Birds Claim Guard, Form Practice Squad
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Birds Claim Guard, Form Practice Squad
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
The Eagles made a roster adjustment Sunday afternoon, and it could be a significant one. They claimed guard Kyle DeVan off waivers from the Colts, and released rookie defensive tackle Cedric Thornton.
DeVan, 26, started 21 games over the past two seasons for the Colts. In 2009, under current Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd, he was the starter at right guard for the final nine regular season games and all three postseason games, which, of course, includes Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans.
Perhaps not at all coincidentally, the Eagles ended the postseason with a struggling first-round rookie, Danny Watkins, at right guard. It will be interesting to see where DeVan ranks on the depth chart when the Birds resume practice tomorrow.
Only one player cut by the Eagles who was waiver-eligible was picked up, center/guard Mike McGlynn, who is now a Cincinnati Bengal.
The Birds have brought WR/RB Chad Hall and third-round 2010 draft pick Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, a defnsive end, back to their practice squad, the team confirmed, along with 2011 seventh-round picks FB Stanley Havili and LB Greg Lloyd, and C/G Dallas Reynolds, a perennial practice squad mainstay.
Teams are allowed up to eight practice squadders. The Eagles, who kept only two tight ends, seem certain to add someone for the practice squad there, possibly Cornelius Ingram, whom they cut last week.
Yeah, beat the weak teams...and lose to GOOD PLAYOFF team....again.— frank105
Comment removed.- I hear Ron Solt is ready to go!— pitzdidg
- Would have been more excited if it was Vernon Carey or Andre Gurode or Brandon Merriweather as a pickup. These guys aren't just names. They still can play. Their former teams just didn't want to pay them at their current salaries. But this guy, DeVan is solid, and does understand Mudd's scheme. I don't think he is any better than Mathis, but insurance if the rookie falls flat on his face.— arrowamy
- Meriweather would have been an awesome grab, but this is a pretty nice pick up. I'd have to say our 53 man roster is looking really good. basically a 10-6 team plus Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, Jenkins, Babin, Brown, Young and Smith. Our line is still shaky but it is definitely improved from last year.— colahead420
- The Practice Squad seems like a good way to make some income to me. You're still part of the team to some degree, you make decent money, and you don't get your body brutalized every week. If someone on the "varsity" gets injured, you're first in line to get the call. It may not be as good as a full time job on the 53 man roster, but at least you're still employed in the profession that you've chosen.— SteveS11
- From Coltsider, an Indy football site. "The lack of offensive linemen concerns me. I don’t understand the cutting of McClendon and DeVan over Richard. Richard has been terrible in the last two years. He can play center, but Mike Pollak does it better. There is no reason that both McClendon and DeVan were cut over Jamey Richard, especially DeVan. I’m upset with FO on this one. It may not turn out to impact much, but even still, my mind is boggled." At least one guy following the team is not happy to see DeVan go.— PorkChopExpress
- From Coltzilla "DeVan’s story is pretty fantastic. For starters, he made the team, while 2008 draft pick Steve Justice was let go. Then, even though former second round pick Mike Pollak started his second season as the starter at right guard, he began getting more time rotating with Pollak. For four games DeVan moved his way from situational back-up for Pollak to full-time substitute for entire series.
By week nine against Houston, DeVan was starting, and took over as the full-time starter for the remainder of the season. He showed signs of gradually improving throughout the duration of the year, playing his best football late in the season and in the playoffs. In fact, while the Colts struggled running outside of Diem and struggled running inside to the left behind Lilja, DeVan did a nice job of both pass and run blocking, possibly becoming the most dependable lineman on the team.
Imagine how well he could play, and how much he could develop as a starting right guard in his second season. He may also not be susceptible to the ever-present discussion of getting bigger on the offensive line. Both Lilja and Scott were under 300-pounds, in fact neither were much over 290. DeVan is 6-foot 2-inches tall and weighs 306-pounds.
If DeVan continues to develop he should keep his starting spot at right guard and could make a play this year for being a permanent facet on the offensive line. It would not be too surprising if DeVan was the eventual replacement for Jeff Saturday at center, as his collegiate experience and professional experience before he played in Indianapolis was at center."— PorkChopExpress - not bad insight and a good read. I think possibly the more telling post was from the Coltsider, might actually increase the expectations for this pickup. Plus there is a politics at play with this move, as in Roseman putting this guy on the roster and showing Reid he might not have confidence in his current roster. Or it could be another year of them throwing whatever they can at the way and praying it sticks — xlGmanlx
- not bad insight and a good read. I think possibly the more telling post was from the Coltsider, might actually increase the expectations for this pickup. Plus there is a politics at play with this move, as in Roseman putting this guy on the roster and showing Reid he might not have confidence in his current roster. Or it could be another year of them throwing whatever they can at the way and praying it sticks — xlGmanlx
- Scope33 you hit the nail on the head. To Reid: Do the right thing and put Jamaal back at center and now we have a veteran O line and the young guys can learn and get a few snaps this year.— gelang
- Practice squad makes about $5K per week.— menotyou21
- New OL just may have been beaten out by better OL's on Colts roster. Seems like a decent pick up. People in Cincinnati may be asking why Mike McGlinn got cut by the Eagles. At least we have an experienced lineman who has played in the super bowl if Watkins continues to struggle. I wonder how he feels about his holdout today.— JimSeitz
- Move Herramans back, plug this guy in and let Jackson have his spot back.— starbird
- My wife is home with the bagels. I want Studebaker back. My nipples explode with delight. Macho Harris is the man!— blueye7
