I think they were banking on Long returning... but his retirement fukked up the plan. I agree though, bennett was a monster last year and then you go and trade him to the pats
I don’t think so. Chris Long retired because Schwartz told him that, with Malik Jackson, they wouldn’t have to slide Brandon Graham inside on passing downs (which is when Long takes the field) and could keep BG outside. With that, and the return of Derek Barnett, Long’s snaps would decrease. If they really wanted Long back, they could have just increased his playing time.
I think the Eagles were banking on three things with the defensive line:
1) The addition of Malik Jackson and return of Tim Jernigan would increase inside pressure, which would natuarlly help the Defensive Ends. Also, as I said, Jackson being on the field would mean that Brandon Graham could remain on the outside. The problem is that Jackson, after playing his entire career healthy up to Week 1 of this season, suffered a season-ending injury… because that’s just our fukking luck. Jernigan went down in Week 2, leaving us with depth guys. Also, Fletcher Cox is still not 100% after his foot injury and gets double-teams on top of that. So the Eagles can’t generate pressure from the interior.
2) Derek Barnett would take the next step. And FWIW, he’s been good since he came back. He just hasn’t been the difference-maker they thought he would be.
3) Vinny Curry, who was brought in to be Bennett’s replacement, would bounce back after a subpar 2018 season. Problem is, Curry just hasn’t been that good these past three weeks.
Add all of this with young guys like Josh Sweat not contributing in any meaningful way and you get a situation where the defensive line, which the Eagles have poured so many resources into, can’t get any pressure. And that exposes a weak secondary even further.
then you playing 7 yards off receivers with a nikka who run a 4.6 
. If you aren’t healthy, you shouldn’t be out there. I feel him he gotta put tape out there but this ain’t the tape you want 
