Eagle Defensive Question Marks
A new season brings new hopes, new players, and new questions. On both sides of the ball, all teams change from year to year even if it is the slightest bit. The Eagles biggest question marks to me come on the defensive side of the ball. Three big holes now must be filled in for the Eagles defense. In no specific order of importance, the list includes: Brian Dawkins, Stewart Bradley, and the late great Jim Johnson. How the Eagles fill in these voids will be vital to their season. Here is a look at the key losses and how they affect the team.
Brian Dawkins…Weapon X… arguably the greatest safety to ever play the game… After a lifetime with the Eagles, he now is continuing his career in Denver with the Broncos. The Eagles lost a seven time pro bowler. More importantly, they lost an icon to the city, and possibly the most important figure in the the locker room. Stepping in to take his job is sophomore Quinton Demps. His rookie year he only recorded nine total tackles. Now he is filling in some of the biggest shoes in NFL history… Good luck Quinton.
Stewart Bradley was born to play the linebacker position. Last year was only his second year in the NFL and his first year starting. He played outstanding. He racked up 88 solo tackles and 151 total tackles, and also an interception. He is an animal that we (the fans) all were sure that he could be the man in the middle for years to come after his 2008 season. He gained the confidence of all of us. Now, he’s gone. Out for possibly the whole season with a torn ACL. Filling in for him will either be now veteran Omar Gaither or possibly Joe Mays. Omar has more experience, a lot more experience. However, don’t rule Mays out. He is a hard nosed player who throws his body around to make plays. It should be interesting to see how this situation turns out.
Finally I come to the loss of Jim Johnson. Easily one of the greatest coaches ever to call out plays on the defensive side of the ball, Jim Johnson made opposing offenses shake. He was respected by the whole league, and loved by the city of Philadelphia. May he rest in peace. Now steps in young Sean McDermott. Only 35 years old, he is a young enthusiastic, but most importantly…a fearless coach. He knows what he has to do. McDermott was with the orginzation since 1998. He worked with Jim Johnson for all those years and definitely knows what he is doing. There are some questions however. Will the players respect him as they did Jim Johnson? Will his changes, even if miniscule be effective? And how will he and the players respond to the loss of an all time great?
Tell Me hes not an Animal…
