Eagles Draft at a Glance: LB still a problem

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Sunday, April 17, 2011
Posted: 3:42 p.m.

By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com

Fifth in a series of 10 stories previewing the Eagles needs going into the 2011 NFL draft. Today: Linebackers. Tomorrow: Tight Ends.

The Eagles dont draft linebackers. They draft punchlines.

Matt McCoy, Quinton Caver and Barry Gardner? In the second round? What else can you say? The jokes write themselves.

The Eagles havent drafted a productive outside linebacker in a generation, and thats why theyve been forced to patch together a linebacking corps every year out of late-round picks like Moise Fokou and Joe Mays, projects like Chris Gocong and Akeem Jordan, street free agents like Rocky Boiman and Keith Adams and journeymen like Mark Simoneau and Takeo Spikes.

Rocky Boiman? Seriously?

Since Andy Reid got here in 1999, the Eagles have drafted 13 linebackers, including five in the first four rounds (but only one in the first four rounds the last five years).

The jury is still out on Keenan Clayton, a fourth-round pick a year ago who showed promise, but the best of the group are 2007 third-round pick Stewart Bradley, who has been solid but unspectacular when healthy, and 2010 seventh-round pick Jamar Chaney, who looked terrific late last year after Bradley got hurt.

Since 1980, the Eagles have drafted 40 linebackers and only three have been named to at least one Pro BowlSeth Joyner in 1986, William Thomas in 1991 and Jeremiah Trotter in 1998. They happen to be among three of the best linebackers in franchise history. Another, Ike Reese, made the Pro Bowl as a special teamer.

The last outside linebacker the Eagles drafted who recorded five sacks and five interceptions not in any season but during his entire Eagles career? That would be Thomas, a fourth-round pick 20 years ago.

So, yeah, linebacker is a problem. Now, the Eagles do have some young talent at the position. Chaney was terrific late last year in the middle. Fokou, also a seventh-round pick, has played fairly well. Clayton showed some upside in limited action a year ago. Right now, theyre the Eagles only experienced linebackers under contract. Bradley, Jordan and Omar Gaither have all been starters at some point but are unsigned.

We know the Eagles wont take a linebacker in the first round. They havent in 31 years, and Reid and GM Howie Roseman have made it clear they dont believe in drafting linebackers that high.

But they have to get better. So once theyve addressed offensive line and cornerback, presumably in the first two rounds, we expect the Eagles to once again try and draft a potential starting linebacker with one of their three picks in the third and fourth rounds (No. 85, 104 and 120 overall).

Right now, the only lock is that Chaney will be starting somewhere. Because he can play inside or out, theres some flexibility there. One possible scenario has the Eagles moving Bradley back to strong-side and leaving Chaney in the middle.

Were going to operate under the assumption the Eagles wont go with the status quo and understand that they need to bring in more talent.

This is not a great linebacker draft, so there could be a run on the few quality guys available. But if the Eagles dont get out of the fourth round without a linebacker, it would be a surprise.

Whos already on the roster:
Stewart Bradley, Jamar Chaney, Keenan Clayton, Moise Fokou, Omar Gaither, Rashad Jeanty, Akeem Jordan, Ernie Sims

Who has to stay:
Chaney, Clayton.

Who has to go:
Sims.

How bout this guy?
Well start with the assumption that the Eagles believe Chaney will ultimately find his home at strong-side linebacker, so were going to go with Casey Matthews, who doesnt have the same kind of talent as all-pro brother Clay (or father Clay or uncle Bruce) but could be a great fit with the Eagles.

Matthews doesnt run that fast and isnt that big but is one of those guys who finds a way to make plays and delivers huge leadership and intangibles.

I put a lot of pressure on myself, just seeing the success my dad had, my brother is having, Matthews said at the Combine. I put pressure on myself to get to their level.

Friends will ask me, Do you feel pressure? I dont really see it as that. I put a certain amount on myself. Its not necessarily that I have to live up to the name, though it would be nice playing at their level.

Where older brother Clay of the Packers stands 6-3, 250 pounds, Casey Matthews right now goes just 6-1, 235. Which is why he wont be a first-round pick like his brother.

Matthews said hes been told hes too small all his life.

Definitely, he said. Thats what its been since high school. You hear, You just got recruited because of your last name. You definitely want to prove them wrong.

Did you know?
Only four linebackers in NFL history have recorded at least 20 interceptions and 35 sacks in their career. Two were Eagles draft picksSeth Joyner (24 interceptions, 52 sacks) and William Thomas (27 interceptions, 37 sacks). The other two: Wilber Marshall (23, 45) and Ray Lewis (30, 38 12).

Andy Reid linebacker history:
Barry Gardner (2nd round, 1999), Quinton Caver (2nd round, 2001), Tyreo Harrison (6th round, 2002), Matt McCoy (2nd round, 2005), David Bergeron (7th round, 2005), Omar Gaither (5th round, 2006), Stewart Bradley (3rd round, 2007), Andy Studebaker (6th round, 2008), Joe Mays (6th round, 2008), Moise Fokou (7th round, 2009), Keenan Clayton (4th round, 2010), Jamar Chaney (7th round, 2010).

Reid's best pick:
Chaney with the 220nd pick in 2010.

Reid's worst pick:
Caver with the 55th pick in 2001.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com
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