The Eagles' options at LB
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The Eagles' options at LB
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Les Bowen and Jeff McLane caught up with Howie Roseman down at the Senior Bowl yesterday to get his thoughts on a variety of topics.
One of them was the organization's issues with adequately addressing the linebacker position. In the interview, Roseman indicated that the Eagles wanted to make a move at linebacker last offseason (whether that was in free agency, through trade or in the draft), but it didn't work out.
Which brings us to this offseason.
The Eagles' defensive line is in good shape going into 2012. They may swap a couple of rotational guys, but my guess is the core (Jason Babin, Trent Cole, Mike Patterson and Cullen Jenkins) will stay in place.
In the secondary, they have to make a decision on Asante Samuel and possibly add some depth, depending on how they view guys like Curtis Marsh and Brandon Hughes. And at safety, they have to decide whether Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman and Jaiquawn Jarrett can be above-average starters.
But linebacker is the one area where the Eagles have to get better.
One option would be the draft. Mike Mayock of NFL Network recently released his list of the top five prospects at each position. Here's who he has at linebacker:
1. Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
2. Luke Kuechly, Boston College
3. Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
4. Zach Brown, North Carolina
5. Vontaze Burflct, Arizona State
Kuechly is the most common name I've seen linked to the Eagles at No. 15 in mock drafts. Both Brown and Burfict have been mentioned too.
Upshaw is considered a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end. And Wes Bunting of the National Football Post praises Hightower's ability against the run, but thinks he's probably better suited for a 3-4.
The Eagles have not drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979 (Jerry Robinson).
Below is a look at the nine linebackers who were named AP All Pros this past season (first and second teams), along with where they were drafted.
| Linebacker | Round Drafted |
| Patrick Willis | 1st |
| Navorro Bowman | 3rd |
| Derrick Johnson | 1st |
| Brian Cushing | 1st |
| London Fletcher | Undrafted |
| Terrell Suggs | 1st |
| DeMarcus Ware | 1st |
| Tamba Hali | 1st |
| Von Miller | 1st |
Of course, several of the names on the list (Hali, Ware, Suggs, Miller) are more hybrid DE/LB types.
But as you can see, seven of the nine linebackers on the list were first-round picks. The only two that were not were Bowman and Fletcher.
The Eagles have taken nine linebackers in the past five drafts: Casey Matthews (4th/2011); Brian Rolle (6th/2011); Greg Lloyd (7th/2011); Keenan Clayton (4th/2010); Jamar Chaney (7th/2010); Moise Fokou (7th/2009); Joe Mays (6th/2008); Andy Studebaker (6th, 2008); Stewart Bradley (3rd, 2007).
However, none of have been taken in the first two rounds and only one, Bradley, has been taken in the first three rounds.
The Eagles could instead (or additionally) opt to add a linebacker or two via free agency.
Rotoworld.com has a master list of players who will be available. There are some intriguing names like Atlanta's Curtis Lofton, who is only 25 years old and was fifth in the league with 147 tackles last season, according to NFL.com. He's also a team captain and seems like the kind of player Atlanta would want to hold on to.
Fletcher was the league's top tackler and earned an All-Pro nod for the first time in his career, but he turns 37 in May. Stephen Tulloch was a free agent last offseason, but only signed a one-year deal with the Lions. He played behind the wide-nine in both Detroit and Tennessee.
Unlike last year, the Eagles will be working with a "normal" offseason. And regardless of who's running the defense, Roseman and Andy Reid need to upgrade the talent at linebacker.
