What are the Eagles doing at LB?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
What are the Eagles doing at LB?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
The Eagles need a linebacker -- probably two.
You know it. They know it.
But how will they go about addressing the need? Will they sign one of the top linebackers in free agency? Will they acquire a starting-caliber linebacker that isn't going to command top dollar? Will they just scrape one from the bottom of the free agent pool? Or will they take one high in the draft.
Three days into free agency, the most they've done is offer Dan Connor a one-year contract, one a league source described as low. Connor, formerly of the Panthers, ended up signing a two-year deal with Dallas. If, say, Connor took the Eagles' offer, it’s safe to assume he wasn’t being brought in as a three-down guy.
The team obviously liked him or they wouldn't have offered a deal, but they questioned his pass cover skills and his durability. Connor tore his ACL early in his NFL career. It sounds as if Connor would have been brought in simply to bolster the Eagles' run defense.
Other than that, the Eagles have just sat back and let the linebacker market set itself, which means they've watched it drop like an anvil. The top two linebackers available – according to most estimates – remained unsigned.
Curtis Lofton is scheduled to visit the Saints, but other than that his prospects remain unclear. Stephen Tulloch reportedly won’t take anything less than the five-year, $42.5 million contract D’Qwell Jackson signed last month, but those demands seem out of touch with interest in the Lions linebacker apparently tepid.
David Hawthorne is in New Orleans right now, but the Seattle linebacker is unlikely to land in Philly. Indications are that the Eagles don’t have him high on their list.
Perhaps it makes little sense to focus on the free agent linebackers that are looking to dent the bank if not break it. The Eagles have never committed much of their funds to the position, this we know. The 36-year-old London Fletcher won’t command a high salary and many guaranteed years. He could be the perfect stopgap if the Eagles plan to draft a linebacker relatively high in the draft.
Maybe it also makes little sense to focus exclusively on the middle linebacker spot. They still have Jamar Chaney. He was not great in the middle last season and by the end was not playing all three downs. He moved from strong-side to the middle early in the season after it was clear Casey Matthews could not hold down the position. Perhaps the Eagles feel that he could benefit from a full off-season working at MIKE.
If that’s the case, they could be after an outside linebacker like Erin Henderson or Leroy Hill.
The Eagles have eight linebackers under contract: Chaney, Matthews, Brian Rolle, Keenan Clayton, Akeem Jordan, Moise Fokou, Greg Lloyd and Monte Simmons. Chaney, Rolle, Matthews and maybe Clayton are probably here next season. The same can’t be said for the other four, although not much is known about Simmons, who was plucked from the 49ers practice squad.
The Eagles typically carry six linebackers. If the first four return, that leaves two spots. How will the Eagles fill them?
Folks, Kuelchy gets drafted at #11 by the Chiefs, so we need a serious plan B there.— Richard S- Im tired of 3 and outs. The NFC will be more dominant and competitive as ever next year. we need firepower. Plan B: Round 1 michael Floyd WR he's 6'3 220lbs. We can draft WR late round 1. then trade up for Donta Hightower he's 6'4 and 260lbs run stuffing linebacker or Mychal Kendricks 6'1 240lbs ran 4.4 in the 40. I would be okay with either one of these linebackers. Kuelchy is ideal but he wont make it to #15 without giving up that many picks.— Yes_General
- ...this is called the 'obese big red plan' NEVER fix the obvious holes in the team, remember Iggles Nation, the not long ago-WR situation; "we are fine there", with Pinkey? the middle of our D is like creme cheese, oppositions run, run, hit TE and once in awhile go down field, NOTHING has changed, get the type of player(s) that can smash the middle of other teams offense, run or short-pass...UFA + 1st/2nd spent on some stud D-backs...will do...protect MV and let Shaddy hit his holes/go long;D-Jack & J-Mack...maybe then think about SB!— PHILLYMARK
- The NFL is no longer a ground game league. I don't see any of the linebackers in the draft being taken before 20. If it's not Willis of a Lewis clone, you can forget paying any of the available linebackers $6 Million a season. I say the Linebackers available are a product of the Defensive linemen playing in front of them. The linebacker has to be able to cover Running Backs and Tight Ends, Teams are not making it to the super bowl running the ball. Defenses today are willing to surrender yards on the ground to keep you out of the end zone. What makes the eagles tuff is the can strike from any where at any time. Shady is productive because of the Eagles weapons. You load up in the box and let DJax loose, or cheat on Djax and Shady scrambles through the defense.— Dexter
- I agree with Mark. Stiffen up the Middle of the Defense, and that can be done with a stud tackle. Bring in another space eating Defensive Tackle. The Defensive Tackles in the Rotation just are not good enough, before last year Peterson was not good enough. I don't think the problem is all on those linebackers the eagles have. I've seen last year some mistakes in tackling but that can be cleaned up. Generally they are in location to make plays and miss tackles. That a result of the ball carrier getting to the linebackers free and clean and that's not supposed to happen. Compare the good linebackers in the Playoff and the Defensive Linemen playing in front of them on both sides NFC and AFC.
The 49ers Defensive Tackle won the Game for them in Philly. Same thing in Atlanta, the Defensive Line frees the linebackers to make plays, and we all know what Detroit brings to the table. I am not sold on the guy from Detroit, I know his game changed playing behind that defensive line. Those are the guys seeking big money in Free Agency.
But they aren't being signed and, I think that's the reason.— Dexter - GET WIMBLEY!!!!
He is a beast and brings the toughness and leadership this D lacks!
Wimbley and Laron Landry would be good moves for vet leadership and upgrading quality— connorjr - smh...I guess everyone can tell the future and knows what the eagles organization is all about huh? A true eagles fan cant just be a fan. they have to be koolaide drinkers (whatever the hell that means) or dumb for liking a team. Then if they dont join in on ur insults or conspiracy theories against the eagles then you spew hate..lol..some of you need some serious "meow". I hope you guys arent like this about everything in life..sheesh..some angry dudes on here— bigjay215
Are we talking about getting a Linebacker or Linebackers (cough)?
