There were several times on Sunday when DeMarco Murray was visibly frustrated with the running game, or lack thereof. It was the second straight game Murray and Co. couldn’t get things going on the ground.
Things got so back for the running backs, who couldn’t establish the run behind a porous offensive line, that Chip Kelly turned an opportunity to revitalize the Eagles chances at a win into a costly turnover by passing from the three-yard line instead of using his two newly-signed running backs.
The frustration is wide-spread across the offense, as they look for a redemption game that is desperately needed at the Meadowlands on Sunday against the Jets. But even for all of the moments where Murray showed his frustration on the field, after the Eagles second loss to open the season, the Pro-Bowl running back remained confident.
"You put a lot of emotions in, and not just me, everybody," Murray said. "We just couldn’t get anything going at different times. We need to be better. No matter what play calls are being called, individually, collectively on offense, we just have to make it work."
Murray came into the season with the greatest of expectations. He was the league’s defending rushing champ. He was signed to take the place of the Eagles all-time leading rusher. And so far, Murray has a total of 11 yards on 21 carries in two games.
It’s not just Murray. Hand the ball to Ryan Mathews. Hand it to Darren Sproles. Nothing was working.
The Eagles longest run of the game was a nine-yard scramble by Sam Bradford.
It was the offensive line, led by veterans Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, that has been a five-man liability. It hinders the running game. It leaves Bradford with no time to make things happen downfield. When Bradford has even the slightest amount of time, his throws are off or the receivers can’t seem to maintain a grip on the ball.
If Bradford’s health was the only thing that could sink the Eagles, this was the scenario no one saw coming.
"I think we have the right guys and the right coaching staff. We have the right players offensively, defensively and in the kicking game to be successful," Murray said. "I think we have to hold each other accountable as players. We have to fix it. It’s as simple as that."
The task still remains: the Eagles are playing in a division that has been weakened by teams with internal problems and another who, despite a 2-0 record, has lost their quarterback and top wide receiver for an extended period.
The season is far from over. But there is no way for this team to soar at the top of the NFC East if they can’t even get off the ground.
"I feel like it can be fixed," Kelly said. "We've had a couple games here since we've been here where we haven't run the ball well, but we've rectified that.
"I think it's still a fundamental football game. I think the blocking, throwing and catching aspect of things are the ones that — we didn't catch the ball very well last night, and at times we didn't throw it very well. I think it's a combination of all those things and unfortunately, one of them would rear its ugly head on a particular play, so it wasn't a specific person or one specific scheme. But a lot of that just comes down to fundamentals, maybe overthinking things a little bit too much and just going out and playing."
"We’ll get it together," Murray said. "I think everyone is looking at themselves. Everyone’s looking at Sam, myself, JP. We’ll get it fixed."
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
