Bryce On The Board
Big free-agent EDGE Notches First Half Sack As Bird
PHILADELPHIA – During the Eagles’ Week 5 bye, Bryce Huff took a step back.
Specifically, Huff went back and watched a treasury of film from previous years, film that showed when he was at his best, he benefitted from an explosive get-off.
The off-ball explosion allowed him to pin ears back and gain leverage on linemen in a flash, while also showcasing active hands to deconstruct blocks.
Simplicity, in other words.
Not thinking as much on the field and returning to the roots of what made him such an impactful pass rusher with the New York Jets was a focal point during the week-long lull.
Instead of escaping for a quick getaway, or catching up on the latest TV shows, the 26-year-old used the down time to hit the reset button, conjuring ways to best position himself to aid a reeling Eagles defense.
For his part, Huff left his mark on Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Browns, a 20-16 Eagles win, playing faster and more aggressively at the point of attack and seemingly thinking less.
Attacking instead of reacting.
The big-ticket free-agent signing turned in his best performance to date, registering a pair of tackles, a quarterback hit and a half-sack of Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson – his first sack of any kind this season – that he shared with rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean.
On the late first quarter 2nd-and-9, originally ruled that Watson was down by contact but successfully challenged, Huff turned the corner and pursued Watson with a full head of steam, along with a host of teammates.
“Really just tried to hit the inside,” Huff explained. “My guy was setting soft, and I just tried to exit off and get home. I think Mo [Moro Ojomo] came and hit ’em early, and he was trying to escape. And me and Coop was able to wrap ’em up.”
Initially, it was difficult to gauge from the convoy of swarming Eagles who warranted the credit for the sack, as three players converged to batter the embattled Browns signal-caller.
And while it was originally believed to belong solely to DeJean – in his first start, no less – the official stats determined a split between Huff and DeJean, which Huff eventually learned.
“They told me, I think, coming out of the locker room,” Huff said. “They said I got half of it, so that’s cool. I’m glad I was able to get on the board, and Coop had a great day as well. So, I’m glad we were able to get that production, too.”
Huff will be the first to tell you that there’s plenty of room for improvement and to glean from the experience.
He isn’t satisfied or complacent and strives for consistency.
And he’s constantly working on his game, whether with coaches or independently, in an effort to unlock his potential.
Huff did, however, acknowledge that the unit was clicking and coming together, perhaps foreshadowing an awakening for his oft-maligned position group.
And while Huff’s quiet start to the season has sounded alarms across the Delaware Valley, it’s also important to acknowledge the former Jets pass-rush specialist is navigating a complex defensive system, a system that’s entirely new to him.
The acclimation process isn’t as instantaneous as many originally had hoped, but on Sunday, Huff and the Eagles pass-rush offered a glimpse into what they can do when everything clicks.
It’s a small sample size, to be sure, but Huff pinpointed a personal takeaway that he plans to hone in on going forward.
“Continue to speed up my game,” Huff said. “Especially the waist down. Just continue to speed up my game in the pass. Just going out there and attacking instead of reacting. And then just using my arsenal.
“I know there were times I really couldn’t get into a rhythm, but I know once we are able to establish that rush consistently, just keep going after him, I think I can use more of my arsenal. Especially with the guys we have on the inside, mixing up the looks and things like that.”
As for the Eagles’ defense, it’s been the pass-rush – or lack of – that’s been a popular topic of conversation, with Huff’s early season ineffectiveness at the forefront.
But for one week at least, the defense contributed five sacks – 2.5 from the edge rusher group – in a matchup that skewed in their favor.
As the adage goes, sacks tend to occur in bunches, to which Huff gave credence.
“I feel like it can,” Huff said. “Especially, we know, the guys came back to life, we all felt like we had a faster day — and everybody felt it. So, I feel like we’re excited to get to work, especially coming back in on Wednesday off of this performance we had. We have that we can grow off of. So, we’re looking forward to doing that.”
– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.
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