Will the Eagles Defense Be as Good in 2009?

Since the departure of Brian Dawkins to Denver via free agency, many questions have been asked about the Eagles defense during the 2009 offseason.

How will any player replace the intensity on the field and in the locker room?

Does the Eagles secondary have what it takes to make up for the loss of B-Dawk? Does the defense?

And what about the possibility of Jim Johnson being unable to coach?

All of these are valid points, but the Eagles defense has become much more then just Brian Dawkins. You cannot replace a player like Dawkins, he may be the best Eagle of all time. But the Eagles do have defensive players who can make up for the loss, and even the leadership, although of course not quite to the extent that Dawk had.

Stewart Bradley, the up-and-coming, young middle linebacker of the Philly Defense has shown flashes of greatness in his last two years, learning the Eagles defense and playing alongside Omar Gaither, Akeem Jordan, and Chris Gocong. As time goes on, we began to see the abilities that Bradley has as a leader and player.

He hits hard.

He stuffs running backs at the line.

He's fast, and can blitz on any down.

Throw these things in with Bradleys ability to lead the defense and command respect from the players around him, and you have one tough linebacker ready to step up and be the player we need him to be.

Now on a pure playing level, losing Dawkins in the secondary hurt. But Sean Jones, the new safety the Eagles acquired in the early goings of the offseason, has flown under the radar as one of the top safetys in the league over the past three years.

Now add in Ellis Hobbs, and the returning Asante Samuel, along with Sheldon Brown and Quninten Mikell. You're looking at a secondary to not only never underestimate, but to truly fear when your putting the ball in the air.

Each and every player in the Eagles secondary has the ability to make plays, and even bring the heat when needed.

Which now bring us to our last segment, and what is most likely the most dominating aspect of the Philly D, and the reason why the Eagles defense will be BETTER in 2009 then it was in 2008.

The defensive line.

Last year, the defensive line was good, but they could have been so much better. Enter Chris Clemons and Victor Abiamiri. I see Abiamiri as the Eagles break-out player this year. He has already proven he has the ability to stop the run. In offseason workouts, he has begun working on his speed and weight to make himself a better pass rusher as well.

Chris Clemons did see some playing time last year, but i expect to see him competing for a starting job this year. He has an uncanny ability to be wherever the ball is, and is great at breaking through the O-line and putting pressure on the QB.

With the emergence of these two players, not to mention the constant pressure being caused by Trent Cole, Broderick Bunkley, and Juqua Parker, the Eagles could have a pass rush capable of breaking through even the best of all offensive lines, and often.

I think you can expect close to 10 sacks this year from Cole and at least six from Abiamiri.

So to answer my own question, no the Eagles defense will not be as good as last year. They will be BETTER. As hard as it is to see B-Dawk go, the Eagles have stacked themselves to the point where losing Dawk will only be pain in the mind, not in the game.

Go Birds, and as always, Dallas Sucks.