Eagles Film Analysis: Tanner McKee is a legit quarterback with the floor of a top backup and maybe more

We are back! It’s time for another Eagles season and I’ll be covering the offense and defense every single week, as always. Personally, I sort of hate preseason football because it’s so vanilla schematically, but it does give us a chance to look at some of the backups. Let’s get into it! (Previously: All-22 defense takeaways)

We had the first look at the quarterbacks, and honestly, not much to say on Kyle McCord or Dorian Thompson-Robinson so I’ll ignore them in this one. This night was all about Tanner McKee. McKee was probably the best player on the field for the Eagles, going 20 of 25 for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and no picks. He played into the third quarter and faced Cincinnati’s first-team defense at the start and looked completely in command. He showed improved pocket mobility, the ability to keep his eyes downfield, and fantastic ball placement for his guys to make plays. McKee is a legit quarterback with the floor of a top backup and maybe more. McKee’s college film was good, too. I’ve always been a fan and said this post-draft…

“I sort of love the pick. I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I love these big old-fashioned pocket passers even if the NFL has passed them by. Five years ago, Tanner McKee is definitely an early-round pick. He can do so many things well. He throws with beautiful touch down the field, is pretty consistent with his ball placement, and can get through his progressions”

This is the long Will Shipley run that got everyone excited. I like the design (under-center outside zone with opposite motion to stress the defense horizontally), and the execution up front was spotless. I’m surprised we didn’t see more of this last year and I wonder if we will this year. The Eagles best three backs all excel in outside zone. I thought the right-hand side of the line did exceptionally well here and it was good to see Jahan Dotson blocking down the field. Maybe I’m harsh (I’m sure you will tell me in the comments) but I still want Will Shipley to beat that last defender. I wasn’t overly impressed with Shipley, despite his good numbers, and the goal-line sequence (three attempts inside the five) where he just didn’t move the pile was a little worrying.

This is classic “single-high, let it fly” from McKee here. McKee hits depth and trusts the matchup. I was critical of Johnny Wilson in my recent film review but this is exactly what I wanted to see more of from him. He has a huge frame and whilst he may never separate well, he needs to win in these contested situations.

Bin this call. Two outs stacked within 5 yards and zero MOF stress. It’s just asking the defense to squeeze your routes on the outside and provides little for a quarterback over the middle. The route spacing here makes life harder than it should be. Additionally, considering backup offensive linemen around the league suck, this was a decent showing from the offensive line. Drew Kendall and Trevor Keegan were clean in pass pro, and Cameron Williams was OK considering how raw he was.

AJ Dillon time. This is him at his best: downhill outside zone from under center, reading the DT’s helmet and cutting decisively. The YAC and pile-pushing physicality showed up, and he looked good as a receiver (3-27). I had him outperforming Shipley overall. I did note a few more gap concepts in his rushing attempts too (this could be nothing, could be something we see in the regular season) and I thought he looked comfortable out there. To me, he’s just a far more physically imposing player than Shipley. However, as I said in my review of his game, Shipley is a very well rounded back who will be needed this year. I’ve just got a hunch that Dillon could be used more than some people think.

This was McKee’s worst rep. I’ll include some concerns I have about his overall game just for balance. He’s obviously a very talented thrower. He can throw on the move, but he doesn’t see the flat corner and gets away with one here. He’s an aggressive thrower and if he starts somewhere down the line, there’ll be some turnover variance, especially because he won’t create with his legs. That often leads to tighter window throws.

We’ve waited long enough, let’s talk about Darius Cooper. Cooper was a UDFA who has received some positive reports (especially from the man BLG himself), and he looked sudden off the line in this one and caught the ball really well. It’s only been one game, but after 6-82 and TD later, he is getting closer to a spot on the 53. If not, good luck sneaking him through waivers after this film. I was very impressed with how often he got off press coverage and how well he used his physicality at the top of his route. I was not expecting the move he made here after he caught the ball!

It doesn’t get any better than this. Two-high pre-snap, late rotation to single-high; McKee looks off the post safety and takes the go route on the outside. McKee’s process is so clean. Cooper’s release is great, but it’s the mid-route hand usage is so clever and so nuanced. That says a lot about the work he puts in on the training ground. Just watch the nudge with his hand to create the tiny bit of separation required. That’s what we see the best at this position do. Perfect ball, perfect catch. I love it.

This one is not on McKee, but there’s a tiny lane to escape between the back and LT, but McKee’s not that creator. That just means the structure around him has to be excellent and the concept on the left is late here. I’d rather the back release than hang in protection on this concept, as McKee doesn’t really have anywhere to go. This is a rough rep for Myles Hinton, and he ends up on the ground. I did an All22 watchalong of Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams for my Patreon a couple of months ago and the obvious takeaway was just how raw both of them are. I don’t think either should be anywhere near the field this season. Hinton had a really rough game.

I would bet that Crash has been the most common Eagles concept over the past couple of years and this is a clinic in how to throw it. McKee keys the flat corner, is staying low and then rips the hole shot between the cornerback and safety, and puts it right on the upfield shoulder. This is elite processing and placement. It’s good stuff!

There is nothing better than a slot fade vs single-high. McKee drops it in the bucket and Wilson thanks him for it. It’s also a throw Hurts loves, so this is something to keep an eye on in the regular season. Interestingly, Johnny Wilson played inside more than I expected this game. That’s something to monitor. I think the slot suits him as it gives him more free access and more chances to play against smaller inside cornerbacks.

I think this was a fantastic game for Wilson, but I just wanted to show this for balance. The ball from DTR isn’t great, but I still want the big-bodied guys to erase a slightly errant throw. He’s turned a corner lately with using his frame; finishing plays like this in the short game is the next step that I want to see the rest of preseason.

I was going to include the Kyle McCord interception, but I felt bad… let’s just end by saying that it wasn’t a terrific start for the young rookie quarterback.

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