Eagles 2023-2024 Season

[allentown]

Last season, Hurts was healthier. This time this year the sore knee limits his ability as a runner, plus the teams have figured out how to stop him (most of the time on the Eagles planned runs which used to work better last year). More importantly, Hurts playing well on a rookie contract last season gave the Eagles extra money to spend on other positions.

The Eagles have their priorities but have been extremely stubborn about LB/S and accepting that they can't stop middle of the field passes which keep drives alive.

[zambonir]

Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Bengals (and Vikings) all not as good as they were last year (and many of them also lost coordinators or in the Bills' case, fired theirs this season). And Niners of course lost Purdy against us last year.

[zambonir]

Nick Sirianni confirmed Adam Schefter tweet that Darius Slay underwent knee surgery and is out Sunday.

Nick wouldn't confirm Schefter note that Slay will be back this year.

Ringo, Jobe and Ricks possible starters. Jobe hasn't been playing on defense. Ringo and Ricks have.

— Reuben Frank ( @RoobNBCS ) December 16, 2023

[bkeich]

We now have no one that can cover anyone.

I guess it is time to give Ringo and Ricks a chance, but they seem to spend a lot of time chasing guys that just caught the ball.

I honestly wonder if Byard should be starting over Brown. Brown flashes every time he is out there, I havent seen much from him in coverage, but he is a force in the run game. Byard seems like he either can’t play anymore or he simply needed training camp to figure out the scheme, but either way he is not helping at all.

Having Bradbury or any of our young corners covering Tyler Lockett is going to be a disaster.

Hurts better have a great game or we are going to be the #5 seed

[phillychuck]

Hurts is reportedly sick, might not play.

[zambonir]

All the reports yesterday said he was still going to play and that's also the latest. Heck game's not for 36 hours!

Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts, added to the injury report Saturday due to illness, will play Monday night vs. the Seahawks, per source.

With Seahawks’ QB Geno Smith listed as questionable for Monday night due to his groin injury, there is a real chance that Seattle’s backup…

— Adam Schefter ( @AdamSchefter ) December 17, 2023

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

I'd like to see how Mariota does. Hurts seems to be out of sync lately. It could also be due to the play calling, or he's struggling with his injury, or stress related.

[zambonir]

I don't think I'd like to see that against the Seahawks on the road. This is pretty much a must-win game to continue to be in control of the #2 seed vs. dropping to #5 unless the Cowboys lose today. The Cowboys do have a much tougher schedule but can't count on that (and can't be sure Eagles won't drop one to NYG - best to make that last game not matter in any case).

[zambonir]

And... they have downgraded him. Still can't imagine he doesn't play, this is just the usual NFL rules/gambling/fantasy stuff. If he is truly questionable and has a flu-like illness (I assume it's not COVID though I know plenty of people catching it right now) why even make him travel?

Eagles downgrade ailing Jalen Hurts to questionable for Monday’s game

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

I don't think the seed matters. Great teams will overcome. If the Eagles are good enough, they will get their act together and win regardless of where they are playing.

[zambonir]

Well, it's pretty obvious they are not a great team. And even if they are, while there are always outliers, having to play an extra game (even an easy one) as well as a game in Dallas instead of at home is a formula for not sniffing the Super Bowl (even if they might lose in San Francisco regardless).

And last year the Eagles also had the luxury of seeing the very unlikely #6 seed knock off the #3 seed. This year they would be the team in a position to get knocked off if they have to play in that round.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

They're not going to make the super bowl and if by chance they get lucky enough to get a high enough seed that helps them somehow get past the NFC championship game, they're going to get blown out in the super bowl. Giving Mariota a chance would give it us a chance to see if the problems with this offense is the offensive coordinator or Hurts. I don't care if they get a high seed or not.

[zambonir]

I say - in all sincerity - that I admire you for picking up the grand tradition of Eagles fans pining for the backup QB.

[allentown]

Giving Mariota a chance would give it us a chance to see if the problems with this offense is the offensive coordinator or Hurts. I don't care if they get a high seed or not.

The problems with the Eagles O are Hurts' bad knee, the injury to our TE which likely still doesn't have him at 100% and obvious nagging injuries to our two star WR and top RB. The signal calling hasn't offset this or the other teams figuring out our successful 2022 offense -- still good enough to work against average teams, but not well-coached good ones.

[gmwannabe]

Doesn't look good for tomorrow. They should do a lot of running the ball. get the kid from Stanford ready. Hurts needs a little rest for the stretch run. This sickness going around (Bronchial, tons off coughing, some weakness) if that is it, no fun. The defense has to show it's strength. We'll see.
gm

[zambonir]

Meanwhile we're talking about the offense and they just demoted Desai for Matt Patricia.

[allentown]

Now we know why Patricia was brought on board as an advisor.

[zambonir]

Well, he's been here all season. An actual "senior" assistant coach not just an advisor. There was a lot of talk about the hire since he had a history with Slay.

This is certainly one way to sidestep the politics of letting someone "help." Just give them the job, title or otherwise.

Offense or defense it will be interesting to see who keeps their jobs and who actually is in charge of the decision (owner, GM or coach) come off-season. And is there still a coaching move on the other side of the ball in-season?

[allentown]

Those who said DeSai needed to be looking over his shoulder at the time prove correct.
Hard to say how much is DeSai's fault. He has no LBs and little by way of safety.
It's seems a case of scrimping at LB and S to have a great DL is a seemingly ancient strategy which has been defeated by QBs delivering the ball very quickly. Makes life very tough for even a great DL to have a fast QB release facilitated by a team which cannot defend the short field.

It seems the DL would be more effective, if it got a slightly smaller budget and our LB/S cost enough to be just a nidge above average.

[zambonir]

Firing or demoting assistants is almost always a symptom not a cause. This does indeed seem to shift the blame from the front office (in terms of the roster not being good enough) and the head coach. For now.