EAGLES: Sack happy

hagan714 · 10-13-2006, 04:55 PM

Team Report: Inside Slant

Inside Slant | Notes and Quotes | Strategy and Personnel
The return of cornerback Lito Sheppard has provided a much-needed boost to the Eagles' pass defense. Sheppard injured his ankle on the first series of the Eagles' Week 1 win over Houston and missed the next three games.

His absence was compounded in Week 2 by a heel injury to nickel corner Rod Hood, who has missed the last 2 games.
Sheppard returned to the lineup Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys and had two big fourth-quarter interceptions to help preserve the Eagles' important 38-24 win, which ran their record to 4-1.

The Eagles sacked quarterback Drew Bledsoe seven times and got him to cough up the football four times, including three interceptions. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's game plan was to pressure Bledsoe and contain wide receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens.

They kept both of their safeties back in coverage most of the game, which opened up some running room for Julius Jones and Marion Barber. But Johnson was willing to live with that if it meant shutting down Glenn and Owens.

And the strategy worked. The Eagles held the two talented wideouts to a collective 8 catches for 106 mostly harmless yards and no touchdowns.

"We knew if we didn't give (Glenn and Owens) any big plays, we were basically going to win the game," Sheppard said.

Going into the game, the Eagles pass defense had had its problems. With both Sheppard and Hood on the shelf, they gave up five touchdown passes and 18 plays of 20 yards or more in the first four games.

But Sheppard's return has helped stop the bleeding, and Hood could be back for either Sunday's game at New Orleans or next week's game at Tampa. His replacement, NFL Europe alum Joselio Hanson, has played well the last two weeks. Sunday, he was matched up man-to-man with Owens every time the five-time Pro Bowler lined up in the slot. Owens had just three receptions for 45 yards.

This week, the defense won't be able to be as generous with the enemy ground game. Johnson almost certainly will have to put strong safety Mike Lewis up in the box a lot to deal with the Saints' 1-2 running punch of Deuce McAllister and rookie sensation Reggie Bush. Bush also is a threat in the passing game. He's got a league-high 34 receptions after five games.

With Sheppard, and possibly Hood, back in the lineup, though, Johnson will be a little more willing to take a safety out of coverage. "You could kind of gradually see Lito becoming more aggressive and confident as the game went on Sunday," coach Andy Reid said. "The first couple of throws were in front of him, and then he progressively started to challenge the ball more. At the end there, he was all over it."
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I hope that is the idea. Drew will have a field day. big game from the OL will be needed. they look better with each game.
they are gelling

10-13-2006, 04:55 PM	#1
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	EAGLES: Sack happy Team Report: Inside Slant Inside Slant \| Notes and Quotes \| Strategy and Personnel The return of cornerback Lito Sheppard has provided a much-needed boost to the Eagles' pass defense. Sheppard injured his ankle on the first series of the Eagles' Week 1 win over Houston and missed the next three games. His absence was compounded in Week 2 by a heel injury to nickel corner Rod Hood, who has missed the last 2 games. Sheppard returned to the lineup Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys and had two big fourth-quarter interceptions to help preserve the Eagles' important 38-24 win, which ran their record to 4-1. The Eagles sacked quarterback Drew Bledsoe seven times and got him to cough up the football four times, including three interceptions. Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's game plan was to pressure Bledsoe and contain wide receivers Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. They kept both of their safeties back in coverage most of the game, which opened up some running room for Julius Jones and Marion Barber. But Johnson was willing to live with that if it meant shutting down Glenn and Owens. And the strategy worked. The Eagles held the two talented wideouts to a collective 8 catches for 106 mostly harmless yards and no touchdowns. "We knew if we didn't give (Glenn and Owens) any big plays, we were basically going to win the game," Sheppard said. Going into the game, the Eagles pass defense had had its problems. With both Sheppard and Hood on the shelf, they gave up five touchdown passes and 18 plays of 20 yards or more in the first four games. But Sheppard's return has helped stop the bleeding, and Hood could be back for either Sunday's game at New Orleans or next week's game at Tampa. His replacement, NFL Europe alum Joselio Hanson, has played well the last two weeks. Sunday, he was matched up man-to-man with Owens every time the five-time Pro Bowler lined up in the slot. Owens had just three receptions for 45 yards. This week, the defense won't be able to be as generous with the enemy ground game. Johnson almost certainly will have to put strong safety Mike Lewis up in the box a lot to deal with the Saints' 1-2 running punch of Deuce McAllister and rookie sensation Reggie Bush. Bush also is a threat in the passing game. He's got a league-high 34 receptions after five games. With Sheppard, and possibly Hood, back in the lineup, though, Johnson will be a little more willing to take a safety out of coverage. "You could kind of gradually see Lito becoming more aggressive and confident as the game went on Sunday," coach Andy Reid said. "The first couple of throws were in front of him, and then he progressively started to challenge the ball more. At the end there, he was all over it." http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamRep...pe=InsideSlant I hope that is the idea. Drew will have a field day. big game from the OL will be needed. they look better with each game. they are gelling