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Something must give up front when Rams play Eagles
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...thing-must-give-upfront-when-rams-play-eagles
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Coach Chip Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles boast one of the league's most unique and diverse offensive schemes. It's a group capable of making things happen by ground or air.
But the Eagles were grounded by the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday and they've had their share of inconsistencies on offense in the first four games. The biggest reason for the struggles? A banged-up offensive line that has found itself in nearly constant flux since the beginning of the season.
Without guard Evan Mathis and center Jason Kelce, the Eagles have done a lot of juggling on the line. Things could stabilize a bit this week as they get right tackle Lane Johnson back from suspension. That should strengthen them at two spots with Johnson at right tackle and Todd Herremans able to move back inside to right guard. Of course, Johnson also figures to be knocking off some rust after his absence.
“Obviously, Lane was an integral piece to us last year," Kelly said. "We were without him for four weeks, so we’ll see how he progresses this week during practice, how he can contribute. But it helps with the loss of some other people; it helps to at least get somebody healthy back there.”
Of course, any sign of stability on the line would be welcome for the Eagles. Through four games, the extent of the line dancing taking place in Philadelphia has been jarring.
Courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, here's a look at how the Eagles have cycled through linemen and what the effect has been:
The Eagles have used 10 offensive linemen this season, most in the NFL. They used only seven all of last season.
The Eagles have used three combinations of starting linemen this season. The same unit started all 16 games in 2013.
The Eagles' Week 1 starting unit has played 26 snaps together this season, good for just 9.7 percent of the team’s total plays. Their top group played 92 percent of the snaps together last season.
Herremans, Andrew Gardner, Dennis Kelly and David Molk have all played multiple spots on the line this year.
All of that movement has made it hard for the Eagles to get into a flow offensively. Quarterback Nick Foles hasn't been blitzed much, with teams bringing extra defenders on 16 percent of his dropbacks (second-lowest in the NFL), but teams are still generating plenty of pressure. Foles has been under duress 39 times this year, the most passing attempts under pressure of any quarterback in the league to this point.
The running game has suffered, too. After leading the league in rushing a year ago, Philadelphia has rushed for 76 yards in the last two weeks, with only 2.1 yards per attempt. The Eagles are 26th in the league in yards per game and 22nd in yards per rush.
Meanwhile in St. Louis, the Rams have had their share of defensive struggles, failing to stop the run consistently and unable to get sacks on their rare pass-rushing opportunities.
Just as the Rams could view the Eagles' fledgling offensive line as a cure for what ails them, the Eagles could see the same in the Rams' struggling defense. Come Sunday, something will have to give.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-ra...thing-must-give-upfront-when-rams-play-eagles
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Coach Chip Kelly's Philadelphia Eagles boast one of the league's most unique and diverse offensive schemes. It's a group capable of making things happen by ground or air.
But the Eagles were grounded by the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday and they've had their share of inconsistencies on offense in the first four games. The biggest reason for the struggles? A banged-up offensive line that has found itself in nearly constant flux since the beginning of the season.
Without guard Evan Mathis and center Jason Kelce, the Eagles have done a lot of juggling on the line. Things could stabilize a bit this week as they get right tackle Lane Johnson back from suspension. That should strengthen them at two spots with Johnson at right tackle and Todd Herremans able to move back inside to right guard. Of course, Johnson also figures to be knocking off some rust after his absence.
“Obviously, Lane was an integral piece to us last year," Kelly said. "We were without him for four weeks, so we’ll see how he progresses this week during practice, how he can contribute. But it helps with the loss of some other people; it helps to at least get somebody healthy back there.”
Of course, any sign of stability on the line would be welcome for the Eagles. Through four games, the extent of the line dancing taking place in Philadelphia has been jarring.
Courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information, here's a look at how the Eagles have cycled through linemen and what the effect has been:
The Eagles have used 10 offensive linemen this season, most in the NFL. They used only seven all of last season.
The Eagles have used three combinations of starting linemen this season. The same unit started all 16 games in 2013.
The Eagles' Week 1 starting unit has played 26 snaps together this season, good for just 9.7 percent of the team’s total plays. Their top group played 92 percent of the snaps together last season.
Herremans, Andrew Gardner, Dennis Kelly and David Molk have all played multiple spots on the line this year.
All of that movement has made it hard for the Eagles to get into a flow offensively. Quarterback Nick Foles hasn't been blitzed much, with teams bringing extra defenders on 16 percent of his dropbacks (second-lowest in the NFL), but teams are still generating plenty of pressure. Foles has been under duress 39 times this year, the most passing attempts under pressure of any quarterback in the league to this point.
The running game has suffered, too. After leading the league in rushing a year ago, Philadelphia has rushed for 76 yards in the last two weeks, with only 2.1 yards per attempt. The Eagles are 26th in the league in yards per game and 22nd in yards per rush.
Meanwhile in St. Louis, the Rams have had their share of defensive struggles, failing to stop the run consistently and unable to get sacks on their rare pass-rushing opportunities.
Just as the Rams could view the Eagles' fledgling offensive line as a cure for what ails them, the Eagles could see the same in the Rams' struggling defense. Come Sunday, something will have to give.