Adrian Fedkiw
Jim Schwartz has always gotten the most out of his interior linemen over the years; Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan should be beyond ecstatic.
Ron Jaworski was fielding questions from fans during 97.5 The Fanatic’s Fantasy Fest on Saturday afternoon and was kind enough to answer one from yours truly. Here’s what he had to say about Cox and Logan.
That’s some strong praise from Jaws about Schwartz’s two new toys in the middle, although he makes an interesting point about the cornerbacks because having depth in today’s pass-happy NFL is imperative.
He talked about three-or-more wide receivers being used 65 percent of the time and in 2015, nickel defenses were used an average of 63 percent. That number was up from 60 percent in 2014, 49 percent in 2013, 44 percent in 2012 and 40 percent in 2011. That just shows how the game has become just that much more aerial even over the last few seasons. The Buffalo Bills were the only team in the league last year to run the ball more than they threw it and just seven running backs reached the 1,000-yard plateau.
While I agree with Jaworski about there being concerns, the Eagles don’t own a true lockdown cornerback on the roster and have some depth issues, there will be plenty of help to hide those deficiencies. Not only is the pass rush going to help out a great deal, the corners won’t be on an island snap after snap like they were under Billy Davis. Schwartz prefers to rush four and drop back seven, which obviously offers a lot more support to the cornerbacks than Davis’ tactics. And let’s not forget about Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod, who might be one of the best if not the best safety duos in the league.
Maybe things won’t be so bad on the back end.