The Eagles haven't sacked a quarterback in two games. That's not necessarily the worst thing in the world, considering the defense has gotten plenty of pressure, been solid in both of those outings and really wasn't to blame for what happened in the team's 16-14 loss to the Steelers.
But if you listen to Trent Cole, not sacking the quarterback almost sounds like a good thing.
Basically, as Trent tells it, the Birds' defensive tackles and ends are so good that other teams don't just let them tee off on on the most important player on the field.
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Instead, out of respect, they do frigging crazy things. Block, for example.
This beautiful exchange between Trent Cole, Darryl Tapp and the media after Sunday's game comes courtesy Geoff Mosher:
With reserve defensive end Darryl Tapp seated to his right, Cole said the max protection schemes used by the Steelers to slow down the pass rush was a tribute to the potency of the Eagles’ front four.
“Hey that’s just called respect,” Cole said after the Eagles lost 16-14 on Sunday at Heinz Field ... Ain’t that right, Tapp?”
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“Feel it,” Tapp shot back.
“They leave max protect and every team you go against that max protects -- Tapp, tell ’em -- that’s called respect,” Cole continued. “That tells you, ‘That’s the best damn defensive line in the [expletive] NFL.’ That’s just real talk. That’s common sense. It’s right there in front of your face. Every team.”
To an extent, they're actually right. When an offense max protects a front four, that should make it easier for the linebackers and the secondary in coverage. The sacks, in and of themselves, are not the goal so long as the defense, by whatever means necessary, does its job.
Just like earning respect, in and of itself, isn't an endgame.
Right, Trent? Darryl? Guys?
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R. Kelly NSFW
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