Partial's analysis of the Eagles for week 1

[Partial]

One thing that I think will be in our favor is that McNabb probably won't do as much with his feet to make plays, as he will likely be less mobile and trying to protect himself more. There have been games where McNabb has really stuck it to us with his escapability. I think if we can contain him, put pressure on him, then I think that will bode well for us.

I agree with this. For this match-up based upon the quality and size of our ends, the speed of our LBs, and the ability to generate pressure from anywhere on the line, I would shadow Westbrook all day long and simply play a containment style of offense on him. I wouldn't gameplan around McNabb too much because we can rattle his cage with some pressure.

Stopping Westbrook will stop the Eagles.

[LaFours]

Don't they still have Jim Johnson as their D Coordinator? If so, the Philly defense will be fine regardless of their talent level.

I think this will be one of those mean-spirited cage match-esque games where we're gonna have to play some pretty mean football to get the W.

[Partial]

Don't they still have Jim Johnson as their D Coordinator? If so, the Philly defense will be fine regardless of their talent level.

I think this will be one of those mean-spirited cage match-esque games where we're gonna have to play some pretty mean football to get the W.

Yes, Jim Johnson is still their coordinator but I don't know that they have the talent to blitz effectively a lot. Like the 2004 packers, it is very possibly that by blitzing often they will get burned. You need to have a good defensive line to blitz effectively, and I am not so sure they will generate a lot of pressure.

That said, I am sure they will still blitz something like 35% of the snaps and if DD is not at 100%, James Jones had better spend some extra time with the coaches working on his hot routes and his ability to read a defense to tell if they're blitzing. All offseason long this is what we have heard has been his weakness. Let's hope that he becomes solid at this before the season starts because we cannot afford a costly turnover over something stupid like that.

I agree it will be a battle. Whatever team can establish the run and control the clock will likely win. Hopefully thats us.