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Philadelphia Eagles TUBTHUMPING!

By Bret Stuter

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Nov 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles fan dresses up and cheers on his team against the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles TUBTHUMPING!

It’s been a rough ride in 2014. We were winners, we were losers. We won some big games. We lost bigger games. And here we stand, preparing for the final game of 2014 and torn in the crossroads of whether we want to win the game or lose the game. Win, and we draft 20th. Lose and we draft 16th.

But the more I’ve thought about this last game, the more I think about a song I’d heard some years ago by Chumbawamba “TUBTHUMPING”.

We’ll be singing
When we’re winning
We’ll be singing

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You’re never gonna keep me down

And so, we got knocked down, but we’ll get up again. Nobody is gonna keep the Philadelphia Eagles down.    The Philadelphia Eagles will get back up, and when they do we’ll all feel good again and rally behind this team once more.

Some think this is foolhardy.  I’ve read the tweets of fans who think the only real Philadelphia Eagles fan is the one who criticizes every play, every mistake.  There have been a few mistakes this year.  But the same fans who do so turn the blind eye to the struggles of other teams.  And by this weekend we’ll find that the Eagles have finished another season with a winning record.   Why is that important?

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Look at the roster.  20% of the Philadelphia is 30 years of age or older.  50% of the roster is 26 years of age or younger.  With a young roster, it’s important to realize the value of learning to win.  It’s hard work in the off-season.  It gets even tougher in training camp and pre-season.   These Philadelphia Eagles are close and getting closer to emerging as an elite team.

Okay, enough of the pep talk.  If you’re still reading, you’re looking for more than just testimony that the Eagles are good.  You want some hard facts.   Let’s look at some:

Eagles Passing Offense Will Be In Top Three In 2015

Hmm.   Bold talk.  But compare the facts.  In 2013, the Philadelphia Eagles finished with the ninth best passing offense, despite quarterback Nick Foles superhuman finish to the season.  In 2014, the Philadelphia Eagles are sixth best passing offense despite an average season from the combined starter Nick Foles and backup Mark Sanchez.    Yes, without DeSean Jackson, the Eagles are a better passing offense.    With two rookie wide receivers, the Eagles are a better passing offense.   In 2015, the combination of Maclin, Matthews, Cooper, Ertz, Celek, Huff, Sproles will be even better.

The key to the offense this off-season will be fixing turnovers.   Everyone is aware of the problem, but there has been few fixes so far.   I expect this off-season will find the team introducing new techniques to quell throwing interceptions.

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    • Eagles Rushing Offense Will Fall Out of Top Ten in 2015

    Yes.  You read this correctly.  In much the same way as the Philadelphia Eagles will excel at passing in 2015, they will take a step backwards in 2015 in the running game.   In 2013, the team was number one in the NFL.  But investigating those rushing yards, you will find that the Eagles got 20% of their rushing yards from the quarterback position.  The team also had an intact offensive line in 2013.

    In 2014, the team changed dramatically.  The quarterback position ran for 120 yards, versus over 500 yards the previous year.   The offensive line was an cast which was reassembled practically each week.  Despite some weeks where he displayed his former form, LeSean McCoy seemed to struggle interpreting the best routes behind the ever changing offensive line.   In 2013, the Eagles rushed for 508 attempts.  Unless the Eagles run for 60 or more attempts in game 16, they will have rushed for fewer attempts despite the struggles of the quarterback position.

    Head Coach Chip Kelly is no fool.   While he expects his receivers to block, he also understands that the NFL is a passing league.   His commitment to the pass will only grow stronger next year.   Meanwhile, Eagles great offensive linemen will age one more year.  At some point, the great Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, and Todd Herremans will step aside for younger Eagles players.   Those offensive linemen will know pass blocking better than run blocking.  How well did the Eagles reserves block in the passing department in 2014?  They were outstanding.  That is likely a peek into the future.

    Eagles Defense Will Finish in Top Ten in 2015 in Yards Allowed

    Okay.  Maybe you can’t see this.  But consider the following:

    In 2014, the Eagles began the season still learning the defense.   Billy Davis installed a dime package and loaded up with defensive backs in the hopes that they could match up nicely with opposing receivers.   They held their own until the injury to inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans forced the Eagles to use considerably more dime than they preferred, and used Carroll in a pseudo linebacker role.

    So what changes in 2015?  Ryans will return healthy, as will linebackers Najee Goode and Travis Long.   Additionally, much maligned linebacker Marcus Smith will have another season to grow into a roster spot.   That’s three and a half linebackers who did not contribute in 2014 (half for Ryans whose injury occurred at the mid point of the season).

    The Eagles were desperate for an edge rusher.  In 2014, the combination of Graham, Cole, and Barwin were a pleasantly surprising force for the team.   I expect that the Eagles will do everything in their power to retain the trio’s services, with some economic adjustments.

    That leaves the defensive backfield.  That is an area that cannot go unaddressed again this off-season.    Available free agents will not be game changers this year, so look for the Eagles to sign younger players who are at the cusp of stepping up.   With a full compliment of draft picks available to the team in 2015, I expect three of the seven draft picks to address the defensive backfield.    I would also be encouraged if the Eagles look to part ways with defensive backs coach John Lovitt and assistant defensive backs coach Todd Lyght.  All Eagles cornerbacks appeared to regress as the season wore on.

    The game Sunday will not determine what the fate of the team will be.  But you will be able to judge the heart of this team.   You will be able to judge the resolve of this team.

    Look for a win against the New York Giants.  And look for many more in 2015.

    See ya there, Philadelphia Eagles Tubthumping!

    We’ll be singing
    When we’re winning
    We’ll be singing

    I get knocked down
    But I get up again
    You’re never gonna keep me down

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