Eagles '09: Old Game Plan Dog Needs New Wrinkles, Not Tricks

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

On paper, this year’s Philadelphia Eagles have improved and many are calling them the NFC favorites. That and a dollar will buy you a double cheeseburger at McDonald’s.

How the Eagles handle their new personnel and how that will affect their playbook is another story. Even May mini-camp doesn’t provide much insight.

Sure, it’s good to see the players on the field in helmets (and shorts) but it’s hard to gather much from a spring practice session with less contact than a Memorial Day sale at Old Navy.

Even Lorenzo Booker’s impressive mini-camp to NFC Championship game deactivation in 2008 won’t stop anyone from envisioning what those changes might look like in September. Here’s how the 2009 Eagles could differ from last year’s version:

On Offense: More (Effective) Running

“We’re striving to lead the league in rushing this year,” said head coach Andy Reid when asked about the 2009 running game earlier this year.

He was joking.

Although the offseason additions to the offensive line (Stacy Andrews and Jason Peters), at fullback (Leonard Weaver) and in the draft (LeSean McCoy) sure make them look serious about improving the running game. A healthy Brian Westbrook and Shawn Andrews won’t hurt either.

With the additions, it’s possible the Eagles will be more effective running the ball but it doesn’t guarantee the team will run more often. This is Andy Reid’s offense even if Marty Mornhinweg is the offensive coordinator, let’s not forget.

The Eagles should find a reason to use new fullback Weaver, though. And that might be the key to resurrecting some pretty abysmal offensive numbers wrapped around an impressive 416-point season:

·         Red Zone Effectiveness: 31 TDs in 63 trips

·         Goal-to-Go Effectiveness: 68% TDs

·         Third/Fourth-and-One Conversions: 50%

In 2008, the Eagles got little from their fullbacks. The position delivered 28 carries for 88 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and 12 receptions for 78 yards (6.5 yards per carry).

While Weaver’s numbers in Seattle were not amazing, they were enough to give hope for improvement. With 30 carries for 130 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 20 receptions for 222 yards (11.1 yards per reception) in 14 games, Weaver delivered 3.6 touches per game and 25.1 yards per game.

It’s not that the Eagles have a weapon here in Weaver, who was sold by his agent as a fullback with running ability, but he gives them something the opposition has to at least think about.

The Eagles need to spend a considerable amount of time addressing their lack of success in the Red Zone and on third-and-short. Adding plays designed to utilize their larger offensive line and the 250 lbs Weaver seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?

Maybe the confidence that Weaver should bring to the position will get him utilized more. Philadelphia didn’t use a fullback on third-and-one until Week 13. That was Kyle Eckel who ended up being four for four on third-and-one the rest of the year.

Expecting the Eagles to become a running, smash-mouth team over the course of one offseason is silly. Expecting them to utilize the new pieces available to them to improve their effectiveness the 40-45% of the time they do run, is a different story.

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