Big Day for the D

Posted: October 26th, 2016 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 97 Comments »

The Eagles defense was great on Sunday. There were two plays I’d like to erase, but that’s it. The late TD drove me nuts. Meant nothing, but holding the Vikings to just 3 points would have been cool. The play that sent me over the edge was the 29-yard run by Asiata on the draw play. MIN gave up and was just trying to avoid getting Bradford killed on that play. Instead, the RB goes for 29. Ugh. I was screaming at the TV like a nut job when that happened.

Jim Schwartz did an outstanding job with his gameplan. I wrote about that (and the overall defense) for PE.com.  Schwartz loves to keep things simple, but he is smart enough to know there are some games where you have to mix things up and that’s just what he did.

Check out the zone blitz action here.

I know some people hate zone blitzing. You don’t want Brandon Graham dropping into coverage on a regular basis. But it is a valuable tool to use to keep offenses off-balance. One of the benefits to Chip Kelly running the 3-4 is that pass rushers did get a chance to drop into coverage as LBs and develop some coverage skills. While you don’t want Graham covering Dez Bryant, it is good to know he can at least do an effective job in an underneath zone.

Graham also got the job done when he was rushing the passer.

The stat sheet at the end of the season won’t show a sack or FF or TFL or anything like that. But Graham hitting Bradford as he was throwing created the INT and was a huge play in the game. If the Vikings score a TD there, who knows how the game might have gone. Instead, Graham and the defense bailed out the offense and showed they could make huge plays in critical situations.

As much fun as it was to see the DL wreak havoc with Bradford, one of the keys was the LBs having a strong game. Mychal Kendricks has actually been okay the last couple of weeks. I know that doesn’t match the popular notion that he’s the worst player ever, but Kendricks seems to be getting comfortable and playing with more confidence. That’s really encouraging.

Jordan Hicks was absolutely terrific.

Wow, just wow.

Hicks was quiet the last couple of weeks, but remember that he’s a young guy learning a new system. He’s played 14 career games in the NFL. Hicks has a ton of talent. There are going to be some up and down moments as he learns how to be a good 4-3 MLB, but he’s got big time potential.

If the Eagles can figure out CB, this could be a dominant defense for the next few years.

*****

I did a podcast with Chuck and Todd of Eagles Fancast.  Lots of happy talk about a certain coach, QB and defense.

_


97 Comments on “Big Day for the D”

  1. 1 daveH said at 11:04 PM on October 26th, 2016:

    Long live Bartman .
    Cubs will win because I am rooting against them. THats how good i am.
    Im not even watching.
    Hillary will win because im voting with crazy Trump.
    Thats how good me and my Eagles Nat’l Champs 1961 is.

  2. 2 A_T_G said at 1:18 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Well, then, please make sure you vote…I think?

  3. 3 Big Day for the D - said at 11:07 PM on October 26th, 2016:

    […] Tommy Lawlor The Eagles defense was great on Sunday. There were two plays I’d like to erase, but […]

  4. 4 Mitchell said at 11:23 PM on October 26th, 2016:

    It’s gonna be nice to listen to your sweet, soothing, melodious voice Tommy. Can’t wait!

  5. 5 Donald Kalinowski said at 11:29 PM on October 26th, 2016:

    They struggled against more mobile QBs like Cousins and Stafford. How do you think they’ll manage against someone like Prescott who is more mobile but also extremely accurate and intelligent?

  6. 6 Media Mike said at 4:45 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Overrated

  7. 7 Tumtum said at 9:27 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    no no no you have to chant it. OV – ER – RATED. If we heard that cheer Sunday, for Dak ….

  8. 8 Birds4Life said at 9:42 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Doubt ‘allas fans would do that to their QB, but I would love it!

  9. 9 Tumtum said at 1:27 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I was envisioning pockets of green as Dallas “faithful” streamed toward the exits.

  10. 10 Stephen E. said at 11:17 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Big Ben is also mobile. How did they do?

    Last I checked, that RG3 guy still had some wheels, too.

  11. 11 A_T_G said at 1:16 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    ‘Til they were Mill’d off, he did.

