The 2011 Philadelphia Eagles defense wasn’t supposed to be this way. During the off-season Andy Reid and company went out and acquired some big name free agents such as Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Babin. So far this season on a few occasions Babin and the defensive line have had flashes of brilliance, but after last week’s game against the Bears it’s clear these guys and the rest of the defense are nothing but a group of softies. These guys aren’t playing like a unit and instead are more concerned with keeping their jerseys clean and it goes against what Eagles defense should be about.
The secondary has been a huge disappointment this season and Nnamdi is leading the way. Kurt Coleman so far this season has the most interceptions of anyone in the secondary with 3. We’re halfway through the season and for Kurt Coleman to be having more interceptions then Nnamdi, Asante, and DRC is a huge issue.
These are three Pro Bowlers who are supposed to be shutdown players. Every week that passes they seem more and more uninterested in playing ball. At this moment they are clearly stealing paychecks from the Eagles. I’ve never seen cornerbacks so passive on the field. All three of them clearly don’t want to hit anybody which is a problem because in football you need to have a passion to hit someone.
The Bears game made me think about defenses of the past with the Eagles. The obvious defenses that stand out to me are the Buddy Ryan defenses and the Dawkins/Trotter defenses of the early part of the Reid era. These defenses to me represent all that Eagles defense should be about. They were tough and nasty and ready to hit anyone in their path. Other teams used to fear these defenses. Today teams are targeting plays at our best players like Babin and Asante because they know how soft they are.
Somewhere along the line the culture of the Eagles defense changed. Juan Castillo being the defensive coordinator isn’t helping the situation of making these guys tough. Sure he looks fired up on the sidelines but behind the scenes these guys need a true defensive leader that will preach the philosophy of what a defense is. The Dawkins defense and the Buddy Ryan defenses had that. The current defense is misguided and lost in every which way.
During the Bears game one particular play signifies how this defense has been all season. When DRC missed a tackle and started holding his hands in the air as if he was surrendering while the play was still going on and a tackle needed to be made pretty much sums it up for this defense.
For DRC to not realize a play was still going on and think someone else took care of the tackle is inexcusable. His man beat him and he should have been angry enough go after him and finish the play. Regardless of who else is around that could potentially make the tackle if your man beats you it should set off a sense of anger and drive you to not let that happen again. But this defense seems content with plays like this. They don’t have a snarl or nasty edge to them like past Eagles Defenses.
Playmaking linebackers are something all past Eagle defenses had. We haven’t had a linebacker with legitimate playmaking abilities since Trotter the first time around. He was a monster on the field and played with an aggressive style that we haven’t seen since. The Buddy Ryan defenses had Seth Joyner and Byron Evans both who got after the ball on every play. This defense can’t succeed with the current line backing core. Linebackers are undervalued by Andy Reid and that’s an issue. Superbowl winners have top notch linebackers and this needs to be addressed going forward.
Bottom line is you can’t teach toughness and nastiness to players. Either you have it or you don’t and the current Eagles defense is showing more and more they are just flat out soft. We’ve seen the blueprint for Eagles defenses from the past. It’s time to start taking a page from history and re-writing the current defense.
Don’t be fooled because Sunday against Arizona they’ll probably look half decent. But the overall image of this defense is already taken a hit. Offenses know they can dominate if they have the right game-plan. It starts with the culture of a defense and going forward instead of bringing in the big names try bringing in guys that are tough and willing to hit someone every play.
I know why Eagles offense has been so bad in Reid’s playoff history…. Sandusky before each game seen their TE’s.
When a team has to work on the same issues, year after year, that ‘s a sure sign of bad coaching.
The Eagles had a record-breaking defense last year. So, they spent a ton of money on the best free-agents available, and they still have a bad defense. And I’m tired of hearing about how difficult it’s been to assemble all the pieces without regular off-season workouts.
How many seasons have they been trying to fix their red zone problems?
