New Additions Won't Change Eagle Playbook

The Philadelphia Eagles spent the 2009 offeseason bolstering an already dynamic roster, but the additions are not expected to change the team’s offensive philosophy.

The additions of offensive tackle Jason Peters, wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, running back LeSean McCoy and cornerback Ellis Hobbs were added because they had the skills to fit what the Eagles’ system.

Peters, who was named to the Pro Bowl in the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills, makes the Eagles younger as well as more physical in hopes to bolster short-yardage packages.

Philadelphia drafted Maclin with the 19th overall pick in the 2009 NFL drafts to improve an already deep receiving corps led by Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson. The addition of Maclin will the give the Eagles the ability to run more three-receiver sets, which creates matchup problems for the opposing team’s defense.

With the inclusion of Reggie Brown and tight end Brent Celek, Donovan McNabb has a myriad of receivers to throw and pick apart the other team’s defense.

The Eagles used their second round pick to draft McCoy, who played for the University of Pittsburgh, to give Philadelphia another option out of the backfield and decrease Brian Westbrook’s workload.

The Eagles could use Westbrook and McCoy in the same backfield to spread the opposing team’s defense, which will give McNabb more passing lanes to throw through. The Eagles use the running game to compliment the short-passing attack that Andy Reid has used in Philadelphia for the last 10 years, and the additions of Peters, McCoy, and Maclin fit into the Eagle offensive scheme.

On defense, the Eagles are expected to continue to be the attacking unit that uses exotic blitzes to disrupt the opponent’s offensive game plan even with the loss of seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins.

During his 13 seasons with the Eagles, Dawkins was known as a ball hawk, who defensive coordinator Jim Johnson used in variety of ways, including blitzing the quarterback, playing deep safety or covering receivers and tight end.

The Eagles allowed Dawkins to leave via free agency to sign with the Denver Broncos, and second-year safety Quintin Demps will take over for Dawkins. Demps’ learning curve will be steep because Johnson will still use him in the same manner that he used Dawkins.

The Eagles added Ellis Hobbs to be the team’s primary nickel cornerback because the team felt he gave them a matchup advantage against the opposing team’s third receiver. Hobbs is a solid enough corner that he will not need safety help, allowing the safeties to cheat on running game or blitz the quarterback.

Another question mark on the Eagle defense is the health of Johnson, who recently took a leave of absence with his battle with melanoma. Reid expects Johnson to return for training camp.

Taking over for Johnson at defensive coordinator in the interim will be secondary coach Sean McDermott. McDermott has been with the Eagles in some capacity since 1998. He has learned under Johnson, so he is expected to bring the same pressure defense that his mentor is known for.

In the players the Eagles added for the 2009 season were brought to the team because they were the type of player that fit Philadelphia’s system, so no significant changes will occur to Eagle playbook.