After Eagles starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley went down with a dislocated elbow, in came Jamar Chaney. For most Eagles fans, the name Jamar Chaney was foreign to them. But don’t be discouraged by that notion, Chaney has a ton of upside and I expect him to handle his new role perfectly fine.
While attending Mississippi State, Chaney earned Second Team All-SEC honors in 2007 after finishing his junior season with a team-leading 89 tackles.
But then came his senior season, which lasted not even one game after he suffered a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle on the next-to-last play of the season opener. However, he was granted a medical redshirt, which allowed him to regain his final year of eligibility.
His fifth season in college went better than expected as he finished with 89 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was invited to participate in the 2010 Senior Bowl, where he was named the Defensive Player of the Game after accounting for eight tackles and a fumble recovery.
He followed that performance with an impressive effort in the NFL Combine. Chaney recorded one of the fastest times by a linebacker at the event with a 4.54 forty-yard dash.
But his efforts in both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine could not raise his draft stock. He wound up falling to the Eagles in the seventh-round.
“I was disappointed at being a seventh-round pick, but at the same time I came in here with a chip on my shoulder wanting to prove everybody wrong,” said Chaney. “A lot of [general managers] passed on me, so I want to make it known that they made a mistake.”
Proving all of those general managers wrong appeared to be a difficult task for someone who compiled just 12 tackles before last week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. But then came Bradley’s injury (his second major injury in two seasons), and all of sudden Chaney received the opportunity to make a name for himself in the league.
After filling in for Bradley last week, Chaney finished with a team-high seven tackles in the Birds’ 30-27 victory.
This week, he will face one of the league’s best running attacks.
Led by Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants’ running game ranks fourth in total yards (1,928) and second in yards per attempt (4.9), just behind the Eagles (5.3).
Bradshaw has accounted for 1,116 yards while Brandon Jacobs has compiled 693 yards. Both runners have added eight touchdowns each.
Tackling Jacobs is no easy task, but the Eagles held him and the entire Giants’ running game in check in their first meeting this season.
“Jacobs, you definitely want to hit him before he gets started,” said Chaney. “Once he gets started, it’s hard to tackle him.”
Jacobs only ran for just 10 yards on five attempts, while Bradshaw compiled just 29 yards on 12 attempts in Week 10.
But then again, Bradley was healthy in that game and patrolled the middle against New York. This time around, Bradley won’t be around to help out in Philly’s efforts to contain the dangerous Giants run game.
The Giants will test the middle early on, but don’t be surprised if Chaney holds his own in the run game.
What are your thoughts on Chaney and the upcoming game?
I think Chaney should do fine, but he needs Dixon to keep playing like a Pro-bowler. Chaney is a step faster than Bradley and may be able to avoid guards getting on him. If the defensive tackles penetrate like Dixon constantly does, the backs ability to slide down the line and pick from several lanes gets eliminated. This will prevent Chaney from jumping up in a gap and Bradshaw cutting back at the line. Jacobs is a straight line runner and the backers just have beat him to the line of scrimmage before he gets rolling.
There is a reason the coaching staff is turning to Chaney and not Gaither. He’s faster and a quick learner. That’s the difference in the New Mick Vick and the old. Study. Andy said in the press conference that Chaney is in early and leaves late.
Chaney will be the 3rd blessing in replacement. First was the FB Smitt, and 2nd was CB Patterson over Hobbs. Bradley was getting tourched in pass coverage with his back to many passes over his head. When Bradley comes back for the Playoffs, maybe the coaches can put Chaney in for the Invisible Man, the Fantastic Scrub, Ernie Sims.
@bsmvideos, Not the 3rd replacement to be a blessing… Dont forget about Dixon, McGlynn, and Fokou. Although I wouldn’t quite call fokou a “blessing,” he’s definitely better than what we had.
I stated back in Summer that Gaither probably wouldn’t make the final Roster,(at least I was hoping he wouldn’t) he’s just not pyhsical enough and doesn’t have the speed like a Clayton,Chaney,Sims
He is a quality back-up and can play a couple od positions and SPecial Teams, I am sure they kept him as a safety net in case Bradley was injured or some of the Young LB’s just weren’t ready..
But as the Season has gone along, it appears that Clayton and Chaney are ready to become the
future at LB
Next Years LB group will probably look like this
WIll – M Fokou Mike- Chaney Sam- S Bradley (where he belongs)
Clayton will be in on passing downs and see lots of action, Jordan a back-up
Sims will likely not be signed and move on to another team
This Sunday I’de stay away from the 3 down middle linebacker. Let the guys play to their strengths as much as possible.
Bring in Jordan on passing downs to lessen Chaney’s responsibilities. Clayton’s hamsting will limit any time for him.
I like Paulmans linebacker lineup for next year because Clayton and Jordan bring some speed when needed. Sims has looked better recently, but he doesn’t create any turnovers or big plays. The shark in the water has no teeth.
BSMVIDEO
How the hell was Schmidt a blessing–Yeah he has played very well I can’t think of any problems he has caused but come on –L Weaver was a great runner and pass receiver –First time we had any decent runs by a Fullback in ages and his running after the catch was outstanding
Not knocking Owen but Weaver was playing fantastic
BMSvideo
Ray Didinger said Chaney was very good against the run against the Cowboys but it is his pass coverage he is worried about
He said that last Witten TD was his responsibility