Fletcher Cox itching to knock rust off pass rush
The Eagles put pressure on Jacksonville’s quarterbacks in the second preseason game, particularly Daeshon Hall.
In just 19 snaps, the 6-5, 265-pound defensive end recorded two sacks, a forced fumble, three quarterback pressures and a tackle for loss in the Eagles’ 24-10 victory.
In all fairness, that was against an offensive line rolling without its regular starters, much like the Eagles played it. And of course, Nick Foles watched the contest.
But with All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and his broken foot getting healthier every day, it’s not too soon to think about where the pressure should originate once the real games begin in three weeks.
Cox, newcomer Malik Jackson and holdover Timmy Jernigan have the skills to turn the interior rush into a NASCAR fast package that would flush the quarterbacks to ends such as Hall, Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry and Derek Barnett. Instead of stepping up in the pocket, the quarterbacks would have to step out in a much more chaotic environment.
“It’s going to be fun,” Cox said. “We always talk about it. Every down, some guy inside, whether it’s me, whether it’s Malik, whether it’s Timmy, somebody’s got to win their one-on-one. When you get a one-on-one you’ve got to win. We take a lot of pride in it.”
Jackson signed a threeyear $30 million contract with the Eagles after being released by the Jaguars. He helped kick-start what was the league’s best pass rush in 2017, only to see his role diminish last year.
Jackson wants to prove he’s the guy that made the Pro Bowl in 2017. And it won’t necessarily be reflected in sacks, although he wouldn’t mind topping the personal standard he set putting eight quarterbacks on their backs in 2017.
“I’ve made it a point to not really think about sacks as to think about pressures and getting (the quarterbacks) off his spot,” Jackson said. “You get him off his spot and get pressures, that’s going to make the team better. Sacks are nice. That’s what gets you paid. But being able to get that guy off the spot, put that guard or center in his face, not letting him follow through in his throws, that’s what helps your team.”
Cox’s next practice with the Eagles will be his first since last season. While there’s no need to rush him back, he’s starting to feel a withdrawal from no football contact.
“I’ve got to get back on the field,” Cox said. “I’ve got to get in the rhythm of things, get my legs under me. I mean I haven’t really pushed on an O-lineman or taken on a doubleteam since last season. It’s going to take a couple days to get the rust off. Maybe a week or so to get the rust off. And by that time, I’ll be fine. I’ll be where I need to be. I’m in a good position. I’m following the plan. We came up with a plan months ago to get me to where I need to be. Right now, everything is playing out good. No setbacks.”
For Jackson, the return of Cox time cannot happen too fast. That’s when all of the tackles will learn how the rotation will work.
“Fletch is a monster,” Walker said. “He’s getting healthy, he’s doing his thing so it’s up to me to show Coach (Philip) Daniels I can do everything I know I can do. Timmy is doing a great job right now. So, it’s between me and Timmy Jernigan out here just battling, just trying to be consistent as much as we can and show when the big dog comes back, we’re on the same page. He doesn’t need to wait for anybody, he just gets going. I can’t wait to get out there in the games when it matters and just be able to feed off him. We talk a lot. We go over things that we see as far as the practices. Between me, Timmy, him and Hassan Ridgeway, it’s going to be a good rotation.”