Best Training Camp Development: A Good Defense Is A Quarterback’s Best Friend

The biggest surprise of this year’s Eagles training camp was the progress of the Eagles defense.  They could be much better than anyone thought and become a good defense at the start of the season.  Don’t get me wrong the Eagles offense should be explosive, but they’re young, the offensive line is banged up and this is Kevin Kolb’s first year at the helm.

As much as everybody talks about how having deadly targets like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Brent Celek and Jason Avant will make life easier for Kolb, a good defense would help the youngster more than anything else.  There’s nothing better that can aid Kevin Kolb and his development than a good defense.

Think about the young quarterbacks who have won championships and each of them had an outstanding defense.  Two come to mind immediately, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.

If the Eagles defense were to give up 30 points a game, it would force Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg to have Kolb throwing the ball every down, exposing himself to every blitz in the book and forcing him to take a high number of chances throwing balls into the teeth of defenses.  It would be a recipe for ups and downs, and a good number of turnovers.

On the other hand, a stingy Eagles defense will give Reid and Mornhinweg room to be more patient and it would give Kolb the freedom to play more conservatively as he gets his feet wet.  I think this is the best way to develop a young quarterback.  You don’t put them out there and throw the ball 40 plus times a game.  You try to keep that number at 30 and below, and you throw the ball on your terms and not on the defense’s terms.

You don’t want Kolb and this young offense in 3rd and ten and above.  You want them in 3rd and six or less.  It will keep the threat of draws and screens on the defensive coordinators mind and limit the defenses Kolb will see.

A good defense is a quarterback’s best friend.

This Eagles defense has the potential to be better than we thought they were going to be.  If they are it will allow the offense to develop over time and won’t force Kolb and the offense into situations where they have to score 30 points every week.

The pleasant surprises I saw on defense were the rehabilitation of Stewart Bradley.  He really looks like he’s playing close to full strength and the knee isn’t bothering him physically and not limiting him mentally.

I like the physical attitude Ernie Sims has brought to the football team.  There’s nothing that sends a more powerful message to an opposing offense than helmet under the chin.  Still, Sims needs to prove that he has mastered the defense and can anticipate plays early enough to make some big plays, i.e. fumbles, interceptions and sacks.

Rookie defensive end Brandon Graham farther along than I expected.  He’s not just a speed rusher.  This youngster can beat you inside as well as outside.  He’s got great handwork which is rare in young pass rushers.

Second round pick Nate Allen has also been consistent in the secondary.  He hasn’t played a lot of all out football during training camp and the first game, but he’s nearly always in the right place on coverages and he doesn’t give up the big play.

Trevor Laws has stepped up his level of play, which will give the Eagles a better inside pass rush on third downs.

If this defense can start the season strong, it will give the Eagles a great chance to start off with some early wins and give the offense a chance to gain their timing and get into a rhythm.