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Have the Eagles Solved Their Identity Crisis?

The Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and even the Denver Broncos have found NFL success in crafting a strong defense to pair with a dependable offense. The 2004 Philadelphia Eagles did so without a top five passer, rusher, receiver, tackler, sacker or ball hawker. The results were a 13-3 season with a defense that finished second in the NFL in points allowed, but tenth in the league in yards allowed.
In hiring head coach Doug Pederson, the Philadelphia Eagles have stepped forward into the past. It’s almost uncannily parallel to the Eagles hiring of quarterback coach Andy Reid some 17 years ago. Just as Reid hired his defensive nemesis Jim Johnson to run his team’s defense, so too did Pederson hire a Jim Johnson-throwback in bringing on Jim Schwartz.
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Schwartz does not mince words when the defense fails to make plays, nor does he applaud the defense for participating. Football is a violent sport, and the players who do well understand the smoldering emotions that fuel the best performances. Schwartz does not douse those flames, rather, he splashes gasoline on them. But he does place his trust where it needs to be: In his top players.
There is a simple rule in Philly. Passion is not an option, it’s a prerequisite. Players who understand that win the hearts of Philadelphia Eagles fans for life. Jim Schwartz understands that. He is already praising the Philadelphia Eagles safeties in Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod, and for good reason. As much as Andy Reid needed Jim Johnson, Jim Johnson needed Brian Dawkins. Schwartz has the same priorities.
Philadelphia loves a defense that will snatch the ball away from their opponents to deflate their morale. In the offseason, the Eagles rediscovered themselves. Philly’s fans need that strong defense. In the heat of battle, nothing satisfies passion-in-the-stands like the brute force of a defense imposing their will upon their opponents.

Connor Barwin
Connor Barwin

Schwartz not only needs safeties, he needs a strong defensive line. Coincidentally, that is the Eagles’ greatest strength. With defensive tackles Bennie Logan and Fletcher Cox, the team has two young powerhouses who can overcome double teams with sideline-to-sideline range. The defensive ends, Conner Barwin and Vinny Curry, are tasked with simply setting the edge (turning plays inside) and getting to the ball. Barwin has averaged nearly nine sacks a season for the Eagles, while Curry, despite a very limited role off the bench, has averaged over four sacks.
The defense has competition at the cornerback position, as Nolan Carroll and Eric Rowe try to win out over Ron Brooks, Leodis McKelvin, JaCorey Shepherd and others. The LB position will be anchored by Jordan Hicks, Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham with support from a very young group of players. The Eagles could also sign former-Schwartz standout Stephen Tulloch, and that would help since the only other veteran linebacker is Najee Goode.
Najee Goode (53) and Nolan Carroll (23) making a tackle
Najee Goode (53) and Nolan Carroll (23) making a tackle

The greatest success happens when you are true to yourself. Don’t fight it anymore, Philadelphia. You are a blue-collar city about to witness a return to blue-collar football. We’ve just won our first battle.


Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Allen Kee / ESPN Images
Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy:
Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images
Allen Kee / ESPN Images

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