Eagles Analysis: 8 Predictions for the 2015 Season
By Pat Roach
Dec 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks (95) celebrates a tackle against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Eagles ILBs combine for 240 tackles, 10 sacks, 5 INTs, and 5 FF
The Eagles’ brass made it a point to aggressively address inside linebacker during free agency and the draft, so I’d suspect them to in turn make ILB a focal point on defense.
The Eagles’ staff has two of the leagues most dynamic playmakers at their disposal; Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso. With the versatility that an Alonso-Kendricks duo presents, the coaches will look to deploy them in a variety of exotic ways. Expect both young linebackers to blitz with regularity, and cover the vast majority of snaps on the inside.
It’s doubtful that the outside linebackers —Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham— will be able to maintain the ridiculous level of productivity that they enjoyed in 2014, however, they may not have to. Kendricks and Alonso both offer pass-rushing pop, and their diverse skill-sets will allow for Billy Davis to disguise coverages with ease. The multiplicity of the ILBs should be a major boost to the disruptiveness of the Eagles defense, and will result in a ton of splash plays in 2015. This is why the Eagles staff values versatility on defense.
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