skinsfanbu Posted August 4, 2003 Share Posted August 4, 2003 BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson selected N.D. Kalu as the team's starting right defensive end Sunday. He will replace three-time Pro Bowler Hugh Douglas, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. Douglas had 12½ sacks last season. "He just penciled it in," Kalu said of Johnson's decision. "I'm sure he has an eraser in the other hand. Hopefully, he doesn't use that eraser." Kalu, who came to the Eagles from the Washington Redskins two years ago, played in all 16 regular-season games last year for the first time in his six-year career. He finished with career highs in sacks (eight), tackles (30) and forced fumbles (two). ---= We know from experience that ND is a good pass rusher, but soft on the run. Send Betts right after him behind Samuels and Dockery. Sure 8 yard gain. HTTR, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EagleSteve Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 He's also 20+ pounds heavier than last year. So he's added bulk at the expense of some of his quickness. Eagles D-line is solid, not spectacular, across all positions. I can live with Kalu and Whiting at DE and Simon and Walker at DT to start the season. That's a real good front 4. Rotate in Thomas, Green, McDougle, Burgess and there's plenty of depth as well. Now, LB is another story... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Kalu has the mindset of a rusher. He is a guy that is going to get taken upfield and occasionally is going to give up the big running play as the back fills the hole he vacates. It is that way with most guys who are instinctive rushers. Remember Dexter Manley? If Kalu added 20 pounds and didn't lose any quickness that was one hell of an offseason Kalu was very raw when he was in DC. The Skins were not at a point under Norv where they were developing players. They wanted to win right away. So, ND didn't get much of a chance. While I never favored him for a starting job, I thought he could have been used to greater effect as a specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 I still wish we didn't lose him. I liked his pass rushing motor. ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WallyG3 Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 I also liked Kalu. I remember seeing him do the powerbomb courtesy of Captain Insano on some dude (and getting a penalty for it). I like that intensity - I would NOT say he's soft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagles_Legendz Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Originally posted by Blazers21 He's also 20+ pounds heavier than last year. So he's added bulk at the expense of some of his quickness. Eagles D-line is solid, not spectacular, across all positions. I can live with Kalu and Whiting at DE and Simon and Walker at DT to start the season. That's a real good front 4. Rotate in Thomas, Green, McDougle, Burgess and there's plenty of depth as well. Now, LB is another story... One correction if I may Blazers . Apparently, Johnson has named Burgess to start opposite of Kalu, instead of Whiting, which means IMO Burgess is basically 100% (I hope). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadMonkey Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Originally posted by WallyG3 I also liked Kalu. I remember seeing him do the powerbomb courtesy of Captain Insano on some dude (and getting a penalty for it). I like that intensity - I would NOT say he's soft. I agree, that's why he's good for atleast 2-3 penalties a game because he's so overly aggressive at times, too many times he has kept offensive drives alive after he made a good defensive play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagles_Legendz Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 Originally posted by Mad Monkey I agree, that's why he's good for atleast 2-3 penalties a game because he's so overly aggressive at times, too many times he has kept offensive drives alive after he made a good defensive play I don't remember him getting many penalties last year, but I do remember him flattening Jeff Feagles in the Seahawks game (their punter). I too like his intensity and lets hope (well me and Blazers anyway) that the added lbs helps his run D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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