I had originally intended to post yesterday, but so much has ahappened in the last fifty or so hours that I had to delay. On the Shawn Andrews move to IR, I just have to say wow. The Eagles, I think, are just giving up on him. Hard to know whether it’s mental or physical with Shawn, but it seems plausible that he just has a gimpy back from which he’ll never recover. A doctor who spoke on 610 WIP explained how he tells people with that sort of chronic back pain that they have to totally avoid heavy lifting (which means pushing up against on 280 pound DEs 70 times every week is probably not advisable). Now the reason this happened yesterday is because the Eagles signed Jeff Garcia. This combined with the decision to bring Michael Vick back before the end of his suspension so he can practice suggests some real concerns at the quarterback position. I think it’s fairly likely that we won’t see McNabb until after the bye week. He seemed to be in A LOT of pain on Sunday afternoon, although he did play with a broken ankle against Arizona in . By the way, what’s the deal with the Panthers being allowed to take cheap shots at McNabb. They did it without a penalty in the NFC championship game in 2004, ultimately forcing McNabb to leave the game (which the Eagles lost 14-3) and then again last sunday McNabb got landed on after his play was over. When the league reviewed it they claimed it was all good. The play should have been a penalty. Whether it was intended to be dirty or not, the lineman clearly did not leave his feet until after McNabb was down in the end zone. I don’t understand why the Eagles so rarely seem to get these sorts of personal foul calls.
I just don’t get it.
So assuming McNabb is out, then we have to think about Kevin Kolb’s abilities, and I’m not at all optimistic. The fact that the Eagles dumped Baksett and activated Vick to start practicing during a week when they won’t be implementing any wildcat plays specially for Vick tells me that they are envisioning a real possibility that Vick could be the every down qb sometime soon here. Consider this Sunday as very possibly Kevin Kolb’s last tryout. If he looks bad, I’d yank him for Garcia at half.
As for the move to dump Baskett, I think that is a bit of a head-scratcher, especially in light of his activation on Sunday while Brown and Gibson were healthy scratches. Cutting Reggie Brown would cost the Eagles 2.7 million dollars in a cap acceleration for the prorated portion of his signing bonus, but that doesn’t seem like enough to determine the Eagles decision, since I think they still have ample cap room. The Eagles must feel like Gibson can contribute on special teams enough to replace Baskett and that Reggie Brown will do at least as well as a replacement receiver in the case that Curtis or Jackson goes down and Maclin is not yet ready to step in. Still, I think we may miss Baskett’s blocking abilities.
I’ll touch next week on the changes in Westbrook’s contract—just too much going on for the first regular season practice week.
To the game. Since McNabb’s and Shawn Andrews’s injuries have trained our attention on the QB and RT positions, I decided to focus on Winston Justice and Kevin Kolb when I re-watched the game against the panthers. Here’s some of what I noticed.
There were a lot of questions about Justice coming into his first start since Osi Umenyiora debacled Justice (wonder why Emmit Smith no longer commentates?) on the last day of the 2007 baseball season (I remember watching the Phils winning and Mets choking on two computer screens earlier that day). The difference though is that now Justice is back on the right side—his natural position. In college at USC Justice was one of the best blindside blockers int eh nation, and for this reason the Eagles made him the second tackle selected in the 2006 NFL draft, but Justice blocked for a left-handed quarterback, so playing the blindside meant playing on the right, but the Eagles nonetheless assumed he could protect McNabb’s back on the other side of the line. Most, but not all, tackles can make that transition, but Justice failed miserably as a left tackle. I’m hoping he really can play as long as he stays on the right. On two key third downs early, the Eagles’ first two third downs actually, Andy Reid left Winston Justice alone on the outside. Justice blocked very well on the first third down, which resulted in an 18 yard completion to Avant. On the next one, though, Justice totally missed his Peppers which may have forced McNabb to rush in a tight throw to Celek which he dropped (but probably should have caught), instead of getting off a swing pass to a wide open Brian Westbrook.
In run blocking I though Justice looked pretty damn good. He was able to get his pad level low to drive defensive linemen on multiple plays, and he also showed he could get out and run.
Later I tried to observe Justice when playing in front of Kevin Kolb. Initially Andy seemed to want to run a lot with Kolb or give him some short passes, but even some of those plays were near disasters. On the sack which Kolb fumbled, Justice was entirely responsible though (smoked by Peppers—a.k.a. chipotle’d).
In the 4th quarter, Andy briefly took the handcuffs off Kolb and let him try to toss one deep toward Jackson. On that play Justice received blocking help, ensuring plenty of time for Kolb to throw, but he still made a terrible throw that came up short of Jackson and was nearly intercepted. Kolb followed that misfire up on 3rd and 3 with another poor throw but then he converted on 4th and 3 with an easy sideline throw to Celek out of a five step drop. Andy’s playcalling after that Kolb deep miss suggests some lack of confidence in Kolb, although it’s hard to diassociate that from the conservative playcalling that normally goes hand in hand with a 28 point fourth quarter lead. Later in the 4th quarter Kolb was sacked because he held onto the ball for way to long, even with a max protect scheme.
I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with everything I’ve seen from Kolb so far. Andy claims that everything will be different once Kolb gets to spend a full week practicing with the first team, but I’m skeptical, and the moves made this week tells me that folks who eat lunch a lot closer to Jeffrey Lurie’s office than I do share my concerns. Hopefully we’re wrong, but there’s a reason this team went from carrying 2 QBs to 4 QBs in the last three days.
As for the rest of the game, first of all, I’ll state the obvious: a great performance for the Defense, especially against the pass. McDermott’s blitz packages were an impressive homage to his late mentor’s strategy of attacking protection schemes in ways designed to confuse blockers. McDermott did a great job attacking the interior pass blocking through the a-gaps, including the in the fumble TD on which the linebackers cleverly switched place with the DEs and on the 3rd and 5 Akeem Jordan sack in the middle of the 2nd quarter, wherein Jordan and Gaither both attacked the center. On that play the Eagles brought six against five blockers, but I love that the overload was in the center of the line, so that the guy who got through was in the qb’s face as soon as he broke down the protection, especially against a fairly immobile qb like Delhomme, who is unlikely to scramble away from a head-on blitzing linebacker. Certainly, though, McDermott mixed the blitz packages up. On the sack of Delhomme for 10 yards in 3rd quarter, Gaither and Gocong both attacked over the late side, one with a brief delay so that both ended up coming right at the running back in blitz pickup—it was impossible to block both. On the third interception of Delhomme (by Akeem Jordan), there actually was no blitz on, but McDermontt confused the hell out of the Panthers blockers with a well designed play. Chris Clemons lined up as a linebacker over Cole’s shoulder as Cole played end on a three man line. Clemons engaged the tackle and then Cole ran a twist over a guard who had already left to block for a screen that Akeem Jordan had sniffed out and covered up. Cole hit Delhomme and then Jordan caught Delhomme’s ill-advised pass. The defense was just stellar and credit the secheme all you want, but our guys made plays. Still, we have to give a shout out to the Rajun Cajun qb that the Panthers just guaranteed 20 million dollars. This guys stinks. Even when he took the Panthers to within 3 points of a super bowl, I’ve never believed he was any good. His mechanics and decision making both suck. Nice to see the Eagles help expose him. Boy are the Panthers feeling bad about that contract extension. Nonetheless, credit the Birds for holding on to his ducks, and the first Sheldon int was a truly amazing catch.
And here’s a few quick observations on some of the Eagles other TDs:
On the D-Jax return TD there was excellent blocking, including a great downfield block by Juqua Parker. Great speed on Jackson, all he really ends up having to do is make the gunner and the punter miss him, no problem!
Great playfake on the first offensive TD (9 yard pass to Celek). Everyone on the line, including Celek, did a great job of selling a run to the left before he released to the right and was instantly open.
