The Witherspoon-at-MLB experiment has seemingly ended in Philly already

**Nick** · -11-20-2009

Looks like Mays at MLB
Thursday, November 19, 2009

All signs are pointing to Joe Mays being the starting middle linebacker when the Eagles face the Bears Sunday night.

He and several players said that he took most of the repetitions in the middle during practice today.

"They're giving me some reps right now so they can give me a feel for the game just in case my number is called," Mays said.

If Mays gets his shot in the middle, Chris Gocong -- who played in the middle last week as sort of an experiment -- will move back to his regular spot at strong-side and Will Witherspoon will stay at weak-side.

"I gave it my best," Gocong said. "It was hard. It's tough to set everybody and know all the run gaps and know all the coverage. It's a lot of stuff and it's hard to do in three days."

The Eagles have gone through six different linebackers, including Mays, since starter Stewart Bradley was lost for the season during training camp. Mays got the first shot but lost the position during the preseason.

"I thought he had a good preseason," Gocong said. "He's a physical guy and that's what we need."

Mays admitted that he let the demotion get him down.

"Yeah, I did," Mays said. "I shouldn't have, but I did."

He was inactive for most of the season, but has dressed recently and made the most of his chances on special teams.

"It feels good," Mays said. "It always feels good to get in there and play. But, still, during the game you can't really get too excited because you still have a game to play."

From the Inquirer's Eagles Blog...

**laram0** · -11-20-2009

It's something how Haslett(3 years) couldn't figure out that Spoon wasn't the right fit for the middle. It took Philly what one game?

GO RAMS!!!

**Nick** · -11-20-2009

Originally Posted by laram0

It's something how Haslett(3 years) couldn't figure out that Spoon wasn't the right fit for the middle. It took Philly what one game?

GO RAMS!!!

Three games I think, but yeah, not that long. For a while now the Eagles have seemed to prefer a larger guy in the middle, whether it's Jeremiah Trotter, Levon Kirkland, Omar Gaither, or Stewart Bradley. So I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising, though it looked as if Witherspoon played well there after the trade.