How The Eagles Might Address the Defense During Free Agency

Free Agency is still more than a month away, but I've been paying close attention to the players due to hit the market come March 3rd. There are some marquee players out there such as Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James, among others. Still, I believe the Eagles will likely look past such "big-name" free agents and take a chance on some quality younger players who are just entering their primes.

For me, the Eagles biggest problem wasn't on the offensive side of the ball, it was Jim Johnson's much heralded defense. So much for that in 2005. The front four were inconsistent and only reached the quarterback for 29 sacks in '05, down from 47 during their Super Bowl season only one year ago. The defense's inability to reach the quarterback resulted in a very good secondary looking susceptible and average at best (See Week 5 @ Dallas).
While Jevon Kearse, Trent Cole, Darwin Walker, and Mike Patterson are all adequate players, the Eagles need to add one to two more difference makers along the defensive line.

So who would be a good fit in midnight green along the defensive line? Seattle DT Rocky Bernard is having an outstanding season with the Seahawks and would be a solid addition to an already servicible DT unit. Players such as Darren Howard, Raheem Brock (Former 7th Rounder once cut by the Eagles) are two of the more notable ends that may be worth a look.

As inconsistent as the front four were in 2005, the linebackers were worse (exception Jeremiah Trotter). Keith Adams proved he is no more than a good special teams player and adequate depth at the position. While he played well in the 2004 postseason, Adams proved to be an average player over the course of a full season. He was swallowed up in blocks too easily and seldom made big plays. The same could be said for Dhani Jones, but I expect him to be back in the starting lineup in '06 nonetheless. The Eagles will also give Matt McCoy a look, a 2nd round draft pick in the 2005 draft, but he struggled to get on the field his rookie year and can't be counted on going into this season if the team looks to make a serious playoff push. If they get anything from McCoy it should be considered a bonus.

The one guy that I feel could do wonders for this defense in free agency is Carolina Panthers LB Will Witherspoon. Witherspoon is young, quick, fantastic in coverage and plays the run well. He had his best season in 2005 and is just entering his prime. The Eagles linebackers struggled mightily in c0verage this past season, which is partially the reason teams converted 34% on 3rd down against the unit. Witherspoon will come at a price, but with two play makings linebackers, Dhani Jones could get away with just playing average football, something that he has become accustomed to.

Don't expect the Eagles to add anyone through free agency into a secondary that will return all four starters and servicable depth.

It should be noted that this year's draft is topheavy with promising pass rushers (PSU's Tamba Hali, BC's Kiwinuka, Louisville's Elvis Dumervile) and stud linebackers (Iowa's Chad Greenway, UVA's Ahmad Brooks, Ohio St.'sAJ Hawk), so we'll see how they approach the draft. I will get into the draft in the next entry.