I lable Dean a Bust

[Eagle60]

• LINEBACKER TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: For the sixth day in a row, Devin White and Zack Baun were the first first-team linebackers in 11-on-11 (Nakobe Dean was originally in for Baun during an 11-on-11 look that was more of a warm-up activity than a normal full team series). Dean had a “sack” as a blitzer but he struggled in coverage, noticeably getting owned by Kenny Gainwell twice. The first rep involved Gainwell (figuratively) breaking Dean’s ankles after making a short catch and gaining more YAC than he should’ve gained had a sure tackle been made. The second rep involved Dean trailing well behind Gainwell on a wheel route for a touchdown. Dean just hasn’t been impressive in coverage.

[NoDakIggle]

You aren’t the only one.

[NoDakIggle]

Sounds like Dean can blitz. But that is about all. Do you think he is a cut possibility. Trotter and maybe even Van S might pass him on the depth chart before long. I don’t think they’d cut him but it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

[FairOaks]

We will see. I don't have a ton of hope for a stud at this point, but he's barely been on the field. Sometimes you just need experience to improve. It does sound like he's flashing when blitzing this camp, which is more than previous camps. TJ Edwards wasn't much earlier on either, but gradually got better until he became a very solid LB his fourth year. I wouldn't expect Dean to be good in coverage this year, but maybe he can improve some.

The problem is the Eagles have a bunch of LBs who are good blitzing, but may be suspect in coverage. So it's not like Dean has a complementary skillset that you can mix and match. I do continue to wonder if we bring Zach Cunningham back. The LBs sound far better than last offseason, but that's a pretty low bar. In fact I'm not sure it's a bar, more of a bump on the floor.

[NoDakIggle]

Bump on the floor

[Pliny]

I haven't heard a single word about J Trotter Jr. Is he hurt or just a project ?

[NoDakIggle]

Trot Jr is getting good reviews. Don’t think he will earn a starting spot but he is getting occasional reps with the ones. I think he is the prototypical second year kind of guy who can fill in if needed for an injury and give you good ST work. I look for him to blossom next year after he puts on a little muscle

[Eagle60]

I haven't heard a single word about J Trotter Jr. Is he hurt or just a project ?

At the moment they are pretty happy with White and Baun, especially White so we're not hearing much else about LBs.

[andrewaters]

I think they give Dean one more year. He is a third round pick and he’s been hurt. But if he can’t stay healthy this year and at least be a good situational LB and a special teams contributor he wing be back.

[taz]

I think Dean and Trotter were our two best linebackers tonight. Showed more than Baun (who really isn't a linebacker) and White for sure. Also liked what I saw from Hunt playing the strong side.