Eagles Wake-Up Call: More Flexibility In Secondary

Billy Davis accepted some of the responsibility for what went down in the secondary last year.

The Eagles’ defense yielded a league-high 72 pass plays of 20-plus yards in 2014 and finished second from the bottom in overall pass defense. Too often, the corners — Bradley Fletcher in particular — were left out on an island against superior opponents. The results were predictable.

“Could I have given him more help? I could’ve,” said Davis. “The technique he was using out there could have been better, and I could have given him more help.

“There were a lot of things I had to look at. It is a combination of technique and how many times you split the safety and give those guys help and how many times you don’t. You have to move in and out of that, and you learn.”

New defensive backs coach Cory Undlin was brought in from Denver to help fix the technique issues, and Davis went back and reviewed his performance as defensive coordinator in an effort to improve. But the breakdowns clearly weren’t all tied to coaching. The back end was in serious need of a talent infusion, so the Eagles signed Byron Maxwell to a six-year, $63 million deal, inked Walter Thurmond to a one-year contract and spent three draft picks on defensive backs.

Asked what stood out the most about Maxwell when the Eagles faced the Seahawks last year, Chip Kelly pointed to his versatility.

“He started at outside corner, but then when they went to nickel, he came inside.  You watch him covering Mac [Jeremy Maclin] and Coop [Riley Cooper] and then moved inside and covered  Jordan [Matthews].  So that was the biggest thing,” he said. “I think if you asked Jordan, I think Jordan said  he was the best cover guy he faced last year as a rookie.  So that stood out to us.  I thought he was the best nickel defender that defended us in the 16 games that we played.”

Maxwell’s ability to play inside should allow Davis greater scheme flexibility. The DC also sounded open to having Maxwell shadow the opponent’s top receiver when the situation calls for it. Cary Williams followed Odell Beckham around some in last year’s season finale (Nolan Carroll started for a deactivated Fletcher that game) but otherwise the corners have mostly played their respective sides under Davis to this point.

“We have that ability,” said Davis. “Right now, we change them right and left every day so they are working on the right side, working on the left side. We have talked about it, we have it in place. It’s when you use it and when you don’t. If we want to use it more, we can.”

Given the amount of talented receivers they’re scheduled to face this year (Dez Bryant, Beckham, Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, etc.) utilizing the shadow option might just make some sense.

Ideally, Davis would like a defense filled with movable parts. While the current personnel doesn’t allow him total freedom, the secondary largely consists of players that have trained at multiple positions. Safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Thurmond both come from corner backgrounds. Carroll served as the dime specialist  last season and has played some nickel in his career. Eric Rowe spent time at both corner and safety in college. And Maxwell seems comfortable playing all over.

“That’s the way we like it; we like the position flexibility,” said Davis. “And in the secondary, we have a lot of guys that have played the corner spot, which is the hardest spot. To physically cover someone man-to-man in space is as hard as it gets, and then to press is even harder. Then you move that mental toughness into a safety spot or a nickel spot where you are making some calls and playing some different leverages… It’s good to have the high football IQ and position flexibility that those guys have.”

WHAT YOU MISSED

“I’m not full-speed. I haven’t been in a while. It definitely gets frustrating to an extent.” NFC East Roundup.

Weekend Reading: Eagles have been the healthiest team in the NFL over the last two years, according to one metric.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hands in a fireworks accident. ESPN.com has more.

The 26-year-old former first-round pick was examined by doctors after being hospitalized for his injuries, which are not believed to threaten Pierre-Paul’s career, the sources said.

A source told ESPN.com that Pierre-Paul has severe burns on his palm and tips of three fingers, and one finger is being tested for nerve damage. He didn’t lose any fingers, and doctors believe there will be no permanent damage or disfigurement of his hands.

The injuries stemming from the incident could affect Pierre-Paul’s future with the Giants after the pass-rusher enjoyed one of his best seasons as a pro in 2014. The Giants used the franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowler, but he is yet to sign the $14.8 million tender and is consequently not under contract.

Before the big game, Bob Ford caught up with Zach Ertz to talk about the common ground he shares with girlfriend Julie Johnston.

“Before we started dating, my soccer knowledge was average at best. Now, I think it’s pretty good. We watch European games together, so I know all the best players in the world,” Ertz said. “And then, I’m big into the FIFA video game. I think I’m one of the best in the country, if not the world, at that.”

Julie Johnston could become a world champion Sunday, and that wouldn’t be bragging. She adjusted, endured, and earned the chance. Zach Ertz will be there, wearing the team colors, knowing that with the same approach the same thing might happen for him someday.

COMING UP

T-minus 27 days until camp.