Articles by Paul Macrie (53)
In what can be accurately described as a transitional season, the Eagles have digressed after Week 3. The team has struggled to regain its form from the first month of the season and have no identity on offense. The top person to blame for the overall team decline and failing offense is head coach Doug Pederson.
Nelson Agholor’s postgame comments against the Seahawks were subdued. He is a player that is clearly struggling with confidence, and it has taken a mental and emotional toll on him. Maybe Doug Pederson’s new approach to handling Agholor’s delicate situation will work, but it might also be another failed attempt.
After passing on the likes of Jason Pierre-Paul and more notably Earl Thomas, Brandon Graham struggled to live up to first-round expectations through most of his career. Now, as Graham continues to play at an All-Pro caliber level in 2016, the organization is finally getting maximum return on their investment.
Credit has to go out to offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland who is responsible for getting the Eagles offensive line unit to understand their blocking assignments, pass protection schemes and making sure the linemen have proper footwork and technique.
Midway through the 2016 season, the Eagles running back rotation remains a mystery, as Doug Pederson and his offensive staff haven’t found the right backfield recipe on game days.
It is very difficult to put a positive spin on the play of the team during the last month. But after failing to produce big plays on offense for weeks, the improvements against the Giants were exactly what the team needed.
Caleb Sturgis third field goal of the game on Sunday night gave the Eagles a 10-point lead early in the fourth quarter. It appeared they were on their way to a convincing win against the first-place Cowboys, but questionable play-calling, terrible execution, a key turnover and a sputtering defense were reasons for the collapse. The overtime loss to now 6-1 Dallas most likely dashed hopes of an NFC East title.
Will the Eagles defense contain the Cowboys prolific rookies on Sunday night? Other defenses have largely failed to so far this season, but this unit should be up for the task, and they will have to be, as preventing big runs from Elliott and Prescott’s tremendous play-making ability will be crucial in order to win this pivotal NFC East game.
As the Eagles get set to play the hated Dallas Cowboys this Sunday night, it is time for Carson Wentz to raise his level of play.
Reality has set in for the Eagles during the last two weeks in road losses to the Lions and Redskins. The defense has taken a significant step back as well. The unit has committed too many penalties, plus poor tackling has factored into the recent slide. Can the defense bounce back in an important home game against the Vikings on Sunday?