ILB crisis

[Eagle60]

Hepburn was just resigned to the practice squad.

As Sam Lynch points out, Hepburn is actually the only Eagles inside linebacker currently under contract for 2016. DeMeco Ryans' contract is up after 2015, and he could potentially be a cap casualty this offseason. Mychal Kendricks is eligible for a contract extension this offseason but his rookie deal is up after 2015. This says less about Hepburn, who will be a longshot to make the roster, and more about the uncertainty of the position.

[andrewaters]

disagree. kendricks is going to get a deal. demeco will be restructured and we will likely draft ILB early

[Eagle60]

disagree. kendricks is going to get a deal. demeco will be restructured and we will likely draft ILB early

I think that you are passing over the small matter of restructuring D's leg!

[WCPhan]

disagree. kendricks is going to get a deal. demeco will be restructured and we will likely draft ILB early

yep, that's exactly what I think too. Although, I think it'll be an OLB that's targeted.

[andrewaters]

Maybe but achilles surgery isn't the end of the world. look at Peters. He tore that achilles twice and is still nearly as mobile as before and he is a 340 pound man. If Ryans can come back he will...plus he really has his highest value in Philly so if the Birds come back to him and say Demeco we want you to retire a bird here is a 4 year 19 million dollar deal with 9 million guaranteed he will probably sign it. it is fair for both parties plus assures him he would get more money than the 6 million he is to get next season.

[FRESH]

Mike and Ike are asking callers for their 2015 Sports Wish(Excluded wishing for a championship). Mine would be the return of a healthy Demeco Ryans.

[Eagle60]

Maybe but achilles surgery isn't the end of the world. look at Peters. He tore that achilles twice and is still nearly as mobile as before and he is a 340 pound man. If Ryans can come back he will...plus he really has his highest value in Philly so if the Birds come back to him and say Demeco we want you to retire a bird here is a 4 year 19 million dollar deal with 9 million guaranteed he will probably sign it. it is fair for both parties plus assures him he would get more money than the 6 million he is to get next season.

Wow!!! You sure are generous with other people's money! I don't think the Birds or anyone else offers him that kind of money at 31 and coming off that injury. You're probably talking vet minimum or something close to it. Hey, I want him back too, and I was very vocal about it in the beginning of the year when guys thought that he would be cut after this season and I said they were crazy and he still had years left. But that Achilles changed everything. This will be a sticky situation this coming spring.

[taz]

I know that Chippy likes Demeco as a player and person, however this is still a business and its not good business to have a 31yr old linebacker coming off an achillies injury making 6.9 million. I would bet he is back but probably at a much lower salary.

[FRESH]

That is all anyone is asking for. Just need Demeco to come back healthy!!

[WCPhan]

I know that Chippy likes Demeco as a player and person, however this is still a business and its not good business to have a 31yr old linebacker coming off an achillies injury making 6.9 million. I would bet he is back but probably at a much lower salary.

I imagine they'll add another year and then ask him to cut it down to $3.75M. His leadership alone is worth that.

[FRESH]

Chip speaks so glowingly about Demeco, I don't doubt that he will make every effort to bring Ryans back. Of that I have little doubt, especially given his new "authority" in personnel matters

[stevemc]

I imagine they'll add another year and then ask him to cut it down to $3.75M. His leadership alone is worth that.

This works - they extend him a year, guarantee his 2015 salary in the form of a roster bonus and then he gets the same $ but it's spread over 2 seasons.

[Eagle60]

Like the thread says, we have problem fellas unless D makes it all the way back. I'd say that's less than a 50% shot. I know that we lost a couple of promising guy in TC. We'll see.

[NoDakIggle]

Ryans has leadership and I believe in that all the way. But Jenkins and Kendricks and Cox are the next leaders of this D. I'm good with him coming back but it ain't a bank breaker. Get me some talent at CB, S, and LB

[musicman]

Ryans has leadership and I believe in that all the way. But Jenkins and Kendricks and Cox are the next leaders of this D. I'm good with him coming back but it ain't a bank breaker. Get me some talent at CB, S, and LB

talent and a nasty streak. I don't mind seeing a statement hit over the middle every once and a while.