Eagles Cut to 53: Vick 'Exempt'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles Cut to 53: Vick 'Exempt'
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles made their roster cuts down to the regular-season limit of 53 Saturday, and the biggest surprise might have been that they placed quarterback Michael Vick on the "exempt" list, meaning he doesn't count against the roster but cannot practice during the two weeks he is suspended. Perhaps because of that exemption, A.J. Feeley remains with the team for now.
Vick had said following Thursday's preseason finale that it would be "very, very important" for him to be able to practice during his suspension, but Eagles coach Andy Reid obviously felt differently.
Another surprise was that because the team kept 7 wide receivers, at least for now, Reggie Brown remains an Eagle. Clearly, the Birds wanted to show potential trade partners that they did not have to release Feeley or Brown. Just as clearly, they aren't keeping 4 QBs or 7 wideouts long term.
The Eagles waived CB Trae Williams, CB Jack Ikegwuonu, DE Bryan Smith, DE Josh Gaines, LB Tank Daniels, FS Reshard Langford, WR Danny Amendola, RB Lorenzo Booker, C Dallas Reynolds, G Paul Fanaika, G Mike Gibson, TE Rob Myers, FB Marcus Mailei and FB Kyle Eckel. These players are now subject to waivers.
The Eagles released DT Dan Klecko, LB Matt Wilhelm and TE Matt Schobel. These players are now unrestricted free agents.
The team placed OT Fenuki Tupou on injured reserve.
In a conference call with reporters, general manager Tom Heckert pointed out that Vick won't necessarily be on the exempt list throughout his two-week suspension. Translation: if somebody steps up to the plate to trade for Feeley this week or next week, the Birds probably will go ahead and place Vick on the roster, ahead of his reinstatement.
"Obviously, he does need some more work," Heckert said. He emphasized that though Vick can't practice, he can attend practice and all meetings, and he is free to throw passes on the side, he just can't scrimmage with the rest of the team.
The cuts did not reflect well on the Eagles' 2008 draft. Getting DeSean Jackson in the second round will probably forever keep it from being a bad year, but the team said goodbye to 2008 third (Smith) and fourth-round picks (Ikegwuonu, who could be coming back to the practice squad), plus a guy the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick to acquire on that draft day (Booker).
"We had big expectations for both those guys," Heckert said of Ikegwuonu and Smith, an undersized end. He indicated Ikegwuonu is still working back to total confidence in his rebuilt knee. Smith, Heckert said, was just outplayed at defensive end by late pickup Jason Babin.
Asked about the glut of wideouts, Heckert said: "We like all those guys," but he acknowledged that "things could change at any time."
With Brent Celek and newcomer Tony Curtis as the only tight ends on the roster, you'd think there might be a move there once the cutdown dust settles across the league. Heckert said the Eagles only activated two for most of 2008 and aren't desperate to add a third right now. "As long as we keep a guy on the practice squad, we should be OK," he said.
The signing of Leonard Weaver in the offseason probably doomed Eckel's roster bid, and anybody who watched the preseason knows that former San Diego Charger Eldra Buckley decisvely outplayed Booker.
"That's a great story," Heckert said of Buckley, who had never been asked to catch the ball much before he came here, and looked extremely awkward at it in OTAs. "He played very well." Heckert lauded Buckley's special teams play. "He really did a lot to impress us," Heckert said.
It might have been a bit of a surprise that Dimitri Patterson, a former Redskin and Chief, made it as a fifth corner, given that rookie safety Macho Harris can also play corner. Patterson had a strong preseason.
The numbers just didn't add up for defensive tackle Dan Klecko, with the Birds keeping just three players at that position -- starters Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley and reserve Trevor Laws. Of course, DE Darren Howard usually plays inside on passing downs, and other DEs are capable of doing so.
Heckert called Klecko, whom the Eagles switched from fullback to defensive tackle and back again last season, "one of our favorite guys."
The Eagles can establish a practice squad Sunday.
The Eagles will not keep 4 quarterbacks. Maybe the trade with the Pats didn't provide adequate compensation. Tight end Ben Watson would be a nice addition. I'm thinking the Eagles aren't giving Feeley away.— khenders- Kept Reggie Brown again, huh? Wonder if they are holding onto him for a possible trade, even a 5th round pick, instead of just letting some other team get him for free. Myers, Ikegwuonu, maybe Smith and Gaines all end up on practice squad...Adios Booker..whoa hoa!— Bleue
- They should let Vick go entirely before they get involved with dogfights— chbradburd
Was kinda hoping they would find a spot for Amendola. Hopefully he clears waivers and they can sign him to the practice squad…Gotta give props to Ford for his call on Eldra Buckley. My lord, are the Eagles all of a sudden deep at RB?…and 7 receivers?
Comment removed.- This is the best roster in the NFL?— greenflyer
- Hey 5, Vick was a probowl QB before he went to the clink. He was bad the other night, but he's still really explosive, and with a little practice he will get back to much better form. He is no threat to your dear dear Mcnabb, so relax. In the end he will help these guys.
- Doesn't matter how many running backs or receivers they plan on keeping. If every Woodhead in the league can "jog" for 150 yds game whats the difference. Andy, I went to Harriton way back when. Do yourself a favor and trade Feeley, Brown and Baskett for a starting MLB. And for gods sake, put Amendola on the practice squad.— sonofnash
- Surprised they gave up on draft picks Smith and Ikeg this soon.— P Even
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- I wouldn't say the Probowl means "nothing", but you are right, it is a popularity contest. Vick has never been a complete QB, that is true, but that is not what they will ask him to do. Vick has always sucked? I disagree. He has always scared the hell out of people, and that is exactly what his role will be. 5 is still the guy.
- agreed centerfielder...i give it till game 5 at the max before mcnabb gets a bad scrape on artificial turf and will be out for the year...and you know darn well that even vick being on the sideline is helping this team by pushing the all-too-comfy mcnabb. maybe mcnabb won't be smiling and chumming around with opponents so happily after a loss as much— canada51stSTATE
- Canada- " get a scrape and on artificial turf and will be out for the year" This is the guy who broke his leg against the cards, stayed in, and threw for over 300 yards. People need to get over it!!! He is a great QB and when he is gone everyone will realize how special he really was.— wkd515
- overall I'd say the brain trust made the best moves it could. QB's & WR's still onboard for possible trades after the league sorts out its rosters. Note they still have their 2 strong suits, QB's & WR's. Hope Amendola clears waivers, I really do!— rad205
