With Kevin Kolb on the trading block (such as it is) and a starter who takes a lot of hits, it's only natural that the Eagles would decide to work out 5 quarterbacks in the offseason.  Is this indicative of an intention to draft a backup early on, possibly even a future starter?  It seems pretty likely.  Time will tell, but for now, let's analyze these QB Quintuplets and see how well each would fit into our system...

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Hey phellow phanatics!  Just wanted to introduce myself on the first day of a new season of Phillies baseball (thank Christ).  If there are any bloggers from Bleeding Green Nation here, you'll probably already know me.  So!  Let's get started...

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Urhsker issued the challenge, and I haven't posted in a while...looks like it's time for Uncle Jaws to step up to the plate.

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So our newest possibility at defensive coordinator is Jon Hoke, Chicago's defensive backs coach.  As Tommy Lawlor pointed out, he the latest name in what has emerged as a trend of secondary coaches being considered for the job.  As we all know, we run the Tampa 2 defense.  Hoke's background is not in the Tampa 2, but rather in zone-blitzing schemes, as Lawlor stated.  Still, Chicago runs the Tampa 2 (maybe not exclusively, but still), and perhaps Andy Reid is interested in hiring a guy who can be a hybrid of the two defensive schools of thought.  Cap'n Andy loves to tinker and experiment, after all. 

The real question, however, is not so much whether the coordinator we hire can learn to run this defense, but if he can do so with the current defensive roster we are carrying.  We are so preoccupied with the search for a coordinator that we are forgetting to thoroughly evaluate our defensive talent.  Then, based on those facts, we can effectively analyze how well our defense fits with the concepts of the Tampa 2.

Now, I'm sure that most of you already know what the Tampa 2 defense is.  For those of you who are unclear on the matter, a typical Tampa 2 defense emphasizes speed and flawless tackling over size and strength.  Tampa 2 defenses require a quick defensive line and superior talent at the linebacker position, especially at middle linebacker. 

The defensive line has to be fast and agile, such that they can create pressure on the quarterback without benefit of blitzes by linebackers or defensive backs.  Linebackers and defensive backs have to be very fast, and they have to be good tacklers.  An aggressive style of play is essential; players at these positions are the primary tacklers in this defense.  The middle linebacker has to be faster than the average guy, and has to have the ability to quickly read plays and occasionally drop back into coverage, or run up to the line of scrimmage in run support.  Run coverage requires that the defense in question have a WLB with superior tackling skills, as this defense directs run traffic to this position's side.

The strong safety is expected to be average in his tackling ability at the very least, but he must also be a heavy hitter, in order to make receivers think twice.  Free safeties have to be hard-hitting and adept at blitzing, meaning that they have to be able to beat blocking running backs or fullbacks in order to get to the quarterback, or to take over zone coverage for a cornerback who is blitzing.

Tampa 2 defenses rarely give up big plays, but the drawback is that it tends to be a "bend but don't break" system, as it forces the offense into short-yardage gains and clock-eating drives.  The most effective weapons against a Tampa 2 are running backs who can smash the ball right up the gut and tight ends who catch the ball in the seams between outside linebackers and cornerbacks.  Also effective are misdirection plays that are designed to make defenders overrun the play (like when a MLB runs up to the line of scrimmage on play-action).  Some offenses have been effective at throwing the ball deep over the middle, where safeties have to cover the most ground.

Explains quite a bit, doesn't it?  It's easy to see why Andy picked some of the guys on this defense.  The problem is, some of them don't have all of the requisite skills for their positions as they relate to the Tampa 2.  For instance, our defensive line is pretty good at stopping runs up the middle.  Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon really helped shore up the run defense as the season progressed.  But we simply weren't creating enough pressure on quarterbacks when it counted, and as a result, they had all day in the pocket to find seams and exploit them.

Stewart Bradley's injuries deterred him from doing his job to the best of his ability, which hurt us throughout the season.  His reconstructed knee prevented him from playing at full speed, which made him something of a liability when it came to dropping back into coverage.  Andy picked him because he's smart, aggressive, and a fairly decent tackler, but it's unclear if he's going to be able to live up to a MLB's responsibilties in a Tampa 2 defense with the injuries he's sustained.  We haven't seen enough of Jamar Chaney to tell if he'll be able to take the starting spot away from Stewart.  We don't even know if Andy plans on keeping Stewart around much longer. Andy benefited a great deal from having Jeremiah Trotter at MLB, and he's been struggling to replace him ever since he left.

