“If We Get’em In A Passing Game, I’m Going To Feel Pretty Good.”
January 13th, 2022
Joe can feel the confidence oozing from Bucco Bruce Arians.
Yeah, he’s been showering the Eagles with love all week, saying their a much improved team and an offense loaded with speed. But ultimately Arians believes he can win via accomplishing one major goal: forcing Jalen Hurts to throw.
Whether that means getting a big lead or a sound run defense, Eagles passing is what Arians wants. “If we get’em in a passing game, I’m going to feel pretty good,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio last night.
That one-liner from Arians came after he was asked whether the Bucs’ steady flow of blitzes will be changed by the Eagles’ uniquely balanced attack. Arians said the Bucs are likely to use more run blitzes, but ultimately they want to get to their comfort zone of hunting the quarterback.
He also added that the great speed of the Eagles won’t necessarily mean Tampa Bay will play more zone defense. (Joe has to wonder a bit about that given the mild hamstring concerns with Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting.)
Arians also glowed about speedy Philadelphia rookie receiver DeVonta Smith, saying his route running was among the best he’s ever seen coming out of college, but Joe thinks that’s just Arians hyping the opponent. Smith hit a major rookie wall over the past seven games.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:39 am
Just because he might of hit a rookie wall doesn’t mean he can’t burn our secondary. Biggest key to the game for me is keeping Hurts in the pocket. We can’t let him pick up 1st downs with his legs. I’m more worried about him running on us than throwing on us.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:44 am
I have watched and rewatched almost every game this year. Slow starts concern me a tad. But we just need to have a consistent game on both sides of the ball. Cause darious slay will make it difficult for mike. Slay is one of best dbs in league. And therefore , eagles can focus on gronk. So you may see some dink and dunk which is fine. But our back up receivers need to step up. I hope perriman has 100 yard game. That will be a good sign moving forward
Again, i hope we get hot like last year playoffs cause we need both sides of the ball producing.
January 13th, 2022 at 8:54 am
Our pass defense blows 😀
January 13th, 2022 at 8:58 am
Get off on 3rd freaking down and I’ll feel good about our chances!! Seal those edges and stay in your gaps!
January 13th, 2022 at 9:00 am
Not with that weather forecast. It’s going to face Philly big time.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:19 am
I expect to see us attack Hurts the way we went after Mahomes in the SB….that being said, I believe Hurts is the type of Qb that can give us fits by extending plays. The key for us will be getting the offense going, once they are in rhythm its super hard for most teams to keep pace and Bowles will become more and more aggressive with the pressure.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:21 am
“If” we get them into a passing game. That must mean that Arians wants a fast start (versus some of the predictable, low-energy, first quarter starts on offense) and success in stopping the run. Phili uses a running attack to set up their passing game. If you stop the run and make them a passing team, they’ll lose.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:26 am
Joe all week it says it is going to rain a lot on sunday…i dont know who that gives the advantage to but i would think eagles? the fans may not be as loud and it could become a sloppy game. what do you think?
January 13th, 2022 at 9:28 am
Maybe Bucs get the advantage. Bucs have a good offensive line too and lots of running backs.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:42 am
The rain would favor short to intermediate passes to Gronk and Evans (the latter is problematic due to him being covered by an All Pro quality CB, Darius Slay). In terms of running, you want a true power back who does not fumble as the ball will be slick. RoJo is doubtful, let’s hope Fournette transitions from Layoff Lenny to Playoff Lenny.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:51 am
THe weather on sunday will dictate what type of plays both teams will have. Base on the forecast, most likely, it will be a running game for both.
January 13th, 2022 at 9:54 am
This is from Warren Sharp of The Sporting News from 2015 :
Tom Brady is 14-1 since 2007 in games he started that had significant precipitation.
Of course this was right after Deflategate , so a little under inflation can go a long way?
Receiving punts in wet and windy weather is a mighty task.
January 13th, 2022 at 10:47 am
From yesterday: “FOX analyst Greg Olsen, the retired Panthers and Bears tight end, told NBC Sports Philadelphia that the Eagles need to find the right mentality in a hurry because they’re “mental hurdle” will be massive.”
And now this: “Yeah, he’s been showering the Eagles with love all week, saying their a much improved team and an offense loaded with speed.”
You’ve set the bar very high Joe, so it’s understandable that you won’t always be able to meet your own standards, but PLEASE make every effort to ensure that these errors do not make it to publication. It pains me to see these because I love this site so much. I hope that you are able accept this comment as it is intended: a cordial reminder from a dedicated reader who has been here from the beginning. Thank you, and be well.
January 13th, 2022 at 11:00 am
Don’t have to be a good route runner to get the jump on SMB this year
January 13th, 2022 at 11:59 am
What? Did he sign a different secondary this week? What passing team have they stopped?
January 14th, 2022 at 5:32 am
Fast start teddies in the red zone. Defense plays smash mouth control keep hurts in pocket and we need to run more and play some up tempo. I believe the eagles will run up tempo and load the box just for looks while pressing our receivers. That’s why I believe Gronk needs to be out further an Brate and Howard tight at times. We can still run or pass off that. And it allows Gronk to attack their 2nd line or get a 1v1