There are certain players who generate fear in other players because of their ability to overpower them. Reggie White was one of those types of players. Offensive linemen knew that they could wind up on his highlight reel if they took a play off.
Other players like Barry Sanders generated fear in his opponents because he could embarrass a defenders with his cuts and moves. Nobody wanted to get laughed at by people watching his highlight reel.
There are other players who scare defenders with their speed. DeSean Jackson is one such player and another is Chris Johnson, the running back whom the Eagles will be facing when they play the Titans this weekend.
They make defenders look like they’re as slow as molasses. These guys make some players look like they’re too slow to be in the league.
When you talk about Johnson the appropriate phrase is “speed kills”. He’s without a doubt one of the fastest players in the NFL.
There are some players who are fast when being timed, but they don’t play as fast. Others don’t time well but play fast. Johnson is a jet when he’s timed and maybe even faster during games.
The Eagles get the chance to feel like other teams do about Jackson. They have to play the entire game with the knowledge that if they ever get in a situation where they’re in a foot race with either Johnson or Jackson involved, you have touchdown in that’s getting ready to occur.
The Eagles stopped Frank Gore of the 49ers and Michael Turner of the Falcons in the last couple of weeks, but those guys were more power than speed. They attacked the line of scrimmage and gang-tackled them.
Gore and Turner are big guys who try to wear down a defense, but Chris Johnson is s different breed. He doesn’t have to wear you down, he just out-runs you. Everybody on the defense knows that he only needs a tiny opening.
You can stop Johnson for a period of time, but once somebody is caught out of position for a second, he’s gone. I think Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott got it right.
The LB’s & Safeties must play a great game to contain C Johnson and not overpursue to watch for his cutbacks and don’t forget about his back-up either Javon Ringer who happens to lead the NFL in Yards per Carry Average…
Duh, Duh, Duh, Duh, Duh, Duh…..
Also could be a chance that Kolb plays a little FS… Did you see how he tackled that DB from Falcons last week on that interception return… I doubt Vick would make that play…
Johnson will have 19/76 and 2/13.
Eagles win 27-10.
Actually this is an area where the Eagles D should excel. The Defense, being as small as it is, was built around speed and neutralizing speed on opposing offenses. Fortunately the Titans don’t have a lot going on at WR. Britt is still developing (although he does have 4 TDs already…he had 3 all of last season in his rookie year) and Nate Washington shouldn’t kill anyone.
Ok Butch…good call. Speed on d should help against this Roadrunner. Do you think they’ll load the box? I do.Make this guy realize early we’re thumping him everytime he gets the ball(LEGALLY OF COURSE!!) and make that grey haired bum beat us. Sante is playn top shelf and we just need too get Collins un-comfy early. Offensively i could see another big day for the Texas kid. Get em in a flow early. Finnegan is a great corner but i could see Maclin haven a nice day.
Just read Dallas Clark done for season…
We seem to stack our OLBs inside (does anyone else notice this.. Maybe move them outside a bit more this week
Yes NavyDave,
I stated this a few times earliy on (Even in Preseason) .
It seems that all 3 LB’s are positioned about 3-4 yards behind the Def/Line on most snaps.
I would like to see the OLB line up along the line of scrimmage next to the DE’s more often to get quciker penetration into the backfield and especially on running downs..or at least mix it up a bit
Colts have a lot of injuries this year and are not the seam team
On Offense TE Clark, WR Collie are out, WR Gonzales just coming back from High-Ankle SPrain and not back up to speed. RB J Addai is banged up and is back-up RB D Brown…
On Defense both Safeties B Sanders, M Bullitt are lost for the season, DT A Johnson is injured
COts are as beatable this years then they have been the last 6-8 years or so..
Watch that vid again. CJ2K is as good as the blocking in front of him. These guys are great at downfield blocking from the WR’s TE’s and OLinemen. If we can’t shed these blocks it’s gonna be a loooog day in Memphis.
You are right Paul Man Vick would not make that tackle. And Baby Arm can’t launch it 70 yards in the air.
This is a game where Ernie Sims natural ability should play a role. I am in no way suggesting that he can stay with CJ, but he is really fast for a linebacker. He and the other LBs need to be getting up on CJ before he gets a chance to get going. If they keep disciplined, know the assignments and play them, the BIrds can at least keep him from hurting them tooo badly. You will not stop him, but you have got to keep him from killing your team’s chance to win.
To BSM,
Just for the record, the Titans play their home games in Nashville,Tn and not Memphis which is about 200 miles away in the center of Tennessee and home of the Grande Ole Opry….
To AS,
Good point about Sims, this could be one of those games where he really makes a difference and makes some big plays… (let’s hope so..) If they can keep the cutback/backside lanes clean and armed, then they can frustrate and knock him around, he’s not that big, but he’s a tough runner..