The Philadelphia Eagles have high hopes for veteran linebacker Zach Brown, but so far he hasn’t done anything eye-opening in training camp.
With training camp being here for a week, the Philadelphia Eagles likely have a good idea of who could potentially contribute in a positive way this season or not. It’s hard to bank on guys after one week of practice, but these next few weeks count for guys that are trying to make the roster. Not everybody has to put on a show at training camp, as there are tons of absolute locks to make the final 53-man roster when everything is said and done.
However, there is a large chunk of veterans and rookies who have to impress in order to crack that final roster. And for newer guys, the past doesn’t matter. A player could’ve been a Pro Bowler before, but if they are clearly past their prime and remaining unimpressive on the practice field throughout the preseason, then the Eagles won’t hesitate to make the cut.
Former Washington Redskins linebacker Zach Brown joined the Eagles by way of a one-year deal this offseason. After getting released two years into his contract with the Skins, Brown was waiting patiently on the free agency market for a team to call. Finally, the Eagles brought in the former Pro Bowler as they were on the hunt for an experienced inside linebacker.
The signing was a great idea — but Brown is still not a lock to make the team. When Brown signed a deal with the Eagles, they got him for what was assumed to be a bargain of $2.5 million in total. They could save $1.1 million in total if they decide to cut him before the regular season begins. Now, there’s still tons of time left this offseason for Brown to turn things around, but so far he hasn’t really made a cold hard case for making the team.
What’s the word around the Nova Care Complex?
According to The PhillyVoice’s Jimmy Kempski, Brown has done nothing to stand out. Granted, Brown is a guy who proves he belongs when he’s out on the field but being that he’s on a new team, you would think he would be a bit more motivated to want to do good in practice.
That hasn’t really been the case. “He looks completely disinterested at times during non-team drills,” Kempski wrote in his latest stock up/stock down piece. “I’ve seen Eagles players go through cruise control during camp in the past, only to watch them turn it on when it matters, making any camp concerns look foolish. However, Brown is joining a new team. He doesn’t have the luxury of not having to prove himself.”
With Brown struggling to stand out at practice, two other Eagles inside linebackers have done the opposite. Eagles’ veteran linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill came to Philly a couple of years ago as a special teamer, but over the last two seasons, he’s grown into much more. Over the previous week, Grugier-Hill has been one of the more impressive players on defense.
Also, former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker L.J. Fort is in the same boat as Brown, being on a one-year deal in Philly. Except in Fort’s case, he’s been a standout on more days than not. Fort’s in a much tougher position trying to make the team, but as long as Brown continues to cruise through training camp, Fort could be a surprise candidate to make the roster in a few weeks.