Eagles LB's......Young Guns

Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither, Chris Gocong, Akeem Jordan.

None of these players are household names like other LB's are. But they might soon be.

The Eagles released Takeo Spikes last week in a move that gives the "Young Guns" a chance to shine. All three are 25 years old or younger. All three have talent. Just how much remains to be seen.

Gocong, 23, is the former DE turned SAM. He sat out his first season with an injury. He returned last year and took the starting spot from Dhani Jones. Not that it was too hard. He had 66 tackles and a sack. 15 of his tackles were for a loss. He struggled a little in coverage, but should get better with another year under his belt.

Gaither, 24, is the former WILL turned MIKE. He played in 2006 at WILL then took the starting spot from Trotter last season. Now he turns it over to Bradley. The good thing about Gaither is he can play both positions. It will be a major plus with Jim Johnson. He had 103 tackles last season. He made some big plays.

Bradley, 24, was the rookie drafted to compete with Gocong. Instead he was battling for playing time at MIKE. He was mainly a Special Teams player but did get into some games at the end of the season. And what we saw of him we liked. He had size and speed. He had 18 tackles, an INT and a sack in two games.

Jordan, 22, is the outside guy looking in. He will push for playing time. He saw action in nine games last year. He spent time on the practice squad and was brought up once Matt McCoy was released. He had 20 tackles, mostly on ST.

The four of these guys are hungry. They will push each other in practice. They will push each other to be better. And along the way they will open peoples eyes. Jim Johnson has already hinted around to using a 3-4 defensive set at times next year. Maybe there is a chance we will see all four of the LB's playing at the same time.