During the off-season From A Fan's Perspective wrote about the Critical Moment of this organization putting the front office, Jim Schwartz and Carson Wentz on notice.
The offseason feels like decades ago at this point. Since then a lot happened: -Brandon Brooks on IR
-Marquise Goodwin opted out -Andre Dillard on IR -Will Parks on IR
-Seumalu on IR
-DeSean on IR
-Reagor on IR
-Goedert on IR
-Ertz on IR
-Miles injured
-Lane on IR
-No trades at the deadline
-Rush Defense ranked in the bottom third of the league
-Carson threw 14 INTs (lost 7 fumbles too) and can't stay on his feet or escape pressure
-Doug Pederson can't even script an opening drive let alone a game
You're probably thinking, okay here comes the excuses. BUT that's not going to happen. One of the themes for this season is to stop making excuses. Every team has injuries. Every team has struggles. Until the responsible parties are held accountable we'll continue to see the team we've seen. So here we go again, it's a critical moment in this organization for these people, in this order:
1. Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz has had an awful season in 2020 and he has people scratching their heads how he ever convinced an organization to pay him $128 million. His regression is unprecedented and really is tough to understand. When he dropped back to pass in 2016 and 2017 the confidence was there from both Fans and himself that he would find a way to execute. Now, we're all holding our breath and just hoping its not a turnover.
It is not a fun way to watch a football game. As fans watch the other games around the league it is ever more apparent the Eagles and rest of NFC East are just on a different level. The regression of Carson Wentz is in correlation with the rest of the division. But the difference is the other 3 teams lost their core, star player this season. Carson has been healthy all year, and hopefully it stays that way (if you're hoping otherwise please go somewhere else for content). Carson has not made anyone step up this season and be better. It is again the first time we're seeing that.
In 2016 it was him, he made himself better.
In 2017 it was Nelson and Trey Burton.
In 2018 it was Nelson again. In 2019 it was Boston Scott and Greg Ward
2020, maybe it was Travis Fulgham but honestly, Fulgham actually has made Wentz look better than he has been playing.
This is the part that makes is most nerve-wracking. In 2016, 2017 and times in 2018 and 2019 we saw the skill Carson has. Even though the wins may not have been as often in '18 and '19 he still had sparks. That can come back, its believable for someone to just have an off year. But he's not just making bad plays. His decisions are poor and its bringing down the rest of the team.
Tonight, Carson is going to be playing Russell Wilson. Last season they played in a similar scenario. The Eagles still fighting for first in the NFC East and Seahawks come to town on a windy, rainy day. The game exposed some flaws in the Seahawks and the Eagles defense held Seahawks to 17 points. Carson and company failed to score a TD until 20 seconds left in the game. Carson left a TD on the field with a poor pass to Miles out of the flat (might have been wind; but after this season leaning more towards a bad throw).
Tonight, assuming that the Eagles defense can do a similar thing and hold the Seahawks to less than 20 points, Carson needs to step up. If he doesn't he's going to be as good as burnt toast in Philadelphia. Jalen Hurts is waiting in the wings.
Some "fans" are rooting for Carson to do poorly so they can see Jalen Hurts, which is a sad state of affairs for any fanbase. When Jalen Hurts was drafted it was clear that the organization expected to use him at some point and that they may not be fully confident in Carson. After the draft the week's From A Fan's Perspective talked about this pick and the expectations around it.
First of all it was a bad pick, no one can dispute that. Jalen isn't going to ever be a franchise QB, and you have too many other needs. But beyond that the thought was he was going to be at the best a stop gap for the organization if they decide to move on from Carson which is ever more likely now.
Tonight we may see Jalen for the first time in an actual QB situation. We will see him struggle and we will see that even with him this team will not get anywhere. The fans calling for Jalen to save this team will be shown why that's a farce. But it's up to Carson. If he wants to keep his job in Philadelphia tonight he needs to go out there and execute. The second he doesn't, Jalen will be the one wearing the wings instead of waiting in the wings.
2. Doug Pederson
Doug has won the only Super Bowl in Philadelphia, or at least his name is on it as the coach that did. But it's getting tiring to hear his only credential being that he won a Super Bowl in 2017.
Since then we've seen his attitude with the media become Chip Kelly-esque at times. His ego getting in the way of his play calling. And him simply just seeming like he has no clue what is going on in the games.
