Sheil Kapadia of Philly.com's Moving the Chains blog reports that the Eagles have acquired LB Will Witherspoon from the Rams in return for WR Brandon Gibson and a 2010 5th round pick.
Eagles Trade For LB Will Witherspoon
Ever since MLB Stewart Bradley’s season-ending ACL tear during training camp, the Eagles have been thin at linebacker. A few weeks ago, the team brought back MLB Jeremiah Trotter to help out on running downs, but he has struggled to get back to game speed after returning from knee injuries. MLB Omar Gaither sprained his foot in last week’s loss to the Raiders, and while the severity of the injury is not known, losing him for any extended period of time would have left the Eagles with almost no depth at the position.
Adam Caplan of Scout.com points out that the versatile Witherspoon was once considered one of the better WLBs in the league, but can also play MLB, where he will likely line up for the Eagles - at least this year. Considering that Witherspoon is signed through 2011, the Eagles could theoretically move him back to his natural position of WLB once Stewart Bradley returns next year.
Additionally, SBN’s Bleeding Green Nation points out that one obstacle to a midseason move - teaching the new player your system - shouldn’t be an issue here:
The fear you have with any midseason trade and a reason such moves are so rare in the NFL is that it usually takes a player a long time to learn a team's system and playbook. The great thing about Witherspoon is that he's spent the entire year learning the Eagles' system from Rams' head coach Steve Spagnuolo, who spent many years here as a defensive assistant. The learning curve for Witherspoon should be minimal.
Meanwhile, from the Rams’ perspective, they pick up a young developmental wide receiver in Gibson who should have a chance to make an immediate impact for them given their lack of proven players at the position, as well as a mid-round pick in what figures to be a deep draft.
While this seems like a solid move for a rebuilding team, it’s nonetheless surprising, as SBN’s Turf Show Times explains:
I'm shocked by this move. Witherspoon has been among the Rams better defensive players in recent seasons. Of course, for a defense that's set records for their ineptness, that means nothing. Witherspoon will be 30 next season, and the Rams don't have many players left on the roster over 30, an intentional move on the part of the team's leadership. This leaves a hole on defense right now. Paris Lenon most likely takes over on the weakside once David Vobora returns after this week's game against the Colts.
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