Eagles.com: Can Defense Carry Momentum Into Saturday's Game?

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Can Defense Carry Momentum Into Saturday's Game?

January 6, 2010 | Last Updated: 1/6/10 10:27 AM ET | Comments (2)

It's not going to get much notice since the Cowboys had a commanding lead, but the Eagles defense appeared to turn the corner in the second half of last week's game.

The Eagles, who were gashed for 104 rushing yards in the first half, cut that total to 75 in the second half. Forty-nine of those yards came on Felix Jones' touchdown run in the third quarter. Outside of that, the Eagles allowed 26 yards on 16 carries.

What was the difference? From a personnel standpoint, Jeremiah Trotter was inserted at middle linebacker. He also played in nickel situations as well. Although he was beat by tight end Jason Witten for a 25-yard gain on a crossing route over the middle, his presence brought an energy that his teammates could feed off of.

"That had a little something (to do with it). He had a good key on certain plays. And you know he's not afraid to come downhill," defensive end Jason Babin said. "He knew what he was doing."

Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott also applied more pressure on quarterback Tony Romo. Many players said that the more aggressive mentality allowed them to perform like they know they should.

"We just felt like that wasn't us in the first half. We went out there and played (in the second half) the way we know how to," said defensive tackle Mike Patterson. "I don't think there was one reason for the group to act that way. I just think as long as we stay focused and not worry about what's going on around us and go out and play football the way we know how, we should be great."

Trotter simply thinks the Eagles eliminated their mistakes in the second half.

"I felt like we were ready to play. Even when we were down 17-0, I thought we were ready to play. I just felt like we were shooting ourselves in the foot," Trotter said. "Sometimes it's just not your day. A lot of (us) were doing uncharacteristic stuff. You can't do that in big games like that. We know we are much better than what we played on Sunday."

Even with the game out of reach, the defensive players wanted to set a tone knowing that they would be back this weekend.

"A lot of people would say, 'The game is over. Whatever. It doesn't matter anymore.' To us, we still had something to prove. We had 30 minutes to play. We're playing," Babin said. "It showed a lot of character. We came out and were just battling the whole game. We were like, 'If we lose, we have to play them again next week. Let's set the tone now.'"

It remains to be seen whether that will carry over into this Saturday's game.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 10:25 a.m., January 6

 

[DEZBRYANT x88x]

A defense that got gashed for 400+ yards on sunday.

No chance in hell

 

[bigtach87]

So when we have a big lead and are obviously gonna pound the ball to keep the clock running, they are able to put in their run stoppers and hold down our rushing yards? Shocking!

 

[BAT]

Trotter also said that when the Giants beat them 3 times, it was b/c the Giants were simply the better team. And that this case was different, Dallas is not the better team.

And expect more blitzes. Gotta love it, they are in panic mode.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Changes more likely on defense for Eagles
Fresh off a 24-point loss in which they failed to score, the Eagles know they need to do something different in their Saturday night rematch with the Dallas Cowboys.

It's far more likely that personnel changes for this game will be made on defense rather than offense.

Rookie linebacker Moise Fokou has started the last two games at strongside linebacker and received the majority of playing time at that position in the last three games. But Fokou said today that he is splitting reps at that position this week with Chris Gocong, who had been the team's primary strongside linebacker the last three seasons.

"He could play at a couple different positions," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said when asked about Gocong.

McDermott also hinted that Sean Jones could see more time at free safety in this second game with Dallas. Jones estimated he was in on five plays during Sunday's lopsided loss.

"(Experience) is something we have to consider being in a playoff game and a primetime game," McDermott said. "The speed of the game could be faster and for young players to play in those games ... it's the first time in these games. We've taken that into consideration for the game plan this week and we'll look to use each and every player that is in uniform for us this weekend."

Though Jones is in his sixth NFL season, this is his first time playing in the postseason.

McDermott indciated that veteran linebacker Jeremiah Trotter could see the field quite a bit this week, too, after having a solid second half Sunday against the Cowboys. McDermott, however, understands that he can't expose Trotter too much because of the problems he has in coverage situations. Akeem Jordan started the game at middle linebacker Sunday, but was in for just one play.

