Eagles (Stupidly) Release MLB Trotter

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I'm a die hard Eagles fan. Blood in, Blood out. I bleed Green. I just woke up, to a phone call from Simms1156(My friend who posts here, a Giants fan), and he told me about Trotter being released. Now, I thought he was shitting me, as I've fallen for this before. So I look on NFL.com and there it is!

What are we thinking? Our run defense was so pourous last year the only guy who tried was Trotter. Unless Bunkley is the greatest d-tackle ever(I can't say that with a straight face), and Gaither can finally stop the run as good as he can cover passes, we're boned. Our Run defense, assuming Bunkley sucks again, Will be that of the Colts, except we don't have that high powered offense to bail us out. This is the stupidest move made by the Eagles since Drafting Mike Mamula, or trading away Chris Carter. I'm angry, sad, worried, pissed and most of all, downtrodden. If we do not make the playoffs, you know why.

PS: Trotter averaged 147 tackles a year with the Eagles, with a career high of 202 in 1999. WHO CUTS SOMEONE LIKE THAT?

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JasonOWaterboy

856 days ago

Score 3

Wowsers. I know Trotter is getting older, but he has played well and is the emotional leader of the defense. It's not like his salary was an issue. I guess I'll wait for the official reason to be announced before making any judgements, but on the surface this seems like a disastrous move. Even if the team decided they wanted to start someone else in his place, in my opinion Trotter still brings a lot to the team even when not playing as much.

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JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Actually, from what i've heard, salary was an issue...they were gonna use the money elsewhere...

JasonOWaterboy

856 days ago

Score 1

Oh, I didn't know that. I didn't think he was getting very much after he came back, did he renegotiate recently?

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

it was about 3 mil (admittedly, not a lot)...but i think the plan was to use that money elsewhere... I think this was trott's last year on that contract anyways...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 3

On what? What do we need? Other than someone to shoot Considine, damn speed bump. I do NOT see the point in this move at all. he was our run defense. I'm so lost, I think I may watch the press conference to see the reason.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 2

I think you're thinking of old trotter (pre-redskins) and not new trotter (post-skins)...

Now, i have no idea where we could find the numbers without doing a ton of work, but i think you might be surprised to see how effective trotter really is...he may be listed at age 30, but his body was much older...

Look, i think the guy is a great player, a great guy and a great teammate...i'm sad to see him go...but this was bound to happen...every couple of years the eagles cut someone that surprises you (Simon a few years ago...different situation though)...

Has the current eagles management group ever really let you down...i mean, are you pining for the days of Ray Rhodes or "Draft all defense, they can score themselves" buddy ryan?

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

I just Pine for a super bowl before I die..lol.

Silencer76AAA-er

856 days ago

Score 1

Trotter was 30, had arguably lost a step, and was making 2.6 million dollars. I don't think they would flat out release the guy if they thought he was still capable of playing to his maximum potential.

JasonOWaterboy

856 days ago

Score 2

Silencer76 wrote "Trotter was 30, had arguably lost a step, and was making 2.6 million dollars. I don't think they would flat out release the guy if they thought he was still capable of playing to his maximum potential." I am sure they had reason, no doubt teams always do when they cut someone. I am sure it wasn't Reid's revenge for Trotter eating the last cheesesteak at the team dinner. But despite their reasons, teams do make bad decisions. I know the Eagles are very tight under the cap, so maybe 2.6 million could be much better used elsewhere. If they go into the season though with room under the cap and no Trotter, I think it will have been a bad decision. The guy has slowed, but he is one hell of a motivator, something those younger guys like Bunkley could really benefit from.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 1

What you're forgetting JasonO is that you can use money on this years cap to resign players for the future (like westbrook a few years ago)...i think week 6 is the deadline? the point is, you'll hear about an eagles resigning mid-season and it'll be clearer... plus, cutting trott leaves an open roster space for someone else...

JasonOWaterboy

856 days ago

Score 0

I'm not forgetting that, I just don't think the benefits will outweigh the cost of not having Trotter in the locker room.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 1

I guess officially the starting LBs are all brand knew...both Spikes and Gocong never saw a down in eagle green last year (Spikes was a bill and Gocong was on IR)...Gaither did some spot starting duty...

