How to Fix the Eagles (From a Pats Fan)

Philadelphia is in a rough spot. They are near the bottom of the horrendous NFC East, are embroiled in an unnecessary quarterback controversy they made, and constantly struggle with injuries. Hosting the Korner Booth Podcast with an Eagles fan, every week I get to hear Jared bitch about Doug Pederson and Howie Roseman. Well, I like being a problem solver. Rather than just complain or find one-off solutions, I have a multi-step plan to fix the Eagles. My points will not revolve around the draft, so let’s get that out of the way now. Howie, draft an offensive line, a wide receiver, and a linebacker.

Step One: Fire the Training Staff

Yes, Dougie P has not called plays appropriate to the guys he has available. Yes, Carson Wentz lit it up last year with spare parts, and it’s expected that the Eagles will have a plethora of injuries every year. No, the Eagles are not entirely made up of this guy:

Sometimes you do just have players who are “injury prone.” However, more often than not, it comes down to the training staff. Look at Dylan Moses at Alabama. He broke his foot as a true freshman and missed the 2018 College Football Playoffs. Then he suffered a knee injury before the 2019 season and was out for the year. Then, Alabama’s strength and conditioning coach, Scott Cochran, left for Georgia. Now Dylan Moses is a leader on Bama’s defense, and Georgia has a litany of injuries. This could be Philly’s issue. By getting your players healthy, you can see what Wentz can do at full strength, or even prevent some Wentz injuries going forward. But I’m not done, as there are a lot more things we need to do to fix the Eagles.

Step Two: Stop Screwing Over Carson Wentz

I have argued Carson needs a change of scenery, but that’s not because of him. The Philadelphia front office and coaching staff do not care about Wentz. Last year, Carson pulled off a miracle by dragging this team to the playoffs, and was one Jadeveon Clowney cheapshot away from potentially winning their game against the Seahawks. But the Eagles don’t care. He can’t do it this year because the team is even worse around him, and they have the shiny new toy in Jalen Hurts. The Eagles would like to trade him but they can’t due to his atrocious contract (nothing against Carson, they offered it) so they are in a bind.

If you’re not going to trade him, stop shafting him. The Eagles right now are that guy who cheats on his girlfriend constantly, but won’t break up with her because he “loves her.” Ok, stop cheating on her then. In this instance, “cheating” on him is calling a four verts on third and two with a porous offensive line and garbage receivers. Yes, I know Reagor has promise and Fulgham has been good at points. But you could have Randy Moss and Jerry Rice out there; that line isn’t letting Wentz get a pass off.

Step Three: Fire Doug

Yes, Doug Pederson was the head coach when you won a Super Bowl. He did not win you that Super Bowl Philadelphia. That was Big Dick Nick, crafty vets, and Frank Reich. Josh McDaniels withdrawing from the Colts job left them scrambling to get a coach. They lucked out and got Reich, much to the Eagles’ chagrin.

Yes, I know the Eagles won last night with Jalen Hurts at quarterback. However, there is zero doubt in my mind that Carson Wentz also could have won that game if Doug actually called plays. Jalen’s 106 yards on the ground helped, but Miles Sanders had a 100-yard game as well (his first since week six.) The pass game was also simplified. Drags, slants, ins, streaks. No slow developing, double moves deep downfield. Now, this was done because Hurts is a rookie and Doug hates Carson Wentz. This should have been the playbook all year with a bad line and receivers who can’t get separation.

What that shows is, for a former offensive coordinator, Doug Pederson is not a very good play-caller. So the Eagles need a coach who can be creative offensively, utilize Wentz’s throwing ability and mobility, and develop top-flight quarterbacks. Could even look to the Andy Reid coaching tree. Let’s think who they could hire…

I got it! Pat Shurmur!

Step Four: Hire Eric Bieniemy

You want a man who can fix the Eagles? Look no further than Bieniemy. He helped make Mahomes into the quarterback he is and built one of the most dominant offenses of the last five years. He can get the most out of Wentz, and not call stupid, boring plays.

Step Five: Do Not Fire Howie

This may be a hot take to some, but I say give Roseman one more year. Yes, he’s made some bad draft picks, missed on guys, and didn’t take who he should. You could even argue he lucked into Wentz because the Rams made the decision for him by taking Goff first overall. But is it better to be smart, or lucky? Smart, most of the time, but luck is important too. Not super important, mind you. the Colts, for example, have done fine without Luck.

However, look at the 2016 Eagles season. They finished 7-9 and fourth in the NFC East. Then, in the offseason, Howie made moves to fix the Eagles. Blount, Chris Long, and Nick Foles were all huge in that Super Bowl run, and Howie can do it again.

Step Six: Shut Up Lurie

Ownership that micromanages never ends well. Bill Belichick and Bob Kraft butting heads made Brady leave without a backup plan in place. Jerry Jones has ruined the Cowboys as GM. Lurie is slowly entering Jerry Jones territory. Allegedly, Roseman drafted Hurts because Lurie liked him, and Lurie told Doug to play Hurts if Wentz continued to struggle. If this trend continues, the Eagles will never bounce back. I understand it’s Lurie’s team and he has a say, but directly interfering in personnel and coaching decisions undermines your entire staff. Hire Bieniemy, see what he and Roseman can do, and leave them alone (unless they want to do something stupid like trade all of their draft picks for one player).

And that’s how you fix the Eagles. Go thank me on Twitter (@BellyUpKev), and watch the Super Bowls roll in. Don’t forget to check out all of the sports content we have to offer. If fantasy football is your thing, Belly Up Fantasy Sports has you covered.