Win or lose, Eagles Defense Must Impress

by TheSportsWatcher on Sep 16, 2009 12:59 PM EDT

The Eagles have a tough game against the New Orleans Saints. While the likley absence of Donovan McNabb may have already determined the outcome of this game, the performance of the Eagles defense this week may determine the Eagles season.

While the Eagles defense looked great against the Carolina Panthers, the Eagle shouldn't expect 4 interceptions from Drew Brees. This is a big game, and Brees often plays quite well in those. In the past, the Eagles defense has been the reason Philly comes through in big games, but without coach Jim Johnson, how well equipped is the new defensive coordinator for a game of this magnitude?

New defensive coordinator Sean McDermott had all offseason to get ready for Carolina, but with just a week to get ready for the NFL's best offense, is he ready for the challenge? There are a lot of things that go into preparing for a game like this, and let's face it, McDermott is a rookie when it comes to calling the plays. The plays he calls, and how this beat up defense performs this week, will go a long way in determining whether the Eagles are the defense from last year, that finished #3 in the league, or if they are just a shell of their former selves.

One thing McDermott showed last week was an interest in making the backers more involved in the game. It was a good strategy, bringing pressure of the middle with twist and the like. Jim Johnson usually just preferred coming off the edge, using backers and Dawkins interchangeably. However, McDermott seems inclined to increase the sack totals of linebackers specifically, something that could make offensive lines more weary of the backers presence, and thus more cautious with their pass protections. Although, blitzing the linebackers could just be a way of making up for the loss of Steward Bradley and masking the coverage liabilities of his replacements.

Outside of the coach, I will be interested to see how the Eagles match up man to man. Asante Samuel and Brown had big plays last week, but they weren't really challenged. This week, the Saints will isolate those two, and Drew Brees will find the isolation. Whether Brown and Samuel hold up will determine how they are used for the rest of the season and whether Ellis Hobbs will get more of a shot at starting. Also, if Samuel and Brown play well, the issue of the Eagles two safeties won't be that big of a problem--at least for now.

After years of trouble with the run, the Eagles finally stopped the rush in 2008. They did a decent job to start the year last week, but the ultimate test will come against the Saints, because the Eagles won't be able to put 8 men in the box for the majority of the game. When you look at teams that win the Super Bowl, you will always come across teams that can stop the run with just 7 men in the box. Thus, if the eagles are going to contend this season, they have to stop the run against the Saints, with just 7 men around the line of scrimmage.

Lastly, what about the blitz? The Eagles love to blitz, it's a staple of their defense, and they won't win games without it. But when you're up against the best quarterback in the conference, you can't just blitz him all "willy nilly." Jim Johnson was notorious for calling blitzes at poor times in big games only to allow the other team free reign on an exposed secondary. It was blitzing late in the 4th quarter that may have cost the Eagles a trip to the Super Bowl last year. So what will be McDermott's use of the blitz against Brees and late in the 4th when the game is on the line? I don't know, but it will be very interesting to see his strategy and whether or not he chooses to expose the secondary late in the game.

Win or lose (and I'm not too concerned either way without McNabb), what the Eagles defense does this game will either give me great deal of confidence or great displeasure on the Eagles outlook for the rest of the 2009 NFL season.

~TheSportsWatcher

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I don’t think our defense was a fluke against Carolina. Sean McDermotts been around as long as Reid and McNabb.. he knows the system that JJ created and if anything he can only build on it. We can’t forget that the Panthers are a good team, they did make the play-offs last year. Just because Jake had two very bad games shouldn’t completely discredit our team and our defense. They did beat a lot of good teams last year like the Chargers, Falcons, Cardinals (early in the season), and the stomped on the Saints in week 7 and pulled out a close win in week 17. Either way, the Defense will come out and play.

We need to bring the D but most importantly our offense will need to come out and play, we need to be able to attack back if Brees does get a couple TDs. Whether we can answer back and put some points on the board is what concerns me right now with McNabb out. But with our current weapons supporting Kolb, it should be a good game – hopefully every phase comes out and makes an impact in our game on Sunday. Then people will really start to take us seriously.