How may seasons have they been trying to fix their time-out problems?
How many season have they been trying to fix their short-yardage problems?
How many season have they been trying to fix their run-defense problems? Here’s the funny part about that one. They finally did it. They grabbed a couple of big linebackers like Stewart Bradley and they were able to control the run.
Now, here’s the kicker. Just like they finally (after how many years) learned that they needed quality receivers when they grabbed TO, and followed up his acquisition with the Hank Basketts and Greg Lewises of the world, they decided that Bradley-sized linebackers were bad. And would they have moved Chaney to the outside? I’m guessing it’s the same reason they replaced their defensive coordinator with an offensive line coach. I digress.
Where was I?
How many seasons have they been trying fix their offensive line problems?
How many seasons have they been trying to fix . . . gotta run, I’m late for rehearsal. You know I’ll finish this.
Hopefully jaiqwan jarret gets to start this week. at least we’ll have another hitter in the secondary . i wanted ike taylor for this purpose instead of nnamdi.. also ike taylor is faster 4.26 40 and is mean becuase hes from pittsburg.. the eagles either gotta get tougher or stop making mistakes one or the damn other .. im sure they will be bettter next year if they dont add too many new players.. u cant add that many new players and expect continuity.. its takes along time for guys to gel.. and maclin and desean missing camp did not help.. everything matters ..timing is vital.. payton manning and reggie wayne work every day together . same as he did with marvin harrison .. these guys dont strive to be perfect ….
It’s such a pathetic situation that I have lost interest. I’ll have to do a better job
of showing interest.I heard that the Eagles practiced the fake punt all week and that it didn’t work in practice. Did anyone else hear this?
This notion isn’t new, this defense has been soft for years. It’s a philosophy under Reid. DE sized DT’s, LB sized DE’s, S sized LB’s and high school size (and ability) DB’s and all with no teeth. The Eagles believe faster is better and with this wide nine it’s even more glaring that they don’t have the ass to stop the run. Really, the only game they’ve been able to control the run is against the Skins’ who fell behind early and had some turd (Torrain) at RB. D. Murray had 80 yds on a handful of touches before Dallas abandoned the run in what was a poor game plan. Big E, I also heard they practiced the fake with no success during the week. It was a desparate play any way, a play that a team that doesn’t think they are good enough to win on their own ability calls. If they’re as good as they think they are, go for it on fourth down in that spot, don’t pin your hopes to a rookie punter, Colt Anderson and a BS trick.
tonto, that ain’t funny dude! Don’t joke around on that! WTF is wrong with you!? Have a little class & common sense.
I gave Nnamdi the benefit of the doubt on his early season struggles thinking it was him playing in a zone defense…. however, after watching the past few games, he f-ing blows….what an overrated, over-priced player he is…. with his haircut he looks like GUMBY….. tall, lanky, soft cover guy who looks lost out there…. another major bust by the Eagles in free-agency.
This is just sad…
Schiller , Navy
Put a spin on it and tell us how stupid we are and just have faith in Andy.
I’d like to heard your flawless logic and superior intellect explain how a team loaded with pro bowlers can’t beat any decent winning team and has a home field Dis-advantage. Tell me again like Jason Avant, how we are not real Eagle fans for pointing out the obvious.
Yes I dislike Crystal Ball Andy, but maybe I just have not been patient enough. After all look at all the coaches who have won Superbowls after they’ve been given 13 years.
I’ll help you out. The Baseball Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers won world championships after barely making the play-offs, the Eagles usually finish strong, and since they will be a wild card they will be on the road where they play better and will have an excellent chance to will the superbowl.
Thanks guys.
I feel better already.
I knew Andy’s inability to win at home would come in handy somewhere.
Gumby , nice jott, and instead of playing rocky music at the beginning of the games the eagles should consider the mr. Softee ice cream truck jingle, “do do do do do did do, did dot did did did did do…..