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I keep reading things on Kuechly like "he's not big, fast or overly athletic but he's heady, he's got football instincts" Yeah, ummm, didn't we try that last year with Casey Matthews? How'd that work out? I want Burflict! In contrast you read things like fast, strong, athletic freak.....I don't care about his off the field stuff...Reid puts up with DeSean, he can draft Burflict.— THE-KID (WI)- He's like an inch and 10 pounds bigger than Kuechly, who is NOT Casey Matthews. Not sure why you'd even try to compare the two having clearly not ever watched him play. Burfict (you AND the writer are misspelling his name BTW) could very well lead the team in tackles, but likely also unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. It's not as much off the field stuff as his undiscipline ON the field (his critics would say he's a bigger/faster version of Ernie Sims who is often out of position and draws dumb untimely penalties). Point being, never hurts to actually watch the guys a little bit before making your case
- The-Kid is right.
Vontaze is excatly what we need on Defense.
You cannot measure what he brings to the Defense.
Attitude and Intensity.
He is young and will mature.
He instantly upgrades our ENTIRE DEFENSE, and will be a Fan Favorite from Day One.
Mel Kiper Even Loves the Kid.
Watch this Video.
http://youtu.be/KvcsffTQojI
And then Tell Me You Like the Luke Kid better for Our Defense. Vontaze will bring the Dawk/Trot energy back.— dmanphilly - Not sure where I ever said I like one better than the other, just that there are some issues that even mel kiper can tell you. I don't need to watch youtube clips, I've watched him play plenty. I also watched him disappear in the second half of the season. He's a good player but he's not the class of the draft, the 4 guys listed above him each bring something he doesn't. Anyways comparing a college kid to pro bowlers (and a hall of famer) on any level is a little premature don't ya think
- I agree that the 4 guys listed above him each bring something he doesn't, but what he does bring is what the other 4 don't.
We need a big fast nasty mean guy in the middle of our defense.
We have enough disciplined players on defense now.
As you said, it's premature to assume he can't mature.— dmanphilly - Agreed, we absolutely need more at least a middle linebacker and safety that like to hurt people. Been way too long
- I agree that the 4 guys listed above him each bring something he doesn't, but what he does bring is what the other 4 don't.We need a big fast nasty mean guy in the middle of our defense.We have enough disciplined players on defense now.As you said, it's premature to assume he can't mature. (HTML deleted) — dmanphilly
- Didn't most scouting reports say Graham was better suited to be a OLB in a 3-4? That didn't seem to stop the Eagles, unfortunately. They have 3 picks in the top 51...I wouldn't complain if they use all 3 on LBs, as long as none of them are Matt McCoy style midgets.— Only in Philly...
- They drafted him as a defensive end, not as a linebacker. And how about we wait to see him without an injury before we pass judgement.
— bc3030 - I told you guys- LONDON FLETCHER.
— CCRichards - UPSHAW & HIGHTOWER. I say sign Tulloch & draft BOTH the Bama guys. Tulloch was an absolute tackling machine last year so if they throw enough money at him he might be willing to leave Detroit. Draft Upshaw first (assuming Dallas doesn't pilfer him right in front of us)then use some of our 50 late round draft picks & trade back up to the end of the first & steal Hightower. Let em play together & actually do something that the Eagles did very little of this year: TACKLE, TACKLE, and TACKLE.— thomaspfoolery
- UPSHAW & HIGHTOWER. I say sign Tulloch & draft BOTH the Bama guys. Tulloch was an absolute tackling machine last year so if they throw enough money at him he might be willing to leave Detroit. Draft Upshaw first (assuming Dallas doesn't pilfer him right in front of us)then use some of our 50 late round draft picks & trade back up to the end of the first & steal Hightower. Let em play together & actually do something that the Eagles did very little of this year: TACKLE, TACKLE, and TACKLE.— thomaspfoolery
- Any of US are options for the Eagles at LB. But there's not a snowball's chance of them drafting a LB in the first three rounds. They're too smart and they'd be the first to tell you so. You can get great LB's in the 6th thru 100th rounds, they've proved it as the Gold Standard. They were just a break away from the Supe this year.— PhillySubsMac
- Tight ends are the new stars of the NFL, who can stay on the field and cover TE if needed?— camasbud
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