A Starting Rolle for Brian; Matthews Benched
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
A Starting Rolle for Brian; Matthews Benched
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo foreshadowed it in a conversation with a few reporters Monday, and today it became official: Brian Rolle said he is the neew starting WIL linebacker for the Eagles, ahead of fellow rookie Casey Matthews.
Matthews was moved from the middle to WIL last week. He promptly bit way too hard on play action and gave up a 40-yard touchdown pass to the Giants' Brandon Jacobs.
"It's not really that much of a challenge," Rolle, a sixth-round pick from Ohio State, said as he headed out to practice. "I've been playing that position all of camp, and (practicing there through) the first couple of games, as well. It's just a matter of being in there with the 1s now and going out and taking care of business."
Rolle has played most often in nickel and dime packages through the first three weeks. He set up a Trent Cole sack of Eli Manning last Sunday.
"I feel like I'm a guy that is athletic. I'm physical, a good linebacker that knows the game very well and plays hard. I'm not saying that Casey didn't -- Casey's a great player as well. I guess the coaches just felt the need for a new body in ther, somebody that may bring a little more excitement, maybe," he said.
Also, Nate Allen, who replaced Kurt Coleman when Coleman missed a tackle on Victor Cruz's 74-yard touchdown, will remain in that safety role.
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People will be happy with this move cuz Matthews just didn't perform. But here's the rub...we replace a 4th round rookie in the starting lineup with a 6th round rookie. Point is, neither of those moves should have been made on a team expected to contend with a boat load of money to spend in the off season on improving the defense. Reid Apologists in..3..2..1— THE-KID (WI)- Starting Mathews, or the way they handled him, was a mistake. He's definitely not ready, if he will be ready ever. I don't mind late round picks starting as long as they produce. Look at the 3-0 Bills. #1 QB-7th round, #1 RB-7th round, #1 receiver- 7th round, #1 TE- rookie FA.— SC Philly Fan
- I'm not saying Rolle can't do the job...I hope he can. I'm saying Reid's ability to evaluate talent is...questionable. And I do believe Buffalo has an actual GM who has power & is not just a figure head for the coach who makes ALL decisions.— THE-KID (WI)
- This team is 3-0 if it weren't for poor in-game management. If this were the case we wouldn't even be having this confersation. Going for it 4th & 1 on the 43 up 2 points... Enough said!— FetchDixon
- Rolle has proved to be a more physical LB.— urbnasty
- What ever happened to all the great linebackers that reid has drafted...oh wait he hasn't---never mind— tsump
- I thought there were more people than Reid involved in the draft and evaluating the players for the Offense and Defense. You losers never stop. I hope you get Kotite and the other 100 losers before him.— Zeedog
- Moving around deck chairs on the Titanic. My 7-9 prediction is still looking good.— jimmymack
- Les, did you write this b4 or after you got into the fist fight with Jeff???— elfman
- Fetchdixon is exactly right and what I've been saying. Out coaches are getting in the way. Play calling and decision making is a joke and has cost 2 games already.— dpell
- Hope these changes work!!! Something needed to be done. Little surprised not to hear any rumblings of Howie bringing in LB's and S that might be out there with experience? Anyone know if there are any decent LB's or S on the street as that will be next I am guessing it this fix doesn't work! The whole D needs a motivation speaker or hypnotist to come in and get these guys to have an attitude and toughness as that seems to be missing from this D!— connorjr
- I want to know what bowen and mcclane were fighting about. Let's get some coverage on that. If a couple coaches started slapping each other, the reporters would be making a BIG deal about it. Maybe Reid will address the situation at his next press conference. Now that would be funny.— tommy_the_k
- Replacing a #4 rookie with a very small #6 rookie ... Then replacing a safety with a safety who was replaced 2 weeks ago by Page who also can't play. The Dawkins nightmare lives on. When does Arrogant Andy get replaced? The real nightmare is still in the cocoon. There are two rookie kickers that haven't experienced December in Philly yet. Therefore even if they manage to somewhat fix the defense, I can visualize crucial shanking punts and field goal attempts during the crical stretch run. However, the kicking game may be a moot point by december, as Vick stands on the sideline with a cane, his shoulder in a sling, and babbling incoherently from his 150 plus brutal hits.
Way to go Andy ... You outsmarted yourself again!— miket47 - Pretty apparent at training camp that Rolle was the better player. Too bad it took our inept DC, Soupy Sales, 4 pre-season and 3 reg season games to figure it out! Hey, when Spadaro's saying it, you know he's bad! Coming soon; replacing Fouku, Allen, Paige and Coleman!— younged
- Seth Joyner where are you?— Lockyer
