QuotePaul Domowitch | Demotions for Trotter, S. Brown?
THE OFFSEASON addition of Takeo Spikes and the subtractions of Dhani Jones and Darwin Walker means the Eagles will open the season with at least three new defensive starters.
Spikes has been penciled in at weakside linebacker. Chris Gocong is the front-runner to replace Jones on the strong side, and assuming he doesn't get lost on the way to Lehigh, 2006 first-round pick Brodrick Bunkley will be Walker's starting replacement at right defensive tackle.
But don't discount the possibility of that list of new starters growing by two before the Eagles check into their hotel in Green Bay for the Sept. 9 season opener against the Packers.
While defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said the other day that Jeremiah Trotter still is the team's starting middle linebacker, his inclusion of the words "right now" made it clear the four-time Pro Bowler is going to have to prove this summer that he still deserves the job.
With Spikes taking over at WILL, second-year man Omar Gaither, who did a solid job there after replacing Matt McCoy in early December, will move back to the middle. Johnson said
Gaither will be the team's MIKE linebacker in its nickel package, but also will be given a shot at beating Trotter out for the starting job.
Then there's the right cornerback position. Right now, that job belongs to Sheldon Brown, who has been the starter there the last three seasons. But keep your eye on William James, who is gaining ground on the outside.
Johnson is very high on James, a former Giant who was one of the league's better young corners before injuring his back 2 years ago. He called him the key to his secondary the other day. Not "a" key. "The" key.
Right now, James, who signed with the Eagles last November but played in just four of 10 games because of injuries, is listed as the team's third corner behind Brown and Lito Sheppard.
But Johnson has told both Brown and James, who signed a new 1-year deal with the Eagles in March, that this is going to be a may-the-best-man-win situation this year.
"William is a guy who can start," Johnson said. "When he played last year, he played well. We just didn't get enough out of him as far as being healthy on the field."
Asked whether James will be given an opportunity to beat out Brown this summer, Johnson said, "I think [James] is a starting [quality] cornerback. Anytime you get that kind of competition, sure, he's going to push the other guy.
"But Sheldon's a good corner. We expect Sheldon to have a good year. But the best players are going to play.''
Brown has had his ups and downs the last two seasons. Johnson moves him inside on passing downs and he has been very effective in that role, but he doesn't seem to be nearly as confident on the outside.
There has been speculation that the Eagles might consider moving him to safety at some point in the future, perhaps after Brian Dawkins retires. Last year, Johnson often had him playing deep in some of his coverage schemes. While he's only 5-10, Brown is solidly built and can deliver a good blow, as Saints running back Reggie Bush found out in the playoffs.
"I haven't thought that far down the road," Johnson said.
"I still think he has good corner ability right now. He might not be able to make that transition. A year down the road, maybe I'll think about it. Right now, I'm not thinking about it."
I love it! As much as I love Trot, Gaither is going to be a great LB and I'd love to see him at MLB.
Obviously I am biased when it comes to Trotter, but I don't think he's done yet like many do. Yes he struggled last year but I think a lot of that had to do with the DL not playing well and the other LBs not producing. He shouldn't be given up on yet.
We talked about Will Peterjames the other day. I like him as a 3rd CB and maybe even as a full-time guy because he was good in NY when he was healthy. Last year he played decent at times considering he had no training camp and was coming off a serious back injury. But demote Sheldon? I don't know about that. Yes, Sheldon has been giving up some deep balls at times but he's still a good CB.
Then again - they play so much nickel that does it really matter who is the starter? Maybe only in the players minds because that means status and money, but to win in the NFL a team needs 3-4 good corners anyways.
The LBs are still a set of musical chairs though. Can Gocong be the SAM? If he fails do they move him back to DE? Does Bradley then step in at SAM? Or is he the future there with Spikes sliding over to SAM and then OG going back to WIL?
I am not comfortable with them moving OG out of the WIL spot anyways. He played well there last year and is only going to get better. I really think they should use Spikes-Trotter-Gaither.
I can get behind Gaither replacing Trotter long before I can get behind James supplanting Sheldon. At this point though, I'm not sure I like either move because this defense is going to have enough new starters as is.
this isnt news
its why you hold training camp
the better player wins
i love trot but hes just about done
hes real close
if not in
levon kirk-land
id love to see some fresh blood at mike
and have trot be a part time playa
as for sheldon
i think much more highly of him
than most do
but if peterson beats him out
more power to him
i dont think it happens tho
romey is gonna have a stroke
he doesnt think will is even a third corner
and now he might replace sheldon
Personally, I don't see how anybody can downplay James' ability. The guy was a quality starting CB in this league and the only reason he's not now is because of his injuries.
I'm just not sure I'm confident enough in that abilty to remain healthy to put him out there ahead of Sheldon.
IGY's prose is breathtaking.
Seriously, though... it's obvious Trotter had lost a step last year. I think he can be an important contributor at times (running downs), but if Gaither beefs up a bit and can handle the middle on a regular basis, more power to him.
