-- Mixin g and matching personnel groupings to schemes remains an ongoing process for the Eagles' defense.

No matter how much success they might have with a certain package, they'll inevitably change, because nothing lasts forever and because, according to defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, they don't want anyone losing interest.

''I think it gives ownership and makes each player accountable,'' McDermott said. ''They come in that meeting room and they are not sitting there staring at the film thinking, 'Well, I have no shot at playing.' If you are active, we are going to look to use you.''

''Since I've been here, they've done that throughout the entire season, based on guys being healthy, personnel matchups,'' middle linebacker Omar Gaither added. ''So there's really no telling what we'll do based on who we've played when you look forward down the road.''

Gaither was part of the latest tweak, which took effect in last Sunday's 33-14 win over Tampa Bay. Though he technically did not start because Jeremiah Trotter played the middle on the first snap, we wound up playing significantly more snaps than Trotter in a package-based rotation predicated on down and distance and field position.

Gaither played in the nickel packages, which were in play way more than the base because the Bucs were playing catch-up almost the whole time.

''That's what was expected going into the game,'' Gaither said. ''If we play a close game and a team runs the ball a lot, then maybe Trotter plays more. But I don't know. We'll have to wait and see.

''We're doing good with it. It worked well for us Sunday. The rotating thing, every player wants to be on the field every down, obviously, but I think we're working well together.''