August 24, 2015
In many ways the Eagles' defense was good in 2014, especially the front seven. But all it really takes is to have one glaring weakness to wreck all the good, as noted by defensive coordinator Billy Davis after the Eagles' playoff-devastating loss to the Redskins Week 16.
"The deep pass ball has got to stop," said Davis. "That is what is giving up yards, and our points (allowed) aren't where they need to be. There are a lot of aspects of the defense that have grown. Our run average per attempt is (good), our takeaways are in the top five, our sacks are in the top five, our opponent completion percentage is in the top five. But the one that matters most is points, and that's the one we have to get down, and we're not doing that. That's a product of the deep passing game."
In 2014, the Eagles gave up 72 pass plays of 20 or more yards, which was the third-most in NFL history. Through the first two preseason games, the Eagles have not given up any pass plays in which they were beaten over the top. So far, Kelly seems to happy with the play of his defensive backs.
"I think they understand what Cory [Undlin] and Billy [Davis] are trying to get accomplished back there," said Kelly. "I think they are lactose intolerant in terms of they do not bite the cheese in front of them. When they have a deep zone, they play the deep zone. A lot of mistakes we made in some of those deep balls last year we were just biting either a play action fake or we are biting an underneath route when that's not our responsibility. I think our guys are playing their responsibility. So right now we are good lactose intolerant secondary."
The biggest cheese-eater a season ago was safety Nate Allen, who signed as a free agent with Oakland this offseason. Let's take a look at what Chip is referring to when he is talking about "biting the cheese."
The Jaguars are going to run their tight end down the seam, and have him break to the outside after 15 yards. Meanwhile the receiver at the bottom of the screen (Hurns) is going to run a post, with his break also coming at 15 yards. Allen is circled in red.
Allen will bite on the out route by the tight end, leaving Cary Williams with no help over the top. The result: Touchdown.
At the top of the screen shot, Pierre Garcon is going to run a 20 yard in route. At the bottom of the screen, DeSean Jackson is running a deep post, with his break also coming at 20 yards. Nate Allen is circled in red.
It looks like the Eagles are in Cover-3 here, with Allen having deep middle responsibility. Allen bites up on the in-route by Garcon, and Jackson catches the deep throw in the zone vacated by Allen for the score:
This one was devastating. Cardinals receiver John Brown is going to give Allen a little fake to the inside 10 yards into his route, then run deep. Allen is circled in red.
Allen bites on the fake, and Brown is off to the races.
The Eagles clearly recognize their shortfalls of a year ago in regard to giving up big plays. The awfulness above is what they are trying to eliminate.
Follow Jimmy on Twitter: @JimmyKempski
