The Eagles' coaching staff has been preaching the same goals again and again throughout Training Camp – eliminating the big plays and taking the ball away. Through two preseason games, both of those goals have been accomplished, as the Eagles' defense was stout once again in the team's 40-17 win over Baltimore on Saturday.
While new faces in the secondary, including Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond (both of whom had first-quarter interceptions on Saturday), have played a large part in the strong defensive efforts, head coach Chip Kelly believes his defense has, well, a condition of sorts.
"I think they are lactose intolerant in terms of they do not bite the cheese in front of them," Kelly said after the game. "When they have a deep zone, they play the deep zone. A lot of mistakes we made in some of those deep balls last year were we were just biting each either a play-action fake or we are biting an underneath route when that's not our responsibility.
"I think our guys are playing their responsibility. So right now we are good lactose-intolerant secondary."
The Ravens and #Eagles faced off at Lincoln Financial Field for Preseason Game 2. View the full gallery here...
![RB Kenjon Barner soaks it in](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/y8yafstnujnqfjgaqroy.jpg)
RB Kenjon Barner soaks it in
![RB Ryan Mathews sees the endzone](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/fikwxkrwdfwook8qrqds.jpg)
RB Ryan Mathews sees the endzone
![LB Bryan Braman is pumped up!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/lul3is7wapr8736repzn.jpg)
LB Bryan Braman is pumped up!
![It's time!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/fzri8zbssyh3n4lm5kda.jpg)
It's time!
![The Birds are ready!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/rkbxenbshaqjqouo6iuv.jpg)
The Birds are ready!
![RB Ryan Mathews celebrates his touchdown](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/wrgbpcowdig4xjm7vti5.jpg)
RB Ryan Mathews celebrates his touchdown
![Best friends RB Ryan Mathews and WR Seyi Ajirotutu celebrate](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/alwfq3juj03psn5xhctq.jpg)
Best friends RB Ryan Mathews and WR Seyi Ajirotutu celebrate
![Now that's teamwork!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ujokfbu3muit4d3yinym.jpg)
Now that's teamwork!
![QB Mark Sanchez looks ahead](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/rytxspminmt5w079dd6t.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez looks ahead
![The #Eagles Cheerleaders enter the field](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/peop0tcfp3w1u9ixamou.jpg)
The #Eagles Cheerleaders enter the field
![LB Connor Barwin is not giving up](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/k9yn9elv4ts8q1pepqwk.jpg)
LB Connor Barwin is not giving up
![QB Mark Sanchez and RB DeMarco Murray are pumped up!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/cj2zrrskjrlmrbwstwd0.jpg)
QB Mark Sanchez and RB DeMarco Murray are pumped up!
![WR Jordan Matthews powers through](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/wf24onofjrfxalqvyhuq.jpg)
WR Jordan Matthews powers through
![All smiles!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/bzllewlyiygl71ow7ncy.jpg)
All smiles!
![LB Connor Barwin makes the stop](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/x5ojhzhhcpkhps028p13.jpg)
LB Connor Barwin makes the stop
![The team celebrates RB Kenjon Barner's second punt return for a touchdown this preseason](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/tcxbejonn4hxvjb7fwdy.jpg)
The team celebrates RB Kenjon Barner's second punt return for a touchdown this preseason
![Celebrations all around!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/e22rxiah0v7tahbazmhp.jpg)
Celebrations all around!
![QB Sam Bradford makes the call](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/stnc1tcu3vltbdiox0lw.jpg)
QB Sam Bradford makes the call
![The entrance](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yawhxovifcq2jdyprayc.jpg)
The entrance
![RB Raheem Mostert in stride](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/klydt8qhgh1uxph3wpnu.jpg)
RB Raheem Mostert in stride
![QB Sam Bradford makes his debut](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/sgqwsma3orvchdpnl0et.jpg)
QB Sam Bradford makes his debut
![Celebrating Gameday Employee Appreciation Day!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/txc3fkwdkzwsxcrfrkws.jpg)
Celebrating Gameday Employee Appreciation Day!
![Rolling out the red carpet for our wonderful gameday employees](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/cjovhc2us1fv9hhunldx.jpg)
Rolling out the red carpet for our wonderful gameday employees
![Eagles President Don Smolenski thanks gameday employees](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/x93jnyyyycmg9ldmnl0m.jpg)
Eagles President Don Smolenski thanks gameday employees
![Can't miss Swoop!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/x3bw6nipv4fzsomhaoof.jpg)
Can't miss Swoop!
![The Hot D Band rocks HeadHouse Plaza](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/g8c06thd6jnqy78sbkwk.jpg)
The Hot D Band rocks HeadHouse Plaza
![Awesome face paint!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/xs3yky9ewtqj9b7vkotb.jpg)
Awesome face paint!
![Having fun at the green screen](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/vfx1tskhmxlikj41pz74.jpg)
Having fun at the green screen
![Eagles Alum William Fuller with Season Ticket Members](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/u30cfrlu3ddw5scdwa4u.jpg)
Eagles Alum William Fuller with Season Ticket Members
![About to take the field](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ui8wjhrft9nvpjgpekn7.jpg)
About to take the field
![The #Eagles Cheerleaders take the field](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/yuplu5hyufyjsdjvtyzc.jpg)
The #Eagles Cheerleaders take the field
![FlyEaglesFly](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/uoc8ymito8tvtyoa2doc.jpg)
FlyEaglesFly
![Kristen Alderson sings the National Anthem](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/m1k37uy5694ffzkgmzfr.jpg)
Kristen Alderson sings the National Anthem
![Taking in the view](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/lb8im2wrdvfivqk9xpqf.jpg)
Taking in the view
![An amazing anthem!](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/pcsodjfk4dbu5tqdqgda.jpg)
An amazing anthem!
