Second to None
Posted: October 18th, 2022 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 12 Comments »The Eagles have had some great defensive backs and secondaries over the years. That hasn’t really been the case for the last decade. Even the Super Bowl winning team in 2017 had issues. You may remember they gave up 500 passing yards SB LII.
Things have changed this year. Right now, the Eagles have the best secondary in the NFL.
1st in opposing passer rating – 66.0
2nd in completion percentage – 56.8% (CIN is first)
2nd in passes defensed – 38 (JAX is first)
2nd in interceptions – 9 (BUF is first)
2nd in pass DVOA (DEN is first)
Check out who the #1 and #3 CBs are on this list. Pretty impressive. https://t.co/oCcPKBr2dF
— Tommy Lawlor (@lawlornfl) October 18, 2022
It is truly mind-blowing to think about how different this is from last year. Jonathan Gannon didn’t have an ideal set of DBs and decided to focus on limiting big plays. He had his CBs play soft and kept his safeties in the next county. The Eagles were able to make this style work against inferior QBs, but talented QBs ripped them to shreds.
23rd in opposing passer rating – 95.4
32nd in completion percentage – 65.4%
28th in passes defensed – 56
21st in interceptions – 12
25th in pass DVOA
Yikes. Keep in mind those numbers were even worse at midseason. The Eagles got a boost when facing Trevor Siemian, Mike Glennon, Taylor Heinicke, etc.
Gannon has weapons this year and the results are worlds different.
Big Play Slay is an outstanding CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s got good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His game against Justin Jefferson was really impressive. Slay is physical and generally tackles well.
James Bradberry is at his best playing off and then breaking on the ball. He is really smart and has outstanding ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed and that could be an issue in some matchups. He doesn’t tackle well and that’s hurt the defense a few times. You live with that because of his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game.
James Bradberry through six games:
Nine pass breakups (T-1st)
32.4 QBR when targeted (32.4)
41.5% completion percentage against (5th)Wrote about the #Eagles cornerback and much more in today's stat package: https://t.co/IaGcjoSA5Z
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) October 18, 2022
Avonte Maddox has really settled into his role as the nickleback. He has the skill set to handle playing inside. That means covering different types of receivers and not having the benefit of the sideline to help you. He also is a physical player and good tackler.
All three of them have at least one INT this year.
Safety was a big mystery back in August, but the Eagles now have a good duo. Marcus Epps started three games last year and the Eagles saw enough to trust him as a full time starter this season. Epps has played well. He’s fourth on the team in tackles and gives the Eagles a real physical presence, whether playing in the box or the deep middle of the field. Receivers coming over the middle know to look out for Epps and his big hits. And don’t overlook his coverage skills.
Marcus Epps has transitioned into a full-time safety role very nicely. He can PLAY. pic.twitter.com/LIc8cb06zO
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) October 17, 2022
CJ Gardner-Johnson was a late add to the team. Thank you, Saints. CGJ got off to a bit of a slow start this year, as he was transitioning from slot to safety. He played safety in college so it isn’t completely foreign, but playing there in the NFL is a different beast. We’re still getting a feel for just how good CGJ is in his new role. We saw that he can be an impact player on Sunday.
CJ Gardner-Johnson became the first #Eagles safety in six seasons to post two picks in one game
Here's how they happened – two great examples of full-team defense! @CGJXXIII #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/jVb276tbgB
— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) October 17, 2022
CGJ is second on the team in tackles. He had a pick against Arizona so he’s now made big plays in consecutive games. He could end up being a really important piece for this defense.
.@Eagles the trade for @CGJXXIII was a fleecing by the Birds. He can play anywhere on the field and he is a crisp tackler. The secondary is a true brotherhood; as tight as it gets. Tough to get the ball over their heads #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/abmGvlTnhN
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) October 17, 2022
Gannon has talked about how he wants interchangeable safeties. With Epps and CGJ, he’s got that. They aren’t exact matches, but both are talented and versatile. They can play up or back. Man or zone. Run or pass.
When you have three good corners and two good safeties, you’re going to make life very difficult for opposing QBs. Cooper Rush and Kirk Cousins combined for 6 INTs against this group. In the other nine games of the season, those QBs have thrown just 2 total INTs.
You have to go back a long way to find the Eagles secondary playing at this level.
2008 – Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, Joselio Hanson – Brian Dawkins, Quintin Mikell
2004 – Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard, Rod Hood – Brian Dawkins, Michael Lewis
2002 – Troy Vincent, Bobby Taylor, Al Harris – Brian Dawkins, Blaine Bishop, Michael Lewis
It feels good to once again have a defense that is strong on the back end. That is especially critical in today’s world, where the passing game rules the NFL. If you can’t cover, you won’t beat good QBs. You can get by against mediocre or bad players, as the 2021 Eagles did. Once they got to the playoffs, it was game over.
Now that the Eagles have the best secondary, this season could be very different.
