Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Looking at LB

Posted May 2nd, 2025 | 3 Comments »

Years ago I was doing a podcast with Jimmy Bama and we started to talk about linebackers. I joked with Jimmy that someone should make a failed linebackers quilt for the Eagles. It would be a way to remember all the has beens, never wasses and mediocre players that patroled the middle of the Eagles defense for the past decade or so.

Who remembers Eric Wilson? Shaun Bradley would have been a great story since he was from Temple, but he just wasn’t good enough. Was Stephen Tulloch really an Eagle? Nate Gerry was nicknamed Whitesnake. Not so great other than that. The Myles Jack era didn’t pan out as hoped. I could go on, but there’s no reason to depress you.

The good news is that those days are over. Zack Baun was an All-Pro LB last season. Nakobe Dean played at a high level before getting hurt. Oren Burks stepped in and the defense didn’t seem to miss a beat. That was the best LB play in a long time.

Burks left in free agency. Dean isn’t all the way back from his injury yet. But the Eagles still have a good set of LBs.

  • Zack Baun
  • Nakobe Dean
  • Jeremiah Trotter Jr
  • Jihaad Campbell
  • Smael Mondon

It is amazing how quickly the LB room went from a question mark to an exclamation point. As good as the Eagles LBs were last year, the group could be even better this season. Baun now has a year of experience at the position. He was learning last year, especially early in the season. Baun could eliminate some issues and continue to be a playmaker.

When Dean is healthy, he’ll likely play. He knows the defense and pairs well with Baun. Dean has struggled with injuries so he’s not a long term answer at this point. This is a contract season for him. The Eagles would probably love him to play well, get a good deal and help them with a comp pick in 2027.

Trotter showed some promise last year and could be on the field early on since he’s healthy.

Campbell and Mondon are both rookies. Both of them have played a lot of football. They have the size and athleticism to play in the NFL. Neither of these guys is a project. Campbell needs a bit of time because he’s coming back from shoulder surgery. Mondon will get his chance to compete and fight for playing time.

The good thing about having young LBs from big schools like Georgia, Alabama and Clemson is that the guys are used to having to earn playing time. They understand competition. They understand the value in starting out as a role player. It will be interesting to see how the young guys do this summer.

Vic Fangio has to be thrilled after the uncertainty of last summer. Would Baun be any good at ILB? Could Devin White bounce back? Would Nakobe finally play like the star he was in college? Lots of questions. This year he’s just got to worry about Nakobe and Campbell getting healthy. Campbell should be ready for Training Camp. Nakobe seems likely to spill into the regular season.

Look how awesome he is at just standing. Both feet are on the ground. He’s not slouching. Future star for sure.

*****

I don’t understand why Howie Roseman’s plumber is doing interviews from NovaCare.

That can’t be a draft pick, right?

_

3 Comments on “Looking at LB”

  1. 1 The Linc - Video from Eagles’ Draft room shows how Howie Roseman tried to trade up for Jihaad Campbell - SportSourcio said at 1:03 PM on May 3rd, 2025:

    […] Looking at LB – Iggles BlitzIt is amazing how quickly the LB room went from a question mark to an exclamation point. As good as the Eagles LBs were last year, the group could be even better this season. Baun now has a year of experience at the position. He was learning last year, especially early in the season. Baun could eliminate some issues and continue to be a playmaker. When Dean is healthy, he’ll likely play. He knows the defense and pairs well with Baun. Dean has struggled with injuries so he’s not a long term answer at this point. This is a contract season for him. The Eagles would probably love him to play well, get a good deal and help them with a comp pick in 2027. Trotter showed some promise last year and could be on the field early on since he’s healthy. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Video from Eagles’ Draft room shows how Howie Roseman tried to trade up for Jihaad Campbell said at 3:20 PM on May 3rd, 2025:

    […] Looking at LB – Iggles BlitzIt is amazing how quickly the LB room went from a question mark to an exclamation point. As good as the Eagles LBs were last year, the group could be even better this season. Baun now has a year of experience at the position. He was learning last year, especially early in the season. Baun could eliminate some issues and continue to be a playmaker. When Dean is healthy, he’ll likely play. He knows the defense and pairs well with Baun. Dean has struggled with injuries so he’s not a long term answer at this point. This is a contract season for him. The Eagles would probably love him to play well, get a good deal and help them with a comp pick in 2027. Trotter showed some promise last year and could be on the field early on since he’s healthy. […]

  3. 3 The Linc – Over View – Your Daily News Source said at 6:32 PM on May 3rd, 2025:

    […] Looking at LB – Iggles BlitzIt is amazing how quickly the LB room went from a question mark to an exclamation point. As good as the Eagles LBs were last year, the group could be even better this season. Baun now has a year of experience at the position. He was learning last year, especially early in the season. Baun could eliminate some issues and continue to be a playmaker. When Dean is healthy, he’ll likely play. He knows the defense and pairs well with Baun. Dean has struggled with injuries so he’s not a long term answer at this point. This is a contract season for him. The Eagles would probably love him to play well, get a good deal and help them with a comp pick in 2027. Trotter showed some promise last year and could be on the field early on since he’s healthy. […]