Philadelphia Eagles Defense Blows Up

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker

DeMeco Ryans

(59) limps off the field during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Eagles defeated the Texans 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles Defense Blows UP

After the Philadelphia Eagles defense completed its first shut-out since 1996, against the New York Giants no less, it was easy to fall into the trap of believing that the defense had fixed it’s woes and were now capable of playing defense against NFL competition. I admit that I was guilty of such an offense.

By the end of the season, a back-up quarterback and a pourous pass defense were not up to the challenge of the NFL. Despite a second showing at ten wins in a season, the Eagles lost key games to virtually every playoff team they were in competition with for a wild card or division title berth. And so, they packed up and headed home.

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But home is relative in this NFL. Home for that 53 man roster was Philadelphia, for at least part of the season. But now home is Buffalo for one player, and is to be determined for many others. The business side of football is how they call it. The politically correct thing to say is that the team and the player have parted ways. But to the player who worked hard in training camp and pre-season for years to re-earn that right to step onto the NFL playing field with ten other teammates, the reality is that it is a harsh and cruel way to end a chapter of one’s life.

Yes, it is inevitable. Yes, it happens each year. Yes it is a reality that each player faces. But when the team is parting ways with the likes of Todd Herremans, Trent Cole, James Casey, and yes, Harrisburg Pennsylvania’s own LeSean McCoy, it would be foolish to just roll past the news.

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Gone from the defense are five starters, and two reserves. Defensive End Cedric Thornton (RFA who may be resigned), outside linebackers Trent Cole and Brandon Graham, cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, safety Nate Allen, and interior linebacker Casey Matthews. What is left from the 2014 defense is a young defensive line, two linebackers (but some expect the Eagles to part ways with inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans), and safety Malcolm Jenkins.

Pause a moment. Many have lauded the incredible war chest of available salary cap dollars the Philadelphia Eagles can now spend. But as we begin to sign quality starters to fill all the openings on this team, that money fades quickly. And the track record of success with a past team is no assurance of success on Chip Kelly’s team. We run a different pace. We run a different scheme.

Yes, some of us argue that head coach Chip Kelly wants “his” players. But for two years, these veterans of the NFL have been just that, willing to accept a new head coach and his new ideas and turn that chalkboard design into ten win seasons for each of the past two years. There is something to be said about the vacuum of loyalty in the NFL now. Something has died in the process and that should be mourned.

Some look to change as something new and exciting. Some see the possibities of so much “NEW” that we will dominate the NFL for years to come. And that may be true. But “NEW” is not a guarantee for “GREAT”. When the Eagles signed Nnamdi Asomugha in 2011, we discovered the difference.

I’ve drawn a great deal of respect for Philadelphia Eagles fans and the media through all of this. Their resiliency to follow the plan laid out by the “Chippah” and maintain the sense of optimism speaks volumes to the spirit of this city and the team. The love of the Philadelphia Eagles is alive and well. Despite the questions, the changes, the parting of beloved players and the arrival of new ideas, this fanbase has been as strong as Mohammed Ali leaning into the ropes to absorb the sledgehammer blows of recent events. But this is not the time to punch back. Now is not the time to argue amongst ourselves. We have and do all bleed green. Now is the time to debate intelligently.

With any change, risk, and gamble, there is a stake and a purse. The purse here is obvious. The Lombardi trophy and the Super Bowl ring. So far, everything the team and city have tried have failed. Perhaps this path to greatness leads to the promised land?!

There will come a day, however. The city and it’s fans have learned patience, but patience to a point. We may not understand the calculus of engineering a winning team, but we know when the team shows up on any given Sunday what success looks like. Change the team to the fullest extent deemed necessary.

But understand that there is no mulligan. There is no “do-over” in the NFL, and particularly not in the city of Philadelphia. Mike Shanahan tried that “all in” when he authorized three first round draft picks to have the right to select quarterback Robert Griffin III. Mike Shanahan survived two years from the moment he drafted RGIII.

That’s the other reality of the NFL. As much innovation and persuasion, science and engineering, technology and astrology that might be infused into the NFL team preparation, the bottom line is “just win baby!”. And so the alarm clock on the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles is set for three more years. Not to win enough games to be in the playoff discussions, but to win enough playoff games to be in the Super Bowl discussion.

The noise you are hearing is the sound of an Eagles defense being blown up, the force of the earth shaking up everyone and everything. Perhaps it ends there. Perhaps it ends on the 2015 draft day when the final stroke of the master plan goes into action, and the Philadelphia Eagles pull the trigger on the blockbuster trade that will land them the services of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

But there will be aftershocks. Unless the Philadelphia Eagles find higher and safer ground by getting deep into the playoffs, the next round of earthquakes epicenter will be in the head coach’s office. And that will be just business as well.

There’s plenty of time. But the clock is ticking… Meanwhile, just grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show as the Philadelphia Eagles defense blows up.

Next: Will Philadelphia Eagles Make Offer To DeMarco Murray?

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