Vic Fangio Monday morning at Eagles camp:

Full quote: “I think every defense in the NFL relies on high-level production from the ILBs, especially as the game is played now. ILB used to be a position where you somewhat could overachieve, and be a tough guy, but when the fullback disappeared and he’s been replaced by a third wideout or 2nd tight end who is a good receiver, (now) the game is played in space more. Yet they still run the ball a good deal. So the ILB position has become a more demanding position in this last decade or so. It’s hard (to play) good defense without good ILB play. These guys are working hard to get to that level.”

As you know, Howie Roseman has always valued the inside linebacker above all else (sarcasm thicker than a giant sequoia). Fangio talks about the difficulty of playing good defense without good ILB play, which Eagles fans who watched Nicholas Morrow and Shaq Leonard last year can attest to. Coincidentally, the two years the Birds went to the Super Bowl, they had Nigel Bradham, T.J. Edwards, and Kyzir White out there. No disrespect to Alex Singleton or Nathan “Whitesnake” Gerry, but there was a stretch there where Eagles linebacker play wasn’t exactly stellar.

That’s not to say that one of these guys can’t take the job and run with it. But the group includes a wild card/reclamation project of sorts (Devin White), a 3rd round draft pick who still hasn’t proven himself (Nakobe Dean), a guy they keep talking up but who has played something like 600 career snaps (Zack Baun), a rookie (Trot Jr.), and a crop of borderline special teamers.