Eagles LB Stewart Bradley Out for Season

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Wilhelm was bad last year in the 3-4 (not that it was easy to play under two coordinators last year), he'll probably do better in the 4-3.

I feel like they were thin with Bradley. I think they took it for granted that effective linebackers could be found in the middle rounds of the draft, and I think they could, when Jim Johnson was running the show.

Gocong is a pretty good player, but I think Akeem Jordan, Omar Gaither, and Wilhelm are quite mediocre. Joe Mays is a guy a lot of fans think has a future, but we don't know anything about him any more than we know about someone like Alfred Fincher.

Yes, linebacker was already the thin layer of that defense before Bradley went down. Gaither and Jordan are not bad but they are not that great, either. I think losing Bradley really hurts the Philly defense.

Further, my hope is that their offensive line, which everyone touts as all-world, is not as good on the field as it is on paper. There are injury and chemistry concerns there.

My point is that the Iggles may not be the world beaters that many preseason prognosticators make them out to be.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Yes, linebacker was already the thin layer of that defense before Bradley went down. Gaither and Jordan are not bad but they are not that great, either. I think losing Bradley really hurts the Philly defense.

Further, my hope is that their offensive line, which everyone touts as all-world, is not as good on the field as it is on paper. There are injury and chemistry concerns there.

My point is that the Iggles may not be the world beaters that many preseason prognosticators make them out to be.

I agree. Andrews is already having issues (not a planned injection) and Peters sat out also. In fact I think Dallas and Philly both could see major problems on their line, ours may turn out to be the 2nd best in the division.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Yes, linebacker was already the thin layer of that defense before Bradley went down. Gaither and Jordan are not bad but they are not that great, either. I think losing Bradley really hurts the Philly defense.

Further, my hope is that their offensive line, which everyone touts as all-world, is not as good on the field as it is on paper. There are injury and chemistry concerns there.

My point is that the Iggles may not be the world beaters that many preseason prognosticators make them out to be.

I totally agree Lotus. The loss of Jim Johnson, Bradley out for the year... And the assumption that the o-line will instantly gel, I kind of find that hard to believe that they will be one of the best lines in the league right away. Jackson had a good year, will he get extra attention from opposing defenses this year like Santana does? The rookies are just that...rookies. How they contribute is anyones guess right now. I hope they believe the hype.

[dmek25]

Philly fans would laugh at big Al if he blew his knee out. now they just have a built in excuse for when they don't win.

[Schneed10]

What's particularly interesting with the Eagles is how they choose to use their offensive line. It's now a huge group, with much better capability in drive-blocking. Shawn Andrews' return to the lineup makes the biggest impact in that department.

Their pass protection was pretty decent last year, certainly good enough to allow them to rack up impressive passing statistics. But it was their short-yardage run game that was pathetic. I distinctly remember on more than on occasion where Reid called 4 running plays from 1st and goal at like the 2, and failed to score. That's the component of the offense that is now vastly upgraded. There's not so much gelling that needs to be done when it comes to run blocking; that's an aspect of the game that's much more physical than mental. I don't think chemistry is a limiting factor for the run game.

However, the question is will they choose to run? Reid is notorious for a heavy pass balance. His line just got much better in the run department. But as Lotus pointed out, chemistry could be a problem in pass protection. The smart playcaller would dial up Westbrook and McCoy all day every day. Or at least increase the screen passes going to them. But Reid isn't the best playcaller. We'll see if he wastes that line's talent.

If he uses it right, that line could make their offense top 3 in the NFL. They'll need it, because their defense should be middle of the road without Bradley and Jim Johnson.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

What's particularly interesting with the Eagles is how they choose to use their offensive line. It's now a huge group, with much better capability in drive-blocking. Shawn Andrews' return to the lineup makes the biggest impact in that department.

Their pass protection was pretty decent last year, certainly good enough to allow them to rack up impressive passing statistics. But it was their short-yardage run game that was pathetic. I distinctly remember on more than on occasion where Reid called 4 running plays from 1st and goal at like the 2, and failed to score. That's the component of the offense that is now vastly upgraded. There's not so much gelling that needs to be done when it comes to run blocking; that's an aspect of the game that's much more physical than mental. I don't think chemistry is a limiting factor for the run game.

However, the question is will they choose to run? Reid is notorious for a heavy pass balance. His line just got much better in the run department. But as Lotus pointed out, chemistry could be a problem in pass protection. The smart playcaller would dial up Westbrook and McCoy all day every day. Or at least increase the screen passes going to them. But Reid isn't the best playcaller. We'll see if he wastes that line's talent.

If he uses it right, that line could make their offense top 3 in the NFL. They'll need it, because their defense should be middle of the road without Bradley and Jim Johnson.

Looks like they're considering bringing back Runyan:

Eagles Battling Numerous Injuries, May Bring Back Jon Runyan

Eagles Battling Numerous Injuries, May Bring Back Jon Runyan -- NFL FanHouse

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Looks like they're considering bringing back Runyan:

Eagles Battling Numerous Injuries, May Bring Back Jon Runyan

Eagles Battling Numerous Injuries, May Bring Back Jon Runyan -- NFL FanHouse

Yeah, I saw that. I heard Shawn Andrews hasn't even practiced yet with that bad back. And Jason Peters, even when healthy, is pretty overrated IMO.

[Monkeydad]

Report: Eagles' Stacy Andrews in domestic dispute | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/16/2009


More possible trouble for the Eagles.

[SmootSmack]

Kevin Kolb was carted off the field this morning, going to get an MRI on his knee done later today.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Kevin Kolb was carted off the field this morning, going to get an MRI on his knee done later today.

Hmmmm.... Michael Vick perhaps??

[dmek25]

no loss. he wasn't going to sniff any action. but it does get the Philly idiots worked up

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by dmek25

no loss. he wasn't going to sniff any action. but it does get the Philly idiots worked up

So McNabb was going to get all of the preseason snaps?

DE Trent Cole also went down, shoulder sprain.

[JLee9718]

The Redskins have some minor injuries right now, mostly to offensive players.

[CRedskinsRule]

Don't worry about Philly and injuries, there FO is the best and surely has planned for losing top players throughout the D.

[JoeRedskin]

^^ In fact, even as we speak they are planting dragon's teeth on Lincoln Field from which multiple HOF'ers will sprout.