QuoteWhy run? Eagles are winning Reid's way
By Jeff McLane
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
The lesson here is: You can't argue with success.
And Eagles head coach Andy Reid, in his day-after game press conference at the NovaCare Complex today, continues to be the teacher when questioned about his team's run-pass imbalance.
"I really think when it's all said and done I'm not sure people really care if you ran the ball or threw the ball," said Reid.
"They care a little bit about if you win or lose."
And the Eagles are winning Reid's way - through the air as evidenced by yesterday's stunning 37-31 comeback victory over the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Reid's play calling once again leaned heavy on quarterback Donovan McNabb's arm as the Eagles went pass in favor of the run, 48-17. Through four games, the Eagles have thrown the ball more than twice than they have run it, 184-79.
With quarterback Donovan McNabb suffering through all sorts of injuries, the most serious, a sports hernia, which as of today is still status quo, many have questioned Reid's decision to keep dropping McNabb back and thus opening him up from more possible injury.
"We try to do what the teams are going to give us," said Reid. "We thought we saw some things we could throw on them against. We we're hoping to run a little bit better than what we did, too. It just didn't work out that way."
With the Chiefs focused on running back Brian Westbrook, the Eagles managed only 28 yards on the ground as opposed to 368 in the air.
As with most modern-day NFL play, the days of running the ball to set up the pass are over, especially in Reid's version of the West Coast offense (read: short passes). But his leaning on the pass this season is much more pronounced than in his previous six years at the Eagles helm, when the balance was 60-40 in favor of the pass.
In injury news, Reid announced an assortment of bumps and bruises, some more serious than others. And he touched on the progress of two key contributors who missed Sunday's game.
Kicker David Akers is getting a second opinion on his torn hamstring today. Reid said he wouldn't know if Akers' injury is more serious than first imagined until after the examination.
Akers' replacement, Todd France, filled in competently after a rocky first half in which he saw a 40-yard field goal attempt blocked. In the second half, he was 2 for 2 from 44 and 37 yards.
Reid said that defensive tackle Darwin Walker's thigh contusion, which kept him out Sunday, is getting better. But he wouldn't commit to Walker being ready for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
"I think it's a coin flip right now," said Reid.
The Eagles are thin at tackle now that Paul Grasmanis is lost for the season. The 10-year veteran suffered a torn right Achilles tendon against the Chiefs. In 2003, he tore the tendon in his left leg.
Reid said that Keyonta Marshall, a rookie on the practice squad, could be looked at as a possible replacement.
Eagles safety Brian Dawkins was undergoing an MRI on his left ankle as Reid spoke. Dawkins had his ankle rolled on by teammate Dhani Jones during the game and appeared hurt as he limped off the field. But he came back on the field a few plays later and after the game said his ankle felt fine.
Reid said the MRI was more a precaution.
Posted this on another thread, I'll repost here:
Ray Didinger made a comment last night regarding the Eagles run game which he (Ray) has been screaming for all year. He said he noticed something in this game for the first time. He said that the Eagles run game isn't the traditional run game (I think Aikman said this during the game too). That little dump passes and screen passes and draw plays...THAT is what the Eagles use as a run game. Easy "passes" for McNabb and then the RB does the work.
i get the short passes = running thing. the only thing that doesn't work for that is that you don't leave your QB open for hits when you handoff. even a short pass leaves the possibility for Donovan to get smacked, like he did late yesterday.
not saying AR is wrong or anything like that, just saying that a short pass is the same thing as a run.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 03, 2005, 02:59:13 PM
Posted this on another thread, I'll repost here:
Ray Didinger made a comment last night regarding the Eagles run game which he (Ray) has been screaming for all year. He said he noticed something in this game for the first time. He said that the Eagles run game isn't the traditional run game (I think Aikman said this during the game too). That little dump passes and screen passes and draw plays...THAT is what the Eagles use as a run game. Easy "passes" for McNabb and then the RB does the work.
didinger just noticed that?
has he watched reid coach for the past 6 years?
