Birds Are Stacked At The Inside Linebacker Spot

The Eagles have an abundance of talent at the inside linebacker position.   They’ve got outstanding speed, along with good size and experience.  It’s not an accident because Chip Kelly made it clear that one of his goals this offseason was to increase the depth at the position.  They were looking for three-down inside backers, which meant finding players, who had size and the ability to cover running backs, tight ends and wide receivers when needed.  That meant they were only wanted looking for linebackers, who can run.

DeMeco Ryans, who is recovering from tearing an Achilles tendon a year ago, is well ahead of what the team expected.  He was able to do just about everything in the workout but he didn’t get into the team drills.  He was moving very well during the workout with any type of limp.  The veteran was changing direction, which required putting his weight on the injured foot and pushing off on it.

“I feel pretty good for where I am right now and the recovery process is going really well,” Ryans told PhiladelphiaEagles.com.  I’m not doing everything. I’m gradually progressing into doing everything, but I am doing position drills and that’s going really well.”

Ryans wasn’t going 100% of his speed in the work on the field, but I would estimate that he was pushing things at 70 to 80%.  I expect him to be playing first and second downs during the season depending on how the recovery goes.  Who knows he could be out there for three downs if he can because he is the quarterback of the defense.

The veteran makes all the calls, from getting the defensive front lined up to the coverage on the back end.  He’s excited about the new depth they have at the position.

“We have some great depth,” Ryans told Philly.com. “This is probably the best inside group we’ve had since I’ve been here. It’s really great competition. I’m looking forward to seeing how things shake out throughout training camp.”

The Birds have to feel great about him because he could be chilling a bit after getting an extension to his contract.  This tells you a lot about Ryans as a leader.  Players follow guys who set an example.  They see a veteran like Ryans at the Nova Care Complex working hard, so they know they have to work hard.

I got my first up close look at Kiko Alonso with no knee brace and no sign of a ACL tear.  It’s easy to see why Chip Kelly was so excited about getting him.  He’s definitely a three-down linebacker,  who has good size, moves very well and doesn’t have any wasted motion when he changes direction.  It’s going to be very hard to keep him off the field because from what I’ve heard he’s a smart football player, as well.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d be doing this much,”Alonso told Philly.com. “I’ve just been going on how I feel, and it’s feeling really good.”

“I feel comfortable without it,” Alsonso said regarding wearing a knee brace. “I never really liked wearing (it).”

Alonso tore his ACL in his second season after winning Defensive Rookie of the year by the Pro Football Writers in 2013.  He made an amazing 159 tackles with four interceptions in his rookie season.   During the workout on Thursday Alonso didn’t step on the gas all the way, but he was moving well without any brace on his knee.  He’s got soft hands and catches the football like a receiver.

The inside linebackers were doing a drill with him playing some outside linebacker, which we could see before the season is over.

Mychal Kendricks is back and ready to go.  He’s one of the quickest and fastest inside linebackers in the NFL.   I expect big things out of him this year because he’s starting to anticipate plays, which is the key to making big plays on defense.  I would like to see him get more work on catching the football because when you combine his speed, quickness and experience, he should be coming down with three, four or five interceptions a year.

Kendricks should be making big plays for this defense because his speed and quickness gives him the ability to arrive early on run and pass plays.  Usually that translated into interceptions and forced fumbles for the defense.  His goal should be a Pro Bowl appearance after the 2015 season.  Last year Kendricks had four sacks, which is a good number for an undersized inside linebacker.

Don’t be surprised if he you see him sliding outside and coming off the corner.  He would be a tough matchup for a big offensive tackle because of his size and quickness.  Offensive linemen have trouble with defenders who can get low to the ground yet maintain their speed.  This is something Kendricks can do at 5’11”.

Najee Goode is back from a torn pectoral muscle which sidelined him for all but one game last year.  Goode is another outstanding athlete, who is a solid run defender but he does a better job in defending the pass than the run.  He will have a challenge making this team now they’ve drafted Jordan Hicks and will need to do an outstanding job on the Special Teams to make it.

I liked what I saw out of veteran Brad Jones, who will be battling Goode for a roster spot, if either one of them makes the team.  Versatility is going to come into play at the linebacker position.  Guys who are able to play inside and outside linebacker positions will add to their value.

Jones looks about the same size as Alonso and Ryans, so he has good size for the position.  He has the experience as well.  Jones was signed by the Eagles  waivers.  He’s got good size and he moves well.  Jones still has some years left in his legs, so he’ll be playing some where this year if not in Philadelphia.

Rookie 3rd round draft pick Jordan Hicks is another good athlete with good height. I can see that all the passing and spread offenses in college football have these middle linebackers built like safeties.  Again, Hicks could use some more muscle to go against a good running game in the NFL.

I could tell that he’s got speed with good quick feet.  Hicks has fresh young legs and he can run all day, which makes him a great candidate for the Special Teams.  Barring injuries to the veterans, this youngster will spend his rookie season covering kickoffs, punts, and blocking on kickoffs and punts.

Hicks moves well just like Alonso and Kendricks.  He’s in line to be eventually calling the Birds defense so, he will be able to learn a great deal from sitting in the meeting room with these veterans.  The youngster will learn how to study video of the upcoming team and he’ll learn about formations and tendencies of offensive players, especially quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.

Veteran Special Teamer Emmanuel Acho was also a part of the workout and he’s going to have his work cut out for him to make the team.

Don’t be surprised if you see Alonso and/or Kendricks playing some outside linebacker.  The Birds will be trying to keep Ryans, Alonso and Kendricks on the field.  Ryans is the defensive quarterback, while Alonso and Kendricks are two of the best athletes playing inside linebacker in the NFL.

On a side note, I don’t see why it was so necessary to draft Hicks in the third round.  He’s not ready to play yet and the Birds needed help on the offensive line and that need has become more serious with Evan Mathis refusing to show up to OTA’s.  They have Ryans, Kendricks, Alonso, Jones, and Acho, yet they have to use a valuable third round pick on Hicks.  I don’t understand it.