http://boards.philadelphiaeagles.co...rom-wednesdays-practice-with-notes-on-darren/
Eagles-Rams: 5 observations from Wednesday's practice, with notes on Darren Sproles, Josh Huff
By Mark Eckel | For NJ Advance Media
on October 01, 2014 at 12:11 PM, updated October 01, 2014 at 12:16 PM
PHILADELPHIA — In the NFL, Wednesday is the day when most teams put in the bulk of their game plan.
So as the team practiced at the NovaCare, that’s what the Eagles were doing in preparation for Sunday’s match-up with the St. Louis Rams.
Here are five observations from Wednesday:
1.) Twilight Zones: Part of the problem, especially last week, for the Eagles offense has been defenses playing a four-man front and sitting back in zone coverage.
If a team can get pressure without blitzing, and against the Eagles make-shift offensive line, they have, it creates problems for the receivers getting open against the stacked coverage.
It has also allowed the linebackers to concentrate on running back LeSean McCoy both as a runner and receiver. The Eagles need to use the middle of the field more and get their tight ends involved. With Lane Johnson back at right tackle maybe Brent Celek will become more involved in the passing game this week.
2.) Huff Daddy: Chip Kelly said that rookie wide receiver Josh Huff, who has not dressed for a game yet this season, isn’t ready to play physically or mentally.
Here’s my thought. Even when Huff is ready, who sits? The easy choices are wide receiver Jeff Maehl or tight end Trey Burton. But both of them have been instrumental on special teams.
And with how well special teams are playing do you want to mess with that?
3.) On Pace: Kelly pointed out, as coordinator Pat Shurmur did Tuesday, that wide receiver Riley Cooper is ahead of where he was last year.
Cooper has 15 catches for 125 yards and no touchdowns in four games that projects to 60 catches for 500 yards and no touchdowns for the year.
Last year he had 47 catches for 835 yards with eight touchdowns. So while his catches may go up, the yards and touchdowns are way down.
4.) The Sproles Train: Whether LeSean McCoy snaps out of his slump, and whether the offensive line plays better or not, I’d like to see Darren Sproles a little more involved in the offense.
After two weeks when Sproles was averaging 13 touches per game, there was worry Kelly was overusing the 31-year old back. Since then he’s had a total of eight touches, or four per game.
While 13 might be a touch too many, four just isn’t enough. Give Sproles the ball about eight times, Sunday, and see what happens.
5.) The Blitz: While this might contradict the first point, St. Louis leads the league in blitzing the opponent.
Head coach Jeff Fisher and coordinator Gregg Williams have sent an extra man on passing downs 50.7 percent of the time this season, most in the league.
Fisher, who learned under Buddy Ryan when he was his coordinator with the Eagles in the ‘80s, has always liked to blitz. It will be interesting to see if he does so, and how often, he does Sunday.
Follow Mark Eckel on Twitter at @MarkEckel08. Find NJ.com Sports on Facebook.Contact Mark Eckel at
mjeck04@verizon.net.
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On
Igglephans.com they have one thread about going to the game and tailgating but that's all on the Rams. They do have threads like"
Rod Stewart: Discuss" and "
Referees screw up everything."
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http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/...s-vs-rams-st-louis-player-roster-philadelphia
Eagles vs. Rams: Which St. Louis player would Philadelphia take?
By Brandon Lee Gowton @BrandonGowton on Oct 1 2014, 11:58a 21
Dilip Vishwanat
How about the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year?
A theme post the SB Nation NFL sites have been done in the past and will continue to do throughout this season is "Which [opposing team's] player would [your favorite team's] fans take?" With the
Eagles set to take on the
St. Louis Rams this week, it's time to address the question.
Offense
The Rams aren't exactly known for a great offense. Then again, it was the Philadelphia Eagles who could not score a touchdown against the
San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday. A lot of those struggles were due to Philadelphia's offensive line. The Eagles could steal Rams starting left tackle
Jake Long and figure out whether to move him,
Jason Peters, or
Lane Johnson on the inside at left guard.
