Front 7 Concerns

[Vote for Kalas]

I may be nuts, but I still see issues with our defensive front 7....this is one reason I disagree with the "loaded for bear" scenario popular in media circles.

Bradley looks set at MLB, Cole is a very good DE, Howard had a terrific season at DE/DT hybrid and Patterson/Bunkley greatly aided our run defense and held the point of attack well.

Those I would say are the known knowns to quote Don Rumsfeld...

As for WIL, SAM and other options at DE I have alot of questions...still not sold on Gocong as a SAM especially in coverage and I do not see any other alternative if he struggles...we'll see who wins out at WIL between Gaither and Jordan, but I have the same coverage concerns there and neither seem to be able to get to the QB well on blitzes...Abiamiri, Clemons, Smith and Parker have talent and Parker at least has shown sack ability, but I do worry about his consistency over a full season.

For example. in 2006, he had 3 sacks in the first 5 games and then another 3 in the last 12....in 2007, he had 3 in the first 3 games and then 2 in the last 13...and then in 2008 he had 4.5 in the first 6 games and then .5 in the last 10....I think he wears down.

I really wanted the Eagles to bring in competition for Gocong and another established DE---I cannot totally remember who was available this off-season and the Eagles certainly had other areas to focus on, but I do fear our secondary (the strength of the D IMV) will be hung out to dry due to a limited pass rush and the short passing game could still carve us up due to our LB....

[FRESH]

I may be nuts, but I still see issues with our defensive front 7....this is one reason I disagree with the "loaded for bear" scenario popular in media circles.

Bradley looks set at MLB, Cole is a very good DE, Howard had a terrific season at DE/DT hybrid and Patterson/Bunkley greatly aided our run defense and held the point of attack well.

Those I would say are the known knowns to quote Don Rumsfeld...

As for WIL, SAM and other options at DE I have alot of questions...still not sold on Gocong as a SAM especially in coverage and I do not see any other alternative if he struggles...we'll see who wins out at WIL between Gaither and Jordan, but I have the same coverage concerns there and neither seem to be able to get to the QB well on blitzes...Abiamiri, Clemons, Smith and Parker have talent and Parker at least has shown sack ability, but I do worry about his consistency over a full season.

For example. in 2006, he had 3 sacks in the first 5 games and then another 3 in the last 12....in 2007, he had 3 in the first 3 games and then 2 in the last 13...and then in 2008 he had 4.5 in the first 6 games and then .5 in the last 10....I think he wears down.

I really wanted the Eagles to bring in competition for Gocong and another established DE---I cannot totally remember who was available this off-season and the Eagles certainly had other areas to focus on, but I do fear our secondary (the strength of the D IMV) will be hung out to dry due to a limited pass rush and the short passing game could still carve us up due to our LB....

A couple of things, Vote.

First, in answer to your question about who was available, the only one I remember guys harping about was in going after Peppers. Not much out there from what I recall.

But besides that, we had the #1 defense in the NFC. Do you think we have gotten WORSE? Did the loss of Dawkins and Lito do that much damage in your eyes? I think the conventional wisdom is that we were a top defense with a lot of young guys who will improve. I am not greatly converned about the D. Of course we could be better, and not every position has STUDS, but it is a solid group.

[Eagle60]

LB could get interesting. I loved that Mays kid last year, and I haven't heard anything about Studabaker. Damn, I wish I could make camp this year!!

[Vote for Kalas]

A couple of things, Vote.

First, in answer to your question about who was available, the only one I remember guys harping about was in going after Peppers. Not much out there from what I recall.

But besides that, we had the #1 defense in the NFC. Do you think we have gotten WORSE? Did the loss of Dawkins and Lito do that much damage in your eyes? I think the conventional wisdom is that we were a top defense with a lot of young guys who will improve. I am not greatly converned about the D. Of course we could be better, and not every position has STUDS, but it is a solid group.

I agree Peppers was a moon shot, but were there really no other SAM LB we could have brought in? Could Bradley move out and bring Gaither back into the middle? Could Mays step up and play MLB?

