Defense = Disgusting

[The BIGSTUD]

Trotter sucks now. Hopefully we can move on after this season with a new MLB and bring in a veteran BIG DT. I still think Bunkley when given playing time and maturing will be a very good player, but he is the only one that could possibly be good out of this bunch of bums. Remake the entire front 7.

[Cerevant]

You know the defense sucks when they have to play in the nickel on 1st and 10.  That's why Brown was being asked to make tackles on running plays.  Way to play to the strengths of your D, guys.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

My take on Sheldon is that his technique and positioning is usually excellent, but he simply doesn't have the top level of size and/or athleticism to clamp down on the best receivers.  It's very rare to see him blow a coverage, but it's much less rare to see him get beat.  And yes, there is a difference.

[Quasimoto]

Sheldon is low on the list of problems this defense has.  The biggest problem is Jim Johnson.  Sorry I can only speak the truth. 

[4and26]

Having players go MIA is also not so good 

Eagles defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley missed the team's flight to Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon and then was listed as inactive for last night's game with the Colts.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

[SunMo]

holy shtein, this is the first i'm hearing of that!

[Mad-Lad]

but...

Bunkley looks like the Thing from the Fantastic Four movie.

[Quasimoto]

Bunkley is a beast.  He had the most reps ever at the most weight ever during the combine. 

[Feva]

beast.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Yeah, except he doesn't look anything like that right now.  More like this:

[Dillen]

My take on Sheldon is that his technique and positioning is usually excellent, but he simply doesn't have the top level of size and/or athleticism to clamp down on the best receivers.  It's very rare to see him blow a coverage, but it's much less rare to see him get beat.  And yes, there is a difference.

Exactly. He hasn't been spectacular in the short to intermediate routes, but it seems that he always has great coverage deep and the receiver makes some ridiculous play. He's been really unlucky this year.

[SD_Eagle5]

Spads article the night before the opener:

"The Eagles are a Super Bowl-caliber team. They know it. You should, too.

This 53-man roster is deep and talented, an interesting blend of youth and experience. There is Donovan McNabb heading an offense that has weapons galore -- the receiving game offers speed in Donté Stallworth, Reggie Brown, Greg Lewis and Brian Westbrook, great matchup possibilities with L.J. Smith and Matt Schobel and size in Hank Baskett and Jason Avant. The running game will be done behind a massive offensive line with Westbrook and, I suspect, Correll Buckhalter heading the charge.

DE Darren Howard is part of an excellent defensive line
It's a really good group, and McNabb has himself an arsenal to work with. The Eagles will go after Houston wherever the coaching staff thinks the matchups are best -- it could be a run-oriented attack and it could lean more toward the air game. The offense, the coaches believe, has the ability to be multi-pronged.

What has championship written all over it is the defense. Can you remember a line that went 10 deep, that had as much power as this group has, that can put legitimately outstanding pass rushers on the field all at once (Jevon Kearse, Darren Howard, Trent Cole)?

Tremendous.
Overlooked in this preseason was the perfect job turned in by placekicker David Akers, a booming effort from Dirk Johnson and coverage units that were outstanding.

There are questions to be answered, as there are with any teams. The Eagles must show balance on the ground. They must have several key youngsters -- among them, Cole, Matt McCoy, Todd Herremans and Brown -- step up to the challenge that awaits. They must have a return game on special teams that scares the daylights out of the opposition.

We'll learn all about that as the weeks progress.

But right now, from this perspective, the Eagles are absolutely contenders for the championship. That is the goal here. That should be your expectations. Anything less would be a disappointment.

So the stakes are high and the mood is terrific. The chemistry and kindship on the team throughout the summer worked, and it will only get better as Sunday draws close.

There is nothing to report on a late Sunday night in Philadelphia. Nothing other than the regular season approaches, and the time is right to get ready for a great Eagles season. It's that time of the year, and you should feel very, very good about your favorite football team. "

[MURP]

Spads should be the first to be fired. 

[MDS]

are promotional writers journalists?

[Quasimoto]

Jesus Christ Dave.  Get a clue.