Philadelphia Eagles versus Washinton Redskins: 5 areas to watch
5. How will the Eagles’ second level on defense handle the run and the pass?
There are a lot of bodies in the Eagles linebacker corps. Unfortunately, we really don’t know half of them, and they’re all still getting to know Jim Schwartz.
Kamu Grugier-Hill can’t go. He’s hurt. Nigel Bradham will be there, but we haven’t seen much of him this Summer. That leaves former Redskins linebacker Zach Brown, L.J. Fort, T.J. Edwards, and a man who’s now one of the more-tenured Eagles linebackers, Nathan Gerry, to fill in where there are voids and provide quality minutes.
As you know, Schwartz is allergic to blitzing. In his scheme, linebackers are asked to play coverage, roam, and make plays. We know Case Keenum will have to make throws. We know Washington’s receivers will be asked to put some pressure on the Eagles secondary.
Philly’s second level will have to help neutralize the running game and be ready to limit the tight ends and any wrinkles the Redksins may throw into their gameplan. Will they be up to the task? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out.