All-22: Brown, O-Line Clicking On All Cylinders

Here’s an All-22 look at Bryce Brown’s 24-carry, 169-yard performance Sunday night against the Cowboys.

Play 1: Big runs require several different elements to come together within a matter of seconds. For example, on this first-quarter play, it initially looks like the linebacker is going to meet Brown after a short gain.

You’ll also notice Jake Scott and Dennis Kelly are double-teaming the nose tackle. But Scott comes off the double-team and blocks the linebacker.

Suddenly, Brown’s got a running lane. And he’s shown in the past couple of weeks that when he’s one-on-one with a defensive back, he’s winning more often than not. Ok, forget that. He’s winning every time. Brown first breaks the tackle of safety Danny McCray, and then, the other safety, Gerald Sensabaugh, takes a shot.

Looks like he’s got him, right?

Wrong. Brown once again shows excellent lower-body strength, shakes free and is eventually pushed out of bounds after a 24-yard run.

Play 2: I thought Marty Mornhinweg and Andy Reid did an outstanding job with their game-plan of neutralizing DeMarcus Ware. Here, in the red zone, the Eagles line up in shotgun with three wide receivers. They get Ware going upfield, creating a huge running lane for Brown.

Evan Mathis (highlighted in yellow to your right) throws the key block. And Dallas Reynolds takes care of the linebacker. Another key aspect of the play design iss Riley Cooper going inside. The Cowboys initially have two defensive backs to that side of the field, but Cooper takes them with him. And Brown has nothing but open field in front of him.

Play 3: Nice job here by Scott, who has to get outside the defensive lineman to execute his block.

He does so flawlessly. Brent Celek and Dennis Kelly also get the job done, allowing Brown to get outside.

Once Brown gets into the open field, McCray once again has a shot at him.

But Brown once again shakes him off and picks up 39 yards.

Play 4: On the second touchdown run, you really can’t execute a double-team better than Celek and Kelly do here.

Reynolds also gets the job done on the linebacker. And Jason Avant deserves credit for busting it to get to the safety.

That’s your weekly reminder of the importance of wide receivers blocking in the run game.

Play 5: The draw on the Eagles’ final possession of the first half was set up perfectly. Look at the blocking.

Mathis and Scott pin defenders to the inside. Reynolds sets up on the linebacker. Avant is on the defensive back. And Dunlap is out in front.

We’ve picked on Reynolds plenty in this space, so it’s only fair to give him credit here. He sticks with the linebacker 15 yards downfield. And keep in mind, this is a player who was questionable going into the game because of an ankle injury. Great effort.

Obviously, Brown had the fumble in the fourth (his third in two games). He’s got to do a better job of taking care of the football. And the Cowboys were without Jay Ratliff, Sean Lee and Bruce Carter. But as you can see, even with the makeshift offensive line, the Eagles’ running game is clicking on all cylinders right now.

Follow Sheil Kapadia on Twitter and e-mail him at skapadia@phillymag.com.
Become a fan of Birds 24/7 on Facebook.