR and this Staff for years on here and some would even say a little too critical and have been labeled a hater also.. I been and Eagle fan since I was a kid back in the early 70’s when the Team did really stink..I admit that I was very excited as every other fan this past in June when the lockout ended and the ensuing signings of Free-Agent happened..
I had my reservations of hiring Castillo as the DC and I was very disappointed in the last 2 Drafts for I felt the Eagles really missed on a great opporunity to keep the Franchise strong and talented for the next 5-7 Years and to be honest with you, I am not sure that 1/2 their picks over the last 2 Drafts are even NFL Caliber players at all, let alone real contributors..but after seeing how agressive they were in Free-agency, I said to myself, I am ok with this strategy to win now and instead of relying on players from the Draft, go ahead and go out and sign 8-10 proven players and go for it now… But seeing all the players,coaches and schemes, it’s become very apparent that this very Experienced Coaching Staff is really struggling on how to best use this talent which is very disappointing to the fans… 4 Weeks do not make a season, but when you fall 2-3 games back right out of the gate not to 1 team,but too many teams in the NFC, it’s hard to come back and leap-frog 4-5-6 teams which is what the Eagles are going to have to do just to get back into Playoff Contention..
They can focus all they want, but if the coaching staff & it’s pitiful play calling & the O-line doesn’t get changed, it doesn’t mean $#!t! They will not win 7 games this year!
Navy, STFU! Stop making excuses for the moron. Who’s fault is it then!? He put the team together. He has final say on all decisions. He put this incompetent coaching staff together. He is the one that can’t adjust at in game calls. He is the one who horrific at time management. He is the one who looses almost every challenge. He is the one who constantly forces square pegs into round holes. Fire him now! They’re only prolonging the inevitable. They ain’t making the playoffs anyways. So what exactly are they gaining by keeping him!?
BTW, your sarcasm isn’t funny! Stop being a tool, & really see the light! It’s only going to be more heartbreaking, for you!
Problems in public school systems, gun violence, gang voilence, rise in teen age suicide, racism, increased murder rate, white collar crime, lack of civilty on airplan, the reason Al Queda hates America – All Andy Reid’s fault…….
Dcar – make me – and do you even know what an excuse is? I have not made one excuse for Andy – I simply point out the absolute documented stupidity of my fellow bloggers –
You know what Andy Reid’s fault we have an increase in the arrest of corrupt police officer’s if the eagles were winning more they wouldn’t beat people up…
The military junta in Burma – Reid – Hugo Chavez – once coached under Reid and they moved him laterally to help the VEn Baseball team – look waht happened – I think Castro and Reid are big fans as well
Navy-
Please enlighten us on whos fault it is why the Eagles stink?
And Dcar – well documented that Ried loses 6 in 10 of his challeneg calls about 40% overturn rate – Coughlin is the best at it, Bellicheck and about 25% is the worst – source – Philly.com article (this is different then the ESPN report you misqutoed which talked about the NUMBER OF TIMES the coach challeeges) I got you Dcar – or, as I will now refer to you D Boy –
and yeah – I am being SUCH A TOOL and the tooling will continue until the Eagles are 3-3 and we are at the bye week –
where is schill
Ozz – I will be nice – I have stated several times this week that I think all 53 players and every member of the coaching staff need to take a long hard look at themselves…. all 53 players, all the guys on practice squad everyone.
Hidden amongst the rabble are some decent posts – you read the ones on the ‘me-me chest pumping crowd, or the undisciplined ‘ one – some good stuff – but the players have to block and tackle, the players have to catch and hold the ball. The coaches have the responsibilty to make sure the players are prepared and ready to go and make adjustments as needed –
so see, in the lowly opinion of me – the reason the Eagles suck at this moment is the entire team – from AR down to Vince young and the kicker and punter – all need to do better. It is a team sport……. is Andy umtimately responsible – absolutely – did Andy have the team in a position to win the game this Sunday – yep. Maybe not as pretty as we would like – but he didn’t fumble, and he didn’t miss two FGs –
but see, I am not an excuse maker or a blamer (guys on this site have no idea when they use words like apologist – no wonder SAT scores are droppin (I did not research that – just being flippant) I am eternally optimistic – and die hard faithful –
now you want to ‘blame’ go ahead – I chose to ‘blame’ the entire organiztion – well maybe not Vince young.. other then stupid ‘Dream Team’ comment
genetically modified foods, unsafe food chain, mad cow disease, whopping cough, HPV, cancer, leaky bladder, ebola virus, swine flu, the economic crisis in Greece, the basketball contract lookout – Andy Reid –
you know why they can’t get rid of the BCS… Andy won’t let them unless they agree to let BYU in the playoffs for 5 years (see I am learning to just make stuff up)
D – boy – where u at –
I got your boy! Right between my legs, b!t@#! You have a better chance of coaching the Birds, than them going 3-3! BTW, who are you calling Boy! For one I’m probably older than you, & second take your Nazi racist @$$, back to Germany!
