The Philadelphia Eagles have turned over the ball 12 times over the course of three games. Mike has taken way too many hits, most of them his own doing. What are the sources of the issues?
1) Mike is holding onto the ball too long. Football Outsiders did a report from the 2011 season grading each NFL quarterback on the average amount of time they hold onto the ball. Vick was in the same ranks as Christian Ponder and Jake Locker. The routes that the Eagles receivers are running are long developing and often have both safeties playing over top; that means that his first and possible second read are locked down. It causes Mike to second guess himself and try to make something happen on the fly.
2) The O-Line is struggling with the loss of LT Jason Peters and C Jason Kelce. Admit it; we all thought this was one of the team’s strengths going into this year. It was but the injury bug has plagued the Birds front five. Although C Dallas Reynolds has done a pretty admirable job so far, Guards Evan Mathis and Danny Watkins haven’t held up their end. I like all players involved and hope that they come back to playing like they did late last season.
3) The play calling is not balanced. If a team ran play action in 3 out of 7 plays, 3 passes, and 1 run play, would you bite on the play action? The Birds only have one of the most physically gifted running backs in the league in LeSean McCoy. My grandmother has said for YEARS that Andy Reid has lacked aptitude in play calling and more importantly, in situations where time management and execution are key. We can’t blame Donovan for that anymore! Feed McCoy the ball; Rookie Bryce Brown has made a case for himself and now, has moved up the depth chart. Now, he’s 2nd behind Shady.
Final Note- Feed Shady McCoy, Dagggoneit! (In my Brian Dawkins voice. By the way, the Eagles-Giants match-up is highlighted by B-Dawk’s number being retired forever. I love that guy!!
How do you get better at reading the blitz? Study, study, study, Mr. Vick. O-Line needs to pick up the pieces of the last two games and get it together. They need to have some pride in protecting their weapon. They must use the Screen game. They have to get that nasty streak back.
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