Maximizing production in a talented offense is tougher than it looks.
The Eagles offense is not living up to expectations. The high-powered scheme we have become accustomed to seeing has constantly stalled on drives and has lacked the explosive nature that it once flaunted over the league. Inconsistency is one of the culprits but you would be hard pressed to predict how good this offense could REALLY be because of the unforced errors and bad judgement calls. Here is a position breakdown of each offensive positional grouping. The grades may shock you.
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Quarterback
Sam Bradford has proved that he can survive the grueling punishment of the season so far. Maybe even more surprising than that is the fact that he has not lost his job to Mark Sanchez with all the criticism honing in on him. Bradford has proved that he is more than capable of running this offense and scoring points but it’s time to get very critical of the guy Chip Kelly picked to be his decision maker.
The run game is struggling in part because of Bradford’s inability to complete passes down the field. The offense is at its best when explosive plays occur with regularity and that is definitely not the case. Without the threat of a downfield target, defenses are stacking the box, stopping the run, and are happily living with the results. Bradford can only complete passes to reasonably open receivers by throwing them while they are open or hitting them in stride. Bradford has not struggled getting the ball to open receivers (although he has missed a few), the receivers have to get open and catch the ball more consistently. Statistics do not tell the whole story because of the sheer amount of dropped passes but Bradford can definitely do a better job getting rid of the football quickly, making the correct reads, and ending the horrible turnover streak he has on his resume so far this season.
The run game is the foundation of this offense. The fact that Bradford is performing his duties adequately is a detriment that the team cannot afford heading into a tough stretch beginning with Dallas at Jerry World.
Grade: C+
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Running Backs
Grading offensive positions are difficult because they are all so dependent on each other. A running back will look really good when his offensive line does well and a receiver will produce more when the quarterback is top-notch. That being said, the half backs on the Eagles have actually been doing a fairly decent job when given the opportunity to perform. The debate that exists in the mind of every Eagles fan is whether or not DeMarco Murray should still be starting over Ryan Mathews, who has outperformed him statistically. Matthews has 32 less carries than Murray yet has still picked up 35 more yards and those numbers speak for themselves. However, deciding who should start is not as simple as looking at statistics.
The offensive line play has been sub-par and inconsistent at best, throughout the season, and penetration has regularly been preventing Murray from producing consistently. Mathews has quicker feet than Murray and may even have more burst off the LOS. So, contrary to popular belief, these running backs are not the same type of runners. Mathews is the embodiment of a ‘one-cut’ runner. Murray does not fit that mold and may be more of a power back, who needs time to build speed behind the LOS since he has the strength to break more arm tackles than Mathews.
The Patriots use a similar selection of running backs. They primarily use former Eagles running back Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount as their change-of-pace backs in the second half. The Eagles can do the same if their offensive line plays more consistently. Mathews outperforming Murray is not a function of one player being “better.” It has more to do with their running styles and how they fit the holes the offensive line is able to open versus the defense they are playing that week. Good group overall though.
Grade: B
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Wide Receivers
This year’s group of wide receivers could easily be the most scrutinized offensive unit this team has had in the last couple of years. Drops have plagued the most sure-handed pass catchers on the team and getting open on any route combination that requires timing is apparently the most difficult task of the year. It becomes clear what the problem is with a quick look at the statistics of the Eagles top four pass catchers so far this year.
Jordan Matthews: 39 catches, 398 yards, 1 touchdown
Zach Ertz: 24 catches, 270 yards, 0 touchdowns
DeMarco Murray: 23 catches, 132 yards, 1 touchdown
Darren Sproles: 22 catches, 162 yards, 0 touchdowns
See the issue?
Only one wide receiver breaks the Eagles top four pass catchers, statistically. Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, and Miles Austin have a combined total of 35 catches for 531 yards and 4 touchdowns. This is hardly considered to be a productive statistical line. To highlight how ineffective this group has been, here is one more mind-blowing statistic: Ryan Mathews has more catches than Riley Cooper, Miles Austin, and Nelson Agholor.
Mathews has also played less snaps than all three receivers.
Grade: D+
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Tight Ends
High expectations were hoisted upon the shoulders of Brent Celek and Zach Ertz this season. Ertz had a productive season last year and the idea sprung forth that improving his blocking would increase his playing time and pass-catching opportunities. Celek, who is considered to be one of the better blocking tight ends in the league, continued to be the ever reliable dual-threat that he always was last year but his lack of vertical speed and agility limits him in an offense that loves to pick on matchups.
This season has been a tough year for multiple reasons on the part of this positional group though. Celek is constantly being asked to block in the run game because the offensive line has struggled so mightily in pass and run blocking. Ertz missed the entire preseason to grow chemistry with Bradford and game 1 against Atlanta was the first time that the pair had together all season. Both tight ends have dropped passes but their lack of production is dictated by play calling and neither one of them is getting their name called very often.
Grade: B
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Offensive Tackles
The bookend tackles for the Eagles have actually played quite well, considering how weak the offensive line has been as a unit.
Run blocking has become a bit of a chore on stretch runs because of the amount of sheer penetration on the inside. However, Lane Johnson and Jason Peters have played at a very high level, although Peters has taken a noticeable step down from his All-Pro years (possibly due to age). Johnson has clearly been the Eagles best and most consistent offensive lineman thus far this year and seems to be gaining the strength and technique he will, eventually, need to make the transition to left tackle in the future when Peters finally decides to end his Hall of Fame career. Overall, the tackles have played well but even they can’t mask the issues happening on the inside of the line.
Grade: B+
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Offensive Guards & Center
For the purpose of grading, it is easier to dissect both guards and the center together into one group, which works out well because neither of these three positional players have played well this season.
Jason Kelce has fallen from the Pro Bowl status he was once crowned with over the last few seasons and has since been getting bull-dozed and thrown around the field by opposing nose and defensive tackles. A good game to look back on is the week 3 game against the Jets, where Kelce was regularly bullied by rookie defensive lineman Leonard Williams in the run game and in pass protection.
Matt Tobin and Allen Barbre have not fared better at their jobs either as both guards struggle to get a consistent push in the run game and seem to lose vast amounts of ground in pass protection. Amazingly, the Eagles offensive line grades out well, as a unit, in pass protection (more than likely because of the talent at offensive tackle) but grades out very poorly in the run game. Still, the run game is the basis and featured strength of Chip Kelly’s offensive scheme.
So something has to give…besides the inside of the line.
Grade: C
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Overall, the offense’s grade falls just below a B- on the year. Many of the issues that the offense faces, as a whole, can be fixed and coached up but the other issues may require a personnel change. Chip Kelly is going to need a more productive offense if he plans to win a crucial game against Dallas, who have had struggles of their own. Dez Bryant is back and the Eagles offense is going to need to give the defense a break at some point… Right?
Overall Grade: C+
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