McDermott makes most of what he has on defense

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Trent Cole (58) celebrates with teammate Darren Howard (90) after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.

PHILADELPHIA -- Since the first month of the season, the Philadelphia Eagles have added a new defensive player nearly every week. Welcoming unfamiliar faces is becoming a routine part of the daily position meetings.

That isn't an ideal situation for first-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, who already is filling big shoes. McDermott replaced Jim Johnson after the longtime coordinator lost his battle with cancer right before training camp.

Johnson would be proud of the way his pupil has handled all the adversity. The Eagles' defense is eighth in the NFL in total yards, 13th in points allowed and second in sacks and takeaways.

"Our identity has always been who we want to be and that's a nasty, aggressive football team on defense," McDermott said Thursday morning. "That's who we are, regardless of who takes those positions. In terms of the roles that different people play and the personnel that we have, that's a mix-and-match deal every week and it's been that way most of the season. We'll just use the personnel that we have at our disposal."

McDermott hasn't worked with a healthy unit since the start. He lost middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to a season-ending knee injury in training camp, an especially tough blow. He was the quarterback on defense and one of its top all-around players.

Bradley's injury started a revolving door. The Eagles have used five different middle linebackers and haven't started the same set of LBs more than three straight games.

Joe Mays replaced Bradley in the preseason, but Omar Gaither took the starting job before the opener. The Eagles were so desperate to upgrade the position they signed former Pro Bowl selection Jeremiah Trotter away from his part-time radio gig and put him on the field for the first time in two years. Then they acquired Will Witherspoon from St. Louis last month and moved him to the middle.

Witherspoon had to play the weakside spot the last two games because Akeem Jordan was sidelined by a knee injury. Chris Gocong switched over to the middle from his normal spot on the strongside for one game and Mays and Trotter split time in the middle last week.

If Jordan can play this Sunday when the Eagles (6-4) host the Washington Redskins (3-7), Witherspoon would go back to the middle. Having Witherspoon has helped tremendously because of his versatility and ability.

"It's been challenging and it would be challenging for anyone, but Will has worked very hard in a short amount of time to learn two positions," McDermott said. "He's done a good job, he's been productive. Playing the outside position, he gives up some speed off the edge as a blitzer and he can play in space and cover tight ends very well."

McDermott has needed to reshuffle his secondary in recent weeks because nickel cornerback Joselio Hanson was suspended four games for violating the league's drug policy, backup cornerback Ellis Hobbs (neck) was placed on injured reserve and starting cornerbacks Sheldon Brown (hamstring) and Asante Samuel (neck) were banged-up. Brown played through his injury and Samuel could play this week.

Brown had limited participation in practice. Samuel and Jordan missed a second straight day of practice Thursday and it's uncertain whether they'll play against the Redskins on Sunday.

The Eagles have signed cornerbacks Ramzee Robinson and Geoffrey Pope to provide depth at the position. Despite the injuries, none of the players is complaining.

"If you're whining, you're looking at it the wrong way," safety Quintin Mikell said. "You have to look at it as an opportunity, especially if you are the guy stepping in. You have to look at is an opportunity to show what you can do and help the team get better. Nobody wants to be the guy that steps in and is the reason why we're not playing well."