  12. 12 Rambo said at 12:48 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/660843f61eef88e07457bcabcdb17a543553600d3378f14057a9f6f65ce2225f.png

  13. 13 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 12:55 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    One way to deal with an issue

  14. 14 ChoTime said at 9:33 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Er is he a troll or does he just think Dak is good?

  15. 15 Rambo said at 10:53 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Lol either way I’m tired of seeing it. Take that ish to “Bloggin with Da Pokes!”

  16. 16 BlindChow said at 11:01 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    He has been fellating Dallas pretty hard the last couple days…

  17. 17 Rambo said at 7:56 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Too damn hard lol. Buh bye.

  18. 18 BobSmith77 said at 1:47 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Why block him? He is a long-time contributor here who doesn’t troll people.

  19. 19 Rambo said at 7:56 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Because I wanted to. Contribute what? Can’t even tell what team he roots for.

  20. 20 The original AG said at 5:32 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Wait Kirk Cousins is a mobile QB?

  21. 21 anon said at 6:06 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Compared to young tom brady, i mean Sammy Dolla$, i’d say yes.

  22. 22 Anders said at 5:57 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20161027_DT_Hart_happy_to_be_back_with_Eagles.html

    It seems Dak Presscott and Fletcher Cox ran the same 40 back in college and I just checked the combine info to see if it had changed and holy hell Cox ran the same 40 as Dak.
    Cox even had a better 3 cone than him.

  23. 23 Corry said at 7:40 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Those clips show what smart, assignment sound defense looks like. They played really well on Sunday. Minnesota’s offense isn’t great of course, but as the game against Pittsburgh showed, when these guys play smart and do their jobs, it’s extremely difficult to score on us. We need this again down in Dallas.

  24. 24 Gary Barnes said at 8:11 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Dallas will be a bigger test for our defense and overall as a team. The Eagles have shown they can dominate teams that have inconsistent or weaker OL. I’d love to see them dominate the supposed “best OL in the league”, shut down Elliott and chase Prescott into oblivion.

    I also do not want us to lose sight of the value of ST. The 98 yd kickoff return by Huff and the whole unit’s blocking saved that MN game. The return put us on the scoreboard and gave us a lead we could build on. Throw in how Jones & Sturgis are doing and Sproles/Smallwood on punts and our third facet is very good. Kudos to Fipp.

    I also need to see the offense take a step vs Dallas. MN has a very tough defense so I expected some mistakes etc., but 3 out of the 4 turnovers were self-inflicted wounds from what I saw – Matthews’ fumble horrible, Wentz’s 1st INT was a horrible throw and handoff muff b/t Wentz & Sproles was ugly. Those could have happened vs JVille’s defense for goodness sake.

  25. 25 Tumtum said at 9:25 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Is it me though, or have we excelled against the Dallas o-line in the past?

    You are absolutely right about Minn being a fairly lucky game. The offense needs to get it’s ass on track. Dallas SHOULD be a good game to do that.

  26. 26 Birds4Life said at 9:35 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Graham especially has played well against Tyron Smith. He will need another big game if we are going to win this weekend! In 2014 Murray had his 2nd and 4th lowest rushing totals in a game that season against us.

  27. 27 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:30 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    graham will go up against Doug Free…. Tyrone smith is on the other side facing Barwin

  28. 28 Birds4Life said at 4:06 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    But Graham has played well against Smith in the past:
    http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4747003/tyron-smith-yields-two-sacks-reminding-us-hes-human
    I realize he is on the other side now but Graham will still need a big game if we are going to win.

  29. 29 Ark87 said at 10:09 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Probably going to miss Bennie a bit. Challenging them at every position helped us a ton in the past. Like plugging a dam, leak would spring one play, next play they would plug it just for another leak to spring elsewhere. That Thanksgiving game the Eagles got rolling just right and it was beautiful.

  30. 30 Gary Barnes said at 11:03 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    We have had some success vs Dallas OL in regards to our DL keeping them from dominating the line of scrimmage and running the ball down our throats. As Ark87 says, we’ll miss Logan in that capacity and I continue to fear Prescott breaking contain and improvising against our LB and CB. We need another good ST day and the offense to exploit that over-rated Dallas defense as well.

