Eagles are scoring too quickly - Page 2

**Fire Me Boy!** · 10-19-2006, 08:51 AM

Interesting...

Eagles are scoring too quickly

By ROB MAADDI

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Eagles are finding out a quick-strike offense puts their defense on the field too much.

Long gains and big plays light up the scoreboard and fill highlight reels, but sometimes a grind-it-out, time-consuming drive is more beneficial.

The Eagles lead the NFL in total yards (402.3 per game) and are second in points (29.8). But, they're fourth-worst in time of possession (26:55). Only Houston, Oakland and Tennessee have held the ball less. Those three teams are 2-14 combined. The Eagles are 4-2.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb considers the ball-control issue a nitpicky complaint.

"It sounds good, but you want to get in the end zone," McNabb said Wednesday. "We've shown that we can grind out the clock. We've shown that we can have 14-15 play drives. We've shown that we can score in 3-4 plays. No matter what you do or how fast you do it, as long as it gets done. If we weren't able to get in the end zone, I'm sure we'd be talking about something else."

Fourteen of Philadelphia's 21 touchdowns drives this season lasted five plays or fewer than 2:30, including nine that took under 90 seconds. The Eagles lead the league with 36 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, including 10 that went for TDs.

"It's not like basketball where you play the four-corner deal," coach Andy Reid said. "This is a thing where, when and if you can score in the NFL, you want to get as many shots up there as you can, as many points up there as you can. On one hand, your defense is out there just a little bit longer. On the other hand, we'll take those touchdowns any way we can get them."

If the Eagles had a more-balanced offensive attack, they probably would have more success controlling the clock. Reid has always relied heavily on the pass, but he stressed throughout the offseason that he'd like to run the ball more. So far, that hasn't happened.

Overall, an astounding 64 percent of offensive plays have been passing plays, including 10 scrambles by McNabb that were designed passes. In the last four games, they've run the ball more than 19 times just once – in a 31-9 win over Green Bay.

Brian Westbrook ran 16 times for 72 yards in last Sunday's 27-24 loss to New Orleans. Correll Buckhalter and Ryan Moats each had one carry, while wideout Reggie Brown ran once on a trick play.

"We could've run the ball a little more," Westbrook said, repeating a statement he makes almost weekly.

**Baby Lee** · 10-19-2006, 10:25 AM

This concern isn't a new one. I recall similar complaints serving as the rationale for why the Bills fell just short 4 straight times in the 90s.
Also, it was cited as the Achilles of the Run'n'Shoot employed by 'almost there, but not quites' Atlanta, Detroit and Houston in the same time frame. Though the Run'n'Shoot didn't score 'quickly' in real time, it was just that the inordinate number of passing plays stopped the clock too much on drives.

jrowe · 10-19-2006, 11:09 AM

The article misses the point, although it briefly addresses it. There is nothing wrong with a quick strike, pass oriented offense. The problem comes only if the offense lacks the ability to run the ball late in the game. The chiefs offense of recent years did well in time of possession statistically because they could run the ball, and DV did late in games.

There is a distinction to be made here - a one dimensional offense is not a good thing: a run only or pass only offense will hurt a team one way or another either by too little scoring or not enough ball control. A balanced quick strike offense is a great thing. Score quickly and often, THEN control the clock late in the game. It forces other teams to play your game.

**ptlyon** · 10-19-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunther_Fan

How can having a 14 point lead in the 1st quarter or a 21 point lead in at the half be a bad thing for the defense?

Dunno. Ask Arizona.

10-19-2006, 08:51 AM
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	Eagles are scoring too quickly Interesting... Eagles are scoring too quickly By ROB MAADDI PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Eagles are finding out a quick-strike offense puts their defense on the field too much. Long gains and big plays light up the scoreboard and fill highlight reels, but sometimes a grind-it-out, time-consuming drive is more beneficial. The Eagles lead the NFL in total yards (402.3 per game) and are second in points (29.8). But, they're fourth-worst in time of possession (26:55). Only Houston, Oakland and Tennessee have held the ball less. Those three teams are 2-14 combined. The Eagles are 4-2. Quarterback Donovan McNabb considers the ball-control issue a nitpicky complaint. "It sounds good, but you want to get in the end zone," McNabb said Wednesday. "We've shown that we can grind out the clock. We've shown that we can have 14-15 play drives. We've shown that we can score in 3-4 plays. No matter what you do or how fast you do it, as long as it gets done. If we weren't able to get in the end zone, I'm sure we'd be talking about something else." Fourteen of Philadelphia's 21 touchdowns drives this season lasted five plays or fewer than 2:30, including nine that took under 90 seconds. The Eagles lead the league with 36 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, including 10 that went for TDs. "It's not like basketball where you play the four-corner deal," coach Andy Reid said. "This is a thing where, when and if you can score in the NFL, you want to get as many shots up there as you can, as many points up there as you can. On one hand, your defense is out there just a little bit longer. On the other hand, we'll take those touchdowns any way we can get them." If the Eagles had a more-balanced offensive attack, they probably would have more success controlling the clock. Reid has always relied heavily on the pass, but he stressed throughout the offseason that he'd like to run the ball more. So far, that hasn't happened. Overall, an astounding 64 percent of offensive plays have been passing plays, including 10 scrambles by McNabb that were designed passes. In the last four games, they've run the ball more than 19 times just once – in a 31-9 win over Green Bay. Brian Westbrook ran 16 times for 72 yards in last Sunday's 27-24 loss to New Orleans. Correll Buckhalter and Ryan Moats each had one carry, while wideout Reggie Brown ran once on a trick play. "We could've run the ball a little more," Westbrook said, repeating a statement he makes almost weekly.
Posts: 35,253

10-19-2006, 10:25 AM	#16
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	This concern isn't a new one. I recall similar complaints serving as the rationale for why the Bills fell just short 4 straight times in the 90s. Also, it was cited as the Achilles of the Run'n'Shoot employed by 'almost there, but not quites' Atlanta, Detroit and Houston in the same time frame. Though the Run'n'Shoot didn't score 'quickly' in real time, it was just that the inordinate number of passing plays stopped the clock too much on drives. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
Posts: 95,642

10-19-2006, 11:09 AM	#17
jrowe Starter Join Date: Jul 2006 Casino cash: $2084337	The article misses the point, although it briefly addresses it. There is nothing wrong with a quick strike, pass oriented offense. The problem comes only if the offense lacks the ability to run the ball late in the game. The chiefs offense of recent years did well in time of possession statistically because they could run the ball, and DV did late in games. There is a distinction to be made here - a one dimensional offense is not a good thing: a run only or pass only offense will hurt a team one way or another either by too little scoring or not enough ball control. A balanced quick strike offense is a great thing. Score quickly and often, THEN control the clock late in the game. It forces other teams to play your game.
Posts: 130