Emerging: Two Philadelphia Eagles Players in 2015
By Bret Stuter
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back
Robert Hughes(39) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker
Mychal Kendricks(95) during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Emerging: Two Philadelphia Eagles Players in 2015
In each off-season, the first stories and projections focus on what an NFL team does not have, and then guides you through a speculative process that (hopefully) leads you to conclude that the team solves those problems. But with all the negative origins of how much “fix” the Eagles need, it’s very easy to lose sight of some positives – positives that the Eagles have worked hard each season to attain.
The fact remains that the Eagles offense is more than just “hype”, and it’s in the record books in the two years that head coach Chip Kelly has assumed the reigns of the team. In 2013, the team was second in offense with 6,676 yards and 442 points. The following year, against a tougher schedule, the team was fifth in offense with 6,348 yards and 474 points scored. Despite the “sky is falling” verbiage you might read where the justification is to prove a point of Eagles panicking and drafting a Heisman winning quarterback this year, the offense has been consistent in its production.
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It’s that type of consistency that lends itself to the progress of young rookies who ease into the offense. With no gun to their head, and with the bar for playing time set fairly high, the prospect has more time to learn the nuances of the NFL version of football. And with more challenging competition, they truly do earn their place on the field.
On the flip side of the ball, the Eagles defense has been taunting the fans with it’s own version of a modern version of Dr. Shutdown and Mr. Hide… in the first game against the New York Giants, the team battled and tossed a complete shutout. But, later that year, the defense simply could not cover the long pass. But there were elements of that defense that gave reason to hope. Part of the disintegration was the loss of key members of team to injury, and a shift of scheme to try to compensate. Part of the disintegration was simply a discovery by opposing offense that the Eagles did not have cornerbacks who could jam within the first five yards and then peel back and run stride for stride down the field.
Still, despite that fact, the defense made some progress. In 2013, it allowed 6,304 yards and 382 points. In 2014, against more efficient offenses, it allowed 6,009 yards but gave up 400 points. Again, consistent.
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But 2015 will be more than empty optimism. The Eagles team has shown remarkable resiliency and adaptability… despite the 3-5 opening to the 2013 season, they managed 10-6. The team was one game away from a playoff in 2014, and simply could not get there on the arm of backup quarterback Mark Sanchez. Unless the Eagles lose both their offensive leader in quarterback Nick Foles, and their defensive leader in inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans, they should be able to rebound into post season. But post season eligibility is simply not enough. The team does not want to “get there”. This Philadelphia Eagles wants to win there. And two players who showed plenty of star quality in 2014 will be leading the way in 2015:
I: Wide Receiver Jordan Matthews
II: Inside Linebacker Mychal Kendricks