Offensive Balance: Will it Last?

Last week’s 24-20 come-from-behind victory at Chicago featured balanced playcalling from Andy Reid: 33 passes and 30 rushes.

In case you’re scoring at home, that’s a roughly 52-48 percent ratio in favor of the pass. That balance is why they won.

And now it is fair to wonder if that playcalling parity will last.

If history is consulted, the answer is an emphatic, resounding “no.” The rare occasions Reid has dialed up a relatively equal number of runs have proven to be extreme exceptions. In no time, Reid reverts back to his obsession with the passing game, and 65-35 ratios – or greater – in favor of aerial offense again become the standard.

(Which, by the way, brings up a great point by my buddy Kirk: Reid was an offensive lineman at BYU, and OLs almost unanimously prefer run blocking over pass blocking. What’s up with that?)

It would be foolish to expect Reid to change, but one can hope that he will. While LeSean McCoy is still fine-tuning certain aspects of his game, he has proven to be quite effective. We believe his 99 yards on 20 carries at Chicago was another step forward for the rookie and Reid, who knows he has a back capable of making plays, particularly in the clutch. Losing Brian Westbrook indefinitely is never good, but having a young, explosive replacement waiting in the wings is a relief.

So is having offensive balance, something the Eagles will need if they expect to go anywhere this season.