Is this 2023 again? Plus, solutions for offensive challenges: Eight Eagles Thoughts
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles returned to practice on Thursday, their first session in December after an extended absence. Players danced to T-Pain's "I'm Sprung" while staying warm in the frigid temperatures.
The sky, high above their heads, was not yet falling.
"To be quite frank," Nick Sirianni said, "the best thing to do is block everything out."
Even these Eight Eagles Thoughts? Let's get to them as the Eagles prepare for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers...
- Is this 2023 again? That's a question that's emerged recently, and it's understandable. The Eagles had a fast start, high-profile wins, and then two demoralizing defeats. The 2023 season had an embattled coordinator leading into a Monday Night Football game on the West Coast. But this isn't 2023.
The Eagles are better defensively this year, and they have an elite coordinator. While Jalen Carter's injury is a concern, the defense hasn't collapsed. If the offense is underperforming, it's well-founded, but the talent is there. The passing game flipped last December, and the offense can do the same this year. The 2023 season seemed hopeless by mid-December, but the Eagles are determined to avoid organizational hubris and learn from their past mistakes.
- If there were an obvious fix for the offense, it would have happened by now. Change isn't for change's sake. Unless the Eagles felt someone on staff could outperform Kevin Patullo, a demotion might be more of a scapegoat than a solution. The focus should be on what the Eagles do well and leveraging that.
Two quick changes could be increasing the tempo and better incorporating Jalen Hurts in the running game. The Eagles believe they're best in tempo, and Hurts' mobility can provide sparks when needed.
Questions arise about Kevin Patullo's play-calling from the coaching booth. Patullo has been on the sideline throughout his tenure, so it's not a new perspective. The Eagles have never had a play caller in the booth, and it's worth considering the benefits of a different viewpoint.
The "tush push" play has been a topic of discussion. Hurts expressed frustration with its execution, and officials struggle with forward progress calls. The play hasn't been as automatic as before, and opponents are trying to strip the ball from Hurts' grasp.
With Jihaad Campbell losing playing time and Drew Mukuba sidelined, the Eagles didn't get any rookie snaps in the last game. This doesn't make the draft class look bad; it's too early to judge. The class will develop, and some patience is required.
Dane Brugler's mock draft projects the Eagles to take Penn State offensive lineman Vega Iaone at No. 22 overall. Adding an athletic mauler would help, but the Eagles need to address the offensive line in the first two rounds.
Willie Lampkin won't be activated this season, reverting to injured reserve. The Eagles are using injured reserve to develop rookie linemen, a sensible strategy.
The decision to let Mekhi Becton leave in free agency resurfaces as he faces the Eagles this week. The Eagles miss his run blocking, but they needed a cost-controlled rookie contract. They invested in Tyler Steen's development, and defections are part of the Super Bowl team's reality.
