For the first time since the 1996 season, the Eagles play defense without Brian Dawkins.

For the first time since 1999, they'll have to make stops without Jim Johnson, their late defensive coordinator.

Rookie Macho Harris, who starts in place of Dawkins and coordinator Sean McDermott can hang their hat on Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley, the most underrated pair of defensive tackles in football.

With Patterson and Bunkley occupying blockers and stuffing the run it should be easier for the rest of the defense to get to the football.