An easy fix?

[eaglesnut]

It looked to me like the problem in the run game was guys not staying on their blocks or not getting enough of a piece of the guy in front of them. Which is essentially the same problem.

The Oline needs to hit what's closer to them, harder, and let the RBs run through the next line of defenders.

As we chip away in the run game the passing lanes will open up, everyone will stop pressing, and the defense already looks pretty good keeping us in both games when the offense did diddly (all the secondaries get burned all around the league).

The division is wide open and not very good. And from there all we have to do is get hot at the right time. We have a lot of new parts that haven't come together yet.

 

[old duke]

Words of wisdom. Right on. None of the OL, even Peters, Kelce, or Johnson, played well.
Am confident that Chip and Stout will get it right this week in practice.

 

[Iggloo]

The problem is that Chip's offense has been figured out by defensive coordinators.

They are running stunts left and right and that is letting defensive linemen run free because they know Chip is always pulling guards and no one will be there to respond. They are also abusing Brent Celek and the other TEs trying to hold the edge blocks, because, again, it is predictable at this point that Philly is going to do those outside sweeps and people are just jumping everything.

Chip thinks that cute little read-option play of his is going to freeze defenses but everyone in the stadium knows Bradford isn't a threat to run and they are just crashing down on the plays with no hesitation.

Chip needs to adjust his offense to keep defenses honest. So far in two games, he has been arrogant, thinking it would work, and it hasn't.

 

[deerpathdave]

I am thinking the problem is not effort or technique as much as schematic.

I don't think the Eagles were fooling anyone yesterday. In the past, Kelly has always talked about having the numbers advantage. Much of getting this advantage revolves around the read option where the decision of where to go with the ball is made POST Snap, and often involves the QB making a split second to pull the ball out of the running backs gut and fire a pass or boot leg. The decision is based on what the defense does on the snap. Part of the beauty isn't it doesn't always have to be a Post Snap read...just often enough to keep the defense guessing.

After the Suggs play in the preseason, my impression is the Eagles have moved away from the Read Option. They are worried about getting Bradford killed, so even though they don't intend to run Bradford much, they are concerned that the read option fake exposes Bradford to getting hit whether he was the ball or not. Without that fake in there, the defense is ending up with the numbers advantage and the mediocre guards are being exposed. I am not convinced that this year's guys are any worse than last year, they are just being asked to play a fair game numbers wise and they aren't up to that task.

Kelly and Bradford need to get over the knee thing and play football. There won't be a next contract for either one to worry about if they don't run this offense the way it was designed. If that exposes the QB to a few more hits, than so be it.

 

[zeke2829]

easy solution: pull BAM SADFORD and start SANCHEZ!

 

[greenwing]

I've seen Bradford miss some wide open wr's. I think we are stuck with a QB with zero mental toughness.

 

[deerpathdave]

I do believe that much of this is on the QB.

The OL is really not that much different from the last two years. All 5 guys and have played and played alot over that time frame and been very successful.

One way or another, Bradford has to sell the fakes...both run and pass to keep the defense guessing and the defense is not buying it. As a result the inside run game is non-existent, and teams are not worried about getting beat deep. You need to throw it up there a few times to keep the defense worried about it.

Its hard to say how much of this is poor offensive design vice poor QB play. There is more to playing QB than throwing a pretty ball. The small details of the fakes, and the larger ones of throwing to the right guy make all the difference.

That said it is game 2. Let's see how this guy reacts and adjusts now that the going has got tough.

 

[Cobiemonster]

The problem is that Chip's offense has been figured out by defensive coordinators.

They are running stunts left and right and that is letting defensive linemen run free because they know Chip is always pulling guards and no one will be there to respond. They are also abusing Brent Celek and the other TEs trying to hold the edge blocks, because, again, it is predictable at this point that Philly is going to do those outside sweeps and people are just jumping everything.

Chip thinks that cute little read-option play of his is going to freeze defenses but everyone in the stadium knows Bradford isn't a threat to run and they are just crashing down on the plays with no hesitation.

Chip needs to adjust his offense to keep defenses honest. So far in two games, he has been arrogant, thinking it would work, and it hasn't.

I'd like to see the running backs(DeMarco specifically) be involved in the passing game - throw short screens and open it up for the run game later on - in theory, sticking with running the ball is the right thing to do but that's only if you have an o-line that can cater to the run and right now, the o-line can't cater to anything and that's essentially what Chip brought up in the presser yesterday that they tried to do different things during the course of the game but couldn't because the o-line never held their own end of the bargain

 

[deerpathdave]

There are many different ways to be successful. The Patriots have absolutely no running game either, and really only one good offensive threat for Brady. Arguably there OL is no better either. But they seem to be making it work on a steady diet of quick slants and matching Gronk against well...anybody.

I am impressed with what Shanahan is doing in Atlanta. He has one great talent and somehow has found a way to get it to him a dozen times a game. This is the same OC who make RGIII look good as a rookie.

The Eagles have several really talented players...and in the past, they have done a good job of getting them good matchups. You have to think that the coaching staff is largely the same...its the QB that is different.

 

[greenwing]

Chip also needs to use Murray north and south and not east and west. I don't understand what Chip is thinking there

 

[Iggloo]

The irony is that Chip said he wanted decisive north-south runners and then he has them running these sweep plays left and right all game long.

 

[deerpathdave]

The irony is that Chip said he wanted decisive north-south runners and then he has them running these sweep plays left and right all game long.

