Start thinking up Kiko-DeMeco-Kendricks nicknames, because the trio of Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks could all be on the field at the same time in Eagles defensive sub packages this season.
"We can rotate them into the packages that we already have," said defensive coordinator Billy Davis, "and there are packages where we can come up with three inside backers that play different kinds of hybrid positions. All three have a high football IQ, and the skill sets are different among all of them, so we can put in some packages to have all three of them out there."
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Inside linebacker coach Rick Minter is absolutely loaded with personnel, so much so that he has had to send Emmanuel Acho over to work out with the outside linebackers. He thinks that getting three of his guys on the field at once is a good idea.
"Right now we're basing ourselves out of a 3-4," explained Minter. "You'd love to have outside bodies at outside linebacker and inside bodies inside. And for the most part, (Alonso, Ryans and Kendricks) are inside guys. Whether it becomes in sub packages, or down the road, specialty packages, certainly you'd love to get as much skill and speed and know how and producers on the field as possible. And so we'll leave it to Billy to come up with that. I think we'd be wise to do that, but we also have to do what fits within the whole character of our defense."
Outside linebacker coach Bill McGovern doesn't coach the inside backers, but the playing time of his group, or possibly the defensive line could be affected by a package that includes three inside linebackers. McGovern, however, agreed that it is a possibility.
"DeMeco is getting healthy. Kiko is learning the defense. Mychal is playing the position he's comfortable playing... It's June. I think when we get back here, we'll see what everyone can do -- what their strengths are, and you try to put the best 11 on the field."
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