Well if we are refering to the ‘boy between your legs I now dub you – D va jay jay – either that or D lil itty bitty boy…… which on is it – you got an inny or an outty – go ahead – no one is looking reach down there – move the fat rolls out of the way and check – you need a mirror – OK – go ahead and get back to me
and boy is not a racial or age conotation – it is a reference to my superior and your inferior position with respect to discussion on this board (that and my total desire to just be a big tool and screw with people becuase I am pretty miserable with where the egales are right now)
Keep talking moron, you make a bigger @$$clown out of yourself, with each post! Stay classy, tool!
Navy, that gave me a good laugh! Inny or outty! Boy is a racial conotation, to a black man! Learn your history, ignoramous! The only thing your superior at is being a piece of crap! Grow up, & show some class & respect! I gotta hope that you were raised better than that! But hey, I could be wrong!
Navy- Are u Reid’s nephew?
D – lil itty bitty tt – that better – boy I must be pushing all the right buttons today – the race card on a blog – if only I could see you, then I could really start to zing away – – – – – come on lil tt – you can do better then that – come on – go on – blame Reid for me some more
Still – no – no relation – just a guy that is sick and tired of reading people bash his beloved eagles – a guy tired of people making shit up, trashing everything and everyone – guys predicting – yes predicting eagle loses —-
wouldn’t mind getting some tix though?
G:
I would still like to try Riley Cooper on the Church spire fade to the corner of the end zone. What about the half back option (going right to left – because Vick goes left to right, NOT going forward)? What about off tackle with heavy jumbo? I don’t like dives – they won’t work with this line. A delayed TE out pattern to the flag?
It’s just not rocket science. The players need to execute and they’re not.
Navy – I feel u! But it’s frustation mixed with passion! I would luv to see Reid win a SB here!
Still – I just want the SB – and I try to be understanding of the passion.. but man channel that for some positive energy……….
nsid – do you remeber the play where the eagles would have the TE go out and to the corner, the fb lead block and roll about 5 deep and then McNabb would roll to that sideline — I think Rithcie scored a bunch of TDs on that one – why not have the QB roll with pass run (hey, here’s a bone for Reid), send the RB underneath so he can have the shovel pass – he seems to like those)
Then again – this new guy Watkins is supposed to be a big strong buard – maybe we will get some push?
I remember that play Navy and TE Chad Lewis caught a lot of TD’s in the right corner of the end-zone too from the formation.. I wish they kept TE Donald Lee who could have not only helped the Eagles in Catches but blocking as well in and especially in the Red-Zone..
Navy Reid misses 6 out of 10 challenge calls. 40% success is really 60% failure. Where is Rory Siegrist Now!
a pretty reliable source of mine stated that R Segrest is back home in Illinois coaching the Marion State Prison Football Team… but we all know how the “Windy City” is full of shady people … Check Obama’s Team..
yes Big E – thanks for the math – but in relation to the NFL avergae he is just above the normal – its like the difference between batting 400 and having a 40% free throw percentage – Coughlin I think is at about 48/49% and is the best – Bellicheck is at about 28% the worst (philly.com was the source)
I give up Ez where is he?
Watch the Bills ths weekend.
our safeties and linebackers will be targeted again.
Billls 36
Eagles 27
Why?
Corners makes no big deal if the middle behind the line is wide open just waiting for exploitation.
Teams attack weaknesses and there’s a whole lot of them once an offense blocks our front 4.
Another thing…The wide 9 does not work if you don’t have in beast at defensive tackle who can collapse the middle along with a middle linebacker that can clean up.
If the wide 9 was so great Jeff Fisher would still be coaching the Titans with Washburn on staff.
wide 9 exposes our weaknesses even more.
A trap run play goes for 30 yards with the D linemen flying upfield every play.
Juan should have copied and learned JJ’s defenses and blitz packages for different down and distances.
He’s not a damn defensive ccordinator.
Rory Siegresat is coaching the defensive line and special teams,( the things he excelled in while with the Eagles), at Samford University. some of their tough opponebts are as follows:
Appalachian State Mountaineers • Chattanooga Mocs • The Citadel Bulldogs • College of Charleston Cougars • Davidson Wildcats • Elon Phoenix • Furman Paladins • Georgia Southern Eagles • UNC Greensboro Spartans • Western Carolina Catamounts • Wofford Terriers
Wow dude – you are really all over that Siegrest – good for you and him – and Appalachin State is from Pman neck of the woods – beat Michagin a few years back and are constant contenders for 1AA (is it FBS or FCS0 championship – good work to him –
it’s called a fade route to the back corner of the endzone works ALL 60 percent of the TIME.. I’ve actually seen Phillip Rivers try the fade 4 times in a row and on that 4th time on 4th down & goal.. Yes it worked.. Same exact play, same spot he threw the ball.
Thing is, it’s practically impossible to intercept the ball in that spot 1 and 2 – it’s really made to work for the receivers advantage..
Zuk – the eagles have never been one to use the fade – they went and got Billy McMullen – never used it – Hank Baskett who was tall and a high jump champ – can’t remember them using it – Riley Cooper – I don’t even think they have thrown to him on the goaline – I don’t know the last tiem the team even tried a fade…..
As Pman and I were discussing – the eagles seemed to be most successfull with a play where the QB rolled right (McNabb) and had the fullback short in the EZ and the TE in the deep corner 3 options on the play… Last time I remember it working was with Chad Lewis.. so what 2004…