In terms of skill players,
Tavon Austin is intriguing. The Rams drafted Austin No. 8 overall in the 2013 NFL Draft but he's been a disappointment this far. In 15 games played (3 started) for the Rams, Austin has recorded 43 receptions on 73 targets for 452 yards (10.5 average) for 4 TD. He's also contributed as a runner with 177 yards and 1 TD on 14 attempts (12.6). The diminutive Austin (5-9, 173 lbs) has fumbled 6 times. As a punt returner, Austin has fielded 33 punts for 280 yards, 1 TD, and a long of 98. Austin averages 7.8 yards per return.
Still, Austin is only 23 and it's hard not to feel Chip Kelly and the Eagles could get the most out of the talented young play-maker.
Defense
Robert Quinn.
Do I really need to explain this one? The Rams' 4-3 defensive end was the PFWA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. The 6-4, 264 pound Quinn is only 24. He finished tied in the NFL for sacks with 19. Quinn also recorded 21 quarterback hits, 51 quarterback hurries, and 45 run stops. He's a monster. The Eagles' need a better pass rush and Quinn could give Philadelphia's defense a big boost.
Who would you take?
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I would take Aaron Donald in a heartbeat. I may be biased as a Pitt fan, but the guy has insane talent and potential (also much cheaper than Quinn).
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Robert Quinn.
If the Eagles ran a 4-3 I’d strongly consider Aaron Donald.
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Robert Quinn and it's not even close
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All the players they got in the RG3 trade
aka the pick they traded for everything
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I’d take Jenkins or Ogletree. Quinn got paid, and I haven’t seen him do much in the first 3 games this year. I know he’s great, but a little expensive and doesn’t really fit.
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Offense- JLong, BPA on that side of the ball
Defense- RQuinn, see above explanation
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id take a flyer on austin or....
Zach stacy would have punched it in from the 1 yard line last week…
Zeurline is an awsome place kicker too,although i am building confidence in the parkatron though
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it's between Brockers and Quinn for me.
I know our D-line is playing well right now but Brockers would be a starter and immediately upgrade our D, plus him and Cox would probably be considered a monopoly. But of course I have to lean towards Quinn for obvious reasons though.
I’m not very knowledgeable with schemes and stuff so what spot would Brockers be playing in our D? Also, what about Janoris Jenkins? I don’t pay much attention to other teams outside the Eagles so is he playing well and would he be a fit if so?
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Janoris Jenkins
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they have amazing talent on their dline but boy do we need corner upgrades. i would probably take Janoris Jenkins.
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Definitely Quinn. Since you mentioned that tavon austin has been a disappointment, he will no doubt have the game of his career this sunday against the eagles
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My issue with Quinn is his fit in a 3-4 scheme. Could be a "Brandon Graham"-esque issue if a team were to try to move him from a 4-3 DE to a 3-4 OLB. How well does Quinn do in coverage? Not to say that he can’t, and if this were to be chosen off of pure talent alone he’d be the pick, but playing him out of position is definitely not an issue to just overlook.
Janoris Jenkins would be a good pick. He doesn’t necessarily have the size the Eagles would look for in a cornerback at 5’10", but he’s still be an upgrade over either of our starting cornerbacks by pure skill alone. Brockers would also work, as he was pegged to be a 3-4 DE in the 2012 NFL Draft, but we’re pretty set at that position talent-wise. I’d give the slight edge to Jenkins.
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I know this article is about who we would like as an eagle from the rams and i did post my thoughts but to sidetrack everyone i think stevie wonder is a better wr then cooper,chip if you read this could you possibly switch cooper with josh huff? Huff cant possibly be any worse!
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Quinn is the easy answer
But I’m not sure I wouldn’t choose Greg Robinson. With injuries all over the offensive line, and our starting duo at guard being older anyway, Robinson could be huge for us now and in the long term. He’s a mauler and also extremely athletic. Also excelled at auburn in a spread rushing attack. And in a couple years when lane takes over at LT Greg could replace him at RT
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I'd take Janoris Jenkins, Robert Quinn, Olgletree, or Brian Quick.
I had to go for Quick since we’ve lost two games because Riley Cooper can’t catch.
The others are self explanatory but if I couldn’t get Quick than I’d go with Jenkins. His playmaking ability coupled with Boykin and Jenkins in the secondary would be good news.
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It would have been Zuerlein. Really don’t want Austin, but Quinn sounds good. I honestly don’t watch the Rams much.
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Robert Quinn is the way to go
But honestly you almost couldn’t pick wrong answer by naming anyone from their defensive front 7.