Bleeding Green Nation
Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 11/13/24.
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Eagles-Commanders preview: Five things to watch - PhillyVoice
4) Eagle killer Terry McLaurin. As always, McLaurin is the Commanders’ most dangerous and productive receiver, by far. We say this in every Eagles-Commanders preview, but see No. 17 to right? He’s waving at you. COVER THAT GUY, and make anyone else beat you. In 10 career games against the Eagles McLaurin has 58 catches for 847 yards and 4 TDs. In years past, the Commanders lined him up all over the place, trying to get him matched up against a weak link in the Eagles’ secondary, oftentimes against their slot corners. This season, the Eagles don’t have as obvious a weak spot in their secondary, as rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been major upgrades over James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox.
What makes Eagles’ secondary truly remarkable - NBCSP
Their coverage has been impeccable. Their playmaking has been otherworldly. Their communication has been flawless. They’re one of the best secondaries in the NFL and they’ve been together all of five weeks. It was during the bye week that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio replaced Avonte Maddox with rookie Cooper DeJean, giving the Eagles the final piece in a revamped defensive backfield. “Definitely feels like more than five weeks,” DeJean said at his locker Tuesday. “It feels like it’s been a couple years.” The Eagles ranked 31st in the NFL in pass defense last year and 29th in opposing passer rating. They allowed 35 touchdown passes, 2nd-most in the league, and had just nine interceptions, 26th-fewest. Say good-bye to Kevin Byard, Bradley Roby and Justin Evans, among others, and welcome DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Just like that, everything changed.
Spadaro: How the Eagles quickly retooled the defense - PE.com
They lined up for Super Bowl LVII an experienced, cohesive unit that ranked as one of the best defenses in the entire NFL—first in the league in pass defense, first in quarterback sacks, tied for third with 17 takeaways, tied for sixth allowing just 18.9 points per game. For all of the offensive highlights the Eagles provided that season, the defense was the backbone. And the starters, well, they were ready for anything. Up front, the Eagles went with Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Josh Sweat. At linebacker, Haason Reddick (edge) teamed with T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. Darius Slay and James Bradberry started at cornerback, Avonte Maddox was the nickel corner, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps started at safety. Only two seasons have passed since that 2022 defense lined up together for the final time in Super Bowl LVII, but the changes have been substantial. Graham remains part of the rotation up front. Sweat is still a starter and playing outstanding football. Slay and Gardner-Johnson start – with CJGJ having left for a season only to return as an unrestricted free agent for the 2024 campaign. Bradberry suffered an injury...
