ESPN Paolantonio: Slowing Ware critical for Eagles

[WoodysGirl]

Slowing Ware critical for Eagles: Without Brian Westbrook last Sunday against the Giants, the Eagles -- led by fullback Leonard Weaver and rookie running back LeSean McCoy -- ran the ball for 180 yards, their second-highest team rushing total for the season.

So, why rush to get Westbrook back for the Sunday night matchup against Dallas? Two words: DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys pass-rusher has five sacks in his last three games. Dallas has 17 sacks in its last 18 quarters of football.

McCoy's pass-blocking has improved dramatically since training camp, but Westbrook's knowledge of the Eagles' protection schemes and his intuitive blitz pickup skills are impossible to duplicate, especially against a Cowboys defense that is complicated and playing at a high level right now. Finding Ware is the key.

Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire
After a slow start, DeMarcus Ware has been a force in the Cowboys' three-game winning streak, totaling five sacks.




"He flops sides," said head coach Andy Reid. "They're playing a 3-4 personnel defense and they move him around. He's big, fast and quick, he has a great feel for the game. He has great leverage."

What's more, the Eagles' left offensive tackle, Jason Peters, the team's big offseason free-agent signing, has struggled lately. Against the Giants, he gave up two sacks and was called for holding inside New York's 10-yard line. And, at right tackle, the Eagles are loath to leave Winston Justice on his own. So, Westbrook will be there to chip and double-team and keep quarterback Donovan McNabb clean.

But Westbrook, who is expected to play Sunday if there is no setback in his concussion symptoms, says he can't be everywhere at once.

"It's important for everybody to understand the protection," Westbrook said. "[The Cowboys] have some guys that can come off the edge, DeMarcus Ware in particular, that do a great job coming off of the edge, attacking the quarterback. Keith Brooking has done a great job of rushing up the middle too. For us, we have to understand the protection, understand that they want to pressure the quarterback and allow those guys outside to play man-to-man and we have to go out there and try to make plays. That's the biggest thing for us, that we don't allow the pressure to get to us."

-- Sal Paolantonio

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/notebook?page=sundaycountdown09

 

[dadymat]

Slowing Ware critical for Eagles: Without Brian Westbrook last Sunday against the Giants, the Eagles -- led by fullback Leonard Weaver and rookie running back LeSean McCoy -- ran the ball for 180 yards, their second-highest team rushing total for the season.

So, why rush to get Westbrook back for the Sunday night matchup against Dallas? Two words: DeMarcus Ware. The Cowboys pass-rusher has five sacks in his last three games. Dallas has 17 sacks in its last 18 quarters of football.

McCoy's pass-blocking has improved dramatically since training camp, but Westbrook's knowledge of the Eagles' protection schemes and his intuitive blitz pickup skills are impossible to duplicate, especially against a Cowboys defense that is complicated and playing at a high level right now. Finding Ware is the key.

Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire
After a slow start, DeMarcus Ware has been a force in the Cowboys' three-game winning streak, totaling five sacks.




"He flops sides," said head coach Andy Reid. "They're playing a 3-4 personnel defense and they move him around. He's big, fast and quick, he has a great feel for the game. He has great leverage."

What's more, the Eagles' left offensive tackle, Jason Peters, the team's big offseason free-agent signing, has struggled lately. Against the Giants, he gave up two sacks and was called for holding inside New York's 10-yard line. And, at right tackle, the Eagles are loath to leave Winston Justice on his own. So, Westbrook will be there to chip and double-team and keep quarterback Donovan McNabb clean.

But Westbrook, who is expected to play Sunday if there is no setback in his concussion symptoms, says he can't be everywhere at once.

"It's important for everybody to understand the protection," Westbrook said. "[The Cowboys] have some guys that can come off the edge, DeMarcus Ware in particular, that do a great job coming off of the edge, attacking the quarterback. Keith Brooking has done a great job of rushing up the middle too. For us, we have to understand the protection, understand that they want to pressure the quarterback and allow those guys outside to play man-to-man and we have to go out there and try to make plays. That's the biggest thing for us, that we don't allow the pressure to get to us."

