PHILADELPHIA – Nick Foles was lined up under center more than usual during the Eagles’ 27-0 victory against the New York Giants last week. The Eagles’ running game also made a resurgence, with LeSean McCoy running for 149 yards.
Is there a connection? Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur didn’t really want to say.
“There are reasons why we do it,” Shurmur said, referring to having the quarterback under center rather than in the shotgun formation. “And we like to keep those somewhat private.”
There are all kinds of possible factors: center David Molk might not be as good at snapping the ball in the shotgun. Foles might prefer to get the ball snapped directly, then drop back. Head coach Chip Kelly talked last week about the angles created when the quarterback is under center.
All of those might be in the mix. But the one thing we now know for sure is that McCoy prefers lining up behind an under-center quarterback.
“It really helps out,” McCoy said Wednesday. “You can see it better. You can see the lanes better. If there is some pressure, you can adjust to it. In the [shotgun], you’re kind of going sideways and if there is pressure, it kind of knocks you back. I like under center more.
“What makes me a good back is just vision. I think being under center, about 7 1/2 yards deep, I can see everything happen. I’m the farthest guy from the game. I’m all the way in the back. If a guy has leverage on a block, or a guy gets beat, I can see it. I can adjust to it. That’s why I like it better.”
McCoy is facing a difficult challenge Sunday in Arizona. The Cardinals are ranked first in the NFL against the run. They have allowed 72.5 rushing yards per game while going 5-1. So the Eagles’ improvement against the Giants will be tested in Arizona.
“I’m sure they’ll try to take the run away,” McCoy said. “They’re a good team; they play well together. They do a lot of blitzes. We’ll see how they play us, a team that plays at a fast tempo. I’m waiting to see how they play us.”
The Eagles will try to run the ball, because that’s what they do. They just might find that lining up under center helps McCoy to get going again.