Andy Benoit wrote an Eagles preview for MMQB. I have some mixed feelings on the piece. He says some nice things about the team, but also takes some shots and has some odd comments.
The Eagles spent all offseason talking about a quarterback competition, but with this scheme’s heavy dose of read-option concepts (including on pass plays) and rolled pockets, the immobile Nick Foles simply can’t work.
Foles has run effectively in the preseason and the offense moved the ball with him at QB.
To answer this call, 38-year-old general manager Howie Roseman drafted Lane Johnson fourth overall.
Why mention Howie’s age? Comes across as a dig at Howie.
Also in the mix is veteran Felix Jones, whose raw downhill explosiveness in space could fit this system well.
When the heck was that written?
All the debate about the team’s decision to keep the athletic Cooper around has created the false notion that the fourth-year pro is something of a rising star. In reality, Cooper has averaged just 226 receiving yards per year in his career. He has the innate physical gifts to be a viable contributor, but there’s a reason he wasn’t considered for more than a No. 5 spot prior to all the injuries.
Who has tried to sell Cooper as a rising star? And how does Benoit know that Cooper was going to be behind Benn and Avant? Chip Kelly may have thought Cooper was going to be the #3 WR even back then. Cooper just happens to fit Kelly’s scheme well. A big part of that is his blocking, which is important in a run-based offense. That has nothing to do with being a star. Just a good fit.
The situation at safety is just as bad. Hard-hitting Patrick Chung has never been a mentally sharp pass defender. His running mate, Kenny Phillips, has scintillating talent but chronic knee problems.
Phillips hasn’t been a projected starter in his time in Philly. Again, when was this written? Benoit ripped on Nate Allen and the other Safeties. That’s fine. They are wide open to criticism.
Benoit is a good writer and football mind, but he just made some odd comments in the preview. This could simply be a case where in trying to cover all 32 teams he’s not an expert on any of them.
