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Through three games, the Eagles defense has surrendered 86 points, sixth most in the league. 438.3 yards per game, third most in the league.
It's clear: the Eagles defense has struggled early on. Lacking talent doesn't help matters.
Billy Davis spoke on the state of the Eagles defense on Wednesday.
We are too inconsistent in every little phase right now. We're in the growth process, we have to play the techniques of every coverage better than we're playing them. The better word would be 'more consistent'. When we hit the consistency mode, we're going to be right where we want to be.
Inconsistency have been evidenced on a player by player basis. Look at Eagles starting CB Cary Williams. He played well against the Redskins, but struggled mightily against the Chargers' passing attack. Then he seemed to hold his own against the Chiefs, although he was probably aided by Alex's Smith non-threatening down field passing game.
Mychal Kendricks is another player who has been plagued by inconsistency. After an impressive performance in Washington, he has struggled. Kendricks only missed 1 tackle in Week 1, but has missed a combined 7 tackles in the past two games.
Nate Allen really struggled against San Diego, but looked competent vs. the Chiefs.
The list goes on. As I mentioned before, the Eagles lack talent. Some of these players simply aren't good enough, so inconsistency is to be expected. But that doesn't mean there aren't things they can work on as a group.
Davis spoke on the inconsistencies as a defensive unit.
If you look at the first three games defensively, there are times we played third down very well, there were times we played it awful. Times we've been in the red zone and we've been great. Responded to adversity last week, off the charts. Proud of the way the guys handled the adversity, turned it into a positive. There are times we don't.
There have been moments where the Eagles came close to defensive stops but just couldn't get the job done. Think back to those first down conversions at the hands of Eddie Royal and Donnie Avery. Making that one extra play to get a stop could go a long way for this defense.
For a defense that has constantly been labeled a work in progress, especially thanks to the schematic switch, inconsistency is ultimately not unexpected.
With the Eagles set to face Peyton Manning in Denver on Sunday, they better hope to generate a consistent, improved performance for their sake.