Ernie Sims was a major letdown this season, as we all know.  Andy chose to sign him because he's very fast and very aggressive; tales of his hitting in training camp were well-documented.  But unfortunately for us, Ernie has no instincts, and was almost always out of position this season, constantly overrunning plays.  He also wasn't the best tackler; against Detroit I remember him getting dragged on his hindparts trying to bring one guy down (it was either Brandon Pettigrew or Jahvid Best, I forget which).  The WILL position is something Andy will have to address, as Ernie can't get it done and we don't know enough about Keenan Clayton.

As far as cornerbacks are concerned, we've had some good ones over the years: Vincent, Taylor, Sheppard, Brown, Samuel.  They're all aggressive players (although Sheppard and Samuel were more ball-hawkish than hitters).  But some of the "talent" we're fielding at the cornerback position is hurting us.  Andy started Dmitri Patterson because he brings an aggressive style of play.  He did nab himself a few interceptions this year because of it.  But he's undisciplined in his hitting and his coverage.  He's not a good form-tackler.  Because of this, he either gets flagged or burned.  Joselio Hanson isn't much better, except in the nickel.  Asante Samuel is an aggressive ball-hawk, but he's not a stellar tackler.  That's why Sheldon Brown was so good in this defense; he could cover well, but he could also lay devastating hits.  We need a RCB that can cover well but is also a superb tackler; signing Nnamdi Asomugha would definitely fill this need.

At strong safety, Quintin Mikell isn't the hardest hitter I've ever seen, but he can get the job done.  Nate Allen, who hopefully will be healthy by training camp, is not in the Brian Dawkins mold at free safety.  He's instinctive and smart, which means he can do well in coverage and find ways to be an effective blitzer, but he will not be able to lay the lumber like Dawkins did; he's just not that kind of player. 

All in all, I feel as though the lack of talent at key positions is too prevalent to make the Tampa 2 really work for us at present.  We were wondering all season long why tight ends kept beating our coverage, why our guys kept overrunning plays, and why teams were hanging 20-plus points on us per game.  Well, this is why.  The Tampa 2 carries with it strict, specific requirements.  If you're not big or particularly strong, you better be very fast and very aggressive.  There is speed on this defense, that's certain, and there is aggression, but it isn't of the killer instinct, go-for-the-jugular variety.  It's more like flying to the point of attack, and then wondering what to do once you get there.  And as for the "flawless tackling" that is required...well, for the past few years our tackling has been anything but flawless.

The defensive line needs improvement, especially from the ends.  You can't blame Trent Cole for some of his shortcomings, it wasn't his fault that Sean McDermott chose to employ bizarre, ineffective schemes in which Cole had to drop back into coverage.  He's a very good defensive end, but he's not dominant.  The "high motor" will only get you so far in this league.  He can't take a game over and harass the quarterback all game long like Julius Peppers and DeMarcus Ware can.  Brandon Graham has a serious uphill battle ahead of him; ACL tears are devastating to a defensive end's career.  He's in the Tampa 2 mold; undersized at 6'2", and fairly quick, but he wasn't very effective at getting to the quarterback this season.

The linebackers are a real question mark; Bradley's health is perpetually in question and he struggled in coverage this season.  He might even be too oversized and slow for a Tampa 2 MLB.  Ernie Sims is just not effective.  Moise Fokou has good instincts and is a solid tackler, but he's not really a fast, sideline-to-sideline kind of player.  We know even less about the backups.

We definitely need a new RCB, that much is certain.  Asante has his spot locked, and Joselio Hanson as a backup isn't a terrible prospect.  But Patterson simply can't be the starter next season, he's too much of a liability, and every team we played knew how to exploit him.  His backup, Trevard Lindley, hasn't played enough to warrant a promotion, and I don't think Andy wants to risk making him his only option at starter.

