Eagles D might not huddle anymore
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles D might not huddle anymore
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Training camp is for trying new things out.
The Eagles are experimenting with a different way to handle how plays are relayed to their defense, especially when an opponent switches into the hurry-up offense.
“We’re not huddling as much as we did last year," linebacker Casey Matthews said Friday. "Last year we huddled and the [middle linebacker] would be the only one looking for the call. This year with offenses going at such a quicker pace we’re all just looking at the call.”
Traditionally in the Eagles defense, the middle linebacker -- who is also hearing the call in his headset -- looked to the sideline to receive the signal from a coach. Last year, safeties coach Mike Zordich relayed Juan Castillo's calls to Matthews and Jamar Chaney. The middle linebacker would then call the play in the huddle and the players would get into position.
Several teams last year, however, tripped the Eagles defense up when they unfurled the no-huddle (e.g. the Patriots) and the plays were coming in too late.
“They want everyone to line up faster instead of having the [middle linebacker] look over, get the call, break the huddle, and get the front lined up," said Matthews, who is currently backing up the newly-acquired DeMeco Ryans in the middle. "They just want everything to be faster because last year it seemed like sometimes the call would get in late because teams would disguise personnel till the last second.”
Basically, the Eagles defense is handling its pre-snap business as if the offense is always in two-minute drill mode. In between plays the players stand close to where they will position themselves at the snap. Matthews and Chaney said they aren't sure if the defense will conduct itself this way for the entire game, but they have yet to huddle up so far this camp.
“As a defense, Juan said, you don’t want the offense dictating the pace," Chaney said. "If they want to go hurry-up, we got an adjustment for it. We can just turn to the sideline and get a signal and be ready to play like that.”
In college, many defenses have all their players on the field look to the sideline to see the play call because there is no headset for the middle linebacker to wear. Ryans will still make the call and still align the front four, though.
“It’s good because everybody needs to know the signals anyway because you never know what can happen with the headset," Chaney said.
Buy 2012 Eagles tickets 
"They just everything to be faster..." Is that really what he said or was the writer in a hurry and forgot to proofread?— phillyinsd
- This would be OK, so long as Bill Bellecheat does not get the frequency. If he does, he will win every game by 3 points (like his three wins in the superbowls. Even though it was like his coaches were in the huddle with the opposing teams, he still squeaked out the wins).— chris_r
- I still hate the Patriots for that. Brady & Belichick = Barry Bonds ! — dmanphilly
- This is a interesting concept. I think it's good that the team at least is trying to adapt and are thinking outside of the box. I'm pretty sure they will try this out more doing the pre-season games. Hopefully it works and they can use it doing the season. I can't wait for the season to get started!!!— ob2012
- GOOD IDEA LET IT RIP— JIM IAQUINTO
- i cant wait for thursdays preseason game. Having our starting d line out will be very exciting for the 1st game. we will get to see lots of Cox, vinny Curry and Brandon Graham. Its gonna be scary how good our cornerbacks will be this year compared to last year. I truly belive they can be the best corner duo in the league this year.
vick will have the best year of his career! im pumped for thursday— johnGiam - Casey Matthews is still here? I hoped he was cut. oh no...
— Tyrone Biggums - Always trying something new! Just going to fall apart as usual because your nothing but a bunch of losers with no Super Bowl! Go New York!— MRD
- MRD,, are you lost ?? I know that you NJ guys are not too bright. Go to a giants blog with your idiotic rants. — phillyroni
- By all accounts, Matthews has put on 25 pounds. A year too late, but we won't have to worry about him unless Demeco goes down.
It's about time a defense adapts to the uptempo of offenses. The Packers are notorious in catching defenses asleep. Patriots and Manning too, but this is the way the game is moving to.— SilliBilli - WOW MRD, what loser hangs out in the comment section of an opposing team? Get a life, or, I guess you already do, it's a loser's life. I can see the Giants winning doesn't rub off on its fans. LOSER!— SilliBilli
Comment removed.- Can't be
I've this hasn't been implemented since the hurry up offense started over 20 years ago 
they got killed by the hurry-up last year. I am glad that Juan recognized a glaring weakness but I have no confidence that he will actually be able to fix it during a regular seaosn game against Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, or John Skelton.- Be that as it may, but you have to respect JC for trying to fix a weakness. Nobody, myself included had even suggested something like this that I read, so you have to tip your cap to him for this.
I think if everyone sees the play and there is less time waiting to understand the MLB, it will allow them to react that much quicker in game. I like it, lets see how it works in the regular season, but I like that they are practicing it now.— xlGmanlx - lol, uh no. Its the most basic thing to see. Watch Matt Ryan against this team, as soon as he goes into the no huddle he starts hitting Tony Gonzales for TD's and destroying the defense. That was WITH mcdermont, TWO YEARS AGO. It was WORSE last season. They have already worked on this in practice with McDermont too, to no avail. Working on it is not some new technique lol, theyve BEEN working on it and IT DIDNT HELP MUCH AT ALL. GET SOME KNOWLEDGE PEOPLE. Poor players and poor startegy gives poor results, every year. SAme dumb strategy with Andy, same dumb results. Nothing new here.
- Did you really just use Matt Ryan as an example of QB's torching the defense? He is what, 0-3 in the playoffs? I think last year is the first year Ryan has beaten the iggs, and they are terrible outside that dome. They also almost won that game as well, so terrible example. I didn't see you say a peep when they shut down payton manning either.
Also, if it was so basic, how come we didn't hear a peep from you with that suggestion. I have always said, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. But please stop the facade that you are the informed one and the rest are just faking it.— xlGmanlx - What I see is a "no stone left unturned" attitude and I like it,because I'm a fan!— greensob
- charliegarner, what team do you root for in the NFL? It obviously isn't the Eagles as all your comments are negative. What pro team did you play for and how many Lombardi trophies do you have? If the answer is none, shut up.— gobiggreen
- The offense should go no-huddle too.— conceptual_bro
- Why is that the Eagles this year are just realizing things that a casual fan with a moderate grasp of the game could have figured out years ago? I mean Howie just learned that it's a good idea to draft the best player instead of going for a need? Seriously?
And now they are just coming up with a plan for dealing with no-huddle offenses?
And people think this team is poised to win a Super Bowl? I guess only those inebriated off the endless glowing articles about how great this team is this year.— guyguy4
