BLUE 1,026 Posted September 11, 2015 By JUSTIN EINHORN STATS Senior Editor (AP) -- With the focus finally off the potential No. 3 quarterback, the Philadelphia Eagles now get to see how their new No. 1 will perform in Chip Kelly's system. Some skeptics wonder if it will take long before they must turn to the No. 2. The oft-injured Sam Bradford and reigning rushing champion DeMarco Murray formally move into the Eagles offense following Kelly's personnel upheaval, and they'll face a revamped Atlanta Falcons defense led by new coach Dan Quinn at the Georgia Dome on Monday night. Despite having a new starting quarterback in Bradford, much of the focus in Philadelphia recently was over whether Tim Tebow would beat out Matt Barkley as the third-stringer. It appeared the polarizing Tebow would get the job after Kelly traded Barkley to Arizona, but instead he was cut last Saturday. Bringing in Tebow was among many headline-making moves by Kelly this offseason after taking full control of personnel decisions from former general manager Howie Roseman. The game-changers, though, were acquiring Bradford from St. Louis in a deal involving former starter Nick Foles and signing Murray after surprisingly dealing away leading rusher LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso. "Every offseason there's always turnover on a team," Kelly said, downplaying the roster overhaul of a team that went 10-6 but missed the playoffs. "I don't think turnover when it's finally settled and how many players we have new, it's not really different than any other team. It's just the nature of the business." Kelly also let his leading receiver walk away again, with free agent Jeremy Maclin joining Kansas City a year after DeSean Jackson was released. Second-year man Jordan Matthews and rookie Nelson Agholor will be the starting wideouts. The biggest move defensively was signing Seattle cornerback Byron Maxwell to boost a pass defense which allowed 264.9 yards per game to only finish better than Atlanta (279.9). Health will be a huge factor in whether the changes work, specifically to Bradford and Murray but also to linebackers DeMeco Ryans and Alonso as they return from serious leg injuries. Bradford hopes better protection and shifting to Kelly's up-tempo style can revive his career after the former No. 1 overall draft pick sat out last season following his second left ACL tear in a year. Even the much-maligned Mark Sanchez thrived in Kelly's system after replacing an injured Foles last season, posting a career-best 88.4 quarterback rating, and he'll step in if Bradford goes down. After starting all 16 games during his 2010 Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, Bradford played in only 33 of the Rams' next 64 games. He impressed in the preseason, going 10 of 10 for 121 yards and three touchdowns in exhibition game No. 3 against Green Bay. "Sam is the man," Ryans said. "... He's an outstanding quarterback and we just have to protect him and keep him healthy. But, I think he can really shred some defenses." So can Murray. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns but also had 449 touches, 76 more than any other player. That came behind what many consider the NFL's best offensive line in Dallas - the Eagles are adjusting to losing starting guards Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans - and Murray missed nine games due to injuries over his first three NFL seasons. "I think this is the best we've looked since Chip got here (in 2013), in the preseason," Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters said. The Philadelphia offense, among the top five in yards and points in 2014, could be tested by a Quinn-led Atlanta defense. After a 6-10 season led to Mike Smith's firing, Quinn takes over the Falcons after turning Seattle into the league's most formidable defense over the past two years. "A lot of respect in terms of the way they run their system," Quinn said of the Eagles offense. "They play fast-paced offensively, we do defensively as well so a great matchup from that standpoint." Quinn is implementing a 4-3 scheme hoping to improve an NFL-worst defense (398.3 ypg) which totaled 22 sacks - only Cincinnati had fewer. First-round pick Vic Beasley, linebacker Justin Durant and fellow offseason acquisition Adrian Clayborn could help the Falcons defense take some pressure off Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the offense. "It's a work in progress," cornerback Desmond Trufant said. "But I like where we're going." Ryan is coming off a fourth straight 4,000-yard season, but he has a new offensive coordinator in Kyle Shanahan and a suspect offensive line which has struggled to adapt a zone-blocking scheme. Just this month, the Falcons traded for guard Andy Levitre after he lost his starting job with Tennessee, put former starting guard Jon Asamoah on injured reserve and released projected starting center Joe Hawley. "For the new guys and getting Andy up to speed, the communication... is huge, especially during the early part of the year," Quinn said. That shaky front could limit Tevin Coleman's production after the rookie was named the starting running back. The third-round pick, who could share carries with Devonta Freeman, was third in college football last year with 2,036 rushing yards. Jones was the NFL's third-leading receiver with 1,593 yards and 104 catches, earning a five-year contract worth $71.25 million. His matchup with Maxwell should be one to watch. The Falcons have won the last two meetings - in 2011 and 2012 - as Ryan threw for seven TD passes. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 12, 2015 Eagles might drop a 50 piece on the Falcons. They fucking suck on defense. Matt Ryan could also get sacked a bunch in this game. It could get really ugly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted September 12, 2015 Our secondary is still a concern, though. Even if Maxwell plays like a #1 corner (which he's not), we have three other questionable starters. This game should be a shootout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 12, 2015 Our secondary is still a concern, though. Even if Maxwell plays like a #1 corner (which he's not), we have three other questionable starters. This game should be a shootout. One thing about the Eagles defense which was better than a lot of people realize is that they're good at picking off arrant throws. If the Eagles front 7 is as good as I think it is they should feast on the Falcons offensive line (one of the worst in the league). Outside of possibly some big plays from Julio this should be a blow out. We match up way too well against this team. Even shitty DB's look good when the QB doesn't have time to throw. This game will be similar to the Panthers game last year when we almost killed Cam Newton. I could see Atlanta putting up 3-4 TD's but we'll put up 6-7 and force turnovers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 13, 2015 So what happens when Stephen Morris is forced to come in the 4th quarter because Sam Bradford is broken and MArk Sanchez is sufficiently embarassed? I smell an upset a brewing. 