"That's the slippery slope you're looking at," McDermott said. "Trotter is a heck of a competitor and I think we all noticed a difference when he was in the game the other night. He played with great intensity. We just have to make sure that we scheme around that going into this weekend."

McDermott said he also felt as if he could have blitzed more Sunday.

"We blitzed on one of the first or second runs that they broke off and we didn't execute the blitz the right way, so we backed off a little bit, which I take responsibility for," McDermott said. "I should not have done that. There are always going to be blitzes in every game plan and there were blitzes in that game plan."

 

[Doomsday101]

I guess us trying to run time off the clock did not play a part in the 1st half and second half stats. :laugh1:

 

[YosemiteSam]

Roy Williams with 100+ yards and 2 TDs. :laugh2:

 

[superpunk]

They are really trying to talk themselves into this weekend.

I really think we could see another blowout. Parlay the Ravens and Cowboys plus the points this weekend, fellas - we're just flat-out better than them.

 

[Staggerlee]

The only thing i hope is that Wade and the other coaches are preparing the team to be blitzed a lot. I know theyre going to send the house at us and they better be prepared for it.

 

[DMOB]

I totally agree it seemed in the second half when they blitzed a lot we struggled.

 

[gmb85]

I totally agree it seemed in the second half when they blitzed a lot we struggled.

I think that's why it's good Colombo is coming back.

 

[Zman5]

Romo ,Austin, Crayton and Witten are so on the same page right now, EaGirls will get killed if they blitz. I can see a quick slant to Austin for a score.

 

[Idgit]

Or, maybe, we started playing vanilla up 24 nil with a rematch next week. It's so hard to say.

This article is hilarious, though. They sure showed us with their tough second half last week.

 

[dbair1967]

I totally agree it seemed in the second half when they blitzed a lot we struggled.

It didnt help that we had a ton of penalties, including that bogus holding call on Gurode that wiped out the great screen pass to Jones on the first drive. We had a first down well inside their territory, I think we'd have scored again there. We also missed a chip shot FG.

Again, we had almost 500 yds of offense for the game. We still had almost 200 yds in the 2nd half, when they supposedly "stopped us"

 

[casmith07]

If carrying momentum means getting 24 more points scored on them while their offense falters, then I'm all for it.

 

[Cowboys22]

So they backed off after Jones' run but we kept going 100%? I see, now I understand. Dallas in no way was trying to shorten the game and take time off the clock.

 

[Don Corleone]

The Eagles are ripe for that 5 finger death punch, and the Cowboys must apply it on Saturday night!

 

[Grevus]

I guess playing with a lead doesn't mean anything. How about the long plays we made but were called back on penalties. I guess those plays were just good defense by the Eagles.

 

[RainMan]

I guess playing with a lead doesn't mean anything. How about the long plays we made but were called back on penalties. I guess those plays were just good defense by the Eagles.

No doubt. Our offense became much more predictable up 24-0 as we, duh, were trying to drain clock and end the game. No wonder it became easier to defend us.

I must admit, though, the things being said in Philadelphia are getting curiouser and curiouser. This stuff is just mind-boggling. Based on the article title, I thought they were asking the question whether our defense could carry its momentum -- with their intent to shoot down the notion, saying it couldn't. It's indescribably hilarious they would actually WANT to build on anything they did the other.

Strange stuff, guys. Bizzaro-world like. Maybe they're trying to turn our minds to mush with their illogical thoughts.

 

[rexrobinson]

Why do they think that just because they blitz more that it will be the deciding factor on beating the Cowboys?

Are they forgetting they almost allowed TWO 100 yard rushers last Sunday when they supposedly were not blitzing much and when they did blitz Romo punished them due to their match-up problems with number 82?

I hope they blitz every single down.

 

[sbark]

I think blitzing alot Sat. is the only option they got........They cant let Romo sit back there and lay another 300+ on them

If they send someone on the Freeze draw, they probably look at it as the lessor of 2 evils---with the lineman setting short, catch the run on the way to the QB, or at worst with a db, might be able to catch the runner from the side....

If they sit and do nothing, they gotta be thinking Romo et all will just lay another 400 total on them.......

I see them sending someone up the middle alot, with a few higher risk off the corner with a db

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
- Sun Tzu