Spurrier vs. Eagles' D

Steve Spurrier gets his first real test against a quality, NFL defense for the first time tomorrow night under the lights, in front of a national television audience.

Fans alike must understand a few key points that have been overlooked in the weeks preceeding this match-up. This is not the same Eagles' Defense as last year, when they were simply incredible against the pass and in allowing a miniscule amount of points. They are missing, or have replaced 5 starters or key players from last year's defense and will probably take at least half the season to gel under Jim Johnson's blitz-dominated scheme. Gone are Hollis Thomas (injury), Jeremiah Trotter(free agancy), Damon Moore(injury), Mike Caldwell(free agencey), and Derek Burgess(injury). They are replaced by Darwin Warker, Shawn Barber, Blaine Bishop, Levon Kirkland and Barry Gardener, and Michael Sinclair. If you take five, key players off of any defense, they will not be as dominant as the year before.

With that said, they arguably have the best secondary in the game. Vincent's injury killed them against Tennessee last week and it didn't allow them to use all of their blitzes because they didn't have Troy in coverage or to support against the run. Expect more blitzing this week, especially right up the gut, due to the immobile Shane Mathews. Brian Dawkins is the best Free safety in the game, he can cover like a corner and lay the lumber like a middle linebacker. In my opinion, he will be the key to the game and could have an effect on the outcome. The key match-up will be the Eagle's secondary against the Redskins fleet of recievers. The edge goes to the Eagles.

But, the big question will be if the Eagles can get any pressure on the quarterback from their front four, without blitzing. Will Spurrier hand the ball to Davis 30 times and let him run against the brutal, Eagles' run defense or will he try to show his offensive genious and pass 50 times?

I truly believe that Spurrier will shun the run game and try to prove the point that he can run the Fun n' gun offense on the pro level against a proven defense. His ego is just too big and what a better platform to prove his point than on national television with the entire nation and his fellow NFL compatriots full-fledged attention!!

Everyone also must remember that Eagle's Defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson, is the NFL's best kept secret. He is a defensive genious, and given ample opportunity to provide a gameplan, it will be great to see what he has up his sleeve. It will also be great to see what Steve Spurrier has up his sleeve!! So, there you have it, the Eagle's D vs. Washington's offense. Who will prevail? Looking forwad to hear everyone's reply, especially Capper Chris, who seems like a Philadelphia lifer and will have a strong, subjective opinion. I don't know if I can look at this game from an objective standpoint, so let's hear your opinion's!