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 03, 2005, 02:59:13 PM
Posted this on another thread, I'll repost here:
Ray Didinger made a comment last night regarding the Eagles run game which he (Ray) has been screaming for all year. He said he noticed something in this game for the first time. He said that the Eagles run game isn't the traditional run game (I think Aikman said this during the game too). That little dump passes and screen passes and draw plays...THAT is what the Eagles use as a run game. Easy "passes" for McNabb and then the RB does the work.
thats nothing new, thats what the entire west coast offense was built around. Short passes used as "runs." Doesnt change the fact that the Eagles do need a better running game. It's easy to throw all over the place against junk defense like the 49ers, Raiders and Chiefs. Not quite as easy against a good Defense.
I agree with what all of you guys are saying and you know how I feel about the run. I was just pointing out what Ray Diddy said.
I believe we'll see him go back to the 60/40 balance that he had last year.
I want him to run more too, but I think we'll see him get back to running a bit more soon. Yesterday they were down 24-6. That means a ton of throwing.
I'm hoping he's waiting for Gordon to get more familiar with the playbook. I'd like to see the Eagles get creative with the run. I don't care how often they run vs pass as long as they win. Why run when everyone in the building knows they are going to run? They should use the run to keep teams off balance.
Quote from: TempleOwl on October 03, 2005, 03:27:58 PM
I'm hoping he's waiting for Gordon to get more familiar with the playbook. I'd like to see the Eagles get creative with the run. I don't care how often they run vs pass as long as they win. Why run when everyone in the building knows they are going to run? They should use the run to keep teams off balance.
I was wondering the same thing in regards to Gordon. As far as the Eagles running the ball yesterday, I really didn't expect them to run much anyway. The Chiefs have a pretty active group of linebackers and they've been pretty solid against the run so far this year. They've also got the speed to play against screens which is why they were mostly ineffective yesterday as well.
I don't really need to see balance in the running game as much as I would like to see effectiveness. I don't care if the Eagles run the ball 10 times every game as long as those 10 rushes go for positive yards. But mostly, I'd like to see the Eagles get away from passing when they are leading late in the 4th qtr.
Quote from: Sgt PSN on October 03, 2005, 04:17:48 PM
But mostly, I'd like to see the Eagles get away from passing when they are leading late in the 4th qtr.
That's my biggest problem with the lack of running game. Not that they don't run enough (which they don't) but that they pass when they're up late int he game and should be running to keep the clock going. What they did int he Chiefs game is a travesty. KC should have had next to no time on the clock to get down the field but 3 passes, no clock time wasted and KC has too much time to move down the field.
lord this subject is overplayed
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 03, 2005, 02:59:13 PM
Posted this on another thread, I'll repost here:
Ray Didinger made a comment last night regarding the Eagles run game which he (Ray) has been screaming for all year. He said he noticed something in this game for the first time. He said that the Eagles run game isn't the traditional run game (I think Aikman said this during the game too). That little dump passes and screen passes and draw plays...THAT is what the Eagles use as a run game. Easy "passes" for McNabb and then the RB does the work.
Thought about this a bit and you know this makes "sense". A dump or screen pass to a RB and what have you done, you've eliminate or got around 10 players on the field (offence and defensive lines). Now he has only 6 defender to beat in open space.
Not saying a running game is not important but getting a back past the line of scrimage into open field provides some favorable matchups ......
Sure. All you've got to do is complete those little dumpoffs and not, for example, throw it backwards and incomplete for a fumble or 5 yards beyond the fullback that you know can't catch.
C'mon...who didn't love Parry coming out of the slot to catch a 12 yard pass and promptly fall on his can?!?
Stop, drop and roll baby... stop, drop and roll. ;D
a win is a win but i am just worried about mcnabb taking those shots....esp since he isnt as mobile as his usual self and cant just run away from those hits.
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 03, 2005, 03:03:06 PM
i get the short passes = running thing. the only thing that doesn't work for that is that you don't leave your QB open for hits when you handoff. even a short pass leaves the possibility for Donovan to get smacked, like he did late yesterday.
not saying AR is wrong or anything like that, just saying that a short pass is the same thing as a run.
