Foles & play action, 2013 & 2014

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  • #26035
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    from off the net

    ==

    Prometheus Faulk

    The Eagles offensive line as constituted in 2013 was a better run blocking line than a pass blocking line. That doesn’t mean they were a bad unit, on the contrary I think they were an exceptional unit. It’s just that they were exceptional at run blocking, and McCoy being an exceptional back, took advantage of what was blocked, which made opposing defenses extremely concerned with him and made life easier for Foles on the play fakes, which constituted 30 percent (give or take) of his attempts.

    When these linemen got hurt and/or suspended in 2014, it wasn’t a drop off in pass pro that suffered, but the run blocking took a hit, plus McCoy was playing hurt, so the run game in general suffered. Teams weren’t as concerned with the run game so the play fakes were less successful.

    #26036
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    The Eagles offensive line as constituted in 2013 was a better run blocking line than a pass blocking line. That doesn’t mean they were a bad unit, on the contrary I think they were an exceptional unit. It’s just that they were exceptional at run blocking, and McCoy being an exceptional back, took advantage of what was blocked, which made opposing defenses extremely concerned with him and made life easier for Foles on the play fakes, which constituted 30 percent (give or take) of his attempts.

    When these linemen got hurt and/or suspended in 2014, it wasn’t a drop off in pass pro that suffered, but the run blocking took a hit, plus McCoy was playing hurt, so the run game in general suffered. Teams weren’t as concerned with the run game so the play fakes were less successful.

    To drive this home. ‘

    In 2014, Foles had the highest percentage of play action passes thrown of any qb (32.3%). BUT his qb rating on PA passes was ranked 26th and his YPA on PA passes was ranked 25th.

    In 2013, he was third in percentage of play action passes thrown (32.7%) AND his qb rating on PA passes was ranked 2nd and his YPA on PA passes was also ranked 2nd.

    Meanwhile, in 2014 the Eagles were 15th in YPA rushing; in 2013, they were 1st.

    #26039
    Mackeyser
    Moderator

    I don’t think that point can be driven home hard enough.

    If our OL RUN blocks well, which should be about 50% of the play calls, then you have the Play Action passes which I presume is 33% of the remaining 50%, thus 17% rounding up, then optimistically, the amount of Run or Run Affected blocking is in effect 67% of the time.

    That leaves only 33% of snaps where an opposing D can expect to be able to purely get off and rush. Combine that with the uncertainty of down, distance and situational football and it makes it hard for a defense to really pin their ears back.

    THIS PLAN CAN BE DEVASTATING. As the Eagles proved in 2013.

    The KEY is the RUN BLOCKING of the OL. If the OL blocks well and the D has to focus on the run essentially 67% of the time knowing that a run play typically gains near 5 ypa and they have to play COMMITTED run D because big gains are a very real possibility (hence the NEED for a RB like Gurley), then the OL will face a DL that won’t have the same “get off” that DLs do when facing pass happy teams. That will allow rookies and less than all-pros to play effectively within the confines of a relatively simple system because the focus will be on execution.

    Again, we saw that in how they drafted. They chose guys who showed that they knew how to execute, especially Havenstein who led the way on most of Gordon’s big runs at Wisconsin AND was extremely effective in pass pro only having one holding penalty all year and giving up zero sacks.

    • This reply was modified 9 years, 5 months ago by Mackeyser.

    Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.

    #26042
    Avatar photoAgamemnon
    Participant

    I thought it was no holding penalties and one sack. Then I might be having another senior moment?
    http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2015/5/1/8514693/nfl-draft-2015-scouting-report-rob-havenstein-wisconsin

    Havenstein tied a school record with 54 games played, so durability definitely falls under the “strengths” category for the hulking right tackle. Excellent size for an offensive lineman and surprisingly quick feet for a man of said size. NFL.com’s Gil Brandt noted that Havenstein is, “one of those guys who plays a lot faster than his times would indicate.” Something that doesn’t get reported on often, but Havenstein excelled in, is holding calls. Havenstein had zero holds called against him in 2014 and gave up a mere 2.5 sacks.

    Agamemnon

    #26043
    Herzog
    Participant

    I don’t think that point can be driven home hard enough.

    If our OL RUN blocks well, which should be about 50% of the play calls, then you have the Play Action passes which I presume is 33% of the remaining 50%, thus 17% rounding up, then optimistically, the amount of Run or Run Affected blocking is in effect 67% of the time.

    That leaves only 33% of snaps where an opposing D can expect to be able to purely get off and rush. Combine that with the uncertainty of down, distance and situational football and it makes it hard for a defense to really pin their ears back.

    THIS PLAN CAN BE DEVASTATING. As the Eagles proved in 2013.

    The KEY is the RUN BLOCKING of the OL. If the OL blocks well and the D has to focus on the run essentially 67% of the time knowing that a run play typically gains near 5 ypa and they have to play COMMITTED run D because big gains are a very real possibility (hence the NEED for a RB like Gurley), then the OL will face a DL that won’t have the same “get off” that DLs do when facing pass happy teams. That will allow rookies and less than all-pros to play effectively within the confines of a relatively simple system because the focus will be on execution.

    Again, we saw that in how they drafted. They chose guys who showed that they knew how to execute, especially Havenstein who led the way on most of Gordon’s big runs at Wisconsin AND was extremely effective in pass pro only having one holding penalty all year and giving up zero sacks.

    I like it. This whole plan hinges on a very effective running game.

    Yeah I like it.

    #26051
    Mackeyser
    Moderator

    You’re right, Ag. I got them switched.

    Even better. Even one holding penalty can lose a game for ya.

    Sports is the crucible of human virtue. The distillate remains are human vice.

    #26056
    Avatar photozn
    Moderator

    That leaves only 33% of snaps where an opposing D can expect to be able to purely get off and rush. Combine that with the uncertainty of down, distance and situational football and it makes it hard for a defense to really pin their ears back.

    It being understood of course that if you mix plays up shrewdly, then, you are not as often OBVIOUSLY in that situation where it’s a non-PA pass. That is, the times when the D knows it can tee off get lessened. You just up and throw on them in situations where it’s not clear you will.

    And of course another aspect of a PA offense is that (ideally, when it’s working) you can better stay out of 3rd and long.

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