It always hurts more when it's one of your own and to Philadelphia Eagles fans, Jeremiah Trotter was one of their own.
On Tuesday, the Eagles released the nine year NFL veteran. Trotter, who had spent seven of his years wearing the midnight green, was informed Monday night by head coach Andy Reid in what was supposedly a very emotional meeting. The two, who in the past have butted heads, most famously following the 2001 season in which the linebacker felt disrespected by the Eagles, in particular his head coach, were in Trotter's words like "two old ladies".
The move came as a surprise to Trotter, his teammates and to the fans. There had been rumblings following the playoff loss to New Orleans in January that Trotter was in jeopardy of not making the team. The Eagles told him to lose weight and be in better shape for training camp. "The Axeman" had come into camp in shape and looking forward to pairing up new acquisition Takeo Spikes but, it was not to be.
Trotter was drafted in 1998 by then head coach Ray Rhodes but for the most part sat on the bench that year. In 1999, Reid was brought in along with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson who was able to devise a defense that utilized Trotter's downhill playing style and instincts, as well as his 260 pound frame.
In the years that followed, Trotter along with Brian Dawkins, Hugh Douglas and Troy Vincent formed the foundation of one the league's most feared defenses. Trotter, Dawkins and Vincent were part of the 1998 team that went 3-13 and that's what makes his departure so difficult. He was one of the last reminders of how low this franchise had fallen. But he was also a part of those teams that turned things around, the teams that were filled with so much potential and gave so much hope to a city that was starved for a Super Bowl.
Now, Dawkins and offensive tackle Tra Thomas are the only players who remain from the 3-13 team. From the team that went to the Super Bowl in 2004, only 4 starters remain on defense; Dawkins, Sheldon Brown, Lito Sheppard and Jevon Kearse.
Trotter was a 4-time Pro Bowl player and was at one time, arguably the top middle linebacker in the league. Reports say he has visited with Denver and Tampa Bay, and that Minnesota is a possible destination for him. Time will tell if the Eagles were correct in their decision.
For Philadelphians though, it was a sad day and as quarterback Donovan McNabb said in his press conference yesterday, it will take time to get over.
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