Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Posted: 12 p.m.
By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com
In Part 1 of our Eagles depth chart projections, we reviewed the Birds' prospective 2011 offense. Now, we review the defensive side of the ball, as well as the team's specialists.
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Defensive end
Who starts oppositeTrentCole? Thats one of the big mysteries remaining on the Eaglesdepth chart, and were going to go a bit out of the box on this one. Welove JuquaParkers effort, and hes been a solid player for this team fora lot of years. But we just feel that because of his size,hes best suited to being a situational third-down guyeven thoughhes a great effort guy against the run.
TheEagles have a lot of bodies to consider for the second D-end spot: DarrylTapp, who should benefit from new D-line coach Jim Washburn; RickySapp, who is said to be much bigger and stronger than last year; PhillipHunt from Canada; DanielTeo-Nesheim, who had a quiet rookie year last season. Butwere giving the starting jobat least for nowto VictorAbiamiri, now healthy after missing last year with microfracture kneesurgery.
Abiamiri? Really? Have we lost our mind? OK, bear with us for a second. We knowAbiamiri hasnt done anything since the Eagles took him in the secondround back in 2007. Maybe were delusional here, but Abiamiri is the onedefensive end the Eagles have with good size (6-4, 275) and the ability to playthe run at a consistently high level on first down. Most of the Eaglesdefensive ends are smallish third-down specialists, so lets let themplay on passing downs and get the bulkier Abiamiri on the field in runningsituations. Plus, heck, if none of these guys can get sacks, why not go withthe guy who can at least stop the run?
Can he stay healthy? Well, hes never been able to do that in his career.But well give him one more chance. He was once a pretty highly-regardedplayerthe 57th player taken in 2007. Hes still only 25. Out of allthe options, hes the best one right now.
And remember, last year's first-round pick, Brandon Graham, likely will miss at least the first half of the season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered last December.
News
Defensive tackle
We dont really have much choice here but togo with the status quo of Mike Patterson and Antonio Dixon. The Eagles wereunable to land a tackle in the draft, and it doesnt seem liketheyre planning to make it a high priority in free agency. Itsnot like this group of tackles is terrible. Its not. Its average.Nothing more, nothing less. We were just hoping for somebody a little moredisruptive in the pocket than Patterson, Dixon,Trevor Laws and Brodrick Bunkley.
Linebacker
The one positionthats been in upheaval since Day 1 under Andy Reid. The Eagles have used26 starting linebackers since Reid became head coach (Dont believe it?1. James Darling, 2. Barry Gardner, 3. Jeremiah Trotter, 4. William Thomas, 5.Mike Caldwell, 6. Carlos Emmons, 7. Shawn Barber, 8. Levon Kirkland, 9. IkeReese, 10. Nate Wayne, 11. Mark Simoneau, 12. Keith Adams, 13. Mike Labinjo,14. Dhani Jones, 15. Matt McCoy, 16. OmarGaither, 17. Takeo Spikes, 18. StewartBradley, 19. Chris Gocong, 20. Akeem Jordan,21. Will Witherspoon, 22. Joe Mays, 23. MoiseFokou, 24. ErnieSims, 25. JamarChaney, 26. KeenanClayton), but they finally have the makings of a decent young linebackingcrew.
With all due respect to Bradley, whos been a steady starter butinjury-prone, we want to go young here. Real young. We think the Eaglesmost athletic linebackers right now are Fokou, Chaney and Clayton, so Chaneystays in the middle, with Fokou on the strong side and Clayton at weak side,although were also going to give CaseyMatthews a chance to compete in the middle, with Chaney working at strongside. Its time to settle in with three young LBs who can play.Were tired of all the Rocky Boiman and Quinton Caver jokes too.
Cornerback
Who starts opposite AsanteSamuel is one of the big questions of this offseason. Right now,theres no answer. Most likely, the Eagles opening-day starter isnot currently with the team. Obviously, everybody wants Nnamdi Asomugha, butthe money is going to be astronomical, and its just tough to see the Eaglesgetting into an out-of-control bidding war for Asomugha when theyrealready paying Samuel so much. We expect the Eagles to be involved with Asomugha,but its a longshot.
Wed love to see the Eagles pursue the Falcons Brent Grimes,whod be worth the first-round pick he would likely cost (KevinKolb for Brent Grimes? In a NewYork second), but hell probably sign along-term deal with the Falcons once the league year begins. CurtisMarsh wont be ready. DimitriPatterson? We love his toughness but hes just too inconsistent. JoselioHanson? Hes a strong slot guy but not an outside corner. OK, whodoes that leave? TrevardLindley. He needs to get bigger and stronger, but when he played as arookie last year he was active and instinctive. Hes a smart, confidentkid. He gets the nod. For now.
Safety
It has to be NateAllen and JaiquawnJarrett, the Eagles 2010 and 2011 second-round picks. Can theybecome for this team what Wes and Andre were for the Eagles two decades ago?They have a shot. We cant remember Reid ever being this excitedabout a rookie and what he potentially can bring to the table as a first-yearstarter. The Brian Dawkins comparisons need to stop, but if Jarrett is what theEagles think he is, theyll add some desperately needed toughness andspirit to the deep secondary to go with Allens solid, balanced game.Cant wait to see this kid go to work.
Specialists
For the first timesince 1999, when Norm Johnson was kicking field goals, the Eagles will havesomebody other than DavidAkers as their regular kicker (Akers was the kickoff specialist in '99). Thats going to be almost as strangeas seeing somebody other than Donovan McNabb playing quarterback. Akers hasbeen a fixture for this franchise forever. You never know about rookie kickers.For some reason, this is a very difficult transition, from college kicker tothe NFL. But AlexHenery will get the chance. JonDorenbos and SavRocca will still be the long snapper and holder (and punter), but Akers isgone.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com
Related: Frank: Projecting the Eagles' offense in 2011Eagles' Weaver tweets he's a 'long shot' for 2011