The 700 Level - Home of the Ginger Jesus.

[Valheru]

I agree on Burks (well not the bum arse niners comment that's a bit rude haha) and it all comes down to coaching, same with all your other defensive stars, I think your true MVP is Vic Fangio.

I was spewing we didn't sign him as DC, Kyle couldn't swallow his ego and hand him the keys, instead he wanted to micro manage what type of defense he wanted and Vic told him where to go!

Congrats and enjoy it!

9ers surely have the biggest bounce back potential next season?

One would think they don't have the same injury issues and the division is drawn against both the AFC and NFC south which is the dream double. Add to that a last placed schedule meaning their other 3 opponents are NYG, CHI and CLE!

Finally, it looks like LAR may be blowing the place up.

I easily see a 13+ win season.

 

[Haffa]

I've now rewatched the game twice, once each in broadcast and All-22. (along with highlights in every format available in the first few hours post game)

Two observations on how this "absurd" win happened:

1. The Chiefs offensive line injuries absolutely destroyed all hope for them. Placing their All-Pro guard at left tackle was a dooms-day scenario and the guy. With six sacks and sixteen pressures, Mahomes is lucky to be alive. Our DL feasted on the helpless lamb.

2. The Eagles offensive line injuries were the reason we ran up the middle the whole game. I don't think Jurgens, Dickerson, or Beckton could actually run forward more than a couple steps. They were more than okay in pass protection, but there was no way they were going to get downfield to block for any around-end sweeps. Respect to those guys for an incredibly gutsy performance. It's probably also why Quon was forced to block his arse off.

 

[nick87]

Dont take it personal, Ab... i just hate the niners
But yeah it was pretty amazing how Burks came on in the SB last year and it flipped the game, but he steps in for Nakobe Dean this year and looked great. Vic Fangio 100% an MVP, him and Stoutland

Fangio turned a team that was honestly a 30-32nd best defence last year into the best in the league this year. Outrageous turnaround

 

[nick87]

2. The Eagles offensive line injuries were the reason we ran up the middle the whole game. I don't think Jurgens, Dickerson, or Beckton could actually run forward more than a couple steps. They were more than okay in pass protection, but there was no way they were going to get downfield to block for any around-end sweeps. Respect to those guys for an incredibly gutsy performance. It's probably also why Quon was forced to block his arse off.

I wondered about this during the game. I kept saying the eagles need to get on the edges, run at the perimeter and get our pull game going. The best Barkley looked as a runner was on the few toss plays we ran and get out on the edges in space.

But on replay i think you're right
They just didnt have the mobility on the interior with Dickerson, Jurgens and Mekhi to pull those guys and expect them to make blocks in space. Those guys were battling very hard in that game from a health perspective.

 

[Haffa]

I wondered about this during the game. I kept saying the eagles need to get on the edges, run at the perimeter and get our pull game going. The best Barkley looked as a runner was on the few toss plays we ran and get out on the edges in space.

But on replay i think you're right
They just didnt have the mobility on the interior with Dickerson, Jurgens and Mekhi to pull those guys and expect them to make blocks in space. Those guys were battling very hard in that game from a health perspective.

Especially Jurgens, he was barely standing at points, he held up on his help blocks in pass pro but he struggled to even get into position on one or two blitzes. He couldn't run at all, the once or twice he tried he was nowhere near getting to the linebackers.

Edit. It's a f**king laugh that we won (dominated) the Super Bowl on textbook football.

 

[Valheru]

I've now rewatched the game twice, once each in broadcast and All-22. (along with highlights in every format available in the first few hours post game)

Two observations on how this "absurd" win happened:

1. The Chiefs offensive line injuries absolutely destroyed all hope for them. Placing their All-Pro guard at left tackle was a dooms-day scenario and the guy. With six sacks and sixteen pressures, Mahomes is lucky to be alive. Our DL feasted on the helpless lamb.

2. The Eagles offensive line injuries were the reason we ran up the middle the whole game. I don't think Jurgens, Dickerson, or Beckton could actually run forward more than a couple steps. They were more than okay in pass protection, but there was no way they were going to get downfield to block for any around-end sweeps. Respect to those guys for an incredibly gutsy performance. It's probably also why Quon was forced to block his arse off.

I don't know how his arm wasn't broken on the strip sack.

Full credit to him, he got straight up and didn't complain about it.

 

[Valheru]

The Chiefs game plan was diabolical too.

3 runs in the first half when your QB is under pressure within 1 second is outrageous. There was no attempt to establish the run or a screen pass or quick slants or whatever.

