Normally new coaches come in and talk about how they thought it was such a great opportunity, but this new batch of Eagles defensive coaches didn’t have a problem being totally honest about one of the main reasons they wanted to coach the Birds.
“The only other time I coached a team that could put points up like this ball club was in the 90’s when I was coaching the Niners and Steve Young was our quarterback”, Eagles new defensive back coach Johnnie Lynn told me yesterday.
“Vick and those wide receivers can score from anywhere and it’s good to be on the same side with them”, said Lynn.
Lynn wasn’t the only one who was attracted by Michael Vick and the Birds explosive offense.
“But it was really a no-brainer between the other teams and this place because it’s got a quarterback”, said new defensive line coach Jim Washburn in talking about Eagles quarterback situation. It’s about that simple no matter what anybody tells you, it’s got a quarterback. We’ve got two.”
They both know they’ve a got a lot better chance to play well and win if they’ve got a lead. Rushing the passer and covering receivers is easiest when you don’t have to worry about the running game. If your offense puts points on the board it make the job easier.
Of course, the Eagles are going to simplify what they do defensely.
“We’re trying to cut some things back and make it easier for the guys to understand what we want them to do,” said Lynn. The new defensive line coach concurred, “It doesn’t have to be complicated though. Sometimes I think we make it way too complicated – I don’t think, I know. I think we want to let the players play.”
great, lets do this!
what gb did this season is what andy reids always had in mind.
pass all day all night, play with a lead, and attack on defense
step 1 – cba
step 2 – eagles superbowl
step 3 – cheesesteaks and drinks on me!
Stop posting this articles. With these new coaches I’m starting to get fired up for next season.
I am even going to pretend that “Crystal Ball Andy” is not a part of the Eagles. Just for a day.
Man that felt good.
What if Washburn makes this underachiever live up to his predraft potential?
Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State Seminoles
April 27, 2006 @ 16:00:00
By Daniel Wertheimer
Edited by Cory J. Bonini
Not many prospects are as hot as Florida State defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. His meteoric rise into the early stages of the first round follows a spectacular season for the Seminoles.
At just under 6-foot-3, the Seminoles senior defensive tackle dominated Atlantic Coast Conference opponents with his 300-pound frame.
PositivesAfter a disappointing junior campaign in which he was riddled with nagging injuries, Bunkley came back strong. Bunkley broke out in a big way in 2005.
After an extremely nice sophomore season, scouts across the country were looking for progress out of Bunkley.
He took an extra year to progress, but he accelerated past the competition, as he racked up an amazing 25 tackles for loss during his senior year.
Table: Brodrick Bunkley – Defensive Statistics (2002-05)
Year Int Tkl AT TT TFL SK FR
2002 0 39 27 66 25 9.0 2
2003 0 2 10 12 3 1.0 0
2004 0 19 19 38 8 1.5 1
2005 0 6 7 13 1 0.0 0
An astounding feat no matter what team a player plays for, but standing out on the Seminoles is even more impressive.
Bunkley is an extremely athletic football player who is explosive and can make the big plays every down. He stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine when he bench pressed 255 pounds an astonishing 44 reps. Bunkley looks to be chiseled out of stone with a broad chest and massive biceps. With that kind of strength, he is ready drive the line of scrimmage into the opponent’s backfield in the NFL.
Bunkley is capable of playing defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme and tackle or defensive end in a 3-4. He is also is ready to contribute on the professional level from Day 1 and should make the starting lineup of the team that drafts him.
NegativesWhen you skyrocket up the draft board like Bunkley has, there are usually very few weakness on a resume. He needs to continue to learn how to work hard day in and day out to excel at the pro level.
There are a few character concerns, as he was almost academically ineligible this past season, which causes some to question his work ethic. Some scouts believe he will need to work hard to develop his pass-rush moves, where he is still raw.
Prior to the Senior Bowl, some questioned whether he was big enough to play defensive tackle in the NFL, but he calmed all fears when he checked in at over 300 pounds.
What to Expect?With so much movement yet to come before this weekend’s NFL draft, it is hard to peg where he might fall. By most accounts, he is the second-best defensive tackle behind Oregon’s Haloti Ngata.
In contrast, some teams have him rated higher. The highest he could be drafted probably is eighth by the Buffalo Bills. However, it is probably more likely that he ends up the Baltimore Ravens at No. 13 overall.
To BSM.
I just was twetted by one of Kim Kardasian’s representatives,that she”s agreed
to accept the postion as “Equipment Manager” for the Eagles as well
She will be in town Friday for a press conference fyi…
wmonell….make mine wit
I was a huge Bunkley fan in that draft. Baltimore took Ngata and then the Eagles got Bunkley a few picks later(it’s scary I recall Wembley being picked by Cleveland between the DTs). I remember Bunkley dominating the the bowl game against Penn State and I followed him from there. There’s no qustion that he has all the tools, but his heart may not be in it. If Washburn doesn’t turn him around, no one can and he’s just going to decline fast.
It’s very funny to hear the veteran coaches talk about fundamentals and simplicity. McDermott has been killed and lost hs job for having too complex a system. Andy Reis is the king of trying to solve a simple math problem with complex calculus equations. I’de love to be a fly on the wall when Mudd is asking why there a 2,000 plays in Andy’s playbook when you just have to run 100 to perfection to win.
When you check the Colts Offense out,
They will run about 12 plays a game
Running plays — Stretch Left, Stretch Right, Draw left and Draw right
Passing plays– Verticle Left, Vertical Right, Slant Right , Slant Left,
Screen left, Screen right, Deep Out left, Deep Out Right,
Drag route to the left, Drag route to the right
You mean it wasn’t Joe Banner’s charm? wow… shocker
Maybe Andy is taking cues from McDermotts mistakes and what the new coaches are preaching…… Then again, Andy is stubborn and we did just put up a franchise record for points. I doubt he will change. Although, lately he seems like he is going all in these last 2 years of his contract.
Ok, I know this is an extremely wel worn topic but I just can’t resist…
It’s a shame that Andy hasn’t read the followng statement copied and pasted from this article…
“Rushing the passer and covering receivers is easiest when you don’t have to worry about the running game.”
All there defensive coaches seem to all be in agreement so far that on that side of the ball things need to be simplier… maybe they can whisper in the ear of the offensive coaches (Andy particularly) to implement that same mentality… Things are way too complicated on offense, I know they put up alota points up but they also leave a lota points out there due to frozen drives, penalties, turnovers, lack of balance
If this offense is ready to go to the next level then they need to fix these problems and get simplier, Andy may want to run the offense similiar to GBs but they will never be able to bc they don’t establish the run early, and if they do and are successful they don’t stick to it, they get very pass happy and throw there way outta games
It also helped GB being that they had one of the best defenses in the league with the best overall QB in the league
Plaxico Burress Anyone ?
Negative on Burress WestPhilly,
The Redskins or Patriots are most likely landing spots for him
Both teams need big targets, Redksins will spend the $$$ and the Patriots take chances on older,veteran players who have been in trouble..