I see Gocong as a hybrid whose best skill is rushing the QB even though he has not gotten alot of chances to do that from his position...he has however filled holes well, stuffed RB in the backfield etc which shows me he could do more in a rushing role...I think we need an Emmons type SAM who is good in coverage first and then holds the edge vs the run second...

I agree the D is pretty solid, but we saw them be vulnerable to the short passing game, to TE from our division and we saw they had a pretty mediocre pass rush outside of Cole...

I think we played a bit over our heads last season and were almost completely healthy...I fear a return to norm this season for this group as teams employ the AZ offensive attack against us, in essence we improved alot vs the run, but vs the pass we were still susceptible to getting schooled

I do not believe losing Lito and Dawk are a major part of my concern...I have trust in Hobbs, Jones, Demps, Mikell, Brown and Hanson...I think the secondary is our D strength, but as we know a secondary can be heavily impacted by a front 7's inability to get to the QB and to stop screens and other short passes...

[Leonard Tose]

I agree on the linebackers, absent Bradley. I'm not sold on the guys on either side.

But I'm a big Abiamiri fan. I think he steps up this year, as long as he can stay healthy.

I'm not that fearful that other teams will expose the defense. Kurt Warner has always thrown the ball well against the Eagles. Why? He's a rhythm QB who gets the ball out fast and keeps blitzing defenders on their heels. Not many guys have his ability to get that ball out as quickly as he does.

[Green With Envy]

I think team D is more important than the individuals. The Redskins had a great defense last year but could you name me one player on their line that you'd covet?

I'm generally happy with our defense. I think we need one of the young linemen to step up (Abiamiri?, Clemons?, Bryan Smith?). Clemons really came on at he end of the year. He might be a nice surprise.

[YourPalChrisMal]

LB could get interesting. I loved that Mays kid last year, and I haven't heard anything about Studabaker. Damn, I wish I could make camp this year!!

That's because isn't Studebaker on the Chiefs?

[MDFAN]

The biggest fear I have about the D is the lack of JJ.

No losses in the front 7 and it is a fairly young group.

I see Laws fitting in better this year and I also am looking forward to see what Abiamiri grows into.

[Leonard Tose]

That's because isn't Studebaker on the Chiefs?

Myself, I'm excited about this Bergey guy!

[Eagle60]

Well I guess that I'll be watching the Chiefs alot this summer then.

[NoDakIggle]

Actually the one I'm betting on to step up his game is Clemons. I also think one has to look at the age group of the front seven. The LBs are young and have played together for a couple of years now. They should be stepping into their prime and could really make a name for themselves. The same with a couple of the young DEs. Both Cole and Parker are solid and possibly ready to make a significant impact while Smith and A B are both young guys who can use this year to show they have a future.
Yea, anything can happen but I'm not too concerned about the front seven.

[Zepster]

Actually the one I'm betting on to step up his game is Clemons. I also think one has to look at the age group of the front seven. The LBs are young and have played together for a couple of years now. They should be stepping into their prime and could really make a name for themselves. The same with a couple of the young DEs. Both Cole and Parker are solid and possibly ready to make a significant impact while Smith and A B are both young guys who can use this year to show they have a future.
Yea, anything can happen but I'm not too concerned about the front seven.

Agreed with every thing you said there Nodak. I think the only way there is to go is up for our D.

[Vote for Kalas]

I guess I am in the minority then....hopefully I am wrong

[kcas31]

No I am still conerned about a consistent pass rush. Warner may be great in getting the bal lout quickly but it like they sacked Eli a ton in the game before. You have to be able to get to the QB consistently and they havent shown that game in and game out ability to do it.

[IMK]

I see Gocong as a hybrid whose best skill is rushing the QB even though he has not gotten alot of chances to do that from his position...he has however filled holes well, stuffed RB in the backfield etc which shows me he could do more in a rushing role...

I disagree on Gocong. I think he's poor pass rusher whose best skill is stuffing gaps and stopping the run.