The Eagles defense has changed over the years and it hasn't been a good change. The Birds aren't a violent defense anymore and that has meant a major decrease in turnovers.
You don't see the hits and collisions any more which cause turnovers. The linebackers and safeties get the most opportunities to deliver big licks and they haven't been bringing them.
The guy who has been a big disappointment in that way has been veteran Will linebacker Takeo Spikes. He has made quite a few plays and was very active in the Redskins game but he hasn't been able to deliver any knockout shots which cause turnovers and establish a personality for the defense.
Brian Dawkins had served that role but he's missed a lot of games and is just getting back to himself. Now that he's back, If he can assume the role he used to play as the team's enforcer, it will change the Eagles defense. Brian played much better against the Skins, than he did against the Cowboys, so things look good for him in the future.
I will commend Quintiin Mikell for doing a solid job of tackling but you can't expect him to fill the shoes of Dawkins playing at the top of his game. Quintin needs to do a better job of going after big plays when he gets the chance, now that he's comfortable with the speed of the game and his assignments.
Former starter and now injured safety Sean Considine was always in position to make a play but he just doesn't pack the punch needed to seperate a ball carrier from the football. I don't think he tackles well enough to be a starter in the league.
As for the linebackers, Omar Gaither and Chris Gocong, Gaither just doesn't pack a whallop when he hits people. He's not a big middle linebacker so he finds himself falling backwards when he hits a running back. Gocong plays physical and seems to like to hit people but he's not a finished work at Sam linebacker.
During the off season, the major need the Birds have now that they have taken care of their defensive tackle problems, is finding physical players at safety and linebacker. Stewart Bradley may wind up finding himself on the field next year because he plays a more physical brand of middle linebacker than Gaither.
The safety position will again be a major need when the Birds get ready for the draft.
