The Day After – Talking Defense

Posted: January 9th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 3 Comments »

The Eagles went into Sunday as the #1 defense in the NFL. They only gave up 284 yards and 16 points, but that was enough to drop them down to the #2 spot in yards allowed. It would have been cool to have the Eagles finish as the top defense, but I think anyone who watched much pro football this year would tell you the Niners were the better unit. And they did finish #1.

The Eagles play the percentages. That has been an effective style for them this year. It can be frustrating because it gives short plays to the offense. Teams that are patient can move the ball on them. Eagles fans are used to having defenses that attack rather than playing the percentages. As good as this defense is, it can be tough to watch.

Jim Johnson wasn’t nearly as aggressive as Buddy Ryan, but JJ still believed in attacking situationally. Jonathan Gannon doesn’t like to blitz much and plays more off coverage than you prefer to see. Gannon’s defense shut down the Giants in the first half yesterday, allowing no points and just 77 yards. The Giants came alive in the second half, piling up 207 yards and 16 points.

A fair question is whether Gannon’s system develops the right mentality in his players. He was given a lot of talent to work with and they did some really good things this season, but it is fair to question if they could have been even better if they were more aggressive.

The Eagles lost to Taylor Heinicke and Andy Dalton. The offense had issues in those games, but the defense also could have done more. They gave up 16 points in a half to Davis Webb in his first NFL start. There were stretches in the Texans and Colts games that were frustrating.

The real test will be the postseason. If the Eagles win, Gannon can point to the scoreboard and his critics will have to shut up. If the Eagles don’t play well defensively, that will lead to a lot of offseason discussion.

*****

Speaking of Gannon…

Gannon has already been mentioned as one of the favorites for the job, along with DeMeco Ryans.

Teams like Gannon because he’s a young guy that communicates well. He’s not just coming in to play “tough, physical defense”. Gannon has specific ideas of what he wants to do and explains the ideas well. That makes him seem like a smart guy (he probably is smart) and makes owners think he could succeed as the head coach. He understands process and results.

You don’t just need someone who knows X’s and O’s. You don’t just need a motivator. Modern NFL coaches have to be CEOs. They coach, teach, lead, manage and also need to win games. They have to understand roster management and the business side of football. Gannon comes across as a guy who understands that and can succeed.

Some have asked why the Texans didn’t just hire him last year. Jack Easterby was a key executive for them last year. He left in October (mutual decision). The reports say Easterby was the one pushing for Josh McCown. With him gone, they might decide to pull the trigger on Gannon, who interviewed with them twice last year and seems to be highly thought of by their current management.

If Gannon leaves, there will be a lot of speculation about Vic Fangio replacing him. That might happen. Nick Sirianni might also go with DBs coach Dennard Wilson. Sirianni is a strong believer in promoting from within.

*****

The Eagles lone TD was a 10-yard run by Boston Scott. That gave the Eagles 32 rushing TDs for the season, one of the highest totals in NFL history.

Miles Sanders ran for 11 TDs. Jalen Hurts put up 13. Kenny Gainwell had 4 and Scott added 3. Gardner Minshew also got in on the fun with a rushing TD of his own.

Usually you think of some RB having a great year when a team has a bunch…LaDainian Tomlinson or Priest Holmes runs for 20-some odd TDs. The Eagles did it as a group.

*****

Jake Elliott picked a good time to have his best game of the year, going 5 for 5 on FGs. He hit a pair of bombs from more than 50+ (54, 52). Elliott has been excellent this season. He finished 20 for 23 on FGs for the year.

*****

DeVonta Smith finished the season with another strong outing. He went 7-67 on Sunday and made a couple of tough catches. Smith was targeted 8 times so he and Jalen Hurts were efficient. It is crazy to think back to the opener. Smith was targeted 4 times, but didn’t have a single catch. There was a lot of talk about whether the presence of AJ Brown might hurt him.

The opposite turned out to be true. Smith had a great year and set the franchise record for receptions in a season by a WR with 95. He was 95-1196-7.

AJ Brown “only” finished with 88 catches, but did lead in yards (1496) and TDs (11).

The Eagles have the most dynamic duo in the NFC. It feels so good to say that after so many years of mediocre WRs or getting older guys for a year or two. The Eagles can now work on building around Brown and Smith. They do need better depth at receiver.

*****

The Eagles began the season with a win over Detroit. The Eagles had a 31-14 lead in the early third quarter and also lead 38-21. The Lions never quit battling and the game ended up 38-35.

The Eagles closed out the regular season by going up 19-0 on the Giants and then holding on for a 22-16 win.

Those games showed how good the Eagles can be, but also how they do let teams back in games at times. They can’t do that in the playoffs or it could really cost them.

*****

The Eagles were great at taking the ball away for half the year. In the first 11 games, they had 23 takeaways and led the league in that category.

In the final six games, the Eagles had a total of 4 takeaways. They didn’t have more than one in a single game. That’s not ideal heading into the playoffs.

It isn’t as if the Eagles haven’t had chances. They could have recovered a fumble against the Bears. Chicago scored a few plays later. They could have recovered a fumble against Dallas. The Cowboys scored a few plays later. There were multiple dropped INTs against the Giants. A couple of those could have been pick-sixes and turned the game into a blowout.

The opportunities are there. The Eagles must capitalize on them. You don’t want to give playoff teams any breaks.

*****

Speaking of takeaways…

That’s fantastic.

*****

Jalen Hurts agrees that the Eagles need to work on a few things. Here is his NSFW postgame speech.

That’s the right message.

With him at QB, the Eagles are 14-1. That loss involved 4 turnovers and sloppy defense. The Eagles can win the Super Bowl if they clean up mistakes and play smart football. It’s all up to them.

NFC East champs…nice.

#1 seed…nice.

Enjoy those accomplishments.

But don’t loose sight of the big picture. There is still work to be done.

_


3 Comments on “The Day After – Talking Defense”

  1. 1 The Linc - Eagles have “essentially the most dynamic duo within the NFC” - Philadelphia News Station said at 9:48 AM on January 10th, 2023:

    […] The Day After – Talking Defense – Iggles BlitzDeVonta Smith completed the season with one other robust outing. He went 7-67 on Sunday and made a few powerful catches. Smith was focused 8 instances so he and Jalen Hurts have been environment friendly. It’s loopy to suppose again to the opener. Smith was focused 4 instances, however didn’t have a single catch. There was loads of discuss whether or not the presence of AJ Brown may harm him. The alternative turned out to be true. Smith had an important yr and set the franchise file for receptions in a season by a WR with 95. He was 95-1196-7. AJ Brown “solely” completed with 88 catches, however did lead in yards (1496) and TDs (11). The Eagles have essentially the most dynamic duo within the NFC. It feels so good to say that after so a few years of mediocre WRs or getting older guys for a yr or two. The Eagles can now work on constructing round Brown and Smith. They do want higher depth at receiver. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Philadelphia has “the most dynamic duo in the NFC” - Bleeding Green Nation - KAMSHURU said at 12:46 PM on January 10th, 2023:

    […] may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …The Day After – Talking Defense – Iggles BlitzDeVonta Smith finished the season with another strong outing. He went 7-67 on Sunday and made a […]

  3. 3 Eagles News: Philadelphia has "the most dynamic duo in the NFC" - Bleeding Green Nation - KAMSHURU said at 3:40 PM on January 16th, 2023:

    […] may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …The Day After – Talking Defense – Iggles BlitzDeVonta Smith finished the season with another strong outing. He went 7-67 on Sunday and made a […]