31 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 13, 2015 Really confident the Falcons are going to kick some ass. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BC 331 Posted September 13, 2015 (edited) Sam Bradford and the Eagles offense already on fire from the preseason with an improved defense. I think they can play clean turnover free football, force a couple turnovers and milk it with Demarco and Sproles. 31 20 Edited September 13, 2015 by BC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted September 13, 2015 Eagles are going to get fucked up because Atlanta's defense may not have the quality..but they sure as hell have the speed to match that buckshot up tempo style of play and have a front built for stopping the run. Offensively, If the Falcons get Coleman going that's just going to make the Eagles day that much longer. Julio will abuse the system corner that is Byron Maxwell and will send Eagle fans into a total tailspin of emotion only after week one. 34 23 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 14, 2015 Eagles declared RB Kenjon Barner, OG Josh Andrews, OL Dennis Kelly, DE Brandon Bair, CB Denzel Rice, LB Marcus Smith, and QB Stephen Morris inactive for Week 1 against the Falcons. Smith was the team's first-round pick in 2014. With Barner not dressing, the Eagles' tailbacks will be DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, and Darren Sproles. Falcons declared WR Devin Hester, LB Brooks Reed, WR Justin Hardy, CB Dez Southward, LB Joplo Bartu, C Gino Gradkowski, and OL Bryce Harris inactive for Week 1 against the Eagles. Hester is battling a toe injury. Hardy is inactive due to a lack of special teams value. He's behind Leonard Hankerson, Eric Weems, and Nick Williams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 14, 2015 Hmmm, Ertz is active? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GA_Eagle 595 Posted September 15, 2015 Offense looks inept Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 15, 2015 Really confident the Falcons are going to kick some ass. Great first half prediction. Let's see what happens the rest of the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.AirMcNair. 1,232 Posted September 15, 2015 In news that surprises no one but Eagle homers, Sam Bradford sucks. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted September 15, 2015 Guys can't tackle... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 15, 2015 In news that surprises no one but Eagle homers, Sam Bradford sucks. To be fair he had ESPN fooled too lol. Nah, but he's looked a little better with protection. Still nothing down field but that's partially because of coverage I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanbrock 1,684 Posted September 15, 2015 Good game. Eagles couldn't finish and Bradford can't throw down field. This will be a problem. All shit talk before the game aside the Falcons were the better team. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 15, 2015 Falcons dominated 1st half. 20-3. We turned it up in the 2nd half going on a 21-6 scoring run. Missed FG and dropped tip pic drill hurt big time. Pic was the dagger. Falcons run defense stuffed everyone not named Sproles who is simply electric. Bradford did a lot of drinking and dunking but our receivers weren't really getting open down field. Hopefully we can see more next game. Falcons look great with Dan Quinn. Much deserved win. Too bad we have no Falcons fans to congratulate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted September 15, 2015 (edited) Frustrating loss, though it was encouraging to see Bradford fire at will in the second half. My stream-of-consciousness observations: Bradford looked rusty early on, but that's to be expected, isn't it? This is supposed to be a long-term move, not an immediate savior. Speaking of... Offensive line has to do better all around. Bradford took way too many hits, and the run blocking was piss poor. Why did we get rid of Evan Mathis? Speaking of running... Chip going all Andy Reid and abandoning the run game was disturbing. Even more disturbing was the lack of DeMarco Murray, especially on that crucial 3rd and 1 in the 4th quarter. I know he scored 2 TDs, but he hardly got carries despite his huge contract. Speaking of huge contracts... lolByronMaxwell. That is all. I hated the signing when it first happened, and I'm sad to be right. Yes, Julio Jones is a monster and hard to cover, but if Maxwell can't cover him (or Roddy White, for the record), he shouldn't be paid like an elite corner. Cody Parkey sucks, but Chip should have gone for it on 4th and 1. From the Falcons side of things: Matt Ryan was good, but he threw 3 passes that should have been intercepted (the Eagles only caught one, thanks to Kiko Alonso the gawd). Dan Quinn for Coach of the Year? Hell, maybe we can start talking about the Falcons as NFC South contenders. Rookie watch: Vic Beasley. Can't ask for much more out of a rookie pass rusher than to get the best of Jason Peters. Keep an eye on this kid. Edited September 15, 2015 by SteVo 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted September 15, 2015 Defense was all over the place, you can see that these guys are being coached up and understanding what Dan Quinn is bringing to the team..swarming, flying everywhere. Offensively, Mr. Ryan needs to pull his head out of his ass. Made some shitty ass throws, but one thing I will say is that I love the fact Coleman got 20 carries. That fact alone says that the offense is at least dedicated and not going to give up on the run game. Good work overall, but I was surprised Demarco wasn't used all that much either. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oochymp 2,393 Posted September 15, 2015 Falcons dominated 1st half. 20-3. We turned it up in the 2nd half going on a 21-6 scoring run. Missed FG and dropped tip pic drill hurt big time. Pic was the dagger. Falcons run defense stuffed everyone not named Sproles who is simply electric. Bradford did a lot of drinking and dunking but our receivers weren't really getting open down field. Hopefully we can see more next game. Falcons look great with Dan Quinn. Much deserved win. Too bad we have no Falcons fans to congratulate well that would explain a lot 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 15, 2015 You have reached your quota of positive votes for the day. Damn, haven't maxed out in a while. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
