Trotter back to Philly?

[MTK]

From ESPN, kinda interesting that Trotter is still out there, don't you think?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...len&id=1829217

It remains the longest of long shots, but there is still some chance that unrestricted free agent middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter could return to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with which he made two Pro Bowl appearances but which also released him in the spring of 2002. Word is that Trotter was trying to contact some Philadelphia officials this week, most notably coach Andy Reid, to see if there were any residual hard feelings that might preclude the club from reuniting him with coordinator Jim Johnson. Trotter, or course, was tagged as a "franchise" player by the Eagles in 2002, but the team subsequently rescinded that marker, making him a free agent. Trotter signed with Washington, had two good but not spectacular seasons, then was cut this spring for salary cap considerations. Philadelphia returns Mark Simoneau at middle linebacker and, while the spin from the Eagles is that the four-year veteran has looked improved in his second spring in their system, he is definitely coming off a roller coaster '03 season. But Johnson prefers a middle linebacker who can "run downhill" to the ball, and Simoneau might be quicker than Trotter at this point. Trotter remains a solid defender against the run, but past knee problems have reduced his range, for sure. It's a bit surprising that Minnesota, which has projected second-year pro E.J. Henderson into the starting middle linebacker vacancy created by the retirement of Greg Biekert, hasn't considered signing Trotter, at least as an insurance policy. Henderson is talented by has been hounded this spring by a series of offseason problems. He was found guilty on Thursday of drunken driving charges in Maryland and was allegedly involved in a June 6 melee outside a Minneapolis night club.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

doesn't speak much for his sense of pride when he'd crawl back there with his tail between his legs after how he felt he was treated. too bad we didn't find out later how much he was a product of their system.

[That Guy]

i'm sure the injury didnt help him either.

[Daseal]

He was a "product of their system" because they used him correctly. He is far from your stereotypical MLB. He should be used to disrupt the backfield, that's what he did, and it's what he's good at.

[BrudLee]

Originally Posted by Daseal

He was a "product of their system" because they used him correctly. He is far from your stereotypical MLB. He should be used to disrupt the backfield, that's what he did, and it's what he's good at.

I'm not sure I agree. He got a LOT of tackles with the Eagles, but they were frequently 4 and 5 yards down the field. His vlaue to them was that he made the plays after the playmakers (linemen and blitzers) missed. Johnson's gambling and blitzing required a safety vlave, and Trotter was excellent at it. His injuries may have procluded him from reaching that level again - even in the same scheme.

[MTK]

It doesn't say much for Trotter when Philly is favoring Simoneau at the MLB spot.

I think teams are concerned over Trotter's knees, and probably rightfully so. He's going to have to sign a cheap deal and prove himself all over again.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It doesn't say much for Trotter when Philly is favoring Simoneau at the MLB spot.

I think teams are concerned over Trotter's knees, and probably rightfully so. He's going to have to sign a cheap deal and prove himself all over again.

not to mention his own visions of self-worth. somehow he still feels like he deserves top money or atleast near it.

[That Guy]

maybe he'd be a little better off without the free-lancing and stupid mistakes i know, that's mean, but i really don't miss him.

[diehardskin2982]

I think he would of done better if we blitzes him more

[skinsfanthru&thru]

if he'd been used correctly there wouldn't have been the vast dissapoint in his signing that there is now but he was still a liability in coverage. i think we're better off with an overall talented player like barrows.

[That Guy]

yeah, barrows is pretty solid. Definately an upgrade

[Riggo44]

Maybe if he goes back he can play like we hoped he would for us. It wouldn't suprise me.