ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Eagles vs. Giants Friday, November 26, 2004
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Eagles and Giants. Now they're back with a
second look.
What really stands out in evaluating the Eagles offense on film is that
Andy Reid and his staff do an outstanding job breaking down opposing
defenses. They have a great feel for defensive schemes and tendencies in
specific situations, and are able to exploit them with their play calls.
Very few quarterbacks in the NFL are able to throw to their primary read
as often as Donovan McNabb, and that is a result of the tremendous
preparation done by Reid and his staff.
The Eagles defense is built on scheme and design more than the
consistently strong play of individual personnel. It's a defense that is
at its best in long yardage situations, when coordinator Jim Johnson can
utilize his many blitz and pressure packages.
One player who stands out in these sub packages is CB Sheldon Brown. Brown
comes down inside in nickel and dime packages and plays over the slot; he
is very effective as a blitzer, and must be accounted for in the offense's
protection schemes.
Eagles MLB Jeremiah Trotter brings a physical presence to the
Eagles defense that was somewhat lacking prior to his insertion into the
starting lineup. Trotter is a downhill run defender who can fight through
traffic, and attack the football. But he's limited when you force him to
decipher a lot of movement in front of him, as with counter and
misdirection. And you can also exploit him in the passing game, where he
often appears on film to lack awareness and instincts.
One thing that really stands out in breaking down the Eagles defense is
the inability of their defensive end to be stout against the run. All four
DEs -- Jevon Kearse, Derrick Burgess, Hugh Douglas, and Jerome McDougle --
have struggled to defeat one-on-one blocks by tight ends. If your
defensive ends cannot consistently beat blocks by tight ends, and the
Eagles defensive ends have not shown that ability very often this season,
then you will have a difficult time defending the run.
It's evident studying the Giants offense that they lack explosiveness at
wide receiver. At this point in their careers, neither Amani Toomer nor
Ike Hilliard has the ability to stretch defenses, and opposing safeties
have been sitting on the intermediate routes.
Look for the Eagles to increase their blitz frequency, even in
normal down and distance situations. They will look to attack and
penetrate gaps quickly, and force Tiki Barber to have to make a decision
in the backfield rather than get to the point of attack cleanly. In
addition, the Giants offensive line does not handle pressure well; it is
not an overly athletic group, and the Eagles defense is fast and decisive.
With the return of Brian Westbrook, the Eagles are now utilizing
Westbrook and Dorsey Levens on the field at the same time, often with
Westbrook in the slot or split wide. This puts tremendous pressure on the
defense before the snap of the ball to interpret the formation, and then
determine how they want to match up. Westbrook is an outstanding receiver
who has the ability to line up outside the formation and dictate favorable
matchups against linebackers and safeties.
Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis spent many years with the
Pittsburgh Steelers coaching the 3-4 defense, and is therefore very
familiar with its flexibility when it comes to blitz packages. Look for
Lewis to take a page from the Steelers defense a couple of weeks ago and
feature 3-4 packages. You may well see a number of reduced fronts, with
the two defensive ends and the nose tackle covering the offensive guards
and the center, and linebacker blitzes coming behind it. The Eagles
struggled with this scheme against the Steelers, and it would not be
surprising to see the Giants force Philadelphia to make the necessary
adjustments.
In studying Eli Manning's first start against the Falcons last
week, a number of observations: First, Manning looked very comfortable in
the pocket, showing excellent awareness and movement. Second, there were
times he appeared to be a click behind in processing information as he
dropped back; this was to be expected. Third, he did not throw a pass more
than 20 yards in the air; the Giants passing game was built on the short
and intermediate pass, the idea clearly to get the ball out of Manning's
hands fast, don't allow him to sit in the pocket behind a poor pass
protecting offensive line.
Expect to see the Eagles utilize a number of different zone blitzes, and
zone exchange schemes against Manning. Manning's second interception last
week against the Falcons came on a zone blitz in which DE Brady Smith
dropped out into coverage, and Eli clearly did not factor him into his
read. We would also expect to see the Eagles play a lot of single high
safety coverage; the Giants wide receivers lack explosiveness, and they do
not have the consistent ability to stretch defenses.
Special Teams
While Philadelphia PK David Akers has been somewhat inconsistent and
missed two field goal attempts in one game earlier this year, he is still
one of the best in the league. He is generally accurate on field goal
attempts inside 40 yards and he has the power to connect from beyond that
range. Expect him to take advantage of any opportunities he gets to put
points on the board.
Eagles PR Lito Sheppard filled in for Reno Mahe, who is out with a high
ankle sprain, last week and he returned one punt 39 yards. Sheppard has
good quickness and is capable of making the first defender miss. Don't be
surprised to see Giants P Jeff Feagles kick away from him as a result.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Giants 17
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Eagles and Giants. Now they're back with a
second look.
