Position Breakdown: Defensive Line

The first part in a series leading up to Training Camp:

Defensive Ends:
Once upon a time, the Eagles had a problem finding someone to tag up on the right end with Jevon Kearse, their big free agent signing back in 2004, but now Kearse is gone back to Nashville. Now the team needs to find someone who can man left end opposite Trent Cole, their pro bowl defensive end coming off a career best 12.5 sacks in 2007, but that shouldn’t be that big of a problem. Juqua Parker, formerly carrying the last name of Thomas, started the final five games of last season but will face competition for his starting spot from free agent end converted from linebacker Chris Clemons and also 2nd year pro Victor Abiamiri, the teams second pick in the second round of the 2007 draft from Notre Dame. Factoring into the equation as he does every year will be Jerome McDougle and also Darren Howard, who has been reported to have slimmed down and is in the best shape of his life, and don’t forget Bryan Smith, the team’s 3rd round pick this year out of McNeese State.

What likely happens: Cole will be locked in at right end as he has been the last two years, but left end is one spot that is going to be the focal point of all training camp: I will go out on the limb and say that Abiamiri gets it IN THEORY because Parker will also see a lot of snaps but Victor will be the 1st down left end: Parker and Clemons will serve as the top backups, while Howard will nudge his way into the 5th spot. As for Jerome, he will get his long awaited release from the team, and Bryan will likely be put on the practice squad.

Defensive Tackles:
Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley can form one of the top tackle duos in the NFL as they progress to their prime: Bunkley had a bad rookie year before taking a sharp 180 turn last year to provide a sense of run stuffing we needed, while Patterson has not been one to shy away from quarterback pressure. The depth however is a spot that has been lacking and is probably a good reason why the team used their first pick in the second round on Trevor Laws out of Notre Dame and former teammate of Victor. He will compete with Montae Reagor, who the team signed last year as a free agent away from Indianapolis, and also Kimo Von Olhoffen, who the team let go after a year contract but decided to bring him back in early June for training camp. Another interesting factor is Dan Klecko, who the team originally signed to fill depth for fullback but then they decided to move him back to his most recent position at tackle (remember, he entered the league with New England a linebacker and went to Indy as a tackle and goal line blocker).

What likely happens: Patterson and Bunkley just aren’t the future of this team, they are also the present: the 1st round picks of 2005 and 2006 are locked in as the starters. Laws, upon the news of his signing and getting into camp, will likely be the first man off the bench and Reagor will be the second man off the bench, while Von Olhoffen will be the 5th spot to alternate games with Reagor. This, of course, leaves Klecko out of the equation, no sooner after he came to the team as a fullback.