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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so eagles need linebackers. eagles have been drafting linebackers last 2 years. and they still need linebackers. whats that tell you?— bloodymess- Don't draft Kik-li. Which is how it is pronounced for our barely literate friends. Not only undersized and limited athlet Info from a VERY reliable source that he doesn't love the game of football, just extremely instictive player who has a talent. That will get chewed up and spit out here, pass on Luke- I want Vontaze- give me an animal and freak athlete- I'll take the personal fouls, it's exactly what this cupcake of a defense needs!— brock
- Amen and Agree on Vontaze and will keep saying so.
check him out for yourself people. Exactly what we We need.
http://youtu.be/KvcsffTQojI
— dmanphilly - Matt McCoy still remember the Carolina playoff game where I think he missed the tackle twice on Foster on a TD run. I still can see the play in my mind. What a nightmare.— Back up the Bus for Gload and Bowker
- I just vomited in my mouth re-reading that list of 9 linebackers recently drafted. It's amazing we have even been competitive. But Andy Joe and Howie have a plan. Too bad our owner does not.— brock
- agree with the Tonner but I'm afraid the Lawyer won't touch a decent linebacker with a 10 foot variance analysis. I am not sold on the Kuchly kid, either. We have been down the BC road before (Mike Mamula.) Do whatever it takes to get Upshaw. We have stockpiled enough of those 4th and 6th round picks. Time to put them to GOOD use.— coloradoeagle
- Good plan. I like your thinking. Because Mike Mamula was a combine standout 18 years ago, he rose draft boards in the week preceding the draft, despite being weak on film. But Kuechly, who has risen draft boards because he is strong on film and can tackle, will surely suffer the same fate as his fellow alumnus, who even played a different position. We should avoid all white defensive players from BC because of Mamula. Bill Romanowski...what a bust. Stephen Boyd...another bust.
We should avoid all black Miami defensive players too because Jerome McDougle didn't work out.
— fact_finder - With all the young linebackers on the team, I think the Eagles could stand to sign a veteran. I'd prefer Tullock or Kirk Morrison. Then the team could focus on that right tackle spot in the draft. Adding a Rieff or Kalil in the draft could make the Eagles O-line one of he best in the league. Herremans does ok against average rushers but Orakpo types kill him at RT.— MrMiles1
- Why bother mentioning the 3-4 guys? In fact, why even bother mentioning the hybrid and outside guys? The Eagles need a 4-3 MLB. Sure, they could use outside guys too, but if they do use a 1st rounder on a linebacker it isn't going to be an OLB.— bc3030
- Vontaze Burflict will be the Shawn Andrews of linebackers. Hopefully they've learned their lesson there.— bc3030
- That Vontaze Burflict guy has a really cool name and, if you watch his youtube clip, seems really good at jumping up and down after a false start! Also good at shooting the gap on plays not going through that gap and knocking off helmets and spear-tackling.— Leegles
- CDJones - You write like a Daily News columnist. Here is a clue, which you need: Just because you don't know what's going on, it doesn't mean nobody knows, okay? The exact kind of comment you just made was all over this space right before the Eagles signed a bunch of high-profile free agents before the season. What a shocker - there was a plan in place and they didn't call you to see if it was okay with you!
And Losteagle - as far as the Eagles being "the biggest joke of all time", what does that make the Redskins and Cowboys?— Section 730 - haha was giving my opinion and I think it is legit and pretty damn close to fact. Didn't need a phone call from the Fo to get approval just calling it like I see it and you can feel free to disagree!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol — cdjones34
- woah, this LB looks real good! eagles should draft him! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmDra0wRV-A&feature=related— Leegles
- Expect PeeWee Roseman to pick another undersized player in the midget Burflict wnen Courtney Upshaw is the bull of the wood at LB who has both the Badassader and a whole lot of Trotter in him.— Astro Jones
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