The big, bad Baltimore Ravens came into last week’s matchup with our Philadelphia Eagles and were met with frequent flashes of lightning from an offense that has not yet found its groove. And Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense became acquainted with Philly Thunder, the Eagles new and remarkably improved defense!
Everyone pretty much knew that the defensive line would be great as they were last year, but a large part the focus of training camp and the preseason had been the play and development of the linebacking corp. which, with the additions of DeMeco Ryans and second-round pick Mychal Kendricks, has been outstanding in two games this year to say the least. But not much attention was given to the secondary, particular to the safety position which sparked concern from Eagles fans all over.
But this year, in my opinion, the biggest surprise of the 2012 season has been the play of Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman. The development of the two third-year safeties has been impressive. Allen seems much more confident in pass coverage and has been a beast against the run, leading the team in tackles with 15.
Kurt Coleman to me is a Cortland Finnegan type, a hard scrappy hitter whose lot in life seems to be to save every yard for his team and get the offense the ball at any cost… and to wear out the nerves of the opposing team. Coleman is one of those guys you hate if he’s on the other team but you love him to be on yours.
The corners, former Arizona Cardinal Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, who shares the team lead in interceptions (2) with Coleman, and Nnamdi Asomugha get all the accolades but the safeties are ballin’! And so far rookie Brandon Boykin (who ended up being part of the Kolb trade as well, he was the player the Eagles selected with their fourth round pick) hasn’t caused anyone to miss Joselio Hanson in the least. I think this secondary is going to be great.
DRC has been steady, brilliant at times but Asomugha to me is still a question mark. Better than many and still adjusting to defensive coordinator Juan Castillo’s scheme he still gets beat with the deep ball and that concerns me if he’s going to keep up with Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald on Sunday afternoon.
PhiladelphiaEagles.com’s fan poll says that the Eagles should use Nnamdi to shadow Fitzgerald. I think that is a mistake. I believe Nnamdi is the weak link in this Eagle secondary, at least right now. Fitzgerald only has 5 receptions for 67 yards and no touchdowns in 2012 but is still one of the top 2 or 3 receivers in the game and had 7 catches for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns in his last game against the Philadelphia.
One of the keys for the Eagles early success and for the rest of the season is and will be how the defense plays without the lead. They were able to hold Baltimore when it counted last week. Something they were unable to do for most of 2011. There’s a new mindset in Philadelphia, and a team with new found heart. Much credit should go to new secondary coach Todd Bowles.
I think teams are going to be intimidated by this team from the gate this year as we boast what is developing into a pretty nasty and relentless defense…at last!!! With the pressure from the D-line and outstanding play from the new and improved linebackers, this defense will be feared! The Ravens didn’t know what they were in for until it was too late as they fought (literally) for their lives most of the day.
These guys are not just smackin’ gums and talkin’ trash. That was last year. The 2012 Philadelphia Eagles are backing it up! But they’d better be careful not to take the Cardinals offense lightly. Kevin Kolb who missed the last game against Philly, a 21 – 17 Arizona win, is playing with confidence right now and will be in the pocket Sunday looking for revenge against his former teammates.
Not a bad thing to have is a bit of good fortune. You never know how that ball is going to bounce and it’s something you can’t prepare for. Turnarounds in a team are often unexplainable and it seems to be happening in Philly right now and it’s been long overdue.
There will be joy in Eagle Land for another week as the Eagles, led by a tenacious defense, win a hard fought battle in the first half but dominate the second half as they cruise to victory in the dessert. Eagles 34 Cardinals 17
Look I think this defense has the POTENTIAL to be great, but at 2 games into the season against offenses that aren’t considered elite, I’d like to hold off crowning them a great defense as this and many other sites seem to have already done. Let’s see a few more games play out before we go crazy here … Also Asomugha is a touchdown waiting to happen
wholeheartedly disagree – the last 10 times this D has taken the field – they have done an outstanding job – they ended up ranked in top 10 last year – but many – like you – keep going – they haven’t beaten an ‘Elite’ offense – and FYI – the Ravnes offense was considered a top offense – top RB, two tough TEs and some good WRs – and we spanked um.. bad! They were considered one of the favorites to win the AFC – after going to the AFCC game last year..
no – they just keep beating up on the offense they are scheduled to play – and that is all you can ask them to do –
so go ahead ‘hold off’ – me – I think this D is probably the best of the Reid era.. all weak spots that folks BITCHED ABOUT all year have been handled the first two games – Safeties have been kicking ass – CBs have been beasts (if ASMO is your worst CB – you have a damn good secondary!) – LBs – why is Kendricks not being talked about for Defensive Rookie of the YEar – Ryans – the DL –
and the coaching – two weeks in a row a report of changes the D made at halftime to completely dominate the O inthe 2nd half…
always reminds me to ask how exactly is spagnulo doing down in New Orleans – a one year wonder that everyone pleaded for the birds to bring back..
seriously, go ahead ‘hold off’ I am all in to see them spank the shit out of Kolb and the cardinals this week
Ditto Navy. Well played.
