Its no secret to anyone that plays the Eagles (except the Panthers I guess). Our linebackers are bad. They are mice against men. When Stewart Bradley went down so did our linebacking core. Akeem has been impressive, but I have to wait another 14 weeks of him playing like he is for me to finally tip my hat to him. Omar is too finesse, he doesn't need a helmet, he needs a dress not a helmet. Chris just runs around and falls on the ground to make it look like he's actually doing something. Mays can hit.....and thats about as far as that goes. Tracy is a good special teams player, but so was Hank Baskett (we saw how that went). And I keep hearing about how bad our safeties are and in my opinion, its not that they are bad, but knowing that our linebackers can't really do anything special, they are forced to help them out and its leaves spaces open in the defense. One person reminded me that Andy Reid has a belief that the game is won in the trenches. Understandable, but disagreeable. And it's shown in the games.

Linebackers will be a rich group next offseason. Not just in free agency, but quite possibly the draft too. Here is a list and analysis of some of the possible linebackers we could go after (even though it is highly unlikely) in free agency.

 Kirk Morrison--Ht: 6-2, Wt: 240, Age: 27

2008 Stats: TOT-135, Solo-99, ASST-36, SCK-1, P.Def-1, INT-1

This makes me mad because we took Ryan Moats with pick 77th of the 2005 NFL Draft and guess who went next to the Raiders with the 78th pick? Yep. To think what could have been...Anyways, Kirk has been a monster over the last few years. He has finished top 12 in tackles in the last few years (including top 5 last year). He has been neglected Pro Bowl honors in my opinion because he plays on the Raiders and Nnamdi is in the secondary. Otherwise, he has been a very consistent LB. He might cost a pretty penny, but he's worth it. He is one of 2 LBs coming out of the Raiders in free agency. Unless "Undead Al" hits him with a contract he can't refuse, I can't see a reason for him to stay around on the NFL's jester football team.

 Thomas Howard--Ht: 6-3, Wt: 240, Age: 26

2008 Stats: TOT-97, SOLO: 80, ASST: 17, SCK: 1, P.DEF: 5, INT: 1

The other LB coming out of Oakland this free agency (possibly). He has been another consistent player, but once again playing the Raiders doesn't usually get you much, but a constant slap in the face and joke made about you. Well Howard is anything but a joke. Possibly, the fastest player at his position in the NFL. He finds the ball and is constantly around the ball. Great one on one tackler in the open field as well and (get this) has great coverage ability. With that being said, it may be harder to fight with Oakland for him since we all know how Al Davis loves his speed. But, I don't see the Raiders being able to sign 2 quality players back so either one would make me happy.

 Thomas Davis--Ht: 6-0, Wt: 240, Age: 26 *Current leading tackler in the NFL

2008 Stats: TOT-113, SOLO-92, ASST-21, SCK-3.5, P.DEF-6

This is a player that really came on especially last year. He is really the only player on the Carolina defense who I was worried about (Peppers wasn't happy so he I figured he wouldn't play like he really cared too much) He doesn't get much recognition since he plays next to a guy named Jon Beason (heard of em?). So far though, Thomas has out played him and is making plays all over the field. And that's the bad part. It makes him seem better, but it also makes it harder for us to get him especially since Carolina has some extra money sitting in their pockets. It seems like only Carolina knows the importance of him, but if he gets into free agency expect him to have some offers on the table. Hopefully we are one of them.

 Derrick Johnson--Ht: 6-3, Wt: 242, Age: 26

2008 Stats: TOT-85, SOLO-68, ASST-17, SCK-1.5, P.DEF-6, INT-1

Ironically I traded for him in my Madden Franchise (I traded Reggie Brown and a 3rd rounder). Someone earlier made a post about him and I would have liked to agree with him, but the problem is we play the Cheifs next week and also they changed their defense around and they weren't going to let Derrick go without giving it a try with him. Overall, this is the biggest possibility of all I've mentioned so far. He was a first round draft pick in 2005 and while he hasn't been the first round talent they had been expecting, he hasn't been bad. But, really who is good on the KC defense? In the last 4 years they have only finished in the top 15 once. They were 31st last year. If he doesn't have a productive year or he wises up and realizes that KC is a waste of time look for him to enter free agency. (Also good to note, he can play all 3 linebacker positions in a 4-3).

 Clint Ingram--Ht: 6-2, Wt: 240, Age: 26

2008 Stats: TOT-38, SOLO-33, ASST-5, SCK-2

Ok, don't laugh. He isn't flashy, he isn't someone to avoid on offense, he's not Derrick Brooks in his prime. Ok, yeah I know. But, there's just something about him that makes me think he is worth at least a try. His stats don't speak for it, but he seems to make plays everytime I see him. The Jacksonville defense is not bad, but its more because the players make plays than the defensive scheme. Clint has been a part of that. He is at least contact worthy and is (in my opinion) better than what we have so why not look at him. I'm not sure about what Jacksonville feels about him, but I haven't heard anything so look for him to enter free agency.

**For those who are wondering why I didn't put the higher premier player in here, lets keep it real for a minute: Dallas is not letting D-Ware go. He is the only thing on that defense that is a threat. He is a stud, JJ will ebay his big screen TV just to keep him. Shawne Merriman is a possibility, but I'm not for sure he can switch to a 4-3 LB. If he can then I stand corrected and say go after him. He has been dubbed a problem for the team but get this--Antonio Cromartie has 7 kids and has had 5 paternity suits in 2 years, Shaun Phillips was arrested in a scuffle with police in 2006 and cited for a misdemeanor this off-season. So they can't even complain about Merriman especially when his accuser is....Tila Tequila? Yeah, and President Obama called me the N-word.  The Texans can't be stupid enough to let DeMeco Ryans walk. They guy's stats might have gone down over the last few years...but he's still a G. It he walks into then we better be on him like white on rice, and a glass of milk, and a paper plate, and a snow storm (Major Payne reference). I don't see the Cards letting Karlos Dansby go after they just franchised him, they have to have something waiting for him at the other side. ? Would you let the former NFL's leading tackler walk when he's only 25?

I will make a second post regarding possible LB's in the draft. Leave your ideas about this one.  (Don't give me any names for the draft, save it for my second post).