Davis: More linebackers means more packages
One of the major questions about how the Eagles' 2015 defense fits together has to do with juggling DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks at inside linebacker. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis said he'll find ways to use all three.
Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis is reluctant to claim huge improvement for his beleaguered unit, despite major offseason upgrades. Davis, speaking to reporters Wednesday for the first time since the end of the 2014 season, said he and his players have a lot of work ahead.
"On Sundays really is when you can tell," Davis said, when asked if this is the best group "on paper" he has had to work with. "I can't answer that intelligently. I can say I like the way the group's working. I can say I like the way the growth's happening, the depth of understanding we have right now, but until we hit Sundays, I don't know where we are. That first game is the starting point."
Davis and running backs coach Duce Staley were the focal points yesterday as the Eagles allowed reporters a rare (but NFL-mandated) opportunity to talk with both the coordinators and the position coaches. Davis runs the defense the Eagles have spent much of their offseason trying to improve. Staley is the only African-American coach on the staff who actually presides over a position group, as former teammate and Eagles coaching colleague Tra Thomas pointed out after Thomas' coaching contract wasn't renewed. Staley also was close to running back LeSean McCoy, who accused Eagles coach Chip Kelly of getting rid of all of his good black players this offseason, after McCoy was traded to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso. Staley spoke minutes after McCoy threatened to end a news conference in Buffalo when reporters asked him about his Kelly comments, even when he said he was only answering questions about the Bills.