Inside Philly’s Defensive Game Plan
September 14th, 2018
Eagles DC Jim Schwartz
A consistent strength of the Bucs offense during the six games in which Ryan Fitzpatrick has played quarterback will be a focus of the Eagles’ defense.
And that appears easy to identify.
Former Jets linebackers coach, Bucs scout and Jets personnel chief Pat Kirwan, now the top host on SiriusXM NFL Radio, has been studying the Eagles-Bucs matchup (it helps that he spent Eagles opening day on their sidelines).
Kirwan is convinced Jim Schwartz, the Philadelphia’s Super Bowl–winning coordinator, will be focused on neutering DeSean Jackson.
Why? Fitzpatrick has thrown 34 passes to Jackson and has connected on a whopping 68 percent of them!
That’s the kind of pattern Schwartz will try to snuff out to remove Fitzpatrick from a comfort zone, per Kirwan’s comments as a guest this week on WDAE-AM 620. The safety help will go Jackson’s way, among other things.
Interestingly, Kirwan said the Eagles could be hoping Jackson plays since his absence from the lineup would create a greater unknown for their defense.
There has been no news that Jackson cleared the NFL concussion testing required to play Sunday, even though he practiced Thursday and Friday. Dirk Koetter isn’t commenting.
Joe sure hopes Jackson plays. If he does, Joe suspects the Bucs move him around — slot/outside — quite a bit.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:02 pm
Interesting stat. I hope Fitz has another career day and the Bucs win, that would be awesome. Then again I think it’s more likely there’s a slight breeze and that turns Fitz back into a pumpkin. I hope I’m wrong and he goes off on Philly as nothing, since leaving the NFC Central, is as fun as mocking Philly trash.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:04 pm
I think Monken switches to TEs and running the ball, taking occasional shots downfield.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
You can bet money Eagles Defensive will be much better than the Saints. Question is..Will Smitty’s Defense show up?
September 14th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Interestingly, Kirwan said the Eagles could be hoping Jackson plays since his absence from the lineup would create a greater unknown for their defense.
So according to Kirwan the Eagles COULD want to see Evans/Jackson/Godwin rather than Evans/Godwin/Humphries? Sure Pat. Keeping telling yourself that.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:06 pm
Dooshlarue – In other words you think Dirk saw Monken get a bunch of credit, and now he makes a powerplay to get back to Dirk’s offense of the last two years which means being ultra predictable and unproductive until we’re down by 20.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Koetter live interview going on team website. He sounds like he is in different country. lol
September 14th, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Philly’s game plan will be stop Barber and then tee off on Fitz.
The OL will need to hang in there and scratch out some drives.
DL will need to be great or else Philly will pound it all day.
I expect a close game- turnovers will be crucial
September 14th, 2018 at 5:22 pm
Go ahead and double DeSean.
Mike Evans has been waiting for this.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:33 pm
Let them treat Jackson as #1. Look out Evans and Godwin, and look for Brate to go off with Howard commanding more attention.
September 14th, 2018 at 5:34 pm
ME and DJax need to get theyre 100+1
Brate needs to get his 50+1
OJ needs to get his 50+1
Godwin needs to get his 50+1
Barber needs to go for at least 75+1
This is what I expcet should be the norm for these guys when it comes to yards and TDs!!!
Getter done… The Secret Weapon will soon be implemented…
Go Bucs
September 14th, 2018 at 5:38 pm
Hump needs to return a kick also for a TD…
50 burger hot and fresh Sunday at RayJay served with a W side…
Time to EAT!!!
September 14th, 2018 at 6:00 pm
If they try to take out DJax then recognize and adjust quickly. We have so many offensive weapons that we don’t need to concentrate on a WR that may be double covered. If that’s going to be the case then someone else will be uncovered, find that guy. Exploit it till they roll coverage. We have to be able to adjust on the fly and I’m confident that Fitz can figure out their weakness and find the open man. Could be one of the TE’s, could be the Evans show, or Hump, maybe lot’s of screens to Barber. So let them double DJax, and we’ll turn to one of our other weapons they ignore. I’m confident Monken will find their weakness from the booth and adjust quickly.
September 14th, 2018 at 6:00 pm
lol that guy doesn’t realize what else we have on our team then
September 14th, 2018 at 6:24 pm
The deep ball isn’t all this offense can do…. Eagles fans are arrogant for no reason at all. All it takes is took was one season to think they have a dynasty.
September 14th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
I think most of us can agree that our offense can be our best defense against dropping this game Sunday. I’d find a roster spot for Jones and if and when Barber tires put the rookie in there and turn him loose. He may be one that shows up when the real bullets start flying. We put up atleast a buck fifty on the ground then we win this game! We’re gonna get the yards in the air, we know that. Slow this game down and let the hellish heat of Tampa Bay Wear their a$$es slap out….
