Last night the Eagles pulled off what nobody thought they were going to do. ESPN the magazine had them losing to the Redskins last night 41-0! So ESPN gets a big ol' F for that one. The Eagles and Chip Kelly they shocked the world in their debut with their no-huddle, "mach 5" speed offense that had Monday Night Football color commentator Jon Gruden just making incoherent sounds trying to explain what was happening. Last night I was beaming with joy over what I had just witnessed-and I still am this morning, but with last night's highs, there were some lows and it's time to pick this apart. It's the morning after, and it's time to hand out some grades for last night's win.
OFFENSE
Chip Kelly - B +
Yes, it's not an A. The fact that he took his foot off the gas in the later stages of the game made it possible for the Redskins to make a slight comeback. I understand that there may have been some fatigue, but if the up tempo is working, and getting you points, you should stick with it until the lead is so comfortable that you can milk it. The other reason it isn't an A was the ill-advised challenge call on the Zach Ertz drop. It was clearly a drop, but Chip's lack of patience and urge to keep his drive going cost him a challenge and a time out. Making good NFL challenges will come in time, but he and his upstairs coaching staff need to assess how they come to the decision to tackle. All that aside, congrats on the first NFL victory, coach.
LeSean McCoy - A +
Incredible. Shady was able to run for 184 yards and a touchdown against the defense that was supposed to stifle the no huddle. He made some moves and cuts that made it impossible to bring down. Redskins LB Brian Orakpo, an excellent open field tackler, had his ankles broken a few times last night. Kelly has found a great way to use Shady, and we should definitely see some great rushing numbers put up this year.
Michael Vick - A
No turnovers. A welcome sign from the past few years where you came to expect at least one or two a game from Vick. I thought Vick played very well. There were some instances where he did not make the correct read, but no mistakes that ended up to be very costly. Overall, a good game from Vick as he continues to be more comfortable in the Chip Kelly offense.
Offensive Line - A
Out of the entire offense, the line seemed to be the ones who were the most in shape and ready to run this offense. The zone blocking scheme was working to perfection last night, and the holes they created for both Vick and McCoy were huge. Minus a few holding penalties here and there, the O Line came to play, even when Lane Johnson and Jason Peters were split out wide!
DeSean Jackson - B+
DeSean also had a great game going over 100 receiving yards and catching a beautiful touchdown in the back of the endzone in the first quarter. He also created yardage without even touching the ball. Redskins punter Sav Rocca kept the ball away from him as much as possible, and by doing so, cost the Redskins valuable field position when the defense came back out onto the field. Jackson's grade is lower because of his behavior on the field with DeAngelo Hall. Sure it was a late hit, but Jackson should have been flagged too for pushing Hall down, then instigating another scuffle during the same drive. Bonus points to Chip Kelly for taking Jackson out for the remainder of the drive.
Jason Avant - D
Yes, a D. The "sure-handed" Jason Avant nearly cost the Eagles the game last night. The only offensive player that made me bite off my nails. If he didn't have such good hands, the play where he fumbled would have never happened. He picked the ball inches off the grass, but then as he fought for more yards, the ball was punched out and the Redskins scored on the ensuing drive. The on-sides kick also stopped my heart when Avant nearly lost the ball. If he did lose it, he would have given the 'skins the ball back with just over minute left. Overall, a bad performance.
DEFENSE
Billy Davis - First half A+, Second Half C
The first half was AMAZING. What was going on? What is this defense? Why are they playing so well?The defense played outstanding, yielding 0 first half points and creating a few turnovers. It was certainly a sight for sore eyes. Oh and then halftime happened. The defense of the second half was certainly worse than the first. Giving up 20 points and letting RG3 kill them with short passes with their blitz 5, drop 6 packages. Have to harness the intensity and coverage of the first half and make that work all season.
Cary Williams - A
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Williams had a sack, an interception, and a key pass break up late in the game. For someone with so much off the field controversy, he really came to play last night.
Trent Cole - A
Trent Cole has made the move from DE to OLB and it looks like it will be the best thing for him. It felt like he was in the backfield nearly every play. He and the rest of the linebackers had excellent pressure on RG3 all night.
Patrick Chung - C
Oh my god what was that!? You know what I am referring to. When Chung saw the pass go over his head last night, instead of running back to make the pick, he stood in the same spot, tried to leap as high as he could to swat it, and then....touchdown Redskins. He has to get better in pass coverage. Played pretty good in run defense though in his defense.
Mychal Kendricks - A+
To me, the star of the defense last night. Even Gruden was gushing over him. Kendricks led the Eagles with 10 tackles, and seemed to be around the ball every play. He and DeMeco Ryans are going to be a great MLB combo in this 3-4 defense.
Bonus!
