Will losing Jim johnson hurt the Eagles and help the rest of the NFC East and our Skins?

Most importantly, I hope Jim Johnson recovers and beats the cancer.

As far as the football aspect goes, there would be an adjustment, but every season I think the window has closed for the Eagles, and just about every year they are still in contention.

Despite the absence of Dawkins, I think that defense will play with a little more heart for Jim Johnson. Johnson will be missed schematically at times throughout the year, but they'll play inspired ball on his behalf.

The fan in me wants to say that team will suck balls, but with Jason Peters in the fold and Shawn Andrews back healthy, I think they're the favorite to make the Superbowl on the NFC side.

Most importantly, I hope Jim Johnson recovers and beats the cancer.

As far as the football aspect goes, there would be an adjustment, but every season I think the window has closed for the Eagles, and just about every year they are still in contention.

That's the first thing I thought when I read this thread title.

Anyway, losing Johnson and Dawkins will hurt, but Philly will be a force to be reckoned with. Even if their D takes a bit of a step backwards, I think their offense is going to be pretty damn good.

Despite the absence of Dawkins, I think that defense will play with a little more heart for Jim Johnson. Johnson will be missed schematically at times throughout the year, but they'll play inspired ball on his behalf.

The fan in me wants to say that team will suck balls, but with Jason Peters in the fold and Shawn Andrews back healthy, I think they're the favorite to make the Superbowl on the NFC side.

Totally agree, the Eagles are beastly this year. Regarding this thread, I wish the circumstances were different but losing a coach of Johnson's caliber will certainly have an impact.

Their linebacker play was very scheme-based.

Their DL and Secondary is still laced with all the talent it ever was. If anything, Johnson's departure might help those units. But they might have a big weakness at the second level that teams can exploit with the pass now.

I wish Coach Johnson all the best. Eventhough he is an Eagle you never wish something like this on anyone.

While they will lose those intangibles that Johnson brings, the Eagles should hum along like they always seem to do. This is the team I fear the most in the NFC East in 09.

I hope for a full recovery for Johnson.

The biggest thing to watch will be game day adjustments and aggressiveness. Johnson seemed to dial up the right blitz at the right time. It's going to be interesting, especially early in the season, to see how McDermott does in those key 3rd downs where Johnson was so good.

If anything that will suffer is the fact the Johnson had the uncanny ability to know when to blitz. Even if his assistants know his schemes in and out, they just don't have that "feel" about when to send the dogs like he did. I think it definitely hurts them.

If anything that will suffer is the fact the Johnson had the uncanny ability to know when to blitz. Even if his assistants know his schemes in and out, they just don't have that "feel" about when to send the dogs like he did. I think it definitely hurts them.

True that.