NFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 1999

Jeremiah Trotter

Eagles LB, 6-0/261, 2nd year

When the Eagles' new coaching staff took over last January, it wasn't sure what Jeremiah Trotter could do. Eight months later Andy Reid and Co. know-everything.

"I would have to say he's been the biggest surprise to us," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson says. "He's playing really, really well."

Trotter, the starting middle linebacker, obviously wasn't in the new staff's plans when it chose Barry Gardner in the second round of the draft. Now the problem is trying to find ways to get Gardner and Trotter on the field at the same time.

That's where Trotter's versatility comes into play.

"In certain defenses, I can line up in different spots," Trotter says. "I might be in the middle. I might be outside. I might be coming off the edge. It's fun, because they can't key on me."

Trotter left Division I-AA Stephen E Austin a year early because his now deceased father, Myra, told him the family needed the money. After eight games as a backup last season, he's now the man in the middle of what might be a good Eagles defense.

Johnson knew Trotter had the ability to stop the run. The question was whether he could drop into coverage. He proved he could in the preseason when he picked off a pass against the Jets and knocked down another one.

The Eagles won't say it, but if they had known how good Trotter was, they probably wouldn't have spent a second-round pick on Gardner. But since Gardner also has played well, it may be time to get them both on the field.

"I like playing in the middle," says Trotter, who had five tackles in his first start last Sunday against Arizona. "I feel like I'm in charge, and I like that responsibility. But I'll do whatever they want. I just want to be on the field." --Mark Eckel

Arizona

1-0: T 1st

Moore's signing, returns balance to passing game

The signing of holdout WR Rob Moore allows the club to use the three-wideout sets it envisioned in a passing attack that should be deadly once the receivers and QB Jake Plummer get their timing together. The dub, with Moore, Frank Sanders and rookie David Boston, now has three wideouts who provide a good mix--Sanders, who led the NFC in catches last year, is the possession receiver; Boston is the deep-threat burner, and Moore is a lanky target who gets open on intermediate routes. Although Moore had two big fourth-quarter catches in the opening win, his greatest impact is on morale, which has suffered because of holdouts and a series of injuries.... With Moore helping to spread the field, the running game also gets a boost. Adrian Murrell is a cutback runner who doesn't need much room up front. If he gets an opening at the line and if the secondary is influenced by the direction of the receivers, there will be plenty of room for him to make his cuts.... RB Michael Pittman will make Cardinals fans forget about Larry Centers. Heavily muscled, with sprinter's speed and good hands, Pittman's size (6-0, 214) and flexibility make him the ideal third-down back. He can get tough yards inside, although he must hit the hole harder. He can catch coming out of the backfield or he can be flexed out as a receiver, a wrinkle the club is using more. Pittman also has emerged as a kickoff and punt returner.

SCOUTING REPORT: The choice of PK Chris Jacke over Joe Nedney is curious considering that Nedney is younger, stronger and has more upside. Nedney is coming off surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Jacke, 33, was more consistent early in camp but lately, Nedney's accuracy has improved. The club might be showcasing the veteran Jacke, who helped out on that account by going 4-for-4 on field goals in the opener.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The club has a shortage of talent at outside linebacker and is compensating by playing five-man fronts frequently. That plays to the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses of others in the front seven. It is a way of surviving with backup tackles-three replace two-while Eric Swann (rehabbing arthritic right knee) and Mark Smith (contract holdout) are out. It allows undersized but athletic ends Andre Wadsworth and Simeon Rice to move outside off the line, where they are more effective. Most important, it allows the team to take an outside linebacker off the field. --Lee Shappell

GRADING OUT Vs Philadelphia

OFFENSE C

It was an F in the first half, but worth an A in the second.

DEFENSE C

The run-stopping has to improve against a schedule that only becomes tougher.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Kicker Chris Jacke, who was 4-for-4 on FGs, offset poor punting by Scott Player.

COACHING C

The staff overestimated the preparedness of Plummer, who'd been out two weeks.

CARDINALS

PASSING   Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long
Plummer     48      25   52.1    274     47

PASSING   TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks
Plummer    1      3   50.2       1

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD
Murrell       24     53   2.2     0
Plummer        6     25   4.2     0
Bates          4      6   1.5     1

RECEIVING    No.    Yds.   Avg.   TD
Sanders        5      50   10.0    0
Hardy          5      49    9.8    0
Murrell        5      47    9.4    0

SCORING   XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.
Jacke       1     1     4     4     13

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.
Player           5    172   34.4      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.    TD.
Bates            3     83   27.7     0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.    TD.
Pittman          4     16    4.0     0