In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard.
-Theodore Roosevelt

by Eaglesgrl5 on Sep 16, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

We aint the Lions

I don’t think we have to worry about getting burned because for 1. The most points the Saints have ever put up against us was 27 and while that may sound like a lot…that was before way before we had the Secondary we do now. That was back in late 06-early 07. And remember last time we played them we won 38-23. Brees is going to realize that isn’t going against the same secondary as the Lions. I’m not worried about Colston or Meachem. I’m more worried about how our linebackers handle Shockey. I don’t believe he is suddenly “BACK” as so many analysts describe it, but he is a good TE and that will be a real test for our linebackers. Overall, I think we should have this game in the bag because there is no one on their defense that really worries me. DeSean should have a big game and the battle of Vilma vs Westbrook should be a easily lean in favor or Westy especially when he’s got a all-purpose FB that they have to account for as well.

by macjack09 on Sep 16, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

Our run to Pass Ratio was a healthy 52/48 Sunday. I think we need to maintain that attack, control the clock and dominate on special teams again. This is one area where we will shine and the Saints lack, severly. ST’s/Field position could very well be the deciding factor in this game.

Astra Inclinant, Non Necessitant

by EagleGreeninMD on Sep 16, 2009 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

i understand the theory in calling the saints the best offense...

but honestly are they?

i am a huge brees fan. i think hes better than brady and rothelisberger. over the past year or so id say hes even been better than peyton, although mannings career is much better. hes an amazing quarterback. he makes guys like robert meachum and devery henderson look like rice and moss. he has the ability to burn you deep on every play.

but look at the rest of the team. i believe reggie bush is a bust. the guy had huge expectations and hasnt even come close to them. shockey is washed up. i know everyone says hes back, but come on the played the lions. seriously? lj smith has the potential for a big game against them. colston is a good wideout but i believe our corners can handle him.

i think our defense will come out there knowing that we can stop the run with 7 guys in the box and still have enough presence to cover the deep ball.

i say brees has good numbers but it wont be enough. i say 240 yards 2TDs, INT and a fumble.

i say eagles on top 27-17. go birds!

"Never give in, never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

by ando1213 on Sep 16, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

When I say the best...

I’m referring to their yardage and points/game last year, which were both ranked #1 in the NFL last year. That’s all. Just facts, and talent withstanding.

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by TheSportsWatcher on Sep 16, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

McDermott doesn’t strike me as a guy who’s going to shy away from the blitz in any game, but I don’t think we need to rely on it because T-cole, Abiamiri, Clemons, Howard and others can apply pretty good pressure as a 4 man rush.

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by RadioheadbeatlesEagles on Sep 16, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

Why do you say that Mcdermott had all offseason to prepare for the Panthers but fail to say the Saints had all offseason to prepare for the Lowly Lions?

Anybody would look great against Detroit that’s an all time bad team and their defense gave up 27 to them.

This is a pretty one sided pessimistic blog against the Eagles IMO.

You used the same points to bash the Eagles but credit the Saints.

RIP Jim Johnson this super bowl season is for you.

by thebirdsrtheword on Sep 16, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

7 of the points came from a saints turnover

so technically the defense did not give those points up, but you can argue that the saints offense has the potential to turn the ball over so the argument still stands

by Manoovi on Sep 16, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Jim Johnson was notorious for calling blitzes at poor times in big games only to allow the other team free reign on an exposed secondary.

Really? Besides last year in the NFCCG, name one specific time. Do it.

You may be correct that he had done it in the past, but to say he was “notorious” for doing it without backing up the claim is plain ridiculous.

About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.

by IronHank on Sep 17, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, I can do better than one...

In the 2004 NFC Championship game, the Panthers had a 126.7 quarterback rating against the blitz.

In the 2002 NFC Championship game, the Rams had a 132.1 qb rating against the blitz.

In the 2007 NFC wildcard game, the Giants had a 137.3 qb rating against the blitz.

And in the 2007 division game, the Saints had a 141.7 qb rating against the blitz.

Now, I’m not saying Jim Johnson was a bad d-coordinator or anything, in fact, I loved Jim Johnson. I think he was one of the 2 or 3 best of his era. But he was known to blitz one too many times in big games. It wasn’t a character flaw, it was the personality of the defense. It’s like living and dying by shooting the 3. Yeah, you’ll lose some games doing it from time to time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be Duke and win a few national championships or reach the Sweet 16 every year.

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by TheSportsWatcher on Sep 18, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions