The 37-year-old Graham collected two sacks against the Raiders playing inside the defensive line. He’s shaken off the retirement rust, but the position switch has also forced him to play faster.
Nick Tricome
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Tag: Moro Ojomo
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Brandon Graham is moving quicker with switch into Eagles’ interior D line
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Week One Eagles Recap, The Start Of A New Chapter. – Philadelphia Sports Nation
Thursday night, before a long and stressful game that had a little bit of everything. The Eagles got to hang their second Super Bowl banner in front of fans at Lincoln Financial Field.
What ensued were questionable flags, a costly turnover, weather delays, an early ejection and even…spitting contests?
Chaos At Kickoff
The Eagles unveiled the banner, with a little help from recently retired Brandon Graham.
And just minutes later, on the opening kickoff return. Ben VanSumeren’s season might’ve came to an abrupt end. We’ll wait for an official announcement on the severity of the injury, but the Eagles FullBack idea might be over.
To makes matters worse, VanSumeren wouldn’t be the only player to miss the rest of tonight’s game. With a self inflicted wound, Jalen Carter was ejected while trainers dealt with the injured player. It doesn’t matter if Han or Dak shot first. But Carter’s presence was missed for 4 Quarters as the Cowboys totalled 119 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
While the Eagles pass rush struggled to get home, they managed 2TFLs late in the game. Almost like they were missing one of their best defensive players?
Next Man Up
With Carter ejected it was time for another Georgia Bulldog to take his place.
While some of his pressures should have turned into sacks tonight. Jordan Davis played a huge role along with Moro Ojomo who both played 89% of the Eagles defensive snaps.
Among others who made plays Thursday night include Jahan Dotson, Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell. Who forced a fumble on Miles Sanders on the Eagles 10 yard line, might have been the game deciding turnover.
And Then There Was A Weather Delay. Again.
As if a 45 minute delay for the first Super Bowl banner wasn’t enough… It happened again
With 4:45 remaining in the third quarter of a 24-20 game. Lightning in the surrounding area led to over an hour long delay in the game. Not returning until 11:30 local time, there was still almost 20 minutes of clock left to play.
The delay killed momentum for both teams, as the game saw 5 straight punts before the end of the 4th, after 8 straight scoring possessions opened the season.
The Eagles played sloppy throughout the game. As a team should look missing key pieces, already beginning to deal with injuries (Landon Dickerson & A.J. Brown), with new players in the defense like Campbell, Mukuba & Jackson. With yet another new offensive system now under Kevin Patullo.
With a week 1 divisional victory under their belts, do the Eagles look like they’re ready to run it back for Super Bowl 60?
Go Birds.
Categorized:Eagles
Tyler L’Heureux
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Could The Eagles Add To The Defensive Line? – Philadelphia Sports Nation
The problem between the 2022 and 2023 Eagles defense. (Other than not being able to get a single stop most games). Was the change in production from the defensive line.
From having four 10+ Sack players. (Reddick, Sweat, Hargrave & Graham)
To only a single 10+ Sack player. (Reddick)
The 2022 Eagles might’ve fallen short of the Bears 72 Sack record in 2022. But they were nowhere close to repeating that total, only recording 43 sacks last year. Ranking 20th league wide.
There’s plenty of reasons as to what might have fully derailed the Eagles season. Giving up an average of 30.3 points in the final 6 games of the season, including a 32 point defeat to the Buccaneers in the Wildcard round. Somehow, the team that gave up the least passing yards in 2022, with an average of 171.6 yard against per game. Became the team that gave up the 3rd most, with 255.7 passing yards against in 2023.
Overuse Down The Stretch
The Eagles defensive line finished the season injured and not as deep as it started. After playing multiple overtime games, the Eagles were never the same following the win against Buffalo. Where the Defense played 95 Snaps, and what seemed like the point of no return for the season.
Below is the DL and its share of snap counts across the season
Player Total Snaps Snap % Snaps Played Vs Buffalo Haason Reddick 862 74.18% 83 Josh Sweat 828 71.26% 81 Fletcher Cox 684 58.86% 22 Jalen Carter 563 48.45% 76 Jordan Davis 519 44.66% 62 Milton Williams 494 42.51% Missed Game Brandon Graham 395 33.99% 26 Nolan Smith 188 16.18% 11 Marlon Tuipulotu 162 13.94% 32 Derek Barnett 99 8.52% Cut/Signed with HOU Kentavius Street 87 7.49% Traded To ATL Moro Ojomo 68 5.85% Missed Game Had the Eagles not over-relied on their starters and played more of their depth. Perhaps the major burnout at the end of the year would have saved them from not being able to get off the field. Add on the fact they traded away Street and Cut Barnett at the trade deadline. The Eagles defense was without 2 more players to pick up the snaps.
This Years Additions
Much like the last few seasons, the Eagles have successfully drafted players before their predecessor’s had retired. From Kelce to Jurgens. Cox to Davis/Carter.
Now that the Eagles have gone and made acquisitions throughout the offseason. They’ve been able to add Bryce Huff, Jalyx Hunt and Julian Okwara to the OLB position. With the expectation Nolan Smith will also see a larger role in his 2nd season, similar to his fellow Bulldog teammates.
But with countless DBs and only so many roster spots available. It feels like the Eagles further additions could come along the defensive line. (When haven’t they). Additions such as Genard Avery, Ndamukong Suh, Robert Quinn, Linval Joseph have all been acquired throughout the last few seasons.
You can’t always prevent injuries, and if defense wins championships. Then depth could be necessary down the stretch. Could a name like Chase Young come up in a few months if the Saints finally blow it up? Or perhaps the Eagles go big game hunting and see if the Chargers are committed to a rebuild, and are interested in shopping Khalil Mack?
There’s still a long way to go till the Week 9 Trade Deadline. But Eagles training camp begins next week, and then we’ll finally get our first taste of the Eagles season to come that is just around the corner.
Photo Credit: Cooper Neill / Getty Images
Tyler L’Heureux
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