Eagles Movie Evaluation: Protection takeaways from the win over the Packers

Properly, this was a form of weird defensive efficiency from the Eagles of their win over the Packers. I assumed there have been some improbable particular person performances, some glorious defensive calls within the crimson zone, some terrible examples of zone protection, and a few disastrous suits. There’s a lot to speak about. Let’s do it.

(Beforehand: Eagles-Packers offensive movie evaluation.)

Protection

I’m fairly certain I may write a complete article on how a lot I loved Quinyon Mitchell’s efficiency. He didn’t appear to be a rookie in any respect. He appeared precisely as he did in school, and the second was not too huge for him in any respect. After going towards DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown in follow each week, Quinyon wasn’t petrified of the Packers extensive receivers. This was a improbable rep for various completely different causes however nothing made me happier than how he stared down Christian Watson after this rep. Elite cornerbacks must be over-confident, and Quinyon Mitchell was undoubtedly that in his debut. Harder checks will come, however this was an awesome begin.

I didn’t speak about him in any respect within the thread, so I wished to present a shout-out to Darius Slay earlier than transferring on. He had a very good recreation, and the Packers didn’t even hassle to check him. It’s all the time thrilling to speak in regards to the younger and new defenders, however Slay moved in addition to he ever has.

It’s time to speak about Zack Baun. This efficiency was even higher on the rewatch than I anticipated. It wasn’t simply the person efficiency however the versatility that he confirmed. He lined up in so many alternative positions, and the Packers’ offense actually struggled to determine the way to deal with him. The explosiveness of this move rush jumped off the movie. This was a improbable simulated strain name by Fangio, too, and there are many cool parts to take a look at. Firstly, lining up Baun as extensive as he does makes him actually exhausting to be picked up by the sort out. Dropping Brandon Graham isn’t what the offense was anticipating. And lastly, regulate C. J. Gardner-Johnson taking part in the slot. This is the reason you want a security that may cowl the slot on this system.

Proper, I’ve some stuff to get off my chest. There have been particular calls just like the one above that I completely beloved. I assumed Fangio was effective general, and the protection made some clutch performs in clutch moments (particularly within the crimson zone). However my goodness, I used to be not too keen on among the run-fits on this recreation. Folks not often criticize Fangio for being too aggressive, however I assumed he was on this recreation. He stored utilizing this slant/stunt method the place the defensive tackles would attempt to stand up the sphere rapidly (fairly than the same old gap-and-a-half method), however he known as it too regularly, and it didn’t work. The Packers figured this out and had some glorious play calls designed to get a puller on a gap-scheme idea into the precise void the Eagles’ defensive tackles have left. Sure, it’s honest to level out that CGJ may do higher right here, however this isn’t how I’d ever use Jordan Davis. I would like Jordan Davis to be an anchor, not for use like this.

Right here is one other instance, though I don’t assume this was as dangerous because the earlier one. Nonetheless, look how aggressive the line of defense is. Nolan Smith has clearly been instructed to get upfield rapidly, however the Packers simply run proper previous him, and he’s utterly taken out of the play. Jet sweeps are a really efficient method of attacking 5-man fronts, and working it away from Zack Baun, who’s lined up as an EDGE right here, may be very sensible recreation planning by the Packers. The Packers had 0.247 EPA per rush this week, rating 2nd highest all through the league. That is even though I assumed the Eagles’ linebackers had glorious video games. That’s not one thing you wish to see grow to be a theme all through the season.

Apologies for the negativity, but it surely is only one week, and I hope Fangio appears to be like at his run suits and, particularly, how he makes use of Jordan Davis. Anyway, transferring on, for now, let’s simply have a look at Quinyon Mitchell once more. That may cheer us up! It is a hell of a play for a rookie to make in his first-ever recreation. Take a look at his skill to achieve depth and browse the quarterback in zone protection. Some veterans may make this learn however then lack the athleticism to make the play. Quinyon has the brains to learn this and the athleticism to flip his hips and go up and knock the soccer away with good timing. Oh sure, that is thrilling.

Oh no, I’m going to get damaging once more. Sorry! I genuinely don’t know what was happening with the Eagles zone protection on this recreation. The Eagles ran normal Cowl 3 a number of occasions. Straight up Cowl 3?! When has Vic Fangio ever run Cowl 3 with none match ideas?! It was totally weird. I’ve watched numerous Fangio, however I’ve by no means seen it. The Eagles stored working Cowl 3, the Packers stored working deep crossers, and the Eagles regularly couldn’t cowl these deep crossers. It was so bizarre. It was like going again in time when Sean McVay realized you can simply run Cooper Kupp on deep crossing routes towards single-high defenses repeatedly. One of many huge the explanation why the Fangio scheme has taken off in recent times was to cease these crossing routes! After fascinated about it, there are 3 potential causes for this.

