Sizing up the Eagles' LB situation
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Sizing up the Eagles' LB situation
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Andy Reid did not hesitate to say "Yes" yesterday when asked if he thought DeMeco Ryans was a three-down player.
He also avoided saying too much about the team's plans at the other linebacker spots. The Eagles currently have nine linebackers on their roster, and that number is likely to grow as free agency continues and the draft takes place in late April.
Below is a player-by-player breakdown of the different pieces the Eagles currently have and how they might fit going forward.
Jamar Chaney - He played 82.5 percent of the Eagles' snaps last season, starting out at SAM, before replacing Casey Matthews in the middle in Week 3. Chaney struggled throughout, and Juan Castillo began to use him more as a situational player towards the end of the season, taking him off the field in many passing situations.. Chaney played about 47 percent of the team's snaps from Weeks 14 to 16, before suffering an injury in the season finale. He had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his neck in January.
Reid was smart to not say Chaney has the edge at SAM. It was only a two-game tryout, but he really struggled in that spot last year (see my game writeups here and here). To be fair, the lockout-shortened offseason affected not only rookies, but second-year players like Chaney too. However, he should have to compete for a starting spot next season. Chaney showed flashes of being a good player as a rookie, but had far more downs than ups in 2011.
Brian Rolle - A sixth-round pick in 2011, Rolle probably had the best season of any Eagles linebacker. He took over at the WILL position in Week 4, showing he could compete against the run despite his size.
By the end of the season, he was being replaced in certain nickel packages. Rolle played about 62 percent of the team's defensive snaps; only Chaney was on the field more among linebackers.
I'd say Rolle is more of a favorite to win the WILL job than Chaney is to win the SAM job, but he'll still have to compete for it. The Eagles could sign or draft a player to compete at WILL. And several of the linebackers currently on the roster could at least be given the chance to unseat Rolle.
Casey Matthews - It was a roller coaster rookie season for Matthews, who was obviously not prepared for the role the Eagles put him in. He spent the first two weeks at middle linebacker, switched to WILL for a week and then barely saw the field until Week 14. But in the final four games, he was on the field for about 61 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps.
It's probably unfair to judge a player after one season, but if Matthews is going to develop into an every-down linebacker at some point, he'll have to prove himself to anyone who saw him struggle against the run in 2011.
Assuming Ryans never comes off the field, that leaves one nickel linebacker spot open. Matthews had some good moments in coverage towards the end of the season. He should be in the mix to play in that package, but will have to fight for playing time.
Keenan Clayton - Heading into Week 11, Clayton had played a total of 11 defensive snaps. It would be an understatement to say the coaching staff didn't trust the speedy fourth-round pick from 2010. Despite the Eagles' struggles at linebacker, not only did Clayton spend most of his time on the sideline, but he didn't even dress in Weeks 6 and 7.
In the final four weeks, though, he played about 37 of the Eagles' defensive snaps, entering the games in nickel and dime situations. Clayton played relatively well too. At this time last year, I thought he would compete for the starting WILL position. That obviously didn't happen. If he's going to get on the field now, it will likely be in a specialized role in coverage, similar to what I described with Matthews.
Or the Eagles could get a little creative and try him out at safety, which the Daily News' Paul Domowitch recently suggested.
Either way, Clayton is no lock to make the Eagles' 53-man roster.
Moise Fokou - His 2011 season ended in late November, after Fokou suffered an ankle injury against the Patriots. Before that, he played both WILL and SAM, staying on the field for about 39 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
If the Eagles don't make any more significant moves at linebacker, he'll likely get a chance to at least compete for the starting SAM job. But Fokou is probably best suited for a backup/special teams role.
Akeem Jordan - The same can be said for Jordan. He filled in for Fokou at SAM in the second half of last season and could get an opportunity to compete for that spot if the Eagles don't add any more pieces.
But more likely, he'll get a chance to fill in as a backup/special-teams player. Jordan led the team with 14 special-teams tackles in 2011.
Greg Lloyd - A seventh-round pick in 2011, he spent most of last season on the practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster. But Lloyd was never active on gameday. He's a longshot to make the team in 2012.
Monte Simmons - He was an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, who spent 2011 on the 49ers' practice squad. The Eagles signed him earlier this offseason.
