Bit worried about the LB position. We have Bradham who played well for us. Didn't haven't invested in any young talent of late in the draft at the position. Hicks can't stay healthy ever. Really puzzling move.
Not a surprise, as this was long rumored, but with Paul Worrilow supposedly getting hurt today in OTAs, it does leave us thin at LB. There are a lot of bodies there, but a lot of question marks. We are going to need some younger guys to step up in this area, or bring in another FA veteran type.
The Eagles did sign Corey Nelson from the Broncos as a free agent and apparently see him as a starter outside, so in a sense they already have Kendricks' replacement, just not a lot of good depth here. Some of the same guys as last year, who are OK special teamer types, but no one you would want to see in a prolonged stretch at LB.
I liked Kendrick’s well enough for that great second year he had. And while he played well enough for us last year he never justified that deal he got years back that led to a 7.6M cap number this year. He also never sat down with us to try and work something out, nor keep it all in house so the Eagles could protect some value in moving him.
Had he just made his wishes known to team and let them work it out it could have been better. Instead we have to cut with nothing coming back.
And we lose a depth signing to injury. I think Hicks, Bradham and Nelson could work well. But there is no depth to spell them seen yet, nor the backup for the obligatory Hicks injury.
One or two guys stand out and make a leap we will be ok. It just sucks to have to hope for that.
LB can be found via trade or wait for cuts in preseason. He was simply not involved in enough packages to warrant getting paid the amount of money he was scheduled to make. I personally would have kept him, but it's easy to say that when it's not my money.
Not surprising that the Eagles moved on from him given is somewhat limited role (assuming others are healthy) and salary. I am surprised that Howie couldn't get ANYTHING in return.
Never lived up to the contract he received... was solid and stepped up when we needed him last season after Hicks went down, but I don't believe his loss will be as big as some think. He was basically rendered to a part-time player in Schwartz's scheme, who prefers to use 5-DB/3-safety sets most of the time anyway. His best fit is in a 3-4 scheme as a blitzing ILB, which is his best ability. Plus he seems to be a bit of a drama queen, which I find extremely annoying.
But he did contribute to a SB win, and I will forever be grateful as a fan. Best of luck to him, except when he plays the Birds.
Now if either one of Bradham or Hicks goes down, then I'll be worried.
This will be an interesting story to watch. They have Gerry and Nelson now that can play that position. How well? Who knows. If they don't like them they can pick someone up on cut downs. Big gamble hoping Hicks and Bradham do not suffer any season enders this year.
They didn't want to pay him and I don't think they value the position. Sooner or later they are going to have to add some quality to the position, hopefully sooner.