I can understand why the Eagles are making rookie first round pick Brandon Graham the starter at left defensive end but they can’t do it at the expense of having him on the field and fresh on third down.
Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and the coaching staff must work their rotation at the position, so that a fresh and rested Graham is on the field on third down. It was the number one priority of their 2010 draft.
I’m just as enthusiastic as the Eagles coaching staff about the potential of Graham, but they can’t have him on the field on first down and second down, but not have him on the field on third down. Even if veteran defensive end Juqua Parker doesn’t start the game, he should be the guy lining up at the spot on most first downs.
Depending on what happens on first down, Parker or Graham should be on the field on second down. If the defense gives up less than four yards on the first, then Graham should be in there. I want to see Graham on the field for any and all pass situations.
He’s a better pass rusher than Parker, which is the reason he was drafted in the first round and the reason the Eagles moved up 11 picks in the first round to get him.
If Graham starting at left defensive end means him playing on first and second down, then being fatigued for the all important third down, then Graham starting is a bad idea.
Graham was drafted to line up opposite of Trent Cole at left defensive end on third down. He’s supposed to beat anybody trying to block him one-on-one and therefore stop teams from double-teaming or using other methods to focus their blocking schemes on Cole.
I want Graham fresh on third downs and ready to make an impact. I”ve noticed how hard he works when he’s in there and I don’t think he can play full time and be fresh on third downs. He’s been gassed after a few plays, so I don’t think he can play full-time right now and be fresh to give you his best effort on third downs.
So let him start, then put Parker in there on first downs after the first series. If the kid rests on first down and plays second and third down, he’ll be ready to make a huge impact on third downs when the games are on the line.
very good point never thought about it like that
Doesn’t matter. DEs are rotated a lot in this defense. In my opinion I don’t care who starts as long as the ones on the field do their job.
Ahhh..He’s young..use him as much as possible..btw..you see that the Eagles are 1st in preseason rushing yards?
I think it’s a stupendous idea to rotate Graham w/ Parker, but it’s out of the question because Paulman said the Eagles will trade Parker, so we know it’s true. Shame, that would have been a nasty rotation….
Well said Scorp, and that goes for everyone. Just do your job and be 1/11th of the Offense or Defense and everything else will sort itself out.
Well doing your job is all predicated on your legs and energy level. If the dudes on field 1st..run play to his side..2-5 yard gain….2nd..pass down incomplete…he’s getting after it on both downs. Thats equal too a tailback getting the ball two straight downs. Lotsa energy no matter your conditioning level. So the point is on 3rd he will be gassed and a step or half step slower. That means less pressure. Now if he has one of those first two downs off and J.P. gets after it and holds the fort then B-Graham is ready too wreck shop on 3rd.
It’s fairly simple – Although I agree that Graham starting is not nearly as important as his effectiveness in passing situations, where is the evidence that shows he cannot start AND be effective in passing situations? I think what G is pointing out is that just as a LT, QB, DE, and CB are priortiy positions in the NFL when drafting and building your team, 3rd downs or more specifically, obvious passing situations have greater priority than other plays because of their greater impact to the overall outcome of the game. I think everyone can agree that you want your best players out on the field as much as possible. At the very least you want it to the extent a player is not so gassed that their overall effectiveness is diminished or worse, their playing time in less priority downs comes at the expense of their performance in higher priority downs. It would sort of defeat the player’s purpose for being drafted which I believe is G’s point. That said, Trent Cole NEVER comes off the field. I think we know why. All indications are that if Graham is in good enough condition, he may not come off the field either. Instead, he just won’t be playing LDE the whole time he’s on the field and will play some DT or whatever else McDermott’s got for him.
Eagles Starting Defense in 2012
DL – Cole,Bunkley,Dixon,Graham (Teo,Tapp, J Owens) as back-ups
LB – Bradley, Jordan and Clayton
CB- Samuel & Lindley
S – Allen & Coleman
Older,underperforming players like M Patterson,T Laws,J Parker,O Gaither,Hobbs,Hanson,Mickell will be gone
Paul…you make some good points sometimes brothah. But coming up with the idea of putting Ernie Simms at safety and your projected d in 12′. Seriously,wtf cares about what d we’ll field in 12′ when we’re on the cusp of a new season in ….drumrolllllll…2010! Thought the article was about B-Graham and 3rd down.
