Witherspoon cut by Eagles (1 Viewer)

[duece2626]

Witherspoon cut by Eagles according to Jeff McLane of the Philly Inquier via Twitter.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Wow. Didn't see this one coming. Is Dansby on his way to Philly?

 

[Zoomanji]

 

[Jene Bramel]

Teams are cutting high priced veterans because there isn't a salary cap for them to charge against this year. I'm not sure that applies to Witherspoon , and he wouldn't have been cut if he was seen as a vital part of the defense this year. The Eagles expect Stewart Bradley back healthy and gave a second round tender to Akeem Jordan to keep him off the market. We're left to assume that Witherspoon wasn't worth what he was to be paid.

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

i'm not surprised, the eagles run defense was atrocious last year and Will actually made things worse by being maybe the least physical starting LB'er in the league. Will sure can run tho, if the tampa2 was still in vogue in the league he'd land a job as a WLB tomorrow. with only a handful of teams running it and most having a established guy inplace it may be awhile before he finds a job, well depending on his pride.

 

[jacobo_moses]

He still puts up 80 plus tackles a lot of times and is good for a few big plays a year. I don't see why he wouldn't have a job somewhere. I mean honestly he is only 30. does anyone have any insight on where he might go?

 

[ifflchamp]

hey jene what are your thoughts on akeem jordan? Do you think he is capable of taking advantage of this opportunity and able to capitalize on it production-wise?

Teams are cutting high priced veterans because there isn't a salary cap for them to charge against this year. I'm not sure that applies to Witherspoon , and he wouldn't have been cut if he was seen as a vital part of the defense this year. The Eagles expect Stewart Bradley back healthy and gave a second round tender to Akeem Jordan to keep him off the market. We're left to assume that Witherspoon wasn't worth what he was to be paid.

 

[Jene Bramel]

hey jene what are your thoughts on akeem jordan? Do you think he is capable of taking advantage of this opportunity and able to capitalize on it production-wise?

Teams are cutting high priced veterans because there isn't a salary cap for them to charge against this year. I'm not sure that applies to Witherspoon , and he wouldn't have been cut if he was seen as a vital part of the defense this year. The Eagles expect Stewart Bradley back healthy and gave a second round tender to Akeem Jordan to keep him off the market. We're left to assume that Witherspoon wasn't worth what he was to be paid.

Jordan's value is dependent on whether or not he's back in the nickel packages this year, assuming of course he holds the starting WLB job. Jordan wasn't in those subpackages during the second half of 2009 -- and it was just Tracy White who bumped him from the role -- so there's no guarantee he'll be an every-down guy this year. If he is, he probably belongs in the LB4 tier with upside.

 

[Peggy Starfish]

Teams are cutting high priced veterans because there isn't a salary cap for them to charge against this year. I'm not sure that applies to Witherspoon , and he wouldn't have been cut if he was seen as a vital part of the defense this year. The Eagles expect Stewart Bradley back healthy and gave a second round tender to Akeem Jordan to keep him off the market. We're left to assume that Witherspoon wasn't worth what he was to be paid.

See also, Redskins.

The irony at work is that while an "uncapped year" had most of us thinking "spend", it has the teams mostly thinking "cut".

 

[Rumblefish]

He still puts up 80 plus tackles a lot of times and is good for a few big plays a year. I don't see why he wouldn't have a job somewhere. I mean honestly he is only 30. does anyone have any insight on where he might go?

(Rotoworld) The Titans will host free agent LB Will Witherspoon for a Tuesday visit.Analysis: The potential marriage makes sense for both sides. The Titans, moving on from longtime weak-side 'backer Keith Bulluck, are in search of athleticism at the position and can offer a starting job. Range has always been Spoon's primary strength. The Titans are set at middle linebacker after giving Stephen Tulloch a first-round tender, and Gerald McRath is their SLB of the future.

__________

Assuming Bulluck's WILL spot with the Titans would be a good consolation prize for 'Spoon's owners.