 

[shiznit]

Just consuming every bit of it.
Perhaps the most under-rated part of winning a SB is getting to hear all the mea culpa's by media types and other non ball knowing dickheads who wanted box scores to look pretty.

Or at least the ones with some humility and self respect. That's fun
Even better is the cuck losers (such as resident Purdy fluffier) having to keep that energy whilst the eagles and Hurts prove them all wrong is perhaps even better

"Take Barkley away! Make Jalen Hurts beat you with his arm!"
Ok. You got Barkley to 2.6 ypc, he had 6 catches for only 40 yards. He was largely shut down.
Hurts was 17/22, 300+ total yards and 3 tds

So now what?

I am happy for the Eagles… especially doing it to the queefs… lol

but I do think there is some validity to the make Hurts beat you argument.

I think at the moment he has limitations… especially in the passing game. But that’s fine… the f**king Pats built the greatest dynasty in history in similar circumstances.

This might sound like abit of a stretch but Hurts reminds me alot of Tom Brady early on. Obviously, Brady isn’t anywhere near the athlete that Hurts is and Hurts isnt the passer that Brady was.

But I say Hurts reminds me because his game is so tight… he seems like he’s on top of everything he does in that offense. Brady was the same… those early super bowls were more about BB and the defence than the offense. Obviously he had game winning drives but the Pats more often than not had him in better position or they tailored the scheme so they avoided those positions where his limitations would show.

Obviously Hurts was the MVP… but I think the DLine was the biggest reason they won that game IMO. If you can consistent pressure without having to manufacture via your scheme… and also get home… you’re 3/4’s of the way there. It just put Hurts in those advantageous positions where he can pull those strings.

Brady eventually grew his game and developed into the GOAT… I think Hurts will grow his game too.

 

[shiznit]

Actually thinking about it further I reckon a better comparison for Hurts would be Russell Wilson early on… he had his limitations early but he became an MVP candidate once he developed. Hurts is bigger than Russ but they share a lot of the same skill set to early Russ.

 

[nick87]

Actually thinking about it further I reckon a better comparison for Hurts would be Russell Wilson early on… he had his limitations early but he became an MVP candidate once he developed. Hurts is bigger than Russ but they share a lot of the same skill set to early Russ.

I think the Wilson comp is more accurate in terms of there are some limitations in the passing game that you just have to figure out
But the limitations with Hurts is

a) he doesnt throw over the MOF
b) he doesnt throw the check down much

And that's very Wilson-esque but eagles have built the ideal sort of set up to treat those things. There isnt a great deal of a need to throw the MOF because the run game is so dominant that it forces teams to play 1 on 1 on the outside, and the eagles have IMO the best WR combination duo in the league (and if not 1, they're top 3 minimum)

And the check down is his running game, he takes off and gets 5-10 yards on scrambles and whilst he's missed games and times in this period, he's mostly proven to be extremely durable despite playing that way.

Would i like more MOF throws? Sure.
Does it frustrate me when he eats a sack when the MOF is open? Yes
But every Qb has their limitations and weaknesses and he's improving on that every year.
As long as your coaching staff and FO understand them and build the team around them, its fine. As we demonstrated in the last 3 years, he's good enough to drive SB winning teams

I don't know how many SB rings Hurts will retire with. im not for one second saying we're about to go on and start a Chiefs/Pats level dynasty. But i also don't think this is the last time he'll be lifting the Lombardi

 

[Valheru]

Kellen Moore officially gone to Saints as HC.

How do we feel about this?

From his point of view, he deserves a chance but I only see this ending in tears. That is a terrible situation to be going in with not much hope of improvement.

On our side, there is a lot being made of yet another OC change as generally winning teams who lose their co-ordinators suffer but in this case I'm very meh. I don't believe he was particularly good this season let alone revolutionary. He certainly didn't change things anywhere near the same level as Fangio on the other side of the ball. His offence was struggling the first 4 games before the OL went to Sirianni and said to run the ball. From there he stuck to what worked but wasn't particularly inspiring the few times the run game didn't work IMO.

I also think this must be one of the most appealing job vacancies in history, with 10 of 11 starters returning (Becton could be re-signed), it would be very hard to f**k this up.

 

[shiznit]

I think the Wilson comp is more accurate in terms of there are some limitations in the passing game that you just have to figure out
But the limitations with Hurts is

a) he doesnt throw over the MOF
b) he doesnt throw the check down much

And that's very Wilson-esque but eagles have built the ideal sort of set up to treat those things. There isnt a great deal of a need to throw the MOF because the run game is so dominant that it forces teams to play 1 on 1 on the outside, and the eagles have IMO the best WR combination duo in the league (and if not 1, they're top 3 minimum)

And the check down is his running game, he takes off and gets 5-10 yards on scrambles and whilst he's missed games and times in this period, he's mostly proven to be extremely durable despite playing that way.