…….(Republicans still suck)
I love how you guys rip nmandi but dont pay attention to the fact his guy is out of the play 85% of the time.
FYI….corners give up plays…Stevie Johnson owns Revis…owns him…dont believe me…go look at there head to head stats. Its liek you guys want him to never give up a frickin catch? Come on, lets be real about his game.Hes a bump and run corner.If guys make a nice move now and again and make a catch….2 ON SUNDAY AND YES THAT WAS A PUSHOFF ON SMITH….you cant come on here saying….hes the weak link.There is no weak link in the scondary. There the best pass d in the league.
DRC gave up a deep post that was just as bad as 24’s td pass….so what is he a td waiting to happen.
Theres a reason he doenst have ball skills like DRC…causke hes a pure man to man guy..not a ballhawk like some corners.Ask him to play physical at the line and 8-10 time the qb isnt looking his way. Im fine with that. Seems like some of you want him to have a pick every game.
What really cracks me up is that this Eagle Team could as easily be 0-2 instead of 2-0 right now.. Wonder if local shitty Philly Media Hype machine would be talking about how great this Eagles Defense or Team is which I highly doubt, instead we would be tallking about The Turnoves by Vick and Fumbles by RB’s, the amount of Penalites, Poor Special Teams, the lack of Sacks this DL has.. DOn’t get me wrong, I think the Eagles can and will be a good Team by Seasons end (if they can remain healthy) but they are far from a finished product at this point and they are very, very, fortunate to be at 2-0, so lets enjoty that they are, but let’s not orget the amound of improvement that needs to be done as the season moves forward
Back to Asmo, all I can say about him is the outside of the Cowboys Game last Halloween weekend (Sunday night game) where he litterallt took Dez Bryant our of the game, I have not seen him live up to his hype & salary. In fact, i would argue that average,journeymen WR’s have had big games against him and to compare him as a Top CB in the NFL in 2012 is a crock.. I would take 15 others before him in a heartbeat with most of them making 1/2 – 1/4 Salary of Asmo’s ridiculous deal..
Paulman, that post of yours is the purest utter stupidity EVER! “If Bill Gates wasn’t rich, he could’ve been poor. I wonder what it would have been like if he were poor. Therefore we shouldn’t consider him to be rich. BUT HE IS YOU DOPE!!!!
GET IT?
Yeah, the Eagles could easily be 0-2. Michael could easily be the worst basketball player ever.
You could easily be smart.
Up could easily be down.
More money could easily be better than less.
Girls could easily have penis and boys vaginas.
SEE ANYONE CAN PLAY YOUR ASININE GAME.
BUT IT WOULD BE STUPID. Like you.
You can talk about Nnamdi all you want. But the fact remains, his job is to help the team WIN. If Nnamdi was perfect but the team didn’t win – IT WOULDN’T MEAN SHIT. SEE THE POINT IS TO WIN. AND GUESS WHAT – THE EAGLES HAVE BEEN WINNING.
Paul, some other things that can help you:
2+2=4
Water is good for you
don’t stick your hand in fire.
Paul, you need help
Terrible comparisons, rich vs poor, smart vs dump, just terrible. 1 point wins don’t translate to rich vs poor or all or none. Paul’s points are valid here, the Eagles won 2 games by a point. One was against a god awful Browns team. Both wins required the Eagles to come from behind in the waning moments of the game.
It isn’t an asenine, nor stupid, point that Paulman makes. Nor can “it easily be said about any team” as Pheags mentions a little lower.
In Clevaland, it was pure dumb luck that the Browns LB didn’t catch the ball that Vick put into his hands”
In Philly, it was dumb luck that Vick’s stupid heave while being tackled didn’t travel 3 feet further (don;t say he threw it short on purpose) into the Balt defender’s hands, or that the inexperienced refs didn’t call the obvious intentional grounding.
