Tag: Kellen Moore

Kellen Moore discusses the process of evaluating the Eagles’ 3rd WR spot

Kellen Moore discusses the process of evaluating the Philadelphia Eagles’ 3rd WR spot

The Philadelphia Eagles have two of the top ten wide receivers in the NFL, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but the third wide receiver spot leaves a lot to be desired, with several guys competing for snaps.

Kellen Moore has been tasked with running the Eagles’ offense, and his first order of business is finding a player to complement his dynamic duo. Moore recently discussed his evaluation process with the media.

Yeah, it’s a really fun process. We have some excellent guys here. It’s a really deep receiving group. It’s so much fun to watch all the guys compete.

They’ll all get their opportunities, all chances. Obviously, [WR] DeVonta [Smith] and [WR] A.J. [Brown] will certainly have a lot of the opportunities, but those other guys, I mean, there are critical moments where we have to put those guys in a position to succeed.

They have to be able to adjust based off where those guys are aligned. We have to have smart guys that understand where they are and can be reliable. We have an excellent group to compete with.

The options include Parris Campbell, who’s amassed 170 yards once in five NFL seasons. Philadelphia’s 2024 Day 3 draft picks Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson, along with punt returner Britain Covey, who has a good feel for the slot but has barely played on offense in the regular season.

Former Clemson wide receiver Joseph Ngata and former first-round pick John Ross are two other players to watch.

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Kellen Moore says Jalen Hurts has played a huge role in constructing Eagles offense

Philadelphia play caller Kellen Moore says Jalen Hurts has played a huge role in constructing the Eagles offensive system

Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts knows what it’s like to learn a new system, with seven different offensive coordinators in eight years going back to his senior year at Channelview High School in Houston.

Hurts has gone on record as saying that the offensive system in Philadelphia is 95% new, and the quarterback played a huge role in the construction and implementation of the offense.

Yeah, Jalen is a huge part of this process. I think his experience over the course of the last few years, all the things he’s been able to accomplish, we want to build on those things. When there’s a comfort level with a certain concept or scheme, we want to make sure we emphasize that, continue to build off it.

Okay, now if this is a core play that we feel really great about, how can we compliment that play? How can we protect it with a different presentation, a different look? Those are the fun conversations we get to have because we’re continuing to build this thing each and every day.

The overall plan is for Hurts to process the new scheme and master the entire playbook before the season starts on Sept. 6 in Brazil against the Green Bay Packers.

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Kellen Moore breaks down how he’ll utilize Eagles’ running backs in the passing game

Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore says he will use Eagles running backs in the passing game

Eagles running backs combined for 74 catches, 454 yards, and 1 receiving touchdown, and those numbers could go up with Kellen Moore installed as the new offensive coordinator. Kenneth Gainwell returns as a reserve running back in the final year of his contract.

The most significant additions were Saquon Barkley in free agency and Will Shipley, drafted out of Clemson. During his first training camp press conference, Kellen Moore provided insight into how he’ll utilize the Philadelphia running backs.

“It does have to be an outlet at times for the quarterback, but I think it’s critical that we utilize those guys in the pass game to create horizontal space and every once in a while, get them vertical”.

“We have been fortunate to be around some really good ones in the past. [RB] Saquon [Barkley] is going to be phenomenal.” “[RB] Kenny [Gainwell] has done it here before.” “[RB] Will [Shipley] has shown tons of evidence that he’ll be able to utilize that skill.”

“So we have three backs that can play a lot of different places on the field, and that will be a huge advantage for us.”

In 14 games last season, Barkley logged 962 yards and six rushing touchdowns while continuing his dual-threat dominance with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four touchdowns for the 6-11 Giants.

The Eagles have A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert as their primary pass catchers, but elevating the running backs in the passing game can take even more pressure off quarterback Jalen Hurts.

