Nick Sirianni Is The 1 Problem Remaining for the Eagles Offense

The addition of Saquon Barkley to the Eagles' offense should take them to the next level. They already had two elite WRs. Even with Jason Kelce retiring, they should still have an elite offensive line. Jalen Hurts is a year removed from being the MVP runner-up. Dallas Goedert when healthy has been among the best Tight Ends. Now you add a top 5 RB to the mix? On paper, this offense should be as good as anyone. but there is still one dark cloud hanging over the heads. Nick Sirianni.

Brian Johnson took a lot of the blame for the Eagles' offense underperforming last season. The logic is that this same offense worked in 2022 with Shane Steichen calling the plays, and Brian Johnson was the only major difference. Clearly it is his fault they took a step back. Right?

All Johnson did was call plays. You can say he didn't call the right plays. That may be partially true. But at its core, their playbook was flawed. They had no response to the blitz, no motion, and very few plays over the middle of the field. That's not play calling, it is play design. Play design is on Nick Sirianni.

Nick made it clear all season long, that was his offense. He designs the plays, he develops the game plan. All Brian Johnson did was call plays out of Nick's playbook

All the things that drove us crazy last year about the design of the offense, was Nick Sirianni. He is the one who had no hot routes. Nick is the one who didn't design plays over the middle of the field. Nick is the one who had 500 WR bubble screens that never worked. Brian Johnson may deserve some blame, but the bulk of it belongs on Nick. Nick is still here.

That is the question. We have been told Moore will come in and run the offense. Not just call plays, but have a hand in designing it. But there has also been mixed messaging. When Sirianni has spoken, he has suggested he will still have a part in it. That is terrifying.

A Frankenstein's monster combination of Nick Sirianni's offense, and Kellen Moore's offense, does not sound like a winning strategy. We tried something like that at the end of the Doug Pederson era. In 2020 the Eagles brought in Rich Scangarello to try and mesh his concepts with Doug Pederson's. It did not work. It blew up even worse and the Doug Pederson era came to a screeching halt.

The Eagles were already exceptionally talented on offense last season. It still didn't work as well as it should have, because of Nick Sirianni. The key to them winning, is him being the "CEO" type coach, and not the maestro of the offense. Let Kellen Moore take the reigns.

Can Nick Sirianni put his ego aside, and do what is best for the team? Or will he try to push his way into running the offense again? The Eagles season may depend on the answer to that question.

It is that time of year again. The time for sports talkers to become sports participators, or something like that. On Wednesday, March 27th, 97.5 The Fanatic will hold its postgame Knockout Tournament on the Wells Fargo Center floor following the Philadelphia 76ers-Los Angeles Clippers game.

I made waves last year as the new guy in the office who broke down the odds for each person on staff’s ability to win the Knockout Tournament. As a way to alleviate Pat Egan’s workload, I have taken it upon myself to both make the odds and analyze the staff’s ability to win the contest.

Before we get to the odds, it’s important to remember that I am an impartial observer of my colleague’s ability to shoot a free throw. This commentary is in no way a reflection of the way I feel about my co-workers. Naturally, this will be ignored by them and I will become a villain to some.

I am in no way endorsing any contestant by giving them good odds. For example, there is nothing in the world I want to see more than Connor Thomas be eliminated early on. However, I have to respect the former champion.

Speaking of our new morning show producer, he will have a lot to prove with Tom Alvord returning to the tournament this year. Tom was the 2022 champion and has called into question the legitimacy of Connor’s title.

That’s hardly the biggest storyline heading into this year’s tournament.

The last year has seen Nik Stauskas become involved with the station during the “Sixers in 60” program once a week. I’d say shooting 81.2% in the NBA has a good shot at translating in a tournament that will feature a bunch of radio talkers.

A man who covered Stauskas’s Sixers career closely was Bob Cooney, who announced on his new Middays Show on Tuesday that he will participate for the first time. For all the old jokes, if he can just knock down his initial free throw, he’s got a chance.

Finally, Bill Colarulo has made his grand entrance to weekend hosting here at the station. He may be known for his Eagles insights, but word is that he’s got talent on the hardwood.

What will happen? Well, that’s why we shoot free throws.

This is pretty obvious. He is the only person on this list who actually shot free throws on the Wells Fargo Center in a real game. However, that experience makes you a prime target for people to try to knock out. We’ll see if he dials it up the way that we know he can.

Some people don’t realize the amount of basketball that Andrew plays. He was highly touted going into last year’s contest, but now? He’s a morning show host. All ears on you in the morning and all eyes on you at the free throw line. He needs to show out.

The new morning show producer and the reigning champ. It’s been an insufferable year listening to him talk about how he won. I’ll give him the respect of solid odds to win. However, it’s quite clear that he will be playing against everyone else.

After not getting the opportunity to repeat last year, Tom has taken every opportunity to question the legitimacy of Connor’s title. Tom’s smack talk is a little out of character, feels like he might be writing checks that he’s unable to cash. Inevitably, that line will upset him so I’m sure he’ll try to take that out on me. Hopefully, he doesn’t get too distracted with making me pay for that comment that he forgets to compete with Connor.

Bob likes to tell the tales of basketball games gone by. Legend goes that Dr. James Naismith taught Bob how to shoot into a peach basket. No doubt he can knock down free throws, but how will he chase down a miss? We literally don’t know. He hasn’t participated in years.

Ricky is a former professional athlete, but his effort last year was lackluster. Knockout night falls the night before Phillies Opening Day. This is a trap contest for Ricky Bo. I’ll respect his athleticism, but I doubt he’s got the heart to win it.

The new man gets his chance. Full disclosure, Bill and I have been in the building once together. Seems like a great dude and I’ve enjoyed his shows. Someone mentioned that he’s good at hoops so that’s about all I’ve got. He also will have the added advantage of everyone being nice to the new guy and not trying to knock him out.

Getting her first opportunity to participate, I have a feeling that Sylvana possesses a sneaky talent on the court. I know she’s quite competitive and anxious to make a name for herself. If that can be channeled for good, she’s in a great spot. There is, however, always the alternative.

I just have a feeling that he’s going to choke. No real scientific reason. While he’s been working in the mornings for a while now, he might just be mentally spent by the end of this game and ready to get home. Or, I am giving him hell because he’s a Temple grad that cheers for Nova. 

I got the office buzzing by waving goodbye to Dylan MacKinnon after knocking him out last year. It was a wonderful distraction to the fact that I can’t shoot. Free throws at the moment aren’t a disaster for me, but I know my limitations. I also smoked a layup playing pickup a few weeks ago so my confidence is at an all-time low.

He was allegedly the runner-up in 2022. I wasn’t there. But it’s worth noting that the 2022 game was the debut of James Harden with the 76ers. This year’s game represents the return of James Harden to face the 76ers. Maybe his niche is performing on big nights. Dylan’s really just hoping that his shooting sleeve this year gets him further into the tournament.

A steep drop in odds for Haley. I have to be honest, I remember her getting out early last year. Shorter player. If this was played on ice, I would feel better about her chances.

The new host of Philly Sports Tonight doubted himself last year. He is still vertically challenged as compared to many of the competitors. Every once in a while, Saint Peter’s makes a run. However, it’s only a story because it hardly happens. Love ya, Pat.

He worked last year’s game. He’s got a big fancy title now. There’s no way in the world that this staff will let one of the big wigs win in this contest. Sorry, Vito.

*Update from Dylan- Vito did not take kindly to Ray giving him the worst odds (Yes I know I used the wrong version of you're in the text.)*