Brown’s presence opens up new era for Eagles’ offense
PHILADELPHIA » The muchanticipated debut of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown Friday was quietly sensational judging by the results.
First and foremost, it marked the rollout of Nick Sirianni’s new passing game, which we all expected to see at some point because it took first and thirdround draft picks, plus a four-year $100 million contract to bring Brown here. We just didn’t expect it this soon.
Brown’s entrance was like no other, many believing the Eagles would go up top to him on the first play as they did with Terrell Owens in the 2004 preseason. That was the last time they had a proven difference maker at wide receiver.
Instead, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed all six pass attempts on the one and only series for the starters against the New York Jets, but none of them went to Brown. It was that kind of evening at Lincoln Financial Field, one in which the fans were doing the wave in the third quarter.
But back to Brown. What is a bit misleading is that some of those Hurts completions, including the sixth, a 22-yard scoring reception by tight end Dallas Goedert, likely wouldn’t have happened had Brown not drawn the defense to him. Brown was in the end zone clearing the area for Goedert, who leaped for the pass then pinballed his way in for the points.
The forward pass was a timely unveiling for an Eagles team that for the most
part scrapped its aerial attack last year to run the football.
The new era of Eagles offense began immediately. With Brown lined up wide to the left, Hurts rolled to his right and found Quez Watkins for 28 yards on first down.
Running back Miles Sanders, who has shown little promise as a receiver, grabbed a short throw and gained a dozen yards. Sanders later would get eight yards on a screen pass.
Watkins (five yards) and tight end Jack Stoll (five
yards) also caught passes, setting up what appeared to be a 12-yard scoring scramble up the middle by Hurts. Brown helped clear out space, there, as well.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, Jordan Mailata’s hold wiped out the TD although that was a shortterm issual as Hurts found Goedert.
All the Eagles’ eligible receivers caught a pass on that first series except for Brown and Jalen Reagor, the latter starting in place of DeVonta Smith, out with a groin injury. There wasn’t a planned run on
the possession.
It was a very good series for rookie center Cam Jurgens, the second round pick out of Nebraska. He held his own against the Jets. Sua Opeta, who replaced left guard Landon Dickerson (sore foot), also was effective.
Defensively linebacker Kyzir White made his presence felt returning an interception of Zach Wilson 27 yards to the 20-yard line of the Jets on the Jets’ first possession.
It set up a one-yard scoring run by Jason Huntley, who took the handoff from
Gardner Minshew, giving the Eagles a 14-0 lead. Nick Sirianni okayed the run on fourth-and-goal.
But it was much more about Hurts and what could be an exciting offense for the Eagles this season.
Now, in all fairness the Jets’ defense doesn’t evoke members of the New York Sack Exchange with Joe Delco, who starred at St. James High and at Temple University. The unit still is a work in progress.
The flip side was the opening seven-play, 80yard scoring drive also brought to light the “reality” of Hurts.
On third-and-five at the 35-yard line of the Jets, Hurts looked right and left, burst out of the pocket and turned up field. Though Hurts veered out of bounds, 230-pound linebacker Quincy Williams crashed into him out of bounds, the high and hard hit drawing a penalty that infuriated Sirianni. Clearly the Eagles’ head coach wanted Williams ejected.
Hurts was talking about his running ability just the other day.
“I think it’s my reality,” Hurts said. “I know I’m a quarterback that I can run, and I can throw it, too. At every level I’ve done both at a high level. It’s just for me about taking steps in every area of my game and growing in every area of my game. So, that’s who I am as a player. That’s what makes me who I am, being dynamic on the field, being feared at both ends.
Hurts rushed for a teamhigh 10 touchdowns last season. He ran just once more Friday after that shot from Williams, and that was when the entire middle of the field was open.
To get to where the Eagles want to go this season, they’re going to need Hurts to get the ball to their play-makers. One hit can be all it takes to send them back to stone age football.
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson exited in the first half with a knee after making a sharp cut trying to avoid Nakobe Dean during a scramble.