*SNICKER* Remember the name WARE.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:06:04 AM
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 03, 2005, 03:03:06 PM
i get the short passes = running thing. the only thing that doesn't work for that is that you don't leave your QB open for hits when you handoff. even a short pass leaves the possibility for Donovan to get smacked, like he did late yesterday.
not saying AR is wrong or anything like that, just saying that a short pass is the same thing as a run.
*SNICKER* Remember the name WARE.
Yeah, he was impressive. In week 1 and the preseason.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:06:29 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:06:04 AM
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 03, 2005, 03:03:06 PM
i get the short passes = running thing. the only thing that doesn't work for that is that you don't leave your QB open for hits when you handoff. even a short pass leaves the possibility for Donovan to get smacked, like he did late yesterday.
not saying AR is wrong or anything like that, just saying that a short pass is the same thing as a run.
*SNICKER* Remember the name WARE.
Yeah, he was impressive. In week 1 and the preseason.
That was pretty good. But, you can't pass off your apprehension here. Ware is going to leave a mark.
Ok Nostradamus ::)
He gonna take a dump on the star?
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:14:42 AM
He gonna take a dump on the star?
No, but TO will leave a few more marks this year.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:13:06 AM
Ok Nostradamus ::)
That's Mister too you. :D
So you think it's going to be easy, seriously? You're not that pompus, are you? After all, you had to come back from how many points last week, as the Chefs just rolled over.
the Chiefs are a much better team than the Cowboys.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:17:46 AM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:13:06 AM
Ok Nostradamus ::)
That's Mister too you. :D
So you think it's going to be easy, seriously? You're not that pompus, are you? After all, you had to come back from how many points last week, as the Chefs just rolled over.
Yeah, the Chiefs just rolled over. The Eagles offense and their defense had nothing to do with that comeback. So when the Eagles win, its the other team rolling over....had it been Dallas, it would have been the greatest victory of all time. ::)
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Quote from: Mad-Lad on October 05, 2005, 11:18:25 AM
the Chiefs are a much better team than the Cowboys.
How?
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:19:24 AM
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Blowing a 24 point lead is rolling over. End of story.
They have so many great WRs that they had to cut Freddie Mitchell. When you can't keep a stud like Freddie, you're loaded. :D
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 11:34:52 AM
They have so many great WRs that they had to cut Freddie Mitchell. When you can't keep a stud like Freddie, you're loaded. :D
Yeah, you guys really miss him.
We miss having him drop by the board.
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 11:38:16 AM
We miss having him drop by the board.
I'm serious about you guys missing him on the field.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:39:52 AM
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 11:38:16 AM
We miss having him drop by the board.
I'm serious about you guys missing him on the field.
His one catch a game and thirty minute celebration is sorely missed.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:34:46 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:19:24 AM
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Blowing a 24 point lead is rolling over. End of story.
Just like you rolled over for Superstar Mark Brunell. :-D
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:44:40 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:43:34 AM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:40:58 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:39:52 AM
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 11:38:16 AM
We miss having him drop by the board.
I'm serious about you guys missing him on the field.
You can't be.
Dead.
You just reached a new level of ignorant.
Wow. Gloves off, ehh? ;D
Nah. She says that to everybody about everything.
Quote from: Larry on October 05, 2005, 11:44:05 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:34:46 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:19:24 AM
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Blowing a 24 point lead is rolling over. End of story.
Just like you rolled over for Superstar Mark Brunell. :-D
I'm going to remember that one, if you guys get beat by him as well. :-D
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:48:22 AM
Quote from: Larry on October 05, 2005, 11:44:05 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:34:46 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:19:24 AM
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Blowing a 24 point lead is rolling over. End of story.
Just like you rolled over for Superstar Mark Brunell. :-D
I'm going to remember that one, if you guys get beat by him as well. :-D
nah, he won't beat them, the Eagles have safties that actually live up to their hype.
