Red Zone Issues - Not on Reid or Vick

[McNabb2Maclin]

Ima preface this by saying I want Reid and Vick gone and a new start as much as any of y'all. However, the struggles we have had in the Red Zone are not on them.

I've seen a lot of people blaming the Red Zone struggles on Reid's playcalling or Vick's deficiencies, but IMO, that is simply not the case. It's the personnel.

We, even when healthy, did not have a mauling offensive line that could be counted on to actually generate push on traditional running plays. Our receiving options are subpar at best. Desean, while playing at a whole new level this season, is simply not a respectable threat in the Red Zone. He isn't going to beat a CB in press coverage, hes not going to out-physical a CB on a slant, hes not gonna be able to shield the CB on his back in the middle of the field. Maclin suffers from the same problems, but he lacks even the quickness and athletic ability that Desean atleast offers. Last nights play following the fumble recovery on ST is a perfect example. Vick made a decent throw to get the ball over the linebacker, and Maclin showcases his 5 inch vertical and fails to bring in the ball. Thats a play that noone on our roster is capable of making, but pretty much any #1 or #2 receiver makes. Celek is a solid player but he isnt gonna create any separation in tight spaces unless the play design does it for him, which is much more difficult to do in the red zone.

Looking at the top 10 teams in the league in Red Zone efficiency (TD Percentage) this year:

1) New Orleans : Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston
2) Denver : Demaryous Thomas, Eric Decker
3) Green Bay : Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley (he's a bit iffy)
4) Tampa Bay : Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams
5) New England : Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez
6) Baltimore : a bit of an exception, but they have a great O-Line and running game
7) San Francisco : Vernon Davis, best OLine in the game bar none
Detroit : Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Sheffler
9) Carolina : Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, mostly just Cam Newton
10) Houston : Amazing running game, Andre Johnson

Looking at that list, we dont have a single receiving threat on our team on the same level as Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Demaryous Thomas, Eric Decker, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley, Vincent Jackson, Mike Williams, Gronk, hernandez, Vernon Davis, Calvin Johnson, or Andre Johnson in general NOR in terms of redzone production/ability.

The only teams that don't have one of the listed names above are Baltimore and Carolina. Baltimore has got a great O-Line, and Carolina has got Cam Newton, who despite his passing troubles this year, is on a different level than the rest of the planet in terms of short yardage runs. Even they have Greg Olson who is a better redzone threat than anyone on our roster.

Basically, dont expect our redzone troubles to get any better this year, or if Reid is fired, or if the playcalling changes, or if Vick is benched in favor of Foles because the issue stems from an inherent lack of talent on the offensive side.
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[EaglesFan5-36-81]

Reid drafts and decides what schemes are run at least offensively, therefore he is responsible.
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[Blahman88]

It's on Reid, scheme, drafting and the like
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^Officially endorsed by Jon Dorenbos

[Phire]

Maclin had 7 redzone TDs a few years ago.
It's execution, IMO.
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[Blahman88]

Should have drafted Virgil Green
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^Officially endorsed by Jon Dorenbos

[Phire]

And by the way, we lost 4 of 5 projected starters at the line. If we had our full line including Peter this year we'd be able to punch it in behind him this year.

This team is never healthy at O-line and has plagued us for a long time.
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[Bednarik60]

[Phire]

[Jroc04]

I caught a very brief exchange on the radio with Ike and Mike on WIP and they eluded to Roseman being responsible for the 2010-2011 draft. I don't know what kind of water that holds but I found it very interesting.

And they noted that Howie signed a 3 or 4 year extension at the beginning to this year. Which would make it difficult for us to land a big name head coach, if in fact Reid gets canned. Being so that a head coach of that substantiality (Cower, Gruden, Payton) would all but NEED to be in agreeance on who would be the GM. If our GM is in place for 4 years it may limit our choices to college coaches or secondary coordinators in the NFL.

Something to think about.
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Kilt sig - 808 avy

[killdawabbit]

Without checking myself, if you looked at the top TD producers in the red zone, I'd be willing to bet the list is dominated by RBs and TEs. The Eagles have Shady, Celek, Havili, and Brown. It's a combination of playcalling and execution.
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[sunnygsm]

Bad redzone personnel even worse play calling.
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^Kempes

[Nabbs4u]

Although I agree with some of your points it comes down to play calling and execution in the end. Do neither well and any team would struggle. You have a RB who had 17 rushing TD last season and you call 2 pass play out of 3 from the 4 YD line? Despite gashing a team for 140+ at that time. You have a QB with the mobility to run boots and draws at will if blocked correctly and has himself rushed for 9 TD in a season. When your OC would rather call gimmick plays numerous times inside the 5 then Run the ball there is a fundamental flaw in his thinking. Say what you will about Colston and Grahams abilities (love to have them) but look at both TD last night. Niether were that special but well executed and block pass plays that almost any team can do if done correctly. Yes having a beast like those you described would help as would 4 of the future HOF QB'S you have listed in the top 5. However put any of them under as much duress as Vick was under last night and if people were honest all season , have the same play calling I doubt things go any different, seriously.
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Bird Watch: LeSean McCoy
GM. 12^ Att. 200^ Avg. 4.2^ Rush yds 840^ TD 2}{Rec 54^ Rec yds 373^ TD 3

[PowerElite]

This team has had redzone TD scoring problems since the days of McNabb. It's a result of the small finesse players and the predictable finesse playcalling. You have to go over the top of and through people to be at your best in the redzone. You can't score TDs at a top rate by consistently attempting to go around people to score TDs in the redzone.

[RainbowCarebear]

Execution and playcalling. But we should go for a physical WR in the draft.
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"Of gold and silver and gemstones, it had none; bronze and iron were the metals of winter"
"He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you."
"These are northmen, Uncle. The north remembers."

[Phire]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-redzone-videos/09000d5d81bf1897/One-Sunday-57-touchdowns

Every week 9 touchdown.

Barely any team in the NFL "just throws it up to the big, tall guy".

Teams score in the redzone by

a) running back punches it in
b) timing and precision on routes
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