Additions of Suh and Joseph look to be another great move by Eagles GM Roseman
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Howie Roseman had a terrific offseason in reshaping the Eagles and now the general manager has continued his winning ways during the season.
After the Eagles suffered their first loss of the year, a 32-21 Monday night defeat to the visiting Washington Commanders, there was panic in the air among the fans.
Sure, Washington ran all over the Eagles and also took advantage of four turnovers to pull the upset win.
The Commanders rushed for 152 yards on 49 carries. Never mind that it came out to a paltry, 3.1 yards per carry, they held a whopping time of possessions edge. Washington had the ball for 40:24 compared to 19:36 for the Eagles.
So the narrative was out there – beat the Eagles by pounding the ball.
There was some truth to that. Not just in that game, but in others, the Eagles were having trouble consistently stopping the run, so what did Roseman do?
There was some truth to that. Not just in that game, but in others, the Eagles were having trouble consistently stopping the run, so what did Roseman do?
He signed two defensive linemen who hadn’t played all year but were long-time standouts in the NFL, Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh, who are 34 and 35 respectively.
Most figured it couldn’t hurt, but the thought was that both may not have much left.
While final conclusions can’t be drawn on one game, both defensive linemen gave much more than expected in their Eagles debuts during Sunday’s 17-16 comeback win at Indianapolis.
Remember, each was with the Eagles for only a few days. In Suh’s case, he had one practice with the team.
Joseph contributed four tackles and half a sack. Suh had three tackles and a half-sack. The half-sack came when both combined to sack Colts quarterback Matt Ryan.
Suh was in for 17 plays, or 26 percent of the Eagles defensive snaps. Joseph was in on 26 plays or 40 percent of the snaps.
For two players who hadn’t played or even practiced all year, it was an incredible showing.
Indianapolis rushed for just 99 yards on 26 carries, for just a 3.8 yards per carry average. Last year’s NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor, the pride of Salem High School, was limited to 84 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, also a 3.8 average.
Sure Jalen Hurts rightly received a ton of praise for engineering the comeback win, one in which the Eagles trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter.
NFL teams still haven’t figured out Hurts’ running, which has also aided him in the passing game. Teams can’t fully rush Hurts, knowing he can escape the rush and run for a big gain.
He rushed for 86 yards (5.4 avg.) and the winning 7-yard touchdown run up the middle with 1:20 left.
Hurts also had a fine day passing, even if it wasn’t flashy. He was 18 for 25 for 190 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions and had an excellent 107.1 passer rating.
It was the sixth time this season that he has a passer rating of above 100. Hurts also have eight rushing touchdowns, as he continues to refine his all-around quarterbacking skills.
While some may suggest that the Eagles shouldn’t have had to make a comeback against a mediocre Colts team, Hurts and the Birds will gain confidence, knowing that they are capable of winning, even in games where maybe they didn’t play their best.
It says here that the comeback might not have been made possible without the contributions of Suh and Joseph, two players who at least for one game, upgraded a weakness and made it a strength.
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Photo Courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles
Author: Marc Narducci
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