The thing is, Andy knows everything I'm talking about.  That's why he fired Rory Segrest and Bill Shuey, and let Dick Jauron walk.  He obviously felt like those guys couldn't help his players develop their game.  The secondary was once the pride and joy of this defense, which is why Andy seems to be considering all these defensive backs coaches for the coordinator job.  A talented secondary is key to the Tampa 2, and he knows it has to be improved.  He wants a new coach for his linebackers, to teach them how to play sideline to sideline, and possibly to help train new blood.  He hired Jim Washburn as a taskmaster to whip the lackluster defensive line into shape, and to harness and maximize their aggression.

Maybe that's why Andy is taking his time and being so deliberate about things.  He might realize that his defense is less talented than others, and he needs just the right sort of coach for each position.  CBA talks aside, we'll see what free agency, the trading block, and the draft have in store, not to mention the coaching search.  We need coaches that either know or can quickly learn the Tampa 2, and we need players to fill the needs that this defense requires, in order to replace those that can't.

Okay, so...

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Because if so...

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Tell me what you think....

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Merry Fuckin' Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a joyous Kwanzaa to you all.  This year, I thought I'd write a Christmas list, not just for the Eagles, but elsewhere around the league as well...

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The sports networks are making such a big deal about the resurgence of Chicago's defense that they're forgetting that they haven't faced anything close to our offense.  Some say, "oh, but they beat the Packers and the Giants."  Yeah, well, they also lost to the Seahawks and Redskins, and their offense hasn't exactly been lighting up the scoreboard.  Some say, "oh, but they're riding high on a three-game winning streak."  Big deal.  They beat the Bills, the Vikings, and the Dolphins.  I for one am not impressed.  We're also on a three-game winning streak, and we beat the Colts, the Redskins, and the Giants.  Bill Simmons, that namby-pamby zero from ESPN who fancies himself a comedian, believes that we're "overdue" for a meltdown.  Sorry, Bill, it's hard to understand you with Tom Brady's crank so far down your throat...

First of all, I find it infuriating that so many are already beginning to jump off the Michael Vick bandwagon after the Giants game.  "He didn't have his best game..."; no, but he helped the team come from behind to win, didn't he?  As I recall, Donovan, for whom everyone at ESPN is still making excuses, could almost never do that.  LeSean McCoy had another terrific game, and the Eagles continued to create turnovers.  The experts would have us believe that the Bears' defense has the advantage over Vick.  But here's why that whole team is overrated:

JAY CUTLER

He of the double-chin is simply not that good a quarterback.  Those that love him tout his strong arm, good footwork, tight mechanics, and impressive size.  But let's be honest, none of these qualities are definitive proof that he is a great qb.  He's never had a winning season as a college or pro qb...EVER.  He's 7-3 now, but his defense is more to thank for that.  He exudes arrogance and confidence, yet he continues to make poor reads and forces risky throws (this season, he's thrown 10 interceptions to 12 touchdowns).  This is why we'll miss Asante if he sits this one out; he thrives on reading the qb and he can spot a bad read coming a mile down the road.  Cutler will definitely breathe a sigh of relief if Samuel is in fact inactive.  This season, Cutler's beaten teams that have no defense whatsoever (except for the Packers, but that was a fluke).

MATT FORTE

Forte was once thought to be traveling down the road to individual overratedhood, but he's actually having a decent season (150 carries, 567 yards, 4 TDs).  But what they're forgetting is that the Eagles' run defense has come alive in the past few weeks.  Donald Brown, Ryan Turain, and Ahmad Bradshaw/Brandon Jacobs couldn't get anything going against them.  He has three fumbles acting as a receiver, so when he catches the ball as opposed to receiving a handoff, he's a little more vulnerable (he still has decent receiving numbers, 331 yards with 3 touchdowns and a 10.3-yard average).  Perhaps his biggest weakness is his blocking, which the Eagles will need to exploit.

OFFENSIVE LINE

This is probably the Bears' biggest weakness.  Their line is currently the worst in the NFL with a whopping 37 sacks allowed thus far, plus 64 QB hits.  The Eagles' defense is tied for ninth in the league with 26 sacks, but the mismatch will be exploted more in the category of interceptions; the Eagles are still first in the league, so our d-line has to make short work of their o-line in order to force Cutler to make poor throwing decisions.

