Andy Reid's Eagles Have Suffered from a Lack of Linebackers

In light of the recent new rumors that the Eagles may be looking at acquiring two linebackers in Darryl Washington (via Kolb trade with Arizona) and Kirk Morrison (free agent), I thought we could analyze Andy Reid's history with this much maligned position in a town that takes pride in great defense.

If there is one position on the Philadelphia Eagles that Andy Reid has yet been able to find a stud, it is linebacker.  During his early years, the wide receiver position seemed to be Reid’s Achille's heel as he insisted on having a passing offense with mediocre to below-average receivers. 

After seeing how the offense could run with a good receiver (Terrell Owens in 2004), he finally started making a point to put more emphasis on the position.  However, he has yet to realize and/or accomplish that same feat with linebackers. 

It’s hard to tell if it’s due to bad talent judgement or if the position is still more of an afterthought for him.  The truth is, probably a combination of the two.  The best linebacker he's ever had was Jeremiah Trotter, but he was inherited from Ray Rhodes.

Many fans feel that Reid has a philosophy that linebackers are not important to the team’s overall success and he can just simply “plug and play” them.  This thought certainly has merit when you consider the fact that Reid has never fielded the same three starting linebackers for two consecutive years.

It is the ultimate revolving door position on the Eagles.  I’m not sure what Reid’s reluctance is on emphasizing this position as one of importance, because often linebackers are the heart and soul of a defense.  When you think of a fiery emotional leader of a defense, it’s usually a linebacker. 

In most cases, the best way to find a good linebacker is by drafting one.  This is evidenced by looking at the list I have compiled that comprises 25 of the NFL’s best linebackers who have entered the league since 1999, Reid’s first year as head coach. 

My goal was to see what rounds in the draft these players were taken and compare that to how many Reid has taken in the same rounds.  This, of course, was to get an idea of whether or not Reid should emphasize drafting a linebacker earlier in order to land a good prospect.  So, let’s take a look at my list (player, round, and year drafted) and compare it to what Reid has done.

*Note: I have excluded outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme who are considered a “rush linebacker” (aka, no DeMarcus Wares or Clay Mathews-types on the list)—there are too many differences between them and what the Eagles look for from a LB in a 4-3. 

LBs drafted in 2010 were also excluded due to only one year in league.  I have included some inside LBs who play in a 3-4 because they are more similar to 4-3 linebackers.

And lastly, please note that I am not saying these are the best 25 linebackers of the past 12 years, but they are a pretty good sample of the top ones to enter the league during that time frame.

Lawrence Timmons, 1st, 2007
Patrick Willis, 1st, 2007
Derrick Johnson, 1st, 2005
Chad Greenway, 1st, 2006
Brian Urlacher, 1st, 2000
Keith Bulluck,  1st, 2000
DJ Williams, 1st, 2004
Al Wilson, 1st, 1999
Jerod Mayo, 1st, 2008
Brian Cushing, 1st, 2009
Jon Beason, 1st, 2007
Jonathan Vilma, 1st, 2004
Julian Peterson, 1st, 2000
E.J. Henderson, 2nd, 2003
Paul Posluszny, 2nd, 2007
James Laurinaitis, 2nd, 2009
DeMeco Ryans, 2nd, 2006
David Harris, 2nd, 2007
Karlos Dansby, 2nd, 2004
Lofa Tatupu, 2nd, 2005
Lance Briggs, 3rd, 2003
Stephen Tulloch, 4th, 2006
James Harrison, UDFA, 2002 (OLB in a 3-4 but is not purely a rush LB)
Bart Scott, UDFA, 2002
London Fletcher, UDFA, 1999

That makes 13 drafted in Round 1, seven in Round 2, one each in the third and fourth rounds and three who were undrafted.

Andy Reid has drafted a total of 16 linebackers in his 13 drafts.  He has taken zero in the first round, three in the second (Barry Gardner, Quintin Caver, Matt McCoy), two in the third (Stew Bradley, Chris Gocong) and 11 in Rounds 4 through 7 (with the most notable being Moise Fokou, Jamar Chaney, Omar Gaither and, hopefully, Casey Mathews). 

With the exceptions of Bradley and Fokou, Reid has a brutal history of drafting LBs.  They have been mostly busts but we still have a few other hopefuls in Chaney, Clayton, Mathews, Brian Rolle and Greg Lloyd.  

As one may have logically concluded anyway, this is tangible proof that in order to better your chances for landing a top notch linebacker, you should draft one in the first round.  This is especially true if, as in Reid’s case, you have proven you don’t have an eye for talent at this position where you can unearth some diamonds past the third round. 

Though Reid isn’t the only Eagles coach to never select a linebacker in the first round, he has coached this team the longest and therefore has bypassed drafting one far more often than anyone else.

Reid has also tried his hand at trading for, or signing, linebackers (free agents) to plug in but hasn’t been successful going that route either.  The likes of Ernie Sims, Takeo Spikes, Dhani Jones, Keith Adams, Nate Wayne, Mark Simoneau, Shawn Barber and Levon Kirkland all had a very short shelf life with the Eagles.

I'll give Reid credit for one good free agent linebacker acquisition who played more than one season: Carlos Emmons.  He was a very good strong-side LB for five seasons and was especially good at covering tight ends.

But at what point should Reid realize this shortcoming and take the plunge by drafting a first-round linebacker?  Granted, there are always varying circumstances that could dictate drafting other positions, but at some point you just have to take a shot. 

Linebackers are the quarterback of the defense.  Since Reid puts such a high priority on the QB position, why not put a higher priority on one for your defense?  It would seem to make sense given that our defense is in dire need of a field general.

Maybe we’ll get lucky and someone out of Stewart Bradley, Jamar Chaney, Moise Fokou, Casey Mathews, Brian Rolle or Greg Lloyd will fulfill this role.  Or maybe acquiring a new linebacker once free agency begins will add some much needed pep to the position.

But if history is any indication, don’t expect any of these players to become the stud we all hope they can be.