  31. 31 Birds4Life said at 9:39 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    I wouldn’t really call Wentz 1st INT that bad. The throw was a little off, but it looked like the defender on Ertz (? or was it Celek) had a hand on his waist and kinda spun him a little as the ball got close. Wentz’ 2nd INT was terrible. He threw the ball into 3 or 4 defenders. But he is a rookie, so these things are to be expected as he learns and grows. As long as he learns from his mistakes, he’ll be fine.

  32. 32 Gary Barnes said at 11:10 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    I thought the 2nd one was bad too, but Xavier Rhodes made a better play on that one than the 1st. The 1st was thrown right to him and all he had to do was catch it. I think Cecil Rhodes could have made the 1st pick.

    I understand Wentz is a rookie, but 3 turnovers in a game is very bad; he needs to make better decisions and take care of the ball if we want to win. The defense and ST rescued him vs MN, but that should not be expected all the time.

  33. 33 Birds4Life said at 11:19 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    I thought the 1st INT was a just thrown a little off. He led the TE too much, but I think the defender covering the TE got away with a penalty and the ball went right to the other defender. The 2nd INT was just a bad decision. I know Rhoades made a better play on that ball, but Wentz never should’ve thrown it in the first place.

    Defense and ST definitely bailed him out, but we need that because we don’t have much help for Wentz on O. But Wentz was facing arguably the best defense in the NFL. So if he has 3 turnovers in his 6th game as a rookie, against the best defense in the NFL, he deserves a little slack. He knows he can’t do that every week and expect to come out with a win.

  34. 34 daveH said at 1:16 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I think he “goes for it” despite. As opposed to having no idea whats going on .. so i think he is confident. . Id rather have that.. 4 yrs from now when he is much more against his own peer group he will be very accurate

  35. 35 BlindChow said at 10:27 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Ugh, I really hope we get the “good under pressure” Wentz back this week. Missing guys high, making bad throws, even when he had a clean pocket. I’ve seen this “QB regresses trying to do too much” movie too many times here…

  36. 36 Gary Barnes said at 11:12 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Agreed, I’ve got my Tums on the table next to the couch when watching the game. Hopefully, the heartburn is temporary

  37. 37 Cafone said at 1:27 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I think we will. This game looks like it’s going to be a scorefest. Wetnz with 5 TDs!

  38. 38 Tumtum said at 9:24 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    “One of the benefits to Chip Kelly running the 3-4 is that pass rushers did get a chance to drop into coverage”.

    Exactly. Sure this isn’t something we have ever seen from Jim, and something he probably doesn’t really like at all. Jim thinks HEY my guys are actually good at this thing that I don’t really like, but it could be useful to mix in. If only Chip had EVER taken advantage of these horses to get after the QB. Yes I say Chip. I know enough about the guy after having watched his defense this year to know the entire schematic blame for defense is at his feet. Hell maybe the credit belongs to Doug for the use of it.

    Jim or Doug, don’t really care who is responsible. Nice to see, actual, smart people in charge.

  39. 39 Tumtum said at 9:29 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    So I sort of have a wasted roster spot in one fantasy league and will need RBs BAD in week 9. Made a speculative Smallwood add. Thinking the odds of it hitting are low, but feel like he would really blow up if he catches on.

    What say you?

  40. 40 meteorologist said at 9:53 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Booker was already picked up?

  41. 41 Tumtum said at 1:26 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Yeah, the competition is no joke in these leagues. Booker hasn’t been a FA since before the draft.

  42. 42 meteorologist said at 5:30 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    LOL

  43. 43 anon said at 9:57 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    no one on the eagles offense is employable in fatnasy

  44. 44 Nailed It! said at 11:46 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    The D has been awesome in fantasy all year.

  45. 45 anon said at 12:29 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    agree – solid pickup by me. Outscoring Denver D at this point.

  46. 46 Tumtum said at 1:25 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    If WS were made the primary back, you think he wouldn’t be productive?

  47. 47 BobSmith77 said at 1:45 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    My team has struggled a bit because of Rodgers and my issues at WR beyond A. Brown.

    Staying away from any of Eagles’ players though on draft day though has worked out quite well. Wanted no part of Mathews or Ertz.

  48. 48 Julescat said at 10:25 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    wasted pick

    Smallwood barely touches the ball

  49. 49 Tumtum said at 1:24 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Right, he has barely touched it. This was a speculative add based on a hopeful forecast.

