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Here’s a position-by-position review of the Eagles’ defense, after having re-watched Saturday night’s game against the Jaguars.
A position-by-position review of the Eagles’ defensive performance against the Panthers, after having reviewed the game.
Hang around enough NFL coaches and players in the offseason, and you’re sure to hear about the second-year leap.
The theory goes like this: Rookies need time to adjust to several different factors. The structure and rules associated with a college program are gone. They are on their own, away from friends and family. And they are earning (legal) paychecks.
Add in the speed and talent associated with the pro game, and it’s clear life in the NFL requires an adjustment period.
That’s why the offseason from Year 1 to Year 2 is considered crucial. Initial questions have been answered, and expectations have been set. Second-year players can focus more on just on-field improvement.
“It’s already easier,” said linebacker Mychal Kendricks during mini-camps. “It’s crazy, knowing the formations and knowing the count without even having to look.
“Everything slows down the second year. It’s crazy, I can’t explain it.”
We’ve spent plenty of time talking about the Eagles’ new additions, and Tim covered the rookies a couple days ago. But below is a look at the second-year players and where they stand going into camp.
Who is the most indispensable player on the Eagles’ roster? LeSean McCoy? Jason Peters? Fletcher Cox? We take a look.
Fletcher Cox has learned quickly to get used to change.
He’s played 15 games as a pro and is already on his third defensive line coach, third defensive coordinator and second head coach.
Cox is surrounded by several new teammates as well.
“It’s different,” he said during last week’s mini-camp. “The first day I came back, no Cullen [Jenkins], no Darryl Tapp, no Mike P. [Patterson], none of those guys. So it felt kind of weird, but you’ve got to understand this is a business and things happen.”
Since the start of free agency, the Eagles have added nine new players, but only one true pass-rusher – Connor Barwin.
Much of the offseason focus has been on rebuilding the secondary, but Howie Roseman, Chip Kelly and company still have work to do in bolstering the front seven – specifically, the defensive line.
Before we take a look at what areas still need to be addressed, let’s look at what the Eagles have on their current roster.
Howie Roseman believes the Eagles have some pieces in place to transition to a new defensive scheme – one that will not include Cullen Jenkins or Mike Patterson.
As for the details, there’s not a whole lot we know right now. We know Chip Kelly prefers a 3-4. We know defensive coordinator Billy Davis has a background in multiple schemes, including the 4-3 under. Having spoken to Davis and some of the other assistants, I got the impression that pre-snap disguise is going to be a big part of whatever the Eagles do.
As we look ahead to free agency (March 12) and the draft (April 25), now seems like a good time to take stock of the Eagles’ defensive linemen to see how they might fit going forward.