The Philadelphia Eagles secured another win on Sunday, but they aren't going to garner much praise for what they accomplished in Week 4. A passing attack that connected on zero second-half plays and an overall underwhelming offense after the first two quarters has only increased the heat on coordinator Kevin Patullo.
Eagles players only added to the Patullo unhappiness on Sunday, with star offensive lineman Jordan Mailata taking issue with the play-calling. He directly mentioned Philadelphia getting away from play action and running into loaded boxes, something those paying attention to the offense have been upset with over the first month of the season.
""We have to do a better job up front. But also, if we know they're gonna load the box, let's see how we can pick them apart. Maybe we run some play actions.. Again it starts with us, but if you look at the plays, we're one block away.""Jordan Mailata
If teams are going to load the box and dare the Eagles to move away from Saquon Barkley, there needs to be a playcalling response. It is understood that this isn't just about one game, but expectations of making another Super Bowl run, which is why Patullo's struggles are a major focus as calendar flips to October.
Eagles Offensive Lineman Jordan Mailata Calls Out Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo
For Patullo, this must be a wake-up call, as star AJ Brown has spoken out once again and now an incredibly talented offensive lineman has joined in to point out his mistakes. Everything about Philly's offense suggests it should be a juggernaut that is easily putting up 35-40 points a game. You have a proven performer at quarterback, a truly great offensive line, and a great group of playmakers. Right now, what is holding the Eagles back is vanilla playcalling.
If Philly grabs the lead or is in control of the game, Patullo is content running the same half-dozen plays on repeat. Running into a loaded box with Barkley to keep the clock rolling and believing in the defense to get stops, knowing the offense can execute when needed.
That needs to change, not based on the attention of fans or pundits, but the team's own players, who are making it clear they are unhappy. Brown making his discontent known is one thing; an offensive leader like Mailata speaking out is another. Something that Patullo must take to heart and attempt to remedy in the next weeks of the season.
There simply isn't a reason not to put the gas pedal to the floor over the next two weeks against the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. Both defenses have struggled at times, opening the door for the Eagles to play a complete game offensively and silence doubt both in and out of the building.
This is a team that's made in-season changes at coordinator before, because they'll stop at nothing when it comes to improving their Super Bowl chances. That should be all the motivation Patullo needs to make some necessary changes.