Put it to you this way. I was a HUGE Freddie fan. Went out and got his jersey the summer after the draft when the Eagles picked him. I watched him play at UCLA. I stood up for this guy for a long time....made excuses for him, etc.
His idiocy during the Super Bowl week was IT for me though. Made me look back on the times he whined and cried that he didn't get the ball enough and then went out there and ran all the wrong routes and was never where he was supposed to be and realize that HE was the one to blame for not getting the ball more.
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 05, 2005, 11:49:22 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:48:22 AM
Quote from: Larry on October 05, 2005, 11:44:05 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:34:46 AM
Quote from: MadMarchHare on October 05, 2005, 11:19:24 AM
Dude, they hardly rolled over. They schemed way too heavily on one guy, and paid for it. Plus the D got plum dog-mean after the first quarter.
I doubt this game is closer than 10 points in the end.
Blowing a 24 point lead is rolling over. End of story.
Just like you rolled over for Superstar Mark Brunell. :-D
I'm going to remember that one, if you guys get beat by him as well. :-D
nah, he won't beat them, the Eagles have safties that actually live up to their hype.
I dunno. I have seen them looking at the backs of recievers this year too.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:53:11 AM
I dunno. I have seen them looking at the backs of recievers this year too.
like who?
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 11:49:59 AM
Put it to you this way. I was a HUGE Freddie fan. Went out and got his jersey the summer after the draft when the Eagles picked him. I watched him play at UCLA. I stood up for this guy for a long time....made excuses for him, etc.
His idiocy during the Super Bowl week was IT for me though. Made me look back on the times he whined and cried that he didn't get the ball enough and then went out there and ran all the wrong routes and was never where he was supposed to be and realize that HE was the one to blame for not getting the ball more.
I know that was hard for you. CAN I OFFER A TISSUE. :-D
Well, there's some rock solid evidence.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 12:12:56 PM
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 05, 2005, 12:11:17 PM
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 05, 2005, 11:53:52 AM
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 11:53:11 AM
I dunno. I have seen them looking at the backs of recievers this year too.
like who?
still waiting fella
Uhh, both at one point or another.
wow, that's airtight.
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 12:14:37 PM
Well, there's some rock solid evidence.
So you're telling me that your safeties haven't missed any coverages? Against Atlanta? Oakland?
Not to my recollection. You'll have to jog my memory. :)
At least if you seriously thought the Cowboys could win we would have time to get you admitted into a State Hospital.
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 12:18:34 PM
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 12:14:37 PM
Well, there's some rock solid evidence.
So you're telling me that your safeties haven't missed any coverages? Against Atlanta? Oakland?
None as horribly as Roy "TO's Bitch" Williams!
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 12:18:34 PM
Quote from: General_Failure on October 05, 2005, 12:14:37 PM
Well, there's some rock solid evidence.
So you're telling me that your safeties haven't missed any coverages? Against Atlanta? Oakland?
no, this started from the fact that Roy Williams lumped up at the end of the taterskins game. you reacted to that fact by claiming that the Eagles safeties have let recievers get behind them this year.
i wanted to know who and when, but you couldn't come up with one, so you give a stock answer.
just say that Roy-boy is overrated and we'll call this one over.
Once...that I remember did the safeties let a WR get behind them this year...and that was against Atlanta when Vick went play action deep to Michael Jenkins. The safeties were up in run support and Lito (i think it was him....it could have been Sheldon) was in excellent position to break up the pass...but it was a PERFECT pass by Vick...and it's next to impossible to defend a perfect pass. Jenkins also had to dive for the ball and didn't get any YACs...
Point is that the safeties for the Eagles have yet to "blow" a coverage this year. Dallas has a few times. The Eagles beat Oakland and dismantled the 49ers. Dallas lost to Oakland and barely pulled out a win against SF....
Quote from: mikey418 on October 05, 2005, 12:29:41 PM
Once...that I remember did the safeties let a WR get behind them this year...and that was against Atlanta when Vick went play action deep to Michael Jenkins. The safeties were up in run support and Lito (i think it was him....it could have been Sheldon) was in excellent position to break up the pass...but it was a PERFECT pass by Vick...and it's next to impossible to defend a perfect pass. Jenkins also had to dive for the ball and didn't get any YACs...
