One year after being the scapegoat on a poor Philadelphia Eagles defense, the team's linebacker crew has been a subject of a lot of discussion this offseason.
Trade import DeMeco Ryans was brought in from the Houston Texans to provide leadership and stability at middle linebacker. Second-round pick Mychal Kendricks looks slated for the strong-side linebacker spot.
That leaves one spot open on the weakside, where the prime competitors appear to be Brian Rolle and Jamar Cheney. The two men both were starters last year and just happen to be cousins.
"It's all love off the field," Chaney told Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia on Wednesday. "But when you're on the field, it's time to compete."
"We're cousins," Rolle added. "We're still close, teammates. It's business."
Chaney is coming off a neck injury, so the competition won't start in full force until training camp. Rolle, who is also cousins with Giants safety Antrel Rolle and former Raven Samari Rolle, is the favorite for the gig.
"I know Jamar's not happy not starting, and that's something I keep in the back of my mind," Rolle said. "I'm blessed to be where I'm at and work out and let everything else take care of itself."
The two men didn't realize they were cousins until they were on the same team. And they aren't exactly sure how they are cousins. Rolle thinks that his dad and Chaney's uncle are brothers, but it's confusing because it's such a big family.
The two men won't be able to attend the family's big reunion this summer. They'll be too busy battling each other for a job at training camp.
