Philadelphia Eagles: 5 biggest problems with offense
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) misses a pass that is intercepted by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Ricardo Allen (37) as Paul Worrilow (55) defends in the fourth quarter to preserve the win at the Georgia Dome. The falcons defeated the Eagles 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
No downfield passing attack
Perhaps no quarterback in the NFL favors short passes more than Sam Bradford, who is the definition of a “rhythm passer”. We’ll get to the Eagles overall lack of cadence as a passing offense later, but let’s first focus on the biggest change in approach the Eagles have undertaken when they throw the football.
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In Kelly’s first two seasons at the helm, the Eagles averaged 14.2 and 11.9 yards per completion, respectively. The hallmark of the Eagles passing offense was an aggressive vertical passing attack, highlighted by star “X” receivers DeSean Jackson and Maclin. Jackson put up an 82/1,332/9 line in 2013, and Maclin was easily the Eagles best skill position player (and thus the most valuable player on the entire team) last season with an 85/1,318/10 line. Both of these players were dynamic target-hogs who averaged at least 15.5 yards per reception and regularly found the end zone.
The Eagles don’t have a player like that right now. Nobody on this team is averaging more yards per reception than Jordan Matthews, who is currently at an 11.4 clip. Matthews is their best vertical threat right now, and his YPR through two games is down from his 13.0 average in 2014.
Moreover, Bradford is averaging just 9.5 yards per completion, meaning that Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson, and Kirk Cousins are the only quarterbacks with a lower average. All three of those QBs have two picks, whereas Bradford already has four on his resume.
This all goes back to the fact that Bradford has historically been a poor deep passer with a career average of just 6.3 yards per attempt and 10.7 yards per completion. He doesn’t take deep shots, he doesn’t make defenses move safeties back, and he makes life insanely difficult for his running back.
Next: No Short Passing Either