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If idiots give all blame to Vick for losses will Vick get all the credit for every Eagle win? When Vick has chance for tackles, he makes them, Vick doesn't drop passes, tip balls or run wrong routes, Vick doesn't play selfish and Vick works hard in Philly community and those things can't be said of every Bird! Dummies like @Osi thinks Joe Montana or Johnny Unitas never lost a game and played in every single SB. How dumb can he be?— allworld2- Oh hell no! The idiots who blame Vick for all of their losses do that because they simply hate Vick. No true analyst or student of the game would come close to suggesting something so blinding stupid, so if they have have a great year they'll either say they won despite Vick or they'll focus on the negatives just like they did with McNabb when the Birds were winning 11+ games a season. You can't reason with the unreasonable. — DelValLifer
- Excellent addition to the team. Now add another LB to the team in round 1 or 2 of the draft and we would be set at that position. I am with "OSI is hurt boohoo", I don't think Michael Vick can be a lights out QB consistantly, I highly doubted he will win a Championship but that doesn't mean he won't. I hope he proves me wrong. On the other hand, an Experienced QB is what this team needs and if he can't win it all with all the players the FO has put around him then he won't win the SuperBowl ANYWHERE! This is as good as a roster as any team in the NFL. I'm optimistic but my I am managing my expectation.— Canadalovesphilly
- MV career comp % 53.0
Yeah,,, its the receivers fault!!!
Eli Manning % 58.4
Peyton Manning %64.9
Tom Brady %63.8
Drew Brees %65.9
Don McNabb %59
Trent Dilfer %55.5
Jay Cutler %61.1
“Vick works hard in the community”?????? did you really just write that?? what does that have to do with being a capable QB?
Vick just overthrows wide open receives, Vick just creates more TO’s than any other QB in the league because he’s undisciplined!
Vick is selfish because of the way he plays!! Head first dives into two safeties?? Vs Washington - broken ribs! Holding the ball like its a child’s rag doll,, yeah it’s the receivers fault! Joe Montana and JU were quintessential QB’s with knowledge of the game. Sure they lost games but it wasn’t due to “carelessness” that’s often displayed by Vick. Get a clue man then grow up!
— osi is hurt boohoo - anyone who's read my posts knows I'm not a negadelphian by any stretch. I actually believe Reid is a good coach and the front office is above average. They do makes mistakes but their decisions are more often right than wrong. But.... I don't believe any of the linebackers are starting NFL caliber (other than Ryan). They now have a stud at MIKE but the rest of the crew are below average. I believe you will see two new starting outside linebackers by the time camp rolls around acquired through draft, trade, FA, etc. Rolle showed some flashes but also got steamrolled and couldn't get off blocks a lot of time. He's also a liability in coverage simply because he's way too short. What is he like 5'9"? Sorry, not NFL starting WILL material. The rest of them are backups at BEST. Soo....one linebacker down, 2 to go....— 09
- stikolaboloni, seems like the Dolphins are in that "must pick" situation when it comes to QB so they will be desperate to get Tannehill IMO. I have no idea whether he is any good or not though. Glad the Es are not in that position now with MLB. They made an excellent move with Ryans getting a solid tackler and a leader that they desperately needed. If you follow college ball [I don't] feel free to give me your opinion on the QBs other than Luck and RG3 who have their fates sealed. Wouldn't want the 1st pick to go that way because a DT makes more sense to me but if they devote a second round pick to a QB who would be a good player IYO? Thanks.
— tpizza - Seems like it's a crapshoot after those guys. If Barkley would've come out there'd be 3 guys going way early. The next tier would be guys like Brock Osweiler (6'7"), Kirk Cousins, Brandon Weeden (28 though), maybe Russell Wilson) although none are types you necessarily want to build around, 2nd round would prob be a reach IMO.
Everyone is saying DT is the deepest position, maybe one of the top guys falls to Rd2. I guess I'm not as high on the need for DT as most people, but wouldn't be upset by any means if they took one early. I just think if they resign Landri and rotate him with Dixon (who was strong against the run, but coming off injury) and Patterson (his own injury questions) that's a solid group, albeit not great. I just like that they're in position to take the best guy on the board, hopefully on the defensive side - Thanks stick,...6'7" QB?...won't see many batted balls there I guess...
I'm thinking the Es are looking at getting stronger up the middle so a DT would be sensible but a safety [if Barron is what he is cracked up to be] makes sense too. Thinking if they were going to reup Landri they would have already and they appear to have lost faith in Laws [finally] so that leaves an opening...plus there is some age. At least with MLB sewn up they won't have to trade up for Kuechly. Will be an interesting draft if they don't blow it...if.— tpizza - tough to have much faith after the last two drafts. if Barron is there I can't see how you don't take him, unless Howie boy doesn't want to use an early pick on the same position 3 years in a row
- Exactly why I think it will be a DT. 3 straight high picks at S wouldn't look good. I guess it comes down to whether they think Jarrett and Allen will pan out. They have to give them a decent shot after Allen's knee and Jarrett barely played...maybe a vet FA as insurance wouldn't hurt. DT in first, LB and that mystery QB in 2nd? Anyway thanks again for the info on the QBs.— tpizza
- This piece really highlights how bad the LB group was last year. They need to add another player, hopefully one of their first 3 picks.— TVGuy22
- well, they have nine names with LB in the POS column. dunno if you could say they actually have 9 NFL linebackers on the roster— raoool
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