Doug is someone who likes the numbers and takes chances, which is fine, that's how the Super Bowl was won. The issue is the frequency of these risks and the situations he takes risks in. Right now, their 4th and 3rd down conversion are similar percentage-wise and not in a good way. Both are in the low 30%. Some of the lack of 3rd down conversions can be attributed to bad QB play, but Doug needs to take responsibility. In 2017 they were converting on 41% of their 3rd down plays and 65% of 4th down attempts.
The difference is in the play calling. Doug has not made playcalls (assuming that Carson isn't changing the plays at the line completely) that have set them up for success in the later downs. He will throw down field on 1st and 2nd downs and then run 3rd and 4th. His creativity is on the side of a milk carton, if anyone can find it please let us know.
He doesn't help his quarterback. How many times do fans have to yell ROLL THE POCKET before Doug does it. He even admitted he should do it more but then "forgot" to last week against the Browns.
In spite of all his efforts to set this team up for failure, they some how have had a shot to win every game since week 2, but when it comes down to crunch time his team cannot execute. The first drive and the 4th quarter are the most critical for an offense. Doug's performance in those areas have been awful.
In my opinion, the seat is burning hot for Doug Pederson. As much as he has brought happy times to Philadelphia with the Super Bowl, he is slowly destroying the quarterback who was supposed to be the franchise QB. He needs to give up his playcalling, even if temporary, to focus on the needs of this team. The playcalling can be executed by someone else. But Carson needs a coach on the sideline, a mind to help him clear his thoughts. Someone to take him aside after each drive and go over the drop backs and progressions. I'm not saying Doug is the best to do this but on this coaching staff that's who Carson needs.
If we don't see that or any adjustments by Doug, getting rid of the head coach should be at the top of the list this offseason. His flaws are becoming too large to overcome.
3. Jim Schwartz
If Jim is lucky he will stick around long enough and may be the next head coach of the Eagles.. might only need to wait a couple weeks. But I'm not confident in him making it that long.
While his defense definitely has kept some games close it is failing at an area they expected to excel. And thats stopping the run. They're ranked 20th in rushing defense. And that's without Saquon in both Giants games. Mostert in the San Fran game. They cannot stop the run when they need to especially.
Their passing game has done better this year, mostly because of Darius Slay, but even that has not been great. He leaves his Linebackers exposed so often that opposing offenses exploit the coverage mismatches on a regular basis.
The scary part though and telling part is the success of players that leave. Sidney Jones, Ronald Darby, Rasul Douglas, Kamu Grugier-Hill. They all struggle to perform in Philadelphia and move on to become top defenders in 2020. That exposes the flaws of Jim Schwartz scheme in my opinion. If these players; who were players we invest draft picks in, move can't succeed in our coordinator's system then either he's the problem or the guy choosing the talent for his scheme is the problem. Or it could be both.
Regardless Jim needs to really prove something against Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans or the team may move on from him. His team has struggled to create turnovers and sure the offense has been setting them up for failure at times with short fields and multiple turnovers themselves. But some of the worst drives have come from teams starting within their own 5 yard line. Think Daniel Jones 85 yard run. Or Nick Chubb 45 yard run. These break the backs of the defense and changes the game. It deflates all momentum and shatters every miniscule bit of hope the team has left.
Jim, the job is open in Detroit, hopefully they call you.
The Moment
Tonight, we will watch our Eagles march into an empty Lincoln Financial field. Led by Carson Wentz, Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz, possibly for the last time.
There is no doubt one of them will not be here in the same capacity at the least by 2021. There is little hope that they can even take the Seahawks into the 2nd half in a competitive game.
So, the moment is here for Carson to step up and either take the reigns. Or continue to let Doug destroy his career and begin the (likely short) era of Jalen Hurts.
The moment is here for Doug to show the fans he's here to win and to build a successful team. Or for him to continue to play to the disadvantage of his team and let Howie's roster construction be the demise of him.
The moment is here for Jim Schwartz to prove his defense can stop a high powered offense, both on the ground and through the air. Or to let his defense continue to underperform and search for a new home for the sticks defense.
As a fan, the moment is here to worry. No one wants this moment. Where the QB, Coaches and front office are all being questioned simultaneously. It's not good, for anyone, but its a critical moment, where hopefully one of the groups pulls through and gives us a bit of hope to end this dreadful 2020 year and season.
As always I'll be yelling GO BIRDS!! tonight but it just won't be with a lot of expectation.
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