Is Linebacker This Year’s Doom Position?

In 2008 it was the Fullback position. Too many games were lost because of
the Eagles inability to convert short yardage plays. The Chicago Bears game
still haunts this fan.

It is now 2009 and I see the LB position as the new position that will
surely screw the Eagles this season. Just look at the depth chart as the Eagles
begin the 2009 season.

At MLB Gaither is starting with a
gimpy knee. Gaither
is starting not because he excelled in the off-season but because Mays didn’t
excel. Currently backing up Gaither at MLB is Chris Gocong, who has zero experience manning the middle.
Joe Mays is out up to 4 weeks so he is zero help for the 1st quarter of the
season. And once the pressure was on Mays this off-season he crumbled so I am
not too optimistic that he will step up when the games actually count.

The picture is just as bleak when you move outside. Based on his
progression last season I am excited about Gocong at the SAM position. Hopefully Chris is put
into more situations that allow him to pressure the QB. Behind Gocong is 7th round draft pick Moise
Fokou. A rookie means
no game experience. Being a 7th round pick screams project to this fan.

Over at the WILL position you have Jordan. No complaints with Jordan as his
insertion into the starting line-up coincided with the defense improving last
year. Jordan won’t lose a game for you, but sometimes you wish there were a few
more game changing plays in him. Backing up Jordan is Tracy White. The guy had
zero tackles last season and 27 total tackles for his career. This numbers
scream for Jordan to stay healthy.

Or maybe I am wrong about the LB position. Maybe Free Safety is the
position of doom this season for the Eagles. When a LB gets beat there is still
the S to keep the opponent from taking it to the house. When Macho Harris gets
beat it’s a sure 6 points!