Kurt Coleman had two interceptions against Cleveland, and Eagles win. Photo by Todd Bauders

If you talk to Eagles fans and observers – both local and national – about the reasons behind the Birds 8-8 campaign in 2011, most will point to quarterback Mike Vick’s injuries and a well earned penchant for turning the ball over…those same football people also blamed the defense led by first-year coordinator Juan Castillo.

Those elements – Vick staying healthy, turnovers and consistent play from the defense are also singled out by just as many people as keys for the Eagles to do well in 2012.

The Eagles went out and drafted linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox to address the level of talent at those positions, and traded for veteran DeMeco Ryans to sure up the middle linebacker position, but more importantly, the leaders of the defense, especially those who endured last season’s disappointments, addressed the mindset of the defense going into regular-season play.

Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said it was simple.

“We have to have the attitude defensively that we don’t care what the offense does,” Jenkins said. “If the offense doesn’t put any points on the board it doesn’t matter. We should go out there and expect to win the game defensively.”

Jenkins and his defense did exactly that in game one against Cleveland on the road, with an Eagles offense that struggled for consistency all game, it was the defense that shined in the 17-16 win.

The defense impacted the game with four interceptions, two sacks harassing rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden into a stat line that included 12 of 35 passing for 118 yards and a quarterback rating of 5.1. The Eagles defenders also got a hand on six Weeden passes.

Browns stud rookie running back Trent Richardson, the third overall pick out of Alabama, was held to just 39 yards on 19 carries.

While individual statistics are something that should not be on a players mind, striving to be the best, and believing you can; according to Jenkins is the most important key for success.

“If you don’t have the attitude to be No. 1 then you’ve already failed as a defense,” Jenkins said. “I think that’s the key part in it. No. 1 is the attitude, you’ve got to have the attitude that we expect to do it, we want to do it. So you’ve got to shooting for the top spot, if not we’re shorting ourselves.

Jason Babin, who was among league leaders in sacks with 18, agreed it is simple. Get the basics down and rest isn’t easy but will be productive.

“Really, for us, it’s all about having the right angles, the right alignment, and the right steps,” said Babin who had a sack and three tackle against the Browns. “It’s basic stuff, but the basic things we do can make a difference between an average player and a Pro Bowl player. Now that everyone has been immersed in this defense, I think it’s going to be really special.”

Jenkins was asked if the Eagles have the talent to be an elite defense that wins.

“Definitely,” Jenkins said. “We’re loaded on defense. It’s just a matter of people stepping up to make plays and playing together as a team.”

Jenkins talked about having Trent Cole and Babin on the ends compliments what the defense it trying to do as a unit.

“You feed off each other,” Jenkins said. “Jason is smart, he’s not just a talented football player…he’s smart. We work off each other, we know each other’s going to do, we talk about stuff before hand. You don’t just put two people out there and let them go and hope for the best. There is a lot of planning that goes into it before we even get there.

Jenkins also talk about how Cox has improved since being taken with the 12th overall pick out of Mississippi State.

“He’s made tremendous progress,” Jenkins said. “For him it’s going to be carrying it over to the game. The first one here under the lights here on Sunday for him and Kendricks it will be carrying over from what they did in practice and what they’ve been doing in preseason over to the regular season.”

Babin was asked how much better the defensive line will be in the second year of Jim Washburn’s scheme:

“We watched tape – practice tape and preseason tape – of the same guys, and you kind of get goose bumps from watching it,” Babin said. “People are going to be really excited when we get out there and it counts.”

Babin was also asked whether there is truth to the fact that momentum from last year can be carried over: The Eagles finished with four consecutive wins to end the season and actually got back in the race for the NFC East title and the playoff berth that comes with it.

“It’s better to end the season with wins than with losses,” Babin said. “I think with the additions we’ve got with DeMeco Ryans and rookies like Mychal] Kendricks really stepping up, and the secondary really improving during the offseason and in the preseason, the d-line entering its second year with Wash[burn], there’s really no room for excuses. It’s all on us, and we’re happy to have it that way.”

There was concern from many corners about the play of Ryans during the preseason. The two-time Pro Bowl linebacker did not play with the intensity many expected to see from the seven-year veteran.

Castillo said he never doubted that Ryans would be impact player and leader the Eagles traded for from the Houston Texans.

“I think that DeMeco did make plays,” Castillo said recently. “He made plays in practice. He did things. He got everybody lined up. He’s been a leader for our group. He’s done some good things that we see and sometimes I think it’s not always judged on tackles. We get to see the tape [and] he is feeling comfortable with our system and he’s doing a good job for our young kids. I think the thing that’s really special is that you see him in installs and the notes that he takes and how he prepares for games. That’s invaluable. You see the other kids sitting right next to him and they see the way he takes notes and the way he prepares and that’s where he is really valuable to those guys.”

Ryan was tied for the lead in tackles against the Browns with five.

“I guess you guys are not at practice,” Castillo said. “I see it in practice. I’ve seen it in training camp. I’ve seen the difference he’s made in the middle.”

Cole said the entire team has to step up. There are still many questions to be answered: Will cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie develop the right chemistry to be a force? Will Nate Allen stay healthy? Will Kurt Coleman make enough big plays to justify the trust Andy Reid put in him when he named him the starting free safety?

Do the Eagles have a linebacking corps to plug the middle effectively and make the “wide nine” effective?
On offense do the Eagles have the left tackle position covered?

“All the players they (the Eagles) brought in, they’ve got to step up,” Cole said. “We have all the signs of being a great team; we’ve just got to put everything together. It starts now and we want to be on the road to success.”

Email Al Thompson at the.magazine@footballstories.com.