_
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an excellent CB. He can shut down opposing receivers. He has good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His match against Justin Jefferson was really impressive. Slay is physical and generally tackles well. James Bradberry is best playing off and then breaking the ball. He is really smart and has excellent ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed, and that could be a problem in some matchups. He doesn’t tackle well and that has hurt the defense a few times. You live with that because of his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game. […]
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an exceptional CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s were given excellent ball abilities and is an instinctive playmaker. His sport towards Justin Jefferson used to be in point of fact spectacular. Slay is bodily and usually tackles smartly. James Bradberry is at his best taking part in off after which breaking on the ball. He is in point of fact good and has exceptional ball abilities. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks best deep velocity and that may be a subject matter in some matchups. He doesn’t take on smartly and that’s harm the protection a couple of instances. You reside with that on account of his protection abilities and the performs he makes in the passing sport. […]
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an outstanding CB. He can shut down opposing receivers. He’s got good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His game against Justin Jefferson was really impressive. Slay is physical and generally tackles well. James Bradberry is at his best playing off and then breaking on the ball. He is really smart and has outstanding ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defended with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed and that could be an issue in some matchups. He doesn’t tackle well and that hurts the defense a few times. You live with that because of his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game. […]
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzLarge Play Slay is an excellent CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s bought good ball abilities and is an instinctive playmaker. His recreation towards Justin Jefferson was actually spectacular. Slay is bodily and customarily tackles effectively. James Bradberry is at his greatest taking part in off after which breaking on the ball. He’s actually sensible and has excellent ball abilities. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks splendid deep velocity and that may very well be a difficulty in some matchups. He doesn’t sort out effectively and that’s damage the protection a couple of instances. You reside with that due to his protection abilities and the performs he makes within the passing recreation. […]
[…] Δεύτερος σε Κανένα – Iggles BlitzΤο Big Play Slay είναι ένα εξαιρετικό CB. Μπορεί να κλείσει τους αντιτιθέμενους δέκτες. Έχει καλές δεξιότητες με την μπάλα και είναι ενστικτώδης πλέι μέικερ. Το παιχνίδι του απέναντι στον Τζάστιν Τζέφερσον ήταν πραγματικά εντυπωσιακό. Το Slay είναι σωματικό και γενικά κάνει καλά τάκλιν. Ο Τζέιμς Μπράντμπερι είναι στα καλύτερά του παίζοντας και στη συνέχεια σπάει την μπάλα. Είναι πολύ έξυπνος και έχει εξαιρετικές ικανότητες στην μπάλα. Οδηγεί το NFL σε πάσες που άμυνας με 9. Του λείπει η ιδανική βαθιά ταχύτητα και αυτό θα μπορούσε να είναι ένα πρόβλημα σε ορισμένα ματς. Δεν κάνει καλά τάκλιν και αυτό πλήγωσε την άμυνα μερικές φορές. Ζεις με αυτό λόγω των ικανοτήτων του στην κάλυψη και των παιχνιδιών που κάνει στο passing game. […]
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an outstanding CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s got good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His game against Justin Jefferson was really impressive. Slay is physical and generally tackles well. James Bradberry is at his best playing off and then breaking on the ball. He is really smart and has outstanding ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed and that could be an issue in some matchups. He doesn’t tackle well and that’s hurt the defense a few times. You live with that because of his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game. […]
[…] Second to none – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an outstanding CB. Can shut down opposing receivers. He has good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His game against Justin Jefferson was really impressive. Slay is physical and generally handles well. James Bradberry is at his best making plays and then dribbling the ball. He is really smart and has outstanding ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed and that could be a problem in some matchups. He doesn’t attack well and that hurt the defense a few times. Live with it because of his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game. […]
[…] 2d to None – Iggles BlitzLarge Play Slay is an exceptional CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s were given excellent ball talents and is an instinctive playmaker. His sport in opposition to Justin Jefferson used to be in point of fact spectacular. Slay is bodily and most often tackles smartly. James Bradberry is at his best possible enjoying off after which breaking at the ball. He’s in point of fact good and has exceptional ball talents. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks excellent deep velocity and that may be a subject matter in some matchups. He doesn’t take on smartly and that’s harm the protection a couple of instances. You reside with that as a result of his protection talents and the performs he makes within the passing sport. […]
[…] Second to None – Iggles BlitzMassive Play Slay is an excellent CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He is bought good ball expertise and is an instinctive playmaker. His recreation towards Justin Jefferson was actually spectacular. Slay is bodily and usually tackles nicely. James Bradberry is at his finest enjoying off after which breaking on the ball. He’s actually sensible and has excellent ball expertise. He leads the NFL in passes defended with 9. He lacks supreme deep velocity and that might be a problem in some matchups. He does not deal with nicely and that is damage the protection just a few instances. You reside with that due to his protection expertise and the performs he makes within the passing recreation. […]
[…] Second – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an outstanding CB. Can shut down opposing receivers. He has good ball skills and is an instinctive playmaker. His match against Justin Jefferson was truly impressive. Slay is physical and generally tackles well. James Bradberry is at his best playing and then snapping the ball. He is very intelligent and has exceptional ball skills. He leads the NFL in passes defensed with 9. He lacks ideal deep speed and that could be a problem in some matchups. He doesn’t tackle well and that hurts the defense at times. You live for his coverage skills and the plays he makes in the passing game. […]
[…] I wrote about the Eagles having the NFL’s best secondary in a recent post. […]
[…] You card for simply releasing Bradberry. He’s arguably been their best defender this season. Second to None – Iggles BlitzBig Play Slay is an outstanding CB. He can shutdown opposing receivers. He’s got good ball skills […]