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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don't get your gopes up with the R & R TEAM. REID AND ROSEBUD— Pete60- stikolaboloni..."Clearly" your comprehension of sentence structure leaves something to be desired...I was comparing Kuechly to Matthews with respect to the intangibles...I did not see any BC games last year but the non-measurables they're saying about him they said about Matthews...and it was highlighted as Jacobs takes a swing pass 40+ yards for a TD on Matthews who showed none of the headiness he was supposed to have. And pardon my type-o...I had seen several ASU games and i'll take that "fire" and athleticism that BURFICT has over Kuechly. And "clearly" you've not seen Bama play because their two LB's are much better suited for the 3-4— THE-KID (WI)
- The-Kid you are 100% correct. Burfict Brings what cannot be taught. Dawk had it. Andre Waters had It. Ray Lewis has it.
It's intimidation.
C'mon Andy. Roll the dice on Burfict. He would be a game changer here.— dmanphilly - Jim Johnson's defense disappeared when they went with Washburn's Wide-9. Quality Linebackers are now a necessity. If they don't address the need this ofseason, we're wasting our time in 2012.— dpcoz
- Why would you bring in Tulloch he is too old for what the eagles need. He is 37. Bring on Vontaze. Go You Tube my eagles fans. This guy lives on the edge. We need no more nice guys. Lets put the fear and physicality back on our D— jazzy50
- Deep LBer draft = 2nd rounder at the earliest.— Warhound
- A football team is only as good as its weakest links. Year after year, the Eagles never seem to fix their weakest links, linebacker and safety, and their performance show it. Expect the Eagles to take a defensive lineman because the Giants made it to the Super Bowl. Because the Eagles front office will be reminded how the Giants defensive line contributed to its playoff wins, the Eagles will decide that they need that impact DL also. Unfortunately, they already have too many DLs already, and you can only play four at a time. I don't understand having quality talent standing on the sidelines when you have below average talent playing almost every snap at other positions. The Eagles front offices' continued missteps at putting a team together are laughable at this point.— RunningTheBases
- A football team is only as good as its weakest links. Year after year, the Eagles never seem to fix their weakest links, linebacker and safety, and their performance show it. Expect the Eagles to take a defensive lineman because the Giants made it to the Super Bowl. Because the Eagles front office will be reminded how the Giants defensive line contributed to its playoff wins, the Eagles will decide that they need that impact DL also. Unfortunately, they already have too many DLs already, and you can only play four at a time. I don't understand having quality talent standing on the sidelines when you have below average talent playing almost every snap at other positions. The Eagles front offices' continued missteps at putting a team together are laughable at this point.— RunningTheBases
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- Burfict is not the answer. He's so undisciplined, that Dennis Erikson (who ran a loose ship of undisciplined players his entire coaching career) was forced to repeatedly bench him for being out of position, freelancing and committing incredibly bone-headed personal fouls. When he's pulled from games, he goes to a corner and sulks--some team player. You can watch the you-tube video all you want (if you keep repeating the same lie, it becomes truth), but he's only a fit on Chicago or Baltimore because he'll have a veteran in his chili and on his a $ $ from the time veterans report. Upshaw, Kuechley, and Hightower in that order would be an instant upgrade. And I'd target Byron Hout in the 5th or 6th round (he's a bigger version of NE's Ninkovitch). But in all cases avoid Burfict like ebola.....— IdahoMoose
- we aren't taking a LB, trade out of the first round for a buncj of future picks and take Tannehill form A&M in 2nd round- write it dowwn— brock
- I'm depressed. the Giants are in the Super Bowl and Andy is on vacation. Howie is getting ready to blow another bunch of draft picks and Washington will probably sign Jackson and draft a QB. Last place?— Ssteve115
- I'm depressed. the Giants are in the Super Bowl and Andy is on vacation. Howie is getting ready to blow another bunch of draft picks and Washington will probably sign Jackson and draft a QB. Last place?— Ssteve115
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