THEIR DEFENSE

Yeah, I know, they have Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, etc.  All terrific players, but in order to shut our offense down, they'll need to do more than contain Michael Vick; they'll need to render him completely ineffective, and to do that, they'll need to put him out of the game.  A lot of people say the Giants figured out how to do it, keeping him inside the hash marks, something or other.  The Giants still couldn't keep him from scoring, though,  and they have the top-ranked defense in the league.  Their pass defense isn't bad, but they're still allowing a 60.8 completion percentage for the season.  They can't afford to give Vick, Jackson, and Maclin that kind of leeway.  Their run defense is more worrisome.  The question is whether they can handle a tandem of Vick and McCoy (the latter is averaging 5 yards a carry while the Bears post an impressive 3.5 ypc average).  Still, 9 rushing touchdowns allowed thus far, which isn't spectacular

WHAT THE BEARS HAVE TO DO TO WIN

Shut Vick down.  All the way.  The Bears' defense will do everything they can, but they'll also need their offense to try to keep up with the Eagles'.  With Vick under center, the Eagles can score from anywhere on the field at any time, and the Bears are no doubt aware of this.  We'll see what they have planned, but until Vick loses a game in which he's played full-time, I have a hard time believing that an opposing defense has figured out a way to keep him in check.

Let me explain:

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Even though many of us still haven't come down from the high of that masterful performance on Monday night, we have a huge game coming up, and it's time we start breaking it down:

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In my last post, I was serious.  But now it's time once again for a trip down memory lane with good ol' Uncle Jaws...I give you the ten dirtiest current players in the league, plus the ten dirtiest in history.

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Well, it looks like there's no getting away from the topic of dangerous hitting this week, especially since it involves one of our own...

So Dunta Robinson has been assessed a $50,000 fine for his vicious hit on DeSean Jackson.  Brandon Meriweather was given the same for his hit on Todd Heap, and James Harrison was fined $75K for his hit on Mohammed Massaquoi (he also gave Josh Cribbs a concussion, but the league ruled the hit permissible).

Whether you agree with the league's decisions or not, it is clear that helmet-to-helmet hits are not going to be tolerated anymore.  Of course, they are nothing new.  Anquan Boldin once had his sinus cavity fractured from a vicious head hit by Charles Martin.  Peyton Manning once had his teeth shattered during such a hit, and thereafter began wearing a different helmet, which he wears to this day.  Hines Ward once famously earholed Keith Rivers, breaking his jaw and ending his season.  And of course, the most famous helmet shot of all time, Jack Tatum's monstrous hit on Darryl Stingley; as we all know, Stingley was paralyzed and forced to retire; he died years later of complications directly related to the injury.

Now, I love a huge hit as much as any fan.  Hell, the Eagles are a team with a long history of 'em.  But at some point, we have to wonder when enough is enough.  The league has had far too many concussions this season already; the Eagles alone have had six confirmed cases (Kolb, Bradley, Jackson, Cooper, Samuel, Dixon).  Concussions have long-term effects that we can't foresee (remember, Andre Waters committed suicide due to depression brought on by brain trauma).  The helmet-to-helmet shit has to be done away with, pure and simple.

Now before you accuse me of being naive (i.e. a pussy), I'm well aware that many helmet hits are incidental and can't always be monitored.  But when a player goes to tackle another and leads with his helmet, there are very few other consequences that result.  This is what the NFL needs to make clear to players and coaches: leading with the helmet greatly increases the chance of a helmet-to-helmet hit.  Many players (and fans) are objecting to the league's crackdown, arguing that the league is contradicting itself by demanding that players give their very best effort, but telling them to tone down the intensity.  In essence, players are disgruntled that the league is attempting to prevent them "from doing their jobs."

First of all, this is utter nonsense.  To hear the players talk, you'd think that they wouldn't be able to tackle players without helmet-to-helmet contact.  Well, some of them might not.  Form tackling has gone grievously by the wayside in this league.  It's almost as though coaches are not teaching the fundamentals anymore.  What happened to wrapping and driving?  I realize that spearing makes for more violent and highlight-worthy hits, which brings in the fans and the ratings, but how many head injuries will the league allow before appropriate action is taken?  Everyone, from the players to the coaches to the fans is in thrall to the devastating highlight reel hit, and the result is that such methods of tackling are leading to a higher injury rate.

