We've spent a good amount of time over the last two weeks lamenting the state of the Eagles LBs and previewing who might be available to help in free agency or the draft. We've had members of the community making the case for London Fletcher and David Hawthorne...

So why not keep up the call for the LBs today? Pro Football Focus ranked the top available inside linebackers set to hit free agency. At #1, they've got the wide-9 experienced Stephen Tulloch.

I actually was surprised to hear that he had graded out so well against the pass, as he'd always struck me as deficient in that area... But clearly, this is a guy who would be a tremendous upgrade to the Eagles current corps.

Yesterday, Saukrates made the case for David Hawthorne from the Seahawks, which he'll be happy to hear is a move that PFF would endorse. They've got Hawthorne as their #2 ranked ILB.

For Eagles, NFL draft offers possibilities at linebacker
The Eagles get a chance to examine their defensive options this week in Indianapolis, where the league hosts more than 300 college standouts at its annual scouting combine.

Eagles GM: Samuel, other corners can work together | The News Journal | delawareonline.com
PHILADELPHIA — If the Eagles decide to keep Asante Samuel, their star-studded cornerback trio can play together and function effectively.

Receiver Roulette | National Football Post
The Eagles thus find themselves in a precarious position. DeSean Jackson's big-play potential is undeniable yet his attitude, slight build, and concussion history are mitigating factors for a long-term deal. Also, Jackson's view of his value is in a different sphere than that of the Eagles front office. Prediction: the Tag, while the Eagles subtly let teams know Jackson can be had for an attractive offer.

Iggles Blitz " Blog Archive " Get To Know Fletcher Cox
I can write a bunch of stuff on Fletcher Cox, but pictures are worth a thousand words. Here are some videos of Cox so you can see him in action. There are a mixture of good and bad plays. The key thing to notice is how athletic the guy is. Similar to Cullen Jenkins in that regard.

Offseason team needs: Eagles – Blogging the bEast
The Eagles linebacker situation in the Andy Reid era has been nothing short of comical. The Eagles need to add at least 2 bona fide players at LB this offseason, be it through the draft, free agency, or a combo of the two.

[Note by JasonB, 02/18/12 5:26 PM EST ] yuehho makes the case for the Eagles signing London Fletcher.

I think it's a safe assumption to say that an 8-8 season isn't exactly what the Eagles had in mind when they let Andy Reid go on his free agent shopping spree. However, this team has more talent than ever, perhaps in franchise history. The right moves could not only make the Eagles a playoff team once more, but also a Super Bowl contender.

To achieve that lofty goal, it is blatantly obvious that the Eagles must upgrade their sorry group of linebackers. The likes of Jamar Chaney, Casey Matthews, Brian Rolle, and Moise Fokou failed to shed blocks and to tackle consistently and in general just seemed lost out there half the time. As a result, running backs had their way with this Eagles defense for most of the season.

While many are pointing to the draft to solve the Eagles’ woes at linebacker, with their eyes on Luke Kuechly, the Eagles would be wise to turn to free agency once again. Many may cringe at that thought, as the Eagles’ free agent spending spree last offseason did not exactly pan out. However, with such a talented group of veteran linebackers to select this year, if the Eagles are serious about winning now they must take advantage of this opportunity.

Players such as Stephen Tulloch and Curtis Lofton are available. But Tulloch, despite being a veteran of the wide-9, is inconsistent at times. And Lofton is a core player for the Falcons and it seems highly unlikely that they will let him walk. It is also expected that the Browns will place the franchise tag on D'Qwell Jackson.

Therefore, the Eagles must look into finding a way to bring in London Fletcher.

More after the jump.

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[Note by JasonB, 02/18/12 6:47 PM EST ] We've got some well thought out cases for free agent LB acquisitions being made in the fanposts today!

Sorry, it took me awhile. It took me more time than I thought to get some of these games. (There are a few GIFs so be sure to click on them and watch)

In response to DSmith's request a few weeks ago, I took the time to look over one of the possible free agent options that could be a possibility to our defense severely lacking any impacting play from the linebacker spot: David "Heater" Hawthorne. In a free agency that's likely going to feature quite the quality picking among the pack of players, this would (and needs to be) the off season we finally address the linebacker spot whether through the draft or through free agency. This free agency features some valuable names among the linebackers (including stud Curtis Lofton, the steady D'Qwell Jackson, BGN favorite Stephen Tulloch, and the underrated Dan Connor). Since not much had been known about David Hawthorne (even by me) I decided to get ahold of a few games and scout him myself as well as doing a little snooping about him. More after the jump.....

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Pete Prisco of CBS Sports set about matching all 32 teams with their best fit free agent. For the Eagles, he's got Redskins LB London Fletcher.

We've talked about Fletcher before. The obvious drawback is that he's about to turn 37, but at the same time he's still playing at a high level. He's one of those guys that's probably looking to go somewhere he thinks he'd have a shot at a title in the next year or two.. Is that here?

Interestingly enough, he eliminated DeSean Jackson from the exercise because he's " pretty much assured of getting the franchise tag."

Roseman plays DeSean strategy close to the vest - Philly.com
THE EAGLES have a 2-week period beginning Monday to use their franchise tag, and general manager Howie Roseman offered no definitive answer as to whether the Eagles will use it to keep wide receiver DeSean Jackson

Roseman: Eagles have off-season to fix it
As the Eagles move past their dismal 8-8 season, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman says the Eagles will have an off-season with free agency and a draft to fix their problems.

I am NFL OG and redditor Evan Mathis. AMA : IAmA
Evan Mathis is answering questions on Reddit.

Could Chris Cooley be a 'cap casualty?' - NFC East Blog - ESPN
Jason La Canfora of NFL.com did a big thing on potential cap casualties

3 from Temple invited to scouting combine - Philly.com
TEMPLE running back Bernard Pierce, tight end Evan Rodriguez and linebacker Tahir Whitehead will be in Indianapolis next week for the NFL Scouting Combine. Pierce, who finished with nine school records

I've been continuing to comb through the Mike Mayock conference call for Eagles related tidbits and here he was was asked if he would still favor taking Luke Kuechly even if top rated defensive tackle was still on the board at #15?

After the jump, Mayock mentions a few guys that could also slip to #15 that may be of interest to the Eagles.

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Vontaze Burfict was a popular name amongst Eagles fans as far as a LB target in this year's draft, but as more and more evaluation of him has started to trickle out, the clamor has died down a bit. Mike Mayock was asked about the Arizona State LB directly in his pre-combine conference call this week and what he had to say just might turn off Burfict's few remaining supporters.

It's funny, because all the reasons some people have given to be skeptical about Luke Kuechly are also reasons not like Burfict. His defenders have said they want a tougher, more physical presence... but in reality he just hasn't been that.