"You Have to Run the Ball" - Baldy Breaks Down a Horrendous Eagles Loss
12 hours later and the stench of Monday night has yet to wear off. That loss reeked worse than the Pottstown landfill during a heat wave.
We’ve been through the key points of the game, but we always like to toss it to former Eagle Brian Baldinger for his perspective. Baldy always finds interesting things to talk about with his Twitter breakdowns:
.@Eagles v @dallascowboys and the #Birds are having problems just getting lined up. This looks like a problem but the question is WHY? #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/7gYVlrEeYX
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 28, 2021
“How could the Eagles be in any other defense than goal line defense?”
Hmm.. didn’t notice these two plays specifically. Probably got lost in the shuffle with all of the penalties and other errors being committed on the night. You’d expect some growing pains with a new coaching staff, but doesn’t it feel like a regression since Week 1?
.@dallascowboys @EzekielElliott is a transformed back this season. In shape; quicker, but running with Zeke Power. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/1g3J1ZkFFL
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 28, 2021
“He’s carrying bodies with him.”
This was disconcerting to see. Zeke Elliott, we thought, had lost a step. But with him looking more like himself and Tony Pollard playing like a legitimate RB1 out there, the Cowboys show that they’ve got a ton of offensive weapons. They’re a good team. Good QB, good skill position players, and a much improved defense.
.@Eagles @BoobieMilesXXIV gets his 1st carry 1/2 way through the 2Q and rips one for +24. I honestly thought this would be the gameplan v the @dallascowboys . I couldn’t have been more wrong. I can only imagine what the OL & RB’s think. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/RZ6W2vng5u
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 28, 2021
“You have to run the ball.”
Yeah, and look, it doesn’t have to a 50/50 run/pass split. It doesn’t have to be perfectly balanced in what we know is a passing league. But you’ve got a very good runner in Miles Sanders who isn’t being used. You have linemen pass blocking 90% of the time. When you become one-dimensional you’re not gonna be successful. Captain Obvious reporting.
.@dallascowboys @MicahhParsons11 @Eagles and any other #NFL TEAM: best of luck running any kind of “option football” to his side. Ain’t going to work! #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/6waUikETBI
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 28, 2021
“He’s gonna be relentless, he’s gonna take you right into the bench.”
Last night was a pretty jarring revelation in the linebacking department. The Cowboys have always had pretty solid LBs and value the position. With respect to Alex Singleton, the Eagles’ linebacking corps is a glorified group of special teamers who just get thrown in there and asked to do the job. The Birds haven’t had a bona fide LB1 since Nigel Bradham left, and just haven’t put a lot of time, effort, or money into the position.