I think the thing lost in all of this analysis, is Philly is about to play the best team they've faced all year and it's not really close. I don't understand why people keep glossing over this, other than the outlier example of them blowing out Minny, which IMO, is more of an aberration than the norm for them.
Look at the prior week vs Atlanta.
Meanwhile, you can make an argument, teams like the Raiders, which NE slapped on the back end of a road trip, Philly lost to at home late in the year. I watched the game and was not all that impressed with their D. They're good, but I don't understand this attitude of dominance, when their LBS in coverage and their Safeties, are a bit overrated.
They lost to KC, Oakland, the Rams ran up and down the field on them for 2 hours, the Giants sucked, they never had to face Zeke Elliott, and the Skins are the Skins.
Seriously, outside of a shootout with the Rams, what is their most impressive win this year and why?
Like Malcolm Jenkins or a Kendricks are supposed to do a number on Gronk? Ok..What's the logic on that?
I still am waiting for that double set scatback look, where you can just use Lewis/White all the way down the field...When you need to rest one of them, put Burkhead in for Lewis. Rotate em off, mix and match...BUT, don't sub to feverishly.
I was watching how Weis had it going in SB 39 on NFL network and was drooling over how he wouldn't sub Dillon on and off for Faulk. He'd wait for the next drive to go and they'd run a slightly different style of offense with Faulk. Those backs never had to fear that the play would be tipped off by WHO was being subbed in and out. That's what McDaniels needs to do, and honestly, he's done a much better job of it this year and last, but it's critical to stave off their pass rush, IMO.
On 3rd and longs, pull Lewis or Burkhead off, White stays as the lone setback and it's Danny Hands in the slot for even MORE of a problem for them.
Then, if you want to go more traditional on a drive, you bring in Allen, have him work on Chris Long or Barnett on the edge a bit, Develin leads, and hammer away on the edges with Lewis or Burkhead behind Develin.
It's 2 back set city and versatilty and confusion everywhere available with playaction developed by the 2nd qtr. If they can get to playaction by the 2nd qtr, yikes...Philly could in trouble.
So, 2.5 weeks ago I pointed out Tenn was dead last in the league covering backs in particular, and Jax wasn't much better.
So, Philly has a lot to prove to magically cover TEs/RBs here, where clearly, Gronk and the RBs are the best in the league.
Latly, I was watching the SB highlights thingy that they run every year on NFLN, and I was watching the '84 49ers, seeing how they used Carl Monroe (5'8)(White), Wendell Tyler (Dion Lewis) and Roger Craig (Burkhead).
Brady doesn't roll out much or run, but a lot of that West Coast stuff is in here. They ran one play where the Tackles and 2 RBs, split out and ran into the flats, Russ Francis delayed at the line, and waited for the sea to part, ran up the middle into an open field, and he was wide open.
Stuff like that....
