2010 Philadelphia Eagles Preview:
Defensive Line

Prior Previews

• Linebackers
• WR/TE
• Defensive Backs
• QB/RB

Depth Chart

Cole, Bunkley and Patterson all return to form a solid core on our line. Added to that is 1st round pick Brandon Graham, who has impressed in training camp and jumped Juqua Parker in the depth chart. Parker is a soild back-up and I don’t really know what Tapp will bring, but I’m guessing less than Darren Howard. Te’o-Nesheim was sleeper pick we took way too early. I’ve read mixed things about his camp performance.

Bunkley has become a monster the last two years and in my opinion could end up as the best DT we’ve had since Jerome Brown (he was only 26 when he died!? I thought he was much older), if he isn’t already. Patterson is an above-average pro who has turned into one of the best 1st rounders of the Reid era. Neither will rack up sacks, but they are the main reason we were 9th in the NFL in run defense last year without Stewart Bradley.

This is Trevor Laws final shot it would appear. You all know I’m a Notre Dame homer, and I still think Laws can prove his worth. I’m telling you, he was the most active and impactful defensive lineman at Notre Dame while I was there. Better than Justin Tuck, Victor Abiamiri and Anthony Weaver. If there was one thing I thought he would never do, it would be lose his motor, but that seems to be the knock on him.

Most Important Player

Trent Cole. The easy answer to this in Brandon Graham. But then Trent Cole tweaked his ankle and I realized how monumentally screwed we would be if he went down. Over the last 4 years, Cole has 42 sacks and 200 tackles. The only other DE who has 40 sacks and 200 tackles over that same period is Jared Allen. It’s a testament to how hard Cole works, and how often you see him following the play downfield and hustling his tail off.

Cole garners a lot of attention, perhaps the most on our entire defense. If he were to go down, it would weaken our defense nearly everywhere, from the other lineman getting more attention to the secondary not having the benefit of a good pass rush.

Biggest Question

Do we have quality depth here?

I love our starters, but I can’t say the same for the back-ups. Tapp, Parker, Laws, Dixon. Meh. We know that it is a huge part of our defense to rotate lineman in and out to keep them fresh during the game and during the whole season. Right now, all 4 of those guys rate average to below-average. We need one or two of them to step up their play this year and provide solid depth so our starters don’t get overworked.

Division Ranking

1. New York

This is easy. The Giants emphasize their DL more than any other area. The have amazing depth with Osi Umenyora (he might be starting, I’ve seen different things) and 1st rounder Juan Pierre-Paul coming off the bench.

2. Philadelphia

If Graham plays as well as he’s looked, the Eagles front-7 will be the best it has been in some time. Cole is one of the most underrated players in the league, and the other 3 players are all potentially above-average starters. As stated above, depth is a concern.

3. Dallas

This should be Washington, but Albert Haynesworth is so far gone, it seems that he will either be traded or buried on the depth chart by Sunday. Jay Ratliff is a very good NT, but the DE’s are average at best.

4. Washington

See above.

Final Thoughts

This is an area that has constantly been a focal point of our off-season acquisitions and drafts. But still, the Eagles have yet to find a quality pass rusher opposite Trent Cole. Brandon Graham has shown an incredible amount of promise and has the best chance of being that guy since we signed Jevon Kearse.

Like the linebacker group, the DL for Eagles is bursting with potential. Any of the starting 4 could make the Pro Bowl this year and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise. I’m hopeful that this is the year Bunkley reaches his full potential, and both he and Cole make their way to wherever the Pro Bowl is now.