New defensive coordinator.
New defensive line coach.
New Pro Bowl defensive end.
New Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle.
New rookie middle linebacker.
New starting SAM backer.
New Pro Bowl corners.
New starting free safety.
Strong safety returning from knee injury.
What made anyone expect the Eagles defense to be lights out Pittsburgh Steeler style in their second preseason game?
This isn’t baseball where a dream rotation doesn’t need time to gel. This group needs to learn to play together as a unit. Give it time.
Look, Thursday’s game against the Steelers first unit offense was putrid. Two TDs on two sustained drives that ate up all but three-plus minutes of the clock in the frame was as bad as it gets. And, yeah, nobody ever expected it to be that bad. But, again, it was just the unit’s second time taking the field together.
The Eagles defense looked beyond horrid against the Steelers. But, this unit is still learning a new system and how to play together.
I’m not going to bore anyone with the numbers; you all saw the film. And, if not, consider yourself lucky. I’d rather watch 24 hours straight of Jersey Shore reruns than watch that game again.
All I’m going to say is, for the most part, give Juan Castillo some time to get his system in place and to get the new guys on board.
The exception may be Casey Matthews. Expecting a rookie who was drafted in the fourth round to start as the quarterback of your defense was asking a lot. Matthews looked slow and out of place. He has the smarts to rebound, but can this defense really wait for him to come around?
It may be better to move Jamar Chaney back inside where he flashed some solid play as a rookie a year ago and let Matthews learn as a back-up.
Nate Allen also looked like he was not ready for the speed of the NFL game. He is just eight months removed from knee surgery, something that takes time from which to fully heel. Expecting him to perform like he did early as a rookie was unrealistic. But, he does need to pick it up over the next month.
The last thing to consider is the fact that the Eagles defense is predicated upon strong corners who take advantage of quarterback mistakes caused by a strong pass rush. The Birds pass rush left much to be desired Thursday. Yeah, they registered three sacks, but the film doesn’t say they played that well.
The bottom line is to give this unit time. If they look this bad in mid-to-late September, then it’s time to worry. For now, chalk it up to the cliched learning curve.