Good audible by McNabb to the shovel pass to Westbrook that made it 31-7. There was especially great blocking by Leonard Weaver on that play. Weaver really was stellar—what a great addition—it may turn out to be one of our most important offseason moves (says the man who loves loves loves a powerful fullback).
Looking forward to see what happens Sunday, although it will be a tall order. We’ll need similar defensive production against what figures to be one of the league’s most prolific offenses this year. Unfortunately the suspensions for use of a banned supplement that saints starting DEs Charles Grant and Will Smith have been postponed pending a review by a Minnesota court of the appropriate punishment for Pat and Kevin Williams. Profootballtalk.com has been all over this story but the upshot is we don’t get any breaks there since both Saints starters at end will play. Their starting OT Jamaal Brown, however, is injured, but their offense didn’t miss a beat last week. We just have to hope that our defense can continue to create crazy turnovers and that Westbrook and Shady can cut up a mediocre linebacking corps. Go Eagles!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Good, The Bad, and The Struggly or Eagles-Jaguars Preseason
I just returned home from the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field, and I was less than impressed with what I saw, but there were some good things. The Eagles' starters outgained the Jaguars' starters about 2 to 1, but the turnovers and red zone were a problem.
The defense looked solid I thought, if you can except the asinine failure to pick up the fumbled ball that became the Jaguars' first touchdown.
Trent Cole played a lot early and looked healthy, and Asante Samuel was awesome as ever. Every time I watch him play, I'm more and more convinced he was worth the massive contract.
Abiamiri didn't do a whole lot from the end spot when he was lined up there, but he really looked great as a third round pass rusher from the DT spot in the nickel.
Bunkley was a beast--if you didn't know it yet, you're talking to the new President of the Broderick Bunkley fan club. He made plays against the run, and he just ate up blockers on pass plays. I saw him triple-teamed more than once. I love it!
Ellis Hobbs had a great first quarter both in coverage and tackling, making up for his Colts game debacle.
Shady McCoy looked real fast. His touchdown run was great--the way he pressed the hole and then was able to bounce it out and get himself moving faster laterally than the defensive players chasing him. He showed similarly impressive speed a couple other times, including on a third and short play (in which Vick was under center) in the red zone. Also, I was really impressed with his blitz-pick up on more than one play--this is what usually keeps rookie RBs buried on our depth chart. He seems to be a kid who really gets it, and that is exciting. Expect him to be on the field way more than any rookie rb we've seen here under Reid (including Westbrook, who barely carried the ball his rookie season after randomly being the anchor in Reid's way too conservative second half game plan in our come-from ahead opening day loss to Tennessee in 2002--for a bit of trivia. Incidentally, that was the game where my mom threatened I might not be allowed to watch Eagles games in her home, after I threw a pillow at the family room blinds. I have never again thrown anything in her home and have watched dozens more games there, but this is becoming a longer digression than is usual for even me. Let us return to August '09)
D. Jackson looked fast as hell and was open way more than he got looked at, and Avant's hands really are great. Too bad Braylon Edwards and Mario Manningham didn't take catching lessons from him when they were in "school" together. This guy catches everything. With the balls he's catching, Avant could be an injury insurance policy for Paul Bako.
Buckley looked good and he made a nice special teams play too, which will be crucial for him to make the team. Right now, he's the fourth RB I'm keeping (after B-West, Shady, and Weaver)
The Bad
Hank Baskett had a couple real bad drops, but he had a nice catch there too, and a couple good blocks, so I'm seeing him making this team.
McNabb looked out of sorts in the pocket several times. He made more lazy throws that couldn't clear the linemen's paws than I care to remember. The pass to McCoy that turned into a fumble touchdown was a bad pass and a terrible decision (if he catches it, he's smacked down for a loss anyway). Though he showed some flashes, in general McNabb was ineffective. Then in his press conference, he bristled about Vick's sets messing up the team's rhythm. So much of McNabb's problems are mental. I hope he can be a man about this Vick thing and not let it get to him--and memo to the Idiot fans on their seventh Coors Light, stop with the "We Want Vick" chants, all that's going to accomplish is to get inside the head of our actual, very sensitive, starting QB. As for McNabb, I'm almost always a defender, but he really needs to grow a pair and simply focus on doing what he can to win the game. McNabb's (and the line's at times) troubles getting into a rhythm were not about whether or not #7 was on the field, they were about failing to make plays himself. I just hope he can realize this.
That Eckel fumble--protect that ball if you want to make an NFL roster (Incidentally, I'm still uncomfortable with how Maclin holds the ball when he runs but he did hang onto a couple nice catches in traffic).
Special teams were pretty pitiful, especially the kickoff coverage unit. This could be a real problem this season, although here's hoping that Omar Gaither's (Ike Reese Jr?) return can help those units out.
The Lincoln Financial Field Production. The inflatable helmet tunnel didn't inflate, and that delayed the start enough that they had to introduce the Eagles simply as a team (although this may have been the plan regardless?), and Swoop really seemed out of his element. Maybe he's allowed to drink before preseason games? Also, can we get the Phillies scores up on the out of town scoreboard--Come on, we're the World F---ing Champions here!
The Michael Vick entrance was greeted warmly by the fans, including incessant, and annoying, "woo woo woo woo woo" chuckles from the two college-age fans behind me (who later attempted to pick a fight with a pretty big dude in his thirties who wore a B-Dawk Broncos jersey and booed McNabb and called for Vick). Vick looked OK. He didn't wow me on any play but he didn't make any big mistakes, and his red zone throw to Baskett was an excellent read and a decent throw. It will be interesting to see what else they do with him, but I suspect in future appearances, they'll ask him to run quite a bit more.
So here's what I noticed from my perch in the stands:
The GoodThe defense looked solid I thought, if you can except the asinine failure to pick up the fumbled ball that became the Jaguars' first touchdown.
Trent Cole played a lot early and looked healthy, and Asante Samuel was awesome as ever. Every time I watch him play, I'm more and more convinced he was worth the massive contract.
Abiamiri didn't do a whole lot from the end spot when he was lined up there, but he really looked great as a third round pass rusher from the DT spot in the nickel.
Bunkley was a beast--if you didn't know it yet, you're talking to the new President of the Broderick Bunkley fan club. He made plays against the run, and he just ate up blockers on pass plays. I saw him triple-teamed more than once. I love it!
Ellis Hobbs had a great first quarter both in coverage and tackling, making up for his Colts game debacle.
Shady McCoy looked real fast. His touchdown run was great--the way he pressed the hole and then was able to bounce it out and get himself moving faster laterally than the defensive players chasing him. He showed similarly impressive speed a couple other times, including on a third and short play (in which Vick was under center) in the red zone. Also, I was really impressed with his blitz-pick up on more than one play--this is what usually keeps rookie RBs buried on our depth chart. He seems to be a kid who really gets it, and that is exciting. Expect him to be on the field way more than any rookie rb we've seen here under Reid (including Westbrook, who barely carried the ball his rookie season after randomly being the anchor in Reid's way too conservative second half game plan in our come-from ahead opening day loss to Tennessee in 2002--for a bit of trivia. Incidentally, that was the game where my mom threatened I might not be allowed to watch Eagles games in her home, after I threw a pillow at the family room blinds. I have never again thrown anything in her home and have watched dozens more games there, but this is becoming a longer digression than is usual for even me. Let us return to August '09)
D. Jackson looked fast as hell and was open way more than he got looked at, and Avant's hands really are great. Too bad Braylon Edwards and Mario Manningham didn't take catching lessons from him when they were in "school" together. This guy catches everything. With the balls he's catching, Avant could be an injury insurance policy for Paul Bako.
Buckley looked good and he made a nice special teams play too, which will be crucial for him to make the team. Right now, he's the fourth RB I'm keeping (after B-West, Shady, and Weaver)
The Bad
Hank Baskett had a couple real bad drops, but he had a nice catch there too, and a couple good blocks, so I'm seeing him making this team.
