PhiladelphiaEagles.com profiles the 2004 Eagles, player by player, as we prepare for the 2005 season. Current Profile: LB Mike Labinjo.

Every NFL player will tell you that he had some help getting to the pros.

Most players will tell you that a certain coach or some sort of role model was the driving force behind the player's success. But for Eagles linebacker Mike Labinjo, that special support came right from within the Eagles locker room.

After spending the first 13 games of the season on the practice squad, Labinjo's hope for a spot on the active roster came when Jason Short fractured his leg against Washington.

LB Mike Labinjo

But it was unknown whether the Eagles would promote one of the two young linebackers on the practice squad - Labinjo or Greg Richmond - or someone at another position on the practice squad or bring in someone from the outside.

So. Short went to the Eagles coaches and named who he thought should be the successor to his spot on the roster. Short put his vote in for Labinjo.

He had some big shoes to fill as Short was a valuable part of special teams coach John Harbaugh's unit. Labinjo was thrown immediately into the mix.

He would not disappoint.

In three games, Labinjo shined on special teams with two special teams tackles in his NFL debut against Dallas. Since the Eagles had wrapped up home-field advantage with the win over Dallas, Labinjo got significant playing time in the final two games of the regular season against St. Louis and Cincinnati.

In that regular season finale against the Bengals, Labinjo had a career-best nine tackles. As the playoffs got underway, Labinjo returned to his role on special teams. He was activated for all three postseason matchups and even posted two special teams tackles in the Super Bowl.

Not bad for a rookie free agent.

The 6-0, 241-pound Michigan State product grew up in Toronto where hockey is the national past time. Labinjo grew up playing on the ice and continued to play until high school.

Having success on the football field, Labinjo knew that football could lead to a potential college scholarship. But it was hard to turn away a dream of growing up to be the next Wayne Gretzky.

Labinjo would make choice to focus on football and it turned out to be the right decision. He finished with over 2,600 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns at running back his senior season and went to become a Spartan.

But during his sophomore season, he was moved to linebacker where he has thrived ever since. He had 220 tackles and 11 sacks during his college career. The Eagles saw the raw talent that Labinjo possessed and signed him as a free agent after the 2004 NFL Draft.

Labinjo thrived during training camp learning defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's system. He finished with four tackles in the first three preseason games. In the preseason finale against the Jets, Labinjo shined with a team-high seven tackles while getting the chance to start at middle linebacker.

His performance helped seal a spot for him on the practice squad, where he toiled until the opportunity arose for a chance on the active roster.

Spadaro Analysis: "The early knock I heard on Labinjo was that he had a tendency to run around blocks rather than through them. You must be physical to play in the NFL. It seems Labinjo learned his lessons well. By season's end he looked like he was fitting right in with the defense.

"In the two games against St. Louis and Cincinnati, Labinjo played well and was physical. He has a future at middle linebacker.

"It was on special teams that Labinjo really shined. He is fast and sure and confident in coverage. Clearly, he's still raw and a prospect, but Labinjo made huge strides in his rookie season. If he applies himself well in the off-season, he could be a key cog in the defense next season."

Note that players who are unrestricted free agents are not included in the PhiladelphiaEagles.com player profiles.