If you take a look, bunkley has played well in the pre-season and coaches love him right now (unlike last season). Moreover, and i don't know if this can be done, but the run defense look pretty solid when Gaither plays (you're too hard on the kid, he looks pretty solid).

Throw in the fact that Trotter's knees have been getting worse by the year. I don't think he was going to see a lot of time to begin with...

Trotter had 113 tackles last year while Gaither had 64 in limited duty...

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TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

BUt what we SHOULD have done, was keep Trotter in and sub on passing downs with gaither. It'd kept his knees fresh, and he could play harder and faster. I will never udnerstand this move.

856 days ago

Score 2

The Eagles DID NOT make a mistake here by releasing Trotter.

The reason why I said that is because Trotter's legs are shot. For those who have visited training camp and watched Trotter in pre-season, this does not come as a surprise. Trotter has appeared very slow. He cannot cover anyone.

Yes, he is still effective against the run. This, however, would not occur much. Why? Well, because offensive cordinators would game plan against Trotter. If the QB sees Trotter on the field, audible to a passing play.

Trotter was an outstanding MLB in his prime. His prime, however, has long since past. Yes, his leadership skills will be missed. Nonetheless, he would have been a big time liability on the field.

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JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Thanks Chris, my sentiments exactly...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 1

Well, if our run defense is that of the Colts, we know why ;[ He onyl had 1 year left, so I guess it's not a big deal. gaither needs to step up then.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

You're not giving him enough...Gaither is a good player...i dunno if he's great...You're also forgetting we added spikes (a definite upgrade over Jones - and you know that!!!)...and I definitely believe Gocong is a better physical presence than McCoy (who will struggle to make the team this year)...of all the question marks, my personal focus is gocong... Think about it this way...even with trott gone, i don't see how the rush defense could get worse than last year...we've definitely upgraded...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 1

I'm not saying Gaither ain't good. I love the guy. I thinkk he has potential to BE great, but with the state of our run defense it just worries me. I know Spikes is an upgrade, eveyrone knows that, I jumped for joy when we got hit lol. And Gocong, I'll have to watch more, I'm unser about him. It's a tough choice, Trotter was a good man. We'll have to see this season

Silencer76AAA-er

856 days ago

Score 0

That is what I thought, that his legs were gone, and if I recall, is he not playing bone on bone practically in both knees by now? As many will say, there is a reason guys rack up obscene tackle numbers: opponents have long drives. You don't get 202 tackles in a year if teams are going 3 and out, or one first down and punt.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

excellent point...actually the problem when drafting him was his knees...he had a physical and they told the eagles...this guy is playing bone on bone...and yet, here he is... its catching up to him now...trott probably won't be able to walk after age 45...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 0

I myself, actually play with very little cartilage in my knees (from my hockey days), and I haven't lost a step, but I'm 20 so :P, but yea, I say, make hima DE ;P and keep em (sarcasm)

Silencer76AAA-er

856 days ago

Score 1

There is a big difference between being 20 and being 30, a ten year veteran of a grueling professional sport, where getting slammed around 75 to 80 times a game at forces up to 1600 psi on an unforgiving surface, in some cases involving foul weather, is commonplace. Considering Trotter was apparently a bone on bone factor 10 years ago, the fact that he was effective as long as he was is impressive enough. I doubt DE would be any better, if anything, he would lack the explosiveness to get past a hulking lineman, and the perpetual cut and chop blocks would put him out to pasture in a hurry.

Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

856 days ago

Score 1

Didn't we go through this once before?

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TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

No, becuase Trotter wasn't released then, unles I missed something? Now shh

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

856 days ago

Score 1

The Eagles franchised Trotter then rescinded it thus making him a free agent.

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

Yea, way back when, he was good then. BUt I wasn't on thuis site then, but my sentiments were the same, heh.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

When did they franchise him? I don't remember that...was this pre-skins...because Trott definitely isn't worth franchise money...

Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

856 days ago

Score 1

If you learned anything by being an Eagles fan for the past ??? years- everyone but Donnie, Andy and Jeff Lurie is replacable... sentiment is for teams that don't obsess over the cap, not the Eagles.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

true...New England does the same thing...

