Who Goes to Make Room for Patterson?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagles Blog
Who Goes to Make Room for Patterson?
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
It seems very likely that defensive tackle Mike Patterson will join the Eagles' 53-man roster this week or next week, as Patterson completes his comeback from offseason brain surgery. Who leaves the roster when Patterson returns?
The Eagles have gone heavy on the d-line this season, but haven't gotten the results they'd hoped for at their deepest position. Phillip Hunt, who put together such an impressive preseason, has seen his playing time pretty much disappear. Until the Atlanta game, Hunt was at least playing just about every special teams snap, but those opportunities have decreased now, as well. Hunt played just three snaps total against Atlanta, all on special teams.
Veteran Darryl Tapp got 18 defensive snaps against the Falcons and didn't do that much with them. Derek Landri has been supplanted as a starter by Fletcher Cox and has been a disappointment this season, but he still played 32 snaps against Atlanta; kicking him to the curb would be a surprise right now.
Of course, the roster spot wouldn't have to come from the defensive line, particularly if coaches aren't sure how much Patterson can contribute. Running back Dion Lewis has been active for one game all season. If Damaris Johnson makes progress as a punt returner in New Orleans, Mardy Gilyard's spot could be up for grabs.
How about Andy Reid!— Tom from MD- Oh man, what a difficult decision...so many pro bowlers...who can the Eagles possibly stand to part with????
- I like the Andy Reid suggestion— mcghee19
- Trade him for a real O-lineman....— nuggett
- How about Michael Vick?— Bama
Decisions, decisions...so many superstars on this team.
We can't afford to let anybody go LOL— EmanuelP- I second MD Tom!— CoettaGarner25
- Why does a team that doesn't run the ball need 4 RBs? My guess would be Dion Lewis. If they release a DL, Hunt or Tapp are the obvious choices.— Only in Philly...
- I hope it's not Hunt. Despite evidence to the contrary, I still think he has great potential. I wouldn't mind seeing Lewis hit the road.— Penfold18
- Patterson is going to risk his health for THIS season? For THIS team? The only thing the Eagles can salvage from this season is Reid's job and that's not worth risking ANYTHING for.— Boru
- I read the headline, came to article just to be funny and say Andy Reid. Ut is sad but given the personal struggles, I suspect he is a changed person. I love Andy Reid, hands down, best coach in franchise history, may go to the HOF. He hasn't made the hard choices, Spagnulo needed to come back after Johnson past away!
Too slow, I also like the Vick comment. I am going to throw Babin on the list because of his whine, maybe I just want Cole, McCoy, and Ryans.
Dawkins must come back, as one of the 53, a groundskeeper, minister, coordinator, maybe head coach. I don't care, the team has lost the heart. Douglas, Trotter, Dawkins on D. Runyan. Tra Thomas, J Jackson on D.
There were better players than those above but they didn't have the heart.— willbert31 - And other than the loaded Giants, Spags has done what ? Enough of this Eagle defensive myth. McNugget gave the vaunted D a lead they could not hold in the Cardinal championship game and the NEP SB. Enough said.— oldBird
- Now that Anderson and Cooper are back playing special teams they don't need an LB on the roster who only plays there.— Paul SoTX
- Watkins stinks. He represents Andy's flawed drafting. Buh bye Danny.— hallux
- Cut them all.— adipaolo
