The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most disappointing teams in 2011.
The Eagles, who stand at 4-6 and in 10th place in the NFC, are on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007. This comes on the heels of Philadelphia going 10-7 and winning the NFC East for the first time in four seasons.
With so much parity in the NFL, it shouldn’t be shocking that the Eagles are struggling especially considering that they were a flawed defensive team in 2010. Last year, Philadelphia was 21st in the NFL in points allowed as they surrendered 23.6 points a game. The Eagles also couldn’t generate a consistent pass rush and struggled in pass coverage giving up a franchise record 31 touchdown passes. In addition, the defense had the NFL’s worst red-zone percentage in a quarter century. The one thing the Eagles defense did well in 2010 was create turnovers as they picked off 23 passes (which was the third most in the NFL).
What got the City of Brotherly Love so excited about the Eagles prior to the season was their explosive offense, quarterback Michael Vick’s career year and the Eagles offseason spending spree. Vick was given a $100 million-six year contract extension after throwing for a career high 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns in just 12 games. Vick, who is known more for his legs than arm, also ran for 676 yards and nine touchdowns. The problem with giving Vick the big money contract (though only $40 million is guaranteed) is that Vick has a habit of making bad decisions (he has thrown 11 interceptions this season) and is susceptible to getting injured as a result of his stature and style of play. Vick, who suffered two broken ribs versus Arizona two weeks ago, also isn’t the most accurate of passers and is prone to put the ball on the ground when he is hit.
Running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy and wide receiver/ punt returner DeSean Jackson give Vick two extremely dangerous weapons. McCoy, who has established himself as a premier back, is very quick and balanced runner. McCoy is also an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. Jackson is an explosive receiver who accelerates off the line of scrimmage as well as any receiver in the league. Jackson’s biggest problem is he loses concentration causing him to drop some easy passes and commit stupid penalties (like his 15-yard taunting penalty against the New York Giants on November 20).
The Eagles made the biggest splash in the NFL after the lockout signing a host of players. Philadelphia’s biggest moves were bringing in free agents DE Jason Babin, QB Vince Young, RB Ronnie Brown, CB Nmandi Asomugha and DT Cullen Jenkins as well as trading for CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. The Eagles also fired defensive coordinator Sean McDermott and replaced him with Juan Castillo, who had been their O-line coach the past 13 seasons. In addition, Philadelphia brought in Jim Washburn, who was previously with Tennessee, to coach the defensive line.
So how well has the offseason moves worked out? Babin, DE Trent Cole and Jenkins have made the Eagles front four one of the most feared defensive lines in the league as they have combined for 20.5 sacks. Young, who makes poor decisions and doesn’t have a rocket arm, just wins. Brown, who averages 3.3 yards a carry, has done an admirable job in his limited opportunities.
Now we get to the crux of the Eagles problems. Though the Eagles upgraded their talent on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason, they still have issues especially trying to stop the run. Part of the Eagles issues in stopping the run has to do with Castillo’s and Washburn’s philosophy.
Philadelphia’s main goal on is to put pressure on the quarterback and allow their three studs at cornerback to make plays. Philadelphia has been excellent at getting after quarterback though their pass coverage has been hit and miss. The Eagles are tied for fourth in the NFL with 29 sacks and have 11 interceptions (tied for 12th). The Eagles also have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete only 56.9% of their passes (seventh best) but they have allowed 18 touchdown passes (tied for 24th).
The main for such varied numbers against the pass is that Asomugha, Rogers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel are ballhawks. While each one of those three are capable of coming up with big plays, they are also vulnerable to double moves and pump fakes. Samuel, who likes to jump short and intermediate routes, is particularly vulnerable to double moves though Asomugha got burnt for a 24-yard touchdown pass against the Giants when he got turned around by Victor Cruz.
Since the Eagles main goal is to get after the quarterback, the defensive line mainly uses a wide nine formation. The wide nine technique basically means that each defensive end is lined up outside the tackle. The wide nine technique allows the ends to get to the quarterback quicker since they start with an unabated path to the quarterback.
Although this technique enhances the pass rush, the formation is not conducive to stopping the run as evident by the Eagles allowing 110.9 yards on the ground per game and 4.5 yards per carry. Part of the reason, the Eagles struggle against the run using this formation is that the opposing offensive lines are able to get to the second level of the defense quickly. Another issue with using this technique is that the defensive ends are vulnerable to draws, traps and counters.
The configuration of the defense is not the only reason that Philadelphia is struggling to stop the run. The other reasons are the inexperience and youth of their linebackers, having no playmakers at safety and the fact that Asomugha, Samuel as well as Rogers-Cromartie, who has struggled all-season, don’t stick their noise into running backs that much.