I still stand by my request for wanting the Eagles to sign CB Carlos Rogers who has helped the 49ers become the top Rated/Ranked Secondary/Pass Defense in the Red-Zone.. He’ plays a physical brand of football and is great in the Red-Zone which is the Eagles biggest weakness defensively and has been for the las t3-4 Seasons.. Asmo is overrated and sinec he playted out on the west coast, noy many people really saw him play much, yes his highlights look impressive, but he plays too often with his back to the ball and his back to the QB and that is something you cannot do in the NFL.. As a CB, you have to know where the ball is and the great cover guys make plays on the ball, Asmo makes plays on the reciever, but many times, it’s too late for the ball is already benn caught..
Sandusky
You are a sad excuse for a man.
A public castration would go a long way in preventing you and others like you from preying on defenseless children.
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18:6
As we the fans have been saying for years, the further away from the buddy, and rhodes we get, the defense has gotten softer and softer. these player now are all A/R’s players. I keep wondering how do you discount any position on a football team. strong in one part of the game and weak in another they never balance out, always a day late or a dollar short. ‘GOT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PUTTING PLAYERS IN THE RIGHT POSITION, G isn’t the game played with players in basic positions and formations? TIMES YOURS!
Here’s a breakdown on some production by this Eagles Defense thus far in 2011
Leading Tackler is LB J Cheney with 53 Tackles (Over 40 Players in the NFL have more tackles than the Eagles leading tackler)
2nd on the Eagles Tackling list is Safety Jarrod Page with 36 and he has even played the last couple of games…
3rd on the Eagles Tackling list is LB B Rolle with 30 who replaced the overmatch Casey Matthews in week #4 I believe…
4th on list is K Coleman with 29 and then 5th is Nate Allen with 25
( So the 2nd,4th & 5th Leading Tacklers on your team are your Safeties which is not a good sign)
Here is a list of the Top Eagles Defensive Lineman and their Stats
#1) J Babin has 23 Tackles and 9 Sacks
#2) C Jenkins has 20 Tackles and 5 Sacks
#3) T Cole has 17 Tackles and 4 Sacks
(Here’s the Top 5 DL by Production and Stats wise)
#1) DE Calias Campbell- Cardinals (44 Tackles and 5 Sacks)
#2) DT A Rubin – Celeveland Browns – (39 Tackles and 3 Sacks)
#3) DE J Pierre-Paul – Giants – (38 Tackles and 9.5 Sacks)
#4) DT A Garay – SD Chargers – (37 Tackles and 2 Sacks)
#5) DE J Allen – Vikings – (34 Tackles and 12.5 Sacks)
#6) DE D Edwards – BIlls – (34 Tackles and 2 Sacks)
#7) DT D Peko – Bengals (33 Tackles and 0 Sacks)
#8) DE A Carter – Patriots (32 Tackles and 4.5 Sacks)
#9) DT H Ngata – Ravens (30 Tackles and 3 Sacks)
#10 DT J Smith – 49ers (29 Tackels and 4.5 Sacks)
#11) DE G Dorsey – Chiefs (29 Tackles and 0 Sacks)
#12) DT S Pouha – NY Jets (28 Tackles and 0 Sacks)
Now onto the LB’s
Chaney leads the team with 53 Tackles which ranks him 46th Overall
Rolle has 30 and has only started 4 or 5 Games after replacing Matthews
M Fokou has 20 Total Tackles and has played in every game thus far.. Both meek tackling CB’s Samuel (24 tackles) and Asmoguah (21 tackles) have more than Fokou which is downright embarrassing and not what you expect from your Strong Side LB.. I counted 103, yes that’s right 103 other LB’s in the NFL who had more production and Tackles than M Fokou which ranks him one of the worst in the entire NFL.. ..