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Eagles OC Kellen Moore on biggest difference in Jalen Hurts: He’s utilizing his toolbox

Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore says the biggest difference in Jalen Hurts is that hee’s utilizing his toolbox

Kellen Moore arrived in Philadelphia this spring, tasked with making Jalen Hurts a more efficient quarterback while getting the most out of an explosive but vanilla Eagles offense.

In 2024, the Birds will no longer line up and attempt to physically defeat opponents. Instead, they’ll debut a more refined and versatile offensive system that’s predicated on Hurts taking what the defense gives him while utilizing the running backs in a more serviceable manner.

During a recent sitdown after Eagles practice, Kellen Moore talked about the most significant difference in his quarterback.

I think just his comfort level, utilizing his toolbox, and I think he’s doing an excellent job leading this offense.

Taking command of the huddle, the operation. I think when they feel the confidence that Jalen comes to the huddle with and at the line of scrimmage, I think it’s critical. I just can’t say enough good things about the operation that he’s been creating.

Hurts was named to his second Pro Bowl last after starting 17 regular-season games. He completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 3,858 yards and a career-high 23 touchdowns. He also added 15 rushing touchdowns, setting a new NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season, matching Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

With Kellen Moore emphasizing Hurts become more efficient with check-downs to the running backs, his completion percentage could rise to over 70% in 2024.

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Kellen Moore gives insight to the special skills Saquon Barkley brings to Eagles offense

Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore gives insight to the special skills Saquon Barkley brings to Eagles offense

The Saquon Barkley era is underway in Philadelphia. The former Penn State star and New York Giants running back is signing a three-year, $37 million deal with the Eagles during the free agency period.

The Former Giants RB Saquon Barkley reached an agreement with the Eagles on a contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed at signing, per Adam Schefter.

Barkley is a star at the position, giving new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore the ultimate weapon on all three downs.  During a recent Eagles practice, Moore talked about Barkley’s unique skillset.

Yeah, Saquon is obviously a special player. You can see it out here without even pads, just his bursts, quickness, ability to hit the hole. Obviously, he’ll be a guy that you can utilize at all aspects of the field. He can be a space player, which we’re excited about in the passing game.

He’s going to be able to attack people in a lot of different ways. That’s the exciting part. It won’t be just a downhill run game. He’ll be able to emphasize and do some other things.

In 74 career games with New York, the 27-year-old rushed 1,201 times for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. Barkley was also a weapon in the passing game, tallying 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He’ll give Jalen Hurts and the Eagles a dynamic, three-down running back that should flourish in Moore’s versatile offensive system.

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Kellen Moore says Jalen Hurts has been really smooth with his operation of Eagles offense

Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kellen Moore says Jalen Hurts has been really smooth with his operation of Eagles offense

Jalen Hurts has had the best training camp of his five-year NFL career, and after addressing his relationship with head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles quarterback has been lights out during four practices at the NovaCare Complex.

Kellen Moore was tasked with refining Hurts’ skillets after Philadelphia fired Brian Johnson. Through one week of camp, the new offensive coordinator says his quarterback has been smooth under center.

“Yeah, Jalen’s been really smooth the first couple days. He’s been excellent, just his operation.” “You can just tell he’s in command, he’s in control; he’s doing an excellent job at the line of scrimmage with the little nuances, little adjustments that he has at his disposal, and so it’s been really good.”

Moore will look to help Hurts become even more efficient after a turnover-filled 2023 season that saw the quarterback deal with injuries and inconsistent play down the stretch.

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Britain Covey has emerged as a potential candidate for Eagles 3rd WR spot

Britain Covey has emerged as a potential candidate for the Philadelphia Eagles 3rd wide receiver spot

The Eagles have a stacked roster, but several intense roster spots are brewing at critical positions, including the third wide receiver spot.

It was assumed that veterans Parris Campbell and John Ross, along with rookies Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson, could join A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as starters, but a familiar and dark horse name has emerged. Britain Covey is one of the best punt returners in the NFL, but he could also find himself getting offensive snaps at wide receiver.

The former Utah wide receiver averaged the league’s second-most yards per punt return (14.4).