Stay tuned.

 

[jacobo_moses]

Thanks. I can only hope for the best as a Witherspoon owner.

 

[duece2626]

(KFFL) Jeff McLane, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports free-agent LB Will Witherspoon (Eagles) has agreed on a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to sources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

 

[Weiner Dog]

He still puts up 80 plus tackles a lot of times and is good for a few big plays a year. I don't see why he wouldn't have a job somewhere. I mean honestly he is only 30. does anyone have any insight on where he might go?

(Rotoworld) The Titans will host free agent LB Will Witherspoon for a Tuesday visit.Analysis: The potential marriage makes sense for both sides. The Titans, moving on from longtime weak-side 'backer Keith Bulluck, are in search of athleticism at the position and can offer a starting job. Range has always been Spoon's primary strength. The Titans are set at middle linebacker after giving Stephen Tulloch a first-round tender, and Gerald McRath is their SLB of the future.

__________

Assuming Bulluck's WILL spot with the Titans would be a good consolation prize for 'Spoon's owners.

Stay tuned.

I could be wrong, but I think Witherspoon has a better chance of starting at SLB than McRath. Withspoon was initially a SLB with the Panthers. At 6'3" 230lbs, I'm not sure if McRath has the bulk to take on blockers (TE's, fullbacks, pulling guards) each and every play. Witherspoon is listed at 6'1" 240lbs.

 

[duece2626]

Don't see any way Spoon doesn't start at WLB.

 

[Birdie048]

(KFFL) Jeff McLane, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports free-agent LB Will Witherspoon (Eagles) has agreed on a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to sources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Details.....Titans signed LB Will Witherspoon to a three-year, $11 million contract with $5 million guaranteed.

Witherspoon, who started for both the Rams and the Eagles last season, has the versatility to play any of the three linebacker spots for the Titans. Per the Nashville City Paper, he will be "penciled in" as a starting outside linebacker. The eraser could make an appearance if Keith Bulluck (torn ACL) re-signs.

(My comments: the Bulluck comment is harsh, but I think it helps Tulloch more.)

 

[Sun Tzu]

(KFFL) Jeff McLane, of the Philadelphia Inquirer, reports free-agent LB Will Witherspoon (Eagles) has agreed on a contract with the Tennessee Titans, according to sources. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Details.....Titans signed LB Will Witherspoon to a three-year, $11 million contract with $5 million guaranteed.

Witherspoon, who started for both the Rams and the Eagles last season, has the versatility to play any of the three linebacker spots for the Titans. Per the Nashville City Paper, he will be "penciled in" as a starting outside linebacker. The eraser could make an appearance if Keith Bulluck (torn ACL) re-signs.

(My comments: the Bulluck comment is harsh, but I think it helps Tulloch more.)

Bulluck is a 33-year old returning from ACL surgery. Witherspoon wasn't brought in to compete with Bulluck for a starting job. He was brought in to replace Bulluck. As for his Carolina experience, he was the WILL with the Panthers. He's never played SAM. However, I'm certain Jene can clarify for certain.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Too early to say where Witherspoon fits. 5 million guaranteed suggests he's likely to start, but he may not if (a) the Titans are serious about still being interested in Bulluck and (b) Thornton ends up recovering fully from shoulder surgery. I wouldn't be too excited yet about Witherspoon's potential IDP value here, though, as it's certainly no slam dunk that he'll play every down even if he starts outside. However, I might temper expectations on Gerald McRath for 2010 until the situation becomes clearer.

My recollection is that Witherspoon played on the weak side in Carolina. I think Brandon Short was on the strong side in those years. Regardless, I think any of the four guys in this discussion (Witherspoon, McRath, Bulluck, Thornton) could handle either OLB position in this defense. The key issue will be which starter plays in the nickel. For now, I'm going to hope that Tulloch's tender suggests he's the anchor and an every-down backer. I'm not sure how I'd handicap the OLB competitions.

