Will These Youngsters Immediately Improve The Eagles Defense?

The Eagles defense isn’t a big group, but they’re supposed to be fast, so I’d like to see that speed make a difference tonight.  Jacksonville shouldn’t be able to have big plays against the first-team defense.

I want to see that defensive line  playing the game on the other side of the line of scrimmage.  That means getting off on the snap and getting penetration.

The tackles need to keep middle linebacker Stewart Bradley free to roam.  Bradley should be playing downhill and attacking the run.  No heroics are needed but I want him to be active and I’d like to see him make a play or two.

On third down, the Eagles will replace three of their four defensive linemen and I can’t wait to see what happens.  Pro Bowler Trent Cole will be the only defensive lineman to stay on the field.  Can they get to the passer without blitzing?

Winning defenses get off the field on third down.  Will these youngsters make the Eagles defense better and allow them to get pressure on the passer without blitzing?

I want to see rookie defensive end Brandon Graham come off the ball, get up the field and put pressure on the passer.  At the same time, I’ll be eyeballing Trevor Laws and rookie Daniel Te’o Nesheim at the defensive tackle spots.

Laws has been putting pressure on the passers at training camp, I want to see him do it in a preseason game.   The same is true for Nesheim, who has been getting better as a pass rusher.

Getting to the quarterback without being forced to blitz, put takes pressure off the secondary.

I want to see linebackers Ernie Sims and Akeem Jordan be in position to make some plays while they’re on the field.  We’ve got to get more turnovers from the linebackers.  The play of Sims will be a key to the defense because he and Bradley will be out there on third down, so I want to see him all over the field creating havoc.

In the secondary, rookie Nate Allen will get my attention.  He needs to anticipate shifts and motions and be in the proper position on each play.   I want to see him play smart and make plays when he gets the chance.

Of course a big play, like an interception or hit to separate a receiver from the ball would be great to see from Allen.

Backup safeties Quintin Demps and rookie Kurt Coleman will get the chance to make some plays because they’re battling for a job.  Like Allen, they must play smart and effective.

I want to see rookie cornerback Trevard Lindley operate in nickel situations because he’s shown great one-on-one coverage skills in training camp.  Can he do it during games to the point where the Eagles would be willing to put him on the field?

I’ll be on 610-WIP tonight at 10pm-1am and of course I’ll be doing a close examination of what happened in the game.  You can give me a call and tell me what you thought of the game.