The Eagles offense is sputtering through the 2018 NFL season and alarm bells are ringing. Ranking 32nd in the NFL when it comes to 1st quarter points and seeing their percentage of rushing plays dip 6%, there just doesn’t seem to be that same spark that there was one year ago. The most puzzling thing is that nobody can really figure out why.
“I mean, we certainly are moving the ball.” Said first-year offensive coordinator, Mike Groh. “We’re making first downs and we’re creating explosive plays. But we’re not doing it consistently enough. We’re not finishing enough drives, so we’re not scoring enough points. Until we’re scoring more points, we’re not going to be satisfied. So that’s what we’re working towards each and every day. Everybody has that same intent.”
But as the Eagles sit at 4-5 heading into a matchup against a Saints offense fresh off dropping a 50 burger on the Bengals, knowing a shootout could well be on the cards, questions over the team’s ability to keep up have been more frequent than ever. The Birds have put up more than 30 points just once all season long, but without there being a glaring issue outside of injuries, what can be done to patch this up?
Surprisingly, Jason Kelce had a very well-thought out answer when asked what was behind the misfires.
"We're missing that accountability."
Worth the full watch. Always appreciate how thoughtful Jason Kelce is, and what he says changed from last year to now is no different. Kelce gets real about the cohesion they had last year and where they're coming up short now. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/sE3Sn54wFO
— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) November 14, 2018
Jason Kelce: pic.twitter.com/dl8gqTSGbQ
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) November 14, 2018
Kelce make a lot of really honest, open and thought provoking points. The Eagles haven’t just lost leaders to injury, but to free agency, trades and retirement. The losses of Brent Celek, LeGarrette Blount, Torrey Smith may not have seemed heavy at the time, but with rookies and younger players filling the void, it’s safe to say that the experience on the team has dipped dramatically.
Tight End may be the most interesting spot of all and I am by no means putting the offensive deficiencies on the shoulders of Zach Ertz, but with Celek moving on, it pushed Ertz to be the leader of an entirely new group. Trey Burton signed with the Bears and it left Goedert, Perkins and Richard Rodgers under his guidance.
When you partner that with the injury bug that has ripped through every position on the offense at some stage or another, it’s not hard to see why players aren’t performing as efficiently as they were one year ago. A well-oiled machine has had so many changes, tweaks and repairs that there’s bound to be some sputtering before it fires up as quickly as it once did…especially when there’s a change in the coaching staff too.
“I think with any season, any game, any week, I rely on those guys to bring the guys, especially the young guys, some of the young guys that are playing, to make sure they understand the game plan.” Doug Pederson explained. “If they need to stay after and watch more tape or condition or whatever they do, that they grab those players and make sure that they’re leading by example. More so than words or lip service, I think it’s important they grab them and do it by example.
Those are all the things that I expect, especially from the leaders of the team.”
So, where do the Eagles go from here? Blount isn’t there anymore, nor is Burton, nor is Smith. The pivotal leaders on this team have fallen to injury at various points and a very young offense is beginning to take shape. If the Eagles are going to overcome their offensive struggles, it has to be a cohesive effort. As everyone has said, it’s not as if there’s one glaring area of weakness or a problem that’s dragging a well-performing unit down. This is an elite group that simply can’t put the Cherry on the cake and as a result is playing like an average one. For that to change, everyone has to step up and take responsibility for their own play.
If Doug Pederson is going to lead without pressure, it’s down to the players to unite and find strength in weakness. It’s down to Carson Wentz to lead his offense. It’s down to Zach Ertz to lead his young tight end group. It’s down to Jason Kelce to lead an ever-changing offensive line. To lead by example, not just in the huddle. This isn’t a bad team. It’s a good team lacking that fire they played with last year…and without the parental figures there to walk them to Water, they have to find their own way to the Lake before it begins to dry.
Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
