5-2 Double Eagle

ORIGINAL 5-2 "EAGLE" DEFENSE:

I had 3 friends who played for the Eagles in the late 40's (World Champs in 48).

#1 Pete Pihos
#2 Dick Humbert (deceased)
#3 Ken Keuffel (deceased).

I used to talk with then frequently regarding the ORIGINAL "Eagle 5-2-4" they used. WE used it from 1961 thru 1984 (along with a 5-2 Okie). Below is a brief description of that defense, given to me by the men listed above. This is against a Full-T - which is what MOST NFL teams based out of then (in addition to splitting an End, or motioning a Back out of the backfield):

DE's: 3 point stance cocked in slightly. Your inside foot opposite of End's outside foot. Come down hard off the tail of the End on an angle between the QB & FB. Turn everything inside.

ILBers: 2 point stance on the line of scrimmage (or up to 18" deep). Your outside foot is in the End's crotch. Step into the End with your outside foot and hit him with a 2 handed shiver not letting him release inside of you - then step back with inside foot and protect hole inside. On passes - take the second man out of the backfield (unless a back motions out before the snap - then take the first (next) man out. If no back out check the draw - then go to the hook zone. C.P.: You & end switch alignments if End splits out (to this day - some people refer to this reduction as "EAGLING").

DT's: 3 point stance head up on Tackle (note: in the "TIGHT-T" formation of those days - the line splits were 6" to 12" - if they split wider as today - the DT would have HAD to go to a 4I). Cock in facing the Guard. Pinch down tight to Guard's neck to close trap. You must not let the OT cut you off from getting inside.

NOSE: 3 point stance head up on Center - 2 1/2' to 1 yard off ball. Play soft and take both sides of the Center. Use a 2 handed shiver. You must not let the Center cut you off to side ball ends up.

SECONDARY - lined up in an "Umbrella" configuration. The base coverage was a combination of M/M & Zone. They stayed in their zone (retreated to 1/4's) & if a receiver came thru their zone - they picked him up M/M. It was an "OUTSIDE (Corner) - INSIDE (Safety)" Zone (In a Full-T - one took the End & the other took the first B out). If a back or End moved out as a WR - there was no rotation - the Corner "dropped off" on him. VERY much like today's "Quarter Coverage".

Cannot be more specific on the coverage BECAUSE there are too many "what if's"!