Disastrous rookie season behind him, Eagles' Bunkley ready to go

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson insists there were only two games last year that bothered him. One was the November blowout in Indianapolis; the other was the January playoff defeat in New Orleans

In both there was a common denominator: The Eagles' run defense. There wasn't one.

Well, help might be on the way, fans -- defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley, the 14th pick of the 2006 draft and a rookie bust.

Reporting to camp too heavy last year 'was a big mistake,' says Brodrick Bunkley. (US Presswire)

There's no need to remind Bunkley or the Eagles what didn't happen. What's important is what's going on now, and now Bunkley might, just might, be turning into the impact player the Eagles thought they drafted a year ago.

First of all, he looks better. Bunkley says he's down 25-30 pounds from the 320 he weighed last year. That's important because he feels good about himself and says he doesn't tire as easily.

"I wanted to come into training camp fit so I can deal with the heat," he said. "Last year I thought if I was bigger that maybe it would compensate for my inexperience. And that was a big mistake."

Second, he sounds better. A year ago he was sullen and miserable, unhappy with the results that kept him on the bench and with the criticism that was everywhere.

"I can't tell the future," he said, "but I have an opportunity, and I'm going to run with it."

Third, and most important, he plays better -- teaming with Mike Patterson to plug the holes that were all too prevalent in 2006. Rewind the videotape to the Eagles' playoff loss to New Orleans, and you keep seeing Deuce McAllister running over, under and around the losing team.

Seven months later, the Eagles might have found an answer.

"I have a lot to prove," said Bunkley. "I feel like I let Philadelphia and some of my coaches down with the things I was doing. I was a first-round draft pick, and I saw (former college teammates) Ernie Sims and Kamerion Wimbley be successful.

"Those guys were like brothers. I want to have a year like they had, which means a very successful season. Now I have a chance now to make it happen."

And he is. Coaches rave about the guy. So do his teammates. In fact, the other day middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter told Bunkley that if he kept playing as he is now he could add "a couple of years" to Trotter's career.