Signs suggest the Eagles must abandon a Grant Calcaterra experiment

Maybe a new word is needed. Frustrating doesn't seem to encapsulate what everyone is feeling and expressing during the Philadelphia Eagles' two-game losing streak.

Watching this team play recently has been an excruciating experience, especially when this team plays offense. Several times a game, schemes and ideas are witnessed that make one want to rip their hair out. Philadelphia's recent experiment in turning Grant Calcaterra into a blocking tight end certainly qualifies.

Being the Eagles' head coach comes with expectations. One of which should be the knowledge that such decisions shouldn't be made, so when certain instances occur, everyone notices.

During the Eagles' 24-15 loss to the Chicago Bears on Black Friday, Calcaterra found himself engaged in multiple block-vs.-defensive-end situations. That certainly doesn't qualify as identifying a player's best assets, nor does it fall under the category of placing players in the best position to be successful.

One of the lasting images of the beatdown Philadelphia suffered at the hands of the Chicago Bears was seeing Calcaterra attempt to block a defensive end one-on-one. Yes, he was trying to do so on the backside, but the defender blew up the play. Coach Sirianni was asked about this three days later.

"On that play and the one you’re talking about, they obviously brought the nickel off the edge and kind of stunted the other guy down in there pretty far inside, which is going to be a tough block regardless of who’s in right there. We have a lot of faith in Grant and the things that he can do. Like I said, it’s always our job as coaches to first start them off in positions that they can succeed."

To restate, this isn't meant to come across as critical, but again, using Grant Calcaterra as a blocker isn't putting him in positions to succeed, right?

"Sometimes the loss is drawn up to execution. Sometimes the loss is drawn up to the scheme. Sometimes the loss is drawn up to, you might’ve loved your scheme, but they did something that made it really difficult to do and I think that was the case right there, but like I said, have a lot of faith in him and what he can do, and he’s been a part of a lot of winning football here and he has been part of the reason why we’ve done a lot of good things here."

The Grant Calcaterra blocking experiment has run its course, but the Eagles aren't using him in the passing game either.

Nothing on Calcaterra's resume indicates this should be his role. He has, more often than not, received failing grades from Pro Football Focus as a blocker. He has consistently been among the lowest-graded Eagles blockers this season.

The eyeball test does him no justice. He can't block in the running game. He may be even worse at pass blocking, and when the conversation shifts to what is supposed to be his best asset, catching the football, the blood pressure can rise if one isn't paying attention.

Ultimately, this doesn't fall on Calcaterra. He can only do what is asked of him during any given play. Chalk this one up to continuing questions about scheme, play design, and a lack of creativity. Players also play a part, though, and Calcaterra's eight targets have resulted in five receptions for 48 yards receiving.

It's time to have difficult and honest conversations. If it is known that Calcaterra doesn't have a fundamental role in the passing game and he provides nothing as a blocker, questions need to be asked. Why is he required on the roster?

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Signs suggest the Eagles must abandon a Grant Calcaterra experiment