Philadelphia Eagles: Timmy Jernigan could anchor defensive line this year

For the Philadelphia Eagles defense, Timmy Jernigan should play an important role as the defensive line’s big anchoring presence.

This season will prove rather vital this season. For a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, this season could make all the difference in the developmental process. Specifically, the Eagles need to see serious improvements on defense. With the acquisitions that Philadelphia made this offseason, this goal seems rather achievable. However, it all depends on how Timmy Jernigan plays.

Now, when people think about the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense, Tim Jernigan’s name typically doesn’t come up. Normally, the first names to come to mind are guys like Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Malcolm Jenkins. Nobody thinks about Jernigan. Quite frankly, players at his position don’t get a ton of respect. But why?

Well, interior defensive linemen typically do all the dirty work. They’re the ones who get doubled up most of the time. Because of this, you’ll have situations where the edge rushers get free. Obviously, you don’t get that big sack or that huge run stop without big Timmy in the middle.

Now, the Eagles had their own version of this in current Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Bennie Logan. He played a major role in Fletcher Cox’s 9.5 sack season in 2015. By clogging up the middle, Logan helped Cox free himself up for big plays.

Big Anchor

Timmy Jernigan will do the same, and then some. Obviously, he won’t catch headlines for his play. However, considering the numerous big name players on that Eagles front seven, he won’t have to. At 6-foot-2, 299 pounds, Jernigan is exactly what Philly needs in the middle. He’s a big body who clogs up the middle, which will allow players like Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, and Brandon Graham to come off the edge for a big play.

With that said, I think Timmy Jernigan will play a bigger role than expected. Yes, his job primarily states that he must clog up the middle, but his body of work shows he can do more than that. Last season for the Baltimore Ravens, Jernigan recorded five sacks and an interception. The pick doesn’t really draw much attention, but the sacks should.

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Now, Baltimore played a 3-4 defense while Philadelphia plays a 4-3 defense with wide-9 schemes under current defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. This defense presents a challenge for Jernigan, in a sense. Considering the fact that he’s played in a 3-4 for three seasons, he will need time to adjust. Nevertheless, I think that, given his overall ability, once he gets going, there will be no stopping him. Overall, I would expect Timmy Jernigan to become a huge part of this Philadelphia Eagles defensive line.