• November 28, 2024

To Blitz Or Not To Blitz, This Is The Question

Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is a blitzer by nature because he was raised by a blitzer, former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.  Therefore it’s easy to understand his inclination to want to blitz any and everybody, but Sunday isn’t the time, the place and they’re not playing the right opponent for it.

When asked today about whether there’s a better quarterback in the league at reading the blitz than Aaron Rodgers, all McDermott  could do was be honest.

“I don’t think there is”, he said. “When we faced him the first week they did a great job and the credit goes to their offensive line as well. And it’s spread around to their receivers because they get open and they get open fast and he distributes the ball extremely well and fast.”

In those comments you could see that McDermott knows full well that blitzing isn’t the answer this week, but I don’t know if he resist.  Rodgers has the highest quarterback rating in the league against the blitz.  He has a 107.4 quarterback rating when teams try to come after him.

“Well, you know, it just becomes a part of the gameplan”, McDermott told the media today. “So we have to keep that in mind and we’re always going to blitz. It’s not going to be whether the Eagles are going to blitz. We’re always going to blitz and it’s just a matter of how much we blitz and in what situations.”

McDermott can blitz the Packers if he wants to, but he’d better go with some zone blitzes, so he can keep a safety or two deep.  He doesn’t want to leave the door open for Packers big plays.  The Birds can’t afford to give up some big plays and get behind early.  It would make them one-dimensional and force them to play to the strengths of the Green Bay defense.

I hope McDermott blitzes sparingly, but allows Trent Cole, Juqua Parker and the Birds pass rush to supply most of the pass rush pressure on Rodgers.  Cole seemed to wear down

GCOBB

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WALKEN
WALKEN
January 7, 2011 7:59 am

I just hope that Andrew doesn’t forget about LeSean.

bsmvideos
January 7, 2011 8:41 am

Somebody needs to drug test clay matthews. That guy has the biggest biceps of any linebacker in the history of the nfl. He sat for 3 years on the USC bench then all of a sudden he’s a super stud?

While your at it test the Giants defensive line. Everybody else has DT with fat guts. Those guys look like mr universe.

Just sayin…

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 8:52 am

BSM……. He’s been hanging with Brandon Cushing through those years……. USC to him stands for *Use Steroids Consistently*……. I expect A.J. Hawk to be this way…… But your right…. It’s crazy how this guy is……

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 8:55 am

This game we have to watch Charles Woodson…… They are going to use him like the Vikings used Antoine Winfield who is a veteran corner just like Woodson who has great tackling abilities as such…… Clay Matthews has a Excellent motor…… Always keep an eye on him….. But Charles Woodson is so versatile it’s a must that the Eagles recognize him……

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 8:59 am

They blitzed Jay Cutler alot with Woodson……. If you make Cutler react fast…. He’ll crack…… And thats what they did……. We will be facing two of the same type guys after Greenbay…… Both have cannon’s for arms….. Very good with there feet……. But if you pressure them and hit them enough….. THey’ll fold like a bad hand……

chevron2105
chevron2105
January 7, 2011 9:14 am

“It’s not going to be whether the Eagles are going to blitz. We’re always going to blitz and it’s just a matter of how much we blitz and in what situations.”

“Geez and I thought Andy Reid was stubborn” lol..

phillywill
phillywill
January 7, 2011 9:20 am

G i usually agree with u but we are in strong disagreement here.
1st off our secondary stinks to protect them we will need pressure
2nd our front 4 has never been a front 4 to dominate the line of scrimmage rush 4 and create pressure never since reggie white days so no miracle is gonna happen here where all of a sudden our front dominates (picture that )
3rd u dont get to playoffs then change ur identity (ur asking to get blown out like that)
4th im not saying send engage 8s at them lol but we do need to send 1 extra rusher alot and sometimes send 6 also i agree more zone type blitzes than man
5th g i respect arron rodgers but i dont want our defensive players and coaches respecting him as much as u (the key to any qb is to hit him idc what any1 says he is no different gotta get to him)
they are gonna be sending the ktichen sink at us lets give rdogers another concussion ealry and get this show on the road to chicago

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 9:27 am

I just hope that Mcdermott doesn’t drop our DE back in coverage and make our LB’s blitz and corners…. We’ll get burned something terrible….. Please Mcdermott dont and I mean dont do that play please!!!!!

vricchini
vricchini
January 7, 2011 9:37 am

need to get this off my chest.

I hate 95% of ESPN analyst. Stink uses rogain and Tedy Bruschi looks like he’s gonna punch someone in the face every time I hear him talk. They hire all these washed up football players that read scripts before they air. None of them actually do the research. They’re all just actors and it makes me sick to my stomach.

that is all

vricchini
vricchini
January 7, 2011 9:38 am

well said phillywill

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 9:47 am

@Veicchini…… LOL…. I feel you and TRent Dilfer and That diabolical hater Mark Schlereth who I cant stand…… They need to just shut the @&%# up…… Who is Trent Dilfer???? He broke no records in his career…. Won a ring because of the defense he had……. He sucks….. And Mark Schlereth he’s just an all around eagle hater…… The same for Marcellus Wiley and the other haters…..

