Eagles 'definitely' can be best D.

Nnamdi Asomgugha won't compare this Eagles defense to last year's.

Asomugha says this one is better.

Much better.

"We we were a top 10 defense last year," Asomugha said. "Our goal is to be the No. 1 defense in the league. Obviously every team would say that. But I think it’s attainable for us. It’s not like just a wish. Like, we’ll flip a coin and hopefully we’ll be the best. No, I think we can definitely be the best defense. It takes a lot of focus. But going through what we went through last year and not always being on the same page and still finishing in the top 10, you know you have the talent. We have the coaching. Coach Bowles has helped out a lot, too, in the secondary. I think we can reach it."

The 2011 Eagles could have done a lot worse than finishing eighth in the league in yards allowed.

After allowing the opposition to convert 63 of 150 third-down attempts (.420) in their 4-8 start, the Eagles reduced the number to just 12 of 61 third downs converted (.196) down the homestretch.

Not coincidentally the Eagles won their last four games. Oh, and quarterback Michael Vick was healthy enough to play all of those games.

The Eagles traded for veteran middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans. With their first three draft picks they selected defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, linebacker Mychal Kendricks and defensive end Vinny Curry. Ryans and Kendricks are starters.

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