• March 29, 2024

Eagles Defense Ready To Stop Bradford And Jackson

While most of the focus recently has been directed toward the Eagles offensive line this week as the Eagles approach their season opener against the Rams, spectators should not overlook all the money and player signings that have been inserted into their newly revamped defense. The Birds have boasted about their much improved roster and have been dubbed the “Dream team”.

As defensive tackle, Cullen Jenkins put it, this is quite the premature title coming from a team that went a modest 2-2 in the preseason, but they did manage to walk the walk as they surrendered just 14.5 points throughout. Such an impressive stat is just a small indication of what this defense will do all season and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo is still making it known that this side of the ball will be at a Super Bowl caliber level come playoff time.

Castillo’s press conference yesterday in which he touched on a number of topics regarding the major additions to this defense. He made it clear that week in week out it’s going to be an ongoing process with this D until they eventually find the chemistry that they need to reach their ultimate goal which is to make it back to the Super Bowl.

The defense will be heavily tested against all the playmakers that makeup the Rams much improved offense. 1,000+ yard rusher Steven Jackson is one of the notables that feature on this young and dynamic offensive threat commanded by the newly hired offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. In response to questions regarding the Pro Bowl running back Castillo asserted that the team has a number of packages that were previewed in the preseason that will help to try to contain the elusive back.

He touched on a number of other players and how they will fit into the mix come Sunday, including re-acquired cornerback Joselio Hanson. After making final cuts to finalize their 53-man roster, the veteran corner, Hanson was left off that list due to his heavy contract. Less than two days later, the former Texas Tech Raider was back in an Eagles uniform after signing a new deal for fewer bucks. Look for Hanson to receive a few reps if and when the D decides to go nickel or dime. He’ll likely be matched up a one-on-one matchup with fellow former Red Raider, wide receiver Danny Amendola.

This resigning completes arguably the most versatile secondary in the league which already includes the aforementioned Nhamdi Asomugha, along with Dominque Rogers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel. This veteran crew will be key leading into Sunday, as they will be called on to add pressure to second-year stud quarterback Sam Bradford and try to throw him off his game. Defensive backs and D lineman will have to carry a lot of the load in this one for they will need to pick up the youth of Casey Matthews, Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou that makes up an unproven linebacking core.

The D line is going to be pretty solid going into game day. This cast of ends and tackles were imposing throughout the preseason so an even more impressive showing should be sustained throughout this game. By adding two major pieces to the line’s left side including left defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins and left defensive end Jason Babin, this mix adds to the potency that already lies in right defensive end Trent Cole who manufactured 10 sacks last season. Opposing offensive lines will have few answers in how to keep their quarterback from getting hit on each and every down.

The defense understands that they are a work in progress. Due to the major moves that they made in the offseason the media has made this team out to be the team to beat. The Birds find themselves with a bull’s-eye on their backs but they remain grounded in humility.

In a recent interview on ESPN’s PTI the premiere corner Asomugha expressed his thoughts on the team’s mindset at this point. “We understand that teams are going to be gunning for us, but we haven’t done anything yet we haven’t even won a game.” Asomugha said. “Obviously on paper teams are going to be gunning for us, but this doesn’t add any pressure to us, your goal is to win a Super Bowl regardless.”

The key will be what kind of game plan McDaniels decides to employ. Will he ask Bradford to carry this football team or will he put the ball in the hands of Jackson and ask him to pound the Eagles run defense to keep the Eagles defensive front off balance?

McDaniels loves to throw the ball, but throwing the ball every down will have Bradford battling the strength of the Birds defense, their pass defense. Focus on what game plan McDaniels decides to utilize in quarter number one because it will give a good idea of how much the Rams have done their homework. Hopefully, McDaniels is unable to resist his love of the passing game. If not, the Birds defense could be headed for quite a battle.

