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PHILADELPHIA — There’s been a noticeable difference in how Jalen Hurts is handling extra pass rushers this summer.
The Philadelphia Eagles defense isn’t exactly sharing secrets with Hurts when they are coming with an extra rusher or two. The defensive scheme is not in the script.
“A lot of new things being thrown at him,” Eagles linebacker Devin White said. “We putting stuff in on the fly and we don’t meet before practice. They probably don’t get a chance to go over certain things.”
Vic Fangio admitted that was planned. The Eagles defensive coordinator didn’t even try to stretch the truth.
“There was no consideration for the offense,” Fangio said. “It was just time that we installed some stuff, and yesterday we worked on it. We installed it prior to yesterday’s practice and worked on it and called it a few times. Kellen [Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore] did tell me afterwards that it was good for them to see that. They need that.”
The blitz was the biggest weakness in Hurts’ game, one the Eagles offense couldn’t figure out toward the end of the season. Hurts even called former New York Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, asking him what he did to contain Hurts and shut the Eagles offense down. Hurts also admitted he called coaches in the past to pick their brain and make his game better.
Hurts was horrific against the blitz last year, completing 60.5% of his passes for 1,306 yards with six touchdowns to eight interceptions when blitzed (74.1 rating). He was 22nd amongst qualifying quarterbacks in completion rate and 28th in passer rating.
The season before? Hurts completed 58.1% of his passes against the blitz for 1,133 yards with six touchdowns to one interception (93.1 rating). Hurts was 25th in completion rate and 21st in passer rating.
There was a noticeable difference between 2022 and 2023.
“Me coming in as a friend and just talking to…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/heres-how-jalen-hurts-has-improved-from-handling-the-blitz-last-year-and-the-eagles-are-better-for-it/
Author : Jeff Kerr
Publish date : 2024-08-19 17:13:11
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