Eagles first quarter report card: A talented team needs an immediate reset

Remember the Sega Genesis? No? How about the Nintendo 64? That doesn't ring a bell either, huh? Gosh, you guys are young. Well, here's the point. Once upon a time, you could fire up EA's Madden NFL game and select the Philadelphia Eagles as your team of choice. You could also start games over when things didn't go well.

If only life had that same reset button. We could have halted that final Atlanta Falcons game in Week 2, and we could have restarted the game in Tampa. Oh well, we'll settle for a bounce back after the bye week.

If that's going to happen though, guys are going to have to play better than we have seen so far.

Here are grades for the Eagles offense.

This isn't how it was supposed to be. This team has Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert on the offensive side of the ball, and Kellen Moore is the offensive coordinator.

We haven't seen this entire unit play together since Week 1. That's okay. No injuries sustained have been season-ending.

The band should be back together for Week 6. The Cleveland Browns are the opponent. A win should help steady the ship.

In the meantime, we took some time to rewatch the first four games. Here's a breakdown of how each unit is doing.

Quarterbacks (D)

Obviously, this is more of a Jalen Hurts grade. Sure, Kenny Pickett's existence alone could be deemed below average, but what can you do? Then, there's Tanner McKee. He's a healthy scratch on gamedays.

Hurts was awful in Week 4. He threw a TD and ran for another, but it didn't help much. Baker Mayfield threw two and ran for another. Then, Bucky Irving ran for another.

Jalen has been a turnover machine. He no longer runs the run-pass option well. Frankly, we'd be happy if that play was retired.

There's plenty of time to turn things around. We've seen how good he can be when at his best, but so far, we'd have to grade him as 'below average'.

Running Backs (A+)

Saquon Barkley elevates the entire running back room to above average, but the guys behind him aren't too bad either. Kenneth Gainwell has only rushed for 17 yards, but he has only been given five carries.

One of those carries has gone for a first down. That's okay. We knew Saquon would be given the lion's share of the carries.

Kenny G has also racked up 89 yards on four kickoff returns. Will Shipley has returned three for 76 yards.

Wide Receivers (B-)

If we could ever get A.J. and DeVonta on the field at the same time, we'd be cooking with a ton of lighter fluid. Unfortunately, A.J. has had the hamstring issue.

DeVonta missed Week 4 with a concussion, but again, both will be back which is good news for every Eagles fan.

Sadly, there isn't much behind them. Britain Covey is on the injured reserve, and no one should expect a ton from Parris Campbell, John Ross, and Jahan Dotson.

Johnny Wilson looks terrified. Hopefully, he'll settle in, but DeVonta and A.J.'s performances were enough of a boost to get these guys to 'slightly above average'.

Tight Ends (B+)

Dallas Goedert is hugely responsible for one of Philly's pair of wins. The guys behind him haven't been called upon much, but Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll have combined for five receptions and 60 yards on seven targets.

That's what it's all about, making the most of opportunities when they present themselves. Grant doesn't block well, but so far, so good at tight end.

Offensive Line (A-)

This is one of the best offensive lines in all of football when healthy. Lane Johnson missed Week 3's conclusion and all of Week 4's game, and you know how things go when he's absent.

The O-line imploded in Week 4. Well... Fred Johnson imploded in Week 4, but for the most part this unit has played to an acceptable level.

Overall Grade (B-)

Let's talk about the Eagles defense.

Vic Fangio hasn't been as advertised. If you're satisfied with the 'bend-but-don't-break' thing, have at it. We'll never get used to it. We've been spoiled by Buddy Ryan, Bud Carson, and Jim Johnson.

Fangio's unit should be praised for how they held up in New Orleans versus the Saints. They held the Atlanta Falcons in check before surrendering that final go-ahead drive, but that has been it. Those moments have felt like the exception while getting shredded feels more like the norm.

EDGE (C)

This pass rush hasn't done squat with the exception of Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat. The former has tallied a sack, a quarterback hit, and six hurries. The latter has racked up 12 hurries, five quarterback hits, and a sack.

Unfortunately, Philly hasn't gotten anything from Bryce Huff and Nolan Smith which brings the grade of the entire unit down some.

Interior Defensive Line (B-)

Philly used three of their last four first-round draft choices on Nolan Smith, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter. We already told you how Smith is doing. Unfortunately, Carter and Davis have been inconsistent.

Carter almost took the Saints apart single-handedly. We just haven't seen enough of that, and Davis isn't producing well based on what Philly invested in him.

They have combined for 15 tackles, a sack, 11 hurries, and three pass breakups. That looks good on paper, but they haven't stopped the run well. It also feels like something is missing. Maybe it's effort.

Linebackers (B-)

Devin White hasn't played. Zack Baun is among the league leaders in tackles (43). He has also tallied two sacks. Nakobe Dean ranks second in total tackles and second in solo stops. He has also racked up four solo stops.

We'd rank this unit slightly above average but can't place them in the area of 'outstanding'.

Cornerbacks (C)

Quinyon Mitchell might be this team's top corner at the season's end. Darius Slay has been steady, but Avonte Maddox has regressed, Isaiah Rodgers and Kelee Ringo notched awful-looking moments on special teams before combining one of the rare highlight-reel moments in Week 4.

Overall, we'd grade, as a whole, as average.

Safeties (C)

Despite being dubbed as an elite playmaker by many Eagles fans, C.J. Gardner-Johnson has made two plays that we remember. Both came versus the run. Reed Blankenship is a very good safety, but Sydney Brown can't get back fast enough.

Overall Grade (C)

Good, not great stuff from Vic Fangio so far. We'll see how things go after the bye week.

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