My question to Andy Reid Monday was a simple one:
Andy, do you have the personnel at linebacker and safety on the roster right now to get the job done?
His answer:
Well were going to keep working and try to get that right and make sure that we all do our jobs a little bit better.
Not exactly a resounding yes.
The Eagles struggles at linebacker and safety the last few weeks have been well-documented. Reid and defensive coordinator Juan Castillo shuffled all three linebackers after just two games. They benched Nate Allen in the preseason, then benched Kurt Coleman Sunday during the Giants game.
Going into a virtual must-win Week 4 home game against the 49ers, the Eagles defense is in disarray. What options do the Eagles have? Here are five moves Reid and Castillo can make when practice starts Wednesday afternoon. Can they help? Who knows? Can they hurt? No way.
1) Give Jaiquawn Jarrett a shot
NFL
The rookie second-round pick was highly touted on draft day, when Reid compared him to Brian Dawkins. Well, Dawk entered the starting lineup a month into his rookie year, replacing Eric Zomalt, and he went on to a fairly productive career. Maybe its time for Jarrett to do the same. Weve heard how terrific a tackler he is, how physical a hitter he is, and hes had almost two months now to learn the defense. Hes a sharp kid. Nate Allen clearly isnt ready yet with that knee, and Kurt Coleman is coming off a couple tough games. Jarrett has to be an upgrade. Stick him at free safety now. Lets find out about him. Nothing to lose.
2) How about Joselio Hanson at safety?
If the Eagles dont think Jarrett is ready to start and Allen is clearly not himself yet following knee surgery, then give veteran cornerback Joselio Hanson a shot at safety. Hanson is a solid tackler and a physical player, a smart veteran who knows the defense and has tons of experience. No, he doesnt have great speed or ideal safety size, but hes a sure tackler, a capable blitzer and a willing hitter. Hes not going to get you beat.
3) Brian Rolle must start
The Eagles have had one productive linebacker so far this season, and hes not a starter. Im not ready to give up on Casey Matthews. He did play better against the run Sunday, and its not fair to judge anybodys NFL career after three games. But Rolle has to be on the field if not all the time, most of the time. Yeah, hes short. Who cares. He has tremendous football instincts and makes plays. None of the other linebackers are making plays, so Rolle has to be out there. Pretty simple.
4) Lets take a look at Keenan Clayton
Weve heard for two years now how fast and athletic Clayton is. Well, the Eagles could use a healthy dose of fast and athletic right about now. Clayton, a fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma last year, seems to be around the ball on the few occasions he does get on the field, so how about increasing his workload? Give him a shot at SAM.
5) Greg Lloyds father was good. Maybe hes good
Hey, ya never know. Lloyd and his dad arent on speaking terms, but Greg Lloyds genetic material doesnt know that. Greg Lloyd the senior was a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker with the Steelers, and his son -- now on the Eagles practice squad -- sure looks the part. Hes 6-1, 245 pounds, started for 2 12 years in a good college conference (Big East), seems like a very smart kid. Lets get him on the roster, let him play special teams for a couple weeks and if that goes well, get him on the field. Nothing to lose!