Position Breakdown: Linebackers

Linebackers:
Much can be said about the starters of the team and pretty much the depth in general here: all these guys are VERY young still. Yet if history has taught us anything, that really isn’t all that bad: the leader of the unit has to be Omar Gaither, who started six games at WILL in 2006 and all 16 games in 2007 at MIKE linebacker, but looks to go back to WILL full time with the emergence of Stewart Bradley, who had two strong starts at MIKE late last year. Bradley moving to MIKE means that Chris Gocong, the starter at SAM last year after missing his rookie year in 2006 with a stinger, won’t have to worry about him dueling over SAM with him. Akeem Jordan, a rookie free agent out of James Madison, showed some spurts of skill last year late and will figure not only into special teams but also the job at WILL, while the team picked up former Titans and Colts starter and special teams leader Rocky Boiman (oh, how fitting of a first name for him to have in this city!) to compete for the SAM spot with Gocong and lead the special teams unit. The team also has Pago Togafau, who they picked up from camp cuts from Arizona last year, and three rookies in Andy Studebaker, Joe Mays, and Justin Roland as well, compiling nine linebackers for six spots.

What will happen: The trio of Gaither, Bradley, and Gocong are all going to start and will continue to prove their worth as well, but depth is where we need to find the answers: I put Jordan in to backup WILL, Boiman will backup at SAM, and Studebaker will backup at MIKE while the team will keep Mays and Togafau and put them on the squad.

Eagles Outlook 2008: Defense

Eagles Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson must be in heaven. The Eagles managed to land the top defensive Free Agent in Asante Samuel. Then they went out and added DE Chris Clemons. On top of that they signed ST Ace LB Rocky Boiman. This in addition to an already solid defense.

Looking at the Defensive Line, the Eagles don't really have any holes. Trent Cole and Chris Clemons form a solid pass rushing duo. Victor Abriami, Darren Howard and Juqua Parker (Thomas) form a solid power rushing tandem. Add in oft injured Jerome McDougle and the Eagles have it all at DE.

The Eagles drafted Bryan Smith from little McNeese St. He is a speed rusher like Trent Cole. And like Cole he was small coming out of college. But he will add some weight during the offseason programs the Eagles run. And he will be pushing for a role on the team.

The Defensive Tackle Spot is a little easier to figure out. Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson are the starters with rookie Trevor Laws and Monte Reagor and LaJuan Ramsey adding the depth. Don't count Jeremy Clark out though. He could push Reagor or Ramsey out.

The Linebackers are the youngsters of the defense. The addition of Boiman gives this group it's veteran leader, but aside from him, they are only in the league three years or less.

Last year rookie Stuart Bradley filled in at MIKE. And what a game he had. The determination was made he should get a shot at the starters spot at MIKE. To do that, Omar Gaither would have to slide back out to WILL. Chris Gocong again handles the duties at SAM.

Boiman can play all three spots. Akeem Jordan played well after being called up late and will also get playing time at WILL and ST. Pagu Togafau will see reps at MIKE.

The Eagles have four rookie LB's that will try and earn a spot. One of them, Andy Studebaker, gets the most attention due to his recruiting. He posted a video on YouTube. That got him some attention. And being from a small school doesn't help. But the kid has plenty of heart and will power. So he will make it work.

The secondary is the strength of this team. Already solid, they lacked takeaways last year. They didn't give up to many big plays. They just didn't make too many big ones. Enter Asante Samuel. The former Patriot was the coup of Free Agency. He was immediately penciled in at LCB.

Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown formed a solid CB tandem. With Samuel in place, Brown and Sheppard will rotate playing RCB and Nickelback. Brown will more than likely be playing the slot. This allows him to blitz or cover, both of which he does well. All three will have plenty of playing time. The NFL has evolved into more of a passing game than it was years ago.

Joselio Hanson rounds out the corners. If the Eagles carry five, look for Nick Graham to be with the team again this year. He was a solid Special Teams player. But he will get pushed by two other players the Eagles signed this year, Tanard Davis and Therrian Fontenot.

Brian Dawkins had a rough season last year. His wife gave birth to premature twins. Dawkins missed most of the OTA's and Training Camp to help deal with the birth. This year he is back. And with a vengeance. People claim he has lost a step. That may be true. But he is still one of the top Safeties in the league.

Quinton Mikell and J.R.Reed both played well last year in Dawkins absence. Sean Considine was injured but returns giving the Eagles a solid four man Safety group. Add in rookie Quinton Demps and the Eagles are looking very solid. Demps will get a shot at making the team primarily as a Special Teams player. But a few jarring hits during preseason may get him on the field earlier than expected.

The Eagles went out and did things to make this defense one of the tops we've had here in a while...... on paper. There is no reason they shouldn't rank in the top 10.....no top 5. They have size up front. Speed on the ends. Good cover corners. Everything a good defense needs. Now all they have to do is execute.