In the first year under a new coordinator and new position coaches all around, any defense is expected to experience growing pains. The Eagles defense, however, seems to be going through the same issues as the last three years.
The linebackers can’t stop the tight end.
A look at the Eagles defensive numbers on a whole from Sunday night look good. Trent Cole and Jason Babin each recorded a sack, while the Night Doctor Cullen Jenkins notched two. In two games so far, the Eagles defensive line under guru Jim Washburn has nine sacks, good enough for second in the league behind the Cowboys.
Considering the team had just 39 sacks a year ago, the team is making the strides expected under Washburn and with the addition of Babin and Jenkins.
The Eagles linebackers have to learn how to stop stud tight ends like Tony Gonzalez.
The corners, Nnamdi Asomugha and Asante Samuel ballhawked an interception apiece off of Matt Ryan on Sunday. The defense held Ryan to 195 yards passing on 17-of-28 passing.
But, beyond that, the Eagles had problems. They still can’t stop stud runners. A week after giving up a 47-yard score to Stephen Jackson on the Rams opening play, the Eagles defense watched Michael Turner bull his way to 114 yards and a score on 21 carries.
Look deeper at the numbers and you realize their is a bigger problem — covering the tight end. Matt Ryan didn’t pile up the yards, but he still managed to throw four TDs, including two to 35-year-ol Tony Gonzalez. Gonzo hauled in seven passes for 72 yards on the night.
With second year pro Jamar Chaney starting for the first time at the SAM and rookie Casey Matthews at the MIKE, the Eagles are young and inexperienced. Maybe it pays off since the guys in the past weren’t getting the job done. But, these guys need to get it together soon.
With Pro Bowlers on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield, the linebackers are holding this unit back. The Birds can get to the quarterback and cause mistakes through the air, but the check down throws and running game are the Achilles heal right now.
