PHILADELPHIA (AP) -A poor defense contributed to the collapse of the Philadelphia Eagles last season as much as injuries and the T.O. soap opera.
While the problems on defense were overshadowed by the 17 players who were placed on injured reserve and you-know-who being kicked off the team, fixing the defense was a top priority in the offseason.
So, the Eagles addressed their biggest needs by signing free agent defensive end Darren Howard and drafting defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley in the first round. The result in the preseason was impressive. The first-team unit allowed just three points in four games. Going into Sunday's season opener at Houston, the defense appears poised to regain its intimidating form.
``We are trying to go out and dominate and cause havoc, pure havoc,'' Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins said.
For years, the Eagles had one of the stingiest, nastiest defenses in the NFL. But they allowed too many points and hardly touched quarterbacks last year.
The Eagles gave up the fifth-most points (388) in the league and third-highest in team history, and ranked in the bottom 10 in four other major categories, including 23rd in yards allowed (325.4 per game). Their 29 sacks were 26th in the league and the team's lowest total since 1978. When they went to the Super Bowl in 2004, the Eagles were 10th in total yards and gave up 260 points, tied for second-best in the league.
Howard, who signed a six-year, $25.1 million contract, immediately bolstered the pass rush. He twice recorded 11 sacks in his six seasons in New Orleans.
Bunkley gives a strong push up the middle, an area the Eagles sorely lacked last season after releasing former Pro Bowl tackle Corey Simon.
``I'm tickled to death about those two cats,'' Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said. ``I call Howard 'The Beast.' He's a beast out there on the field. And, Bunkley, he is a man among boys. He's out there tossing guys around and that is what you want to see in front of you. It makes my job easier when I can run free every now and then.''
While Howard seems rejuvenated in Philly, Jevon Kearse appears ready to have the breakout season many expected when he signed a $66 million, eight-year deal in 2004. Kearse had 7 1/2 sacks in each of his first two seasons with the Eagles after getting at least 9 1/2 in four of his five years in Tennessee.
With Kearse and Howard on the ends, second-year pro Mike Patterson, veteran Darwin Walker and Bunkley rotating in the middle, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson won't have to rely so much on blitzing to get sacks.
``We're putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback, so hopefully we keep that up, and it's nice to have that rotation we have right now,'' Johnson said. ``We have a lot of depth. We didn't have that depth last year. I'm sure it affected us a little bit, but hopefully we'll continue putting pressure on the quarterback and pressure causes turnovers, no question about it.''
The Eagles kept 10 defensive linemen, including ends Trent Cole, Juqua Thomas and Jerome McDougle, and tackles Sam Rayburn and LaJuan Ramsey. Cole had a promising rookie season, Thomas was outstanding in the preseason and McDougle is a former first-round pick who has struggled to stay healthy.
``I don't think anybody is going to cut a good defensive lineman,'' Johnson said. ``We know how they get banged up during the year. You're going to get a few bumps and bruises during the year. We just kind of reload every week. That's the nicest thing we have right now.''
The secondary, which sent three players to the Pro Bowl in 2004, is counting on a consistent pass rush to make its job easier. Dawkins is joined by strong safety Michael Lewis and cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown. Philadelphia allowed 24 touchdown passes last season, its most since 1990.
``We gave up way too many big plays,'' Dawkins said. ``As far as being better equipped to stop those plays, that is where that front four comes in, getting that pressure on a quarterback and making him throw the ball faster and not right on time. As a secondary, you can sit back and know the ball will come out faster, so you can get a better break on it.''
The one area of concern is the linebackers. Trotter is solid, but starters Dhani Jones and second-year pro Matt McCoy might be the weakest links.
Jones is coming off a disappointing season and McCoy has little experience while his size and strength are questions. Veteran Shawn Barber and rookie Omar Gaither provide some depth.
``We're still getting used to each other,'' Trotter said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
