Observations from Eagles/Titans game

[Taz]

Its hard to nitpick a 43-24 win but there was a lot to take away from this game.

1. For all that thought Sanchez would run this offense better than Foles, what do you think now? I think he and Foles have run it about the same, Foles throws better from the pocket and Sanchez throws better on the run. But its amazing how close these guys actually are.

2. Kelly's play calling continues to baffle me at times. Three times where they didn't score in the red zone that got there and never even attempted a throw into the end zone. I don't know if its Sanchez, Kelly or what but how can you score TD's in the red zone if you run on the first two downs for a total of 5 yards and you then find yourself in a 3rd and 5.

3. The linebacker situation inside is getting dire. I wonder if it might make some sense to either play Graham or Barwin inside more.

4. Cody Parkey continues to impress me. Yes he missed a long one today, but that is going to happen. He is so consistent.

5. I was surprised that Davis didn't blitz more today against the rookie. They seemed to play a lot of vanilla base defense.

6. Josh Huff showed up for a game today, glad to see the kid do well and it was am impressive kick off return he had, he broke a few tackles on the run. Hopefully this will give the kid some confidence going forward.

7. Shady still seems slow to me, yes he had a good game, but he seems slow. Maybe its because Sproles seems so fast.

8. Really liked the couple of times they had Sproles and Shady in the backfield together. I hope we are going to see more of that. It really does confuse the defense.

Overall we are 8-3 heading into the toughest part of the schedule. If we can win 2 of the next 3 we are sitting in the catbird seat. If we lose all three there is a good chance we will be a 10-6 team that doesn't make the playoffs

 

[Wings]

I think Sanchez does a great job getting rid of the football quickly, throws well on the run, and steps up into the pocket very well....What he doesn't do well is throw deep, clearly his shoulder surgery has taken away his deep arm strength, it's not there. He also tends to hurry throws at times and he hasn't set his feet, throws across his body and gets picked. I see a QB that is far better in our system than he was in the jets system, however long term he is not the answer. I do think he would be a perfect transition QB to the new QB.

I agree, I'd seriously think about putting Graham at ILB, because we have nothing else.

 

[Four4Four]

One simple observation: we need a QB. Foles now know he has a job when he gets healthy. Stop turning the ball over qbs. From here on out the eagles need consistent qb play to compete.

 

[TheSnowdog]

One simple observation: we need a QB. Foles now know he has a job when he gets healthy. Stop turning the ball over qbs. From here on out the eagles need consistent qb play to compete.

This

I got tired of Foles and his turnovers and also every time he dropped back he would do his version of the moonwalk

So I felt it was time to give Sanchez a look. The situation in which this happened was disappointing. I did not want to see Foles get hurt. I appreciate what he did last year. But this year was frustrating watching him play QB.

Anyways, in the long run, i don't care who is QB - whether it is Foles or Sanchez or someone else - just as long as they protect the ball and produce.

I can't handle the INTs - any INTs. I realize some are not the QBs fault but the INTs in which the QB is forcing into an area he shouldn't drives me nuts.

In 4 games this year Sanchez has thrown 6 INTs - 2 per game for 3 of those games. Sanchez has done a decent job but those INTs have followed him from New York and that is disturbing.

 

[DutchBird]

1) ILB (that can cover) might be a bigger need than CB... the one big play by the TE in the 2nd quarter (where some blamed Allen), was Acho losing coverage. I have seen Mathews and Ryans do the same. These plays have been killing us for weeks.

2) Penalties are a mess, though sometimes I wonder if it is the players of the officiating (which is so bad that as a player you have no idea what is going on).

3) Red zone offense is still a mess.

4) Shady looked better - more decisive, less dancing, finally able to fake out people. Shame he got caught up, but I do not recall Shady having great long distance break away speed at any point in his career.

5) If we play like this next week, then we will be carved up as bad as the turkey put in front of Madden.

 

[deerpathdave]

Its good to see the Eagles take care of business against one of the second rate teams. And I don't mean that as a backhanded compliment. Its part of what defines a good team.

I don't know if I have ever seen the NFL more competitive. There are 16 really good teams in the league that are 6-4 or better. And they are fighting for 11 playoff spots. We are giving one spot to the NFC south that might be won with 6 wins total. While Green Bay, Denver, and New England look to be a notch better than the rest, its not by a wide margin. Any of those 16 teams could win the Super Bowl or miss the playoffs.

For the Eagles it all comes down to Dallas. Beat them twice and they win the Division. Lose twice, they may not make the playoffs. A Split likely puts the Eagles in as the Division winner (no bye though) due to tiebreakers and Dallas as a Wild Card.

The Eagles do seem to be peaking at the right time. They are as healthy as they have been in a while and it can only help Sanchez that he was 3 games under his belt now. The issues seem to be giving up big plays on defense and INTs on offense. I think the INTs is fixable as Sanchex gets more comfortable. I don't this the big plays on defense is likely to be fixed this year. Both those flaws however are the sort of things that may or may not happen any given week. Its sometimes just a little bit of luck with those things, and its all together possible that they could play error free ball (or not) in a given game. This makes them good enough to beat any team, but also vulnerable to losing against any good team.

