The Disappointing Line Play of the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to have one of the most dominant trenches in the entire league, both on defense and on offense.
With consolidated stars like Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Malik Jackson, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce and Jason Peters, along with a recent history of the great all-around play, the expectations were through the roof.
It’s just another example of how fast things change in the National Football League. Three weeks in, and the defensive line has obtained a grand total of one sack (Timmy Jernigan in Week 1) in three games – even though it’s still world-class in run defense – and the offensive line has struggled both in creating running lanes and in keeping franchise QB Carson Wentz upright.
But where did all that promise go?
On the defensive side, it’s obvious that health is a major factor. Jackson and Jernigan are out injured, while Cox has not been 100% for a while with a toe issue and Derek Barnett is on his first few games returning from last year’s season-ending shoulder surgery. One could also argue that the poor play of the secondary does not provide rushers with enough time to get to the QB, but that interaction is as much of a two-way road as anything in football.
None of these factors had previously been an issue under DC Jim Schwartz, however. Even with a revolving door around Cox and Graham, this team still was able to generate pressure without forcing the Schwartz to rely on blitzes to manufacture a pass-rush with his back-seven. Ideally, his defensive scheme employs fierce rushers on the line in order to use creative coverages and disguises to mask the deficiencies of the defensive backs he has at his disposal. Without that, he’s forced to be over-aggressive and, as the saying goes, “you live by the blitz, you die by the blitz”.
The offensive line suffers from a different ailment. Most of the unit is healthy, even though Jason Peters keeps getting repeatedly injured and a 6-month return from an Achilles injury for a 330-pound man such as Brandon Brooks is at least intriguing. Even with Brooks coming back from such a bad injury, the right side of the line is completely fine. Lane Johnson has been very good as usual and Brooks might be even better than he was before his injury, which is absolutely remarkable. Jason Kelce is also steady as ever, anchoring the line.
On the left side, it’s a different story. Isaac Seumalo, for all the confidence expressed in him by coaches and fans alike, has been less than great in the first three weeks. He was absolutely manhandled by Falcons DT Grady Jarrett; and the Lions D-line rotation, with players like A’Shawn Robinson, Damon Harrison, and Trey Flowers, gave him all sorts of trouble, to the point where Detroit didn’t have to bring more than three or four rushers to pressure Wentz. Not only that but he’s also the second most penalized guard in the NFL (3). As for future Hall of Famer Peters, the issue seems to be purely physical. After all the injuries he sustained over the last few years, he just doesn’t look like the same explosive athlete he was in his prime and, although still very much of a technician, seems overmatched against younger, fresher players at this point. Still an Eagle great, he has at the very least value as a leader and teacher for hopefully the next great blindside protector in Andre Dillard.
The Birds are heavily reliant on their trench play to be successful, and the units just haven’t delivered so far.
For the team to return to contention, this has to change pretty quickly and the linemen must return to their menacing play of years past. Also, as is the case with the rest of the team, some injury luck for once would be very much appreciated.
Photo: Matt Rourke/AP Photo
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Categorized:Eagles