Fletcher Cox Excelling Along Defensive Line For Eagles
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- It hasn't been easy, but the Eagles sit at 4-1 on the season as they prepare to host the New York Giants on Sunday at the Linc.
Last time out the Eagles jumped out to a 34-7 third quarter lead against the St. Louis Rams, but then held on for dear life as the Rams pulled to within 34-28 before the Eagles could shut the door.
After spending some time with teammates earlier this this week stocking shelves and organizing supplies at Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia's ReStore on Jasper Street, Eagles third-year defensive lineman Fletcher Cox spoke with KYW Newsradio.
"We still have stuff to work on (as a defense)," defensive lineman Fletcher Cox tells KYW Newsradio. "We'll take the tape from (Sunday's) game and we'll watch it. So we'll just learn from it and learn from the mistakes that we made."
The Eagles 2012 first-round pick out of Mississippi State, Cox has been outstanding through five games this season. He has 21 tackles and two quarterback hurries, with a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a touchdown Week #1 against Jacksonville. He talks about year two for him in the 3-4 defense of coordinator Bill Davis.
"It's a lot smoother," Cox says. "I'm never comfortable, so I still have got a lot to learn. Just playing the defense that's being called and going out and just putting it all on tape."
Cox is part of a defensive line that has really turned up the heat on the opposing quarterback the last couple of weeks. He says its just a matter of the unit coming together.
"Yeah, I would say that," Cox says. "Guys are just pinning their ears back and going. We get them in a longer 3rd down situations, 3rd and five or more, teams are going to throw the ball. So you're just trying to pin your ears back and go, get after the quarterback."
The Eagles are tied with Dallas for first in the NFC East, but Sunday's opponent, the Giants, are just a game back at 3-2. Cox says this game is critical.
"Man, it's real big," Cox says. "I always look forward to playing the Giants. It's going to be an exciting game. It's Sunday night, everybody will be watching. We're gonna bring it."
The Eagles and Giants kickoff at 8:30pm on Sunday night at the Linc.
You can follow Matt on twitter @mattleonkyw.
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