Eagle's Defense Poised For Greatness

  Well, as training camp aproaches and the Preseason nervousness sets in, I find myself mentally breaking down the roster of this team. The Eagles are as loaded in depth as they have ever been. Ever. While this roster looks deep there remains questions at key positions and training camp should answer some questions. Today we will take a look at a Defense that was ranked third in the NFL a year ago.

  Let's talk about the line. Coming off the right edge is Trent Cole a highly talented speed rusher who commands the double team as well as being stout against the run. Hopefully an emerging LE will set Cole free this season.  At the Tackle spots the Eagles have two big-bodied athletic meat-grinders. Patterson and Bunkley should be All-Pro this year. Now that leaves LE. The depth is nice here however one of these players needs to step away from the pack. The Eagles have Juqua Parker, Victor Abriamiri, Chris Clemons and second year player Bryan Smith. Any of these players have at least a chance of winning the starting spot. I do feel the race is between Parker and Abriamiri who would have started last year if not for an injury suffered in traing camp. Bottom line is...The line is deep and talented allowing fresh rushers to be set loose. Grade-B

  Linebackers. Young and athletic, this core of backers could be ready to take a leap forward in 2009. At middle linebacker Stewart Bradley has begun to prove himself as the signal caller and has been compared to Brian Urlacher. We will see. At the OLB spots we have Chris Gocong and Akeem Jordan. Gocong is a solid starter while Jordan is an exciting talent yet due to size may lose his spot to Omar Gaither who was the starter in camp last season. Bottom line...Young talent here with their best football yet to be played. Grade-B

  The secondary. Everyone will talk about the loss of Dawkins yet I believe this group is even better then it was a season ago. At corners we have Assante Samuel and Sheldon Brown. Samuel is a pro-bowl lock down corner who's playmaking ability has given him the reputation of one of the best in the league. Brown was only scored on once last year and could be the number one on most other teams. With no real leverage in his contract dispute look for Brown to shut up and play ball. To fill Dawkins role we have Quentin Demps a second year player who made some rookie mistakes in the NFC Championship game but is an exciting talent with great upside. At SS is Quintin Mikell who has emerged as one of the very best at this position in the game and might be this defense's leader. Also the back-up in Hanson, Hobbs, Jones, Harris...all could threaten for starting roles. Bottom line....Among the NFL's best though chemistry could be in question. Grade-A-

  So overall this defense looks very good and I would look for them to rank again in the top three. Next time we will talk about the exciting additions on offense.