Dawkins Says Run the Ball
Former Eagle Brian Dawkins, one of the most beloved players in all of Philadelphia sports history gave the Eagles a little advice last Sunday during the Pro Bowl. Thanks for speaking up Brian. Only if the coaching staff would listen.
“Run the ball. With that passing attack, the way that thing is shaping up to be, go ahead and bring Donovan [McNabb] back to where he’s supposed to be, and run that pill and let those weapons outside go to work.”
-Brian Dawkins
The Eagles passing attack is lethal. However, what kills a pass happy team, is the lack of a running game. Let me break it down for those who think they know football, but really don’t. If you don’t know by now, I am an avid supporter of Donovan McNabb. However, I am also a realist. Is he the greatest quarterback to ever play the game? No, not at all…actually not even close. Is he the worst quarterback to ever play the game? No, not at all…actually not even close. For those who blame him for all the Eagles losses, I feel like they fail to realize the true importance of a running game. So, read this, take it all in, and hopefully you will understand why EVERYTHING IS NOT MCNABBS FAULT.
The Eagles have outside receivers. This means they are fast, they can stretch the field and work the sidelines. Speed kills in the NFL and the Eagles have that in the wide out group. Their down field attack is possibly the most dangerous in the league. With that being said, defenses will key on the passing game. When a defense coordinator is going through film and sees that the Eagles run the ball ten times a game, automatically they say, “Okay, we are going to rush four, drop our linebackers and and double their most dangerous receiver (DeSean).” This kills, and always will kill a passing team. Peyton Manning would not be able to run an offense if they did not have a supportive running game.
The only way, and I repeat the only way to use the outside weapons fully, is to run the ball. Even if it’s not effective all the time. The truth is, if a coordinator sees that you are running the ball, they will always need to think about stopping it. As a result, the down field threat that the Eagles love so much will open up. Balance my friends…balance. And even if you agreed that the Eagles should run the ball…now you know why.
Thank you for your time.
