Defense is an area where the Eagles, both under the late Jim Johnson and second-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, like to rotate players. Often the depth on the defensive line is as important as the starters, given how many substitutions the Eagles make in any given game.
Yet there are essentially four types of defensive players — full-time starters, contributors who play most of the time, situational players and backups. The fabulous data compiled by Pro Football Focus can give us a better read on those divisions as they shake out in the early part of the season.
Let’s dive into the numbers…
Different Place, Same Face: McNabb Hasn't Changed at All
If you believe, as I do, that McNabb has been basically an average or slightly-above average quarterback over the last three seasons, then the next question was: how long can he sustain that production?
We know that McNabb, at almost 34 years of age, has plenty of wear on his tires. Was it possible that in the next year or two he could sustain a drastic drop in performance? Or would his experience continue to hide his slowing body?
So far, at least, McNabb’s shown that he’s capable of producing in the same way. Admittedly, it’s a small sample size, but his per game numbers are similar or better than last year in almost every catagory…
Eagles at Jaguars: The Big Question
The Eagles quarterback controversy has made headlines all week as the Eagles prepare for a trip to Jacksonville, but defense is where many of the problems have come from early in the season. There is hope, though, which is why our biggest question of the week is:
Can Stewart Bradley, returning from injury, help return the defense to an elite level?
Ironically, we were asking this same question before the season began. Then Bradley was returning from an ACL injury. Back now from a concussion, the 6-foot-4 255-pound linebacker is ready to return to his starting spot in the middle of the defensive formation…
LeSean McCoy Proves His Critics Wrong
Lost amidst the chaos at the quarterback position has been the play of another backfield member — LeSean McCoy. While fellow anointed legend-follower Kevin Kolb has dropped to second on the depth chart before he could even throw an interception, McCoy has quietly answered everyone’s questions regarding his assumption of the running back crown worn for years by Brian Westbrook.
*People said, “McCoy’s not explosive enough, he doesn’t have true breakaway speed.” With the second-highest yards per carry total in the NFL and a 46 yard touchdown jaunt later, he’s shut them up.
*Others intimated that LeSean doesn’t have the ability to break tackles in the open field. Too bad Pro Football Focus lists him with the most yards after contact per rush in the NFL, with 5.1 …
Counterpoint: Kolb Gives Eagles a Better Chance to Win Now
The overriding opinion seems to be in favor of Vick because he gives the Eagles a better chance to win now — future consequences be damned. And while I do, in fact, worry about the team’s offensive future if you delay Kolb’s maturation for another year, let’s put that aside for the moment.
Instead, let’s focus on this: Why does everyone think Vick is a better option right now? Because Vick is playing so well, because he’s exciting, because Kolb was uninspiring in his first start.
But how well is Vick really playing? He’s certainly improved his completion percentage. It’s up almost 10 percentage points from his career average. That’s made him a tremendously better player than before. But a Super Bowl QB? …
Eagles at Lions: The Big Question
Last week going into the Packers game we all were wondering about Kevin Kolb. One week later, Kolb’s not even going to be on the field.
Still, the biggest question of the week still has to be on the quarterback spot:
How much has Michael Vick learned about playing quarterback since his last start in 2006? …
Michael Vick and the Unsung Genius of Andy Reid
Besides trading Donovan McNabb within the division this offseason and placing the reigns of the franchise in Kolb’s hands, what more controversial decision has Reid made than signing Michael Vick after two years away from the game? He was blasted from all sides for that move.
We can discuss at length the effectiveness of the wildcat offense and Reid’s use of Vick over the last year. In some areas it proved useful and in others, it may have only disrupted the rhythm of the offense. But at the end of the day, the wildcat wasn’t causing anyone to want Vick to supercede Kolb. What’s important is Vick’s play as a back up quarterback, and that is where he demonstrated real value that outstripes any contrived debate…
Why Kevin Kolb Isn't to Blame
The general consensus coming out of Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers is that Kevin Kolb played terribly. Jeff McLane titled a story, “Yes, Kolb was that bad.” Phil Sheridan wrote that Kolb “didn’t look much like ‘The Guy.’” Tommy Lawlor called the first game “a nightmare start.” All over Philadelphia, reactionary fans are screaming for Michael Vick to take over.
The problem with this simple-minded analysis is that while everyone can agree that Kolb was less than stellar, no one puts forward any explanation beyond, “Kolb must be terrible.” Even though there is an explanation, a very simple one.
The explanation starts way back on September 30, 2007…