 

[old duke]

I think Sanchez does a great job getting rid of the football quickly, throws well on the run, and steps up into the pocket very well....What he doesn't do well is throw deep, clearly his shoulder surgery has taken away his deep arm strength, it's not there. He also tends to hurry throws at times and he hasn't set his feet, throws across his body and gets picked. I see a QB that is far better in our system than he was in the jets system, however long term he is not the answer. I do think he would be a perfect transition QB to the new QB.

I agree, I'd seriously think about putting Graham at ILB, because we have nothing else.

If they moved Graham to ILB a few years ago, I'd agree with you, but not at this point of his career. It would take a couple years at least to become a top ILB, IMO. It's a shame because they have never developed him into anything else but a pass rushing specialist.

 

[tbone]

Sanchez threw some real nice balls this past game. Tight spots...and i was kinda amazed. That said the dude is usually good for 3 BONEHEAD plays a game. INTs, Fumbles etc. Hes no better or no worse in philly than ny. He didnt look as bad with the Jets early because they won games with defense and a watered down gameplan for him. Once the OL and defense went alittle south he was exposed. Hes on a team he doesnt need to do it all on right here but that said he cant turn the ball over as much as he does.
I agree we are hurting at LB. And LB and secondary help really needs to be an offseason priority via draft and FA.
I love Sproles. Alot of people thought he was too old when we traded for him but dude just has it. Hes a play maker.
No one has said much but Trent Cole has looked pretty darn good at LB. And as hes gotten even more comfortable its been key in letting Barwin do more.
Where has Thorton been this year? Dont hear his name being called much.
I loved Jason Avant and the things he brought to the team, but wow Jordan Mathews is making me forget about him fast.
Hi James Casey....good to see you on Sunday lol

 

[Iggloo]

I think Foles and Sanchez are about equal right now. The difference is, Foles is younger and I think he might have a higher upside. I can envision him cutting the turnovers--we saw it last year. Sanchez is what he is in terms of turnovers.

Neither is ideal to run Chip's offense, and if Mariota slides in the first round he will be an Eagle.

 

[PhillyJoker]

I think Sanchez does a great job getting rid of the football quickly, throws well on the run, and steps up into the pocket very well....What he doesn't do well is throw deep, clearly his shoulder surgery has taken away his deep arm strength, it's not there. He also tends to hurry throws at times and he hasn't set his feet, throws across his body and gets picked. I see a QB that is far better in our system than he was in the jets system, however long term he is not the answer. I do think he would be a perfect transition QB to the new QB.

I agree, I'd seriously think about putting Graham at ILB, because we have nothing else.

I like both these points, and would expand on them with this:

Personally I would extend Sanchez whatever the "average" transitional quarterback contract is at the end of this year. Go into next year with another open competition between him and Foles. So long as he realizes he's played pretty mediocre he might even accept a 1 year deal like Maclin to prove himself again. If he won't accept anything reasonable just let him walk. Foles can take the reigns for 1 more year and that year will be the end all be all for him. Meanwhile Chip can draft a qb in the mid-round this year (or hopefully Howie will, he seems to be a slightly better judge of talent) to groom in case Foles or Sanchez don't pan out.

I'd love to see Graham at ILB, but we seriously need 2xCB (though I'd be okay with Fletcher at this point if we get a stud on the other side and a better safety) a S and another ILB for depth whether Graham could/would/should make the transition.

 

[tbone]

If we have an open competition between Foles and Sanchez we are in trouble. And to even think there should be an open competition is even more disturbing. yea i get Foles isnt repeating his story book season last year but he is better than how hes been playing this year. Hes not superman like last year but hes hes surely better. And that better is much better than what Sanchez IS. Getting down on Foles after 8 games is typical Philly mentality. Last year at this time most all philly fans were slapping him into the HOF. Give the kid some time. This is his team and with that said id take him over Dirty Sanchez every day of the week

 

[Iggloo]

If we have an open competition between Foles and Sanchez we are in trouble. And to even think there should be an open competition is even more disturbing. yea i get Foles isnt repeating his story book season last year but he is better than how hes been playing this year. Hes not superman like last year but hes hes surely better. And that better is much better than what Sanchez IS. Getting down on Foles after 8 games is typical Philly mentality. Last year at this time most all philly fans were slapping him into the HOF. Give the kid some time. This is his team and with that said id take him over Dirty Sanchez every day of the week

Agreed.

 

[deerpathdave]

I don't have a strong opinion onw way or another at this point. I expect I will in three weeks.

 

[deerpathdave]

I don't have a strong opinion onw way or another at this point. I expect I will in three weeks.

Speaking of Sanchez....

 

[swat]

Sanchez is better than Foles. But neither are studs. Question is does Chip need a stud to win it all. With our D as it is...Id say yes.

If we can somehow build a dominant D..then yea, Foles or Sanchez would be good enough. IMO.

 

[tbone]

Sanchez is better than Foles. But neither are studs. Question is does Chip need a stud to win it all. With our D as it is...Id say yes.

If we can somehow build a dominant D..then yea, Foles or Sanchez would be good enough. IMO.

I am glad you arent our QB talent evaluator lol