Head coach Andy Reid said on Wednesday that the same three linebackers would be in the starting lineup this Sunday against the Giants. He didn't elaborate as to who would line up where.
And now we know why.
Jamar Chaney is moving from the strong side back to the middle which is where he played at the end of the 2010 season. In fact, Chaney's first career start came against the Giants in the Miracle at the New Meadowlands when he posted a career-high 16 tackles. Moise Fokou goes from the weak side to the strong side and rookie Casey Matthews shifts over from the middle to the weak side.
Chaney embraced the change because he enjoys the position that is the "leader of the defense."
"It's a position I like to play," Chaney said. "I liked playing the SAM, I was just getting used to it. For the last couple of weeks, I was getting real comfortable at it. I take on the challenge and I look forward to it."
Even with the change in the defensive line's alignment to the wide-nine technique, which increases the gaps between the defensive ends and tackles, Chaney said that playing the middle linebacker position is no different.
The question is why did the Eagles make the change? Yes, Chaney has experience in the middle. Fokou has most of his starting experience in the league coming from the strong side. But will this make the Eagles defense a better one?
"You'll find out Sunday when you see us on the field at the same time," Chaney said. "I like the change. I'm down for anything (defensive coordinator) Juan (Castillo) and Coach (Andy) Reid are doing."
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