Comments on: The NFL Education Of Rookie Linebacker Mychal Kendricks: Part 1

By: Butch007

Butch007 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:28:10 +0000

Awesome article G! This is the best part of this site when on occasion that specific detailed outlook on playing, from the perspective of the player, is revealed.

The Eagles need to re-think their whole LB personnel philosophy. Chavis Williams released from the Ravens and Kourtnei Brown from the 49ers are out floating around looking for work. Both of these guys would be a better fit for the SAM so the Eagles could realistically move Kendricks to the WILL. If Ryans doesn’t improve drastically once the season starts moving Kendricks to the middle with Brown and Williams on the wings seems like a better option to me than most of the configurations the Eagles might use based on the current in-house personnel.

By: paulman

paulman — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:23:32 +0000

I believe Kendricks replaces Ryans in the MIddle definitely by 2013 is not by the end of this Season.. Ryans doesn’t have the explosiveness he once had..
I stated numerous times when the Eagles traded for him that he had become only a 2 down back with the Texans (DC Phillips didn;t feel he could drop back in pass coverage that effectively any longer).I expect him to be off the field in passing situations most of the time after about the 3rd/4th Game when it becomes ovbvious that he’s lost a step..
I think the EAgles will go with 2 LB’s in Pass Coverage most of the time
(Kendrick & Jordan, Kendrick & Chaney or Kendrick & Rolle or even Kendrick & Matthews) but this is still a very weak position for the Eagles in my opinion, though I do believe that Kendricks will be a very good player with a nice Career, its the other 5 LB’s on the Eagles who I don’t even think are NFL CAliber Players and probably wouldn’t make most other Teams Rosters.. (Rolle,Chaney, Matthews ??? Really Now…)

By: Frank22

Frank22 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:28:51 +0000

Eric is correct (IMO) in saying that they don’t have a better option at this point. JC has stated numerous times that SAM is the most important linebacking position in his D.

I also think they are on the lookout for a SAM of the future, wether it be draft or free agency, this upcoming year. They might also be looking to replace Ryans at the end of the year if he does not play up to that contract!

By: greenfan

greenfan — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:05:12 +0000

Thanks for that expert information G, that was really informative.

I really like what I have seen from Kendricks, but will watch this week to see if he seems out of position at SAM.

By: ozzman

ozzman — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 19:01:01 +0000

Square peg in round hole….the favorite philosophy of the genius Andy Reid.

By: Stevo

Stevo — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:41:34 +0000

Thats wrong Eric. We played much better against the TE’s last year. Runs and bad tackling were the major problems of 2011.

By: Erock

Erock — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:11:46 +0000

The tight ends actually didnt hurt us as much as the run last year.

Go out and smack these bums week 1. Lean on Shady and call it a day for Mike in the 4th.

By: EricT

EricT — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:02:49 +0000

Scramz,

My thought is they don’t have a better option right now for SAM. If they get a real SAM backer during the next off-season, you will probably see Kendricks moved back to WILL next year.

By: EricT

EricT — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:01:41 +0000

scramz25,

My thought is they have no better alternative at SAM. The running game hurt us but not as badly as Tight Ends have hurt us. If they get a serious SAM backer next off-season, you may see Kendricks moved to WILL.

By: EricT

EricT — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:00:07 +0000

Great job, G. If it was my prodding that help push you to write articles that relay your experience to us and help us better understand the nuances of the game that we don’t know, then thank you for taking my criticism and making it a positive.

This is the stuff that makes a good website. Congrats!