McNabb looked out of sorts in the pocket several times. He made more lazy throws that couldn't clear the linemen's paws than I care to remember. The pass to McCoy that turned into a fumble touchdown was a bad pass and a terrible decision (if he catches it, he's smacked down for a loss anyway). Though he showed some flashes, in general McNabb was ineffective. Then in his press conference, he bristled about Vick's sets messing up the team's rhythm. So much of McNabb's problems are mental. I hope he can be a man about this Vick thing and not let it get to him--and memo to the Idiot fans on their seventh Coors Light, stop with the "We Want Vick" chants, all that's going to accomplish is to get inside the head of our actual, very sensitive, starting QB. As for McNabb, I'm almost always a defender, but he really needs to grow a pair and simply focus on doing what he can to win the game. McNabb's (and the line's at times) troubles getting into a rhythm were not about whether or not #7 was on the field, they were about failing to make plays himself. I just hope he can realize this.
DE Bryan Smith was difficult to find, and I was looking. I didn't see him do much that was awful, but last year's third round pick seems to have bumped down the depth chart by Jason Babin. I don't really see a space for both on the team, although Smith has shown so little on film that the Eagles may feel comfortable that he can clear waivers and be stashed on the practice squad.
The Run-Blocking. I can't single out anyone on the line, but as a unit this group did a lousy job of opening holes up for McCoy, and I saw nothing to impress me at FB from Eckel. I'm doubting he or Booker makes the team. We need Weaver back soon (and incidentally, we need to sign him to a contract extension if he stays healthy). I tried to specifically watch the tackles a bit, and I'll say that Peters did little to impress but little to upset me. Justice looked serviceable in the pass game, but seemed to me to be getting no push in the run game, surprising, b/c I expected the opposite from him.
Demps missed multiple tackles.
Mays seemed to have some trouble getting off blocks in run defense, especially on plays that moved laterally. We'll have to watch for improvement there, I hope we'll see it.
A little concerned about Westbrook not suiting up.
The Struggly
Kolb looked awful! Even several of his completions were mediocre throws. He hung Buckley out at least once, and his first red zone completion to Reggie Brown on the right side was a bit late and forced Reggie to sit down when he didn't really need to. Kolb didn't have the quite the time to throw that he should, but the pressure should have been manageable for the alleged future hopes and dreams of our storied little American football club. Maybe it's Kolb and not McNabb who needs to be worried about being bumped by Vick. After all, Vick's closer in age to Kolb than he is to McNabb. If that's the real Kevin Kolb, then I'm thinking about a long term deal for Vick ASAP--that was just terrible football.
That Eckel fumble--protect that ball if you want to make an NFL roster (Incidentally, I'm still uncomfortable with how Maclin holds the ball when he runs but he did hang onto a couple nice catches in traffic).
Special teams were pretty pitiful, especially the kickoff coverage unit. This could be a real problem this season, although here's hoping that Omar Gaither's (Ike Reese Jr?) return can help those units out.
The Lincoln Financial Field Production. The inflatable helmet tunnel didn't inflate, and that delayed the start enough that they had to introduce the Eagles simply as a team (although this may have been the plan regardless?), and Swoop really seemed out of his element. Maybe he's allowed to drink before preseason games? Also, can we get the Phillies scores up on the out of town scoreboard--Come on, we're the World F---ing Champions here!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Welcome Number 7?
I’ve spent the past few days convincing myself that this Vick move is a good one, and, well, I’ve basically succeeded. I don’t want to get too deep into the moral dilemma of bringing him in, because I really want this post to be about football. Suffice it to say that I love dogs and find what he did to be horrible, almost unforgivable. But if he is sincere in his intentions to “help more animals than [he] hurt,” well that’s a start, and even better would be if he can reach out to impoverished youths tempted to get involved in dog fighting (I read he first started with it at age 8) and perhaps help discourage a mindset that promotes callousness and tolerates cruelty among some youths growing up in rough places--or at least Jeffrey Lurie hopes he can, and so do I. Having met several men who have developed a constructive outlook on life while incarcerated, I’m inclined to give Vick some benefit of the doubt that he really has rehabilitated/is rehabilitating himself. If Roger Goodell, Tony Dungy (who I often find annoying and holier than thou, but must admit seems to be a decent, moral man), Andy Reid, and Jeffrey Lurie are all willing to give Michael a second change, well, then I guess I am. (Although as Eagellectual reader Josh the Writer has pointed out, I’d probably be less supportive of him getting a second chance, if that second chance happened to be in Silver and Blue attire or at East Rutherford, New Jersey—but that’s the ambiguity of how morality and self-interest interact for all of us at some time or another, but I digress).
Now for the football part. For that I’m excited. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King correctly assessed, although in phrasing that would make me cringe if I read it on a freshman paper: “Vick is most definitely going to play an important role on what the Eagles do on offense.” Vick, when healthy, was one of the most dynamic players we’ve ever seen. Indeed the man has run for a thousand yards in a season from the quarterback position. The Eagles are saying that they brought Vick in to be a qb, but don’t let them fool you, and for what it’s worth, it doesn’t seem like any one is being duped by assertions that he’s really here to be a straight QB. Vick WILL be used for the wildcat, and a whole heck of a lot more than the 12 times they used DeSean last year (eleven runs, and one Monday night pass for an interception in the Cleveland end zone by current Eagles safety Sean Jones). Indeed, if Vick’s back in playing shape, he might be the ideal wildcat qb. As a younger qb, he at times struggled with accuracy and timing, but his rocket arm was never in question. With Vick taking a direct snap, teams would have to choose between bringing a safety forward to help defend him in the run or leaving the safety back to prevent a deep fly route. In that scenario, Vick is dangerous to either run for a first down, or launch one deep to one of our multiple ultra-speedy receivers. The amount of speed this team can put on the field between DeSean, Westbrook, McCoy, Maclin, Curtis, McNabb, and now Vick really will be downright scary for opposing defenses. Basically, I think we can expect to see Vick everywhere all over the field, plus if McNabb gets hurt and Kolb turns out to be a huge disappointment (although I’m still optimistic), well Vick is another option, one I’d personally take over Adam Joshua Feeley (I both have the same tendencies to throw interceptions but Vick has a cannon arm and lighting speed).
As for the roster spot, it will be interesting to see if they keep all four QBs or not, but it’s a decision they won’t have to make until Vick is fully reinstated, probably around week 6. If Vick really is going to be used as a weapon in the running game, I don’t see why they couldn’t keep him and the other three. Part of this question stems from the fact that I believe Vick is probably just going to be a one year rental, unless he comes in at QB for a hurt Donovan and blows everyone away (let me get back to that in a second). The thing about this roster right now is that it’s not clear that there are five running backs worth keeping. Traditionally, the Eagles keep four tailbacks (although for most years that number requires you to count the Mormon fair catch machine Reno Mahe as a tailback) and one fullback. If we keep five backs, then right now, we’ve got Westbrook, McCoy, and Weaver, leaving two spots for, in all likelihood, two of the following three: Eldra Buckley, Kyle Eckel, and Lorenzo Booker. I see no reason to assume that the Eagles wouldn’t consider cutting one of the remaining two come week six, if/when Vick is cleared, especially if it turns out that one of those last two RBs has injury issues by then (although hopefully not).
