If the free-agent signings in recent months have shown Eagles fans anything, it is that the team is looking for better playmakers on defense.
Sure, the offense got an upgrade in the draft with the likes of DeSean Jackson, but defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has made the headlines with the signing of former New England Pro Bowler, Asante Samuel.
Add to that the singing of defensive end Chris Clemmons, and the Eagles have the makings of a dominant defense.
But will it happen?
In recent years, the Eagles' defense has been known as a dominant unit, filled with defensive stars. Players like free safety Brian Dawkins and middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who have 10 Pro Bowl appearances between them, struck fear into the hearts of opposing teams.
Those days seem like a distant memory. After a significant drop in production, Trotter was unceremoniously dumped from the team in the middle of last year's preseason.
After his twins were born prematurely, family man Dawkins wisely put family first, choosing to taking care of his children. Unfortunately, the time away from the gym resulted in one of his worst years to date in 2007.
But things are looking brighter for the defense in 2008.
After a seemingly never-ending carousel of linebackers, head coach Andy Reid has a young starting corps that he believes in.
The group is anchored in the middle by second-year man Stewart Bradley, a third-round pick last season. In his first start against New Orleans, Bradley showed flashes, as he recorded a sack and an interception.
Weak-side linebacker Omar Gaither, with three years of experience under his belt, is the ranking veteran of the starting linebackers. Gaither showed the team enough to earn a starting role down the stretch in 2006. Because of the improved play of the defense, the Jeff Garcia-led Eagles made the playoffs.
Last season, Gaither was moved to middle linebacker, but the Eagles brass feel he is better served on the outside.
Finally, Chris Gocong is the wild card of the group. A converted defensive end, Gocong has the ability to be a quality pass-rusher. Although drafted the same year as Gaither, Gocong found himself on IR during his rookie campaign.
Being able to play together was very important for the new linebacker team, Gocong said. "As we play together more, we're going to bond and play well off each other."
Ultimately, the linebackers will make or break the Eagles' defense next season. If the unit can play consistently and make plays, the corps could be one of the strengths of the defense. If they struggle, Eagles fans can expect yet another different group of 'backers for the following season.
If the Eagles have an elite unit on the team, it would unquestionably be the secondary.
With the signing of Asante Samuel, the Eagles now have two Pro Bowl corners, with Lito Sheppard and Asante, and a corner in Sheldon Brown who seems to always be on the cusp of a breakout season.
After signing Samuel, Andy Reid made it clear that Sheppard's starting position had a new owner.
"I just feel like I'm at home. Everyone's been welcoming me, and it's been wonderful," Samuel said on his first day of training in Philadelphia. "I'm going to keep working hard, and keep chopping the wood."
Although Sheppard is unhappy with his contract and status with the team, he has kept his grievance out of the media.
If both sides can come to an agreement, a happy Sheppard could go a long way to having a group of corners that could give even Denver's lauded corps a run for their money.
The safety positions are a little more interesting.
Perennial All-Pro Dawkins says he's back to form, and is ready to get the season underway. "This year, my priorities are in a different place. Last year, {we} didn't capitalize defensively...we'll get better," he said.
Meanwhile, new starting strong safety, Quentin Mikell, will be playing his first full season as a starter in 2008. A special-teams ace, Mikell was given the green light after injuries to former starter Sean Considine. The team liked what they saw, and gave the job to Mikell, even after Considine's return.
If Dawkins is right about being back in shape, the Eagles secondary could be the source of some big plays next season. But if Sheppard's unhappiness continues, and players like Samuel cannot live up to lofty expectations, the secondary might turn from a strength to a weakness in the blink of an eye.
Andy Reid is a firm believer that battles are won in the trenches. He has made that abundantly clear with his drafting philosophy, taking more linemen in the first round than any other position in his tenure.
This year's defensive line has some serious questions surrounding it, but also reason for great optimism.
The Eagles finally cut ties with underperforming Jevon Kearse at the start of free agency. In his place, the team signed former Oakland defensive end Chris Clemons.
Jim Johnson will use his defensive lineman in a slightly unusual way this season. Instead of having concrete starters, he will constantly rotate out players, attacking offenses in "waves" with fresh players.
The line is anchored by two first-round defensive tackles. Mike Patterson has been unspectacular, but solid, and Broderick Bunkley figures to have a breakout year.
The star of the show is unquestionably Pro-Bowl end Trent Cole. His total of 12.5 sacks last season was one of the tops in the NFC.
On the other side of the line, however, questions remain. There is no clear-cut starter, and none of the players are at the level of Cole.
It will be up to the players themselves to make the whole better than the sum of its parts, if they want to be able to put pressure on opposing offenses.
The Eagles defense has more questions than answers. It is a young defense that, on the surface, has a great deal of talent. If the unit can play better than last season, it will be a top-10 defense in the NFL.
If not, well, the Eagles may be watching the playoffs from home again.
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2 months ago
nice article!
2 months ago
If Dmac or Westbrook get hurt, season is over.
from 2 months ago
If Donovan gets hurt the season's not completely over! I have confidence in Kolb. If B-West or Asante Samuel get hurt, pack your bags to go home. It's done!
from 2 months ago
how can you have confidence in Kolb. He has taken 3 snaps in his whole career..............2 sacks and a fumble
from 2 months ago
please reserve that nickname for its rightful owner.
2 months ago
Nice article I agree with pretty much everything you've said. I think if clemons can play up to his ability that will make the job for bunkley and patterson all the easier, which in turn will allow cole to continue being a terror. But as a patriots fan i have to warn the philedelphia faithful that they shouldn't get to excited over asante, i've been watching him for years and am rarely impressed with his overall play. Sure he makes plays but most of the time its more because he's in the right place at the right time then he's beat the reciever or played the quarterback, he's an oppurtunist and i feel best described as a poor mans ty law. However if this defense can play up to its potential and the young guys improve with experience this eagles defense should certainly be something special
2 months ago
i think juqua parker will compliment cole very nicely.
I'm really excited to see trevor laws.. he could be the steal of the draft.
2 months ago
Eagles -- biggest tease in the NFL.
2 months ago
I have a soft spot for Eagles fans. They are just if not more passionate than JETS fans and just as screwed.
2 months ago
Samuel will be a good addition and I hope the Eagles get something going this year the league needs a strong eagles team to compete...
Alby
2 months ago
The defense is young and promising, but as you said, no guarantees yet. We'll just have to wait and see. Great article!
2 months ago
that's one serious picture of asante
2 months ago
Good article. I'm expecting another mcnabb injury, i hope not though. we need westbrook and gaither to stay healthy, and then we'll at least make the playoffs again
2 months ago
Great stuff Patrick. I'm not a diehard follower of the NFL, but I am a casual Eagles fan and you've pretty much updated me on their entire off-season on the defensive side of the ball. Thanks and keep up the good work.
2 months ago
Ultimately, our Defensive Coordinator is the best in the league. This guy has been amazing for us. IMHO, even better than the Buddy Ryan/Fisher era. Johnson can take guys with raw talent, shift them around, lose them to injuries, and STILL put together a top 10 defensive unit. He's the largest factor. I also believe the same was true of our offensive unit under Childress. The coordinators of a team can make or break them. Excellent article...pick of the day for me.
Andrew Hamilton
Hamilton International Productions
Convention Videographers Las Vegas
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about 1 month ago
Im A Eagles Fan and the Eagles Will Have a Good Pass Rush this year and If You Rush the QB 90 Percent of the Time He will be Sacked Or Throw A Pick and with are Secndary theres gonna be alot of picks
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