Eagles face challenge in LB search
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Eagles face challenge in LB search
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
On Monday afternoon, the Browns announced a new five-year deal for inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, which is worth $42.5M with $19M guaranteed, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
We are two weeks away from the official start of free agency (March 13), and the linebacker market will continue to develop as teams try to re-sign their own players and make decisions on the franchise tag.
The question for the Eagles is: Where can they find a linebacker to solidify the middle of their defense and fill a hole from last season?
The team has three avenues to explore: free agency, a trade and the draft.
The Inquirer's Jeff McLane did a good job on Sunday of breaking down the potential free agent class. One name that's been discussed since the season ended is Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton. There had been reports that new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan didn't view Lofton as a three-down linebacker, but apparently that's not the case.
"I spoke to the team and they told me it’s ridiculous to say Lofton isn’t a three-down linebacker," said Lofton's agent, Todd France, in an interview with D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Ledbetter indicates that the Falcons would like to sign Lofton to a long-term deal before he's able to hit the open market.
The tough part for the Eagles is deciding if free agency is really their best option for upgrading the position. Free agency allows them to target players and pursue them aggressively. But with that likely comes a high price tag. Jackson got $8.5M per year with $19M guaranteed. It's reasonable to assume Lofton, who turns 26 in June and finished fifth in the league with 147 tackles last season, will be looking for at least something in that neighborhood.
Stephen Tulloch signed a one-year, $3.25M deal with the Lions last year, and head coach Jim Schwartz sounds like he wants the middle linebacker back in 2012.
"Stephen is a guy that fits our system very well," Schwartz told Anwar S. Richardson of MLive.com. "He's young. He's tremendously durable, he's tremendously productive. I think he can be a big part of what we're doing in Detroit. I think our linebackers were much improved last year."
Tulloch, 27, will likely be looking for some long-term financial security after settling for a one-year deal last summer.
The draft presents another option, and in some ways, a more attractive one. While someone like Lofton might cost around $8M per year, last year's 15th overall pick (Mike Pouncey) reportedly cost the Dolphins about $2.3M per season. Someone like Boston College's Luke Kuechly, who has been linked to the Eagles in many mock drafts, would be a less expensive option and still could potentially offer a major upgrade.
Of course, the problem with waiting for the draft is that it's risky. If Kuechly's gone by the time the Eagles pick at No. 15, there may not be another middle linebacker who the team views as a "plug-and-play" prospect.
The final option would be to trade for a linebacker. The Eagles have Asante Samuel as a potential chip, and DeSean Jackson could be one too if they use the franchise tag and deal him.
Whichever path the Eagles choose, they need to find a three-down player. It doesn't make sense to use a first-round pick or pay a free agent big money if he is going to come off the field in sub packages.
The focus around these parts is on stopping the run behind the wide-nine, and that makes sense, given the issues from a year ago. But don't forget about the athletic tight ends who provide matchup problems on a weekly basis. And remember that the Eagles ranked 29th in covering running backs in the passing game, according to Football Outsiders.
I took a look at Jamar Chaney's splits from Week 3 on last season, after he returned to the middle linebacker position. Here's how the plays were split up, according to Pro Football Focus:
| Stopping the Run | Blitz | Pass Coverage | |
| Jamar Chaney | 45% | 5% | 50% |
Half the time he was on the field, Chaney was in coverage. And keep in mind he was replaced in nickel situations during the final month of the season, or the numbers would lean even more towards pass coverage.
The point is the Eagles need a middle linebacker who can shed blocks and get to the ballcarrier against the run, but also someone who has enough athleticism to provide an upgrade in coverage. They could look to upgrade at the SAM or WILL positions too.
As the market plays out in the next two weeks, we'll find out which free agents actually become available and which path the Eagles choose to upgrade at linebacker.
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Andy Reid is not going to draft a linebacker in the first round.
Where as RGIII would be a nice QB to have, betting the farm for one player would signify that the team is 'rebuilding'. Not something in Andy's best interests.
I think big Poe gets drafted to solidify the middle and keep the guards off our linebackers. But before that, pick up the Eagles will pick up a free agent LB from Detroit or Atlanta to play MLB.
Add those 2 pieces plus a very solid secondary coach and the defense will be improved going into next season.— Tom98786- the eagles will take Kuchly and play him as thier new defensive end to replace Brandon Graham, he has a "great motor" you know, and "great instincts"...everything you want in a defensive end really. Taking linebackers and making them into defensive ends is one thing Andy Reid really gets right. 2012 Draft Gold.— CharlieGarner25
- The REAL Challengers are: ONE, Andy's disdain for drafting linebackers and TWO, HR's love for trading ones and twos down in order to accumulate 6th and 7th rounders.... but then again they are cheap and it keeps his protector Joe happy....— nuggett
- "Linebackers are not a premium position in our scheme."
I think that statement was true before we implemented the Wide 9. With the Wide 9, you need fast linebackers who can plug the holes. That's why I think Andy will do an about face on this policy.— Nova - Look, New England's defense sucked and they made the Super Bowl!! %$#@ the defense!! If Vick takes care of the ball, make intelligent decisions and stay healthy (like Tom Brady), we will go to the big dance!— captainranger
- long after the party is over, there's still one guy hanging around the punchbowl, topping off his Kool-Aid.
2012 will be Vick's 10th year as a starter.
I think you can stop waiting for him to start taking care of the ball, making intelligent decisions and avoiding injury.— ekw555 - LB's are not the problem. The Offense turning the ball over is the failure.— Clt Philly Fan
- Draft Luke Kuchely in the first then use the two second round picks to move back in the first and draft Mark Barron. Hey Howie I hear they have high motors.— eaglessuck@life
- Kuechly won't be gone by 15 and the Eagles won't pick a LB there anyway.
Mayock last year said Casey Matthews was the number 2 inside LB. Any questions?
Hightower is the man. If he's still there in the low first or high second, the Eagles should trade up to get him, after they pick another position at 15.— banned - Banned, you keep posting about Mayock saying Matthews was the number 2 inside linebacker. It was a down year for the position and Mayock's top 5 players were selected in that order. When you are ranking a position, you still have to rank who is available at that position.
Mayock putting Matthews at no.2 in a down year does not hurt his assessment of Kuechly, this year's MLBs, or even other positions.— fact_finder - gimme donta hightower. big mean bro from bama. no need for another 230 lb white guy from conferences that don't play D.— AndyReidsMustache
- Keuchly is 6'3" 245... proven tackling machine... excellent in zone drop coverage... above and beyond all else he is a leader on the field who will put people in the right position and anticipate defensive adjustments... and he's only gonna be $2 million per for the next four years. If that's not exactly what this team needs right now I don't know what is??????
And ofcourse the Walrus will pick a defensive tackle...— BuddyBall92 - the biggest challenge facing the Eagles in their never-ending quest to find linebackers is first finding someone in the front office that knows what a good linebacker looks like on film and in games. Andy and the Accountants just have no idea what to look for in defensive talent. The Lawyer skipped all the NFL talent evaluation courses at Fordham Law. This will be another wasted draft by our so-called NFL franchise.— coloradoeagle
- Yes the challenge they face is that they wouldn't know a good linebacker if one fell into their lap. Even if one did they would refuse to pay him fair market value. All in Dream Team!— Scope33
- At the deli in our shtetl, you can get a Kuechly along with a chopped liver sandwich. Oy vey.— Alphonso Kravitz
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