Philadelphia Eagles: Are the Linebackers Too Young?

The 2007 Eagles defense was a top-10 unit. The offseason additions of Asante Samuel and Chris Clemons should only improve the defense's ranking. The 2007 defense that was very good could be dominant in 2008. The defensive line boasts two young, promising tackles in Bunkley and Patterson. The ends are lead by Pro Bowler Trent Cole and free agent signee Chris Clemons. Together the two combined for 20.5 sacks in 2007. The quality at the cornerback position is downright scary. Asante Samuel and Lito Sheppard (when healthy) are perennial Pro Bowlers. Sheldon Brown would be a No. 1 cornerback on most teams. The return to health of future Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins should shore up a weak safety unit. Dawkins' leadership and game-changing ability should help make up for the deficiencies of the team's other safeties. The big question mark of the Eagles' defense are the linebackers. The linebackers will need to step up for the defense to achieve success in 2008. Can the linebackers deliver? The first thing you notice about the Eagles' linebackers is the absence of a strong veteran leader. Gone are Jeremiah Trotter and even Takeo Spikes. The veteran of the group is now Rocky Boiman. Rocky who? The name does not bring forth much confidence. Boiman leads the linebacking group with six years of NFL experience. Unfortunately Boiman brings a career high of only 54 tackles in a season. This is not of too much concern as Boiman is scheduled to be a back up this year. But if he is called upon, well then, it's time to worry. The projected starters at linebacker are Stewart Bradley, Omar Gaither, and Chris Gocong. Combined the starters have four years of NFL experience. Bradley, the starting middle linebacker, has one career start. That is not a typo, one career start. An important reserve will be Akeem Jordan. Jordan too is short on experience, having only one year of NFL experience and one career start. The other reserves include Joe Mays, Justin Roland, and Andy Studebaker. Each player is a rookie, making their combined NFL experience zero years! So to summarize, combined, the eight linebackers currently on the Eagles roster have eight years of NFL experience. During crunch time will the young core of linebackers being able to handle the pressure? Can they serve as leaders on the defense? The Eagles are banking on the linebacking unit's vast potential to carry them throughout the season. With the potential comes great speed and big play capability. They can rush the passer, drop back into coverage, and cause the turnover. If the potential of the linebackers does not become a reality, the defense will suffer. When the defense suffers more pressure will be put on the Eagles offense. With McNabb's health already a concern, the pieces could begin to crumble quickly.