September 14th, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Yes please leave Jalen Mills without safety help on Mike Evans and put a LB on Howard and Godwin
September 14th, 2018 at 6:45 pm
The wife and I and our girls are flying down to Tampa in the morning. We and about 25 friends and family are gonna join the commish in his tailgate party. We’re gonna carry our big motha-effin sticks and shove them right up an Eagles A$$….we need to make home field a true advantage, take Ray Jay back ain’t no more of this den of depression bull$hit GOBUCS
September 14th, 2018 at 6:53 pm
Knoxville,
I envy you and your friends I used to have 12 season tickets in section 312. Stay cool it’s the hottest I can ever remember in week two of the season. Keep clear of ALL philly fans especially if you have kids. My last Eagles home game we won on a 60 yard last second field goal so good luck!
September 14th, 2018 at 7:03 pm
With Eagles D,I expect more presence from AuClaire and possible Alex Cross, since we haven’t employed a swing tackle in a couple years. If think the Eagles will try to stop the run first,so they can make the offense more one dimensional
and rush the passer.
September 14th, 2018 at 7:06 pm
Go ahead and neuter Jackson. Then you can get assaulted by Brate, Godwin, Howard, Evans, and Hump. Remember, Hump broke a huge one called back by penalty on D. Smith. You can’t neuter a beast with 6 pairs of balls!!! GO BUCS!!!
September 14th, 2018 at 7:12 pm
Dr Feel Good…….lol That’s freaking hilarious!
September 14th, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Interesting reading the Eagles blog sites earlier this week, muttering about the Fitz Jackson connection. They were worried…
September 14th, 2018 at 7:30 pm
LOL @ DRFEELGOOD.
Nice post.
September 14th, 2018 at 8:02 pm
Fitz has only started 4 games for us and he is 3 and 1
Jameis is 18 and 27
Does that not give some of you something to think about?
September 14th, 2018 at 8:21 pm
As an Eagles fan, I give the Buc’s Respect. It’s not like you guys are the Giants or Cowboy’s.
It’s Cool how you guys believe in your team as I do with mine. Think about it 2 Backup QB playing against each other that’s cool. Another, Eagles Defense is going to make it really hard for Your QB Fitz to throw. He will be sacked and running for his life. SORRY EAGLES WIN this one 37-21
September 14th, 2018 at 9:47 pm
Eagles
Please don’t get me wrong when I say I’m amazed to hear of any Eagles fan giving “us” respect. We don’t get respect from anybody
Otherwise… The only thing I disagree with in your post is the final score…flip it!
September 14th, 2018 at 9:57 pm
The Bucs have too many weapons on offense that create mismatches. Caveat, if they can get at Fitzmagic, all bets off the table.
September 14th, 2018 at 10:09 pm
The key to this offense will be the line. They give Fitz time and it won’t matter what Philly does. Monk seems the kind of guy who doesn’t stick to a game plan if it’s not working and will adjust on the go. Peyton has good hands we got receivers with speed for end arounds and screens so pick and choose. Being Fitz is a back up they aren’t as hesitant of running him at this time, Jameis comes back in 2 games plus Griff has come a long way.
September 14th, 2018 at 10:19 pm
I’d like to see Griff get some playing time, just not at the expense of an injury to Fitz
Run the score up then put him in!
September 14th, 2018 at 10:21 pm
The Eagles D Line was too much for Atlanta, they sacked Matty Ice 4 times, and made him hurry his passes.
They have so much depth on the D Line they rotate their players to keep all of them fresh.
They flat wore down Atlanta
I still think we can win, as long as we protect Fitz.
September 14th, 2018 at 11:07 pm
Matt Ryan is a statue
September 14th, 2018 at 11:38 pm
Cool double D jack all day.
Single cover Mike???? He isa top 5 wideout in the league.
Single cover CG?? He is a badass
Single Hum??Dude is a complete player that always gets open.
OJ?? Roll tide and he is going to be special.
Cam Brate?? Dude can play
We have some wideouts! Now if Jason could draft a running back and not blow offensive line picks we would have something on O
September 15th, 2018 at 10:08 am
All of you! Pump your brakes for sec- the question here isn’t about the weapons- the decisive point here will be in the trenches- how long will fits have to throw? Will barber have holes to run? Will our dline have a enough pressure on a quick 3 step drop and pass? Like someone mentioned in this thread, I think we will double TE this game to help the Oline and take what’s given- I expect 3 shots over 20yrds in this game unless we’re in Control of the lines.
September 15th, 2018 at 10:18 am
I expect a different game plan vs philly. I could see TE’s balling out the way 11 and 13 did in game one. The main matchup will be in the trenches. Jensen is the highest paid center, time to show he’s worth it against a top five dt in cox.
September 15th, 2018 at 11:23 am
Perfect sort of game to roll to the dominant side of coverage and throw back to the sneaky Howard, or make use of quick WR screens to spread the D out, make them cover sideline to sideline, and tire them out East/West, even if we aren’t getting a lot of deep chucks down the field.
Matty Ice got destroyed because ATL showed up thinking they could play their game and made zero adjustments. Sarkisian is no Monken. At The Church of The Monk, you learn to take shots based on what D they keep showing you.
Tons of respect for Schwartz, but I believe Monken can play up-tempo to neutralize the rotation and expose all of the Iggles D-Line to the same difficulty Vinny Curry complained about after that TC practice with the big fan.
Schemes can be avoided if All The Schwartz’s Horses are too gassed to keep playing at 100%.