What are the Eagles doing at LB?
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
What are the Eagles doing at LB?
Jeff McLane
The Eagles need a linebacker -- probably two.
You know it. They know it.
But how will they go about addressing the need? Will they sign one of the top linebackers in free agency? Will they acquire a starting-caliber linebacker that isn't going to command top dollar? Will they just scrape one from the bottom of the free agent pool? Or will they take one high in the draft.
Three days into free agency, the most they've done is offer Dan Connor a one-year contract, one a league source described as low. Connor, formerly of the Panthers, ended up signing a two-year deal with Dallas. If, say, Connor took the Eagles' offer, it’s safe to assume he wasn’t being brought in as a three-down guy.
The team obviously liked him or they wouldn't have offered a deal, but they questioned his pass cover skills and his durability. Connor tore his ACL early in his NFL career. It sounds as if Connor would have been brought in simply to bolster the Eagles' run defense.
Other than that, the Eagles have just sat back and let the linebacker market set itself, which means they've watched it drop like an anvil. The top two linebackers available – according to most estimates – remained unsigned.
Curtis Lofton is scheduled to visit the Saints, but other than that his prospects remain unclear. Stephen Tulloch reportedly won’t take anything less than the five-year, $42.5 million contract D’Qwell Jackson signed last month, but those demands seem out of touch with interest in the Lions linebacker apparently tepid.
David Hawthorne is in New Orleans right now, but the Seattle linebacker is unlikely to land in Philly. Indications are that the Eagles don’t have him high on their list.
Perhaps it makes little sense to focus on the free agent linebackers that are looking to dent the bank if not break it. The Eagles have never committed much of their funds to the position, this we know. The 36-year-old London Fletcher won’t command a high salary and many guaranteed years. He could be the perfect stopgap if the Eagles plan to draft a linebacker relatively high in the draft.
Maybe it also makes little sense to focus exclusively on the middle linebacker spot. They still have Jamar Chaney. He was not great in the middle last season and by the end was not playing all three downs. He moved from strong-side to the middle early in the season after it was clear Casey Matthews could not hold down the position. Perhaps the Eagles feel that he could benefit from a full off-season working at MIKE.
If that’s the case, they could be after an outside linebacker like Erin Henderson or Leroy Hill.
The Eagles have eight linebackers under contract: Chaney, Matthews, Brian Rolle, Keenan Clayton, Akeem Jordan, Moise Fokou, Greg Lloyd and Monte Simmons. Chaney, Rolle, Matthews and maybe Clayton are probably here next season. The same can’t be said for the other four, although not much is known about Simmons, who was plucked from the 49ers practice squad.
The Eagles typically carry six linebackers. If the first four return, that leaves two spots. How will the Eagles fill them?
@ Dontbefooled, hi Joe. How's Mrs.Banner?— Luriesucks- The problem with the FA crop is all of them have significant flaws. Andy screwed up royally last year by not grabbing Tulloch and it p robably cost the division. But, Tulloch isn't great in pass coverage, or the Lions would have resigned him. Chaney has all the physical tools to be great - maybe if they stop moving him around, he'll settle in. Rolle looks decent and could be good. Clayton is another guy with good size and speed. Maybe it can all come together with a full off-season. BUT - Fletcher is the insurance policy we need!!!!— fammarlin
- What exactly is the problem with the Linebackers, is it scheme related or their individual techniques?— Dexter
- Who is Monte Simmons? I see Fokou being listed as not being here as well as Jordon. Wasn't Fokou a starter opening day, later to be replaced by Jordon? This is what I mean when people point out the players are young. Young yes, but are they any good? Giants pick up a Chase Blackburn out of classroom in late November, and all he does is make plays. Eagles don't have that guy at linebacker.— watsonmr
- We missed out on Connor! Say it aint so! He had a knee operation and was questionable in pass coverage, he was perfect for us!— NC Eagle Fan
- Guys we are fine. The Eagles basically were a 4-8 team and are bringing everyone back (sans Johnny Lynn) and things are great. Heck the media is buying it. Every person I listen to is so psyched the Eagles are taking care of their own. Granted "their own" has never done anything and we still have an injury-plagued QB, an offensive line coach running our defense and a concussed, punk midget as our #1 wideout. Bring on the Packers, Saints and Patriots baby!— guyguy4
- The Eagles and most teams are playing nickel coverage >40% of the time, LBs are the first to come off the field. No way are we paying 6 mil per year for one.— MidGreen
- Of course they need an LB - which is why they will draft another high-motor DE with bad knees.— NM Eagle fan
- relax. eagles just got a 6th rd pick for trading winston justice.
middle linebacker problem= solved.— bloodymess - RGIII, ELI, Aaron Rodgers,Dree Brees, Peyton all will have certified physical deep threat and short underneath offensive weapons. We need two major upgrades to our WR core ASAP. Michael Floyd, Plaxico, Maclin, Desean, Cooper. We could at least compete with that line up. Avant has to go! Not because of talent but because he's not 6'4 and not physical enough when it counts. Linebackers are a need and hopefully we will pick up a veteran and trade up round2 for another linebacker. But michael floyd 6'3 220 wont make it to round 2. His youth along with plaxico would allow vick to get the ball out of his hands quicker. Maclin and desean can stretch the field.— Yes_General
- Chaney and Rolle are solid-second stringers. The others are strictly special teams players / practice squad material. I don't really care who the Eagles sign to start at MLB at this point - just as long as they seriously address the hole with a legit starting caliber player.— p-diddy
- We're fine there, remember?— TVGuy22
- You know that stiff Matthews makes the team they would never release him now and admit he can't play!!!!!!— consierge
- "don't need no stinkin' linebackers or a passing qb to win a SB" sayeth Andy; "don't need no stinkin' offense to win a World Series" sayeth clueless rube— warbiscuit
- There are 2 positions you can say the eagles do not have any good NFL quality players under contract. Linebacker and safety. That is 5 spots on defense. Howie, Andy, and Joe - You guys suck - do your jobs and get 5 players that can play defense!— load
