Post by EagleGene on Aug 7, 2006 9:09:18 GMT -5
Defensive Line 'Sets The Tone'
August 6, 2006
By CHRIS McPHERSON
CANTON, Ohio -- This was exactly what defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had in mind.
When the Eagles signed free agent defensive end Darren Howard in the off-season, the Eagles wanted to bolster a pass rush that ranked 26th in the league with only 29 sacks last season. The Eagles craved Howard's speed off the edge and his strength to play inside on nickel situations. With Howard, the Eagles believe they can enjoy the success they had in 2004 when they were second in the league in sacks.
The Eagles unleashed their new defensive line on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday night and the stats speak for themselves. In two series, the Raiders lost three yards, were sacked once and committed a false start penalty. It might have been a light workload for the defensive line, but it was effective nonetheless.
"It was important for us to set the tone and I think we did that," said Howard. "It went fast, but we did what we had to do when we were in there."
Howard showed his versatility on the opening drive. From the defensive tackle spot in the nickel formation, Howard got great push on the line and tackled Oakland running back LaMont Jordan in the backfield for a one-yard loss. On the Raiders' second drive, it was Howard from the tackle spot again and defensive end Jevon Kearse from the edge who helped setup a third-down sack for defensive end Trent Cole.
"It's all about push," said Cole. "If you get the push, then someone's going to be there. Last year, I had to play the whole game. This year (with Howard), I can come in 100, no 110 percent off the edge. It's just speed, all out speed and technique."
Defensive tackle Darwin Walker doesn't want the defense to think it's done anything after Sunday night. He expects the first-team defense to play a lot more on Thursday against Cleveland.
"We're happy with that performance, but we want to keep it going," said Walker. "Anytime you go out there, you want to set a tone and really form the attitude and personality in the way you want to play and want to be all year."
The tone has been set. The Eagles have shown they have the tools to play physical, downhill defense. The pieces are in place to attack and force miscues to allow one of the deepest secondaries in the league to prey. It may have been only a few plays, but it sets the tone.
And to think, this is without first-round draft pick defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in the lineup ...
August 6, 2006
By CHRIS McPHERSON
CANTON, Ohio -- This was exactly what defensive coordinator Jim Johnson had in mind.
When the Eagles signed free agent defensive end Darren Howard in the off-season, the Eagles wanted to bolster a pass rush that ranked 26th in the league with only 29 sacks last season. The Eagles craved Howard's speed off the edge and his strength to play inside on nickel situations. With Howard, the Eagles believe they can enjoy the success they had in 2004 when they were second in the league in sacks.
The Eagles unleashed their new defensive line on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday night and the stats speak for themselves. In two series, the Raiders lost three yards, were sacked once and committed a false start penalty. It might have been a light workload for the defensive line, but it was effective nonetheless.
"It was important for us to set the tone and I think we did that," said Howard. "It went fast, but we did what we had to do when we were in there."
Howard showed his versatility on the opening drive. From the defensive tackle spot in the nickel formation, Howard got great push on the line and tackled Oakland running back LaMont Jordan in the backfield for a one-yard loss. On the Raiders' second drive, it was Howard from the tackle spot again and defensive end Jevon Kearse from the edge who helped setup a third-down sack for defensive end Trent Cole.
"It's all about push," said Cole. "If you get the push, then someone's going to be there. Last year, I had to play the whole game. This year (with Howard), I can come in 100, no 110 percent off the edge. It's just speed, all out speed and technique."
Defensive tackle Darwin Walker doesn't want the defense to think it's done anything after Sunday night. He expects the first-team defense to play a lot more on Thursday against Cleveland.
"We're happy with that performance, but we want to keep it going," said Walker. "Anytime you go out there, you want to set a tone and really form the attitude and personality in the way you want to play and want to be all year."
The tone has been set. The Eagles have shown they have the tools to play physical, downhill defense. The pieces are in place to attack and force miscues to allow one of the deepest secondaries in the league to prey. It may have been only a few plays, but it sets the tone.
And to think, this is without first-round draft pick defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in the lineup ...