The inside zone doesn't work too well without a read option from the QB (He can throw not run). The QB is not even supposed to give it to the RB on that sort of play if the numbers aren't there (hence the option). So if executed correctly, it should work every time or the QB doesn't give it to him.

But if your scared to run a read option because of your QB knees, then your handing the ball off inside without the threat of the option and straight into the teeth of a waiting defense. Without an option, the defense can send the extra man in there as soon as they see the handoff start and don't have to account for the QB or the pass.

So, they either need to re-instate the option or find another way to gain numbers. In year one, you would sometimes see them use Casey and motion into a fullback position to have the extra man. Running inside out of the shotgun without a lead blocker and without a convincing option to re-direct the play outside usually means your losing the numbers game.

 

[northeastphillyguy]

I see things a little different. Chip has made so many changes that interfere with chemistry. basically there is
no chemistry. With the exception of the defense this team is playing like a playground team that was picked
just prior to playing their 1st game. It takes time for players to gel and have a sense about themselves.
Since Chip is unpredictable they may also wonder who gets canned or traded next. Plus nobody is going to speak their mind do to the Fear of Chips reaction. (he will get rid of you). The offense should improve the more they play together. This is the team he picked and it is up to Chip to fix it. I must admit that I started to have doubts in the early going when he signed Sanchez to that player friendly contract. Sanchez did not deserve it.
Last but not least: Bradford has no emotion at all. Just once I would like to see some enthusiasm!

 

[deerpathdave]

I see things a little different. Chip has made so many changes that interfere with chemistry. basically there is
no chemistry. With the exception of the defense this team is playing like a playground team that was picked
just prior to playing their 1st game. It takes time for players to gel and have a sense about themselves.
Since Chip is unpredictable they may also wonder who gets canned or traded next. Plus nobody is going to speak their mind do to the Fear of Chips reaction. (he will get rid of you). The offense should improve the more they play together. This is the team he picked and it is up to Chip to fix it. I must admit that I started to have doubts in the early going when he signed Sanchez to that player friendly contract. Sanchez did not deserve it.
Last but not least: Bradford has no emotion at all. Just once I would like to see some enthusiasm!

That is another common narrative that I am always skeptical about on this level. These guys have been together since April working on this thing several days a week. They have had plenty of time to gel and develop chemistry (Not totally sure what those things are practically?). Someone asked Kelly a question about this today and he commented that the Atlanta Team was a brand new coaching staff and system, and also that they did just fine as a new group two years ago.

These guys have been playing football since they were about 6 years old and most have been in several systems. In practicality, I think you can make some pretty major adjustments to system and personnel in a week or two.

Not to say there aren't advantages to being together for a long time, but for instance, Kelce has been here several years and he was the bonehead who decided to snap the ball when no one else was set or expecting a snap.

 

[Rey]

The problem is that there are "several" problems. The RB's are getting hit 2 or 3 yards in the backfield; either the OL sucks or the scheme sucks ... my guess it's a little of both. The other problem is that there is zero threat of Bradford making plays outside the pocket and on the run. While Sanchez doesn't have Bradford's arm, he can do much more "outside" the pocket with his feet. Defenses have no respect for Bradford making anything happen outside of the pocket. I'm not talking about Sanchez being Russell Wilson, but Sanchez or any QB with good feet can make plays while rolling out, with Bradford you are locked into plays from within the tackles or nothing at all. Teams are selling out going after the RB on option plays because Bradford isn't going far if he keeps it. If Chip's system doesn't have a mobile guy behind Center ... it limits the scheme greatly.

 

[Birds4life81]

We're simply not blocking anyone upfront. Scheme or not, we're doing a terrible job blocking. This o-line has taken a major step backwards compared to the last couple years. Mathis was a damn good player for our system, Herremans was below average but he wasn't this bad. A lot of us wanted lineman in FA, but we failed to address that position. Now that doesn't mean we can't turn this thing around on the line, we're only 2 weeks in. Cohesiveness is important on the line, especially if the two new guards are not overly talented. If our that group comes together we will make a run, with one of Bradford or Sanchez at the helm.

 

[WIZ]

This will be a different team next week and everyone will be back on board. Just a bad 1-2 for a new team with high expectations to start with.

 

[eaglesnut]

I'd like to see the running backs(DeMarco specifically) be involved in the passing game - throw short screens and open it up for the run game later on - in theory, sticking with running the ball is the right thing to do but that's only if you have an o-line that can cater to the run and right now, the o-line can't cater to anything and that's essentially what Chip brought up in the presser yesterday that they tried to do different things during the course of the game but couldn't because the o-line never held their own end of the bargain

We were throwing it to Murray. It's going to take a lot more than that.

 

[eaglesnut]

That is another common narrative that I am always skeptical about on this level. These guys have been together since April working on this thing several days a week. They have had plenty of time to gel and develop chemistry (Not totally sure what those things are practically?). Someone asked Kelly a question about this today and he commented that the Atlanta Team was a brand new coaching staff and system, and also that they did just fine as a new group two years ago.

These guys have been playing football since they were about 6 years old and most have been in several systems. In practicality, I think you can make some pretty major adjustments to system and personnel in a week or two.

Not to say there aren't advantages to being together for a long time, but for instance, Kelce has been here several years and he was the bonehead who decided to snap the ball when no one else was set or expecting a snap.

Timing. No matter how hard you practice you can't practice at a game's intensity.

Every misstep and every millisecond is magnified at this level because of the talent.

 

[Iron Eagle]

The Eagles Run Game is a Hot Mess

I found this breakdown of the run blocking issues interesting.