In 17 games in 2022 with the Eagles, Covey did not record a catch and only had four catches for 42 yards and no touchdowns last season, but that could change in 2024 under new OC Kellen Moore.

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Eagles OC Kellen Moore likes the advantages gained from using Jalen Hurts in the run game

Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore plans to take advantage of using Jalen Hurts in the run game

Jalen Hurts is one of the most accomplished rushing quarterbacks in NFL history through year five in the league, and Kellen Moore won’t discount that unique dual-threat talent. Hurst is still incredibly influential in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator recently discussed the advantages of using Hurts in the running game.

“Yeah, certainly it’s been an excellent factor that Jalen has been able to utilize just being an extra guy in the run game. Certainly, something we want to continue to build off of.” “I think there is an element of just finding the games, finding the situations that are right to best suit when we utilize that.”

“But it’s a great strength of Jalen.” “He does an excellent job, and he’s a brilliant runner.” “I think that’s a critical factor to that, that he’s smart with the ball, he’s smart with when to make those decisions, and I think he protects himself pretty well.”

According to Reuben Frank, over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Hurts had the 6th-most 10-yard runs in the league (55) and 20-yard runs (14).

Last year, he ranked 34th with just 11 yards of at least 10 yards and 53rd with one 20-yard carry.

With Hurts now healthy after nursing a knee injury in 2023, his dual-threat ability, coupled with Saquon Barkley’s explosive running ability, should free up more one-on-one opportunities on the outside for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.

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DeVonta Smith says he’s watched a lot of CeeDee Lamb to prepare for Kellen Moore’s offense

Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith says he’s watched a lot of CeeDee Lamb to prepare for Kellen Moore’s offensive system in 2024

DeVonta Smith is a teammate of one of the top five wide receivers in the NFL, but he focused on watching a rival work to help prepare for Kellen Moore’s offensive system.

Before coaching Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense, Moore was responsible for offensive explosions in Dallas with quarterback Dak Prescott and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Hoping to get a head start on learning the system, Smith told 94 WIP’s morning show that he spent the off-season watching tape of Lamb and Prescott to get better insight into the offense.

In 2019, the Cowboys offense finished No. 1 in yards and No. 6 in points with Moore as offensive coordinator. Dallas was ranked 6th, 17th, 1st, and 4th in Moore’s four years running the offense, the first year under Jason Garrett and three under Mike McCarthy.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a career year under Moore in 2021, finishing that season with 4,449 passing yards on 68.8% completion percentage while throwing 37 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Prescott achieved career highs in passing attempts twice with Moore, with 596 in 2019 and 2021.

Dallas was No. 1 in both categories in the 2021 season.

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Who are the best offensive coordinators in the NFC East?

The former Washington tight end analyzes all four of the NFC East’s offensive coordinators.

How would you rank the NFC East offensive coordinators?

Former Washington tight end and current analyst Logan Paulsen provided his thoughts on this to Craig Hoffman on the most recent episode of the “Take Command” podcast.

Here are a few select quotes from Paulsen regarding each of the four offensive coordinators in the NFC East.

Mike Kafka, NY Giants

“I look at what he did last year and 2022. He consistently, week after week, makes chicken salad out of chicken s–t.”

“That O-Line is in tatters and they find ways to create a good protection plan, a good run scheme, good explosive plays…I wish he had better offensive personnel to work with…He does more with less.”

Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys

“Each and every week, they do a great job of getting CeeDee Lamb touches, finding ways to be explosive.”

“They have the best quarterback in the division…All of these coaches are elevated by the personnel around them….This is good stuff, you are finding ways to elevate, put the defense in conflict, and for me, Kafka and Schottenheimer are up in that next tier.”

Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders

“I like the way he is trying to find matchups, find touches, his offensive philosophy. It’s not what I would do, but I understand it, and I think it is good.”

Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles

“I’m a little down on Moore at the moment. His offense seems like it is so reliant on us being better than you…They have one of the best O-Lines in football, even though they are kinda re-tooling.”