Eagles legend Seth Joyner is an expert on linebacker play, making three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams at the position during his 13-year career.
So when Joyner praises another linebacker, people pay attention.
He is a big fan of fourth-year Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean, one of the NFL’s best blitzers and an elite run defender.
“Nakobe Dean, he’s a godsend for this team,” Joyner said on 94.1 WIP’s Morning Show on Monday. “As good as (first-round rookie linebacker) Jihaad Campbell is and as good as he’s going to be, Nakobe Dean, his understanding of where he got to get to and what he’s got to do, that makes the difference (for the defense).”
Dean recorded eight tackles, including two for loss, in the Eagles’ 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, where the defense held the Raiders to just 75 total yards, the lowest amount the team has allowed since 1955.
Since Dean returned to the starting lineup in Week 7 after coming back from last year’s season-ending knee injury, the defense has been trending toward elite status again. He has racked up 53 tackles and four sacks in seven starts.
As a result, the Eagles have benched Campbell even though he was playing well.
In the offseason, the Eagles will have to make a tough decision on Dean, who will be one of the league’s best defensive free agents. The front office could let him go because they have Campbell on the roster, but many believe that would be a mistake.
“(Nakobe will) be back,” Joyner said. “They play different positions. What people don’t understand is if you watch how the Eagles operate, they are always buying insurance policy. Jihaad Campbell was more of an insurance policy than anything else.”