Eagles Offensive Coordinator Growing Into Role As Play Caller
It was halftime of the game in Minnesota on Oct. 19. Ten days to discuss, tweak, and implement offensive changes had come and gone, but nothing looked or felt different. Nothing had changed. The Eagles were still stuck in the muck.
They led 14-6, but seven of those points were compliments of the defense and Jalyx Hunt’s pick-6. After a beautiful drive to open the game, spanning 75 yards in 12 plays and eight minutes, the offense was back to its one-two-three kick ways, going three straight possessions without a first down.
On the final possession of the first half, the Eagles picked up a first down, but after Hurts took a sack, the quarterback walked dejectedly off the field, head down, with still more than 20 seconds on the clock. Unheard of to forfeit so much time for a Nick Sirianni-coached team that usually pushing the pedal to the floor to the very last second in search of points.
Social media was apoplectic. It was all Kevin Patullo’s fault. He’s the offensive coordinator and the offense was anything but coordinated.
“I think it comes with the territory,” said Patullo. “I totally understand that. But really, it's all about just winning games, and we know we have a really good talented team and we're going to stick together. “…I feel like we're improving on certain things and in a good spot. Like I said, it comes with the territory, but I totally accept that and ready to keep moving on.”
Offense Has Been Rolling For Last 6 Quarters
Much has changed since that first half against the Vikings. As much as everyone wanted to blame the first-year offensive coordinator and play caller for an uneven first six weeks, Patullo should get his props for an offense that, since that first half, has found its groove, with 672 total yards in the last six quarters. The Eagles went 2-0 heading into their bye week at 6-2 overall.
“I think he's done a good job of continuing to get better, just like our players,” said head coach Nick Sirianni. “Every team is a new team, so there's a growth period whether it's a first-time play caller or not, there's a growth period within each year for the players, for the coaches, everything.
“That's what the first weeks of the season are for is to find ways to win, find ways to get better, and really be in that continual growth mindset all the way through, so you're playing your best football in November, December, and January, hopefully.”
The Eagles have three more wins on their ledger than the Cowboys and Commanders and four on the Giants with nine games remaining.
The longer Patullo is in his job, the better the offense figures to get over the rest of the season. Or were the last two games, with an offense that was shining, simply fool’s gold?
“I think he's gained confidence and gained assurance in what he sees and what he believes as time has gone on,” said quarterback Jalen Hurts. “And so again, I look at how are we helping him? Are we playing penalty free? Are we mastering the things that take no talent? Are we getting in and out of the huddle?
“The little things that can help all of us and help the play caller find a rhythm in what he does. And so we're very critical of that. I'm very critical of that. That's always something that I'm talking about, but we just want to continue to build. And he's been rolling.”
Steelers Starter ‘Out for Foreseeable Future’ & ‘Likely the Season’: Insider
Things have escalated from bad to worse for Pittsburgh Steelers starting safety DeShon Elliott, who was initially only ruled out for the Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.
On October 31, the Steelers announced that they would be transferring Elliott to the injured reserve, along with veteran defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale. This prompted an update from NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, and it wasn’t good news.
“The Steelers placed S DeShon Elliott and DT Daniel Ekuale on Injured Reserve,” Rapoport informed. “Ekuale tore his ACL and Elliott (knee) is out for the foreseeable future, likely the season, as well.”
Pittsburgh has been very cryptic about Elliott’s knee injury, but it didn’t look good when it occurred, as the veteran was in visible pain. Now, it appears the Steelers’ worst fears might be a reality, as Elliott will be sidelined for at least four weeks and possibly much longer.
Steelers’ Week 9 Actions Hinted DeShon Elliott’s Injury Could Be Long-Term
GettyPittsburgh Steelers safety Juan Thornhill will likely see an increased role after the DeShon Elliott injury.
They say actions speak louder than words, and although the Steelers kept the long-term prognosis of Elliott’s injury a secret this week, their actions hinted that he could be out a while.
The Steelers first signed a former starting safety in Darrick Forest, then agreed to a trade with the New England Patriots for ex-starter Kyle Dugger.
Between Forest and Dugger, head coach Mike Tomlin is likely hoping he can patch up the back end of his defense without Elliott. Of course, he also has free agent acquisition Juan Thornhill as a potentially important chess piece to work with.
“[Elliott is] a significant component of what we do, particularly relative to some of the things that Indy does well,” Tomlin told reporters this week. “He is a central figure in our secondary in terms of run defense, for example. He covers tight ends in passing circumstances, so certainly we have some adapting to do in terms of how we divide the labor up this week.”
Continuing: “But that’s always the case when you lose someone, particularly someone significant. It’s not a one-person job. It’s a multiple-person job. That’s the spirit in which we’re planning. There will be several people given an opportunity to meet the demands of what he does for us.”
Thornhill has appeared in all 7 of the Steelers’ games this season, but he’s only been credited with 1 start. That could change following the injury to Elliott.
Steelers Rule Out Several Players for Week 9 vs. Colts
The Steelers are down another safety in Week 9, as the team ruled out veteran Jabrill Peppers (quadriceps) on October 31, per team reporter Teresa Varley.
Wide receiver Scotty Miller (finger) will also miss this contest, along with Elliott and Peppers, and cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was ruled out as he works his way back from a “hamstring/knee” injury.
According to Varley and the Steelers, four players are officially questionable for Week 9, too. Those players are quarterback Will Howard (right hand), starting safety Chuck Clark (illness), linebacker Malik Harrison (knee), and linebacker Cole Holcomb (illness).
Clark will be a key name to watch, considering the aforementioned absences at safety. Without him, it might be Thornhill and a newcomer leading the snap count at the position.