What really stands out in evaluating the Eagles offense on film is that
Andy Reid and his staff do an outstanding job breaking down opposing
defenses. They have a great feel for defensive schemes and tendencies in
specific situations, and are able to exploit them with their play calls.
Very few quarterbacks in the NFL are able to throw to their primary read
as often as Donovan McNabb, and that is a result of the tremendous
preparation done by Reid and his staff.
The Eagles defense is built on scheme and design more than the
consistently strong play of individual personnel. It's a defense that is
at its best in long yardage situations, when coordinator Jim Johnson can
utilize his many blitz and pressure packages.
One player who stands out in these sub packages is CB Sheldon Brown. Brown
comes down inside in nickel and dime packages and plays over the slot; he
is very effective as a blitzer, and must be accounted for in the offense's
protection schemes.
Eagles MLB Jeremiah Trotter brings a physical presence to the
Eagles defense that was somewhat lacking prior to his insertion into the
starting lineup. Trotter is a downhill run defender who can fight through
traffic, and attack the football. But he's limited when you force him to
decipher a lot of movement in front of him, as with counter and
misdirection. And you can also exploit him in the passing game, where he
often appears on film to lack awareness and instincts.
One thing that really stands out in breaking down the Eagles defense is
the inability of their defensive end to be stout against the run. All four
DEs -- Jevon Kearse, Derrick Burgess, Hugh Douglas, and Jerome McDougle --
have struggled to defeat one-on-one blocks by tight ends. If your
defensive ends cannot consistently beat blocks by tight ends, and the
Eagles defensive ends have not shown that ability very often this season,
then you will have a difficult time defending the run.
It's evident studying the Giants offense that they lack explosiveness at
wide receiver. At this point in their careers, neither Amani Toomer nor
Ike Hilliard has the ability to stretch defenses, and opposing safeties
have been sitting on the intermediate routes.
Look for the Eagles to increase their blitz frequency, even in
normal down and distance situations. They will look to attack and
penetrate gaps quickly, and force Tiki Barber to have to make a decision
in the backfield rather than get to the point of attack cleanly. In
addition, the Giants offensive line does not handle pressure well; it is
not an overly athletic group, and the Eagles defense is fast and decisive.
With the return of Brian Westbrook, the Eagles are now utilizing
Westbrook and Dorsey Levens on the field at the same time, often with
Westbrook in the slot or split wide. This puts tremendous pressure on the
defense before the snap of the ball to interpret the formation, and then
determine how they want to match up. Westbrook is an outstanding receiver
who has the ability to line up outside the formation and dictate favorable
matchups against linebackers and safeties.
Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis spent many years with the
Pittsburgh Steelers coaching the 3-4 defense, and is therefore very
familiar with its flexibility when it comes to blitz packages. Look for
Lewis to take a page from the Steelers defense a couple of weeks ago and
feature 3-4 packages. You may well see a number of reduced fronts, with
the two defensive ends and the nose tackle covering the offensive guards
and the center, and linebacker blitzes coming behind it. The Eagles
struggled with this scheme against the Steelers, and it would not be
surprising to see the Giants force Philadelphia to make the necessary
adjustments.
In studying Eli Manning's first start against the Falcons last
week, a number of observations: First, Manning looked very comfortable in
the pocket, showing excellent awareness and movement. Second, there were
times he appeared to be a click behind in processing information as he
dropped back; this was to be expected. Third, he did not throw a pass more
than 20 yards in the air; the Giants passing game was built on the short
and intermediate pass, the idea clearly to get the ball out of Manning's
hands fast, don't allow him to sit in the pocket behind a poor pass
protecting offensive line.
Expect to see the Eagles utilize a number of different zone blitzes, and
zone exchange schemes against Manning. Manning's second interception last
week against the Falcons came on a zone blitz in which DE Brady Smith
dropped out into coverage, and Eli clearly did not factor him into his
read. We would also expect to see the Eagles play a lot of single high
safety coverage; the Giants wide receivers lack explosiveness, and they do
not have the consistent ability to stretch defenses.
Special Teams
While Philadelphia PK David Akers has been somewhat inconsistent and
missed two field goal attempts in one game earlier this year, he is still
one of the best in the league. He is generally accurate on field goal
attempts inside 40 yards and he has the power to connect from beyond that
range. Expect him to take advantage of any opportunities he gets to put
points on the board.
Eagles PR Lito Sheppard filled in for Reno Mahe, who is out with a high
ankle sprain, last week and he returned one punt 39 yards. Sheppard has
good quickness and is capable of making the first defender miss. Don't be
surprised to see Giants P Jeff Feagles kick away from him as a result.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Giants 17
