The Philadelphia Eagles seemed to have flown away from all other teams this season. But recently, a major weakness caused a little turbulence. The reaction to this is Ndamukong Suh. His signing is an announcement to the league about where the “Birds” are heading.

Munich – Ian Rapoport’s introduction almost seemed resigned. “The rich get richer,” the NFL insider began his announcement of the deal between the Philadelphia Eagles and Ndamukong Suh.

That is, between the best team this season and arguably the most coveted free agent given Odell Beckham Jr’s uncertain fitness. The number one simply sensationalises halfway through the season. And that in US sport, where almost everything is geared towards great balance.

Eagles lose two D-linemen and get Suh in return

No question: Suh would have looked good on pretty much any team. There were reportedly plenty of suitors, but the defensive tackle, who entered the NFL as the second overall pick in 2010, was determined to land with the Eagles, according to NFL reporter Mike Garafolo.

Accordingly, an agreement seemed to be only a matter of time. It was probably no coincidence that this came about in the week after the first defeat of the season in the ninth game.

For the “Birds” have had their wings clipped on the D-line lately: Rookie Jordan Davis was lost to the Injured Reserve List because of an ankle sprain, Marlon Tuipulotu because of a knee injury.

Suh joins Philadelphia after first loss of season

That left the roster with just three ready-to-go defensive tackles in Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams. So the Eagles didn’t just pick up Suh because they could. But also because circumstances forced the hand of the five-time Pro Bowler, who turns 36 in January.

It wasn’t just the 21:32 against the Washington Commanders that showed that the rushing defence was in trouble. The Capitals ran the ball 49 times, covering 152 yards for two touchdowns.

It was the fifth game in a row in which “Philly” allowed the opponent more than 120 yards on the ground. In the long run, of course, far too much. Especially for a team that has a realistic shot at Super Bowl LVII.

Suh has never missed an NFL game with an injury – but has been suspended twice

That’s where a model athlete like Suh comes in handy. The 142-pound colossus has been in the NFL for twelve years, has been named First Team All-Pro three times, is on the 2010 All-Decade Team. And: He has not missed a single game due to injury.

But in his second year, he was sidelined for two games for a freak-out. Because Suh had worked on the head of an opponent after completing a move and had also deliberately stepped on the player’s arm.

Suh was once voted the “dirtiest player “

Even in his first years, the ex-professional of the Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers let himself go more often on the turf, the portal “Spotrac” lists fines of more than 680,000 US dollars for Suh.

For a multimillionaire, this is probably only a drop in the ocean, but some of the actions also caused his team painful room penalties. The “reward” for the culprit: In a player poll conducted by “Sporting News”, Suh was named the “dirtiest player” in 2012 – with almost a third of the votes cast.

Eagles opponents may now have to pass more

In the meantime, he seems to have reformed in this respect. Or mellow with age. Good for the Eagles. But also good for the opponents.

So now they’ll have to adjust. So far, the league’s top team has been well served by its own running game. The Commanders, for example, secured twelve first downs via runs on the last matchday.

That should be more difficult for future opponents, believes Eagles insider Dave Spadaro: “From now on, the Eagles have a five-man rotation at the defensive tackle positions, which promises flexibility and explosiveness and can attack the offenses when they try to keep the Eagles offense off the field with a run-heavy approach. “

Eagles already brought in Joseph

before Suh.

Wait a minute: three remaining defensive tackles plus Suh equals five? Not quite. True, the veteran can take on two O-linemen at once, but in this case Linval Joseph completes the quintet.

The 34-year-old was already signed on Thursday and, according to “ESPN” reporter Field Yates, has committed himself for up to 2.5 million US dollars until the end of the season. A lot of experience, a lot of bulk and a lot of class for the team part of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who knows Linval from four years together with the Minnesota Vikings and presented as a “really good player against the run. “

Philadelphia Eagles: Suh brings Super Bowl ring

Meanwhile, Spadaro has this to say about Suh: “He’s still capable of both forcing a run-stop and disrupting the passing game.” With the two additions bringing alpha potential and a Super Bowl ring each to Pennsylvania, the defence will definitely be a different one than it was in the first half of the season.

The Indianapolis Colts may get their first taste of it on Sunday. The new colleagues can’t wait to get started. “We’re excited. Getting guys like Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh means a lot. We mean business,” Cox exults.

Hargrave praises, “They know what it takes to win the Super Bowl. They know how to play great football. They’ve played at the highest level.” Meanwhile, Joseph, in his first statement as an Eagle, went on record saying it felt “like a dream come true, for everybody.” Suh would obviously sign off on that.

Eagles expert: “Future looks very bright “

The Birds are unquestionably sending a signal to the entire NFL that they have a taste for it. That they have more than dealt with their biggest Achilles’ heel. To continue the flight of fancy that should carry them to Glendale.

To State Farm Stadium. Where on 12 February 2023 the successor to the Los Angeles Rams will be sought. Back in 2017, the franchise surprised the entire football world, winning an epic final against the New England Patriots 41-33, led by Nick Foles.

Cox will still remember it. So will Spadaro. The reporter is probably not just thinking about the prominent newcomers when he states, “The future looks very bright. The present, well, the present is worth making a special effort for. “