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

856 days ago

Score 1

The Eagles franchised Trotter in 2002, and when they rescinded the tag he became a free agent and signed with the Redskins.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

oh yeah...little foggy...i remember that...

Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

856 days ago

Score 2

All Trotter needs to do is get into a locker room fight with Hugh Douglas and then hold a press conference on his driveway while doing sit ups. Jerry Jones will sign him within hours...

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JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Interestingly enough, Trotter was one of those who defended TO...hmmm

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

856 days ago

Score 1

And comparing this to drafting Mike Mamula and trading Chris Carter is ridiculous. Trotter has had knee problems throughout his career. It was time to move on and let the young guys take over. We drafted Stewart Bradley, have a healthy Chris Gocong, a hungry Omar Gaither, and two young guys in Torrance Daniels and Jeremy Cain. Chris said it best though when he commented on Trotter's leadership qualities but I have a feeling Dawkins will do just fine as our field general.

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JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

btw, Cris carter was cut, not traded....

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

My bad, Still waking up. I knew that sounded wrong ;[

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

856 days ago

Score 2

That Chris Carter guy turned out to be pretty good right..?

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 1

meh, all he ever did was catch touchdowns...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 1

I think so, nothing short of hall of fame right?

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

That's a Buddy Ryan Quote...(That Tom Jackson steals like a bastard)

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 1

well, in ANY case, I just worry about our run defense, which was the reason we lost as we did last year. I hope gaither plays real good, and can be an every down MLB. I like him, alot but, I just have my doubts, he's young, still susceptible to mistakes.

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CheezerAll-Star

856 days ago

Score 1

What little I saw of him last season showed just how old his knees are. He just can't move the way he needs to in order to be effective. Remember how McAllister exposed him last season? He couldn't even turn. It's sad that his career is all but over at such a young age.

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SSreportersLegend

856 days ago

Score 0

Seahawks fans and Cowboy fans can relax and watch the collapse that is the Eagles.

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TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score 2

I dont think there's a collapse, I may be over-worrying but, I doubt Seahawks or Cowboys are much of a threat anyway.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 1

ouch...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score -1

I'm not saying they're bad teams, just over hyped. The Cowboys have Newman and Ware on Defense, that's all I worry about. on offense their WRs are dangerous and Witten is a top tier TE, but I know Romo is overrated, he's not as good as everyone thinks.

TehLokiVarsity Captain

856 days ago

Score -1

Ok, I'm saying they're bad. :]

Falcon02520Legend

856 days ago

Score -1

I also was woken up this morning by this ridiculous news. Apparentlly the Eagles choose to go for 200 rushing yards against instead of 200 yds of offense. They just can't tackle, espically without Trotter.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

856 days ago

Score 0

If Trotter is a Free Agent, who will want him at this stage? Is there another team that would benefit with him on their side?

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

856 days ago

Score -1

Com'on you know Jerry Jones ain't gonna resist this..

Falcon02520Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Trotter fit the Eagles D very well. Not many teams are looking at Trotter because he is just a run stopping machine. He doesn't offer much as far as side-line to side-line coverage or pass coverage. He can simply cover a small area and tackle anything that came to him. (Which is why he was good for the Eagles D)

Donnie35JV Squad

856 days ago

Score 0

Trotter is getting old and cannot defend the pass, I hate to lose him but you have to do what is best for the team. Look at all the 3rd down conversions teams who played the Eagles converted on passing. Mostly up the middle where Trotter was playing. I think Spikes will have a great year playing Middle Linebacker for us. Look at what he did with Buffalo before he got injured two years ago. The have upgraded big time on defense and will be a force this year.

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JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Spikes isn't going to be in the middle, will he?

Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud

856 days ago

Score 0

Either him or Gaither are going to move to MLB. I'd rather have Spikes at MLB and let the younger guys run sideline to sideline.

JuTMSY4Legend

856 days ago

Score 0

Spikes plays best at the Weakside...he always has...he's capable at Mike...he's not a very good strongside LB... I'd rather see Gaither there...he's had more time in the system and we need him there longterm...

TehLokiVarsity Captain

855 days ago

Score 0

Gaither is our starting MLB, with Stewart Bradley backing up both Gocong and Gaither. And I believe Terence Daniels is in the mix too.

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