Philadelphia Eagles Set to Test New-Look Defense and Strategy Against Rams

As the early games kickoff on the first NFL Sunday of the 2011 season, a new era will dawn on the Philadelphia Eagles.  Michael Vick will be leading the charge in an opener for the first time an Eagle, taking the reins of a dynamic offense from the start of a fresh campaign. 

Though much attention has been given to Vick’s health, DeSean Jackson’s stagnant contract situation and a few new faces along the offensive line, the focus will shift to the other side of the ball come Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles’ defensive unit will undoubtedly be the key to the season for a team that features so many high-profile names. 

When the free agency rush began in late July, the front office opened their checkbooks and went on a spending spree that, at times, was compared to the Miami Heat. 

Through trades and the unrestricted free-agent pool, the Birds cast their net and caught Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins and Jarrod Page—all talents new defensive coordinator Juan Castillo is eager to integrate into the scheme.

Stocked with new additions and returning a solid core from last season, the Philadelphia defense would seem to be a lock to improve on their 12^th-ranked finish in 2010.  However, a closer look at the depth chart does reveal a few weak areas that could be their undoing at some point this season, much like their quiet exit from last year’s Wild Card round at the hands of the eventual-champion Green Bay Packers. 

The inability to beat back the emergence of James Starks ended the magical run of Michael Vick’s Eagles just as they were taking aim at a Super Bowl.  While the roster has certainly received an upgrade, did the team address the right areas to ensure situational success throughout the season?

Conventional wisdom would provide a resounding "yes," as any team that adds two starting cornerbacks to a mix that includes the ball-hawking Asante Samuel and young role-player Joselio Hanson should improve. 

Still, it was the rush defense that allowed the Eagles to be gashed open in January by an unheralded rookie. 

It seems as though the team will rely on a stingy pass defense to allow them to tighten up against the run between the tackles.  Filling the vacancy left by the departed Stewart Bradley will be Casey Matthews, a rookie charged with leading a linebacker corps loaded with relative unknowns. 

Behind them are two young safeties, still looking to close the gap between them and Brian Dawkins in Eagles lore. 

Excluding the acquisition of Jenkins, who now sits behind Antonio Dixon on the depth chart, Philadelphia seems to have remained the same up the middle.  Is it possible they have overstocked at cornerback after having no confidence in the selection at linebacker during the offseason?

When they take the field this Sunday in St. Louis, the Eagles will put their “Broad Street Triangle” on display, and the Rams may be the perfect test subject for Castillo and Co. 

Sam Bradford is maturing as a quarterback, but was only able to average six yards per attempt and less than 10 per completion during his rookie campaign.  Short passing plays should give the Eagles defense the opportunity to take chances without letting the Rams break loose for big gains. 

Yet the true test the team must pass in order to maintain their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders remains on the shoulders of their unproven interior defense—stopping Steven Jackson. 

The former first-round draft choice is a strong runner that is sure to bring the physical play right to the doorstep of the defense.  With Jackson finally working in tandem with a capable passing game, he should get his shot to power through holes between the tackles. 

The game plan for the Eagles and their trio of star cornerbacks will be simple: silence the pass and allow more men in the box to stifle Jackson’s attempts to get the season started on a strong note. 

When all is said and done, the Eagles may not get their answer on whether their interior is strong enough to hold in any situation, including the playoffs.  But their strategy to shut down the run by making it impossible to pass will be unveiled for the league to see. 

If they can make things work with all three big-name defensive backs, the Eagles will put opponents in a position where they are forced to shutout Vick and the high-flying offense. 

We all know how that story ends.