Donnie Jones - A
This guy has quite a leg. He was able to put the Redskins inside their own 20 four different times last night. A quiet performer, but his ability to flip the field is going to help when drives stall, or when penalties push you back to 4th and 40.
-Tristan Tschoepe
Follow Tristan on Twitter: @tshope122
Follow WhizWit on Twitter: @Whizwitsports
Chip Kelly - B +
Yes, it's not an A. The fact that he took his foot off the gas in the later stages of the game made it possible for the Redskins to make a slight comeback. I understand that there may have been some fatigue, but if the up tempo is working, and getting you points, you should stick with it until the lead is so comfortable that you can milk it. The other reason it isn't an A was the ill-advised challenge call on the Zach Ertz drop. It was clearly a drop, but Chip's lack of patience and urge to keep his drive going cost him a challenge and a time out. Making good NFL challenges will come in time, but he and his upstairs coaching staff need to assess how they come to the decision to tackle. All that aside, congrats on the first NFL victory, coach.
LeSean McCoy - A +
Incredible. Shady was able to run for 184 yards and a touchdown against the defense that was supposed to stifle the no huddle. He made some moves and cuts that made it impossible to bring down. Redskins LB Brian Orakpo, an excellent open field tackler, had his ankles broken a few times last night. Kelly has found a great way to use Shady, and we should definitely see some great rushing numbers put up this year.
Michael Vick - A
No turnovers. A welcome sign from the past few years where you came to expect at least one or two a game from Vick. I thought Vick played very well. There were some instances where he did not make the correct read, but no mistakes that ended up to be very costly. Overall, a good game from Vick as he continues to be more comfortable in the Chip Kelly offense.
Offensive Line - A
Out of the entire offense, the line seemed to be the ones who were the most in shape and ready to run this offense. The zone blocking scheme was working to perfection last night, and the holes they created for both Vick and McCoy were huge. Minus a few holding penalties here and there, the O Line came to play, even when Lane Johnson and Jason Peters were split out wide!
DeSean Jackson - B+
DeSean also had a great game going over 100 receiving yards and catching a beautiful touchdown in the back of the endzone in the first quarter. He also created yardage without even touching the ball. Redskins punter Sav Rocca kept the ball away from him as much as possible, and by doing so, cost the Redskins valuable field position when the defense came back out onto the field. Jackson's grade is lower because of his behavior on the field with DeAngelo Hall. Sure it was a late hit, but Jackson should have been flagged too for pushing Hall down, then instigating another scuffle during the same drive. Bonus points to Chip Kelly for taking Jackson out for the remainder of the drive.
Jason Avant - D
Yes, a D. The "sure-handed" Jason Avant nearly cost the Eagles the game last night. The only offensive player that made me bite off my nails. If he didn't have such good hands, the play where he fumbled would have never happened. He picked the ball inches off the grass, but then as he fought for more yards, the ball was punched out and the Redskins scored on the ensuing drive. The on-sides kick also stopped my heart when Avant nearly lost the ball. If he did lose it, he would have given the 'skins the ball back with just over minute left. Overall, a bad performance.
DEFENSE
Billy Davis - First half A+, Second Half C
The first half was AMAZING. What was going on? What is this defense? Why are they playing so well?The defense played outstanding, yielding 0 first half points and creating a few turnovers. It was certainly a sight for sore eyes. Oh and then halftime happened. The defense of the second half was certainly worse than the first. Giving up 20 points and letting RG3 kill them with short passes with their blitz 5, drop 6 packages. Have to harness the intensity and coverage of the first half and make that work all season.
Cary Williams - A
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Williams had a sack, an interception, and a key pass break up late in the game. For someone with so much off the field controversy, he really came to play last night.
Trent Cole - A
Trent Cole has made the move from DE to OLB and it looks like it will be the best thing for him. It felt like he was in the backfield nearly every play. He and the rest of the linebackers had excellent pressure on RG3 all night.
Patrick Chung - C
Oh my god what was that!? You know what I am referring to. When Chung saw the pass go over his head last night, instead of running back to make the pick, he stood in the same spot, tried to leap as high as he could to swat it, and then....touchdown Redskins. He has to get better in pass coverage. Played pretty good in run defense though in his defense.
Mychal Kendricks - A+
To me, the star of the defense last night. Even Gruden was gushing over him. Kendricks led the Eagles with 10 tackles, and seemed to be around the ball every play. He and DeMeco Ryans are going to be a great MLB combo in this 3-4 defense.
Bonus!
Donnie Jones - A
This guy has quite a leg. He was able to put the Redskins inside their own 20 four different times last night. A quiet performer, but his ability to flip the field is going to help when drives stall, or when penalties push you back to 4th and 40.
-Tristan Tschoepe
Follow Tristan on Twitter: @tshope122
Follow WhizWit on Twitter: @Whizwitsports
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