Oh, my gosh, was it the young quarterback’s summer.
Who would the 49ers draft? And how long should Justin Fields wait? And why were the Jaguars claiming Trevor Lawrence might not be their starter? And would Joe Burrow be ready for week 1 (he was)? And could Mac Jones beat Cam Newton? And would there ever have been a competition for Zach Wilson? Oh, and would anyone trade for Deshaun Watson despite his myriad legal issues, possibly including the Philadelphia Eagles?
Jalen Hurts was a bit of the forgotten man in all of this. Of course, he did flash in adverse conditions a year ago in Philly, as Carson Wentz tried to mull over and make his way out of town. But to some, it didn’t really seem that important. Rival executives have questioned whether the Eagles might try to improve their 2020 second-round selection in this final draft, or via trade. They did nothing other than bolster their QB depth by acquiring Gardner Minshew in a minor trade, and were richly rewarded for it on Sunday in Atlanta.
Hurts, whom I have maintained time and time again, I think he can be a winning quarterback in this league, was just superb threading an always slow Falcons side and spoiling another opener at Atlanta home. Hurts improved as the game progressed, quickly establishing himself as the best player on the pitch, spreading the ball at will and doing everything rookie head coach Nick Sirianni could have hoped for. his debut in the NFL. Sirianni far surpassed his offensive-minded fellow head coach Arthur Smith, also making his debut, and noted that with his unique skills, behind a competent offensive line and with options in the running game, Hurts can be special.
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Hurts finished the game with a sterling box score – 27 for 35 for 264 yards and three touchdowns and no turnovers. He also ran seven times for 62 yards and was a dervish as the Eagles turned that into a beating in the second half and the crowd took to the stadium as well. I don’t want to get too carried away, given Atlanta’s defensive shortcomings and inability to muster anything against a strong Philly front, but that should be a cause for optimism among that fanbase at least. As Hurt spoke with FOX reporter Pam Oliver after the game, fans audibly shouted his name, but this young man was focused on what he could have done better and wasn’t bathed in any adulation.
“I look back on that game and we have a lot of money left on the table,” he told Oliver.
Maybe, but it was a sharp exit. He responded after Atlanta took an early lead, hitting first-round pick DeVonta Smith for his first NFL touchdown, leading him to pay dirt. “It can be as special as we want it to be,” Hurts told Oliver of his relationship with Smith, which was very refined for a rookie receiver. Five Eagles have had at least three receptions and seven Eagles have had at least two catches. Hurts’ dynamic presence and ability to play with the mesh point also helped spark some powerful running play, with the Eagles gaining 173 rushing yards at a solid 5.6 per carry and 434 total yards in play.
Philadelphia can be tough in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They are going to run for the big footage. And in the NFC East, I wouldn’t rule out them being a factor.
Chandler Jones was deprived of most of his 2020 season due to injury, then saw management continue to reward others while expecting the star pass thrower to play the rest of his contract despite years. to surpass it.
Then he came out and knocked out Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan (who was on the bench) and whoever else in Tennessee chose to try to line up against him. Jones was the catalyst for what quickly became a resounding Cardinals victory in Tennessee, setting the tone by throwing Lewan aside to torpedo All Pro backs Derrick Henry for a loss (Henry had all nine yards at the end of 35 minutes in this game). Jones was a constant presence around quarterback Ryan Tannehill, serving as an opener with three sacks early, and closest as well, securing a double-digit lead with a Tannehill sack in the second half that essentially put the game away.
Five sacks in an opener – against a perennial playoff team on the road without the help of the crowd. Not too bad. Makes the Cardinals look even more myopic for failing to engage in meaningful contract talks with him. Dude has another big paycheck in him.
Awful Jags must help Trevor Lawrence
How the Jaguars Incubate Trevor Lawrence will tell the story of their season. After a difficult spring and summer, it was no surprise that they were anything but a smooth operation in the first game, moody, without direction, undermined by repeated procedural penalties and miscommunication blunders. and getting pounded by a Texan team that many thought was the worst. in the NFL.
Ouch.
Their failure to tackle a weak offensive line already looks problematic and they’d better find a way to keep the top pick in the overall standings in the lows and distances that aren’t conducive to him taking a beating. Consider on his first dive: there were 1st and 15 pinned deep (illegal formation), then second and third and 15 as well. Next drive: 1st and 20 (pending). Third possession: 1st and 16 (in possession), 2nd and 17, 3rd and 19, with this drive continuing due to a brutal passer call and ending in a touchdown. Then, Lawrence faces 1st and 20 (maintenance), 2nd and 13 (leading to an interception) then 2nd and 9 after a call of too many men on the ground; Meyer opted to have him thrown out of his end zone from the pistol there, late in the half, already a bunch, and he threw another pick.
The Texans were leading 27-7, sadder football and turnovers were yet to come, and the rout was underway. Better to find a way to make the ball run and / or get an occasional save in defense. Rough start all around, but not that shocking to those who dug this situation.
More Week 1 Insider Notes
- Joe Burrow Stud Game. I was a bit bowled over but love how the staff made it easy in the game, stayed very balanced, didn’t go crazy with the empty stuff, set up high percentage screens and assists early and put their QB franchise at ease in their first comeback game from major knee interventions. Well done. Gutsy OT wins for this group…
- A veteran Panthers / Jets game staff walked away very impressed with Zach Wilson, despite going 20 minutes without finishing and having made his fair share of mistakes. “He’s great at moving around with his eyes on the pitch,” he said. “Really balanced in the pocket. Sounds like a seasoned vet.” The longtime scout and coach was taken aback by rookie head coach Robert Saleh’s defensive approach, expecting her to be more aggressive. “The jets drop LBs 15 meters down and (Christian) McCaffrey is just checking and releasing bits and pieces.” …
- The WFT defense is very good but ran out of fuel in the second half. The Chargers held the ball for 21:11 of the first half on a late summer day, and Washington couldn’t get enough pressure on the critical third downs against Herbert, who was masterful when it counted …
- Huge win for the Steelers, but that offensive line and running game are going to have to kick in quickly. But this tusk looks as dirty as ever. Cam Sutton is going to be a thing and Tuitt hasn’t even played yet…
- How about Tyler Lockett catching three balls for 92 yards and two touchdowns (on three targets) in the first half alone? The defensive staff of the Colts are not going to like this band …
- Sorry Lions fans. Too many smart staff who watched them told me how bad this season could be for them…
- I’m not sure how much of a boon Arthur Smith’s presence was for a Falcons offense that mustered all 260 yards, but no longer calling him plays in Tennessee certainly seemed to be a blow to the Titans. One of the worst and most curvy performances of this offense in recent memory.