Interesting Stat

[musicman]

One helluva 1 year turnaround.

Per Football Outsiders, Billy Davis' defense missed a tackle on just 5 percent of its plays in 2013. Only five teams in the NFL had lower numbers. What makes the ranking even more impressive is that the Eagles finished last and second-to-last in that category in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Davis certainly has work to do with his defense, but it was encouraging to see the emphasis on tackling and fundamentals actually yield better results.

[Eagle60]

One helluva 1 year turnaround.

Per Football Outsiders, Billy Davis' defense missed a tackle on just 5 percent of its plays in 2013. Only five teams in the NFL had lower numbers. What makes the ranking even more impressive is that the Eagles finished last and second-to-last in that category in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Davis certainly has work to do with his defense, but it was encouraging to see the emphasis on tackling and fundamentals actually yield better results.

Stats, stats, stats. We also gave up an absurd amount of passes for tds last year. All I give a shit about is some LIVE FOOTBALL and some W's!! :tost:

[NoDakIggle]

That isn't a great surprise. All you had to do was watch and you could tell that the birds tackling absolutely sucked for a few years and was markedly better last year.

[Jukin]

Although it was only 1 year under Davis I am willing to admit that I was dead wrong about him. I was really - REALLY upset when they hired him and not a proven DC with a strong track record. Although we have a lot of work to do Davis made marked improvements on the defense. They were much better than I expected they would be. If they continue to improve and he can add players that will fit his system we can be a serious threat on both sides of the ball. Good job Billy! Now let's take the next step this year and keep moving forward.

[taz]

But yet the defense was a sive most of the year. I will say one thing, give Davis (who I didnt like) some real talent and he could produce one heckuva defense

[dawkins20]

if you could list the three worst starters on our defense, who would they be?

[FRESH]

Well, I'm not sure who all of the starters will even be, but I could name you 3 that I am not thrilled with without moving out of the secondary, LOL!

Dawk, you know that problem is not so much the players that suck at this point as just the lack of differnce makers/playmakers. Not that it should be used as a true barometer, but it is no real surprise that no Eagle from the defensive side was elected to the Pro Bowl. There are no stand-outs.

[dawkins20]

I totally agree we need playmakers. I guess I posed that question because I actually don't think we have any below average players starting on D right now. I think they are all solid

I also think they did pretty darn good considering the new system, a couple DE's moving to LB and the O not holding the ball much and thus them being on the field all game

they need pass rush and depth. Especially if they don't get any help from the O in terms of TOP

[taz]

if you could list the three worst starters on our defense, who would they be?

From last year

Patrick Chung - Obvious

Trent Cole - only 8 sacks, not a lot of pressures fish out of water in this system

Cary Williams - although he played better in the playoffs

A better way to look at this is who on this defense would start for a top 5 defense. Maybe Kendricks, Maybe Fletcher Cox, maybe Jenkins.

[Eagle60]

Well, I'm not sure who all of the starters will even be, but I could name you 3 that I am not thrilled with without moving out of the secondary, LOL!

Dawk, you know that problem is not so much the players that suck at this point as just the lack of differnce makers/playmakers. Not that it should be used as a true barometer, but it is no real surprise that no Eagle from the defensive side was elected to the Pro Bowl. There are no stand-outs.

Brandon Boykin is a standout! He had 6 INTs last year and only was in on half the defensive snaps. That has to change. Time to make him a cb!

[FRESH]

Good point E60. As a slot corner, Boykin did really well. how well will he hold up if he is lining up against an opponents #1 WR? Dunno. Dut I think it may be time to find out.(I don't believe that the Eagles agree with me on that tho, and think they will keep him on the #3 WR.)

My favorite defensive player was Ryans...in fact I wanted him in the Pro Bowl....but I was probably being a homer.

[NoDakIggle]

I think you hit the nail on the head fresh. I think Boykin is top notch--in the role he is in. 6 or 8 years ago we had a top notch #3 but he moved on and didn't do much. Some players are good doing what they are asked to do; not so much when they go into a different role

[dawkins20]

Chung was putrid and for sure the worst player on D. A rookie outplayed him for crying out loud

The first 8 games of Trent Cole was pretty bad. But after that, he seemed to get it and had nice impact.

I think I value our corners more than most. The numbers were bad. But they held their own with very little pressure from the front 7. I love Boykin. But I wonder how he would be as a starter, rather than the role he was in

we need to upgrade the pass rush more than the corners IMHO