The remedy, then, is to teach players how to tackle properly.  Matt Mosley wrote an article today covering Tom Coughlin's determination to teach his players proper tackling form, and his tendency to punish players that do not comply.  His position is that fines levied for helmet-to-helmet hits don't drive home the point:

"I know that one of the recommendations or the strongest one has been that since the money does not seem to be a deterrent, then it has to be more than that,” said Coughlin on Monday. “Always, it is quite frustrating, to be honest with you, if a player is forced to leave a game because of an illegal hit and the other player continues… that doesn’t really seem right. I’m sure there will be stronger measures taken."

Proper tackling form is to keep the head up and eyes forward, bend at the knees, get low, wrap your opponent up, and drive him to the ground.  This is considerably difficult to execute in a league where players become bigger, faster, and stronger every year.  Perhaps players are worried that this method carries a higher risk of injury.  Maybe some are worried that they simply don't have the physicality to do it.  Maybe some are just plain lazy and they don't feel like learning how to do things the right way because it's too much work.  But Coughlin is definitely taking the right approach, and maybe other coaches will follow his example.  Lord knows some of the Eagles could use it, what with their tackling woes. 

I agree with Coughlin that fines aren't enough.  It seems to me that the only way to get the message across is to suspend those who deliberately level dangerous hits.  It made me laugh to hear Tedy Bruschi complaining on ESPN that the players were being fined unfairly, that they were just trying to do their jobs, that violence is just a part of the game, and that being fined such amounts is detrimental to players who have families to support.  What a fuckin' joke.  And the players who get severely injured as a result of dirty hits, what if they have families to support, Tedy with one "D?"  What if they wind up like Earl Campbell, punch-drunk and unable to care for themselves or provide for their loved ones?  Or worse yet, what if someone winds up completely paralyzed or dead like Darryl Stingley?  These players can afford the fines, Tedy.  Here, I'll prove it:

James Harrison signed a $51 million deal last year; Brandon Meriweather's contract includes a $3.72 million option bonus and $6 million guaranteed; Dunta Robinson's deal is worth $57 million.  Take that bullshit somewhere else, Tedy.

Football is an inherently violent sport, and it is stupid to suggest that it should be otherwise.  Punishing players for delivering helmet-to-helmet hits will not prevent most of the injuries sustained in this game.  But I refuse to believe that earholing a defenseless player, or spearing them up under the facemask, or drilling them head-on with the crown of the helmet "just comes with the territory."  Hard hitting is an indelible part of this game, but players deliberately trying to injure others is not, was not, and never will be.

Well, everyone and their dog has weighed in on the subject, guess I might as well write something too...

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Game 2...huh boy.

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Here are some thoughts regarding Clayton's article:

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Alrighty then...so let's go...

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If you believe the nonstop media circus that is ESPN, it looks as though Donovan is on his way out of town sometime soon.  Whether it comes to pass or not, let's stop speculating for a minute and take an in-depth look at our top 2 quarterbacks and see who is actually better to have for the time being.

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Day 1 of Free Agency is in full swing, and the biggest fish in the pond has been landed; Julius Peppers is a Bear, as are Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna.  Kyle Vanden Bosch is a Lion, and we're waiting to hear about Aaron Kampman and Antrel Rolle.  The Eagles, aside from re-signing Leonard Weaver, have been quiet.  For those of you wondering what to make of all this, here's some help:

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Alrighty boys, it's taken me a while to get over the shambles in Jerryworld, but after reenergizing myself by watching the Cowgirls get thrashed by the Vikings, I'm back at it and ready to discuss an offseason which promises to be filled with questions:

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First, let me say that I'm thrilled that the Birds are headed for their 8th playoffs berth in 11 years under Andy Reid.  Now that we've got that sorted out, there are a few questions I have regarding the remainder of the regular season and the impending playoff matchups.

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The 2009 playoff picture as it so stands:

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