Eagles third round draft pick Stewart Bradley hadn't gotten on the field for the Birds defense all season long, but injury to Takeo Spikes opened the door. The youngster then made the most of his opportunity.
Bradley made a name for himself in one game. In fact he really made a name for himself in one series. Bradley stepped up with a few keys stops with the game on the line and the Saints inside the Eagles two yard line. He stood up a couple of New Orleans running backs with the help of the Birds defensive line which did a great job in the series. The Birds D line played the game on the New Orleans side of the line of scrimmage. The Eagles defense have started making goalline stands a habit.
I knew from watching Bradley at training camp that he was one of the Eagles most physical linebackers. The key plays with a wreckless abandon that you like to see out of your linebackers. It's an element that is needed on the Eagles defense. I can also tell that the Birds coaches realize that Bradley's size and physical style is a great fit for the middle linebacker position.
Stewart also made a good play on a pass play where he dove and picked off a muffed catch. Sheldon Brown undercut one of the Saints receivers and it ricocheted the ball up into the air.
I wouldn't be surprised if they find a way to move Gaither back outside and put Bradley in the middle.
