The battle for LAST PLACE in NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants

 

1:00 PM ET, October 6, 2013

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

 

80^°FHigh

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain: 20%

Wind: SSE at 9 mph

Humidity: 77%

 

 

 

 

Match up to Watch:

 

Justin Pugh vs Lane Johnson:

 

No, they won’t be facing each other, one on one but they both have been surprises early in the season. Last week, Pugh played against the leader in sacks Justin Huston and shut him down. Lane Johnson seems to be in a match made in heaven with Chip Kelly offense. He is so athletic and can do whatever Coach Kelly needs him to do. Who will continue their impressive start?

 

 

Players to Watch:

 

Philadelphia:

Tackle- Lane Johnson

Tight End- Zach Ertz

 

New York:

Tackle- Justin Pugh

Nose Tackle-Johnathan Hankins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#65 Lane Johnson: 6’6 306, Oklahoma

1^st round 3^rd pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Very athletic and can get to the second level quickly. Really helps out in the screen or draw game in Chip Kelly offense.

+  Maintains his block throughout the play.

+ Can collapse the defense and cause them to be mush together.

+ Has been the rock in the Eagles offense. Out playing Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          His footwork cause him problems with the inside move.

–          Stops his feet in pass protection and gets himself in trouble.

 

 

 

#86 Zach Ertz: 6’5 249, Stanford

2^nd round 35^th pick, Position- Tight End

Strength:

+  Soft hands and catches anything that comes his way.

+  Great field awareness and zone understanding.

+  Best route runner in the 2013 NFL Draft.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          His base will get too wide and cause him to miss his blocks.

–          Work on high pointing the ball and catching the ball.

–          Been a non factor in the Eagles offense. Not been targeted much.

–          Has to block at the second level better.

 

 

 

#72 Justin Pugh: 6’4 301, Syracuse

1^st round 19^th pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:

+  Keeps a good solid base. Never is off balance.

+  Fantastic in goal line plays. Stays low and drives the defender back.

+  Good football IQ. Understands blitzes and when to switch.

+  In the early part of the season, he has played very well even when the offense has been so poor.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Very weak at the second level. Unable to square up the linebacker.

–          Hands tend to slip outside the defender so could be called for holding.

–          Not very athletic and has trouble going out for screen passes.

 

 

 

 

#74 Johnathan Hankins: 6’2 320, Ohio State

2^nd round 49^th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Causes trouble for the double team. Does not allow them to push him back.

+  Uses leverage really well and causes problems for the lineman.

+  Punches his man right into the chest and puts them on their heels.

 

 

Needs Improvement:

–          On the ground too much, Must pick up his knees.

–          Slow off the snap. Got to get lower on his stance to explode out.

–          Too high sometimes. Will get on his tippy toes and can’t create any push.