Options for Eagles at Linebacker

The Eagles linebacking corps was in a constant state of flux in ‘09 due to a plethora of injuries and overall ineffectiveness. It will be the second position we will take an in-depth look, after the defensive end analysis last week. There are several key decisions to be made with our current stable of ‘backers, as well as a competent free agent class and April’s draft. How will the Eagles shake up the linebacker unit for 2010?

Pending Free Agents (RFA or UFA): If 2010 is an uncapped year, then players with under six years of NFL experience would be restricted free agents.

Chris Gocong (RFA)- A three-year starter, Gocong made just over $1 million last season. The Eagles could tender him a contract if ‘10 is uncapped, which would be a discount compared to what he would receive if he was an UFA. I like his chances of staying an Eagle next season.

Akeem Jordan (RFA)- I wrote about Jordan’s chances of staying with the Eagles a while back. He made just under $500k last season and would be a bargain in an uncapped year. Even if not, it would be wise for the Eagles to bring the sure-tackling Jordan back, even in a non-starting role. However, some teams may envision him as a bona fide starter, which could make the cost of retaining him much higher.

Tracy White (UFA)- Making $850k in ‘09, White would command a similar amount if the Eagles tendered him a contract. He is a valuable ST contributor and injury fill-in, but nothing more.

Omar Gaither (RFA)- A long-tenured (5 yrs) member of the Birds, Gaither landed on IR in Week 5 last season. He made just over $1 million, and wouldn’t command much more in either CBA scenario. No one knows the defense more than Gaither, who has played all three LB positions with mixed results. I would welcome him back in a ST/backup role.

Jeremiah Trotter (UFA)- Nope.

Under Contract:

Will Witherspoon- Signed through 2011 with a cap value of $5 million each year. The most experienced LB signed for next season, Witherspoon should benefit from a full offseason in Philly. But he is also the most expensive guy, do the Eagles think he is worth it?

Stewart Bradley- Signed through 2010 with a cap value of $722k. Should be fully healthy for training camp and ready to man the middle for at least the next season.

Joe Mays- Signed through 2011 with cap values around $500k. Mays has done nothing to prove capable of being a starting LB in the NFL, but his low cap value could mean he’ll stick around for at least one more season.

Moise Fokou- Signed through 2010 with cap values also around $500k. The Eagles will surely keep Fokou around as he played surprisingly well when giving the opportunity to start. While he may never develop into a great LB, he certainly is worth $500k to play a solid special teams and a capable fill-in should a starter go down with injury.

As you can see, the Eagles had a ton of linebackers go on and off the 53-man roster in ‘09. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott had a devil of a time trying to mix together the best possible group. It looks to me that Bradley will man the middle with Witherspoon going to the weakside, where he feels most comfortable. Gocong and Fokou are options to start on the strong side, but there is a growing feeling that the Eagles will look elsewhere to fill that void.

So just how many of the guys mentioned above will remain in Philadelphia? The only sure things are Bradley and Fokou. Behind them is Witherspoon and Jordan, who I believe have strong chances to return. Beyond that is hard to speculate, but I would imagine the Eagles keep 1-2 of the other four guys (Gocong, Gaither, White, Mays). That leaves anywhere from 1-3 open spots at LB for 2010, how do the Eagles fill those holes?

…More After the Jump

Free Agency:

Here are the most notable LB’s to hit free agency next month. Some players will be restricted free agents if a new CBA isn’t put in place, and will be noted here as “RFA”.

Karlos Dansby, Cardinals (29)

Barrett Ruud, Buccaneers (27) – RFA

DeMeco Ryans, Texans (26) – RFA

Kirk Morrison,  Raiders (28) – RFA

Shawne Merriman,  Chargers (26) – RFA

Thomas Davis, Panthers (27) – RFA

Thomas Howard,  Raiders (27) – RFA

D’Qwell Jackson,  Browns (26) – RFA

Gary Brackett,  Colts (30)

Derrick Johnson, Chiefs (27) – RFA

Rocky McIntosh, Redskins (27) – RFA

Pisa Tinoisamoa, Bears (29)

Stephen Tulloch, Titans (25) – RFA

You can start dwindling this list down by crossing guys off who are either MLB’s or are very likely to stick with their current team (bye bye Dansby, Ruud, Ryans, Morrison, Jackson, Brackett, Johnson). That leaves you with some interesting names to fill in at SLB. Davis had done a great job converting from safety to OLB the last few years, but went down with a torn ACL in November. He could be a rebound candidate but the rehab combined with learning a new scheme might be too much to ask.

McIntosh is a natural WLB with incredible talent. He could potentially move to the strong side, but Reid and co. would likely bump Witherspoon before McIntosh. A history of knee injuries could lower his price, but the Redskins are still the favorites to retain his services. I cannot see the Eagles going after Merriman, who has never been the same since the knee injury suffered two years ago. There are differing opinions on Howard, the Raiders’ OLB who finished the season on the strong side.

Overall, there is no real slam dunk OLB option for the Birds here. While there is a good amount of talent available, a majority of those players will end up back with their team. I imagine the Eagles will kick the tires of some of the OLB’s out there, and even may surprise us by plucking a McIntosh or a Howard off the wire. If not, they could change their M.O. and use a high draft pick on a LB.

The Draft:

The last time the Eagles used a first round pick on a linebacker was in 1979 with Jerry Robinson out of UCLA. In Andy Reid’s tenure, he has been much more apt to use a later round selection or take to the open market to find his ‘backers. Many “experts”, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper, expect the Eagles to use their 24th overall pick on a LB. I just really doubt that Reid and his newly changed personnel department will buck the trend and grab a ‘backer at No. 24.

That being said, what kind of players could be there late in the first round?

There are only two LB’s widely considered to be gone by the time the 24th selection rolls around, Alabama’s Rolando McClain and Texas’ Sergio Kindle. After that, the Eagles could have their pick of the litter. Guys that could fit the bill are Penn State’s Navarro Bowman (Kiper’s pick for the Birds), Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon, and Ohio State’s Thaddeus Gibson. The inside LB prospects that could interest the Eagles are Florida’s Brandon Spikes and Penn State’s Sean Lee.

Analysis:

More than likely, the Eagles will bypass choosing a LB in the first round and instead rely on the later rounds to add depth to the position. No one ever can guess what Big Red and his crew are thinking, but there is no doubt that this group needs to improve in 2010. A free pass could be given because of the injuries and a lack of a consistent pass rush, but there is little doubt in Philadelphia that the Eagles will add at least one starting-caliber linebacker to the mix for ‘10. Will that be via the draft? Free agency? Answers to these questions will begin with the first day of free agency March 5th.

Tags: Akeem Jordan, Andy Reid, Brandon Spikes, Chris Gocong, Free Agent Linebackers, Jeremiah Trotter, Joe Mays, Mel Kiper, Moise Fokou, Navarro Bowman, NFL Draft, Omar Gaither, Philadelphia Eagles, Rocky McIntosh, Rolando McClain, Sean Lee, Sean McDermott, Sean Weatherspoon, Sergio Kindle, Shawne Merriman, Stewart Bradley, Thomas Davis, Tracy White, Will Witherspoon