Spread It Out

Many of the biggest weaknesses for the Philadelphia Eagles were on display in the 20-14 loss to the New York Jets.

On the latest episode of “Q&A” on “Inside The Birds,” former Eagles standouts Jason Avant and Quintin Mikell gave insight into issues surrounding the team. 

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts and the entire offense struggled in the 20-14 loss to the New York Jets

Jalen Hurts

Quintin Mikell: “I felt, especially in the second half of that game and final drive, that Jalen is starting to get in the habit of trying to make that spectacular play instead of trying to take what the defense gives you. I saw multiple times he had some underneath checkdowns and crossing routes.”

Jason Avant: “There is two minutes to go in the game, you are winning. We don’t need a play at this moment. I think Jalen Hurts got confused of the situation of the game.”

Lane Johnson

Avant: “They are 13-24 when Lane is not playing. It is a big deal. That should let you know that when Lane doesn’t play, they don’t normally win. And when they are not winning, they need to help [Jack Driscoll], and I don’t think the Eagles did a good job at all. Here is a couple of ways you can help it: run it. Every offensive lineman loves some run action, give them an opportunity to get their legs back on defensive ends and defensive tackles. And then when you do pass it, you send protection to his side, especially on critical downs.”

Brian Johnson

Mikell: “I do not like a lot of his calls. You are playing a team with two starting cornerbacks out and you are running way too many bunch sets, where all of their better defenders are. Their linebackers and d-line are the core of what they do. Peyton Manning rarely ever had a different formation other than 2×2. What that does is allow your quarterback to see the whole field and what the defense is doing, see the routes and where the open areas are. I’m not a big fan of all of the condensed sets. Jalen is way more comfortable when the offense is spread out so he can see everything.”

Avant: “Brian Johnson calls some great games sometimes. The gameplan just wasn’t good for this particular team. There is no way you can come from the Vikings game where D’Andre Swift was running the ball all over that team and then now you can barely get this man touches the next couple of games without something being said. The Jets were out two starting corners, but they were ranked 29th in run defense.” 

Safeties

Mikell: “We are getting bit by the injury bug pretty bad. Reed Blankenship is a good young talent, but I’m not really sold on (Terrell) Edmunds, so that is a reason for concern. Reed goes down and they have to put a rookie cornerback in at safety.”

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.