Rolle still starting at weak-side LB
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Rolle still starting at weak-side LB
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Brian Rolle entered training camp as the starting weak-side linebacker, but he knows nothing will be handed to him.
It's a long way between now and the start of the season on Sept. 9, and a long haul until the end of the season. Last year, Moise Fokou opened camp as the starter at weak-side. Fokou held that spot for two regular season games before he was moved to strong-side and Casey Matthews took over his spot after he failed at middle linebacker.
Matthews occupied weak-side for all of one week and that's when Rolle, a fifth-round draft pick out of Ohio State, came in. Rolle started there for the remainder of the year and had your typical season for a rookie -- he was up and he was down.
But he arrived at Lehigh up on the first team even though there were several linebackers with more NFL experience behind him on the depth chart. Jamar Chaney started 16 games last season, the final 14 in the middle, but after the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans and drafted Mychal Kendricks he dropped to the second team.
Chaney opened camp behind Kendricks at strong-side, but he could just as easily slide to weak-side if Rolle falters. There are also other candidates ready should Rolle fail -- Akeem Jordan, Keenan Clayton, Fokou and Matthews.
"I know the opportunity that I have is great," Rolle said Friday after the Eagles' morning walkthrough. "I'm coming off a good rookie season. I know Jamar is going to push me as hard as he can to get that starting job. As long as I don't lose focus of that, focus of why I am here ... I'll continue to be the starter."
Rolle has also been out of the field in the Eagles' nickel defense (five defensive backs and two linebackers) with Ryans, although the Eagles are expected to have several different alignments based on matchups.
With Rolle (listed a generous 5-foot-10) and Kendricks (5-11) on the field together, the Eagles have one of the shorter linebacking corps in the NFL. Some had said that their height disadvantage could make them susceptible against tight ends.
"I think they're people that don't play the game or didn't," Rolle said of his critics. "I feel as long as you want you'll get the job done regardless of what size you are."
Ryans at 6-1 nearly towers over his fellow starting linebackers. The former Texans linebacker has already taken the reins of the defense. He coached Rolle and Kendricks on how to play against a particular offensive set today, and the Eagles coaches offered no additional instruction, according to Rolle.
"He's very demanding, I'll you that," Rolle said. "He's not afraid to speak his mind. If he wants something one way it's going to be that way. ... That's something that we need -- somebody that's been through the fire."
Yeah, Rolle was up and down, but he was "up." You never expect a rook playing that position to constantly be "up." Disregarding his size and pedigree, he played pretty well, and he's earned a shot at the title.
Just one man's opinion.
Comment removed.- Well, you're close. I'm sniffing something in someone's mom's basement, but it's not glue and it's not my mom. Whatever you do, stay upstairs, okay?
The whole linebacking thing will be very interesting. It almost has to be better than last year, because even if Chaney, Jordan, and Matthews end up starting, they have a little more experience now.
If Ryans, Rolle, and Kendricks play as well as I think they can, then we have good starters and depth.— armchairGM- The fact that he completed an interview without proclaiming the Eagles as the Team of the Decade is a positive as far as I'm concerned.— guyguy4
- Guy, to steal a phrase from another poster, who I think said it best,
Eagles: All talk, no Lombardis.
Let's hope they bring it home this year. - I like hearing the Ryans is showing leadership. They need a veteran leader out there. Is Clayton in camp, I thought I read some place that he was hurt in the off season?— Paul SoTX
- Keenan Clayton has off season surgery on a sports hernia...He'll have to excel on special teams to stick, but I personally think he's great in the nickel as a pass defender. — bearsfriend
- I can't believe Fokou is still on this roster. He has subpar talent but makes up for it by making bonehead mistakes. I like Rolle, Ryan's, and Kendrick's. They all seem to have something to prove, which is good. Our defense last year had no bite— yourdaddy!
- I think that barring injury only one of Fokou, Jordan, Clayton makes the team this year. Jordan probably has a leg up because he can play all 3 positions but then again so can Chaney. They are all solid backups though unlike some people here I wouldn't be happy to see any of them leave.— juaniflaco
- The short outside linebackers will bite them in the red zone. A 5-9" guy will have a problem outjumping a 6-4" guy who has more weight.— camasbud
- lots of mismatches in the NFL, pass rush is the key— dwilly
