2009 Philadelphia Eagles Preview: Defensive Line, Part One

It has been said that Super Bowls are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. With this thought in mind, I present to you the next in our series of 2009 Eagles Preview’s.

This one will focus on the defensive line.

The Eagles enter the 2009 training camp stacked with seven defensive ends and five defensive tackles. Returning from last year are Trent Cole, Victor Abiamiri, Chris Clemons, Darren Howard, Juqua Parker, Trevor Laws, Mike Patterson, Brodrick Bunkley, and Dan Klecko.

I take the time to list each player because it’s important to note the significance of continuity and familiarity on a defensive line. Nine out of the twelve lineman going into the 2009 camp spent the 2008 camp together as well.

These players know each other, know the defense, and know how to attack the offense as a team.

Throw in a little healthy competition for snaps and the Eagles should be looking at a much-improved defensive line.

Joining camp this year will be returning 2008 third round pick Bryan Smith (didn’t include him above because he played no games in 2008). Also rookie free agents Josh Gaines and Jervonte Jackson will be added to the mix.

What I really like about the returning DE’s is that I would feel comfortable with any of them starting. Each player has proved they can get to an NFL quarterback.

Darren Howard had 10 sacks without starting a single game. Another non-starter, Chris Clemons, racked up four sacks in the last nine games. Trent Cole picked up nine sacks even while being double-teamed most of the year.

Juqua Parker not only was good for five sacks of his own, but proved big men can run when he returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown.

Abiamiri played excellent when healthy, accounting for two sacks and 22 tackles in a limited role, due to injuries.

Spending time at DT during the 2008 playoffs, Abiamiri managed to recover a fumble in the win over the Giants and then sack Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner the next week in the NFC Championship game.

In 2009, I expect more of the same from this group on DE’s: excellent outside containment, a speedy pass rush, and proficiency with the zone blitz when required.

It will be interesting to see if Clemons can carve out more of a role on defense. With the Raiders in 2007, he had eight sacks despite participating in less than 40 percent of the team's defensive plays.

Fans had high hopes for Clemons in '08, and with a year under his belt as an Eagle, expect Clemons to make a strong case for himself in camp.

Abiamiri is another player with high expectations. Drafted in 2007, this may be a make-or-break year for Abiamiri, who was touted as a guy who would come in and win the starting Left Defensive End job.

If either of the two can catch fire this year, Cole will be able to shed blockers with greater ease. This should open things up for the entire defense, as pass protection is only as good as the pass rush.

In part two of our preview on the Eagles defensive line, we will take a closer look at the DT’s.