Offensive boss Groh struggling in Reich’s shadow
PHILADELPHIA >> Frank Reich did many things as offensive coordinator of the Eagles, most of them well.
The confidant to Doug Pederson brought the best out of the head coach as well as quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Nick Foles. The Eagles rolled to their first Super Bowl title, Foles matching the GOAT, Tom Brady, score for score and then some.
Now the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Reich has resurrected the career of quarterback Andrew Luck. When once it was feared Luck would never be himself after serious shoulder surgery, he’s evolved into an MVP candidate.
Meanwhile, Mike Groh, the rookie replacement for Reich, has taken the flack for the shortcomings of an Eagles offense that tallied just one touchdown this past weekend, the low in point production in the Pederson era. And Groh doesn’t call the plays, Pederson does.
Eagles Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz, who ranks third in the NFL with 77 receptions, thinks the criticism of Groh is overstated. Asked if the loss of Reich was the difference in the offensive ineptitude, Ertz went off on a rant.
He praised Reich effusively for the job he did with the Eagles. Ertz called Reich one of the favorite coaches he’s ever played for.
“But we didn’t reinvent the wheel by any means,” Ertz said. “It’s not like we frigging just said we’re going to a completely different offense. The scheme is the same, the players are pretty much the same. The execution is what’s lacking. I put it moreso on us than anyone else, myself in particular. (We’ve) just got to try to be better.
“I wouldn’t say it’s coaching. I wouldn’t say it’s scheme. I would say we’re just not executing. One guy here, one guy there, overall leads to poor execution.”
Groh avoided the same question at his press availability Tuesday.
“I’ll let everybody else make that evaluation,” Groh said. “But I’m certainly excited for Frank and the success that they’re having in Indy.
“We haven’t gotten the production we want. Everybody has talked about it. It’s documented. We haven’t gotten off to the starts that we want in the games and we haven’t been as efficient in the red zone as we were. Everybody compares us to last year. Every season is new. Every team is different. Right now, we all know that we have to do better. If the season is going to turn around, then we’ve got to get these things fixed.”
If you’re looking for reasons to hate Groh, add his remarks about newly acquired wide receiver Golden Tate. Groh was being honest mentioning that it was “challenging” incorporating Tate in the offense this late in the season. Tate, too, spoke of that ad nauseum after joining the Eagles.
“I don’t know if it’s been more difficult but it’s been challenging to integrate him,” Groh said. “Certainly, with the way that we weren’t able to stay on the field the other day and finding your rhythm to the offense, that part of it, then everything becomes a little bit disjointed. If we can do a better job of staying on the field and having drives, then everybody gets more involved in the offense.”
While that didn’t appear directed at the front office, the trade for Tate was a puzzler in that the Eagles already had a third down receiver who knew the offense in Jordan Matthews. They also had a slot receiver in Nelson Agholor. And what happened to Alshon Jeffery?
Fair or not, Groh will be compared to Reich, who guided the talentless Colts to a 5-5 record, topping the 4-7 slate of the Eagles. Additionally, Luck’s 29 touchdown passes are second only to Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown a league-leading 37.
To Ertz, it’s a case of paralysis by over-analysis. The Saints setback was the exception, not the rule.
“I’m not going to stare at this loss or over-analyze it,” Ertz said. “I’m just going to chalk it up to a bad day at the office. We can’t let that game define us, by any means. Obviously, it was a very difficult loss, a very difficult game to play in. But at the same time, we’ve got to flush it and move on.”