Quick thoughts: Bradley's season over
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Quick thoughts: Bradley's season over
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
With both the Inquirer and Daily News confirming Stewart Bradley's season-ending ACL tear, here are some quick questions and thoughts to share before I head out to the practice field:
Who will replace him?
The two prime candidates are Joe Mays and Omar Gaither. Gaither has played the middle before and lost his weakside job to Akeem Jordan last season.
Mays has been getting reps with the second team here at camp.
Gaither has the experience, but Sean McDermott has said over and over that the best 11 guys will be on the field. Maybe that's Mays, maybe that's Gaither or maybe it's someone else we're not even thinking about.
Are there any free-agent linebackers available?
Past history would suggest the Eagles will not go this route, but in case you're wondering who is available, Adam Caplan of Scout.com just published a list of the best defensive free agents on the market today. Here is the link.
Who will be the leader on defense?
Leadership has been a question since last season ended. With no Jim Johnson or Brian Dawkins, Bradley was one of the guys players mentioned when asked who will fill in the leadership gap. In fact, I heard Quintin Mikell say last week that Bradley could be one of the guys. Mikell, of course, has been mentioned as that guy also. And some still point to Sheldon Brown. But there's no doubt Bradley was one of the guys that could have stepped up into a larger role.
Interestingly enough, when you talk about vocal guys, Gaither's name has to be in the mix, if he's on the field. No one talks more during practice on the defensive side of the ball than Gaither.
Another interesting question to ponder is: Who will wear the headset on defense?
OK, hopefully we'll have more answers soon. The players are on the field, and Reid will speak afterwards.
Time for Eagles fans to start crying and whining. Look at the good part. At least it will give the fans a excuse why the Eagles had another disappointing season.— AreaMan- is Tank Daniels still on the team? flight night was a STUPID IDEA, and this proves it. how many other guys are gonna get hurt for marketing? i'd consider Teddy Lehman, Derek Smith, and even Donnie Edwards.
- I wonder if the rain affected the field in any way, look, injuries are gonna happen, i guess its better now than the 1st qrter of the panthers gm.— Onlineps2beast
- ...calling Matt Wilhelm...— stonemason
- Im worried about this defense. We cant go in to the season with laid back Asante Samuel and disgruntled Sheldon Brown as the primary veterans. They definately lost leadership and energy with BDAWK and lost a lot of coaching experience with the passing of Jim Johnson (RIP). I guess we wont know what this eagles defense is made of until they line up for the start of the season. Losing Bradley hurts.— MTust24
- Gaither was not great but still solid when he was the middle linebacker two years ago. He won't be as good as Bradley but we could be in much worse shape than having Gaither fill in...he knows the defense, is a vocal leader, and started the whole year at MLB two years ago— Lemur
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- Surprised Morlon Greenwood isn't on a roster.— tdcuse
Son of a...
Out for the season because of Flight Night... this is worse than getting injured in camp or preseason.— gho_matt- junior seau anyone???? just kidding!— mdriban
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- Todd Pratt -- Man crush granted. -- SK— skapadia
- Injuries are part of the game...more may come...quit crying about it and move on...— merlinknghts
- All is not lost yet although the defense has a lot to adjust for with B-Dawk leaving, JJ's death and now this. Nobody knows how Mays would do in a game situation nor do we know how McDermott will put in plays to adjust to the other team's offensive schemes. Keep your head up fans and stay positive. Remember....if the Eagles sell out this year, next year won't be any better!
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