Kearse @ 245 Pounds

[stalker]

They have been doing alot of deleting lately.

Anyway, IGY, your avatar has me mesmorized.

[sallad selgae]

I just got one deleted.  Does that mean I got jumped into the CF gang?

[RezRob]

I just got one deleted. Does that mean I got jumped into the CF gang?

If your name is "Salad" you will get sexed in.

[SunMo]

good article on the dline...

Sad-sack defensive line undergoes a makeover
By Marc Narducci
Inquirer Staff Writer

    * Eagles Notes | Gocong finishes his finals, starts first test with Birds
    * NFL | Titans deal QB McNair to Ravens for draft pick
    * Early Word | 10 polls in 1 on Donovan McNabb
    * More on the Eagles

There may be some debate about which was the least productive group on the Eagles last season, but the defensive line surely would get plenty of votes.

In the 2004 season, when they went to the Super Bowl, the Eagles recorded 47 sacks. Last season, the total fell to 29. In the NFC, only San Francisco (28) and New Orleans (25) had fewer sacks.

The Eagles' line frequently gave opposing quarterbacks all day in the pocket to find a target, forcing defensive backs to stay with receivers longer. The Eagles allowed 11.81 yards per completion, putting them 13th in the 16-team NFC.

But that was last year, and the Eagles have revamped the line.

"If we're not the best front in the league, we're as good as the best front in the league," Eagles defensive end Jevon Kearse said during this week's workouts at the NovaCare Complex. "We're as good as we want to be and we have a lot of young guys ready to go."

Although end N.D. Kalu signed as a free agent with Houston and run-stuffer Hollis Thomas was traded to New Orleans, the Eagles have added several key components, including free agent Darren Howard and first-round draft choice Brodrick Bunkley.

Howard is slated to start at end but also will move inside to tackle. Bunkley teams with last year's first-round choice, Mike Patterson, to give the Eagles two young, athletic tackles.

Jerome McDougle, who missed last year after being shot in the abdomen during a robbery in Florida, is back and adds depth to the end position.

"McDougle's tank is ready to be emptied this year," said Kearse, who has recorded 71/2 sacks in each of his two seasons as an Eagle. "He is working so hard, and whenever we go up in drills against each other, that dude is strong."

The key, however, will be Howard, who suffered an injury-plagued season in New Orleans, missing four games and recording just 31/2 sacks last year. The 29-year-old Howard twice has recorded 11 sacks and has 441/2 sacks in 81 career games.

The Eagles also are high on Trent Cole, who as an unheralded rookie had five sacks, although they came in a three-game stretch.

On third-down passing situations, don't be surprised to see Cole and Kearse at the end positions, with some combination of Patterson, Bunkley and Howard at the two tackle spots.

"They want to get Trent Cole on the field because he is 100 miles per hour all the time and is a fast, strong guy who can get to the quarterback and create a lot of havoc," Howard said.

Competition for playing time should be fierce, although defensive coordinator Jim Johnson traditionally has rotated his linemen to keep them fresh.

Among others in the mix are standby tackles Darwin Walker and Sam Rayburn, both of whom played through injuries last year; end Juqua Thomas; free-agent tackle Ed Jasper; second-year tackle Keyonta Marshall; and rookie tackle LaJuan Ramsey.

"In order to be competitive, you have to have a good, solid rotation," Walker said. "You have to have depth along the defensive line, and we have that depth."

Walker, who will turn 29 next week, appears to be the forgotten ingredient. He had 21/2 sacks in his first two games last year before missing the next three with a thigh bruise. When he returned, Walker wasn't the same and didn't record a sack.

Still, since 2002, he has 201/2 sacks, the fourth highest by a defensive tackle. And he says there is no doubt that the entire line can return to form.

[PhillyPhanInDC]

This is probably the most exciting aspect of the team to me now. I can't wait to see how the line gets after the quarterback. The defense as a whole should definately be worlds better than last year.

[reese125]

if the stars are aligned and the Eagles get by with minor injuries on that line, they will be overachievers this year

[MURP]

This is probably the most exciting aspect of the team to me now. I can't wait to see how the line gets after the quarterback.

I agree.  Its amazing how much the DLine has seemed (key word) to turn around for the better in such a short time.

[PhillyGirl]

if the stars are aligned and the Eagles get by with minor injuries on that line, they will be overachievers this year

Overachievers? No, they have the talent, they'd be doing what they SHOULD be doing, barring injury.

[reese125]

as IGY would say...look over your head, and you'll see my point

[Rome]

They do have a shteinload of talent on the D-Line now.  The question is, will guys like Kearse, McDougle, & Walker play to their potential this year instead of playing like they did last year (or in McDougle's case, not play at all).

I think it's fairly telling in McDougle's case that the Eagles don't expect much from him at all.  He's listed as the third defensive end behind Kearse & of all people Juqua Thomas at this point.

He better have a devastating training camp & preseason.  Otherwise, he might find himself on the outside looking in or outright cut once and for all.

[Philly_Crew]

I agree that the line does appear to be a lot better than last year.  The question mark surrounds the OLB.  I'm hoping the Eagles can do something with Bowtie, Gocong, Barber and McCoy.

[ice grillin you]

The question is, will guys like Kearse, McDougle, & Walker play to their potential

i think we have to accept the fact that kearse is a ten sack guy and nothing more...he just doesnt get a lot of sacks and never really has...what you gotta hope for with him is that he causes some turnovers something he has not done since coming to philly

[reese125]

Ill take 10 sacks in a heartbeat as long as Howard steps ups and does his job..no complaints here

[SunMo]

The Sporting News' offseason grade

Eagles: The best move was re-signing right tackle Jon Runyan. They're hoping the flight of Terrell Owens is addition by subtraction, but they can't say that about linebacker Keith Adams. Grade: C-

[ice grillin you]

i dont have a huge problem with the grade but how do you not mention howard...that was by far their best move