The Eagles went into Atlanta Sunday night looking to improve their record to 2-0. One question entering the Sunday night duel was how would the Eagles’ offensive line continue to progress and protect Michael Vick.
Because of the lockout-shortened off-season the Eagles O-line is forced to learn on the fly as the season advances. In the Birds second test the Eagles offensive line played good but not great. Although the Falcons’ defense did not register a sack, Michael Vick was hit hard on several occasions including one in the 4th quarter that knocked him out of the game with a concussion.
It would be easy to blame the offensive line for why Vick was hit and injured in the game. Vick has displayed thus far that while he one of the most dynamic players in the NFL however he has to improve getting the ball out of his hand and diagnosing pressure. I know he got hurt on a block which LeSean McCoy missed, but he’s getting hit too much on nearly every play.
Left offensive tackle Jason Peters was one of the highlights of the Eagles offensive performance and he showed why he was worth giving up a first round pick for in 2008. Peters’, the Eagles best offensive linemen, night was highlighted on Jeremy Maclin’s second touchdown of the night when Maclin took a quick hit pass and Peters threw a touchdown springing block 15 yards down field on Atlanta defensive back James Sanders.
You need to point out that he was late while pulling down the line of scrimmage on the trap play which wound up getting Michael Vick hit and Edwards returning the ball deep into Eagles territory. Peters has to get there sooner or the Eagles can’t run this play.
Peters was dominant in his performance for most of the rest of the game and remember that he was playing on a sore ankle and Achilles tendon. Still I think Peters need to improve so he can be more consistent.
We need to also to single out the performance of right tackle Todd Herremans. You didn’t hear much about Falcons defensive end John Abraham and Ray Edwards last night and that was because of the job Herremans was doing on him when they came his side. He was slamming Abraham to the ground at the moment when his shoulder pads came in contact with Michael Vick’s head.
Herremans was also highlighted while running Abraham inside and past Vick. Abraham had tried an inside move so Herremans obliged him and ran him past the play.
Left guard Evan Mathis was manhandled a time or two. He was overpowered and run into the backfield a few times which allowed the Falcons to get a number of hits on Vick while he was in the pocket. In fairness, Mathis also did a stand out job on a number of blocks, where he overpowered a defensive tackle to open up room for the Eagles running game.
The rookie Jason Kelce did a good job as both a run and pass blocker. A number of times, it seemed that the snap was either a bit early or a bit late but that was because of the fact that they were playing in the dome. He’ll do nothing but get better as the season goes along. He was dominated a few other times, when the nose tackle Peria Jerry beat him and slammed Vick to the ground.
Protecting Vick was not the only facet in which the line contributed. They also aided LeSean McCoy to rush 19 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns. While their were rushes where McCoy channeled his inner Brian Westbrook by turning three losses into five-yard gains. On other occasions, there were several carries that Shady had gaping holes to run through.
The offensive line was also impressive in protecting Mike Kafka after Vick was forced to exit the game. The Falcons came with a heavy dose of blitzes to try to rattle the second-year quarterback seeing his first career action. The offensive line was up to the challenge doing an adequate job in the blitz pick up. Kafka was able to help the line out by making quick decisions and hitting his check downs.
The Eagles next test will come in their home opener against division rival New York Giants. The Giants strong point of their defense is their defensive line so the Birds offensive line will have their work cut out for them next week. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles offensive line will progress next week especially with questions at quarterback.
duh, what else would you expect?
unknowns/weaknesses can improve
Vick: 38 called passes….6 scrambles and 4 sacks. One sack or scramble for every 4 called passes.
Kafka: 10 called passes. 1 scramble. 0 sacks. One sack or scramble for every 10 called passes.
Keep putting it on the Oline.
Kafka: 10 called passes. 1 scramble. 0 sacks. One sack or scramble for every 10 called passes.
Keep putting it on the Oline.
VV – i thought vick was NOT sacked last night… was he sacked? Stats on NFL.com say no – birds also rushed for 133 and had 447 yards total O –
So the team is avergaing well over 100+ yards in rushing, 30+ points per game, 400+ yards of offense a game – and our OL is just improving –
Wow – can’t wait to see this group when December rolls around!
On a side note funny only to me – Danny Watkins should NOT sit on the water cooler
Vinnie, not sure what you are trying to say. But Kafka and Vick were given totally different plays. If you give Kafka the same plays as Vick, he would be sacked just as much if not more.
PCrow, don’t pay vinnie any attention. He’s been a hater since Vick joined the team. So he will always go out of his way to make Vick look bad. I guess he didn’t see how many of Kafka’s passes where to the WRs behind the line of scrimmage. He got in the game and Andy had to go conservative. And he’s comparing a set of 10 plays to almost 40. That’s stupid in itself. Kafka plays the entire game, we get blown out, easily. Vinnie is still bitter that Andy shipped his boyfriend out of town.
In regards, to the article, I don’t have any complaints about the o-line yesterday. They played pretty well for the most part. Cannot be perfect in the NFL but they held their own. Let’s hope they continue to progress.
I did think the play calling went very conservative for Kafka – no worries he needed to warm up – didn’t like the reverse to Jackson – would have kept McCoy running – he was averaging about 5 a pop
Wheres DCAR the moron?
we’re gonna be fine, all around.
weve shined in the season, whether it be early, middle, or late
our time to shine is down the stretch and in the postseason
everything else weve accomplished
were elite and good all around, lets just get healthy and tally the Ws
last night was shaky on the roller coaster ride that is the season, but there wont be many drops on this ride (no pun intended maclin)
Birdo, GFY! You are the only moron on here. I work for a living & have a life. I don’t live on GCobb.com. Your a loser, just like your boyfriends on here. Go back in Andy’s colon, @$$ miner!
Oh but wait, the o-line got abused….they sucked…..they’re no good!!! Right? Right you moron?
Learn football.
I bet what I do for a living puts what you do for a living to shame. I can just tell by your football IQ that you don’t have the mental capacity to have a job higher than soda pourer at the local Mickey D’s.
Birdo, keep talking! Your classlessness, ignorance, stupidity & condescending comments are shining through brightly! You don’t know me & have no clue who I am, or what I do. I don’t brag on myself, because none of that is your business, or anyone else’s. This is sports talk. Shine bright loser, shine bright! Remember one thing, God don’t like ugly & karma is a bitch, my friend! BTW, get a new eye Doctor. Have a nice day Birdless!