The sphere was so dangerous that Fangio determined to alter up his calls to make it simpler for his defensive gamers to drop to a zone. Nevertheless, certainly he will need to have practiced this earlier than the sport and in the course of the low season, as you’ll be able to’t simply randomly name normal Cowl 3?
As a result of variety of new starters, he wished to maintain issues easy. Nevertheless, Reed Blankenship, Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, and CGJ have all performed in a Fangio-style protection earlier than. So why do it’s good to change it?
Fangio has determined to run normal Cowl 3 with out match parts. Nevertheless, this simply doesn’t make sense! His entire philosophy is predicated on match ideas.

So, principally, I don’t know why the Eagles stored working normal Cowl 3. It did not work, and I’m confused.

I’ve realized now I haven’t actually damaged down what went improper on the play. The rationale why is I don’t know. With out being within the defensive assembly room, I don’t know who is meant to assist. Slay could also be meant to drop additional again. However you’ll be able to argue Cooper DeJean must cowl the flat higher to permit Slay to fall again. You might argue that Nakobe Dean ought to cowl the crossing route, however is he alleged to? The one factor I’d say is that whereas it’s straightforward in charge CGJ for lacking the sort out, this can be a powerful sort out to make within the open discipline. And CGJ isn’t an awesome tackler. So I’m not too fussed about that.

Oh, look. It’s one other deep crossing route towards Cowl 3. And nobody is aware of what to do. I’m somewhat confused nonetheless.

Let’s transfer on from the Eagles Cowl 3 as a result of I haven’t learn or heard any actual clarification for what occurred. However I shall be protecting an in depth eye on it transferring ahead.

Let’s discuss in regards to the Eagles’ most underrated defender and presumably the Eagles most underrated participant. Reed Blankenship! Somebody inform me what Reed doesn’t do effectively? He might not have the ability to line up in man protection within the slot, however not each security wants to take action. He’s glorious in zone protection and understands his match tasks. He’s improbable in run protection and is fast to come back downhill in addition to being a extremely managed but bodily tackler. This was a game-changing play by Blankenship, and he does such a very good job studying the throw and selecting it off. Vic Fangio additionally deserves credit score for a very cool design the place the Eagles drop each the EDGE defenders into protection and Zach Baun does effectively to drop rapidly and stop the tight finish from getting in entrance of the security. This was a big-time defensive play.

I feel I’ve stated sufficient about Zack Baun, however right here’s one other improbable play that reveals off his athleticism and instincts. He clearly gained’t have 15 tackles and a pair of sacks each week, but when he continues to look this good all through the season, the Eagles may even have good linebacker play all season. How thrilling is that? Enormous credit score should go to Howie Roseman and Vic Fangio for taking a look at Baun’s profile and projecting his match on this protection.

I do know I’ve already gone on about dangerous run suits, however come on. What is that this? That is on 1st and 10! The Eagles have Nakobe Dean comply with the movement (I assume by design, and if not, it’s an enormous mistake by him), and this leads to there being no off-ball linebacker attributable to Zach Baun lining up at EDGE. As a consequence of Baun taking part in at EDGE, Josh Sweat kicks inside and is taking part in at 4i method. Lastly, as a result of Nub TE (a TE with no receivers on his aspect of the sphere), Quinon Mitchell is pressured into the run match. In case you put all this collectively, you may have 6 defenders within the field and 6 blockers. All it’s good to do is depart the EDGE reverse the run unblocked, and you’ve got 6 blockers vs. 5 defenders. That may’t occur on 1st and 10. You may’t have completely no off-ball linebacker. Josh Sweat will get doubled, so he doesn’t stand an opportunity. I’d love for Jordan Davis to do extra right here, however I simply don’t assume he strikes laterally effectively. Throw in a foul missed sort out from CGJ, and you’ve got a little bit of a catastrophe.

We’re again to Cowl 3, failing to cowl deep crossing routes. I feel this one is Cowl 3 Match, and I feel Quinyon Mitchell is at fault, but it surely nonetheless highlights that the protection struggled to cowl these items all recreation.

Anyway, sufficient of run suits and Cowl 3. The Eagles gained! And is there every other approach to finish the article than displaying Moro Ojomo successful his one-on-one matchup and forcing the incompletion? The Eagles’ EDGE defenders have been underwhelming on this recreation and the Eagles may want Ojomo to step up as an inside move rusher this yr. The large knock on Ojomo popping out of faculty was his pass-rushing skill, which was depraved to see.

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