Eagles linebackers may need to adapt
Here is the seventh in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Eagles linebackers may need to adapt
Zach Berman
Here is the seventh in a series of looks at the Eagles roster:
Today: Linebackers
On the roster: If there is a defensive scheme change from 4-3 to 3-4, the linebackers will be critical. It starts with DeMeco Ryans, who must prove he can thrive in the 3-4. Ryans is talented, although with a base salary of $6.7 million it’s important he’s consistent in this defense. The other middle linebacker is up for debate. It could be Mychal Kendricks if the Eagles like him better on the inside than the outside. It could be Jamar Chaney or Casey Matthews, who played for Kelly at Oregon.
Brandon Graham will need to be an important pass rusher on the outside. Trent Cole might also play that role. The Eagles would benefit from other players at this spot.
Akeem Jordan is an unrestricted free agent and is unlikely to return. Marcus Dowtin and Ryan Rau are on the roster and will try to impress the new coaches.
Not on the roster: If the Eagles want an inside linebacker, Green Bay’s Brad Jones and Baltimore’s Dannell Ellerbe will both be attractive. At outside linebacker, Baltimore’s Paul Kruger and Houston’s Connor Barwin will be popular free agents.
In the draft, Georgia’s Alec Ogletree and Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o have experience in the 3-4. (Te’o would also create a media hoopla if drafted.) Oregon’s Kiko Alonso could be a late-round pick. At outside linebacker, Texas A&M’s Demonte Moore is perhaps the draft’s top pass rusher and will go early in the draft. Georgia’s Jarvis Jones is also a top prospect. If Oregon’s Dion Jordan slips to the Eagles in the second round, he’d be a strong choice with a clear Chip Kelly connection.
The linebacker spots are a complete mess if they switch to the 3-4. Granted, both Graham and Cole were rush linebackers in college, but they never had to cover the flats as pros. Someone has to be added that can cover at one of the OLB spots. I'm not as concerned about the ILB spots. Ryans and Kendricks will pair well together. One being more stout (Ryans) while the other is more rangy (Kendricks). I believe Chaney and Matthews will thrive more in a 3-4. Both can fill in at any spot. The key to switching will be aquiring a NT. With so many other spots to fillon the roster, the new NT may be of the bargain-basement variety.— MrMiles1- the entire D needs to adapt - new concepts like tackling and covering opposing receivers will be helpful— raoool
- Absolutely right raool. How is it possible that a man (Andy Reid) could have been paid $15M for the purpose of creating the worst team in the NFC? I actually feel bad for the Chipper. He really has his work cut out for him. — BP2
- I never realized there were so many experts.— simplefreedom
- Do it with draft picks vs. expensive free agents. The "win now" tag is off the Eagles and it is time to rebuild with quality draft picks.
I could see Kelly building up Vick now in order later trade him for a high draft pick.
With Bryce Brown and McCoy, Kelly can make the fast break system work using Foles who was much better than Vick at making decisions behind a weak offensive line. Using double back sets as he used running quarterbacks with Foles as the smart decision maker calling it at the line on which back gets the ball.— Eagles1980 - can't remember the last time the Eagles had a pro bowl linebacker— fillyfan
- Eagles linebackers may need to adapt? What a heading. They need to be replaced.
— watsonmr - Bingo!!!! Hopefully Chipper gets a real LB and some secondary help in the draft. Next April 2014, hopefully with the first overall pick, they get a QB and maybe some O and D line help after that. Then by maybe 2016 they get to the point they can turn the corner and be an 8 - 8 team. And by 2018 challenge for a SB. Wishful thinking I know. But, all we have is hope and a total MESS of a roster that Andy Reid left for us all. — BP2
- Eagles are undersized as a 4-3, and miniscule as a 3-4. NO free agents, please. This defense needs to get bigger and younger.— EmanuelP
- Love it when guys who have no clue post on here, c'mon fellas, we don't know what goes on up there and there's nothing we can do about their decisions, the glorified accountant is gonna do what he does no matter what we think, I just hope we're all still around whenever the team is sold again, just sayin'...— DJ
- I hope the Eagles are making their draft plans with an eye on the types of players available in the 2014 draft, because they have too many holes to fix this year even if its a good draft.— yobill626
- The linebackers will definitely need to adapt - adapt to tackling, play pass defense, react with no hestitation. All and more was missing from our defense last season. No linebacker stood out. The defensive backfield deserves a story of its own but then again few of that crew should be around after training camp.— billtfla
- If they change the scheme they have a lot of guys who are well suited to play in a 3-4 at the LB position. Ryans was injured, then the Texaans wanted him to take a huge paycut. It had nothing to do with his ability when he left Houston. Kendricks looked very good at times, and so-so at others, but he was a rookie. Cole, Hunt, Graham and Curry could all play OLB in a 3-4. They have a ton of cap space to sing Kruger and Ellerbe if they want, I would rather they sign some DBs, like Ed Reed. The most glaring need on this team is a lack of leadership. BTW, those guys are Ravens, th Super Bowl winning team but losers to a team during the season that had zero talent? That would be your Philadephia Eagles, right?— Paul SoTX
- I'm not sure why Howie Roseman went out and hired Ted Gamble...all he had to do was monitor these comment boards for all the genius personnel advice.— chesapeake
