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 concentrate on people I believe will likely be related this season and ignore nearly something associated to the scheme as a result of coaches don’t need to give something away within the preseason! (In case you missed it: the offense model.)

Protection

I’ve been on the Moro Ojomo practice because the Eagles drafted him. He performed very effectively in restricted snaps final 12 months, and I believe he’ll get much more enjoying time subsequent 12 months. 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 steadily 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 it is advisable to present composure and consciousness. Right here, he acknowledges that the offensive sort out is letting him go, and he instantly turns round and will get to the large 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 sort out in area, however that wasn’t the problem on this sport. Everybody misses tackles in area. The problem 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’ fashion 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 working again attending to the flat rapidly), so I’d wager that the Packers will take a look at the Eagles from this look in week 1.

I believe Bradberry has performed a fairly good job of being bodily in run help. It’s clearly not his sport, however he’s making an attempt. Anyway, simply watch Ojomo and Huff once more. Huff is all the time going to be undersized, however it’s essential to have the ability to defeat a good finish in these conditions. I can’t recover from how good Ojomo appeared in a few of these reps. Phew.

This was a constructive sport for the Eagles’ linebackers. I believed Nakobe Dean/Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr./Dean performed effectively as a pairing. If I had to decide on, I believe Baun and Dean had the most effective video games. Baun was actually fast at getting downhill, and he was very aggressive towards the run. I don’t speak rather a lot about gamers who aren’t anticipated to make the roster, however I’ve to offer credit score to P.J. Mustipher, who had a variety of actually good reps towards the run on this sport. So honest play!

I’m unsure the place he’ll play most of his snaps subsequent 12 months, however I believe Avonte Maddox should make this roster. Most of the protection and run-fit obligations 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 an excellent time to remind everybody, however a wholesome Maddox is an excellent participant! He will likely be a very helpful 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. Probably the greatest issues that exterior cornerbacks can do is pressure 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 mentioned 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 sphere was wide-open every time they performed loads 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 a fantastic preseason.

This one is fairly robust to look at. Bradberry isn’t used to doing this, and he doesn’t know easy methods to play the learn possibility. I don’t know whether or not he’ll make the roster, and I believe he may play a job if he has to, however I’d be very nervous if he performs loads of snaps each week. There are simply too many various roles that he isn’t used to and can battle with. I do know most followers have worries about him coming downhill in run protection, however I’m extra nervous about his protection obligations!

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 seems like his pass-rushing plan is to try 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 cherished seeing him fly out to the receiver right here. I’ve been fed up watching the Eagles sluggish linebackers the previous few years (I’ve nightmares about Shaq Leonard), so no matter occurs on the place this 12 months, no less than the Eagles lastly have some velocity! I’m hopeful that Nakobe Dean is beginning to take a step ahead, and it’s so essential that he stays wholesome for an extended time period to search out some rhythm. Fingers crossed.

Regardless of mentioning the failings in his sport, there isn’t a doubt that Nolan Smith is a helpful participant to have. He flies across the subject and is a superb athlete who performs with good hustle. He’ll get loads of cleanup sacks. However it could be good for him to have an inside transfer with out having the assistance of the opposing working again!

Thanks for studying! I’d love to listen to your ideas, so be at liberty to remark beneath and ask any questions. For those who loved this piece, you’ll find extra of my work and podcast right here.