Joe Mays currently has the starting middle linebacker job because he's more physical at the point of attack and I don't think the Birds believe they can go with Omar Gaither, who isn't big enough or aggressive enough to play middle linebacker in this division.
Mays is listed at 5'11" and 246 pounds. He is a walking and talking muscle. The guy is ripped and packs a load. He would have no problem stepping up and pummelling Brandon Jacobs, Clinton Portis and Marion Barber.
The Eagles went to Mays when Bradley went down because they're thinking about the running games of the Redskins, Cowboys and the Giants. You can't play in this division unless you can handle the physical style of play.
They couldn't help but remember the way the Giants ran over the Birds defense last year in the first battle between the two teams.
That memory was the reason the Eagles were trying to sign former Birds defensive tackle Hollis Thomas. Thomas is a huge run stopper at the defensive tackle spot, who signed with the St. Louis Rams.
Mays' mission will be proving he can master the mental part of the job.
Gaither on the other hand, couldn't explain why he wasn't even lining up at middle linebacker yesterday during the practice. Sean McDermott had him lining up outside at the weakside linebacker spot.
He's not lining up at middle linebacker because the Eagles don't think they can compete with the tough running games in this division with a 235 pound linebacker who isn't very aggressive at the point of attack.
Yes Gaither has command of the defense but he was benched last year because Giant fullback Madison Hedgecock, who is listed at 266 pounds, was burying him in the first Giants game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Gaither takes over the huddle with authority, but he's better at taking over the running of the defense than he is as a player.
He has to be more aggressive when it comes to attacking the line of scrimmage on iso plays where the fullback attacks the linebacker and the running back follows him into the hole.
I think the Eagles are going to give Mays a chance to win the job throughout this training camp. If he can't handle the mental aspect, then they'll either go to Gaither or newly signed veteran linebacker Matt Wilhelm.
