Eagles linebackers may need to adapt
Here is the seventh in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Eagles linebackers may need to adapt
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Here is the seventh in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Today: Linebackers
On the roster: If there is a defensive scheme change from 4-3 to 3-4, the linebackers will be critical. It starts with DeMeco Ryans, who must prove he can thrive in the 3-4. Ryans is talented, although with a base salary of $6.7 million it’s important he’s consistent in this defense. The other middle linebacker is up for debate. It could be Mychal Kendricks if the Eagles like him better on the inside than the outside. It could be Jamar Chaney or Casey Matthews, who played for Kelly at Oregon.
Brandon Graham will need to be an important pass rusher on the outside. Trent Cole might also play that role. The Eagles would benefit from other players at this spot.
Akeem Jordan is an unrestricted free agent and is unlikely to return. Marcus Dowtin and Ryan Rau are on the roster and will try to impress the new coaches.
Not on the roster: If the Eagles want an inside linebacker, Green Bay’s Brad Jones and Baltimore’s Dannell Ellerbe will both be attractive. At outside linebacker, Baltimore’s Paul Kruger and Houston’s Connor Barwin will be popular free agents.
In the draft, Georgia’s Alec Ogletree and Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o have experience in the 3-4. (Te’o would also create a media hoopla if drafted.) Oregon’s Kiko Alonso could be a late-round pick. At outside linebacker, Texas A&M’s Demonte Moore is perhaps the draft’s top pass rusher and will go early in the draft. Georgia’s Jarvis Jones is also a top prospect. If Oregon’s Dion Jordan slips to the Eagles in the second round, he’d be a strong choice with a clear Chip Kelly connection.
Comments (29)
I'm not sure why Howie Roseman went out and hired Ted Gamble...all he had to do was monitor these comment boards for all the genius personnel advice.— chesapeake- If they change the scheme they have a lot of guys who are well suited to play in a 3-4 at the LB position. Ryans was injured, then the Texaans wanted him to take a huge paycut. It had nothing to do with his ability when he left Houston. Kendricks looked very good at times, and so-so at others, but he was a rookie. Cole, Hunt, Graham and Curry could all play OLB in a 3-4. They have a ton of cap space to sing Kruger and Ellerbe if they want, I would rather they sign some DBs, like Ed Reed. The most glaring need on this team is a lack of leadership. BTW, those guys are Ravens, th Super Bowl winning team but losers to a team during the season that had zero talent? That would be your Philadephia Eagles, right?— Paul SoTX
- The linebackers will definitely need to adapt - adapt to tackling, play pass defense, react with no hestitation. All and more was missing from our defense last season. No linebacker stood out. The defensive backfield deserves a story of its own but then again few of that crew should be around after training camp.— billtfla
- I hope the Eagles are making their draft plans with an eye on the types of players available in the 2014 draft, because they have too many holes to fix this year even if its a good draft.— yobill626
- Love it when guys who have no clue post on here, c'mon fellas, we don't know what goes on up there and there's nothing we can do about their decisions, the glorified accountant is gonna do what he does no matter what we think, I just hope we're all still around whenever the team is sold again, just sayin'...— DJ
- Eagles are undersized as a 4-3, and miniscule as a 3-4. NO free agents, please. This defense needs to get bigger and younger.— EmanuelP
- Eagles linebackers may need to adapt? What a heading. They need to be replaced.
— watsonmr - Bingo!!!! Hopefully Chipper gets a real LB and some secondary help in the draft. Next April 2014, hopefully with the first overall pick, they get a QB and maybe some O and D line help after that. Then by maybe 2016 they get to the point they can turn the corner and be an 8 - 8 team. And by 2018 challenge for a SB. Wishful thinking I know. But, all we have is hope and a total MESS of a roster that Andy Reid left for us all. — BP2
- can't remember the last time the Eagles had a pro bowl linebacker— fillyfan
- Do it with draft picks vs. expensive free agents. The "win now" tag is off the Eagles and it is time to rebuild with quality draft picks.
I could see Kelly building up Vick now in order later trade him for a high draft pick.