Point is that the safeties for the Eagles have yet to "blow" a coverage this year. Dallas has a few times. The Eagles beat Oakland and dismantled the 49ers. Dallas lost to Oakland and barely pulled out a win against SF....
that was the once instance i thought our cowboys friend would come up with, and your explanation is great.
another thing to add to that is that the Jenkins pass came in a situation where a run or pass could happen, Dawk got sucked up because of the run threat and Vick through over his head.
that is still better than Roy Williams letting the one deep threat on a team down by double digits, in the last 5 minutes of the game, get past him for a touchdown. total lump job.
the first one is excusable...but when you bite on the 12 yard in route with a minute left on the SECOND one you need to be cut before you leave the field
Quote from: Sun_Mo on October 05, 2005, 12:35:37 PM
Quote from: mikey418 on October 05, 2005, 12:29:41 PM
Once...that I remember did the safeties let a WR get behind them this year...and that was against Atlanta when Vick went play action deep to Michael Jenkins. The safeties were up in run support and Lito (i think it was him....it could have been Sheldon) was in excellent position to break up the pass...but it was a PERFECT pass by Vick...and it's next to impossible to defend a perfect pass. Jenkins also had to dive for the ball and didn't get any YACs...
Point is that the safeties for the Eagles have yet to "blow" a coverage this year. Dallas has a few times. The Eagles beat Oakland and dismantled the 49ers. Dallas lost to Oakland and barely pulled out a win against SF....
that was the once instance i thought our cowboys friend would come up with, and your explanation is great.
another thing to add to that is that the Jenkins pass came in a situation where a run or pass could happen, Dawk got sucked up because of the run threat and Vick through over his head.
that is still better than Roy Williams letting the one deep threat on a team down by double digits, in the last 5 minutes of the game, get past him for a touchdown. total lump job.
Lewis is the main one that I have seen. Dawkins has been late as well. Keep looking.
Quote from: ice grillin you on October 05, 2005, 12:40:06 PM
the first one is excusable...but when you bite on the 12 yard in route with a minute left on the SECOND one you need to be cut before you leave the field
I see. ::)
Quote from: ice grillin you on October 05, 2005, 12:40:06 PM
the first one is excusable...but when you bite on the 12 yard in route with a minute left on the SECOND one you need to be cut before you leave the field
And then allow the dynamic duo of Tim Rattay and Brandon Lloyd to light you up the next week... >:D :-D
Quote from: Larry on October 05, 2005, 01:02:48 PM
Quote from: ice grillin you on October 05, 2005, 12:40:06 PM
the first one is excusable...but when you bite on the 12 yard in route with a minute left on the SECOND one you need to be cut before you leave the field
And then allow the dynamic duo of Tim Rattay and Brandon Lloyd to light you up the next week... >:D :-D
Refresh my memory...how did they look against the Eagles defense? I forget.
Well, Lloyd did have a one-handed, highlight reel grab that almost went for a first down.
Quote from: Larry on October 05, 2005, 01:15:48 PM
Well, Lloyd did have a one-handed, highlight reel grab that almost went for a first down.
LOL
Quote from: RAIDERRED on October 05, 2005, 12:53:59 PM
Lewis is the main one that I have seen. Dawkins has been late as well. Keep looking.
You obviously then do not watch the Eagles or know anything about them. The Eagles have not given up any big pass plays or plays with substantial YACs. Most of the big passing plays have come when the Birds have sat back in a zone and the opposing QB correctly IDs it and delivers the ball to the correct WR....and that's more to blame on a poor pass rush then poor coverage. You'll find out what a true safety tandom is on Sunday, along with 2 pro-bowl caliber CBs...
Quote from: PhillyGirl on October 05, 2005, 01:04:18 PM
Refresh my memory...how did they look against the Eagles defense? I forget.
They looked wonderful putting up their whopping 3 points. :-D