Concerning Vick’s future, it seems unlikely that it remains in South Philly beyond this year, unless McNabb suffers a pretty serious injury and Kolb does not turn out as advertised. Next year the Eagles have a team option to pay Vick over 5 million dollars (this year he comes in around 1.6 million), so that would be a whole lot for a guy who is not starting, especially if Kolb remains (and we have every reason to believe he will) the heir apparent. If indeed, Vick is only intended as a one year rental, then it makes it harder to cut A.J. Feeley to make room for Vick, but Feeley is only under contract through 2010, so they’d only be wasting one year of a backup’s contract against the caps, so it’s possible. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Vick and what this means for the rest of the roster, but I don’t think Donovan has much to worry about right now (if he stays healthy that is). It will probably be quite some time before we really get to see what Bick can do for this offense. He is slated to play in the final two preseason games, but Andy will probably play things pretty close to the vest and simply let Vick take a quarter or so under center. For the real creative uses of Vick, we’ll be waiting until mid-October, or later, but that’s usually just about the time of the season that the offense needs a good kick-in-the-ass, which makes this signing very intriguing, if equally complicated.
Now for the football part. For that I’m excited. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King correctly assessed, although in phrasing that would make me cringe if I read it on a freshman paper: “Vick is most definitely going to play an important role on what the Eagles do on offense.” Vick, when healthy, was one of the most dynamic players we’ve ever seen. Indeed the man has run for a thousand yards in a season from the quarterback position. The Eagles are saying that they brought Vick in to be a qb, but don’t let them fool you, and for what it’s worth, it doesn’t seem like any one is being duped by assertions that he’s really here to be a straight QB. Vick WILL be used for the wildcat, and a whole heck of a lot more than the 12 times they used DeSean last year (eleven runs, and one Monday night pass for an interception in the Cleveland end zone by current Eagles safety Sean Jones). Indeed, if Vick’s back in playing shape, he might be the ideal wildcat qb. As a younger qb, he at times struggled with accuracy and timing, but his rocket arm was never in question. With Vick taking a direct snap, teams would have to choose between bringing a safety forward to help defend him in the run or leaving the safety back to prevent a deep fly route. In that scenario, Vick is dangerous to either run for a first down, or launch one deep to one of our multiple ultra-speedy receivers. The amount of speed this team can put on the field between DeSean, Westbrook, McCoy, Maclin, Curtis, McNabb, and now Vick really will be downright scary for opposing defenses. Basically, I think we can expect to see Vick everywhere all over the field, plus if McNabb gets hurt and Kolb turns out to be a huge disappointment (although I’m still optimistic), well Vick is another option, one I’d personally take over Adam Joshua Feeley (I both have the same tendencies to throw interceptions but Vick has a cannon arm and lighting speed).
As for the roster spot, it will be interesting to see if they keep all four QBs or not, but it’s a decision they won’t have to make until Vick is fully reinstated, probably around week 6. If Vick really is going to be used as a weapon in the running game, I don’t see why they couldn’t keep him and the other three. Part of this question stems from the fact that I believe Vick is probably just going to be a one year rental, unless he comes in at QB for a hurt Donovan and blows everyone away (let me get back to that in a second). The thing about this roster right now is that it’s not clear that there are five running backs worth keeping. Traditionally, the Eagles keep four tailbacks (although for most years that number requires you to count the Mormon fair catch machine Reno Mahe as a tailback) and one fullback. If we keep five backs, then right now, we’ve got Westbrook, McCoy, and Weaver, leaving two spots for, in all likelihood, two of the following three: Eldra Buckley, Kyle Eckel, and Lorenzo Booker. I see no reason to assume that the Eagles wouldn’t consider cutting one of the remaining two come week six, if/when Vick is cleared, especially if it turns out that one of those last two RBs has injury issues by then (although hopefully not).
Concerning Vick’s future, it seems unlikely that it remains in South Philly beyond this year, unless McNabb suffers a pretty serious injury and Kolb does not turn out as advertised. Next year the Eagles have a team option to pay Vick over 5 million dollars (this year he comes in around 1.6 million), so that would be a whole lot for a guy who is not starting, especially if Kolb remains (and we have every reason to believe he will) the heir apparent. If indeed, Vick is only intended as a one year rental, then it makes it harder to cut A.J. Feeley to make room for Vick, but Feeley is only under contract through 2010, so they’d only be wasting one year of a backup’s contract against the caps, so it’s possible. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Vick and what this means for the rest of the roster, but I don’t think Donovan has much to worry about right now (if he stays healthy that is). It will probably be quite some time before we really get to see what Bick can do for this offense. He is slated to play in the final two preseason games, but Andy will probably play things pretty close to the vest and simply let Vick take a quarter or so under center. For the real creative uses of Vick, we’ll be waiting until mid-October, or later, but that’s usually just about the time of the season that the offense needs a good kick-in-the-ass, which makes this signing very intriguing, if equally complicated.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Bradley Out!
I heard it first from the Comcast cable installation guy (admittedly not the most credible source) and I didn't want to believe it, but in my heart I knew it was true. When he finally got the cable hooked up and then rehooked up (he switched the box before realizing the remote wasn't working), he turned to ESPN2 and while our fat friend Michael Golic jabbered about what Roger Goodell was going to do with Plaxico Burress while he awaits trial, I saw a blurb rolling across the bottom of the screen: "ESPN Radio 950 Philadelphia is reporting that Eagles LB Stewart Bradley suffers season-ending ACL tear" (or something like that). My heart sank. As you saw from my last post, I really believed that Bradley was ready to make the leap to pro-bowl caliber. Instead we're left with a big hole in the middle, perhaps the position on the defense where we haev the least NFL-tested depth. The obvious candidate to replace Bradley is Gaither, whose body-type screams weakside (235 lbs compared to Bradley's 255), even if Gaither seems to have a better grasp of the Mike position than the Will. Gaither will not be as stout against the runs up the middle, so we better hope that Bunkley and Patterson are as impressive this year as last year, and he tends to overplay at times against outside runs and the short passing game. That said, I do think Gaither has the tendency to be a playmaker, if also to make some mistakes. He has a nose for the football, and is a damn good hitter for his size (but is still small for the MIKE), but he won't be what Bradley could have.
The other possible backup here is Joe Mays, a second-year player who was a dynamo in the preseason last year but rarely made it onto the field thereafter. The kid looked like a bowling bowl bouncing around last year carrying ten pounds more than Gaither while being two inches shorter. I doubt though that he can grasp the intricacies of Johnson's defense enough to take over the Mike position, which is traditionally the signal-caller spot--something else significant we lose with Bradley going down.
Let's hope Gaither or Mays can be disciplined and play bigger than their size, or this Bradley loss will be a serious problem for a defense that I hoped would again be in the top 5 in the league. I hope he'll be back at full speed for 2010.
The other possible backup here is Joe Mays, a second-year player who was a dynamo in the preseason last year but rarely made it onto the field thereafter. The kid looked like a bowling bowl bouncing around last year carrying ten pounds more than Gaither while being two inches shorter. I doubt though that he can grasp the intricacies of Johnson's defense enough to take over the Mike position, which is traditionally the signal-caller spot--something else significant we lose with Bradley going down.
Let's hope Gaither or Mays can be disciplined and play bigger than their size, or this Bradley loss will be a serious problem for a defense that I hoped would again be in the top 5 in the league. I hope he'll be back at full speed for 2010.
Friday, July 31, 2009
A NEW SEASON IS HERE (ALMOST): PRESEASON LOOK AT THE DEFENSE
Well, I'm back from a long hiatus. To avid readers who have been nagging the Eagellectual, my apologies for the extended delay. The truth is that I've been too busy to post before this week, because I've been in the midst of a move back to Philly, so that I can be better positioned to blog on the Birds. This blog being the reason, of course, that I have returned to Philly, every day I've spent on moving, has in effect been work for the blog (this is directed at you, Mike the Lawyer and Dan the Businessman).
As we know, the Eagles are about to begin the full team-full contact version of training camp--the unoffical start of the 2009 NFL season.
Before I look at some key issues facing this team goign itno camp, I want to again acknowledge the change in Defensive Coordinator. Jim Johnson will be sorely missed.
