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Eagles Coach Preview: Pat Shurmur

Hey guys, you are probably aware who the the coaches are. However I'm going to go over their coaching history, offensive styles, and how it would possibly merge into Chip Kelly's idealogy of play. Let's get this started.

Pat Shurmur, the first in this series, started off his football career playing linebacker, guard, and starting at center at Michigan State University. During this time, he was his teams co-captain when his team beat the Spartans during their run at the Rose Bowl. He started his serious coaching career back at Michigan as a tight ends coach during the 90's. During this span from 1990-1997 his team appeared in a couple of bowl games. In 1998 he was Stanfords offensive line coach for one year.

After that one year he upgraded to the professionals in 1999 as a tight ends coach for the Eagles. In his first year as the TE coach the teams OYPG was ranked 30th out of 31 teams. The next two seasons that jumped to 17th rank. Chad Lewis, the Eagles tight end, brought in in 2000 helped upgrade the tight end position becuase the former started had only 26 receptions. This also shows the progression of Pat as a coach.

The Eagles promoted Shurmur to the QB coach in 2002. His first year he helped Donovan McNabb reach career highs in completion percentage and quarterback rating. The next year the Eagles passing met a slight drop off. In 2004 McNabb met a career best in every single category except interceptions. That years the Eagles had the number 7th ranked passing attack. We also trudged to the playoffs led by a revamped offense where we lost on the big stage: the Superbowl. McNabb never again peaked but played better than his first two seasons. He did however in 2008 drop a career high in yardage. That was Shurmurs last year coaching the Eagles.

His next gig was with the Rams in 2009 as the OC. After going 1-15 the first season, they rebounded to go 7-9. They improved in nearly EVERY single offensive statistical category which includes a good 21 turnovers compared to the 2012 Eagles whopping 37 (with a much more talented roster). This goes to show you how much Andy Reid system was at fault for our failures. In addition to that, the percentage of drives ending in a turnover resulted with the 2010 Rams 9.5% and the 2012 Eagles with 17.9%. That year he ended his tenure with the Rams.

And now in 2011 he went to the Browns and we know that story.

Shurmurs main offense is the West Coast Offense. This offense is built on two main topics: rythym and timing. Both of those are key for wide receiver as the quarter does drop backs. The offense is mainly consistent of quick strikes from the QB and their being a outlet receiver similar to basketball. During the run game, Shurmur rarely uses full backs and he leaves the runner in the back field alone. Many tight ends however (usually 3) are used to block the edges. Run-2-presnap_medium

via www.waitingfornextyear.com

In this example their is the two tight end formation that Shurmur uses to make wholes for Richardson. As you can see, this is remarkably similar to New England's Scheme with Gronkowski and Hernandez. This formation allows for the running back to get to the second level if only seven are in the box on defense. Allowing the runner to have a blocker to match up with the defenders is similar to Chip Kelly play side method where someone is left unblocked intentionally to have a blocker on the play side.

When the Eagles pass the ball, expect them to go in multiple West Coast looks in addition to shotgun and spread looks. Becuase using tight-ends are so common in Chip Kelly and Pat Shurmur's sets, our passing game should have many looks comparable to the Patriots set. 37_medium

via fishduck.com

This is another look very similar to New England and what they did with Gronkowski, Welker, and Hernandez. However after the ball is snapped the running back is the safe pass if the undercutting receiver can not get open.

Basically, the Pat Shurmur and Chip Kelly combo will be problems becuase of it's versatility and the experience Chip brings. I think if Shurmur can get some good pieces their offense should cause terrors.

Thanks for reading and comment how you think Shurmurs offense could come together.