Would i like more MOF throws? Sure.
Does it frustrate me when he eats a sack when the MOF is open? Yes
But every Qb has their limitations and weaknesses and he's improving on that every year.
As long as your coaching staff and FO understand them and build the team around them, its fine. As we demonstrated in the last 3 years, he's good enough to drive SB winning teams

I don't know how many SB rings Hurts will retire with. im not for one second saying we're about to go on and start a Chiefs/Pats level dynasty. But i also don't think this is the last time he'll be lifting the Lombardi

Yeah the point I’m making is he has those limitations at the moment… but I think he will develop his game more and more as he gets exposed to more schemes and also gains confidence from winning a SB. I reckon he will make a big jump in the next couple of years and you’ll start seeing him throw to the middle IMO.

the only worry I really have about him is the turnover he’s had to deal with on his OC’s. Poor bugger seems to have a new OC every year going back to college. lol keeps him versatile I guess.

I find it crazy the career he’s had though… I thought coming out he would be a career backup… if you would have told me 3yrs ago that he would end up miles better than Tua I would have been shocked.

do you think they will bring in a new OC? Or will they look to promote from within? From what on one of the football channels I watch in YouTube they were saying a few of Moore’s staff were brought over with him… so they might go with him.

Too bad we snapped up Chip Kelly… I’m sure he would have been a hit back in Philly… lol

 

[nick87]

I think they'll probably promote from within and give the gig to Kevin Patullo
He's been angling for the job... he doesnt have play calling experience so that would be a worry, but i also wonder if they bring in someone like Frank Reich as a "senior offensive assistant" who can not only help Patullo adjust to the role and responsibility as play caller but serve as an emergency hand brake option if we get to mid season and Patullo isnt cutting it.

But the eagles have been prepared for this, unlike with Johnny Ganz and that shit show, so im sure the birds have a list of potential suitors they'll want to talk too.

Early doors, so dont want to count our chickens before they hatch but it sounds like aside from QB Coach Doug Nussmeier who is likely to follow Moore to NO, the coaching staff on both sides of the ball should be relatively untouched.

 

[Munky]

It seems the way to continued success in the NFL is to have an all time offensive/defensive mind at head coach paired with a guru in the opposite phase who epicly failed as a head coach.

In addition to top ten QB.

That way you get continuity at the three most important positions of the football operations in the organisation.

The Pats and Chiefs have both had the above for long periods.

I'd add GM, but Bill B was f**king hopeless at drafting offensive talent.

It'll be interesting to see how SF go this year. Weak schedule and top tier minds on both sides of the ball.

 

[Valheru]

It seems the way to continued success in the NFL is to have an all time offensive/defensive mind at head coach paired with a guru in the opposite phase who epicly failed as a head coach.

In addition to top ten QB.

That way you get continuity at the three most important positions of the football operations in the organisation.

The Pats and Chiefs have both had the above for long periods.

I'd add GM, but Bill B was f**king hopeless at drafting offensive talent.

It'll be interesting to see how SF go this year. Weak schedule and top tier minds on both sides of the ball.

Nick certainly isn't that.

He is a culture and motivation hire. He overrules at times but doesn't call plays regularly on either side of the ball.

Looking outside of the actual SB, the Eagles are built int he trenches, that's how they go this done. Elite players all over the filed is essential too but everything we do starts in the trenches.

 

[Munky]

Nick certainly isn't that.

He is a culture and motivation hire. He overrules at times but doesn't call plays regularly on either side of the ball.

Looking outside of the actual SB, the Eagles are built int he trenches, that's how they go this done. Elite players all over the filed is essential too but everything we do starts in the trenches.

And it showed last season.

BJ and Patricia weren't upto it as co ordinators.

Fangio is now probably there for life so one side of the ball is sorted for the next half decade.

Offensive co ordinator can be a crap shoot and any good young ones are two seasons max before taking a head coach gig.

 

[Valheru]

I think in hindsight this will be looked back as a SB where Kansas City just didn't belong... Strange thing to say about back to back champs but look at their regular season. Their 15-2 record was fake news and relied on any manner of bizarre ways to win including blocked FGs, Muffed Snaps, penalties at the end of games and inexplicable play calls by the opposition. They could have easily been a 10-11 win team and their +59 point differential validates that.

On the other side, we were +165 and two of our three losses involved key drops which would have iced the game and one of those was also the game Hurts was ruled out the first quarter. It was only the TB game where they were the better team on the day.