It’s funny to me how they said about 2-3 weeks ago when Aaron Rodgers had that concussion they said that Greenbay will not make the playoffs……. THat there season is finished….. But all of a sudden they can win it all…….. That Aaron Rodgers is the best thing since sliced bread…… That Greenbay is the most feared team in the NFL……. THe nerve of these guys

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 9:52 am

BOOMER IS THE MAN…… You cant KNOCK BOOMER….. He is the only one if im not mistaken who picks for the Eagles almost every chance…….. He gets real cool points from me….. LOL

daggolden
daggolden
January 7, 2011 10:08 am

Need creative blitzes. First off PW if the Eagles are gonna blitz the right players need to blitz. Hanson and Sims do nothing for me. They both cant make the initial tackle. I need Coleman(who brings the wood) and is excelllent tackler, Fokou, or Chaney coming. Hell I even like Asante coming off the edge. Patterson is on a short leash. Im ready to stick Hanson on the outside and let Lindley play nickle and roll with that. How can a 10-6(11-5) team have so many holes?

btc24
btc24
January 7, 2011 10:46 am

I have to respectfully disagree about the ESPN analysts. They know what they’re talking about given that most of them are previous Superbowl winners and have been around the game most of their life. I know it’s easy to hate them when they’re all picking the Packers but outside of being die-hard Eagles fans, how could you not pick the Packers based on how they have looked recently and how bad the Eagles have looked? Hopefully the Eagles will prove them wrong.

runtheball09
runtheball09
January 7, 2011 10:55 am

All I know is the 13th man better be LOUD!

greenfan
greenfan
January 7, 2011 10:55 am

I saw this quote this morning from McDermott-

“Though Bradley remains “day to day” according to defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, the Birds continue to tease the idea of Chaney and Bradley playing together in some new linebacking concoction.

“Well, we’ll just see,” McDermott said. “We have a plan in mind, if that were to be available to us. But right now that’s based off of Stewart’s health.”

If Bradley can play, I would really like to see what combination they can use with Chaney, Fouku and Bradley. I like that they have been thinking about getting them all on the field together.

GO BIRDS!!!

runtheball09
runtheball09
January 7, 2011 10:56 am

damn phone 2

greenfan
greenfan
January 7, 2011 10:56 am

@run-

What happened to the 12th man?

jroc757
jroc757
January 7, 2011 11:08 am

The 12th man better be loud for that player with the crutches….. And thats Buloga……. I cant preach him enough…… Buloga…… Buloga….. Buloga….. I want him to get terrified of this front line……. Pressure him at all cost……

phillywill
phillywill
January 7, 2011 11:30 am

i like chaney and bradley together i like that maybe not for green bay but for atl or chicago id love it

phillywill
phillywill
January 7, 2011 11:31 am

lol i know green who’s 13th haha

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
January 7, 2011 12:41 pm

They need to blitz and get pressure when they do. Keep hitting Rodgers. Send Ernie Sims to go helmet to helmet and give him another concussion. I don’t care. They Packers aren’t that great and I have a feeling this defense will surprise a lot of people this weekend and get some big turnovers.

RealTalk777
RealTalk777
January 7, 2011 3:59 pm

They should blitz…don’t bring all out pressure, but bring one or two more players consistently. The big thing would be if the front 4 could get a litte pressure, quickly on Rodgers. Helping the corners play a shorter field.

bsmvideos
January 7, 2011 4:32 pm

The Eagles allowed the Cowboys to win the final game of the season. That dropped the Cowboys 3 spots in the draft and gave us a chance to rest the starters. That minnesota game is looking better and better.

bsmvideos
January 7, 2011 4:35 pm

The FANTASIC SCRUB’S backup (Ernie Sims) (Note: has the power to completely disappear in games) played so well in the Dallas game that McDermott said he is going to see more playing time on passing downs.

Feeling good for Sunday and the future of this super young team!

EagleBeliever
EagleBeliever
January 7, 2011 4:56 pm

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/moving_the_chains/Targeting_Patterson_staying_away_from_Samuel.html

Check out that article. Awesome breakdown on the amount of times opposing QB’s have been targeting Patterson/Asante.

I think Asante doesn’t get enough credit for what he does…

drummerwinslow
drummerwinslow
January 7, 2011 5:30 pm

Blitzing his high-risk, high-reward, but it beats a slow, painful death caused by passivity.

drummerwinslow
drummerwinslow
January 7, 2011 5:31 pm

“Blitzing is”

Can’t type today.

paulman
paulman
January 8, 2011 12:57 pm

The early key for the Eagle Defense will be the 1st Down plays
With Green Bay’s limited Rushing Attack, the Defense should get the Packers in a lot of
2nd and long (7-8 yards +) .. I think McDermott’s plan will be to blitz heavy on 2nd Down and hope to get the Packers in 3rd and longs in which he will then have Eagle Defense drop back 6-7 players back in Coverage…