StarOfGlory
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Can we do the Tush Push, a.k.a. the Brotherly Shove? Let's see...
One thing to get straight here: this is not a rugby scrum. If it to be compared to anything from rugby, it's what we call a maul. In a maul you try to bring a player down who has the ball while his teammates push with him. In a proper ruck the ball can even be handed off to player behind you and/or the player peels off and runs for more yards (meters, hehe). I've been waiting to see if that will ever be incorporated into this play.
Usually, there are three key players that make this play happen. One is Jason Kelce, who in my 60+ years of playing, watching, and coaching football, is the most athletic center I have ever seen. Two is Hurts, Mr. Super Legs himself. But there is a third person everyone forgets: Landon Dickerson, the massive 6'6", 335 pound left guard.
Kelce snaps the ball and is so quick to surge forward and create space. The Tush Push works because the Eagles O-line can protect the space behind Kelce. The key person in this regard is either Dickerson or Jurgens--usually Dickerson, because the play is usually run slightly offset to the left once motion is established. Kelce creates the initial space, but it's Dickerson who surges forward and protects what Kelce created. From what I hear, the other guard, Jurgens, is not large but has freakish strength. That helps.
The tackles, Johnson and Mailata, pinch in and attack the mass in front of Kelce while offering a bit of protection to the guards. This is important, as the best way to stop the Tush Push might be by attacking the guards, not the center. Teams try to go man up with the Eagles line, but if you go low, the maul can swarm over the line. If you take them straight up, it's pure mass and muscle vs. mass and muscle. Kelce is so quick he will always get to the point of attack first. Jurgens is strong as hell. Dickerson is 335, Johnson 330 and eats HGH, and Mailata has stated that his preferred playing weight is 380, not the 365 listed. Add to the mix a QB who has old school middle linebacker strength, and a pusher (or two), and the play become damn near impossible to stop for a short gain. Once the maul gains momentum, it's just too hard to stop. The pushers, more often than not, are not even needed.
Right now, no team has figured out a way to control the space behind Kelce. Until they do, perhaps we can copy this play. Do we have the personnel to pull it off?
Guards? We have the guards to pull this off! Smith and Dickerson will be fighting it out for Pro Bowl and maybe All-Pro for years to come. Zack is still one of the best RG's in the land.
Tackles? A healthy Tyron can do this! Steele? Not sure. He hasn't shown great strength since his injury. I give him the benefit of the doubt, as I don't believe he is fully recovered.
Center? Biadadz is a good center, but does not compare in any way to Kelce.
QB? Dak is big enough and strong. Alright, he might not be Hurts strong, but he's no Kyler Murray/Bryce Young midget either.
Coaching? I don't know. Maybe bring in a rugby coach to teach how to maul.
Pusher? Sure--hell, the Eagles don't even have a true big back and they do it.
Hey, if you can't beat them, join them, right? You never know until you try. I believe we have enough talent up front to give it a go.
One thing to get straight here: this is not a rugby scrum. If it to be compared to anything from rugby, it's what we call a maul. In a maul you try to bring a player down who has the ball while his teammates push with him. In a proper ruck the ball can even be handed off to player behind you and/or the player peels off and runs for more yards (meters, hehe). I've been waiting to see if that will ever be incorporated into this play.
Usually, there are three key players that make this play happen. One is Jason Kelce, who in my 60+ years of playing, watching, and coaching football, is the most athletic center I have ever seen. Two is Hurts, Mr. Super Legs himself. But there is a third person everyone forgets: Landon Dickerson, the massive 6'6", 335 pound left guard.
Kelce snaps the ball and is so quick to surge forward and create space. The Tush Push works because the Eagles O-line can protect the space behind Kelce. The key person in this regard is either Dickerson or Jurgens--usually Dickerson, because the play is usually run slightly offset to the left once motion is established. Kelce creates the initial space, but it's Dickerson who surges forward and protects what Kelce created. From what I hear, the other guard, Jurgens, is not large but has freakish strength. That helps.
The tackles, Johnson and Mailata, pinch in and attack the mass in front of Kelce while offering a bit of protection to the guards. This is important, as the best way to stop the Tush Push might be by attacking the guards, not the center. Teams try to go man up with the Eagles line, but if you go low, the maul can swarm over the line. If you take them straight up, it's pure mass and muscle vs. mass and muscle. Kelce is so quick he will always get to the point of attack first. Jurgens is strong as hell. Dickerson is 335, Johnson 330 and eats HGH, and Mailata has stated that his preferred playing weight is 380, not the 365 listed. Add to the mix a QB who has old school middle linebacker strength, and a pusher (or two), and the play become damn near impossible to stop for a short gain. Once the maul gains momentum, it's just too hard to stop. The pushers, more often than not, are not even needed.
Right now, no team has figured out a way to control the space behind Kelce. Until they do, perhaps we can copy this play. Do we have the personnel to pull it off?
Guards? We have the guards to pull this off! Smith and Dickerson will be fighting it out for Pro Bowl and maybe All-Pro for years to come. Zack is still one of the best RG's in the land.
Tackles? A healthy Tyron can do this! Steele? Not sure. He hasn't shown great strength since his injury. I give him the benefit of the doubt, as I don't believe he is fully recovered.
Center? Biadadz is a good center, but does not compare in any way to Kelce.
QB? Dak is big enough and strong. Alright, he might not be Hurts strong, but he's no Kyler Murray/Bryce Young midget either.
Coaching? I don't know. Maybe bring in a rugby coach to teach how to maul.
Pusher? Sure--hell, the Eagles don't even have a true big back and they do it.
Hey, if you can't beat them, join them, right? You never know until you try. I believe we have enough talent up front to give it a go.
