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Eagles’ Defense Needs to Look Back to Past

After blowing a 17 point halftime lead against the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles' defense was put under the microscope. From the beginning of the season, most analysts knew the "Dream Team's" Achilles' heel would be the linebacking corps. This has been evident as the Eagles are one of the last teams against the run. But blowing this lead has made critics question the legitimacy of the Eagles entire defense.

Actually, the defense has been the elephant in the room this season. The ESPN radio show Mike and Mike in the Morning even made light of it on October 5, 2011, as Mike Goldberg asked former Eagle d-lineman Mike Golic if Golic could help out the Eagles for one game on the field.

Total blame does not fail solely on the linebackers, the defense line and defense backs have played paltry as well.

But aside from giving up too many points, the Eagles, specifically their defense, have seemed to have lost something in terms of espirit de corps. Like Austin Powers in The Spy Who Shagged Me, they have lost their mojo. And the only way to get it back is to go back in time. (Hypothetically, of course.)

They need to look back to a time when the Eagles, where at their peak in the Andy Reid era, during the 2001 to 2004 seasons, when they won four straight NFC East division titles, made four straight NFC championship appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl XXXIX. (Editor's Note: They lost to the Patriots)

The first thing the Eagles defense is missing on their current team is a spiritual leader. I am not talking spiritual in sense of religious, I am talking spirit in terms of a certain mindset that the entire defense has. During these years, the heart and soul leader of the Eagles' defense, and maybe the Eagles in general, was safety Brian Dawkins.

On the field, Dawkins transformed into a hard hitting defensive beast, often referred to "Wolverine" or "Weapon X." Like Jack Tatum, he single handily raised the stress level of wide receivers. Dawkins played the safety position like a torpedo, making sure that any player going over the middle would be blown up if he made a catch. He also made some eye popping plays with the Eagles such as a flying tackle on then Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer in 2006.

Aside from a lack of defensive leader, many critics have cited the Eagles' defensive coordinator as a possible problem. Juan Castillo is in his first year at that position, switching over from offensive line coach.

With the Eagles' young linebackers, both the coach and team have been forced to learn on the fly. While the Eagles' defense might get better as the season continues, it is unlikely they will replicate the feared blitzing machine that was former defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's defense.

Jim Johnson, who passed away from cancer, had to step down after the 2008 season due to this illness. He was the defensive coordinator during the four memorable seasons from 2001 to 2004. During Johnson's heyday, the Eagles were one of (if not the most) feared defenses in the NFL. The Eagles' defense would come at the offense like wild men, often "meeting" in the backfield. Sometimes, the blitzes would backfire for a big play, but often they would plug up holes or force pressure on the quarterback.

Since Johnson's departure, the Eagles' D has not been the same. Sean McDermott who took over after Johnson, could not get the same intensity out of his players. Coincidentally, Dawkins left after the 2008 season after being signed by the Denver Broncos for a better contract. McDermott was fired after the 2010 season and replaced by Castillo.

While Castillo has come under fire, he cannot be blamed for the Eagles poor tackling and pathetic coverage.

Star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was burned badly by young Giants receiver Victor Cruz twice in their game on September 25. Asomugha and Eagles free safety Kurt Coleman ran into each other in Keystone Kops fashion, and later in the game Cruz smoked Asomugha again for the go ahead touchdown.

Asante Samuel also has been lackluster this year. NBC Sports ran a piece on September 21, highlighting Samuel's lingering unhappiness, due the fact Samuel has been caught in a cornerback carousel with Asomugha and other Eagles CB Dominique Rodgers-Chromartie since training camp. He has played in all four games of the regular season, but his performance hasn't been noteworthy.

Eagles safeties Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman, and Jarrad Page all look like they could be outplayed by the soon to be 38 year old Dawkins.

Coming into the season, much hype was put on the Eagles' offense. Though they acquired defense players Asomugha, Rodgers-Chromartie, Cullen Jenkins, and Jason Babin in the offseason, the ultimate carrier of success would be Michael Vick who would commandeer the Eagles high speed offense to victory. At 1-3, this hasn't happened.

Instead, the Eagles need to re-shift their focus to the defense. The Eagles core from 2001 to 2004 was their defense. McNabb and Westbrook definitely contributed to the success of the Eagles during their four straight NFC championship appearances, but players like Dawkins, Troy Vincent, Hugh Douglas, Corey Simon, Ike Reese, and Lito Sheppard were the lynchpins.

In order to get back to victory, the defense needs to establish that "wild man" mentality that made opposing offensive coordinators squirm when they had to counter Johnson's defenses.

If not, the Eagles will be steamrolled time and time again. They face a tough test this week with the Bills and their explosive running back Fred Jackson.

With Halloween about three weeks away, maybe the Eagles defense doesn't have to time travel, but instead can put on their masks a bit early and begin to scare offenses once again.