Trent Cole seems to be getting stronger as the season goes along, a departure from some late season dropoffs in recent years. Image: NJ.com
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Trent Cole knows the narrative.
As the second half of the season wears on, the 31-year old's production dips and there's a noticeable drop in performance as the leaves fall from the trees and the calendar gives way to winter months and the NFL's stretch run.
However, this season the first in which he has been asked to switch positions from defensive end and pick his hand off the ground as a linebacker for the first time in his nine-year career, Cole's story has been entirely different.
Be it credit to Chip Kelly's sports science philosophies that have not only drawn praise from every veteran scattered through the Eagles locker room but also proved it's worth by the almost unheard of health of this team in the month of December or simply less abuse on Cole's body thanks to taking fewer hits than he did on the defensive line, the Cincinnati product is actually getting better as the season goes along.
Through 12 weeks Cole has 41 tackles, three forced fumbles, five sacks and one interception to his credit including four sacks in the past two games alone.
So what is the biggest key to this late-season renaissance for a player who struggled to withstand the physical toll of the crucible of games in November or December in years past?
"I think this team, everybody's playing well together and we're learning each other as a group," Cole said following Sunday's 24-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals. "As far as my situation goes, the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, I'm getting more comfortable. My pace is speeding up and I'm playing fast."
Playing fast is likely to be a significant reason why Cole has been able to corral four sacks in the past two games, but defensive coordinator Bill Davis Jr. sees his contributions going much further than that.
"I do think Trent has played at a high level the whole year," Davis said Tuesday. "To me, the sack number is something we put weigh to much weight on that. If four guys are rushing, sometimes the best pass rusher doesn't get the sack. But, that guy gets the quarterback moving off a spot and the guy who had a horrible pass rush may get the sack. So, when we're watching film on a weekly basis we're looking for who got the quarterback off the spot the most and Trent's one of our leaders week in and week out."
But the difference this season than in years past is that the numbers aren't diminishing late in the year.
"Lately, Trent's been getting there and he's been getting the sack and that reward."
Cole may know the narrative, but he sure isn't following it this season.
