2009 NFL Free Agency: Linebackers

So your telling me this guy is a starting MLB in the NFL? And he's good too?

There really are some good football players available at the Linebacker position in the 2009 Free Agent market.  However, as it stands the Eagles are pretty much set at the position in ‘09.  Young starters Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong, and Akeem Jordan all will improve over the offseason and be back hungry for redemption.  Omar Gaither will be anxious to prove he can be a starter in the NFL, and special teams stud Tank Daniels signed a 2nd round RFA tender with the Eagles earlier this afternoon.  To round the group out, last year’s 5th round draft pick Joe Mays looked like a promising player in last year’s pre-season, and will look to crack the active roster in ‘09.

With all of that young talent, the Eagles may look to add some veteran leadership to the bunch.  That said, the Birds thought the young LB corps could fly on their own last year, and with another year of experience under their collective belts there is no reason to think they won’t be flying solo again in ‘09.  Additonally, signing another LB doesn’t make a lot of sense from a roster perspective; if one gets signed, another has to get cut (Gaither?)

Impact Players

• Karlos Dansby (Franchised) – 27 – Arizona
• Le’Roy Hill (Franchised) – 26 – Seattle
• Angelo Crowell – 27 – Buffalo
• Ray Lewis – 33 – Baltimore
• Mike Peterson – 32 – Jacksonville
• Bart Scott – 28 – Baltimore

Solid Depth

• Napoleon Harris – 29 – Minnesota
• Dontarrious Thomas – 28 – Minnesota
• Andra Davis – 30 – Cleveland
• Paris Lenon – 31 – Detroit
• Jason Babin – 28 – Kansas City
• Clark Haggans – 32 – Pittsburgh
• Michael Boley – 26 – Atlanta
• Dontarrious Thomas – 28 – Minnesota

Aging LBs

• Jonathan Vilma – 26 – New Orleans (Old Knees)
• Derrick Brooks - 35 - Tampa Bay
• Willie McGinest – 37 - Cleveland
• Takeo Spikes – 32 – San Fransesco
• Keith Brooking – 33 – Atlanta
• Rosevelt Colvin – 31 – New England

Out of all of the available Linebackers in the ‘09 Free Agent class, the most desirable player for me is Mike Peterson.  Cut by the pathetic Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, he release was tied to disagreement with the front office and team management much moreso than a decline in skill.  Peterson was one of the main reasons Jacksonville has been a top defense over the past decade (in addition to John Henderson and Marcus Stroud), and is intimidating force in the middle.  Signing Peterson would allow the Eagles to move Bradley to the strong side (where he played in college).  On the weak side, Gocong and Bradley could rotate in on pass rushing/pass coverage plays respectively.

Another interesting option could be Bart Scott, who would take over the weak side LB position immediately upon signing.

That said, I don’t expect the Eagles to go after any of these linebackers.  The only way we make a move is if it has already been determined that Omar Gaither will not be with the Eagles in ‘09, which seems like a knee-jerk reaction.  At one point, Gaither was the lone bright spot amongst an aging LB corps of Trotter and Spikes.

I like where the Eagles currently stand at Linebacker, and it will be exciting to watch Jordan, Bradley, and Gocong growth together as a LB unit in ‘09.