Philadelphia Eagles—The Defense Everybody Isn't Talking About

With some very established, talented defenses that will be taking the field in the 2008 NFL season, it's difficult to look past the Steelers and the Bears when you're searching for the defense to watch. It's hard to ignore the experienced Patriots defense and the rising Cowboys. So I'm not asking you to do that. I'm asking you to keep your eye on a young defense full of talent in the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The Eagles ended a rather disappointing 2007 season on a rather uplifting note—winning three straight games. With a three game win streak carrying over into a very exciting off-season for the whole team, the defense in particular, one has to start giving the Eagles some attention. Why?

They didn't lose any key players.Sure, a trade involving Lito Sheppard may be occurring sometime later in the off-season. But I have no reason to speculate about that. Jevon Kearse will probably have a better 2008 season in Tennessee than he did for the Eagles in 2007. But he is certainly going downhill, and his loss really does not mean much at all, especially with the new talent coming in. Takeo Spikes may have been the biggest disappointment in the 2007 season, and I really believe losing him was a good thing for the Eagles' defense. Brian Dawkins is not getting any younger, but he still provides a great presence on the field and in the locker room, giving the defense the experience it seems to lack elsewhere.

They picked up key players.I don't have to tell you what a big pick up Asante Samuel was for the Eagles, but I will. The Eagles' secondary was never considered "weak", but the addition of Samuel to guys like Lito, Sheldon Brown, and Brian Dawkins leaves the Eagles with arguably one of the best secondaries in the conference. Another key addition many people look past is the speedy Chris Clemons at defensive end. Clemons, along with Trent Cole on the other edge, should provide the Eagles with a superb pass rush to compliment the absurdly talented secondary. Throw Trevor Laws, second-round draft pick from this year, into a deep rotation of defensive linemen. I have to mention DeSean Jackson because I loved that pick. The Eagles' front office actually impressed me during the draft which is a very new feeling for me. The Eagles' Defense/Special Teams unit just looks that much better for the 2008 fantasy season.

Now the Eagles' defense seems to have weaknesses mind you, two to be exact, but neither of them are glaring.

Their first question is at linebacker. The Eagles' linebackers are the anti-Patriots core; they're very young. Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong, and Omar Gaither look to be the starters for next year barring a stand out training camp performance from Rocky Boiman. But I am not worried with Bradley, Gocong, and Gaither. They're young, they're quick, they're talented, and they seemed to step up last season. Gaither, particularly, looks very promising.

Their next question is at safety. Dawkins is old. You can see it in his game. But he will still be productive and his locker room presence with such a young defensive squad is very important. Considine is a joke. I have no defense of this man.

So before next season, when you're having your fantasy draft at your buddies' house, the Chicago and Baltimore defense/special teams unit went off the board two rounds ago, and the Steelers just went before you, reach deep down and take Vinatieri. Then take the Eagles' defense/special teams next round.