Philadelphia Eagles GM right about controversial play
The NFL would look ridiculous if it banned something just because it worked.
There was a lot to like about the Philadelphia Eagles as a team in 2022, but the thing that stood out the most was how deadly this offense was in short-yardage situations.
Rather than handing the ball off to a bruiser like Derrick Henry and letting him carry the ball through the line of scrimmage on his shoulders alone, the Eagles took a different, smarter approach.
With one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the NFL and a quarterback as strong as any to play the game, the Eagles were able to put Jalen Hurts under center, get a push at the LOS with the O line, and then let Hurts surge forward with a push from behind by a running back.
Philly didn't even have to hide what they wanted to do. The ball was going to Hurts, and no one was going to be able to stop him with any consistency.
The Eagles built an offense through the draft and free agency that was going to excel in areas like this (amongst others). There is no fault in this.
That is why it is so ridiculous that some discussions have begun regarding the banning of plays like this. What a mistake that would be for the NFL.
Don't want Jalen Hurts to get two yards per carry in short yardage situations? Get bigger at defensive line and linebacker. Build to counter what works. Teams have been trying to do the same thing with defending the pass for the past few years by getting smaller at backer and prioritizing conservative read steps and coverage skills, and the Eagles have merely shifted back against the grain to another offensive strategy.
Again, there is no fault in this, and even Howie Roseman recognizes this:
Roseman is absolutely right. It would be like the NFL banning the Tom Brady sneak prior to this point, another play that also works at an extremely high rate. Should they then ban plays breaking down and sidearmed throws for Patrick Mahomes?
Banning something that breaks the rules is one thing, but this isn't even an example of a team playing fast and loose with the rules. The Eagles don't pull Hurts, they merely push him forward as a complete unit, and that is something that any team in the league could do if it was willing to draft a quarterback like Hurts.
A team being good in a unique area isn't a league issue. If anyone wants this to stop, it falls on the coaches and general managers of the other teams that need to step up their game to stop the perfect combination of roster construction and game planning.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
