Emerging: Two Philadelphia Eagles Players in 2015

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Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver

Dez Bryant

(88) makes a reception past Philadelphia Eagles free safety

Malcolm Jenkins

(27) and inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

II: Inside Linebacker Mychal Kendricks

In 2012, the Philadelphia Eagles desperately needed to find talent in the NFL draft. Even though they were destined to have one of the worst years in franchise history under then head coach Andy Reid, they managed to find quite a bit of talent in that 2012 NFL draft. They found defensive end Fletcher Cox in the first round, and then returned to the defense with the second pick of inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks from the University of California. Desperate to shore up the defense, Kendricks became an immediate starter.

He has grown into one of the best defensive players on the Eagles team. His speed allows him great versatility from the inside linebacker position, where he frequently leads the team in tackles per game. But his true production became apparent on the field after returning from a calf injury. He became a one man gang at times, generating four quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, three passes defended, and leading the team in tackles with 83, despite missing four games.

It was not only that production, but the way he shouldered the role of defensive leader during teammate inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans injury in the second half of the season that places him on the cusp of a breakout season. His high flying blurring speed placed him in the right spot to make a tackle all season, and he emerged as a player who was finally realizing his talent in the NFL.

But he did not have it easy getting there. Arriving to the last year of the wide 9 defense, his role was taxed by the amount of ground he had to cover. In 2013, his role changed again as he paired up in the middle with Ryans. Despite that shift and the expansion of the linebacking corps, Kendricks struggled to find success. His 2013 ranking from pro football focus of -15.7 was one of the worst individual player ratings in the league. He began the season uncomfortable, and by three games in had already missed eight tackles. And as is often the case with a player who hits a period of struggle, media and fans were ready to abandon him in hopes of finding better in free agency or the draft.

But Billy Davis had other ideas. His faith in the player, despite the calls to move on, was justified as Kendricks began an impressive display of defense after returning from injury. Perhaps his best showing was against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Despite a depleted defense, Kendricks and teammate Cox led the team in everything but victory.

Now, having broken the stigma of a underperformance, Kendricks can take it to the next level. His coverage skills are already best from the teams other linebackers, and his speed gives him the equalizer to overcome his smaller than average size. But his willingness to accept the lessons of Kevin Greene in the off-season and “be violent” took his game to the next tier. It serves as one more example of why abandoning a player for a bad season is oftentimes the WORST thing a team can do.

On a team with questions on the defense, it’s nice to find an answer. Mychal Kendricks is poised to have a breakout season in 2015.

After the article was published, the team website featured Kendricks in it’s Forward Progress series by Adam Hermann.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Forward-Progress-Mychal-Kendricks/f2736d2d-411e-4baf-9f74-b74347af39e4

So the word is out. You found it here first.

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