Breaking It Down: Defensive Line

With the Eagles defense transitioning from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 look, the defensive line becomes all the more pivotal. The line will lose some players (i.e. Trent Cole) to the linebacker group and will have to make up for lost production with some young players and one very big veteran anchoring the middle.  Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga signed a three year deal worth $12 million with the Eagles after playing for the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. Sopoaga is expected to anchor and lead the defensive line. At 6’2 and 330 pounds, Sopoaga will be a clog in the middle. Playing next to Sopoaga will be Fletcher Cox. Cox is making the move from tackle to end after being credited with 5.5 sacks in his inaugural 2012 season. He will have to shed some weight and show more agility than he did in the 2012 season. The 2012 12^th overall pick is more than capable to handle one of the end positions.

Opposite of Cox is a big question mark. Cedric Thornton is the early favorite after being a solid backup in all 16 games during the 2012 season. Thornton registered one sack and 19 tackles in the 2012 season and will have to step up. Vinny Curry and Bennie Logan will be challenging Thornton for the starting position. Curry is coming off of a very disappointing rookie season. After being selected in the 2^nd round of the 2012 draft Curry appeared in only six games and registered nine tackles. He has added weight and muscle in order to play the versatile position of defensive end and in order to show his rookie year was a fluke. Bennie Logan was a third round pick and is the favorite to back up Thornton or, at the least, become the number one end reserve on the defensive line. Antonio Dixon will spell Sopoaga in the middle and defensive end Clifton Geathers was brought in as competition at the end positions.

The glaring hole on the defensive line is lack of depth. Most of the linemen are learning a new scheme and have changed their body type which will make for a big adjustment. Defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro is charged with making sure his group of football players is ready to play. Without the defensive line being productive we can expect the linebackers and defensive backs to work more. The line must be able to stop the run and clog up the offensive line in order for the outside linebackers to get pressure on the quarterback.

If the defensive line falters the Eagles will be in for a long, disappointing season. It could be similar to the 2012 season where the opposing teams drove down the field with authority and kept the defense on the field for long periods of time throughout the entire game. The defensive line and their ability to transform into the 3-4 scheme is the key to the Eagles defense success.