    So you think after two game with late fumbles RM is still going to dominate touches?

  50. 50 Mac said at 5:09 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    If the forecast is a Mathews injury, you might be on to something. If Mathews stays healthy, Smallwood will continue his clip of 5 touches per game.

  51. 51 Tumtum said at 8:45 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Aside from fantasy, I kinda hope that isnt the case. He looks really good when he touches it. RM just seems off, and he has 2 late game fumbles in consecutive weeks.

  52. 52 Julescat said at 6:39 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I just dumped Smallwood for Jacquizz Rodgers

    I figure nobody will pick up Smallwood and I can snatch him back if he ever starts playing

  53. 53 Tumtum said at 8:43 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Rodgers long gone. I have to be weeks ahead of the curve lol. Who is the next guy in the crystal ball that contributes anything to his team. Thats who i need.

  54. 54 Nick C said at 10:48 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    Joe Haden potentially on the block. Any interest?

  55. 55 Anders said at 11:53 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    He has fallen off abit but for a 4th? sign me up

  56. 56 anon said at 12:28 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    good pass rush can make ok CBs look great.

  57. 57 Stephen E. said at 11:16 AM on October 27th, 2016:

    I’m sure that Matt Asiata is a fine young man, but seriously– screw him. He’s a skinny, slow FB who can’t even run the ball, basically only useful as a blocker and ST guy, and the Eagles find a way late in the game to have him reel off a big play.

  58. 58 anon said at 12:28 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    he had like 3 tds last time he played us.

  59. 59 Stephen E. said at 1:06 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Yeah, he can get you half a yard on the goal line when you need it. He also had 1.7 YPC, with a long run of 10.

  60. 60 A_T_G said at 1:20 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Tommy, I think you are missing a key aspect of fans’ impression of a zone blitz. We only hate zone blitzes when they don’t work. When they get home we are fine with them.

  61. 61 RobNE said at 1:37 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    same with a shuffle pass

  62. 62 Tumtum said at 1:45 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    What about the truffle shuffle?

  63. 63 RobNE said at 1:40 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Hey guys, guys! Embiid debuted last night.

  64. 64 P_P_K said at 4:41 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    He’s looking like the real deal. If it wasn’t Dallas week I’d discuss more, but I’m too focused.

  65. 65 RobNE said at 4:55 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    why not both?

  66. 66 P_P_K said at 5:05 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Oh, that’s because my simple brain can’t handle complexity. If my head was a pie chart, Dallas hatred would dominate, with small slices left for family, sex, and, well that’s about it. I’ll be back on track and able to talk Sixers on Monday.
    P.S. I’m actually extremely psyched about the 76ers season.

  67. 67 BobSmith77 said at 1:50 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Good to see the manic Eagles’ fans are back on the bandwagon and that Schwartz is indeed a genius again.

  68. 68 BlindChow said at 2:33 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Weird how we seem to not like it when the team plays bad, but do like it when the team plays good. Bizarre.

  69. 69 Ark87 said at 3:09 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    You might be on to something

  70. 70 BobSmith77 said at 2:28 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Is Dave Fipp going to start to get some head coach consideration this offseason if this special teams play keeps up?

    Harbaugh was in the NFL with the Eagles for nearly a decade (1998-2007) before he got the Ravens’ job at 45. Fipp (age 42) has been in the NFL since ’08 and only a full time special teams coach since ’13 but I could see Fipp being an outlier like Harbaugh.

  71. 71 Bert's Bells said at 3:26 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Probably not. Even the Harbaugh hire was pretty out-of-the-box. In the conservative nature of the NFL you have think his pedigree was a factor. Was Fipp’s dad a football lifer too?

    But it is an interesting conversation topic!

  72. 72 Anders said at 2:49 AM on October 28th, 2016:

    and Harbaugh had to move to defensive control coach for 1 season before he was hired.

  73. 73 Gian GEAGLE said at 3:32 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Fucking hope not! Im against anything that keeps him from coaching our special teams

  74. 74 Tumtum said at 8:48 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Harbs moved two defensive position coach. Apparently ot was the only way he was going to get a job.