Your inane comparisons “Up could be down!!” and screaming “it doesn’t matter! We’re 2-0” completely ignore the fact that Vick did make those horrible decisions and the Birds are lucky not to have paid for them.
I said this on an earlier post, and it clearly applies to you as well. If the Iranians get a nuke and lob it at Tel Aviv, but it lands in the Mediterranean, will you use your same logic and yell, “It doesn’t matter! They missed. Boys have Vaginas! Isreal is still safe! Bill Gates could be poor if he wasn’t rich!! Tel-Aviv is 1-0!!!!!!!”
Ignoring a problem, or glossing it over with childish CAPS LOCKED ramblings, does not mean it doesn’t exist.
As to your point Paul, about local media…well clearly, I have access to plenty of non Phillyl media, and they’re analysis of the Birds right now, is not quite the same as what we’re reading in the local papers.
DRC and Nate Allen are fragile — durability is a major concern for 16 games
Agree about asmo paulman, but you are what your record says you are, who gives a shit what could have been, what you should focus on is what’s in store if Vick continues to be mr. Turnover if he doesn’t protect the football, this will be the end for him andcreid
fraudman the diffence between 2-0 and 0-2 is always a thin line. it is sports– both teams are out there trying to win, coaches busting their butts 100 hours a week etc. — last year when the birds stunk up the joint a bounce here and there and things turn around. you critics
oh fraud i never got a response to which unemployed Big WR or Beast of a special teamer you want to bring in? you always throw out ideas but you can never back them up.
Paulman, you can easily say that about anybody’s record. I also agree with Erock here…Its completely unreasonable for anyone to expect ANY corner in the league to not give up a couple of catches a game, especially with all the soft rules the NFL has now that benefit Wrs greatly.
That’s becaue Erock far too many on this site think their experts, but don’t know shyt. Anyone that watches games other than the eagles know s damn well that the best corners are beat occasionally. Yes that includes the likes of Revis, bailey and a few others. A shut down corner does not mean an oppossing WR never catches a pass or td.
Nnamdi on Fitzgerald a mistake? Not so sure about that. Sheil Kapadia of Birds 24/7 Phillymag.com wrote how last year he covered Fitz on 20 total plays, had two targets and 0 receptions. The other plays were where he got all of his yards. Yes, Nnamdi doesn’t exactly have great ball skills, but his success is measured by the total game, not the couple of plays he gives up.
Nnamdi is overpaid, but I’m not worried about the salary cap once the season starts. The Eagles are well below it and may try to redo his deal afetr the year, who knows. DRC and Nnamdi together are a great pair. Nnamdi got beat on a double move and very good throw. He was all over the reciever, the double move beat him. If the recievers have to run double moves to beat the corner, then the corner is doing something right. If simple in routes and go routes keep working, then it’s time to worry.
Saying Nnamdi is the weak link on this defense is laughable at best. DRC is great but Larry would love a matchup against him rather than Nnamdi. 15 Corners better than Nnamdi paulman?! I can’t even really take that seriously. Nnamdi has never been a ball skills guy and will not be. Even last year with his down season Nnamdi still played better than 85% of the corners in this league. He gave up what like 4 TDs last season? I remember Dmitri Patterson giving up 3 in ONE GAME!!!! I even laughed at the suggestion that there were 6 CBs better than Nnamdi in the top 100. Very few people can do what he does and because he doesn’t do the things that other people want him to do, he’s considered a liability or sub par. I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t want Asante covering Larry, Dez, Megatron, Andre Johnson, AJ Green, Julio Jones, or any of the other big premier receivers.
Pman- if this team were o-2 right now (reminder, they are not), i would say it was the O’s fault for sure. The D has played very very well.
Brows- I give the birds credit for stopping the run. They didnt feel the need to go after the qb like mad men on every play. In fact, i felt that the D play calling was prolly the most important key for that game.
Ravens- this is a good team on both sides of the ball. We did what we needed to to win that game. I thing the LB’s have been ballin BIG TIME out there and bottom line is……. THOSE were the kinda games the run D folded on last year.
ugh….. now its pick on Nnamdi day? Give me a break. Here’s what WOULD have happened had we NOT overpaid for him……
We would have Asam on the left side playing off of Wr’s and giving qb a quick bubble screen… REMINDER…. screens of ANY kind are what will KILL this D style.
