In continuing the theme of a very strange Eagles season, Fox's Jay Glazer is reporting the club has agreed to a one year deal with Jeremiah Trotter. Apparently they liked what they saw from the 32-year-old middle linebacker in workouts last week, and he will join the team in some capacity when practices resume next Monday.
What that role is exactly, we don't know yet. Omar Gaither had an excellent Sunday, registering 7 tackles and a sack. As we've said many times, Gaither's not the prototypical Eagles middleman. He's not seen by the coaches as aggressive enough, and that's why he was replaced by Stewart Bradley heading into '08. He really picked up his game though against Kansas City, and it's surprising Trot would be a better option.
It's also possible they believe the Ax Man can play special teams again. Joe Mays didn't pan out in the preseason, and they rarely utilize him on the third unit. Basically, if he's not in the starting lineup, he's useless. Still, it's a little unusual for seasoned veterans, especially those with bad knees, to come in primarily for kick coverage.
The move at least provides depth, assuming Trotter has something left in the tank. While both Gaither and Mays were dinged up, Chris Gocong was forced to practice at middle linebacker as a precaution in the event neither man could go. Gocong is a converted DE who isn't exactly a stellar strongside backer, so it would be fair to say it's an experiment that had the potential to go horribly wrong, while simultaneously pushing somebody such as rookie LB Moises Fokou into action.
Trotter at least knows the system, and knows what's expected of him. At best, he's a first and second down player who, despite losing a few steps, might still be able to excel in run defense, especially playing behind Patt and Bunk. It's just another intriguing story in the Eagles lockerroom, one that we can only hope has a happy and productive ending.
Original Story:
http://www.the700level.com/2009/09/re...