 

[FUBAR]

Too early to say where Witherspoon fits. 5 million guaranteed suggests he's likely to start, but he may not if (a) the Titans are serious about still being interested in Bulluck and (b) Thornton ends up recovering fully from shoulder surgery. I wouldn't be too excited yet about Witherspoon's potential IDP value here, though, as it's certainly no slam dunk that he'll play every down even if he starts outside. However, I might temper expectations on Gerald McRath for 2010 until the situation becomes clearer.My recollection is that Witherspoon played on the weak side in Carolina. I think Brandon Short was on the strong side in those years. Regardless, I think any of the four guys in this discussion (Witherspoon, McRath, Bulluck, Thornton) could handle either OLB position in this defense. The key issue will be which starter plays in the nickel. For now, I'm going to hope that Tulloch's tender suggests he's the anchor and an every-down backer. I'm not sure how I'd handicap the OLB competitions.

I could be wrong but it seems to me that Witherspoon is better in coverage than Tulloch and more likely to stay in on nickel. When I heard this my immediate comment was "there goes Bull, I guess he's not getting the chance to show he's healthy... too bad, I liked the guy". I wouldn't mind them bringing Bull back but I don't see the need for what he'll probably cost.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Comments from Witherspoon last night:

“I think I am going to go back to the outside and get back to my more natural position, if you will. But who knows? The way things have gone for me, at some point or another at some point I may be asked to do something outside what the norm is and I’ll be ready to step in and do it.

“The situation will play itself out, but we will do some great things either way. I think Keith will be coming back in here and coming off that knee I think he still has the ability to be a great player. He has done it for a long time in this league and he’ll be prepared when the time is right. They have D.T. and so many good young guys. … To me it is just an opportunity to go out and give them some more veteran leadership and pull them along.’’

Would seem to suggest that he thinks he's going to play WLB, but then has positive things to say about everyone. I still think anything is possible at OLB until a decision is made on Bulluck. In an earlier blog post, Wyatt posted his belief that Witherspoon takes Bulluck's place on the roster and in the lineup.

 

[FUBAR]

Comments from Witherspoon last night:

“I think I am going to go back to the outside and get back to my more natural position, if you will. But who knows? The way things have gone for me, at some point or another at some point I may be asked to do something outside what the norm is and I’ll be ready to step in and do it.

“The situation will play itself out, but we will do some great things either way. I think Keith will be coming back in here and coming off that knee I think he still has the ability to be a great player. He has done it for a long time in this league and he’ll be prepared when the time is right. They have D.T. and so many good young guys. … To me it is just an opportunity to go out and give them some more veteran leadership and pull them along.’’

Would seem to suggest that he thinks he's going to play WLB, but then has positive things to say about everyone. I still think anything is possible at OLB until a decision is made on Bulluck. In an earlier blog post, Wyatt posted his belief that Witherspoon takes Bulluck's place on the roster and in the lineup.

I never followed WW much outside of seeing him play a few games but this indicates to me he has the right attitude and will fit in well here.

 

[Sun Tzu]

I have a difficult time believing that he's not starting next season. I know that Witherspoon hasn't been the same statistical monster since he suffered the two rotator cuff injuries in 2008 but he's only turning 30 this season and is an upgrade over Bulluck and Thornton.

Bulluck is 33 and is coming off ACL surgery which, at that age, can only diminish his skill set. He suffered the injury mid-season and it normally takes younger players almost a full year to recover so, even if he was younger, he wouldn't be fully effective until after the season begins. Thornton was clearly a shell of his former self last season (at least on film or, in my case, TiVo) and was most likely on his way out of the starting lineup, if not the roster, in 2010.

I don't know how Witherspoon and McRath are not the starting outside OLBs in 2010. If 'Spoon is the three-down LB next to Tulloch, he's a low-end LB3/high-end LB4 at the very least and possibly more.