Eagles Film Analysis: All-22 defense takeaways from the Patriots preseason game

Following the Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots preseason sport, that is only a fast reminder to not take the preseason too critically. I’ll give attention to people I believe might be related this season and ignore nearly something associated to the scheme as a result of coaches don’t wish to give something away within the preseason! (In case you missed it: the offense version.)

Protection

I’ve been on the Moro Ojomo prepare for the reason that Eagles drafted him. He performed very nicely in restricted snaps final yr, and I believe he’ll get much more enjoying time subsequent yr. I do know it’s solely preseason however he was dominating guards on this one. He was simply too sturdy for them and was having his manner with them. Bryce Huff additionally had some nice reps, which was nice to see. Though he’s been quiet throughout coaching camp, it’s exhausting to evaluate an EDGE defender who has to go up towards Lane Johnson continuously in coaching camp. Nobody beats Lane Johnson.

This was my favourite play by Huff. He’s often called a quick man with electrical burst, however typically you want to present composure and consciousness. Right here, he acknowledges that the offensive deal with is letting him move, and he instantly turns round and will get to the extensive receiver. That is sensible consciousness.

Ah, man, I really feel a bit of for James Bradberry on this sport. I noticed him getting killed on-line for lacking a deal with in area, however that wasn’t the problem on this sport. Everybody misses tackles in area. The difficulty is that the a number of roles he has to play as a security goes to be very exhausting for him. He’s performed in a Fangio’ type protection for some time, however enjoying security is totally totally different from enjoying exterior cornerback. That is Fangio’s Cowl 9 (basically Cowl 3), and he ought to carry the #2 WR if he runs something deep/out, however he doesn’t. He’s only a beat late, however that’s all it takes. He was fortunate this wasn’t accomplished. That is two weeks in a row that the Eagles have been confused by a grimy bunch (2 receivers shut and the operating again attending to the flat shortly), so I’d guess that the Packers will take a look at the Eagles from this look in week 1.

I believe Bradberry has accomplished a fairly good job of being bodily in run assist. It’s clearly not his sport, however he’s attempting. Anyway, simply watch Ojomo and Huff once more. Huff is at all times going to be undersized, but it surely’s essential to have the ability to defeat a decent finish in these conditions. I can’t recover from how good Ojomo regarded in a few of these reps. Phew.

This was a optimistic sport for the Eagles’ linebackers. I assumed Nakobe Dean/Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr./Dean performed nicely as a pairing. If I had to decide on, I believe Baun and Dean had the perfect video games. Baun was actually fast at getting downhill, and he was very aggressive towards the run. I don’t speak quite a bit about gamers who aren’t anticipated to make the roster, however I’ve to present credit score to P.J. Mustipher, who had quite a lot of actually good reps towards the run on this sport. So truthful play!

I’m unsure the place he’ll play most of his snaps subsequent yr, however I believe Avonte Maddox should make this roster. Lots of the protection and run-fit duties are related, whether or not you’re enjoying at security or nickel cornerback, so he appears to have discovered the transition fairly seamless. That is an excellent rep, and it was a superb time to remind everybody, however a wholesome Maddox is an excellent participant! He might be a very useful participant who can play quite a lot of totally different roles.

It’s time to speak about Kelee Ringo once more. His press protection was excellent on this sport. The most effective issues that exterior cornerbacks can do is drive the receivers nearer to the road of scrimmage, which makes the throwing window considerably smaller. Ringo had just a few snaps on this sport the place he moved receivers about 4-5 yards nearer to the sideline, making the throwing window extremely small for the quarterback.

I stated I wouldn’t talk about the scheme, however I wished to level out this rep as a result of it scared me a bit of. I had flashbacks to Sean Desai’s protection when the center of the sector was wide-open at any time when they performed a variety of single-high zone match protection (Cowl 3 or 9), and I didn’t get pleasure from seeing how wide-open the slot receiver was. That is simply one thing to notice.

Once more, simply have a look at Ringo. This is excellent stuff. I like how he will get his head round and performs the ball, too. He’s having an amazing preseason.

This one is fairly robust to observe. Bradberry isn’t used to doing this, and he doesn’t know find out how to play the learn choice. I don’t know whether or not he’ll make the roster, and I believe he might play a task if he has to, however I’d be very frightened if he performs a variety of snaps each week. There are simply too many alternative roles that he isn’t used to and can wrestle with. I do know most followers have worries about him coming downhill in run protection, however I’m extra frightened about his protection duties!

Nolan Smith nonetheless doesn’t present any actual pass-rushing plan. I’m simply ready for him to win inside with a counter transfer. I’ll punch the air in celebration. It simply looks like his pass-rushing plan is to attempt to bend the sting with bend and dip on each single snap. I hope the coaches are teaching him exhausting to enhance this, although.

I discussed Nakobe Dean earlier, however I beloved seeing him fly out to the receiver right here. I’ve been fed up watching the Eagles gradual linebackers the previous few years (I’ve nightmares about Shaq Leonard), so no matter occurs on the place this yr, a minimum of the Eagles lastly have some pace! I’m hopeful that Nakobe Dean is beginning to take a step ahead, and it’s so essential that he stays wholesome for a protracted time period to search out some rhythm. Fingers crossed.

Regardless of mentioning the issues in his sport, there is no such thing as a doubt that Nolan Smith is a useful participant to have. He flies across the discipline and is a good athlete who performs with good hustle. He’ll get a variety of cleanup sacks. However it might be good for him to have an inside transfer with out having the assistance of the opposing operating again!

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