-- Sal Paolantonio

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/notebook?page=sundaycountdown09

Westbrook will be in total rueage for not mentioning The Carpman.......with his Carp like abilities Mcnabb with be destroyed.....Carp so fast Westbrook will never even see him when he blows by

 

[eightysiX]

plain and simple Ware cannot be stopped!

 

[GOLDENCHILD1688]

anthony spencer can be a huge factor sunday

with both tackles struggling they cant help on both sides all gm.

spencer has gotten decent pressure at times but just been slightly late in getting the sack

if he can be disruptive on the other side of ware with rat pressuring up the middle its gonna be a long day for mcnabb. it would definitely free ware up if he can be effective

 

[Chocolate Lab]

anthony spencer can be a huge factor sunday

with both tackles struggling they cant help on both sides all gm.

spencer has gotten decent pressure at times but just been slightly late in getting the sack

if he can be disruptive on the other side of ware with rat pressuring up the middle its gonna be a long day for mcnabb. it would definitely free ware up if he can be effective

I have that feeling, too. I'm sure part of that is hope. But he's been close, and I don't know... I just can see it today for some reason.

BTW, the infamous Winston Justice is at RT for them. I'm sure Ware will be on him a lot today.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Dallas needs to focus heavily on DeSean Jackson, who can be amplified if McNabb gets time. Brent Celek will be tough and is a player to look out for, but I think from Dallas' defensive standpoint, Jackson is the guy to stop. If Celek has a great game and Jackson doesn't do anything, I can see the defense not giving up many points or at least keeping it to a moderate level. But if Jackson has a big day, they'll put up a big number.

I expect Ware to get a lot of rubs from the RB's early on and then they'll see if their OT's can handle him one-on-one. If they can't, then they'll go back to giving him rubs. If that doesn't work, then they'll probably keep Celek in. Of course, things change if Ratliff, Spencer or Brooking are getting good penetration and pressure.

I basically think that if Dallas can not give up the big play, mostly to Jackson. Protect the ball and limit the times they shoot themselves in the foot, they can win this game and win it handily. The Raiders beat the Eagles just a few weeks ago doing the same thing and Dallas is far more talented and has a far better special teams unit to dominate the field position game.





YAKUZA

 

[jobberone]

We match up well. They need to blitz to get good pressure, IMO. We don't. We can match they're passing game and running game. STs are a push. We should win this game if we don't turn the ball over.

 

[Section446]

Peters vs. Ware is going to be the match-up of the year, one that I'm not sure Ware will win.

 

[Idgit]

Peters vs. Ware is going to be the match-up of the year, one that I'm not sure Ware will win.

Seriously? Peters is going to need help with Ware all day. It'd be a no-contest embarrassment one-on-one.

 

[poost]

I like how he said "slowing" Ware, because we all know it's impossible to stop him.

I hope this is the day where our defense proves to the league that we are a completely different defense from past years. I think in the 07 our defense relied on our offense to just outscore people. In 08, with our offense struggling, the defense learned that they need to start playing physical and start winning games on their side. I hope this is the game where we go out and just punch them in the mouth, and prove that we are a physical dominant defense. Jam those Filthy receivers all day, make them pay for catching balls. McNabb needs to get hit at least 10 times, and their O-line will be begging to get off the field.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

We match up well. They need to blitz to get good pressure, IMO. We don't. We can match they're passing game and running game. STs are a push. We should win this game if we don't turn the ball over.

I'd take our ST over theirs.

Folk vs. Akers = push

Beuhler vs. Akers = Beuhler

McBriar vs. Rocca = McBriar

Jackson is a much better returner, but I think we have better kicking and better coverage units.

I think one big key is if Romo is able to step up into the pocket comfortably. If he is, that's where Romo is extremely dangerous. My guess is that the Eagles will try to take that away and if they can, then Romo and Garrett need to make adjustments.




YAKUZA