As for his replacement, young Sean McDermott (still older than the Eagellectual) of LaSalle High, he is a true Jim Johnson disciple and should be well prepared to implement Jim's scheme. What he does not have, though, is the dcades of experience. Sean will be very much on his own as well. Believe it or not, at age 35, he really is the senior defensive guy on this team. There is no more Steve Spagnuolo, Jim Harbaugh, or Pete Jenkins (not to mention Brian Dawkins) for McDermott to lean on, so he'll be taking on an awful lot of responsibility with less veteran help than even Johnson had for most of his career. It is quite a responsibility, and I hope he is up for it, but he has been being groomed for this position ever since Spagnuolo left for New York.
Now, let's look at some of the key issues and battles facing McDermott's new defense. (My next post will discuss the offense).
More Pass Rush from the front four.
If you read the Eagellectual, you'll know that I've been beating this drum like Todd Rungren all offseason. I love blitzing, but it made us so vulnerable in that Cards game. We need more consistent pass rush from the front four, particularly from the RDE spot. This is where, I hope, Victor Abiamiri comes in.
This will be the difference between being a very good defense and a great one. The main candidates for the RDE spot are Victor Abiamiri (out now for three weeks with a stained pec, from offseason lifting), Chris Clemons, and 2008 3rd round pick Bryan Smith. I think the Eagles' plan is to rotate these three. Clemons and Smith are just too small to play every down in this league, but they have speed that Abiamiri has rarely shown. If, by some chance, though, Abiamiri can stay healthy and put it all together, and somehow justify the use of a 2007 second round pick on him, he could be a difference maker for this defense. If not, he’s probably out of here after this year and the Birds are probably looking at Defensive Ends next offseason. The other possibility here is that Darren Howard takes on a larger role, but I think the Eagles would like to primarily keep him in that nickel defensive tackle role. He’s not getting any younger, and he was great in that role in the second half of the season and playoffs, and so I expect the Eagles would like to keep him in the role so that he doesn’t wear down. There are also some unsubstantiated rumors afloat that the Eagles might make a play for Derrick Burgess who is holding out not for money, but simply to get the hell away from the Raiders (who could blame him).
At tackle we’re looking good as long as everyone stays healthy. Patterson and Bunkley both came off their best NFL seasons. Their ability to control the middle, especially Bunkley’s strength at controlling the point of attack, even int eh face of frequent double teams (Bunkley’s so strong he really plays like he weighs about 15 pounds more), was really the key to the Eagles’ vast improvement in run defense. Trevor Laws is also an intriguing player that I expect to rotate in more often, provide some injury insurance, and perhaps take on a third down role alongside Darren Howard. In third and long, though, expect the Birds to continue sliding Abiamiri into the tackle spot next to Howard and then bringing in Smith or Clemons on the right edge.
At linebacker, the Eagellectual loves Stewart Bradley. Bradley maed a couple bad plays in the Championship Game against Arizona, including being out of position on that Tim Hightower fourth down conversion, but I think he will continue to improve. By all accounts he’s a real smart kid (and the Eagellectual always likes smart kids), and he plays aggressively and has shown that he is strong—he doesn’t get pushed around by RBs or TEs. Look for him to continue to improve. Gocong did what he needed last year. He may never be a star but he’s clearly serviceable, and last year was probably the best season we’ve had from any one at the strongside position since Carlos Emmons was here. Dhani Jones, you are not missed (you know he has a cable show, and a line of bowties, now—unbelievable how a mediocre defensive player can become famous just by wearing a bowtie). At the weakside, there is ostensibly a position battle between last year’s end of the season starter Akeem Jordan and the man whose job he took: Omar Gaither. Jordan seemed bigger and more disciplined and not much slower than Gaither, so I believe the job is Jordan’s to lose. Gaither tries too hard to make plays some time, and I think the Eagles know this. I think the Eagles intend to use Gaither the way they used Ike Reese in his Eagles prime—as a utility linebacker that can back up every position (weakside, middle, and strongside by way of stepping in at middle and letting Bradley slide out to the position he first played for the Eagles), and also as a special teams beast. The remaining two linebacker spots (usually the Eagles keep 6) will be the site of one of the Eagles’ fiercer position battles, with last year’s rookies Andy Studebaker and Joe Mays competing with special teams aces Tank Daniels and Tracy White for those two spots. To make the team, Studebaker and Mays will both have to be very impressive on special teams.
The defensive backfield is another site of fierce competition, and it would not be a surprise to see the Eagles keep ten defensive backs and maybe even only run with five linebackers. At corner we have three excellent veterans in Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, and Sheldon Brown. I’m not sure what to make of Brown’s contract situation, but I think most likely, he’ll just have to shut up and play, and I think Brown will probably play much more steadily than Lito did last year. Partly, I believe this b/c Brown seems to have a bit more even-keeled personality, but more importantly, Brown is a better corner and he is not a gambler. Lito, when he played last year, was dying for interceptions, so I think he gambled even less responsibly than in previous years. Brown will win his new contract, here or elsewhere, not by flashy interception returns, but by continuing to lock down by himself the number two receiver on every team he faces, just like he did last year. I’m not overly worried about this, but Hobbs is a heck of an insurance policy if there are any problems. Then, if you read the Eagellectual, you know I love Joselio Hanson as a slot defender. Figuring out how to best use these guys, in tandem with a very interesting safety corps will be one of McDermott’s big challenges.
At the safety spot, Quintin Mikell is coming off an amazing year. He did everything you want a safety to do, playing deep, playing near the line, in coverage, in the run game, in goalline situations, blitzing, you name it. Mikell was a revelation last year, and I expect him to become a defensive star this year. Then the big question on everyone’s mind is how they replace Dawk. In terms of Dawk’s fading skill set, I think it was time to move on. While a heck of a hitter still, Dawkins had lost too many steps in coverage, and so Johnson had to do all sorts of things to scheme Dawkins into positions where his skills could be on display and his weaknesses could be covered up. The team, will, however, miss the veteran presence on a very young defense with a very young coaching staff, especially with Johnson gone. The most veteran Eagle on that defrense is Sheldon Brown, and it’s hard to see him being THE team leader when he’s upset with his contract. To replace Dawkins on the field though, the Eagles have all sorts of confidence in Quintin Demps (without checking the NFL record book, the Eagellectual can say with some confidence that this probably is the first all-Quintin safety tandem in league history). Demps is fast and long and was a great ball-hawk in college. While a lot of people are hung up on the flea flicker touchdown to Fitzgerald where Demps slipped (which, incidentally, was as much the fault of Dawkins who had Fitz at the line of scrimmage and bit too hard on the run action), I think the main place Demps needs to improve is in the run game. On key run plays in that Arizona game last year, twice he was out of position. But they have a nice little insurance policy in Sean Jones from Cleveland. Coming off a year where he was slowed by injury, Jones can step in and play at either safety position, but he is more of a strong safety, enough that they might be more likely to move Mikell over to FS if necessary. The other two players in the mix here are former Raider Rashad Baker and fifth round draft pick Victor “Macho” Harris, a hard-hitting Virginia Tech corner, who figures to work more at free safety in the NFL, and has been doing so in camp thus far. Baker is strictly a reserve player, but he would provide an excellent replacement for Greg Lewis’s role as gunner (first man downfield) on the punt and kick coverage teams.
This could be an excellent defense. We’ll have a look at the offense too, between now and the first preseason game.
As we know, the Eagles are about to begin the full team-full contact version of training camp--the unoffical start of the 2009 NFL season.
Before I look at some key issues facing this team goign itno camp, I want to again acknowledge the change in Defensive Coordinator. Jim Johnson will be sorely missed.
As for his replacement, young Sean McDermott (still older than the Eagellectual) of LaSalle High, he is a true Jim Johnson disciple and should be well prepared to implement Jim's scheme. What he does not have, though, is the dcades of experience. Sean will be very much on his own as well. Believe it or not, at age 35, he really is the senior defensive guy on this team. There is no more Steve Spagnuolo, Jim Harbaugh, or Pete Jenkins (not to mention Brian Dawkins) for McDermott to lean on, so he'll be taking on an awful lot of responsibility with less veteran help than even Johnson had for most of his career. It is quite a responsibility, and I hope he is up for it, but he has been being groomed for this position ever since Spagnuolo left for New York.