I think the James/Brown (ha!) competition is only to light a fire under the eventual starter... Brown. It's just not the Eagles' MO to start a guy that's not drafted by them and only under contract for 1 year over a homegrown talent signed to a long-term deal. I just don't see it happening.
Of course, that doesn't mean James won't see the field a hell of a lot regardless, even if Sheldon remains the starter in name. I don't care either way, as long as they stop calling defensive plays that leave Sheldon on an island against #1 receivers. He's a solid #2 corner, but he can't be expected to cover guys like Plaxico Burress 1-on-1.
They're always talking about 'competition' on that retarded coaching staff. Personally, I think it's a bunch of high school bullshtein, myself. I think Brown is better than Peterson by a considerable margin, but it certainly wouldn't shock me to see Peterson outside and Brown inside in nickel situations.
As for Trotter... no shtein he'll be getting less playing time. He has the knees of a 78 year-old man, for Chrissakes. They rotated him last year because he was getting beat like a pinyata, so why wouldn't the eventual transition continue?
A whole lot of nothing that article was. Shocking, I know.
Quote from: FastFreddie on May 02, 2007, 08:46:05 AM
I think the James/Brown (ha!) competition is only to light a fire under the eventual starter... Brown.
this
why would a probowler need a fire lit under him??
Quote from: ice grillin you on May 02, 2007, 08:58:44 AM
why would a probowler need a fire lit under him??
He had an off season. Plenty of players do. If this helps him get out of the funk he was in, so be it.
I'll even bet that all players have an offseason.
Quote from: EagleFeva on May 02, 2007, 09:02:24 AM
I'll even bet that all players have an offseason.
booooooo
i dont believe in lighting fires under players...thats horsecrap and it doesnt work...you either are a player or youre not...what it does do is make a guy look over his shoulder...and corner is the last position that needs to be doing that
i dont believe sheldon even had a bad year last year but if jim johnson does he doesnt need to intimate that to the press...again thats what training camp is for...if sheldon is really that bad or james that good it will all play out then
^^un-huh^^
Trotter lost a step in 2005, in 2006 he lost a whole stride.
In Trotters defense the DT position left him somewhat exposed. If Bunkly isn't a bust Trotter could return to just having lost a step. They'll know by the end of the preseason at any rate.
I like Brown but having another quality starting corner can't be a bad thing...
I also like Brown. It seems like a bit of a stretch thinking William James can take his spot considering he hasn't been healthy and played in only a few games last year. If he can stay healthy and is an upgrade, that's fine by me.
As for Trotter... I'd love to see him replaced.
I figured Mad and GF would enjoy this article. Haters!! :flipoff
All I know is that Andy said he doesn't care who is out there - he just wants the best guys on the field. And I don't put too much into the corner stuff because like I said before, they need 3 good ones anyways. Hell, I even think Hanson will be much better this year too.
im all for trotter starting if that means takeo to sam and gaither to wil...that is the best linebacker trio they could go with...but they have it in their heads to try this ridiculous gocong experiment
And you have it in yours to not give it a shot and see if it works before going on blast.
Its obvious they have some other options there should Gocong fail. Granted one is a goofy cornfed cracka, but hes at least a true SAM.
Personally I would love to see Tank Daniels win the job. I'm driving that 'wagon. Have been since I saw him at camp.
Its obvious they have some other options there should Gocong fail.
its obvious they have BETTER options there...who would you rather have at sam gocong or takeo...i know who id want
Like I said earlier in the thread...
I want TKO, Trotter & OG.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54I figured Mad and GF would enjoy this article. Haters!!
I don't hide my dislike for Trotter, for sure. He's not getting any younger and as time goes by he's making fewer plays. I'd like to see some youth take over. Who that is, i'm not exactly sure if Gaither is the guy to do it. I'm willing to give him a shot.
If the Gocong thing doesn't work, I'm curious to see what Stewart Bradley can do. He may not be the greatest LB in the history of the league, but he may be a serviceable LB like Hunter Hillenmeyer (who people seem to like for some unknown reason). If either of them can play solid football, it's a HUGE step up from the last few years of crap-tacular strongside linebacker play.
wow who has heard sheldons comments on this article...says he is frustrated with jj and this situation...
says hes seen him 7-8 times around novcare and was told nothing about this...says he welcomes the competition but didnt like to have to hear and see his name called out in the paper
JJ's time is up anyway. He should have been shown the door after '05.
Here's the article regarding Brown.
QuotePosted on Thu, May. 03, 2007
In yesterday's Daily News, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said that William James, who saw limited playing time due to injury last season, is a "starting [quality] cornerback," and that he had let both Brown and James know that the best man coming out of training camp would win the starting job.
Only problem is, Brown says the first time he heard that his job security was waffling was yesterday, when an Eagles public-relations staffer showed him Paul Domowitch's article.
