Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott says the team's middle linebacker and safety spots are works in progress and there's going to be continuing competition at those spots.
It's another way of saying they're disappointed in the performances of Joe Mays and Quintin Demps.
You and I know the Birds would like to seen these guys lock up those spots. Continuing competition means you don't have a starter.
They're going to have Omar Gaither lining up at the first team middle linebacker position at practice today. McDermott didn't say that he would be lining up there exclusively but they want him to get some work in there.
I think Gaither is going to be the guy who starts the season at the middle linebacker position. He has a great mental command of the defense and he's proven to them in the past that he can do the job.
Theyr'e looking for second year middle backer Joe Mays to show them more consistency. He showed some improvement versus play action pass but he still has a ways to go.
McDermott still says Mays has a bright future, but they have to be disappointed that he hasn't been able to lock up the starting job.
As for Moise Fokou, I think they realize that asking a guy who never played middle linebacker to step in there as a rookie is a bit too much to ask. McDermott praised him for staying aggressive after making mistakes.
The part in that statement which stands out to me is the fact that he's making mistakes. You can't have players in there making mistakes.
According to the defensive coordinator they're looking for the top three linebackers regardless of position. He said they like the fact that these guys are versatile, but I think the linebacker position is a problem.
Sean made some of the same statements regarding the safety position.
I haven't seen Quintin Demps do anything special at the free safety. His play has been so unimpressive that the Birds let rookie Macho Harris take some plays with the first team against the Jags.
I saw Demps miss a couple of tackles against the Jags.
I don't see how the Eagles could contemplate starting Harris who is still wet behind the ears. You can't have guys making mistakes at the safety position because that will mean big plays for the other team.
I would like to see them give Sean Jones a shot at the starting job at strong safety, them move Quintin Mikell to the starting free safety spot.
