Screw the Eagles. But damn if they didn’t have some serious success at gong for it on 4th down in some seemingly unconventional spots and circumstances. Some of these were no-brainers. Some succeeded due to the ineptitude of the opponent. Some were lucky. Some came at the expense of NYG.
But the “net” over the course of their season was 74 points gained and only 3 points lost. Think about the difference that could (and did, here) make in a season.
Thought this was a cool, informative article. Makes me wonder how Shurmur will handle these situations, and if we have quality control/analytics folks watching trends like these in order to incorporate them into our offensive strategy.
Analysis of Eagles’ 29 highly successful 4th down “go for it” calls last season - (
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Those stats you cite? I’d be surprised if they even came close to duplicating that this season, imo
But interesting read nonetheless
Sproles (whom I love) was beginning to age and Peters was a shell of himself in addition to being old. Not sure they were missed all that much. And yes, Pederson and staff were terrific
That's silly. Teams don't go 13-3 without a lot of talent.
It also shows a killer mentality on offense. Go after the wins. Take the other teams will away.
But interesting read nonetheless
It's a running total. O points added for that play.
But interesting read nonetheless
I thought the same thing at first. But upon further consideration, that seven points was not added with that entry, but carried forward from a previous one. That particular situation you’re talking about did not net points either way.
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championship roster, they had a championship coaching staff.
That's silly. Teams don't go 13-3 without a lot of talent.
The talent they had was not much different than in the years before. WHo did they add last year? Jeffrey who had about 800 yards, Torry Smith who had a mediocre season. There offensive line three of the biggest pieces Peters, Kelce, and Johnson had all been there since at least 2012, defensively, they had Graham, Curry, Cox all since at least 2012. There secondary was terrible, but was protected by a good pass rush. Ertz had been there for what since 2013? Celek and Burton had been there for multiple years. Did they add some good pieces like Barnett and Bradham. Yes, of course. Now, you could argue they drafted Wentz, and I get that, but besides the Raiders game, the offense didn't miss a beat. Did some of the old veterans they added like Long and Blount and to a lesser extent Jerningan help, sure it did. And, of course, it is not like they did not have talent, but if you ask me to identify what changed in Philly, it was the coaching staff and how they utilized that talent. It was a masterful job and hope the league has paid attention in the off season to it, so that it can be stopped. My biggest fear is not dealing with Wentz for the next 15 years, it is dealing with Pederson.
Perhaps he had a bigger plan to get his team in that mindset, and it paid off big time in 2017.
Certainly that RPO offense caught the league and was the #1 reason for their success last year IMO.
Think about this: to beat the Pats, they needed to go for a fourth and three, I think it was, in their own territory, trailing and with about 6 or 7 minutes left in the game.
. . .
It also shows a killer mentality on offense.
I hear this all the time (don't play scared, killer instinct, etc.), mostly from people outside of football... what does it even mean?
Overstated imv, DG has repeatedly complimented Philly on their depth on the lines as well as their DL rotations. Let’s see how analytical/forward thinking they are when it’s time to pony up to Wentz.
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championship roster, they had a championship coaching staff. And BB56, I disagree, they were banged up, Sproles was out for the year, Peters and Hicks were out for the year. And, of course, Wentz. They would get almost no falloff when bringing in the next guy. It was something I had not seen in a long, long time.
Sproles (whom I love) was beginning to age and Peters was a shell of himself in addition to being old. Not sure they were missed all that much. And yes, Pederson and staff were terrific
Sometimes you can just be on such a roll that you almost can't fail unless you try; it's the anti-Murphy's Law.
Look at the SB, and the 4th down to the TE; or the trick pass play to Foles alone: Questionable formation and set , perfect pass by a TE, a catch by the QB, and getting away with a play like that by a BB coached team.
I'll wait to This season to judge how talented or coached they are, with a target on their back.
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It's a little worrisome considering our GM appears to be a proud Luddite.
Overstated imv, DG has repeatedly complimented Philly on their depth on the lines as well as their DL rotations. Let’s see how analytical/forward thinking they are when it’s time to pony up to Wentz.
Yup. I wonder if they have any thought to drafting Jackson at the end of round 1. Seems a great fit.
This is my fear as well. That we are "old school" in our thinking and we don't adapt to the game as it is now.
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It's a little worrisome considering our GM appears to be a proud Luddite.
This is my fear as well. That we are "old school" in our thinking and we don't adapt to the game as it is now.
Someone on BBI in one of the threads during the draft last week said it (I want to give them credit) when they used the analogy that Gettleman is the equivalent of the old man still using a typewriter to send letters while the Eagles are using email.
We will see which one these will be successful. Though I am fearing the worst.
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In comment 13954359 Go Terps said:
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It's a little worrisome considering our GM appears to be a proud Luddite.
This is my fear as well. That we are "old school" in our thinking and we don't adapt to the game as it is now.
Someone on BBI in one of the threads during the draft last week said it (I want to give them credit) when they used the analogy that Gettleman is the equivalent of the old man still using a typewriter to send letters while the Eagles are using email.
We will see which one these will be successful. Though I am fearing the worst.
Gettleman in an interview (WFAN?) after the draft said that they did analytics as well. It's just when it came to picking in the draft that he went with the best talent overall as opposed to what analytics says what position they should pick.
To me it seems like Gettleman is skeptical of analytics when it comes to determining who to draft (particularly from a financial impact perspective), but I don't know that he's dismissive of their value when it comes to calling a game.
Those stats you cite? I’d be surprised if they even came close to duplicating that this season, imo
5,000 yards in one game?! That HAS to be a record:)
Part of that is also on the older fans and NFL analysts who crucify every failed 4th down attempt and rarely give the same credit for 4th down success.
Part of that is also on the older fans and NFL analysts who crucify every failed 4th down attempt and rarely give the same credit for 4th down success.
Yes I agree, there was a study done on a few years back that suggested it is almost always better to go for on 4th down, at least when in midfield less then 5 or 6 yards. Just one more reason the running game is so critical, when you are a good running team you can afford to go for it much more often.