Colin Washington

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Rasheed1
Rasheed1
September 9, 2011 10:11 am

I thought the Eagles went 3-1 in the preseason… Anyway I been doing a little surfing and Im getting a little tired of the disrespect being shown to the Eagles… Bunch smirky hacks on these different sites talking about the ‘dream team’ as if the Eagles are pounding their chests saying ‘we da bess’.. It was a comment made in passing by V young and the media took it and ran a mile with it.. now they say it all sarcastically like the Eagles are out here guaranteeing a championship or something… Everyone is picking the Rams (not everyone but alot of folks)! There’s nothing wrong with picking the Rams, but these sports hacks arent giving us any credit.. They talk like we’ll get whupped by these guys… lol

Man I hope the Players are aware of this (I will assume they are). Because if it is p*ssing me off, I sure hope hope it is doing the same to them

I cant wait for this game

paulman
paulman
September 9, 2011 10:12 am

A couple of things working in the Eagles Favor,
New O/Coordinator J McDaniels typically runs a pretty complicated scheme with lots of formations and 3-4 WR Sets, Empty backfields, etc, etc..
I don’t believe the Rams have the Talent yet at WR to really work well with his System or have had the time with this shortened camp season. Is McDaniels patient enough and can put his ego aside and let the Rams do what they do best, which is run the ball.. My guess that McDaniels (similar to Coach AR) is going to want to prove that he’s smarter than everyone else in the Stadium and will call lots of plays & various formations that the young Rams Offense and QB are probably just not ready for and will play right into the hands of the Eagles Defense,. Josh McDaniels maybe be the only person with a bigger ego than Paulman and may end up being the best weapon the Eagles have come Sunday… Time will tell…

bobbyuk
bobbyuk
September 9, 2011 10:55 am

Inded–they did go 3-1 in the preseason–not that it matters, but if the author is going to quote won-loss records, the least they could do is get them right.

xtian999
xtian999
September 9, 2011 10:59 am

My prediction: 2011 Eagles Squad + 60 minutes of football – Unforced Eagle Errors = Domination x 85% of NFL. After watching last night’s game between the Pack and Saints, I would definitely put those two teams in that 15% that would give the Birds a run for their money. I am having a hard time seeing the Rams as being in that 15%. I am anxious to see if I am right this Sunday.

pheags88
pheags88
September 9, 2011 12:39 pm

Crazyyyy seeing some of the people in the national media actually pick the Rams on Sunday….Sure if you pick the Eagles to win and they do there’s nothing special about it…But if you pick the Rams and they win somehow your looked at like a genius on TV. Same idiots thought to pick the Saints last night over the Pack…EVEN though the saints have no Defense this year. Can someone please tell me how the Rams WR are going to beat our corners…Or how Ron Bartell or Bradley Fletcher is going to stop Maclin and Djax…O I get it they must have some All-Pro safeties backing them up Right??? LOL…yea Craig Dahl and our own Quintin Mikell (who played like ass once Dawk left) are scary…Don’t give me the home field advantage either…If anyone benefits from playing indoors on turf its us since we are the fastest team in the NFL. (Hence why we dont play well when we go to places like Chicago or Pitt)

Steven Jackson has been a great player in this league the last couple years but he is not the same RB he was…The only way the Birds loose this game is if Spags, MCDaniels completely out coach Reid. I could see the first half being messy for us with all the new players but The Eagles will def pull away in this one simply because our talent is much better than theirs…28-17.

If we are 2-1 coming out of the first 3 the NFL should just hand us a pass to the playoffs

Rasheed1
Rasheed1
September 9, 2011 1:17 pm

Im seeing something like 28-17 myself for the Eagles game… I think Bradford and the rams have a nice up young group… but they talk about us like we’re tomato cans masquerading as champs..

Vick and the Offense can do enough to put 28 pts on the board..

Alot of these hacks talk about how the Rams will 22 personnell and bring in 2 TEs and dominate us, but I happen to welcome that because these teams will be trying to out scheme us just to avoid our corners and that helps us ultimately… If opponents wanna scheme to keep our corners off the field, then its going to cut down on the options they have on offense and it will limit what they are able to run..

bottomline, I cant wait for Sunday @ 1:00 pm