Eagles defensive line will be key to team’s success
Look for the defensive line to be the catalyst of Jim Schwartz’s defense.
Looking at the Philadelphia Eagles defense, there is no denying that the defensive line is its’ strongest unit. It’s anchored by Second-team All Pro players Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham. The Eagles’ front four is among the best in the NFL. Timmy Jernigan has been thrown into the mix as well. So has 2017 first-round draft pick Derek Barnett. They are both two other reasons this unit is expected to thrive. Throw in Vinny Curry, Chris Long, and Beau Allen, and this team has tremendous depth.
With the exception of the safeties, the rest of the defense is relatively average. At cornerback, Philadelphia’s still trying to figure out their starting tandem. At linebacker, the team is very thin at that position in terms of depth.
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With all of that being considered, it will be up to the big fellas to pick up the slack and make the other units look good.
The “Wide Nine”:
Second year defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will look to get the most out of his men in the trenches. He’s brought his “Wide-Nine” system to Philly. The entire Eagles defense should benefit as a result. When Schwartz was the defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2014, the Bills lead the league in sacks with 54. The Bills were also ranked 4th in Total Defense that year as well.
With the new influx of talent in the trenches, this defense is more than capable of getting 50 sacks this upcoming season. The purpose of the the “Wide Nine” is to funnel everything inside. That will allow the linebackers to make plays. In regards to the secondary, the front four can pressure the quarterback, and the defensive backs can take advantage of poor throws.
Though the Eagles might be weak in certain areas on the defense, the defensive line has the talent and depth to take the pressure off some of the other units. Also, with more experience, the Eagles defense, as a unit, should be one of the best in the league for years to come.