![P Donnie Jones congratulates K Cody Parkey](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ddwyia4hutxydcipbuhd.jpg)
P Donnie Jones congratulates K Cody Parkey
![In all it's glory](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/t1xhp8pu5qdastgk7tg8.jpg)
In all it's glory
![Eagles Nation likes what they see](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/twdhoeokxg8qks6dhuaw.jpg)
Eagles Nation likes what they see
![P Donnie Jones holds for K Cody Parkey](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/d00yiqrpmx0k9hhqz51x.jpg)
P Donnie Jones holds for K Cody Parkey
![Eagles Cheerleaders show their spirit](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/cwhewg43cej0fozpevgo.jpg)
Eagles Cheerleaders show their spirit
![LB Bryan Braman and DE Cedric Thronton are ready](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/cm487rcbukwul4r5x0lo.jpg)
LB Bryan Braman and DE Cedric Thronton are ready
![RB DeMarco Murray is focused](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/vb7apmbq0rofnhnfwi6u.jpg)
RB DeMarco Murray is focused
![WR Josh Huff makes the turn](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/htjmuyf9vsyzgqqywjsx.jpg)
WR Josh Huff makes the turn
![RB Darren Sproles takes the ball](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/q3spyfsv4w8bdogeio7p.jpg)
RB Darren Sproles takes the ball
![This is #EaglesNation](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ukkvbkigjjy0acvr6nvs.jpg)
This is #EaglesNation
![DT Bennie Logan goes for it](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/kv9p2trfbyhuwwtmqdj8.jpg)
DT Bennie Logan goes for it
![WR Nelson Agholor makes his move](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ea3x8cl0cpfkdrmvvlx1.jpg)
WR Nelson Agholor makes his move
![T Allen Barbre makes his way to the field](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/lkz8qabq10lcviuja9kv.jpg)
T Allen Barbre makes his way to the field
![A closer look at T Jason Peters](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/fstk2fvvmahkrd2sbbbf.jpg)
A closer look at T Jason Peters
![LB Brad Jones warms up](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/pcwxjqyn4zbyphq9oey1.jpg)
LB Brad Jones warms up
![WR Josh Huff makes them miss](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/whu8nyfqvvvlhzbgrwdy.jpg)
WR Josh Huff makes them miss
![Going for the ball](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/n2qvcmyxjhbnmohmog3v.jpg)
Going for the ball
![DB Walter Thurmond and LB Connor Barwin celebrate](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/lj173dfv36mcftpt3r9c.jpg)
DB Walter Thurmond and LB Connor Barwin celebrate
![DE Brandon Bair sets up](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/o2rknrjdmxnveh35wg2i.jpg)
DE Brandon Bair sets up
![WR Nelson Agholor takes off](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/t0dtne79wyodn454pqe4.jpg)
WR Nelson Agholor takes off
![A pass from QB Matt Barkley](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/airvnvdcgofmskyhjify.jpg)
A pass from QB Matt Barkley
![QB Tim Tebow runs for the first down](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ipj91zdfcire7iebk42r.jpg)
QB Tim Tebow runs for the first down
![CB Byron Maxwell runs after the interception](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/ab0icexvbjxhsvjxsqow.jpg)
CB Byron Maxwell runs after the interception
![Both #Eagles and Ravens players come together after the game](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/eagles/fkxqows5566dieksbne0.jpg)
Both #Eagles and Ravens players come together after the game
Playing the entire first quarter, the starters on defense held the Ravens to just 69 net yards on offense, while intercepting Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco on each of Baltimore's first two drives. It was another step in the right direction for a defensive unit that was once again without some of its top playmakers in the front seven.
"I thought they played well," Kelly said. "When you look at what they did, I think the first two were interceptions and then after that, I think we had five stops. So I think they are starting to come together. Then when you can get (Kiko Alonso), DeMeco Ryans and (Mychal Kendricks) back in with them, I'm kind of hopeful that we're going to be better than we have been there."
Thurmond's interception was a great illustration of how the secondary is coming together here in the preseason. Flacco aired one out into the Eagles' end zone looking to put the Ravens on the board first, but Carroll defended the ball perfectly, batting it up in the air and into the outstretched arm of Thurmond.
According to defensive coordinator Bill Davis, it was Carroll's sound technique that led to the turnover.
"It looked like (Carroll turned his head around at the right time)," Davis said. "I got my eyes back there late and saw the ball up there. It looked like he stayed calm and got his head around to look back, or else the flag comes, but he did a nice job there."
Davis has seen his defense making strides early, and while he's pleased with seeing how the team has played during the first two preseason games, he believes that the early success has been a directly translation of the strong play on the practice field.
"I'm not surprised, because it's what I've seen during the offseason and Training Camp, but it's really nice to see it show up in the preseason games," Davis said. "That's a box we have to check off, but it's happening in the preseason games. So far, so good."