The gate is closed. That's the philosophy the Eagles want to employ in coverage, so instead of giving wide receivers a free release up the field, the cornerbacks and safeties in coverage will be more physical, aggressive and challenging.
It's an important fundamental approach to understand as the team's Organized Team Activities kick off this week at the NovaCare Complex.
The gate was open too often in recent seasons. The coaching staff wanted more, no doubt, and we all saw when cornerbacks Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher lined up and appeared ready to press: Knees bent, body lean forward, hands ready to strike the receiver across the line of scrimmage.