In the playoffs, KC played Houston who gave them big trouble and then the BIlls. Beating the Bills is elite but I think at this stage they need to engage a sports psychologist because KC is so far in their heads it ain't even funny. If Allen doesn't ever get to a SB, I think in hindsight we will say this was the opportunity as they should have beaten KC pretty handedly.

From our point of view, we need to sit back and reflect on the journey this season. I'm not sure we will ever witness what we did from week 4 onward where the team was essentially perfect. They went 16-1 in that period culminating in the SB with the only loss being the aforementioned game where Hurts went out injured.

Looking at the wider picture, we also need to appreciate what this team has done over the longer term. KC are considered the dynasty of this era but if SB 57 had of gone a little different, it would be us considered in that manner and I know the players fully believe that had the turf been better we would have won and this year's result would have been replicated. In the last 3 yeas the dynasty team has gone 40-11 in the regular season.... our record is 39-12.

We do have a chance to put our own dynasty together but repeating is never easy. I do feel like this iteration of the team will get to another SB but not sure if it will be next season. Our schedule of opponents is horrendous. We play an unprecedented 10 playoff teams (11 games due to WAS being one of them) which is a combination of being drawn against the NFC North & AFC West as well as a first placed schedule. Within that our away schedule is torrid having to visit KC, BUF, GB, LAC, MIN and TB. Compare that to SF who only play 3 play off teams (4 games) which is the minimum that the scheduling system allows.

 

[nick87]

The eagles are in a good spot... Sirianni is a culture HC who doesnt call plays and the defensive side is squared away with Fangio, and Roseman has such great job security that he can afford to be aggressive to ensure the team is constantly attempting (not always working!) to find talent in every avenue available to them

And that just leaves the OC/Play calling role, which with all those other aspects being covered means if you're a talented offensive mind and play caller and want a route to being a HC - there is no better one than the Eagles OC job.

If you show up and do well as the OC of the eagles, you're going to get HC interviews

 

[nick87]

No one will ever convince me the eagles dont win SB57 if that turf wasnt complete dog shit
No one.

The eagles team was way better than the Chiefs, and had our pass rush been actually able to get their footing, they'd have got the stops necessary to win that game. I'll go to my grave hating the Sodfather for that shit show

 

[nick87]

Parade day coming over/tomorrow, but free agency, combine and draft process is really only a few weeks away now
Thinking about what the birds need to do going forward and try and run it back... i dont think there is going to be a lot of holes on the roster

A little stay or go exercise for our free agents (well, the guys that kind of matter at least)

• Mekhi Becton (OG) - Going to get paid to go elsewhere, i trust Stout to take a next man up approach to this. Tyler Steen might be the long term solution in house. He had tough moments but was OK. Could be a spot to look for the next Mekhi or draft someone
• Britain Covey (WR) - Injury plagued season, they seem to like him. He's a good return man. Keep
• Jack Driscoll (OL) - Reckon they might be able to get him back. Solid back up line man, especially with Becton maybe on his way out. But he's probably going to get a chance to start somewhere
• Kenneth Gainwell (RB) - think someone will pay him *something* more than we are going to be willing to shell out for a back up. Draft is RB heavy, we can draft a replacement (Also Will Shipley)
• Fred Johnson (OG) - Similar to Driscoll, wouldnt mind keeping him if its super cheap. But he's probably going to get someone to pay him because our back ups are starters on other line

• Josh Sweat (EDGE) - Think he's gone. Someone will pay him more than we want to
• Brandon Graham (EDGE) - I think he's got one more year left in him. I wont blame if he retires but he can still play and we could use him as a depth.
• Zack Baun (LB) - Cannot lose him. Franchise if need be. Whatever it takes he cant leave the building. He's the skeleton key.
• Avonte Maddox (CB) - Time to move on. Made a big play in the SB but he's been an issue for a few years.
• Milton Williams (DL) - Would LOVE to find a way to keep him but he's going to get a big bag of money and we've got Ojomo and a deep draft class of DLmen. Wonder if Hargraves might be a good vet option to bring back as a Milt replacement.
• Oren Burks (LB) - Would love to keep him if we can cheaply. Did a great job as a back up.
• Isaiah Rodgers (CB) - Restricted free agent - Depends a lot on Slay. If they keep Slay on a restructured 1 year deal maybe they dont match a deal for Rodgers, but he's solid.

I think this upcoming draft is going to be real meat and potatos. The eagles love building through the lines but this draft in particular, strikes me as one where they just hammer those spots and rebuild some depth they're about to lose.