Sanchez a career 55% QB completion has been lights out in preseason. 25 for 31 in preseason. He didn't change all of a sudden. This kind of leads me to believe, although it is obviously not conclusive evidence, that Foles is just a product of that system. Anyone think about this about this and what we are up against. In other words has Philly eliminated the need for a star qb in their system and can plug in cheap options, giving them a huge advantage in the salary cap.
When do you see Foles ever throw a fast ball?
When he throws the tough seam pass which needs some whistle, he's nearly gotten Cellick his TE killed twice this year.
He throws a dump off to McCoy (great player) and he takes it like 25 yards for a TD, it's credited to Foles. Screens, to RB and WR's.....easy hitch routes. Fades to the corner. All finess throws.
I really do think, come regular season, you will see the good teams expose him and make things tougher.
Can he play in the league, of course. But he's not 27/2 good.
But that's football. More often than not, players are products of their teammates.
Not to mention they might have the best RB in football.
Now, their OL is so good, it doesn't come into play that much, except against the good teams who can great pressure.
The Redskin's in RG3's first year were already running their bread and butter play, that zone run. Now, the Eagles like the Skins that year do it fabulously. The Pats dabbled in running that hurry up when the got inside the five yard line going back three years ago.
I think the thing that really helps the Eagles is the pace they play at....you get a lot of "gimmes" because defenses are back on their heels or tired.
The downside, your defense will constantly be playing a large number of plays.
It's an easy system, Sanchez has some talent, he plays well.
It's also preaseason, where everything is vanilla.
Was kinda hoping the Giants would pick him up as a backup and maybe, if lightning strikes, a future starter.
That said, Kelly's system is designed to be QB friendly. Increasing the pace reduces the number of subs a defense can make and makes it harder for them to adjust to offensive formations. All of that helps a QB greatly.
I think Foles is a good QB playing in a system ideally suited for him.
If you watch the games, not criticizing (but dont know if you had), Sanchez has made many more difficult throws than Foles and has been better. True, as you point out, he has been playing against backups, but he is also playing with backups.
Moreover, the Eagles starting offense was putrid against the Bears and largely bad against the Pats until about 4 minutes left in the first half. Brady exited and their backup turned the ball over at NE 30 and eagles cashed in. Then, the eagles got the ball back and drove a end of fist half. But before it, the offense was not very good.
We will see and that OLine is excellent and makes them contenders. Just had a random thought about Sanchez while trying to self evaluate the Eagles and thought I would get other people's opinions.
Quote:
Sanchez is playing against backups. Foles isn't. I'd take Sanchez' preseason numbers with a grain of salt.
If you watch the games, not criticizing (but dont know if you had), Sanchez has made many more difficult throws than Foles and has been better. True, as you point out, he has been playing against backups, but he is also playing with backups.
Moreover, the Eagles starting offense was putrid against the Bears and largely bad against the Pats until about 4 minutes left in the first half. Brady exited and their backup turned the ball over at NE 30 and eagles cashed in. Then, the eagles got the ball back and drove a end of fist half. But before it, the offense was not very good.
We will see and that OLine is excellent and makes them contenders. Just had a random thought about Sanchez while trying to self evaluate the Eagles and thought I would get other people's opinions.
It's just a small sample is all. I think Sanchez probably is a little better in actuality than the perception of him is so I don't know how much of it is even a system thing but it's certainly possible that he fits well in it.
It's just hard to tell because there are so many factors. With Foles, is it because of the system, his protection, McCoy, etc.. with Sanchez is it a good systemic fit, playing against lesser competition, etc. It's hard to really pinpoint stuff like that but I do believe Foles is a solid QB. But he's also one of those guys who I don't think can really overcome not having good pass protection. Not a ton of guys can, but like I've said in other threads, guys like Luck, Rodgers, Ben, Kap, Newton, Wilson, etc.. they can extend plays which helps them quite a bit.
Brady and Peyton too
Sanchez is now also in a system that fits him more, and he is playing against backups. He would struggle more against the ones. But he also has some talent. He was largely hamstrung by a team with no offensive talent and a coaching staff that didn't give a shit about the offense because it didn't demonstrate his personal genius as D coordinator.
Last year with no Turner, no Tomlinson, an old Gates and a bunch of young or no-name receivers Rivers had one of the best statistical seasons of his career.
What is it? the weather?
Some guys are good QB's, blaming or attributing systems for their success is USUALLY a haters way out of admitting the guy is a good QB.
I think we still don't know about Foles, but not because of his system, but because the sample isn't big enough.
lost his center mid-season.
Aaron rodgers had a worse o-line.
Brady didn't have a special o-line and the offensive skill players they put on the field with him was criminal.
The QB is just as responsible as is the OC, and the O-line, etc. they need to work together.
At least if they suck this year we can eliminate Gilbride (one of them).
Accuracy was the biggest difference between the two QB's, which is what made the Eagles suddenly look like a different team once he took over permanently as the starter.
Vick for his career has never been an tremendously accurate thrower of the ball. Sure he would have a good game here and there, but he would eventually revert to his averages.
After the first two games last year, Vick barely completed 50% of his passes.
Foles however, is an accurate thrower who is generally not a huge risk taker, but will go downfield if it's there. So those same plays that were initially incomplete passes, when Vick was the QB became completions with Foles in there. Those turnovers with Vick trying to "make a play" became additional offensive plays as Foles would live to fight another play.
As you mention, you can't just plug in any player to that offense.
Probably not the greatest arm strength in the league, but he has nice touch and does not show to be erratic.