Defense Answers the Bell

Really Lost One · Sep 22, 2008

Jim Johnson saying he didn't blitz enough is akin to Andy Reid saying he should have thrown the ball more. Which Reid kind of said in a roundabout way after the Eagles defense embarrassed the Pittsburgh Steelers offense in a 15-6 win yesterday at Lincoln Financial Field.

This win, however, had very little to do with Reid's play calling. For that matter, the big guy did what he could playing without two Pro Bowl players on offense -- guard Shawn Andrews and running back Brian Westbrook -- quarterback Donovan McNabb less than 100 percent with a chest injury, tight end L.J. smith sidelined with a bad back and wide receiver Kevin Curtis still out of action.

No, this was about Johnson and his defense holding the Steelers to 180 total yards, 60 of which came on a meaningless final drive of the game, sacking quarterback Ben Roethlisberger eight times and backup Byron Leftwich once and keeping running back Willie Parker to 20 yards on 13 carries.

All of this just six days after the Dallas Cowboys hung 41 points on an Eagles defense that showed very little, if any pass rush, and blew assignment after assignment in coverage.

"I knew we would come back after last week," linebacker Omar Gaither said. "We did what we do today. We played aggressive, and that's how we have to play. That's our identity."

How the Eagles respond without Westbrook, who will have a MRI on his ankle today, is a story for another day, like tomorrow. If the defense plays anywhere near like it did yesterday, Reno Mahe can come back and be the running back.

Johnson didn't estimate just how often he blitzed Roethlisberger on his 33 dropbacks, just to say it "was a lot more than last week."

"I blamed myself a little," Johnson said. "I should have blitzed more (against Dallas), but sometimes protection and situations dictate all of that. We saw some things this week we thought would work, and they did."

Johnson and the defense took advantage of every weakness on the Pittsburgh line, which included for the most part left guard Chris Kemoeatu, who is not exactly making Steelers fans forget Alan Faneca, and right tackle Willie Colon, who may make Steelers fans forget the playoffs.

"Jim just kept dialing up the blitz, and it made it easier for us to get pressure," Juqua Parker, who had 2 1/2 of the team's nine sacks, said. "That was the game plan all week, get after them, play downhill. When we do that, we're at our best."

It's hard to remember the last time this Eagles defense was any better against a quality opponent, which came into the game with weapons both in the passing game and the running game.

"We know they like to run, but they like to hit you with big plays," Johnson said. "We came in more concerned about the passing game."

After two games, Roethlisberger, despite a bum shoulder, ranked first in the league with a 136.3 quarterback rating. He had completed 75.8 percent of his passes, had three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Willie Parker, the flash out of the University of North Carolina, was the AFC's leading rusher with 243 yards, a 4.6 average yards per carry and three touchdowns.

Let's see, in this one Big Ben's rating took an 85.7 dip, as he completed just 13 of the 25 passes he actually got off. He got picked off once, didn't throw a touchdown pass and was called for a safety when he was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone.

Willie Parker's 1.5 average yards per carry included an eight-yard run, meaning that on his other 12 carries he gained 12 yards, and he never got close to the end zone, at least the end zone he was trying to get to.

"I love it," Gaither said. "I love playing this way. I'm just as happy at stopping Parker than I am about the nine sacks."

Johnson was able to smile yesterday, too, after questioning him self all week.

"I know Jim wished he would have blitzed more last week," Reid said. "Today, he made up for it."
Click to expand...

http://www.nj.com/timesoftrenton/stories/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1222056328247290.xml&coll=5

Defense was absolutely stunning yesterday, especially after the egg they layed against the Cowboys. Easily one of the most dominant defensive performances I've seen in a long time from this team. Eagles blitz is back!!!

Log in or Sign up

Defense Answers the Bell

Really Lost One Suspended

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Defense Answers the Bell

Really Lost One Suspended

Share This Page

Useful Searches