Now, let's look at some of the key issues and battles facing McDermott's new defense. (My next post will discuss the offense).
More Pass Rush from the front four.
If you read the Eagellectual, you'll know that I've been beating this drum like Todd Rungren all offseason. I love blitzing, but it made us so vulnerable in that Cards game. We need more consistent pass rush from the front four, particularly from the RDE spot. This is where, I hope, Victor Abiamiri comes in.
This will be the difference between being a very good defense and a great one. The main candidates for the RDE spot are Victor Abiamiri (out now for three weeks with a stained pec, from offseason lifting), Chris Clemons, and 2008 3rd round pick Bryan Smith. I think the Eagles' plan is to rotate these three. Clemons and Smith are just too small to play every down in this league, but they have speed that Abiamiri has rarely shown. If, by some chance, though, Abiamiri can stay healthy and put it all together, and somehow justify the use of a 2007 second round pick on him, he could be a difference maker for this defense. If not, he’s probably out of here after this year and the Birds are probably looking at Defensive Ends next offseason. The other possibility here is that Darren Howard takes on a larger role, but I think the Eagles would like to primarily keep him in that nickel defensive tackle role. He’s not getting any younger, and he was great in that role in the second half of the season and playoffs, and so I expect the Eagles would like to keep him in the role so that he doesn’t wear down. There are also some unsubstantiated rumors afloat that the Eagles might make a play for Derrick Burgess who is holding out not for money, but simply to get the hell away from the Raiders (who could blame him).
At tackle we’re looking good as long as everyone stays healthy. Patterson and Bunkley both came off their best NFL seasons. Their ability to control the middle, especially Bunkley’s strength at controlling the point of attack, even int eh face of frequent double teams (Bunkley’s so strong he really plays like he weighs about 15 pounds more), was really the key to the Eagles’ vast improvement in run defense. Trevor Laws is also an intriguing player that I expect to rotate in more often, provide some injury insurance, and perhaps take on a third down role alongside Darren Howard. In third and long, though, expect the Birds to continue sliding Abiamiri into the tackle spot next to Howard and then bringing in Smith or Clemons on the right edge.
At linebacker, the Eagellectual loves Stewart Bradley. Bradley maed a couple bad plays in the Championship Game against Arizona, including being out of position on that Tim Hightower fourth down conversion, but I think he will continue to improve. By all accounts he’s a real smart kid (and the Eagellectual always likes smart kids), and he plays aggressively and has shown that he is strong—he doesn’t get pushed around by RBs or TEs. Look for him to continue to improve. Gocong did what he needed last year. He may never be a star but he’s clearly serviceable, and last year was probably the best season we’ve had from any one at the strongside position since Carlos Emmons was here. Dhani Jones, you are not missed (you know he has a cable show, and a line of bowties, now—unbelievable how a mediocre defensive player can become famous just by wearing a bowtie). At the weakside, there is ostensibly a position battle between last year’s end of the season starter Akeem Jordan and the man whose job he took: Omar Gaither. Jordan seemed bigger and more disciplined and not much slower than Gaither, so I believe the job is Jordan’s to lose. Gaither tries too hard to make plays some time, and I think the Eagles know this. I think the Eagles intend to use Gaither the way they used Ike Reese in his Eagles prime—as a utility linebacker that can back up every position (weakside, middle, and strongside by way of stepping in at middle and letting Bradley slide out to the position he first played for the Eagles), and also as a special teams beast. The remaining two linebacker spots (usually the Eagles keep 6) will be the site of one of the Eagles’ fiercer position battles, with last year’s rookies Andy Studebaker and Joe Mays competing with special teams aces Tank Daniels and Tracy White for those two spots. To make the team, Studebaker and Mays will both have to be very impressive on special teams.
The defensive backfield is another site of fierce competition, and it would not be a surprise to see the Eagles keep ten defensive backs and maybe even only run with five linebackers. At corner we have three excellent veterans in Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, and Sheldon Brown. I’m not sure what to make of Brown’s contract situation, but I think most likely, he’ll just have to shut up and play, and I think Brown will probably play much more steadily than Lito did last year. Partly, I believe this b/c Brown seems to have a bit more even-keeled personality, but more importantly, Brown is a better corner and he is not a gambler. Lito, when he played last year, was dying for interceptions, so I think he gambled even less responsibly than in previous years. Brown will win his new contract, here or elsewhere, not by flashy interception returns, but by continuing to lock down by himself the number two receiver on every team he faces, just like he did last year. I’m not overly worried about this, but Hobbs is a heck of an insurance policy if there are any problems. Then, if you read the Eagellectual, you know I love Joselio Hanson as a slot defender. Figuring out how to best use these guys, in tandem with a very interesting safety corps will be one of McDermott’s big challenges.
At the safety spot, Quintin Mikell is coming off an amazing year. He did everything you want a safety to do, playing deep, playing near the line, in coverage, in the run game, in goalline situations, blitzing, you name it. Mikell was a revelation last year, and I expect him to become a defensive star this year. Then the big question on everyone’s mind is how they replace Dawk. In terms of Dawk’s fading skill set, I think it was time to move on. While a heck of a hitter still, Dawkins had lost too many steps in coverage, and so Johnson had to do all sorts of things to scheme Dawkins into positions where his skills could be on display and his weaknesses could be covered up. The team, will, however, miss the veteran presence on a very young defense with a very young coaching staff, especially with Johnson gone. The most veteran Eagle on that defrense is Sheldon Brown, and it’s hard to see him being THE team leader when he’s upset with his contract. To replace Dawkins on the field though, the Eagles have all sorts of confidence in Quintin Demps (without checking the NFL record book, the Eagellectual can say with some confidence that this probably is the first all-Quintin safety tandem in league history). Demps is fast and long and was a great ball-hawk in college. While a lot of people are hung up on the flea flicker touchdown to Fitzgerald where Demps slipped (which, incidentally, was as much the fault of Dawkins who had Fitz at the line of scrimmage and bit too hard on the run action), I think the main place Demps needs to improve is in the run game. On key run plays in that Arizona game last year, twice he was out of position. But they have a nice little insurance policy in Sean Jones from Cleveland. Coming off a year where he was slowed by injury, Jones can step in and play at either safety position, but he is more of a strong safety, enough that they might be more likely to move Mikell over to FS if necessary. The other two players in the mix here are former Raider Rashad Baker and fifth round draft pick Victor “Macho” Harris, a hard-hitting Virginia Tech corner, who figures to work more at free safety in the NFL, and has been doing so in camp thus far. Baker is strictly a reserve player, but he would provide an excellent replacement for Greg Lewis’s role as gunner (first man downfield) on the punt and kick coverage teams.
This could be an excellent defense. We’ll have a look at the offense too, between now and the first preseason game.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Rest in Peace Jim Johnson
I was actually just about to publish my first post for the 2009 season when it was announced that Jim Johnson has passed away at age 68, after a struggle with melanoma that had spread to his spine . Johnson was a class act, a brilliant football mind, and an epic worker. Johnson was brusque but candid and wore a near-constant scowl that did nothing to belie his kind heart but everything to demonstrate the seriousness with which he approached defensive football, demanded excellence, and loved the game. Johnson, even as the oldest guy on the staff was consistently the last one to leave the NovaCare building, even during the early offseason when a coach should normally, one would imagine, be less busy than the personnel department. The Eagles, the NFL, and the Philadelphia community lose a lot with the passing of Johnson. He was renowned for blitzing aggressively and creatively. He was especially a proponent of overload blitzing and he executed incredibly successful blitzing defenses with a multitude of different personnel. From his disguising blitzes by using Jevon Kearse as a joker during the Super Bowl run, to his rare but effective use of a double corner blitz in the days of Bobby Taylor, Troy Vincent, and Al Harris, to his skill at accentuating an aging Brian Dawkins's strengths and masking his weaknesses over the last two seasons, Jim Johnson was always looking for new tricks and wrinkles to confuse opposing coaches, quarterbacks, and offensive linemen. A nice analysis of Johnson by a non-partisan observer can be found in an unfortunately too prescient Washington Post article about the strengths and flaws of Johnson's strategy as applied by his January 2009 team as they approached their NFC championship game in Phoenix. See http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/16/AR2009011603627.html.