  75. 75 Dave said at 2:51 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Out of the 9 videos Fran Duffy has just posted to Twitter, Dak was pressured once. Otherwise, he stood in a clean pocket and threw with ease. Every one of Zekes runs were huge holes where he wasn’t touched within 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. One hole must have been 10 yards (not feet) wide. It’s easy to see why Dak and Zeke are playing so well with Fran’s film. It looks like 7 on 7s practice on the film.

    Very curious to see how they perform if our defense penetrates the line, something the Dallas opponents haven’t consistently done. I think of the Mike Tyson quote, “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face”.

  76. 76 ChoTime said at 4:52 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    After Sunday, there’s going to be plenty of film of him being pressured.

    I hope.

  77. 77 Bert's Bells said at 4:53 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Just one or two series worth before he’s knocked out of the game Jordan Hicks-style.

  78. 78 Blackfoot said at 4:25 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    when is the joe Thomas trade going down?

  79. 79 GermanEagle said at 5:09 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    It just happened. Cowboys gave up a 5th rounder.

  80. 80 Blackfoot said at 5:24 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    no

  81. 81 ChoTime said at 4:55 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    From the Department of Now Obsolete Motivational Tactics:

    Slitting the throat of and then spraying with red paint stuffed animals in the locker room.

    http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17902137/minnesota-vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-refutes-reports-slaughtering-stuffed-animals

  82. 82 GermanEagle said at 5:10 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Here’s another reason for hope on Sunday Night:

    Jordan CK Hicks.

  83. 83 anon said at 5:17 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I’m batting .000 on getting runningbacks in fantasy this year Jay Ajayi – don’t need him i have Arian, this new dude in Denver, don’t need him CJ Anderson is the man – now i find out he’s out for the season. My running backs are jacquizz and gio “no stats” bernard.

  84. 84 Corry said at 5:44 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    This is why I don’t do fantasy football anymore. I had a streak of 3 years that my first pick went on IR. I ended up changing my team name to Injured Reserve.

  85. 85 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:47 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Last year our draft day got set 1 day ahead and I couldn’t make it. So yahoo auto drafted without my input. Result: Half my starters were Cowboys or Giants. And I never, ever take Cowboys as a rule. I changed the name to, “I Hate My Team.” We came in 2nd.

  86. 86 Crus57 said at 5:59 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Any chance you can pick up someone from the Giants or Washington? I doubt you can get Elliott at this point somehow

  87. 87 anon said at 6:05 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    the suggestion makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Jennings taken, Matt Jones taken, considering whether it’s too early to pick up a chris thompson.

    I have two good players, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. I wonder if giving up Julio for Zeke is worth it. Would anyone take that trade?

  88. 88 Tumtum said at 8:40 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Yep. If your hurting. End of season value probably close to equal too, if not toward Ellioy.

  89. 89 A_T_G said at 8:48 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Jones might be sidelined. If so, R. Kelley is supposed to get the touches (pun intended).

  90. 90 daveH said at 8:49 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Ha!!!! Well played meow well played… ill think that and hope can use it and try my very best to give ATG your well earned credit

  91. 91 Tumtum said at 8:39 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Don’t feel bad. With CJ out now I legit cant fill my starting backs in one league. Seemed so promising just two weeks ago in that league lol. Now every player on my cant drop list is hurt and I cant roster a team.

  92. 92 CrackSammich said at 5:50 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Any idea on Bennie’s timetable to return?

  93. 93 Sean Stott said at 5:58 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    “week-to-week” according to DP. He’s been amazingly forthright with injuries. I’d expect him to start practicing either next week on a limited basis or the week after next. Otherwise I think DP would say “month-to-month”.

  94. 94 The original AG said at 9:49 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    What a difference a coach makes.

    https://twitter.com/RoobCSN/status/791818736969842688

  95. 95 增达任务网 said at 10:06 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    相当不错,自愧不如!

  96. 96 SteveH said at 10:10 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    I do not mind having not gotten Gus Bradley that’s for damn sure.

  97. 97 Tdoteaglefan said at 11:14 PM on October 27th, 2016:

    Totally agree..glad we never got on the “gus bus”. I’m surprised the GM hasnt come down to the sideline and told him to pack his stuff yet. Maybe Marrone will do a better job coaching this team this year