Cabrini students: Did the Eagles make a mistake releasing Trotter?

KASEY MINNICK SPORTS EDITOR KM735@CABRINI EDU

Jeremiah Trotter, a nine-year veteran of the Philadelphia Eagles, was released from the team on Aug. 21 when head coach Andy Reid made the announcement to the public at a press conference.

Reid offered an ultimatum to Trotter; he was either asked to retire or be released. Trotter chose to stay in the National Football League and prove his still-strong skills.

Many looked to Trotter, a member of the starting defensive line and four-time Pro Bowler, as a leader, so the decision came as much of a shock to Philly fans.

According to Reid in the press conference, the decision to replace Trotter as a starter on defense was based on Trotter’s physical limitations.

According to associatedcontent.com., in a game against the New Orleans Saints last season, it was visible to all watching the game that Trotter was struggling to keep up with the run due to his knees

The Eagles will lose the hard-hitting style of play that Trotter brought to the field, but hope the replacement Omar Gaither will pick up right where Trotter finished.

After the announcement, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were quick to sign the 29-yearold in a one-year deal.

In week one of the NFL, the Buccaneers traveled to Seattle to take on the Seahawks with Trotter, inactive, watching from the sidelines.

The Bucs suffered a loss 20-6 with no statistics in the books for Trotter.

“I think the Eagles made a beneficial decision for the team. Trotter was hurt during preseason, didn’t rehab properly and dropped weight and would not have been ready for the season.”

“I think Trotter was old, past his prime and would not recover from his knee injury. Trotter was a great player, but like all good things they must come to an end.”

“I feel that the Eagles made a foolish move by letting go of Trotter. Trotter was a Pro Bowler, as well as a strong asset to the team, and I don’t think Tikio Spikes will be able to replace Trotter.”

“We’ll be ok! Sheppard, Dawkins, Spikes and Kearse will be a strong enough force that will win many games and keep us searching for that Super Bowl ring!”

CRIMINOLOGY

“We saw what happened between Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens when they were talking about each other negatively- it threw the whole chemistry off. I think the same thing would have happened with Trotter because of Andy Reid’s open comments that tainted Trotter’s image.”

JESSICA ZAWROTNY JUNIOR, PSYCHOLOGY/SPECIAL EDUCATION

“I’ve been a huge Jeremiah Trotter fan before he went to the Redskins, then again when he returned to Philadelphia. I will definitely miss Trotter as an Eagle, but I’m happy for him to still be playing in the NFL as a Buccaneer.”