Your new nickname is Paulmandomis.
projected beers Erock will consume this year during the football season….Budlight,Yings,Sams Winter Ale.
To E-Gads
Should have been for 2011 Season
Beers that Paulman will be consuming today and every day until the Eagles win a SuperBowl
Stella Artois and sometimes a Becks Light or Sierra Navada Ale jsut to keep myself on my toes
come on guys. 2 spots left. I want to have the league filled before Friday. I am out of the country until Labor say so I want to set up the draft date and everything so when I get back we are all set. Hit me up drew_sg2000 at yahoo.com
To Scorp,
What Country are you in and is there any truth to the rumor that D McNAbb is going to sign-up and take one team since it appears that he will have some time on his hands..
Paulman,
I’m in the states but going on vacation. Anyhow, you’d know the rumor mill better than anyone here so you tell us.
Paulstrodomis…again 11′ …its 10’…d is primed and who cares what next year holds. E-gads….lame cause i have no clue what your tryna imply.
Projected things i’ll say during games this year….GET OFF THE FIELD!!!!ITS 3RD DOWN!!,Fuggin block!!!!Catch the ball dude!!! R U SERIOUS….P.I…YOUR CALLIN THAT NOW.Andy looks like he lost weight, Djax is really fast,and I need a beer.
Paulmandomis: Do you honestly believe they are going to cut Mike Patterson?
I think they will trade M Patterson after the 2010 Season while hie value is still relatively high
I think the Eagles feel Dixon/Laws and maybe even J Owens (who will be stashed on practice squad)
can be solid at DT for 2011 and beyond and pair up with Bunkley…
Remember, if they are planning to use Tapp/Teo/Graham to rush a lot from the DT position, then they probably don’t need as many run-stuffer DT’s on their roster (especially a highly paid and aging one
like M Patterson)
I think Mickell could very well be in the same boat but I think he hangs around thru 2011 and then he is traded/released/replaced (and quite possibly by K Coleman)
Q Mikes a Bird the next 2 seasons.Why would they bring in another vet that Allen has too adjust too. The guy can play too. Needs people around him who know what there assignments are every play. It helps.
Go Phills…redemption song!!
erock. Mikell’s a FA at the end of the year. There is a chance he may not be back.
I think Coleman will push Mickell for Starters Job in 2011
Allen is already practicing with Coleman, so there would be an easy transition..
Phils are out of it in my book…
I’d worry about CB’s more than SS/FS right now. Either way, if Graham earned the spot than good for him. We all know that we rotate alot so being fresh really isn’t going to be a problem. However, I’m wondering with Austin Howard looking like a stud OLineman and Scamdrews looking not so much does anyone think that either A) Justice gets moved to Guard (better suited there IMO, not that he’s a bad RT) and Howard to RT or B) Howard take over at RG period.
I am right there with you Roc on the 3rd down comment… how many times last year did the D get teams into 3rd and long only to give up a 12 yard pass play. So I agree with G, if Graham’s only job is to force quick throws on 3rd and long this year, I am fine with that. As the season goes along, I think that you will see more and more of him. Probably start by next year.
And I will be drinking Miller Lite and maybe some Walt Wit.
Your right WWW about the CB play last year with both Brown and Sammuel playing well off the
WR on 3rd down and Red-Zone situations.. I believe Secondary Coach D Jauron will have these CB
face-guarding the WR’s at the line of scrimmage a lot more than last years (at least that’s what I am hoping for and have noticed more in these early Pre-Season games)
When will Eaglesnation realize the real problem with the Philadelphia Eagles was never Donovan McNabb. The current head coach and his entire staff sucks. Just take a moment to understand why the Eagles have not won a superbowl yet…Andy Reid and the front office have yet to understand that size and speed and a power running game is what todays NFL is. We bring in Ernie Sims who weighs what 230 Lbs at will backer??? then we give Stacy andrews 30 mil for what??? Andy reid says Jason peters is the best LT in the game??? this may be true if Andy reid ran the ball behind him more. Our best player Desean jackson is what 5′ 9″ 175 you have got to be kidding. as good as desean is, if your best player is this small it is going to be a long year. remember in all the past Drafts Andy reid kept drafting all these offensive linemen where the hell are they now??? This team will never win a superbowl with this type of thinking. MARK MY WORD ON THIS.