The hiring of Doug Pederson has been met by a lot of concern and doubt among Eagles fans and analysts..especially analysts. Many are quick to jump on the back of Doug Pederson before he’s even packed his bags..before his own personal season has even ended. But why?
Well to put it simply, it comes down to experience. Many are quite rightly of the opinion that because Pederson has only been coaching in the NFL for four years. Sure he was with the Eagles in 2009 but as a “Quality Control coordinator”..which basically means he was interning for a more familiar role. He comes with a high recommendation from Andy Reid which further enforces doubts as many are hesitant to return to a formula that had evidently ran its course in Philadelphia.
The other reason is because of the way the search was conducted. The reasoning behind Kelly’s abrupt firing was so that the Eagles could get a had start on teams who would find themselves in the same boat a few days later…the result was their top prospect being hired by Miami despite an 8 hour interview, their second choice being promoted by the Giants and their third choice withdrawing which leaves fans disgruntled that not only did they not interview more candidates, but the move was widely regarded as a panic move before they lose another asset.
So what are we missing? What are analysts and beat writers overlooking? There has to be something if Ron Jaworski is not only helping with the search but influencing the move in the first place. What quality does Pederson possess that every other team in the NFL is overlooking for this to be deemed such a good fit for Philadelphia?
I noted this on twitter earlier today and it led me to a lot of thinking.
https://twitter.com/LiamJenkins21/status/688079914336149504
Pederson worked under Andy Reid in Philadelphia who then brought him over to Kansas where he also worked as Reid’s Offensive Coordinator. Many are quick to criticise Reid for the Eagles 4-12 season and for the classic “receiving touchdown” statistic that plagued the Chiefs..but there are a few silver linings and they are all down to Pederson.
In 2011 the Eagles set a new franchise record for total Offensive yards by achieving 6,386 yards in a single season. Sure the Chiefs Offense may have been on a downward spiral in the years he was the Coordinator but you cannot tarnish Alex Smith with the same brush. A former Quarterback Coach himself, Pederson has been behind a lot of Smith’s success this season and that simply HAD to be a factor..the Eagles go through starting Quarterbacks at the same rate a teenager goes through TV series on Netflix..by having someone who has a real specialty in progressing Quarterbacks, it could only spell good news for Bradford if he is kept on..if not, at least the new Quarterback is in good hands.
Pederson might not be a gritty Belechick figure. He might not possess an assertive Coughlin presence. But what he does have is flexibility. The Chiefs Offense has evolved dramatically in the last few years and he was never afraid to make a change. Instead of throwing the same mud at a wall until some of it sticks (like Murray trying to run from the gun), Pederson adapted his Offense to what best suited his team at the time. Look at how Jeremy Maclin has been utilised this season or how the new balance between their once heavily one sided run game and their once stagnant passing game. Look at how Alex Smith is now moving around the pocket and not afraid to take off..it’s something that until this year was almost unheard of. Pederson isn’t afraid to take a risk if it means replacing a part that simply isn’t working. Why? Because he isn’t egotistical like a certain Mr Kelly.
Then there’s the Defensive side of things. With the hiring of Flajole who will likely coach Linebackers, it’s almost conclusive that the Eagles will return to a 4-3…HOW IS THAT BAD? One key choice that will impact Pederson’s tenure in Philly more than any is who he chooses as his Defensive Coordinator..if Davis is replaced and this Eagles Defense turns into one of the best in the NFL like fans knew it always had the potential to, it’s going to retract a lot of the focus and criticism if things aren’t going too well Offensively.
The Eagles replaced Chip Kelly. A decision fans were crying out for after a season of instability and uncertainty. Sure the search for his replacement was rocky and from the outside poorly executed, but by signing a coach who by all accounts is very stale in terms of a personality, it brings a sense of normality back to a team who have been standing on the edge of Chip Kelly’s knife for three seasons. A sense of calmness and rebirth is engulfing the city and whilst it may not be the most reassuring thing to know that a man who seven years ago was coaching in High School is in charge, what should be reassuring is that things will settle down and this soap-opera like controversy that has led players and personnel to firings, trades and early exits will all come to an end soon and that’s the best thing for the Eagles right now.
Nobody can say it was a bad signing because then if he does turn out to be the next Lombardi they will look embarrassingly stupid..remember the Kirk Cousins press conference where he walked out stating “how many of those guys predicted we would make the playoffs?” We’re not going to be that outlet..there’s enough of them out there already….
It’s impossible to claim someone is a good or a bad fit for this team when they have never seen him call a play, it’s just safer to stay in the curve and claim it’s a panic move without really explaining why he won’t be successful.
After Chip Kelly dismantled the Eagles it’s fair to say Lurie learned a lot..not enough to fire Howie Roseman, but enough to realise what he DOESN’T want an atmosphere of an Eagles locker room to feel like. But after working by Andy Reid’s side for so long, you have to feel like he would have picked up a thing or two and know how to both build and lead a team. Why can’t this be an Andy Reid who still has time to iron out his flaws?
People are quick to jump on the trash train or the saviour train all too quickly. It’s irrational to make a judgement without any kind of bias right now..Eagles fans should be thankful that Chip is out of the organization and be looking forward to a season that’s going to be intense for the right reasons..
