The Kids Are Alright

Replacing the heart and soul of the defense was not going to be an option when Brian Dawkins, a fan favorite since his rookie days in 1996, left the Eagles after the 2008 season. That day a large part of the culture and the fabric of the defense left with him.

Fans sorely miss his snarling game-face and his routine of running into the Linc at top speed while aerobically turning upside down as he whipped the home crowd into a frenzied state, completing his transformation from a mild-mannered individual into “Weapon X.”

This year, at age 36, Dawkins plays leader on a rejuvenated Denver team, while the average age of Eagles is 26. In Birds Nation, the debate rages on about whether this is indeed a rebuilding year or a ‘win now’ team with younger, less expensive players.

Last season it was frustrating to watch the defensive line’s inability to generate much pressure on opposing quarterbacks without resorting to the blitz, including the Week 17 and Wild Card debacles against the Cowboys. The blitz, once so highly effective for the Eagles, has played a lesser role as the established safeties and corners grew older and subsequently lost a few steps.

Now for the first time since Macho Harris last year and Corey Simon in 2000, the Eagles have defensive rookies who made opening day starts in Nate Allen and Brandon Graham. All eyes are on how these two starters impact a revamped defensive scheme.

Allen, a free safety from South Florida taken with the 37th pick in this year’s draft, has two picks in two games. Not a bad start. Allen also played a role in limiting Calvin Johnson to 4 catches for 50 yards. This past Sunday, Allen recorded three tackles and a sack during the win over the Jaguars. He continues to show promise with 12 tackles, two interceptions and a sack through three games.

Brandon Graham, a defensive end from Michigan who the Eagles moved up 11 places in last year’s draft to pick up, notched his first career sack in the second week of the season. Ten years younger than Juqua Parker, who he replaced in the lineup, Graham has grand ambitions this season: in training camp he told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his goal is two sacks a game and 80 – 100 tackles.

Graham may not hit those lofty goals, but he’s on his way to a nice rookie season with his first-ever sack against the Lions in week two; especially sweet in front of his hometown crowd of Detroit.

The only other time a rookie started on the defensive line under Reid was way back in 2000 when Corey Simon began his Eagles career at defensive tackle. Simon, drafted sixth overall, played extremely well for the Eagles until he departed in 2005. During his last season in Philly, he was slapped with the franchise tag but declined a long-term deal and, after being released, joined the Indianapolis Colts.

When Macho Harris opened last season as the starter at free safety, he became just the second defensive rookie to start in his first game. He entered this season with great expectations and a ton of potential.  Coming into camp, he was expected to challenge for Sheldon Brown’s vacated cornerback spot, yet in a somewhat surprising move, Harris was cut when rosters were trimmed to 53.

Aside from Simon and Harris, the only other rookies to start their season openers under Reid were offensive players: wide receiver DeSean Jackson (2008), right guard Shawn Andrews (2004), tight end Jed Weaver (1999) and offensive tackle John Welbourn (1999).

Andrews, drafted in the first round from Arkansas, missed most of his first season with the team due to a broken leg but ended up a Pro Bowler in three subsequent seasons. He missed the majority of the 2008 and 2009 seasons with injuries and mysterious disappearances and was let go by the Eagles, only to be signed by the rival New York Giants this year for a 6 year, $32.5 million contract.

DeSean Jackson, a second round pick from California in 2008, has been one of the most exciting wide receivers the Eagles have had in a long time. Extremely fast and skilled, he’s become a Pro Bowl player and a household name in a short period of time.

Another offensive player hailing from California, John Welbourn was drafted in the fourth round in 1999 from UC Berkley. After playing guard at a strong level for a few seasons, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for two draft picks in 2004.

Jed Weaver, a tight end from Oregon, was picked up in the 7th round in 1999 during Andy Reid’s first ever draft with the Birds. He started 11 games, then in a surprise – poof he was gone, heading south for greener pastures. He ended up in Miami for three years where he blocked for Ricky Williams en route to his rushing title in 2002.

As much as the draft is a frustrating unknown for each team, the facts speak for themselves. Andy Reid has drafted 91 players since taking over as head coach in 1999, and nine of those players have had Pro Bowl appearances — a pretty good track record.

Reid’s has averaged a 9.89 percent of his draft picks over the last 10 years appear in a Pro Bowl, more than a full percentage point better than the league average of 8.86 percent.  Those numbers also don’t include Quintin Mikell, an undrafted free agent with one Pro Bowl appearance to his credit.

It is encouraging to see two top defensive draft picks have an immediate impact and a bright future. Allen and Graham represent the future of the defense – faster, younger, and more adaptable to new systems with an eye toward instant gratification that belies their generation.

Drafting players who can learn a new system and start right away are few and far between. Turning rookie starters into passionate leaders such as Brian Dawkins are a rarity, but the Eagles have seen four of their six past rookie starters under Andy Reid appear in a Pro Bowl. Allen and Graham certainly have their work cut out for them, but so far the kids are alright.

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