Let's hear it for the D - "The Bowles effect"

marky_b27

Ever since Andy Reid announced that Juan Castillo will be taking over the defense on February 2nd 2011, our defense has had its ups and downs, but now it’s starting to look like those that I knew once I became an Eagles fan in the early/mid 00s. This has really became apparent this year where our defense is ranked in the top 12 in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards.

In my opinion, this improvement has come from three main areas:

An offseason

With the lockout last year, Juan didn’t have time to implement his defense properly. We were trying things out on the fly, meshing a number of different systems. It also didn’t help that I don’t think Andy gave Juan as much support as he should have done – my view on Washburn is well known, but he also seems to be someone who only cares about his D Line and isn’t much concerned about the gameplanning aspect. This year, Juan has had an offseason to implement his ideas and has the experience of last year to know what works and what doesn’t.

Todd Bowles

Bowles has come in and given us an experienced head, coaching the back 4. Quite often last year there was miscommunication between the cornerbacks and safeties resulting in big plays.
Bowles also brings his experience to the gameplanning part of the coaching. At times last year, Castillo just looked out of his depth, not knowing what to do. Bowles has brought his knowledge to our team which can be seen immediately, both from the fact that we are using less wide 9 and our defense seems much more robust.

Mychal Kendricks and Demeco Ryans

I wasn’t sure about Kendricks come draft time – I thought he would be too small to play SAM. Well I was wrong, Kendricks has stepped in immediately. He gives us that linebacker who can keep up with the backs and tight ends as the NFL transitions to a passing league.

The pick-up of Ryans must be one of the best moves of the offseason. He brings experience and leadership that our team has missed, really since Dawkins left. It’s a far cry from the last couple of years where we have had a turnstile approach to our linebackers.

So let’s give it up to our defense. Ever since 08, we haven’t had a defense to rely on. Now we do, which is a timely thing, particularly with our offense being quite volatile.
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RainbowCarebear · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:55 am Post subject:

A need with Vick trying to break the single season turnover record.

Credit all around to Bowles, Juan and our much needed talent infusion at Linebacker. And Babin have actually played the run this year, so while he most likely won't get 18 sacks this season, overall he's a much more complete DE.
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"Of gold and silver and gemstones, it had none; bronze and iron were the metals of winter"
"He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you."
"These are northmen, Uncle. The north remembers."

marky_b27 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:

RainbowCarebear · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:22 am Post subject:

I don't mind the wide 9, I think players/execution is more important. But maybe Bowles is the one tying everything together.

Big challenge against the Steelers.

And we still have the screw ups in the Secondary, but that's more because of the play action fakes, Kurt falls for it everytime.
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"Of gold and silver and gemstones, it had none; bronze and iron were the metals of winter"
"He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you."
"These are northmen, Uncle. The north remembers."

marky_b27 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:25 am Post subject:

Meco · Joined: 30 Aug 2012 Posts: 2310 Location: Las Vegas

Too much credit for a DB coach.

marky_b27 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:12 am Post subject:

RainbowCarebear · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:27 am Post subject:

Where was he offered a DC position?
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"Of gold and silver and gemstones, it had none; bronze and iron were the metals of winter"
"He is part of you, Robb. To fear him is to fear you."
"These are northmen, Uncle. The north remembers."

marky_b27 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:34 am Post subject:

Meco · Joined: 30 Aug 2012 Posts: 2310 Location: Las Vegas

Meco · Joined: 30 Aug 2012 Posts: 2310 Location: Las Vegas

LOLKevinKolb · Joined: 25 Jan 2011 Posts: 6872

I like Bowles but the D's turnaround has a lot more to do with DeMeco than him.

Accountability is a hell of a thing...
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marky_b27 · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:54 am Post subject:

Kiltman · Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 11017 Location: Flipadelphia

Phire · Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:44 am Post subject:

This isn't directed at particularly anybody, just think it applies to these type of discussions.

There is a fundamental problem with the way most fans see the NFL.

People like to concentrate responsibilities on one person. For whatever reason, they don't see the NFL as the intricate system of devices and many, many moving parts, mixed with a full array of the irrational and the predictable, the x's, and o's, the balances and imbalances that define almost every facet of the NFL.

Two easy ways to show what I'm talking about:

Roger Goodell is the bad guy.

How many times have you heard this being said? And you know what? If you've heard it, you've heard it from a guy who doesn't understand what he does. You heard a guy who has undermined the complex position he is in and concentrated everything to one man. And if you've said this or thought this yourself, then you're that guy.

People often forget that Goodell represents all the owners in the league. If Goodell is "ruining the league", and he represents the interests of the owners, then thus we can conclude that the guys who own the league are ruining the league.

My dog could understand the flaw in that.

Andy Reid can't draft.

This one makes me laugh all the time.

By attributing every draft pick to Andy Reid fans undermine the scores of staff that are involved with the scouting, film watching, interviewing, inviting, working out, making deals with other teams, making deals with free agents, and a plethora of other things that factor into the eventual drafting of a player.

People say he has the "final say". Even if he had the final say, it doesn't mean he regularly trumps the information and decisions of probably nearly 100 involved, paid personnel who are doing their jobs.

I love how people assume the QB coach from Green Bay is all of a sudden the be-all, end-all of drafting safeties. I bet Andy has very little to do with the drafting of a strong safety, for example. I mean what the heck qualifies him to do that? The head coach more or less coordinates the coordinators and makes the bigger decisions.

And yet, people do this all the time and concentrate all responsibilities to one person.

How it applies to this thread.

We can't assume one person is responsible for the ups and downs of this defense. That is why I also continued to be optimistic about Juan Castillo as well, while everyone castrated him.

We can't also apply the current success to only Juan, or only Bowles, or only Demeco (not saying anyone is doing this).

But rather the culmination of all these pieces, some which have been a work-in-progress for years and continues to be so today.

I think the success of our defense today is largely due in part to the various coaching staffs who have been brought in to help Juan Castillo's defense, as well as the personnel decisions that have been made. Washburn and Bowles are both two integral parts to this defense, because when you have the wide-9 you really need your secondary to be ready for the holes the wide-9 creates, as well as the opportunities it creates.

If the coaches can't work together, then the players on the field won't come together.

Also Demeco Ryans... how long have we been calling for a guy who makes a difference at linebacker, especially MIDDLE LINEBACKER? It's quite obvious the impact such a player can make.

Good post Marky, sorry for the long rant.
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