1 hr. ago
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: It's preseason!
We are back! Sort of. The Eagles' preseason opener was hardly an inspiring return to watching the Eagles. I am not interested in using a preseason game featuring almost no established starters to make sweeping declarations about Sean Mannion. The Eagles have repeatedly demonstrated that they are happy to sacrifice preseason entertainment to protect important players and conceal the more meaningful parts of the playbook. Whether you agree with that approach or not, this organization does not treat these games as rehearsals for its actual offense.
There were still some early indications of Mannion's influence, particularly in the running game. As part of the run-game data we are tracking for our Patreon this season, I charted six Outside Zone runs and three Duo runs. That is not a large enough sample to declare that the Eagles have transformed their offensive identity, but the emphasis was noticeable. The structure of the running game was more interesting than the results, especially when you add in more under center runs.
The other important piece of context is that Baltimore's defense was not nearly as vanilla as the Eagles' offense. Jesse Minter called several creative pressures and tested the communication and protection rules of an inexperienced offensive line. By comparison, the Eagles kept everything extremely basic.
The opening clip summarizes much of the first-team offense. The Eagles used Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers together, but neither currently looks capable of giving them the blocking they would need from a legitimate two-tight-end package. Calcaterra is fortunate not to be penalized here, while Stowers' usage throughout the game was strange. We repeatedly asked a player drafted primarily for his receiving ability to perform difficult ****** ignments as an attached blocker.
#game #offense #calcaterra #running
We are back! Sort of. The Eagles' preseason opener was hardly an inspiring return to watching the Eagles. I am not interested in using a preseason game featuring almost no established starters to make sweeping declarations about Sean Mannion. The Eagles have repeatedly demonstrated that they are happy to sacrifice preseason entertainment to protect important players and conceal the more meaningful parts of the playbook. Whether you agree with that approach or not, this organization does not treat these games as rehearsals for its actual offense.
There were still some early indications of Mannion's influence, particularly in the running game. As part of the run-game data we are tracking for our Patreon this season, I charted six Outside Zone runs and three Duo runs. That is not a large enough sample to declare that the Eagles have transformed their offensive identity, but the emphasis was noticeable. The structure of the running game was more interesting than the results, especially when you add in more under center runs.
The other important piece of context is that Baltimore's defense was not nearly as vanilla as the Eagles' offense. Jesse Minter called several creative pressures and tested the communication and protection rules of an inexperienced offensive line. By comparison, the Eagles kept everything extremely basic.
The opening clip summarizes much of the first-team offense. The Eagles used Grant Calcaterra and Eli Stowers together, but neither currently looks capable of giving them the blocking they would need from a legitimate two-tight-end package. Calcaterra is fortunate not to be penalized here, while Stowers' usage throughout the game was strange. We repeatedly asked a player drafted primarily for his receiving ability to perform difficult ****** ignments as an attached blocker.
#game #offense #calcaterra #running
9 days ago
Coordinator changes often create uncertainty. New play-callers bring new ideas, new tendencies, and sometimes entirely different visions for how an offense should operate. That may be one reason Dallas Goedert had a relatively quiet start to Philadelphia Eagles training camp. That certainly stood out. The targets reportedly weren't as frequent early in camp, which sometimes birthed legitimate questions about how Sean Mannion's offense might distribute opportunities.
Lately, however, a different trend has emerged. Per various sources, including ESPN's Tim McManus, "Jalen Hurts' connection with tight end Dallas Goedert is heating up. The Eagles have made a concerted effort to get the ball into Goedert's hands, involve him in the passing game, and make him a larger part of the offensive rhythm. Whether it's short completions underneath, chain-moving routes over the middle, or red-zone opportunities, Goedert's involvement has steadily increased as camp has progressed.
The Eagles have several intriguing options at tight end, but none match Goedert's combination of experience, production, and quarterback trust. Johnny Mundt is a valuable addition and appears to have carved out a role in certain personnel packages. The veteran has built a reputation as a blocker; however, not as a player expected to carry a significant portion of the passing attack.
Rookie Eli Stowers may eventually become a dynamic receiving threat, but the Eagles have shown little urgency in accelerating his development. That's understandable, considering he's still relatively new to the position and continues to learn the finer points of the NFL game.
Cameron Latu is an interesting developmental player whose versatility could create opportunities. Some have even wondered if he could occasionally function in a fullback-type role. Grant Calcaterra remains on the roster, but he never quite developed into the player many hoped he would become. E.J. Jenkins and Dae'Quan Wright have traits the coaching staff appreciates, but both face difficult paths toward meaningful offensive roles.
#opportunities #dallas
Lately, however, a different trend has emerged. Per various sources, including ESPN's Tim McManus, "Jalen Hurts' connection with tight end Dallas Goedert is heating up. The Eagles have made a concerted effort to get the ball into Goedert's hands, involve him in the passing game, and make him a larger part of the offensive rhythm. Whether it's short completions underneath, chain-moving routes over the middle, or red-zone opportunities, Goedert's involvement has steadily increased as camp has progressed.
The Eagles have several intriguing options at tight end, but none match Goedert's combination of experience, production, and quarterback trust. Johnny Mundt is a valuable addition and appears to have carved out a role in certain personnel packages. The veteran has built a reputation as a blocker; however, not as a player expected to carry a significant portion of the passing attack.
Rookie Eli Stowers may eventually become a dynamic receiving threat, but the Eagles have shown little urgency in accelerating his development. That's understandable, considering he's still relatively new to the position and continues to learn the finer points of the NFL game.
Cameron Latu is an interesting developmental player whose versatility could create opportunities. Some have even wondered if he could occasionally function in a fullback-type role. Grant Calcaterra remains on the roster, but he never quite developed into the player many hoped he would become. E.J. Jenkins and Dae'Quan Wright have traits the coaching staff appreciates, but both face difficult paths toward meaningful offensive roles.
#opportunities #dallas
1 month ago
The Philadelphia Eagles enter training camp with a tight end room led by one of the most accomplished players on the roster and surrounded by one of the more interesting depth battles on offense.
Dallas Goedert remains the headliner. He is still the Eagles' most complete tight end, one of Jalen Hurts' most trusted targets, and a valuable piece of Philadelphia's offensive identity. His ability to win in the passing game while also contributing as a blocker gives the Eagles a dependable veteran at a position where reliability matters.
The intrigue begins behind him.
Grant Calcaterra returns with experience in the system. Johnny Mundt brings veteran toughness and blocking value. Stone Smartt gives Philadelphia an athletic option with pass-catching upside. Cameron Latu, E.J. Jenkins, Eli Stowers, and Dae'Quan Wright all enter camp trying to prove they can force their way into the conversation.
The Eagles do not need every tight end to become a star. They need clarity. They need a reliable second option, dependable depth, special teams value, and perhaps one young player who can become part of the offense's future.
Dallas Goedert remains the headliner. He is still the Eagles' most complete tight end, one of Jalen Hurts' most trusted targets, and a valuable piece of Philadelphia's offensive identity. His ability to win in the passing game while also contributing as a blocker gives the Eagles a dependable veteran at a position where reliability matters.
The intrigue begins behind him.
Grant Calcaterra returns with experience in the system. Johnny Mundt brings veteran toughness and blocking value. Stone Smartt gives Philadelphia an athletic option with pass-catching upside. Cameron Latu, E.J. Jenkins, Eli Stowers, and Dae'Quan Wright all enter camp trying to prove they can force their way into the conversation.
The Eagles do not need every tight end to become a star. They need clarity. They need a reliable second option, dependable depth, special teams value, and perhaps one young player who can become part of the offense's future.