Now the Secondary
Eagles J Page leads Eagles with 36 Tackles and then Coleman with 29
and Allen with 25 and all 3 players ahve been in and out of the line-up
Heres a list of top tackling Safeties in the NFL
#1) A Bethea – Colts – (75 Tackles, and their defense is on the field alot)
#2) G Wilson – BIlls – (71 Tackles)
#3) T Branch – Raiders – (69 Tackles)
#4) Y Bell – Dolphins (64 Tackles)
#5) R Clark – Steelers (57 Tackles)
#6) R Harper – Saints (56 Tackles)
#7) J Byrd – Bills ( 56 Tackles)
#8) J Babenioux – Titans (55 Tackles)
#9) E Thomas – Seahawks (55 Tackles)
#10) A Rolle – Giants (55 Tackles)
#11) P Chung – Patriots (55 Tackles)
#12) D Landry – Jaguars (53 Tackles)
#13) E Weddle – Chargers (53 Tackles)
#14) M Burnett – Packers (52 Tackles)
#15) R Nelson – Bengals (51 Tackles)
#16) K Chancellor – Seahawks (50 Tackles)
Now we go to CB’s which are usually not known for their tackling Stats
Eagles Samuel has 24, Asmo 21 and DCR has 17
Here’s the Top tackling CB’s in the NFL
#1) Jason McCourty – Titans (67 Tackles)
#2) Devin McCourty – Patriots (55 Tackles and brother of Jason)
#3) Charles Tillman – Bears (54 Tackles)
#4) DeAngelo Hall – Redksins (49 Tackles)
#5) AJ Jerfferson – Cardinals (44 Tackles)
#6) Tim Jennings – Bears (43 Tackles)
#7) Kyle Arrington – Patriots (43 Tackles)
#8) Ladarius Webb – Ravens (42 Tackles)
#9) Cedrick Griffin – Vikings (42 Tackles)
#10) Chris Houston – Lions (41 Tackles)
#11) Cary Williams – RAvens (41 Tackles)
#12) Ronde Barber – TB Bucs (38 Tackles)
#13) Jabari Greer – NO Saints (38 Tackles)
#14) Sean SMith – Dolphins (38 Tackles)
#15) Jeraud Powers – Colts (38 Tackles)
#16) C Finnegan – Titans (37 Tackles)
#17) B Flowers – KC Chiefs (37 Tackles)
#18) E Wright – Lions ( 36 Tackles)
#19) B Grimes – FAlcons (36 Tackles)
#20) R Marshall – Cardinals ( 35 Tackles, 2 Sacks and 2 Int’s)
Not to inudate everyone wuith numbers and stats but before I read another poster’s statements about how talented this Eagles Defense and the 5-6 Pro-Bowl players on it.. I say th performance is in the numbers and the Eagles big names on Defense are just not getting it done, especially Trent Cole, the LB’s and the CB’s.. This team is doomednot just for this season but for the next few Seasons in my opinion for Cole & Babin will get their Sacks, but they don’t do much else, the LB Corp even with some new players next year will need time together and the Eagles CB’s are way overrated and Samuel & Asmo are on the backside of their Careers and DCR has been a bust so far
Wow, Paul, no Birds in the tops of anything!? What a surprise. I don’t believe it! *sarcasm*
I jsut wanted to show for the record of how poorly these supposed “ALl-Pro’s are playing and these DE’s on the Eagles were way down the list,, It’s basically shows that if BAbin.Cole aren’t getting Sacks, they basically aren’t contributing much to the Defense.. Most have us have States that this EAgles LB Corps is one of the weakest in the NFL and these #’s bear that out and that the EAgles CB’s are non-agreesive, poor in tacking which again many of us stated back in the SUmmer Time so when you really add it all up, This Eagle Defense is about where they should be which is the bottom 1/2 on the NFL and I don’t want to hear about what schemes, who the coaches are or are not.. the players are just not getting it done and are not playing as a unit and too many of them are more concerned about persional Stats (Sacks,INt’s) instead of swarming to the ball and knocking people around like the Eagles used to do…
Good analysis paulman, very revealing