The Eagles Defense: A Well-Oiled Sack Machine

The Philadelphia Eagles defense has become the sack exchange and opposing quarterbacks better be wary.

The Eagles used to rely on complex blitz packages to pressure quarterbacks. Now they just turn their defensive linemen loose.

With consistent pursuit from the speedy ends and a strong push up the middle from the tackles, the defense has generated a relentless rush in the first five games. The Eagles already have 23 sacks and are on pace to get 74, which would break the single-season record of 72 set by Chicago in 1984.

Even more impressive is the fact that 21 of those 23 sacks have come from the line, which sustained a major blow when star end Jevon Kearse went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 2.

Second-year pro Trent Cole, who replaced Kearse in the starting lineup, leads the way with six sacks. Tackle Darwin Walker has four, Kearse had 3.5 in two games and Darren Howard and Juqua Thomas each have three.

The next Fearsome Foursome?

Not quite. The Excellent Eight might be more appropriate because defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has a unique rotation. Cole and Howard are the starting ends, but Thomas plays a lot and Jerome McDougle also sees time. Walker and Mike Patterson start at the tackle spots, with rookies Brodrick Bunkley and LaJuan Ramsey getting significant action.

The Eagles had 29 sacks in 16 games last season, with only 21.5 coming from the line. They significantly improved the rush by adding Howard, Bunkley and Ramsey in the offseason. Also, Pete Jenkins replaced retired defensive line coach Tommy Brasher and brought with him different rush techniques.

Cole and Patterson benefited from playing a full season, Howard is rejuvenated after a subpar year in New Orleans, Walker is healthy after battling injuries and Johnson's rotation keeps the players fresh.

In Sunday's 38-24 win over Dallas, the immobile Drew Bledsoe went down seven times. He also was harassed into throwing three interceptions and had one intentional grounding penalty. Green Bay's Brett Favre wasn't sacked a week earlier, but he used a short drop to get rid of the ball quickly. It wasn't an effective approach since the Eagles won 31-9.

Philly sacked Houston's David Carr five times in the season opener and took the Giants' Eli Manning down eight times a week later. They had three sacks against San Francisco's Alex Smith on Sept. 24.

The success of the defensive line makes it easier for the secondary to cover. Quarterbacks are prone to making errant throws when guys are constantly in their face. Also, it becomes possible to double-team receivers like Terrell Owens when one of the safeties isn't blitzing often.

Cornerback Lito Sheppard intercepted Bledsoe twice on Sunday, including one he returned 102 yards for a score to seal the win in the final minute.

The play of the defensive line and the return of health of Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook have the Eagles and their fans thinking playoffs and beyond. And believe you me, the rest of the NFC is taking notice.


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