THINK before you goons speak please…. Nnamdi played poorly last year.. NO KIDDING!!! part of it was a new system, no help underneath, crappy first year DC. So far he has played well this year. I dont care if its DRC or NNamdi on fitz…. just be smart enough to NOT leave Fitz one on one with a rook safety.
I’m pumped up for this game. I’m leaving San Diego early sat morning and heading to Arizona. Last time i was in Arizona was the championship game against the Cards. This time will be different. Eagles 27 – Cards 13 GO EAGLES!!
Tunnel vision..clearly people who knock nnamdi never really watched nnamdi in Oakland..he played man 100% of the time..he’s a position corner..a RCB leave him there in man-press all day every day..he’s givin up a total of 5 Tds in his tenure in oakland..last year they uses him wrong..90% of time nnamdi is by himself with zero over the top help..hence eliminating the use of a safety, which now can focus on TEs and the run game(oh the dreaded seam route brees killed us with) Asante had over the top all day everyday..made our D weak. All three of our corners do not need help, and yes in man coverage if u dumbass’ know football, will get beat time to time..but that style D we are now running eliminates long, time consuming drives on us..btw it’s week two. And everyone is till adjusting to playin form..oh u can thank nnamdi too for saving a game killer TD in Cleveland. Name 5 other CBs besides revis u would rather have..which won’t matter because at the end of year and nnamdi has done shut down his opponents, u haters will be back to jock riding..just like the Kendrick’s bull I read..hes too short..lmao..know the game not the numbers!
The difference this year is that we have a veteran LEADER in the middle. Ryans is everything we were told he was going to be and more. He leads by example with his play on the field and vocally on and off the field. His experience is helping the rookie Kendricks play with such confidence and the rest of the defense to play as a unit, with everyone on the same page. We can pick them apart by individually analyzing each position, but the results of the entire unit are impressive. And this comes from a guy who thinks that Castillo was the biggest mistake made in the NFL for the past decade.
GO BIRDS!!
YES Silencer10!!! thank you for knowing the game. Some of the guys in here look at stats and stats only.
YES GREENFAN!! we are storming the castle today…. back to talking bout football and actually praising our team for what they are doing right!! Move over stat girl and haters…. Go birds.
Deleting my comments.. Lol
Thought they deleted my sh*t as usual..lol..the difference is this year, is that’s its a different year period..most of these comments are hollow and only lasts until a certain player, coach, or team as a whole has mistakes… This is our Eagles lovem or hatem..not lovem this week, hatem next week..you ride and die wit ur squad..that’s how handle mine… Ask me will they win every game n ima say yea..ask me are we the best ima say yea..u talk sh*t on my birds, u get rolled up… quit tryn to be the next analyst..there wrong more times them right..get those heads out the numbers..truth is a W is a W ..and a L is a L..no need to go any further on why..
Holy crap Newton threw 3 int’s, holy crap Eli threw some int’s, holy crab cutler, holy crab Rogers, holy crap Brees, holy crab Rivers.
Get over it, these are grown damn men who practice every week for the up coming game, men with pride, professional men. Do you expect every play to be perfect for your team and neglect that the other guy is an equally prepared professional with a job to do.
We won our battles thus far, thank you very much EAGLES for making us 2-0, so we don’t have to bitch about you play on the field…….uh damn my bad its what the pure Eagle fan does, there not perfect so they are bumbs.
If we were playing a local high school team so numb nuts would predict we would lose that game becasue of yada, yada fill in the blanks.
Good point Nod to
Haveacigar
The Silencer10
Hines
Stevo
Vick making mistakes but he is a warrior, and he maintains his faith and confidence. Not making excuses or giving pardons but also not going to pile crap on also.
I am só excites about this secondary…..we havent had this tape of D since Seth Joyner, Wes Hoplins, André waters and that D line we had with R White. The difference is now we have a offense that is putting up mileage not like the ” just let Randall run and create days” When you say Namdi is the weak point in the secondary, that’s saying something and all fairness he draws the toughest match ups and is still getting acclimated to this NFC physical football . Even Deion got beat at times going against J Rice and Michael Irvin. We Philly fans have nothing to complain about . It’s early in the season, two sloppy games on offense and we are still 2-0 and leading the league in O yardage. These things get cleaned up in Nov and we will be beastly barring injury. This is the first time and a long time that it looks like we are not going to get gashed down the middle of the field by fast tight ends and runs backs on screens. We should smash the Cards…they have no offense and they can only beat us if we beat ourselves more then we have the last 2 wks