Monday, May 8, 2006
I Hate Mondays: A Philly Throwback
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The Philadelphia Eagles are going back to basics and are once again focusing on what brought them success in their three NFC championship runs starting in 2001. But when they begin the 2006 regular season, they will have to take note that the landscape of the NFC East has significantly changed.
Gone is the Steve Spurrier and Patrick Ramsey era in Washington and in place is now an all-star coaching staff with a capable quarterback. An offense that was once a turnover or a sack waiting to happen is now a consistent threat and is supported by an intimidating defense.
The Dallas Cowboys are no longer mired by the coaching of Dave Campo or the quarterbacking of Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, or Vinny Testaverde and are poised to make a serious run for the playoffs themselves, as long as head coach Bill Parcells can keep emotional wide receiver Terrell Owens under wraps.
One thing that hasn't changed is that the New York Giants are still flagged for an excessive amount of penalties, but even so, they are the current division champs and have a roster infused with young and improving talent.
Quite a bit has changed since the last time the Eagles reigned supreme in their division, even though they have only had a one-year absence, but they are back to focusing on what got them to this point to begin with.
Although the Eagles enjoyed the ups (and downs) of having a top-tier wide receiver at their disposal, that was never what carried them to their three previous NFC title games. Their foundation has always been built around a solid offensive line, a dangerous defensive line, and an overly-aggressive defense.
The schemes of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson revolve around sacking the quarterback or pressuring him into inaccurate decisions, but when the front-four is easily contained and the additional blitzers are picked up, the defense becomes fairly vulnerable.
In the past five seasons, in the four that the Eagles have traveled to the NFC championship, they averaged 46.5 sacks. Last year, that total dropped to a measly 29 and hence the defense's uncharacteristic plummet to the 23rd rank in the NFL.
It was pretty clear that the Eagles needed to boost their sack production, particularly the end position. Jevon Kearse provided 7.5 sacks last season, but was the focal point of attention from opposing offensive lines and had very little help to distract the double-teams.
As soon as free agency hit, the Eagles found him an end-mate in Darren Howard, who averaged about 7.5 sacks per season on a very mediocre defense in New Orleans. When you add last year's surprise rookie Trent Cole into the mix, the Eagles' rotation at defensive end goes from being a weakness to one of the strongest units in the league (and that is not accounting for 2003 first-round pick Jerome McDougle).
Up the middle, the Eagles have always had a "bend, but don't break" mentality against the run, and as such, they adore defensive tackles who can shoot the gaps and get to the quarterback.
With a burgeoning group of young tackles last season, the Eagles felt comfortable parting with stout lineman Corey Simon. In retrospect, they may have been better off holding onto him for one more season because the rotation Mike Patterson, Darwin Walker, and Sam Rayburn wasn't exactly ready last year, but that won't be the case this time around.
Factor in first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley into the equation, an NFL-ready tackle who will fit this scheme perfectly with his ability to penetrate the pocket, and the Eagles have a defensive line that resembles the olden days.
In 2001, the tag-team of budding end Derrick Burgess and then Pro Bowler Hugh Douglas anchored a fearsome front four. The following year, Douglas was once again a Pro Bowler, registering 12.5 sacks, and had an additional 20 sacks of support from fellow linemen Simon, N.D. Kalu, and Paul Grasmanis. In 2004, the combination of Kearse, Simon, and Walker totaled 17.5 sacks alone.
The Eagles were never a team that overwhelmed anyone offensively prior to Terrell Owens' arrival. Their offense actually has consistently lacked receiving threats and a traditional "pound-it" type of running back. But with a high-octane defense that forces the opposing offense into mistakes and sacks, the Eagles continuously reaped momentum from their defense, using opponent blunders and short fields to their advantage.
Last season, injuries undermined the team, but a lack of sacks also hindered much of their success. Without pressure on the quarterback, the defense was exposed and without Terrell Owens, the Eagles simply didn't have the firepower to come back. With an upgraded defensive line and without Owens, the Eagles' offense and defense should be back to its familiar form.
The Eagles may have only been gone for one season, and while their NFC East counterparts continue to load up on offensive weapons such as Terrell Owens, Sinorice Moss, and Antwaan Randle El, Philadelphia plans on making another run for the ranks the way their current regime has always done it, and that starts with their revamped and potent defensive line.
The Philadelphia Eagles and effective defensive lines mix like Mondays and me.
"I've always said Thomas Edison invented the movie camera to show people killing and kissing." — Quentin Tarantino