Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain in Cutting Trotter

The word "surprise" was splashed all over headlines following the Eagles' release of popular veteran MLB Jeremiah Trotter. But anyone who follows the team closely, or watched Trotter get abused in coverage last season, saw this move coming for months.

First there was the trade for Takeo Spikes. Not only is he a proven veteran playmaker, but Spikes brings the lockerroom leadership the Eagles knew they'd eventually have to replace when cutting the cord with Trotter. And it didn't hurt that he has experience at all three linebacker spots -- including the middle.

For now, the man in the middle will be second-year pro Omar Gaither, a fifth-round pick who was impressive after supplanting disappointing Matt McCoy on the weak side for the final five games last season. In case Gaither stumbles, the Eagles have third-round rookie Stewart Bradley taking snaps in the middle after spending most of his time at Nebraska patrolling the strong side. Gaither will be flanked by Spikes on the weak side and mostly likely second-year player Chris Gocong on the strong side.

So while the exact timing of Trotter's release might have caught some by surprise, the Eagles are well-stocked to move on. He claimed to have lost nine pounds since last season, but Trotter still isn't the smaller, quicker, more agile middle linebacker needed in today's NFL.

The team was wise to make the move now, giving Trotter's teammates time to digest, complain a bit to the media and move on from losing a friend and team leader. Much better now than having that distracting during final cuts leading into Week 1, when the games count.