When Fletcher Cox celebrates, so should Eagles fans | Early Birds newsletter

Good morning, Eagles fans. I'm coming to you from an Amtrak train passing through Delaware after the Eagles' 30-17 season-opening win over the Washington Redskins. This is a Monday edition of "Early Birds," the twice-weekly newsletter breaking down the Eagles. It's free to sign up here to get it in your inbox every Monday and Friday. I want to know what you think, what we should add, and what you want to read, so send me feedback by email or on Twitter @ZBerm. Thank you for reading.

— Zach Berman

Fletcher Cox dancing in the end zone after the game-clinching touchdown Sunday should be reassuring to Eagles fans because the Eagles need Cox to be great if this season is going to be something to celebrate.

Cox had a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown in Sunday's win. The defensive line was the star, and Cox shined the brightest. The edge rushers get the most attention — and Brandon Graham deserves it after two sacks, including the forced fumble that Cox returned for the score — but Cox is the centerpiece. When the Eagles were starting 3-1 last season, Cox was winning NFC defensive player of the month. And when they slid in midseason, Cox's production was sliding, too.

"The guys up front have to step up and play a big role if this team is going to be really good," Cox said.

Howie Roseman made clear the Eagles are built around Carson Wentz and Cox. They need Cox to be the foundation of the defense, and they're paying him accordingly. It's Year Six for Cox, right in his prime.  I've covered Cox's entire career with the Eagles, spent time with his family in his hometown of Yazoo City, Miss. and sat down with Cox after he signed his $103 million contract. There have been times when he's the best player on the field, and there have been games where it seems the Eagles need more from him. The Cox you saw on Sunday was that unique blend of size and athleticism who can be devastating for opponents to handle one-on-one, which is why the Eagles made him the highest-paid player on the team. The challenge for Cox is going to be how to respond when he gets double-teamed. Cox prepared for this possibility, and having Tim Jernigan should help this season. You saw Jernigan register a sack on Sunday. Jim Schwartz said opposing offenses start their weeks trying to figure out how to keep Cox from wrecking a game plan. Before Cox earned Pro Bowl status in recent years, opposing players and coaches would routinely mention how much credit he deserves during weekly conference calls. Cox is playing six to 10 pounds lighter than last season to give him more quickness.

How good has Cox been in his Eagles career? Good enough to tie Jerome Brown's career mark of 29.5 sacks on Sunday. Brown was 26 years old when he reached that total — the same age as Cox. The only interior defensive linemen with more sacks in Eagles history are Andy Harmon (39.5, 1991-97), Ken Clarke (32.5, 1978-87) and Corey Simon (32.0, 2000-04), and all but Simon needed more seasons than Cox. The Eagles created a mural for their promotional video last year that featured some of the most iconic defensive players in franchise history, such as Chuck Bednarik, Reggie White, Brian Dawkins, and Jeremiah Trotter.  Cox was pictured, too. Cox said when his career is finished, he wants to be considered in the class with those players. He's well on his way.

Zach Berman: You say the defense starts with the defensive line, but does it start with you?

Fletcher Cox: "Absolutely. I think it starts with me. I can't sit back and wait on guys to make plays."

Zach Berman: You've had good games in your career individually and as a defense. How does this one rank?

Fletcher Cox: "It's probably at the top of the chain. Brandon [Graham] can come out and do what he did today, play real dominant, as we know what he can do. And just with everybody. We left a few sacks on the table. But at the end of the day, we won the football game."

Zach Berman: After the way you played today, what's next?

Fletcher Cox: "Just get ready for next week. Prepare better than I did last week. Just stay together as a group, respect the guys next to me, trust those guys next to me, and get on the plane next week to Kansas City, and go win a game."

Send questions on the weekly Philly.com chat,  by email or on Twitter @ZBerm.

I doubt it, JR. If the Eagles didn't pursue Darrelle Revis at the beginning of camp, I'd be surprised if they went in that direction in Week Two. My guess is they'd promote C.J. Smith from practice squad if they needed to make a roster move. Maybe there's a veteran who was cut last week who was not available back in August, but I doubt they'd go after someone who hasn't played this summer. No matter what they do, it's a concern because Darby was acquired to become the Eagles' top cornerback. After Darby arrived, Jalen Mills became the No. 2 cornerback, and Patrick Robinson became the slot cornerback. The group fit into place better. The Mills-Robinson combination as the starting outside cornerbacks didn't exactly leave the Eagles encouraged in early August, so it won't be a good situation in September. I thought Mills played well on Sunday, but it still might be too much to ask him to be the top cornerback. Rasul Douglas isn't ready yet, and Dexter McDougle might even be ahead of him. Either way, those are the only other options on the depth chart. The Eagles have depth at safety and could use Malcolm Jenkins in the slot, with Corey Graham at safety. Jaylen Watkins has the versatility to play safety and cornerback, which you saw after Darby exited on Sunday. He played both during training camp. I don't know what the "best" option is because Darby was going to be so important to this defense. Next month, Sidney Jones could theoretically be a possibility if his recovery allows. But I think replacing Darby is going to be a problem for the Eagles.