Training Camp Preview: Inside Linebacker

The Eagles training camp begins Monday when Michael Vick, Nick Foles, and the rookies report to the Nova Care Complex which of course is the start of the new change in Philadelphia Eagles Football under Head Coach Chip Kelly who is preparing for his first trianing camp ever in the NFL as a head coach. Well the fans are clearly excited as there has been already over 4,500 tickets taken for the attendance of training camp which is the first since the 1940s to be hosted in Philadelphia. Many of the positions are solidified for instance the offensive line but most are in competition for the starting job including the most coveted position in the NFL, the quarterbackf position but guess what and this might come as a schock......we are not talking about the quarterbacks in this article! (Mind blown)? well you shouldn't be. Lets talk about the inside linebacker position, a position that isn't really in competition for the spots but more is to see where the young players fall in line on the depth chart as we know veteran Demeco Ryans and second year pro Mychal Kendricks are going to be the two guys in the middle of the 3-4 defense for the start of the season unless any serious injuries occur which we hope obviously does not happen. Demeco Ryans had a team high 148 tackles last year and has said he is more comfortable in a 4-3 but did play both when he was in Houston so his production should not drop all that much and certainly the scheme won't hold him back from being a big force on the field that the Eagles really need, plus he is a leader on and off the football field for these players. Mychal Kendricks is a interesting player to watch in camp, he had a up and down season last year and did have some big games like against Baltimore in week 2 when he had the game winning pass deflection over Ray Rice but then again, he seemed to be lost at times. The 3-4 actually should really help Kendricks, he was a very productive pass rusher when he was in college and could be lined up all over the field this year. Looking to the bench where there is some good young talent such as 4 year player Jamar Chaney who started all 16 games in 2011 and was a big piece in that team with over 100 tackles and he should be a very good depth player in case of injuries. Shaun Phillips is a guy that really intrigues me. Yes maybe he isn't a starting caliber linebacker in the NFL but he is a monster on special teams. The Eagles already have one of the best special teamers in the game in safety Colt Anderson and adding Phillips really makes the special teams dangerous. Chip Kelly wants points scored on all 3 offensive, defense, and special teams. Shaun Phillips led the Panthers with 16 special teams tackles, he has great hard hitting ability and will be a good backup but I do see him behind Jamar Chaney on the roster and maybe even Casey Matthews who also reunites with Chip Kelly as Matthews played for Kelly at Oregon in 2010. Matthews started some games in 2011 but looked lost and couldn't shed his blocks hense why he got benched for Jamar Chaney and Akeem Jordan last season in the depth chart. Matthews is going into his third year which could be the charm for him to assert himself in training camp and maybe get some playing time in 2013, but as long as the Eagles defense is in a 3-4 or "Hybrid Scheme" I don't think there is any way he gets to start unless of injury or Kendricks does not pan out. Last player I will talk about is one that is  very underrated and that player is Emmanuel Acho formally of Texas University and the Cleveland Browns. Last year he was not able to play in the season after a torn miniscus in August of last year. He has great raw talent but needs to get down the system and work on his smarts on the field before he makes a big impact. He is a fast player who could really make a difference on special teams as long as he is healthy which he says he is 100 percent ready for the season. It all depends who makes the roster on how many linebackers Chip Kelly keeps. I would believe he keeps 4 or 5 inside line backers as in this order.

1. Demeco Ryans (Starter)
2. Mychal Kendricks(Starter)
3. Jamar Chaney
4. Emmanuel Acho