With Bryce Brown and McCoy, Kelly can make the fast break system work using Foles who was much better than Vick at making decisions behind a weak offensive line. Using double back sets as he used running quarterbacks with Foles as the smart decision maker calling it at the line on which back gets the ball.— Eagles1980 - I never realized there were so many experts.— simplefreedom
- the entire D needs to adapt - new concepts like tackling and covering opposing receivers will be helpful— raoool
- Absolutely right raool. How is it possible that a man (Andy Reid) could have been paid $15M for the purpose of creating the worst team in the NFC? I actually feel bad for the Chipper. He really has his work cut out for him. — BP2
- The linebacker spots are a complete mess if they switch to the 3-4. Granted, both Graham and Cole were rush linebackers in college, but they never had to cover the flats as pros. Someone has to be added that can cover at one of the OLB spots. I'm not as concerned about the ILB spots. Ryans and Kendricks will pair well together. One being more stout (Ryans) while the other is more rangy (Kendricks). I believe Chaney and Matthews will thrive more in a 3-4. Both can fill in at any spot. The key to switching will be aquiring a NT. With so many other spots to fillon the roster, the new NT may be of the bargain-basement variety.— MrMiles1
- ryans couldnt cut it in the 3-4 in houston. mendricks has talent. the others are terrible.— psualum
- Kendricks does have a little talent. BUT, he is a little man. You saw Witton, Graham, and the other TEs abuse him. He needs to be in Pop Warner where he can excel. — BP2
- Vin Curry will find his place on the field, watch.— alwaysphil1
- The Eagles need "PLAYERS" on the Defensive side of the ball. Most of the LB's are of marginal talent with no heart (Ditto, DBacks). Sorry to say, but Chip might need 2-3 years to turn this dysfunctional team around. Definitely, the wimpy attitude (alergic to tackling) needs to be addressed in Camp. Tired of hearing Trent Cole (after a beat down), say in the locker room, "We're still a better team than they are". I wouldn't mind seeing Babin's best friend traded (although some would miss his 3 sacks)! Clean house and start from scratch like Grigson did in Indy. When you play as poorly and with no passion, as these guys did down the stretch (Quit's a good word), every PLAYER should be concerned about keeping their job! Unfortunately, this won't happen, because a good percentage of the problem players are Roseman draft selections and or FA's. The Accountant GM, it seems, worries more about Salary Cap structure than he does evaluating NFL talent! Speaking of wins and losses, the Birds are a "Cleveland Brown Like" 21 and 27 on Roseman's watch. No wonder they got Shurmer and Davis! Good Luck, Chip!— cooperhawk
there's only one guy from the 11 starters on defense last year worth keeping, fletcher cox. what an indictment of howie roseman's complete incompetence that all his defensive picks and FA signings have been massive busts...asomugha, DRC, graham, nate allen, jaicqwan jarrett, daniel teo nesheim, etc.— hannibal barca- You are so right hannibal. That is why Chipper is going to need lots of time (6 - 7 seasons) to fix this mess that Andy Reid has left us. — BP2
- Good analysis as usual, BP2. Its a complete abortion — hannibal barca
- Hopefully good things start to happen beginning in April. Having the 4th pick in the draft should get you a pretty good player for years to come. — BP2
- Does it really matter? This team is gonna get smoked either way. Just more excuses for the players to make. Blame the fans, Blame the Media, Blame Refs, Blame The Scheme, Blame Everyone But Yourselves. These players are soft.— Apollo Creed
- Juan Castillo, where are you?— ricciaje
- If 75 combined tackles, a sack, and 9 PD for a rookie LB isn't good enough for the NFL, then all 32 teams are going to have to cut half their linebackers right now.
- Yes the LBs need to adjust - to their new spot on the bench. Ryans was shipped out of Houston because he could not play the 3-4. And, Mychal "short stack" Kendricks, Jamar Chaney and Casey Mathews are not NFL-caliber starting LBs.— BP2
- Ellerbe, Kruger, and Barwin could help, although will probably be heavily over-priced. Moore looks like the most solid draft pick to help a defense, but I lean toward an offensive tackle.— armchairGM
- The Eagles would love to get Manti and the press that comes along with him. Wouldn't be surprised to see them bring in Tebow if they get the chance too.
- Paul Kruger may be had at the right price, since Ravens may need to break the bank for Flacco.— Romus
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Birds' Eye View is the Inquirer's blog covering all things Philadelphia Eagles and the NFL.
Jeff McLane
Inquirer Staff Writer
Zach Berman
Inquirer Staff Writer
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