Ostman in a rush to help Eagles’ defense
PHILADELPHIA >> Of all the offseason transactions authored by the Eagles, moving on from pass rusher Michael Bennett could haunt them the most.
Bennett was dealt to the New England Patriots basically for nothing, unless you’re an enthusiast of thirdday draft picks.
The Eagles, to be fair, didn’t have a full-time role for Bennett, who got a modest raise in a reworked contract from the Patriots.
To replace Bennett the Eagles brought back Vinny Curry, one of the unsung heroes in their run to the Super Bowl LII title. They’ll alternate Curry outside with Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett and use him inside on pass rushing downs with Tim Jernigan, although Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson are expected to supply the bulk of the push at tackle.
It’s early but the Eagles have another emerging pass rusher. And so far it isn’t Josh Sweat (6-5, 251), the 2018 fourth-round pick out of Florida State who looks the part but isn’t playing it so well. Rather, it’s Joe Ostman (6-3, 259), the undrafted product of Central Michigan who spent last season on the practice squad.
Ostman has shown so much improvement throughout camp the Eagles can’t wait to see him in action in the preseason.
“When people think you’re undersized you’ve got to do something different,” Graham, who wears that label better than just about anybody in the league, said of Ostman. “And he has a motor. He goes hard, he’s smart and on top of that he’s a good teammate.”
Graham has seen a lot of pass rushers come and go, yet is convinced Ostman has a shot at making the club.
“I really do,” Graham said. “Preseason will tell it all.”
What Ostman lacks in draft pedigree he makes up for with a bag of pass-rushing moves. He watches film of Graham and Barnett religiously, tailoring some of their tactics to his game. Spin moves, bull rushes, angles, etc.
Ostman also studies such edge rushers as Melvin Ingram (6-2, 247) of the San Diego Chargers and Yannick Ngakoue (6-2, 246) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has applied it in practices, more so against the second and third team than the starters.
More than a few eyeballs got bigger when Eagles general manager Howie Roseman raved about Ostman in the offseason. Howie’s haters will have to bury the ire deep down inside if Ostman makes the club and contributes.
Ostman had 13 sacks and
19.5 tackles for loss in 10 games at Central Michigan in 2017. He sacked Josh Allen
(6-5, 233), the seventh-overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 draft, twice in a loss to Wyoming in the Idaho Potato Bowl.
Earlier this week Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Ostman “has been impressive.” Schwartz added the standup joker rush position to Ostman’s responsibilities.
On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Mike Groh, upon prodding, mentioned Ostman and Jernigan specifically when asked which defensive players were catching his eye at practices.
“I think Joe is having a really good camp,” Groh said.
Ostman keeps his perspective by studying film and watching his teammates live, especially Graham.
“I’m learning more stuff from him every day,” Ostman said. “One of the best in the league. His speed rushes work as well as they do because of his bull rush. Guys have to respect it because he’s so strong. I feel like it’s gone pretty decent so far. I’ve made some plays. I’ve also got a lot to work on. We have a long way to go.”