Nonetheless, Johnson as much as Andy Reid deserves credit for the success this team has had this decade, especially early in McNabb's career when the offense often consisted of little more than slants to Chad Lewis and timely Donovan scrambles. Johnson will surely be missed and never forgotten.
Look for my intended post in the next couple days.
Pasted below is the team's official statement on Johnson's passing (courtesy of Philadelphiaeagles.com):
July 28, 2009
The Philadelphia Eagles are saddened to announce Jim Johnson has passed away Tuesday afternoon at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with cancer.A veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant, Johnson is regarded as one of the top defensive masterminds in National Football League history. Over the last decade, he gained a great deal of praise as the orchestrator of the renowned Eagles defense. His aggressive style kept Philadelphia at or near the top of the NFL in nearly every major defensive category since joining Andy Reid's staff on January 22, 1999.
Jim Johnson was beloved by his colleagues, players.
From 2000-08, Johnson's units ranked second in the NFL in sacks (390), 3rd down efficiency (34.0%) and red zone touchdown percentage (43.9%), and fourth in fewest points allowed (17.7 per game). During his 10-year tenure in Philadelphia, the Eagles earned seven playoff berths, five trips to the NFC Championship game and one Super Bowl appearance (following the 2004 season).
As the Eagles' defensive chief, Johnson's defense has produced 26 Pro Bowl selections: Brian Dawkins (7), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Asante Samuel (1), Trent Cole (1), Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1).
Four of his defensive assistants have gone on to successful careers with other NFL franchises: Steve Spagnuolo (head coach of the St. Louis Rams), John Harbaugh (head coach of the Baltimore Ravens), Ron Rivera (defensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers) and Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings).
Prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, Johnson served as the linebackers coach with Seattle in 1998. That year, Johnson helped the Seahawks register 10 touchdowns on defense, including eight interceptions returned for scores, second-most in NFL history. He arrived in Seattle after a four-year stint in Indianapolis, the last two as defensive coordinator. While with the Colts, Johnson helped them secure a berth in the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh in 1995.Johnson spent eight seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (1986-93). After overseeing the Cards defensive line for four seasons, Johnson excelled as their secondary coach, helping Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions (6) since 1981.
Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at Missouri Southern (1967-68), before serving four-year tenures at Drake and Indiana. From 1977-83, Johnson served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, a stint that included a national championship in 1977.An all-conference quarterback himself at Missouri (where he played in the same backfield with long-time NFL executive Bill Tobin), Johnson went on to spend two seasons with Buffalo as a tight end (1963-64).A native of Maywood, IL, Johnson (born 5/26/41) earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in physical education from Missouri.
Johnson is survived by his wife, Vicky, two children, Scott and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Katie, Justin, Brandon, and Jax.
Nonetheless, Johnson as much as Andy Reid deserves credit for the success this team has had this decade, especially early in McNabb's career when the offense often consisted of little more than slants to Chad Lewis and timely Donovan scrambles. Johnson will surely be missed and never forgotten.
Look for my intended post in the next couple days.
Pasted below is the team's official statement on Johnson's passing (courtesy of Philadelphiaeagles.com):
July 28, 2009
The Philadelphia Eagles are saddened to announce Jim Johnson has passed away Tuesday afternoon at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with cancer.A veteran of 22 years as an NFL assistant, Johnson is regarded as one of the top defensive masterminds in National Football League history. Over the last decade, he gained a great deal of praise as the orchestrator of the renowned Eagles defense. His aggressive style kept Philadelphia at or near the top of the NFL in nearly every major defensive category since joining Andy Reid's staff on January 22, 1999.
Jim Johnson was beloved by his colleagues, players.
From 2000-08, Johnson's units ranked second in the NFL in sacks (390), 3rd down efficiency (34.0%) and red zone touchdown percentage (43.9%), and fourth in fewest points allowed (17.7 per game). During his 10-year tenure in Philadelphia, the Eagles earned seven playoff berths, five trips to the NFC Championship game and one Super Bowl appearance (following the 2004 season).
As the Eagles' defensive chief, Johnson's defense has produced 26 Pro Bowl selections: Brian Dawkins (7), Troy Vincent (5), Jeremiah Trotter (4), Hugh Douglas (3), Lito Sheppard (2), Asante Samuel (1), Trent Cole (1), Michael Lewis (1), Corey Simon (1), and Bobby Taylor (1).
Four of his defensive assistants have gone on to successful careers with other NFL franchises: Steve Spagnuolo (head coach of the St. Louis Rams), John Harbaugh (head coach of the Baltimore Ravens), Ron Rivera (defensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers) and Leslie Frazier (defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings).
Prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, Johnson served as the linebackers coach with Seattle in 1998. That year, Johnson helped the Seahawks register 10 touchdowns on defense, including eight interceptions returned for scores, second-most in NFL history. He arrived in Seattle after a four-year stint in Indianapolis, the last two as defensive coordinator. While with the Colts, Johnson helped them secure a berth in the AFC Championship game at Pittsburgh in 1995.Johnson spent eight seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (1986-93). After overseeing the Cards defensive line for four seasons, Johnson excelled as their secondary coach, helping Aeneas Williams become the first rookie cornerback to lead the league in interceptions (6) since 1981.
Johnson began his coaching career as head coach at Missouri Southern (1967-68), before serving four-year tenures at Drake and Indiana. From 1977-83, Johnson served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Notre Dame, a stint that included a national championship in 1977.An all-conference quarterback himself at Missouri (where he played in the same backfield with long-time NFL executive Bill Tobin), Johnson went on to spend two seasons with Buffalo as a tight end (1963-64).A native of Maywood, IL, Johnson (born 5/26/41) earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in physical education from Missouri.
Johnson is survived by his wife, Vicky, two children, Scott and Michelle, and four grandchildren, Katie, Justin, Brandon, and Jax.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Night Before Draft Day
So you'll see below that I think the Eagles will likely draft a running back with their first pick. I don't like Wells, as I've suggested. While I believe Wells could play a situational role this year and later be paired with an effective third down back (more effective than Moats or Booker), I think the Eagles are well aware that they need someone who can carry the load for the likely 2-4 games that Westbrook misses or isn't 100% for. That guy, I hope is Moreno. It is looking less and less likely that Moreno is there at 21. I'm hoping he will be, but he is definitely a possibility for the Saints or the Chargers, or another team that tries to move ahead of the Eagles. The Saints, I think, are less of a concern than the Chargers. They could use a bigger back like Wells, b/c they've already got so much money invested in Reggie Bush that they need to get him onto the field at least on third downs. Wells would resemble McAllister in their offense, a combination with which the Saints had such success, to Eagles' fans dismay, a few years back. More likely though, I think the Saints go defense. Their offense was nasty last year, and their defense sucked. Expect them to look to draft the best secondary player on the board, or to be a possible trading partner for the Eagles and then move down and draft a corner at 21. The bigger concern seems to be Moreno going to San Diego, who perhaps may be looking for a replacement for LT after this year. If Moreno looks good, it would enable them to cut LT after this year and pair Moreno and Sproles, since Sproles doesn't have the body type to hold up as a feature back over the long term.
