I was concerned about the Eagles defense during the off season and I'm still concerned about them now. The offense has so many players who are tough, talented and committed that you know they'll be alright. I can’t the same about the defense.
Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook and the Eagles offensive line are too tough talented and committed to not be successful. I have confidence this offense will carry its weight. I see Dawk, Spikes and the corners as cornerstones but the D line and other backers have to step up.
I'm pleased to say that the starting defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley have shown major improvements. Bunkley gave All-Pro Alen Faneca the fits. He caused him to jump offsides one time and pushed him into the backfield a few other plays. As expected, the Steelers started trapping him once he showed he could get penetration upfield.
Patterson was everywhere making plays and pressuring the QB. His quickness and ability to use counter moves to get into the backfield. They've got to keep him fresh. I want to see those backup defensive tackles on the field.
I still see gaps on the Eagles defense. I’ve already talked to you about my disappointment with Kearse.
They need another monster year out of Brian Dawkins and he’s not a spring chicken. I know B Dawk hasn’t played or practiced very much all off season and through training camp but his play against the Steelers was awful. I saw him back pedaling on a screen when the ball carrier was 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. It looked like rust because I did see his speed but he needs to reps so he can get his recognition of the plays back to where it normally is. He might need to play some in this last game to get some reps. Dawk needs some reps because they need him playing great for this defense to survive.
I know everybody’s down on Sean Considine but he made quite a few plays against the Steelers. He was the one who forced the interception throw to Trent Cole. He also came up and made some open field tackles which stopped Pittsburgh from blowing the game wide open in the first half. He needs to stop taking these big backs and tight ends on up high. He needs to start tackling them low. If you go hard at a big man’s legs usually he will shut it down. You approach up high then at the last second it go after his legs. It scares big guys for a tackler’s head to disappear when he heads toward their legs. He can look at some tape of Andre Waters.
I heard John Madden say the Eagles aren’t going to have as tough a defense as they had with Jeremiah Trotter. The toughness factor is reduced without Trot and that’s why the tackling of Gocong and Considine must improve.
Chris Gocong should play in the game against the Jets. He needs reps. This youngster needs to see plays again and again. I think he’s doing a decent job against the run but his open field tackling has to improve. Chris did a nice job of scraping to the other side a making some tackles versus the run. He’s made some improvements but I don’t know that he can make the plays out in the open field. Chris has to be under control with his center of gravity much lower when he's trying to tackle this quick backs in the open field. You can't try to kill them you have to try to get a hold of them. I saw Gocong make a mistake on his blitz lane and prevent Dawk from getting a sack.
I saw Trent Cole make some plays even though he blew an assignment on a bootleg. The entire defense continues to make mental errors which are lethal when you're bltizing.
Spikes must step up and take more a leadership role to keep the young backers calm and focused when they give up a big play. As the season goes on Takeo will become more comfortable with the defense and be able to help the other guys.
