"There were 21 linebackers chosen in the NFL draft ahead of Jamar Chaney.

But not many of them will be in such a critical position today as the Philadelphia Eagles' seventh-round choice from Mississippi State, the 220th overall choice.

Barring a miraculous recovery from veteran Stewart Bradley -- who is listed as "questionable" with head coach Andy Reid saying it would be "a stretch" for him to play -- Chaney will start at middle linebacker when the Eagles meet the Green Bay Packers in today's NFC wild-card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field.

"I know a lot of linebackers were chosen before me," Chaney said. "I want to prove to the people that didn't draft me that they were wrong."

So far Chaney's making a good case.

Normally, a rookie in the middle would have a quarterback like the Packers' Aaron Rodgers salivating in anticipation of exploiting his inexperience.

But Chaney is no ordinary rookie. At 6-foot, 242 pounds, he plays the spot almost like an super-sized safety. He showed his skills clearly in his first start Dec. 19, when he made 16 tackles, recorded a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in the Eagles' 38-31 miracle win over the New York Giants."