If Moreno is not there, look for the Eagles to move back to take Donald Brown or LeSean McCoy (I think McCoy early in the second is prob more appealing to the Birds than Brown late in the first), or to draft another defensive end, especially if Robert Ayers or Everette Brown is still on the board. Michael Johnson could also be a possibility, but he may be available much lower than that.
As for TE's, Pettigrew is an option, but I expect the Eagles to address the TE position in the second round most likely. I don't think that Reid and co. really believe in spending a first on that position. Jared Cook is the next most intriguing TE prospect, and probably the only other one aside from Pettigrew that looks like he has a good chance of being a difference-makers. The guy is fast and has hands, but he played in Duckface Spurrier's spread offense with the Gamecocks, so we really don't know if he can block. Very successful tight ends that also were more pass-catchers than blockers that may interest the Eagles in the third, such as Chase Coffman of Missouri, who was unbelievably prolific as a receiver in college, but had some injuries and lacks the kind of speed of a player like Cook. The other guy with blazing speed for a TE (in the 4.5 range) is Southern Miss's Shawn Nelson, who seemed to be a decent blocker in college, but at 240 is a bit light to expect him to excel as a blocker in the NFL.
A lot of this hinges on how much better the Eagles think Celek is going to get. If they feel that he's a real number 1 pass-catching TE, then they may wait until day 2 to take a TE who will really only be on the field on running downs and in two TE sets, but if they think Celek was at or near his ceiling late last year, expect them to be intrigued by anyone with the speed to create mismatches between the hashmarks. In that case, look for them to take a DE or DB.
Oh, and while we're on the subject of TE's, as far as Gonzalez, I wouldn't believe everything you read about the Birds' interest. My guess is that the rumor about the Eagles' interest came out of Kansas City in an effort to prevent the Falcons from waiting until they could see if Pettigrew was still available when they pick late in the first round.
If the Birds do go with a DE or Pettigrew in the first and McCoy is gone by the time their second round pick comes around, they are likely to look at Andre Brown of NC State or Rashad Jennings of Liberty in the third. Shon Greene of Iowa is one powerful runner, and could be appealing if he lasts until the third, but without much receiving experience, he's prob not ever going to an every down back in this offense, so I don't think they'd spend a second on him.
Basically, I think, if the Eagles pick three times in the first three rounds, we should expect an RB, a TE, and either a DB or DE, but as you have noticed. I think there's a pretty good chance we'll be picking four times in the first three rounds, and an outside chance we'll only pick twice (b/c we use a third to move up to 13 or 14 to draft Moreno).
And of course, there is always the possibility that the birds surprise us all and simply take the best available player. If they move back into the first half of the second, for example, and Alex Mack of California (GO BEARS!) the best center prospect in the draft, is sitting there, it would be about as hard for the Eagles to resist drafting him as it is for them to win over the fans by assuring us that John Street (honestly, why would you ever bring that guy up, Joe) told them they didn't have to pay the city back.
So with tomorrow's draft, aka Christmas morning (or Christmas 4:00) of the NFL offseason just hours away, I've left youse guys a poem to close out my post.
Twas’ the night before draft day, and all through NovaCare
Joe Banner was adjusting his full head of “hair”
The drunks got their High Lifes and Colt 45
In hopes Anquan Boldin soon would arrive
And Howie the cap guy (but not to his face)
Tried to discern how Pettigrew plays in space
Then up from the kitchen came Big Andy Reid
Looking for linemen with both size and speed
“On Johnson, On Jackson, On Ayers, On Everette Brown ”
Or maybe a running back so the fans can calm down
“Now Moreno, now Donald, now Lesean McCoy,”
Which of you’s gonna be Marty’s new toy
To the top of the draft boards, or should we just trade
By the time we pick, the fans will have passed out in the shade
So please dirty thirty don't boo this year’s McNabb
Since we know that makes millionaires so very sad
So Andy’s post-draft speech is done (all eleven words)
Happy Draft Day to All, and to All, Let’s Go Birds
If Moreno is not there, look for the Eagles to move back to take Donald Brown or LeSean McCoy (I think McCoy early in the second is prob more appealing to the Birds than Brown late in the first), or to draft another defensive end, especially if Robert Ayers or Everette Brown is still on the board. Michael Johnson could also be a possibility, but he may be available much lower than that.
As for TE's, Pettigrew is an option, but I expect the Eagles to address the TE position in the second round most likely. I don't think that Reid and co. really believe in spending a first on that position. Jared Cook is the next most intriguing TE prospect, and probably the only other one aside from Pettigrew that looks like he has a good chance of being a difference-makers. The guy is fast and has hands, but he played in Duckface Spurrier's spread offense with the Gamecocks, so we really don't know if he can block. Very successful tight ends that also were more pass-catchers than blockers that may interest the Eagles in the third, such as Chase Coffman of Missouri, who was unbelievably prolific as a receiver in college, but had some injuries and lacks the kind of speed of a player like Cook. The other guy with blazing speed for a TE (in the 4.5 range) is Southern Miss's Shawn Nelson, who seemed to be a decent blocker in college, but at 240 is a bit light to expect him to excel as a blocker in the NFL.
A lot of this hinges on how much better the Eagles think Celek is going to get. If they feel that he's a real number 1 pass-catching TE, then they may wait until day 2 to take a TE who will really only be on the field on running downs and in two TE sets, but if they think Celek was at or near his ceiling late last year, expect them to be intrigued by anyone with the speed to create mismatches between the hashmarks. In that case, look for them to take a DE or DB.
Oh, and while we're on the subject of TE's, as far as Gonzalez, I wouldn't believe everything you read about the Birds' interest. My guess is that the rumor about the Eagles' interest came out of Kansas City in an effort to prevent the Falcons from waiting until they could see if Pettigrew was still available when they pick late in the first round.
If the Birds do go with a DE or Pettigrew in the first and McCoy is gone by the time their second round pick comes around, they are likely to look at Andre Brown of NC State or Rashad Jennings of Liberty in the third. Shon Greene of Iowa is one powerful runner, and could be appealing if he lasts until the third, but without much receiving experience, he's prob not ever going to an every down back in this offense, so I don't think they'd spend a second on him.
Basically, I think, if the Eagles pick three times in the first three rounds, we should expect an RB, a TE, and either a DB or DE, but as you have noticed. I think there's a pretty good chance we'll be picking four times in the first three rounds, and an outside chance we'll only pick twice (b/c we use a third to move up to 13 or 14 to draft Moreno).
And of course, there is always the possibility that the birds surprise us all and simply take the best available player. If they move back into the first half of the second, for example, and Alex Mack of California (GO BEARS!) the best center prospect in the draft, is sitting there, it would be about as hard for the Eagles to resist drafting him as it is for them to win over the fans by assuring us that John Street (honestly, why would you ever bring that guy up, Joe) told them they didn't have to pay the city back.
So with tomorrow's draft, aka Christmas morning (or Christmas 4:00) of the NFL offseason just hours away, I've left youse guys a poem to close out my post.
Twas’ the night before draft day, and all through NovaCare
Joe Banner was adjusting his full head of “hair”
The drunks got their High Lifes and Colt 45
In hopes Anquan Boldin soon would arrive
And Howie the cap guy (but not to his face)
Tried to discern how Pettigrew plays in space
Then up from the kitchen came Big Andy Reid
Looking for linemen with both size and speed
“On Johnson, On Jackson, On Ayers, On Everette Brown ”
Or maybe a running back so the fans can calm down
“Now Moreno, now Donald, now Lesean McCoy,”
Which of you’s gonna be Marty’s new toy
To the top of the draft boards, or should we just trade
By the time we pick, the fans will have passed out in the shade
So please dirty thirty don't boo this year’s McNabb
Since we know that makes millionaires so very sad
So Andy’s post-draft speech is done (all eleven words)
Happy Draft Day to All, and to All, Let’s Go Birds
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