Philadelphia Eagles set to crash in 2011

After a successful 2010 campaign and reincarnation of Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles spent big in the offseason to acquire the league’s most talented roster. But 11 weeks in, they are at the edging the bottom of their division with only four wins.

Despite losing starting quarterback Michel Vick to broken ribs for their week 11 clash with division rivals, the New York Giants, the Eagles avoided embarrassment courtesy of some Vince Young magic in the dying stages of the game with the go-ahead touchdown to bring the Eagles to 4-6.

Through the acquisitions of DE Jason Babin, DT Cullen Jenkins, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, WR Steve Smith and QB Vince Young in the offseason, the Eagles gained two Superbowl winners and nine Pro-bowlers. All have come into the team but none with as much success as their previous teams.

Staring down the barrel of last place in their division for the first time since 2007 (8-8), head coach Andy Reid will be coaching the remainder of the season with heavy scrutiny. Since Reid took the reins of the Eagles, he has guided them to seven division wins, eleven playoff appearances and one elusive Superbowl loss.

Having busted the Eagles bank account with the signings of Michael Vick (six years, $100m), Nnamdi Asomugha (five years, $60m), Jason Babin (five years, $28m) and Cullen Jenkins (five years, $25m), the star-studded Eagles roster had been tipped by most experts as a top four team in the league.

Most analysts have singled out defensive chemistry as the sole weakness but their offence must not be overrated. Although appearing as good as ever, that is their problem.

Michael Vick’s honeymoon period is over. He has not delivered the same productivity which gave the franchise complete confidence to trade away backup QB Kevin Kolb.

Statistically, Vick has delivered similar numbers as last season with the exception of a decrease in touchdowns from 21-6 to 11-11. In the pocket, Vick’s offensive line has decreased his average times sacked per game from 2.8 to 1.7.

Vick’s running game has decreased significantly in the red zone. Rushing for nine touchdowns in 2010, Vick is yet to register a rushing touchdown this season. This has led to an increase of activity in RB Lesean McCoy who is in All-Pro form. From averaging 72 yards and .46 touchdowns per game in 2010, McCoy has stepped up to average 101 yards for .9 touchdowns per game.

Of the receiving core, WR DeSean Jackson averaged 3.36 receptions for 75.43 yards per game in 2010 for a slight decrease to 3.86 receptions for 65.37 yards.

WR Jeremy Maclin averaged 4.37 receptions for 60.25 yards per game in 2010 for an increase to 5.1 receptions and 68 yards per game.

WR Jason Avant averaged 3.19 receptions for 35.81 yards per game in 2010 increasing to 3.50 receptions for 44.70 yards per game.

TE Brent Celek has increased from 2.63 receptions for 31.94 yards per game to 3.70 receptions for 38.20 yards per game in 2011.

The second ranked offence in 2010, the Eagles averaged 389.4 yards per game increasing that to 415.5 yards per game as the third ranked offence after ten games. Slightly increasing their third down conversion rate from 40% to 44%, the Eagles offensive problems lie not amongst individual statistics.

Marty Mornhinweg has held the Offensive Coordinator position in Philadelphia since 2006 with sustained success. Here lies the problem for the Eagles.

Offensive play calling in Philadelphia has become stale. Glancing over the comparisons for the Eagles receiving core between their 2010 output and 2011, the statistics are eerily similar which has been reflected in their game day performance.

The Eagles offence has become too predictable and a lack of innovation has led to an increase in interceptions and passes deflected.

The same receivers are running the same routes and a breakdown of game film is giving Eagles opponents a greater edge than themselves. This was highlighted by their week 10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals when Eagle-turned-Cardinal QB Kevin Kolb called out Eagles offensive plays from the sideline to his defence.

Arizona won the game 21-17 with a second year backup QB selected in the fifth round, John Skelton.

The staleness of the Eagles offence was further illustrated on Sunday night when backup QB Vince Young utilised different receiver sets to connect with WR Riley Cooper and WR Steve Smith for their first touchdowns of the year.

In his first year as defensive coordinator after 13 as the team’s offensive line coach, Juan Castillo can be forgiven for taking time to gel the newly bought together defence. The 12th ranked defence in the league, they should be higher, but remain respectable.

Defensive chemistry will come but with six games left in the season and the Eagles needing to win all to make the playoffs, the time is near to try something new. By season’s end, Marty Mornhinweg will have coordinated this offence for six seasons which is too long not to be clouded by judgement from yesteryear.

The Philadelphia Eagles are Andy Reid’s franchise. As Vice-President of Operations alongside his head coach role, he will be given another chance regardless of where the Eagles finish.

The time has come for Marty Mornhinweg to commence his transition out of the Eagles coaching circle. In his five years of offensive play calling, the Philadelphia Eagles have made the playoffs four times, and the year they did not, they finished with eight wins.

Mornhinweg will be a leading candidate for any available head coach positions across the league to his delight and that of the Eagles.