Jalen Reagor is the 13 Personnel Guy Because He Has "Really Good Speed"
Here’s a short follow up to a post we did yesterday, titled Nick Sirianni Explains Lack of DeVonta Smith Snaps in Jets Game.”
The CliffsNotes version is that Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins got more snaps than Smith because the Eagles ran a lot of 13-personnel in Sunday’s win, and they like Reagor as the lone receiver in those sets.
Sirianni didn’t exactly say why they like Reagor in that position, so offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was asked about at his midweek press conference:
Q. I was just curious, what does WR Jalen Reagor do well that complements 13-personnel? (Mike Kaye)
SHANE STEICHEN: He’s got really good speed. He’s got really good speed, so a lot of that stuff with him in there. Obviously, we ran it pretty good there in those situations, but he’s got speed to take the top off. If we ever want to take shots in those personnel groups, he has the speed to do it.
Most of what they did from 13 personnel on Sunday was run the ball, and when they did throw it, the tight ends and running back were getting the targets. Despite playing fewer snaps than Reagor, Smith had four targets and Reagor was targeted only once, which resulted in a seven-yard reception, so on Sunday the Birds ended up not taking any downfield shots out of 13 personnel. Smith caught two of his four targets for 15 yards, and the Eagles followed another run-heavy approach in a comfortable win.
By the way, some guy on Facebook was accusing “the media” of creating a “controversy” in regard to this story, which is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. A controversy? Smith is a first round draft pick and played only 62% of the snaps, which was a season low. So Zach Berman asked Nick Sirianni why that was, then asked a follow up question to see if Smith was dealing with an injury (he wasn’t, according to Sirianni). That’s it. The end. This was the beat writers doing their job and asking what they should ask. If that’s what passes for “controversy” these days, then congratulations, we’re all stupid.
13 personnel from Sunday: