Foles knows there’s plenty of work to do
Eagles QB admits he has to be better on third down ... and first and second, too
PHILADELPHIA » Eagles quarterback Nick Foles wouldn’t divulge specifics, just that his weekly routine involves accomplishing different tasks each and every day so that by game day, he’s ready to roll.
“I write everything on the wall,” Foles said, “so I know what I need to do on that day to be prepared on Sunday.”
Anybody else want to see what was on the last two walls?
In the last two games, the Eagles scored just 10 offensive points, converted only three of 25 third downs and put punter Donnie Jones in harm’s way, making the 37-yearold veteran punt 15 times. That’s three more punts than in the previous four games.
If third down was on that wall, it was erroneously checked. The Eagles know they’re putting themselves in difficult situations by getting behind schedule on first and second downs. It wasn’t that much different when Carson Wentz was healthy. Wentz just converted third downs better than anyone in the league.
“Third down and long, we still have to execute and make plays happen and make smart decisions,” Foles said. “Put the ball in play and give guys an opportunity to make the first down. But absolutely first and second down are huge. And we’re obviously working on that.”
Timing with receivers remains an adventure for Foles. Too often the big guy lets the ball go after the target gets open, creating an awkward incompletion and suggesting a lack of trust in the operation. The timing wasn’t there two games ago against Oakland, but it was, the laughable 9.3 passer rating aside, beginning to show up against the Cowboys. Check that box.
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson maintains the Eagles need to run the ball better to get the most of their quarterback, whether it’s Foles or Nate Sudfeld. If the defense doesn’t respect the pass, if if isn’t worried about getting beat deep, it can creep toward the line of scrimmage making it much more difficult to run the ball.
And that takes us to another item that needs to go on Foles’ wall — cadence. Wentz bought his receivers and running backs time varying his cadence. He got the opposition to jump offside, kept it a half-step slow or made it flatfooted simply by varying the calls he barked out. It was like he studied video of Aaron Rodgers.
Foles’ cadence isn’t in the same conversation. Sometimes he doesn’t seem to know when the football is being shotgun snapped. Foles barely survives with his cadence, so don’t check that box. Unfortunately for the Eagles, slowing the defense through timing in the pass or the run game, or by varying the cadence is a weapon the Eagles absolutely need to capitalize on playing at home in the postseason.
If Foles checks just one more of the above boxes, it will give the Eagles a chance to advance in the playoffs. Check one fewer box and he’ll have as much job security as he did in 2013, the last time he started a playoff game.
*** The Eagles were at it again Thursday, working out the stiffness in spite of the snowstorm blanketing the area.
It’s probably better that they did practice. It didn’t seem like there were a lot of flights taking off.
The players get the weekend off, which should enable them to get away from the grind for a few days.
But they’ll never be too far away from TV, where they not only will watch wild card football weekend but get the news and gossip that comes with it.
Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is expected to meet with the New York Giants this weekend for their head coaching vacancy, according to reports. The Cardinals also are said to be interested in Schwartz.
Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo reportedly will interview with the Chicago Bears in the next few days. The Cardinals also are interested in DeFilippo, potentially as a head coach or an offensive coordinator.
“He grinds, he puts us through some stuff, which is awesome,” Foles said of DeFilippo. “He’s a great coach. I know he’s focused on us right now but I also know he’s going to be a great head coach someday. And I’m excited for his opportunity. He’s got a lot of great things on the horizon. He knows that. But he knows the most important thing right now is the current, present time.”
*** Tickets for the Eagles’ divisional playoff game with either the Panthers, Falcons or Saints still are available despite going on sale Thursday.
While there was a high volume of traffic on the Ticketmaster site for playoff tickets, there still were more than 2,200 tickets available Thursday evening.
*** The Eagles have begun signing players to reserve-futures contracts.
The first batch of signees include punter Cameron Johnston, tight end Adam Zaruba, cornerback Elie Bouka and wide receiver Marques Wilson. Johnston is from Australia, Zaruba a converted rugby player from Canada.