Pro Football Focus wrapped up their "QBs in Focus" series this week with a look at quarterback tendencies. With the interest of the Philadelphia Eagles in mind, let's take a look at how quarterback Nick Foles performed. This data also gives us insight on the tendencies present in Chip Kelly's offense. Numbers in parentheses represent the NFL average.
Dropback Type
Did you know Foles scrambles more often than the average QB?
Standard dropback - 87.3% (89.8%)
Rollout - 4.7% (4.9%)
Scramble - 8.0% (5.6%)
Shotgun vs. Under Center vs. Pistol
Foles lined up in the gun more than any other QB in the NFL. To no surprise the pistol was never used.
Shotgun - 92.5%* (75.1%) - League high
Under center - 7.5* (24.9%) - League low
Pistol - 0% (3.5%)
Play Action
The Eagles run a lot so play action is expected.
Play action - 32.7% (21.0%)
No play action - 67.3% (79.0%)
1st down play action - 38.6% (28.1%)
vs. Blitz, Pressure
Foles generally faced pressure/blitz near the NFL average. Teams tended to blitz him less on third down. More on Foles and the blitz in this column from last week.
vs. No Pressure - 65.7% (64.5%)
vs. Pressure - 34.3% (35.5%)
vs. Blitz - 29.4 (30.8%)
vs. No Blitz - 70.6% (69.2%)
vs. Third-Down Blitz - 33.0% (37.5%)
Dropback Depth
When Foles drops back, it's usually deep.
1-3 Yard Drop (Now) - 1.4% (1.1%)
4-6 Yard Drop (Quick) - 11.4% (16.8%)
7-8 Yard Drop (Intermediate) - 44.3% (52.1%)
9+ Yard Drop (Deep) - 38.5% (24.6%)
Pass Depth
Foles ranked last in short throws and led the league in throws traveling at least 20 yards.
1-10 Yards - 36.8%* (49.3%) - Low
5-10 Yards - 16.2%* (26.9%) - Low
11-20 Yards - 21.0% (21.9%)
21-30 Yards - 10.7% (6.9%)
20+ Yards - 18.9%* (12.7%) - High
31-40 Yards - 4.8%* (2.7%) - High
30+ Yards - 7.9% (4.6%)
40+ Yards - 3.1% (1.9%)
Time to Throw
Foles wasn't always quick to get rid of the ball.
<=2.0s - 15.5%* (26.4%) - Low
2.1-2.5s - 23.3% (24.6%)
2.6-3.0s - 19.9% (19.4%)
3.1-3.5s - 12.7% (11.2%)
>=3.6s - 26.6% (17.0%)
Time to Pressure (How fast does pressure get there?)
These numbers show pressure didn't get to Foles very quickly. His protection was good.
<=2.0s - 6.6% (9.3%)
2.1-2.5s - 13.6% (14.0%)
2.6-3.0s - 8.3% (8.8%)
<=3.0s - 28.5% (32.1%)
3.1-3.5s - 5.0% (3.2%)
>=3.6s - 5.5%* (2.0%) - High
Pass Location
Foles threw to his right more often than the average QB did. He also threw outside the numbers more often than most.
Left - 23.0% (22.3%)
Middle - 45.4% (53.3%)
Right - 31.6% (24.4%)
R/L Ratio - 1.37 (1.09)
Outside the Numbers - 54.6% (46.7%)
Pass Distribution
The Eagles spread the ball around so Foles wasn't just throwing his WRs.
WR (by alignment) - 67.0% (72.4%)
WR Slot (by alignment) - 31.3% (29.2%)
Outside WR (by alignment) - 35.7% (43.2%)
Throws to TE
Foles liked to throw to his tight ends, and for good reason.
TE (by player) - 22.3% (20.4%)
Inline TE - 13.1% (10.2%)
TE Slot (by alignment) - 7.2% (8.2%)
TE Wide - 2.1% (1.9)
Throws to RB
Expect these RB numbers to go up with the addition of Darren Sproles.
RB (by player) - 21.0% (19.6%)
Backfield - 19.6% (17.3%)
RB Slot (by alignment) - 1.4% (1.3%)
RB Wide - 0% (1%)
Routes
Foles threw a league-high 16.2% crossing routes and league-low 3.1% slants. Foles threw below the league average in every category except for crossing, ins, and corners.
Quick outs - 6.2% (6.7%)
Crossing routes - 16.2%* (10.0%) - High
Slants - 3.1%* (7.7%) - Low
Outs - 6.9% (10.3%)
Ins - 6.5% (5.9%)
Hitches - 11.3% (14.1%)
Posts - 5.2% (5.8%)
Corners - 4.5% (2.3%)
Go Routes - 8.2% (11.5%)
HB non-screens - 12.7% (13.4%)
Comebacks - 1.7% (2.4%)
Screens
Foles threw screen passes on a league-high 17.5% of his dropbacks. Almost double the NFL average.
Screens - 17.5%* (9.7%)
RB Screens - 6.9% (3.8%)
WR/TE screens - 10.7% (5.9%)
Non-Screens - 82.5% (90.3%)