More bemused than angry, Brown said the only thing that caught him off-guard was that Johnson singled out Brown and Jeremiah Trotter as guys who are in a battle. The way he sees it, everybody on the roster is fighting for their jobs right now, and that while there might be bigger battles at one spot than another, to single out cornerback and middle linebacker struck Brown as at least odd.
"I haven't had one conversation with Jim about my job," Brown said. "I would think if my job were in jeopardy, it would come up. I think coach [Andy] Reid would call a guy in if he didn't think he was playing up to par. I've seen Jim five or six times this offseason and he hasn't said anything to me about my job being on the line.
"He hasn't talked to Sheldon Brown about that, so I would hope maybe out of respect he would call me. Even if what he said was misconstrued, I'm sure they're showing him the article just like they showed me, so I think he would call me to clear it up."
Brown isn't foolish enough to think he's a lock at his starting position. After five seasons in the NFL, the former second-round pick knows that nothing is guaranteed in football and that last year's starter could be this year's roadkill (just ask Dhani Jones). He will head to minicamp and training camp this year as he always has, intent on proving he deserves to start because of his talent, not because he's been grandfathered into the position.
"I go to training camp every year thinking my job is on the line, no matter who is behind me," Brown said. "That's how I play. I don't compete against people behind me. I compete against myself."
Indeed, Brown has been around long enough to know what to worry about and what not to worry about. This one falls into the latter box.
"This won't keep me up nights, no, not at all," Brown said, laughing. "There's no discomfort or anything on my part. I play football. That's what I do and there's no more pressure on me, because I already put enough on myself." *
A whole lot of nothing if you ask me.
not a big story but good for sheldon for going back at jj
Sheldon did lose a couple of style points for referring to himself in the third person there. :-D
Otherwise, I liked what he said. He was basically saying "kiss my ass" to J.J. if he thought his job was on the line. I've always liked that about Sheldon and I still do.
Bottom line is Philly reporters are trying to stir controversy here because there's nothing else to write about with the Flyers and Sixers being out of the playoffs and the Phillies eating ass. "All Eagles, All The Time Whether You Like It Or Not" should be Philly.com's motto.
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on May 02, 2007, 11:15:31 AM
Like I said earlier in the thread...
I want TKO, Trotter & OG.
Give up your man-love for Trotter and his cartilegeless knees.
Quote from: rjs246 on May 03, 2007, 08:15:56 AM
JJ's time is up anyway. He should have been shown the door after '05.
Amen.
Consider the fire lit.
Bottom line is Philly reporters are trying to stir controversy
in the immortal words of pg........ ::)
Quote from: ice grillin you on May 03, 2007, 09:17:51 AM
Bottom line is Philly reporters are trying to stir controversy
in the immortal words of pg........ ::)
In the immortal words of William Randolph Hearst:
"You furnish the pictures and I'll furnish the war."
Quote from: FastFreddie on May 03, 2007, 08:42:18 AM
Quote from: PhillyPhreak54 on May 02, 2007, 11:15:31 AM
Like I said earlier in the thread...
I want TKO, Trotter & OG.
Give up your man-love for Trotter and his cartilegeless knees.
No.
Quote from: rjs246 on May 03, 2007, 08:15:56 AM
JJ's time is up anyway. He should have been shown the door after '05.
Yeah.
Has really nothing to do with the subject other than the job, but how farging awesome would it be to be a defensive coordinator?
Quote from: ice grillin you on May 03, 2007, 08:14:31 AM
wow who has heard sheldons comments on this article...says he is frustrated with jj and this situation...
says hes seen him 7-8 times around novcare and was told nothing about this...says he welcomes the competition but didnt like to have to hear and see his name called out in the paper
He should really garner some intestinal fortitude, huh?
not at all sheldon was like bring it on...no broken backed ex giant is taking my job...hes just lettin jj know not to put him on blast in the media like that...just come to him man up
Quote from: ice grillin you on May 03, 2007, 03:43:50 PM
sheldon was like bring it on
Exactly. He's all man like Barksdale. Not like Lindros and McNabb.
watch JJ punish sheldon by leaving him one on one with burress while the rest of the team blitzes.
Quote from: Magical_Retard on May 03, 2007, 04:12:10 PM
watch JJ punish sheldon by leaving him one on one with burress while the rest of the team blitzes.
He would have done that anyway. It's one of his "genius" playcalls that he can't help but go back to a couple of times a game.
Quote from: FastFreddie on May 03, 2007, 04:16:01 PM
Quote from: Magical_Retard on May 03, 2007, 04:12:10 PM
watch JJ punish sheldon by leaving him one on one with burress while the rest of the team blitzes.
He would have done that anyway. It's one of his "genius" playcalls that he can't help but go back to a couple of times a game.
i guess as long as shockey doesnt score :(
CSN video clips of Brown responding:
Clip 1 (http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/media/video/eagles/050207-Brownonarticle.wmv)
Clip 2 (http://philadelphia.comcastsportsnet.com/media/video/eagles/050207-SheldonBrown.wmv)